Cleaning Out the Closet

Cleaning out the closet had me knee deep in empty cardboard boxes, wrinkled tissue paper, and over stuffed bags of shredded, crinkled paper. These gift wrapping and packaging supplies had taken over my closet and had multiplied when the door was shut. I had not realized that these things are related to rabbits. You know, rapid reproduction!

This task did have its benefits, though. Not only do I now have a much orderly closet, but now I know what is in there. I pulled out things for a garage sale, and I recycled the paper products that aren't needed here. But, there was one thing more...

Before or After? I'm not telling...

I found a long ago discarded tote bag. It held business brochures, a ticket book, some makeup samples, ink pens, and something nicely folded up. It was stuck in one of those inner pockets that tote bags are famous for. Yes, like so many other women out there, I had once sold makeup that you can only buy from a representative and not from a store.

I tossed out those old business cards, those brochures that had my name printed on them, those old samples of makeup. But, not the found treasure. I squealed with delight and grabbed that puppy up close to my bosom. It was the prettiest $20 bill I'd seen in awhile. Yes, indeed... and to think it had been stuck in that closet for a long, long time.

Well, just goes to show you that sometimes a job well-done has extra benefits and nice surprises. I have an organized closet now. I have more items for my upcoming garage sale, and I have something else. High hopes is what they call it. You see, after thinking about it all, I decided that since stuff in that closet multiples, I might just as well put that tote bag back in there, and see what happens.

By all means, I kept out that $20 bill, but I did stick a $1 bill inside that tote bag, same pocket, just in case. And, I'm hoping that whatever happened in that closet before, will happen again.

High hopes? Well... a girl can dream, and it's sure worth a try. Gotta' love it!

Y'all have a great day now, you hear?

Cindy Lou



@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Hats Off to the Lady!

An illustration of a neighborhood grocery store.

Made a run to the grocery store today. Needed the basics:  juice, eggs, guacamole, salsa, & chips. And, of course, Dr. Pepper.  Several other items came home with me, and they're mostly all put up in the refrigerator & cupboards.

Here in the states, folks tend to dress very casually for grocery store runs. Blue jeans & tee shirts are the most common outfits you'll see here in Texas. Summer time brings out the cut offs, shorts, tank tops & flip-flops. Well, it's still winter time here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and today seemed a bit chilly with the low temperature at 40 degrees and the expected high at 53 degrees Fahrenheit. For most Texans that's the time to put on a pot of chili and rev up a roaring fire in the fireplace, keeping on their shorts and keeping the flip-flops near by.

Not so for one unique grocery store shopper. Not so, today.

She stood about five and one-half feet tall, with block high heels and black top hat. Her fur coat, imitation or real (I couldn't tell.) was knock-out, drop-dead gorgeous! The back was a chevron design of mixed colors & textures... white, black, reddish brown & gray. It graced her silhouette all the way down to her ankles, and it moved and shimmered as she walked down the aisles. She looked like she belonged on a fashion runway, certainly not the canned vegetable aisle.

I tried not to stare as I caught other glimpses of her in the store. The last time I saw her, she was at the checkout counter, waiting in line like the rest of us buggy-pushing people. In her hands she held one of those gossip tabloids. You know, the ones that are published weekly, the ones that are full of made-up stories. Her buggy held several items, so she had not run in for just one item, or two.

Her hat... oh, it was beautiful! The dome must have been wool fabric, and the extra-wide, extra-thick brim was black, luscious fiber/fur. Again, imitation fur or real, I don't know. But, it was stunning, and the perfect crown for a night on the town.

But... it wasn't night time, and it wasn't a fashion runway. It wasn't a party, and it wasn't freezing outside. It was just a trip to the grocery store at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, just a regular, neighborhood grocery store stuck on the corner between here & there.

Been thinking about her and what I learned as an observer who was wearing faded blue jeans and a long sleeved tee shirt.  Understand that I'm not at all jealous of what this woman owns. I have everything I need and want, and I don't covet her possessions or her lifestyle. I don't know her or anything about her. She just happened to be there when I was there.  I was just an observer.

This I did realize, though. I decided that if I had an outfit like hers, just when the heck could I wear it here in Texas? We have very few days below freezing, so there are very few times to bundle up. And just where the heck could I wear it? The Winspear Opera House?  Bass Hall? Reunion Tower? Country Clubs?

Yes, I guess, to all of the above, but I don't go to those places very often, and I'm not a member of a country club. But I've decided that, IF I did have a fabulous coat AND a magical hat like that, I'd wear it any dang place I wanted to. Why, girlfriend... I'd even wear to the grocery store.

So next time you go grocery shopping, you may see this lady. She may be strolling down the cereal aisle, or you may catch her reading the labels on the pet food aisle, or she may have a newspaper tabloid in hand. Don't fret a bit, and think nothing of it. Just enjoy the beauty of the moment and how that lady is enjoying what she owns. She's not saving the good stuff for later, or for her kids. She's making use of it now. Even if it is 53 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and even if she wears that coat only to the grocery store, you gotta' recognize that those refrigerator cases where they keep the juice & eggs are mighty, mighty danged cold. Brrr...

Lesson learned:  Use the good stuff... and enjoy it! I gotta' say... Hats off to the lady!

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket with OOAK Fiber Fabric

Once plain, now beautiful!

Playing at the sewing machine turned into a fun project! Using bits & pieces of coordinating colored fabrics, I created OOAK (one of a kind) fabric, then used parts of that fabric to decorate a denim jacket.The stylish jacket has great lines to it with the vertical seams on front & back. Back yoke, collar, front lapels, and front pockets are perfect places to add material & accents.

OOAK Fiber Fabric with fabric pieces, yarn, & fancy stitches.

Where to start? My "new" fiber fabric measured about 20 inches x 20 inches. Turned out it was more than enough for this idea. Good news. Leftover pieces can be used for future projects! Since the back yoke required the most fabric, it was the place to begin. Using pencil & freezer paper, I traced the yoke's outside edge onto the paper. Carefully, I cut out the yoke shape, cutting along the lines.

Setting aside the yoke shape pattern, I used the template as a frame, moving it around on the fiber fabric to find the best layout. Two photos show choices, and I chose the one with the green at the bottom center of the yoke. After deciding where to cut, I pinned the yoke pattern piece in place, then grabbed the scissors.

Placement #1 for yoke, using template.

Placement #2 for yoke, using template.

Yoke pattern pinned in place using placement #1.

The second largest piece was the collar. I repeated the same process as mentioned above. Made a pattern for the collar, carefully cut it out, exposing the template. Then used the template to position a balanced look to the front points of the collar. Pinned the collar pattern in place & carefully cut it out.

Collar pattern pinned to fiber fabric. Ready to cut.

Bottom lapel pieces were next, and fortunately I could find similar sections of fiber fabric. The front pocket accents were the last to cut, and I questioned if they were necessary, but I like the vertical accents there at the waistline. I think it was a good idea.

Pinned on fiber fabric and machine stitched the pieces in place. Used zig-zag stitch.

Yoke piece ready to sew on.

Collar piece stitched in place. Looks really nice!

Then the beading fun began! It ended up that I worked the bead accents very similarly to how you paint a picture. Work in one area with a section of beads, then move on to another area. Work that space, then move to another. Guess I worked on this piece off & on for a week or so. After day five, I thought I was finished so I hung it up.

Back yoke accented with seed beads. Not too many, keeping the front lapel as focal point.

Went back to it the next day and went, "hmmm... I think it needs some green beads on it." Sure enough.... the green added a sparkle & a pop! They say to walk away from your art and return with fresh eyes. This is just part of the process, and they were right!

Bead clusters include square, cylinder & seed beads.

Ended up with a cute, cute jacket that I think is a classy piece! It's not gaudy. It's not brawdy. But it is a beautiful statement piece with original art work in the fabric & bead placements. The added fabric & beads accent all the right places: the front V-neckline, back shoulder area, and a little touch of color at the front waist (placed vertically for a slimming effect).

Note:  All the beads were sewed on by hand, and are knotted every 3-4 beads. Not a task for an impatient soul! LoL

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK
https://www.etsy.com/listing/681908243/embellished-denim-jacket-beaded-jacket

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Crossover Denim Messenger Bag

Finished Denim Bag

Today's Thrifted Fabric Haul

 Crossover Denim Bag

Inspiration came from thrifted fabrics. Found them all during one visit to my favorite resale shop! Jeans showed very little wear, and the assorted fabrics showed none. Ended up using only three of the coordinating fabrics, and the third fabric is just a little strip of blue print on the inside pocket. Visually it adds interest and also helps the pocket be seen.

Used just the top half of the jeans for the bag. Sewed a 2" gusset on the bottom

and used one leg of the jeans for the shoulder strap.  

Sewed lining same size as the denim bag, with the bottom gusset, and added the decorated pocket. Attached the finished lining with a hand sewn blanket stitch.

Used part of a cognac silk scarf for the sash. The sash loops through two belt loops and is removable. Fold over flap is quilted and machine stitched to the bag. Flap secures with velcro and is decorated with large metal medallion.  Hanging charms bring the blue & reds together and adds fun to the bag!

Backside of the bag shows off the diamond shape beads that are hand sewn to the back pocket. Adjustable shoulder strap:  3 buttons & button hole adjustment. Strap is accented with fiber yarns, sewn to both sides of the strap.

Unhappy with the pearl accented medallion (it was rather wimpy looking), I switched it out for a large rock bead. The glass bead is blue & black and looks much, much better than the delicate pearl. Let's just say, ahem... it rocks!  Now it's ready for my Etsy Shop!

Finished Bag!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/668315154/upcycled-denim-bag-blue-jeans-bag?ref=shop_home_active_2 

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Beautiful day in the neighborhood, Arlington, Texas! Today's sunlight hid for six long, rainy days, and all  I want to do is dance around in the sunshine. When I do, I'm sure to find new green leaves on the hydrangeas and an opened daffodil or two. Spring is coming early this year, and I find great pleasure in that.

It's been a couple of years since you've heard from me, and that's because I was on a journey, a journey to find myself. I needed time to heal and to see if anything of "Me" was still alive after my mother Dimple left this earth and graduated to Heaven. It's been over three years now since her passing, and my grief and exhaustion from care-giving are now under control. My wounds are not raw, anymore. Nor are they exposed. They are, however, still a part of me. They travel right along with me and remind me that I am stronger than I thought, that I did survive it all, and that God is mightier than I ever imagined.

For these new seasons, I am grateful. Stepping into the future now feels like stepping into the sunshine. It's warm, welcoming, and intoxicating. With the past behind me, but still inside me, I open my arms to the new season and say, "Thank you for coming. I'm ready now...  Oh, yes, my friend.. it's time. Let's dance. Shall we?"

"And  God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17 Holy Bible, New International Version 

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

The Beginning...

Nor sure what happened to me... I may never know.  Some call it grief.  Some call it life.  Some don't know. But today is a good day, and it is smiling at me, and I am smiling back!

Finding Cindy Lou.  That is my desire and my mission.  I know she is waiting for me to grab her by the hand and give her a little tug. "Come back to life, honey... I miss you, and need you."

And so, we begin...

A bluebonnet trail somewhere in Texas, USA.

@Copyright 2016, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.