Love this website

I carry my beloved Coach handbag everywhere I go. Imagine my distress last week when I read (somewhere) that you de-quality (my own word) a designer purse when you use it when you wear - say- sweats to the chiropractor! SO yeah I guess I need a dress-down bag!
http://www.tonicliving.com/

It is called Tonic Living and has the cuuutest fabrics. I think they are in TOronto too.

Another suprise blown!

And I had such high expectations on this one! Mike's birthday is next week and Katrin had invited us up for the weekend. There is a $500 dollar a plate dinner with Stephen Harper and we were going to sit at the table right next to him! For free! Mike would have loved that so much. No go anymore for reasons I refuse to go into. Maybe Katrin can come down here instead.....are you listening girl?

Costume designs

My friend Barry and I have been singing together for a few years. We have evolved from a cabaret ensemble of 12, to a group of 5, to now just the two of us. We are working on a series of shows showcasing each decade from the 1920's to the present. While the vocal arrangements have taken up the bulk of time, I have started to focus on costuming for it lately. Now that we have a gig - this weekend- the pressure is on! Barry envisioned a flapper dress for me that could transform from a modest 19teen's style to the more daring - "oh dear show my KNEE?!" mid 20's. Riiiight Barry!

So I took a BWOF dress - pics later- and omitted darts to loose the image of a waist.
I added two tiers of ruffles, and fringe on those. To do the transformation, I made two additional sets of ruffles on lining fabric, and velcroed them to the main dress. Now, at the appropriate points in the show, I can take them off and "voila" - a new dress! I just hope it doesn't come across toooooo cheesy!

Some hints about my surprise.....looks like I will need an umbrella!

I am so excited that I am wiggling!

Oh boy - big surprises for someone I love VERY MUCH are in store next week. No hints 'cause I heard through the grapevine that people I didn't know read this blog do indeed read it. Let's just say...nope let's not say a thing! Thanks to my bestest friend in the whole world for helping this one happen!

Later y'all

Wedding Dress con't - "Creativ Festival"

The plan yesterday was to head off to Toronto to the "Creativ Festival" (what a dumb name!) to decide how best to bling up Kate's lace. Leah did not have to work until 5:30 so she decided to spend the day with her mommy. Gotta love that girl. I thought I would head off early - 7:30 am in order to beat the traffic. HAHAHA Madam Lauren missed her bus- she NEVER misses it, so why she picked today I will never know. London is a half hour the other direction from TO! So at 7:30, we headed off to London, had to stop for a train that chugged ever so slowly across Adelaide Street, then stopped and backed the entire length of the train back. We finally got Lauren to school at 8:10, then jumped on the 401 towards TOronto. I always take the 403 into TO when I am going to the COnvention Centre, and the traffic was horrible- how all you commuters do that every day- I would go crazy! I much prefer my 2 minute walk! We also had to stop for diesel - do you know how hard it is to find diesel in Oakville?
We FINALLY parked on Front Street at 11:15am- I think that is the longest Toronto commute I have ever endured. I forgot which building the show is in - I haven't actually been since Lorna (PR friend from Ottawa) and I were there 1 1/2 years ago! OH MY GOODNESS - it was not listed on the events board! I knew I had the right day, and began to have a sinking suspicion that they moved it back to the CNE grounds where it used to be. Nope- they moved it to the INTERNATIONAL BUILDING BY THE AIRPORT!!! uugghhh. So back to the car we went, and fought traffic yet again to the International Building.
We found what we were looking for right away, and it seems that hotgluing Swarovski Crystals to her lace will be a cinch - and work well. So we purchased the Bejeweller , and 4 bags of 144 crystals- size 10 which is 3 mm - of clear crystals





I think we will need more and I found an Ebay store in the UK that sells them fairly inexpensively.

Anyways, the rest of the show was really a bust. Boring with a capital B! If you wanted to buy necklaces or beads, you would be in heaven, and for quilters it is great, or if you need a new machine. Personally I will give it a pass for a long time- I only went yesterday cause I knew that I could find crystals and talk to someone about them. I was going to do a few "demonstrations"- see even the classes have deteriorated- but given my travel "problems" I had to give them a pass.

See you all later!

The Wedding Dress Saga - 1st installment

Katelyn's Wedding dress! How long have I waited to do this! I suppose considering she is only 21 - not THAT long. It has been forever though since I created my own.

It is going well thus far. I think the main reason is that I have been able to sit back and say "what do YOU want?" I will not say anything is impossible- although I will say "wow, great idea, I am going to have to figure out how to do that!"

For inspiration we are using this Maggie Sottero dress that she tried on 2 different times. She likes the shirred bodice mostly. She has fallen in love with an allover lace idea so the draped lace will continue to the floor.


We are using this Vogue pattern as a very rough pattern.

We made a very lovely(!) black version as a mock up. The size 10 fit her almost perfectly.
We headed off to Toronto to look for fabric - specifically lace. I wasn't worried that we would not find any thing suitable as Ann (Gorgeous Things) was sweet enough to do some looking in New York City on one of her buying trips, so we knew that Kashi at Metro had some beautiful laces. The first store we visited was Leo's. The salesgirl was soo great and recommended to us that Kate be draped in the fabric to get a better feel of what she liked. What a difference that made. We ended up loving a Chantilly lace with no beading (75/metre) and a more netting like lace with lots of bling (150/metre). I was hesitant to buy at the very first store, so off we went to the other stores. There was lots of fabric to choose from yes, but nothing spectacular - as well as the fact that we were totally ignored by many sales people. Don't get me wrong, I abhor hovering sales people, but an acknowledgment of our presence would have been nice!
The last store we ventured into was LA Fabrics - bad name great store. Very high end, european fabrics. Kate fell in love with an Alencon lace - it was 54 inches wide which makes me suspect it perhaps is not TRUE Alencon, but at 75/mtre I was not going to argue. What cinched the deal for Kate was the fact that her inspiration dress was pinned to the same lace (in white instead of her ivory) and an inspiration picture that I had clipped was pinned by another bolt. Good Karma! No bling though - so I am off to Toronto this week to the Needlecraft show to explore Swarovski glue on crystals versus sew on beads.
6 -gulp - 6 metres later, we needed to decide on the underdress. We wanted Peau de Soie - and could choose from silk - 65/yd or polyester 6/yd. Kate thought I was nuts for humming and hawing - "gees mom - it's only the underlining- no one will know the difference" So we went with poly - yick. We did get silk chiffon for the bodice. Oh yes and some stretch silk charmeuse in brown for my MOB Dress. Our last stop was a hole in the wall where Katelyn scooped a bag full of perfect sequins for 5 dollars. Kate meet needle, needle meet sequins! (actually my fantabulous mother loves handwork and has offered to help out with the beading)

Next up - the underpinnings and hopefully some fabric photos.

Project Runway - Canadian style eh!

At least three people have stopped me this week to ask me if I knew about the Canadian version of Project Runway - and whether or not I was going to enter! As if! I know I sew well - but designing is another thing altogether. Now there is real talent. My little copy -copy act is pretty meek comparatively. "But you are designing Kate's wedding dress.." Wedding dresses are a cinch to design. Cop out? yes! I am just plain too scared of rejection on the fashion front to ever put myself out there like that.
All of you Canadian Project Runway wanna be's - the deadline has been extended to April 27- not a good thing methinks. They must be getting desperate if there are posters at! Fabricland stores. For the record I saw the poster in the Fashion District in Toronto.
So hurry on over to www.slice.ca. Daughter Kate scoped it out for me and you need a portfolio of your work - maximum 8 pieces- drawings, images or photos. You also need a an audition tape - gosh I'd need a recorder too!
I can see it now- I would be that sad little thing who they all laugh about when I leave the room!
I think I need to get satellite tv before this baby airs!

Mourning

Right now I am spending my time mourning the death of a dear friend. I met Mary through her 5 children who were members of a 4H club I lead. She was a wonderful, lively, religious, takative person who was alway great to be around. Everywhere I went with her , she either knew or was related to someone. Last October she was diagnosed with what we originally thought was breast cancer, but later found out was bone cancer.
On March 16th she was on her way to a bone scan and to buy her mother (who was also with her) a dress for her mothers 85th birthday. They hit a truck that did not stop for a stop sign. her mother was killed instantly, and was buried on her birthday.
Mary was in a coma on life support until March 25th. Her family had to make the incredibly difficult decision to disconnect her. I was privliged enough to spend some time in the hospital with her during those last few days.
It is all too too sad to even contemplate. That wonderful family without a mother. Ike without his best friend, the girls without that special person at such an important age, and the boys without their anchor.
Life is not fair

Ahhhhh...I feel good...

After months of back trouble, Mike finally convinced me to visit a chiropractor. I have always been loath to go - surely I can heal myself, I always think. But it didn't! Working, walking, skiing was painful- even sewing! Snowboarding - forget it. It was getting ridiculous, so I let myself get pushed!
What a difference! I have had three sessions this week, the first one being an assesment and xrays. I feel like a million bucks! I have cleaned, vaccumed and gotten things done in the barn that I was putting off cause it would hurt way too much. I am a new person! Too bad the snow is gone or I would even snowboard this weekend.

Sewing wise I have been quiet for a few weeks. But then again I have not even reviewed or written about the projects that I finished lately.
Here are some pictures - "The girls and their mother. Not a particularly good photo of my dress. With the exception of Kate(bridesmaid with her hair in an updo) I made all the dresses in the last few weeks. Here is Erica and Denis..

Leah and Tim...

Kate and Scott - they are using this photo for their "Save the Date" Stuff
I can't seem to find one of Lauren...whoops here is one although she seems to have make it black and white instead of navy lace over hot pink crepe!

Wedding dress wise - things are going along swimingly. The undercorset(?) fit first try and I constructed the dress out of a not so lovely black crap to see about the silhouette. I will have to wait until Kate comes home to go any further. I want to make the crinoline now and I can't start that until I have the proper waist to floor measurements. Then we are off to Toronto to try to find some lace - like 5 metres of it! Everything we have loved so far is over $100 metre.
Now to post this and see if it works! I don't always have luck in that department even though I am one of the more computer literate people around!

Tagged !

Ah Lorna - you found me! no more blogging to myself!
So as I understand it, when you are tagged you have to write 5 things no one knows about you in bloggerland, then you tag 5 other people. That last part will have to wait until I actualy KNOW 5 people who have not been tagged!

Point One- I had to ask my husband out on our first date! The first time I saw him was in our driveway - he was asking my dad for a construction job. That long, blonde hair, that yellow bug...it was love at first sight. After hanging around the construction site for weeks, even to the point of helping out, grabbing the coffee and cookie tray that my sister had prepared and passing it off as my own- typical teenager in love antics, I just couldn't wait any longer for him to make the first move. So I asked - and the rest is history!

Point Two- I never wanted daughters. That looks bad in black and white! To my defense, I had always worked with boys- at day camps, throughout college, it was always young boys I dealt with. Girls were silly, frivolous and whiney. i wanted 12 boys -an even dozen. imagine my surprise when we had not one, not two -but FIVE little girls. Now I think - what in the world were you thinking, wanting boys!

Point Three- I quit college! One semester left and I quit! I blame my high school guidance counselor. I wanted to go to university for Agriculture, but she said "girls don't do agriculture". Silly 18 year old me believed her and I took Child Care (now community and youth worker) at College. I knew it was not for me-oh I got good marks and enjoyed the co-ops, but my heart was not in it. So i got married, got pregnant(in that order too thank you very much) and when Erica was born decided not to finish.
There is a post script to that story. The next year I applied to University - for Agriculture naturally- and got my degree by distance ed. It took 6 years, but I graduated top of the class and recieved the Minister of Agriculture Award of Excellence to boot. So there Ms Medway High School Guidance Counsellor!!

Point Four- My secret dream job is to be a back up singer! I think it would be so cool to stand there on stage and not have to worry about being the star - but be the uber-cool girl doing the do-waps in the background.

Point Five - My writing has gotten me TWO makeovers! I have a knack for writing what people want to read- not that this blog is any evidence of that! I wrote a letter to Canadian Living back in 1993 giving them all the reasons why I needed a makeover and less than 2 months later got the phone call! They brought all of us to Toronto and gave us ALL new hairstyles. Mike, darling husband that he is, had to ask how much his cut would cost if he was paying for it. He just about fell out of his chair when they told him $40. He was paying $2 at the time! The Canadian Living crew came out to the farm - a first for most of them- and we had a winter clothing photo shoot on the hottest day of July! The change was from long frizzy/curly hair to a very short pixie cut.
The second time i wrote a letter to the local TV station which was in the process of doing on air makeovers. That time it only took 3 days from emailing the letter to the phone call! A nice long day of pampering later I was a TV star! Well- in my own mind anyways! That change? blonde curly just above shoulder length to RED shorter hair! Now I am not sure if it was my writing skills or my obvious need for a make-over that gave me the nod!

Okay 5 points! Now I am off to nurse this silly bug I picked up. I have to make sure my cast and crew do not catch it from me, AND make sure I am over it before we head off to the Dominican Republic next week.

Saga of a Passport

Lorna asked me to tell all about the experiecnce of obtaining a Canadian Passport the week before the USA implements its "if you fly into or over American land you must have a valid passport" rules.
I missed the part about flying OVER US airspace until I was coming home this afternoon. Good thing as it would have made me really concerned - as it was I thought "oh well if I get it I get it, if I don't no biggie, we are only going to the Dominican and you do not need a passport for that."

So, last week I filled out Mike's passport on line. This in itself was a feat as the site only supports certain versions of certain browsers. One of our computers worked for this purpose- thank goodnes! There used to be no lilneup if you filled the forms out online, but the stupid newspaper published that little known fact and now the lineups are the same as if you didn't have the foresight.
Mike finally got his pictures taken and forms signed by our pharmas... pharmisi..shoot - drug doctor- you know wht I mean!
I decided to devote today- friday- to the passport cause. I have heard about the horrendous lineups, my sister waited 6 hours, a friend 8 hours- yuck! I brought a book and a good attitude! Really it was my own fault - weeelll Mikes own fault! We could have done this months ago, but of course waited til the last minute.
I put 3$ in the meter, and walked across the parking lot. A guy came over and informed me that he had been waiting 3 hours and just kept leaving and checking back. They give you a number at the door - you probably know the drill from the other places - there is a digital sign that tells what number is up.
But SWEET- you don't actually have to sit and wait if you don't want to?!
When I got to the door, i was given a number. This was at 11:00am. The security guard told me that I might not be seen today. My number was 983- I forgot to see what number they were at.
So I took my number and left. Went to Fabricland - where else! and bought a few odds and ends I needed- only odds and ends as Lauren still had my card from when she picked up some lace for me last week- shoot!
I stopped in at Sears Outlet and picked up a couple of summer skirts and shorts- no time to sew any before I leave! Then the Dollar Store looking for things for table centrepieces for the play. Next stop was Michaels. 90 metres of tulle later and 100$ poorer, i was ready for food. I hit the drive through at HArveys and then decided to head back. I was going to park at the High School, but those dumb busses were blocking the driveway. I found a convenient meter - with 2 hours of time left on it! As it was now 2:30 and the passport office closed at 4:30, I figured that would be about right!
When I walked in to the office I took a glance at the board - to my surprise they were at 982!! I was next in line! The security guard looked at my number and exclaimed - "hey you should be here" To which I replied happily "well, here I am!"
5 minutes later and some friendly conversation with the clerk/teller/guy behind the counter, and I was OUT! The passport will be ready to be picked up on FEB 2!

Total time spent involved with the passport today - 3 1/2 hours. Total time spent actually in the passport office - less than 10 minutes!!

Should I buy a lottery ticket today?

A silly crazy Woman

I just today realized what a silly woman I am. At this moment in time I have 3 dresses at the machine, drapes for 5 windows- 5 valances, 10 jabots and 6 long curtains, another dress for myself that needs to be BEGUN and costumes for 7 people that need to be altered. It would help if the rehersal hall was warm so that they would even want to try on summer costumes!
And now I just put on my list 2 pair of shorts, and a skirt.
Keep in mind that this all has to be done by Feb 8! Well the drapes could wait but they are right now hanging all over the house.
I don't know why I do this to myself- I have non sewing deadlines coming out of my noodle. 2 reports to be done by tomorrow morning, bills to pay, a shower to plan, ski patrol duty twice a week and that play - oh that play. I am down to Tuesday evenings being mine all mine and I am getting a bit testy with people who even try to call me on that night.
pictures of the dresses in production have been taken - but I am on the wrong computer to download them. later !

Windows

Now that I finally have pictures that work, I have a reason to post!
I have never really liked the way our living room looks. The walls- blue- did not match the sofa and wing chairs at all. The room is not warm and inviting. Kate offered to paint the room over her Christmas break - lovely girl. We chose a warm green, with grey overtones. The room definately needed curtains though. Here are the windows bare.
There are 5 windows in total- three in the bay, one on an adjacent wall and a very large one where the front door used to be on the staircase. The photos are way too dark so you cannot tell that there is a 7inch molding and the top molding is curved, and there is a 5 inch window sill. We had the windows and molding custom made- read $$$$- and hate to cover it all up! - I will photoshop them later. 26 metres of silk and 5 metres of camel velvet later, I just had to decide on a "look" Simplicity 5474 was the answer.
Mom came over to help sew on Saturday so soooon they will be ready for hanging and the final picture!

Micaela and Kent

Hmm for some reason my posts lately have been about our offspring - not sewing! Bear with me - I will get over it. Just be warned that I do have 5!
As well I have decided to make use of Picasa - the Google online photo album. Maybe now my uploaded pictures will not mysteriously disappear.
Micaela decided last month to move to Vancouver along with her boyfriend of 5 months. Yes, little miss "boys are stupid and only worth one date" and "dad you can eat his letter" ( an inside Christmas family joke about the Dutch tradition of giving out chocolate letters) has grown up!
She has worked hard the past 4 years, earning not one but 2 honours degrees - English and Phyc, and spending 6 months in South Africa. We really cannot now begrudge her an adventure!
We were sad to see her go but realized that this is what parents are supposed to do- raise their children to be the best possible people they can be and let them go. It is hard though.

The first is of Mic and Mike and I before she leaves. Notice the light streak- Kate and I also saw 3 shooting stars on the way to the airport- harbinger of good luck we hope.


Micaela and Kent at the airport - Mic in her new coat made by moi!

A Wedding to plan for....

Kate and Scottie got engaged on Christmas Eve- a real surprise for everyone - but we love Scott so it is a good surprise! They are hoping for October 20- if only the venue people would call back!
I have promised to NOT be the mother from hell! You know what - it is hard! We went to a bridal show last Sunday along with Scotts mother- Lorraine- it is really incredible how expensive and elaborate this whole wedding thing has become - if they took the contribution we are making for the wedding - they could put a down payment down on a house! And FOUR more to go after this one too!

So as chief (albiet self proclaimed) wedding dress designer and builder, I have been faithfully scouting patterns. I thought of this oneBut all I got was "Mom why do you have such a "thing" for the 50's?"

okay then- I showed her the one that has been above my sewing machine for 2 years...

...and I got "the look"

Okay I know when to shut up and sulk! I will show them to Erica - she and I have the same taste and she and Denis will be engaged....sooner or later!

"and it's been such a long long time.."

It even isn't that life has been that busy. I blame my lack of posting on a simple lack of ambition! I know crazy that it seems, me, Connie, can not seem to get my head or body doing things I should be! That and people like Gigi and Ann and that Dress a Day girl - who actually had a vintage pattern that I am planning on making soon on her site ! (apx Nov 20-06) are so articulate and sew such beautiful things, that I feel pretty silly comparing myself to them.
Sewing wise I have been busy - Finally finished my coat, Micaela's coat, and a few necessary things for me.
Right now my baby is a vintage Mccalls - I will post a pic later. It is truning out quite nicely - who knows, I may even get around to reviewing it!
SO there! I have posted! Next post will be about my trip to New York City and the loverly fabric I bought there.

A short post today - I know I haven't been posting much lately, however lack of MY digital camera (ahem Lauren!) limits somewhat the scope of what I want to say!
Thorndales Annual Garage Sale was today and I dragged a friend out to see what Thorndalites were pulling out of basements and garages this year. Sad to say only one place with sewing patterns. This cute circa 1972 halter/wrap I picked up for a mere 25 cents! Of course I had to have it.
Notice that it comes from the Northland Polka Dot. Remember Polka Dot - before Fabricland bought them out? The Northland store was the first fabric store I ever went to. Not the favourite- that was Duthlers (spelling?)in downtown London- according to my mother the "only" place to buy anything decent in the way of fabric. Of course it too went the way of the dinosaur!
Off to a wedding this afternoon. I hope the drycleaners has my silk dress ready! I will post a decent photo of it (once I get one LAuren!) and a Patternreview review as well.

A Simple White Tee

What ever happened to my "Connie you may not start another project until all of your UFO's are finished"? I had good intentions - really I did. I am almost finished the livingroom pillows, the Cabo halter is - well it is on the sewing counter, the Hot Patterns Bianca Jacket (whispering) "I threw it out - I ACTUALLY threw it out!", Kates tshirt is awaiting the proper colour thread. So see there - I am almost caught up!
And it really is Patternreviews fault. If I hadnt signed up for the T-shirt class, I would never have dug out alllll my tshirt patterns and I would not have remembered that I want a shirt with a gathered front.
So I dug out some white fabric, an old New Look pattern 6779- and my trusty copy of Patternmaking for Fashion Design. Thanks so much for whoever made me purchase that book.
Here is a picture of what I wanted to achieve, and how I did it.
http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/Fw6iIF0FNDYu/__sr_/c0ae.jpg?

I did it a bit too well I am afraid. While the tee is definately wearable, it is a lot too gathered and the back neckline gapes horribly. Funny since I did not alter the back neck except to lower it a titch. I will post a photo later, and try to sew up a new version tonight.
....remembering that experiments are fun, Connie, FUN!

Spadea mail order - Vintage

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/conniebontje/album/576460762318243377/photo/294928803166624270/1
In my quest for the "perfect" wrap dress- Okay I really crave the Furstenburg one but I refuse to spend $115!- I found this vintage number on Ebay and only spent about $5.00. "Spadea Couture Pattern # 73324- this Spadea Boutique wrap dress is a perfect version of the short formal. The plain sleeveless bodice crosses to the left side forming a V-neckline. The skirt is full and the left side is graduated to a tie at the waist."

Will I actually make it? ummm not sure - I am not a full skirt fan - these hips don't need more attention. I think if I draft a narrower skirt - but then can I still keep the flutter at the left side of the skirt?

I had never heard of the Spadea line before. The envelope is postmarked July 1976 from G Street Remnant Shop in Washington DC. While I found some other patterns out there, there was not a lot of actual info on the company. Here is what I did find
" Spadea was another of the mail order companies.
These patterns are among the most prized by collectors.
Many of the important and popular designers of the
1950s and 1960s designed patterns for Spadea, including
Ceil Chapman, Jo Copeland, Suzy Perette and Lachasse
of London."
That was from The Vintage Fashion Guild http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/vintagepatterns.html

Does anyone have any more info out there?