It has been a while since I blogged about anything really. So I thought why not start one by sharing my recent makes. After four long years of studying, I have had almost no time to sew anything for my 'new' body. When I say 'new body' I mean, my completely ruined body after two children. From having 6 packs, I now have a bulgy tummy (diastasis recti) even though I have tried several different types of exercises to help strengthen the muscles. I do get questions about whether I am pregnant again. As much as I wish I was, I am not. It's just that the muscles in my tummy have forgotten to get back together. Seeking an expert advice is the next step.
See the tummy!
Having said that, being the Fashionista that I am and having finished my BA in Fashion Design, my current plans are to create my own wardrobe that compliments my 'new' body. So here is a dress I recently made. The fabric print is from my own artwork.
This dress style and cut suits most body shapes. It has certainly taken the eye away from the problematic areas. In my case the tummy. Very glad with the end results and believe it or not, I have had requests by other moms to custom make a similar dress for them. All in all this, design worked. I have another garment that was inspired by this dress to show you in the next blog post. Till then, have a pleasant week friends. OXOX
My life has been so crazy busy these days. I wish I had more time for blogging, Youtube and other enjoyable things I used to do. Being a Mom and a fashion student is just not as easy as I thought. When I am in school, I think about my son and my home. When I am at home, I think about my school work and my brain goes into non stop design mode. I need a vacation!
Here are some pictures from my days in school.
We are at an art gallery (school field trip)
Taking a break from drawing hands. My classmate thinks she is a bird!
My first 9 head female figure drawing! Just realised that the boobs are un-naturally pointy!
I drew my classmate's face in an artistic way!
Draping class, transformational reconstruction!
Currently, I am working on my 1st semester final project which is a draped skirt. Will show you pictures later of my work once I'm done with it!
If I am not shuffling through my makeup stash or surfing the net or reading countless online resources about parenting, you can find me doing bead embroidery! I just love how therapeutic it is. I did mention this in an earlier blog post (click here). Sadly, I am not able to sew much as I find it very difficult to stand too long or sit too long, so that is on the back burner for now. Since my ever growing belly is getting in the way of my other hobbies, bead embroidery has come to the rescue as I can comfortably sit in my cosy sofa and do it for hours.
Here are two of my bead embroidered pieces.
The black beads are from Indonesia (Bali). They are volcano beads! Brings back lovely memories as I bought them while my husband and I were on our honeymoon. The blue and black seed beads are czech beads bought here in Sweden. This will be a piece I am going to keep for a very long time. Perhaps pass it down to my child/children one day!
This piece was inspired by Egyptian art which I love so much. The scarab is made of polymer clay. In fact, this was the first time I had my hands on polymer clay. It turned out ok, I think. I painted it with nail polish from Orly (space cadet) to give that duel tone effect. Not sure if it will last but it was worth the try. I might use this piece in a clothing design. It's work in progress for now.
If you want to see more bead embroidery that I have or am in the process of doing, please watch the b/m videos on my DIYFashionista Youtube channel (click here).
Here are some links to Youtube channels where you can learn the basics of bead embroidery. This was how I learnt and progressed with my projects.
I am still learning and I am glad to have tried this art. I must admit, bead embroidery is a test to my patience and I can't believe that I can do it for hours in a stretch without feeling frustrated or distracted, so it is a pleasant surprise for me. Yes, I have the attention span of a 5 year old at times! :)
Thanks for stopping by! How is your week so far? Do you have time for a hobby?
I love this site.... http://www.polyvore.com. It's a great way to find your style. I love that it is so easy to navigate and make a collage of the clothes & accessories. I recommend this site to those who like fashion and needs ideas for outfits of the day.
Guess what, I am visiting London tomorrow for the 1st time in my life. I am so excited. It will be a very short trip (2days and 1night) but I am so happy that Mr Hubby and I could get to spend some time together there. I also have some business to take care off which I can't talk much about now. When the time comes I will tell you guys. So London here I come, please make sure you have awesome deals on makeup, fabric and stuff. Please, I am deprived of good shopping here so I need to get my fix (LOL)!
I know I have not been blogging much but there is a reason for it. I have been so busy drawing. I am not sure if I told you guys this but I am doing a e-learning course with London college of fashion in Fashion illustration. OMG, I have so much homework. I am happy so I am not really complaining. It feels like I can finally put my designs and ideas on paper.
Here are some drawing I have been working on. It took me many hours to complete each one. It may look like it's easy art but it's not (trust me!). It has taken up so much of my time.
This is one that I am currently working on now.
Thank you so much for coming by.
Good night everyone.
Sweet dreams!
(PS: I am off to bed now so that I can wake up in time for the flight!)
Hello my Lovelies, as promised here are some of my fashion illustrations/drawings. I am learning so much as I draw everyday. I feel like I can finally put my designs and ideas on paper. Before all my drawings were horizontally enlarged and not proportionate as I did not know how to start sketching a human body which looks normal. As you can see, I am still not really good with the shading, outlining, etc... I guess as they say, practice makes perfect!
To me this is taking one step further to achieving my dream of becoming a fashion designer! So I am happy that I took up the fashion illustration course (from London collage of arts) even though it's distance learning for now.
Do let me know what you guys think of my drawings. I don't mind if you think this looks like a kid's drawing. I am open to criticism.
I have been on the prowl looking out for fabric and craft stores. Managed to find this two stores. So now you can imagine how excited I am. The first store is called Ohlssons located just before the city centre. It seems like this store has fabrics for dressmaking and home furnishing. Quite a good selection of notions. Unfortunately, they do not have a website Correction, they do have a website, thanks to one of my alert blog follower who spotted that I was wrong. it's in swedish thus use Google translate for english (see below for web address). The regular items/fabrics are not very pocket friendly however they have a discount rack where a good selection of fabric are on sale which seemed quite reasonably priced.
This is the second store. It's called Babra Symaskinservice (translated : Babra Sewing machine service). It's just one block from Ohlossons. They sell and service sewing machines. They have a good selection of dressmaking fabric. Store looks a little cluttered but there seems to be order. The guy who manages the store was very helpful and speaks very good english. They have sewing notions and a good range of sewing treads too. They sell sewing patterns too however the waiting time for the pattern to arrive is about 1or 2 week if they do not have it in stock. Prices seem reasonable but it is too early to say as I was just browsing around.
Maybe this information might help anyone who comes by Uppsala Sweden. I am sure there are other stores that are yet to be explored. If anyone knows, please share. Greatly appreciated.
Guess what I have finished my 10 year contract in the Army. I am so excited and happy to have received my civilian identification card back after 10 years. During the 10 years in service, I had to use the military issued identity card.
It feels very different knowing that you are free to do whatever you want. I can finally do part time make up artistry, spend more time drawing my fashion ideas, cooking for my husband and being the girly me.
Working in a male dominated environment is not as easy as one might think. I had to endure male chauvinism and proof that I was either equally good and even better than guys. It was a very competitive environment.
With all said, I did make very good friends. My best friend is also in the Army. I will miss all the fun time we had working together. Army life is tough yet interesting. One must experience it to understand what I am talking about.
Now I am a civilian, I have to get used to thinking like a civilian and dressing like one too.. No more army t-shirt and jeans for me. It's going to be more fashionable clothes since I am going into the fashion industry.
Hopefully, if all works well I will go to a fashion school next year 2010. My dream of being a fashion designer cum entrepreneur will come true. God has blessed me with a good life. I am a very happy person now!
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