Netflix Stars - Australia

3.75/5.0 - Not a bad movie, it's long but worth the time invested to watch, if not for the scenery -- including Hugh Jackman. Sometimes a little hard to understand, though my own fault with Texan Yankee allergy-stuffed ears and not wearing my glasses to read the subtitles. Beautiful costuming, I think it as nominated and won the Oscar for it. L got a little bored, but T came in towards the end and enjoyed what he saw.

Blow me away

This wind! It started a few days ago and brought all kinds of pollen with it. Cue major allergy attack 24 hours later. oh oh oh oh oh I even bought a Neti Pot, which should be an totally separate blog entry in itself. The bummer of it all is that the weather is so nice and I want to be outside enjoying it like everyone else. Not inside and miserable. Sniff, moan, achoo!

The Silver Thimble

Does anyone else remember Jane Shaner and her Silver Thimble monthly newsletters? She wrote it from the mid 70's to the late 80's. I loved how she would recommend patterns and then show how to switch things around or duplicate ready-to-wear details. She was always so conscious of the pattern prices - wouldn't she flip over $25+ Vogues today? But she was a good pattern picker and going through the old newsletters was a trip down memory lane, as I sewed many of the Vogues she suggested. (I loved Vogue 9064 from 1984!) The wonderful illustrations throughout were by Carol Gilfillan. Foolishly a few years ago I sold on eBay Volumes 7 and 12 (May 80, 85 through April 81, 86) and the ones after May 1988. I don't think they went much further than the late 80's as she developed health problems and the newsletter ended. In addition to the newsletters, she also self-published books with spiral binding. If you are lucky you might be able to find them on eBay, Amazon -- maybe even check your ASG Chapter library. Some of the titles were -- "Start Making Your Own...Classic Separates", "A Gift You Make is a Gift of Love", "So What's Wrong with your Wardrobe", "Sewing with Silk", "Tailoring and How to Do It", "Sewing with Leather and Suede", "Ultrasuede and What to Do with It", "Scarves, Scarves and More Scarves", even a cookbook! She even designed a pants pattern (Pants #100) and a book to go along with it, "Pants, Make Them Fit!"

Even if the patterns are out-of-date, her tips and suggestions how to get more mileage from the ones we currently have are even more applicable today. (One article even showed how to take a man's knitted sweater and turn it into a sweater vest, mittens, hat and scarf!) Classic sewing ideas, suggestions and tips never go out of style.

Why are you still here?!

I think Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 7281 is her oldest pattern in the Vogue catalog. Even though the envelope says 2007, it really has to be from 2000, as I have 7264 with the same envelope type and photo of Sandra, and it is carbon-dated 2000. I Googled it while in the store and saw 23 reviews on Pattern Review. My cell phone was a little too overwhelmed to pull and open them, but a pattern with that many reviews probably was a good one. Wondering how much longer and if it would still be around by the next catalog with Sandra's upcoming new pattern additions, I went ahead and grabbed it. I also got 1036 and 1050 while Jo-Ann's is having their $3.99 Vogue sale through Saturday. I have no idea why those two were MIA in my collection - they may have been sold out during previous sales. Plus Sandra mentions the 1050 pants in her Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Forecast. I had sewed a Butterick pattern in a similar style to 7281 years ago, and didn't really like it. But Sandra's version looks like it morphed into something better, so I'll add it to the pile. If anyone else has sewn this - with or without success, please post a comment, too!

Today's Costco Find

Jones New York Sport hoodies - only $10.99 with instant $3 checkout coupon! (Item 355391). I got "Blue Moon" a royal blue (not these odd hues in the photos) and "Spanish Moss" - a pistachio green. They also have them in red, white and chocolate brown. Four 1/4" painted to match snaps, just above the elbow sleeves. Soft, lightweight 100% cotton. Definitely the Deal of the Day. Hurry to grab yours before they are gone.

Sandra Betzina's Spring Summer 2009 Fashion Forecast

Is now online - click here for your warm weather fashion inspiration a la Sandra!

Egg-stra special tree

Right now Target has plastic Easter eggs in assorted sizes and colors. The bright-colored 12-pack was 79 cents and they had two holes punched in both ends for easy stringing. I went home and hung them on the Jatropha. Then this morning I was in Jo-Ann's for the pattern sales, and their Easter Holiday Inspirations eggs in pastel colors were 50% off - 49 cents a dozen. To be honest, the Target ones were better quality - sturdier. Jo-Ann's were thinner and hinged. I had to use my scissors point to enlarge and finish punching out some the holes. If you are looking for eggs to hunt instead of hang, you may want to go with Target's more substantial version. I think the Jo-Ann eggs may be more suitable for hot glue gunning into a wreath, garland, etc., as I'm certain the heat will help melt and and create a larger surface to attach the egg a little bit better.

Happy New Year!

I thought I had hit a dead end trying to find a sequined calendar to make for my mother. Which wasn't cutesy, didn't have cats with human teeth, etc. And it needed to have her colors - blues, greens, purples. Until L and I went to Hobby Lobby on Saturday and checked out their clearance section. In addition to finding an orange turkey feather tassel for Monica, L found this calendar for $7.12. So 12 hours and easily (the upper left rose had 96) over 500 sequins and beads later - it is on its way to her. I substituted the bright green yarn hanger for a yard of the Costco wired ribbon, which tied it all together (ouch) perfectly. Happy New calendar Year!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Anya Marina, "Move You" 3:03

Bonus points for limping to the treadmill this morning. We had a substitute teacher yesterday for the "Gentle" yoga class. Suffice to say it would be a flip off between her and Shawn Johnson on Dancing with the Stars. She usually teaches the yoga for runners and non wussies classes. But points for her not doing head, hand and shoulder stands - hate those. And maybe I needed to get my yoga butt kicked. . .

"We are concerned. . ."

said T & L last night. Can't help it, I need power and access to power! And Costco is enabling me. The latest is set of the Duracell power chargers. In a convenient two pack! I've got tons of AA's leftover from my old camera, which devoured them frequently. (Photo not shown - hand crank flashlights, also from Costco a few years ago)

Who are these people and what are they doing here?

As you can obviously tell, I have a rather eclectic group of friends and fellow bloggers in the right alley. I thought each week on Sunday I would randomly showcase one from the list and why they are there. I love to discover new blogs, and I think you will enjoy the introduction for new places to visit in Bloggy Land.
This week - The Purl Bee Gorgeous photgraphy, cute projects!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Three Day Pattern Sale -- April 2-4:

McCall's - $1.99
Vogue - $3.99

Pre-Easter Sale -- April 9-11

Simplicity - 99 cents
50% off notions
50% off buttons
50% off interfacing and fiberfill

Can't wait for the Simplicity sale? Hobby Lobby this week has Simplicity for $1.99. . .

Girl Scout Vest - Teenage Girl Scout Level

This khaki vest is for the older Girl Scouts - from Cadettes to Seniors to the newest level, Ambassadors. The Ambassador Girl Scout is a high school Junior or Senior (11th-12th grades). They wear the vest with the Girl Scout Bandana as their uniform.

The stars with the colored discs indicate the years and levels of Girl Scouting - Yellow for Brownies, Green for Juniors, White for Cadettes, Red for Seniors and Navy Blue for Ambassadors. The wings and rainbow bars represent fly-up and bridging to the next level of Girl Scouts. These are for Brownies and Juniors. The bridging activities are done with a troop. L became a Juliette - independent Girl Scout - after Juniors when her troop disbanded. (The Juliette program is a great way to stay involved in scouting, you don't need to belong to a troop.)

The rectangular squares along the bottom are Interest Project Patches. You can put them on either or both sides.

I must say, I am really liking the new insignia tab - instead of felt, it's grosgrain ribbon. No more twisting and pulling out of shape. L also prefers the gold traditional trefoil pin over the silhouette one. The PA's are Program Aide patches, Cadette and Senior levels. To the right of them, the Studio 2B charms and pin are heavy -- I put a piece of felt on the back of the vest and pinned through to support the weight and keep it from falling forward. I also put a little hand stitch between each charm loop to keep them spaced apart and facing the right way.

On the back of the vest are all the activity, group and fun patches, from cookie sales to camps to events.

L is completing her Gold Award project within the next few months. Staying in scouting through high school for her has proven invaluable, providing her leadership opportunities, service to the community, skill-building, personal growth and life-long friendships.

Burda WOF April 2009 - #147 Bottle Bags

This was a fast and easy project to sew! I found it in the Burda World of Fashion April 2009 issue's Children's Fashion section on Page 58. All you need to do is measure your water bottle from the neck down and add 3 1/4" to the length to allow for tying the bottom shut. Then measure the circumference and add 3/4" for the seam allowance. For the Costco/Kirkland water bottle, your measurements will be 8 3/4" length and 9" circumference. Or just make it easy and cut a 9" x 9" scrap of fabric. (Bandanas would be a good source of material, too - especially if you find them on sale.) If you still have the selvedge, you can arrange your layout and use that for the top to save an extra step finishing one of the edges. If you want to add trim to the top and bottom, do it before you sew the side seam - it's still doable if you change your mind and want to do so afterwards, as I did. The strap measures 28 inches. Burda suggests 3/8" ribbon or Fast-Turn loops. I butted the edges of the lace to make a wider strap. Because of the weight of the bottle, you may want to consider a ribbon or strap to be about 1" for comfort. I also used a new, leftover children's shoe lace to tie the bottom closed. Easier to tie and untie to let the cover dry out between uses. If you want to use ribbon, you'll need about 6 inches or a little bit longer.

I think this would also make a cute birthday or pool party favor - with different fabrics they can easily identify their own water bottle. While obviously not that practical on warm days, it's an easy way to transport your bottle for a walk or to free your hands if you plan to drink your water sooner than later.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Bitter:Sweet, "The Bomb" 3:05

You need to see this

I still can't figure out how to have the video player appear, but click on this link to hear an incredible performance of our national anthem -- and the girls are only 6-8 years old!

1963 McCall's Tote Bag

I found this unused, uncut pattern for only 25 cents at a thrift store a few years ago. I bought it not only for the pattern, but the applique/embroidered initial iron-on transfers. The original price was 75 cents, I bet probably a little pricey for 1963. There were lots of options - fabric choices, trim - with fringe-making instructions, pockets, flaps, lining for the bags, including a leather skin layout (!). I cut apart the legs along the inner seam of a pair of old jeans.

I used a back pocket for the outside and the upper front pocket stitched to the inside for my cell phone, keys -- to attach to the belt loop, etc. By just edge-stitching the pocket sides and not along the top, I was able to double the pocket real estate by creating two pockets. Instead of lining, I finished the edges and then stitched some vintage trim alongside it. The gold trim was also from a thrift store "goody bag" find and matched the jeans' topstitching thread. The outside pocket's feather accent is a $3.90 hair clip from H&M. I stitched just above the jean hem to close the bottom of the bag - I wanted to incorporate the look and leave the option to easily add fringe or beading later. The finished size measures 19" from strap to bottom, 13" wide.

No Strings Attached Chicken Rotisserie Crockpot Soup

When all you have left is the rotisserie chicken carcass, stick it into a crockpot, add water, carrots, onion, garlic, seasoned pepper, a little chicken soup base - cover and let simmer. But be sure you remove the string holding the wings and legs underneath first! (Hmm, chicken seems a little stringy...)

After I crock it for about 6 hours, I strain it and put the broth into a container and refrigerate overnight -- to let the fat rise to the surface so I can skim it away. Then I reheat it and add fresh sliced carrots, chicken bits, 2 cups of egg noodles and voila! I think the rotisserie seasonings help to make a pretty and flavorful broth. And it is one more money-saving way to get another meal out of the bird. Leftovers freeze easily -- I put a bowlful amount in individual Zip-locs and freeze flat to save space.

Garden Update

New additions to the garden -- "Zinfandel" Oxalis vulcanicola with pretty yellow flowers.

Thought I would try Pesto Perpetuo Basil this year. The purple basil may still come back.

But the Rock Rose did!

Just transplanted these Indian Paintbrushes. They should have more blooms and get brighter and more orange-y as soon as they settle in a bit more.

Look at the Heliotrope! It quadrupled in size practically overnight and is still growing and setting more tiny but powerfully fragrant purple flowers.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

September, "Satellites" 3:06