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| Finals Week -Signature Style – “Teatime” |
So, after a very busy season, Project Run and Play is over! It was definitely my biggest undertaking as a seamstress thus far and it was a wild ride both physically and emotionally. I’m walking away with third place and a generous prize package, and I am so proud of myself! It was an incredible learning experience and the new relationships that I have made are the best part. I am so grateful to have been included in this adventure, with some really wonderful and talented people.
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| Week 1 – Junebug Dress Remix – “The Little Mommy and Me Dress” |
Before I move on with the million other blog posts swarming in my head, I want to do a little picture recap on the season. Having received the themes well before the January 2 start date, I have been working on these projects since November and I was sewing right up until the last day; it has really been all-consuming! My house is in complete disarray and I am anxious to regain some order in my life. I’m also jotting down some of my thoughts so that I can remember how I was feeling throughout this process. If you’d rather skip on my long-winded, slightly scattered, somewhat sappy summary, I’ll totally understand.
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| Week 2 – Boy Week – “Mr. Carpenter” |
- Before this competition, I was overly concerned with “right” and “wrong” as a seamstress. I’ve never taken a sewing class of any kind and I haven’t been sewing all that long, so I always wonder about the things I don’t know, or worse, the things I don’t know I don’t know. Designing without patterns was REALLY challenging, but also sorta liberating once I realized I was supposed to be making it up!
- I made a whole lotta stuff in the past two months, all in the name of Project Run and Play (it didn’t all make my final cut, but it’s sitting in my house) – let’s count, just for fun.
- seven dresses
- four jackets
- a vest
- two shirts
- three pairs of pants
- a skirt/skort
- a pettiskirt
- a baby doll dress
- two hats
- two hair clips, one headband, a pile of crowns
- four shoe make-overs
- one tool belt
- one umbrella
- one tent
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| Week 3 – Sewing Through the Decades – “Totally 80s” |
- My readers, my friends, my family rock! Seriously. Reading your comments each week really gave me the motivation to keep going. I didn’t anticipate how vulnerable I would feel putting my stuff out there each week, but there were so many people who took the time to leave the most heartfelt comments. I think you guys are special and unique.
- My husband is a numbers junkie. I thought he wrote down every contraction of my 42 hour labor with Grace for the sentimentality. But now I know he just really likes tracking numbers. As soon as the voting opened each week, he was waking me up in the middle of the night, reading off the numbers. Date night? Reading off the numbers. At the pool in Hawaii? Reading off the numbers. Good thing his profession is in numbers – otherwise, I don’t know what we’d do with the competition being over and all!
- Seriously, though. I love that man. He may have invested himself in this competition even more than me…and that’s a lot. And it means a lot.
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| Week 4 – Outerwear – “Sunday’s Child” |
- I don’t talk very much about my blog or my freaky craft addiction in real life. It really meant more than words can express to have my family and friends show their support week after week throughout this competition. A special thank you to my mom, who always encourages me to do my best, and who stayed at my house past 4 am one week because I wanted company and an ongoing opinion, and who put in countless hours as my sounding board, and who always makes me laugh. And to my sister, who would rather do ANYTHING than craft, but who followed the competition almost as diligently as my husband, and who always makes my girls laugh (and me!)
- “My style” has become so much more clear to me through this competition. I’ve become more in tune with the types of clothes I want to spend my time sewing and the types of clothes I want to pay someone else to sew! I LOVE having clear direction.
- I like what I make. I’m proud of every single thing I put out there. My confidence and my sewing skills during this process have grown immeasurably.
- Not everyone is going to like what I make. And that’s okay. And I’ll keep telling myself that over and over until I believe it.
- My girls like what I make. This is the most important thing. This is my inspiration.
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| Week 5 – Special Occasion – “Dancing on a Cloud” |
Comments & Reviews
kristin says
Congrats on your third place finish! I was going to write more but it got too long, so I emailed you instead…but very nicely done this season. Take care.
Anonymous says
You rock!!! I had a great time oogling over your creations for the project!!! You are awesomely talented!!
-Christene
Anonymous says
I’ve been following your blog for nearly a year! I love your style. I have 3 girls as well under 6 and they look at your cakes, treats, dresses, well- everything, and say “I want that!”
Congrats on finishing in the top 3, I think it is just amazing.
BizzyMom says
Awesome job!! I thoroughly enjoyed your work and became a follower in the process.. Love your style!! 🙂
Laura @ ON{thelaundry}LINE says
I am so very not surprised that you made it into the top three. I think I wound up voting for you most weeks, the amount of time and care you put into each outfit is so very obvious and I love how you hit each theme but your own style still stays so truly you, loud and clear. Congrats!!!
Creations By Cindy says
WOW! Your photos are beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Kristie-Creating Chaos says
Congrats on winning third place! I think it’s hilarious that your hubby was keeping you updated on the numbers. I can’t wait to see all the projects that didn’t make the cut. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Lanie says
So proud of what you’ve accomplished Stef! It’s pretty amazing what you are capable of. I loved reading your thoughts during the competition and picturing you and your mom in fits of giggles in the wee hours of the morning.
Sorry I missed a lot of the voting while I was in Florida for work, but I got on board for the the finals!
toots2u says
Every one Hausa different style and taste so you can’t please everyone, but keep putting your stuff ” out there” because lots of people are gonna love and many will be inspired. I can not imagine making the things you made without a pattern! You put so much thought and detail into everything you make whether it is clothing or a craft. You did a great job and should be very proud of yourself!! I will miss the anticipation of Friday mornings to see what you made for the week. Have a great day!
Susie Hutton says
Stef, I absolutely love your blog and all of the beautiful dresses and accessories you create for your darling girls. I was all over your website picking up ideas for my 3 year-old’s birthday tea party. Your sewing skills are so amazing–I would love to be able to sew like that for my little one. You should be so proud of what you were able to create in Project Run And Play. Voted for you every time! Thanks for inspiring me to make my world a little more beautiful too.
Kristen K says
You are amazing…I started following your blog the week you did that amazing princess-y dress and I have promised myself that I WILL learn to make something similar for my little girl one day (she’s 8 months old, I have time!). Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration to my untrained seamstressness. 🙂
nest full of eggs says
congrats to you ! 3rd place is quite an accomplishment, you sewed a ton of stuff !!! I bet you learned a lot from your experience
The Davis Family says
I am SO proud of you Stef! I looked forward to every Friday to see what amazing outfit you conjured up next!! I am glad we are close and I can see your creations first hand! I admire your creativity and craftiness! You are one amazing gal!! Love you !!
Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
You did an amazing job Stef, you have an insane amount of talent in just one little finger!! Everything you created is gorgeous! Congratulations!
xo
luvinthemommyhood says
Congrats! You did awesome hun!
Amanda says
I loved your looks each and every week! I think our styles are very similar…I have two princesses of my own who love anything pink or ruffled (or both!). You did a great job! Congrats!
flygirl07 says
I loved everything you made and I wish you had won!
MickeyG says
You are amazing and inspired me to actually pull out my mom’s old sewing machine, try to recall the little I learned in home ec. over 20 years ago and attempt to make something. Thank you for sharing your talents with us…
shellebelle says
I can’t believe you haven’t been sewing so long in the scheme of things – you’re a huge inspiration to me in sewing for my 2 little ones. Sunday’s child, your Junebug remix & your signature look are 3 of the most gorgeous ensembles I’ve ever seen. Well done on third place & I’m looking forward to seeing you continue to inspire thru your blog, though I wouldn’t blame you for taking a huge sewing break 🙂
Jo says
I meant to pop over to your blog during the finals week and tell you that I really love your signature look. Some of the designs made throughout the PR&P might have had a bigger WOW factor, but your signature look is something that I would love to see on my child. And I think THAT makes it a winner! Congratulations! And keep up the good work!
Vanessa Traylor says
I would have been SO nervous doing a competition like you did! I think you are AWESOME for all that you put forth and all that you accomplished! I think your look and style are so sweet and beautiful! 🙂
Shari @For the Little Doll In Your Life says
Congratulations Stef!