Portland

Recently we were able to spend a little time in Portland, Oregon.

We walked through the Rose Garden.

It's a bit early for the roses, but this tree was in full flower.

I'm not much of a gardner, so not sure what it is.

Then we met up with Mary and wandered through

the Japanese Gardens.

Finally - Mary and I played Dueling Cameras!

The weather was fabulous and we had a wonderful day.

thanks guys!

FrankenDog

They keep us on our toes don't they?

My boy had some lumps and they vet thought they should be removed.

He has a lovely little bald spot and staples to close the surgery site.

We've been calling him FrankenDog.

The lumps were nothing - but did need to be removed.

The staples come out tomorrow.

Simplicity

 Last month I stopped into the craft store that pretends to be a fabric store and this denim literally jumped off the shelf and into my arms.  I could not leave it there. 

It is a completely reversible denim and while the other side is pretty it was the white side that I was completely drawn to.  I rarely purchase fabric and sew it up so fast.  I washed and dried it on hot prior to any cutting. 

The pattern is a Simplicity 'vintage' that I made up last summer and now appears to be out of print.  The first version has some gaping at the neckline.  I think I was able to remove it from this version with a shoulder adjustment, but honestly, with the slit in the front I'm not positive.

I had this dress mostly made up when I attended my local ASG meeting on installing invisible zippers.  I learned some really interesting tips - like using wonder tape and removing it!  No bubble at the end of the zipper.  And honestly - for some reason when I bought the special invisible zipper foot, I thought I no longer needed to press the zipper coils open.  Ummm - no.  This was the best invisible zipper I had installed in a really long time.  I moved the zipper to the side seam because it's just easier to dress yourself with a side zipper than a center back one. 
The dress was comfortable to wear.  I paired it with a red cardigan and some pinkish red wedges - and a dog!  Because what outfit is complete without a dog?

I love this dress!  I finally have the 'white lace' dress I was lusting after last summer (?) and it's in denim - so it's completely throw it in the washer and dryer when the dogs slobber on me. 

I'm so happy to be sewing again!

Can You Explain It?

Because honestly, I can not.

Big Bear is one of Beau's favorite toys. The other is a beloved hedgie.

for some reason, he has started taking them out in the yard while he digs a hole.

I couldn't get a photo of him putting big bear into the hole to check and see if the size was right,

but he did.

Then he brings his toy back in and does it all over again.

Why?  Why is he trying to bury his favorite toys?

Baby Sarah

I have a friend I've known since 5th grade! We aren't going to discuss how long I've been out of high school.  Just know that we've know each other for a very long time.  We were at each other's weddings and we've watched the kids grow up.  Remember this bride?  That's my friend's daughter.  This is her newest daughter.  She's 2 months old and the sweetest little baby.

I very quickly made her baby blanket.

It's fleece, with embroidery.

Welcome Sarah Elizabeth.

Sweet Girl

Miss Lucy is the sweetest dog.

The other night she felt like she wasn't getting enough loves.

So, she went and 'held hands' with JB to get his attention.

it worked.  They were both happy.

Look Ma! She Sews

I have long wanted a proper straight skirt.  A few summers ago now I spent a long time working with Simplicity's Amazing Fit Pencil Skirt pattern - but it has princess seams on the skirt.  I'm not complaining - really - because it fits and I've made it numerous times.  But I really wanted a 3 piece skirt - a front with no seams and the back with a kick pleat.

Last Fall before heading out for retreat, I cut the skirt out of muslin, but didn't get it sewn up.  Last weekend I pulled out the pieces and sewed up the first muslin - it was too tight and had a few other issues - like the skirt's hip curve didn't match mine.  So I went on to muslin number 2.  There were still a few issues - but enough that I felt confident making the changes to my pattern and cutting up my real fabric. 

It's not perfect.  But it works.  There are still some funny lines at the side seams - but I think that's because the hip curve is still too curved.  I smoothed that out for the next version - because I'll have to make more and more versions until it's right and then I can use the 'perfected'  pattern to make a version of the Rachael skirt.  (I'm thinking out of the red wool I bought at Expo last year.)

My thought is - if I have one pattern that fits - straight with darts and side seams - then I can do whatever I want with it.  And the blue with the mustard colored skirt?  Well they little flowers have tiny little blue accents to them.  The wrinkles are because I wore the outfit to work all day.  It was comfortable and I wasn't at all self-conscious in the skirt.