NEW TOOLS!

After a few minutes of frustration I am getting excited. I had been having trouble with my computer for the last couple of months and was thinking about replacing my pc with a Mac. Well yesterday i took the plunge so now I am a proud but somewhat frightened owner of a MacBook Pro. My computer skills are basic so this could prove to be a major leap into new skills. So here's my first post on Mac. Next up is photos.

PLEASANTLY SURPRIZED

with my online fabric purchase from Denver Fabrics. After the previous discussions regarding purchasing fabric online I was a bit nervous about the order I placed with Denver Fabrics. But when my fabric a light weight wool hopsack arrived I was very pleased. I am going to use Simplcity 2810 and make a tailored jacket taking inspiration from a Coach jacket from the new Poppy line. And thanks to Nancy K's recent post I am going to use the techniques she referenced for the lapels. And for some reason I am having trouble with USB port so I can't post the picture. That's just one more thing to add to the always present "to do list". I want to finish this jacket and the Chanel jacket by the end of the month.

ONE-EYED SEWING

16 years ago I had RK eye surgery and I then enjoyed 20/20 vision. Well over the last few years my vision has deteriorated so on Tuesday I had PRK, which is lasik for those that have previously had RK. It is a bit different from regular lasik in that your vision is not immediately improved, it is painful and there is more recovery time. Despite these drawbacks I decided to go ahead with the surgery but what I wasn't prepared for is the hair-pulling boredom. I got through the first 3 days by sleeping but on Friday I felt much better only to discover that there just isn't much you can do when you can't see. I couldn't read, sew or even watch much tv ( as if there was something to watch). Today I did manage to cut out a blouse and do some simple sewing which I think turned out okay. I'll know for sure when my vision returns. The whole experience has been a reminder about the incredible workings of this body God created and how thankful I am to enjoy good health. Next month I will have the other eye done and will be prepared with books on cd and maybe a couple of movies to bide the time. Tomorrow, day 7 I can wear makeup again and Jim will be thankful.

I'M DISAPPOINTED

in this skirt. I made this in the fall, wore it once and didn't like the way it fit. I have made this pattern before so I was surprised that the fit was not right. I took it apart and took it up about 1 1/2 inches. I wore it again and at the end of the day it was huge! I inherited the fabric from my mother's stash and I thought it was 100% wool but apparently it is not or it wouldn't be stretching out like it is. So what appeared to be a winner turns out to be a wadder. I'll take out the zipper and remove the petersham on the waist and throw it away. Oh well, it just reminds me of the importance of knowing the fabric content.

THE INTRODUCTION STILL APPLIES

31 years ago when I met my husband he was introduced to me as a "nice guy". Well, that description still applies-- here he is cleaning the snow off our neighbor's drive.

SEWING IF ONLYS

Overall it was a pretty good year for sewing. I didn't think I made that much until I went back over my list and was surprised to discover that I made the following in 2009:

3 Dresses
2 Pants
1 jeans
6 skirts
11 tops
4 jackets
1 coat for Grace and 1 purse

There were 5 items that stand out as sewing if onlys- that is if only everything I made turned out to be as satisfactory as these items I would be a very happy girl. But after 45 plus years of sewing I am realistic - it just ain't gonna happen.

My first if only is a pair of jeans from Vogue 1034. It is a Sandra Betzina pattern and not only do I love the fit but since jeans are a important wardrobe staple and I have major difficulty buying a pair I like they are on top of my list. Next time I make them I will change a few things but they are definitely on The List for 2010.

Next up is a pair of black wool pants I made for the ASG competition. I had not made pants in years because I could not perfect the fit. I bought this tightly woven, textured wool in Paris with the intent of making a coat but somehow it became pants and I think they will be a long wearing classic. I initially used Simplicity 2938 but after the competition was over I redrafted them using a pair of ready made pants that I cut apart and a self-drafted sloper. I just hope when I am ready to make them again I can figure out what I did!

Then using a knit that I bought on sale several years ago I made Vogue 2980, another Sandra Betzina pattern. This top fit like a charm and went together in an afternoon. That alone is enough to make me love it but it is a perfect top for my style - simple and classic but with a little touch of drama. Not only is it on the The List 2010 but at the top of the list. (My photo does not do this top justice.)

The number 4 if only was inspired by a picture in the Oct/Nov 2009 issue of Vogue Patterns. This wool tartan has been in my stash for over 20 years just waiting to take life!. Yes, I know it is only a straight skirt with a pleat but it is so on trend and I felt good wearing it. And I don't think I could have found a more perfect belt. This is another self drafted pattern and rather than use a petersham waist treatment I used a waistband - something I haven't done in ages and I liked it for a change. It gave my waist more definition.

And my last item is a Cynthia Steffe pattern for Vogue, number 1151. It is made in a charcoal ponte knit from Joanns and is another on trend item to jazz up my sometimes boring wardrobe. When I saw Erica B's version I knew I had to have it too. (I have decided that Erica should be my personal stylist.) This dress is not only comfortable but a bit sexy and that combination is rare. I wore this dress Christmas Day and cooked dinner then cleaned the kitchen and still felt good about how I looked. Possibly I'll make it in navy for summer.

Now that I think about it and survey my closet I wish everything, not just the garments I made but those that I purchased as well met the same criteria as these 5 pieces. And since one of my ongoing goals is to simplify everything about my life, including my wardrobe, I wish I had a formula to insure these results. So in 2010 I will keep working towards that end- a much leaner closet filled with clothing options that I love to wear, fit perfectly, make me feel great and are appropriate for my lifestyle.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

This year my table setting for dinner on Christmas Day was my favorite decoration. Grace helped me set the table and she wrote the placecards.

My favorite event was taking Grace to The Nutcracker. It is our annual event and we both love it. Jim thinks it is a bit too much dancing and I have to remind him it's a ballet! This year we weren't going until the last performance and we did not want to take a chance that they would be sold out of nutcrackers so we made a special trip on Friday after school to get her nutcracker, another tradition we have started. She couldn't decide which one she wanted so the perffect solution was to buy both. And then Papa saw another one at the mall later that evening - so three nutcrackers were added to the collection this year.

And my favorite gift was a pink 4-wheeler!