Sandra Betzina Today's Fit OOP Butterick 3124

Start to finish!

I decided to add another inch to the sleeves and the front/back pieces. Look at these technicolor pattern pieces!-

I used the F14 stitch spaced an inch apart on my Viking Husqvarna to tack down the facings. The stitch outline gives it a dimensional effect.

The result - I think it was worth the effort and determination to get it right! I look forward to making it again...and I did.

I found this lightweight blanket throw at Costco a couple years ago and bought it because of the color and it felt so scrumptious. I thought it would make a nice and cozy winter pullover. And it did. Except like the groundhog, I think this caused Spring to arrive early - it was 75 today!

(cheated and used the border for the sleeve hem)

Barnes and Noble haul - Part 2

Why I really went to BN, since Jo-Ann's is not carrying the March issue of Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home - and yes, it was sealed. With all the hoopla on the Web, I wanted to make sure I got a copy. Not because of the article on Page 24, but I like the magazine anyways and didn't want to miss an issue.

Then I found the new "Apron*ology" from the publishers of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio. A 20% off coupon + 10% membership card discount, helped bring down the price down considerably. Ouch when a magazine has a price point of a book! I found a really good, consistent website that always has current BN store coupons, and other good coupon codes, too.

First and last - Barnes and Noble haul - Part 1

The last issue of Domino and the first issue of Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Magazine. Also all of Barnes and Noble's Red Dot sticker items are only $1, today through tomorrow. We got three boxes of Christmas cards worth over $46 for less than $3.

Beware of cookie packages with poetry

"You might, m'lady

tweak my nose

You could, m'lord

step on my toes

But Heaven help

those poor bozos

who try to filch

my Newman O's"

Especially these, Chocolate Newman-O's.

Pattern Shopping

As blogged earlier, I picked up two of the three new Sandra Betzina patterns - 1085 tops and 1096 pants. The pants are one-seam pants and still look dorky. Surely Sandra would not lead us astray or one step away from Quacker Factory with that elasticized side and back waist?! I want to see what she has sewn with them first. And in keeping with the bizarre pants patterns track I've been on lately, I also bought Marcy Tilton's 8499 and 8561. Aren't the pictures horrible? Especially the brown pants on 8561. Put them on real people! Though I really got 8561 for the skirt at first. I think her patterns and these two in particular look very Sewing Workshop-ish. But at $27.50 - more expensive than TSW. . .at $3.99 - small dues to pay for pattern and stash sew-down fun.

Dang, Vogue!

$27.50 for your new patterns?!?! At least the Marcy Tiltons and Sandra Betzinas I just bought in front of me. Did the designer ones break $30 yet? I'm glad Jo-Ann's has the $3.99 sales, for even 50% off would give me pause.

Upcoming Jo-Ann Sales

February 6/8 - Butterick patterns $1.99 each

Presidents' Sale - February 13/16
50% off thread
50% off interfacing
Simplicity patterns 5 for $5

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

My yoga teacher finds the coolest songs!
Eric Hutchinson, "Rock & Roll" 3:58

A couple of cute chicks enjoying the sun!

Aren't they cute? And wearing protective eyewear from the rays of the sun streaming through the window, trying to warm up the house this morning. (Brrr! It's in the 30's right now!) My friend Bonnie made the one on the right for my birthday a few years ago. And I got the new gal as part of an IOU from our Neighborhood Group notions swap Christmas party. I like her creative definition of pincushion, very worth the wait! Their tail feathers are two prairie points with smaller points for the beak, the feet are beaded, the wattle has loops of red beads, and the comb on one is orange rick-rack and the other orange yarns. I sure am (c)lucky!

Pilgrim & Mills Pants #2

No, I haven't made them. But at our ASG Neighborhood (Support) Group meeting last night we had a swapping table. I brought these and some other patterns and goodies to give first dibs to a sewist who would appreciate them before taking to Goodwill. I can't for the life of me understand why no one wanted these, can you?! This morning I tried Googling the pattern and the designers and nothing came up. I was curious to see Pants #1. Circa 1995, these pants were popular on Prodigy (remember that?!) and the Quiltropolis Sewing List and Wearable Arts Sewing Groups. I had printed off the pages with others variations, just in case. (The pockets do not stick out as shown on the drawing, in the photo the top of the pocket opening is at the knee.) Now I'm looking at them again and wondering, hmm... You do see these pockets and loose styling on recent patterns - Sandra Betzina and Marcy Tilton have versions, albeit a little more subdued. I did get rid of 15 other patterns, but think I'll keep this one around a little longer until it surfaces again. It still looks funky and fun - and stash reducing.

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit OOP Butterick 3124 - Developing. . .

Doesn't that sound "Drudge-like"?! I'm still tweaking this top. And think I understand why Butterick no longer does Today's Fit. Unless we define "Fit" as a tantrum. Let's start with something positive: Love the V neckline. Flat, good depth, doesn't flop about. But be forewarned...If you are over 4 feet tall, you will have to lengthen, lengthen, lengthen this pattern. Kidding about the height requirement, but true this pattern runs short, really short. I added 3" to the sleeves and feel the need next time to add almost 2" more. Added 3" to the back. And correspondingly added 3" to the front, but it was still not long enough in the front. Evidently Sandra didn't make the same adjustments as she does for her Vogue line wherein the extra front length is already incorporated. So I added 1" to the center front, tapering to 1/2" at the sides and it all matched up. Much better. The dart - that's giving me fits. First it was too shallow. When I basted it all together, it looked like several darts were trying to form alongside it. There's too much fabric, too much pull at the underarm. Plus the dart as is was too low. I'm readjusting the dart depth and direction. But between all the disruption, tiling fun and "the water faucet outside broke off and we can't turn it off..." I decided to put this aside until later today...

Update #1: New outside water faucet.

Update #2: Stove is hooked back up, washer/dryer still in dining room, pending baseboard replacement on Saturday. Rather bake than do laundry anyway.

Money Monday - Super (Savings) Bowl

I love the Super Bowl...and I don't really like football! But I do enjoy all the savings at the grocery store right now. This is the time to score the best prices of the year on cheese, Rotel tomatoes, and beef. And of course, assorted salty snacks, chips and soft drinks, too. Don't fumble this savings opportunity!

So Sew!

When your washer and dryer are sitting in the dining room, along with half of the pantry emptied on the table and the stove disconnected, too. The tile installers are on their way. Very good excuses to go sew and go out for dinner later.

Update #1: The refrigerator is in the living room and the stove is in the garage. You never want these things until you can't have them! Well, except for the refrigerator and it is step-saving. Trying to keep a positive spin! I am working on Butterick 3124, an OOP Sandra Betzina Today's Fit top. Love it so far!

Update #2: This isn't HGTV, it's Comedy Central!

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 - Vintage Girl Scout A fun place to explore for all things Girl Scout. This link will take you to the Girl Scout "Sewing Room"!

What a way to cap the week

With a chimney cap! Looks like something from The Twilight Zone set. More repairs from Hurricane Ike damage. We even had a case of the "Bird Flu(e)" when a bird flew/fell down the chimney and into the house. No fun for us...or the bird.

Bye, Bye Birdie

Let's Get Crocking - Beef Burritos

Taking advantage of the Super Bowl grocery specials - I was able to get beef chuck roast on sale to make Mable Hoffman's Beef Burritos in the Crockpot. The recipe is from her Crockery Cookery (Revised, Updated 1995) on page 58. I've tweaked it a little along the years, here's my current rendition and dinner tonight --

BEEF BURRITOS

2 pounds boneless beef chuck

1 garlic clove, crushed/minced

1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules or Penzeys Beef Soup Base

1 onion, quartered and separated

3/4 teaspoon Penzeys Chili Con Carne (or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder - the chili powder was too hot for us)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Dash of Penzeys Smokey 4S salt (or regular salt)

Dash of Penzeys California Seasoned Pepper

Trim fat from beef and discard. In slow cooker, layer some of the onions on the bottom and then add the meat, garlic, beef bouillon, onion, chili powder, cumin and salt/pepper and the rest of the onions on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or until meat is very tender. Shred meat with two forks. Serve with warmed tortillas and refried beans.

Everyday Food #58 - Provencal Chicken with Vegetables

The recipe is from the December 2008 Everyday Food #58, page 16. Despite this issue's success of the Chocolate Gingerbread and Seared Steak, this one failed to impress the clan. It looked and smelled good when I first put it in the oven - but the onions burned along the edges, surprisingly the chicken was blah even with the Dijon mustard and Herbes de Provence, and we skipped the green olives (?!). The carrots were fine and I added quartered baby potatoes, but that does not a meal make. Pass.

Kashi TLC Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain Bars

I had a little time to fill and an appetite to kill before picking up L from school today. I stopped at Target and found these - Kashi TLC Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit and Grain Bars. $3.99 for a box of 6. I'm sure there will be coupons out soon if not already, as these just debuted this month. They also have Pumpkin Pie and Raspberry Chocolate versions but I didn't see those, as my eye zoomed straight for the chocolate/walnut/coconut combo. Only 120 calories, 7 g of sugar (!) and 4 g of fiber. They are a little on the small size, less than 4 inches, but they are chewy and filling, plus that thick layer of chocolate that tasted like real chocolate? Size doesn't matter!

Let's Get Crocking - Crockpot Ribs

I've never tried ribs of any kind before in the Crockpot, and a sale of pork ribs at Kroger presented the opportunity to me this past weekend. I found this recipe at about.com. I had almost three pounds, which I cut in half to fit into the 6 quart crockpot. It smelled wonderful in the beginning. Apparently the ribs cooked a little faster than the 8 hours the recipe called for and by the 7th hour I had to light a candle, open a window and set the table -- time to eat! So start checking at the 6 hour point to gauge how fast you are crocking along. The ribs were falling off the bone (literally) tender and weren't that bad. But we live in Texas and I'm thinking next time go (or go out) for the beef instead. Definitely give this a try, the rub combination is great and makes a lot. I bet it would taste good on the Crocked Chicken. And with the Super Bowl coming up, there will probably be good rib deals in your area supermarkets, too.

Thursday TV is fun again!

Burn Notice is back! Season 3 debuts tonight on USA Network.

Sigh, do you think he goes by Jeff or Jeffrey (or gosh forbid a la Family Circus - Jeffy?!) in real life? L and I were having a discussion about that on the way to school this morning. We were also laughing about one of his lines last season - "Does this look like a cop suit?!" as he flashes the inside of his Armani jacket. No, it doesn't, quite honestly. But with some good sales at Joseph A. Bank, Paul Frederick and a top-notch alterationist (not me!) - pretty close, Sweetie!