Whole lotta projects going on!

Last night I cut out McCalls 3799 for my daughter. Well just the short part of it. I used it to make her a pair of pj shorts out of a cute blue flannel with sheep. I have serged everything and plan on serging the elastic a well. I haven't sewn much lately, but the trip to Nashville was inspiring. The clothes were amazing! Will post a few pics soon-not of the exhibit, because no photos were allowed. Oh well, hope to finish the shorts today and then I am making her a pair of flannel lounge pants for home. Will post the fabric pic soon. I have been knitting on my fisherman's wool scarf as well. It is taking forever to get anywhere. If I don't hurry it along, it won't be done for fall and winter. I have also been trying to hem items that I have had sitting around waiting for my attention. It feels pretty good to get some of those done! So many projects-So little time!

Nashville-Golden Age of Couture

This weekend I am taking my girls to see the exhibit -The Golden Age of Couture- in Nashville. I can't wait to look at all the very intricate and very feminine designs. The pink dress above is amazing! It is very inexpensive to go. I was $10 and the girls were free. There is also a Chihuly exhibit that we get to see at no additional cost. I am excited about the trip with my girls and hope to take pictures. Go check out the website if you are interested in seeing more of what is on display. http://www.fristcenter.org/site/exhibitions/exhibitiondetail.aspx?cid=795

Ankle socks?

I was reading Gertie's blog this morning and she has several pictures from the Lucky magazine(which I know nothing about) spread-Retro Modern. She was asking whether or not her readers like the ankle socks idea. On these tall skinny models, I think they look absolutely adorable. I think my skinny, long-legged 12 year old could definitely pull it off. I commented that I somehow picture a 40+ fire hydrant when I see me in ankle socks-HA! I do love the outfits though. The 50's circle skirts and I love the jumper and sweater. Fall is my favorite season, so all these great outfits make me want to sew some cozy, cute clothes for the coming season. How about you?

Tomatoes, Peppers and Weeds-Oh My!

My garden is almost like a scene in a scary movie. If we just had some B movie music for the background. You could seriously get lost or eaten in there! Katy and I went out last night and picked tomatoes, green and banana peppers and viewed many eaten cantaloupes. The deer are having a hayday! I have put up about 20 quarts of tomatoes, but that is pitiful considering how many plants we have. Many are splitting or are being eaten before I get to them, but I am glad we have some for the fall and winter. There is nothing like macaroni and tomatoes or soup and chili with home grown tomatoes! Apples are my next big task. They should be ready in a couple of weeks. Yahoo! Last year I put up about 80 quarts of apples. About 70 of those were apple pie filling. I have used those like crazy all year long. I figure we will give the garden a few more weeks and then I hope to turn it. All those nasty weeds will suffer a painful death!

Still Reading.....

I am still wrapped up in reading books that my kids have to read this year for school. We are doing the 20th century and we are only in the early 1900's so far, but I am reading a book about Israel and Palestine. Tasting the Sky-A Palestinian Childhood is very good. She writes in such a descriptive way, that you can see, touch, taste,hear and smell all that she is experiencing. Very vivid details. I have assigned my writing class descriptive paragraphs for this first 2 weeks and I would love for them to read some of the examples in this book. It is a bit sad, but I am only half way through the book. Looking forward to more of her similes and metaphors! Will let you know the end result. On another note, we read Kids at Work by Lewis Hine this week. Amazing photography of child labor in the early 1900's. When photos are done right, they ARE worth a 1000 words. It is sad that Hine died in poverty, because he was a truly gifted photographer. My daughter realized how little we have to do in comparison to what many 4, 5, and 6 old kids had to do during this time period. Lastly, I listened to a piece about Jack London on NPR the other day. Call of the Wild is another school selection for the early 1900's. There is a new biography about him that sounds very interesting. Wolf: The Lives of Jack London by James Haley. They were interviewing the author on NPR. I like biographies and I might just pick this one up. Not much sewing going on right now. Hope to get in a project this weekend! I did enjoy looking at sewing books at Barnes and Noble on Monday night for a while. There are so many books now that include the patterns in the book for less than $30. Pretty convienent!

Simplicity 7533

I decided last night to get atleast one more step done on this dress.  I was going to put in the armhole facings, but I have been reading on several blogs that you don't really have to.  It can just add bulk to the arm hole.  I had already serged the edge, so I just turned it under 1/4 inch and topstitched. (You can kind of see them in the bottom pic-pretty smooth) It doesn't look bad, but I am used to the facings.  It is less bulky though.  I haven't completed the belt, but I paired it with this chocolate brown elastic belt for this picture and I think I like it.  I want to do some form of the large button belt that is on the pattern, but that is still in the planning mode.  At least this is a wearable dress now.  I love the vintage like print of the material. Don't you like Nanny's big brown bead necklace? I did also taper the sides last night.  I started at a half inch at the armpit and gradually increased to one inch and then back down to meet the side seam.  It fits better now! I have tomatoes to can today and our first school co-op tomorrow, so probably no new sewing until the weekend-SIGH! (Looking for a new camera-my flash just blows everything white when you use it-and it dropped off a table and the battery compartment has to be held closed with a rubberband-I love this camera though!)

Super SACKS

I have been getting several items pinned for hemming and a couple of them are items I bought at a consignment store in Hilton Head. I go there every time we go to HHI on vacation. I think they just moved locations, but I absolutely love their store. They have a room where many things are only a dollar-and I am not talking about socks here. Just look at some of the lovelies I picked up for a buck this trip. Have already worn a few.

Petite Sophisticate gray year round wool pants

Jones New York round neck jacket in chocolate brown

Black wrap dress

Cute plaid pants w/tab button pockets(need hemming)

2 pairs of shoes (black and maroon)

I also picked up a few books and a really great stainless steel carafe. I also bought a great pair of Talbot's paper sack waist pants that are cream with a gray pinstripe and several Brooks Brothers buttondowns, a pair of JCrew pants and some black crop pants too. I only spent about $40 total and got the girls several things as well. What a deal. So if you are ever on Hilton Head Island check out SACKS consignment! Here is their Facebook link. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilton-Head-Island-SC/Sacks-Designer-Consignment/191949259965