Everything that could have gone wrong actually did today. I had to finish a few last challenges, the most challenging one was making an outfit in one day (especially if you are not really a seamstress). This is the weekly challenge from http://www.sewweekly.com/.

So the challenge was to make something red, white and blue, in honor of America's Independence day. I now know why America is called "The land of the brave". I took a clothing pattern intended for a miniature anorexic chic, and try to make it into an outfit for a big, big, girl. I spent more time undoing seams than i actually spent making seams. Now that I think about it, normally you would be a seamstress, but if you work backwards most of the time (like I did today), then maybe you are a stress-seam?

First I cut the pattern too small. (and I added a lot to the seam allowance - I mean a lot!)

Then I had to undo it and cut another front panel - a HUGE one. I did not have enough material left for a back and front panel, so had to make the new front panel HUGE!!

OK - then it fitted round my body (still tight though).

Secondly, the facing pattern pieces have gone missing, so I had to cut them from nothing. Sure this is easy for some people, but for me it was a major exercise and took forever.

THEN - the bloody sleeves were too tight. I have heard about bat wings on old women, but today I actually experienced them myself. Maybe because I never look under my arms (like all those girls on TV using Dove deodorant) I did not know that my wings have grown so big. So I had to cut triangles and insert it into the underarm and then make it all look wonderful.

Boy, oh boy - this really was a challenge. But this is what I enrolled for and I finished it, dressed up to model it, and if you look very quickly, it actually looks nice. I think!!

Keeping to the American theme, I made a Pecan Pie! Another catastrophe!!!Made my own shortcrust pastry, which I think I rolled too thin as this is what happened about 5 minutes after putting it in the oven.

All (ok maybe not all), but a lot of the inside filling leaked out into the oven and burnt and made smoke and made me learn to always put a baking tray under my pie dish in the oven. The filling was made from eggs, sugar golden syrup and pecans. So I have a sticky, burnt black mess at the bottom of my oven. Oh yes, and a Pecan pie with only half its filling.

I also made lovely orange and chocolate pinwheel cookies - and they came out perfect. They smelled delicious and hubby says they taste delicious.

My second photographic challenge was take a photo themed "fleeting street scene". the perfect opportunity presented itself when I left for work Friday morning early - in heavy mist. These workers walking in the road was just what I was looking for.

And not to forget the last scrapbooking challenge from, the theme was "anything goes - use 3D or a glossy accent". I took the opportunity to make my sis a card, and will be posting it to her this week.

One of my own challenges every week is to recycle something. So this month I am recycling all my dog towels, and this is my first attempt. The poor towel was in a terrible way, and now it isjust  in a bad way - so in my books that is an improvement.

My life is wonderful and I love it.

Lots of new challenges await me this week - and I look forward to share them with you.

I am also looking forward to seeing what a wonderful personcalled Cait is going to challenge herself with this week. She has decided to also start a challenge blog - please see what she wrote on facebook this week.

"This evening I will be starting a NEW blog :) Inspired by Lizette Lindhout Hunt! Giving myself new challenges every week to better my life and myself :) I know I can do more and this will push me to strive in everything I do! Bringing huge amounts of positivity into my life and others around me:D Please feel free to follow and join in :D ill let you know when it starts! YAY!! thanks Lizzy! -"

Lovies
Lizette