Please come, end of the day.

In five minutes I have to find a way to avoid a billion rain drops falling faster than I can run 50 feet. And as I sit here (stealing unsecured internet) listening to the rain fall on my car sun roof, I think I can hear a sewing machine running in the far off distant part of my mind. It's been almost 7 weeks since I touched my Pfaff. I am having serious withdrawls now. I am not sure but I may have the shakes.

It's Friday and I can't wait to get home!

Swapping Goodness Style

This is a long over due post. It all started back in August... when Rebecca asked me if I would like to do a personal swap with her. Of course I said yes, but immediately after I agreed I got notice of my new job and long story short it's now the middle of October and I am posting pictures of my loot.
She sent me a whole tin full of sewing goodies that included buttons, trims, zippers, and fabrics. She made me a pink and brown button ring, felt blue and brown flower napkin rings, and a crochet tea cup. I have to really admire knitters and crocheters. You are a special group of people that spend a lot of time creating wonderful things. She also made me a mini pin cushion in a white porcelain basket and the 'star' paper flower pin.



I regret that I had to abandoned most of you in reading all your blogging posts and reset the counter. While I love Google Reader, after being gone for so long and accumulating over 800 unread posts I had to call it quits sometime. Last night I set all blogs to 'read' and I start anew today. Hopefully, I will have more time to note back. And, of course, maybe sew something.

If you want to check out my end of the swapping bargain click here.

Keeping busy

I can count on one hand the days until I am home from Chicago.

I am so excited to get back on my sewing machine. I think I may try my hand at sewing clothing again. Staying at a hotel for 28 nights will make you get out to do some shopping. I found two great dresses on clearance that fit me perfectly. Now I can use those measurements to adjust patterns. I also browsed those expensive brands to see what details they are including in there designs and picked up a few ideas.

By the way, if you are looking to go camping Old Navy is selling tents labeled as shirts. Seriously, absolutely no structure in most of their designs. I felt like I was trying on pillowcases and looked just as attractive.

I also spent some time at the book store checking out the new Amy Butler book "Midwest Modern". I really enjoyed looking through all the pages. If I didn't have to worry about overweight luggage I would have bought it. Barnes and Noble's didn't have her "Sew-It Kit" available, but I am excited to look at that when I can.

I also browsed Joelle Hoverson's "Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts". I can see myself making a project or two from this book.

I ended up coming home with the latest edition of Threads magazine. I really enjoy all the tips they include. I will definitely be using some of their articles when I restart my clothes making adventure.

When I do get home I have to unpack my sewing room. I am very excited about putting up my $8 brand new thrifted curtains. Time to make another place a home!

Long time, eh.

So, ya. I've been busy. Very busy. I can't even catch up on all my blog reading. I am using my work computer and 1) I shouldn't really use my work computer for personal use and 2) the browser doesn't work well with reader so I can't view any new postings. (It's going to take me a month to catch up on everyone!)

I leave Chicago tomorrow and I am so excited to get home. But there is no rest for the weary. We have to move 20 minutes north next week. (Along with updating all the address change info, we are getting new cell phone numbers, setting up utilities, I have to find a used washer and dryer, and I am training out on the road with a trainer each day.) Then the 30th, which is also our 1st year wedding anniversary, I fly back to Chicago. :( To make up for the missed anniversary celebration, we are planning a fantastic weekend in Washington DC the second weekend in October. I can't wait till I get a normal schedule back.

Remember all that linen I brought with me? I didn't touch it once. Figures. If I didn't bring it I would have probably had the time.

Jeff did come and visit me last weekend and we had a fabulous time in downtown Chicago (minus all the parking costs.) Saturday we arrived downtown around 11am and didn't leave until 1am. We visited Millennium Park, found a Celtic Festival, watched a strong man competition, found ice cream cones and sat by a beautiful fountain, walked along the beach, discovered the Aquarium but didn't stay because we were not paying $23 each to see fish, had dinner downtown and saw the Blue Man Group. We slept in on Sunday.

I will be trying my best to make a 6:50 flight tomorrow evening but I am being bussed to the airport with 15 other people. I hope they have their game faces on because if they are late, I have to wait until after 10 to fly out.

I am so ready to be home!

Two truths and a lie

A little bit of catch up... I made it to Chicago. All is well. I have been exhausted every night. During one of our training sessions we played the ol' tell 2 truths and 1 lie exercise. The instructor wanted the listener to work on memory and listen skills and to try and spot a lie. Apparently, I am a very good storyteller. I was able to fool people with incredible accuracy. Not that I put this skill into practice very often, but I thought it would be fun if you played along.

Here we go:

1) This morning I had to be ready at 7:30am (on a Saturday!) for a defensive drivers class. I was originally told that we were going to be driving on a driving course and speeding around cones. Instead, we got to drive a mini van around the suburbs of Chicago (for 3 hours!) while narrating our driving experience and sit in a lecture for another 3 hours. Apparently, I brake too hard. Who knew?

2) Tonight was the first night I unpacked my linen and embroidery materials. I brought along 4 colors of linen (3 neutral and one yummy chocolate brown). The embroidery designs I have been doodling during training will be put to use soon.

3) I couldn't believe the hotel forgot to put sugar in my room so I could have it with my coffee in the morning. All week I took a few sugar packets during breakfast and lunch to make a stash in my room.

Which one is the lie?

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(3) I don't drink coffee in the morning (often) and certainly don't use sugar when I do drink it! So what did I need 20 packets of sugar for? Why a homemade sugar scrub of course!!

I used some new shea butter I purchased before my trip out here and utilized the freebe bath wash provided by the hotel. The version made with real lemon zest smelled much better, but you got to work with what you got! Next time I will be purchasing my shea butter at Bath and Body again. This new stuff seems too waxy, plus it was cheaper and you got more for your money.

I am ready for my long, hot, steamy shower with activated heat lamps now! There is a hot tub downstairs, but with a wedding AND bar mitza currently in the works, I may stay out of the way. Well at least for another hour. Then everyone will be good and drunk and I can crash a fun party and enjoy a few drinks for myself.

-this was a lie-

- not really-

- the shower wasn't a lie- :)

It's done! (Just in time too!)

I finished sewing up my new purse last night. Here are the specs-

• 2 vintage quilt pieces found second hand that where originally destined for a wedding circle quilt.
  
• Linen recycled from a thrifted skirt.
• Kelly green broad cloth purchased at a 'going-out-of-business' sale for the interior.
• Zippered pocket on the inside lined with a great yellow print that was received in a swap at some point.
• Another interior pocket perfect for the cell phone.
• Hidden magnetic clasp.
• Lightly interfaced.
• 1.5 inch gusset.

*Warning* The camera was not my best friend this morning and could not get a clear image to save my life.

The interior. This bag *could* be reversible but lacking a major chocolate disaster, the linen/patchwork side will remain the exterior.

Pleats and gathers! Hooray!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week of accomplishments!

I have had some very busy days. I have finished up much of my home study course for my new job and now I continue to look through my flash cards I made to keep all the information fresh in my mind.

I finally finished that pattern I have been working on. Here's how I used those vintage quilt pieces I found a few weeks back. I paired it with some recycled linen. I still have to finish the outside by adding the gusset and make the handle. The interior is complete. I made it out of a solid kelly green fabric complete with a zippered pocket and a cell phone pocket. The gathers took more time than I originally thought.

I also did some last minute thrifting earlier this week. I found these goodies for a grand total of $.85. Look at that HUGE roll of bias tape. Score! I also stopped by the Goodwill this afternoon and was extremely lucky at finding linen skirts and dresses. My linen supply was at record lows so I am glad I am stocked back up.

I want to show off my latest necklace. I purchased this from Lindsey over at her shop a few weeks ago. I love it. My favorite part is the little crystal detail she added by the clasp. The bell has such a sweet ring to it too. Jeff affectionately calls this necklace the "wifey locater device." The bell could have been attached to the harness of a horse. It looks like a little one that would attach to the halter.

I also got to spend a great Tuesday evening with a couple of college friends making and canning applesauce. We harvested the apples from the trees, cut, peeled, cored, and cooked. Then continued on to can over 20 quarts. Not bad for a few hours on Tuesday.

AND, I am messing around with Photoshop. Which has completely frustrated me. With sewing it's not hard for me to make my imaged designs come to life. Working with Photoshop is another story. I did manage to make a new banner for the top of this blog, but it's still just 'eh'. I went to the library to see if they had Photoshop for Dummies but it was already checked out. Figures. However, all is not lost and could be getting expert help this weekend.

And then, I finally have all of my blogs hooked up to Google Reader. It's a pretty snazzy program. All I have to do it click that little orange icon in the address bar when I am on your site and it will take me to a screen that will give be options on where I want to save your RSS feed to. I choose Google then Google Reader (you also have the option to add it to your Google homepage) and Reader automatically lets me know when you all update your blogs! So instead of spending hours going through all my bookmarks to see if you all updated, I just log into Google Reader to see how many new updates there are since I last logged on. Such a time saver! And so easy to use!

I am done studying for today, so I am heading into the craft room to finish the purse and start packing crafting project for my stay in Chicago. Have a great holiday weekend!