Checking In...

Wow, I was a blogging fool and then...nothing! I have been keeping myself busy with tending my garden (tomatoes, zucchini anyone???), cleaning and reorganizing the sewing room, and of course sewing! I did a few refashions...shortening a skirt, cutting down an adorable skirt with a knife pleat ruffle from a size 18 and making Tom some new fleece camo "soft pants" (loungers). I took the Espire in for her annual checkup since she is still covered under the Gold Standard, which means free maintenance. This is her last year, so I want to make sure she is in top shape before repairs are on my dime. I pulled out one of my old Kennies...the electronic machine I picked up for $5.00 and it has been a true joy to work with. The skirt revamp required reinstalling the invisible zipper, and this machine has the greatest invisible zipper foot I have ever used. I think this will be my permanent invisible zip machine. Is it crazy to have a half dozen machine set up for different operations? Anyway, it's back to work this afternoon, so we shall see what I can get done before time to shuffle off to Buffalo! But just so I don't have to leave you without a picture...here's a picture of a special little boy who is turning one tomorrow...how I wish I could be there to celebrate, but soon Little Man...soon...

Possibilities...

I love mornings. Especially when I have some time before I need to report to work. When Sara was a child, I always worked day shift at the hospital, because that worked out better for daycare and all her activities. I never really considered swing shift an option...just a nuisance if I got called in to pull a shift. I really love having my best energy for doing my things (not that I am not 100% for work folks...don't read into that comment) I am generally more creative and make less mistakes in my projects when I am fresh. Yesterday I finished a much needed ironing board cover. When perusing the stash for a lining for the knitting bag I found a remnant of silver heat resistant fabric that I had squirreled away for this day. It was just enough to complete the project...how's that for lucky? I have a few things cut out and waiting for sewing (always). I am inspired by all the new Fall things I am seeing and was really inspired when I dug through my fabric. I have a skirt refashion in the works and also found the perfect fit RTW skirt the other day...I am definitely going to glean a basic pattern off of it because it fits this curvy girl to a T! I went out and picked some blackberries this morning while it was cool for another cobbler and smoothies and will do a massive pick on my day off so I can bank some of that berry deliciousness in the freezer. The studio beckons...later Kittens...Meow!

Back to Work

And back to blogging apparently. I find myself being rather verbose lately and productive in the studio. Maybe it's because Fall is quickly coming on, or maybe it's because the La Pine project is coming to completion (well at least for this year). On top of that I have been sneaking lots of time with my new toy, the Kindle. I was rather reluctant when they first came out, but let me tell you, the e-reader concept is pure genius! I love having access to a whole library in one slim volume. Easy to carry in my purse, I no longer am left without something to do if I am asked to wait. Not that I go to the doctor/dentist office all that much, but the few times I have it has been a Godsend. Or cooking dinner for the boys and true to form an emergency call comes in...great...time to read my book! Or play a game, or even check my facebook or blog. Yes, the 3G version has limited internet access. Not the speediest browser in the world, but hey, the 3G wireless is included for free, and free is a very good price. Library lending will be available by the years end, so they say, which will make the Kindle perfect in my estimation. Being the bargain lover that I am, I have found tons of free books that I am really enjoying, and of course Amazon has the daily deal as well. I picked up a super 2011 travel guide to the sites in Athens which will be very helpful on our trip. It even tells you where the entrances are to points of interest such as the Acropolis, when it's open, the price of admission, even which point of entry is less crowded usually so you can get in quicker! Now that's news you can use! The reviews also recommended using the text-to-speech feature to have a guided tour, so to speak. I'm excited to try it. And speaking of travel, since you can load pdf documents, one blogger recommended loading your travel itinerary and even a copy of your passport. I'm not sure how I feel about the passport, having worked in corrections and knowing how easy it is for someone to steal your identity. I have to think on that one a bit. All in all, I am a very satisfied Kindle owner. Do you Kindle?

Pictures for my Peeps...

Taking a lunch break and reading blogs, I noticed that some folks requested some pictures, so without delay...here they are! First up are the two Vogue 1250s I finished last night: Houndstooth:

Shimmer:

The beginning of a bag...the design is one I put on a sweatshirt for Sioux and I thought I needed something with that design too. I didn't want to be too matchy-matchy (although I do have a Tiger hoody just like hers because I stitched a sample of the design before doing it on her sweatshirt) I haven't started searching for lining yet...distracted :)

Lastly is a pic of today's thrifty find...a new lamp! We only have one lamp in that part of the family room...over Tom's chair. He prefers to watch television in a darker room...I prefer to do needlework or read while he's watching television. Now I have my own lamp that I can target on me...5 bucks!

And I got to see my friend Linda at the thrift store...she has been on hiatus for the summer babysitting her grandson, but her daughter had the day off so she came to work at the thriftstore today...was great to see her! I also picked up a new skirt with the tags still attached and some things for Tom...speaking of Tom...here he is all wet at the MDA fundraiser:

Good times!



Happy Labor Day!!!

Good morning all! Enjoying a banana/blackberry smoothie for breakfast after the exhausting chore of cleaning the bathroom. Well, okay, it's not really exhausting, but for some reason bathroom cleaning is the job I despise the most, and not because it's all that difficult and I work around bodily fluids and functions, so it's not that. I hate hair in the the bathroom...ugh!!! Enough about my freaky quirks...on to the day. Tom is on day 2 of the 48 and he informed me last night they are having a dunk tank fundraiser today. Would I go take pictures? Of the boys getting dunked? Hell, yeah! Sounds like a good time to me! And the rest of my time can be spent sewing! I finished the two V1250 dresses last night. Amazing how changing the fabric can alter the look and feel of a garment. The glitzy party dress looks rich and slinky. The houndstooth version accessorized with a black belt feels very sexy secretary to me and with a red jacket will be perfect to wear to work. (not that I am a sexy secretary at work, maybe well dressed professional would sound better!) Anyway, next up is another sun dress before the sun leaves us for the winter, a lace twist top and some simple brown leggings. I have a great brown and cream print charmeuse that is screaming to be a tunic, but I need to figure out what pattern to use. I also started a new bag for my knitting/crocheting projects. I embroidered a beautiful 4 seasons tree design from embroidery library onto a beautiful burgundy colored quilted fabric. I have some nice round purse handles...now to shope the stash for a nice lining.  Decisions, Decisions...Better get off the computer and get this party started! Be safe out there this holiday weekend!

This just in...

I picked a flat of blackberries and now am enjoying the rash of blackberry thorn allergy. This has developed in my later years...probably from years of exposure picking and clearing blackberries. A little Benadryl tonight and it should clear up in a day or two. I'd take it now, but then I would snooze this lovely Sunday away. Once I got going outside, the garden called to me, so the boys and I weeded. By boys, I mean Jo and Kodi. Kodi supervised, but Jo got right in there and started digging in the beds. Cute and perfectly acceptable behavior during the weeding and cleaning out process...I'm not a fan when I'm trying to plant the garden. Now I'm finishing off the last of the coffee, contemplating my next move. Think I'll shut up the house, turn on the AC, have a Mad Men marathon courtesy of NetFlix and start sewing! I'm getting giddy thinking about it! TTFN!

Blackberry Pie and Sewing

My labor day weekend has officially begun and since Tom is on a 48, I think a little sewing is in order! I have minimal work left to finish the other two Vogue 1250 (that will make the total up to 3 Gaylen) and I have plans to modify the pattern to add some sleeves. Doesn't this dress look suspiciously like V1250 with sleeves? I stumbled upon it from Life Happens Be Positive .  Seriously makes me happy that I sew when I see prices like that for a simple knit dress. Anywho, I do need to make dessert for dinner tonight, as Vinnie is bringing steaks for the bbq. Since the blackberries are ripe, I think I will go pick a bucket and make a pie or cobbler. Blackberries grow like a weed in Oregon and sometimes are a nuisance. Tom usually sprays to keep them from taking over the property, but he always leaves me some so I can make some pies or jam if we are running low. I made my broccoli salad and the mandarin orange salad last night. I use nuts in the salad and had to go to the market to get some. Tom requested pecans rather than walnuts, so I took out a loan and bought some! Seriously, nuts are expensive! Even on sale they were very dear! The prices of things just keeps getting higher. I am so blessed to be comfortable financially, but what about the folks that are struggling to get by? We had tough times starting out, but it seems like it's even harder now for folks. Sad. Well, I better get out and pick those berries before the sun really goes to town and it gets hot. Hope you are all having a great holiday...be safe...