Sewing

There’s not much going on around here this week. I’m in the slo-o-ow countdown to a four day weekend. Yipee! I’m hopeful that there will be a little time for sewing, shopping and visits with BigDaddy and MeMum. (We certainly know there won’t be any grilling happening around here. The new grill is on order, but sadly won’t arrive until after Labor Day.)

Before we left on our roadtrip, I managed to get the third of my three shirts sewn. The pattern is Simplicity 3786, view D, sort of. I altered the sleeves. The original sleeves were straight to the elbows, then there was a seam around the elbow and gathered poofy sleeves fell to the wrists — sort of gypsy style. I didn’t like the seam at the elbows, so I eliminated it, and just widened that straight sleeve to the wrists, which you can’t really see in these pictures.  The wrist cuff looks like a little 1/2 inch quilt binding.

I really like the way this shirt fits, so I’ll probably make it again. The styles now crack me up — they’re the same styles that we wore as teenagers. I don’t care though — they’re lots more comfortable than the fitted shirts we’ve had the last several years.

Now I’ll go and try to plan a little for a sewing project this weekend.  There are so many choices, it’s hard to know what to do.  While it seems a little overwhelming at times, I think its a very lucky problem to have and I feel very blessed.  I’m also feeling very lucky to live in internet times that allow me to be so inspired by all of you!

XOXO,
Anna

I’m sure you’ve seen it going around. It’s the Nice Matters award. And I’ve been so fortunate to be nominated by Kim and Nicollette, both of whom are the very nicest! I must say though, I can’t possibly imagine how Kim could nominate me after I’ve abused her so much about mashed potatoes. So, Kim, my new nice self is turning over a new leaf. I’m not going to harass you about mashed potatoes anymore. ‘Cause that wouldn’t be nice.

Ok, just kidding. I just can’t do it. Sorry Kim — but at least you know I love you, right? If you want to take away my award you can. But, I still have Nicollette’s award — she just doesn’t know the real me as I haven’t found anything to tease her about yet. Yet!

Ahem. Back to the subject at hand. I need to nominate 7 bloggers who I think are very nice. If only you knew how difficult this is for me. You’re ALL so nice and it’s been so wonderful to “meet” all of you. And, I’m a Libra. I like balance and want to keep you all happy! I usually bow out of the naming part of these nominations, but I’ll give it a go (wouldya look at how that British-speak is rubbing off on me from all the UK blogs! ;-) )

Here are seven VERY nice bloggers:
Jade — she’s a sweetheart, sews like a dream and has the cutest little Bub!
Jill — who is probably too busy to respond right now. She’s been blessed with an adorable new baby boy — remember those first few tiring weeks of new motherhood? That’s where sweet Jill is now.
LucyLocket — who is terribly nice and is going to make a PIF for me and probably thinks I really think her name is Lucy.
Louise — who makes the most beautiful aprons and other wonderful things.
Karen — who has wonderful projects, stories, and fabulous GOATS!
Kahne — one of the first bloggers I “met”, she was so nice to let me know about Flibbertygibbet’s fabric swaps, which have been SO fun.
Which brings me to Gail — who is terribly nice to organize and control all the fabric swappers.
And another Karen — I’ve joked that we were twins who were separated at birth.
And …. oh wait …. that’s MORE than seven? Sorrrrrry. I really could have kept going. I’d love to list all of you — bloggers are the nicest people. But I’m trying to follow the rules, you understand. Thank you very kindly to Nicollette and Kim — you’re both very sweet!

So, for now, I have one very important word:

BigDaddy turned 76 last week. On his birthday we were sitting around talking about the big family reunion that his family has every year and that we never attend. It’s held near the log cabin where his father was reared with 9 siblings, smack-dab in the middle of Utah. So, I said, “Why don’t we just go this year?” And imagine my surprise when he said “Ok!”

So, tomorrow morning we’ll be on our way. 1600 miles one way. Ah LUV me a roadtrip! I’m very excited. Among other things it’s 10 days away from work! WooHoo!!!

The clothes and pillows are packed. Please try to behave yourselves while I’m gone. The worst part about a vacation is knowing the blog-catch-up-hell I’ll face when I return. If you’d all like to take a little break, now would be the perfect time! ;-) I’ll miss you all terribly.

Now it’s off to make a quick batch of cookies, then….off to bed!
XOXO,
Anna

I FINALLY got my sewing room put back together. Not that all the fabric is folded — I still have a cabinet with fabric that needs to be done. But the majority of the shelves have been straightened, and that’s good enough for now. I’ve been itching to get back to sewing.

Over the weekend, I managed to sneak in a few quickie projects. Remember the cousins? I’ll be seeing them again very soon, and since they always take such good care of us, I want to take them a little gift.

Hopefully, these kitchen towels, combined with a few things from the kitchen shop will fit the bill. I thought it would be fun to play with my leftover Susan Branch fabrics.

I’m pretty sure none of them have lime green kitchens, but these are just for fun. I’ll tell them I’m hoping to inspire a new color scheme. ;-)

Now it’s late….off to bed!
XOXO,
Anna