I must be on butter overload as I was underwhelmed by all my attempts at Creole/Cajun weekend cooking. While my butter-soaked and blackened tilapia filet was very good (and I would do this again), the sauce was meh and the crabmeat I bought had to be scrapped off. Now one would think, what with me living in Maryland and all, that I could get good crabmeat. Well, apparently, one would be wrong. Sorry.
Thanks all for the yogurt tips. I think I will leave it to culture a little longer next time and maybe add some non-fat dry milk and see if that will make it a little thicker. The method I'm using doesn't involve any jars or other containers and simple is my plan, so that's next. But really, I'm not sure it matters much to me. While it's not a firm as purchased (and I could add geletin but eliminiating extra ingredients was part of the plan) it is so good the way it is. I've stopped adding any honey or other sweeteners and just dump in my granola - it has enough sugar to sweeten the pot - so to speak. And I think I'll leave out the brown sugar from that next time. Less sugar is good.
And sorry, no to the sprouting. I'm not a big soy fan, nor a sprout fan. But, rest assureed, that if I WAS a fan of soy sprouts, there would be a jar of them on my counter. Maybe alfalfa.....
I did make it up my sewing room for a few minutes. Put the pockets into a pair of slacks and then realized the spool of Gutterman black thread I bought because my machine dislikes C&C black is really navy. Very dark navy, but navy. I'm leaving the top stitching at the pockets according to the 5' rule. I punted for the weekend, though when my serger decided to break the thread instead of playing nicely. It's in timeout.
And I caught up on Mad Men. I own seasons 1-4 and rewatched them to be ready for season 5. The 2 hour season 5 premiere was last Sunday - I was in New Orleans and slept through it completely. I caught it on "On Demand" (best invention since the automatic garage door opener - puts sliced bread to shame). I will probably watch last nights episode tonight. No way I can make it to 11pm on a school night, mom.
Support Stem Cell Research
In an instant lives are changed forever, with Stem Cell Research we can turn back time. It's too late for us, but there are millions of others that need this. Do your own research, make up your own mind, don't depend on what others say, and imagine your life in a wheelchair full of pain with no hope of ever dancing again.
Homemade Breakfast
One of my New Year's resolutions was to try to eat better. No necessarily skinnier or less red meat or drink less kind of better - though I suspect that will fall into place. But healthier. Less processed stuff. More organic, more fruits/veggies, fewer hormones. That kind of thing. So imagine my dismay when the Pink Slime usage of exposed! YIKES! On so may levels. Anyway, I've gotten a bit side tracked (duh!) and have eaten very badly this year. Sometimes I don't eat at all, other times I'll crunch down a bag of chips in a sitting. At least I haven't dipped into the dog food ;-) . Last week was spent in a much needed vacation in New Orleans. And we all know they're known for healthful lifestyles, right? So I am attempting to get on track a bit.
I thought I would start with the beginning of the day - Breakfast. I love yogurt, especially Greek - once I tried Greek I could never stomach that over worked mess from Yoplait that has no resemblance to real food and is so sticky sweet. But even these have so much sugar in them unless you buy plain. And is still full of preservatives and "stuff". My BFF has been raving about her crockpot yogurt for a while. So I thought, what the whey (see what I did there with a little milky humor?) and gave it a shot yesterday. I cannot believe how well it turned out. It was soooo easy, though does take some timing and time - not prep time, seriously how long does it take you to pour a half gallon of milk into a crock? - but waiting time and being available for the next step timing. In fact, I did have to get up about 2:30 this morning, go downstairs and put it in the fridge. But it was so worth it. It's creamy, not sweet, but also not too tangy. A little runny - I'm going to try straining it some and maybe add some nonfat dried milk to the mix next time, I used 2% milk, btw. But it was good just out of the crock.
But next to eating yogurt, I like eating yogurt with granola. YUM! But I have the same issues with purchased granola. Besides being stinking expensive, they're very high in fat and, again, the dreaded overload of sugar. This was not a new recipe for me, but it's been a while since I've made Lowfat Granola . Again, quite easy, though a bit messy. But I can make it how I like it and without so much sugar. If you look at the link, I made the basic and added about 1/4 cup of flax seeds (go easy of these - they can quickly overwhelm your granola, but a few is good stuff), a sprinkle of cinnamon, and about 1/4c sliced almonds and 1/2c chopped walnuts, cause that's what I had in my pantry. I'm not a fan of dried fruits so I didn't put any in mine - see what I mean? I can make it MYYYYY way.
I made it through one cup of coffee before I had to put this together for breakfast. So, without further ado (and there's been quite a bit of ado going on here) I bring you..... MY HOMEMADE BREAKFAST:
And my new counter tops. I mixed in a little honey and liked how I didn't mix it all the way so each bite was a bit different. I also liked how I could eat as much as I wanted - not limited to the 6 oz in the too small to stir container. I will look around this summer for some local milks and creams to further reduce the processedness (is that a word?) of the dish. But, again, YUM! I may have this for lunch, too.
Also, while in the kitchen, without Dina, I clarified some butter for my fish tonight. While in New Orleans we took a cooking class - and one of his suggestions was to soak the fillet in clarified butter, then coat in seasonings and then saute - no more added oils. It caramelized the seasonings instead of burning them.
And I have some shrimp for later, too.
Ok, I'm off to finish catching up on Mad Men so I can watch last week's premier on "On Demand" before tomorrow night, maybe sew a bit on some slacks I have cut out, and perhaps run to Home Depot for some fresh herbs. All my pots from last summer are still alive and starting to bloom and my lawn was mowed yesterday for the first time.
A Difficult Post
I've put off posting this for almost 2 months. Some people know me and know this, others probably just wonder where the hell I've been. Have I been sewing? Why haven't I shared my fabulous creations with the adoring blogging world. WTF, BeeBee?
On January 25th I came home from work to find a quiet house. The lights were off, the TV off, everything as I left it at 5:45 that morning. A silent dread started to build in me as I climbed the stairs, grew as I saw my son's bedroom door closed, became deafening as there was no answer to my knock. Oddly, I almost wasn't surprised to see him lying on his bed, quiet, still, cold. He hadn't moved from when he laid down on Tuesday night. I sat silently with him for almost an hour before I called my husband, before I called 911, before I called my best friend. I needed my own quiet and final time with him. His face was peaceful, there was no thrashing around, no evidence of trauma or pain. He went instantly and quietly. We buried him next to his grandfather.
The past 7 years have been so hard, he was 17 when the driver of the car he was riding in fell asleep and hit a utility pole ejecting my son from the SUV. In the next years we learned a new reality, a world of paralysis, pain, hospitals and heartbreak. There were - I believe - 13 surgeries on his back in those years. Years of pressure sores, home nursing and attempts at going forward it life.
Most recently, things seemed to finally be turning around. In September he had a surgery to close a years old pressure sore on his tailbone, he was finally in no pain, he had registered for school at a local community college - starting as a freshman older than most graduates. But I think he had just had enough, it was all too hard. Maybe an embolism? Months of inactivity trying to heal the sores combined with paraplegia? Maybe just a broken heart. Not really sure.
I hope he is at peace now. Running on the beach in San Diego. Dancing. Maybe he's met his grandmother that died 2 years before his birth. Fishing with his Papaw. Hanging with a school pal that also left us way too soon.
One thing I do know is that I miss him more than I thought I could miss anything or anyone. There is an empty, black hole inside me where he used to be. I miss his humor - he could be so funny. I miss cooking dinner for him - he loved to eat. I even miss doing his laundry (but just a little).
Maybe now I can start to post again - I thought about not saying anything and just going on but I couldn't. It seemed wrong. It seemed almost like a lie. I needed to say this to be able to move on. I think. Hopefully I will post again sooner and that it will be a happier entry - I'd be hard pressed to come up with a more depressing one, that's for sure. But for now I'm going outside to enjoy the beautiful early spring we're having.
On January 25th I came home from work to find a quiet house. The lights were off, the TV off, everything as I left it at 5:45 that morning. A silent dread started to build in me as I climbed the stairs, grew as I saw my son's bedroom door closed, became deafening as there was no answer to my knock. Oddly, I almost wasn't surprised to see him lying on his bed, quiet, still, cold. He hadn't moved from when he laid down on Tuesday night. I sat silently with him for almost an hour before I called my husband, before I called 911, before I called my best friend. I needed my own quiet and final time with him. His face was peaceful, there was no thrashing around, no evidence of trauma or pain. He went instantly and quietly. We buried him next to his grandfather.
The past 7 years have been so hard, he was 17 when the driver of the car he was riding in fell asleep and hit a utility pole ejecting my son from the SUV. In the next years we learned a new reality, a world of paralysis, pain, hospitals and heartbreak. There were - I believe - 13 surgeries on his back in those years. Years of pressure sores, home nursing and attempts at going forward it life.
Most recently, things seemed to finally be turning around. In September he had a surgery to close a years old pressure sore on his tailbone, he was finally in no pain, he had registered for school at a local community college - starting as a freshman older than most graduates. But I think he had just had enough, it was all too hard. Maybe an embolism? Months of inactivity trying to heal the sores combined with paraplegia? Maybe just a broken heart. Not really sure.
I hope he is at peace now. Running on the beach in San Diego. Dancing. Maybe he's met his grandmother that died 2 years before his birth. Fishing with his Papaw. Hanging with a school pal that also left us way too soon.
One thing I do know is that I miss him more than I thought I could miss anything or anyone. There is an empty, black hole inside me where he used to be. I miss his humor - he could be so funny. I miss cooking dinner for him - he loved to eat. I even miss doing his laundry (but just a little).
Maybe now I can start to post again - I thought about not saying anything and just going on but I couldn't. It seemed wrong. It seemed almost like a lie. I needed to say this to be able to move on. I think. Hopefully I will post again sooner and that it will be a happier entry - I'd be hard pressed to come up with a more depressing one, that's for sure. But for now I'm going outside to enjoy the beautiful early spring we're having.
My weekend
Just because I'm sure you're all sitting around wondering 'whatever could BeeBee be doing this weekend?', I'm going to tell you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. You can pick which is which. Ok? Here goes.
To start, it was a 3 day weekend for me, but I had some work to get out early Friday morning from home. Spent about 1/2 an hour getting a mouse and keyboard to work since I couldn't find any AA batteries anywhere in my house. Sent that in and ran down the driveway to get the recycle bin that I'd left there for a couple of days due to rain, rain, and rain. Dumped out about 6" of water out of and hauled it up the driveway. When I turned the corner into the garage I bumped the door-opener eye and it popped off the frame. Spent the next 1/2 hour or so getting it lined back up so the opener would work. In a really good mood by now, as you can imagine. Loaded my son up in the car and we were off to eye doctor - pretty uneventful, even found the place first try. My son needed a Maryland ID card so he can sign up for school for Winter. Well, the MVA in Maryland is legendary. Pack a lunch and take every piece of ID can you conjure up. Last time DH and DS tried this they failed. But do it we must. Went in and noticed empty chairs! Took our number and before I could settle my behind into a chair they called him. SUCCESS! In about 15 minutes we were out the door and on our way to the Social Security office to replace his lost card (see above, failed MVA attempt with DH - see my eyes roll?). Prepared to spend the rest of the afternoon there. It was less than 2 minutes from the MVA office and we were out of there in about 15 minutes. WOAH, what the heck was going on here? Really?!? Last stop was a contractor's office for a potential kitchen remodel. We left with samples.
Saturday I decided to spend my Living Social coupons at G Street to combine with their sale. I did quite well, they'd just restocked THE WALL. Of course I attempted a new route to GStreet and got lost and took about 45 minutes longer to get there. Erggg. And then the grocery store - snore. Got home and even cut a skirt out of one the fabrics.
This morning I headed upstairs to finish the skirt. It was going quite nicely, a pattern I've used before and I was off. Even re-threaded my serger on the first shot. Most of the skirt was done, zipper in, and ready to serge the seams to finish them. About 1/2 way down the first seam I realized I'd serged right into one of the panels. SOB! No fabric left to recut. And I decided against the patch my son suggested. Was quite looking forward to a navy pencil skirt. Still fuming over this. Left the sewing room in a mess.
So now I have potatoes in the oven and the grill warming up for steaks. Really? Three days over already? But all my purchased gifts are wrapped. Need to mail out this week to the away family. I'll feel better once that part's done.
How're your holiday plans coming?
To start, it was a 3 day weekend for me, but I had some work to get out early Friday morning from home. Spent about 1/2 an hour getting a mouse and keyboard to work since I couldn't find any AA batteries anywhere in my house. Sent that in and ran down the driveway to get the recycle bin that I'd left there for a couple of days due to rain, rain, and rain. Dumped out about 6" of water out of and hauled it up the driveway. When I turned the corner into the garage I bumped the door-opener eye and it popped off the frame. Spent the next 1/2 hour or so getting it lined back up so the opener would work. In a really good mood by now, as you can imagine. Loaded my son up in the car and we were off to eye doctor - pretty uneventful, even found the place first try. My son needed a Maryland ID card so he can sign up for school for Winter. Well, the MVA in Maryland is legendary. Pack a lunch and take every piece of ID can you conjure up. Last time DH and DS tried this they failed. But do it we must. Went in and noticed empty chairs! Took our number and before I could settle my behind into a chair they called him. SUCCESS! In about 15 minutes we were out the door and on our way to the Social Security office to replace his lost card (see above, failed MVA attempt with DH - see my eyes roll?). Prepared to spend the rest of the afternoon there. It was less than 2 minutes from the MVA office and we were out of there in about 15 minutes. WOAH, what the heck was going on here? Really?!? Last stop was a contractor's office for a potential kitchen remodel. We left with samples.
Saturday I decided to spend my Living Social coupons at G Street to combine with their sale. I did quite well, they'd just restocked THE WALL. Of course I attempted a new route to GStreet and got lost and took about 45 minutes longer to get there. Erggg. And then the grocery store - snore. Got home and even cut a skirt out of one the fabrics.
This morning I headed upstairs to finish the skirt. It was going quite nicely, a pattern I've used before and I was off. Even re-threaded my serger on the first shot. Most of the skirt was done, zipper in, and ready to serge the seams to finish them. About 1/2 way down the first seam I realized I'd serged right into one of the panels. SOB! No fabric left to recut. And I decided against the patch my son suggested. Was quite looking forward to a navy pencil skirt. Still fuming over this. Left the sewing room in a mess.
So now I have potatoes in the oven and the grill warming up for steaks. Really? Three days over already? But all my purchased gifts are wrapped. Need to mail out this week to the away family. I'll feel better once that part's done.
How're your holiday plans coming?
HO HO HO
I've been on the hunt for a new Christmas tree skirt for years. First I had one my mother didn't like. Then a friend was selling some a friend of hers made, and I bought one and always hated the blue childish aprony looking thing. So a few years ago we sent my son to buy a new one and he got another blue one but with ugly winter scenes appliqued on it. I looked here and there right after Christmas a few times but really just didn't care much on January 3, if you know what I mean. But this year, inspired by the Santa hat as the tree topper and, oddly, a cheap dishtowel, I set out to correct this sad state of affairs. So, without further ado, I give you the Santa suit tree skirt: 
Up closer you can appreciate the fine detailing that went into this creation. The base is red felt, I thought about fleece but realized I didn't want the drapeyness. Fur trim is a trim on a roll from JA's and the belt is a homedec pleather. Buttons and belt buckle are also from JA's, the buckle from the jewelry section (apparently somehow matched with feather boas. Who knew?). It took a bit longer to put together than I'd anticipated, primarily due to not being able to find a hole punch for the belt and having to wait for Staples to open. Can you see my eyes rolling? This was actually a blast to make, the felt and pleather were so easy to sew. I used my walking foot for most of the project - it did wonderfully. The fur trim came attached to a bias edge so it went on smoothly, I used the walking foot and a double needle. 
Buttonholes are just cut into the fur, no real buttonholing required as this stuff doesn't fray and they'll only be used a couple of times a year. Oh, and I got to use some circle math. How cool was all that?
In other news, we've lived here about a year and half and in that time we've spent a number of weekend mornings being chased around the room by morning sunbeams. It's really blinding in our den most of the day, there are windows facing 3 directions so it gets sun pretty much all day long. I finally did something about this and contacted a local blind company. Late Friday evening they came and installed 8 sets of plantation blinds in my den and stair landings. The reason for this long harangue? Just to show you a gratuitous picture of Christmas Village. That is all.
Up closer you can appreciate the fine detailing that went into this creation. The base is red felt, I thought about fleece but realized I didn't want the drapeyness. Fur trim is a trim on a roll from JA's and the belt is a homedec pleather. Buttons and belt buckle are also from JA's, the buckle from the jewelry section (apparently somehow matched with feather boas. Who knew?). It took a bit longer to put together than I'd anticipated, primarily due to not being able to find a hole punch for the belt and having to wait for Staples to open. Can you see my eyes rolling? This was actually a blast to make, the felt and pleather were so easy to sew. I used my walking foot for most of the project - it did wonderfully. The fur trim came attached to a bias edge so it went on smoothly, I used the walking foot and a double needle. Buttonholes are just cut into the fur, no real buttonholing required as this stuff doesn't fray and they'll only be used a couple of times a year. Oh, and I got to use some circle math. How cool was all that?In other news, we've lived here about a year and half and in that time we've spent a number of weekend mornings being chased around the room by morning sunbeams. It's really blinding in our den most of the day, there are windows facing 3 directions so it gets sun pretty much all day long. I finally did something about this and contacted a local blind company. Late Friday evening they came and installed 8 sets of plantation blinds in my den and stair landings. The reason for this long harangue? Just to show you a gratuitous picture of Christmas Village. That is all.
I Went to the Animal Fair
Ok, the Howard County Fair(grounds). They were having an Alpaca fiber exhibit. And since it's only a few minutes from my house I took a short roadtrip up. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so I have no photos of the really cute critters. They're much smaller than I thought they'd be, and much softer. They make noises similar to sheep but softer and quieter. I hear you can even housebreak them. Really? So I'm re-thinking my post retirement activities. Wonder how they get along with chickens? I did buy a couple of skeins of yarn. This one's hand dyed and 100% alpaca. 
I also bought a pattern to make it into a lace cowl from the same vendor.
These 2 are 30% Merino and are natural colors - not dyed. I have a 2 color pattern planned for them. Though, with my knitting speed, I don't recomment you hold your breath waiting for the results. But it should be really pretty when it's done.
In other news. I see a lot of pattern matching in the fashion mags but am scared to try it. What do you think: Too much? What the hell are you thinking? Go go girl, wish I had your fashion sense? Stick to solids and let Mondo do the mixing?
And finally, more serger woes. Seriously? WTF? See my nicely finished pink sample? Looks fine, doesn't it? Now look at my real garment.
These were done at the same time - in fact I didn't even cut the threads between the sample and the shirt until I was done stitching. I really just don't understand. Really. I ended up actually overcasting this mess on my Viking. Pah.
And in closing, don't forget you use your JoAnn's 60% off + dollars off coupons. Best sale in a long time - I got a whole bag of stuff I didn't need for the price of the cutting board I've had my eye on for some time. I do so love me a good sale.
I also bought a pattern to make it into a lace cowl from the same vendor. These 2 are 30% Merino and are natural colors - not dyed. I have a 2 color pattern planned for them. Though, with my knitting speed, I don't recomment you hold your breath waiting for the results. But it should be really pretty when it's done.
In other news. I see a lot of pattern matching in the fashion mags but am scared to try it. What do you think: Too much? What the hell are you thinking? Go go girl, wish I had your fashion sense? Stick to solids and let Mondo do the mixing?
And finally, more serger woes. Seriously? WTF? See my nicely finished pink sample? Looks fine, doesn't it? Now look at my real garment.
These were done at the same time - in fact I didn't even cut the threads between the sample and the shirt until I was done stitching. I really just don't understand. Really. I ended up actually overcasting this mess on my Viking. Pah. And in closing, don't forget you use your JoAnn's 60% off + dollars off coupons. Best sale in a long time - I got a whole bag of stuff I didn't need for the price of the cutting board I've had my eye on for some time. I do so love me a good sale.
HP for Free
A few months ago HP offered a free tee shirt pattern. All you had to do was download it, print and sew. It's quite a nice pattern but when I made it up I just didn't love it. 
It felt a bit big, frumpy and the tie bugged me. 
I tried it different ways and wore a few times and then left it on my ironing board for weeks. Today, I finally pulled it back out and made a few changes. What do you think? I like it much better now. 
I took in the sides by a full seam allowance up to the armholes - so over two inches. And I changed the neckline 
by simply stufing the tie inside, draping so I liked it, top stitching it in place and whacking off the excess inside. So the inside's a mess but I'm quite liking the oustide. Much better for me. The fabric's a lightweight knit from G Street's WALL.
It felt a bit big, frumpy and the tie bugged me. I tried it different ways and wore a few times and then left it on my ironing board for weeks. Today, I finally pulled it back out and made a few changes. What do you think? I like it much better now. I took in the sides by a full seam allowance up to the armholes - so over two inches. And I changed the neckline by simply stufing the tie inside, draping so I liked it, top stitching it in place and whacking off the excess inside. So the inside's a mess but I'm quite liking the oustide. Much better for me. The fabric's a lightweight knit from G Street's WALL. NYC
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. Yes, folks, that's right: pictures from the hottest weekend in NYC in, well, forever. I took the train from Baltimore Airport to Penn Station which allowed an early morning walk through the Garment District on my way to the hotel. 
Then, we took one of those double-decker tour buses around the city. My husband had never been to NYC and wanted to see as much as possible and it was just too hot to do it on foot. And you get to see the Vogue skirt in action. 
We traded photo shoots with another couple while we waited to leave from Battery Park. The next part of the tour took us through Brooklyn where we got to stop for ice cream and a nice photo in a quiet, older neighborhood. 
Amazingly I don't look nearly as hot and droopy as I felt. The cotton skirt was a great idea. It has pockets and was a cool as anything could be at 106 degrees in Central park. Ok, this picture is Madison Park, but whatever. 
It's still pretty interesting, no? The kid is asking the guy how he got the piano to the park. The answer was ......
The only fabric shopping I got to do was a quick run through the part of the fashion district while my husband cooled off in a local bar. But I really was just too hot to really get into it much. And a lot of the smaller store aren't air conditioned very well. I did find Paron's and rummaged through the annex and found these 3 fabrics.
All are Italian: silk & cotton, rayon and cotton, and wool (from left to right). Prices were good and cuts were generous. The two bottom "things" are some novelty elastics from one of the trim stores. Just fun.
And finally, just to cool us all off after trudging through the scorching sun for hours:
Then, we took one of those double-decker tour buses around the city. My husband had never been to NYC and wanted to see as much as possible and it was just too hot to do it on foot. And you get to see the Vogue skirt in action. We traded photo shoots with another couple while we waited to leave from Battery Park. The next part of the tour took us through Brooklyn where we got to stop for ice cream and a nice photo in a quiet, older neighborhood. Amazingly I don't look nearly as hot and droopy as I felt. The cotton skirt was a great idea. It has pockets and was a cool as anything could be at 106 degrees in Central park. Ok, this picture is Madison Park, but whatever. It's still pretty interesting, no? The kid is asking the guy how he got the piano to the park. The answer was ...... The only fabric shopping I got to do was a quick run through the part of the fashion district while my husband cooled off in a local bar. But I really was just too hot to really get into it much. And a lot of the smaller store aren't air conditioned very well. I did find Paron's and rummaged through the annex and found these 3 fabrics.
All are Italian: silk & cotton, rayon and cotton, and wool (from left to right). Prices were good and cuts were generous. The two bottom "things" are some novelty elastics from one of the trim stores. Just fun. And finally, just to cool us all off after trudging through the scorching sun for hours:
I've gone Viral
Yes, it finally happened. I've been discovered. If only I had chosen to (a) wear shoes (b) find a matching shirt (c) smile (d) comb my hair.
BeeBee on Vogue!
I have a couple more photos of the skirt in action when I get around to downloading my NYC photos. Boy was it ever hot! 104 in Central Park on Friday - I don't even want to think about what it must have been on 7th Ave at 4pm. I was trudging along looking for Paron's Annex and melting while my husband waited in a nearby Tapa's bar. I didn't actually find it until after I joined him for a sangria. Who said no good ever comes from alcohol?
I'll attempt more photos of our NYC melt down later this weekend - for now, you guys can all just like me on FaceBook.
BeeBee on Vogue!
I have a couple more photos of the skirt in action when I get around to downloading my NYC photos. Boy was it ever hot! 104 in Central Park on Friday - I don't even want to think about what it must have been on 7th Ave at 4pm. I was trudging along looking for Paron's Annex and melting while my husband waited in a nearby Tapa's bar. I didn't actually find it until after I joined him for a sangria. Who said no good ever comes from alcohol?
I'll attempt more photos of our NYC melt down later this weekend - for now, you guys can all just like me on FaceBook.
Success!
After a couple of attempts last week using a Simplicity and a New Look pattern that gave me results that just hung off my shoulders, I went a different direction this weekend. I pulled out Vogue 1247 
for a quick skirt. I'm going to New York for a quick weekend with my husband next Friday and wanted something cool but not so casual as shorts. This seemed to fit the bill. I used a 100% cotton from G Street that reminds me of that old stable, kettle cloth.
Remember that fabric? I used to love it. But anyway, I found this 1.5 yard remnant a couple of months ago and immediately thought "summer skirt". And I realized yesterday that it wanted to be this Vogue pattern. I added about 7 inches to the bottom, as I'm no longer 17 and skinny.
I needed a zipper for this (I realized how little red I sew when I looked for a zipper) and found this CUTE button for the back. 
I thought about using these (I have 2) on the pockets but decided not to when it came time to do the button holes. It just didn't feel right for the skirt. But I think it's quite nice on the back waistband. If you haven't looked at this pattern, you should. It goes together nicely, has those bitchin' front pockets and only takes about 1.5 yards of fabric after making it long enough for a real human. A bit of head scratching for a minute to figure out how to put the front together to make the pockets, but after that it went FAST. I didn't do the hong-kong finish in the interest of time and patience, but I did serge all the insides except around the pockets - sergers and curves don't mix. I just did a machine overcast there. Of course my Viking wouldn't do the buttonhole. It did the sample beautifully and then wouldn't feed the fabric for the real one. So after unpicking that mess I hauled out my Singer buttonholer and made it on my 201. THANK YOU SINGER, you RULE! One try and done. 
for a quick skirt. I'm going to New York for a quick weekend with my husband next Friday and wanted something cool but not so casual as shorts. This seemed to fit the bill. I used a 100% cotton from G Street that reminds me of that old stable, kettle cloth. Remember that fabric? I used to love it. But anyway, I found this 1.5 yard remnant a couple of months ago and immediately thought "summer skirt". And I realized yesterday that it wanted to be this Vogue pattern. I added about 7 inches to the bottom, as I'm no longer 17 and skinny. I needed a zipper for this (I realized how little red I sew when I looked for a zipper) and found this CUTE button for the back. I thought about using these (I have 2) on the pockets but decided not to when it came time to do the button holes. It just didn't feel right for the skirt. But I think it's quite nice on the back waistband. If you haven't looked at this pattern, you should. It goes together nicely, has those bitchin' front pockets and only takes about 1.5 yards of fabric after making it long enough for a real human. A bit of head scratching for a minute to figure out how to put the front together to make the pockets, but after that it went FAST. I didn't do the hong-kong finish in the interest of time and patience, but I did serge all the insides except around the pockets - sergers and curves don't mix. I just did a machine overcast there. Of course my Viking wouldn't do the buttonhole. It did the sample beautifully and then wouldn't feed the fabric for the real one. So after unpicking that mess I hauled out my Singer buttonholer and made it on my 201. THANK YOU SINGER, you RULE! One try and done. You can also see the wonky stitches my serger started doing again. WHY? It was fine and then it wasn't. This was a test scrap for both serging and buttonholes. Buttonholes went better than serging.
In other news... my son and I went to the early-bird showing of the final Harry Potter this morning. It finally happened - I spent more on the food than on the show, the first showing in each of the theatres is only $6 and the popcorn, etc. was $19. Erg! But the movie was great - all the HP's have been. We didn't see the 3D version, but kind of wishing we had. We may go back in a couple of weeks - after NYC.
Well, I'm off to finish some laundry and think about what to take with me next weekend. I'm taking the train up to Penn Station and husband will be taking the train down from Connecticut. I don't suspect I'll get in any time for fabric shopping this trip - just can't convince my husband that it's fun. Must keep working on that.
ETA: Kuby, if you're still around, I'm not sure if you're asking about the shirt I'm wearing in the picture or the one included with the pattern. I DID make the shirt I'm wearing - it's a Kwik-Sew tee-shirt pattern. No, I didn't make the top incuded in the pattern - I'm not a huge fan of the huge shirts. HTH.
Serging again
YEA! I picked my serger up from G Street on Wednesday after a doctor's appointment nearby (ish). They cleaned, oiled and adjusted (?) it. Didn't say what they adjusted but it seems to have turned the trick. And it's much smoother and quieter. It's around 5 years old, but saw very action in those years, so I didn't think it should need much oiling, etc., but it appears to have enjoyed its time at the spa. I finally finished the napkins I started about 3 months ago - took me about 5 minutes to serge - rolled hem - the rest of the fabric into everyday napkins to use with the table I runner I made and never showed you. (I KNOW, I promised you more pictures. I KNOW!). And then started looking around my room for more things to serge. I made 2 safety glasses cases (just pouches, really) for my husband, made a pillow case for my son to go with the quilt - that's all the UT fabric I had left after all that I bought! And a throw pillow for my son with some more of the scrap - a wonky patchwork on one side, I didn't want to keep tons of scraps around. The glasses cases are UT fabric, too. And did a tiny bit of hand stitching on a skirt I made months ago, too. Seriously, that thing sat there for 3 months for want of 10 minutes of hand sewing. I'm pathetic.
It's just too hot to do anything outside today. The past few days were BEA-U-TI-FUL! Sunny, warm and loooowww humidity - really, when does DC ever have 20% humidity? But typical summer is back today with highs in the 90's and humidity creeping back up. So we rented a carpet cleaner to get rid of the Kacy spots in the bedroom and then I SERGED and cleaned up the sewing room. Next weekend I hope to make a couple of T shirts or a knit dress - I have fabric piled up everywhere with idea in mind. We'll see what come out of the room next weekend - it's another 3 day-er for me.
I hope all my Canadian readers (do I have any of those?) had a nice Canada Day - didja get to see Wills and Kate? And that my fellow Americans (US, that is) are having a great Forth of July weekend. I think we need to watch "The Patriot" tonight.
It's just too hot to do anything outside today. The past few days were BEA-U-TI-FUL! Sunny, warm and loooowww humidity - really, when does DC ever have 20% humidity? But typical summer is back today with highs in the 90's and humidity creeping back up. So we rented a carpet cleaner to get rid of the Kacy spots in the bedroom and then I SERGED and cleaned up the sewing room. Next weekend I hope to make a couple of T shirts or a knit dress - I have fabric piled up everywhere with idea in mind. We'll see what come out of the room next weekend - it's another 3 day-er for me.
I hope all my Canadian readers (do I have any of those?) had a nice Canada Day - didja get to see Wills and Kate? And that my fellow Americans (US, that is) are having a great Forth of July weekend. I think we need to watch "The Patriot" tonight.
It finally happened
Yes, folks, it finally happened. My camera, my computer and the conection cable all ended up in the same room at the same time. I downloaded all the photos - including a big old pile I'd forgotten I'd taken.
So, for the short version, I want to show the massive quilt I made for my son. This was at his request and we worked together for the design. I know the picture is pretty rumbly
- more than I thought, perhaps I should have photographed before I washed it? On the bed you can see just how large it is
- queen sized bed. It was hard to photograph flat because it's so large I can't lay it out on a floor. But he loves it and it turned out just like I wanted it to. Guess what his favorite college football team is?
- more than I thought, perhaps I should have photographed before I washed it? On the bed you can see just how large it is - queen sized bed. It was hard to photograph flat because it's so large I can't lay it out on a floor. But he loves it and it turned out just like I wanted it to. Guess what his favorite college football team is? Additional information shamelessly copied from postings on SG
Tennessee fans will be so envious of that quilt, BeeBee. It's so cute, designed to look like a football field. You must have worn yourself out quilting it. What are the dimensions? What did you use for the backing? And what machine did you quilt it on? Yes, it actually was quite the quilting project - binding was a bear, too. The dimension are really wide by really long , honestly I'm not sure - I will measure and find out. It drapes WELL over the sides of the queen bed. It's backed by another UT fabric - Orange with white T's (I can't BELIEVE I didn't photo that side, I had to match the T's - like a plaid) on the piecing). On my blog the same 2 photos are clickable and you can see detail a little better. I really do need to iron it out once for better photos. I quilted it on my Viking Topaz 30, using the walking foot attachment for the Stitch in Ditch and binding. And the free-motion spring foot for the green parts.
Problem Solved
I have solved the problem of not being able to post from my home computer - as you may have noticed. And a lot of other performance issues, as well. It was really quite simple and something that never NEVER should have happened. Internet Explorer 9. I made the huge mistake of upgrading about 6 weeks ago. And my computer has SUCKED since then. Flickery ads that had me messing with Adobe for hours, slow response, constant lock ups, weird responses on blogger, just all around crap. I almost packed it up to the Geek Squad every weekend. Finally, this morning, I asked Blogger why I couldn't post & the first response came up that it is not compatible with IE9 and directed my how to uninstall IE9. Now why would Bill (Gates, who is currently at the top of my shit list) release a product with so many errors? - never mind, this was the same company that released Window's Vista - 'nuf said. So I uninstalled the IE9 upgrade while I fixed breakfast. And my computer is feeling sooooo much better. I'm pretty sure it did a happy dance a minute ago.
Think I'll be sticking with IE8 for a long time and Billy G can bite it.
Think I'll be sticking with IE8 for a long time and Billy G can bite it.
A New Obsession
A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out a filing cabinet that held some of my dad's paperwork. I'm (FINALLY) finishing up his estate and can free up some filing space - always at a premium. Thank God we've all gone paperless, eh? Anywho... I came across 2 documents that began nagging me endlessly: a genealogy done by an Aunt in the 1980's (more or less) and a photocopy of a eulogy for a lady who died in the 1930's. I'd seen the genealogy before - it's about 10 pages TYPEWRITTEN (remember typewriters? And this one was in script - not print, very pretty) from one branch of my dad's family. And while this was rumbling around in my brain, Ancestry.com started sending me emails about a "sale" on my heritage. I couldn't hold out any longer and joined. Now, I'm going to warn you, looking at this stuff is like eating potato chips - you just can't stop. Especially if you find a tree that someone else has already built - you can add generations in a flash.
So, now I "know" (in quotations because validation is still pending) that my mother's family came from England and Germany - directly and exclusively. And my dad's straight from England, no matter which branch I follow. Now the good news is that my tree actually branches - no vines (wink, wink). And some highlights include a many-greats grandfather that was hanged. I'm thinking I've uncovered that horse thief found in every family. Further research said no, he was hanged by the Colonial Government of Virginia for treason - against the crown. He was part of Bacon's rebellion and had actually been pardoned by the king, but the governor carried out the executions anyway. So a patriot (one man's traitor is another man's patriot, I suppose). There is another, possible, link to English nobility and US founders but I'm not certain of that link - there are some pretty big jumps to get there. It may pan out but I'm questioning. I could very certainly become a daughter of the American Revolution - from either side of the tree. And possibly a Daughter of the Confederacy, as well. That' where the eulogy fits in, but is still being researched.
Anyway, if you haven't done this, you should give it a shot. It's a lot of fun and involves some problem solving, sleuthing and puzzle placement. All in all, a good time.
And I will finish the quilt today - all it lacks is binding.
Now, wish me luck that I can post this from home. Fingers crossed, I'm going in....
So, now I "know" (in quotations because validation is still pending) that my mother's family came from England and Germany - directly and exclusively. And my dad's straight from England, no matter which branch I follow. Now the good news is that my tree actually branches - no vines (wink, wink). And some highlights include a many-greats grandfather that was hanged. I'm thinking I've uncovered that horse thief found in every family. Further research said no, he was hanged by the Colonial Government of Virginia for treason - against the crown. He was part of Bacon's rebellion and had actually been pardoned by the king, but the governor carried out the executions anyway. So a patriot (one man's traitor is another man's patriot, I suppose). There is another, possible, link to English nobility and US founders but I'm not certain of that link - there are some pretty big jumps to get there. It may pan out but I'm questioning. I could very certainly become a daughter of the American Revolution - from either side of the tree. And possibly a Daughter of the Confederacy, as well. That' where the eulogy fits in, but is still being researched.
Anyway, if you haven't done this, you should give it a shot. It's a lot of fun and involves some problem solving, sleuthing and puzzle placement. All in all, a good time.
And I will finish the quilt today - all it lacks is binding.
Now, wish me luck that I can post this from home. Fingers crossed, I'm going in....
The Weekend
Sorry, still no pictures as my camera is in my purse, the cable is in the sewing room and my computer is on my lap. Someday they will all magically appear in the same room and there will be photos for all. That day is not today.
I spent all day yesterday running errands. From about 9 am until I pooped out at about 3:30. That included taking my serger to G Street. I'm going to "bite my tongue" and not comment on service I received there - and it ain't easy to do this. But it should be back weekend after next making a nice chain and all oiled and cleaned. And, are you ready for this? I bought NOTHING while there. I just didn't see anything that couldn't live without, not even on THE WALL. I wanted a white, not cotton, knit for a tee shirt. No go. Nothing. Pah.
I finished quilting my son's quilt. Whew! What a job that was. I will bind it next weekend and be done. Then, assuming the 3-way required for posting pictures occurs, I will show it to the world. It's much larger than I'd started off thinking it would be. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
And did I tell you my glasses broke? Just broke. In two. At the nose bridge. I put them in my purse in one piece and took them out at the office in 2 pieces. Now I was due for an exam and counting down until I could get new frames but this really kicked up the timeline. I got lucky and there was a cancellation that afternoon and I should get new specs this week. I actually sprung for 2 pairs - a full vision pair and a computer pair that just has close and mid-range vision that should make working at my computer much more comfortable. I'm looking forward to being able to see again. Meantime I'm the world's biggest geek - my glasses are glued together with Gorilla Glue. That stuff rocks.
So the weekend is over and it's back to work tomorrow. Later, gators.
Ok, so I tried to post this last night (Sunday) from home and Blogger wouldn't post it. But NOW I can from work. Go figure?
I spent all day yesterday running errands. From about 9 am until I pooped out at about 3:30. That included taking my serger to G Street. I'm going to "bite my tongue" and not comment on service I received there - and it ain't easy to do this. But it should be back weekend after next making a nice chain and all oiled and cleaned. And, are you ready for this? I bought NOTHING while there. I just didn't see anything that couldn't live without, not even on THE WALL. I wanted a white, not cotton, knit for a tee shirt. No go. Nothing. Pah.
I finished quilting my son's quilt. Whew! What a job that was. I will bind it next weekend and be done. Then, assuming the 3-way required for posting pictures occurs, I will show it to the world. It's much larger than I'd started off thinking it would be. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
And did I tell you my glasses broke? Just broke. In two. At the nose bridge. I put them in my purse in one piece and took them out at the office in 2 pieces. Now I was due for an exam and counting down until I could get new frames but this really kicked up the timeline. I got lucky and there was a cancellation that afternoon and I should get new specs this week. I actually sprung for 2 pairs - a full vision pair and a computer pair that just has close and mid-range vision that should make working at my computer much more comfortable. I'm looking forward to being able to see again. Meantime I'm the world's biggest geek - my glasses are glued together with Gorilla Glue. That stuff rocks.
So the weekend is over and it's back to work tomorrow. Later, gators.
Ok, so I tried to post this last night (Sunday) from home and Blogger wouldn't post it. But NOW I can from work. Go figure?
Ha Ha, I'm back
Well, just a little. But back. For about a year I was unable to blog from my work computer. Whether I was at home on it or at work. I could read it and read others' blogs but couldn't update or post a comment, etc. Then, suddenly, and without warning I was able to access it all again. What changed? And why?? Who knows.
So for a fast update and to assure you all that I neither died nor joined the circus (though I am tempted after reading "Water for Elephants").
I'm working on a quilt for my son - a personal request with a personal design. I will show it off after I'm done, but it's much larger than I'm used to working with and the fabric has had to be shipped to me - and not all at once. So it's taking a bit of time.
I did finish my table runner and made some placemats to go with. I was in the process of making napkins, too, when my serger decided to stop making the chain. Many, many hours of rethreading later in all configuration still results in no chain. So I think it's going in for a check up this weekend. How fortuitous that G Street's having a sale..
What else....? Used my trusty Jalie Tshirt pattern to alter a top and a dress from Kohl's that were just shaped oddly for me. I'm wearing the dress today and it's much betterer. It wasn't the size or amount of fabric, but where that fabric was on me. They were both Dana Buchmann. Anyone else have issues with her stuff fitting weird? That reminds me, I need a new white knit non-Tshirt...
And a couple of failed attempts at using border print knits for skirts. They've just turned out poorly and I think I'm done with that particular experiment. Eh, fabric was about $3 for each. C'est la vie.
Took a trip up to the Cape Cod area in May. Weather up there was still chilly and we wore sweaters the entire time. A side trip to the mother ship of Fabricmart.com was fun. I've made up a couple of the fabrics already, though I didn't buy a whole lot. MUST CLEAN OUT STASH CLOSET!
And, in case this isn't enough excitement for one blog posting, I put up curtains last weekend. Decided if it's going to be another 100 degree every freakin' day summer I needed to block out some of the afternoon sun. I'm quite proud of myself. I hung the rods and the curtains and cut one panel into 2 for smaller windows (I used blanket binding to finish the edge - worked perfectly) and hung up the curtains. In all, for 5 windows. I get a gold star.
Sorry, no pictures to be had, for various reasons. (1) my pictures aren't on my work computer. (2) I don't seem able to match up my camera, download cord and computer all in one room at the same time. (3) I'm flat lazy - or pooped from all that curtain hanging (4) so far behind in posting pictures that I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
But, it was nice talking to y'all again. We should do it again sometime.
So for a fast update and to assure you all that I neither died nor joined the circus (though I am tempted after reading "Water for Elephants").
I'm working on a quilt for my son - a personal request with a personal design. I will show it off after I'm done, but it's much larger than I'm used to working with and the fabric has had to be shipped to me - and not all at once. So it's taking a bit of time.
I did finish my table runner and made some placemats to go with. I was in the process of making napkins, too, when my serger decided to stop making the chain. Many, many hours of rethreading later in all configuration still results in no chain. So I think it's going in for a check up this weekend. How fortuitous that G Street's having a sale..
What else....? Used my trusty Jalie Tshirt pattern to alter a top and a dress from Kohl's that were just shaped oddly for me. I'm wearing the dress today and it's much betterer. It wasn't the size or amount of fabric, but where that fabric was on me. They were both Dana Buchmann. Anyone else have issues with her stuff fitting weird? That reminds me, I need a new white knit non-Tshirt...
And a couple of failed attempts at using border print knits for skirts. They've just turned out poorly and I think I'm done with that particular experiment. Eh, fabric was about $3 for each. C'est la vie.
Took a trip up to the Cape Cod area in May. Weather up there was still chilly and we wore sweaters the entire time. A side trip to the mother ship of Fabricmart.com was fun. I've made up a couple of the fabrics already, though I didn't buy a whole lot. MUST CLEAN OUT STASH CLOSET!
And, in case this isn't enough excitement for one blog posting, I put up curtains last weekend. Decided if it's going to be another 100 degree every freakin' day summer I needed to block out some of the afternoon sun. I'm quite proud of myself. I hung the rods and the curtains and cut one panel into 2 for smaller windows (I used blanket binding to finish the edge - worked perfectly) and hung up the curtains. In all, for 5 windows. I get a gold star.
Sorry, no pictures to be had, for various reasons. (1) my pictures aren't on my work computer. (2) I don't seem able to match up my camera, download cord and computer all in one room at the same time. (3) I'm flat lazy - or pooped from all that curtain hanging (4) so far behind in posting pictures that I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
But, it was nice talking to y'all again. We should do it again sometime.
Play Date
Yesterday an on-line, sewing friend came over to play. The proposed purpose was to help me out with my serger - she has a very similar one, just the next newest model. And we've actually met a couple of times before when we both worked in Crystal City we'd have lunch occasionally. But yesterday she drove up to my house and we hung out in my sewing room. And talked and chatted. It was great to talk sewing with someone who's eyes didn't glaze over and knew that a blind hem didn't get you a tax deduction (oh, yeah, I've been finishing up taxes, too). And we did get around to setting up the sergers. She ran through how to set it up to cover stitch and chain stitch. And then I undid them a couple of times and redid them. I think I've got it down now and can get more out of my machine. It was a grand old time and no one ran with scissors. And in other serger news, I discovered a box in my garage late last night as I closed my garage door. Left by my mail man who brought it up the driveway and just dumped it there - that's what he does when something is too large for my box, just lays it somewhere in or near the garage (I've wondered if he's afraid of my dog?). Anyhoo.... it was the manual and technique book that came with/was purchased for MY SERGER! Yes, friends, it has surfaced and arrived at my house. So it has been a very sergical weekend. I've also been working on the
free Viking project for March. I've gotten all the embroideries done, trimmed the blocks and have the strips in place between the blocks. I'll get the rest done today and on the table. The embroideries stitched out very nicely. It's a fun and pretty quick project after you get the embroideries stitched out - there are 4 of them and each of them takes about 20 minutes to stitch. Well, that's all for now - happy Sunday, spring is on it's way! And blogger is acting really oddly - it won't paragraph. So sorry about the run-on style. Grrrr!
free Viking project for March. I've gotten all the embroideries done, trimmed the blocks and have the strips in place between the blocks. I'll get the rest done today and on the table. The embroideries stitched out very nicely. It's a fun and pretty quick project after you get the embroideries stitched out - there are 4 of them and each of them takes about 20 minutes to stitch. Well, that's all for now - happy Sunday, spring is on it's way! And blogger is acting really oddly - it won't paragraph. So sorry about the run-on style. Grrrr!
Where to start?
It's been a while. A busy while. And posts have been written in my head but never on my 'puter
I know you all are just bursting to know all about the Puyallup Expo. Well, I just say it was a blast. For the Seattle weather in March, the weather was ok. A little chilly, a little rainy, a little sunny, a little breezy. Yep, Seattle in [insert your favorite month here]. I "only" attended on Thursday and Friday, took a few classes, and did a boat load of shopping. For whatever reason (I refuse to blame myself for this) my camera battery was completely dead - so I have NO, NOT ONE, photo of the Expo!
My best class was a serger class: "Getting to know your serger" I believe it was called. We got to use the Babylock Imagine which was awesome. 
NAYY, I have a Bernina which is a fantastic machine, but that air threader was like magic! Like an automatic garage door opener or a self timer on a coffee pot. Probably good I DON'T have one, I'd spend all my sewing time rethreading it just to watch it do it. And the wave stitch is pretty cool, though not a deal maker like the threading. **ahem**, sorry, I wandered off for a threading second. The class was great, we got a nice book with nice directions, fabric samples to try out the technique, hands on help. It was a great intro to the real capabilities of a serger. Most of what we learned is available on any serger - only the wave is BL or high-end model only.
NAYY, I have a Bernina which is a fantastic machine, but that air threader was like magic! Like an automatic garage door opener or a self timer on a coffee pot. Probably good I DON'T have one, I'd spend all my sewing time rethreading it just to watch it do it. And the wave stitch is pretty cool, though not a deal maker like the threading. **ahem**, sorry, I wandered off for a threading second. The class was great, we got a nice book with nice directions, fabric samples to try out the technique, hands on help. It was a great intro to the real capabilities of a serger. Most of what we learned is available on any serger - only the wave is BL or high-end model only.My other classes were all lecture format. Interesting but not really blogworthy. The notions class was fun though. Just a little, tiny bit enabling. Just a **ahem** little. Funny thing was that I'd already bought about 1/2 the stuff she showed us, on my first booth stop on Thursday. Great minds and all that.....
Karen took many more classes than I did, so that meant I had lots of **yea!** shopping time. I did take some photos when I got home and played around in my sewing room. Zippers were a big item this year. Fun and fancy and not available at JoAnn's. So I picked up a couple, including a pack from Vogue for $7 for the bag of them. 
I bought long ones, for the most part because they're much easier to shorten than to lengthen. And fun fun fun notions: 
Notions that photographed very poorly. But include binder makers, a threaded needle keeper (at 6 o'clock), some markers from the Japanese notions shop, some glass head pins, an aqua Grabbit, double hole machine needles (who knew they made these?), and so on. Back to closures are buttons, buttons, who's got the buttons? I got the buttons: 
That also didn't photo well - but are fun and lovely. The two cards are old glass buttons. And finally I went a bit overboard with folder elastic. 
But I'll get over it, I'm sure. And a couple of panels to quilt. Don't yet know how I'm going to do them - but I'm sure it will be fun and interesting some rainy weekend. 
That's the last of the shopping.
I bought long ones, for the most part because they're much easier to shorten than to lengthen. And fun fun fun notions: 
Notions that photographed very poorly. But include binder makers, a threaded needle keeper (at 6 o'clock), some markers from the Japanese notions shop, some glass head pins, an aqua Grabbit, double hole machine needles (who knew they made these?), and so on. Back to closures are buttons, buttons, who's got the buttons? I got the buttons: 
That also didn't photo well - but are fun and lovely. The two cards are old glass buttons. And finally I went a bit overboard with folder elastic. 
But I'll get over it, I'm sure. And a couple of panels to quilt. Don't yet know how I'm going to do them - but I'm sure it will be fun and interesting some rainy weekend. 
That's the last of the shopping. We did a little driving around, had a bit of wine, a bit of food and some catching up. Then I flew over to the Richland area for a couple of days.
Look out Expo, here we come!
I'm sitting at a hotel bar right now near the Seattle/Tacoma airport. Karent will be joining me in a bit and tomorrow morning we will hit the Puyallup Sewing Expo. I went to the one in Novi a couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This will be Karen's first venture into such a venue. We both have classes scheduled for early tomorrow morning and I have worked lots of shopping time into my schedule. On the hunt, primarily, for trims and notions though if I find a nice piece of faux fur... Emma Seabrook had some in Novi that I'm still sad I didn't buy. But since my fabric closet is full I really don't want to add to it right now. (Yeah, I know, check back later to see how strong I was when faced with row after row after row after row after row after row....).
I got a few photo's uploaded last weekend, though I didn't have time to post. Now I have loads of free time since Seattle's weather has just turned typical (yes, that means it's raining right now oops, spoke too soon, now the sun is shining through the rain - there must be a rainbow somewhere!). So, without further ado (and I am a big ado-lover):
The brown slacks 
that have been pining away on my table after the big pocket adventure. Or, in other terms, proof that I CAN and DID to those dang pockets. And why they couldn't just be skipped (though Lord knows I would have at one point).
A bit of wonkiness at the waist band, but not too bad. The buttonhole went in first time and that may be a first. And a peek inside.
Though the wool is pretty lightweight and (I think) blended with silk, I wanted a less heavy waist band. SOOOO glad I did this or I wouldn't have had enough fabric to do the pockets (3 times). Plus I love a bit of bling inside. I still have more of this fabric, too. I made a nightie out of it last year.
that have been pining away on my table after the big pocket adventure. Or, in other terms, proof that I CAN and DID to those dang pockets. And why they couldn't just be skipped (though Lord knows I would have at one point).
A bit of wonkiness at the waist band, but not too bad. The buttonhole went in first time and that may be a first. And a peek inside.
Though the wool is pretty lightweight and (I think) blended with silk, I wanted a less heavy waist band. SOOOO glad I did this or I wouldn't have had enough fabric to do the pockets (3 times). Plus I love a bit of bling inside. I still have more of this fabric, too. I made a nightie out of it last year. And, I've kept this under wraps. But I have a new addition to the family. Well, the sewing family. Introducing...... Lizzy. 
When I was kid and in trouble my dad would call me "Lizzy" - so when I heard that yelled, I ran. Oddly, he also called me that on the few occasions it fell to him to wake me up in the mornings. But now that he's gone, I think Lizzy needs to come out of hiding. She came from JA's the last time dress forms were on sale. Free shipping. She's not the highest tech form you'll ever see but I think she'll work well for me for a while. And, high on my list, her waist length was able to adjust enough for me.
When I was kid and in trouble my dad would call me "Lizzy" - so when I heard that yelled, I ran. Oddly, he also called me that on the few occasions it fell to him to wake me up in the mornings. But now that he's gone, I think Lizzy needs to come out of hiding. She came from JA's the last time dress forms were on sale. Free shipping. She's not the highest tech form you'll ever see but I think she'll work well for me for a while. And, high on my list, her waist length was able to adjust enough for me. Ok, I suppose I've rambled on enough for a while now. Even the dog is bored.
No, wait, she usually looks like this when I sew.Done, done and done
I did indeed finish my pants and if I could find the camera cable I could prove it to you. They turned out quite nicely - but for a bit of wonkiness at the waistband. Even the buttonhole went in first time. Cool beans. They are even hemmed and hanging in my closet.
I started a quick tee-shirt, but I'm not liking one of the sleeves and I don't have enough fabric to re-cut it. It may turn out to be a sleeveless shell. Nothing wrong with that, really.
But I stopped to stir my stew for dinner and bake some brownies.
Next up, inspired by pegsewer, I want to make a slip. I'm seriously still wearing some from highschool. As I'm now in my 50's, that's quite a run for some lin gerie. But it may be time to update some. I have some nice tricot and lin gerie elastic. So all I really need is about 1/2 hour of free time and the right color thread in the serger.
And my camera cable. Really, any ideas?
I started a quick tee-shirt, but I'm not liking one of the sleeves and I don't have enough fabric to re-cut it. It may turn out to be a sleeveless shell. Nothing wrong with that, really.
But I stopped to stir my stew for dinner and bake some brownies.
Next up, inspired by pegsewer, I want to make a slip. I'm seriously still wearing some from highschool. As I'm now in my 50's, that's quite a run for some lin gerie. But it may be time to update some. I have some nice tricot and lin gerie elastic. So all I really need is about 1/2 hour of free time and the right color thread in the serger.
And my camera cable. Really, any ideas?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)