It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Meme

Deja Pseu of Une femme d'un certain age has tagged me for 6 Random Things. I've participated in the past but it's been a while, so I'll try to come up with some new ones for you, dear readers:

• I'm a shoe-aholic. I probably have close to 100 pairs.



• I'm no gardener. Thankfully, the xeriscape in the front requires little effort from me, but the back yard is a disaster area.



• Next month will mark 20 years that I've lived in Albuquerque.



• I've never been to Las Vegas. I'm sure this is true of a lot of people. However...Vegas is a 1 hour plane ride away from Albuquerque, so I really have no excuse. I'll be correcting this in June. More information in a later post.



• One of my "neighbors" is a National Monument. Here's more information about it. Mind you, I live only 8 miles from downtown in the heart of suburbia.



• I considered law school, but after dating a law student during college, I decided I couldn't deal with "those people" on a daily basis.

I hereby invite Cidell, Annika, Terri, Ann, and Josh & Sarah to post 6 random things about themselves on their blogs.

Following Up

Time to respond to comments and follow up on some posts.


Diane is a fellow Louisvillian and asked where I went to high school, as she is a Durrett graduate. I went to Iroquois HS, located in the South End.


Carolyn and Faye Lewis: thank you for your comments on my sewing room. It's a pleasant place to spend time. I can't find the comment right now, but somebody asked me how large the room is. Not that big, really. According to the house's floor plan, the room is 11 feet 4 inches by 10 feet 8 inches.


Also be sure to take a look at Annika's shelves for fabric storage. I'm quite impressed!


The day after I posted my rant about the postal service, I received a call from one of the supervisors on the day shift. She was also helpful and she promised that it would be corrected that day. And it was! Since it was resolved so well, I thought I should give a compliment.


The Calvin Hunt is Officially Over: a couple of days after I wrote that post, the Size 10 I ordered from eBay arrived. I also got a different Calvin pattern yesterday, a circa 1990 anorak:





I had planned on using it to make this J.Jill jacket:





However, I noticed it was on sale for a good price on the website yesterday so I went ahead and bought it. But I definitely see myself making the anorak at some point.


Carolyn and Marji: I don't see either one of you advocating not having a stash! I hope I didn't give that impression. Personally, I think having a minimal stash is vastly overrated, especially if you live in a fabric wasteland like I do. True, there's the internet. But that involves a slight wait, doesn't it? (wink wink nod nod)

Another Tango

I completed another Loes Hinse Tango Skirt last weekend. This one was made from some rayon gauze that I got at Hancock's last fall. Not much to say on construction, since this pattern is a TNT that I've made several times. I followed Debbie Cook's advice re: the waistband and it's much more comfortable than the last one. I'm even planning on going back and redoing the waist on that one as a result.



I wore it to work on Friday and one of my co-workers thought it was from Coldwater Creek.

On a tangent: Ghost "helped" me in the yard Monday, and kind of allowed me to snap a photo. Still recovering nicely, and the fur is rapidly filling in the shaved areas, although she still doesn't want to be photgraphed from that side.

Organizational Tricks Part Two

I was going through old posts looking for some information, and came across this post about organizational tools I use to maintain control over my sewing stuff. In it, I mentioned that I'd talk about patterns at a future date, but I haven't done it yet.


I've collected numerous patterns over the years, both independents and the "Bigs" (the McCall's group, Simplicity and Kwik Sew). I keep them in boxes that fit into the shelving unit in my sewing room. The boxes are repurposed beverage cases. I covered them with contact paper so they'd look nicer. The patterns in each box are sorted by number. Ideally each brand would have its own box, but some brands have to share.

I make a copy of the front and back of each pattern envelope. These are kept in binders, and are sorted by pattern type--categories include Dresses, Jackets, Loungewear, Bottoms, Tops, Knitwear, Ensembles, and Miscellaneous. Within each category, the copies are sorted by pattern company, then by number. In essence, these are my own individual pattern catalogs.

Here's a sample page from the black binder. It was the first one and still has different categories in it.




This is a system that's developed and evolved over time, but it works for me. If I know the brand I'm looking for, I can easily go to a box and look for them. Or, if I know the type of garment I want to make, I can look through the binders.


However, I'm having a space problem lately. I'm running out of room in the boxes. I only have 7 boxes, they're just about full, and I'm also running out of room to put boxes on the shelves even if I got more. I've been culling patterns from the collection, which helps some. I'm less successful at avoiding the acquisition of new patterns. Working on it though, even though eBay and the ASG Trading Post continue to call out to me.


On a tangent, I took Monday off this week and spent a couple of hours working on the yard. The cacti are starting to bloom, and this little barrel cactus was the first:




This plant is already starting to fade a bit, but others are gearing up. I'm looking forward to seeing flowers on the big cacti. The cholla has vibrant fuschia ones and the prickly pear has yellow.

Stash and the Spring Shift

I hope Carolyn doesn't mind if I use her latest post to riff on the topic of stash. I don't think she will, as she's a generous soul and shares in so many ways with all of us in Sewing Blog Land. Anyway, I figure it would only give her credit for the inspiration...also Marji, who's been struggling with this issue lately. I admit, sometimes I worry about this a little too, especially since DF (the Minimalist) and I plan to combine households in the near future. He's going to be shocked when he realizes exactly how much stuff I have...and he thinks 1700 SF will work? Umm, no. I think not. I don't require a ginormous house, but I don't like being cramped either.

Anyway, to the topic of stash...

I know how I am. If I cleared all my stash out, I'd just start all over again. It's my nature. I do better having a supply on hand. What I really need to work on is doing actual instead of virtual sewing. However, no guilt! It's counterproductive. I'd prefer to focus on moving forward instead of the shortcomings of the past.

I'm in a bit of a spring cleaning mood today. I'm doing some fabric shifting. Most of my fabric is stored in the sewing room but there's some overflow into the guest bedroom. That room can stay vacant for months at a time. Therefore, the closet,

the bureau,





and under the bed are fair game. Most of the off-season fabric ends up in there.

But back to the sewing room. I keep some of my fabrics in the bookcase. It's a compromise. In my old house, I had a walk-in closet in the sewing room so I could just hang the stash and get visual inspiration by looking around. Now I have a bigger house but a smaller sewing room closet, so some of the shelves are used for fabric.



However, it's a compromise that's worked well. It's inspiring to have seasonal fabrics out where I can see them. Mind you, it doesn't mean I'll actually use them, but the visual cues help inspire me to sew for the new season.

And seeing fabric also helps me to remember the fabric in the bins.



PS. Since starting this post earlier, I noticed that the Slapdash Sewist and sewl sista #1 also posted entries on this topic today. Something's in the air, I guess!

I Hate Being Mean

I hate to behave like a B, I really do. But sometimes something happens that just pushes all the buttons and then Customer Service makes it even worse.

I live in a new-ish subdivision that has those mail delivery thingies with 12 or so mail boxes and 2 bins for packages. Well, I pulled up to mine as I do every night after work, opened my box. Happy day! Stuffed with mail, including magazines!

And a book I had ordered. A hard cover book in a padded envelope. That was crammed into the mailbox.

I messed with that stupid book for at least 20 minutes, trying to pull it out and ultimately giving up after ripping half the envelope off. Then I called the USPS 800#. Maddening. They can't actually help you, they just "document" the problem so someone can call back the next day. And of course, they're the post office, so no e-mail either. Grrr. I was afraid I wasn't exactly polite, and I hate it when I get that way.

Fortunately, I later was able to reach an actual "live" postal worker after the customer service person gave me a local number to call. It was surprising, since it was past 6 pm at the time. He said he would pass a message to the supervisor to have the carrier correct it. So perhaps today, I'll have a new book to read.

The Calvin Hunt is Almost Over

The Calvin Klein pattern I've been coveting for a long time finally turned up on eBay this morning in a size 10. Of course I got it. Hooray for "buy it now!" Now I just have to be patient and wait for it to get here.

Chicken Souvlaki

A few weeks ago, DF and I went to Mykonos. This is one of our favorite places in his neighborhood. He had the chicken souvlaki, which I've been attempting to replicate at home.

I'm not sure that this version is quite the same, but it is easy and tasty. My version is adapted from Food & Wine magazine's web site.

Cut 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes

Then combine the following to make the marinade:

2 Tbsp. olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
Fresh ground pepper
Pinch of salt

Place marinade and chicken in a ziplock bag. I usually let the chicken soak up the marinade overnight. Doing this results in a quick meal to put together after work.

Light the grill. While it's heating up, thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill the chicken at medium heat for about 5 minutes per side.

Meantime, slice pita breads in half and warm them on the grill for a minute or two.

To serve, put the chicken off the skewers and put them in the pita. Drizzle with a little plain yogurt and eat while hot.

If I'd been thinking about it while cooking dinner, I would have taken a more "styled" photo, but oh well. The black objects in the picture are the new barbecue skewers I got today at World Market. They're made of cast iron and designed to look like twigs. Sorry, no photo on the site. They must be in-store inventory only.

Another Ghost Update

Ghost is recovering well from her surgery last month. I had a hard time getting her to stay still long enough to get a photo of her left side where she had the tumor removed. It's as if she knows that's her "bad" side and doesn't want it photographed. The fur is still very short, and the ridge on her left shoulder is her scar. Personality-wise, she's doing well, as fiesty and talkative as ever.

Thanks for all of your good wishes. Ghost and I both appreciate it!

Wheee!

Annika nominated me! Thanks, girl, and happy birthday!!! If you haven't seen the art deco tassel dolls the guests made at her party, go visit her blog. Beautiful, and what a unique entertainment idea for a party. The cake was cute and fit your theme perfectly.

The E award has been making the rounds lately, and a lot of my regularly scheduled reads have already received recognition. Here are some I like:

Assorted Notions

Behind the Seams

Blackwater Park

Sew Distracted

Tres Bon Babble

Une femme d'un certain age

materfamilias writes

Perhaps some of these are new to you, and you will enjoy them too!

Score!

I went to the Jo-Ann's on Wyoming and Menaul Saturday after my hair appointment, mostly because it was nearby. Also, there was that $3.99 Vogue sale...


I sure wasn't expecting to find all of the new Vogues that were on my spring wish list! This never happens to me. Usually, the Jo-Ann's on the Westside and the one on San Mateo don't have any of the new Vogues until after there's a sale. I don't know if their managers hold them back or what.




There were numerous pleasant surprises in the new releases.


The Sandra Betzina patterns, 1045 and 1050, are much more sleek and less gimmicky than some of her other recent stuff. Either top and skirt of 1045 would be great in the office. And those pants with the side panels in 1050! Love them.


The jacket in the Adri wardrobe 1055 has a jacket with shoulder princess seaming and two different tank tops. One of the tank tops has both center front pleats and bust darts, too.


The Issey Miyake pattern 1052 has a really interesting jacket, and I also like the pants. They kind of remind me of Christian Siriano from Project Runway, or hmm, maybe I should say Christian's work reminds me of Issey's. From what I've heard, Issey is retired from the fashion biz, but his house continues on.




8502, the safari ensembles, includes a nice looking Hollywood waist pants in 2 lengths, which you can't really see in the illustration. And for some odd reason, the pattern specifies hook and eye closures. Umm, no. I think a separating zipper would be a better choice and will make that change when I sew this one (stop laughing! It can happen!!)


8505, a Five Easy Pieces pattern, includes a cute dress and top with princess seaming. Either one would be nice for the warmer months. The short sleeved jacket is actually very similar to the Plaza jacket by the Sewing Workshop, except it has a collar instead of a plain band. A nice interpretation of that style. Note to the stylist: the big jacket with the dress looks great. Very summery. However...whatever possessed you to show the big jacket with the big skirt? Ewww. I do like the individual pieces and most of the combinations, so I bought the pattern in spite of the unfortunate styling of that ensemble.


8499 is a Marcy Tilton, in which she continues her exploration of unusually shaped lower body separates. But if you look closely, those pants (especially the longer view) are cool! They remind me of some Columbia capris I had last year that I shrank out of. So now I can make more! They're princess seamed, so the fit could easily be fine tuned.

New Sewing Room Pictures

On Stitcher's Guild, I recently promised to post some new pictures of my sewing room. Mind you, not much has changed. However, I moved the cutting table from the wall to the middle of the room, forming an island.





I really like this new arrangement. It gives me room to leave the ironing board up all the time. I also have a more usable workspace with the table this way, and the lighting is better with the table directly under the fixture (compact fluorescents, natch!)





I also found a new sewing lamp at Wal-Mart for $19.95. Full spectrum fluorescent, complete with bulb. Previously I had a goose neck lamp with an expensive non-Ott bulb, but this is even better. The old lamp has been moved to the home office, where it comes in handy for computer work.

12 TNT's, Part I

Lisa Laree over at Sew Random came up with a fun topic the other day:

You have to move for one year to a very small space that does not have access to retail or internet pattern sources. You have only room to take 12 TNT patterns with you. So, what patterns would you take to meet any wardrobe needs in the next year?

I agreed to play, so now I'm working on my list, a bit at a time. Right now, it's a little hard to come up with "true" TNTs due to weight loss. But here are some that have stood the test of time through "thick and thin", so to speak:


Simplicity 9570 (OOP) is their version of the famous Loes Hinse Swing Skirt:





I have made both of the flounced versions of this skirt numerous times so it's a keeper. You'll also notice that it has a nice little basic skirt (which I've not made yet). Very handy in limited quarters!


McCall's 2476 is a pattern that anyone who's been reading my blog will recognize. This pattern is the source of all those pj pants I've been making. A girl has to have loungewear, so it makes the cut.





The pattern also contains a robe and nightgown. Have to have those, too.


Kwik Sew 2565 (OOP) is my go-to t-shirt pattern, so it has to come along. I've made this many, many times. Some day, I'll make the mock turtleneck zip front version too.





Butterick 3133 is another staple. I've made that straight skirt many times. But look! There's also an A-line skirt and 2 styles of pants!





The Loes Hinse Tango Skirt is fast and easy to make, and very flattering. Not as much variation as some of the other patterns, but it's a nice pattern if you need something quickly for an occasion.





The Sewing Workshop's Sandra Betzina Skirt is a favorite faux wrap. The pattern specifies knits, but I've made it in wovens and it still looks good!





OK, this takes me through the first 6 of the pattern collection. I think I need some more pants and tops unless Lisa's scenario includes the option of bringing clothes or buying RTW. Like I said, I'm a little limited on true TNT's at this point, so don't be surprised if the next list on this topic includes "future" TNTs!!