For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.
Today I have been thinking about September 11, ten years ago. It's hard not to. On that awful day I heard from my boss at Dior that a terrible tragedy had happened in America. It was almost unbelievable. May those souls rest in eternal piece.
We watched a documentary on tv tonight about that day and it certainly doesn't get any less shocking over time. In fact I think it's just the opposite.
There was a memorial service marking the tenth anniversary before today's Rugby World Cup game of America versus Ireland in Taranaki.
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Otherwise, here at Chez Fifi it was Creative Sunday. I took photos of two projects, and completed another. The top photo is my knitted rug with crocheted edges in the basket I keep in the living room.
Below is the rug sans basket. It's folded in quarters.
And below is today's project. I bought this brand-new lamp from the Salvation Army for $8. I was very happy with my purchase, but the pink shade wasn't quite right, both for the base colour, and also for my decor.
I replaced it with an English-made furnishing fabric remnant my Mum gave me.
And finally here is my denim skirt project for summer. I haven't done this before and it was quite fun and easy.
I chopped the legs off my too-big jeans, snipped along the inner leg seams and flattened the legs out, then put a little triangle of fabric in the middle-front and middle-back (from the chopped off legs), stitched and hemmed.
The jeans were too big and unflattering on me, but as a skirt it's fine if a waistband sits on your hips. Don't worry though, I'm not Gisele just yet. I'll show you it on me when the weather is a bit warmer.
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There's more decluttering too. I'm almost through all my magazines, taking out the odd page here and there. They will be dropped off at my current favourite opshop during the week.
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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!
Am watching a Sept 11 doco now and it is still traumatising and shocking a decade on x
ReplyDeleteFiona, you're so crafty. Very impressed.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I must be the only one who's pretending that this day is not significant. I have the blinders on. There are times and places I don't wish to revisit.
xo --
Marsi
Thank you for showing us your projects!
ReplyDeleteI love the shade of your rug and it looks so soft and cozy.
September 11 is a day I'll never forget. I could not watch the documentary because it is so disturbing.
My thoughts are with the families whose lives have been forever changed by this horrific event.
What a cute summery skirt you've made! It looks short short though, you brave girl. Love the pretty "rug" too (I'm guessing that's blanket in NZ speak.) You are really talented. The lampshade is worlds nicer now and complements your bedroom; good find! Nice to have a clutter-free man. Mine's not a packrat, he's just less minimalist.
ReplyDeleteerina
Such talent (read: jealous). Sigh. I wish I knew how to sew...and really well. I know my way around the sewing machine but I would love to be able to do alterations and home decor. Oh well, as long as I have duct tape...
ReplyDeleteGood call on that lampshade! xxBliss
FF, definitely.
ReplyDeleteMarsi, I know how you feel. It brings up all the horror and sadness all over again.
Hostess, thinking of the families makes me so sad.
Erina, I would normally wear a skirt on-the-knee, but casual ones like this feel too mumsy at that length and I can get away with shorter ones at home or the beach. I don't know if I would wear this one to the shop, but if I decided to I would add some leggings.
Yes a rug is a blanket, perhaps a more cosy one. A blanket I would make a bed with, whereas a rug I would have folded on the end of a bed or over the arm of a sofa.
Bliss, if you know your way around a sewing machine you're halfway there. Just try things, fiddle around, you'll work it out.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started the skirt I had a fair idea it would turn out, I just pinned and ironed and snipped and flattened and so it did. Each time you do something you'll get better at it.
When I alter some items I do it in a reversible way (not the skirt obviously, but I didn't wear the jeans anyway). Say I want to make a shirt or blouse more streamlined around the waist, I'll pin and sew new side seams or darts, but not cut until I'm happy with the shape. That way I can always unpick it and go back to how it was if it looks terrible.
As for home decor, it's just straight lines. Cushions are easy to play around with, and are small so give instant gratification, just take the old cover off and copy the size and style. I admit curtains aren't that easy.
A patchwork quilt is fun too, I've made a few baby ones (a much better size to attempt!) and they could double as sofa/knee rugs.
I once had a skirt made from an old pair of denim pants too! it was one of my favorites until I outgrew it.. actually it's now sitting in my box of "things to donate" as i declutter as well!
ReplyDeleteyou are so creative fiona, the lamp and the rug look very nice! sometimes I feel like I need a hobby and it's at times like this that I like to live vicariously through other people.
but sometimes I wonder how I would be at knitting or cross stitching..could be something to try. hmm...
Can I just come to NZ for some lessons? That sounds more fun! I will bring the John Henry "sipping" beer. : )
ReplyDeleteFiona,
ReplyDeleteI have been so touched by so many bloggers taking time to honor those we so sadly lost ten years ago...It makes my heart hurt and swell at the same time.
I have really been enjoying your posts. You are so handy I am a tad envious!
Aspen, my decluttering box is growing well, and it's leaving later in the week. That thought makes me so happy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice words. I think everyone is creative in their own way. Just try something petite, that way you haven't spent too much money on something you might not enjoy, plus you will finish it quickly and gain confidence.
Bliss, of course. See you soon. Look forward to sipping some beer with you.
Julia, it wasn't just America, it affected the whole world. We are all different people because of it. Thank you for your kind words also.
I love the colors of your pretty knitted and crocheted rug! Bess
ReplyDeleteThank you Bess! I'm often drawn to that colour.
ReplyDelete