Wow.  You guys are the most supportive & sweet friends a lucky-at-refashioning, but unlucky-in-love blogger could ask for!  Thanks for all of your wonderful words of support.  They really do help.  :)

I want to give another round of thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Dancing With the Stars Fundraiser for the American Lung Association in SC’s Oxygen Ball!  I somehow managed to dance the Viennese Waltz without falling or mangling myself in any way!  :)  I’m still waiting on the photos and video from the event, but as soon as I get it, I’ll be sharing it with you (Anticipation is exciting.).  I didn’t win the contest, but from all the votes you guys sent in, I feel like a winner.  Plus, you’ve helped everyone here in South Carolina breathe a little easier!  :)

While I can’t show you my refashioned ball gown (yet), I can show you this!

This dress wants to be awesome, and it’s almost there!  That print is awesome, and it actually fits me okay, but the skirt part is really too long to be fun, the neckline is stifling, and I wasn’t feeling the sleeve length either.

Chopping ensued!

Then, I cut a straight line down that too-high neckline and pinned it down.

I stitched down each side of my new V…

This still left the bottom point of the V a sad and vulnerable raw edge.  No worries!  First, I folded the two sides of the V together, like so:

Then, I stitched it down!

Now we’re getting somewhere!  I pinned those sleeves under…

…Then gave them new hems!

I took that bottom scrap and cut off the extra fabric above the hem to make an easy sash!

I’ve gotta tell you, I got TONS of compliments while wearing this dress!

I’m really happy for awesome friends who make sad times much more bearable.  :)

I’m also thankful for happy signs from the Universe that maybe everything will actually be okay.

Cheers!

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, I needed something red to wear for a party (the invite demanded it), and I had just the thing!

Of course it needed a little work, but I saw great potential in this frock!

First, I made a some snips!

Then, I took in the sides a bit.

 

I cut off the excess material with my pinking shears, then got to closing up that top raw edge.

 

I didn’t sew the whole top up right away though!  I left just enough room to feed a bit of elastic through!

With the elastic in place, I stitched the casing closed and was ready to celebrate with friends!

Dan was there too!

Fun times were had…

…and I was feeling quite caliente in my red!

I even met a new friend!

Now for the bad news.

Later that night, Dan and I had a fight.  It was a most stupid fight.

Now we’re no longer together.  And it sucks.

I don’t get close to many people, but I let myself get close to Dan.  I don’t like a lot of people, but I liked him.  I was happy.  I was excited about our relationship.  Finally!  After  all the failed romances I had found someone I wanted to share a life with!  Finally I had met someone whose had just the right combination of humor, wanderlust, kindness, and passion for life I had always wanted.  I didn’t have to date anymore!  I was done!

Wrong.

If you’re playing at-home version of Jillian’s Failed Love Life(tm), this is my third failed relationship since I began this blog.  Ugh.

Right now, I’m feeling completely lousy.  :/  I’ve started my new job – which I love – but it’s hard trying to be happy and friendly to my awesome new coworkers when I feel so eaten up inside.  How is that someone who can see the potential in even the cruddiest & most misshapen of clothes can’t convince someone she loves to see their potential together?

Are you feeling bad for me yet?

Good.

Because I have a favor to ask of you.

This Friday night, I’m going to dance the Waltz at a Fundraiser for the American Lung Association for their ‘Dancing With the Stars’ event at their annual Oxygen Ball.  I’ve never danced before, and I’ve been taking lessons for a month now.  It’s been terrifying.

While I know most of you won’t be able to attend the event, you can still show your support by voting for me.  Votes are just $10, and all the money raised from this event will support advocacy efforts for clean indoor and outdoor air, tobacco prevention and cessation programs, education, and life management programs for children with asthma, research to promote lung health and prevent lung disease, and lung disease support groups. Funds will also benefit their annual camp for children with severe asthma called Camp Breathe Easy.

I’ve even started a Facebook page!

Having lost several family members from lung cancer, this is definitely a cause I strongly believe in.

So…Please Vote For Me!

If I get at least 10 votes from you guys, I’ll post the video of my first foray onto the dance floor for all to see!  :)

Now if I can get out of this slump and finish my refashioned ball gown before the big event…