Saturday, July 26, 2014

What the Art Teacher Wore #107 and Back to Schoolin'

Vintage Monday: Some of my fave vintage duds rarely see the light of day so this week I made a point to bust 'em out. This dress was one of my first vintage purchases that I dyed hot pink a coupla years back to hide some stains. Now that I think about it, Tuesday's dress is a dye-job too! dress: vintage; belt: Pin Up Girl Clothing; sandals: gift from a friend
Hello, kids! I hope that this sunshiny week has treated you swimmingly. Mine entailed feeble attempts at working in my art room (I can only manage about 3 hours a day before I start to whine "but it's summerrrrrr, I'm not supposed to be at schoooooooll!") and weak pursuits of stitching up some Back-to-School duds (I keep starting one dress and then another and then another. I really need meds for my self-diagonsed ADHD because self-medicating with coffee and chocolate only lead to a worse case of "look, SQUIRREL!"-itis). On top of that, I've been reading up on our Artsy Book Club choices and dreaming up ideas for an Apron Sew-a-Long (deets below, y'all). And to think that this week was supposed to be the calm before the Back-to-Schoolin' storm, pshaw!

I still cannot believe I start back to school in a matter of days. In fact, I know it's not sunk in as the Back-to-School nightmares have yet to begin (anyone else have these? Over-crowded art class, rowdy kids, paint everywhere, ticked off classroom teacher waiting outside the door with her kids in tow, me screaming for some semblance of control...oh, what am I talking about, that's no nightmare, that's my daily life!). To top it off, hubs and I headed out of town on Friday to spend our last vacation in California. When we return, I'll be hittin' the teachin' ground running. It's gonna be an interesting Back-to-Schoolin', I can already tell.

With returning to school in mind, I thought I'd share with you some of my Back-to-School projects and purchases. This is the kinda stuff that really gets me excited about returning to see my lil artist friends. Whuh about you, non-teachers and teacher-buds? What is/was your fave part about returning to school? Aside from huffing that brand new pack of Sharpies, as that's just a given. Whatever it may be, I hope it helps make the transition from easy-summer-days to kid-filled-artsy-craze a good one. Until next time, y'all!
Y'all recall that SmART! Craft Supply place I mentioned a coupla blog posts back? Well, they have a crazy assortment of sewing patterns (most being from the late 70's an 80's which is not my fave fashion era) and I scored this gem. I usually begin my sewing projects with a quick and crappy sketch just to wrap my head around where I'm going. I've decided to use a different pattern for the skirt portion (I didn't love the maxi vs. mini options. In fact, I hate maxis in the art room because every time I squat down, I ALWAYS step on my hem, attempt to stand up, get caught on stepped-on-hem and fall over. It's quite classy to see in action, I gotta tell ya). Here's hoping those angel-wing-sleeve-thingies don't look too angel-wing-y. Though pretty sure I'll be fine as I've never been confused for anything close to angelic. I'll keep ya's posted.
True Detective Tuesday: Since hubs has been home this week, we've spent some time hiking, reading and catching up on shows we've heard so much about. We decided to give True Detective a go this week. Have y'all watched this show? It's good...but unsettling. I find that I'm totally absorbed when watching it but feeling pretty funky afterwards. How bout y'all? dress: vintage, dyed purple by moi; shoes: Crocs, thrifted
What does Back-to-School Shopping mean to you? For me, it means FABRIC! And it's a wee bit outta control, as you can see. By the way, I recently threw the idea out there on Facebook (you can follow me here if you wanna) of hosting an Apron-Sew-Along on this here blog and got a great response. If you aren't familiar with a sew-along, it's where a blogger presents and teaches a sewing project over the course of several weeks and those that are interested, well, sew along. In the end, all projects are presented in a blog post and shared with the interwebbin' world. If you are interested...please let me know in the comments or on my Facebook page. I plan to share the details sometime next week. 
In the meantime, I've go some sewing to do! I've currently got three dresses in varying stages of completion and I need to get my behind in gear. I'm really hoping to have that one on the right ready by the first day of school. It's the one I'm using the angel-wing-sleeve-thingie dress pattern on. Wish me luck.
Butt Ugly But I Like It Wednesday: Seriously. When I found this get up at the thrift store a while back, I was so stoked. The hubs, well, not so much. two-piece crop top and cropped pants: vintage; bakelite bangles: gifts; shoes: Crocs
Back-to-School Shopping also entails scouring the interwebs for vintage clothing that reflects the culture I plan to teach. I found this super amazing skirt from this super amazing etsy seller Sassy Señorita Vintage. Y'all, this here awesome seller is why I love shopping on etsy. Not only is her shop fab but the shipping was fast. And when I sent her an email telling her I was an art teacher she threw in an extra goodie and packed it all in the most colorful of tissue paper that you know I'll be reusing in the art room. Thank you, Sassy Señorita!
The amount of work that went into the skirt is amazing. I've been studying the embroidery and the appliqué technique...thinking of trying my hand at this happy and colorful process.






Thursday Goodness: I ran errands like a crazy person Thursday in preparation to head outta town.  Isn't it funny how crazy things are before vacay? And then, when you get home, you need a vacay from the vacay! Which I totally won't get as we return home at midnight on Wednesday and start back to school bright and early Thursday, yikes! We'll see what state I'm in come next week. dress, bangles, brooch: vintage; rope sandals: Nomadic State of Mind
What else does Back-to-School Shopping mean? Bargains, 'course. Fact: I do have a shopping problemo. Howevers: I counter that buy only shopping used or cheap. For zample, I found these bad boys at Michael's Craft Joint for half off of $8 with the letters being a coupla bucks each. Add that 25% off coupon from my phone and BAM! I've got some happiness for the art room. Now, what to do with em...I'll keep you posted. 
Flyin Out Friday: My apologies for not only the goofball pose but the grainy photo. One of these days I'll quit this outfit photo biznatch and put you all out of your misery, ha! sweater: vintage; bike dress: Anthropologie; necklaces: made by me, DIY here
Don't let the sign fool you, we're actually in Anaheim, California at Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. Hubs and I spent Saturday night at both California Adventure and Disneyland with plans to head back this evening. I'll share that adventure with you in an upcoming post if I recover from this vacay, heading back to school and getting all those dresses stitched up!
Until then, y'all enjoy your summer days! May they be slllooooooow and super happy!

15 comments:

  1. Love the dress in progress with the sewing machine fabric. I think every AT in America will be blogging about how they are using those Michaels frames and shapes - who can pass up 80%+25% off?

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    1. And I got the idea for the frames from YOU! When I saw your post on FB, I grabbed all my art teacher buddies (we were all at a conference together) and hit Michaels. So thank you!!

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  2. I bought frames, too! I used some to 'fancy up' some cheapo frames (on my site, blog page) ...also going to use some to lay textures down on some canvas...and after seeing your cool 'art' sign...heading back for MORE!

    And count me in on this 'sew along' business, sister! Sounds FUN!

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    1. Great, consider yourself counted in! I'm off to check out your blog post now :)

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  3. Please never stop posting your outfits, they are the coolest!!

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  4. I went and got a few of the frames also! I think they are like $3 now??? Anyhow... I spray painted them black and put hooks on back to hang. I am going to hot glue clothes pins on them and use them for art display or photos of famous artists and tie work??? I will send you a pic when I get to school TODAY. (Yep, teachers go back today....)

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    1. OH NOOOOO, I cannot believe you go back TODAY. That's just mean and cruel. We're heading back this week too, where in the world did our summer go?! If the wire/clothes pin idea doesn't work, one thing you could do is back the frames in cork...they sell cork on the roll and then you could simply use push pins to mount the work on the frame. Just a thought. Please send pics when you are finished, love to see what you do with them!

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  5. I have so many reactions to that fantastic post, chock full of good stuff:
    (1) I can't believe you have to go back to school this early! That's ridiculous! It's the middle of summer!
    (2) If possible, can you give the names/makers of those fabrics you bought because they are so cute and I want to find them too! I especially love the one with all the sewing machines, and the camera one.
    (3) Thanks for linking to the Sassy Senorita's etsy shop. She has tons of cool stuff!
    (4) Apron sewalong: great idea! I actually just started making aprons and selling them on etsy. I just have a few up but hope to make (and sell) a lot more soon. I'm in on the sew-along!
    (5) Can't wait to see what you do with the Mexican embroidered piece. I love those!
    Thanks for a great post!!!!

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    1. Lucy Z7/28/2014

      (Actually just found the sewing machine fabric on Fabric.com!)

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    2. Hi Lucy! Thanks for commenting -- lemme respond in kind:

      1. I KNOW, RIGHT, it's so mean and cruel. My head is totes not "in the game" in fact, I'm in complete denial. It's actually my Happy Place ;)
      2. YES! In an upcoming post I'm going to share with y'all some super cute fabrics and where to find them. In the meantime, the camera one came from Hobby Lobby (on sale right now, check their website!).
      3. I know, her shop rocks and she's seriously such a nice seller!
      4. CAN YOU LINK YOUR ETSY STORE?! I wanna see, I wanna see!!
      5. Gah, I've not even thought about it!

      Thank you!

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  6. Just love the dyed vintage dresses!! Also wondering why I never thought of doing it.

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    1. Oh girl, and lemme tell you, once you start you'll find it hard to stop! I think I've dyed 1/2 dozen stained/otherwise-ruined vintage dresses now! I always use Procion dyes available by Jacard (sp?). Have fun!

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  7. Hannah Hill7/29/2014

    Hi Cassie! Love your blog.....I've been reading it for a while. I'm a first year teacher this coming year and also fairly new to sewing! I'd love to be a part of your sew-a-long!
    Love what you're doing here!

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    1. Hannah -- oh, how exciting!! Congrats on your upcoming new first year, those kids are gonna be so lucky to have you! I'll keep you posted about the sew along!

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  8. You make me happy! I get all hyped up reading your blog- excited about making things, going to school and all that...even so that I may once again drag out my nemesis, the sewing machine. Just have to say- your husband has an *awesome ginger beard*! He should check out the American Beard Team- tons of fun and he is lookin like a contender!

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