Not a sewing related entry, so if you're looking for pretty updates, today's not your lucky day. The shirt I cut on Friday is still hanging on a dining room chair, my DH is afraid to touch it and he's been the only one home this weekend.
2 years ago on MD, at 12:01 am, my father passed away. It was quite expected, welcome even at that point. But MD is still and will always be the day I ceased being a daughter forever. My mother died over 20 years ago 2 years before I became a mother.
Last year we spent the day driving from Michigan to DC in that torrential rain/storm that encompassed the NE for 2 days. We arrived soggy and exhausted to discover our apartment leaked and was also soggy and exhausted. It was mid-July (yes, July) before they finished fixing that mess.
Yesterday morning my son, visiting, had a seizure. We're still not sure why, but we think it was a drug reaction, more by a process of what it isn't (most of which are good NOT to be), so yesterday and today was spent at the hospital. He's still there tonight.
So next year I will be the Jew at Christmas. I'll go to a movie and eat Chinese food. Keep your sappy cards and macaroni pins, your brunches and carnations. I'm just done with this holiday. Pick another day, some time in the summer and name it "We love Beth day" or something, and take me out to dinner and buy me golf stuff. Just don't tell the fates when it's going to be or make any reference to parenting. I have a friend who has forsworn a much more major holiday, Thanksgiving, so I know it can be done. It will difficult at first, but much easier than putting up with this crap every spring.
For the rest of you out there, Happy Mother's Day. I don't begrudge you your day, you earned it, you deserve it. And I hope it was wonderful, filled with family and frittatas and maybe even some sunshine.
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Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dad. Show all posts
The fabric that doesn't want to be made
Or an epic in sewing.
Now that I've gotten my blog to behave better it was off to my sewing room last night. To finish the now stupid easy skirt that started off as a very simple Simplicity. That I went to JoAnn's to get elastic for that I forgot. That I finally got on my road trip with karent last weekend when I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time ever. I closed in my oh-so-simple waistband made from a piece of the original midriff and threaded through the finally purchased "no roll" elastic and proceeded to sew the elastic together. Nope, not gonna happen. After about 10 tries, I gave up for the night. No matter what stitch, facing, paper, fabric or needle I used my machine just wasn't going to sew this stuff together with edges abutting or to a piece of fabric to abbut. Nope. So the next night (it had to spend some time in timeout - you know that) I just overlapped the darn things, stuck a piece of tearaway behind it and sewed it up and pulled it into the waist. Bulky? Yep. Done? Yep.
Next step. THE HEM. Ugly is the work for the "pre-chosen" stretch-light hem. So I threaded up a double needle to try. Broke on the first trip down. No idea what it could have hit. I set the machine to double needle - 4MM. Had wide throat plate and foot. And it was the right side needle that broke and the shank was shifted to the left. So I replaced my old needle, re-threaded and tried the blind hem for knits. Again, no go. Every stitch just shoved the fabric into the throat plate. Pah! Tonight, I Steam-a-seam. I can't believe how much time I've spent on this dumb skirt.
AND (DH's out of town) I will cut out something fun to make. AND (yep, getting cocky here) finally hem my last Marlene pants. Don't have to make dinner, there's nothing on TV tonight. And I'm not putting another needle to the knit skirt. EVER.
As previously mentioned, I spent last weekend taking care of some family business from my dad's estate and then hung out with my BFF, karen. We did all kinds of fun, chick things. Shopped until we dropped. My first trip (won't the be the last) to Hobby Lobby. Their fabric isn't really "me", but their notions and accessories and other stuff is top notch. And they have brands I don't see in JA's or Hancock's. And lots of other useless junk that I love to look at. And a discount shoe store, and a couple of thrift stores (came up blank there - you just never know), and Kohl's where I was reminded of why I was making my own underpinnings ($10 a pair for panties! on sale) and some much needed bras. And Books-a-million. And I stopped at Dress Barn the day before I found a couple of really cute summer dresses. Wearing one today. And Hancock's - they were in the middle of a remodel - where they had Simplicity for $1 each. And Lowe's (gotta keep the plumbing working) and got our nails - all 40 of them done. Then, on Saturday we went to Asheville to Waechter's. You can see our haul from there on Karen's blog, we used the last of the light on her deck to photograph the fabrics. And wonderful Indy patterns where they have a large number of them made up for you to look at and touch. The 2 I bought were due to this amazing idea. I'd overlooked them on the envelope, but really liked the garment. Karen bought a couple that I want to trace off, too.
So know you know the rest of the story. Film at 11.
Now that I've gotten my blog to behave better it was off to my sewing room last night. To finish the now stupid easy skirt that started off as a very simple Simplicity. That I went to JoAnn's to get elastic for that I forgot. That I finally got on my road trip with karent last weekend when I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time ever. I closed in my oh-so-simple waistband made from a piece of the original midriff and threaded through the finally purchased "no roll" elastic and proceeded to sew the elastic together. Nope, not gonna happen. After about 10 tries, I gave up for the night. No matter what stitch, facing, paper, fabric or needle I used my machine just wasn't going to sew this stuff together with edges abutting or to a piece of fabric to abbut. Nope. So the next night (it had to spend some time in timeout - you know that) I just overlapped the darn things, stuck a piece of tearaway behind it and sewed it up and pulled it into the waist. Bulky? Yep. Done? Yep.
Next step. THE HEM. Ugly is the work for the "pre-chosen" stretch-light hem. So I threaded up a double needle to try. Broke on the first trip down. No idea what it could have hit. I set the machine to double needle - 4MM. Had wide throat plate and foot. And it was the right side needle that broke and the shank was shifted to the left. So I replaced my old needle, re-threaded and tried the blind hem for knits. Again, no go. Every stitch just shoved the fabric into the throat plate. Pah! Tonight, I Steam-a-seam. I can't believe how much time I've spent on this dumb skirt.
AND (DH's out of town) I will cut out something fun to make. AND (yep, getting cocky here) finally hem my last Marlene pants. Don't have to make dinner, there's nothing on TV tonight. And I'm not putting another needle to the knit skirt. EVER.
As previously mentioned, I spent last weekend taking care of some family business from my dad's estate and then hung out with my BFF, karen. We did all kinds of fun, chick things. Shopped until we dropped. My first trip (won't the be the last) to Hobby Lobby. Their fabric isn't really "me", but their notions and accessories and other stuff is top notch. And they have brands I don't see in JA's or Hancock's. And lots of other useless junk that I love to look at. And a discount shoe store, and a couple of thrift stores (came up blank there - you just never know), and Kohl's where I was reminded of why I was making my own underpinnings ($10 a pair for panties! on sale) and some much needed bras. And Books-a-million. And I stopped at Dress Barn the day before I found a couple of really cute summer dresses. Wearing one today. And Hancock's - they were in the middle of a remodel - where they had Simplicity for $1 each. And Lowe's (gotta keep the plumbing working) and got our nails - all 40 of them done. Then, on Saturday we went to Asheville to Waechter's. You can see our haul from there on Karen's blog, we used the last of the light on her deck to photograph the fabrics. And wonderful Indy patterns where they have a large number of them made up for you to look at and touch. The 2 I bought were due to this amazing idea. I'd overlooked them on the envelope, but really liked the garment. Karen bought a couple that I want to trace off, too.
So know you know the rest of the story. Film at 11.
Stuff
I made a quick muslin from the Burda WOF Aug 105. Here's my tracing. 
I outlined the size I wanted in black Sharpy and then traced onto exam paper, a gift from Lunesta via BFF. It seems like a lot of work to get these even read to cut. I'll let you know if it's worth it. I really DO want to learn to make (fit, really, the sewing is the same) slacks. I'm going to actually make these, probably next weekend, when my husband's out of town and I'm rained in with Hanna. Based on fit, I really like them, but will probably cut them one size smaller. The legs are pretty wide and I had lots of room in the hips. These are the "famous" Marlene pants that are being "sewn along" on SG. They will also be my first Burda. After determining that I must have a German-shaped butt. I certainly don't have a Vogue shaped one. Bleck!
I outlined the size I wanted in black Sharpy and then traced onto exam paper, a gift from Lunesta via BFF. It seems like a lot of work to get these even read to cut. I'll let you know if it's worth it. I really DO want to learn to make (fit, really, the sewing is the same) slacks. I'm going to actually make these, probably next weekend, when my husband's out of town and I'm rained in with Hanna. Based on fit, I really like them, but will probably cut them one size smaller. The legs are pretty wide and I had lots of room in the hips. These are the "famous" Marlene pants that are being "sewn along" on SG. They will also be my first Burda. After determining that I must have a German-shaped butt. I certainly don't have a Vogue shaped one. Bleck!Next up is my wall of sewing. This is an Ikea shelf that fills the wall almost perfectly. Kind of a "where's waldo" feel to this. But I'll point out a few of my favorite things. My vase full of Marti Gras beads. 
Not so sewing, but I like these. They make me happy. I think it's the colors. Whatever. Third row down and far right are 2 icky green sewing baskets, a la 1970. One is mine and has mostly old thread and odd fiber art (ok, puffy paint) stuff. The other was Mom's and has a quilt (I use the term very lightly) I've been making for 40 years. Aunt Mae started it with me. Ah well.... Patterns are in the 2 brown baskets upper left corner & right below. Trims are in the blue shoe box and my Pacific Trims trims in the little bag to the right. You can see the Burda muslin hiding behind the box. The 2 banker's boxes contain the "what was I thinking" stash and the "it's too small to sew and too big to toss" stash. If you want some odd stuff (and I mean odd!) or small stuff, let me know. It's yours. Sewing books are above the green sewing boxes and there's a furniture refinishing project hidden behind there. Bottom center is a GStreet mind warp. The green is SOOO soft and I have so much of it and have no idea what the heck to do with it. Seriously. It's baby weight knit. Pretty, but not me. You can see other stash here and there. Mardel: if you're looking you can see my FabricMart haul. 
On the top half you'll find Threads and other mags in their bins and some leftover sofa cushion guts. Bought and realized we just throw them in the floor, so why bother? Couple of UFO's/wadders in the USPS box above my Ebay find. And my tunes in the upper right. No explanation is available for the mess on the edge of the ironing board. That's just an embarassment. Can you find my dad? He's hiding in there somewhere! Today would have been his birthday. Happy Birthday, daddy!
Not so sewing, but I like these. They make me happy. I think it's the colors. Whatever. Third row down and far right are 2 icky green sewing baskets, a la 1970. One is mine and has mostly old thread and odd fiber art (ok, puffy paint) stuff. The other was Mom's and has a quilt (I use the term very lightly) I've been making for 40 years. Aunt Mae started it with me. Ah well.... Patterns are in the 2 brown baskets upper left corner & right below. Trims are in the blue shoe box and my Pacific Trims trims in the little bag to the right. You can see the Burda muslin hiding behind the box. The 2 banker's boxes contain the "what was I thinking" stash and the "it's too small to sew and too big to toss" stash. If you want some odd stuff (and I mean odd!) or small stuff, let me know. It's yours. Sewing books are above the green sewing boxes and there's a furniture refinishing project hidden behind there. Bottom center is a GStreet mind warp. The green is SOOO soft and I have so much of it and have no idea what the heck to do with it. Seriously. It's baby weight knit. Pretty, but not me. You can see other stash here and there. Mardel: if you're looking you can see my FabricMart haul. 
On the top half you'll find Threads and other mags in their bins and some leftover sofa cushion guts. Bought and realized we just throw them in the floor, so why bother? Couple of UFO's/wadders in the USPS box above my Ebay find. And my tunes in the upper right. No explanation is available for the mess on the edge of the ironing board. That's just an embarassment. Can you find my dad? He's hiding in there somewhere! Today would have been his birthday. Happy Birthday, daddy!All bogged down.
I've been sick for a week, terrible chest cold that just won't budge. No voice on Friday or Saturday, just couldn't force air thru my vocal cords. Now it's settled down into my chest for a nice smoker's cough.
I realized (and YES, I KNOW it the last freekin' minute) that I'm missing a peice of info for my taxes, so I'll have to file an extention and still right a check for a small fortune.
I filed Dad's today for Fed and State, he owed $86 to state. Gets back a chunk from Fed. I don't have what I need to do the Trust, so we have to file an extention AND write a letter to the IRS about why the Trust didn't owe a return from 1995. At least the estate isn't due until July.
Spent way too long dinking around with the neckline on my dress. Just struggle with the V-neck thing. Looks ok, not great. Then I quit because I just keep coughing and having to stop.
Still interviewing at work, we lost a job to an in-company competitor (don't ask), screwing around with the bid for the big job we don't hold a bat's chance of getting.
We're still negotiating on the house deal, I think it will go thru, but I'm feeling really stalled out. They want to close quickly, then, and W's going to be out of town for most of that period. Makes it hard to plan.
I'm tired, going to soak in the tub and have a glass of wine and a cold pill.
I realized (and YES, I KNOW it the last freekin' minute) that I'm missing a peice of info for my taxes, so I'll have to file an extention and still right a check for a small fortune.
I filed Dad's today for Fed and State, he owed $86 to state. Gets back a chunk from Fed. I don't have what I need to do the Trust, so we have to file an extention AND write a letter to the IRS about why the Trust didn't owe a return from 1995. At least the estate isn't due until July.
Spent way too long dinking around with the neckline on my dress. Just struggle with the V-neck thing. Looks ok, not great. Then I quit because I just keep coughing and having to stop.
Still interviewing at work, we lost a job to an in-company competitor (don't ask), screwing around with the bid for the big job we don't hold a bat's chance of getting.
We're still negotiating on the house deal, I think it will go thru, but I'm feeling really stalled out. They want to close quickly, then, and W's going to be out of town for most of that period. Makes it hard to plan.
I'm tired, going to soak in the tub and have a glass of wine and a cold pill.
My First Entry on my First Blog
The first step is always the hardest. Where to start, what to say, what font to use.
So: what I've been doing lately?
I want to get back into sewing, so I've been researching machines and websites. I'm about ready to buy. I suspect I've overthought this whole thing, and need to "JUST DO IT" (Swoosh). Looking at the Singer 7470 and I may just "DO IT" on Friday. I have that day off and it sounds like a plan. I'm anxious to get started now that I've decided I want to do it.
I've been following the progress of a friend of mine, from Canada. She has a SCI and went septic this summer following a flap surgery on her ankle. She's finally doing MUCH better, it was very touch and go for a while, she spent about 3 months in a coma and is just now rallying. Really miss her posts on CareCure. I really didn't think she'd make it, but she's stronger than she looks.
I'm so far behind in Christmas Shopping that I'm starting to panic. I have NO IDEA!!! what to get my son. He wants PS3 or XBox360, but that's not going to happen until after he graduates. Seriously, the dude's 21! Get on with it!
I've gone back to the gym after a long absence. And trust me, it shows. Okay, I had a damn good excuse for about 6 months. Not sure about the next 2 years, though. Hmmmm.
My dad died in May, and I am the executor of the estate. It's getting better, over the big hump, now. But there's a biggie coming up on Monday. If that doesn't happen, things could get really ugly. Speaking of ugly, my sister stole $22k from the estate.
And then there's the day job.... That really prevents me from doing all the above.
So: what I've been doing lately?
I want to get back into sewing, so I've been researching machines and websites. I'm about ready to buy. I suspect I've overthought this whole thing, and need to "JUST DO IT" (Swoosh). Looking at the Singer 7470 and I may just "DO IT" on Friday. I have that day off and it sounds like a plan. I'm anxious to get started now that I've decided I want to do it.
I've been following the progress of a friend of mine, from Canada. She has a SCI and went septic this summer following a flap surgery on her ankle. She's finally doing MUCH better, it was very touch and go for a while, she spent about 3 months in a coma and is just now rallying. Really miss her posts on CareCure. I really didn't think she'd make it, but she's stronger than she looks.
I'm so far behind in Christmas Shopping that I'm starting to panic. I have NO IDEA!!! what to get my son. He wants PS3 or XBox360, but that's not going to happen until after he graduates. Seriously, the dude's 21! Get on with it!
I've gone back to the gym after a long absence. And trust me, it shows. Okay, I had a damn good excuse for about 6 months. Not sure about the next 2 years, though. Hmmmm.
My dad died in May, and I am the executor of the estate. It's getting better, over the big hump, now. But there's a biggie coming up on Monday. If that doesn't happen, things could get really ugly. Speaking of ugly, my sister stole $22k from the estate.
And then there's the day job.... That really prevents me from doing all the above.
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