Carol Lane-Saber is coming to Houston August 11

The Houston Chapter of the American Sewing Guild is hosting an all-day program with Carol Lane-Saber on Saturday, August 11 from 10AM-4PM. The morning session -- Japanese textiles and a trunk show of her Fairfield Fashion Show garments. After lunch (included in the ticket price!), the afternoon session will be overviews of origami and incorporating it into clothes and quilts, shibori, Nuno fabric and fabric collage. Plus shopping opportunities of fabric and notions!

Ticket price for ASG members is $25, $45 for non-members. Visit the Houston Chapter website or email events@asghouston.org, for more information and space availability. Registration deadline is August 7.

Defense against the chocolate snackfest

These aren't bad, just enough of a defense to prevent further afternoon snack attacks. There's even 1g of fiber, 1g protein...and only 6g of sugar, 14g carbohydrate. Yeah, that 3.5 sat fat isn't anything to write home about, but compare this damage to what a Snickers bar could do instead. Actually half a bag (what was hanging out on the kitchen counter) was enough for me.

Hello Sandwich!

New at Target's Dollar Spot -- Is this Hello Kitty sandwich container the cutest and safest way to protect your sandwich from lunchbox squishes and other mishaps? There's even a bonus smaller square container inside for tiny treats.

Yesterday's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Tom Petty, "Zombie Zoo" 2:57

Full Moon Fever

Yesterday's stats -- 36 minutes, 2.20 miles, 246 calories

Repeatable Winner - McCalls 2205

I'm trying to remember how many times I've made this shirt. It could be 7 or 8, or even more over the years... These shirts get worn and worn out. Here's the link to my review on Patternreview.com from a couple of years ago.

Aren't the JHB palm tree buttons perfect? Click the photo to enlarge and see them better.
L found them and approved the fabric choice at Hancock's a couple years ago. This was the fabric which surfaced during the Big Dig in my sewing room the other day.

Other fabric versions have included the famous Father-Daughter pink fish fabric (with silver fish buttons), chili peppers, hot sauce bottles, fern fronds, Hawaiian postcards and flame-torch holding surfers! T's comment about this one - "it's very green!"

A Houston Institution

I usually don't watch the local morning newscast with tears. Houston Channel 13's Marvin Zindler passed away last night from pancreatic cancer, he was 85 years old. One can't even begin to list all the good he has done for Houston and the world, actually. Check out KTRK's website linked above to remember and honor this remarkable man and his life. The Houston Chronicle also has some good stories to read. Did you know "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" was written about his "assistance" shutting down the Chicken Ranch? Dom DeLuise's character was based on Marvin Zindler. (ZZ Top's "La Grange" is about the Chicken Ranch, too.) We will miss you, Marvin!

Mood Lifter

Grab a shovel! You can always tell when I haven't been sewing for awhile and the mood gets dark. Things start piling up on the cutting table, the ironing board, sewing chair, FLOOR!...until I've literally built a barricade. So this morning I started with little things - mending pants, a shirt button - not exactly fun, but it turned on the lights and my sewing machine. Then all the patterns scattered nilly-willy, finally filed away. A lot easier to find when they are where they belong instead of underneath 5 yards of sueded khaki twill (egads! That went on a hanger and in the closet). Finally I put back the bits of fabric used for previous projects in their Tuppermaid boxes. Tah-dah! A cleared room and sewing motivation. I found all kinds of projects I want to make-which for the forest and the trees, couldn't be inspiring me amongst it all.

Burger Bribery

I'm going to try a new recipe tonight...The Black Bean Burgers from the newest issue of Taste of Home (August/September). I prebribed L last night by making rice krispy bars, and this afternoon a tiny cake. Back-up is a ham pasta salad, another L fav, in case the burgers are truly horrible and I need something to eat. They looked and sounded good, though. Whenever TOH has a photo, that's a good sign. I made a turkey tenderloin dish which didn't, and it looked and tasted terrible. Something to keep in mind when you are flipping through the food 'zines.

Update: I liked them, L ended up with the "no thank you helping" (2 bites. Remember that from Girl Scout camp? "Would you like some broccoli?" "No, thank you" PLOP it goes on your plate). Very colorful, too. I used my Cuisinart Griddler and served topped with some salsa and a pinchful of shredded taco cheese. I'll freeze them along with the buns to nuke for a quick lunch. Unfortunately I probably undid all the good stuff by having a good-sized piece of tiny cake later on.

You'll find this recipe on page 41 in the Bonus Card section of the August/September 2007 Taste of Home magazine. Credit Clara Honeyager.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Mavis Staples, "This Little Light of Mine" 3:22
iTunes, We'll Never Turn Back
Today's stats -- 48 minutes, 2.77 miles, 301 calories

Rain Flower Break

In between our daily multiple thunderstorms -- our plumeria bloomed. Also one of the Costco hibiscus (purple!), but couldn't snap a photo because of the soggy backyard.

Head's Up Haute Houston!

Thanks to good blogging reading (a tip of the needle to Erica B), I'll be watching Houston's PBS station KUHT/Channel 8 tonight at 8 PM for the
Secret World of Haute Couture
Margy Kinmonth takes a journey from Paris to New York and California to meet both designers and customers in this much talked about but little explained pocket of the fashion industry. Haute couture's traditional American customers are getting old and dying off now and fewer wealthy young women are taking their place to ensure its survival. She discovers how much has changed and surprisingly how much has stayed the same in this story of decadent decline.

(Watch for Houston's own Becca Cason Thrash!)

7-26-07 Update -- First, no breaks. It's a straight-shot show. I didn't want to miss anything and towards the end was clicking the remote to check, "it is only an hour, right?" Right. Second, the program was great, but the stalker, er-reporter, will get on your last nerve towards the end.

Anniversary Make-Up

If you wore this circa 1977 (egads!), you'll appreciate and want to get Bobbi Brown's limited edition "Stardust Collection" for Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale going on right now. And you can order it online.

The colors are great and flattering, and you'll just look and feel pretty - not like an alien. Admit it, didn't you think Aziza's advertising campaigns of the late 70's were a little creepy? Those big heads and big eyes - definitely "Star Wars" influenced.

Premonition - Stinko!

We only watched about 30 minutes until we foresaw this was not going to get better and sent it back to Netflix.

Project Angel Wings

From today's Houston Chronicle - Needle, Thread and a Touch of Love
You may want to check with your local hospitals and see if they have a program or start one for them as these great ladies did!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Robert Plant, "Burning Down One Side" 3:57
iTunes, Nine Lives
Today's stats - 43 minutes, 2.53 miles, 268 calories

New Marfy Catalog

I've heard a lot about Marfy patterns, especially the free ones which come with the catalog. I bought the Fall/Winter issue, and I'm glad I did!

The designs remind me a lot of the Neue Mode patterns (and the now defunct monthly Neue Mode magazine), very detailed and fresh.

I really like the skirt on the far right and the cool jacket on the far left. Unlike the ones you order (precut in one size only), the freebies are multisized. I'll dip my toes into the water and give them a try first.

In any case, the free patterns, the inspiration and trends from the 128 pages of colored illustrations will be a creative asset to my sewing room. I'm definitely ordering next year's Spring/Summer catalog!

Costco Find!

The Best of Cooking Light Everyday Favorites. I love this section of their magazine, the recipes are very do-able, for me.

Senior-itis 1977

How skinny was I?! Those arms are concave! Six feet tall and 115 pounds. Not even the in-style "muscle" sleeve t-shirt could help.

Happiest days of senior year? Winning a scholarship, the R.T. French Award (yes, the mustard people) and the day I beat the crap out of "J" two months before high school graduation.

No surprise - this height and this weight resulted in teasing, unmercifully. The old advice "don't let them know it bothers you" or "just ignore them" hadn't worked for years of being called "Big Bird" whenever this one group of boys walked by. The ringleader was short (no surprise) and evidently had a Napoleon complex.

One day I walked past them and heard the "caw, caw, Big Bird" for the last time. I turned, raised my books over my head and SLAMMED them down on "J's" head, knocking him to the ground! Height-Momentum-Physics advantage: Me. The other guys took off, leaving their leader in a heap on the floor. I never got into trouble (only his pride was hurt) and they never made a peep to me again.

Latest Sandra Betzina Patterns

Hmmm, a little disappointing. While not drop everything and run to the store, I will add these two to the PDA the next time Jo-Ann's has a Vogue $3.99 sale.

I did giggle when Sharon Sews' blog commented that 2977 reminded her of an elf costume. I really wish I could see it made up in Sandra's fabrics and style, which I'm certain would look better and more inspiring than this photo. It looks a little goth to me in dark fabric and accessories.

I'm sure Vogue 2980 looks better in real life, too. ------->

Pass on the coat 2991. . .

Yesterday's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Electric Light Orchestra, "Don't Bring Me Down" 4:04

All Over The World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra

Today's stats: 45 minutes, 2.75 miles, 294 calories