Warning...Don't eat mexican food after 8:00 p.m.

Thought it was a good idea...we were hungry...mexican sounded tasty. Maybe it is a sign of our aging digestive system...I don't know. My poor hunny had an upset tummy all night and I had to take some Zantac upon arrival to work and no coffee this morning...UGH!!! It's 1/2 PB & J for lunch for me today. Actually that does sound surprisingly soothing. No sewing was accomplished yesterday because the SUN was out when I got off work. The upper garden and strawberry bed got weeded and tilled and I planted my pumpkin hill and horseradish roots. I spread slug bait (the animal friendly kind) and diazinon on the plants that needed them. I also shamelessy sang and danced to my ipod since the boys went out to play on the quads. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some sewing. Can't wait for June's BWOF...already have some fabric earmarked for some of the styles!!!

Retail Therapy

Mill End shopping excursion was a success! I was in heaven, walking around, touching fabric...beautiful silks...Pendleton wools and the bargain annex...what fun. I actually only spent $32.00, but I got some nice cuts...a striped silk for a blouse...white knit for a basic T-shirt...a beautiful floral for a blouse I scoped in the June BWOF. I found some white fold over elastic in the bargain corner and a bias tape maker for 50% off. I also found some italian fusible interfacing and bought some fabric to try my hand at lingerie. I could have bought a lot more, but since Jo will be going for a day surgery dental cleaning and some extractions in a few weeks, I can buy more then. Since gas is so expensive, I'll just have to spend the day in Portland. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Dogs on Thursday

Heading into Portland this morning for Jo's appointment with the doggy dentist. I am not interested in Jo having a perfect grill...I just want him to have good oral health and better doggy breath would be an added bonus, since he is my constant companion. He got a bath last night. Generally he gets one bath a month. We call it his "pre-class bath" as I always bathe him the Sunday before the new students arrive at work. Since the current class graduates on Saturday, this will suffice as his pre-class bath. He is so funny after a bath. He does scooty circles on his head, presumably to get any water out of his ears. The interesting thing is, if I do a "booty cleaning" should anything foul stick to his bushy pants during relieving...he does the same routine, even though no water has come anywhere close to his ears. Dogs...gotta love em!!!

What I did Yesterday

Yesterday was a good day for sewing. I finished BWOF 3/08 wrap top #113 in a white stretch gauze. The top sewed up super fast and was really easy. I did a rolled hem on the edges that gave a slight lettuce edging, which is what I was hoping for. I finished the ruffle collar by sewing a french seam and then sewing it down under the collar. The stretch gauze hangs nicely and I can see making this one again. I also started another top and cut out a vintage sheath dress and a faux wrap skirt. No real sewing today...it is baby day and the reason I am able to blog now is because Uncle Tom is holding Hayden. Fabric.com is having a 30% off all their clearance fabrics. I had sworn them off, but they got me again. Tomorrow Jo has a doggy dentist appointment. The fastest route is down the Milwaukie expressway...right past the Mill End Fabric store...haven't been there in awhile...Hmmm. Anyone up for a little shopping?

Music Monday

Posted on Monday for a change. Last week I wrote my Music Monday entry, complete with pictures and proudly posted it...on Tuesday! I was so clueless about the day, I didn't realize what day it actually was until much later. It was good for a laugh, and if you can't laugh at yourself, your world must be pretty serious! Anyway...on to the music. There have been a couple people singing in my head lately. First...Tina Turner. Specifically her song "I Can't Stand the Rain". Can you guess why? We were teased with some beautiful warm Spring days over a week ago and then the rain came back and has been my constant companion. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I am no stranger to rain. Maybe it's just because it's Monday...The Carpenters "Rainy days and Mondays" sing it People!!! "Always gets me Down." How about Eddie Rabbit "I Love a Rainy Night"? No! No! No! Let's move forward to what I've been rocking in the car this week. I belong to a CD club http://www.yourmusic.com/ where you make a queue of CDs to puchase and they send you one each month for $6.99. It's like getting a surprise present that you picked out each month. The key is to keep your queue full, because until you opt out, if there's nothing in there, you are getting charged. But not to worry, that doesn't happen to me. This month I received Roxette's greatest hits. The 80's had a lot of rocking tunes. I fantasize that if I ever had a fashion show of my line, the music would start with "She's Got the Look" for my everyday wear, easing into "Dressed for Success" which would highlight my business clothing and then ending with "Dangerous" for the edgy finale of evening wear. Yeah...that's my fantasy. I actually wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up. I loved working for Jantzen on the sewing line, which is as close as I came to that dream. I manufactured the garments that other wore, even thought they were not by my design. Hey, there's still hope...I can design my own collection...and you know what tunes I'll be working it to!!!

SWAP

Not much to write about sewing progress today. I am working all of this holiday weekend (Don't cry for me...I will be well compensated) so since I cannot be sewing, I am thinking about it. I have several cuts of fabric that coordinate well, but it has taken me some time to figure out what they will be when they grow up! I am inspired by the June issue of BWOF. I adore the lines and the detail on this jacket. The scallops are nice and their are pintucks on the sleeves. I think I shall create a straight skirt with a scalloped hem to go with it and call it a suit! This blouse and pant combo is nice as well. I have swore off pleated pants, but I think these tucks go long enough to hide the tummy...we'll see how the muslin goes before I commit to the style. They would look nice with my jacket too. My burning question...do most sewers buy fabric to fit a pattern they love, or do you buy pieces of fabric you love and wait for the right pattern to smack you in the head?

What I have been up to...

Here are a few of the things I have been working on over the past couple weeks...over 40 ball caps for the guys at the fire station. I have a few stragglers to finish up, but for the most part this order is done. Then there is the Butterick dress. I really like how this dress fits. It went together quickly too...a good project when instant gratification is needed! I finished the required quilt blocks for this weekend's craft party...unfortunately I am working, so I will just run my blocks over to the visitor's center, but that leaves me free to go see the Sex in the City movie next weekend. Hopefully I can talk Sara into joining me...if not I guess I'll go alone. Many more projects in the works...stay tuned