Another Fair Done

Have you ever been to a country fair? Do you know the work and organization that goes into one? Our fair - The Thorndale Fair- celebrated its 150th Birthday this past weekend. Our family lives for the fair. We enter baking, crafts, sewing, flowers, run a swine show, judge the baby contest, work the gates- and this year I am President of the Homecraft Division. Talk about a whole different outlook on the whole thing!The real work begins the Saturday before the fair. We spend the entire day transforming the Progress Building from an empty shell
, to a building full of display cases. The next week is spent organizing people, getting the display cases cleaned and generally worrying that no one is going to enter anything!!
Thursday is the big day for entries. The doors open at 7pm and area residents stream in with baking, crafts, sewing, vegetables - you name it! It is really cute to watch the little kids with their marshmallow creations and collages of their families.
Friday is the last day for entries and we skurrie around like madmen making sure everything is where it should be for the judging. We stop at noon for lunch, the judges arrive, and the fun begins.

My job is usually photography, but this year I handed the job over to some very capable women as my new role includes the final tallying up the points. There is always a good contest between a couple of women who want to win! This year we had an especially difficult job as there was only a ONE point difference between first and second! We also have to make sure the contestant who wins has enteries in at least 7 of the 10 categories. This year our winner won almost every "root and fruit" section, but did not win anything in the craft or photography sections, so we had to make sure that she did indeed enter in those other two. The next step is to contact the Homecraft winner and runner up, and the Junior and Senior Royal winners. (Junior and Senior are the winners of a special homecraft class for 10-13 year olds and 14-19 year olds involving baking, sewing and crafts) We have to make sure they are ready to recieve their awards at the evening ceremony. By the time all the cases are prettied up and all the little details were taken care of, I only had 1/2 hour to talk to the MC for the night and get home to change for the opening ceremony! The evening was topped off by a pie and quilt auction. The pies usually bring an average of 250$- this year I bought a peach pie for $300! It was the winning novice pie baked by my own daughter Katelyn! She and Micaela both entered pies and got 1st and 3rd repectively. We then trundled off to our house where we continued an age old tradition. We always have a party on the friday night of the fair. Generally one of our daughters or a friends daughter have run for Ambassador or Junior or senior Royal. We invite whoever wants to come, put about $1000.00 worth of pies on the counter and eat! I forgot to get a shot of the "pie counter" but here is the empty pie plate!
Saturday morning was the fair parade. I am usually a parade watcher but this year got to sit in a friends convertaible and wave to all my friends and neighbours! To commemorate the 150th I wore a circa 1800's outfit that I borrowed from a friend who is the general manager of the local pioneer village.
The other photo is Daughter #1 Erica who got to reprise her role as Ambassador a few years ago.
The rest of the weekend was spent running from one event to another, judging the swine show and generally basking in the glory of another successful fair weekend!

The Mother of the Bride is going to look FABULOUS!

I am so excited about my dress! The bodice fits like a dream, the neckline is perfect, and the zipper in the back turned out right the very first try! All that is left is a bit more handstitching on the lace at the neckline, taking in the sleeves a titch and getting the loops and (gulp) 24 buttons sewn on. THEN and only then can you have a peek. Well I should steam some wrinkles out too.

I was combining beans the other day. Dark red Kidney beans if anyone cares. They get exported to England, so next time any of you Britians open a can of beans, think of me. It is a hot, dusty job that requires me to watch 4 things at a time, but it gives me some me time alone with me, the radio and my lines for the next Murder Mystery
I was tired of my own thoughts and Dr Joy Browne was over, so I was listening to CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corp). I listen to them on and off- I get peeved when they start agriculture bashing- but that day they had an interesting piece. It was about a family with five daughters aged 15-22. Here is a transcript of the intro..
The Dargis family is still in mourning. The five girls, ranging in age from 15 to 22, lost both their parents, Jean and Joanne, and their grandmother, Anita, in a plane crash a month ago. The girls, though, have vowed to continue to family business -- a large farm and feed company in Alberta.
It hasn't been easy, but a few days ago, the community stepped in to help out. Nearly thirty neighbouring farmers showed up with their combines and plows to help harvest three quarter sections of barley.
Leona Dargis is the eldest of the Dargis girls. We reached her on her combine on her family's farm in St. Vincent, Alberta -- about two hours east of Edmonton

It made me wonder how our own 5 daughters would cope if anything (God forbid) were to happen to Mike and I. One difference between those five and our five is that we didn't raise our girls to necessarily be farmers. They all have grown up with such varied interests. Film. Kids, gerontology, criminology- and one agriculturally minded girl. They all know how to feed and care for animals, but it just wouldn't be their first choice. I know our neighbours would be the kind to pitch in.

The girls are all quick to lend a hand as well in the community - does that come from so many years of being volun-told? (voluntold is our term for when the darling mother (me) says at a meeting, gettogether, church, random situation "Oh (insert name of any or all daughters here) would love to help out. You say you need her at 6am for the entire day? Well she was just going to the beach, but she can do that any day! That being said, Micaela came home from work the other day and said that she had decided that she wanted to be a Brownie leader. Well it just so happened that our town was without one. Less than 24 hours later her and Katelyn were Brown Owl and Tawny Owl!
Don't you just LOVE moms?

It's been a while!

Yes I know!!!

I have been busy I promise you. I have my MOB dress almost ready to show! I have a few issues with the zipper in the back. The top 4 inches is only lace, and I am afraid that an invisible zipper will look *blech*. I am thinking of (for that section) using small covered buttons - like on the back of wedding dresses. I think that will look more elegant. Other than that it looks great. I promise to take a photo when the zipper is in!

I am in the process of attaching the lace to the wedding dress- I am NOT going to show any more photos of that until it is finished! Kate and I were trying to decide what to put at the junction of the ruching and the lace- about empire height. After trying a million ideas we found that a simple band of ruched chiffon looked best. For the sleeves we were alternating between ruched chiffon or lace. The chiffon won out. It will be a bit more work but I think I can do them tonight.

Life has been hectic lately. People ask me if the wedding is keeping me busy- my reply is that there are too many things to worry about BEFORE that! The Western Fair and our 4H kids is done. 42 kids plus 42 hogs for a day at the fair is tiring! The stag and doe is done! It went over very well- check out the girls site fiveblondes.wordpress.com (or click on the link at the side) It went very well. Lots of friends, great music aaanndd I got to live out my "dance on the bar" fantasy!

Still to come? The Thorndale Fair (of which I am Homecraft President) goes on next weekend. Really a whole week and a half if you consider that set up, judging etc all occurs the week before the fair. I will do a whole post on that afterwards.

I am also newly involved in a Murder Mystery group. Our first performance is the end of September and well of course I need a new costume or two!

I am planning on attending Pattern Review weekend in New York City again. I need to make a list of what I NEED this year! My next plans are to do my first SWAP. I am tentitively thinking of revolving around peacock blue
Grey, and black. More thought on that to follow!

Officially insane

Every bride and brides mommy need a stole to wear to church correct!
With that in mind I found this Vogue Pattern and decided that a "mink stole" would be in order.

I have the faux mink- and I can easily do that at the last minute if I find the time. If not - there will be other weddings!

I am not sure if "Stag and Does" are the vogue in other areas of the country. Wikipedia says that- A stag and doe party, also known as a hen and stag party, is the equivalent of a combined bachelor and bachelorette party. This is gaining popularity among wedding parties that have an overwhelming majority of attendants who are in relationships, where there are not enough single people to steer their half of the group to a strip club, or to convincingly blame afterwards.

In Canada, a stag and doe, or buck and doe, is a wedding tradition popular in rural Southern Ontario.[1] The event is held by a bride and groom before they are married, similar to a combined bachelor party and bachelorette party, but acting as a fundraiser for the wedding. Guests purchase entrance tickets and are entertained, typically, with games, food, and alcohol, all of which usually also cost money. Door prizes and raffles are also common events at a stag and doe.

It sounds pretty shady said like that, but they are almost mandatory in our part of the country- and I stress country. The kids have a large circle of friends, most of whom we cannot accomodate at the actual wedding. This way they all get to celebrate anyways. Kate and Scott were going to hold it in a friends barn converted to a party place, but an illness in their family caused them to ask us to find an alternate venue. We decided this was an opportune time to clean out the driveshed! The shed is clean, the fatted pig is ready to barbeque and the band is booked- imagine having a band for the party and a DJ for the wedding! I hope I survive!

Mother of the Bride! Times TWO!

I am now the proud mother of two brides to be! Erica and Denis became engaged last weekend- Congratulations my darlings! How sweet that it happened for your 25th birthday,and at one of our most romantic locations - Niagara Falls. Here they are (on the right) along with daughter number2 Micaela.
Give me some time to breathe after Kate and Scott's though!

On to the current wedding and my mother of the bride dress. I have always loved this dress, and am making the view on the right hand side.
It is OOP but I managed to get it from a fellow PatternReview member in California. I got some luscious brown - more of a mocha than deep chocolate- silk charmeuse with a bit of stretch(LA Fabrics in Toronto) and am lining it with some brown bridal fabric also with some stretch (from Fabricland). For the upper bodice with ruching I am going to head back to Toronto. I am picturing a copper or brown lace. I know I saw some when I was last there, but I was not ready to commit. I am now! We (me, hopefully my friend Deb, husband Mike and his friend Bob(a great fabric shopper btw for a straight married 25 years farmer guy!)) are heading down to a Blue Jays game in Toronto and the Rogers Centre just happens to be a couple of blocks from the fashion district.
I cut back a titch on the train of the dress- but the grooms mother and I decided we rate at least a bit of a train! She is great -as his her son! - we used to play baseball together back when the to-be-weds were kids. She is wearing a "mother of the groom beige" (her label not mine!) with lots of bling. But i digress.
Well this post was perculating in blogland, and since then I was able to watch the forementioned Jay's LOSE against the Oakland A's from our front row, 1st baseline seats. I dragged the wonderful friends around the various fabric shops of Queen Street and came home with this EXPENSIVE beautiful lace. The photos are simply awful- late nights are getting to me!
Mom - don't even ask what it cost a metre- just be thankful you do not have to do any embellishing!

I cut it out tonight and it looks gorgeous! ANDDDD it matches these totally fantabulous shoes to a tee!
I have never had shoes that came with their own shoe bag! And I probably never will.
The other things that are occupying my time now are our new barn, our local fall fair- of which I am Homecraft President and realllllyyyy need to get to work on, and a Murder Mystery that I agreed to act in. arrggh I need more hours in a day.

Monday, Monday

No sewing accomplishments to report - I'm afraid that Round Tuit hasn't helped much yet! I have realized however that those of you who stumble across this blog - and you are out there!- do not really know much about me the person.

So, for your reading pleasure, here is what I did yesterday, Sunday August whatever it was!

I was up around 7ish- early for many people on a lovely, HOT Sunday morning, but I had things to do. Made a fruit salad and a few other brunch type foods, and headed to the barn to make sure the pigs were happy. *sigh* there is just no pretty looking polite way to say I am a pig farmer. Picture a teacher or a nurse or a corporate laywer and you all picture tidy, confident, CLEAN! Say you are a pig farmer and all people think of is filth and smell. Just to let you know it ain't so! Okay, I could rant about this all day, but I won't. Suffice to say the sows were wanting a cigarette after I was done with them.
Back to the house, a shower and a pretty dress, and Mike and I were off to church. I have played guitar in the choir since I was 12, and still enjoy doing that every week.
After church we rushed home as we were having brunch guests. Old friends Deb and Ken, new friends Pam and John, our daughters Mic and Lauren, Mike and myself. We didn't linger long over coffee as the daughters were offf to their jobs, and the rest of had to meet 2 other friends on the golf course. Deb, Pam and I golf together on Tuesdays at the course that our family owns - The Fox and we thought it would be nice to try a different course. Cobble Hills Golf Course is where I generally spend my winters as a Ski Patroller- I know what you are thinking- a golf course that is also a ski hill??? We take what we can get in Southwestern Ontario! We met up with Bob- a lonnnnnggg time friend and Norma - another long time great friend, and golfed 18. Norma actually met up with us on hole number 4 as she was finishing up playing 18 for the club championship! We laughed a lot, duffed a lot - but I managed to birdie #9- yah I know - me and Tiger! It drizzled a bit, but we need it badly so no one was complaining.
I bet you think our day was done! Not so, not so. We drove into London to meet up with Norma's husband Jim, and Bob's wife Cathy who had cycled into London. They are golf holdouts, and Cathy had never cycled into London before. Jim has his bike permanently attached to his butt! We were going to eat at Ribfest-a local fundraiser, but it was raining too hard by that time, and Ribfest is an outdoor event. We plunked ourselves down at a local restaurant and spent even more wonderful, hilarious times with some great friends, good food and liquid refreshments!

Now you know what I do for fun! I promise I will get back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow!

Around to it

Okay I finally got a round toit - now to get AROUND TO IT!!!!

I'm feeling HOT HOT HOT

Sizzling! That is the only word for the weather here this week. I believe it hit 37 degrees celcius yesterday- and for those of us without airconditioning - that is almost unbearable. I had wonderful intentions of cutting out and sewing two of these blouses yesterday.
I even had the fabric all ready to go- a lovely white cotton with minor ruffling. The heat however, coupled with a dickens of a head cold-"Connie it must be allergies" said my darling, albiet nonsensical husband- "I (insert haughty italics there), do not have allergies"! ANYWAYS, I ended up doing nothing but reading and watching some dumb TV movie that I do not even know the name of! So much for good intentions.
I do hope that one of these days I get sewing ambitions again. Everything seems to be so much work - even though I know it really isn't. Maybe once this heat wave breaks I will feel differently.
What I really should do is a SWAP - Most of my sewing projects are whims. I crave this pattern, or that fabric one day, then a different pattern and totally different fabric the next. I see lovely things in stores, and my creative juices ran rampant. And of course I can MAKE them so much cheaper, and better quality. But do I get a round to it? NO! So now here I am with nothing that goes with anything, and Me- with a closet full of clothes and fabric enough to cloth a large army- I have nothing to wear.

Who needs a cottage!

I was walking to the house from the barn the other day -a beautiful July afternoon, with just the right amount of sun and beautiful whipped clouds in the sky. It is on days such as these that I am glad that I live where I do. My most favourite thing in the world to do is to sit with a glass of wine - or a GandT, and sew or read on our front porch. Here is a glimpse of my "porch with a view"

Weddings and dresses

A bride I know who is getting married this weekend called me up yesterday and said to tell Miss Kate to elope as the total stress of the wedding was overwhelming. I mentioned that little fact to Kate's fiance who said- "what's so difficult- as far as I can see we both show up, I wear a tux and that is all we need" MEN!
Did I mention that the dress bodice is done??!! Kate is trying to decide whether she wants beading on the bodice or not. Here is a shot..okay three shots....a row of chiffon pinned on
The bodice - complete - but not yet steamed We had a little lace sequining party last night. Mom, Kate, Lauren and myself, with my dad offering glue (again MEN!) and drinks. Our very own little sweatshop!Here is the Bride working on a piece of the train.This shot is of Lauren - little Miss Thorndale Fair Junior and Senior Royal past winner (baking/sewing and crafts)
I especially like this shot of mom's hands- those hands don't look 70 do they? She can do absolutely ANYTHING with them. Like me, sewing is her passion although quilting and other hand work is her forte. And little old me- bent over that lace thinking "why the double 7 3 4 upside down did we not just buy the friggin already embellished lace"!! By the way -does anyone have ANY sleeve ideas"
...did I mention the bodice is done?!!!!

I'm off to Ottawa for a few days. Our Baby Lauren is off to University and we have an orientation tour booked. I am excited to visit our best friends Karl and Katrin- we get there a few times a year and they are always so hospitable. Sadly, Lorna will be out of town, but I promised to visit Darrel Thomas Fabrics while I am there. Things you do for your friends! I also will drop in at Rockland Textiles . I happened upon this fabric store a few years ago when Katrin first started working in Ottawa. It's only a few miles from Carleton University, so it's almost criminal not to.
While in Ottawa we are going to the Renoir Exhibit at the National Gallery. I adore Renoir and Katrin says it is a great exhibit. I know that Erica would appreciate this more than Lauren - sorry Er! We will have to visit Lauren this winter and catch another one!

Patternreview

While browsing sewing related blogs today- I know, I know - I should be sewing instead! Anyways, I was at Leora's Journey to Couture and noticed that she has a link to her PatternReview reviews. Totally cool - I wish I had thought of that.
So check out if my own PatternReview link works. I really should update and publish the myriad of reviews I have started!
Off to see "Hairspray" with my favourite FiveBlondes and entourage. I'm sure they will post a review of it soon.

Saga of a Wedding dress...

Oh the ruching. I think it only took me 20 hours - and 10 trips to the chiropractor!
The bodice is going to be a crossover done with ruching silk chiffon. I experimented with just gathering and pressing the silk chiffon, however it did not look quite "right". I ended up cutting a large bias piece of the silk and hand stitching each row on to the bodice. We didn't want a perfect look - so the rows very from 1/8 to 1/4 inches apart. I let the chiffon "talk to me" about where it wanted to go - for the most part. I had to take over a few times!! This photo is just the start - about twenty-five percent done. The number of rows you ask- hmmm, I did not count - I promise I will. It looks good- even Kate of little positive critiques said "wow, that looks pretty"! I still need to add the Swarovski crystals. They will be randomly scattered over the bodice and the top area of the lace as well.
We have decided to use a ribbon to delineate where the silk and lace meet. That will make things very easy at that juncture.
I still have not decided where to go with the sleeves. At the moment there are two options. 1. more ruched chiffon.
2. lace
The sleeves will be little caps that sit on the shoulder point. They won't really hold anything up, but add a bit more coverage for church. Kate thinks she wants them off for the reception. Her choice.
My mother called in a tizzy yesterday. She is worried that the lace will not be sequined in time- come on mom 7000 sequins- a cinch! Kidding.....
The girls and I are going to go over and work on it whenever we have time. I think a lacing bee is called for.

What to do, What to do!

I came across this program offered at the University of Guelph. It is a Diploma in Agricultural Communications and is an 18 month, 5 course program "The Diploma in Agricultural Communications is designed for agricultural managers, communication and public relations officers, agrologists, journalists and freelance professionals. Enhance and strengthen your ability to communicate complex issues about agriculture, agri-food, the environment and life sciences within industry organizations, government, non-governmental organizations, and special interest groups." Right up my alley!
I have always been interested in writing especially with an agricultural slant. For a few years when the kids were young I wrote occasionally for a local farm paper and have always been "the public relations person" for organizations that I belong too. This would be a great opportunity to learn more about the field and get back into practice.
The course load is not too bad - especially since it is mostly a distance ed course with some on campus time. The cost may be the sticky point. Putting 5 girls through university has taken a financial toll, not to mention the upcoming wedding!
I think I will call my accountant to see if it is a business expense, and look into bursaries or scholarships.
Now to talk Mike into it!

Wedding Dress....the laced up back

This is turning out to be quite a challenge - this laced up back.
The lacing holes were a cinch - I did a couple of million when I made my wedding dress. The trick is getting the layout right. I visited a friend of Kate's who had a laced back wedding dress and measured her "openings". They were 1 centimetre "wide" by 2.5 centimetres long, and placed exactly next to each other. I made a grid on paper using those measurements. I sewed 2 long bias tubes - very narrow(I think 3/8 of an inch), turned them, stretched and pressed the heck out of them and also inserted some (I think) rattail. That is what I call it anyways. That was to add stability to the holes. The next step was to baste the bias tube on to the paper, decide on the EXACT placement of the tube on the dress back and (cross my fingers!) sew the lacing, and paper to the fashion fabric and the corset.
I stabilized the lace-up by sewing a strip of organza on the wrong side of the dress.
It looks bee-uu-ti--ful! See for yourself- keep in mind that I do not have the actual lacing up sewn yet- so the lacing is just ribbon.She also wants a modesty panel under the lacing - I made it out of the lace and the peau de soi (SPELLING!) and will embellish it like the lace will be.
Speaking of lace - we are a step farther on that too. My wonderful mother came over and we fit the lace on to the dress. One side came out just like I had planned - the other side was extremely wierd but looks as perfect as the other side. Without photos it is difficult to explain. Let's just say I was glad Kate was not there - although Micaela may extort some money from us to keep her quiet regarding our worries!
Mom has taken the lace home to begin the embellishment. There are 170 separate medallions and 34 medallions on the fancy lace edge. Each of the medallions is to have 4 curved rows of sequins - individually sewn on! I saw her yesterday and she said she already has 10 medallions complete. She did guilt me into promising to come help when I have a few minutes to help.
I had 400 Swarovski crystals - glue on, but decided that is not near enough. I have an Ebay bid for 1440 more! We also have about 100 sew on Swarovski crystal beads that Kate would like on the bodice area.

Next up - She decided she wants sleevey things! And the hem is done!

O WOW - a couturesmith heaven!

This is what my darling daughter Erica sent me via email...
THE BIG KAHUNA GARAGE SALE

Antiques..small furniture pieces, smalls,huge collection of antique and vintage linens
Household and outdoor things
Yards and yards of exquisite fabrics including velvets, lace, linens, cottons, blends, bridal satins, sheers and much, much more.
Beads and trims of all sorts going individually or as a job lot...try an offer!!
Goods are from an exclusive event dressing/bridal studio.
Clothing..new and gently used.
Wedding dress samples of various sizes and designs.
Everything needs to go!!

Did I go? You bet your booties! Did I spend - well of course! When I got there, there was just some -okay alot- of clothes on racks and some random antiques. I saw an old piece of architectural gingerbread that I picked up- but saw no fabric. I would have thought "lost leader", but fabric as a lost leader - I think not!

Someone near me happened to mention "linens"? The lady said "oh yes I forgot!" So she led us to not one, not two, but THREE of those drive up to storage units. One was full of stuff, another linens and wedding dresses- I didn't even get to that one! and the third was chock full of fabric bolts, buttons, beads, you name it - she had it! I managed to get away with 6 bolts of fabric, a lifetime supply of tracing paper - the kind with dots, and some simply fabulous findings- antique buttons anyone?

Ahhhh a fun Saturday morning doing some "storage unit diving" - I could do with more of those!

"The Wedding Dress" an update

I am honestly getting somewhere on The Dress! I thought I would update - but this is more of an "how I started" update- does that make it a prequel?

I found this photo of Kate while we were fabric shopping in Toronto. While it is not the fabric we ended up going with - it gives a good idea of where we want to go.

Here is the start of our "design (divine???!!!) inspiration wall. Note the lovely teal and lime green wall. I say it adds to the designer feel! annnd some of the pattern design changes I made. We reshaped the bodice front to a sweetheart neckline, and the bodice back to incorporate a lower gradually curved lace up back instead of a straight across zip/button back. I really must visit Kate's friend Laura to examine her lace up back for spacing reccomendations.
The bodice turned out FABULOUS!!!!! Cotton batiste covering with a cotton flannel underlining. I forgot to count the boning - I used a combination of rigaline (too lazy to check the spelling!) and some metal spriral boning. I think there are 11 or 13 pieces altogether. It fit like a dream the first time around!
And now the crinoline. I was making one however it was not "poufy enough"- kate's words. I gave in and bought one off of Ebay. We decided to go with the Extra Full one - why, I will never know! I think we were thinking vendors would "cheat" on their idea of full- but they did not! It came in a teensy tiny bag. Already we have soaked and straightened it 3 times - it may take a few more tries to get it wrinkle free! I am going to add some length. Even though Kate is not tall, it is about 4 inches too short and I remember someone (on Pattern review?) mentioning that if the crinoline is not long enough, the fashion fabric tends to swoop under when walking.
Oh yes - here is the crinoline..
Whew- enough for now. Tempting you .....I have the fabric sewn, and the seams almost seamfinished. You can see it later!

How did I end up with TWO sewing rooms??!!!

Honestly - it was a gradual thing. I have a great sewing room on the main floor of the house. Built in cabinetry, huge window, room for 3 machines and 2 dress forms. I share half of the room with myself and our business office- 2 computers, three printers and a fax machine. The cabinetry was actually designed for us and featured at a local home and garden show as a "office and craft room"

So why 2 sewing rooms?

Well you all know that Kate is getting married in October. And I am making her dress. And my dress. And Laurens dress.

Perhaps you didn't know that her husband to be works for us. Neither he nor Kate wanted him to see the dress before "The big day" With the anticipation that I would only have one child home for the summer, I decided to designate the small bedroom as "the Wedding Room" I set it up with my extra machine, Kates desk from University and some storage area. It is a GREAT little room - I can disappear and no one remembers where I am.

However - Lauren - who graduates from High School in a few weeks- had originally decided to work at a resort in BC for the summer/fall and put off going to University for a year. All of a sudden she changed her mind and is staying home for the summer and heading off to Carleton in Ottawa in the fall. Of course needs a bed. Then Micaela decided she needed to come home from Vancouver as she is missing us all too much - another bed needed. WELL GIRLS- you will have to do some room sharing for a while. I do remember on our Europe trip when we stayed at the convent- you all were afraid to have your own rooms because you were used to sharing. Well it's sharing time again 'cause I want my 2 sewing rooms!!!!

Fabric and lovely children

What a crazy weather we are having. Yesterday was beautiful, HOT and sunny - that is until my tee-off time. THEN it poured rain. My golf partner- rain or shine unless there is lightning- which there was- decided to forgo the golfing and go straight to the 19th hole - refreshments! We chatted a while then I headed home to clean the office. To reward myself, I pulled out Simplicity 4076 which is the scoop neck with gathers tshirt. I cleaned the office, cut out fabric and sewed the tee all while watching "Dream Girls". BTW not as great a movie as I had anticipated, but the music made it worth the watch. So I ended up with this- Completely wearable- I am going to make the next one a couple of inches longer and do something to make the sleeves more fitted.
I finally got a photo of the fabric I got in Vancouver. No more kitschy souvenir purchases for me on vacation- a nice length of fabric please and thank-you.
I want to make a jacket from it - I need to find a nice fitted but with not too many pieces - pattern.
I found this note on the kitchen table last week. It is so nice to have Kate back home for a while after her being away for 4 years. She is so good to Lauren- most of the time! I think it is hard for Laur being the youngest - and feeling left behind. Kate likes to plan adventures for the two of them - whether it is a hike or a movie or wedding planning- what a sweet young lady she has become!

My big suprise - and it was successful!

I just got back from a surprise visit to Micaela (daughter #2) in Vancouver. Her wonderful, generous boyfriend helped me arrange the surprise. It was so funny to knock on her door at 1am and have her blurt out "MOM- what are YOU doing here"!
We had a perfect week - even the heavy misty days could not stop us. I also got to spend time with my best friend Katrin who was in Vancouver presenting a paper. Silly me- the pictures are on my other computer - but I will post some for sure.
My absolute favourite place that we visited was Bowen Island- It is a 20 minute ferry ride from West Van and I sooooo want to move there- I can see a unique fabric store or town theatre there for sure. I DID call home and tell them to put a For Sale sign up before I got home - but no one listened to me.
I checked out some Vancouvervfabric stores on PatternReview, and managed to get to Elegance Fabric Of course I could not leave there without buying something! I decided on a beautiful Italian cotton in a reversible black and white geometric design for a jacket, and some blue lining fabric for my wool denim from Ann at GeorgeousThings.
I wonder if one can change their blog name? I have decided that seamingly simple sounds too juvenile- There was a shop on (you guessed it) Bowen Island that had the owners name, then underneath was "goldsmith, silversmith, songsmith" I loved it (and it was much better than the van I saw once "Eileen's Bakery and Taxidermy" ouch!
So does "Fabricsmith" sound like it may work? Fashionsmith? couturesmith? hmmm I will have to think on that.