Archive for the ‘Sewing’ Category

And Again with the Snow

February 11, 2010

Last night, it sounded like rain, but it was freezing.  This morning, it started to snow.  Now it’s impossible to tell how much snow we had, it’s blowing so hard.  Jenn called around noon.  They had around a foot.  She says only emergency vehicles are allowed out.  He doubts anything will be open tomorrow either.  Cora went out a few times, then gave up.

Flo spent the day watching the birds.  Doug had put out some birdseed at the cellar door under the deck.  She was fascinated.

I was planning to sew today.  I’m making a night-shirt, robe and tunic.  Instead, I found another pair of jeans that need alteration.  I liked this little cat for them.  I thought it was right.

The Storm

February 10, 2010

I was going to do this yesterday, but I was too tired. 

Friday evening, it started.  Eighteen inches and 24 hours later, it was finally over.  The electricity went off at 3:23 Saturday morning.  And stayed off until noon on Monday.  It could have been prevented.  We have one asshole in our neighborhood.  And we do have a neighborhood here.  He was told by a tree expert that a dead tree needed to come down over a year ago.  The elderly couple next to him asked him on several occasions to have it removed and so did another neighbor.  He always had an excuse.  Well, this snow has the consistancy of wet sand.  The weight of snow on the tree pulled down wires and killed the power to the entire neighborhood.  He swore that no one told him and that we were all liars.  He screamed at least three of neighbors.  I hope he enjoys being ostracized by the entire neighborhood.  And I wonder how many of them will be vindictive. 

I got a lot of knitting accomplished ans I cut out a robe and night-shirt for myself on Saturday.  By Sunday, it was too cold in that part of the house.  Of course, I could only knit during the day.  By Monday, we were almost out of firewood.  Doug was having an anxiety attack.  He wanted me to take the animals and go to Reisterstown.  He figured he could camp out at the neighbors.  Have you ever tried to catch and cage four cats?  We started around 10AM.  It was almost noon by the time we got them together and everything in the car.  I WAS NOT looking forward to driving 111 miles on bad roads with four screaming cats and a car-sick dog.    By this time, the power company was finally able to get to the power lines.  It is in a small wooded area and the truck they sent had gotten stuck during the night.  At this point, I didn’t know what to do.  I went out to the garage and started my van.  It took a few minutes for the heater to work.  Flo turned her face to it.  She thought it was wonderful.  I waited as long as possible.  I was about to leave when the power came back on.  Boy, was I happy!  And the cats?  They were thoroughly pissed.  Olive didn’t talk to me for the rest of the day.

I especially want to tell you how much I appreciate John of John’s Tree Service.  He came out an hour after Doug called and did a superior job of cleaning our driveway.  Doug noticed our drive looked better than anyone else’s on the street. 

The funny thing is, I slept great.  It was only 38-40 degrees in our bedroom.  I wore my long silk underwear and wool socks to bed and put another down comforter.   I could hardly move.  I slept soundly for nine or ten hours both nights.  Doug didn’t sleep at all.  My poor baby.

Fixing My Jeans

February 6, 2010

It is so nice to be taking in my jeans.  I never thought that  would be doing it.  So far, I’ve fixed three.  I think I have two more to work on.  I’ve put embroidery on them since I had the legs cut open.  It’s been fun.  I feel good to be getting things done.

I also took in a pair of good pants.  They were so big, I practically had to remake them.  It’s made of bark cloth which is a bit fragile.  It has a matching top that I put a lot of work into and nothing else I own goes with it.  When I put them on, they definitely looked a lot better.  I hate the thought og having to take the top in.

I haven’t been able to go for a walk all week.  The snow has been keeping me in.  Now, we are in for a blizzard.  It’s been snowing for a few hours.  I am going to turn into a couch potato.  I miss my walk.  I am too clumsy.    At least I’m getting stuff done.  I’m thinking about new placemats, wall hangings and a new night-shirt and robe.  I was getting out some fleece from a closet when I found some fuzzy fabric that I had completely forgotten about.  It would make a great top.  I can feel my creative juices flowing again.  I’m starting to feel normal again.  This is strange especially since it is the middle of winter and snowing.

Happy Birthday Jenn

January 29, 2010

OK.  It’s not until Monday,but it’s a workday for her and I wanted to go to the market on Thursday or Friday, see if there was any new sewing gadgets or software and  get my machine serviced. 

I made her a fleece dressing gown and two night-shirts.  She also got a pair of slippers and something else that I’m not going to mention.  She was really happy.

The best thing about coming to town is seeing my children.  I love them so very much.  They make me feel like it was the right thing to do.

Hot Dog Day

January 22, 2010

About once a year, I feel like eating a hot dog.  The stuff that is in them is gross, so I bought Hebrew National to feel better about it.  We made pasta salad and got out the pickles and beets so love so much.   I chopped an onion and reached for the catsup and mustard.  They were good. 

I finished sewing this evening.  I’d like to start the embroidery tomorrow, but we’ll probably go out for supper, so I need to do a little cleaning.  You know, I should just get a cleaning lady person.  It is SO boring!  I would very much rather sew, knit and create.  Anyway, everything should be ready by Wednesday or Thursday. 

I also finished my page on making a camera case.  Yea!

I Was Frustrated

January 21, 2010

Yesterday, I decided to update the camera case page.  Every time I added a couple of sentences, I would lose the connection.  It made me crazy.  I couldn’t get anywhere.  I finally gave up and turned it off.

I finished the first night-shirt.  The other is almost done.  I should be ready for Jenn’s birthday.

Here’s my Puzzle Me This  sweater.  I removed the front panel and made it longer.  I may also take out some of the three needle bind-offs.  They look too bulky.  I’ll decide after I sew the front panel back on.   Flo doesn’t understand what the fuss is all about.

Alone At Last

January 19, 2010

It’s quiet.  Doug is fed.  The animals are fed and have gone out to play.  I figure I have about 45 minutes until Doug comes in and turns on the TV.  Sometimes days go by with no chance of this kind of peace.

I am not happy with my sweater.  I finished the front band and attached it.  I held it up and didn’t like the way it hung.  I tried it on and stood in front of the big bathroom mirror.  Nope.  I still didn’t like it.  So I took the band off.  It needs the band so I am re-making it.  I think I will re-attach it differently, too.  I won’t give up on it.  I’ll get it right.  All this effort is not going to waste.

Yesterday was knitting group.  I had a birthday gift for Maria.  She is determined to make gloves.  I gave her some sock yarn, which is also good for gloves, and my old ball winder.  I had her make a swatch and told her to start the ribbing.  She’s going to try and come one day soon her help.  She’s trying to get Leslie to do it, too.  We have such a great time together.

Cora is doing very well with the swift.  She is so helpful!

My sewing is going well.  One robe is almost finished.  I need to do some embroidery on it before sewing the side seams.  It’s much easier that way.  I plan to complete the first night-shirt tomorrow and hopefully get halfway through the second.  Everything should be ready by the time I cross the bay.

I talked to my son yesterday.  He tried to get me to volunteer to pick a doctor for him.  He complained that it was hard to call anybody since he was at work.  I suggested he call one each day at lunch time with his questions.  ‘Are your accepting new patients?  What are your hours?  Etc.’  I had all ready knocked the list down to four for him.  Sometimes you just have to make your kid do things for himself.

I Meant to Blog

January 15, 2010

Two days ago, yesterday and today, but I’ve been busy.   I’ve started two night-shirts and a fleece robe for my daughter and a robe for me.  I have also decided on my sweater.  I’m making the front bands out of a small loop brioche in a rusty brown.  It looks good.  More next time.

Yarn & Co, Easton MD and Frivolous Fibers, St Michaels MD

January 11, 2010

Maria called Saturday morning asking about going to the yarn shop in Easton.  About two hours later, we were finally ready to go.  Leslie came too.  We were not impressed, but Maria did buy a few things.   There was  nothing exciting there.  The owner was not helpful or friendly.  She was more interested in her dog and her knitting.  The was another woman there giving a lesson.  I thought it was strange that she only wanted the student to do things her way–that there was no other way to do it.  Another thing that bothered me was when we asked about other shops, she said there were no others in the area.

Fifteen minutes later, we were at Frivolous Fibers in St. Michael’s.  What a difference eight  miles makes.  In the front of the shop there are various items from local artisans.  I bought some of the soap and I was interested in some salt and pepper shakers.  The back 2/3’s was filled with yarn.  And was it ever eye candy!!  We had a grand time.  It was almost 5PM by the time we left.  It was hard to figure out at first who were the customers ans who were the workers.  Everyone was having such a good time.  Maria went crazy and had a really hard time making up her mind.  I also found it interesting that they had a very large supply of Blue Heron yarns and none in Easton where it is made.

Sunday, I made myself a camera case.   I need to get my revised notes on this and update the page.   Gotta go!

Camera Case is Finished

January 9, 2010

Isn’t it pretty?

And the camera fits in nicely.

Now I have to make one for me.