The Beach

the thrill of the hunt

just one more

the sound of the waves

sun

sailboats

rocks

sand

sea glass

Contest Link for Amy Butler Bag

Check out this site, Stacy Sews, for a fabulous giveaway contest! The prize is an Amy Butler Bag.

I Love Viceroy

The Alexander Henry "Viceroy" Fabric is a medium to heavy weight cotton canvas. Its design is classic. I love the contrast of the black and white. It was time to sew something for myself so I selected a simple bag pattern that could be worn as a messenger bag. (See & Sew B5273) It would be handy for travelling and walks in the park when I wouldn't want to sling my current heavy, leather purse over my shoulder. It's a fairly easy pattern. To conserve some of the Viceroy fabric for another bag, I used Kona cotton as the lining and also as the back piece for the pockets. This added an interesting design element to the bag.

The bag is fully lined and has two pockets made out of the Viceroy.

While searching for inspiration using Viceroy, I stumbled upon these chairs. I could see using Viceroy throughout my house. But for now, I'm content to admire my bag.

Hey Teach

Finally! A finished knitting project. Just in time for the weather to turn hot and humid! But I should still get plenty of use out of this sweater this summer. I was hoping to wear it with a blouse and dress slacks for those days when I substitute teach, but there won't be many of those days anymore. But it will be quite nice for a cool summer evening over a sleeveless tank or for a chilly, air-conditioned restaurant. This was knit part on the machine and the rest by hand.

Ladies Night In/13th Birthday Party

22 Ladies & Young Ladies

Food, Drink, Laughter

Card Making

Sea Glass Pendants

Ice Cream Cake

Celebration of another teenager in the house!

(click on photo to see larger version)

Vintage Style

Pattern: Butterick 4919: "Flared dress, fitted at bust, below-mid-knee or floor length has back zipper and tie ends extending from bodice back." Retro '52.

Fabric: Silk Dupioni, Joann ETC

Modifications: Modified pattern to fit waist measurements - perfect! Didn't fit the bodice and it was way too big. Had to remove approximately 2" from the shoulder. I'm learning.....

Critique: The pattern construction was a bit fiddly. The front bodice is separate from the back. The bodice extends to the back, where it is closed. Then, the back is zipped up and the ties are criss-crossed in front and tied in back. I think the same fit could've been achieved with a single bodice/back construction with ties originating at the side seam. The finished result? I think it was stunning. I love silk dupioni. It is lovely to sew, the sheen on the fabric gives it such a rich and elegant look. On the stage, it looked smashing and dramatic. The pattern is considered a "Retro '52" style dress. The skirt portion is cut on the bias and the amount of fabric at the hemline is large. My daughter was pleased with the dress. She helped select it, but it was not her choice for a prom dress (although they were the same weekend.) It would have looked wonderful in the floor length, too. But since her prom dress was floor length, I felt the shorter length would enable her to get much more use out of the dress. It could be worn for a winter formal or for other concerts at churches and venues in which a floor length gown would be too formal. (I will post her Christmas gown, floor length, at a later date.)

Prom Dress

Finally, a photo to share!

Pattern: Vogue 8475: "Close-fitting across bust, lined, empire dress with partial cut-out in back, gathered bodice front and skirt, shoulder straps and side zipper closing."

Fabric: crepe back satin from JoAnn ETC

Modifications: Replaced cut-out with a full back. Modified the bodice to raise the v-line of the neck. It would've been cut as low as the black piece.

Critique: My daughter was pleased with it, but I was not happy with the bustline. I tightened it up a bit, but I should have moved the straps in bit more to keep the top from gaping. (I am working on my alteration skills.) The crepe back satin was heavy and has no give like natural fibers, so a bit difficult to sew.

Prom: Fun!

Mother's Day

7:00 Alarm.
7:15 Get up, make coffee.
7:20 Wake up 2/6 of the household, feed, send to Church (don't worry, the rest of us went yesterday).
7:30 Wake up another 2/6 of the household.
7:45 Make scrambled eggs, pack 2 lunches, empty dishwasher.
8:30 Send 2/4 kids downtown for 9 AM call time.
8:45 Load dishwasher.
9:00 Read newspaper.
9:15 Get dressed, make bed, finish folding last load of clothes.
9:30 Mirror, yikes!, make-up, not much help. Hair is wild, hair straightener is downtown.
10:00 Take daughter to Redbox to get a movie for the afternoon, pick up a few extra buns, go to two craft stores in search of supplies for 13th birthday/craft party.
12:00 Make lunches for remaining 4/6 of the family, load dishes and start dishwasher.
12:30 Carve roast beef (cooked yesterday) and prepare au jus. Make salad, set the table for dinner.
1:00 Read emails, knit a few rows, enjoy cards and gifts from 10 yo son and 12 yo daughter. (bookmark and 3 "best of" cds of classical, jazz and Broadway music.)
1:45 Greet Mom, head downtown with husband. 2/6 of family left behind because I didn't want to pay for the tickets.
2:30 Head to our seats and read program.
3:00 Enjoy fabulous show. Beam with pride as my kids accompany the performing choir on piano, guitar, and sax.
3:30 Cry silently next to Mom as she wipes tears during Ann Murray's "You Needed Me" (A year ago, Dad was still with us.) Enjoy a great variety of music, including Billy Joel's Lullaby, Defying Gravity, a gospel version of The Impossible Dream and the rousing Battle Hymn of the Republic.
6:00 Prepare dinner.
6:30 Eat dinner with Mom and family.
7:00 Receive Panera gift cards from 17 yo son and 15 yo daughter
7:30 Empty dishwasher, load dishwasher, make 5 lunches (while everyone else is watching Monk.)
8:30 Sit down and knit.....
9:30 See everyone off to bed
10:00 Finish the last piece of "Hey Teach" (a spring sweater I hope to wear before summer arrives!) and steam block in prep for seaming tomorrow.
10:30 Turn in. Thank God for the blessings that are my family.

Prom Bag

Annie's bag that she designed for her sister's prom. (Dress shots to be taken later.) The pattern was based on the Buttercup Bag.

Techno in our Lives

Hype for the 10:00 PM News: "Facebook, Twitter, texting, computers.....all this technology...doesn't anyone TALK anymore?

Ten year old son: "I talk."

Ten year old's son interim report card: "He is talking too much in school."

Annie's Juice Pouch Bag

Annie whipped up a couple of these bags. They can be a bit fiddly to sew, so I helped her a bit. But they are colorful, sturdy, and a novelty. The only down side is seeing an endless parade of juice boxes on my sink and counter in the cleaning and drying process....