Tuesday, August 30, 2011

How Many is Too Many?

Vogue 1250, that is. I was so taken by the first one, I have 2 more already cut out and I haven't even picked out a solid color yet. Maybe it is the ease and quickness that it zips together. Maybe it is the style.  All of my knits are screaming, "Pick me, Pick me!" The two ready to sews are a black sparkly knit, a little more beefy than version one, that I think will make a great holiday dress. The other one is a small houndstooth knit that will look smashing with red accessories. I have some brown leggings ready to go, which really are more practical, so I may do them next after the dresses. I worked on a muslin of McCall's 6284 today and it was just meh, so I think I will scrap it for the time being. I have dresses to make!

Monday, August 29, 2011

For Gaylen...

Gaylen and I have been chatting about Vogue 1250. I cranked this out this afternoon and I have to join the chorus singing this pattern's praises. Super easy and fast to put together...comfy and stylish. Gaylen wanted to see how it turned out, so although it's more a Levi's and Tee-shirt kind of day, I present to you Vogue 1250, version 1. More definitely to follow...

Birthday Shopping

Just a quick post before I start my day. It's my day off, Tom is starting a double shift so I have 48 hours to sew clean the house (yeah right!). I have big plans in the studio. There are jobs on the horizon, but Vogue 1250 is cut out, I changed the thread color on the serger the other day, so why not get busy with it? We spent the day at the state fair yesterday and had a great time looking at the animals, the exhibits, watched a timber show and ate fair food! Does anyone else get inspired by looking at other's work? I was surprised by the grand champion quilt though. It was a king size, meticulously quilted piece, but oddly my critical eye spotted one little section that the artist did not quilt. It was a geometric piece and it was not like that omission was planned. I would be horrified to see my quilt hanging and see that unquilted section. Evidently the judges missed it, or thought it was great in spite of it. We looked for something fun to send Colt for his birthday, but nothing special jumped out. When we got home I had an epiphany and this is what I ordered for him:
Grandpa approved. We saw a cute 6 volt fire truck that the reviews said was easy enough for a child his age, but he has enough get up and go without a motorized vehicle! Can't wait to see him again! Okay, it's off to get some sewing done! Happy Monday everyone!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hello, It's Me...

...I've thought about us for a long, long time...okay, I know some of you are old enough to be Todd Rundgren fans. Just seemed like an appropriate start to a post I've composed a hundred times in my head, but didn't have the time or gumption to write. Summer has been busy (understatement of the year) what with work, traveling across the mountain to build the shop, trying to maintain somewhat of a garden and the usual summer stuff. Sewfast business has been very steady (thank you, loyal customers) and I have even managed a little sewing for me. Here are some pictures of our summer...

And in a few short weeks, this little Mister is going to be one year old! Gram loves you, Mr. Colt!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Something for Me

This afternoon I had a few hours before work to sew. I could have really put some effort into finishing the rest of the scrub/apron tops for the dorm girls (which I did work on while the embroidery machine was working), but instead I chose to make something for me. I bought a book-like case to house my Kindle, but I wanted something more substantial to withstand being packed around in my purse or back pack. Of course it had to have some style, and this Raven from Urban Threads was the perfect design. I have always been a big Edgar Allen Poe fan (part of my dark period in my youth) and who better to protect my books? I started by stitching the design onto a remnant of black vinyl I had in the stash. I thought I had some black quilted fabric, but you know how that goes. I probably do have a chunk, but I wasn't about to spend all my time digging through the closet. After the design was stitched, I figured out how big it had to be to go around the Kindle book and cut 2 pieces of warm and natural batting to fit. Originally I considered making a zippered case, but putting a zipper in that vinyl with the extra padding? Um, no...for obvious reasons. So I designed a flap closure that slips under a ribbon in the back. I could have done a magnetic closure or velcro, but truly, this thing fits like a glove and it's not going anywhere. I lined it with a red satin (my new book case is red). The seams really need a good pounding to lay completely flat, but Tom was not feeling well and I thought it would be in poor form to start banging while he had a headache. I am completely pleased with my totally selfish time spent in the studio...I may have to do that again soon!

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Pitbull Skirt


Here is a picture of my friend Nancy in her ridiculous Pitbull skirt I made for her. She added the bling collar and chain leash. She looked smashing, as did the other folks (and canines) I outfitted! As for my sewing progress, I have been trying to clear the studio of customer work...seems I get something done and another job magically appears. Not complaining, mind you...I just want to stitch up my Vogue 1250! I'm very excited to see if mine looks as fabulous as everyone elses. I'm a little late to the party on this pattern, but I always wait to see what the "cool kids" are doing! La Pine homestead is coming along nicely inspite of the mega migraine headache from hell I had on Sunday. I kept telling Tom..."I'm fine". It was pretty clear I was NOT fine, but he took good care of me and Monday I was actually able to be of some use to him. Today I had several errands to run before work, including a dental appointment. Ed comes in to check my teeth after Cheryl had cleaned them and said "Guess what? The Cowsills have gotten back teogether and are doing a reunion concert!" WTH??? He was all excited about the great news. Well, I guess compared to what the stock market is doing, it is pretty good news! I heart my dentist...he never fails to make me laugh! Hope you've had a good laugh today!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Oregon Jamboree Report

Another Jamboree is in the books and as far as pictures go...in the works of Darius Rucker's new song..."I got nothin!" What? I always take volumes of pictures of the artists and have a whole folder of them. I didn't even crack a camera once this year and it didn't bother me. Well, maybe a little when I realized I don't have a picture of that hunky Mark Miller, but it's okay. I have it up in the vault until the dementia kicks in (or maybe I will think I'm married to Mark Miller when that happens...who knows?). The line up was okay this year, but not awe inspiring as in years past. The Brownsville festival seems to be drawing some pretty good talent and is becoming quite competitive. Next year is the Jamboree's 20th anniversary and they have plans to pull out all the stops, but more on that later...back to the lineup.

JoDee Messina: Her singing was good, and she wasn't as snarky as last time, but again she dresses like a hobo! Really? We aren't paying you enough that you can find clothes that fit and don't look totally drab? Come on...step it up girl! And I have one thing to say to the performers who bring their small children on stage...ear protection! Don't damage those poor babies hearing so early in life. Let them do that when they are teenagers (just kidding)

Ronnie Dunn: Of course he was amazing and although there was less flash than a Brooks and Dunn concert, it pretty much was the same as if Kix were there (sorry Kix, but didn't really miss you Bud!) You expect a show like that from a performer of his caliber. Loved the song he came out to...Snake Farm by Ray Wylie Hubbard...check it out!

Colin Raye: Love him! The concert might have been more enjoyable had my sunscreen not melted and ran into my eyes, but that's not Colin's fault. He gave a great performance.

Sawyer Brown: OMG! The best show of the Jam! It's so hard to believe they have been performing for 30 years! I had forgot that they were on Star Search. Mark Miller quipped that he told his kids "We were the original American Idol". They brought high energy and fun to their show. Mark Miller was constantly dancing!   Rob and Scotty were going to have a dance-off in camp. Tom was excused due to his knee injury! Great new song to update "Some Girls Do"... "Smokin' Hot Wife"

Lady Antebellum: Okay...they are a hot commodity right now. Love to listen to their music. As a live performance? Ho hum...of course, they had the flashy lights and smoke effects. They are attractive to look at. It just didn't have me on my feet and dancing in the aisles.

Clay Walker: short! Not that exciting...points for ear protection on one child in the wings...little girl would not leave her ear protectors on.

Darius Rucker: aka "Hootie". He was good. He did all his new stuff and of course some of the Blowfish hits. Not as earth shattering as finales in years past, but I was glad to see him. The exciting thing was watching him leave in the helicopter on the football field that brought him to Sweet Home. We all thought Life Flight was coming in when the helicopter landed. Nope, it was just Hootie dropping in for a show!

There were some other artists that we didn't go to, but we could hear them just fine from our camp site. Gotta eat sometime, and the food in there is outrageously expensive. Had a wonderful time catching up on all the Coos Bay gossip and talking nursing with Terri. Sad to hear that Dr. Potter had died. Many of the docs I worked with at the hospital have retired (or should retire, if you get what I mean!)

Lastly, they let out a little information about next years show...the 20th anniversary.  Neal McCoy is not only performing...he's hosting the whole shindig! For those of you who have never been to a Neal McCoy show...you need to see him if he comes around because he is an awesome showman! Next they let on that Rascal Flatts are booked to play! One of my must see bands! Now Bocephus, I know I say this every year, but won't you please, Please, PLEASE come see us in Sweet Home? Please???

We will return to regular scheduled sewing posts soon. Working on the promised tops for my dorm staff girls today and back to work this afternoon...good times!

Project Dress a Girl

For the past couple of years, I have made dresses for Project Dress a Girl Around the World, in part thanks to the campaign launched by Mari...