Project Runway Repurposed and What I Would Do With 2 Million Dollars

So the Project Runway Repurposed Fashion Show was last Sunday. I didn't win anything, but my garment turned out better than I expected and everyone had super fun happy times. I didn't bring a camera cause I never take pictures anyway even when I do bring one, so photos will be coming at a later date. If you're in Livingston County, stay tuned to your Press Argus, I'm sure they'll eat this crap up. Or check out The Opera House web site.

Now, I've been entering various Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes almost every day for 2 years. Obviously I haven't won squat, but it got me to thinkering. They've got this 10 million dollar prize game that I've entered too many times to count and each entry email explains that if you take the payout (always take the payout) instead of the yearly payments, you'll get approximately 3.7 million. After taxes, lets say you would clear 2 million.

What would you do with 2 million dollars?

I know what I'd do.

First off, $500,000 goes into offshore accounts in Euros. $1,500,000 left.
$100,000 goes to buying this house. Add in another $30,000 for taxes, fees and refurnishing and there's $1,370,000 left.

$20,000 pays off that bastard student loan. $1,350,000 left.
$100,000 to my parents, $50,000 to my brother. $1,200,000 left.
$25,000 (give or take) for this car. $1,175,000 left.
$30,000 for gifts and other type things for friends and family. $1,145,000 left.
$45,000 will cover a pretty rad Paris vacation (flight, accommodations, food, shopping, activities (bars, bars and more bars) short trips to surrounding areas). $1,100,000 left.

$50,000 for a personal shopping spree. $1,050,000 left.
$50,000 to charity. $1,000,000 left.
Hmmmm... after all that, I think I'd start investing. Maybe.

Or I could just buy 4 of these.

Project Runway progress, Jon Cryer

So not a lot of progress has taken place, because I am a shameful, lazy procrastinator. I did, however, change my mind on design. It has evolved from a shirt with ruffles added, to a strapless top constructed completely from scrap. I'm not sure if I'm going to look adorable (which was the intent) or a little crazy when it's done. A little of both would probably work.

These were taken last night while working and watching Pretty in Pink. And I will admit that I totally had a crush on Jon Cryer in 1987. Also, has anyone else ever seen Hiding Out??? It's a sweet little story about a 30 year old man (Jon Cryer) running from the mob who has to hide out with his younger cousin, which of course means he also has to adopt a secret identity as a high school student. Ill-advised hair bleaching and statutory love ensues. AWESOME movie.

Anyway, here's some more deconstruction with some long awaited construction:



Today I'm going to try to finish the pin I have in my head. It should require minimal sewing, which will give my brain and eyes a rest. I might also have to journey to Hollywood Video (sign up for their MVP Program, seriously- we figured out that we've rented almost $3000 worth of movies for about $200) to see if they carry Hiding Out. I've got a taste for underage lovin' and crazy skunk striped hair.

Michigan Winter Survival

This is how cold it is in Michigan:


Technically, according to weather.com, it's 7 degrees but feels like -9. That's ice and frost on the inside of my window. With a suction cup left over from Christmas Deconstruction. The paint is even starting to peel off the windowsill. Here's another fun shot from paradise:



More ice in the corner where the window meets the moulding. Mmmm toasty! On a side note, there is a squirrel that likes to hang out on the bush right outside of our living room window. I say "on the bush" because he literally sits on top of the bush and eats whatever it is that squirrels eat. Nuts, berries, garbage, I don't really know. He's awesome. I wanted to get a shot of him perched on the bush but alas- I think he's hiding somewhere trying not to ice over.

Anyway, this windowsill needs to be prettied up.



Better. Those containers, by the way, are from jar candles. I never want to throw the jars away after the candles are gone so I stick them in the freezer to harden whatever wax is left, then scrape them out and wash them in the dishwasher. They're perfect for buttons, embroidery floss, disco ball ornaments and small plastic animals. Easy recycling rules.

Project Runway Repurposed

So I signed up to do this Project Runway Repurposed thing at the Howell Opera House last week. I'm pretty geeked about it. If you're not familiar with these things, this is how it goes: sign up, pick through donated clothes, combine said clothes into new article(s), have fashion show, people bid on clothes, everyone hopes to not be the one person who gets no bids, money goes to charity. It seemed so simple at first until I remembered that I'll have to actually make a new article of clothing- something I've never done before- with limited sewing abilities. So here are the articles of clothing that I picked out:



That's it all piled up. And my toes.

I have visions of ruffles and giant flower pins.




The awesomeness of the fabric in this dress spoke to me...



So I reduced it to the sum of it's parts.



So far that's all I've got done. Supposedly I should already have my design finalized and be in the construction stage. Ha! Funny. My sewing skills have proven to be their best at 2 am the day before something should be done. So I'm going to trust in my consistency and hope for the best. Woo ruffles!

It's 200nine, resolutions and new projects

2009

So I can honestly say that 2009 was the best New Years Eve I've had in a long time. Why, you ask? Because Marc and I sat around in our jammies, watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, saw the ball drop and went to bed at 12:30. I freaking loved it! Not a drop of alcohol, no loud music, no driving with all the drunks or sleeping on a floor... just jammies, a movie and sleeping in my own bed. Bonus: no hangover on New Years Day. I don't think I've felt that good on January 1st in 10 years! I highly recommend trying it. It does work better if you're not alone- that might be a little depressing- but if you can arrange any variety of low key sleepover, it's great.

Resolutions

I typically don't make resolutions because I assume I'm not going to accomplish them because I'm fairly lazy. But this year I've made one great resolution: to do my best at whatever it is I'm doing. It's pretty broad and all-encompassing, but that's why I like it. Just one resolution to affect everything. Convenient! So far I've been sticking to it very well. For example, today I decided to take a nap, and I slept for, like, 2 hours. Success!

New projects

I've been making these felt cake slices which I think are thoroughly rad. They are sized to fit together to make an 8 piece cake and to fit on a standard cake plate. That's how they are going to be displayed at my next craft show. I'm making all different flavors too. So far I've got the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting in the photo, red velvet cake with vanilla frosting and white cake with strawberry frosting. Once they are all photographed (better than the impromptu photo I used for this post) they will be for sale on my Etsy page: Sarah Kladzyk Designs. Buy one! I'm also planning a foray into other felt baked goods like cupcakes, tarts, pies and cheesecake. I've also had a hankering for some felt bacon, so we'll see how that turns out.

Happy New Year!