Abducted by UFO's

That's pretty much sums it up. My sewing mojo (and apparently blogging along with it - sorry) has been sapped by the UFO's piling up around me. These included some black pants from, oh I dunno, March maybe?, another pair of pants from June-ish, the skirt from the last post, and my quilt that takes up a lot of room. What do I do when I'm not sewing? I go on a short vacation (Atlantic City, baby - for you Friends fans), have friends visit, shop and apparently eat. Eat my way right out of my UFO's. One of the reason's they aren't finished (ok, no, I'm not too fat - yet - to fit under my quilt).
But the black pants are too tight and don't hang right to hem them. Yes, I know I could just measure another pair and do them and finish them. THEN they wouldn't be UFO's would they? The other pair lacked a hem and some buttonhole re-working, the BH didn't do well and left too small an area to cut. I was tired of trying so I cut it anyway and it did cut thru some of the threads so I need a little handwork there. I did get them hemmed. Handwork just isn't my strong suit, I'm afraid
My skirt is finally hemmed. It really needed a hand hem due to the depth (or lack of) the hem, the flare and the smoothness of fabric. That's done.
I worked hemming a pair of RTW purchased on one of the above mentioned shopping trips (see Atlantic City and their bodacious outlet mall - no sales tax on clothing in NJ).
My quilt is quilted (YEA!) and the edged trimmed for binding. I'd bought binding for it but (a) had single fold and needed double (b) had 6 yards (yeah, not so good that this estimating thing I guess) and need 24. I went to JoAnn's at lunch on Monday to get the right stuff, but at $3 for a 3 yard pack, I just couldn't do it. Instead I marched over the quilting notions and bought a bias binder maker. (no, not the fancy Simplicity one, the Dritz one that you use your iron with, though thinking about making 24 yards of this stuff does bump up the appeal of the high dollar Simplicity model) So, now I need to make some binding. I DO have enough fabric (barely), but not enough time. I'd like to get this done both for the space in my room and because my batting is fluffing all up in my nose and eyes and on my machine and carpet **cough**.
The commute from Alexandria to Columbia is really starting to wear. 2 hours out of every day is now spent in the car and my DH (not necessarily DARLING) works until about 6 every night (we ride together). That puts us at home around 7 with dinner still to do. And repeat the next day to leave the house by 7 am. NO LIFE. None. Sewing? What's that? TV? We still have one? Reading? Yeah, I do that - work emails all day long. Looks like it's time to get serious about finding a house in this area. (yeah, and the apartment management's really ticking me off, so that's helping focus on home ownership again)
Anyone planning on attending the ASG Expo in Novi, Michigan in September? I'll be there with bells on (if I have time to sew them, that is) on Saturday. I'm registered for a S Betzina class (oh, Sandra, you of the invisible zipper tutorial, I worship the very machine you sew on, please share additional enlightenment with me. NOW!), a Kenneth King class - Son of Cool Tricks (can't believe I actually got into this one, yeah!!) and Sewphisticated Knits (or similar - my knits are a disaster and I'm hoping this class with cure that. I'll be really disappointed if it's serger only). Drop me a line if you'll be around and we can meet and shop and talk a bit. I'll be the short, slightly overweight, middle aged redhead carrying sewing notions and bags. You should be able to pick me out of the crowd, no problem.
I owe pictures, but apparently the UFO's sucked the life out my camera, as well. I at least need to share the quilt. You've seen black pants before, right? In hopes of doing this over the weekend. Friday's supposed to be my day off, but I won't get to take it this time. That's why it's called FLEX TIME, you have to be flexible about it. **sigh**
And I'm editing to add this Time article on a topic near and dear to my heart. Covering it, even. I think it both speaks the truth and will make you squirt your coffee out your nose at the same time. That's a good thing, by the way. Enjoy.

No title, no subject. Just rambling.

Not only do I avoid housework, apparently I also avoid work. Especially when I have really boring stuff to do. Like now.

I'm a little done with the whole winter scene, myself. We've had a few nice days (in a row!) and that's gotten me thinking spring and not liking my brown wool so much anymore. So I'm ready for some lighter and prettier clothes. I have some stash left from last summer (and, um, well, my Fabrics.com spree), so I should be set for a while. Particularly at the speed I sew. May need to do some retail therapy to supliment.

No secret on the quilt. I posted the pattern a few posts ago - the log fence/Jacob's ladder. The next one is ruminating a bit - I have the fabric ordered, but I'm not certain on my design yet. It will likely be a variation on the Log Cabin strip idea, probably putting my strips into triangles of some sort. I have some strips left from my rainbow that will use as practice for both cutting and piecing. Who knows, there could be a coordinating pillow. That oughta make your eyes water and your head thump. I have trouble making and throwing away. I seam to have to have a use - no matter how poor - for what I make.

Here's dreaming of summer

Just a quick update

If you read SG, you'll know I'm (a) not fluent in French (b) not the sharpest needle in the pack (yeah, I've been waiting to use that one for a while). I'm working on the PJ top, which is BWOF 113 from Dec 08. It's the issue Zoubida sent me from Canada and it's in French. Because it's in French (ignore the pictures on sheet on page 14, please. They're just for show, not for real usage by stoopid Americans) I missed that the sleeve is in 2 pieces (yeah I KNOW there's a picture, I get that now!) , so I have to go back and trace out piece 4 (I think or 3, I should check that) and then cut the rest of the sleeve. And I was really cooking along, too. And I'm a little stumped on the order of the sleeve construction: sleeve pieces to shirt and then sew together? Or put the sleeve together and then put it on the shirt? I THINK (I'll check SG tomorrow for the real answer), bottom of sleeves, sleeves to shirt, top of sleeves. What do you think?

And I'm not sure what they recommend for the neck finish. I'd like to do a binding out of my green polk-dot, but not sure the fabric will handle it.

Speaking of fabric, I am truly digging this nice knit from (probably ) G Street. It's a beefy, really stretchy navy that's just going together great. No curling - I thought it would based on my washing of it, it might after it's washed again. But then it's sewn together, who cares? And I can stretch it to sew without it loosing width. I need more of this stuff (yes, see the stash topic below. whatever.)

Well, I'm off to the shower. Enough sewing for one night. I got all the neck pleats done and the side seams finished. What more do you want for a week night? And besides, I have to get up and be the only person at work in the DC area tomorrow.

A little of this....

It's been a while since I last clued you in on what I'm not sewing. And I have no photo's since my camera is packed and ready for the next trip. So far in December, I've spent 3 nights in Maryland, 4 nights and Detroit and 2 nights in Denver with the days spent either working or getting from one exciting location to the other. I did get to visit Denver when it was -20 degrees. Can you say BRRRRRR!?!?!?! - but at least all the planes stayed on the runwasy. And it snowed in Detroit. We're off to Tennessee tomorrow (12 hour drive) for 4 nights followed by another 12 hour drive to get home. That's if traffic cooperatees. Kev will meet us there on Wednesday. Let's see, that's 13 nights away in this month. I'm tired.

Very little sewing. I'm still stupid stuck on my Marlene pants. Stupid because: (1) I took the basting out of the front too soon so the zipper was off, so I had to take the whole front apart, including the zipper and waist band. (2) I reinserted the zipper backwards. Not a problem if you don't need to actually USE the zipper (3) I top stitched the zipper closed. Again, OK if you don't need a functioning zipper. They are nicely folded awaiting my return from Christmas. I just don't get the fly front. I can't visualize it well enough to get it together right. I've struggled on every one, but this is the WORST!!! But I really want these, so they haven't hit the trash chute yet. I hate sewing stupid. But if anyone knows where there's a tutorial on fly fronts, I would appreciate the link.

I still need to hem my BWOF skirt I made from the Vogue fabric. That's all. Just hem. And it's layed there for weeks. I got less enthused when I realized how poorly I'd matched the fabric. I don't know why I'm so concerned. I've purchased much worse, but I'm still disappointed. I should have created better match points when I traced the pattern, but too late now. HEM IT!

A Canadian friend sent me 2 TWO Deux issues of BWOF. November and December. Decembre is en francais. She was going to send me November, from Quebec, but warned me it would be in French. She surprised me with the added bonus of December. November turned out English and December is French. Shouldn't be a problem because I can read some French, I own a dictionary, and there isn't much to BWOF directions to start with. I'm taking both issues with me to TN and will share with MIL. I'm sure she's never seen how the rest of the world gets their patterns. I'm sure she won't sew with them, but I think she'll enjoy seeing them. There's a number of items in both issues that I want to work on. If I can stay home long enough to do it.

I am officially giving up beading. I gave it a good shot, but just didn't get into it. Notice you've seen only one item and (confession time) it wasn't really finished, nor did I really like it. I'm taking all my supplies - not really all that much - to my niece. She's much better at it. It's all packed up in a baggie and ready to go.

All my Christmas shopping is done and wrapped, I have to make a run to the post office for some late deliveries soon. Then finish work today, pack up tonight and hit the road bright and early. It's unlikely that I'll post again before the holiday, so MERRY CHRISTMAS and travel safely if you have to do it.

Finally, an update

It's been way too long since I've posted. It's just been crazy, I've had a number of travel obligations, in fact I'm in Detroit right now but my son ditched me so I have some down time, including Cleveland and Kingsport/Abingdon and Columbia, MD. My company landed a BIG new job that has entailed a lot of long hours and days away from the office and home.

First, I want to post a couple of pic's from Karen and Beth's Organizational frenzy. We reworked her sewing room while I was there. And yes, the organizer in me was truly in hog-heaven. So here are a few before & after: And 2 more:Just look at all the storage space we made!!! We took piles of stuff from chairs and old shelves and organized it so she can access it and keep the sun off the fabrics. And say "hi" to her Aunt there in front of the shelves. She hung out with us while we worked. Having seen pictures of her house, I'm sure she approved of our attempts, though, compared to her, we were a bit amateurish. Ah well, room for improvement.

I also finished the batik skirt. I LOVE this skirt. It's cute, fits well and is as easy to wear as a pair of shorts. Since I took this pic, I reworked the waist band - the pattern gave no lap at the waist so it tends to gape. I also lined it. And I had all kinds of fun with my twin needle and top stitching. I may top stitch everything now. Hmmmm.

I've tried, again, to make pants. Just a dismal failure. I don't know where to go with them other than the dumpster. They are just too long in the crotch. When I get back to DC, I may try undoing all my crotch seam adjustments and try taking them up from the waist band. That will leave an odd space for the front zip, so I may sew that up and make them side zip. *sigh** I like the fabric - a light grey stretch with just a tiny pinstripe picked up off the G Street $2.95 table on a trip with BFF in February. And I REALLY want to make pants for fall. I have a lot of fabric I've stashed with slacks in mind.

In other sewing news.... I've been on an EBay Spree. I am now the broad owner of more button holer templates (still missing some) and a BLIND HEMMER for my 201. I am in love and lust with the hemmer. It is just wonderful!!! I've never done well with my Pfaff on this (it doesn't like anything that has to be done with the fabric near an edge), but the pictures in the Singer book finally lifted the veil of confusion on how to fold the fabric. And it feeds so pretty and straight. I almost look forward to hemming. Almost.

I also thought I bought a zig-zagger, but it is actually another hemmer. A case of Caveat Emptor, I suppose. I didn't pay enough for it to be mad, just disappointed. A friend emailed me the ZZ manual, though, and it has all kinds of 50's Singer ideas for using the ZZ-er that I CAN use with the Pfaff's stitches. So not a total waste. I'll be deco stitching when I'm not twin needling.... Hmmm, no time for actual construction? After the last pants, that's not such a bad thing.

And I made my first purchase from Vogue fabrics. It came right before I left for Detroit, so I haven't had much time to pet the new fabric much. I do see a long sleeve tee out of one of the "eyelash" knits. Or bed sheets? Sure is soft, so I may just carry it around like a baby.

While here in Detroit, I wanted to deposit some checks that have piled up. I filled out deposit slip, endorsed the checks and dug my wallet out to get my ATM card so I'd be ready. No card. Nope, not in the slots, not in checkbook, not in the change holder, not in the bottom of the purse, not in the side pockets, not in the brief case. Damn-it. Just gone. Last time I used it was at Union Station, couple of weeks ago. The money was in my wallet, but no card. Dumped out everything. Pawed thru it. Swore at it. Realized that I could get a new one issued today at Kroger if I hustled. Kevin wanted to go, for groceries, so we piled in the car and took off. I started with the deposit and told the teller I'd lost my card. She updated my account with my Driver's License and went to call to cancel the card. I put my license back in wallet and shoved it back in my purse and up flipped my bank card. I yelled "HERE IT IS"!! She hung up, mid-sentence, on the home office. How close was that?

And, totally off topic. And for my guy lurkers (do I have any of those????) I hate to show you this, but felt you should know. There will be no more Rambo movies. He is buried in the same cemetery as my parents. May he RIP.

Yes, I'm still alive

I didn't expire in Karen's re-organization.
Just a quick note to note that I still alive and kicking. Been REALLY busy. I spent a most of a week in Cleveland, a few days at Karen's and returned to work to have been awarded a MAJOR new job. A yearbreaking job. A yearmaking job. But it's a lot work to get it started up. Add to that almost 2 weeks out of the office and thats spells BUSY.
I got a little way thru my shirt to match the batick skirt and realized that they want to line the darn thing. Guess I should have read the directions before I started? I found some stuff to line it with, but it wasn't washed, so I tossed it in the laundry and sat down at my 201.
About that. It's all clean, oiled and lubed, but there is something wrong with the tension. I think I'm going to have to take the tension mechanism off and apart. **sigh** The thread feeds ok (not great) while sewing, but when I'm done, to pull the fabric away to cut the thread it bends the needle and really drags. **sigh** Not looking forward to taking that thing apart, it has a spring.
I took a run to GStreet and JoAnn's. Found some hem tape to match the dress that I started (the one I used the fabric for my neice for), it's sewn on now, just awaiting hemming. Plan to do that tonight. Also picked up a couple of SM feet: roller and gatherer. At GStreet I found a few lengths of fall/winter stuff. Their $2.97 table was pretty slim this time. It comes and goes. Picked up some zippers, woo-hoo!
Sorry, no pic's.

Day two and counting

Ok, two days in a row. On a roll here.
I don't really feel well today. My stomach's kind of upset and I didn't sleep well. Actually I haven't been sleeping well a lot lately. I think it's some meds I'm taking, but not sure. Not sure why I feel yucky today, though. Hope it goes away soon, it's Margarita Wednesday.
Today I need to finish my account recs. Every one has chores they do that they hate more than others. Well, Accn't Recs are on my "I hate this stuff" list. Right there with unloading the dishwasher and folding shirts. Bleck.
I have a couple of phone calls to make and some forecasts to do (now where did I leave my crystal ball? I had it just a second ago...) Maybe I'll even clean up my office. Hey, it could happen.
I think I need to throw out my bug infested plant, too. I tried putting some DW soap in the watering water, but the leaves continue to turn yellow. Think its on its last legs (so to speak) and just needs to go. Oh well, I liked having a plant in here, it seems less lonely, but having a dying one isn't very inspiring.
Don't forget to check up on TG, the trial's getting interesting. And who knows, I may check back in later today.
The pic is of me skinny. I'm hoping that by looking at it regularly it will help me not scarf down the junk food. Ummmm, Taco Bell.