I've been living in some surreal world the past month. After so much time of talking and planning and thinking and packing but accomplishing nothing... stuff happened. Lots of stuff. Life changing stuff.
And boy it sure feels good.
Every time I tell another friend or coworker about the house selling or the house we will be moving to, I feel a glow. A smile I can't remove, a sparkle in my eyes and face that hasn't always been there. A smile that isn't a fake it 'till you make it kind of smile that doesn't reach your eyes.
Building on the changes, yesterday I called Children's Aid in the region we're moving to. A university friend of mine works there and she discreetly asked her adoption coworkers the best avenue for me to proceed and they recommended calling to let us know we were coming. It's nothing too formal, but now we're on their radar.
It was a good conversation mostly about us - who we are, where we are at mentally, emotionally, how stable our life is (well, the move is the definition of lack of stability but past that nothing is changing), what we're looking for, etc. The application package is in the mail. I felt like I had a good rapport with the social worker. Typically the worker who takes your call is assigned your case, I am hoping that is the case because I think it's a good fit. I am glad we took the PRIDE training already. I had much better answers to his questions and perspective on the intention of the question than I would have without it. From his perspective, we are seen as a more attractive potential parent because that step is already done.
It seems like a good time in my life for the song "Happy" to be played damn near everywhere. I saw this video of it on the weekend and it is so powerful to me. It's from Deaf Film Camp - Camp Mark Seven - and it's all in American Sign Language with subtitles. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
What a month it has been. I'm honestly not too sure where to start and I think that has me slow to post since returning from Germany. I want to write about:
Mexico - I know I've mentioned it, but there are some sewing related realizations of what I need more of in my closet.
Fabric - My parents brought back a few pieces of fabric and I bought some while I was away.
Germany - Holy crap that was a good film festival. Mr. Lina did not come back with any awards but it's an honour to be in a festival with such good films.
It's really more than one post so we'll see where this goes and pick up the rest at a later date. We're still uploading pictures from Germany and it really deserves it's own post.
When I pack for vacation, me-made clothing get preferential treatment. I'd rather look at pictures and see things that are me-made. But looking at these pictures, there aren't many me-made to show. My me-made bathing suit was my favourite but Mr. Lina (wisely) did not take pictures of me wearing it. I have 3 pieces of fabric to make another, I should get on that.
I am (clearly) fair skinned and covered with moles. I'm the girl wearing a hat, a white sweater and SPF 60 in the summer. It's just not worth the risk of burning and skin cancer. I'd like to keep what skin I have. I own MANY summer (and winter) hats. And guess what I forgot to pack?
Visiting Akumel.
Fortunately Mr. Lina packed both this less than fashionable hat and a ball cap and that hat somewhat fits my rather sizable head. The shirt is Simplicity 4218, view B. I made this before I read blogs and heard about full bust adjustments (not something my mom had to worry about when she sewed for herself), so it ended up absolutely huge. HUGE. In theory, the back has a tie. In my version, I had to take inches in off the back so it would stay on my shoulders. This means the ties are actually poking through a hole I left in the back the shirt and not tied to anything. Based on my circles on the pattern envelope, I think I made a size 20, I really should have made 16 or even a 12/14 because of the crazy ease and stretchy fabric. Whatever, I love the fabric, I get compliments when I wear it but it is showing signs of wear. The knit is pilling at the side bust and the neck has stretched out. There is a little bit of lace from my bra sticking out in this picture (and the crazy hair is thanks to the hat and the wind).
Akumel again.
I bought a hat about 20 minutes after this picture was taken so you aren't subjected to the green hat again. Let's move onto what I need to clone (or find a pattern to replicate). This is a RTW shirt I inherited from my SIL.
Beach/rocks at Grand Sirenis.
It's just a long tank, but there is a ruffle sewn from the bust up to the shoulder on one side. This makes it a little difficult to layer under a cardi, but it looks much nicer than your typical tank. It's polyester so it's not going to wrinkle and it does dry fast. I should make something similar because I find it very easy to travel with. Maybe a tweak to the Sorbetto pattern.
At Tulum - more about the bust situation below.
"Jungle Maya", the last zip was into water hence the bathing suit.
I bought this top at RCSS, a grocery store, it's "Joe Fresh" brand and I've found it great when it's hot but I want my shoulders covered. We weren't suppose to wear sunscreen on the Jungle Maya tour because it will cloud the water in the caves (cenotes) we were snorkeling in, this was perfect for cool sun coverage. Well it has a hole in it now. It's not the most flattering thing in my closet but it is one of the more functional pieces. I have a few pieces of cotton voile that could serve the same purpose.
Speaking of bathing suits...
Cave snorkeling with Mr. Lina
More Jungle Maya - repelling into another cave for a swim.
I am wearing a two piece bathing suit under the life jacket. I bought it when we were on our honeymoon and I felt pretty good about my slimmer body. The bottoms provide full coverage (I need more than 1" of fabric at the hips to feel comfortable) and up until recently, it held my breasts fairly well. It's not my favourite bathing suit any more but I thought the two piece bathing suit would be better for the all day adventure. When we got to Tulum I bent over to rearrange stuff in our bag and felt a snap. The back clasp broke before we even got 5 feet from the minivan. Mr. Lina used a hair elastic to tie it back together but it was just not the same (also why my bust looks terrible in the pink shirt above, bad things happen when the band is too loose). Fortunately we were required to wear life jackets while swimming so I didn't have to worry about it falling off completely. Now that it's really broken, I'd like to clone it.
Back to tops to clone...
This top was a gift from my MIL at Christmas (Mark's Work Wearhouse). I also wore it for the screening at the Landshut film festival. How many tops work in palm trees and snow?
It's sheer and came with a black tank to wear under it. I love how this moves away from me so I feel pretty regardless of how bloated I feel from Mexican buffet or schnitzel. It has a silver thread through it so it can look fancy or casual depending on what I pair it with. I have some sheer fabrics in my stash that I bought for lingerie but I think this might be a better use. I'm not sure I would ever be attracted to a pattern as shapeless as this, but it actually works in my wardrobe.
Work has been rather crazy for me and having my manager quit won't make it any better. Mr. Lina has texted me more than once asking if I'm coming home. It's not all bad, I am feeling good about some recognition I'm getting at work, but it's not leaving a lot of time for things like blogging (pout). In theory I should write in evenings anyhow, but the 5 hour time difference and thinking all day left my brain a little mushy in the evenings. Hopefully I'll get to the other two vacation/fabric posts soon.
Thank you all so much for the comments on the last post. I think writing that out was good for me, things have definitely improved. I did take suggestions to heart and made sure to take my vitamins and stand at the window when the sun came out. Some of it was just putting my foot forward on smaller projects to get the ball rolling. I am still having some foggy brained moments, but it's not as bad as last week.
We didn't have much planned for the weekend, just dinner at a friends house on Saturday, 4 couples and a child. Mr. Lina is clearly still popular with the 2.5 year old crowd. As much as she was asking where I was, it was Mr. Lina who needed to read her books and fix the play oven when the rack wasn't going in easily.
This did lead to some baby-sad moments on Sunday. Mr. Lina was equating time with our favourite 2.5 year old like drugs. You feel this great high at the time. The good feelings carry over for a while when you think of how good it felt to have them singling you out as someone special or snuggling close. And then you realize that it is gone. She's gone home and it's going to be a while before you can get that feeling back. It's why I don't go to baby showers and I'm hesitant around babies. It feels awesome at the time but sometimes the crash isn't worth the high. I think there will be another crash when Ripley's Kittens are adopted in the next couple of weeks. Most of them are over 2lbs now, it won't be long before they all meet the 2 months and 2lbs for being adopted. Those kittens have provided some very happy distractions for both of us.
One of the great things about this weekend was my use of time, a balance of relaxing and productive. I slept when I was tired, watched old movies and crocheted, transplanted my aloe into a larger (and heavier) pot (Note to Self, next time I move that aloe plant I should wrap it in a towel, my forearms and hands look like I tried to bathe a cat). It started as a 10" pot from Home Depot, it's now 7 plants and about hip high on me in the new larger pot. As happy as it seemed being pot bound in it's second plastic pot, it was pretty tippy hence the move away from plastic pots. I did loads and loads of laundry, I think I washed every towel in the house.
Stash fabric from Jan/12, rayon on the left, ponte (Tira?) on the right
It was a bit of a 3 Hours Past weekend as I made my own laundry detergent, watched Sabrina and pulled out the pattern pieces for Tiramisu and a few knit fabrics (red ponte above maybe?). I did a little tidying in my sewing room, no firm decision making or sewing, but I refolded a few fabrics (including those pictured above and below, that navy modal is soooo soft) pulled out a few patterns, put a few things away. I also went through my bra findings to figure out what I have and what I need (stretch needles!). I won't say it was a hugely productive weekend, but I puttered. I thought. I took care of quite a few small projects I had been ignoring. It felt good.
Soft modal
With my parents in Florida, it's a good time for online shopping and have it shipped to them. I found a great card fabric for Mom's luggage tags. I emailed to ask if she would like that as I would find something for myself and order them together. Amusing thing is she wanted that and 3 other fabrics as well, her bill came to more than mine and qualified us for free shipping. I have ordered 2 pieces of fabric that I think will work for Alma. They are stretch wovens (mostly cotton), Alma doesn't require stretch but 10% stretch might work well for my first go at the pattern. If the bust adjustments aren't perfect the stretch will be more forgiving and being cotton they will be at least 3 season wear. We will see what they actually look like in March when my parents return. I still find shopping for fabric online strange, I miss the tactile sensations.
There is a lot coming up, February is a busy month. This Saturday we're hosting Richie Newton and Rosie Stearns (video below). We're trying to do a head count on attendance, it's a bit frustrating to have so many maybes. We might have 11, we might have 23 (I'm hoping for 23 myself). But that's true with every show, I should know that by now. We have Valentines Day to plan for (more on that later). There is a bowling fundraising dance on the 15th, our annual chili cook off on the 17th, off to Mexico on the 24th... lots to look forward to this month.
Are you driven by patterns, fabrics or others? Do you find yourself starting with a pattern and finding the right fabric? Or holding a fabric knowing the right pattern is out there?
I think I am often inspired by fabric. I love thinking of the potential for a fabric - a full skirt, a light blouse, a cosy shirt. As I was working on Burda 118A last night, I realized that fabric had not even come to mind. Here I was, tracing the thing out, taping tissue paper sheets together and starting to cut them out and I had no idea what fashion fabric I was going to use. None. It had not crossed my mind to find one. How weird is that?
One thing I have come to realize is that I have bought lots of:
Poly knits, probably purchased on a 3 for 1 sale
Rayon fabrics thinking to make Senchas, Sorbettos and Pendrells for summer
Stretch cottons bought this summer
Sheer fabrics
Silk noil
Crazy fabrics (generally purchased with lingerie in mind so they are a bit costumey)
You know what isn't on that list? Wovens (with the exception of the silk noil). Rather, non-sheer and non-stretch wovens. The few wovens I have must have a little lycra or spandex because they all have a little give in one direction. Strange but true.
A year ago when I was up for jury duty (odd how I remember that trip to Fabricland so clearly), I bought this fabric.
From a distance, it reads as a solid, but it's a really nice mix of a plum colour and black in a very small herringbone. It has a little stretch to it, just a little. I'm going to learn from Allison C's issues of the bias skirt causing problems and cut it so the skirt is straight and the bodice is on the bias. The bit of stretch around my hips will help if my estimates on sizing up are a little small. Am I right on that or will disaster ensue?
I've been doing some flat pattern measuring to figure out where I need to add and how much. One thing I found interesting in doing the many measurements that Burda has was the front and back body lengths. I'm 5' and a half inch, not as tall as the 5'6" they are designing for. I was really surprised to see that the front measurement from my shoulder to waist was pretty close to what they were designing for. The back measurement, however, was off by 1.5-2" if I remember right.
Obviously with a FBA, you need more width to go around and deeper darts. I'm 43-44" at my full bust (depending on the bra) and almost 39" at my high bust. The less obvious aspect is adding length to go over those breasts. It seems that in having a fuller bust, I'm ending up with the right body length. But being short, my bust apex is higher than the sloper. In the back, I don't have breasts filling up that volume so I need to remove some length.
I have paused in making my FBA because I need to let my brain simmer a little on how this translates from flat pattern that exists, changes I know I need to add/remove, and my 3D body. Added to this, look at the line drawing, there are no bust darts. The side gathers make it a little hard to figure out where the apex actually is (or how much it matters without darts). I was folding the tissue paper last night to make it look more like the flat finished shirt, tissue paper does not drape like fabric.
I am slow with this stage of sewing. I like to walk away and ponder, maybe pick up something else for 10 minutes and return to it. It's a simmering process for me. As it was approaching 10pm, I also figured it was good to stop rather than push on. I wasn't ready to cut into the fabric yet and that was going to take time when I was ready.
I mentioned in comments a few updates on the fertility process. I passed the skin test for TB. I had my chest x-ray done and here's hoping that confirms the negative test. If not, well, I'm okay with that too except for the fact I'd rather not have a latent case of TB. I am clearly not "pro-Humira", I think I'm more trusting in my doctors opinion than really wanting to take it. A positive test would remove that decision from my hands. I have also booked all the tests the clinic wants for Saturday. So once the x-ray results are back and I've handed over some money and consent forms, we're good to go.
My experience at the x-ray clinic was awesome. No appointment needed, I walked in at 5:20 last night and I was at my car by 5:30. AND the receptionist (in having to type my birthday in) commented on how I looked so much younger than my age. Score!
The screening went well, people laughed at the right time and the applause at the end was genuine and more enthusiastic than other films. Mr. Lina felt pretty good about that. He also had a chance to meet Tom Savini and get his copy of Day of the Dead signed. Last year they entered a costume contest with two of the zombies from the movie (one being Mr Lina) and Tom awarded them first prize. Mr. Lina was pretty pleased to be able to give him a copy of the final movie. It seemed like Tom remembered them (well, Humphrey costume, not Mr. Lina specifically).
Mr. Lina & Tom Savini
I did manage to sneak away for a bit on Saturday afternoon to find some fabric stores. Sadly my sense of direction is not so good. I found St Hubert and Jean Talon, but went the wrong way on St Hubert. I did find a fabric store that was all kinds of crazy polyester, but they had some great bra strap elastic in colours other than black and white. By the time I figured I had walked too far and turned around, it was getting late and I was tired. In the end I did visit a handful of stores, but it was a little overwhelming at times. Stacks and stacks of fabric, most without prices on them or notes on the content. I bought two pieces, a remnant, elastics and buttons. I'll post about them when I get pictures. On the bright side, this leaves some birthday money to purchase Gertie's book.
I wore a lot of me-made clothing. Sencha going there, Sorbetto on Saturday, a cloned tank top to the bar on Saturday night. Mr. Lina took lots of pictures of me, but not many that show the me-made aspects of my wardrobe.
Honest, Sorbetto is under there. At the steps of Notre Dame Cathedral, resting my feet.
I really should revisit Sencha. I made two of them. I like them, but after the "wow I did that" has worn off, I don't love them. The neckline is too high. I don't know if I followed the button placement for either all that well but I needed to add clear snaps in between the buttons to keep it closed. I dunno, it's a good blouse, but I don't think I got either right.
Senchs #2 with Annabelle Chvostek last Thanksgiving.
I wore the second one on Friday and I was so happy to take it off, it kept pulling forward and I found myself constantly trying to make it sit in the right place. I'd like to revisit it at some point to see if I could make it right, I feel like it should suit my figure better.
One top I have been wearing a lot is the top from Butterick 5147.
It's a lifestyle wardrobe and I bought this prior to blogging. I've made the top up twice, had intentions to make a dress or the skirt and just never quite did it. The first version I really made too big. I think this was prior to the enlightenment of FBA. It does fit my bust well, it's more that the shoulders are a little wide and it feels like there could be a fold at the neck. On the bright side I got the waist darts right so there is great waist/bust definition going on. I usually wear a heavy necklace to hold the neckline down and stop me from playing with the extra fabric. The second time, I made it smaller, took that fold out of the neckline. The fabric I chose had a little stretch so that was the second reason for making it smaller. Too bad I didn't think about making the lining stretch too. It has always been a little snug but okay, but I am rather certain I'd feel like a sausage in it at the moment. As much as it is a tank top, it's lined and the fabrics I chose are polyester suiting (which are nicer than that sounds). I find them too warm for summer, but in winter I put a cardigan or jacket over top and it's perfect.
The change in season has me looking at my wardrobe again. With fall arriving, I feel bored of my summer clothing. I don't want to wear socks, but it will be refreshing to pull out a few things I haven't worn in a while. And it seems some are not as worthy of favourite status and B5147 is showing me that it really should have a prominent spot in my work wardrobe.
I know New Years Eve is typically the time for resolutions. It is the mark of a new year and all. But I feel like September is actually more of a fresh start in a lot of ways than January.
In January, we've just come off some time off for Christmas and New Years. It's generally pretty crazy through December with parties to go to, shopping to do, people to see. For a lot of companies, it's year end that comes with a push to get last sales in (particularly if you're behind at the end of Q3). It doesn't really feel to me like it's the start of something new, it's more the end of craziness. Winter sports continue on through to spring, the weather isn't changing all that much. Maybe more snow, but December is pretty cold here.
As fall arrives, it's a real shift. I don't have kids, but the start of school impacts my commute and changes traffic patterns. At work, fewer people are on vacation so you aren't perpetually waiting for someone to return to make a decision. It is the end of summer hours for a lot of companies so Fridays go back to a full day of normal. Winter sports start up, new routines exist. As the weather shifts to cooler nights, you can just feel the change happening all around you.
With my birthday being September 2nd, it's also a time I find myself a bit reflective I suppose. It's another year gone by and I find myself thinking of what's happened in that year and what I thought might happen in that year. That second half? I really should not follow that line of thought, better to look forward.
I've caught myself crying driving to work a few times in the past two weeks. It feels out of the blue, like I don't know why I am crying, some song lyric just turns into tears. And there is misplaced anger. For example, there is construction on the highway entrance I generally use on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and last week it was closed leaving people to find another route. I was ready to extend a middle finger to someone turning around who was ignoring my right of way. I mean, it was stupid, but that stuff usually makes me shake my head, not yelling at them from my car and feeling such... hostility. I spend too much time driving to be upset by bad drivers. I suspect something is rattling around in my head and heart and coming out in weird places.
In our house, bowling starts tonight. I am looking forward to it. It will be nice to see people, bowling is a very social activity. I am not very good (really and truly) so I am certainly not there to only throw strikes. Hopefully my friend from aquatics can join our league, last I heard she was still firming up her kids schedule but it was looking promising. Mr. Lina is getting a last round of golf in tonight, curling starts up for him soon.
This fall will be primarily about Mr. Lina and his movies.
September 22nd - day of filming for the next movie, I'm going to be helping out with food etc.
We were pretty excited to go to New Orleans, but they are airing it on the Saturday and it conflicts with the OCFF conference we've already paid for. We found that out at about the same time as they got the acceptance to Boston so now we're switching gears to go there. Neither of us have been to Boston so it's a good reason to visit a new place. Google says it's a 9 hour and 20 min drive so we'll probably just tack on a day at either end and drive down. Hmm, driving means no weight restrictions...
House concerts are also starting up. We'll be hosting David Ross Macdonald (drummer for The Waifs) again on September 26th. We hosted David in May 2011. He played oh, two days after arriving from Australia and he was a trooper through jet lag. He is such a lovely person so it will be nice to have him stay the night again. Well, and perform. I suppose the first time we hosted him, it was the music I was keen to share because it is what I knew. Now, I can't wait to hear him live again, see who comes for the repeat viewing, but it's going to be like seeing a good friend for the night.
Again, I have not been sewing. Part of what is holding me back is clutter. With the birthday party and a friend of David's will be staying with us next week, my house is cleaner than it's been in a long while - at the expense of my sewing room. Things have just been put there as a place to put it. I really should find the push to clean it out (again). The blanket for my niece needs the last two rows of shell stitch put on but it's going to be "thinking crocheting" to get that started, not the mindless repetition that is good while watching television. It is another "should" at the moment. In the summer, I'm not overly keen on being in my sewing room because it's just too hot. It's not fun. I want to see the return of fall as a return to the sewing room. I'm not sure when I'll get to it with the trip to Montreal looming and a guest all next week, but the pull is returning. The need for clothing will be an added push.
Yesterday was our first step up on the Couch to 5k program. It wasn't so bad. My legs don't hurt. I wasn't having problems breathing. Week two changes from 60 seconds of running/90 seconds of walking 6 times to 90 seconds of running/two minutes of walking 4 times. We ended up covering about the same distance in about the same time. I think the repetitions were harder than just pushing on the extra 30 seconds. And on the big plus side in my books, one night last week after running, Mr. Lina said to me that he was feeling really relaxed. I am not so worried about the specific weight lost as I am about his blood pressure coming down. Hearing him say he's feeling more relaxed already has to be good for his blood pressure.
Speaking of weight, I mentioned he has a contest going on at work. Week one is over and the leader at the moment lost 9lbs in a week. Mr. Lina is not the leader because he's in this for the long haul. Apparently one of his coworkers flat out didn't eat lunch yesterday and the guy in second ate carrots. Men are crazy. Meanwhile Mr. Lina went to work with a sandwich, nectarine, and Greek yogurt. The sandwich wasn't as light as it could be, but it was better than the restaurant food he was generally eating for lunch. Success by one metric does not always mean real success in the big picture.
I'll leave you with a little bit of David Ross Macdonald. 15 days until I hear it live in my basement...
So last post I mentioned we'll be going to Montreal for a film fest. I got my dates confused, Brantford film festival is in November, Montreal is September 14-16. We see my doctor on the 14th in the afternoon so I think we'll be leaving after that appointment. Montreal is close in Canadian terms, but it is still a good 6+ hour drive depending on traffic, washroom stops and dinner.
Montreal - 2009, vacation with Mr. Lina
Mr. Lina booked the hotel today so it feels all official and close and exciting. And Google says it's only 17 minutes using the subway to get from our hotel to fabric stores on St Hubert. After 6 hours of driving, what's 17 minutes? I think I can do that on my own and be back before whatever movie(s) Mr. Lina has gone to see is over. An entire weekend of horror movies is going to be a little much for me and I'm not enough of a celebrity person to line up for autographs for the US cast of Being Human, James Marsders from Buffy/Angel, etc. I don't mind being scared, but I spook easily and prefer to watch them at home so I can hide. Or pace. Or hold a pillow.
And in other Mr. Lina news, it seems he has been spared in lay offs. They finally made the cuts they are going to make in his area of the company and he gets to stay. His team has gone from 19 people to 11. It is a relief to just know one way or the other what's going on. Now to see how they reorganize the comany when it's pretty much been cut in half.
This directionless restless feeling is still there but I think I'm getting through it. If you think of life as a series of short stages, I think when I look back I'll see the vacation as the start of a new chunk of time. This is going to be a bit rambly, but there is a point. So what has been going on?
We went to see my doctor for our review appointment for pregnancy #7 (I still don't like the M word). I found myself reassuring him. He has done what he sees as the best options for us over and over and we still are not successful. His frustration is abundantly apparent. So I found myself using my own lines to him, that it's okay, this is just the path we're on and I still trust him. He can't be in my uterus making it happen, his best is good enough for me. In talking to my manager about this yesterday, I really felt the truth of that. Infertility is just part of who I am now, like my weird food allergies and the fact that I'm short, all of these experiences are making me into who I will be and I accept that aspect of it. He is going to a conference in early September, immunological issues in fertility is part of that so he wants to see us Sept 14th prior to starting on our last cycle (and I did say I'm done after that) in case something new comes out of it.
Initially, I didn't like this, I don't want more time to waste away. Mr. Lina was the one to specifically ask if we should wait, but as I think about it, it is a good thing. Summer can go on as planned, my period still has not appeared and I'm not really sure what to count as Day 1 after all the prometrium to put off bleeding. June 3rd? June 8th? Either way, we're at about 35-40 days now for this cycle which is not unusual for me but I have a feeling this is going to be a long annovulatory cycle. Sept 14th is 53 days away. It would be missing one cycle, maybe two if I ovulate next cycle and it's short (for me). It doesn't sound so long looking at it that way.
I think the clutter is really paralyzing me from doing things at home. I like a little clutter, but it is an overwhelming amount of crap we've let accumulate around the house. This is what happens when we don't entertain, there isn't someone else to clean up for.
Mr. Lina is in movie mode. They will be filming another short film in August so there are many meetings and planning sessions going on. The Post-Lifers has got into a few more film festivals. Mississauga International Film Festival will be hosting them on July 29th so we'll be going to that. Finally something that is somewhat local for our friends and family.
Weight. I did not put on as much weight as I often do in Manitoba (I have nicknamed it "the land of a pound a day" for a reason), but about 4 pounds did return with me and I wasn't happy with the number on the scale prior to Manitoba. They need to come off before they become permanent.
On the job front for Mr. Lina, things are still unsettled but he seems less sad about it. Just in case he is laid off, he brought home his personal books and things. His manager (a friend prior to working together) has found another job so it's one less person to worry about. Mr. Lina found out that someone senior was asked for input on essential staff and Mr. Lina was included as essential, so assuming they listen to him things should be okay. As mentioned, it is less the financial side of a possible layoff, it's the sadness of leaving a place he wants to work at and uncertainty that is causing problems at the moment.
I was happy at work yesterday. That sounds so simple, but it's been such a struggle to feel that way. I had things to do but not so much that I was overwhelmed. I had people asking my opinion about their projects and asking for help to learn software that is new to them. I left on time. It was a good day.
I have made a little progress on the blanket I'm crocheting, I think I have about 10-14 rows left. So far, I'm happy enough to give it as a gift I also worked up the courage to ask my mom if Clone and my SIL know the gender of the baby and it seems like it might be a girl but they aren't sure. So I guess I'll be sticking to neutral colours. Makes sense for a first baby anyhow. I have to purchase the yarn for the boarder unless I just do it all mint green. The boarder is in two pieces, a bit of double crochet and then a ruffly shell, so I could do the double crochet in white or yellow to break it up and then the ruffly bit in the same mint green.
I had all day Sunday and last night to myself. I did not sew, I thought about sewing. I went in my sewing room, and every time I walked back out. I don't know why really, but it just wasn't where I wanted to be.
This doesn't seem related to my thoughts on short series, but it is. From now until (at the earliest) September, I won't be doing infertility treatments. No additional appointments or medication outside of the usual metformin, baby aspirin and prenatal vitamins. Mr. Lina is making mental headway on adoption so even on that front, I'm feeling pretty good. As much as pregnancy #7 did not end the way we wanted it to, I'm okay with it and I feel mentally better (not perfect, just better) than I did in the fall or winter. If I think of it as wasted time, I will end up sliding back.
I think I need to figure out what this short span of time IS going to be about and own that. There are things planned - going to a friends cottage, the movie shoot, Summerfolk, my birthday, guests from Manitoba, becoming an aunt, house concerts start up again in September.... no lack of things going on, but it still comes down to me seeing it as time well spent.
So... it seems proof reading was not one of my strengths last night. I updated the title so it's not Fantasty but just Fantasy Orange Sewing. As tasty as oranges are, I don't plan on eating zippers or bias tape.
What a week. I am still tap dancing a bit at work and I really should be doing some of it now but I need me-time too. There have been some long days this week, a few stressful tears on Wednesday, but I see a little light at the end of the tunnel. By the time the FET gets here, I'll be ready for a couple of days off.
In April, I debated about doing Me Made May. It seems like a lot of fun and I can see how there is learning if your challenge is appropriate to your current wardrobe. I think I can wear something self made every day, even if some days it's just my bra and panties. But I opted not to officially join because with the FET (and Mother's Day is typically not good for my mental health), it seemed like too much. To participate, I would need to set the bar so low it really wasn't a challenge which defeats the purpose. I have, however, been trying to pay attention to what I have been wearing, picking more me-made items and seeing if I'm up to it. So far so good. 8 days I've worn external me-made clothing, 2 days it was only my own bra and panties, but still, I'm wearing something I made every day. I would have found it impossible to document. I appreciate all the pictures participants put together, the weekly collages, and I am so not able to take daily pictures right now.
And in the spirit of fantasy sewing... I won a pile of orange. I thought I'd see if there was anything that would match/contrast well with the lovely assortment of orange. And you know what I bought last month?
Indoor lighting sure changes the colours in pictures. The picture on the right is a daylight picture from when I bought the fabric, left I took tonight with some of the orange assortment. It sure is a vibrant print. I bought 2m (45" wide) of cotton sateen, a lovely weight for a skirt or fitted dress. It is soft to touch, but too heavy for anything with pleats, blousing or bulk, it wouldn't drape well and I don't need additional bulk. Now to find the right pattern that requires an orange zipper (or three). I have a RTW A-line skirt in a similar weight fabric that I wear a lot in summer, something similar would be nice. I could use the same pattern I used for the grey corouroy skirt, I like the shape of it (although the waist could use a little tweaking).
Or maybe B5147, they say I'd need 2.2m of 115cm wide fabric for that black dress on the bottom. I have 2m and whatever little extra I got on the cutting table, but I'm short. I would likely lose 10cm or so in length so maybe I could eek it out. I like the idea of a dress because I'd need to make a top to go with a skirt, my black t's would be fine on the weekend but not for work. A dress would need some black accents to just tone it down a bit.
Also in my list of fantasy sewing is a Sorbetto top to go with my pj bottoms. I am finding that I like wearing the shorts around the house. They are quite comfortable and the right mix of ease to be both comfortable and not feeling bulky. Honestly I have only slept in them once, but they are finding a spot in my wardrobe and washed up to bubbly seersucka goodness.
Fantasy sewing #3 is more funtional. I could actually use more Renfrews, but without the cowl so they aren't so distinctive. I wore the purple one today with a black skirt and felt really good, but it's getting a shade too warm for them. Three quarter sleeve in a more breathable knit would be handy. Also, bottoms. I have a lot of dresses and tops, one skirt, and no pants. So either I'm head to toe in a dress I made or it's a top. More skirts or pants would give me more versatility for a Me Made Month.
And reminders to myself for the next FET:
Biore face cloth are actually keeping the hormone acne at a reasonable level. Break outs have been an issue in some cycles but not all. It's pretty bad this time with pimples popping up in non-typical spots like beside my eyes at the side of my face and between my nose and lips. I don't like using chemicals but salicylic acid in those cloths are keeping the teenage look at bay.
Day after intralipids I felt awake and amazing, it was a very productive day.
Insomnia is a side effect of Lupron. I was rereading a personal journal from a few years ago and I noted restless nights and that Lupron may be to blame. I am sleeping, but it is taking me longer to fall asleep (which I was attributing to work stress and Mr. Lina snoring, I usually sleep through it if I fall asleep first and nose strips made a huge difference) and I'm restless at night - hot, cold, dreaming, etc. Mr. Lina and I were actually talking to each other at 3am last night.
Although work is a little crazy, there are some good things. The presentation I gave on Monday? I thought it went well, but you never know when you leave the room if the audience was saying one thing to your face and another to each other (and I was still a bit tired from that gravol). It seems the coworker who sold in that project was at the client site on Tuesday and one of the attendees crossed the room to specifically give positive feedback on the value of my presentation. My coworker wrote up a summary of that conversation and sent it to me, my manager, my former manager (she probably didn't know my reporting changed) and up her food chain too. We're actually going to submit for formal feedback that will count to my performance review for next year. It was quite nice to get recognition and a little ego boost in the midst of craziness. Honestly it was a really small amount of work to run the data, but they hadn't seen something like that before so they just needed a little hand holding on how to read it. It was not the most difficult or complicated work I've done even this week, but it was of value to them so that's what matters.
I did not realize there were multiple ways to spell pajama/pyjama. Quite often Canada sides with the UK on spelling, adding u's into words like neighbour or humour, or re's for centre. But we still pick up phrases from the US, pants are not panties in my mind (my MIL would call underwear gotch, sometimes gitch), my car has tires not tyres and if I had an extra tire, it would go in the trunk not the boot. Did You Make That spells it py, but the pa was how I typed it without thinking about spelling and that's how it was spelt for the movie Pajama Party. I turned to google for clarification to find my confusion is a Canadian thing. http://grammarist.com/spelling/pajamas-pyjamas/
Pajamas and pyjamas both mean loose-fitting clothes worn for sleep. Pajamas is the preferred spelling in American English. Pyjamas is preferred in most varieties of English from outside North America. Canadians are inconsistent on the issue, though they prefer pyjamas by a small margin.
I have my fabric all washed up. It seems to have washed well although it creased a bit at the cut edge. I had zig zagged the cut edges, it seems to fray as I'd expect from a woven but ridiculously so. I like that it has a little texture to it so it will look intentionally wrinkled in the morning. The colours here are a little warmer thanks to the lighting in my sewing room, the green stripes are a pretty vibrant lime colour. You can see a bit of the creasing (and zig zag) at the fold.
PJ's (neatly avoiding either spelling camp) can have many objectives. These are going to be cool pj's for hot nights and I figured I'd go through my existing pj's and patterns to figure out what I actually like to wear. You know I really don't have anything I want to copy? All of my summery pj's are oversized knit tshirts/tank tops and shorts with Winnie the Pooh on them. This cotton is not a knit and I don't really want something ridiculously oversized that I feel I'm wearing a tent. I also would like enough bust coverage that it's okay to step into the backyard and be seen by my neighbours. The bottoms I'll work with my pants block as a starting point and use existing pants to figure out ease, oddly enough, I'm not worried about the pants.
I do not have a wide assortment of patterns. I try to purchase patterns carefully or supporting people like Colette and Sewaholic. Quite a few patterns in my collection are from Mom so they run the gamut of clothing for her and kids patterns. Nothing that I have in envelopes is really suitable. I turned to the patterns I've got from Lekala (who spell it py), I think I like the top for 5252, this one is also available with Modern Sewing Patterns
Buttons? I'll have to think about that, could be cute, could be annoying.
Will likely have issues of the bust area not lining up with where my braless bust ends. I did find that the "red slip" princess seams did fit well sans bra so they may have already worked that in the pattern.
I do like that red slip pattern (Lekala 5241), it crossed my mind to just make it shorter, but I would like a little more to the straps so it feels less revealing to guests. The straps are the bias tape that is all one piece from one strap, across the back and around to the other strap. I think widening the straps requires more effort than just finding another pattern that would work.
So I dunno if I'm heading into TMI, but I tell you if I'm ovulating so I'm not sure that I really understand the limits of TMI. When it is really hot, the big problem of staying cool is skin to skin contact. Be that between the two of us or between my legs or... under my breasts. It gets freaking hot there where the under part of my breast sits against my rib cage. Bras deal with that in the daytime but I am not wearing a bra to bed because it's hot. So one thing I kind of like about having sort of cups to the top is it could help with that. At least have fabric in the area I can tuck around.
If not this, then maybe just a Sorbetto tank. It would be easy...
I feel a little out of touch on blogs. The weekend went by in a blur of food prep, grocery shopping, going to the clinic and hanging out with Mr. Lina. Yesterday was a zoo at work, so I feel like I'm playing catch up today. It's not many days, but I still feel a little out of touch.
Friday night I went through my stash and found the fabric I was thinking of. I did buy 2m so I should be good for making pj's. It is a pretty multicoloured stripe with a bit of wrinkle to it, it's going to be perfect for hot weather. Sadly, I didn't photograph it (bad blogger). It did not look like I had pre-washed it so Friday I sewed up the cut ends and washed up that and a couple of other light coloured fabrics in my stash.
Going through the stash to find it reminded me that I bought a few really nice summer weight fabrics last year. I have a black eyelet that would be so pretty as a dress I think. Something simple so the pattern of the eyelet can take centre stage. Maybe put a bright colour behind it. Plus some black linen, white linen, a patterned linen. Some of them might have a little rayon mixed in but I know linen was the dominant fibre and what attracted me to the fabric in the first place. With work places that tend to run hot rather than cool, I think some linen work wear would serve me well.
Annie Lou were fantastic. Anne Louise and Kim are really sweet, easy to get to know, very happy with our set up and audience. We had a good turn out of 18 (+2 who paid but couldn't make it, thanks Air Canada) and a two year old. I thought they were bringing the fiddle player, but Kim plays banjo, and a couple of songs Anne Louise switched to the banjo as well. It was lovely after the show to see some people commenting on Facebook that they didn't know banjos could sound that good. They have a new CD that just arrived yesterday, I'm looking forward to hearing it. The second CD is "Grandma's Rules for Drinking". Anne Louise heard her mother telling her niece Grandma's rules for drinking and she just had to turn it into a song. It's quite amusing, I wish I could find a video for the song. Good thing I don't drink gin, Grandma says it's not good for your complexion.
Kim Barlow, me, Anne Louise Genest, Mr. Lina
I am still figuring out the best way to do afternoon shows. Usually we feed the artists dinner, they put on the show, they stay the night, I put out breakfast options. But the afternoon show makes dinner seem odd when you've just snacked all afternoon but often the musicians don't get a chance to snack because people are talking to them or they worry about food flying when they sing, or dairy adding phlegm. So they need dinner and we don't. For this show, Anne Louise wanted to stay the night with family in Toronto, so they weren't staying late. We invited them to come for 1pm for lunch, then we could chat, they would have time to get comfortable prior to people arriving at 2:30 for the 3pm show. My parents arrived at 1:45. I still needed to cut up mostly prepped food (maki with smoked fish instead of raw), put out the veggie tray etc. My kitchen is not organized for two people to do anything so arriving early does not help. Mom can't hear if you aren't looking at her so even talking and chopping is difficult because I have to stop chopping to look at her and reply. Going to the clinic from 9-11 also had me feeling like there would be more time for prep than there was. I was a bit flustered when people started arriving.
For lunch, I made Greek Lemon Soup and a sandwich. A clear soup and I sort of made a muffaletta and let people cut off what they wanted from a loaf of bread sandwich. The soup is easy and was very well received, I would serve it again to guests. Here's the recipe.
Bring 4 cups of chicken broth to a boil. I made about 2 cups of broth boiling a chicken thigh, onion and some cabbage and added 2 cups of bouillon. You'll want this to be quality broth be it homemade or purchased.
Whisk 4 eggs in a bowl. Add 3-4 tbsp of lemon juice (I used half fresh, half bottled and did a half assed measuring job while squeezing the fresh).
Slowly add 2 cups of hot broth to the eggs, whisking as you add the broth.
Add eggs and broth back into the pot. Whisk for the next 4 minutes as the soup heats up and thickens.
Pretty simple, eh? A lot of recipes call for rice, and I can see how that would be nice, but I liked that it was a lighter meal (and faster) without it. I floated a slice of lemon to make it look pretty, the book this is from also suggests asparagus tips.
And the clinic... No surprise here, it is looking doubtful that I will ovulate this cycle. There are follicles, but they are all tiny. Considering Sunday was Day 12 and in theory for a 28 day cycle you would ovulate on Day 14, it ain't happening. If I don't ovulate, then my period won't arrive while taking Lupron-depot so I have to take Provera. Next appointment is the 23rd (YAY! I so thought they would make me come in this week just to see if I did ovulate) and depending on how that goes, it is likely that I will be in on the 24th for my Lupron-depot injection and they are going to do an endobiopsy. So, nothing to do until next Monday. I had a chat with my manager of what can happen while I'm on Provera and he's totally supportive of me working from home for a day or two and just letting people know I don't feel well enough to come in but well enough to work. Good enough for me. Then I can cry when I need to and move on. I really do have a supportive workplace, I try to count that blessing as often as I can.
It is the end of the week and that's a good thing. I decided that today is going to be a little warmer than it has been and I have my purple Renfrew on, I could go with a lighter coat. I didn't think to check the pockets of the coat I have been wearing. So guess where my cell phone and my change purse (which has all my money and basic ID and bank cards) is? I never pick up change in the morning, never. For whatever reason I picked up $3.75 so I thankfully can buy a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch to augment the apple, cupcake (bake sale yesterday, how can I say no to the Kids Help Phone Line?) and cup a soup I have at my desk for emergency late nights.
Time for a Friday list, lets start with the non-sewing life stuff...
Mr. Lina is heading to London, ON tonight, his movie is being screened at Shock Stock
It's just too awkward to get me 190 km (two hours without rush hour traffic or stops) with a pit stop near Mr. Lina's work in time for the 8pm start time so I'm staying home.
He is quite excited that the person who played Jason in a number of the Friday the 13th movies is going to be there.
Another reason for me to not go.
Oh these mochaccinos are freaking good. I'm going to be in trouble when I go caffeine free in May.
House concert on Sunday afternoon, we're hosting Annie Lou Duo, we saw them as a foursome at OCFF in 2010, I'm really looking forward to getting to know Anne Louise
I'm going into the clinic on Sunday morning, Day 12 appointment (blood work, ultrasound, nurse, pretty standard stuff). We will be looking to see what's going on with my ovaries, if follicles are developing, if I might ovulate on my own. So interesting maybe, but nothing earth shattering, just the first of a few appointments next week.
Oh and I find out if they are doing a biopsy of my endometrium this cycle too, they weren't sure on Day 3.
Nothing will come of those eggs even if I do ovulate, but it's about getting the right timing for Lupron-Depot shot and starting the EVIL provera.
I hate provera. Synthetic progesterone and I do not get along.
Which reminds me, I should give my manager the heads up about that on Monday.
I should also call the pharmacy and pick up the Lupron-Depot etc just so I can say I have it on Sunday.
Cold is in the last little stages. I still blow my nose more than normal, but not excessively.
And on the sewing front...
Thank heavens I made my Elan 610 bra so tight, it has stretched considerably and I now wear it on the second hook - tight but comfortable.
The cups are also improving (part of this is mental), they actually keep their shape after I take it off which kinda cracks me up.
I wear it unless my outfit dictates otherwise, purple/black do not work with all shirts, but it is now my favourite bra option.
I can feel an itch for another starting, probably not this pattern, but another me-made bra so I can rotate more.
I was commenting about stash and the pajama party and clicked about a cotton that may already be in my stash and would work.
I bought it after making some baby outfits (for kids who are now two) figuring it was on sale and it would be good to stash for the next baby I felt enough strongly enough about to sew for. It would be perfect for pj's because it was just colourful stripes and 100% wrinkly cotton.
I bet I only bought a metre because I was planning baby outfits.
I wish I was home to figure that out right now.
Even if it is a metre, I could find a solid to match the stripes and make a fun set and still sew from the stash.
With Mr. Lina gone tonight, not many plans for tomorrow beyond house cleaning, I should have some time for sewing.
I know I don't sew often midweek, but every night this week has had something going on or someone in my house, I'm looking forward to just being alone with a project.
PMS/menopause insanity that comes with Lupron and Provera will make for a pretty terrible week leading up to my period starting, it's a good time for sewing. Focusing on one stitch at a time keeps me from crying. I have some time yet before we're there, but it's good to plan out some sewing because I likely won't have the interest to start something without making decisions ahead of time.
So what's up in your house? Any good plans for the weekend?
And here is Annie Lou, the lead singer and fiddle player will be at our house as a duo. We were in the audience for this performance.
I'm going to join in on the PJ party that Did You Make That is hosting. I think it will fall in nicely with the pants blocker that I have been picking away at. I had time to sew on the weekend and did not, I just poked around the stash a little bit. Pants are really what I want to work on next, but that's thinking sewing. All this nose blowing has my brain cells rattling around and not interested in thinking unless I have to. But that will not last much longer, there has been improvement every day. Ease and fit are not the same for pj's as trousers, but I think it could still be helpful in understanding crotch curve etc.
I am torn on what to do. Should I buy some fun patterned seersucker and make summer pj's? I could use something light and cottony. I have two cotton nightgowns that are good for when it's truly hot, but that's about it and both are well, old. And I don't really want people to see me in either nightgown, they are old and thin to the point of somewhat sheer if there is light behind me. Not so good for lounging or stepping out to the backyard to water plants.
Or, do I make something warmer? I bought some fleece backed pale purple satin ages ago. I have two pairs of pj's I adore, but really they are both over 10 years old now, they aren't as fleecy on the inside as they were even if they still look good on the outside. They are men's styling, with a collar and pocket and piping. I do love them when we have guests and I want to look nice-ish but not sexy in the morning (more Hugh Hefner, less Playboy bunny). I bought the fabric with that kind of pajama in mind. Stash busting is a pro here, but the top will need some thinking to it and take a fair bit of time for what is in my head.
In all honesty, I don't wear pj's to bed all that often. Mr. Lina and I typically sleep naked. I do wear pj's when we have guests (or if I am a guest) or if I go to bed first. I have a tendency to sleep walk when I'm stressed, I rarely go far, but I get very vivid dreams and start acting them out. Dreams that make me walk are generally reoccurring dreams. When I was a lifeguard in high school and university, there were 2-3 pool related dreams I rotated through if I worked more than 40 hours a week, particularly if the bulk of those hours were in the water teaching lessons rather than on deck guarding. I have come to realize my current reoccurring sleep walking dream is tied to being naked. If I go to bed first, I hear Mr. Lina coming to bed and I don't think it is him. Then I feel embarrassed that someone is seeing me naked who isn't my husband and I walk over to my cupboard to find something to wear. Typically, I have a specific article in mind so I will hunt until I either find it or wake up. It is to the point that if Mr. Lina hears me starting to move while he is coming to bed, he will say "It's just me, go to sleep". And that is usually enough for me to settle. If I wear pj's to bed when he's staying up to play video games, sleep walking is averted. Pj's are also lounge wear in the morning so they do get use, just maybe not as much as other households.
I dropped my in laws off at the airport this morning on my way to work. As much as I struggle while they are visiting, it is again proof that about the time I adjust to having people in the house is when it is time for them to go. In some ways I wish they stayed longer so that the time that they are here doesn't feel so precious I can't go off and do my own thing when I need a break and I can have time to adjust and just enjoy having dinner made. I have a great time while we're playing cards or out and about. Well, maybe less so at Bass Pro, Toronto Sportsman's Show or Canada Computers. Not much that really appeals to me at any of those places. Particularly the TSS, it was too big to hang out by the live fish tanks or falcon exhibit and find them again because they didn't know what was going to catch their eye next and none of us really knew the layout.
The queen bed arrived on Monday afternoon, some trading was done to max out the guest room bed. We have kept the frame and box spring from that room but moved our mattress over. I didn't sleep all that well the first night on our new bed. I guess because it has independent support or whatever the term is (like the bowling ball commercial) there is a little ridge down the middle. I woke up a few times in the night not sure where Mr. Lina was and feeling an uphill battle to find him. Last night was a more solid sleep. I will say that bed is super quiet. This also helps in ah, dealing with um, various forms of stress while having guests in the house. ;)
The weather has been absolutely beautiful the past week. However... my Tues/Wed client has horrible air circulation. In fact their air conditioner is broken and so old that a part has to be made for them because no one makes air conditioners like theirs anymore. That won't be fixed until mid-April apparently. Yesterday was 22C outside, 28C in someones office (not that hot at my cubicle, but hot enough). They set up 6' fans all over our area so it's like working with a plane taking off in the cubicle beside me. I saw this coming from past summers here so I dressed accordingly. Yesterday I wore Kwik Sew 1595. I don't wear it with this tie belt, I have an elastic belt I made but I don't have a picture of the outfit together. Anyhoo, I like that although this dress is polyester knit (similar in weight to my Renfrews), there is no sleeve (the cap is just a wide shoulder, there is no under arm seam). With air flow at the arm pits and a loose fit, it works well in summer without hose and winter with tights/boots.
And today it's Lekala 5432 in a really light rayon if I remember right. That sweater will be coming off this afternoon.
Jeez, that reminds me how long it's been since I got my hair cut, it's in a pony tail today. I really should do something about that.
Warm weather has me digging out summer shoes. Those cute red flats above? I can only find one. I'm sure I had a pair of open toed black heels for work, can't find them. I wanted to wear some super casual sandals to bowling, I could only find one. Is our hall closet like the dryer with socks? Eating one shoe at a time?
I think purchasing a dress form will be put on hold for a bit. My car has a whine when moving that I have been trying to pretend is not there but it's past ignoring now. Add oil change, tire rotation and I found out Monday the A/C doesn't work. This will not be a small bill. Also, the FET will likely run about $1,000 depending on how the clinic discounts or prices have changed, how much medication is covered and added transportation costs. We can cope with both bills, but I don't want a dress form enough to shoulder debt for it so we'll see how those bills go first. I suspect my savings will go to one of those two and I'll start setting aside money again. I've managed just fine so far and if I really want it, there is always the duct/paper tape options.
Tonight, I get to enjoy some Shepard's Pie my MIL made for dinner and a quiet house. A former coworker is going to call me up. She's leaving a place I'd like to work so I'm getting the inside scoop as to what is going on over there and if I really would like to go there. Location isn't everything if the environment has changed from what it was. Lots of movement creates positions I could move to but it also may change what I liked about it.
Perhaps I can move some of the crap we hid in my sewing room and start planning my next projects. It was mom's birthday on March 10th and while I had a long talk with her on her birthday, I didn't have a gift ready. I think Renfrew would suit her well so I offered to make one and let her pick from a few suitable fabrics I had in stash. That will be the next project. Then a summer weight Renfrew for me because that polyester 3/4 sleeve will not work as summer approaches. Then a return to pants. Or the Tanit-Isis blogiversary top. I have some lovely plumb bamboo that would work well. Or the Blank Canvas Tee. Or I did buy Pendrell when I bought Renfew and silk was in the fabric order from my parents earmarked for Pendrell. So many plans, so little time...
It's been a busy few days with a project finishing up for work, hosting chili night (9 entries, all were good for different reasons) and well, being sad. I dunno guys, I'm feeling a lot of the same doldrums, but I don't really have much new to say on that front. Just stating that it's there.
So this summer I did get a promotion at work, apparently this puts me into a new pool for bonuses. It's not a lot of money, but more than I usually get and enough that I'd like to make a planned purchase with it rather than just seeing it disappear into household expenses. Part of it I will tuck away because my car will need replacing at some point in the not so distant future and I'd like to have a down payment set aside rather than scrambling. Still, there is enough to do that and buy something for me. I don't have a dress form and while I've always thought about making a duct tape dummy or some other DIY, but I haven't. After this long of thinking, I probably won't. But where to start...
The Singer form that Fabricland sells? The price is right, membership often gets you 50% off. I don't know which specific model that Fabricland carries or if there is much variation between them. This picture is from the Joann website. Is it me or do the Dritz ones look pretty similar?
Or what about the Fabulous Fit? I like the idea of being pinnable and it looks more realistic than the gaps in the singer form, I can put the padding where it's needed. I like the 3/4 view because I could do pants or see how panties will fit. And bathing suits, I have made bathing suits for myself (just not while having the blog).
I looked at the Wolf page, wow, that would take damn near my whole bonus (all of it and then some for some of the models). I'm not sure I'm up to that kind of investment unless someone can tell me some incredibly good reasons it's better.
So, I poll you for opinions and thoughts. There are lots of reviews on pattern review, I'll be reading through those too. I'll probably end up with analysis paralysis and not order anything until June...
And in other sewing news... I cut out another Renfrew, same view C with cowl and 3/4 sleeves on Saturday. It's out of the purple/grey/black swirl fabric I bought in the fall.
I was sewing it up on Tuesday. Shoulders went together well, the cowl made far more sense. I tried the double needle trick around the neck and eh, something just isn't right with the tension. It's okay, but not great. Then I went to sew in the sleeves. Something is totally screwy with the tension. I tried a whack of things and just decided it needed fresh eyes. So I will get back to it soon, when I'm ready to tackle the loose thread issues.
