I've been sewing...

As many of you may know by now, I do things in "spurts".  Wait, that didn't really sound right.  What I mean, is that I do one thing for several weeks and get over that and go on to something else.  I'd like to think it really keeps me creative, so to speak. Actually I get bored easily.  If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I make jewelry, I crochet, knit and do various type of needle work.  Recently I've been posting pictures of watercolor  paintings.  Well, this week I got the sewing bug, mostly because it's frustrating that off the rack clothes seldom fit.  Recently I have found several items at Hamrick's that do fit really well and I wanted to  duplicate them in a fabric of my choice.

Before going to shop for fabric, I took to the basement to dig through my stash.  I knew I had some really pretty print rayon (thank you Peri) that would make a cute pair of shorts/culottes so I found that and then went to the internet to find out how to convert a shorts pattern (which I had) to a culotte pattern (which I did not have). I  found a site through Pinterest redesigning children's shorts, and adapted it to my own adult sized shorts pattern.

I took my shorts pattern and custom fit it by making slight adjustments to the length of the stride, duplicated it on paper and cut it as show above, repositioning to get a bit more flounce. I then taped it down to another piece of  paper and cut it out.  In all actuality, it would probably be easier to take a skirt pattern and add a crotch to it, and I may try that at some point.  I digress, as I said, above you see the culotte pattern that I came up with. Now the blouse...

For my blouse pattern I took a commercial pattern that was close to the style I wanted and made adjustments in the length (see that red pencil mark near the hem).  Then I weighed the pattern down with kitchen silverware and cut it out.  If you are not as confident in your garment cutting (or have more patience than I do) this would be when you pin the pattern to the fabric.  I've done it this way for years, having learned this shortcut in a sewing class I took back in the 70's.

Next,  I took the actual blouse that had the sleeves that I wanted, and placed it down on a sheet of tissue paper and drew out my own sleeve pattern.  Shucks, if it doesn't work, I'll make it sleeveless.  Never know  till you try, right? (By the way this fabric is so pretty with silver glitter actually on the surface)

After sewing and pressing and learning a different sewing machine as I went, I came up with this...

Normally I would never have taken a pictures of myself in shorts, but as you know, I have a new normal now, so ta, da!

The shorts turned out so comfy (with their elastic waist and roomy pockets) that I have been wearing them everyday.  Good thing I went to Joann's and got a bunch more fabric, right?

The blouse is a bit wider in the neckline than I had anticipated, but it was so pretty that I actually paired it with black slacks and wore it to church today.

So there you have it.  I'm sewing again.  The builders will be here in a week, so I'll probably move all my accoutrements to another part of the house, but it feels so good to make a garment that fits my current body size, that I'm ready to tackle another sewing project.  I even purchased lots of extra fabric to make tops for Per and Peri.  Who knows where this might lead.

Well, that's all for now.  Hope everyone is having a good Spring, because Summer is right around the corner. 

I'm staying busy...

As I wait for the contractors to finally start in two more weeks, I am thinking of ways to stay busy.  I love to do various kinds of art so I've been doing watercolor to help pass the time.  Imagine having to find ways to pass the time...I live a good life, huh?  Anyway I did another house portrait, this one for my neighbor.

 (She fell in love with it)

 This was a fairly large piece with the image area being 14 x 11.  I usually do 8 x 10 sizes.


 This next one is a mixed media piece, a still life of sorts, based on the picture I took of the citronella candles from my last post.  The shadows are cast by the pole and fabric folds of my deck umbrella being reflected in the textured surface of the glass table.

This one is much smaller, with the image area being 5 x 7.  I used my photo program to turn the photo into a black and white line drawing.  I then used artist's graphite transfer paper and just traced the image onto the watercolor paper using a mechanical pencil. For this painting I used a very smooth surfaced watercolor paper.  The underpainting was done in traditional watercolor paint with the details being done in another of my favorite water media...inktense pencils.  It's not perfect by any means, but the reflections are my favorite part.  It's raining here today, so I went out and took more shots of the candles with rain on them in hopes of continuing the series while learning to paint rain drops.

Well, that's the art for this week so far.  Who knows I just might do something else this week.  I've got the time and I'm not easily discouraged, so I just might learn something new.

What do these things have in common?

Ahhhh the beautiful flowers and the lovely aroma that they provide...

I love to sit  outside on my deck in the evening, talking to Peri on the phone.  The smell of this container of flowers is most pleasant...

After the first night of sitting outside to enjoy nature while we chatted, it quickly became apparent that I needed these...

 Citronella Candles

Mind you it wasn't because I heard or even saw any bugs, it's just that I am one of those types of people that draws insects to them, causing them to soon need these items...

Perhaps it's just because I'm so sweet, but ever since I can remember (and probably before then) I have had allergic reactions to all bug bites.  Even gnats.  Especially mosquitoes, which as usual caused this...

I hope you don't mind seeing the resort supplied slipper, as well as the freckled and crepey skin on this sixty year old leg, as you view the bug bites that have been most unpleasant the past two days.  There is one on my shin of this same leg and one on the calf of my other leg.  My little tootsies have even swelled some.

I bathed them in cold water, put ice on them, and even made a poultice of crushed aspirin before finally going to the store to get itch cream and taking a Benadryl.  They really feel mucho better now, but they look hideous.

Wont be but a few more weeks until I have my deck screened in and can sit out there and talk for hours if I want, but until then...I'm loaded and ready to attack if it happens again.  The candles really helped last night, so I think I'll be ok.

I suppose if bug bites are the biggest worries I have, I'm doing pretty dang good.

A couple of pictures...

Nothing much going on here yet.  It will probably be another two or three weeks before my remodeling starts.  In the meantime here are a couple of everyday pictures.

Here I am wearing my new prasiolite earrings.

Went to the yearly gem and jewelry show at the nearby civic center.  Got a pink beaded bracelet that I don't have the time right now to make myself, and it was only ten dollars.

Got a matching prasiolite ring (some call it green amethyst, but that's not actually the case). There is no such thing, but if you heat a purple amethyst, it turns a lovely shade of green and I like the look of the set that I chose.

I got some nice silver toned spacer beads and a strand of blue fire agate faceted beads.  The colors really spoke to me. I could have gotten them cheaper online, but there is just something about holding the beads in your hand (not to mention the convenience of taking them with you) that makes the few extra dollars worth it. 

The stone in the other ring is larimar.  It's a stone that I wasn't familiar with but apparently is found only in the Dominican Republic and has become so popular that they may become harder and harder to find.

I kinda splurged on the large piece of polychrome jasper (desert jasper) that will look lovely in my new sun room when it's completed. Desert Jasper is a new find, coming from Madagascar and it's really lovely.

Last but certainly not least, I had to really splurge on this next item.  It's my sister's fault.  We were talking about our love of sugar wafer cookies and I mentioned that those cookie making elves had some chocolate covered cookies of this type, I thought they were called grasshoppers, but that's another delicious cookie made in a hollow tree.  So this is my weekend treat...

I do hope everyone has a good weekend and remembers what the real Memorial Day is about. 

Here is my sister Peri's take on things.  Hope she doesn't mind me sharing her FB status.

To all those folks who lost loved ones in wars fought by this country..whether they were or were not "sanctioned" or whether or not they are today considered "improper actions" or "rebellions"... men and women died and May 31 is the day chosen by women in this nation to remember and to honor "the brave fallen". So have your barbecues, your parties, your sales, your drunken sprees this weekend and on the Federal Monday holiday, and then on May the 31st, stop, be quiet, be sober, and reflect on what it means to give up one's life for one's country. Remember them ALL, from ALL the wars, from ALL the countries, shed a tear, say a prayer...but do not belittle their memory. You walk free and proud and can say you are an American because of them.

Remembering Salvation Mountain

I was so happy to see that Yahoo had done a beautiful video of Leonard Knight returning for a visit to Salvation Mountain. Tim had found out about the mountain while searching online for unusual things to do in California. I told Peri and she and Peg made arrangements for us to visit the mountain as a surprise for Tim's birthday in 2008.  I did have to tell him ahead of time, but that didn't lessen the joy and excitement that Salvation Mountain held for us.

We stopped by Home Depot on the way and got several gallons of vibrant paint to help keep the mountain alive...

You see Marc and Tim unloading paint and brushes and other supplies to help spread Leonard's message of "God is Love".

Tim did a short video of Leonard giving his famous thumbs up, "let's everyone love one another", signature message.  This is so sweet, as Tim had done the thumbs up for his entire life.  He tried to be a really positive guy. Even in this quick photo, you can see the joy on Tim's face.

Our buddy Marc drove us out into the desert of Niland, California to experience Salvation Mountain.  Marc was a sweetie, helping me to climb to the top of the painted mountain, holding my sunglasses when needed and even taking pictures of Tim and me...

It was a fun vacation, a most exciting birthday for Tim and now another wonderful, joyful memory of time spent with my husband.

As I mentioned, this post was brought about by a video that appeared on Yahoo today about Leonard returning to the mountain.  It's about seven minutes long, and I hope you can find time to watch it.  Try to ignore the not so family friendly commercial that precedes the video that hopefully can be seen here. 

Have a great week and remember that God is Love!  

Matisse trinket box

Just realized that I forgot to post a picture of the trinket box that I made for Peg, my sister-in-law.  I drew the design on the canvas with markers.  I used a Henri Matisse coffee table book for my design.  I really like his use of vibrant colors and thought that they would work well as a needlepoint design.  I started the project several years ago, as you can see here.  I really like to eventually finish what I start and that is why and how the needlework ended up as a trinket box.  I really have very few unfinished needlework projects.  Unframed, but not unfinished.  Blah, Blah, Blah...all that being side, here is Peg's trinket box.

I purchased an inexpensive black box at the craft shop and painted animal stripes on it.

After getting everything penciled in and painted, I glued craft felt into the inside of the box and glued the needlework to the top.

The craft felt will allow her to put delicate items, such as sunglasses or jewelry in the box without worrying about scratches.

I really like painting and drawing needlepoint canvases and have often thought about doing some and selling them.  After I get my house remodeled, that may be just the way to relax.  I will have lots of room with lots of light and I can already predict an increase in motivation to be artsy.

Well, taking Sister Peri's advice to heart, I'll be posting random things as the construction progresses and probably asking for advice on things, too.   In other words, I won't be a stranger.

Take care and enjoy your Spring.

I'm still around...

Just wanted everyone to know that I'm OK.  I've just got a lot going on right now.  Signed a contract for a remodel of my garage into a sun room and if they do it as nicely as I think they will, more  improvements to the house are in the near future.

I have tree people here today and tomorrow and my landscaper is working up a proposal for some work to be done this summer.

Getting ready for the remodel will required cleaning out the garage, donating items and storing others.  If I  decide to have the kitchen updated, that will also require packing and moving items to other areas of the house.  Well, I think I'll have plenty of help and I'm still in good enough shape to pack and move some  items myself.

Life is moving forward in a positive fashion.  I'm feeling good about things and settling into a new routine.  I still check out your blog (even when I don't comment), so keep me posted on all your "goin'ons".

Take care and we'll talk soon.