Salvation Army Soldier

I went marching into my local Salvation Army with my battalion in tow ( my 10y and 8mo. old.) on "Customer Appreciation Day" .  All clothing items 50% off.  

I readied myself for a battle with the crowds... to my relief there were no crowds, no crowds=at ease soldiers.  I was free to peruse at me leisure.  * Well, that is, until baby boy gets fussy and then you know its time to go - and there's mad dash to the register*

I had specific items in mind:
Plaid Shirt
Booties
Polka Dot Pencil Skirt
High Waisted Pants
Camo Pants
China- Tea Cups (really pretty ones, I LOVE tea and so I'm going to have a tea party!!)

I came up short on all these items but I did manage to score a few nice things; including 3 pairs of Aldo shoes.  I left behind a pair of Yves Saint Laurent boots,  a little too worn for my liking.  Some items I'll keep, others I'll give away or sell. 

If anyone is actually reading these post you may recall that I recently took up sewing.  Well, I found a cute little brown (Banana Republic) corduroy skirt during this visit.  The zipper was spoiled so I managed to get it for $.99.  My plan is to use this to learn how to replace a zipper on a garment.   If I do well, this cute skirt will be rocked this fall with printed opaque tights and booties. If not, you may just be picking up a D.I.Y gone wrong from the Goodwill (and saying "WhattheEff").  It may look a little like a tote bag with a crooked zipper!!

              @~~~~I'm So(Sew)Rosie
                       Stay Rosie Y'all

SEW Rosie!

I found a new hobby!!! I'm learning how to sew!  Learning how to sew will be a real compliment to my other new hobby...thrifting!  (Can you tell how excited I am by all the exclamation points?!)

A few months ago, I purchased a sewing machine from Wally's a.k.a Walmart in preparation for a sewing class I registered for a few months ago as well.  I started out with a simple machine, a Singer Simple, to be exact. I paid less than $100 for it.  Although the Goodwill always has sewing machines, I opted to get something new; not being familiar with sewing machines, I had to be certain I got all the parts.

I opened the box this past weekend on the morning of my lesson.   I saw no point in opening it any sooner as I hadn't the first clue how to even thread my new gadget and I certainly didn't want to break it. 

Well duh! Of course I could've read the instructions!  (I know that's what you were thinking) I find I learn best by practical application (by doing) not by following incomprehensible diagrams.  Have you ever tried putting together a piece of Ikea furniture???  But I digress.

My sewing 101 lesson was great and I'm super excited to get sewing.  Pretty soon I'll be able alter all those great thrift finds I usually walk away from because they were too big or too short.  Not to mention  too expensive to get tailored.  Tailoring can cost a grip and in the words of Ms. Sweet Brown herself "Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!"

Ambitious... I know.  But sewing is in my blood my uncle was a tailor, my mom's first cousin is a seamstress and my mom assisted her in making wedding dresses.

Osmosis!?!- NOT!

I've already borrowed a bunch of sewing books from the library.   I thrifted a super cool book from Goodwill and a coworker whose mother recently passed away gave me a bunch of his mom's sewing books.   Apparently, his mother was a skilled seamstress who made all her own stuff.   I feel honored to receive these gifts and pray that an ounce of her talent rubs off on me.  (Rest in peace Ms. F)

I'll be taking my 102 lesson soon. Stay for tuned more updates on my journey.

    @~~~~I'm So "SEW" Rosie!
              Stay Rosy Y'all