Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

This is the view from the window of my sewing room, where I will be spending a lot of time this weekend. Due to the 2nd holiday storm in Albuquerque, it looks like I won't be leaving the house anytime soon, so this is the perfect opportunity! How's that for creating a positive spin on the situation?

I probably have at least 8 inches of snow in the yard, and that's low. The east side of town probably has twice as much. Fortunately, I had the sense to stop at the grocery before heading home from work last night and I'm stocked with goodies for the weekend. So I don't have to go anywhere till Tuesday and there's no excuse not to sew.

Here's another picture of the snow, this time in my backyard. It probably gives a little bit better idea of the depth, especially at the top of the wall. It's still coming down a little.

Home Again!

I'm so glad that Southwest Airlines offers a couple of daily nonstops between Orlando and Albuquerque. It's a much nicer way to fly and a rarity here in the high desert, at least if you're going to/from points East.

I've survived the gauntlet of today's air travel relatively unscathed and no worse for wear. Unfortunately, it's back to work tomorrow. Hopefully, my customers are still on vacation.

A Florida Experience

After church this morning, we went out and picked tangerines at a farm belonging to friends of my sister and brother in law. It's one of the few left in the area, and will probably be slated for development before too much longer. It's too bad.

Later, we'll be making Grandma's cranberry salad for tomorrow's dinner, before heading out for dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant in Maitland.

Adventures in Wi Fi

This will probably be a quick post, as I'm at my sister's house in Winter Park FL, with iffy wi-fi service (I'm, ahem, borrowing service from some nearby unsecured connection). I know that's a bit bad, but what am I supposed to do? I feel more comfortable on my laptop than hijacking the family desktop computer, so there. Back to the fact I'm in Florida--no, I'm not doing any particularly touristy things because (a) I used to live here, (b) my sis says there's no way she wants to be anywhere near the Magic Kingdom at the holidays, and (c) she's recovering from apendicitis and is a little low on energy. We did go to Park Avenue yesterday and had a nice time shopping and being "ladies who lunch." And, I got to hear the massive sonic boom the Space Shuttle created when it reentered the atmosphere--just like old times.

Snow!!!

Albuquerque received its first real snow of the season today. It started coming down this morning and has continued all day. Pretty, isn't it? It will probably be gone in the next couple of days once the sun comes out. I took this picture on my way home from work. It's a little park at the western edge of downtown, at 10th and Central. I was waiting for the light to change. I wish I could have gotten some pictures from the bridge over the Rio Grande at Central. It was really pretty, but with traffic flowing well there wasn't time.

While this is festive and very Christmasy, I do hope the Sunport is open in the morning. Winter Park awaits!

Counting Down...

OK, I still have a lot to do but I'm in countdown mode. I'll be heading to Florida on Wednesday morning and should hit the Sunshine State by mid-afternoon. This is especially nice since a snowstorm (thanks, El Nino) should be hitting New Mexico sometime between now and Wednesday. Not that I dislike the snow, but I don't ski anymore so the thrill is somewhat less now. And let's not forget the local residents who think their 4WD is somehow a "magic bullet" when driving too fast on Black Ice. Note to fellow drivers: if all 4 wheels are on ice, it doesn't matter!!!! You'll spin regardless.

We don't get deep snow here, but the snow/melt/ice cycle offers its own challenges.

Bah Humbug!

I enjoy the Christmas season, I really do. But I hate being slammed at work during the holidays. I worked over 12 hours today and haven't been home before 7 pm a single day this week. I'm really looking forward to some vacation, I'll probably sleep the entire time.

Addendum

Sorry the layout is a little wonky on the previous post. Rrrrr--I hate it when I can't get things to look the way I think they should. Hopefully it's legible enough and I can let go of my perfectionism and leave it alone before I make it worse.

SWAP 2007: Patterns

Putting a SWAP together is an exercise in thinking outside the box, but I'm enjoying the process so far. It's a combination of creativity and organization. Most of us are used to thinking one way or another, not both at the same time. I've been having a hectic time at the office, so doing this is also a good way for me to let it all go so I don't lose my mind.

On with the patterns! You may have noticed that my fabrics are primarily from my stash and I'm hoping to keep it that way. Although Julie at Timmel has an interesting mustard knit I may need to discuss with her--after all, I have to buy something to enter. That knit may be the ticket (or not). At any rate, I've decided that it's ok to buy patterns for the SWAP. These are a couple that I have in mind:

Thank you Loes Hinse! One of my blouse patterns might be her new Bergman Blouse, while the Kimono Jacket would be perfect to make as a reversible item. While these aren't TNT (tried 'n' true) patterns, they look simple enough that they could be in the future.

Speaking of TNT, I've identified a couple that certainly qualify. The first one is a Kwik Sew T-shirt (2565) that I've made a bunch of times and reviewed on Pattern Review way back in 2003. I'd say it's earned it's keep! Unfortunately, it has apparently been discontinued--good thing I've traced it off so I can keep this pattern in perpetuity.

Another TNT is from the Sewing Workshop Collection, the Sandra Betzina Vest and Skirt pattern. I don't really care for the vest, but the skirt is wonderful. Sandra's recommended fabrics are knits but I sucessfully made it from a silky fabric that's a mainstay of my working wardrobe. I think it would be great made up in the circle print that's the theme fabric of my swap.

My last pattern today is a "vintage" pattern from Vogue. I hesitate to call it that; after all, the copyright is only 1988! That can't be vintage, can it? Another guideline of the SWAP is that a couple of the blouses need to be more than simple T-shirts. I think this one fits the bill. I like the side tab detail on the 3 blouses that aren't tucked in.

Not that I have anything against a tucked in blouse; I even wear them sometimes. But I was thinking it would be nice to have some blouses in the SWAP that could also work as jackets. The style of that orange one would work well, I think. This pattern is likely to take some effort. I haven't made it before and the pattern only goes to a size 10. However, that should be a good fit through my shoulders and neck, then it's FBA (full bust adjustment) time and side seam adjustments for my (ahem) non-size 10 lower body. Maybe I can do some morphing to make this one easier for me.

I still have some additional picks to make. I'm considering adding the Loes Hinse Tango Skirt to the mix. I can see it in the purple fabric with the Vogue blouse as a pseudo dress, then using them separately.

SWAP 2007: Fabrics

I'm participating in the SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) Contest at Stitcher's Guild sponsored by Timmel Fabrics. Today, I worked out the fabrics (clockwise from lower right):

• My "theme" fabric is a multicolor poly crepe from JoAnn's fabrics. I'm planning on making a skirt and top from this, also a sash/scarf.
• Cream ribbed knit. This will be a top. The contest allows one RTW garment, which will be matching cream trousers.
• The fabric at upper left is purple poly crepe that I purchased from Fashion Fabrics Club (FFC). It will be another skirt and top. I have a coordinating sheer with metallic that may appear as another scarf later on.
• Top row center is a yummy slinky from FFC. The photo doesn't do it justice! It's a cross between blue and seafoam green. A top, of course.
• Top row right is another fabric that doesn't show well in the photo. It has a black background with little nubbies of turquoise. It actually looks great with the slinky. I got this fabric at my ASG chapter's trading post, in other words: almost free. The original source was a small clothing manufacturer in town that contracted to Coldwater Creek. Alas, Tisa is no more but we ASG mavens supported them lots whenever they had one of their periodic sales. This fabric will be one side of a reversible jacket--at least one of the garments in the SWAP has to be reversible.
• Not shown: black fabric. It doesn't photograph well and y'all know what black looks like! I have several different black fabrics that I may use for the swap. The reversible jacket will have a black side. I'm also planning a black skirt and at least one black top.

Believe it or not, I already have several items in my closet that will go with the fabrics, so the SWAP will be even more beneficial! And I hope that I can get photos in daylight as I move forward, so you can get a better idea of the colors. On my next SWAP post, I'll talk about some of the patterns I'm planning to use.

A Recent Visitor

I recently took this picture from the sliding door off my dining room. The grill is probably 8 feet away from the door. My neighborhood is home to several roadrunners. While not exactly tame, they're remarkably calm around human beings. Fortunately, they're one native species that have adapted well to development. My neighborhood is now suburbia and quite built up, but it used to be part of a ranch around 10 years ago. The neighbors tell me they would often have cows in their front yard!

Reinventing the Inventor Shirt

I just posted my review of the Inventor Shirt at Pattern Review. Here's a photo.

Road Trip!

I took a short road trip to Santa Fe yesterday to do a site visit for work. On my way back, I stopped at the outlet mall on Cerrillos Road to stock up on some necessities. You see, I love Jones NY ready-to-wear and needed some new jeans. I scored 3 pairs that fit beautifully, if a little long. If I decide to hem, I'll wait until after several washings--no flood pants, please! I also resupplied my underwear drawer at L'eggs Haines Bali, and picked up some treats at Harry and David. Alas, I ran out of steam by the time I hit Liz Claiborne, 9 West, and Coach. The outlet mall seemed in danger of closing for a while, but it seems like the established stores are doing well.

I realize Santa Fe is a major tourist venue and you all are probably saying, "But Nancy, why not go to the Plaza or Canyon Road or Museum Hill?" Well, Santa Fe is only an hour away so it's easy to head up any time. Some visits are bound to be more routine than others. It's a lovely drive even if you don't go there for anything special.

And so I begin...

On a whim, I decided that I should start a blog like so many of my friends on Pattern Review. No manifesto of discontent here, just additional technology I haven't yet tried. How hard could it be? I have a laptop and digital camera--tools are in place.

So where to start? I suppose I could do some generalized bio of life so far, but really, I don't think anyone cares all that much. And anyway, it could be more fun to figure me out as we move along in cyberspace.

Basics: single, no kids, 2 cats, dedicated sewing space.

More later, but until then, thanks for reading!