Summerset Sewing

New job!

2011-01-04T18:46:00.000-05:00

I started a new job this Monday and I am back as staff in higher education. So as you can imagine from the lack of activity here on the blog through the holidays I will retire this little blog. I'll still be using it to track all of you guys of course and that has turned out to be it's major function for the last couple of months anyway.

All of my craft and sewing projects are still upstairs waiting for me to make my way back to them. And I really hope that I am able to do so sometime this spring. But for now it is work and run home to tend to my poor lonely dogs left unattended duirng the day. The Honey made his way home for lunch today but I doubt he will be able to do that all the time. Right now I only have a 30 minute lunch so I don't have time to drive back home to let them out at noon. As you might imagine they are stir crazy by the time I get home.

Looking for day care for them was unsuccessful since the places I found would be very stressful for them. At home care would be nice. There is a company that comes out to your home for an hour with your pets---but did I mention I have dobermans? Excellent guard dogs, very faithful to me and the Honey but not so keen on new people in their lives. Oh well, it will all work out in time---I hope! Take care and I'll be visiting you on your blog.

Our Two Girl Angels

2010-12-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

I forgot to tell you (and photo) what the two liitle girl Salvation Army Angels are receiving from us for Xmas. Well, almost everything on their lists. They asked for bikes and the Honey said "No bikes without helmets". So they got their bikes and helmets, they asked for baby dolls and strollers, they got those too. Clothes were listed and they got hoodies and they also will receive children's DVDs and books.

Under our Christmas tree you will find . . . the tree skirt. I'll try to photo the tree and get it up on the blog. The ornaments are beautiful! If you are interested in what our little boy Salvation Army Angel is getting and missed it just look back a couple of posts. Off to cook some dinner. . . .

A $1.00 Donation to Dress for Success with each pass it on for this video

2010-12-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

Clairol.com : Nice 'N Easy Mirror Moments

Lady Grey London Christian Dior Short Movie

2010-12-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

Master Bedroom Part 2 and 1 Angel Complete

2010-12-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

Yes I know I am slow about getting this out on the blog but I had other things taking priority--you know how it is.

You might remember we tried very hard to choose a new color for the MBR and here you see some of the colors we considered. Ultimately we choose Martha Stewart's "Yam". Ok, so the name is not so good but the color would have worked with almost anything. Really, it would have.

Here you can see where the paint color was lost in translation from the Martha Stewart brand to Behr Brand. This was done because I needed satin finish and Martha does not do satin. The large paint blob at the top is the Martha color we chose and the small blob below is the Behr version they mixed at the store.

The Behr color is really worse than you can see here since it looked kind of neon orange in our room. YUCK! By this time we were exhausted by trying to choose a color and Honey said let's just do a fresh coat of what was already on the walls--Laura Ashley Gold #3. And so we did.

The color is really hard to see in these photos. Sorry about that but this is a nice medium gold and really neutral. But the big story, at least for me, is that I finally bought bedroom furniture and at a big ole bargain too. You see here the headboard, two side tables, and chair I bought for $120. Yep, it was $20 for the chair and $100 for the headboard/side tables. The oversized comforter set came from Overstock about 3 years ago. This baby is very heavy and only used in the cold winter time. The room is all still pretty plain but a progress in the works. Some artwork would really help it out I think.

The chair is very clean but the cushions are just kind of flat and I should make new ones.

This is the triple dresser I bought for $200. The very large triple mirror is out in the garage. I would rather hang a painting over the dresser than the mirror. This is Thomasville Furniture made in the 1980's and solid as a rock. Dovetailed joints no staples here on this baby. I was very happy to get this and I found it advertised on a roadside sign. The lady had tried to sale it the weekend before at a garage sale for $500. Lucky me! No one was interested in it at that price.

Here you see Dog #2 on her new Kong bed. She hates it when I get the camera out. I had the curtains from the former house and finally hung (or is it hanged) them up. They are called "liquid gold". Also, you can see the edge of an Ethan Allen desk I have in the room. A bit early american design and so I thought I would change out the hardware and paint the bottom portion maybe. Just leave the top in the wood grain. What do you think?

"Stop taking my photo!! I vant to ve alone!"

We call her the super model because she is so thin compare to Dog #1. That said she weighs in at about 72 pounds.

Here is a painting Honey did a couple of weeks ago.

And here is the loot for one of our Salvation Army Angels. This is for a 5 year old boy: spiderman pj's, two shirts, a hoody, a spiderman backpack, a spiderman lunchbox, a spiderman floor puzzle, Pajama Pirate book, My First Day at School book, Where the Wild Things Are DVD (kid version not new scary version), two cars, and a jeep.

I am still looking for the baby dolls for the girls and it turns out that I need two black baby dolls. I called SA and checked with them and both families are African American. TJ Maxx has a new shipment of toys coming in today so I'll check again with then.

Babies!

2010-11-24T07:41:00.000-05:00

Hey I found a couple of websites with pretty ethnic dolls Pattycake Dolls and Black Dolls to Love. You can even find dolls for children with Down Syndrome at Pattycakes.

I found one that I think is very pretty but not sure if it is the right one for our angel tree girl since she asked for doll with stroller. But look! Isn't she pretty and she has fabulous hair. She is also very stylish I think.

Cecile by Corelle

Ok, bloggers with little girls out there....would she do fgor a 5 year old?

New Emergency, Black Baby Dolls, etc.

2010-11-23T18:14:00.000-05:00

I've been out of town with my mother being admitted in the hospital last week. Turns out she has diverticulitis but she is back home. I ran my butt off taking care of things for her like filling the freezer and the pantry, running errands, and trips to the hospital. She can hardly walk and grocery shopping is a very big deal for her to do. But the after spending about $800 on groceries she is well stocked for a while. It is just her and her husband and they are not big eaters just bad eaters which explains the diverticulitis to some degree.

Since coming back home I have been busy trying to get my own pantry in order for Thanksgiving. Plus interviewing for a job (think good thoughts out there my blog peeps "SMILE")

Now to the black baby doll thing. Honey brought home 3 angels from the angel tree at work. He started with two, one boy one girl, and then this afternoon he saw there was one angel left so now we have 2 girls 1 boy. Both girls want dolls with carriage.strollers, bikes, other toys, etc. The boy wants cars/trucks/ books (so happy to see this), movies, and Spiderman stuff.

Madame Alexander Hearts A Flutter Doll

"African American"

So I go online to find the doll designated (B) for black and find that black baby dolls are really just white white dolls with dark skin. Well that ain't just right is it? So does anyone know where I can find a black baby doll with stroller that looks like she should. It seems a shame to send over these poor imitation dolls--I want our angel to have the right doll if I can get it in time.

Oh and I am sorry 5 year old girl angel but you are NOT getiing makeup from me. Bike, doll, games, yes, Makeup, NO! All of the angels have clothes sizes listed but those are not right either. A two year not not wear a size 5/6 and a 5 year old does not wear a size 1 shoe. So I really need to find the right toys I think.

Makeover Part #1--Re-Do Home Depot Boo Boo

2010-11-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

So things did not go as planned with the paint choice. Sunday morning we did our prep work and opened up one can of paint. Yeah. . . .not looking much like the original paint sample or the chip. But maybe it is the light or something so on we go. Started painting and then the Honey painted some of the new paint next to the sample on the wall where we had been testing colors. "Well get the hair dryer our Honey!"

It only went downhill from there. I did not feel good and was snappy anyway, Honey was grouchy too. We returned the two gallons of neon orange to Home Depot grabbed some lunch and went home. I took a nap.

Honey suggested that we just put a new coat of the original color which was and is Laura Ashley Gold #3. Yesterday he dsicovered if we change out the light bulbs in the bedroom we can get the room to look more like the original paint color. (This is a Lowe's product and since we already had some left over we only bought one gallon. It is looking like we did not need this though and I don't think we will have to open the can.)

Today I'll finish painting the bedroom (I believe) and hopefully move on to other things. One other thing I accomplished yesterday was to paint the back door which had been a job delayed too long. The framework and the door completed. Looks nice and clean--for now anyway.

Master Bedroom Makeover-Step 1 Paint

2010-11-14T07:51:00.000-05:00

After a gazillion paint chips and way too many paint samples purchased and dabbed on the walls this is the color we finally decided on. It is a Martha Stewart color but since her paint does not come in sateen (only eggshell, flat, semi-gloss, gloss) I purchased it in the Behr brand. We have used Behr before and like it and when we hired professional painters they were surprised to find that they liked it too.

I made many trips to town to pick up paint chips, purchase paint samples chosen from the paint chip viewing, and then last night (deadline for choosing) the Honey said "You chose". We were pretty much burned out by then. This is hard work you know. The samples never looked like what we expected once we put them on the wall.

So after breakfast this morning we get started preping and on to painting. Wish us luck!

P.S. I changed the blog look because while I like the previous look it took too darn long to load. I was unhappy with the wait I can only imagine anyone else would have lost their desire to view this blog during the wait too.

Mantel Reveal with Thrifted Items

2010-11-09T20:11:00.000-05:00

This project all started with Savvy Southern Style and now she gave me another reason to hurry up with the post. She is hosting another before and after event and I wanted to link in too.

First I pulled out the stuff I used last year when I decorated the mantel for Thanksgiving last year. I already had the large candle sticks (all the time) out and the water color was out too. This water color was an $18 purchased at an antique store (half price sale) and then I paid around $60 to get it framed. Still not too bad a price for an original piece of artwork that I like. The glass pumpkin on the far left is a dollar store find from last year.

New this year was the large platter my mother sent for my birthday and pretty much all the rest are things you have seen previously in the thrifting adventures over the past few days.

The Harvest Ladies are from Hobby Lobby and also from last year. The Lamp Berger was moved later.

Then I added all the thrifted things and some silk flowers from an arrangement I had made from flowers leftover from wreath making.

Dollar store pumpkin, new platter from mother and vintage mama and babies squirrel set--this was $4.00 from a new thrift store that just opened

Glazed pottery piece and sunflower candle holder-thrifted

Mr. & Mrs. Pheasant thrifted from Goodwill for 50 cents each

Finally the 75 cent small plate and $1.50 plate holder

And the whole sheeebaannng together

It is an improvement for sure but seems to just miss the mark again. So I'll keep watching Savvy Southern Style and the rest of you design gurus. Maybe some of your design talents will make it over my way "GRIN"

Part Three Thrifting and Emergency Room Visit

2010-11-07T08:01:00.001-05:00

On to part three of the thrifty adventures and then after I finish my coffee I'll explain the emergency room visit.

Ok you know your going to need one of these for one reason or another this time of year. So get it on the cheap, cheap, cheap! That is $1.21 for this large tray.

Just some of the bargain books I bought along with 2 Cd's and some 2011 calendars. Don't recall the book prices for sure but think $2.00 each, calendars 50 cents each and CD's $1 each. The Hanson CD is a gag Christmas gift unless I listen to it and decide I love it. But you know gifting it to a macho guy might be fun.

Of course you see Outliers up there too. Maybe you recognize it from Ten Thousand Hours of Sewing
Victoria has this listed as the inspiration for her blog so while most of the books are going to my mother I'll have to read this one myself first. Just in case Victoria is on the meaning of life or something.

Bold and gold I figure either it will hold a candle if I am lazy or I might make a tall skinny topiary if ambitious.

This angel is very pretty and she is plastic but I think she will serve her purpose nicely. I think she was only $2.35.

This is a reproduction vintage Santa and he is perfect and was perfectly cheap. I think he has an elegant look to him and will fit in better with my Christmas decor better than the bright red and green stuff. My Christmas decor is a bit nontraditional but you'll see for yourself in a few weeks.

89 cents for the sassy lady cards and 50 cents for the other box of cards

This wall hanging looks like something that was purchased at one of those museum stores. I think she will work in nicely with the Christmas decor. She is quite lovely.

This home decor fabric from a large bag of fabric I bought for $2.52. I don't normally like the animal prints for my own home but fell in love with this piece.

Soft home decor fabric in a green

On the left a heavy piece of canvas type decor fabric

and to the right some felt squares and craft fabric.

This might be my tablecloth for Thanksgiving. I grabbed it up at the SPCA Thrift Store for $8 before it ever hit the shelves. It is long enough to fit my table when I add the leaves and if I set up for a buffet then this is probably what I will use. I think it has a vintage look to it and it was in perfect condition.

I think that is it for the photos today. Later I will post the photos of the mantel decor and some of Honey's paintings. I think you guys will like the paintings. Last year that was the major Christmas gift to those on our short list.

Now for the emergency room visit: Last night we had to take Dog #1 to the emergency clinic an hour away. She had started holding up the leg from the February surgery and May staph infection saga late Thursday. First thing Friday morning I called the surgeon's office and was told to curtail her activities for the weekend and if not better by Monday call again. I said "You are aware that she had staph infection in this leg this summer?" The nurse said yes but I was wondering if she talked this advice over with our surgeon or this is what she decided. Either way I was not happy about it but I went with it.

Bad decision on my part as we all can see. At 9:15 I gave Dog #1 some pain meds and at 11:40 decided we had to make the trip to the clinic. They are keeping her at this point and running tests to see if the staph is back--I think I can say that I believe it is. Her temperature was over 104 degrees last night! She is getting morphine for pain, antibiotics, x-rays, blood tests,IV fluids, etc. And last night Mama received yet another Christmas present of vet bills--this is my third year of this. Bah, Hum bug! One of these years I want a real Christmas present like everyone gets--waaaa--cry like a baby! (The deposit on the bill was $800!)

But I adore my baby--all 76 pounds of her :)

Part Two: On With the Thrifting Treasures

2010-11-06T15:59:00.001-04:00

I purchased a ton of stuff from the major thrifting places, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and the SPCA Thrift Store. Most of it this week to be used in holday decor. Then today on the way to Hobby Lobby I drove by an new thrift store benefitting the nonprofit I have been doing work for. Surprise me--did not know they had one.

My table is full of treasures that I paid anywhere from 75 cents to $3.99 with most of the stuff about $1-$2.

This small pumpkin scene plate was 75 cents and the black iron holder ($1.01) was meant for a tile I think. It has two prongs at the top that I cut off with bolt cutters--love those things--bolt cutters that is.

The little rabbit with basket is small but very heavy and less than $3.00

The flower arrangement with the pink roses is for my mother it was $3.99

Small sunflower candle holder $1.01

Pheasant salt and pepper shakers $1.00 (tail on male bird was broken and glued back on--not an issue for my purposes and better than that no one but me will ever know)

This small piece of handmade pottery reminded me of an acorn. It is heavy and very pretty.

These two angels that sit on the edge of a mantle match my Lenox nativity set and were only $4.04 for the two. Next to it is a Lenox like Christmas ornament that holds a photo on the other side--$2.02. It would also be beautiful as trim on a Christmas package.

These are two pieces meant to hang on the wall, one is corn and the other lilies.

A small porcelian doll with red hair dressed in a beautiful green dress.

Vintage Santa less that $4.00

Two more Lenox like pieces--the heart trinket box is Lenox and the reindeer is close enough.

Ok, that is all I can show you for now since I have to run. Tune in later for more and I'll show you my lovely Thanksgiving mantel piece all decorated with some of these thrifted items.

Crochet Sharing and Thrifting

2010-11-05T19:01:00.002-04:00

So I promised that I would share photos of the crochet work I have done and am currently working on.

See pretty! I made this several years ago back when I was reading directions and understanding them.

I made this last year for the Honey. Very easy just single and double crochet in stripes. By the way, he was a bit dissappointed since he wanted an afghan that was darker colored than this one turned out to be.

This is the one I am currently working on. It was intended as a Christmas gift for a friend but I think Honey has his eye set on it. It is darker and really just random stripes. No stress here.

Now on to the thrifting and you can blame it all on a lot of bloggers out there. Most recently I have been looking at Savvy Southern Style and her before and after photos. Then of course I had to follow the blogs she had listed to follow which leads to even more troubles.

I am always amazed at the talent of everyone out here in blog land and the things they do. SSS and her cohorts are interior design types and I missed out on this gene. It is all so pretty and not really practical--I mean geeze what happens when it somes time to dust. My gosh at the work. Even so I try for special occasions. So here are the thrift finds. (Ok, SSS and her people thrift sometimes but sometimes spend real money. Me? Cheap and unemployed.

This child size rocker was dirty, flakely cream colored paint when I bought it for $18 at a small town antique store. As you see it now it is pretty well ready to paint but need a little more work. Then I plan to spray paint it brown, then maybe highlight it with what ever colors I find around the house, then spray paint with cream. After that sand to show the under colors a bit and wax it well. I have seen this technique on other blogs and hope it works well for this project. I'll have more money in refinishing supplies than in the chair. It is a Christmas gift for my VBF's little girl. Hopefully I'll get around to the cushions I want to make for it out of toile.

This table was purchased several years ago at a antique store in Arkansas for about $250 maybe a little more. Already refinished too. Not exactly my intended style but I like it, it is pretty, so to heck with design talent. I'll just have to go with it.

This lamp was purchased at an estate sale for $15. I had to replace the shade as you may recall due to the dog fight and blood splatter. This beautiful shade was purchased new with the wrapping plastic still on it for $2.99 at Salvation Army. Badda bing!! I was happy with that since I had tried another shade I paid $25 for and returned because it did not look right with the lamp.

I have other things to show you but the Honey wants the computer and the dogs want to go outside. So later then. . . .

Kewl Gadgets from Kiziol

2010-11-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

I saw these this morning and thought they were cool looking. No ratings for these items yet but they are made in Germany and those folks are clever. Those folks are my folks at least on my Dad's side of the family.

I really feel that if I had these scissors in my house I would be able to find them pretty quickly--or perhaps they would find me.

Also this little cutie is to hold your contact lenses--pretty funny huh? Now I'll never own one of these for myself but it could be a cute gift for a friend. Also it comes in different colors.

Both of these items are available from Amazon, $26 for the contact lens holder and $27 for the scissors. They have lots of other things and I particularly liked the bird on a branch salt and pepper shakers.

Still crocheting and promising to to take photos soon.

New out September 2010-Pattern Review Book

2010-10-31T23:04:00.002-04:00

I saw this in the boostore today and thought it look pretty good. However, I am cheap and did not want to spend $20 for it but at Amazon it is only $13.59. The ratings are great too.

On the other end of the price spectrum is this book also from Amazon and with a 5 star rating. Fitting and Pattern Alteration.

This little baby, 496 pages and $100.49 must be really good but that 49 cents will keep me from purchasing it this year. Ok, this lifetime "smirk".

I love books but these past couple of years I turned to buying from the local book sales. Honey and I went to the local library sale a week ago. I was not feeling great and only bought a few books because I wanted to go home. The books were a bargain at $2 for hardcovers and 50 cents for paperbacks. I got a great 1963 cookbook that I love. It has wonderful original illustrations and the recipes are ones I'll be using too.

Greatest thing since sliced bread! IMHO

2010-10-27T19:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, it is not sewing, not even crafting, but you still need to know about this with the holidays coming. Then the next thing you know it is New Year's with those darned resolutions. You'll really thank me then. So on to the "Greatest Thing".

OXO Good Grips Salad Chopper and Bowl

It is listed at Amazon for $24.69 but I bought mine today at TJ Maxx for $12.99. Sorry, they only had the one in my store. I love chopped salad and had been using my kitchen shears to do the job and wishing for something better. Boy, is this better! So easy and the salad we had for dinner tonight was great. It tasted like those expensive salads from nice restaurants. I used a small plastic box of salad 50/50 blend, a Pink Lady apple, dried cranberries, buttermilk bluecheeese, walnuts, and roasted chicken breast. I tried a new salad dressing ttoo, Teresa's brand of Watermelon-Cucumber Vinegrette. This is a very light dressing, not too sweet and I think almost everything commercially made is too sweet. Oh, and topped it with croutons of course.

I give this a 5 star rating and I don't think I have ever given anything a 5 star rating before. Buy one and impress your dinner guests this holiday season, enjoy a quick light dinner after a long day shopping, and get ready for the New Year diet resolution all with the same purchase. See--definitely worth your dollars.

I'll try and post soon with some crocheting I done in the past and a new project I am working on.

Pretty Snazzy Looking Homemade Dress Form

2010-10-21T07:20:00.001-04:00

Directions from Threads magazine
Click link above for complete instructions

Sure, you've probably seen a version of a homemade dress form before. But did it look this great?

Southern Living Xmas Book is not new!

2010-10-20T14:09:00.000-04:00

I have a small collection of Southern Living Cookbooks and Christmas books. Last night I took out two of the Xmas books, 1999 and 2005 issues. After looking at them both I realized that I was seeing the same recipes! Then today I purchased 2 of the 2010 Xmas books at Dillard's Department Store. Guess what? The same recipes are in the 2010 books too! I am returning these two books, after all I have the recipes, only the cover was new. And of course I did not look to see how many recipes are the same but it is fair to say that many are the same in 1999, 2005, and 2010. These are my last purchases of Southern Living books of any kind. It really is too bad this used to be a good company.

WARNING!! Fashion TMI

2010-10-19T10:08:00.001-04:00

So this has been on my mind since last week when I saw the back cover of a ladies magazine. The back cover was an advertisement for Fruit of the Loom panties "Don't be embarrassed by panty lines". When did panty lines become an embarrassment? Of course, I mean this in the normal course of things--normal clothes with normal underwear with a normal fit with normal people.

See the problem here? My normal is not your normal maybe. Actually I am happy to see that people are wearing their panties. It's the no panties, thong songs, too tight pants, and butt cups that I find disturbing. And in full disclosure: I worked at a university and one of my programs was Dress for Success. Also, I did classroom workshops on Professional Dress, Resume Writing, Interviewing, etc.

In these workshops I did not address underwear but did talk about "butt cups" meaning your skirt fits too tight and cups under your butt. I also spoke about "Boobage" not cleavage but "Boobage" meaning you wore something low cut to a job interview, showed your taa taas and behold you are a BOOB!. Don't show your "boobage" during the day and especially at a job interview.

Back to panty lines. Panty lines from thong songs means--if I can tell you are wearing thongs, I can see your pants climbing up your butt, your butt dimples, and other TMI. (And I mean if I see your thongs--maybe you have good clothes on and I don't see your secret thrill.) I once worked with a woman (not in higher ed) who wore thongs with her too tight pants, and I could have counted the cellulite dimples on her butt. She also wore low cut blouses that showed the hair on her chest and did not shave her moustache either. This did not make her a bad person just a person with bad fashion sense and poor grooming habits.

That is the back view from wearing the wrong underwear. From the front we have the dreaded "camel toe". Yes, I know, it sounds ugly and makes me cringe. But please, I don't want to see it let alone have to write about and warn people to beware of this terrible creature.

Then there was the higher education conference I attended. One of the speakers had on a too thin shirt with a too thin bra and her high beams were on. I'm sorry were you saying something? I hated to do it but for the critique on the conference workshop I suggested a change of clothing for the next day without the distracting high beams. She got the message and wore more appropriate clothing the next day. Really, I hated, HATED, to do this but not doing anything seemed even worse.

My mother always made sure that I had the appropriate underwear for my outer clothing and sometimes just matching underwear for special occasions. I had a strapless bra in my early teens for a top that had lace straps. My mother made that top and the matching jacket too. For my junior prom I had a beautiful yellow chiffon halter dress and matching long half slip and panties.

So now that I have convinced you that I am either wearing bloomers or granny panties I will share that they are French High cuts. They are also hard as heck to find these days. When I was younger it was bikini panties but those days are over. I think panties should cover, should contain, and control those things that need controlling, containing, and covering. Panty lines showing? This should not be a problem unless the outer clothes are: Too thin, too tight, too short, too. . . .well you get the idea.

So a posting with no photos? Really? These are things you don't want to see.

Okkkaay, so maybe NEXT week I can blog

2010-10-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

Another trip this week to the doctor for different meds--BLAHH! I am sick of being sick!

The fews things I did accomplish this week are:

Meeting with the non-profit lady and showing her my work on the database.

Doing my first batch of letters for the non-profit group.

Baking a pound cake.

Baking buttermilk bread.

Bathing Dog #1 early in the week. Did not feel well enough to manage doing the two on the same day like normal.

Bathing Dog #2 this morning.

And lots of laundry for today so I guess I am off.

Project I hope to get started today--crocheting an afghan for a Christma gift (perhaps, maybe I'll keep it)

Have a great weekend and I hope to have something blog worthy soon.

Maybe next week I can blog

2010-10-01T10:23:00.001-04:00

I have been sick and not on the computer except for a couple of days these past two weeks. It's the usual stuff for this time of year, sore throat, clogged head, etc. But finally I think I might be getting over this with the help of about 4 bottles of medicine including antobiotics.

The one thing I have accomplished these past two weeks is a lot of reading. I did take time to post them on Good Reads although I have discovered no talent for writing book reviews. This is an art that must be learned and there are some sites to help learn this. Maybe I'll invest a few minutes on that one day.

The only other interesting thing in this house is the high drama dog fights. In the past two weeks we have had 3 fights! First fight, Dog #1 had a hole in the butt bite, this is almost healed, fight two, Dog #1 got an ear bitten. Head bites are always the bloodiest and with her shaking her head our house looked like a crime scene. Now I need to purchase a new lamp shade since I had to throw one out due to blood speckles all over it--yuck! Fight three was last night, Dog #1 got a small bite on her side plus a few head bites and Dog #2 got bitten on the area where her front leg meets her chest. She is sore and walking very slowly today.

It has become clear to me that you could get murdered in our neighborhood and no one would notice. After all the noise last night from the dog fight no one seemed to notice at all. This is probably a good thing since the Honey ran out of the house in his underware to help me break up the fight. I lost my shoes and jacket during the fight, Dog #1 lost her collar at some point too and Honey lost his temper :) I don't know why but I am always calm during these things and follow up immediately with checking dogs for damage once they are separated. Honey is still cussing and threatening to kill the dogs.

Oh well hopefully things will return to normal next week for all of us.

Cool! I am a beautiful blogger!

2010-09-14T07:36:00.000-04:00

WOW! This is a nice gift from Vanessa at Sew Filled to the Brim. She is a new sewer and is just beating the pants off of me with her amazing skills. Go and visit her blog and see the really cute stuff she is making.

So now I have to share 10 things about myself with you. You are going to love this!

1) I am a certified cradle robber (old term for the now nasty sounding "Cougar") My husband was 24 when I met him and I was 30.

2) I hate texting, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Texting just seems like a waste of time--got something to say--say it. If I have to text it we all be gray headed and toothless before I finish. Never seen Twitter, only made a Facebook log in because of a request to "Friend" a friend.

3) I hate "putting a dress on words". Why is it if a guy speaks plainly it is ok but women must soft peddle it? Watch the communication style in your work place and you'll see what I mean. The guy will say "Do it" and it gets done, the woman has to explain why she wants it done and ask if someone would do. Don't worry I have studied communications and can put the dress on words but it does not mean I like it.

4) I made some really sturdy lawn furniture several years ago. Bought a table saw and some lumber, a book and voila! The stuff lasted about 10 years and one chair may still be in use at the old house--I left it for the new owners.

5) My mother drives me nuts! The older she gets the worse it is. Everything is a conspiracy. You might think this is due to her getting old but she has ALWAYS been like this. I call her a "Southern Belle/Prima Donna" with psychotic tendencies. But only SBPM to her face which she will usually admit to anyway. High Drama Mama!

6) I am like no one in my family, don't look like them, don't have the same beliefs or values. I, like many others I am sure, always thought there was a good chance there was a switch at the hospital. Mother blew that for me when she said there was only one other baby born at the hospital that day and it was Spanish decent. Damn!

7) I bake an awesome Carrot Cake! My husband and my best friend both love it. It is THE requested cake from those who have tried it.

8) We do the tradition turkey at Thanksgiving but try to mix it up at Xmas. We have been doing a roast beef with cream horseradish sauce, blue cheese Yorkshire puddings, carrots (from our own garden last year) and other goodies. I think we will probably change it up this year though.

9) I used to make fun of people that took there dogs everywhere, talked about their dogs like children, etc. Now I am those people and I am sure someone is making fun of me out there too. I don't take them everywhere with me, after all they weigh over 70 pounds each. But I do love my doggies!

10) I need to lose 15 pounds. I love to eat/cook and hate to exercise. Does anybody see a problem here?

Now I have to pass the beautiful blogger award on to five others:

Jana at http://98redballoons.blogspot.com/
She is still in high school but again this is someone just kicking my butt at sewing.

Kim at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Very talented and a dog lover too. She has a great fall table decoration (that I am going to copy), also she has great talent in all things home decor.

Jennifer at http://travisandjennykerr.com/kerrfect/
She just revamped her blog and she is also one of the best read people I know. And I thought I read alot until I checked out her Goodreads page. I've got a lot of classic reads to do before I can compete with her for "best read".

HiddenEloise at http://hidenseek.typepad.com/come_out_come_out/
I bought pocket mirrors from her Etsy shop last year for Xmas presents. She has the most beautiful artwork and it arrives at your home so beautifully packaged too. Very talented lady!

Kathy at http://littlesewingalcove.blogspot.com/
Another dog lover/seamstress. Another person who is very talented with her sewing skills too.

So you now have a few tidbits about me. Maybe you found a bit of yourself in one of those comments too :)

Life interfers with sewing and blogging

2010-09-09T07:10:00.001-04:00

I have had to let the blog sit and the sewing sit due to real life interfering with fun life. I've cleaned house (although I need to start over on that, again), cut the grass, edged the front yard, cleaned the backyard terrace, put up new umbrella (bought on clearance end of summer bargain), cleaned the garage (Honey helped).

Also, I volunteered this past Saturday at a local dinner theatre. Out of 4000 email requests for help only about 8 people showed up. This was my first time but since this was a holiday weekend that probably explains the short list of volunteers. My job was to paint, and when finished with that, paint some more, and then paint some more. I was so tired! I called Honey and requested wine/fruit/cheese/crackers for dinner. Sweetie ran to town and bought all sorts of yummies for me.

After a shower we watched "Suddenly Last Summer" with Elizabeth Taylor and enjoyed our nice chilled wine.

Still no sewing to report. Today's "To Do" list includes washing the two cute dobermans, cutting the back lawn, and I still have work to do on the database for the non-profit. Good news though--it looks like the small grant we requested for the non-profit is going through. So it's off to work we go . . .

Here for the Rosette Swap Link Party?

2010-08-31T07:39:00.001-04:00

Just check out previous two postings here for the swap I received from Stevie and the one that I sent to Cathy aka Lady Hightower. I would also like to send out a "Thank You!" to Stevie for the sweet rosette swap I received from her.

Gifts from Blogland!

2010-08-26T07:39:00.000-04:00

Here are some photos of the items I received from the swaps I participated in. The first photos are from my Shabby Chic Swap and my partner was Marie from Australia. Here is the link if you missed my part of the swap for her: http://summersetsewing.blogspot.com/2010/07/vintage-swap-package-delivered.html

She sent coasters and key chain with doberman photos because she understands what Toocutecdobs stands for (two cute dobermans), a notebook with the rose cover, 3 napkins and a doily, 3 packs of sachet, 2 "baskets of roses" soaps, a pewter bookmark,a box of bookplates and one of her own pieces of art--the Victorian lady and horse decorated box.

If you would like to see more of Marie's work and her blog just follow this link:

http://ajourneythatstartshere.blogspot.com/

My next swap was the Rosette Swap. I signed up for this having never made a rosette but figured this was just the thing to inspire me. If you missed my half of the swap just check out the previous post with tutorial of the rosettes I made. I tried several styles but was only successful with the one shown.

This swap was different because we did not know who our swap partner was. Jill at http://www.gypsyfleamarket.blogspot.com/ organized hosted this swap and assigned us to someone. Here are the wonderful goodies I received.

Stevie from http://myartcanvas.blogspot.com/ sent me these beauties. A reclaimed necklace that she added the rosette to, a beautiful fun bunting with a rosette and ice cream theme, and a fabric wrap cuff with rosette and vintage lace. At first glance I thought the cuff was far too tiny but it fits perfectly. Pretty, pretty, pretty! I told Stevie this package made me want to host an ice cream party while wearing a vintage summer dress and the jewelry she had made for me.

And then I got this surprise package from Jana at http://98redballoons.blogspot.com/ This was not even a swap just a fabulous gift from a fellow blogger! Jana had been traveling a lot this summer but sent all these goodies to me when she arrived back home.

This is a German issue Burda (my first ever Burda!), two great pieces of fabric, a pattern, a postcard from her travels, and a note card from Jana.

The pattern is Butterick 5334-I like it! And the Burda had some really great shoes in this issue besides all of the other fashion stuff.

Here is a close up of the two pieces of fabric Jana sent. The left piece is a stretch cotton and the right--well I don't know the fabric content but I like it. It is an olive green with black running through it. Jana is really talented at copying designer work and making her own version of it. You should check out her blog when you get a chance.

My heartfelt thanks to Jana, Marie and Stevie for the great gifts I received. Thanks so much!

Tuesday morning and Everybody WINS!

2010-08-17T06:54:00.000-04:00

Ok, at least everybody that made a comment to the previous post "GRIN". Vanessa and Kathy both will receive a gift from me for the Followers Celebration.

Rosette Swap

I finished my "custom" designed rosette for the swap and here is what I came up with.

These are three individual rosettes with pin backs. They are attached to a pillow sham I made in a heavy cotton with a basket weave design. The lady receiving this will only need to insert an 18 inch pillow form. She is also receiving a small "shabby chic" gift as she indicated in her email that shabby chic was a preference of hers.

Close-up of the two smaller rosettes. You can see the basket weave in the fabric better in this photo.

I was asked for a tutorial of the rosettes I made. (Ok, I was really asked for a tutorial for the previous posting of rosettes I made. But I have not made any more like that one since I was not all that pleased with the outcome of that style rosette.) The rosettes shown here are made from a shiny sheer fabric I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I think it was listed as chiffon but it has quite a bit of body and not like the normal soft type of chiffon I am used to. On to the tute:

You need only one of the squares shown above for the large rosette.

Fold or pinch fabric to a point in the center and have a needle threaded (double with knot) ready.

Hold the center of the fabric you folded fabric back over your hand and swirl until you see a rose center shape appear in your hand.

Pinch this fabric to hold the shape of the rose as shown above.

Carefully holding your pinched fabric so it does not lose the shape you have made, fold the fabric back over to expose the center you have been holding. Using your needle and thread start stitching the fabric fold together in the center (original pinched section you will hold until completed) and secure twisted fabric.

After securing the twisted fabric, fold the remaining loose fabric back over your hand. Swirl and twist this fabric around your center rosette shape until you find it pleasing. Again you hold on to this newly shaped fabric with your fingers underneath in the center pinch. Then fold excess fabric back to expose the pinched center underneath and stitch again to secure this to the center. Continue doing this until you have used all your fabric and you have made your rosette.

Use smaller pieces of fabric to make the rosebud shape and the small rosette. Above you see a 14 inch piece of ribbon used to make the leaf and stem for the rosebud.

This is a running stitch down the edge of the ribbon made with a single knotted thread matching the green ribbon. The ribbon is folded in half and the two sides are stitched together with the fold at the top. You will pull the fold center down with your gathering stittch just slightly to indicate a leaf shape. This top of the leaf ribbon was matched with the rosebud and the remain ribbon tail used to wind around for the rosebud stem.

When making the rosebud you will end up with a wad of fabric at the bottom which you will cover with the ribbon to make the stem. Stitch the ribbon tightly after winding it around the excess rosebud fabric. To help get that excess fabric from the rosebud easier to handle I used floral tape just like I would in a floral arrangement. Then I cover this with the ribbon and stitched it closed. I used a bit glue at the very bottom tip to secure.

Finally I sewed pin backs on each of the small rosettes and secure them to the pillow sham with a safety pin from the interior of the sham.

The large rosette was secure with only the safety pin on the interior of the sham--no pin back. Also you can see that I stitched two large silk leaves to the back of the large rosette. These are actually silk hydrangea leaves--these come in so handy with many types of projects.

"Friendship is the sweetest flower that in a garden grows."

My shabby chic gift that was include in the rosette swap.

The Next Post

2010-08-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

This is the one I told you to be sure and check out. But first let me tell you how hot it is here. VERY! And especially when I was helping walk the 28 dogs at the animal shelter that are being shipped to a no-kill shelter in Salem, MA. Seems like all of the volunteers I know about turned up to help but I was still wilting in the heat before the job was done.

Also I am still working on the Access database I volunteered to do for the shelter's volunteer group. It has been over 2 years since I worked in Access so this is taking longer than I think it should. Furthermore, it is keeping away from fun stuff like sewing! So if any of you know Access 2007 and would exchange emails over designing objects PLEASE let me know :) I could use the advice. Even after spending $40 on a new Access book I seem to be missing some little thing that is holding up my design work.

Alright, no more teasing. The Follower Celebration is on! Take a look at the photo below and if you are interested in an opportunity to win this gift just add a comment to this posting. I had been delaying this because I wanted to find just the right gift and I think this is it.

"True Friends Celebrate the things they have in common and delight in the things that make them different"

Now that was worth the wait, wasn't it?

The drawing for this will take place on Tuesday morning, August 17, 2010

Peanut Butter Jelly. It's Hot in the Desert!

2010-08-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

Peanut Butter Jelly

Don't know how I got here to this video but it had me cracking up! Stay tuned for next post with sign up for the give away. I know you thought I forgot but we do get to celebrate Followers on Summerset Sewing.

Just a Quickie and that Blouse! Love it!

2010-08-06T07:40:00.000-04:00

Back from mother's and it appears she just needs to give the new meds a chance to work. So as soon as I get settled and the car unloaded I start checking the blogs. Made a few quick comments to fellow bloggers and run for pizza for dinner. Then this morning back to the internet where I find Ms. Prez taking criticisim for her Spain vacation--but looking hot in this blouse!

If that sleeve will not cooperate with Ms. Prez (Ms. President) then why would it stay up for me? But I love this blouse it is so pretty and a little sexy. When was the last time we had a sexy Ms. Prez? I'm thinkin' never! Maybe a little strip of elastic would help that sleeve behave. What do you think?

(I am tired of looking and feeling frumpy. It has something to do with being unemployed I think. Enough with the pity party.)

I have a sewing project going on but I left it a few days ago (going out of town) in the middle of taking out stitches. The yoke was puffy after being stitched down. I think we should get warnings in the directions about what to look out for. I mean it all looked great for a while there and then I noticed the puff! I also think this featherweight Pellon is too heavy in this top. Do RTW tops have all this Pellon in them? It has been so long since I've shopping I don't remember. Oh well, out of here--lots of housework, grocery shopping, projects to catch up on.

Taking Care of Mother

2010-08-03T06:37:00.000-04:00

Mother called last night at 2:30 a.m. with a blood pressure of 270 over something. She had been to the emergency room last week with high blood pressure. She was left in a room with her monitor going off until it timed out on it own. No one came to check on her until she pushed the bedcart into the door causing a crash! They said they were "busy". Nice work people.

So I am off this morning to travel a few hundred miles and see what I can do for her. I think her primary care doc, her heart doc, and the emergency room people need to be lined up against the wall and . . .well you get the idea.

Dog #1 and Dog #2 can not go on this trip so off to the kennel for them. They Hate It! But I really don't have a choice this time--the Honey has to work long hours today. And I don't know if I'll end up staying up at the hospital or what? Wish me luck with helping mother out :)

Vintage Swap Package Delivered!

2010-07-28T16:10:00.000-04:00

It is so cool that I can track my package through USPS and see that my swap partner received delivery of her package in Australia at 4:30 yesterday. And that means that I can now share with you the items I sent in my very first swap. Let's see how you guys think I did.

This was a Vintage Swap hosted by Tilly Rose and this was the information for the swap:

The swap consists of five items as follows:

1) *A little something that's vintage or vintage style...piece of fabric, haberdashery, china, linens etc
(It really doesn't have to be big and expensive)

2) *A little something with a shabby chic style (the possibilities are endless!!)

3) *Something brimming with loveliness...I'll leave one that to all your wonderful imaginations!

4)*A little something that's full of colour and scrummy gorgeousness

5) *Lastly....a sweet little surprise for your swap partner

Shabby Chic Swap

Decorated Skeleton Key

Shabby Chic Star Ornament

China Sugar Bowl & Creamer w/Roses

Pink Cameo Toothbrush Holder & Soap Dish

Miniature China Tea Cup & Saucer Set

Antique Collar with Hand Tatted Lace

Set of eight Pink Bird Napkin Holders

Pair of Pink & Cream Rose Porcelain Candle Holders

40 Year old Antique Baby Hair Brush-Blue

Handmade Apron -Vintage Fabrics

Beatrice Potter Book

Matched Set of Pink & Cream Crochet Doilies

A Trio of Guest Size Lavender Soaps

Apron I made from vintage fabrics and it is reversable

Close up of the Victorian Lace Collar

I hope my swap partner likes these things I chose for her! The new swap starts in a couple of weeks so I still have time to learn how to do that Parisian Rosette.

A Hat, Parisian Rosette, and more

2010-07-26T07:29:00.001-04:00

I finally made a hat from McCall's pattern 5641. Last week I pulled the pattern out, read the directions and did not like what I saw. So after giving some thought to potential problems with this pattern I brought it back out for a go.

Directions called for the brim to be made of a single layer of fabric--are you kidding me? Also the fabric flower McCall designers wanted made seemed like another piece of poorly thought out work. So I made a few changes:

The brim is two layers of contrasting fabrics with light weight pellon. Sew wrong sides together, turn, and topstitch.

Added ribbon trim to the interior seam between brim and crown--see in photo #2 below.

Forget that ugly flower design from the pattern and since I signed up for a Parisian Rosette swap--make one. After all, I had never heard of the Parisian Rosette until last week and I have to make one for my swap partner.

Ta da, behold my first attempt with hat and rosette:

I worked out some of the problems in the hat design but will try some other things on my next version of this hat. The Parisian Rosette designing needs some more work too. Not much help to be found on the internet as far as these rosettes are concerned. The wrap and roll rosettes are everywhere but not the ones using silk flowers. Darn, this makes my work much harder. If you guys have any ideas out there let me know. I really don't want my swap partner to be disappointed with my end of the deal.

Sewing Machines

My cheapy Singer that I just had worked on a couple of weeks ago is at it again. I decided to try making a pair of pants after seeing a blog where the lady had made 4 pairs of pants and 1 dress in a week. No need to be jealous of her success Toocute, just put your mind and sewing machine to work.

You would not believe the high drama a simple pair of elastic waist pants have turned out to be. No details--too embarassing, but look at the stitching in the photo. From the front all looked just fine but then:

Those were long seams to pick out and I just paid to have this thing fixed! I will not put another dime in the blasted sewing machine! It is out of here!

My other problem with the pants is that while on the phone talking to the BFF I said "Geeze these pants look huge! I'm going to hate it when they fit." Guess what? They fit! "screaming hissy fit, crying on the floor like a two year old". So elastic waist, seams to finish (gabardine ravels like crazy), trim to length and hem, then I'll have a pair of pants. Yep, big butt pants.

Cheap & Picky is on a mission for a featherweight and I found this site with lots of information about featherweights to share with you all. Come to think of it I need to replace that cheapie Singer with something.

http://singerfeatherweight221.blogspot.com/

That is it for today I guess. I have a meeting with someone about doing a database for the non-profit group associated with the animal shelter. No dog walking until tomorrow. Thank goodness, it is HOT in South Carolina.

Color & Design

2010-07-22T08:51:00.000-04:00

I found this new site that I believe will be very helpful to me (and you) in selecting and designing color palletes. It is called Color Trends and is easy to use and very wonderful. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Color Trends

I'm Doing It Again!!

2010-07-21T07:41:00.000-04:00

It is a new swap--this could be dangerous. How did I ever get started this with? It could become an addiction if I am not careful. Ok! So this time around it is a "Rosette Swap". You know you want to do this. Think of all the ways you could use this new fashion accessory with your sewing hobby or whatever your passion is.

So visit Gypsy Brocante at: http://www.gypsyfleamarket.blogspot.com/ for the details and the very beautiful examples of rosettes she makes.

Alrighty then--off to the day's work and hopefully the new project I want to start.

Yippee! Celebration Time!

2010-07-19T18:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all 11 of you who have joined as "Followers". That is really cool and I have to give some thought as how we should celebrate this. I'll let you know what I come up with later.

I mailed my Vintage Swap box off to Australia this afternoon. Next week I'll post some photos of the things I sent to my swap partner. But I should give her a chance to see them first before sharing with you. I will say that I made an apron for her using vintage fabrics. It was made without a pattern and just evolved. It is reversable too.

Not much sewing going on since I started volunteering at the animal shelter this past week. But I hope to get back on track this week with a new sewing project. Hopefully, I will lose some weight walking all these dogs. They are soooooo cute and really easy to handle. After all I own two rough and tumble dobermans these guys at the shelter are a piece of cake compared to my girls.

Off to the upstairs to clean up the sewing room--it is a mess!

Tiny Sewing Machines

2010-07-13T15:06:00.000-04:00

You guys just have to see these tiny little sewing machines I found at the antique store. I was shopping for my swap yesterday and ( no I did not buy one of these for the swap) found these little darlings. Yep, for a minute there you were all thinking about signing me on as a swap partner weren't you?

I called the antique store today and asked if I could come back and take some photos to share with you and the nice lady Gaye said "Yes, anything to help a sale". Well, I don't know if anybody wants to buy but I am sure you'll get a kick out of seeing them. So here we go!

I believe this one ran on batteries.

I tried to take the photos so the tags with details could be seen but it did not work out. Too many settings on a digital camera for me to know what the heck I am doing. Sorry about that. As far as prices it seems like $45 was the lowest with $225 the highest. But knowing I was not buying I did not pay a lot of attention to this and had hope the tags would show all that anyway.

One more thing to share with you

I wanted to show you the pretty flowers on my table from our cookout/vodka tasting the other night.

Jelly jars and daisies. . . Simple :)

What I have been up to

2010-07-11T20:16:00.000-04:00

The sewing machines are back in working order with a new foot control for the Bernina and the timing fixed on the Singer. But I have not been home to start any new projects.

We went to my mother's farm for a few days and do some things for her. Finding things, fixing things, etc. Honey installed yet another ceiling fan in mother's house and there is still another new fan sitting there waiting. I believe he has put in 3 or 4 by now. Also, he used a chain saw and cut up a very large pecan limb from a tree about 100 years old.

The dogs loved it there on the farm with so much room to run. And the weather was great while we were there. Still, there is no place like home and I am glad to be back.

Since returning we had a cookout with the neighbors and a vodka tasting. That was interesting and we had 8 or 9 vodkas to taste. Ok, I know. . .you are saying to yourself that vodka has no flavor. So let's call it characteristics, but some were flavored so there!

We contributed vodka from New Zealand, Poland, and Ireland. Those would be in order: 42 Below, Chopin, Belvedere and Boru. The neighbors brought, Absolut Pear, Charbay Meyer Lemon, something I don't remember, and Rue 33.

Everyone agreed that Chopin was the best. My own favorites in order top to bottom:

Chopin
42 Below
Belvedere and Boru tied
All these rest suck for me--I really hate flavored vodka and while Rue 33 is technically not flavored--it is. It taste like buttery vanilla and kinda sweet. I don't do sweet drinks. Give it to me straight, on the rocks sometimes, but don't add junk to good booze.

OH! We had food too, after all it was a cookout. Marinated tequilla/lime chicken, hanburgers, and hot smoked sausages, salad, mixed veggies, pimento/cheese/olive spread with crackers, homemade salsa and chips, tangerine pie, coffee, blackberry sage tea and some wine. I bought the hot dog buns for the sausages but I made homemade buns for the burgers.

AND. . . .I have a partner for my first participation in a swap!!!! Marie is from Australia and I am very excited to hunt down some goodies that she will like. She suggested I sew something for her and I wish I could make something fantastic for her. But anyone reading this blog knows that is highly unlikely. "GRIN"

Join me at the Swap!

2010-06-29T06:48:00.001-04:00

You are invited to join me in Tilly's Shabby Vintage Swap

http://tillyroseblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/tillys-shabby-vintage-swap.html

It sounds like so much fun and I could use some of that these days. To participate just follow the link above and leave a comment that you wish you join the swap. Tilly's is a UK blog so you could end up shipping internationally and receiving from someone overseas. See. Told you this would be fun.

The swap consists of five items as follows:
1) *A little something that's vintage or vintage style

...piece of fabric, haberdashery, china, linens etc

(It really doesn't have to be big and expensive)

2) *A little something with a shabby chic style (the possibilities are endless!!)

3) *Something brimming with loveliness...

I'll leave one that to all your wonderful imaginations!

4)*A little something that's full of colour and scrummy gorgeousness

5) *Lastly....a sweet little surprise for your swap partner

This blog is beautiful and I arrived here by following another blogger that had already received her swap package. Isn't the internet just fabulous?

&%#@#%!!!! Sewing Machines

2010-06-21T11:38:00.000-04:00

I have two sewing machines now and neither of them is working properly. The Bernina my mom gave me was serviced and works well except the foot control needs to be replaced. Oh it sews--in high speed only! The Singer sewing machine has suddenly started skipping stitches, some stitches are an inch long!

This has put a halt to my attempts to insert an invisible zipper. It was not going well at at all so maybe a break is what I needed anyway. I hope to get the zipper put in before I wear out the fabric though.

(It has been a really bad day so far and it is not even noon. Dog #1 has to go back to the surgeon's tomorrow because her leg is inflamed, I flooded the crawl space under the house a bit changing a whole house filter, I have to go to the doctor with a hurt foot, and the list goes on. And did I mention the darn sewing machines are not working properly "GRIN".) Back to our regularly scheduled program. . . .

So for your viewing pleasure I will share with you some photos the Honey took this weekend. He has been gardening and planting daylilies everywhere. The newly planted lilies have their leaves trimmed back to help them get established.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Dress. . .

2010-06-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know I said I was going to make a dress. Even shared the pattern with you. But when I laid the fabric out there was only 1 1/2 yards of 45 inches wide linen. What? I always buy at least 2 yards of a fabric. So then the search was on for a pattern that I could use and let me tell you that search went on forever it seemed.

Behold :Simplicity 2372 The pattern for the skirt was just right for the fabric I had on hand. Since this skirt looked to be rather close fitting I decide to cut it 2 sizes larger than I normally would. Ok, ok, I admit it. I been making and eating too many desserts.

I paid attention to Sew A Beginner's latest post on her skirt making and followed some of her ideas. The linen skirt is underlined with a cotton/poly broadcloth and I used lace hem tape. While working on the skirt it occurred to me that I had a new purchased top that was just the right color to match this skirt.

Underlining, lace hem tape and I forgot to mention Hong Kong seams

I was rather concerned the the vent would be difficult but it was easy. I tacked the very bottom of the vent closed because it was flapping open.

Ta Da! Not too bad huh?

I also wanted to share some photos from a snazzy men's store in our town. Although the photos are not great due to the reflection from the glass I wanted you to see the details on a couple of the shirts here.

Note the light mauve paisley print fabric with the darker buttonholes and buttons.

Also, the neck facing and cuff facing is a beautiful striped fabric. Sorry the photos did not come out well enough to show you those details. But look in the lower right hand corner of the photo below and you will see the inside of the cuff.

Next the shirt to the below has the facing fabric as a bold blue paisley against the white of the shirt.

And one final photo from this store with some great shoes and socks. I don't know whether a person is to wear those socks or eat them. They remind me of sherbet--yummy!

Finally, I don't understand why I struggle so hard with that darn elastic in the skirt. I am thinking that inserting a zipper may be easier and involve a lot less cussing and fussing. And if anyone out there can tell me how to load the pattern photos instead of just the link I would appreciate it. Seems like I did it before . . .but how?

I won a blog giveaway!!!

2010-06-11T16:20:00.000-04:00

I won a copy of "Dispatches from the Edge" written by Anderson Cooper. This was a blog give away on "Kerrfect: A Blog of Glamour, Thriftiness and Crafts". Jennifer is a young military wife who can get rather passionate on certain subjects from time to time (read "Dirtbag of the Day" for an example). And don't get her started on "The Biggest Loser" ---she watches faithfully. But what I love most about her blog her are the thrifty buys that she shares with us and her crafts.

We share a love of books and bargains for sure. Her most grand bargain to date has been a plus size mink coat purchased for $18. Check out the photo of her seaman husband (Go Navy!) and you'll know these two are having too much fun together. Man in Mink makes me laugh every time.

Her blog addy is: http://travisandjennykerr.com/kerrfect/

Thanks guys for the book!

Blog, blog, blog

2010-06-11T07:07:00.000-04:00

I really should have made this a cooking blog, then I would have had more successes to report. On a positive note I did wear my new grey dress to a meeting this week. No one laughed so I guess that is a relatively good sign.

No photos for you but I did cut out a top, yet again, wrong fabric/wrong pattern. I figured that out when pinning the first two pieces together. No need for further time investment on that dud. Then this week I started a dress. Good pattern (so it seems, but it could turn on me at any minute) but wrong darn fabric again! So today I will start with that same pattern, new fabric and see how it goes. I'll have to make a trip to Hobby Lobby for a lining material this morning. The dress fabric I plan to use is a linen blend, that should work--I think.

Butterick 5450 is the dress pattern I am using. My fabric mistake was a woven mildly stretchy poly something. But it will not hold a crease, the pleats bag open regardless of what I do, and this baby ravels faster that a speeding bullet. Since I only assembled the top portion I still have the skirt material. The lining material was kinda likeable. Almost a whisper of fabric but every pin hole seems to be permanent and it too ravels like crazy.

While I have not been able to do much towards sewing we have been gardening. Three new crepe myrtle trees planted in a new island bed. This was a ton of work but we had help from our really great neighbor. Even so, the Honey ended up getting x-rays this week due to back pain so bad he missed work for 3 days. Totally unlike him to miss work too.

Dog #1 News--160/100

2010-05-27T11:35:00.000-04:00

No, 160/100 is not my blood pressure but $160 for antibiotics and 100 miles driving (entire trip) to get the meds to Dog #1. Am I not a devoted lover of Dog #1? We make the trip again tomorrow morning so she can get her stitches out.

So far so good. She appears to be doing better and is walking on the leg for the most part. Thanks for all your good throughts coming our way. She has 3 more weeks on the antibiotics to clear up the staph infection.

Why is she called Dog #1? She is incognito to protect her identity!

It is Wearable! Yeah!

2010-05-27T11:28:00.000-04:00

I finally finished my grey dress using Simplicity 2938. And it looks good enough to wear with no apologies.

The fabric is a cheapy cotton from the bargain section at Jo Ann's. I ended up feeling frisky enough to insert red piping in the neckline and add a steel grey broadcloth lining. There was suppost to be red bias tape in the armholes but the fabric unraveled on me.

Unraveled armhole area where bias tape was attached to the dress

No way I was going to let this stop me after all this work! Since the pattern intended bias tape in finishing the armholes there was no facing pattern for this area. But I learned from you guys that I should just make my own pattern and so I did. Problem solved. Then just hem up the bottom of the lining; it is attached at the neckline and at the armholes hanging free otherwise.

To make the lining I simply pinned the front pattern pieces together, pinned the pleats at the top neckline, and cut out the front on the fold. The back was strictly the back pattern piece. Two pieces no drama!

I admit it is not perfect but certainly a step up in my book. Also I read on the pattern review site that a zipper was not needed. So no zipper and it slips right over my head.

Please let me know any improvements I could have made to the dress after viewing the photo. That is why I started this blog was the hopes of learning from the very talented people out in blog land.

Do the Happy Dance I made a dress!

Teach Yourself to Sew: Faced Edges - Threads

2010-05-26T07:13:00.001-04:00

Teach Yourself to Sew: Faced Edges - Threads

Posted using ShareThis

TGIF, sewing, Esty shop, and Dog #1 condition

2010-05-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

TGIF and yes plans for the week went pretty much as they should.

Dog #1 has STAPH! The surgeon called today with the test results and said she can continue with the current antibiotics for 3 weeks. I hope that all goes well with this medication and so far so good. She gets yogurt with the food and no upset tummy as of yet. Also she seems to feel fine except for having to wear the plastic cone head.

Sewing news! Oh! This might just turn out as something pretty and hopefully wearable. No photos yet but the project was going so well I decide to line it, add red piping at the neckline and red bias tape to the sleeve facing area. This is on a grey and white cotton and is lined is grey broadcloth. I did not notice the zipper in the side until already committed to the project. I guess that is one way to make me learn to install a zipper.

Esty Shop! So I need money to pay for these darn vet bills. We are on the third surgery now and medications for the seeable future. And Mama does not have a job (at the college where they should have hired her a long time ago. Just sayin :)

So I am putting my estate sale purchases on Esty in Mama Jewel's Vintage Shop---er. . . something like that. The link is http://www.etsy.com/shop/Toocutedobs?view_type=gallery&page=1

So if you know anyone interested in vintage items like hats, scarfs, or patterns, send them my way. Dog #1, the Honey and I thank you! I probably will not get everything posted today but check back next week for the patterns.

Fabric--I promised earlier in the week to post photos of my latest fabric purchases. So let's get to it.

Polyester

Cotton Gauze

Right to left

Poly, Linen/blend, cotton gauze

UGLY Paisley Jacket

Ok, it was an easy pattern to make but I look really frumpy in it. The pattern called for 3 buttons and I think it needs more but why bother. What the heck was I thinking when I picked out this fabric? Ugly, ugly, ugly, that is what I am thinking now.

Current Project-take a look at the measurements on these two pattern pieces. They printed the measurements backward . This means the waist measurements or stated waist measurements are actually the hip measurements and vis-a-versa.

See what I mean.

One more thing. . . Thank you for viewing my blog. I have to say it feels a lot different having a few followers than not. I feel like I am visiting with you guys out here in cyberland and it makes a diiference. Thanks again!

Monday

2010-05-18T07:34:00.000-04:00

Monday plans were pretty much as I said. Dog #1 had her surgery and she has an infection. The vet removed the metal protheses in her leg (previous TPLO surgery) and said there was infection in this location and in the joint. They kept her overnight and I will pick her up today.

She will be on antibiotics for at least 6 weeks and I really hope this clears up the infection. If not we have a possibly deadly problem or---- I can not even say it or type it. . .

Sewing...I did choose a pattern and fabric and lay it all out. It in pinned and ready to cut. I'll do this while waiting for the vet to call and tell me when I can pick up Dog #1. If any one out there is tight with St. Francis please check in with him. He dealt with a wolf problem I hear and Dog #1 is a doberman so she is small fry for him. My neighbor emailed this morning and told me a prayer was said for her already. Nice neighbor :)

Plans for the Week

2010-05-17T06:25:00.000-04:00

You know what "they" say about the best laid plans, but here I go.

Monday, Dog #1 goes back to the surgeon's and I have no idea how long this will take. The surgeon is not sure exactly what the problem is but we are having a re-do on Dog #1's surgury from few months ago. So I will be out of town for the day.

Tuesday-Thursday, I told the Honey that I would be sewing these days. I purchased lots of patterns that were on sale this weekend at Jo Ann's and at Hancock's. Vogue patterns were $3.99 at Jo Ann's and Butterick patterns were .99 (no cents mark on the keyboard?)

I also bought fabric!!! I know, what was I thinking. Well I thought maybe if I buy some pricer fabric I would be inspired to sew better. Maybe even wear a garment I have made. Photos coming on the pretty fabric.

Friday there is another estate sale in my area. Two of my neighbors and I are planning on going. Guess what? There are two vintage sewing machines at this sale. I will just be looking at these not buying. But one is a pretty turquoise and I am really interested in seeing the price on that one.

One more thing, check out 98 Red Balloons blog shown in my blog list. She is a young lady who sews better than I do (not hard, I know). She was successful with a dress that I had to turn into a skirt. I know the blog list thing says the post is 5 weeks old but the date on the post is current.

Keep your best wishes for Dog #1 and her surgery today. Thanks!

Getting Back in the Groove

2010-05-13T15:48:00.000-04:00

I have been away from my blogging for a couple of weeks. Week one: getting ready for company coming to visit. This week included pressure washing the house, cleaning, shopping, etc. Week two: the visit, which meant cooking, cooking and oh yes, gaining weight!

We did get out a bit and go to the zoo and the guys went to see Iron Man II. For some reason the girls ended up at the mall walking around. We tried a trip to a very nice park but yours truly ended the trip with a coughing, sneezing, allergy attack. Everything was in full bloom and beautiful but the pollen was a killer. Basically we paid to park, walked out about 10 minutes and 10 minutes back to the car. Just as well the rest of group did not seem that interested.

Our other site seeing trip was to a plantation house and the grounds. Take a look at this grand magnolia arch. It is over 100 years old.

Can you imagine having the idea that your family would stay in one place long enough to see your seedlings grow into a magnificant archway like this one?

Spring Garden

2010-04-23T19:20:00.000-04:00

Eighty-eight degrees today for the high temperature here today. I feel like I did a lot of work but really I think it was just the heat. I went to a "Moving Sale" held by a local company that handles estate sales normally. A couple of my neighbors went with me but I was the big buyer having spent a whopping $17 total.

Take a look at my new garden bunny I purchased at the sale. He is a solar light or will be when I get new solar batteries for him. He looks pretty nice under the maple tree.

My other purchases were not photo worthy as I bought two hose reels like the one you see in the above photo. But these were purchased at the sale today at $5 each--as was the bunny. The other purchase for $2 was a yellow wooden carry box with the word "Sunflowers" on it in black.

Mama Bluebird in my garden

I knocked on the birdhouse prior to opening it and was surprised to find the mama bird in the box. She is sitting on 5 very pretty blue eggs.

Lady Banks Roses in a beautiful yellow

Roses, day lilies, creeping phlox, Lady Banks Roses, and azaleas on the hill

A close-up of one of the Floribundas just starting to bloom

Hostas, yarrow and coreopsis on the short side yard

More hostas in the large side yard under the pines

Lemon balm, one of my favorite herbs, and Swedish Girl daylily in pot

Honey has been arranging for a team of master gardeners to come out and advise us on our gardens. We think they will be coming to visit us next week some time. Looking forward to this visit but also dreading it in a way. We'll learn just how many mistakes we have made already I suppose.

There are other gardens not yet photographed that are veggies, strawberries, and herbs. Maybe I'll get those on later..

Promise kept and new projects completed.

2010-04-19T13:11:00.000-04:00

I promised on Sew A Beginner's blog that I would wear a garment I made before the weekend was through. So for our Sunday morning brunch downtown I wore the blue knit dress I made with a cute fuzzy cardie I bought at Salvation Army. The dress has small flowers on it the same color as the cardie.

This is really turquoise not teal as it appears here.

What I leanred from wearing this garment is that the neckline is too wide for me. As I moved around this would fall off my shoulder if I was not careful. I like this pattern so I will re-draft the neckline to make it narrower. By the way the cardie was a bargain at $2.99! I recently was donating some things and took a look around. I bought a bunch of tops, jackets, etc. for $1.99, $2.99 or $3.99. Some of these items were top name brands and new. Yeah for me!

Projects I have completed were the new red skirt from the previous "was going to be a dress". This was the red slinky knit that was torturing me but I won HAHA!

Red Slinky Knit Skirt

I also made a four gore skirt from a purple micro suede I purchased at Hancock's Fabrics from their bargain fabric section. It was so soft and the skirt was easy to make. I hemed it by hand which was a breeze.

I am thinking maybe to wear this in the fall with a pair of boots. But who knows maybe I'll come up with a way to wear it this summer too.

This is a vintage baby pattern I found in the sewing machine cabinet of the Bernina I picked up at my mother's. I tried it out in a really inexpensive (yep, that means cheap) cotton from Wal-Mart. The pattern was so easy and this was the first garment I have made from cotton. Oh my gosh, how easy is cotton to sew with? And I did Hong Kong seams! I did not have the 1/4 inch elastic needed to finish the little panties so that is for another day. I think the pattern is too small for the child I had in mind but it gave me more confidence to try sewing with cotton and on baby garments again.

Still need to perfect gathering as you can see

Hong Kong Seams in top

This is the new project I started. I selected the jacket to sew and the fabric is a knit which costs $2.00 per yard. So no fear on messing up a really expensive fabric. Just the usual fear I have when I select a fabric with a design. I never can foresee how it will look and sometimes that means I work on a really ugly garment before I can see where things are going.

So what do you think? Will this paisley design fabric look good with this jacket pattern? Do you have any hints on selecting fabrics to patterns that would help?

Michelle Obama Slideshow and Net-A-Porter

2010-04-13T07:53:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post of fashion for you to check out.

The Michelle Obama Look Book 2010 --The Cut. You might have seen it already but I just ran across it this morning. The photos, all 222 of them, show the First Lady and her clothes which I think are really wearable for real people. Thank you MO! Michelle Obama Look Book

The sheath dress is shown in many versions and I am thinking "I've got that pattern, now if only I can get the fit." The sweater with everything is done over and over, not a bad thing I like it. But the belt over the sweaters I can do without. Photos 141, 162, and 173 I really liked. Ok, I really like almost all of them. Photo 141 was casual but bright and I like the way the designer used a border print at the top drawing attention to the face. I admit I always thought of border prints as going at the bottom until I saw a dress on Net-A-Porter.

This is the dress that clued me in: Black and White Border Print Dress. Isn't this a great use of a border print? I actually own some black and white fabric that would work for that dress. If only I were so talented to be able to sew good enough to tackle a pattern like that. But I know some of you out there can do it.

I heard about Net-A-Porter on the CBS Sunday Morning Show. It is a great site for some cool looking fashions. Some of which I think I could wear, but most are too hip, too young, and way too bare for me. I know this because the measuring tape told me so yesterday when I measured my waist for the elastic in a skirt. (Darn! Wasn't my bust size just slightly over that a few years ago?)

On the net, the new/old sewing machine and at the auction

2010-03-29T07:46:00.000-04:00

On the Net

Look at this fabulous jacket! What I failed to get a photo of is the back. Here the seamstress used the beautiful print in the vent pleat that goes from the shoulders to the bottom seam and swings open.

Another beauty that I admired while surfing the other day.

And this I adore and know that I will never sew anything like it on the sewing machine I currently have.

The New/Old Sewing Machine

But it looks like I am going to visit my mother this week and she has been trying to give me her old sewing machine for a while now. But the vehicle only holds so much and two dobermans with their paraphernalia takes up a lot of room. It is kind of like traveling with two babies. Big babies with big teeth.

So this trip I plan to allow room for the sewing machine which is a Bernina from the 70's. My parents paid around $1000-$1200 for this baby way back when. Amazing when you consider the mortgage payment was $198 I believe. She has big fold out sewing machine cabinet too but I wil have to leave it behind for now.

The exciting part---the buttonhole attachment! I can remember using this and it made great buttonholes.

My mother and grandmother worked on this machine at our house making tons of clothes for me--I was in high school. All the other kids wore jeans and I felt like a misfit (I was) but one day a girl came up to me and asked why I was "always dressed up" ? So that's how the other kids saw me! Ok, I can live with that.

The Auction

Ok, I have been to auctions before but not like this. People were stealing the stuff I bought almost as quick as I bought it. I caught one guy loading a set of vintage lugage I had just won the bid on into his van. I got that back easily enough-he said he thought it was included with his stuff on the table.

At the end another guy walked up and grabbed some boxes of sewing stuff I had won the bid on. I said "I bought that"--he said "no I bought that". I was pretty sure it was mine but could not prove it until I got my receipt. Of course by then he had taken my stuff and disappeared.

Tall man with yellow sweater vest and boston terrier--I'll be on the lookout for you!

The honey was a bit upset when he saw all my purchases he thought it was too much stuff and possibly too much money. So what do you think?

2 sets of Vintage luggage plus 1 white vintage suitcase (with keys)

1 Knife for honey (he did not like it)

4 boxes of fabric, some cut for various projects like quilts, etc.

3 large garbage bags of fabric

1 bag of small crochet pieces

All for just under $60 and the neighbor's truck was full. The neighbor also said that if I had saved my other purchases from the Yellow-Vested Theft we would not have had room for them anyway.

Check out this Craiglist ad

2010-03-25T16:44:00.000-04:00

400 plus Vintage Patterns!!

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/art/1647988509.html

If only!

Sewing News

2010-03-25T16:42:00.000-04:00

Last week I mentioned an estate sale with fabric. So I went and they had lots of fabric, a whole metal cabinet full. But it was in a dark corner in the garage that was hard to get to since it was so crowded in there with tables and other people looking at stuff. They wanted $2 per yard and I could not see the fabric well at all.

The last estate sale I went to had fabric at $1.00 per bag (as much as you could put in a plastic grocery bag). I figured I would just skip it since I can buy fabric much easier and know what I am getting.

Friday is an estate auction with fabric. Let's see if I can get my butt out to that--it is at night and I am a real party pooper these days.

The Sewing Machine Ate it. . .

Yep that was the bodice to the red slinky knit dress I am referring to. The sewing machine stuffed it into the bobbin area and made a black spot with a hole. Just as well, this was started to feel a lot like working on college math. So now we are on the way to a red slinky knit SKIRT!

I hate slinky knit.

This fabric was originally going to be McCall's 5241 a 1 Hour Cardigan but after reading pattern reviews I decided against it. Hmmm. . . .

Some Success in sewing

Simplicity Easy to Sew 3506. True, it was easy, so easy I went back and did it again. I think a lot of the success has to do with the fabric. I knew the blue knit would work because I saw it on another lady's blog. Thank you, whoever you are! Also, like this person, I skipped the zipper since it is not needed with the knit fabrics.

The top is made from some stash fabric from ages ago. Not very pretty, but I had it so why not make something with it. The white you can see are tiny butterflies.

Ready for this week to be OVER!

2010-03-25T16:25:00.000-04:00

This has been a bad week:
Monday I learned that job interviews started for a job I was iinterested in and I was not invited for an interview. Jobs are few and hard to find so this is definitely bad news.

Tuesday night, technically Wednesday at 3 a.m. Dog 1 who recently had TPLO surgery started crying with pain. We left at 6 a.m to be at the vet's clinic when they opened. After an examination and X-rays no specific cause found and she was put on pain killers.

Wednesday Dog 1 still in pain but no longer crying anyway. These are really tough dogs so it means a lot when one cries.

Also on Wednesday the clothes dryer broke down. Luckily for me the honey is smart and figured out what was wrong. $10 part with $7 shipping on its way, 5-7 days until it arrives though.

Thursday Dog 1 much better still a bit under the weather but I can tell she is on the mend.

Please let Friday be better. . .

Fabric Mart $1.00 Sale!

2010-03-18T15:02:00.000-04:00

Check it out and see if any of these bargains are for you. I recognize some selections since I already purchased them a couple of weeks ago. I bought 8 yards of the Vera Wang Cotton Canvas thinking maybe a coat? Now that I have it I am not sure, it is pretty stiff fabric.

I also bought some of the Sour Apple Green and I really like the feel of this fabric. Orginally I was thinking about a sporty outfit with pants. But I am still working on the red slinky dress. Luckily I had enough fabric to re-cut the top pieces and try again. So far so good since I tweaked the directions that were not working for me before.

A triple layer of this fabric due to the "narrow hem" plus a seam allowance with elastic inserted will NOT go under my presser foot. Hence the direction tweaking.

Also, I have ordered a gathering foot and hope that it arrives soon. I noticed another blogger purchased one and fell in love with it. OOOOhh, and there is an Estate Sale in my town tomorrow--with fabric and yarn!

I leave you today with 3 photos of Dog 1 and Dog 2 in the sewing room. Notice the great drafting table that was given to my honey. It is the perfect height and width for a cutting table. Yep, oak drafting table-FREE!

Dog 1

Oak Drafting Table- my new cutting table

Dog 2 with peanut butter filled Kongs I use to bribe dogs to let me sew.

Good girls!

First Garment Made in many years

2010-03-17T12:31:00.000-04:00

The bug bit me again and I decide to have another go at sewing. The first pattern I chose was Simplicity 2852-6 Made Easy. I chose to make view E although I knew this wide square neckline was not the most flattering on me. But if I wore with something underneath as shown on the envelope it would work.

I looked through my years old stash and found some purple heather knit that I would not cry over if I ruined the top. In RTW I wear a 10-12 and cut this top out in a size 14. All-in-all it turned out well and was easy to make other than the set in sleeves. I blasted, then re-basted, and think on the third try managed to get everything in smoothly.

The top was a tiny bit tight in the bust but I've lost 5 pounds since then but the sleeves are too short. It never occurred to me to check the sleeve length when I was making this. Leason learned. I will make this again in the round neckline version either view A or B.

One more leason learned--skip the set in sleeves and put them prior to sewing up the side seams. Tried that method on another project-what a dream!

It is overcast today and this photo is much darker than should be. The top is a light-medium purple heather and that is a white door behind it. The flash started working for the other photos.

Now here is a real wadder for you: Simplicity 4025. I made view B in fleece. It turned out to be a real dog-an ugly dog at that. I like the way fleece sews but it seems too light of a material for this style to hang correctly. This fleece was also old stash fabric but I should have saved it for a blanket or something. Right now I can not imagine ever wanting to try this pattern again. But maybe I learn something down the line that will help me figure out what fabrics would work best--never a funky patterned fleece though.

But since I liked sewing fleece I decided to try another pattern and a solid colored fleece. That should resolve my issues right? Nope, another wadder just prettier color this time. I used McCall'S 5714 DIY Style and what a pain in the butt it was. Follow direction to this point, then take a right turn at Albuquerque, pick up directions here, then turn around and say the hokey pokey. Too much drama in the directions for me and I have read similiar complaints on PatternReview.com.

I chose view E to sew in a pretty yellow fleece. Never did figure out the collar directions correctly and at the end quit short of putting on some snaps. It looks terrible on me anyway. I thought I might try a different view in a different type of fabric--one day.

Ok, I can not close this with a wadder, what would you think of me? New Look 6816 Easy 2 Hour tops, skirt, and pants. I chose top view A and added to the length which was a great idea. The fabric was a new purchase from JoAnn's and I really like it.

Everything on this sewing experience went rather smoothly except for the neckline binding. I could not get that bugger to fit! So I cheated and recut the piece with the grain going the super stretchy way. I could get it to fit and sew it on. . . but, yeah you know what is coming. The neckline is just a bit too wide now and the bra straps show.

My honey says the top is pretty and to wear a strapless bra and not worry about it. I will definitely try this pattern again and maybe figure out that neckline binding better the next go round. Very cute top regardless.

I think this will look great with a pair of black pants. You may not can see it but the fabric has a glittery streak running though it that makes it rather fancy looking.

Guess what you got me for our anniversary honey?

2010-03-16T09:13:00.000-04:00

Last year for our wedding anniversary I decided that a dozen roses would be a great gift from the honey. And that a dozen rose plants from Jackson Perkins would be an even better gift. Especially since we had a new construction house with minimum landscaping. So here are a few photos from last summer just to get us all in the mood for the coming seasons.

This is one lizard that survived my prized lizard hunting doberman aka Dog1 for blogging purposes.

We also installed a new bluebird house last spring after attending a local seminar on the subject. Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird produced two clutches (I think that is what you call them). Mr. Bluebird is back this year scoping out the house and waiting for the Mrs. to show up.

And just in case you thought I forgot this is suppost to be a sewing blog. . . I am working hard on a new waddie. At least it is showing great potential in that direction. I am sewing red slinky knit (what the heck was I thinking!) and using McCall pattern 6070. The pattern is labeled easy but the fabric is not. Right now I am wondering if I have enough fabric left to re-cut the bodice and start over.

Yesterday I purchased clear sewing thread to see if that would help with my problems. The directions call for a "narrow hem" on the neckline--ok, I get that. But hand sewing this area shows on the front and does not look good. Top stitching the area with red does not look good.

The pattern photo (chick in red dress) does not show top stitching but the illustrations do. So I will try the clear thread on a scrap and see what happens. Boy do I hate to waste this fabric, it is very nice quality at a great price purchased from Fabric.com.

My new sewing library

2010-03-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

Take a look at all the wonderful books I purchased at the University Women's Book and Treasure Sale. Each book shown was only $1.00 each!!! What a bargain. This is an annual sale and my first time to attend. I had helped out a bit as a volunteer prior to the sale but boy was I shocked when I drove up on the opening sale day. The parking lot was full with people cruising for a parking spot.

The proceeds from the sale benefit scholarships at the local college and university.

Photo #1 from right to left
Simplicity Holiday 2007-a store copy of patterns. Perhaps not the most useful of my purchases, but if you something you had to grab it quick!

Simplicity Sewing Books-an oldie but goodie with lots of sewing information from picking a pattern to lining a coat, selecting fabric, and detail work.

Simplicity Sewing Book-Revised-Tailoring, crochet, embroidery,etc.

Sewing Express by Nancy Zieman-1994, blouses, jackets, skirts, pants, reversibles, accessories.

Palmer/Pletsch Couture: The Art of Fine Sewing by Robert Carr, 1993. Excellent book with great diagrams and photos.

Top center of photo #1 is the Good Housekeeping Complete Book of Needlecraft,1959. Yeah, they are not kidding when they say "Complete". This book has everything in it.

Photo 2
Palmer/Pletsch Dream Sewing Spaces: Designing & Organization for Spaces Large and Small by Lynette Ranney Black, 1996. Again a very good purchase.

Better Homes & Gardens Sewing Book: Sewing How to for home and family, 1961. You might think this is too old to be of any use but I have found it a really great book to own. It covers everything from garment construction to design and home decor.

The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction, 1959. Great photos (black/white) and diagrams are very understandable. Again a great bargain.

Top right of photo #2 are:

Dressmaking with Liberty by Ann Ladbury, Includes 3 patterns for 20 outfits, 1984. Patterns are in the back pouch and never used. Styles are dated so this is not my favorite purchase but Liberty is hot these days so who knows what I will come to think of this book later.

Also at top of photo #2 is: The Liberty Home, Distinctive Sewing Projects from Classic Liberty Fabrics, 1997. Beautiful photos in this full color book!

Photo #3

Singer Sewing Book by Mary Brooks Picken, 1953. Original price of this book was $4.95! My how times have changed. Again, this is a very good book which covers just about everything you need to know. Black/white diagrams. I like it :)

The Art of Sewing/The Classic Techniques, A Time-Life book, 1973. Probably my favorite book of all. The first section is a historic perspective of fashion and the rest are color diagrams on clothing construction. And the pretty pink fuzzy texture of the cover is very nice too.

Easy Elegance from the Ann Person Collection, Lingerie, 1982. Very nice book but it will probably be a while before I feel competent enough to try sewing lingerie. Besides that my little cheapie sewing machine is not up to the task anyway.

The Best of Threads Garmentmaking Tips. This is a small pamphlet probably included with another book or magazine at some time. It contains tips from readers of Thread magazine. Nothing really new or great here.

Finally the last photo.

Sew Somerset, the art of creative sewing with mixed media.2007. Pretty pictures but I don't think I ever actually do anything like they show in this magazine.

Christopher Lowell's You Can Do It! Small Spaces.2003. I love Christopher and I used to watch his television show back in the days when we had cable. This book was brand new and shrink wrapped so it was a surprise to find the small spaces were in two Fleetwood Mobile Homes. Pretty pictures though. Not my best purchase.

Making Mechanical Cards, Shelia Sturrock, 2009. New book, but, ahhh, I am not going to do this. Yeah.

The Craft of Temari, Mary Wood, 2003. Love the photos but doubt I ever try this either. Still worth the buck spent though.

So as you see my best purchases were all the sewing books. I feel very smart about all those purchases! Ok, smug it is then :)