CWoS: Results

Here they are! Lauren's picture from the back isn't very good, but it looks cute live. I decided to take a leap and try to make the crown part of the pattern as well. The giggles of glee from last night are not present tonight. The loops were easy, and looked great. The crown is a pain in the ass, and looks pretty crappy. That said, Lauren will still love it.

I need to PhotoShop some shoes into Sarah's picture, I think.

CWoS, D6: Friday

OK, almost there. I can't believe I still have to hem Lauren's sleeves, but that's it! I sewed down all the facings, put in all the hooks & eyes, ironed crisp pleats back into Sarah's skirt (glueing the trim down smoothed things out a little), bought Sarah a turtleneck (size 10/12 was the smallest they had, but it was only $5), and sewed the loops onto the back of Lauren's dress yesterday. Oh, and I have to run out and buy some monk's cording to lace it up.

The loops were the last thing I did, and I think I was a little loopy. I don't generally talk to myself quite that much, at least not out loud. "OK, where's the tape measure; this is four inches from the top; how many inches is the whole thing; where's that pin--dammit, now I'll probably find it with my foot in the morning; yeah, that's good, that works; don't you dare jam on me; three loops on a side or four; I have to make one more loop; stupid serger; doesn't have to be perfect, just has to be good; ohmygod, this is so cute; etc. Much of this was accompanied by wild giggles of glee that this was actually working, wow!

We're going to a potluck at church, followed by a Trunk-or-Treat, where the kids (not just from our church--we're throwing it open to the community, but only church members are giving out candy) walk around the parking lot to get their treats. I don't know how well it will work, since we're supposed to have really crappy weather. I do know that there's no way the girls are wearing their costumes during dinner. I can't stand the thought of getting ketchup or something on them within the first five minutes. Oh, who am I kidding? They'll be too busy playing to eat anything, as usual.

Look for pictures tomorrow!

CWoS, D5: Thursday

Yesterday wasn't all that productive, sewing-wise. I got Sarah's skirt done except for the hook & eye, but too late realized that the back doesn't match up. One side is almost half an inch higher than the other. It bugs me just enough to fiddle with it today. I still have to sew down the facings in the top and put in the hooks & eyes, but I'm going to wait until after we get her turtle neck.

I'm incredibly relieved that the ladies at the sewing store had a great solution to my eyelet issue. They agreed that eyelets are a pain and I would do well to avoid them. So what other options do I have? A zipper, buttons, velcro, blah, blah, blah. Then someone said "loops" and it was like a car screeching to a halt. How would I do that? Serendipitously, they had a dress someone had made in the store with fabric loops in the back that then laced up. Now all I have to do is "make it work." I also still have to figure out the crown issue.

So there is definitely plenty to do today, but I feel confident that it will get done in time for the party tomorrow evening.

CWoS,D4: Wednesday

Lauren's dress is almost done. All I have to do is cut about four inches off the bottoms of the sleeves and hem them, and figure out the eyelets in the back. What, I didn't mention the eyelets in the back? Oh yes. Eyelets. Not a zipper. Not buttons. Eyelets. This baby laces up. Did I mention I have no idea how to do eyelets? I'm going to take her dress to work with me today, and on my big break between classes, I'm going back to the nice store where they helped me yesterday and see if I can grovel for some help.

No more progress on Sarah's outfit, but there isn't a whole lot more to do. I want to finish Lauren's comepletly before I change the bobbin thread. Yes, I only have one bobbin. I don't know what happened to the others.

Unfortunately for the CWoS, I work quite a bit today, so I won't be able to get much done. Tomorrow is free, though. Oh, and I also need to get a white turtle neck for Sarah to wear under the top, and a tiara/crown for Lauren, since making the crown that came with the pattern doesn't look too promising right now.

CWoS, D3 Tuesday

No words for this. My sewing machine is broken. The needle won't move up or down at all. I'm going to have to take it into the shop in the morning. I don't have time for this, don't have money for this.

Update:
I took it into the shop, they cleared the fabric jam, and put new needles in my Serger, and rethreaded it. When I asked how much I owed them, the lady smiled and said, "You owe us customers." I am so taking a class there!

So, yesterday's progress: I didn't work on Lauren's at all, just Sarah's. (Come to think of it, I really need to be more sympathetic to Jeff when he gets frustrated at home improvement projects that don't go as planned and take longer than expected.) The cheerleader pattern directions aren't written very well, but I'm muddling through it. The top is done except that I have to lower the neck considerably, and stitch down the facings. I was working on the skirt last night when I had my jam, but that shouldn't take long to finish. I'm also fudging in that I'm not planning on doing zippers, but maybe just hooks & eyes to close things.

CWoS,D2: Monday

I got the sides and back of Lauren's dress put together, and the facings are in. They still need to be topstitched down, though. The length is perfect right now, so there won't be much of a hem. Oh, how I miss my (mom's) Serger! I broke the needle last summer while making these and haven't gotten it replaced yet. I'm told it isn't that difficult to replace, but the thought of rethreading the machine isn't appealing.




I tried it on her this morning, and from the front I didn't think it was as bad/big as I was worried about. Then I turned her around and grabbed a handful of fabric. Really, I could take two inches in on each side, and it would still be plenty big enough.


So I'll spend some time today taking it in (there's only so much I can do, though), and adding the sleeves. I'll do the hem and the trim later. Then I'll get Sarah's started.

Crazy Week of Sewing, Day 1: Sunday

No, that isn't a misprint. Although Halloween isn't until next Tuesday, Halloween parties start next Saturday.

Accomplished:

• cut out pattern pieces for Lauren's dress (typically, I cut out the size 5 for length, and size 3 width, and I still think it might be too big around)
• ironed the pattern pieces
  
• ironed out the big crease in the center of her fabric
• cut out the fabric
• waded through the mountain of mess in the basement to find interfacing (once again promised self that the basement will get cleaned and organized. um, soon.)
  
• cut out and ironed the interfacing onto the fabric
  

I would have gotten a lot more done, but I got distracted by AMC's "pop up" broadcast of Halloween. Honestly, I will watch just about anything that has extra trivia attached to it. The movie itself? Eh, it's ok. The fact that it was filmed in just 20 days, and made use of new SteadiCam technology? So fascinating that I can't look away from the screen long enough to read how to make puffy sleeves and a split neck, for fear that I might miss even one tidbit.

Thoughts on sewing

• I should work at JoAnn's on the weekends instead of tutoring, just for the discount. I'd never bring any of that paycheck home, but I'd be able to sew everything I want.
• I haven't started on Halloween costumes yet, even though I've had the fabric for Lauren's for weeks now, because I don't really love the fabric. It's not bad, just a plain dark blue satin. I must admit that I'm disappointed not to be working on something that has a heavier weight and more interest, like a brocade.
• I have a lot of sewing ahead of me. The game plan was also to have Christmas pictures taken right after Halloween, to take advantage of the 50% off coupon at www.mypublisher.com. I don't know if that will happen now, and even if it does, if the girls will be wearing Momma-made dresses, or store bought.
• In fact, I don't have time to write anymore. I have to go figure out how to make a pleated cheerleader skirt!

Photobook Frustration

Most people who read here (all three of you, ha) know that I make a photo album every year as Christmas gifts, and they are greatly anticipated and well loved. I made an album for Jeff's cousin as a wedding gift, and it turned out great. A friend of the family wants me to do one for her daughter as well, which I will hopefully have time for after the holidays.

In the past, I've used Snapfish and My Publisher. I felt that the Snapfish interface was more user friendly, but since My Publisher gives better coupons, that's what I used last time, and am planning on using next. But I've been talking up Snapfish to newbie friends and the Digital Imagery class I'm teaching. In fact, I tried to demonstrate it last week, but couldn't, because I didn't have the proper authorization for that type of site.

A neighbor came over last night with her daughter (another babysitter, yay!) and I wanted to show her how it worked. To my horror, I discovered that Shutterfly has totally changed their interface. They took something that worked quite well, and made it much more frustrating and hard to follow.

Luckily, I noticed a post at http://www.parenthacks.com/ a while back about this subject, so I checked it out again, and was interested in the description of www.picaboo.com. As most of these sites, you have to download free software to make an album. This is a drawback, especially for most of my students, who aren't very computer savvy, and don't all have high speed internet connections. But this site is awesome!

One of my major complaints about these programs is that you're stuck with their templates. I like more control to put things exactly where I want. But these templates are great! There are well over 50 of them (I couldn't count past that because Lauren kept talking.), plus various background images (or you can use one of your own pictures) and even photo corners. There still isn't as much control as I have using Picture It, but there are a LOT of options. And the books look really nice, at least on line. I've never ordered one, so I can't vouch for the final product.

I just hope I can get it downloaded onto at least one of the computers for my class on Thursday, so I can at least demonstrate it.

EDIT: I just got Shutterfly to work, and it's interface is very close to what Snapfish used to be, and it also has a gazillion layouts, including some that overlap, much like Picaboo. Since that one is more user friendly, that'll be what I demo my class on Thursday. Assuming I can get it to run, of course.

Politics

I watched the first of the three debates between Jennifer Granholm and Dick DeVos last night (they're running for govenor of Michigan). I didn't know much about DeVos going in, other than he'd "sent jobs to China" (according to ads) and he was in favor of teaching intelligent design in science classrooms in addition to evolution (according to a newspaper article) (that one irks the hell out of me--it's insulting to both science and God).

After watching the debate, I still feel like I don't know a lot about him. I thought his repeated use of the word "disappointing" when confronted with accusations was weak. I think that Granholm's attack on his involvement with Alterra (nursing homes where abuse took place) was nasty--if she had kept it to "he didn't make full disclosure of his tax records," she would have done better. Also, he's rather more conservative than I am, although that seems to be the case for a lot of people.

I thought Granholm gave better answers, and seemed more passionate (also, she actually referred to the constitution! what a concept!). The main thing she has against her is her track record. Michigan is in bad shape. She can't be solely blamed for the high unemployment--the auto industry is getting hit hard, and that's been our big thing for a long time. She also blamed Republicans for a lot of things. You know, if she'd been able to talk more about what she'd accomplished, I think she wouldn't have much to worry about. As it is, I think that Michiganders are so ready for a change that we're willing to take anyone else.

$$$

There are a lot of things I need/want right now. Let's take a walk down Shopping Lane, shall we? (note: when I first posted this, I think I had five items. Funny how I keep thinking of more things!)

• Fixin's for Halloween Costumes. If I can get everything for $50, I'll be happy.
  
• Lauren: Blue Princess Since I did a similar pattern last year (with the white panel down the front), I guess I'll do the solid blue version, but with the puffed sleeves. Don't know if I'll put trim down the front seams or the belt, but I'll need about 4 ½ yards of fabric, 4 or 5 yards of trim, thread, 24 eyelets (no zipper, but I'm not sure how I feel about eyelets), and buckram for the crown. I'm not going to bother with the veil.
  
• Sarah: Simplicity Cheerleader 4040 The pattern is on sale for $2 this weekend, and I'll need about 1½ yards of fabric and 6½ yards of braid. She wants purple, of course, and I'm doing the sleeveless version so she can wear a turtle neck under it and not get too hot when we're inside.


• I'd also like to buy fabric for Christmas dresses, since we're going to have pictures taken right after Halloween, but I don't think I can handle that right now.
  
• Kids' Winter boots: LL Bean has a really good deal on their Northwoods kid's boots right now--$20/pair instead of $35.


• MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit $38 at Amazon, with free shipping. This only a few dollars more than I'd pay through ebay, after you figure in shipping. Jeff is going to be taking a certification test at work sometime, and this is supposed to be a good study guide.


• German curriculum: The BBC "Muzzy" program is supposed to be very good, but to get levels 1 & 2, it's at least $150, even on ebay. There's currently an auction for some Muzzy & Berlitz kid's tapes, but none of the sets are complete. This means that it'll probably go for considerably less money, and since I think I'll be able to fill in the "holes," I might bid on that one. It's currently at $25, but there are still more than 4 days left in the auction, so I'll keep waiting.


• Kim's haircut: after tip, about $35. Part of me wishes I'd cancelled it, because I don't really hate my hair right now. I don't love it, either, but I don't know what to do with it. I don't really have a style, but that doesn't bother me so much right now.


• Ink cartridges for the printer: Probably about $40 or $50 for color and B&W.


• Top up my cell phone: $20.


• There are a number of new computer games I want to get for the kids. The Smart e-store has a lot of titles for $5 each. We're using them as incentives for Sarah's reading, and they're good Christmas presents. Freddi Fish, Dora, CyberChase, Smart Steps 2nd grade, etc.


• There's a scrapbook crop at church Sunday. $10 for the crop, and I don't even know if I have any pictures printed. I could go just to socialize and catch up on my journaling, though.

Some of these are wants. Some are needs. Some just aren't happening right now, because I found out on Tuesday that I'm working many fewer hours than anticipated (and this after Jeff took the rest of his vacation time this year to accomodate my schedule). On that same day, we also got a $1K bill from that little hospital stay back in June. So I'm working more now than before, but not as much as I'd anticipated. I have to learn to stop counting on classes that might not happen.

The Roller Coaster that is Project Runway

I practically screamed when Vincent and Angela came back tonight. I thought they both deserved to go, and was so relieved at the top five tonight. But then to have those two come back was terrible! I was relieved that they made their usual stuff, and were gone once again.

I was sorry to see Kayne go. I think he really did try to adjust his stuff to please the judges, but couldn't quite get there. I think he makes great stuff, and will do very well in the future. He'll be called on to design lots of red carpet gowns, I'm sure, and his pageant business will go through the roof. Like Austin Scarlett in Season 1 (who is now designing wedding gowns), he has a definite niche that suits him very well.

Yay for Laura! I liked her dress, although I can't tell what the judges will or won't like, either. Her style adjustment was much more successful than Kayne's. I'm glad she got the win, although I thought Michael was a close contender. The best part about her dress was that, although the silhouette was new for her, it was still a "Laura dress." The fabric and the details (feathers & beading) kept it true to herself. When she was so upset, I just wanted to give her a hug, although she doesn't seem to be a very "huggy" person.

Jeffrey just did more same old, same old. I guess you could say the same of Uli, but I like her style a lot more than his.

I'm going to miss this show so much when the season is over. Top Chef just isn't the same.

Happy . . . Father's Day?

Since our Father's Day was a little preoccupied this year, we never went to our traditional Father's Day baseball game.

Happily, my parents got all of us tickets to a Tigers game yesterday. And the Tigers even beat the Mariners, 6 - 2!

The kids made out like bandits: they got free t-shirts at the door (they'll make great nightshirts for the next few years), plus hats & t-shirts from Grandmama, plus lots of great stadium junk food!

Such an exciting life I lead

Grammy & Grandpa are coming to get the girls shortly. Sleepover, yay!

So I have the whole day to myself. How am I going to spend my day of freedom?

Right now it's a toss up between

• getting caught up on the laundry and doing a deep clean on Sarah's room/closet (did Lauren's last week, but Sarah's is worse)
• buying some perennials & flowers to put in front of the house, finally, and then spending the afternoon digging.

Wow, I can hardly stand the excitement! But Jeff & I are finally going to see Pirates of the Carribean tomorrow, so that will be a good reward.

Project Runway

Last night:

• Angela: Totally deserved to go. Those butt rosettes (fleurchons, as Tim Gunn would say) were heinous. I was worried about Kayne, because his outfit really was too Elvis, but it wasn't as bad as hers. So relieved to see her go!
• Jeffrey: His outfit was good, as in the recycling challenge, but I don't know that it deserved the win. It kills me that he has immunity for next week!
• Jeffrey vs. Angela: I heard a theory that he had a huge crush on her. Now really, that makes sense. Can't you just see him dipping her pigtails in the inkwell? Hence all the deliberately trying to get her goat, etc.
• Laura: Love you, love the dress, how did you manage those heels? Glad to see you a little out of your design box, although I'm not so sure about that color on you.
• Uli: The judges finally called her on always doing the same thing, rightly so, but on a challenge where she was designing for herself, that seemed a little unfair. I think Uli is a major party girl--she again referred to "getting wasted" while at a party.
• Michael: Um, nice, but no standout. I have to say, though, that for the second time, he's changed direction successfully. He thinks on his feet and is flexible.
• Vincent: What a snoozefest.
• Kayne: stop bringing up that you're "white trash." We can see that in your clothes; we don't need reminding.

Now THAT was a nice vacation

Cottage life is awesome.

The beach is awesome (even when the water is freezing).

S'mores on a beach campfire are awesome.

Sitting out on a blanket to see 100 times as many stars as we're used to is awesome.

Listening to the water hit the shore is hypnotically awesome.

Playing games with the kids like Disney charades or badminton is awesome.

No TV or computer is awesome.

My friends who took us up to their cottage for the weekend are awesome!

When we go swimming

When we go swimming at Jeff's brother's pool, my favorite way to get into the water is to jump from the diving board or the side, and kind of flip myself over. It isn't a somersault by any means, but it does make a considerable splash. Last year, I christened this move the Mommy Tsunami.
This year, the Mommy Tsunami continues, with some adaptations. It's been compacted into TsuMommy, although Lauren keeps yelling "Mommy Salami!" every time I walk toward the deep end of the pool. We also have Grammy Tsunami when she does a cannonball (though the resulting waves aren't all that big), and Tsunamis from the three big kids when they jump in. Oh, and of course when Lauren jumps in the shallow end, it's a Lauren Salami. I think that's the one that cracks me up more than any other.

The pool keeps working its magic on the kids. Last week, Sarah swam down to the very bottom of the pool (12 feet) to retrieve some diving weights that had rolled down there. She was coughing and out of breath when she came back up, but I couldn't believe she'd done it!

My nephews have gone from not being able to swim at all to being able to swim well enough and be brave enough to jump off the diving board and swim to the side. My niece has started swimming around the shallow end, and even Lauren has started putting her head under water a bit more.

It's made a huge difference to us, and I'd love to get Jeff's brother & his wife a thank you present. I wanted to do it last year, too, but couldn't think of anything. Any suggestions for a pool-related thank you? I could always do flowers, but that's kind of uninspired.

P.S. I desperately want a digital camera that I can take in the pool.

Can't Believe It, Part Deux

I can't believe Project Runway last night. Oh, I can believe that Keith got booted off for having pattern books under his bed. He doesn't seem too interested in following rules in general. I'm also not suprised that he seems to have no real remorse or guilt about what he did, or that he considered himself a scapegoat. (insert derisive noise here) He was an ass, not a goat.

No, what I totally can't believe is Angela. That outfit was gorge (TM Michael Kors)! Understated and classy, and I give full credit for that to Michael & Laura. They even managed to make her stupid little doodads look cute and stylish. And the lining of the jacket was cute, too! Sadly, she gets the win instead of either of them getting credit. Angela was smart to listen to them and let them have so much input. I still can't stand her.

While I was raving about her last night, Jeff said, "How old are you again?"

Vacation Bible School

On a Roll

We went swimming yesterday with Jeff's cousin, who is an elementary school teacher. Just talking with her about this year's curriculum helped me a lot. I still don't have anything more planned, but I do feel more focused. I'll be doing a lot of planning this weekend, and then next week we'll start reviewing.

Tonight is the Parent's Night at VBS. It's been a fun week, but I am glad tomorrow is the last day.

Loved/hated Project Runway last night.

• I can't believe Angela and her hideous hooker bubble skirt outfit didn't get auf'd. The story alone--about working with kids--should have been enough. I also find it sad that bubble skirts seem to be making a comeback. Two little girls at VBS wore them Tuesday, including our neighbor that came with us. Hate 'em.
• I can't believe Bradley pulled that outfit off at the last seconds, and that the judges seemed to love it so much. I'm glad he didn't go home on his birthday, but still.
• I can't believe that I'm liking Laura considerably less. Scary sternum or not, she always seemed classy. Then she was dissing those cute little dogs. I'm not a big fan of tiny dogs like that, but her active dislike was unpleasant to watch. Then she dissed the fabric of a couple other designers. Her outfit was nice, and definitely her style, but not terribly original.
• I can't believe Michael's fabulously woven bodice didn't make it into the top three.
• I really can't believe Kayne's dress & coat, which was lined with that same fabric, didn't make the top three. The print fabric reminded me a little of Nick's Barbie Challenge dress last season. So few of the designers use bright (loud) fabrics like that, but he really made it work! (TM Tim Gunn)
• I can totally believe that Vincent needs meds. Or more meds. Or better meds. That laugh he had when he was looking at the dog's picture & talking about its outfit was creeping me out!