Saturday, August 31, 2013

First Week In

I completed my first week at my new job! I am so happy with new challenges. Although the change was prompted for other reasons, being stimulated in a new environment is a big plus. After work Friday, I loaded up all the dogs and headed back across the mountain to celebrate Tom's last official shift before retirement and help pack the shop.  I didn't plan on being his last call. I dropped Kodi off at home because a 3 1/2 hour drive is hard on the boy. I took the littles back to the station to have ice cream with the boys. On the way home I was hit from behind by an uninsured driver as I turned into my driveway. I'm okay, praise God, but really sore. We got a rental car so I can head back for work Monday, but it's just one more thing to deal with...ugh! And still no sewing in sight! Oh well, things could always be worse...

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

When you can't sew, what's a girl to do? Shop, of course. Well. actually I am not shopping shopping, but rather just browsing. The thought did cross my mind to go hit Fabric Depot one.last.time. as they are having 30% off this weekend, and that's about as good as it gets anymore, but my fabric stash is truly deep and after a week of packing up and cleaning, I don't want to deal with any more stuff. So snoop shopping it is! Was anybody else impressed by Buttericks pre-fall offerings? Usually when the new patterns come out I may see one or two that interest me, but usually I'm a little meh. I have so many patterns, a ton of BWOF (or BS if you prefer) and some mad skills, so I could adapt something from another pattern if the mood struck, but I saw several patterns that I actually will buy. Perhaps it's just lack of sewing making me crazy, but here's what has inspired me:
Butterick 5950  I love the silhouette of this dress and see the long sleeve view as something nice to wear with boots and tights; the sleeveless will be great next Spring with a jacket.

 Butterick 5956 I didn't notice this top my first go round through the offerings, but upon closer inspection see this as a great pattern I can modify for some interesting scrub tops for work.
 Butterick 5957 This is a seemingly basic vest pattern, but I love the yoke and in seam pockets...perfect for layering in my new habitat!
 Butterick 5954 I love the lines of this tunic. I know I have lots of sweater knits in the stash that would be perfect for this pattern!

 Lastly is Butterinck 5951 I chose to show the line drawings because the beauty of the design is lost in the print of the drawing. Love the gathers at the waist darts. If there isn't crazy fullness there, I think it could be very flattering.
So there you have my five top picks. Did anything jump out at you as a "must sew" pattern?
Only a few more things to pack and then tomorrow I'm on the road again for the final time. New job starts Monday...so excited to get back to work and a routine! We haven't set up our internet over there yet, but I'm hoping Tom will sort that out while I am at work. See you on the other side...

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go...

Well almost...this week off has been anything but! Tom is still gone on a wildland fire and I have been steadily chipping away at the packing, while juggling inspections for the sale of the house. Met the prospective buyers yesterday. Really nice people. I approve, even though it is really none of my business as long as they show me the money! I am finding a strong emotional attachment to this house...so many memories we have created here. I gave the gal a spaghetti squash out of my garden. She said she didn't know how to cook it. I gave her some ideas and suggested she try it. She's gonna end up with a bunch of it! And tomatoes...what a crop we have this year...sniff, sniff!!! Today's focus is going to be outside and the garden shed...hopefully no inspectors today, Later Kittens...

Sunday, August 18, 2013

MIA

Wow! I just looked at my stats and realized I have not posted anything since June! Crazy summer! Actually, I do understand why I have not been able to squeeze in any quality blog time. Big things have been happening in the casa de Deeter! We are putting the finishing touches on the La Pine home. Good thing, because I am going to be living there starting next week! I said goodbye to my old job last Monday and I start my new job a week from this Monday. Tom will officially retire come September, although he will continue to work for awhile. We put the house over here on the market last week and have a good offer pending! I have been steadily packing and taking loads across the mountain (sniff, sniff...my fabric is all in boxes and no quality sewing time in sight!). My garden is probably the best it has ever been, so I have been canning as much as I can. The new owners are going to get a nice housewarming gift in the form of goodies from my garden! I harvested the peach tree yesterday and spent most of the day in the kitchen making dilly beans, pickled beets, canning green beans and peaches. Today is all about the packing. Also listed a bunch of stuff on Craigslist and all of the free stuff is gone. A ratty old porch swing was the big winner...I had half a dozen calls for that! Who knew it would be so popular? I also managed to get rid of two old TVs that aren't going with us...score!!! We currently have no internet or sattelite in La Pine, so I probably will go dark again soon, but hopefully sewing will commence in the near future and I will have something to share. Hopefully before the snow flies! And since posts are boring without pictures, take a look at my little man...he got his first big boy haircut!
Pop approved and melt's Gram's heart!

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...