my dharma.....work in progress

Yippeeee!  Did you notice Rae has launched this year’s Spring Top Sewalong?

I knew it was coming, so I already started.  This weekend I cut out a raglan scoop-neck tee, altered it a bit from the original tracing (thanks, Rae!) which I traced from a tracing Rae made and altered for herself from an existing tee. (telephone game, anyone?)

I love sewing with knits, but this one was a little “too stable” for my liking.  It barely stretches, which looks fine when it’s on, and was much easier to sew, but getting it in place on my body is a squeezy challenge, as I usually allow the stretch of the knit fabric to take care of the FBA for me.  Oh well.  It’s cotton and bamboo, and I left the edges raw, like I do on my kids’ shirts.  I’m probably going to make 10 of these before I make anything else for myself.

p.s. I know my hair is pink and purple…Yes, Mom, I did that on purpose.

….to start wearing a little makeup….trouble is, I don’t really know “how” to put it on, unless I’m going for a super-glam diva night-out at the Opera or thrown-down dance party glittery look.  So my everyday look involves lip balm and more lip balm.

I’m starting to feel a little like I’m showing my age.   I don’t mind being forty. I actually kind of like it. I finally know what I want and who I am. I have a lot of wonderful experiences behind me and even more in front of me.  I have simply been feeling haggard lately. Part of it is that I don’t really “do anything” with myself, now that I work at home. Part of it is that I haven’t been running (which makes me feel great from the inside out) very much lately.

It didn’t help, that when I bought my fabulous new coat, the saleslady thought my friend Annie was my daughter.  Granted, she looks about 15, and I have two almost-fifteen-year-olds, but still….Annie’s only a few years younger than I am (and she has her OWN 4 kids, one of whom is actually fifteen).

Fast-forward to this morning, where I was having coffee with Janna at a new little local roaster.  It’s always so inspiring to be around her…besides her open, friendly demeanor and the creative confidence she exudes, she manages to pull a ”look” together and appears to have stepped out of a magazine – every. single. time. I see her.  It’s kind of awe-inspiring.  After too much coffee and giggling, I mentioned needing to pick up a little makeup and she immediately suggested we go to her favorite place in the whole world for cosmetics: Rouge. My lunch date had cancelled via text just moments before, and it seemed like perfect timing for a little adventure.

Rouge is located in a fabulous little building in Ferndale, MI where torch songs play over the PA and the chandelier in the bathroom made me want to move in and live there.  It is a make-up and nail studio and they carry heavenly, vegan-friendly, cosmetics and skin care products that are simply the best I’ve ever had floating on my poor old skin.

Cheryl took the time to teach me how to wash my face (I know, I’m pathetic), and to put on makeup for normal everyday use. I really feel like I can handle the task now:

I went in looking like I usually do (on the left), and came out looking like I feel, and ready to face the world.

Speaking of makeovers, I’ve been so absent because I’m working on a major update for this site and for my business in general.  Expect to see some changes around here!

So, like any decent craftymom, I let her.

Every bit of this was her idea.  She loves to teach.  Enjoy!