Making Progress…

Finding the time to sew is always a challenge, when I’m working 50-ish hours a week then coming home to make dinner, etc.  I don’t have as much energy as I used to and sitting on the couch watching TV take so much less motivation than sewing!

I’ve finished dozens of tucks, though, and last night got 10 darts, 2 princess seams and a pleat down the jacket back finished.  Now, on to attaching a neck band (not looking forward to that…looks complicated) and sleeves…and waistband for the skirt.   I need to have everything but the hems done by end of the weekend!

P.S.  I also took a break from sewing (!) and made some crystal earrings with a silver wrap and a crystal pendant with a small silver wrap to match…I’ll try to photograph them and add here later…

Its coming together!

 

Project Runway

I don’t know how those Project Runway designers/seamstresses can whip things up so quickly, in a matter of hours!  Me…I need much more time than that.  I’m working on an outfit for a black tie event on 2/13 (my birthday!), and am scared to death I’m going to ruin the extremely expensive fabric, since I haven’t been sewing apparel in many, many years.   Sure, I’ve sewn lots of window coverings, a random costume or two  (a hot dog!, an elephant, a Civil War uniform)…but I haven’t made clothes for myself since I was pregnant…and my youngest is 16!!

But here I am, armed with many yards of $100+ per yard silk (that I bought from a clearance bin at a drapery store)…

Yards of silk and 2 patterns

Of course, I was dumb enough to pick difficult patterns…with dozens of tucks!  Luckily I’m past that part and past the part where I had to match paisley, center it up on the back and sleeves, etc….now I should just be smooth-sewing.  Now I’m mostly worried about the FIT…need to lose a quick 5 pounds so the skirt will fit…if only it were that easy…

Vogue Tucks and detail

Sewing Tucks, pressing tucks, measuring tucks….

Yards of silk and 2 patterns

 

College Choice

I’ve been through 2 children now, choosing colleges, and its always tough.  I’m working on #3…then comes #4.  However, if you’ve been paying any attention to my blog these many years (hello?? anybody out there??)…you’d know I have THREE children, not four. 

But then there’s Sierra.  She’s my “surrogate daughter”.  What started out as a mentor-thing through my church has grown into having another child who is a very real part of our family.  Now she’s a strikingly beautiful 18-year old with a near A-average in h.s. and readying herself for college.  So, I took her to Chicago this weekend for an official campus visit. 

Now, I grew up in Chicago…a product of the fine Chicago Public School system.  I love going back, especially if I have the opportunity to visit any neighborhoods, rather than “just” spending time with relatives.  So, it was a fun day for me to poke around while Sierra was visiting classes.

This time, we visited North Park University…one, I must admit, I’d never heard of.  It is a small 2000-student Christian school, intent on a multicultural, urban experience with a strong push toward Christian service.  Quite impressive in the amount of mission work they support, as well as the international student base they’ve managed to attract.  Now Sierra will have to decide if that’s THE place she wants to spend her next 4 years….she’s also considering Anderson University, a comfortable, familiar place close to home, with many familiar faces.  Both have the Christian base, both fairly small…tough choice.  I don’t envy her having to make the decision.  Perhaps grants and scholarships will help her decide? 

Side note:  I got to wander around Andersonville, a small neighborhood northwest of downtown Chicago.  Found a Swedish bakery! (I’m always complaining how Indpls. has no bakeries (sorry, I don’t count grocery stores as bakeries))…so I was in heaven to find REAL chocolate eclairs! and cherry turnovers! I also found an awesome antique store that was full of Pendleton woolen blankets and furniture that had been reupholstered with thick, dense wools.  It was awesome!  Think about that warm and cozy couch, in front of a big stone fireplace with a roaring fire…ahhhhh.  Found it here:  Brimfield’s and they apparently don’t have their own website, but someone was kind enough to post photos (duh…my camera was in the car!!)…Someday soon I’ll remember to actually start using the camera for pics like these

Sierra and me

 

Pilates and Julia Child

Everyone makes resolutions, right?  I do as well…usually written somewhere in my Daytimer, etc. that I have to stumble upon them regularly.  I came across a great idea recently, though, with a twist on resolutions.  (on Facebook, perhaps?)

Instead of the usual (which, for me, includes getting back regular with exercising, now that I have NEW running shoes! and a work-out partner to do Pilates or other tapes and cardio with….as well as cooking a new recipe each week from one of my myriad of cookbooks, a la “Julie & Julia“, as well as seeing one new movie per month with hubby)…the idea is to have a theme. 

I think my theme for the new year is “whimsey”… an odd or fanciful or capricious idea, acc’ding to the dictionary.  To me that means, be more light-hearted and take things not-quite-so-seriously.  It also means do more fun things ‘just because’ and pull my kids and husband along (even through their protests!).  2009 was a depressing year in so many ways;  2 good friends died, hubby’s job was eliminated, the economy tanked and we’re constantly struggling financially, health issues, etc.  I’m moving on!  No more dwelling!  From now on my keywords will be the following (or some derivative…help me add to the list!)

*Whimsey*   *Comical*   *Humor*  *Spend a day like my dogs do*  *Movies*   *Fun*  *Learn something new*    *Read fun books*    *Take more artsy pictures*   *Why not?*     *Surprise!*   *Uncoventional*    *Unexpected Generosity*    *Warmth*     *Comfort*    *Peace*

What's more whimsical that a cat in her Cheese Club?!

 

A Purdue Dorm

My son is not too proud to admit he’s a geek.  He lives with science and engineering geeks.  He is a Computer Science and Math major;  doesn’t get much geekier than that.  His NY resolution is to start a company this year from his dorm, and make his first million (or something like that). 

Anyway…he and his roomate have rigged the room (1/2 of a suite) so the lights go on with a single remote, fade, change colors, etc.  Nice, huh?  What shocks me, as his mom, is the fact that it is so neat and tidy!  I guess he saves the clutter by leaving it all at home!  And I also wanted to add that there is not a single piece of electronics shown here that I had when I was in college;  no computer, television, headphones, triple screens, surround sound, fridge, microwave, etc. etc.  We lived in the dark ages, apparently!

Electronics Heaven at Purdue

 

Okay…here are some pics!

Christmas Jammies by Mom

Puma, enjoying the ribbon

New I-Touch…really?!

Charlie, doing what he does best.

Bella inspects a holiday treat

 

Yippee! New Camera!!

Great Christmas…amazing how much gifting was going on, considering hubby is unemployed   Somehow it all worked out.  The best part is, the kids are getting old enough to buy the parents really nice gifts…my kids bought me a camera!  Yeah!  I’m so excited, as my old 35mm Minolta Maxxum bit the dust over a year ago and I have been hating not having my own camera…except for the work one I use every day At Work.

Having a wonderful time taking pics and enjoying days off work…RARE days off work!  Days to just hang out on the sofa, randomly shop, cook, watch a couple movies, etc.   Ahhhhhh!

Ooops…this is the spot where I’m supposed to insert photos that I’ve taken….but can’t do that right now…its too late;  gotta take out dogs then head to bed because, alas, back to work tomorrow for the popular “Family NYE” at the museum…..later!

 

Crafty Baubles

Way back when I was in high school, beaded “chokers” were all the rage and I can remember making them for many friends.  I guess that was my big start in the beaded world.  I still love beads;  they’re tactical…i.e. I love to feel them running through my fingers, I love the weight of real semi-precious stones and minerals, and even the sound they make when the clink together.  I am always amazed at the many variations that are formed in rock from climate changes and whatever.

So….I have been making  jewelry for years, mostly for gifts and charities (www.cureals.org and www.cathedral-irish.org both have custom bracelets that I’ve made for fundraisers…easily a couple of thousand dollars raised through those), and also for sale.  Most are pretty simple strung designs, with some wire wrapping involved, but always sterling silver with semi-precious stones  (I am not a big fan of cheapo plastic or other knock-offs!). 

Here’s a small sampling of what is available now at the Indiana State Museum “Indiana Store”…I am very proud to be represented there! and yes, things have been selling …   

"Baubles" at the museum store

 

Crafty Me

I get in crafty moods every once in awhile.  Beaded jewelry, sewing, and whatever else comes along.

I always say that the best thing my mom ever did for me was teach me to sew, and it was a huge sacrifice on her part because I was NOT an easy-going student.  In fact, I was, as near as I remember, a very crabby student who got easily frustrated (it was 4th grade).  But I learned and over the years have sewn maternity and baby clothes, window coverings, crib bumpers, pillows, etc.  At this time of year I’m always working on something gift-oriented.  Here’s my first Christmas projec, from the other night…hopefully the recipient won’t see it here!

Lucy Pillow with beaded button and vintage-looking trim

 

Santa’s Cell Phone

Santa!  I know him!  I even know his cell # (but would never divulge it, of course).  Its so cool…he’s such a nice man.  Here at the Indiana State Museum he sees about 10,000 children each year, carrying on conversations with most and getting his picture taken with most as well.  It doesn’t matter how bad a day I’m having…I just need to go visit Santa and evesdrop on conversations.

Here’s little Nick, who traded his Ziploc bag full of pacifiers for an extra-special present from Santa on Christmas morning (wow…huge sacrifice for Nick).

Nick, all serious about handing over the pacifiers

And here is little Jack, not too happy about meeting The Big Guy…

Jack and his lovely sisters

And this little 2-year old, who wasn’t quite sure what to think…

Not so sure of Santa...