Sewing Again!

It has been a wild fall, just not at all what I "planned", funny how that works. But the two younger (not the baby who still wears footies, and the older two who don't wear Nanut jammies any more) are getting GLOW IN THE DARK jammies. SO cool. I saw the fabric when I was buying for Hug-A-Bears and decided to ditch what I had already bought to make them their jammies and use this instead. They are also getting pillow cases along with Lulu. 

Mom (daughter-in-law) is getting towels for the boys, who don't seem capable to keeping a towel on the rack. I have watched D wash his hands, basically #1. get hand wet and #2. MAYBE wipe down on the towel to get SOME of the wet off. Basically transferring any "goop" from hands to towel. I have also found them on the floor when I have visited, totally understandable, which probably gave their mom the TOTALLY BRILLIANT idea of the following picture.  She is getting five more. I think this will be a regular gift over the next few years as youngest boy isn't even 2 yet. 

Been making Hug-A-Bears as well. Since we meet in January and these need to get over to the hospital BEFORE Valentine's Day and the best sewer is getting a new hip, so I decided I would take the time to sew a few (about 75) bears for our next stuffing session. So cute. I think Valentine's Day is a favorite "holiday" of mine. Celebrating LOVE! And we all have someone to LOVE, at least I hope so. Wish it wasn't quite so "Romanticized" as love isn't something so limited, but alas, it is. 

I really need to get back working on my Chanel jacket and make a dress shirt or two for a couple of my guys. I also want to learn how to make hats, sew for my sister-in-law, use some of the fabulous fabrics I have bought for specific projects, and try all the new techniques I am reading about in my Couture Books that I purchased recently. Sigh. Next year? 

Lucky Son-in-law

So far this fall, the sewing room has sat dormant, except for company. I have never been so far behind in my sewing for Christmas. It is OK, I will be mailing a box to the son and his family some time around new year. Next week SHOULD produce some items, we'll see. I have been saying that for weeks, and LIFE just keeps getting in the way. 

Son-in-law did receive his gifts already. He was here for Thanksgiving and since we won't be seeing them for Christmas this year, I decided they were done, he may as well start using them. 

He does like his custom shirts.

Thanksgiving

This year we decided to invite my AR brother and sister-in-law to our home for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My sister-in-law, who I have known since I was 14, had folks who could cook, and she really likes the turkey, dressing and other dishes associated with Thanksgiving. So that is what we did. We then invited their son and his new wife, who had their little wedding ceremony in our home. They said YES! It was our year to host our girls as well. I think we have a party! Then, to my surprise and delight, my oldest brother and his wife asked if they could join us. YES! YES! YES! Of coarse! So we had a house full. The guest room, the sewing room with the blow up Queen and the sun room with the queen sofa bed were all put to use. We had a dozen during the day and eight at night. I didn't hear any complaining, so I guess everyone was comfortable enough. I know I was one happy camper! It was so wonderful, as we are the ones who live away from every one else, so having folks come this way is a special treat, and this Thanksgiving was a great treat. Fun had by all. 

There were games.

And sitting around with devices

And EATING!

just tilt your head a bit - I tried everything

 And talking.

SO VERY thankful for my family, my friends, my home, and the gifts I have been given from above. AMEN!

Family

It is always good to see family, even when the occasion is not good. Family is what gets us through the tough bits. LOVE.

 A cousin, my mom and my youngest brother.

 My sister-in-law and three of her grandsons.

 Lots of us at breakfast. 

 At my cousins home with my aunt, uncle and cousins. 

 Sis-in-law, me, sis-in-law, cousin and aunt.

 I guess we DO look alike. AUGH!

 Uncle, brother, brother, brother, mom, aunt and mom's cousin.

 Sis-in-law, and oldest bro with their son and two grandsons. 

 Two nephews, brothers! 

Sis-in-law with youngest brother. 

And these are only a FEW in the family, what a lucky girl I am. 

A sad trip

My youngest nephew, the only child of my youngest brother, passed away this November. Such a shock. I am so fortunate to have been able to get a ticket and fly to my mom's, and assist her in getting to the funeral. How sad to lose a grandson. How wonderful to have a family who will rally around our youngest brother in support.  How comforting to know he was welcomed by our Savior and loved ones.

My dad, already in heaven, and our sweet nephew.

A recent picture, how I want to remember him. 

Two homes

These two homes are a big part of my memories growing up. One is the home I lived in from age 3 until about 8, the other is my grandma's house, that was a big part of my life from the time I can remember. I took my mom by them when we were on the recent trip. Stirring up memories.

The Big Fall Trip 2014

Starting with hubbies 40th college reunion, we built a trip to include family and friends that we simply do NOT see often enough. With mom to visit and grandkids, plus other trips that come along, these extras are so special, and this one was packed with seldom seen and very much missed family and friends. 

We started at my brother and sister-in-law in AK, and true to form, my brother knocked it out of the park by building me some sewing tools that will make certain processes so much easier. A steam stick and a shoulder steamer/shaper. I will be using them very soon. 

My sister in law is also involved in theater and wants a May West style dress for a function next year. So that is on my list of projects. I have already found a Simplicity pattern #1778 that I think will be perfect, so once that is on sale, I will purchase and make a muslin based on her measurements. They will visit at Thanksgiving, we can shop for the fabric she wants, and that will give me plenty of time to get it done over the holidays. After Thanksgiving, it will be pretty quiet around here, and we need a bit of "home time" and rest. 

Thankfully, there was time for Dominos, love my game time. Love my AR brother and sister-in-law. Their home is in a completely different environment than ours, so always an opportunity for a completely different lifestyle experience. 

Then off to Terre Haute for the 40th. So much fun. We had to contend with driving along the lead end of a cold front, but that just kept us from being bored on our long drive. A quiet dinner at the hotel and we were ready for a rest. 

Lots of old friends were there, and several from hubby's group that rented a house together for senior year. We even drove by to give it a check. Sad looking house with lots of fun memories attached. 

We walked around campus in the morning landing at the frat house for lunch, and there were the fellows that shared the house. Great stories and so fun to hang out. 40 years sure can seem like yesterday!  

We did a quick trip to a locally owned fabric store and I found some lovely cottons for myself for a shirt waist and another piece for son-in-law.

Then to Indy for Polka Boy/Octoberfest, cousins, brothers, and COLD. By the end of our very early evening, our legs were numb up to our knees, even with the dancing to stay warm. So fun to see cousins I rarely get to see, grand nephews I rarely see, and so fun to hear a great band, and watch brother T let loose! Whoop! 

During the next few days in Indy we had breakfast with oldest bro M and wife O, visited Uncle V and Aunt P who I very rarely see. They looked GREAT and it was so fun to get Uncle V to talk about his career. He started washing bottles at a pharmaceutical company. Learned some new information about a very precious Uncle. 

We also were able to attend a Colts game and tailgated before thanks to brother T snagging us a party to attend. Colts won, good game. 

It started out a bit slow for us eager beavers. We'd been to a Chief's game last year and they start the party about three hours before kick-off. Not so much in Indy. 

Me waiting for the party to start. 

Besides those highlights, we had two FABULOUS dinners with Bro T and his wife S. We celebrated T's birthday at an incredible steak place, including some lovely appetizers and then a dessert! The piano player even played Happy Birthday for him. What a pleasure to sit, talk and share for hours. We also had a FUN evening with them at a local Pub. We had the best waitress and laughed and drank and ate. Just doesn't get much better than sitting around a table with folks you love. We so rarely get time with these two. Blessings. After dinner, we had time to walk around downtown Indy, been a while since I have done that!

I had the bonus of hanging out for several hours at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I had not been there in 43 years, and remember it having a huge impact on me. Robert Indiana, one of my favorite artists has several pieces there. He was and is an inspiration. It was so nice to just walk around with bro T. No pressure, just pleasure. They have some pretty great stuff there, and it's FREE!  Go figure. I will be back. 

Hubby and I spent a little time driving around my "old stomping grounds" after our visit with my Uncle since we were on that side of town. Two surprises. 

This is the church that hubby and I were married in 40 years ago. Not quite the same as we remember. Good thing the marriage is holding up better than the church! 

This is the house that I lived in from second grade until we got married. It was on the market and so I got to have a virtual tour online. Quite different from when I lived there, but that a fun surprise! 

Another little fabric store find was in Indy. Two pieces of shirting for the boys and a lovely lightweight navy with white polka dot for a suit for me. 

Our next leg took us to Springfield where we spent time with hubbies best bud from long ago. Food, drink and part of two games (just never quite seemed to get those finished, but fun none-the-less) occupied our time there. Plus a trip to the Lincoln museum. I had never been there and was again, quite impressed with the presentation. So glad we got to see that. Love old friends. 

Heading further west we head into Kansas City just in time for playoffs. There was baseball watching and cheering, as the Royals took the first two games! Lots of excited Kansas City family to celebrate with. Love those grand nephews who are growing like weeds, and one is even driving! Yikes. The youngest was up for WAR and several rounds of a Snoopy Game that we played, other than a game of Fish with L, that was it for games in KC. Lots of food and a little shopping (got the cutest tea strainer ever!) and some polka music at a local winery and a trip to a local micro brewery completed our KC time. 

My personal highlight in KS was an evening around a little pit fire in their back yard making smores. Most were there (one of the big boys has a girlfriend, amazing how that is so important at 15) and we just talked and laughed and spent that time together. The coolish air, the smoke occasionally blowing in your face, the crackle, the dark, the memories.  Miss them already, what fun folks. 

My only regret, I forgot to take pictures in KC, I was having too much fun! Augh!! Next time. We'll be back for sure. 

Then we "wrecked the bed" in AR on our way back home to Texas, just a short evening with bro D and sis, a quick cup of coffee in the morning and then headed back to TEXAS and home. 

One of my favorite trips. The weather kept the drive from being boring, as driving in the wind and rain can be very exciting, and it happened more than once! We listened to books, talked and remembered, and planned and dreamed. We even got a glimpse of fall colors, although definitely NOT at their peak. Road trips with hubby are fun, regardless, and the stops along the way were just the best. I love seeing family and friends. Nothing better than time together. Hey, gonna have to remember that one. For SURE!

More fun with knits

Nice comfy cotton knit. 

Sleep shorts for hubby, a dress for hanging at home. 

T for D and T for me!

Fun with knits

I have had all my fancy machines working hard the past couple of days. They stitch knits so efficiently, but changing colors is pretty labor intensive. Plus if I have the same color on the sewing machine, cover lock and serger, that is a total of eight spools. I will sometimes compromise, but it depends. I have lots of spools of white and black, plus gray and navy, but the other colors I have to use bobbins or a different color, especially if it won't show. 

Gonna wear my new red skirt tomorrow!

 My mom loves her simple knit jumpers.
This one is a soft knit in navy. 

 To donate to the CASA Gala. 

Just the skirt. 

Fabric

Looking forward to making a couple of lovely men's shirts.

These both washed like a dream.

Preview to the next two suits!

When we were at "the store" this past weekend, I brought my list of what I needed for my next two suits. I wanted an idea of the price and then see if they were in the budget. I have two planned, one for a Gala we attend each January that supports foster children and I want a new Easter suit, something fun, bright, colorful. Hubby ends up in his suit most Sundays (the only guy in church in a suit 99.99% of the time). Well, hubby wasn't gonna stand for that. Just looking? Nope. He encouraged me to jump in and make the purchase. I will give more details about the fabric and the trims, linings and buttons later, as I make the suits, but wanted to give a little preview of what is to come. 

 This is a silk Chanel tweed. I am over the moon! 

This will be a more formal suit of wool, but will have some sparkle! 

Jacket details and Completion!

We were at my favorite store this past weekend to pick up the buttons and chain to do the last details on my practice Chanel style jacket. Hubby has some type of radar when it comes to buttons, not sure where he gets that talent, but he always seems to come through. 

 Amazing how these buttons reflect the pattern in the trim. 

They are perfect, like they were made to go together. 

 Chain detail to help the jacket lay nicely. 

The completed suit. I will model it later and have hubby take a pic.