DIY: The IKEA Fabric Portrait Dress

Greetings, all y'all! Me and my boots-made-fer-walkin' are happy to introduce you to my made-in-a-day-whilst-procrastinatin'-bunches-of-other-stuff IKEA Fabric Portrait Dress! Which, by the way, is the longest title for a dress everz. But, let's FACE it: this dress is a PEOPLE-pleaser (see what I did there? There's a lotta faces of people on the dress. I'm being puny. Or maybe that's the wine talking.) 

Hey, Nancy, what say you?

You know that girl. She's all about the boots made for walkin'. 

Whenever I'm stitching up mayhem, er, clothing I'm always styling the ensem in my head: how should I style my hairs (big -n- close to heaven)? what shoes would look best (silver go-go's, DUH)? should I wear this creepy-a## hat? 

Answer: Um, no. That hat and face is the stuff of nightmares. REMOVE. IMMEDIATELY-ISH. 

My apologies for that former photo resulting in nightmares. Let's go back to dress-talking, shall we? 

So a while back I found myself at IKEA and I saw this fabric and, foolishly, I did not purchase it. Because, as stated, I'm foolish. Here's a sampling of the heaven that I let pass me by:

I know. I'm an idiot. Now stop drooling cuz I ain't cleaning that mess up. Not long after, a sweet blog reader sent me some photos of her art room FEATURING THIS FABRIC and I lamented my foolish ways. Super kindly, she sent me her scraps in the mail which were just enough for me to whip up this lil number!

Using a dress pattern that I've busted out exactly One Thousand Times (evidence heres, heres and herezzz), I turned those small scarp-ies into something fabulous. IF I do say so. AND I do.

Check out the many faces of Cassie. I got so many dif personalities I'm kinda feelin' Sybil-ized in this dress (Again, do you even appreciate what I did there? I went all un-PC and took multiple-personalities Sybil, paired it with civil and came up with this hilarity. Do you even know how hard it is to be this un-funny?!)  

 Me thinks not. 

Hey, Nan, what you got to say 'bout all this? 

Uh-huh. I see. Well then. Shake what yer mama gave ya, sistah. 

Since all my wee art students are creating selfies right now, I can't wait to wear this to art teacherin' land. Boots and all. But sans hat, y'all. I just can't deal with the parent phone calls about the nightmare-enducing head-topper. Again. Toodles, y'all!

Oh, snap! Check out this hilarity that my famous art teacherin' friend Tricia Fuglestad just posted on my Twitter. LOVE it, thank you, Tricia! 

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To My Favorite Mothers

Some of my favorite mothers, from the left back row: My Aunt Donna, my grandmother Marilyn, my Great-Mother and Father, my mom Paula. In the foreground, starting from the left, my cousin Angie, my Aunt Judy and me, as Batwoman

Happy Mother's Day to you all! I wanted to take this time to thank all of the moms in my life for all of the gifts that they have given to me. I don't show my sappy-side too often, so thanks for indulging me.

My Grandma Marilyn with her mother and sisters. My grandma is the tall one second from the right.

To my Grandma Maryilyn, who gave to me the gift of gifts. My grandma was forever spoiling her grandchildren with week-long trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach. She loved giving us a vacation-like childhood. I believe she took great pleasure in watching us enjoy ourselves, knowing that her hard work as a nurse practitioner could provide that for us. She and my grandpa Eddy even had the first pool in all of Roann, Indiana put in their backyard so the fun in the sun never had to end. She is missed by all that knew her.

My Grandma Marilyn and my Grandpa John with their children, starting in the middle going clockwise: my Aunt Lottie, my Uncle Keith, my Aunt Donna, my mom

 My Aunt Donna is a mother to four incredible children who all happen to look just like her. There she is on the bottom right. My Aunt Donna give me the gift of gregariousness. She is the most social person I know and people are drawn to her friendliness and humor. Such a sweet gift.

My mom, circa early '60's. After she got this pixie cut, her older sister Lottie was so embarrassed that she told people mom had her hair cut this way because she was joining a nunnery.

 Oh, my mom. She has given me so many gifts they are countless. So I thought I'd share some of my faves. My mom has given me the gift of humor. I think my mom is one of the silliest and funny people I know. I remember as a kid all of my girlfriends loved my mom the best, which drove me nuts! They always wanted to be around her and her goofiness.

Mom and company.

 One of my favorite gifts my mom have given is the gift of encouragement. My mom is my biggest cheerleader. She is always encouraging my choices without question. When I began discovering my own style in high school, she always applauded my uniqueness. I have never felt my mom be anything but beyond proud of me. And what more could a person ask for but a mom that loves ya unconditionally?

My mom in the early 80's graduating with her nursing degree.

My mom has also shown me her gift of perseverance. She had me at an early age but still graduated with a nursing degree. She's had some curve balls thrown her way but has always come out much happier and stronger. She goes on these 30 mile plus bike races at the drop of a hat. She is someone that I admire and love so much.

My mom's older sister, my Aunt Lottie, circa mid-80's

 My Aunt Lottie has given so many the gift of reading. My Aunt Lottie is an English teacher and was mine twice when I was in high school. It's a rare occasion to actually see her face as it is usually behind a book. I remember writing stories as a kid and she would read them to the family with such enthusiasm, always encouraging me to write more. She still encourages young writers today.

My Grandma Rosie, my dad's mom, playing the slide guitar.

My Grandma Rose gave me the gift of craft. More than anyone else, I believe I have her to thank for my desire to create. She showed me how to embroider and cross-stitch. We spent summers days on her porch working on our needlepoint and summer nights in front of the telly doing the same. I even remember us taking our work out on the boat when her husband, my Grandpa Hobe, took us fishing. I think of those times often when I am in my sewing room.

My Grandma Rosie with her mom.

 A silly memory I have of my grandma was when I was a kid and she decided to dye her hair Marilyn Monroe blonde. When we came over to visit, I cried and cried, not recognizing her and wondering where my brown-haired grandma had gone off to.

My hubs Mitch with his mom, circa early 80's

 My mother-in-law has given me countless gifts. Her biggest gift to me is the gift of faith. I also love our shared interests, like our love of all things antique, crafty and artsy. She is so considerate of her family and tries so hard to make us all feel welcome and at home whenever we come to visit. I love spending time with her...she's been one of the many perks of marrying that freckly kid on the right.

Me, my brother Kris and mom
I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day. Don't forget to thank all of your mother's for their gifts to you.

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