Stash Fail

So I sewed up the muslin of the pants that I told you about. They look pretty good - I had some issues with the waistband but managed to figure it out. When I got out the actual fabric, though, I discovered that it's too sheer to use as pants. I don't have any other suitable fabric to use, either. I have a few different pieces that I don't know what to do with - and can't remember what I bought them for. I have found some great designs on a site called Spoonflower - all kinds of wonderful different patterns and genres. I have my eyes on a couple of prints that will become dresses - once I find the pattern that's in my head. I finished knitting a cardi and am almost done with another - except for the buttonbands. The problem? Lack of appropriate buttons in my button stash. I have lots of buttons. Apparently, though, not any that work with whatever I'm working on. I should go through the yarn and button stashes together while I plan my next cardi. Maybe I should reorganize everything just to see what all I have. Of course, that may take several days and require help. I have a lot of stuff. Then again, I need a lot of help - but that's another story! If you have any ideas or tricks to share, please don't be shy! If you're one of those people who likes to organize, well, don't be shy about that, either. I'm off to try to talk myself out of knitting another Dalek.

Another Goodbye

I lost a favorite aunt last week. I always loved being around her but didn't see her much lately - being a parent and living away from everyone makes it hard to associate much with the family. She was so cool - imagine Eartha Kitt. Eartha Kitt laughing and hugging. She was beautiful and kind and smart. Now, of course, she's been reunited with her love forever, probably dancing and enjoying eternity with her soulmate. We've got our memories and an empty place where she used to be.

Fifty Years

Today is the anniversary of the death of my very favorite movie star. I have always, for as long as I can remember, loved Marilyn. I've collected books about her for years. I even had several collector dolls that sadly were sold by my ex. When I was younger I used to have "the walk" - you know, the one from Niagara. I had practiced it over and over until it was right. I could probably do it again with practice on days when the fibro is low. I have been wanting to work on my wardrobe anyway, so starting today I'm going to knit and sew some things that Marilyn would wear. As for today, I've put on my boobs (a well-fitting, flattering bra) and a too-sexy-for-most-people perfume and will paint my nails 50's red (a certain girl child hid my red lipstick because she doesn't like it on me). Later I'll watch The Seven Year Itch on netflix and be glad that she once graced the movie industry with her incandescence.

Biting the Bullet

I've had some patterns and fabrics sitting in my bedroom and living room for awhile now, waiting for me to make them. Honestly, I've been scared - once you cut, it's cut, unlike knitting where you can just unravel. I found, while looking through some other things, a length of white muslin. Just what I needed! I decided to make a pair of pants - I've signed up to sub again this year and pants would be more practical for school. After matching my measurements to the pattern envelope I cut the muslin. In a little while I'll sew it up and see how it looks. The pattern calls for a zipper, though, and I don't have any, so I'll have to take a swatch of my fabric to go zipper shopping. At least, I think it's the fabric I want to use. It's dark red with little gold designs on it. I have a bunch of it (I think it's from ebay a long time ago) and thought about using it for a dress but changed my mind. When it's all done I'll post a picture - if any of these housemates of mine will take a decent picture. I grew up with sewists around me. My Aunt Carolyn had a dressmaking business in her house. I remember going in her sewing room in awe that she could make such pretties - even wedding dresses. My Aunt Laurie actually taught sewing at a college and sells handmade pocketbooks, beautifully made ones. My mom even did some sewing for us and made my sister's prom dress out of some fiery red satin. I don't really know why none of the skills were taught to me. I don't remember ever being offered the opportunity to learn. I've tried to learn on my own - much easier now with the availability of online knowledge sharing, but I'm nervous about it. There are details that I have no idea how to do that make the finished garment look so much better. I want to get some books to help me. My knitting books are a huge help for me and I know that a sewing library would be so useful. I did make a lining for my messenger bag, though, by remembering things I've seen and taking measurements. I guess I wan't too worried about it because the fabric is some inexpensive quilting cotton from walmart. It turned out pretty good. I know it's not perfect, but I like it. I added pockets to it and decorated them with some vintage rick rack from my grandma. It's very cheerful and fun. I want to use my bag as a purse - and just might. (I've seen people with some gigantic suitcase-like purses!) So, I'm going to get sewing on some clothes. Besides, I need a reason to buy some pretty new fabric! I just need to pracice zipper insertion.

Tech Delimmas

Over the past two weeks I've had a lot of thoughts that I've wanted to blog about but was away from home. Of course, being me, I forget what was on my mind by the time I get to the computer. I think I'd like some sort of portable computing device. But - do I want a little purse-sized notebook? Would a tablet be the way to go? Which one? We do need a new home computer - one with super gaming powers for the boy child and great video viewing for the girl child and a bazillion bytes of memory. Are package deals available? Is that not a good plan? I get so overwhelmed by too many options.
I'm very disappointed and confused about the whole Ravelympics thing. I really don't see what the big deal is. My kids have Wacky Olympics every year at school. Is that copyright infringement?
Speaking of kids - Kerry was evaluated at Easter Seals last week. He has been officially diagnosed with Asberger's. Now the school and I can get together and get him on track. I'm so relieved to have information! It explains so much about my goofy little man.

Isn't This Cute?

I love this dress and the idea behind it. It's two separate pieces that attach at the waist and shoulders. Unfortunately, they're really expensive. The website that sells them says that it's an authentic 50's style. Have any of you seen these before? I'd love to see some vintage pictures! 

Miscellaneous Items from my Mind

Last night I was once again thinking about what to blog about. Know what happened next? I slept. All of the ideas are now gone. I know that the sidebar needs updating, and it will be happening soon. I want to redo the list of podcasts and add some of the blogs that have been keeping my attention. Khloe has gotten into makeup in a big way. She watches videos on youtube all the time - mostly product reviews, not the tutorials that would keep me glued to the screen. (There are so many retro tutes! Every decade! I have to keep myself away. Seriously.)When I was younger I loved makeup and how it could change my face so many different ways. You know the rest - now I'm getting obsessed with makeup again. The mom responsibilities have stayed at the front of the line - food before lipstick - but it's tough sometimes. Oh, the trauma of being a mother! I'm having some surgery in two weeks. It's even invading my dreams. Stressing has begun. I've made arrangements for the kids and boyfriend to be taken care of while I'm gone so no one will starve or be lonely. I've even been told that I'll have a visitor! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend my bestie's daughter's wedding. Dang it. I was looking forward to cake and dancing. I've been doing a lot of knitting lately, of course, but I also have gotten my sewing machine out and intend to get back to making things. The lovely clothes on the vintage fashion blogs have me drooling and I know that the only way I'll have the dresses is to make them - unless I hit a really good church sale or something, but what are the odds of that? I still want that DVF wrap dress, too. I think I have pattern that's a good copy, but the real deal still calls to me. I'm looking for some 30's - 50's dress patterns - flowy skirts and nicely collared tops. I love the look of shirtwaist dresses but the buttons scare the crap out of me. I suck at buttons. It's probably because I can't spread everything out to place the holes and make sure it's all perfect. Which reminds me - a few years ago I sent a package of things to my aunt to show her my clothes favorites. I haven't heard anything from her. I tried to email her and her adress is bad. I recently sent her a letter asking her to get in touch but haven't heard back. What should I do? I had some patterns in there that I'd like to sew up. Sorry there's no picture today. I'd take one of the baby birds that live on out porch but their parents would probably attack me. They're rather fierce. The babies are cute, though, and are growing like crazy. They're messy, too. The porch looks like a bird-poop bomb exploded. Oh! I remembered something pretty big. Yesterday I was watching a movie with Louise Brooks - a silent called The Diary of a Lost Girl. It was pretty dark and gritty and not what I was expecting from 1928. Khloe watched it with me and actually liked it. She said that it would be better with talking but it was good. I about fell out of my chair. It is a good movie, though. I highly recommend it. There's several pretty dresses, too, and Louise Brooks is gorgeous with that dark shiny hair and those dark eyes. That's about it for now. Thanks for joining me today - and be on the lookout for a new video!