'I, Shannon of Shanni Loves..., sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear one handmade or refashioned garment at least twice a week for the duration of May 2013' 

Participating in Me-Made-May was one of my sewing goals for the year.  I have been excited about it since I found out about it last year.  I only wish I had more Spring garments to wear so I could do more than twice a week.  I'm going to really be pushing myself for the two because my handmade Spring collection consists of like 3 or 4 items I actually like to wear, and I'm trying not to do any repeats.  So to prepare I was in quite a sewing frenzy today.  I've started on a pair of red crop pants...

The fabric is wool blend gabardine from Mood and just let me say it's a dream to work with.  So far I'm really liking this pattern but we'll see how "Amazing" it is after I've got them completed.  

I also started on my Mad Men challenge.  Yes I know Friday is the day.  I really had every intention of skipping this challenge because I just wasn't feeling it and I didn't think I'd have time to finish.  But it just takes that one little push from someone to get me motivated.  Simply it was just a comment I got today from Rosy @ Sewingadicta asking me how my project was coming along.  I didn't think any of you would notice if I just skipped the challenge so I was stoked to come to the realization that you are excited to see what I do (even if I'm not sometimes)!  So I washed my fabric and have it cut and ready to go.  It's a fairly simple pattern so I should have no problem getting it finished by Friday, that is if I don't have any fitting issues (knock on wood).  Here's my inspiration...(it's changed quite a bit from my original plans)

Question for you.. Have you ever had that one project you were so excited about, worked on it night and day, dreamed about it, pined over it, daydreamed about it (ok you catch my drift) and when your so close to having it completed you just decide you don't like it anymore and would rather run it through a wood chipper or play five finger roulette with your cutting shears than to finish it? No? Yes?  Well that was me and this dress...

It's a lot of the reason I wanted to skip my Mad men dress.  I know it's not so bad, it could use a hem job and a zipper but I'm just not in love with it anymore.  It's retro Butterick 5209.  I've loved other versions I've seen out there in Sewing Land.  I was determined Saturday to finish it no matter what.  It's fully lined and I had the hardest time following the instructions.  That put me in a mood so when it took me 5 hours to get one side of the zipper in I was ready to chuck it out the window (into that wood chipper). .  I can't really explain why it took me 5 hours to install one side of the zip.  The fabric and lining was just so fiddly.  It just didn't want to cooperate and I was trying to be snazzy and put the zipper in between the fabric and lining.  Before giving up I decided to try it on again for the hundredth time and realized even if I did finish it I would never wear it.  No sense in wasting 5 more hours of my life so I am now planning on turning it into a skirt so please ask me about it later.  

Ok on to the giveaway.  Because I love you all so much and I happened upon a pattern sale the other day I wanted to share the love.  You could have in your hands one of Gertie's patterns.  

Either Butterick 5859
         Crop top and crop pants

So if you would like to win one of these all you need to do is comment below and tell me which pattern you would like.  Please make sure to leave either an email address or your blog address so I can reach you if you win.  Also just for fun, since I'm watching Mad Men as I type, tell me are you more of a Don gal or does Roger do it for you?  I personally think Roger is mighty dapper and Don is just a dog.  Well pretty much all the men in the show are dogs aren't they?  Good Luck!  I will pick a winner next Sunday, April 21st.