mermaids

My Cat From Hell

2012-02-04T23:01:00.001-05:00

Perhaps it is the anesthesia. After surgery, my insomnia goes into overdrive. Instead of my usual 4 to 5 hours a night, my sleep is cut down to only 2 or 3 hours a night. After my big surgery, I went for three days with only a handful of 20 minute catnaps. Not a handful per day... a handful over the course of three days. I watch a lot of television to fill the hours. After the big surgery, I became obsessed with the Law & Order series, all of them. SVU was my favorite because Chris Meloni is pretty. Criminal Minds also filled the hours because Shemar Moore is very pretty, too.

Given how long I was laid up with that surgery, I am pretty sure I have seen every episode at least three times. As much as I love looking at Chris and Shemar, I needed something new to watch this time. I don't know why I watched the first episode, but I was immediately sucked into "My Cat From Hell" on Animal Planet. When I tried to make my way downstairs for dinner, I set the DVR so I wouldn't miss a minute of the MCFH marathon. Sad. Truly sad.

Just in case you have missed this little gem, MCFH is basically The Dog Whisperer for cats. This huge guy with a shaved head, tons of tats, and a weird beard helps people who have out of control cats. These cats act like they are on crack... bad crack. The owners aren't much better. The big guy comes in, gets down on the floor and makes "soft eyes" at the crack head cats. Yes, the big guy actually uses the phrase "soft eyes." I am a sucker for a big guy who is not afraid to make soft eyes at a hissing, spitting cat with razor blades for claws. He gets that all the hissing and spitting is fear, not aggression. The cats are always won over by the big guy, but only after they draw little blood.

My boys are sweet. They actually sat through an episode with me. I apologized for making them watch MCFH. C said, "It could be worse. At least you didn't start watching the Real Housewives of Wherever." C doesn't realize now that the MCFH marathon is over, I am on the prowl for another series to fill my sleepless night.

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Here We Go Again

2012-02-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had my fourth surgery in less than four years. Yeah, I am so over this. Before the Fulkerson surgery (Sept 2010), I was prepared for the worst. My surgeon kept saying, "This surgery will take you down. It will flatten you." There was no typical "you will feel a pinch" doctor-speak. He even sent me to Connecticut to see Dr Fulkerson, who developed the Fulkerson procedure to be sure that I really needed this surgery. My PT guys shuddered when they talked about the post op rehab. I was told I would need to take at least three months off of work. I was given prescriptions for large quantities of narcotics and told to "stay on top of the pain." I woke up in the recovery room with a death grip on the button for the morphine pump. As the anesthesia wore off, I realized I was not really in pain. The pain never really came. It hurt. The doctor broke my leg and screwed back together. So, yeah, it hurt, but not even as bad as my other surgeries.

All that fear and hype for nothing. The doctor and PT guys had a hard keeping me down long enough for the bone graft to heal. I was the rock star of the ortho department. Five months later, for a reason we still have not figured out, I woke up in terrible pain. For the last year, we have tried injections, e-stim, Russian stim, acupuncture, pool therapy... just about every kind of rehab imaginable. My surgeon sent me for second, third, and fourth opinions. My PT guy brought in other PT guys for advice. No one has been able to unravel the mystery.

The screws have always bothered me. Because my bones are so thin and there is no fat or muscle, the screws stuck out. In an effort to take away even a little bit of my pain, my surgeon agreed that it was time to remove the screws. Hallelujah.

Everyone said this was a simple surgery. Crutches would not even be needed. When PT guy said he wanted me back in the clinic the next day, I took that as a sign that this would be a piece of cake. I woke up in recovery with no pain. I made it up the stairs to my bed with no assistance. Piece of cake. Then the drugs wore off. Pain. Ok, not the worst pain ever, but more than I was prepared for.

The appointment with PT guy was encouraging, but exhausting. He was so thrilled that I could still fire my quad that he called in the other PT guys to come see it. The whole time, I was holding my breath in fear that he would make me do things that would make the pain even worse. He didn't. He changed the dressings and told me to spend the weekend in bed, with movies and martinis. Then he said the C word, crutches. He wants me to use crutches for a few days. Hmmmm....perhaps this isn't as easy as everyone said.

The pain isn't horrible. The swelling is. When PT guy isn't pushing me to the point of tears, that tells me something. I thought I would bounce back from this in just a few days. Yeah....that's not going to happen. It isn't horrible. I've been through worse, but that's the problem. I have been through this too many times.

I will get through this. I know that. It is just hard to keep "getting through this." I need this one to be easy, uncomplicated.

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Freedom

2012-01-26T08:01:00.001-05:00

This drawing was done by a friend's profoundly autistic son. He loves to draw. His teachers use it as a bribe to get him to do stuff he needs to do. I feel honored to have one of his drawings hanging in my foyer. Every time I walk by, I think of L drawing that picture. I can see him... hunched over the table, so intent on the colors and movement.... shutting the rest of the world... just him and the colors.

While I would never envy autism, I do envy the freedom in L's art. He draws without concern for what others will think. He isn't plagued by the question "is it good enough." His drawings come from his soul. He draws not to please others, but to satisfy his own inner needs.

That is what I have to get back to. My life has changed. Chronic pain has changed my life. My life is changing. There are lots of changes on the horizon... which I am not quite ready to talk about... may not ever be ready to talk about.

I need to stop trying to be who I was and be who I am now. I keep trying to be who I was because I don't want to disappoint people. The reality is they aren't getting the old me. They are getting a second rate imitation. I need to stop trying to please others with this second rate imitation. I need to listen to my own inner needs. It won't be the old me, but I think it will be a better me. I know it will be a happier me.

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Octopus Hat

2012-01-18T18:05:00.001-05:00

J is the boy who asks for nothing. When asked what he wants for his birthday, he will usually suggest a book or a video game, but never anything big, complicated or expensive. I love that he is so low maintenance and easy going, but I always worry that I don't do enough for him. C loves the handknit socks I have made for him. J said he really didn't want any. His Hanes socks work just fine. So practical. When I saw the pattern for this octopus hat on Ravelry, I knew I had to make it for him.

I even paid for the pattern. With so many free patterns available online, this is the first time I have paid for a knitting pattern. OK, it was only $3, but I am not sure it was really worth the three dollars. The directions were lame. I ended up just doing my own thing and only using the chart for the octopus design. In hindsight, I could have drawn that myself. Oh well.

This was my first attempt at a large scale color work pattern. I should have made my floats a bit looser. I tend to knit very tightly. I must learn to relax more in my knitting. Color work is really not difficult. I used a sticky note to keep track on my place ôn the chart. The knitting went really fast.

The yarn is Palette from Knitpicks. It is very smooth and knits easily. I worried about using a fingering weight yarn for a hat. It is fine, but I think I would use a slightly heavier yarn if I made another one.

My son LOVES his hat. It allows him to proudly display his love of cephalopods while staying toasty warm.

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Secretary of the Home

2012-01-03T20:24:00.001-05:00

I would rather be at the beach. Ok, I would always rather be at the beach, but today, in particular. The boys went back to school and the husband went back to work. I didn’t get called to work, but that didn’t mean I sat around eating bon bons. I am not sure I even had lunch today. I used my “day off” to catch up on my other job – secretary to the boys and the husband.

My plan was to knock out a few tasks, then spend the afternoon sewing. As I plowed through the mountains of paper that arrive in our mailbox, my list of tasks grew. In addition to the usual cleaning, tidying, etc that has to happen every day, here is what sucked up the rest of my day.

*Balanced credit card statements

*Balanced bank statements

*Paid bills

*Called Verizon to straighten out a billing error

*Called the tour group for the school spring break trip to sort out a reservation issue

*Found receipts for the holiday gifts that need to be returned

*Schedule time on my calendar to run around town to return those gifts

*Emailed the contractor and lumber supplier to sort out the final payment for the new screen porch. This also required pulling lots of receipts and invoices to verify payments, refunds, etc.

*Exchanged emails with the high school principal about the upcoming parent teacher conferences. (I handle the scheduling of all the parent teacher conferences… for the entire high school of 1400 students. Yeah… that’s a real party.)

*Printed return labels and boxed up holiday gifts that need to be returned to Amazon. (Tomorrow, I “get” to take them to the post office. Yay, me!)

*Verified a huge stack of Explanation of Benefit forms from the insurance company. They make mistakes, so I have to look at those carefully.

*Called the hospital billing department to sort out a billing error

*Had all of the husband’s prescriptions transferred from our old mail order prescription plan to our new mail order prescription plan

*Set up online access for our new medical insurance. Since my son is now 18 years old, technically, I am not suppose to have access to his medical information without his consent. As long as I am paying the bills, I should have access. Besides, he would prefer I have access because he doesn’t want to deal with this mess. So even though he is a dependent, he has to have his own account with the insurance company. Yay… another login name and password to remember.

*Submitted dental claims for the boys dental check ups from right before Christmas

*Exchanged emails with the attorney who is rewriting our wills

*Researched diet information for the husband’s elevated blood sugar

*Started pulling together information for our tax return

In the middle of all that, I still had to do my knee routine: icing every two hours, foam rolling, and an hour of stretching and strength training. This was my “easy” day. Tomorrow will be at least two hours in the gym with my PT guy, plus icing, foam rolling, and stretching at home. No sewing happened.

When the husband got home this evening, he asked, “You didn’t work today?” He meant “You didn’t work AT SCHOOL today,” but he left out those two important little words. I wanted to throw a frying pan at him, but the boys were there. Can’t have any witnesses. I told him I was at my other job today… Secretary of the Home.

Oink

2011-12-30T14:49:00.001-05:00

When I learned to knit socks, I initially tried DPNs and promptly abandoned them in favor of circular needles. The pig was too small for circular needles. This little oinker
Was cute enough to convince me to try DPNs again. I love the pig, but I still don't love DPNs, especially metal ones. I am quickly learning that bamboo needles are my favorite.

The pattern is available for free at Spud and Chloe. The directions were clear enough for me to easily understand given my novice knitter standing.

The is Red Heart acrylic. I know, I know.... sigh. It is what I had on hand. That's what happens when i decide to start a project in the middle of the night. Between the Red Heart and the metal needles, the only thing that saved this project is the incredible cuteness of the little pig.

I couldn't resist adding a little bow on his tail. I also added a ribbon so the pig could be a Christmas tree ornament for a friend.

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The Kindness of Strangers

2011-12-22T07:03:00.001-05:00

"Whoever you are, I've always depended on the kindness of strangers." ~~Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire

From an early age, I learned to take care of myself, to be fiercely independent. I have always been the one who helps, never the one who needs help. This whole knee saga has forced me to accept help from others. Friends have been amazing. That didn't particularly surprise me. I am extremely grateful, but not surprised. I have incredible friends who do incredible things. However, I did not count on the kindness of strangers.

When I was on crutches or wearing a brace, people helped me with packages or held doors open for me. People were helpful and nice to me. When I flew to Connecticut to see the specialist, I squirmed in the tiny airplane seat to find a comfortable position for my knee. The man seated next to me noticed I was in pain. He asked if wanted to stretch my leg across his knees. We acknowledged the creepiness and awkwardness of his offer, but I was in so much pain, that I accepted. The guy sitting next to us cast a few uncomfortable glances. My human leg rest was a complete and delightful gentleman.

Once my disability became invisible because I no longer wore a brace, I expected the special treatment to disappear. Nope. People are still kind.

At a gallery show, I chatted with the artist for a few minutes about his work and art in general. A few days later, a mysterious package was delivered. The artist sent me one of his pieces with a note, "I wanted you to have this. My gift to you."

When the guy came to clean out the gutters, he climbed on the roof and used a leaf blower to blow all the leaves out of the gutters. I expected him to clean up the leaves and muck that came out of the gutters. I did not expect him to clean up ALL the leaves in the yard.

On a cold rainy morning, a darling young man offered to pump my gas for me so I could stay in my warm car.

I was the last to order at a restaurant because I couldn't decide between two entrees. When the food was served, the waiter brought the entrée I ordered... and a smaller plate with a sampling of the other entrée. With a big smile, he said, "I know you really wanted both." He was right. Both were delicious and totally consumed.

Of course, there is my amazing PT guy who stays in touch with me, my surgeon, and my new PT guy, even though he has moved out of state. He continues to research my case, offering suggestions and advice. He is still my biggest cheerleader when I start to lose motivation.

I went with a friend to listen to her husband's band play Christmas songs at an outdoor cafe. We ordered drinks and dessert. The waiter kept our glasses full and my slice of cake was huge. When we asked for the check, he said, "It's my treat tonight. I hope you have a great night." Of course we left him a great tip, but what a sweet surprise.

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Photo Switch

2011-11-30T22:12:00.001-05:00

I was all set to take photos of my sassy new top and my awesome not quite so new jacket. Black jeans and fabulous black boots completed the ensemble. There was a definite swagger today. When I got home from a super fabulous day, I raced upstairs to take a photo... only to discover that the camera battery is dead.... again... It holds a charge for about 22 seconds. I really need to buy a new battery. Perhaps I should stop writing this post and hop over to Amazon.

Ok, hopped over to Amazon and was not impressed with the prices, so I checked prices on Google. I found another place that has the battery for $10 less, but I am too lazy to retrieve my wallet from downstairs. The site as been bookmarked and a new battery *will* be purchased tomorrow.

Instead of sharing sewing photos, I will share my good, good day. It started out with a surprise visit from a good friend. I don't get to see him nearly often enough. No matter what is going on, he can always make me smile. After our visit, I went to an arts and craft fair to see another friend who was selling her dichroic glass jewelry. There wasn't much time to chat because my friend was trying to sell her stuff, but we made plans to have lunch next week. It was great fun to check out all the different vendors. Some were beautifully artsy and some were amusingly craftsy. The glassblower guy invited me to his studio to learn more about glassblowing. There was another guy who made interesting cuff bracelets from laser cut wood. He also invited me to check out his studio. Hmmmm.... perhaps the sassy new outfit had something to do with these invitations....

My favorite table at the show was the cupcake lady. (She did not invite me to her kitchen.) However, I was ready to marry her because she had maple BACON cupcakes. OMG I am in love. The lemon is also incredibly tasty. A dozen cupcakes followed me home. See how pretty they are? The taste even better.

The afternoon was topped off by a massage. My physical therapist "prescribed" the massage. PT guys spends about 30 minutes "massaging" my leg, but it is not a relaxing, fall asleep on the table massage. Four letter words and tears are not uncommon. PT guy suggested a massage the day after our appointment to prevent that day after a hard workout pain. He said I also deserve a little pampering for all the torture he puts me through.

It took some effort, but I found a massage therapist who specializes in pain management. He sound fairly smart and normal on the phone. He really won me over when he did not play any annoying new age or classical music. No music at all. A little Ozzy or Nirvana or Zeppelin would have totally worked for me, but no music was better than annoying music. As he untied the knots in my muscles one by one, we talked about our shared love of our Droid phones. It was a major geek fest. It was a blast. There was no talk of "aligning my chi" or "releasing negative energy." He did not ask me to find my center or my happy place. It was awesome.

He worked the scar tissue for a bit. For these guys, scar tissue is like a zit... just gotta pop it. He was impressed that I didn't cry, jump off the table, or swear. He finished with the relaxing part of the massage. He even managed to loosen the knot that has plagued my shoulder for months. Massage guy is new BFF.

I came home and had another cupcake.

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Pyroclastic Socks

2011-11-27T18:08:00.001-05:00

On this blog, you have two choices: bad photos or no photos. Photographing socks while wearing them is awkward at best. If you want to see good photos of this sock pattern, check out the Knitty website. The yarn? Hmmm... people give me yarn, I lose the little tags, I don't know yarn well enough to identify it by touch. I can identify fabric simply by touching it. My husband has quizzed me on this in more than one fabric store. He has yet to stump me. I don't have enough experience with yarn to do that. Even with the little tag, I am not entirely sure what it is.

The knitting was fast. I like the stripe on the bottom of the foot. Ok, no one gets to see it, but I know it is there. It also made knitting the bottom of the sock a little more interesting. The leg is very stretchy and comfortable to wear. Maintaining the correct number of stitches while narrowing the patterned area was a little tricky. On the first sock, there was a bit of unknitting involved. The second went better because I knew I had to pay better attention while decreasing the patterned area.

I already have another pair of socks on the needles. Socks are a great project to take on subbing days. The students always ask to see what I am knitting.

Stay tuned... there will more socks. I may never buy socks again.

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Going to a Better Place

2011-11-06T09:29:00.001-05:00

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Sharing the wealth.

Hmmm... how many more cliches can I throw in here? In less than 15 months, Hubski lost both of his parents and two cousins. He only has 6 cousins, so that is one third of his cousins gone in only a couple months. Yeah, it was tough. His mother died four days after my big knee surgery last September. When he came to tell me about is mother, I told him I thought I had a blood clot in my leg. As we sat in the ER, he was on the phone making funeral arrangements. The nurses decided that was not the time to enforce the "no cell phone" rule. The nurses and doctors were actually pretty terrific. A blood clot tends to get you moved to the head of the ER line. A husband who just found out his mother has died gets you directly to a room with fresh coffee and no waiting for doctors. Fortunately, there was no clot, but the doctor feared a clot was developing. I spent the next ten days in bed with my leg above my heart. Hubski spent the next ten days in Michigan and Pennsylvania arranging his mother's burial. Yeah, it was a tough time.

At the end of December, Hubski and his siblings went back to Michigan to clean out their parents' house. We already have a house full of furniture and more stuff than we need. For the three weeks he was there, my phone never stopped buzzing with text messages.

"Do you want the gold lamp?" I didn't remember a gold lamp and did not really want another lamp... yet the gold lamp was added to our pile.

"Do you want the blue glassware?" I didn't remember any blue glassware and we already have too many glasses... yet the blue glassware was added to our pile.

Two weeks later, a large moving truck backed into my driveway. My living room and dining room soon filled up with boxes and boxes and furniture and more boxes. We became the keepers of the things his siblings did not want. Apparently, donating things to charity was not an option. They wanted to keep everything "in the family." I came home one day to discover Hubski had unpacked some boxes. It was no longer my home. My home was now filled with my in laws' things. It looked like their home. I did not say anything at first. Over the next few weeks, I gradually removed things and made it my home again. I finally sat Hubski down and explained that we just did not have room for two households of things. We picked a few favorite pieces and agreed that the rest just had to find new homes.

We knew a few college students who were setting up their first apartments. We asked them to come over with large boxes and take whatever they wanted. It was fun to see what they deemed treasures, what made them squeal with delight. They felt greedy, but we insisted that they were doing us a favor by taking it out of our way. When friends visited, we asked to look through the "collection" and take anything that captured their fancy.

The collection slowly diminished to the point that the remaining boxes could be moved to the spare bedroom. We all know that "spare bedroom" is code for "black hole." It is the place where things go when we want to forget about them. The plan was to have a garage sale in the spring. That didn't happen. Then it was too hot in the summer, but autumn looked promising. The thought organizing a garage sale was too much. I thought about calling the thrift shop to pick up everything, but all that stuff was worth a fair amount of money.

My procrastination is going to pay off for a group of dancers. Several months ago, the dance teacher asked if I would help take a group of dancers to New York for Spring Break 2012. Normally, I don't like to do travel field trips, but this teacher is fantastic and the dancers are a great group of teenagers. Because we had enough students sign up for the trip, my ticket will be paid for. I felt a little guilty. If I paid my own way, we could divide up the savings to reduce the cost for everyone else. The dance teacher insisted that I take the free ticket and the students would do fundraising to help defray the cost of their tickets.

It was fate. A student suggested the idea of a garage sale. The image of those boxes in my spare bedroom flashed across my mind. Perfect! Dancers are coming to my house to take those boxes from my spare bedroom. The money from the garage sale will help defray the cost of the trip for the dancers. My spare bedroom will be a bedroom once again. I will feel like I am contributing financially to the trip.... and I don't have to run a garage sale! Of course, I will be at the dancers' garage sale, but it will be fun because this a great group of students.

The blue glassware and gold lamp are going to a better place by helping a group of fabulous teenagers enjoy a week of Broadway shows and dance classes in New York City.

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Herding Mice

2011-10-16T18:53:00.001-04:00

I finally figured out what I should dress up as for Halloween: an organized, intelligent, put-together woman, because I am certainly not one in real life. All day, it feels like I am herding mice. Just when I think I have it all together, one of those little suckers slips out and I am frantically scrambling again.

Things were kind of coming together this week. I even sewed! I traced, cut out, and sewed a whole top this week. (Okay, it is a super simple long sleeve tee, but still… I get credit, right?) Physical therapy went well on Monday. PT guy and I were high fivin’ ourselves for busting through a ton of scar tissue, which helped us figure out that the quad tendon is a major issue. PT guy discovered that he pressed down on the tendon, I could tighten the quad without pain… except for the pain caused by a large hand with a strangle hold on my tendon. Since it would be awkward to walk around all day with him strangling my tendon, he taped down the tendon really, really tightly. I could go up and down stairs without pain! Being a crafty girl, I immediately discussed design options with PT guy. Within minutes of returning home, I made a band to restrict my tendon… and it sparkles. (Hey, that’s TWO things I sewed this week!! Extra credit!)

On Thursday, PT guy and I were feeling incredibly bold and daring, thanks to my sparkly tendon band. For the first time in months, I was back on the leg press. After a few shaky reps, I worked my way back up to 70 pounds with one leg. I knew I would be sore the next day.

The next day…. oh my, “sore” I could have handled. The knee blew up like a puffer fish and oh so painful…. and the school called. They desperately needed me to work. I don’t know how I got through the day. Students even noticed that I was in pain. When I got home, I soaked in a hot, hot bath with a very large glass of wine, then went to bed, thinking that I had pushed through the worst part.

Saturday brought a whole new level of pain and swelling. I am not allowed to take any pain medication in preparation for a series of injections that I might get in the next few weeks. Going into work pushed back all of my Friday plans to Saturday. Raging pain blew up my plans to accomplish anything on Saturday. And that, my friends, is how why my grasp on organization is so tenuous. Aside from the usual curve balls life can through, I never know when the pain is going to smack me like the world’s biggest dodge ball.

This morning I was determined to salvage something of this weekend. C wanted to get the new Simplicity pattern for the men’s jacket. I looked at the JoAnn’s flyer that said McCall’s patterns were on sale, but somehow read that as “Simplicity” patterns. When C couldn’t find the pattern in the drawer, I hounded the manager to check in the back for any unopened boxes of patterns. I must have had a crazed look in my eye, because she did find a copy for us. I decided to treat myself to a jacket pattern too… because they were “on sale.” We had patterns, found fabric, and had a delightful time looking at everything. I had the clerk put the fabrics on two tickets so we could use two coupons. I had thought all of this through carefully. As we check out, the totals seem high, but it is hard to do math in your head when you have a knee full of hot, stabbing pain. As we get to the door, I notice the patterns rang up and the normal 40% off price. I asked a nearby clerk about the sale. She informed me Simplicity was on sale last week. “But the flyer…. oh… it says ‘McCalls’… never mind.”

For a moment, I thought about returning the patterns and returning to buy them when they went on sale. It kills me to buy them at regular price. I was annoyed at myself for being so disorganized with the sale dates. C felt awful that I went out in pain to get this for him. I decided to keep the patterns. In the grand scheme of things, the money is not that big of a deal. There is no guarantee that my knee will be cooperative the next time there is a sale. C and I will have snazzy new jackets this fall. Most importantly, we had fun together. I should just embrace the concept of free range mice.

Simplicity 2248

2011-10-09T17:19:00.001-04:00

The fabric is the lime green geometric print from JoAnn’s Lisette line of fabric. Last year, a student used it for a project and I fell in love with the color and print. On several trips to JoAnn’s, I would pet the fabric, but then resist the urge to buy it… so much fabric already in my possession. Finally, I caved, with the solemn promise to myself that it would be sewn up before the end of the summer. It was a race to make that happen. I have only worn it once because it seems a bit “unseasonable” for October… even if the temperatures are in the 80’s. September was okay, but October crossed a line. However, the one day I wore it, I loved it.

The pattern is yet another from Simplicity’s Project Runway line. These patterns fit me so well that I cannot stop buying them. Of course, loving them does not stop me from making modifications. This view has overlays that cross over the front and tie in the back. At just shy of five feet tall, I avoid anything that might evoke the image of “little girl.” A dress with a full-ish skirt and a big bow in the back definitely screams “little girl” a bit too much for me.

Instead of tying in the back, I altered the overlays so they terminated in the side seams. (This also saved this project from not having enough fabric.) To figure out the length of the overlay and placement, I basted the side seams without the overlays. Then I tried on the dress and fiddled with the overlays until I found the right placement and a pleasing configuration of gathers/pleats at the side seams. I pinned like crazy, stabbing myself several times in the process. Then I opened up the basting, tuck in the raw edges of the overlay, and seamed. I really wanted to keep the overlays because it gives the front some visual interest.

POCKETS!!! Aside from the killer fit, the inclusion of pockets is my favorite part of this pattern line. Sure, I can draft my own pocket, but it is just so handy when they do it for me. I can also churn my own butter, but I don’t see me sitting out on the front porch doing that.

Sorry that there are no close up photos of the bodice or any photos of the back. (The back is really cute… check out the pattern here. I made the version with open back.) These days, I am grateful when I remember to snap a photo and manage to post it online.

No Purl Monkey

2011-09-25T15:34:00.001-04:00

I don’t know if I just had a lot of time on my hands or if this was an easy pattern, but these socks were completed in no time at all. The yarn was found at a wee little yarn shop when my friend and I ran away to the beach during spring break. We both fell in love with the little sparkly bits that don’t show up in my terrible photos. The yarn is hand spun and hand dyed. Beyond that, I don’t really know what it is. My friend and I just call it “pretty.” I am terrible at keeping track of yarn names, types, etc. I select yarn based on prettiness and softness.
The delightful woman at the beach yarn shop said the skein might have enough for two pairs of socks since we both have small feet. Being a good friend, I made my friend’s socks first. From Ravelry, I selected a few patterns that looked fun for me to knit, then I let my friend pick her favorite. She chose “No Purl Monkey,” mostly because she liked the name. As you can see, we have very discriminating criteria for our projects. Does it sparkle? Does it have a fun name?

My friend was beyond delighted with her new socks, her first pair of hand knit socks. Since I love to knit socks, yet don’t really wear socks, this will not be her last pair of hand knit socks. Hmmm… what else do people blog about knitting? The yarn is soft and pretty, the pattern was easy, the socks fit….. Any burning questions that I have not addressed?
My matching socks have been completed, but not yet photographed. (I don’t wear socks unless it is really, really cold.) Stay tuned!

Tsunami Warning

2011-09-12T17:41:00.001-04:00

Have you ever hit your shin on the corner of the coffee table. Pain signals wash over your brain like a tsunami, wiping out any other thought in your brain. For a moment, nothing else in the world exists except your pain. You cannot think about what you will make for dinner, or when you need to pick up your child from school, or even your baby crying in the other room. Pain is your entire world. Well, that is where I have been living for most of this year. It is not a happy place.

My doctors (yes, there is more than one involved at this point) are stumped. I am a complicated girl. (And before you ask, no, knee replacement is not an option. Fixing that tiny part of the problem would make other parts worse.) It is not just my knee. It is the alignment of the whole leg. The knee is just the part that is screaming the loudest right now.

When I first started seeing him years ago, my dear surgeon said he doesn't like to prescribe narcotics. He prefers to eliminate the cause of the pain instead of just covering up the pain. That was fine with me because I don't like taking even an aspirin. Early in the summer, he let out a big sigh and said, "Tell me what you want. What narcotics will get you through the day." I wanted to cry. That meant he no longer felt he could fix my knee. I wanted to cry because at that point, I really wanted the narcotics.

Chronic pain messes with the brain. Seriously. It actually changes the way your brain functions, the way information is processed. That explains a lot. I went from reading a book a week to unable to read even blog posts that are more than a paragraph. I went from never forgetting an appointment or meeting to unable to write a to do list because I forget what I need to write down in the time it takes me to find a pencil. My brain is too busy processing pain signals to be bothered with the details of normal life.

At the narcotics appointment, my dear surgeon said it might be time to accept that this might be as good as it gets. I am stubborn. I don't give up easily. Through the last 5 years of this drama, no matter what injection, therapy, exercise, or medication, my doctor or PT guys asked me to try, I did it. They often said, for such a tiny patient, I was fearless. I was willing to push through any amount of pain if it meant getting better. I never said "no" or "it's too hard" or "I can't." Being told it was time to stop fighting, time to give up, did not go over well.

My dear surgeon recently sent me to yet another surgeon. My dear surgeon does not give up easily either, which is one of the many reasons I love him. This newest surgeon does work platelet rich plasma injections. It is a long shot, but what have I got to lose? Ok, I will lose lots of money because these injections are not cheap and not covered by insurance at all. It's a good thing I have a big stash of fabric because there will be no new fabric purchases for a while. The new surgeon said if I were a rabbit in the lab, he would give me good odds for improvement. Since this has been on humans for only a year, he will not give me any odds.

One of the things that has suffered in all this mess is this little blog. That tsunami of pain just keeps washing all coherent thoughts out of my head. I have done a reasonable amount of sewing, but photographing, editing the photos, writing an entry, uploading.... ugh. That is just too many steps for my little brain lately. I feel like I suddenly have ADD. Any project with too many steps seems overwhelming. I am so distracted by any shiny thing. All of my limited brain function has to go to keeping my house functioning.

I spent some time in "poor me" mode. Now I am trying to figure out how to function with these new parameters. My surgeon said I need to do whatever it takes to get thru the pain of the day. He suggested I drink more heavily... joking... sort of. I took it as a medical directive. My neighbor is happy to assist.

Making things distracts me from the pain. I am learning that some days, it is okay to let the laundry wait while I use sewing as a pain management tool. I also miss blogging. I will try to get some photos of things I have made recently and post them. Some things are really cute, others... not so much. Don't expect the same level of work or writing. I spend much of the day under the influence of either drugs or pain.

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Simplicity 2359

2011-07-20T01:55:00.001-04:00

I have really fallen in love the Project Runway line of patterns from Simplicity. They fit me beautifully with very few alterations and the styles are adorable. This particular fabric does not photograph well to show off the lines of the style. My apologies. However, I adore the dress and wear it often. In person, the style lines are more apparent, even with the busy print.

The neckline is what first caught my eye. Then I discovered it has POCKETS. A dress with pockets is one of my favorite things in the whole world.

The busy, busy print is a lightweight cotton twill from JoAnn Fabrics. You have to look closely to see that it is indeed a twill weave. It has a very soft hand, yet does not wrinkle much for a cotton. It was 60 inches wide which meant I only needed a yard and half to make a dress. It was also on sale, so score a big one for me! Including the pattern and zipper, the dress cost less than $10.

The back also has very pretty style lines. Ignore the wrinkles in the zipper above the waist. My knee problems have made my sway back issues even more pronounced. I purposefully did not any pattern adjustments to compensate for that because my physical therapists and I are working incredibly hard to correct that. Early in the day, I can hold my posture to reduce the sway back. By late in the day, all the muscles in my body are exhausted from trying to compensate so much for the bum knee.

This whole physical therapy journey has been interesting. I have learned so much about my body. That old song about “the ankle bone is connected to the knee bone” is so true. I am amazed at how many muscles and joints are affected by this knee… and how badly my body has been screwed up by trying to compensate for it.

Back to the dress… cute dress that I love wearing because it is so comfortable. Though I only skimmed the directions, they looked pretty good. The pattern also offers a sleeve option, but I adore the cutaway shoulder.

Sweet Baby

2011-06-19T17:56:00.001-04:00

I love freedom of baby sewing. Colors can brighter, prints can be mixed with more abandon, and the whole mood is more playful. These three fabrics were purchased years apart and in different states, yet they all work together. The white fabric has shirring about every 1.5 inches. I bought it because it was unusual, but never quite knew what to do with it. The pattern is Design #4 from the 03/11 issue of Ottobre Design.

Of course, a little dress needs little bloomers. These are Design #7 from the same Ottobre issue. The bloomers are generously sized. I suspect that is too accommodate cloth diapers. The pattern also called for more ruffles on the backside. With the busy patterns, I opted for a single wider ruffle to simplify the design a bit.

My apologies for the less than stellar photos. Camera issues still plague me. However, I wanted to make sure photos were taken before I deliver the gift tomorrow.

Lazy Days of Summer

2011-06-16T21:48:00.001-04:00

The baby dress is not quite done, but I am very excited about the progress. Even though it is summer vacation, my calendar is still full. It seems every day is filled with a long list of errands. I make a list and consolidate as many trips as possible. A call from the yarn store set into a motion a chain of events that sucked up my whole day. The thrift shop is around the corner from the yarn shop, so I did a quick pass through my closet. I grabbed the things that I have not worn in years. Because time was short, there was no time to think, no time to over think. I will always make new clothes, so why do I cling to stuff from ten years ago?

An adorable doll shop is just a few steps away from the thrift shop. How could I not stop and take a quick look. No, I did not buy anything, but had a lovely chat with the owner. We love to chat about sewing doll clothes and making costumes.

Yarn was picked up, old clothes were dropped off, doll fixation was sated. Then it was onto the required trip of the day. Mammogram. Ok, girls, I know we all hate it and procrastinate, but just do it. Yes, it hurts, but only for a minute. If you are due, go make your appointment right now. Get it over with.

After the fun and games at the imaging center, I went to pick up a painting. A friend of mine has an autistic 15 year old son who does the most amazing artwork. As I was leaving the restaurant where we met, I heard someone say, "they've shut down several blocks." That's when I noticed all the emergency vehicles across the street. The cute police officer informed me that several blocks were indeed shut down due to a gas leak... including the block where my car was parked. I ended up spending the afternoon wandering around the area of town that was in danger of blowing up. It was a nice treat to see some shops that I usually don't have to time for, but I really wanted to get home and sew.

The gas leak was eventually resolved with no explosion or fire. My car was retrieved, but the baby dress is still not finished. Maybe tomorrow? Hmmm, probably not because tomorrow's list is even longer....

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Oh Baby

2011-06-15T16:57:00.001-04:00

Now that I am done with errands for the day, I get to play with these fabrics. One of the assistant principals at the high school is expecting his first daughter this summer. He has two of the most adorable little boys, but this whole pink, girly thing has him a bit rattled. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sew something sweet from Ottobre Design. Now.... to pick a pattern....

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Google Reader

2011-06-13T23:57:00.002-04:00

It was a very sad day when Bloglines went away. Google Reader just never felt as comfortable or capable.... until I saw this post. Oh my! I should have known Google Reader could do more than I thought because it is a Google product. Google wouldn't let me down. The video is about 7 minutes long, but totally worth it. Maybe this is old news to some people. Maybe I am slow, because I learned quite a few nifty things. Gotta dash.... still teaching my Google Reader account how to dance for me.

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Czech it out

2011-06-12T15:33:00.001-04:00

The Husband just returned from a week in Czechoslovakia. In addition to a totally blinged out Hello Kitty key chain, he brought me a Burda & a Sandra magazine... in Czech. The news agent asked if he wanted sewing magazines in English. He said, "No, my wife could use the challenge."

There are some very cute things in both magazines that I would love to make. I guess it is time to learn some Czech.

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Fake Out

2011-06-05T13:13:00.001-04:00

The wrap dress is such a flattering to style to women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. However, the wrap dress is not always flattering in windy conditions, or when sitting, or trying to get out of a car, or leaning over a student’s desk. Yes, it can be a challenged to stay all wrapped up in a wrap dress. Enter the fake wrap dress!

Simplicity 2647 is an amazingly flattering fake wrap dress. Not only is it a wrap, but it also has some lovely pleats right across the midsection. Those lovely pleats can hide lumps and bumps and fluff. The overlay is connected on both side seams. There is no way the skirt can fly open. I worried about the plunging neckline. Magically, it hugs the body.

My fabric is an ITY knit that I purchased in Chicago at Vogue Fabrics. It feels delightful next to the skin.

Here is a the line drawing of the pattern because this fabric is a bit too busy to see the style lines.

I made View D to test the fit of the pattern. I am not in love with it, but it will be fine as dress for hanging out this summer. The fabric was not a favorite, so that might be part of the issue. Views B & C are a halter style version. I plan to make one for the summer.

In the right fabric, this would be an outstanding formal gown. Knit would be so comfortable to wear to long, formal event. Knits also travel wonderfully. Such a pity that there no formal events in my immediate future. I think I shall hang onto this pattern just in case something pops up.

Finally

2011-05-14T22:35:00.001-04:00

Finally, the show is over.

Finally, photos were downloaded.

Finally, photos were edited.

Finally, a post is being written.

The spring musical at the high school was The Drowsy Chaperone. It was fantastic! If you ever have a chance to see this musical, do it. The show is fun, funny, and entirely entertaining.

Costumes! I did not make many costumes this time. We went for quality instead of quantity. It helps that many great pieces already existed in the school costume “closet.” (It is actually an enormous room filled floor to ceiling with costumes, shoes, hats, etc, etc. It is great fun to explore!) However, using existing costumes means lots of alterations. All the men’s suits needed some sort of alteration.

This first dress was for the female lead to wear in the big wedding scene at the end. I used Pattern #1965 from Past Patterns. The woman at Past Patterns (sadly, I don’t remember her name…) was lovely. She quite helpful when I explained why I needed the patterns.

I added rhinestones around the neckline for a little sparkle. The sash also a bit of glittered tulle for even more sparkle. It really showed up nicely under the stage lights. Those ruffles? That is 36 yards of ruffle. 36 yards that had to be hemmed, rolled edge on the serger. 36 yards that had to be gathered, slightly gathered on the serger. 36 yards that had to be attached to the skirt. It was a lot of ruffle. The serger would gather it tight enough. So, I pinned it every four inches, then sort of held the extra gathering in place as I machine stitched the ruffle into place. Did I mention that it was a lot of ruffle? The hem is actually longer in the back, but she is standing oddly in this shot.

The next dress is also from Past Patterns, #8721. Neither one of these patterns were the right size. They are copies of patterns from the 1920’s. There were minimal directions for the ruffled dress and no directions for this dress. The pattern pieces are not even marked “front,” “back,” “skirt,” etc. Nonetheless, I made it work. I modified the neckline to give it a more grown up look and to give the actress more ability to move and dance freely.

The third dress was made without a pattern. Yep, totally from my little head. Are you surprised that it is my favorite? Fortunately, the actress is very close to my size, so fitting was easy. You can’t see it in this shot, but the chiffon drape across the neckline extends over the right shoulder and hangs down the back. It it secured with stitching at the shoulder, but a pearl and rhinestone pin was added for decoration. By the way, this actress’ hair is actually well past her shoulders. I pinned it up to look like a bob. From the audience, you would swear it had been cut.

Here is a photo of the two girls together. The actress in the aqua dress also has very long, as well as very thick hair. Yes, I did her hair too. Lots of bobby pins, styling products and hair nets.

On the subject of hair, the actress in the red dress has incredible hair. It is down to her elbows, THICK, curly, and THICK. People in the audience thought she actually cut it for the show. She and I became best buds while doing her hair….every night. I did some alterations to an existing dress for her costume.

Here she is again in a dress that I made from my own design/pattern. I held my breath at every costume change, in fear that her hair would come tumbling down.

I am including the next photo simply because it is so exciting to see everyone perfectly in sync for this number. They practiced it a million times.

Last but not least… a shot of my son! Who knew he could dance?!?! This show was all dancing and singing…. and SO MUCH FUN!

I know I have totally broken my rule about posting photos of students. (Hanging head in shame.) But the show was so exciting and I loved making the costumes and adding “hair & make up” to skill set. In my defense, these photos are already all over the internet. No names have been revealed. No locations have been revealed.

'Tis the Season

2011-04-15T22:31:00.001-04:00

It is costume season once again. The spring musical is always the highlight of the high school's drama program. The Drowsy Chaperone is set in the 1920's, which means lots of costume fun for me. I love the fashion of the Twenties. Fortunately, it is a smaller cast than many of the musicals. The girls for whom I am making dresses are beyond excited. Their enthusiasm pushes me to make fabulous dresses for them.

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Minding Ben by Victoria Brown

2011-04-08T14:24:00.001-04:00

If this book was not part of the assigned reading for the Early Reviewers, I would have stopped reading after the first chapter. There were no surprises. The plot and characters were entirely predictable. Maybe I read too much to be surprised by a book.

The basic plot line is a young girl, Grace, leaves her home in Trinidad for a "better" life in America. She finds work as a nanny for a wealthy family in New York City. Of course, the family expects her to worn long hour and do things way beyond her job description. The father, Sol, makes a pass at her. The mother, Miriam, is critical and demanding. It is the stereotypical "nanny to the wealthy" story.

At the local park, Grace encounters the usual struggles when tries to break into the nanny clique. Most of them initially reject her as a newcomer, but one becomes her friend. She worries about her family as they face their own struggles back home. She worries about getting a green card. She worries about money. She wants a boyfriend. No surprises there.

There were opportunities to give the story more intrigue. Miriam "married up." There were hints that this caused conflict with her family. How did Sol's family feel about his choice in a wife? Why did Sol make a pass at Grace when there were no hints of real problems in his marriage? The child seemed fairly normal. There was no evidence that his elite lifestyle caused him any harm. Where was the conflict? What reason did I have to care about any of these characters?

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Quilt-a-palooza

2011-04-03T20:38:00.001-04:00

I always say I am not a quilter. Making two quilts since December probably qualifies me as a quilter. They are simple quilts, so I can still call myself a novice quilter. This one went together super fast, which is good because it is for a baby that is due any minute. I have known about this baby for months, but waited until the last minute to get started. Nothing like a deadline to get me motivated. For the last quilt, I used a machine at school with a walking foot.

Since I procrastinated on this one, and it was Spring Break this week, and the baby is due any minute, I ordered a walking foot for my machine. I took a gambled by ordering an off brand walking foot. For half the price, I felt it was worth the risk. At first, it did not seem to work very well. Without instructions, installation was trial and error. There were a few errors. Once installed correctly, it worked beautifully. Now I want to quilt everything!

The family was not so thrilled when the quilt took over the kitchen table. To quilt it, I needed space.... lots of space. I also discovered that the kitchen table gets wonderful sunlight... perfect for sewing. If my machine were not so heavy, I would sew down there more often. Hmmm.... perhaps this is the perfect excuse to get that little Hello Kitty sewing machine.....

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McCalls 6044

2011-03-20T09:24:00.001-04:00

This is C latest project for his Apparel Development class. He did this entire project without asking anyone for help. The collar and cuffs are perfect. He chose a quilting cotton because there were not many shirting options available at our local JoAnn's, he liked the color, and he wanted a soft fabric. Those factors outweighed the wrinkling issues. The girls in the class are in awe of him. The jeans (which I have not photographed yet) blew them away. Then they could not believe how quickly he finished this shirt. The teacher and I pointed out that he spends more time sewing than gossiping and perhaps that has something to do with how quickly he completes projects. The girls are really sweet to him and think it is very cool that he is in the class.

C did not register for the Level 3 class for next year. There are other classes he wants to take, like Experimental Arts. He has also been asked to be a teaching assistant for a chemistry teacher. He feels that, at this point, he can read directions fairly well and knows how to find additional information on the internet. He is like his mom, likes to figure things out for himself by experimenting. The Level 3 class is geared towards students who want to go onto design school. A huge part of the curriculum is focused on putting together a design portfolio. He has no desire to go to design school. Psychology is the current front runner for a college major. He is toying with the idea of art therapy for children, which would allow him to pull in his artistic side. I have no worries about his future. He is a bright boy with many talents. His curiosity and willingness to try new things will take him far.

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Snubbing Michael Kors

2011-03-13T13:34:00.001-04:00

During Season 8 of Project Runway, Michael Kors was not a fan of Mondo Guerra’s polka dot dress. All season, I thought the judges were smoking crack because they consistently raved over the ugliest things and criticized amazing things. Mondo may have lost the competition, but he won my heart. If you have ever seen any of Michael Kors stuff in the stores, you would know that he is the last one who should criticize the designs of other people.

As soon as I saw this dress, I wanted a black and white dress with polka dots. But what chance did I have of ever finding that fabric? On a trip to JoAnn’s with C to buy fabric for his class, I practically knocked down two old ladies when I spied a black and white polka dot knit across the store. I bolted to grab the bolt, even though no one else was even near it. I couldn’t take the risk of someone else grabbing it before I did. It is a soft, soft knit. Oh, luscious knits, how I love thee!

As much as I adore Mondo’s design, a long, slinky dress does not fit my lifestyle. Instead, I chose an old pattern that I love, Simplicity 3775. It fits well and is so comfortable to wear. This is a great travel dress. I can crumple it up in the bottom of a suitcase and it still looks great. I have worn this dress to work, the theater, and out to dinner. Every time I get a compliment, I think, “Ha! Take that, Michael Kors!”

Simply Sewing

2011-03-06T19:45:00.001-05:00

I know it has been a long time. There has been sewing, but there has also been camera issues, computer issues, time issues…. Enough whining. Onto the sewing!

Simplicity 4189 was the perfect choice. It is a simple pattern that I have used before…. successfully. I wanted a simple project that would have a high chance of success. The fabric was left over from this jacket. This gives me the option of suit, if I should ever need one, but both pieces work well independently. I included the line drawing from the pattern because the fabric really hides the seaming.

The bias cut of this skirt makes it hang gracefully. It also allows the elastic waist sits smoothly so you cannot tell there is elastic. Of course, the elastic waist makes it ever so comfortable to wear. The fabric drapes beautifully on the bias.

It is nice to be sewing again. The camera situation is still way more complicated than I would like, but I will try to make it work.

Untitled

2011-02-04T22:04:00.001-05:00

I sewed! I finally carved out some time to sew. Earlier in the week, the pattern was traced and the fabric selected. When I laid out the fabric to cut, I noticed it had not been prewashed nor was there enough. Not to be deterred, I grabbed another piece of fabric and started cutting. Once I got started, there was no stopping. The garment is about 75% completed.

Sewing engages a different part of my brain. It takes me away from the stresses of my day. It helps me forget the pain in my knee. Finding time to sew needs to be a priority in my day.

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Everything is Coming Up Roses

2011-01-17T18:03:00.001-05:00

After seeing this tutorial, I have a new found obsession with ric rac trim. Staci of Craftify made her rosettes into a necklace, but I think they would also be adorable on a dress for a little girl… or a big girl… or even a grown up girl. If you used the teeny, tiny ric rac, the scale would great for doll clothing.

Back Up

2011-01-13T23:06:00.001-05:00

I never give up on students because they never stop surprising me. A student with whom I've had problems with in the past came to my defense today. Another student became indignant when I asked him to put away his cell phone. My defender launched into the most fantastic monologue about respect. I wish I could remember every word because it was a thing of beauty. Every time the cell phone boy tried to argue his position, my defender did not back down. He told him that I was there to help him, that I wanted to see him succeed, that unless he changed his attitude and began appreciating teachers, he would never amount to anything. It went on for several minutes, peppered with some peppery language. It was a thing of beauty. After class, I thanked my defender. He said, "Don't worry. I always got your back." That boy is going to be okay. As for cell phone boy... I have not given up on him. One day, just maybe, he will become a defender too. If we don't give up on him, maybe he will become a defender too.

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Life

2011-01-12T23:06:00.001-05:00

Forrest Gump said "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you will get."

Why does my box have to be filled with so many nuts?

These last few months have been nuts. I wouldn't even know where to begin. It is a new year, so I am putting 2010 behind me and moving forward. I will keep taking a bite out of life, hoping to find my favorite dark chocolate lemon truffle.

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My First Sweater

2010-11-29T16:31:00.001-05:00

There is only so much Law & Order: SVU a girl can watch. As lovely as Chris Meloni is to look at, I needed something else to do while I sat with my knee propped up. Once I figured out the sock thing, toe up and top down, I wanted a new challenge. The Katrina Rib sweater instantly won my heart. I am sucker for things that are not symmetrical, but are still geometric.

Google was my friend during this process. The directions are not the greatest for a beginner. There were quite a few times that I had to Google bits of the directions to figure what I was suppose to do. The sleeves required an IM session with a more experienced knitter. I now know what a provisional cast on is.

My technique for joining new skeins of yarn could use some work. However, I am pleased with the results. If I can figure out the directions, they can’t be all bad. The yarn is Rowan Extra Fine Merino DK… so soft.

(I made the skirt, too. It was pure coincidence that the yarn matched the skirt so well.)

My Happy Place

2010-11-26T19:35:00.001-05:00

It has been too long, way too long. I apologize for my absence, but it is rather nice to know I have been missed. All the emails and comments have boosted my spirits. The last few months have been a wild ride. There have been many times I have thought about posting, even composed posts in my head.

Some things were just too personal to share on the internet; they were not mine to share. For some bloggers, nothing in their lives is off limits. I am very protective of my family and friends’ privacy. It makes for a less interesting blog, but I won’t sell out my family and friends for the amusement of others.

Other things were just too whiny. No one wants to read post after post of “Oh, woe is me.” Even with everything the recent craziness around here, I am the first one to admit that it could be worse, so much worse. Some days, it was a challenge to remember that. There were some days of wallowing. I tried to limit the number of people that were dragged into my pity parties. The last few months have been a great reminder to focus on the positive.

Today, I finally found my happy place again, my sewing studio. When my knee finally permitted me to sit at sewing machine again a couple weeks ago, my first project was costumes for the high school play. It was all alterations and repairs of costumes from the school’s inventory. While it was a relief to not have the pressure to create a full cast of costumes, alterations and repairs are hardly inspiring sewing. Today, I sewed for me. Wanting and needing immediate gratification, I went for a simple knit dress from Ottobre.

It was amazing how handling fabric and hearing the purr of my machine was so soothing. It felt good to create something pretty. I have always joked about “needing” to sew, about sewing being a form of therapy. It is not a joke. So much tension and stress just melted away.

Over the last few months, I have managed to keep myself busy, but I missed the design process. I missed the creativity of sewing. It is not a matter of “keep busy.” There is something about taking a flat piece of fabric and turning it into something beautiful to wear.

Perhaps it is a control issue. With sewing, I am in charge. I decide which fabric to use. I decide how that fabric will drape around the body. I decide what it will become. I make the rules. Sewing is something I know I can do well, yet there are always new things to learn, new ways to challenge myself. When things around me feel out of my control, I can go to my happy place, pull out some fabric and turn it into something beautiful.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2010-10-16T03:37:00.001-04:00

For the last five years, I have not known if one of my best friends was dead or alive. He was living in New Orleans when Katrina hit. The problem with storing all of your information on a cell phone is if that cell phone gets washed away, so does the information. Since we both make it habit to fly under the radar on the internet, we had no way to find each other.... until a few days ago. I have no idea what made me try Google again, but there it was. His name. His phone number.

As soon as he heard my voice, it was like the last five years never happened. We picked up right where we left off. I could tell he wasn't ready to talk about Katrina yet. I did not press him. There is time for that story. He wanted to hear my story. The story came tumbling out. He is one of the few people with whom I hold nothing back. I have known him since I was 14 years old. He has seen me at my best and at my worst. We talked a great deal about the twists and turns of my life of the last 32 years. He said, "The thing that always amazed me about you is that you can be happy no matter what direction your life takes. Career woman, stay at home mom, criss crossing the country... you are always find a way to be content."

I had not really given it much thought, but he was right (as usual). It goes back to that Tim Gunn philosophy of "make it work." No matter what my circumstances are, I find a way to make it work for me. I don't consider myself a particularly optimistic person. In fact, when presented with a decision, I can quickly list all the things that could possible go wrong. I am great at preparing for the worst, but I always hope for the best.

When you have lived through really hard times, you know things could much worse. As long as we have a place to sleep, food on the table, and no one is dying, the rest doesn't really matter. I like my big, pretty house, but I could be just as happy in a smaller house. Yes, there are daily annoyances in my life. I have my moments, but then I remember that it could be so much worse. It has been so much worse. My life isn't perfect, but it is better than before.

My dear old friend knew me when it was worse. He is one of the few people who know exactly how much I had to overcome. With everything that has happened in the last few months, the pity party was dragging on too long. I needed to talk to him, to remember that I have come through much worse. He has come through much worse.

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.

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Just for Me

2010-10-11T13:16:00.001-04:00

I can never resist a mermaid doll. These are perfect for little hands. They could also be a lovely party favor for a mermaid themed birthday party. If I ever have a granddaughter….

On the Road Again

2010-10-08T19:20:00.001-04:00

When he was on Project Runway, I found Santino Rice to loud and obnoxious. Nonetheless, I could not resist watching his new show, On the Road with Austin and Santino. It is about fashion design, so I had to give it a chance. Also, I figured Austin Scarlet was adorable enough to make it tolerable for at least one show.

I am now a Santino fan. He is entirely different than he was on Project Runway. Is it the absence of the competition? Is it due to no longer being sleep deprived? Is it the influence of the dearest Austin? He and Austin have this lovely chemistry that is a joy to watch.

Austin and Santino travel to very small towns to design for women who have not had many luxuries. Many of them have not worn a dress or make up in years because they have been too busy dealing with life. Austin and Santino usually share a meal with the family in their home. The homes and meals are modest. No one dresses up or puts on airs. It is a family dinner. I am quite certain, at this point in their careers, Austin and Santino have had their share of fine dining. However, they never act they act like "STARS!!!" They seem genuinely happy to meet these families.

Santino's sharp wit still shines through. His relationship with Austin is adorable. They tease each other, but you can tell there is a genuine friendship. When Austin got a nasty gash in his leg, Santino scooped him up to carry him to the car. If it was staged, Santino should get an Oscar for his performance. They tease, but it never gets nasty.

No matter how small the town, Austin and Santino find something to love. They shop for fabric in local stores. However, I believe they smuggle in a bit of fabric because some of these local stores seem to carry only quilt fabric, yet Austin & Santino manage to "find" fabrics suitable for a cocktail dress. I am willing to allow that little plot manipulation because the tone of the show is so positive and heart warming.

In a time when television shows are all about the uber-luxurious or people behaving badly, it is a relief to watch a show that celebrates people who live simple lives. No one is seeking celebrity or competing for a million dollars. These are hard working women who want to feel special for one night. Austin and Santino give them that by doing more than making a dress. They listen to their stories with earnestness and compassion.

It is not riveting TV. I suspect the series will not be renewed because the American public wants outrageous and over the top. On the Road with Austin and Santino is sweet. It is thirty minutes of no screaming, no backstabbing, no bickering. It is thirty minutes of people being nice to each other, while designing a really pretty dress.

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Those Who Can’t, Surf

2010-10-05T11:38:00.001-04:00

There is a saying, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” As a teacher, it is not one of my favorite sayings. However, it is a bit relevant for me right now. I can’t sew, but I can surf the internet to find all kinds of cute things other people are sewing.

I positively adore these little monster bags from Craftster:

When my boys were little, we always, always brought books, paper, and colored pencils to restaurants. We had a folder containing paper and colored pencils that stayed in the car so we were prepared for any impromptu restaurant visit. This little bag is so much cuter.

At Home

2010-10-03T23:47:00.001-04:00

This afternoon, I took C to the fabric store to get supplies for his next sewing project. His Apparel Development teacher wants him to make a shirt with a collar stand. It was a little surreal watching him select his fabric. He was in his element, so comfortable wandering amid the bolts of fabric. He really has a great eye for color and pattern. He approached the cutting counter with total confidence and ease. The clerk kept looking to me for confirmation on the order. As I stepped away, I told her this is his project, not mine. Once she got over the surprise, she was very sweet with him, complimenting his choices. At the cash register was the manager who has waited on us before. She greeted C warmly and inquired about his project. We don't go to the fabric store *that* often, but I suppose a teenage boy who sews is rather memorable.

It warmed my heart to see my boy so comfortable, so "at home," in a setting that has brought me so much happiness over the years. I have always tried to give my boys the freedom to be whoever they wanted to be. Some parents try to push their own dreams upon their children. As much as I don't like sports, if they had wanted to play football, I would have been cheering them on at each game. It would have been painful, but I would have done it. It may be selfish on my part, but I love that I have someone who shares my passion for sewing.

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Making it Work

2010-09-30T23:22:00.001-04:00

After my surgery, a friend gave me a copy of Tim Gunn's new book, Gunn's Golden Rules

. Reading the book is like chatting with Tim over a cup of tea. Initially, I wanted to read it simply because it was Tim. I love to tease about my adoration of Tim. This book is not a joke. Tim really is an amazing person with a wonderful outlook on life. This isn't some celebrity fluff piece. There are some highly amusing stories of people who don't follow the rules. Tim manages to tell the stories in a way that does not come across as snarky. If we all lived by Tim's rules, the world would be a much more pleasant place.

Gunn's Golden Rules could not have come at a better time. I am in definite need of an attitude adjustment and pep talk. It is a fantastic and inspiring book without being preachy.

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Pride Goeth Before the Fall

2010-09-15T02:54:00.001-04:00

Yes, I was feeling quite full of myself, thinking I had this surgery thing licked. The universe decided to remind me just who is boss. I was very pleased that there was very little swelling in my knee, but my foot was quite plump. When it started to change colors and get hot to the touch, I knew it was time to call the doctor. He was in the OR all day, but managed to call me between surgeries. We all feared it was blood clot or infection. Sadly, the ER was the best option we could come up with to test for a blood clot. He called ahead to set things up with the ER, but it was still a very long day.

Fortunately, there is no blood clot nor infection. The swelling is just fluid from knee that has decided to settling in my foot. The remedy is to keep my foot elevated above my heart as much as possible. The ER visit turned out to be a good thing. When they unwrapped the surgical dressings, they noticed I was having a reaction to the steri-strips.

WARNING: This part is gross.

I refused to look at the incision. I caught a glimpse of the giant bruises on my shin. That was enough. I pulled the sheet over my head and gave strict instructions that there was to be as little conversation about the icky stuff as possible. I have huge, red blisters under the steri-strips. The doctor tried to gently pull off the steri-strips, which ripped open the blisters. Yeah, that hurt. A lot. They warned me there will lots of "drainage" from the blisters for a few days. Hubski gets to change the dressings because there is no way I am going to look at that mess.

The doctors laughed at me. I am the girl who refuses pain medication less than twenty four after major reconstructive surgery, but I melt into a puddle at the thought of seeing my own incision. I am a visual person. That image would stick with me forever.

So, I will slow down even more. My doctor is very happy with my progress, even with this bit of drama. He reminded me that this a marathon, not a sprint.

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It's Done

2010-09-14T01:12:00.001-04:00

My apologies for not posting sooner. My darling readers have been wonderfully supportive (and tolerant of whining) throughout my knee ordeal. Your kindness is definitely appreciated.

5:30 a.m. was an early call time, but also a lucky call time. Previous surgeries required lots of waiting, while starving. This time, I did not even have a chance to sit down in the waiting room. It was Express Lane the whole way. Even the IV went in quickly and painlessly. By 6 a.m., the anesthesiology team swooped in quickly to begin dropping the happy juice into the IV. I vaguely remember the team converging on me to do the nerve block, but I don’t remember the nerve block actually happening... or anything after that point. That’s just the way it should be. Hubski said the surgery part was about 2 1/2 hours. Waking up from the happy juice took a little longer because I was in no rush to leave the blissful oblivion. Hubski said I had a death grip on the button for the morphine pump.

I have no memory of the trip from the surgical floor to a room in the orthopaedics ward. Again, isn’t that the way it should be? My nurse appeared to be about 12 years old. (So did one of the anesthesiologists. When did everyone get so young?!?!) All of the nurses were very kind and very surprised that I loosened my death grip on the button for the morphine pump so quickly. Within 12 hours of the surgery, I stopped taking pain medication. I won’t say it did not hurt, but it didn’t hurt any more than usual. The resident on duty freaked out when he saw how little morphine I had taken. He was worried that the pain would overwhelm me when the nerve block wore off. He had no idea who he was talking to. He said he would stop by the next day to see if I would stay another night. WHAT!?!?! I agreed to one night. Two nights was never part of the bargain. Twelve hours was more than enough hospital time for me.

The nurse came in the next morning to tell me I had to pass two tests before they would consider releasing me that day. Bring it on, baby. The first test was switching to oral pain medication instead of the morphine pump. Since I had not used the morphine pump in hours, oral medication seemed a little ridiculous. She handed me two Percocets. Goodness gracious. That would put me down like a lame horse. If I took two Percocets, there was no way I could pass the next test. I distracted her and palmed one of the pills. Watching all those movies about insane asylums came in quite handy.

After an hour, the nurse came back to check my pain level. If it did not hurt before the Percocet, it certainly did not hurt after taking it. An adorably young, perky, and new physical therapist came in to see if I could manage on crutches. Pffft. I could do that, even if I had taken both Percocets. Since they broke my leg and drilled screws into it, I am not allowed to put any weight on my leg. That does make crutches a bit more scary. If I stumble and come down on the bad leg, I could shatter the bone. (My bones are very small and there was not much room for the screws.) Once I made it down the hall, she took me to the physical therapy room to teach me how to manage stairs. I ended up showing her a couple tricks to make stairs easier and safer. I passed with flying colors. When the resident came back, the nurses said I was hard core and more than ready to be released.

Free at last!

My surgeon made it very clear that my leg is extremely fragile right now. The lack of pain is in no way a green light to hop around like a manic Easter bunny. I am under strict orders to “lay low” until he sees me again in a few days. My return to active duty will be a slow and carefully monitored process. I am in a brace from ankle to hip that prevents me from bending my leg even one degree. The brace will be gradually unlocked to allow more range of motion. I have a feeling my pain free status will be altered dramatically the first time I am allowed (forced) to bend my knee even slightly.

My physical therapy has taken quite a turn. Prior to the surgery, I could do 85 pounds (my full body weight) on the leg press with only the bad the leg. Each repetition was accompanied by a grunt, groan, or scream of pain, but I could do it. My PT guy knew I was done with a set when the room got quiet. Since the surgery, my only permissible exercise is to flex my foot back and forth. In the first few hours after the surgery, I had to choke back the pain from each flex. Twelve hours post op, I asked for something harder to do because this was too easy. Nope. That is all I am allowed to do. It is a far cry from the hour long “show no mercy” sessions from only a few days ago. However, all that hard work has paid off. The nurses commented on how easily I could move with the brace because the core and hips are so strong.

Slowing down will be my biggest challenge. However, I will do it. I want to recover as quickly and as completely as possible. Since Dr S went to medical school and I did not, I shall defer to his judgement.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. The notes and comments mean a great deal to me. When I am allowed out of bed for more than a few minutes at a time, the sewing room will be one of my first stops.

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Nesting

2010-09-06T05:21:00.001-04:00

Shortly before a woman goes into labor, it is not unusual for her to have a flurry of energy which she focuses on preparing the home for the new baby. It is called “nesting.” A woman might suddenly be possessed with the idea of cleaning out all the closets, rearranging the entire kitchen, or painting a room.

I am having my own little version of nesting. With my surgery only days away, I am frantically trying to get my house and my life as organized as possible. The recycling and trash people will not like me this week. I cleaned out all those little nooks and crannies where we stash stuff “just until there is time to really go through it.” Well, this is the time.

With the last surgery, there was less sense of urgency because it was the beginning of the summer. Life is so much more relaxed during the summer. The boys and lots of neighbors were home during the day to help. Now that school has started, everyone is incredibly busy. I set up a Google calendar to keep track of who is driving when and where. Even when the boys are home, they will be busy with homework. I stocked up on “project supplies,” like poster board, in case a project is assigned at the last minute. I also showed everyone where the supplies are stored to avoid, “Mooooooom, I can’t find the poster board.”

This weekend, I purchased a mini fridge to keep upstairs. I ~~often~~ almost always wake up in the middle of night because I am starving. Being able to have some snacks and juice upstairs will allow everyone else to get a full night’s sleep and prevent me from trying to navigate the stairs in the dark and on crutches. This just might be the best $75 I ever spent.

The knitting basket has been reorganized and is tucked under the bed. I am working, slowly, on a sweater. It may not be finished until Winter 2011. This is partially due to my own perfectionism. As it progressed, the quality of the early rows bothered me more and more. Finally, I relented and pulled it off the needles to start again. It was the right thing to do because I am much happier with it now.

It’s Here!

2010-08-30T17:43:00.000-04:00

The latest issue of Ottobre Woman arrived on Friday. It wasn’t until Saturday night that I had a chance to look at it. Totally worth the wait. I want to make so many things from this issue! At first, I was not too keen on the wrap shown on the cover. The Ottobre blog showed various ways to wear it, which convinced me to try it.

Sewing is about to come to a screeching halt. (Not that there has been very much of it lately…) My surgery has been scheduled for the end of next week. Now I am madly cleaning the house and running errands before I am once again on crutches. I am also trying to squeeze in lunches and coffees with friends. Of course, this all has to fit in between physical therapy appointments and school stuff.

Cheese, Gromit

2010-08-28T17:19:00.001-04:00

In an effort to get healthier, sugar and carbs are slowly, but surely leaving my diet. This summer, my goal has been to build (rebuild) as much muscle mass as possible before the next surgery. The body needs protein to build muscle, not carbs.

Since I have the metabolism of a hummingbird, I eat lots of snacks. Chips and crackers are such an easy snack, especially when “on the go.” Nuts make a great high protein snack, but I miss the satisfying crunch of a chip. Then a friend turned me onto these babies. OMG. Crunchy cheese! Could it get any better?

My personal philosophy has always been “Cheese makes anything better.” As much as I like cheese, I prefer cheese that is all melted and gooey. A cold lump of cheese will do in a pinch, but not nearly as good as crunchy cheese. These little bits of sunshine are made in the microwave and can be stored in an airtight container for several days. (The recipe is here.)

I made up a little batch of these yummies for a snack at school. It was so much better than going to the vending machine for a bag of processed, preservation laden, sodium saturated, carb filled chips. More importantly, I felt better with the protein boost instead of the glucose rush.

Now it is time to experiment with other types of cheese, perhaps some garlic, or….. BACON!

Challenge Four

2010-08-24T20:04:00.001-04:00

Challenge Four for Project Project Runway is the hat challenge. On the real Project Runway, the designers had to make an outfit inspired by and to be worn with a hat designed by Philip Treacy. You can see these ~~wacky~~ amazing hats here. Most of the designers failed miserably at this challenge. Given the “inspiration,” I am not surprised. All of the models paraded out in the ubiquitous black slip dress and the Philip Treacy hats. The designers had the option of sticking with their previous model or choosing a new one based on their hat. Given that one hat was as ridiculous as the next, they all opted to stick with their model. Knowing the model’s measurements and walk was more inspirational than the hats. Producers, take note. The hats did nothing for the models, the designers, Heidi (who had one of the monstrosities smashed on her head for the runway show), or the viewers.

I went with the orchid hat. It was not my favorite hat. (Honestly, they were all a bit whack-a-doodle for my taste.) So why did I pick the oddest one of all? It spoke to me. Seriously, as soon as I saw it, this little dress popped into my head. It is not my finest work, but, look at my “inspiration.” Sigh.

The orchid made me think “flower girl.” So that is my girl’s “story.” (The judges always want to know the girl’s story, where she is going.) My girl is a flower girl in a bridezilla’s wedding. She crammed these annoying flowers on everyone’s head, but my little girl will at least have a pretty, yet comfy dress for the long day.

In my own defense, the dress looks better in person. The under layer is satin, trimmed with an acid green ribbon and eyelet lace. The top layer is chiffon. It is much lighter and “floatier” in real life. At first, I was going to trim the ribbon, but I think the exaggerated size of the bow fits with the exaggerated hat.

To further defend myself, it has been a busy, frantic, crazy week. I was not sure I would even have time for this challenge. With school starting and another surgery on the horizon, I may have to “auf” myself from the challenge.

Despite my whining, this is really fun. It makes me watch the show in a whole new way. I have always sort of played along in my head, but now the “pressure” is on to play along in real life.

Knee News

2010-08-20T21:01:00.001-04:00

“It was the best times. It was the worst of times.”

The trip to Connecticut was a success… if you define success as being told you need surgery, the third surgery in less than two years.

A little back story: I waited months to have the BIG surgery in June that was going to finally relieve the knee pain that has plagued me for years. When Dr S opened up my knee, he did not feel the planned surgery would really help, so he did not proceed. We decided that it was time to call in the big guns. Dr S sent me to see the doctor who developed the procedure that I was suppose to have done in June. Dr S had studied with him, so he was able to set up a consultation for me.

I spent 10 hours traveling back and forth to Connecticut for a twenty minute appointment. However, it was an action packed twenty minutes. Before I left, Dr S put together my medical portfolio, filled with notes, photos and even DVD’s of my previous surgeries. Dr F looked at everything, examined my knee, and furiously began sketching out how the ligaments and tendons need to be rearranged. The man is brilliant. He agreed that Dr S made the right call to not proceed with the surgery as planned in June.

The two doctors conferred all week, creating a brand new surgery just for me. The questions then became “Who, when, and where?” Dr F said he would be happy to do the surgery, but understood the complications of having major surgery so far from home. At first Dr S was not sure if he should do the surgery. He said, “I want you to have the best care possible.” I reminded him that Dr F has never done this surgery either. It is new for all of us. Clearly, Dr F is a brilliant and talented surgeon, but I have only known him for twenty minutes. Dr S knows my knee better than anyone. He knows me and how I respond to surgery. I was touched that Dr S was willing to put his surgeon’s pride aside for my benefit. In the end, Dr S agreed to my surgery. We are now trying to work with Hubski’s travel schedule to find the right time to do the surgery.

It sounds crazy, but I am so excited about this surgery. Perhaps this long drama might be coming to an end. I dread having yet another surgery. I dread the weeks of recovery, especially since school starts in a few days. The next few months will not be fun. However, I am very optimistic that this will work.

Project Project Runway

2010-08-18T21:00:00.001-04:00

Each season, as I watch Project Runway, I always say, “It would be so much fun to play along…” Someone started a Flickr group, Project Project Runway, to play along with the challenges using dolls. Yes, dolls. Dolls plus Project Runway? How could I not join in?

This weeks challenge was the Party Store Challenge. We had to make an outfit using things found at a party store. On the show, the designers got $100 to spend. I spent considerably less. I could have spent a great deal, but this is a total frivolity.

The difficult part was the rule I imposed upon myself. I did not want to copy any of the ideas from the show. That meant I could not use napkins or that shiny fringe stuff. Besides, I felt given the scale of dolls, napkins felt too much like yardage. Unlike Casanova, I not only heard Tim’s caution about yardage like products, I actually listened.

Naturally, I was drawn to the Hello Kitty aisle. I bought crepe paper streamers, a flower lei, and a Hello Kitty necklace.

The bodice is made with woven strips of folded crepe paper. The strips were woven into a chevron pattern. The Hello Kitty necklace acts as the halter ties. The skirt is full and fluffy. I took apart the flower lei and sewed the flowers onto a muslin base. The waist band was cut so “Happy Birthday” is front and center. I think this would make the perfect birthday party dress for a young girl.

This was lots of fun… at a time when I need some fun and frivolity. However, I am now a little afraid of what the next challenge might be. Eek! This brings watching Project Runway to a whole new level.

Hello Silliness

2010-08-17T20:10:00.001-04:00

Just when I need a little silliness, a friend comes through for me. The photo is terrible. (Yeah, like that’s a big surprise on this blog.) In case you can’t tell from the photo, this is a Hello Kitty Silly Band. Seriously, they sell these. Hello Kitty was to be left out of the Silly Band craze.

What is even more exciting about this Silly Band is the fact that it glows in the dark. Silly me tried to take a photo of that but the flash presented a problem with the whole “glow in the dark” drama. In my defense, I was in alone in a hotel room in Connecticut after a long day of travel. Silliness was definitely the rule of the day. (I will tell you all about Connecticut soon… as soon as I can process the whole expedition.)

I love having friends who realize I don’t need expensive gifts. Something ridiculous and frivolous will make me smile for days. Over the last couple weeks, that silly little bit of rubber has given me something to smile about when there wasn’t much else. Another friend of mine swiped a mermaid from her daughter’s Silly Band baggie. She is hiding it from her daughter until she sees me again. Grown women and Silly Bands. Isn’t it awesome?

Matchy Matchy

2010-08-08T22:49:00.001-04:00

My nail polish matches the sweater I am knitting. I guess that means I really like this color. As a side note, I highly recommend this nail polish, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear. It is super cheap and lasts forever. I put on two coats almost two weeks ago and it still looks great. Yes, I do wash dishes by hand, no gloves. I am gradually acquiring every color. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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Stormy Waters

2010-08-04T20:53:00.001-04:00

After a couple years of daily blog posts, it is going to be a bit quiet around here for a bit. There is a lot going on at the Mermaid’s Lagoon. Some very hard decisions are being made. When I get a few minutes, I am doing a little stress knitting. It will all need to be re-done because it is way too tight, but that doesn’t matter right now.

Don’t forget about me. When this storm passes and the waters are calm in the Lagoon, I will be back.

Dr Who

2010-08-02T23:02:00.000-04:00

This tissue box cover would take some work, but what a fabulous gift for the Dr Who fan?

You can find the directions here.

Wish I was Here

2010-08-01T21:23:00.001-04:00

What I wouldn’t give to be back on this sailboat! Things are a bit stressful in this Mermaid’s lagoon. I am once again reminded that crisis does not always bring out the best in people. However, I think it brings out one’s true colors.

We often excuse a harsh word said during a crisis because “they were upset and didn’t know what they were saying.” I agree that they were upset and forgot to filter their true feelings. When life is calm, we have the extra energy to choose our words more carefully, to count to ten and let small transgression go without comment. In a crisis, we shoot from the hip and speak from that more primal, instinctive part of the brain. It is during a crisis when a family shows what they are made of, when words are spoken that cannot be taken back.

On the other side of the equation is the target of those barbed words who is also operating from a more vulnerable place. The recipient is less able to rationalize away the hurtful words. There is no extra energy to reframe callous comments into something more palatable.

A crisis shows what a family is really made of. My boys have risen to the occasion, like I knew they would. Poor C’s birthday has been shoved to the back burner. He said, “Don’t worry. I have so much already. We can do something when things calm down.” J is being extra nice to make C’s birthday as special as possible. Hubski and I are on the side, trying to gently steer the others through these rough waters. My little family has shown what they are made of, and it is good stuff. Some others could take a lesson.

A Lovely Project

2010-07-31T19:24:00.001-04:00

This is what you get when you cross the Ottobre Woman Loveliness dress with the Simplicity 2444 Project Runway dress. I love the snug fit of the Simplicity bodice and the angled pleats in the skirt. It also has POCKETS. However, the neckline of the Loveliness dress is indeed so lovely.

The fabric is an embroidered pique cotton from JoAnn’s. The color reminds me of the sea in Cozumel. It does require a bit of ironing, but totally worth the hassle for the cool, crisp feel.

I cannot speak to the quality of the directions in this pattern because I did not look at them. It is a bodice, center back zipper, pleated skirt, side seam pockets. I have made enough dresses that the directions were not needed.

Butterflies are Free

2010-07-30T23:28:00.000-04:00

I have said it before, but it bears repeating. I am not a gardener. I don’t want to be a gardener, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a beautiful garden. I don’t have a beautiful garden, therefore, I am beyond excited when something grows in our yard. If it produces a pretty flower, that’s a reason to throw a party.

A few weeks ago, we planted a butterfly bush. Rumor has it they grow with absolutely no intervention on my part. That is my kind of plant. We stuck in the ground and occasionally remembered to water it. Miraculously, it has grown!

The butterflies definitely love this plant. I love to see them swarm all over the bush. There is another miscellaneous plant (no idea what it is) near the butterfly bush that attracts really fat bumble bees. It makes me quite happy to see all that activity by our mailbox. Even when things in the people world are turned upside down, the butterflies and bumblebees are totally unfazed. They buzz and blissfully flit from flower to flower. They are a wonderful reminder that no matter what happens in my life, no matter how huge I think my problems are, the butterflies and bumblebees will continue to buzz and flit. Life goes on.

Project Runway

2010-07-29T23:47:00.000-04:00

Ah, Tim is back on television. All is right with the world again. This season, each episode will be ninety minutes. When I first heard that, I was a little concerned that they would change the format, and possibly ruin the show. I am happy to report that it is still the same Project Runway, just more of it. There was more Tim and more of the judges’ critique.

To avoid spoiling it for someone who has not seen the episode yet, details of the episode will be spared. Tim is as fabulous as ever. It is way to early to have strong opinions about any of the designers. No one came off as a total whack-a-doodle, but there’s still time for that. The judges must be smoking crack because their decision was ridiculous.

It has been a strange, strange day. Spending ninety minutes with Tim was just what I needed.

Straight and Narrow

2010-07-28T21:21:00.001-04:00

This dress was better in theory. It is a perfectly fine dress. It’s just not quite me. No worries. It will be worn to school quite a bit. Perhaps that is what troubles me right now. I don’t want to think about starting another school year quite yet. It is summer and this dress is far too serious for summer.

The pattern is Simplicity 2403, from the Project Runway collection. I do love that collection of patterns. The drafting is quite consistent and fits me well with minimal alterations.

The fabric is a bit silky, but fairly substantial. Hubski bought it in Germany a few years. Ironically, there is talk of another trip to Germany in the near future. Typically, I avoid striped fabric because I am a complete nut job about matching stripes and having things perfectly straight. I opted to cut the bodice on bias to give more interest. All those straight up and down stripes would be a bit much. At first, I carefully matched the striped along the princess seam, but that was overly matched. “Overly matched”? Is that a real design term? Whatever. It did not look good. So, I ripped those seams and re-cut the side pieces.

You cannot see the lovely pockets on the skirt because the stripes are matched that perfectly. Ha! Take that, you infernal stripes!

I thought I would like a shirtdress because they are oh so popular right now. On me, it is a little too straight-laced and business like. Yes, even with the bold stripe, it feels too serious for me. I will wear it, but it won’t be a favorite. There was a time this was totally my style, but not anymore. The skirt I am currently working on is a much better choice.

Tied Up and Twisted

2010-07-27T20:55:00.001-04:00

Well, this was not the “fast and fun” project I had in mind for today, but it was definitely fast and fun. It also was not sewn by me. Lately, other people are using my sewing machines more than I am. That needs to change very soon!

C used a scrap of fabric from my friend’s pajama pants to make another bow tie. The fabric has Pez dispensers all over it. It does not show up that well on a bow tie, but the tie is still fun. And it was very fast to sew. C wants to make more fun bow ties with different themes. This project took about 15 minutes to cut out, sew, and press. That’s a whole lot of style for just a few minutes of work.

There was a little “me time” squeezed into today. I cut out a skirt in an extremely fun fabric. It is almost done, but I my knee was “done” before the skirt was. Physical therapy was intense on Monday. I am very sore today… and I get to go back tomorrow. woo hoo. (That’s me pretending to be enthusiastic.) Getting up and down from the sewing chair was more workout than I could handle today. The skirt will be uber cute, perfect for lunch with a girlfriend.

Bitten

2010-07-26T21:35:00.003-04:00

My "fast and fun" project took a different turn today. My neighbor, recipient of the famous Oz pants and Project Runway pants, fell in love with some Pez fabric on the Fabric.com website. I offered to make them for her, but she asked if I could teach her how to make her own. Convert someone to the wonders of sewing and fabric? Of course!!!!
She did a fantastic job. Of course, we used the Ottobre Woman pattern for pajama pants. Since I had used this pattern for her the Oz and Project Runway pants, there were no fitting issues to worry about. We added a cell phone pocket. The first seam was a little wobbly, but she quickly got the hang of "steering" the sewing machine. I was impressed at how quickly she was able to anticipate what needed to be done next. In about three hours, she had a new pair of pajama pants. A modeled photo has been promised.
After she got home, I got an instant message from her with a link to more fabric. She wants a pair of wizard pants to wear to the next Harry Potter movie. I would love to find some of the "real" Harry Potter fabric that was sold a few years ago. If not, there is plenty of generic wizard fabric available. It appears another one has been bitten by the sewing bug. Yay!

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Improvement

2010-07-25T22:27:00.001-04:00

The cutting table looks infinitely better today! The dress is done... maybe. There is an option for a tie belt but I have not decided if I want it. I am seriously leaning towards no. After cleaning up the dress remnants, the cleaning frenzy did not stop. A friend wants to come over this week for help with a sewing project. The state of my sewing was an embarassment. In the cleaning frenzy, another UFO was found. UFO's are unacceptable in my sewing room. This evening, I took the UFO as far as I could. More supplies are needed, but it is almost done. Even though it is still unfinished, knowing that it is almost done makes me feel better. After all this "being good," a fast and fun project is definitely in order. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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The Proof is in the Pudding

2010-07-24T21:08:00.001-04:00

In this case, the proof is on my cutting table. See all that mess? It is like that because I actually sewed today. My love for this dress is gone. It feels like I have been working on it forever. In terms of my usual sewing schedule, it has been forever. This dress was started way back in early June. It didn’t take me two months to make my wedding dress, even with all the hand beading. The mess on the table is also starting to make me twitch. It is time to finish this dress. Fortunately, only the hem remains. My next project needs to be something fast, fun, and flirty.

It All Happens for a Reason

2010-07-23T23:56:00.000-04:00

I adore my PT guys, but not so much when it comes to the girls who schedule the appointments. Lately, they have been messing up my appointment schedule and then look at me like I am nuts when I show up on the “wrong” day. Granted, I have more appointments than the average bear, which increases the odds of an error.

Chris is the drill sergeant, the one who is in charge of “showing no mercy and kicking my butt.” It is written on my chart. Literally. He does it well. Whining and tears have no affect on him. He simply smiles and says, “Let’s do twenty more.”

Kevin is better at evaluating where I am and what I need to do next. He speaks with my surgeon on a daily basis about all of his patients. Whining and tears have been known to work with him… a bit.

Because this drama has been going on for so long and is somewhat complicated, they want me to see only one of them, not any of the other therapists on staff. To add to the confusion, Chris and Kevin work at different locations.

Today was my day to see Kevin so he could evaluate my progress and give a report before my appointment with my surgeon on Monday. I check in at the desk and sit in the waiting room… which is odd because Kevin usually sees me at the check in desk and waves me back even if he isn’t quite done with the previous patient. A very adorable young guy comes out to say, “Hi, I’m Cal and I will be working with you today.” What?!?! My frustration must have been written all my face. I launch into a rant about how they screwed up my appointments once again… and where’s Kevin… and the whole point of coming to this location today was to see Kevin… Poor Cal said Kevin was covering the aqua therapy because someone was out sick, but he could certainly yank Kevin out of the pool to see me. Ok, that wouldn’t exactly be fair to the aqua therapy patient and it was more than a bit diva-ish.

I apologized profusely to Poor Cal, but proceeded to dump my long sob story on him. We decided I would go through my exercises with Poor Cal, then he would take me back to the therapy pool to talk to Kevin. I apologized some more. I hate being *that* patient who thinks they are the center of the universe.

This facility is part of a larger sports complex, therefore, the therapist have access to more equipment and the therapy pool. As Kevin was checking out my knee poolside, we chatted about my trip to the beach and how much I love water and how being in the pool at the hotel felt so wonderful… It was like in a movie… our eyes met, time slowed down, and simultaneously we both said “aqua therapy!!!!” Until today, I did not even know it was a therapy pool. The PT department only began using this facility a couple months ago, so Kevin is not use to having aqua therapy so easily available. We decided on two days a week with the drill sergeant and ne day a week for aqua therapy.

In the interest of time, we circumvented the “normal channels” of getting the doctor to write the orders before scheduling appointments. That did nothing the further endear me to the receptionist. She now had to rearrange my next fifteen appointments to include aqua therapy without the precious scrap of paper from the doctor. Kevin said Dr S will love this idea and he will sort out the paperwork before my first visit to the pool. Dr S can join the chorus of “Why Didn’t We Think of Sooner.”

So, had my appointment had not been screwed up once again, I would have never found out that they have a therapy pool at this location. I would have not seen Kevin at the pool to have the conversation about the pool. Kevin and I are hopeful that the aqua therapy will help me get back more range of motion and strength with less impact on the joint.

Up the Creek with a Paddle

2010-07-22T21:17:00.001-04:00

Oprah has a big campaign against texting while driving. I wonder how she would feel about texting while kayaking? On our vacation, we went kayaking in the lagoons surrounding the island. It was gorgeous. So peaceful, so serene. Kayaking is hard work, even when the water is like glass.

The banks of the lagoons were filled with these beautiful, mossy trees. I don’t know much about kayaking, but I do know that one generally wants to stay away from overhanging trees. Snakes sometimes hang out in trees. If one dropped into the kayaking… eek! Because I could not bend my knee enough to get into the front of the kayak, I was in the back, the one who is charge of steering. Did I mention I have never paddled a boat? We cruised along, somewhat successfully avoiding the trees. When we were about three-quarters of the way, when my arms were giving out, Hubski says the words that I did not want to hear: “Oh look! an alligator… and there’s another one…” Paddle, paddle, paddle!!! No, I did not stop long enough to get a photo of the alligators.

Back to Reality

2010-07-21T23:40:00.000-04:00

Even though I am back home, I wasn’t home all day. There was physical therapy in the morning, then lunch with a friend. After lunch, I met up with the art teacher from the middle school. She is doing a week long summer class to teach children how to make batiks. Since she has all the supplies set up, she “plays” in the afternoon after the children leave. Today, I got to play with her. So. Much. Fun.

The suitcases are not unpacked. The laundry has not been started. The mail sits unopened on the kitchen island… and I don’t care. Playing with wax, dyes, and fabric is far more fun. I get to go back tomorrow!!! The laundry may need to wait another day.

Plugged or Unplugged

2010-07-20T20:37:00.001-04:00

When you go on vacation do you get away from it all or take it all with you? When we travel, we practically need a whole suitcase just for the various chargers for our electronic devices. When a friend of mine travels, she won’t even answer a text.

My friend says vacation is about getting away from it all, getting away from stress and “real life.” She and her husband want no connection to home or the outside world when they are on vacation. If there is a crisis at home, they can be reached, but it takes some effort.

When we go on vacation, we take laptops, cell phones, handheld video games, ebooks, Crackberry, etc. We now have a portable wi-fi that lets us access the internet with 5 different devices at one time. On car trips, we can access the internet while driving in the car.

Hubski needs to stay connected for work. Yes, technically he is entitled to uninterrupted vacation time. However, the reality is if he doesn’t stay connected while he is away, he will pay for it when he gets back. All those emails will not magically disappear because he is not in the office. On vacation, he only responds to really critical emails and calls. Taking a bit of time each day to look at email means less work when he gets back to the office. It would be more stressful for him to think about the work piling up while he is gone.

For the boys and I, playing around on the internet is a way to relax. We don’t sit in the hotel plugged into gadgets the entire vacation. After a day of sightseeing or playing on the beach, a little downtime is needed. Checking Facebook or chatting online with a friend about the day’s activities is relaxing.

We also use the computers to find out about activities in the area. Google Maps is a great way to find restaurants close to the hotel or get directions to local sights. In addition to reading reviews online, we also check with the hotel concierge. Our online research has lead us to many fabulous adventures.

When I am out and about on vacation, I will often see something that reminds me of someone back home. I will snap a photo with my Crackberry and send it in an email or text. It lets my friends know I am thinking about them. It is a little like having them come along on the trip. I love when friends do this for me. It takes just a few seconds to brighten someone else’s day.

My boys spend lots of time reading. They will each bring a backpack full of books. They spend lots of time engaged in conversation with us. If they want to spend a little downtime in the hotel playing a video game, I don’t have a problem with it. Vacation is about relaxing and having fun. They work hard during the school year and deserve to indulge a little.

It works for us. I might feel differently if I had sulky teenagers who never looked up from their gadgets or a husband who always put work first. We have all learned to balance things. What doesn’t work is the lack of electrical outlets in hotel rooms. We have started traveling with a power strip so we can charge multiple devices at one time.

I think we took a 5,682 photos on this vacation. Once I get them all uploaded and delete the bad ones, I will share the 6 or so good ones. We love gadgets, but are terrible photographers. Our strategy is to take lots and hope for a few keepers.

What is your families philosophy on unplugged vs plugged vacations?

Home Sea Home

2010-07-19T22:39:00.001-04:00

I always forget how much I miss the sea until I get back to it. Just the smell of the salt water washes away all the stress and worries. Being outon a boat is bliss. It doesn't matter if it is sail boat, motor boat, big boat, or small boat. The rhythm of the current resets something within. When I am on the water, all is right with the world. It is where I feel the most calm and at peace, even when the boat is racing along under full sails. My inner mermaid *needs* to return the sea at least once a year. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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1,000 Words

2010-07-18T09:40:00.001-04:00

A picture is worth a thousand words. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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Technical Difficulties

2010-07-17T23:37:00.000-04:00

We seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties. It is very frustrating to not be able to post!
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Sewing Show

2010-07-16T23:45:00.000-04:00

Is it possible there will be a new sewing show on television? According to the Generation T blog, a pilot has been taped. The host is Ellen March of Sew News and the working name of the show is "Sew it All." There were no details as to network or premiere date. I will keep keeping the Generation T blog for more details. It has been way too long since we have had a good sewing show on television.

Moving Forward

2010-07-15T20:11:00.001-04:00

Here is the project I finally decided to work on. It is the little shirtwaist dress from Simplicity's Project Runway line. I really love these patterns because they fit me so well. Now that the dress is coming together, I am getting more excited about wearing it. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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Analysis Paralysis

2010-07-14T23:29:00.000-04:00

When my boys were little, I hid their toys. Not all of them. I took half of their toys, boxed them up, and put them in a closet. Too many toys overwhelm a child. They don’t know what to play with because there are too many choices. When the current selection of toys seemed to be getting stale, I would swap them out with some “new” things from the box. Since my boys have memories like elephants, it wasn’t long before they were onto my tactic. However, they never rebelled against the idea. They liked it so much that they would often help me decide what to pack away. Too many choices can be too much to process.

The internet can be a little bit like for me. There are so many amazing projects out there, so many things I want to try. The choices are overwhelming. Yesterday, I spent way too much time searching the internet and my Evernote files for the perfect project. Instead of just looking, I wanted to be doing.

Finally, I decided to continue working on a dress I started before my surgery. It is not something I will wear immediately. My sense of immediate gratification will have to wait. However, when school starts next month, I will have a brand new dress to wear. I will also feel good about not having a unfinished project languishing on my sewing table. I hope, by clearing out this project, I can be more focused on what I want to work on next.

Today’s progress on the dress was good, perhaps a little too good. My knee is screaming at me for standing up too long. Physical therapy tomorrow should be interesting. While I am grateful for any time in the sewing room, it is frustrating to move so slowly.

Stymied

2010-07-13T23:53:00.000-04:00

There are so many projects in my Evernote file. There are so many designs in Ottobre that I love. Then there are the knitting projects. I don’t know where to begin. I have a dress that I started cutting out before my surgery, but it is more of dress that I would wear to school instead of a fun, flirty summer dress. I am working on a pair of toe-up socks, but not sure I have enough yarn to finish them.

I am stuck. I am blinded by too many choices. What do you do when you can’t decide what to do next?

Summer Schedule

2010-07-12T11:40:00.000-04:00

Summer is suppose to be free and easy and unscheduled. One day melts into the next. We wake up in the morning, whenever we feel like it, and do... or not do... whatever we feel like. My boys must be growing up because the carefree life is slipping away.

Our high school offers an amazing array of classes, both academic and elective. It is a challenge to squeeze in all of the interesting classes and the graduation requirements. Fortunately, some of the classes my boys took in middle school count for high school credit. The high school also allows students to take classes online over the summer.

Both boys are taking online classes this summer. The classes cover a full year of curriculum in two months. The pace is brisk. The boys have been wonderful about doing their lessons without nagging or reminders. Taking the online classes has been their choice. I am proud of them for caring enough about their education to go the extra mile.

The only problem is they have both discovered my sweet computer set up. My computer is set up with dual monitors, two big, big monitors. You can use one monitor for the paper you are writing and do research on the other monitor. It means not having to click back and forth between windows. In our house, there are also two desktop computers, a laptop, and a netbook, but dual monitor set up is considered the mecca for homework.

Our summer schedule is centered around who gets time on Mom's computer. That speaks volumes about the geekiness of our family.

Another Sock

2010-07-11T20:19:00.001-04:00

This is my current knitting project. The pattern is called "Double Eyelet Rib Socks" by Wendy Johnson. This is my first attempt at a toe up pattern. (OK, this is my fifth pair of socks, so there are lots of "firsts" for me.) I am just starting the heal gussets but feel pretty confident it will all work out. I changed the pattern just slightly. (Of course I did. That should come as no surprise.) Instead of doing four stripes of the pattern on the instep, I only did two. I am rather fussy about lumps and bumps in my socks, so I wanted a smoother instep. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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Baby Steps

2010-07-10T23:24:00.000-04:00

It has been a month since my surgery and I have not sewn anything. Yes, I am going through serious symptoms of withdrawal. Knitting has been great, but I want to hear the purr of my machines. Today, I made baby steps towards sewing again. I spent a little time tidying up my sewing space. There was a bit of a sewing frenzy right before the surgery. Things got shoved into stacks and corners.

The physical therapy exercises are brutal, especially the head PT guy said, “Take no mercy on her!” He meant that in the nicest way possible. This recovery has been incredibly difficult and is requiring me to “push through the pain,” lots of pain. My goal is to be fully recovered from the surgery, back to the point I was prior, before my trip to Connecticut so the Dr F can see what my knee is like without the additional swelling and weakness. I hate the physical therapy exercises. They are difficult and hurt and I have never liked exercise of any sort.

Each day, I try to come up with a little reward to myself for doing my exercises. Today, spending some time in the sewing room was the reward. I did not get it as organized as it should be, but it is good enough to perhaps start a project. Projects will take a bit longer since I can’t be standing for very long causes my knee to swell up like a watermelon. That’s okay. I can handle baby steps.

Another Skirt

2010-07-09T23:40:00.000-04:00

This skirt is a little more serious than I usually wear, but I love the graphical design. Using a bright color, like red, would be more in keeping with my style. The sewing looks a bit painstaking, sewing all those ribbons in place, but not difficult.

Whenever I am able to start sewing again, I will have no shortage of projects!

Simply Adorable

2010-07-08T23:35:00.000-04:00

Even if I can’t sew right now, I can spend hours looking at other people’s sewing on the internet. So many creative people out there! This little skirt caught my eye. It is simple, but adorable.

How cute would it be with little prints at the bottom? What a great way to use up bits of beautiful fabric. The tutorial is at Crafterhours.

Connecticut, Here I Come

2010-07-07T23:42:00.000-04:00

The fabulous Dr S is referring me to his mentor. In a few weeks, I will travel to Connecticut to see the allegedly even more fabulous Dr Fulkerson. He is the one who trained Dr S and developed the procedure that was planned for my last surgery. If you develop procedures that are named after you and become the gold standard of treatment, you must rather talented. I am not getting my hopes up that Dr Fulkerson will have a magic wand. I strongly suspect he will confirm what Dr S has already said. However, the trip will be worth it for peace of mind, to know that I have explored all my options. As Dr S said, “Another pair of eyes might see things differently.”

So, is there anything fun to do in the Hartford area? Fabric stores? Yarn stores? It was slim pickings for flights to Hartford so I will have some time to kill. Thanks to Hubski’s travel, he has “Platinum Status” with several hotel chains. He made arrangements for me to stay in a very lovely, very upgraded room. When you check in as a Platinum Status guest, they fall all over themselves trying make your stay as perfect as possible. I shall take full advantage of the pampering.

Nook Update

2010-07-06T23:21:00.000-04:00

Dewey, my Nook ereader, is a month old. I still love it. Being able to "check out" books from the public library without leaving my bed has been awesome. My neighbor also has a Nook. We can loan each other books from our Nooks. On Fridays, Barnes and Nobles offers a book for free on the Nook, but you have to remember to download it on Friday. I set up an "appointment" on my Google calendar to check for the free book every Friday.

More than one person can read the same book on the Nook. It will save different bookmarks for different people. I have downloaded some books for the boys and Hubski. We compete for Dewey time. The boys even found a couple titles in e-books that they could not find as regular books. Before purchasing a book, I can read a sample to see if I will really like it. Dewey gives me the convenience of online shopping with the ability to really sample a book before buying.

Overall, I am quite please with Dewey. It is nice to not have the Leaning Tower of Books next to my bed. Instead, it is just little Dewey in a pretty cover.

Sock Sickness

2010-07-05T23:48:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have officially slipped into madness. Not only am I knitting socks, I am knitting socks for dolls. These are ridiculously easy to do. I had yarn left over from my Skew Socks, so something had to be done.

What do knitters do with the bits of left over yarn from projects? I cannot bear to throw it away. How do you know how much you have left and if it is enough for a given project? There is so much to learn about this knitting stuff.

Oh, back to the socks… I used this pattern as a starting point, but then I sort of made it up as I went along. The little girls at the doll mini-camp when nuts over them. When I make up my doll packages to donate to the toy drive, socks will definitely be included. There is still a bit of this yarn left over. I might try a matching sweater. Yes, I have totally slipped into madness.

Because You Asked

2010-07-04T23:11:00.000-04:00

Due to my “No Whining Allowed” policy, I have not updated the progress of my knee. Since I am not allowed to whine and there have been no updates, that should tell you something. However, some of you have asked for an update, so here goes.

It has been about three weeks since the surgery, with very little progress. I don’t use the crutches at home, not that it doesn’t hurt to walk on it, but there is always a counter or sofa to grab onto. A couple days ago, I was feeling rather spunky when I went to physical therapy. I decided I didn’t my crutches because parking is usually not bad. I was very excited to get a close parking space. What I did not account for was the construction inside the building. The elevator closest to the outside entrance has been sealed off until the remodeling is complete. That meant I had to meander a zillion miles to get to the new elevators. I was not entirely sure I would make it to the PT clinic. By the time the PT guy finished with me, I could not bear the thought of making the long trek back to the new elevators to get to my car. The PT guy gave me a loaner set of crutches. Now I have figure out how to get the loaner crutches back to the PT clinic at my next appointment while using my real crutches… and hobble a million miles to the new elevator. I may need to bribe a boy to come with me.

There is still lots of swelling and very limited range of motion. At random and unpredictable times, shooting pain goes through the joint. Lots of people in white coats are scratching their heads and trying to come up with a solution. Frustration levels are still high all around. Between doing my physical therapy exercises and icing/elevating my knee, there is not time for much else during the day.

Uh oh… I feel whining bubbling up to the surface…

We had an impromptu party at our house today. The neighbors from across the street and the new neighbors came over for a potluck. I pretended that my house was clean enough for guests and the guests were kind enough to play along with my little fantasy. The food was good. Perched on a kitchen stool, I directed my menfolk on food preparation. The new neighbors have the most adorable one year old daughter. I can’t wait to get into my sewing room again and sew for her.

Something Skew-y is Going On

2010-07-03T19:34:00.001-04:00

The Skew socks have been finished for a while, but I am just now getting around well enough for a photo shoot. Self portraits of socks are not easy, especially when you can barely bend one knee.

These socks were not nearly as difficult as they look. The directions are very well written. Just keep the faith, follow along, and don’t question the directions. It will all be fine in the end. My biggest issue is having a foot much smaller than the size of directions. Unlike regular socks, which are rather easy to adjust for sizing, these do not allow for much wiggle room in the sizing. I adjusted by using much smaller needles. In that respect, it is a good thing that I knit very tightly. This is the second pair of socks I have made. If I can make these as my second attempt, they cannot be that difficult.

Look how cool the swirly part is from the back? I love things that are not traditional or expected. These socks definitely fall into that category. Sorry for the tilt in the photo. Self portraits are not easy, especially when one is still having difficulty standing for more than a few minutes.

The yarn? I should know what kind of yarn it is, but I don’t because I am still learning yarn. I went to AC Moore and picked one with pretty colors.

Here is another view just because these socks are so much fun. My tight knitting was good for sizing issues, but less so for wearing issues. The Skew socks are noted for being snug to pull over the over the instep and heel. That comes from the band that wraps around the back of the heel. Given the construction of the sock, there really is no way around that except to not knit as tightly as I do. (This would be the case where my tight knitting is a bad thing. I am learning to loosen up a little with the needles.) Nonetheless, I really like these socks. I don’t wear socks very much in the summer because I live in flip flops if at all possible. I never look forward to cold weather, but at least I will have some snazzy socks awaiting me this winter.

Raise a Glass

2010-07-02T23:04:00.000-04:00

This absolutely made my day. It was a toast at the wedding of a guy who writes for Blackberry Review.

Love is precious like a pearl. At times in your marriage you may encounter a storm. Just be bold, don’t flip out- you will get through life’s curves as long as you stand together. Remember, life is a tour not a destination. So always remember to take time to stop and smell the BlackBerries.

I agree. One of the best wedding toasts ever.

New Ottobre Goodness

2010-07-01T23:49:00.000-04:00

The latest issue of Ottobre Design is now available for viewing on their website. The baby stuff is to die for, but isn’t it usually? I am a little disappointed there isn’t more for bigger girls since I can wear those sizes. Nonetheless, Ottobre has put together another spectacular issue. I can’t wait to get the real thing in my hot little hands.

Imports

2010-06-30T23:20:00.000-04:00

Since I can’t run around and do a million things like I usually do, I have been cleaning up things on my desk and on my computer. I found some photos that I forgot to post. These are the fabrics that Hubski brought back from unexpected prolonged stay in Denmark. They are wonderfully soft knits that he probably paid way too much for, but he had time on his hands. I would rather he spend that time looking for fabrics than sitting in the hotel bar paying way too much for drinks.

I hope to make this one into a dress. It would be pretty with some contrasting areas of solid red or black. No particular pattern comes immediately to mind. It is more a wintry fabric. It needs to sit in my stash for a bit longer, grow up and decide what it wants to be.

This one is a jersey knit, but very, very soft for a jersey. Of course, I have no idea what the actual fabric content is on any of these. My initial reaction to this one was not positive, but it is growing on me. The right pattern will be critical with this one.

I wish you could feel this one. Oh so buttery soft. Hubski said it has some wool in it according the label on the end of the bolt. I have no idea how he knows this since he does not speak Danish, but it does feel like there is some wool. I wish he had bought a bit more of this because it would be a scrumptious dress for winter. The true color is closer to what you see in the corners. The flash washed it out. (Yes, I am terrible with a camera.) This is my favorite piece.

It is a good thing my surgery has kept him on a short leash. There have been requests for him to go to far corners of the globe. If he didn’t have to be home every night to cook dinner and take care of me, he would not be home this summer.

Fantasy Sewing

2010-06-29T23:41:00.000-04:00

Back when we thought I was going to have the BIG surgery, we knew there was no way we could attend a family event in August because it would require folding me up origami style to sit on airplane for hours. We did not even consider attending. Now, there is an ever so slight possibility that we might make it. Given the slooooooow healing process, it is rather difficult to imagine being able to sit with my knee bent for more than 30 seconds. However, the event is still weeks away and one would assume my situation will vastly improve at any minute.

Naturally, my thoughts turned to “What shall we wear?” We would all need two or three nice outfits, with one being really nice. I could probably pull several things from my wardrobe that would work, but what fun would that be?!?! New dresses would be lots more fun. The boys do not have three shirts with buttons, much less three nice shirts. Oooooh… I could make shirts for them! Sure, three dresses and six shirts. Well, then I wouldn’t want Hubski to feel left out. I have an interesting piece of fabric that I want to use for a shirt for him. Ok, so now we are up to three dresses and SEVEN shirts… and it is practically July already… and I can’t stand up long enough to cut out a doll dress, much less a dress for me… and let’s not even think about sitting at a sewing machine or getting up and down to iron seams.

Considering I had to take a nap after getting dressed and going to physical therapy today, it is probably nuts to think about flying across the country in just a few weeks. It is definitely nuts to think about sewing a wardrobe for the trip, but it was a fun little fantasy for a while.

Flamboyant Rose

2010-06-28T23:51:00.000-04:00

This dress is a combination of the Flamboyant dress (02/10 #20) and the Rose t-shirt (02/07 #5) from Ottobre Woman.

The Flamboyant dress is lovely, but a tad bare for school. I took the neckline from the Rose t-shirt and made it wider. That was added to the Flamboyant dress. I removed the gathers from the neckline, but left lots of width in the skirt. A dress like this needs a good amount of swishyness in the skirt. To avoid the muu muu look, a casing for wide elastic was added just under the bust line. Pockets were added because I love pockets, a.k.a Crackberry pouches. The fabric is a silky blend from JoAnn Fabrics. Initially, I thought the print was too big for me, but C convinced me to get it. He absolutely right. I love this dress. It is cool and comfortable, but still pretty enough to wear to school or dinner. There is a very good chance I will make this dress again.

Because it is difficult to see the details with the busy print, here is a close up of the neckline:

Just Because

2010-06-27T23:05:00.000-04:00

I had to share this just because it is so cute. I would love to have this little guy on my desk.

Passing the Torch

2010-06-26T23:27:00.000-04:00

Even though school ended a few weeks ago, C is back at school. This time he is on the opposite side of the desk. C’s ceramics teacher and a friend of hers wanted to do a mini summer camp for young girls and their American Girl dolls as a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The girls would make a bed, complete with covered mattress, blanket, and pillow, and pajamas for their dolls. The ceramics teacher immediately thought of C for this project because he is so strong in art and sewing.

There were eight little girls in the group, ages 8 to 10. Like most little girls that age, they were bubbly, excited, and energetic. I went for a bit of the last session to share some of my doll outfits and to see what they were doing. There was lots of ooohing and aaahing over my doll dresses. I told the girls that if they kept sewing, one day they could make dresses just like mine. Their doll beds and pajamas were adorable. More importantly, the girls were thrilled with their creations.

At first, a few eyebrows were raised to have a boy at a camp for little girls and dolls. C’s gentle nature quickly won them over. When they saw him using the sewing machine, they became fans for life. As the mom, it warmed my heart to see my son giving up a bit of his summer to help others.

After the little girls left, we all talked a bit what worked and what didn’t work. Overall, it was a great experience for the girls, but we all had ideas about how to make it better. C and I had a million ideas of other projects the girls could do, all doll related. C had some great thoughts on how to make the teaching process work better for them. There are definitely plans to do this again.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be receiving a handsome check from this project. There are now eight little girls begging their parents for a sewing machine and sewing lessons.

Beautiful Malice

2010-06-25T23:52:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Malice

by Rebecca James

I love a book that keeps me guessing and surprises me. Beautiful Malice does just that. It is a story about secrets. Everyone has them, but some are better than others. Rebecca James does a fabulous job of revealing bits and pieces of the secrets at just the right pace to keep the reader begging for more.

If you plan to read this book, do not read too many reviews or excerpts. You will spoil the surprises. I hate when reviews basically summarize the whole plot. I don’t want to know what happens until I read the book. I am so glad I read this book as part of an early reviewers program so there really were not any reviews to ruin it for me.

If you enjoy books that delve into psychological twists of the mind, you will enjoy this one. The characters are not deranged, merely damaged by their pasts. Like real life, no one is innocent. With the exception of a couple minor characters, no one is evil either. (I suspect their back story might redeem those minor characters too, but that would be whole other book.) Life is not black and white. I enjoy books that do not oversimplify characters into good versus evil.

Left Hand Green

2010-06-24T23:19:00.000-04:00

How much fun would it be to wear this raincoat on a dreary day? Nicoleeolie_4_Life from Craftster.org used a mat from the old game of Twister to make a raincoat. Brilliant. The colors are fantastic for a raincoat. She was very clever to have the word “Twister” go down one sleeve. She incorporated lots of other clever details. You should definitely click on the link above and check it out.

Meet Octavius

2010-06-23T23:01:00.000-04:00

According to the pattern, he is a squid, but we think he looks more like an octopus. Why did I make such a creature? J has always had an affinity for cephalopods and I’ve had some time on my hands lately. Octavius is sitting on Dewey, my Nook which is sitting on Nettie, my netbook. Yes, I am a gadget junkie.

The pattern is from the book Super-Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench. The directions were fairly easy to follow for someone with a bit of crochet experience. I would not recommend this type of crochet for an absolute beginner, especially if that beginner is also a young child. The stitches need to small and close together with lots of increases and decreases. However, the end products are indeed “super cute.”

It’s All Kevin’s Fault

2010-06-22T23:28:00.000-04:00

Kevin, one of my PT guys, shares my addiction to the Crackberry. We always talk about new apps and tricks that we have discovered. Monday was my first day back in physical therapy and it was brutal. As a distraction, Kevin told me about a new game he downloaded to his phone, Number Cruncher. It is sort of a cross between Tetris and Sudoku. It is just as addictive as both of those. I have ~~wasted~~ spent way too much time playing this game today. Number Cruncher has become my “reward” for doing my exercises, which I have to do several times a day.

No More Grey Skies

2010-06-21T19:47:00.001-04:00

There was no way I could settle for ordinary, grey crutches. A little fabric and a can of spray paint was all it took to girlify these crutches. It was partly out of necessity. I hate the way the rubber hand grips smell and feel on my hands.

It was incredibly easy. I took off the arm rests and hand grips. There were a few stickers that had to be removed. Then, I wiped them down with some soapy water to remove any dust, oil, or whatnot.

The sewing part was also easy as pie. I used super, soft cuddle fleece. I cut the fabric about 6” x 9”, just big enough to wrap around the arm rest with small seam allowances.

I folded the fabric in half, with right sides together, and sewing the two short ends. To hold the fabric on the arm rests, I also sewed in from each corner on the long edge.

I turned it right side out and it was done. I intentionally made it a bit snug so it would stay on the arm rest securely. Having a little stretch in the fabric helped immensely.

For the hand grips, I simply made tubes of fabric and slipped them on. The hand grips were then screwed back in place on the crutches. Of course, I needed some way to carry my beloved Crackberry with me. I made a simple little bag that attaches to the hand grip. Aside from the Crackberry, it is handy for carry my keys and my insurance card when I go to physical therapy.

Yes, the crutches were a bit hit in the PT room. My PT guy thinks there could be a market for pink crutches. He said he knows of some 8 year old girls would pay big bucks for mine.

Blame it on the Bunnies

2010-06-20T19:18:00.001-04:00

I have never claimed to be a gardener, but this hydrangea begs to differ. Typically, hydrangeas are not suppose to be pruned. That is one of things I love about them. They thrive on neglect. It appears this particular hydrangea will need a little pruning are we will not be able to get to our front door.

This is our other hydrangea bush. I love how it has blooms in two different colors. Hydrangeas get their color from the acidity in the soil. A family of bunnies reside under this hydrangea bush. It had a hard time getting established because the bunnies ate the leaves for breakfast. Now that is bigger, the bunnies are still impacting the life of this bush by changing the acidity of the soil.

2010-06-19T23:29:00.001-04:00

For all of my wonderful readers and friends, from TruffleGirls.

The Magic of Hello Kitty

2010-06-18T20:30:00.001-04:00

I was having a tough day yesterday. Frustration and pain were on the high side. I was feeling quite sorry for myself as I sat in bed, sequestered in my room. There was a knock at the front, then I hear people coming upstairs, lots of people. I look around my very messy bedroom in a panic. “Who is Hubski allowing upstairs when I am such a mess?!?!? Ack!”

When I saw this cake, all of my troubles melted away. My neighbor’s daughter and her boyfriend are filling their summer with cooking and baking. They have made some delightfully tasty things! While at Party City to buy things for a party, they spotted this Hello Kitty cake pan and a plan was made. In addition to being adorable, the cake was delicious. They made a spice carrot cake, so it is even somewhat healthy. This was their first attempt at cake decorating. If the college thing doesn’t pan out, catering could be an option for these two.

All traces of a bad mood were instantly erased. Who needs Vicodan when Hello Kitty is in the house? Hmmm, I think it is time for another slice of Kitty Kake.

Knitting (K)newbie

2010-06-17T23:35:00.001-04:00

I want to make this top from Knitty, but how do I know what type of yarn to use? If this were a sewing pattern, I would have no problem figuring out what type of fabric would work. When it comes to yarn, I am clueless. At this point, I am limited to online shopping for yarn and I would prefer to not spend $100 making this top.

Under materials, the pattern lists "54 yds per 50g skein." Is this worsted weight? Sock yarn? Other than trolling through a yarn website, hoping to find a yarn that is "54 yds per 50g," is there an easier way to find an appropriate size yarn? When I look at yarn, the pretty colors are the first thing I see. It has been a long time since I have felt so clueless about a crafty thing.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

2010-06-16T23:46:00.001-04:00

No matter how great one's legs are, there comes a certain age when a woman needs to put away the short shorts. I am not sure exactly what that age is, but I am pretty sure I passed it a while ago. Yet, I still made a batch of tiny shorts.

At my pre-op appointment, I was fitted for a giant brace that went high up on my thight down to my ankle. I knew none of my shorts would fit comfortably over that thing, but I would need some shorts for physical therapy. I wanted a close fitting short so there would be no "Britney Spears" moments at physical therapy. Some of the exercises require one to be in less than lady like positions. Even though I don't have the enormous brace, these shorts will still be good for physical therapy. They will be easier to move in than my longer shorts. I will not be wearing these to market or mall. :)

I started with Design #29 from the 01/09 issue of Ottobre Design. I dropped the waist a few inches so it sits at the top of my hip instead of the natural waist. I also tapered in the side seams for a tighter fit at the thigh. I tested them in the mirror. Everything that needs to be covered, stays covered. (I bet those PT guys see some things they wished they didn't have to see.) The fabrics are all knits with a bit of lycra. I opted for slightly heavier knits so the shorts would not be as clingy.

These shorts were super fast to sew and are very comfortable to wear.

Oil and Water

2010-06-15T23:04:00.000-04:00

I have spent many happy days on the beaches of the Gulf coast. I have been on a beach in every state along the Gulf coast. I would love to know how many pounds of Gulf seafood I have eaten in my lifetime. To think of oil destroying that area makes me ill.

Threadless.com is selling this beautifully designed t-shirt to benefit the Gulf Restoration Network.