Project Runway - Hallmark Challenge - Aleene's Tacky Glue!

I'm a huge fan of Project Runway.  And Season 14, Episode 2 had me on the edge of my seat.  Yes, even more than the usual edge!   

Why?  Because my favorite episode is ALWAYS the unconventional materials challenge.  You never know where the Designers are going to be sent to gather their materials like a candy store, the city dump, or a New York corner drug store.  

And this time I was in HEAVEN because they went to a HALLMARK store to grab every card they could stuff in their shopping bags and then create wearable garments with the paper cards!  I mean, this was the dream episode for me.  All I need is a mannequin, paper, embellishments and GLUE to make all my dreams come true, okay?

I mean, have you been to a Hallmark Cards lately? As their Director of Branding said, the cards are "pieces of art with a story to tell", and the cards are covered with glitter, beads, bows, flower cut-outs, ribbon, fabric, tulle, and everything that makes a crafty girl's mouth water and her hands itch to cut, paint and GLUE!

After the designers made it back to the work room, imagine my squeals of glee when I saw that they were using Aleene's Tacky Glue!  Of course they were.  What glue works best with paper, than Aleene's Tacky Glue!

The gold bottle was easy to spot, even with the tape across the label.  And the designs that were coming together were ahhhhmazing!

Tim Gunn was happily mentoring the designers as they sifted through the mountains of Hallmark cards amongst the Aleene's Tacky Glue bottles scattered all around the work room.  I would give up my pinky toe to do just one unconventional materials challenge on Project Runway!

Edmund's wedding dress won, with the Hallmark signature cutouts forming the bodice and tons of shopping bags billowing in petal shapes for the skirt.  Love, love, LOVE!

Which one would you pick to win???

Winners and Losers on Project Runway

You win some, and you lose some no matter what, and tonight's losers got a double whammy with two designers knocked off the runway. Terri lost it with this ho-hum design that was bad fabric, bad lines, and a bad partner.

Blayne lost too, with this horrific rendition of a Libra costume that reaked with disjointed design and nothing that says haute couture.


I thought for sure that Kenley would be packing up her scissors with this insane idea that she is the designer goddess. Her arrogance and annoying voice coupled with a talk-back attitude was so grating, it was hard to watch.

Joe did a safe design with some gorgeous fabrics that kept him from being thrown off the runway, but not good enough to win.

But the winner was Jerrell with a heavy houndstooth fabric and jacket with rows of trim on the sleeves. Tim Gunn was worried about the fabric, but it proved to be just the ticket for a big win. The designers are going to have to kick it up a notch for me next week, because so far I'm not too excited. How about less drama and more attention to good design?

Diane Von Furstenberg on Project Runway!

The designers played the big time tonight when Diane Von Furstenberg judged their designs that they created with her fabulous printed and tweed fabrics.

Here's the winner! Love the color, the style and the fit. Leanne did it again with well fitting and tasteful garments.

Kenley did a fabulous chic dress, although I think she could have done more...how about a bolero or a hooded cape?


Blayne's outfit was both cute, flirty and tailored. I would love that in MY closet!

But really, Korto's elegant and wonderfully wearable couture won it for me. She is constant in her design statements as one of the contestants to watch out for!

Auto Parts Runway

Just thinking about a rubber dress makes me sweat, and the designers on Project Runway tonight were really sweatin' it when they were challenged to make garments from Saturn auto parts. All I could think of was to use upholstery fabric, but these smarties used everything! Leanne won the challenge with this amazing rubber dress. I loved how she took seat belts and cut them in zigzags and frayed them to make the sexy fringe around the bustier.

Suede shined with the crazy creative use of rubber mats for the fitted top, and then used the shiny material for a fringed skirt. I'll bet his fingers were wrecked from pushing a needle through that!

I fell in love with Kenley's flirty peplum made with filters. She's always the girly girl, and her style always makes a statement.

Scott's favorite was Korto's classy coat, designed with seated belts woven into an unbelievable tailored garment that the judges fell in love with. I'll bet it weighed 15 lbs. and the model couldn't mover her arms, but who cares? It's fashion, baybeeee....

Coffee Filter Fashion!

I heart Project Runway! Did you see the first episode where they had to go to the grocery store and choose things to make into garments? Oh man! Love, love, loved it. This one did not win, but it won my heart.

The designer took vacuum cleaner bags, flattened them, and dyed them with streaks of color and turned them into a fab skirt. Then, THEN she used coffee filters to design the corset style top.

I got so excited, that I jumped up and made one myself. Don't laugh. It was totally fun, and I gave it to my gal pal Karen Brandon the next day at work. She loved it!

Okay, so after I made my little rendition of coffee filter art, I googled the snot out of the words "coffee filter dress" and found these coolio ideas. This ruffled dress is amazing. Just think of the work, my gosh!

Is this not beautiful? Who would have thought you could create roses out of coffee filters? This certainly is crafting to the inth degree.

Teeheee, look at the kitty. Another coffee filter lover like me.

This dress is not just coffee filters, but newspapers, too. How Fun! Okay, gotta get ready to watch this week's Project Runway. What will they think of next?

Project Runway Rocks!

Oh my GOSH! Project Runway's finale last night was absolutely a blast. I loved it, and it was all the talk around the proverbial water cooler today. Christian's winning collection was fabulous with the seriously tight pants with exposed zippers, the chic drama, the layers of ruffles, and large buckles.

There were enough feathers on that evening dress to fly away! He was fun, crazy, stylish, young, and of course......FIERCE!

But I must admit that Jillian's collection was my personal favorite, because I could actually see myself wearing all of the dreamy knits with flirty ruffles, pleats and lame...all with a military edge.

Rami had a dreamy collection of woven and quilted bodices and brought it all together with a cerebral detail unlike anything I have ever seen. I wasn't too crazy about his selection of colors, but he designed the most stunning evening wear, with truly amazing elegance.

This season was absolutely the BEST Project Runway, ever. And, I can't wait till the NEXT one!

Project Runway

One of the most exciting things at the CHA trade show was the new Project Runway™ kit by Wrights®. It's stuffed full of fab trims that anyone can add to their finished fashions, or to embellish a brand new outfit that you've sewn yourself. I don't know about you, but I'm completely addicted to Project Runway™ and have withdrawals when I'm too busy to watch. Thank goodness they rerun those shows to death, so I can keep up!

In the Project Runway™ lounge, there were several examples of ways to use the new trims and patterns to make gorgeous outfits for everyday, office, and for a fun party. I'll be sure to get back to you on some great ways to get that Project Runway™ look in a quick and easy application. I love to sew, and I can't wait to get started on some trendy wardrobe additions. After seeing all the styles, I'm about ready to pitch my whole closet and start over!

Yes, that's Michele DeFay, VP of Marketing at Wrights! Hugs were in order, since I am so happy to have accepted a position with them as their new Product Manager in charge of appliques and Bondex™ products. I'll be keeping you in the know about all the latest products from this leading manufacturer of trims, rickrack, fringe, tassels, tools, needles, and so much more it would fill this entire page! And, yes, this new position means that Scott and I will be moving.....so keep coming back for updates!