tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87596238900892085102024-03-21T18:59:31.586-07:00The Old Man and the CKeeping crafting alive outside the nine-to-fiveCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-3671063381662392442010-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:002010-06-17T08:52:40.519-07:00I'M TRYINGI'm trying to put up a post of the Over Easy dress but the weather will simply not cooperate. 51 degrees and rainy miserableness is no perfect setting for taking pictures in a summer dress. And since I've committed to modeling whatever it is that I stitch up, we'll just have to wait until the skies clear later this week....boo. Until then perhaps I should sport this <a href="http://www.greattobehere.com/chicago-bring-a-coat-tshirt.html">little number</a>? <p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-myI8Ht0zI/AAAAAAAABO4/uFXz_MjKAqM/s1600/bring+coat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470099089065366322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-myI8Ht0zI/AAAAAAAABO4/uFXz_MjKAqM/s320/bring+coat.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-39578228552620660132010-05-07T11:25:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.876-07:00The Way To A Man's Heart Is Through His FlyGasp! Did I just insinuate something dirty?<br /><br />Why, yes, yes I did.<br /><br />Let's start things off with a little story and then we'll get to the goods. May I suggest you grab a drink (iced tea would be most appropriate for this tale) because this post is sure to be a long one.<br />Back in the halcyon days of college, Matt and I started dating when he was a fourth year and I a lowly second year. Fourth-years, particularly those of the male variety, tend to have a lot of extra time on their hands. And so it was, with this extra time, that Matt could often be found out in the mountains of Albemarle, fishing rods in tow, little black lab trotting alongside him while the trusty ol' red jeep sat on the gravel dirt road, awaiting their sure-to-be-filthy return.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RlWgRsACI/AAAAAAAABOo/t05sQefA-WI/s1600/Picture+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468607284830273570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RlWgRsACI/AAAAAAAABOo/t05sQefA-WI/s320/Picture+005.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>A key indicator that fishing was on the agenda? Matt's ratty old hat, acquired from his favorite fly shop, that had the cheeky message, "The way to a man's heart is through his fly." He sported this thing every day until Hootie Bootie ate it in a fit of boredom while we were at a horse race or something. Look closely below and you'll see I'm not making this stuff up.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RldVFzz1I/AAAAAAAABOw/qJDs0W2AIw8/s1600/Picture+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468607402086747986" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RldVFzz1I/AAAAAAAABOw/qJDs0W2AIw8/s320/Picture+015.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Were I a true, proper Southern gal I may have been repulsed. But I've got coarser Yankee blood and love to throw a "that's what she said" out there whenever applicable so the hat's message caused me to roll my eyes with affection.<br /><br />Fast forward four years and I decide to move back north to Chicago, dragging Matt out of the woods and into the city. Fast forward another four years and I drag Matt out of the city and into our basement, armed with the brilliant idea of gutting the place and reinstalling a perfectly functional but currently fugly bathroom. Take a quick visual inventory of what we were working with, would you?<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rj0eOycXI/AAAAAAAABOY/CFkHC-Pr8xI/s1600/before.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605600654061938" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rj0eOycXI/AAAAAAAABOY/CFkHC-Pr8xI/s320/before.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Some of you know the middle part of the bathroom tale. Like the part where we tore up the floor and were trying to decide how to cram existing bathroom fixtures in a new space half the size of the old.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjrzYs_LI/AAAAAAAABOI/46wFQcINVsw/s1600/demo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605451713969330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjrzYs_LI/AAAAAAAABOI/46wFQcINVsw/s320/demo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>And some of you also know that I painted the basement twice, my decorating M.O., and in the case of the bathroom it still wasn't right.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rjwd2JOvI/AAAAAAAABOQ/dKxmMlaqcQU/s1600/blue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605531831220978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rjwd2JOvI/AAAAAAAABOQ/dKxmMlaqcQU/s320/blue.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Just as I thought I was losing his interest in home renovation I came across a little design element that I knew would win him over. Since this is a bit of a gentleman's bathroom, why not bring a little gentlemanly sport to it? Some posh flyfishing wallpaper from England got Matt back on the basement reno path. The hat's message was applicable again! The way to this man's heart is through his fly. So without further ado, I present our basement loo:<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rj-oCwWAI/AAAAAAAABOg/jit2hpCKVwo/s1600/after.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605775086639106" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rj-oCwWAI/AAAAAAAABOg/jit2hpCKVwo/s320/after.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>I know wallpaper ain't everyone's cup of tea, or bourbon, but friends, we love this little room. Like, luuuurve it. And as for all our grand plans of reusing the old stuff in order to be budget-smart, this is one case where I'm glad that idea flew the coop. This tiny slice of our city cottage reminds us both of life in the South and once we committed to the fishing wallpaper we ran with it. Let's stand in the middle of the room and take a tour:<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RcoqBXNCI/AAAAAAAABNY/GLG71JSIGTc/s1600/sink.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468597701079151650" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RcoqBXNCI/AAAAAAAABNY/GLG71JSIGTc/s320/sink.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>You've seen the Ikea Ann sink and now you can see it dressed up with a $19 mirror from Hobby Lobby, whose riveted frame gives a gentle nod to the <a href="http://theregencyfurniture.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/The-Federalist-Antiques-300x300.jpg">classic Federalist hostess mirror</a>.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RciXTlx-I/AAAAAAAABNI/wwLk_VIGEQI/s1600/toilet+top.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468597592976115682" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RciXTlx-I/AAAAAAAABNI/wwLk_VIGEQI/s320/toilet+top.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Atop the commode (another word no one uses anymore!) is a small metal basket plucked from TJMaxx for $8 and is the perfect container for spare toilet paper and a petite Ikea-grown succulent. While the plant leaves coordinate perfectly with the shades in the wallpaper I can't say this was a deliberate pairing. I'm not that anal!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjcHMMU_I/AAAAAAAABNw/TiYcw1VR5wY/s1600/linen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605182152299506" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjcHMMU_I/AAAAAAAABNw/TiYcw1VR5wY/s320/linen.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>But while we're on the topic of being, ahem, particular about house things, I'd like to move the tour to a few of the salvaged bathroom items. The first is our linen closet, which the picture plainly shows as being in use but not organized. Last weekend we had some friends visiting and they were delightfully amused when they opened our upstairs linen closet and found it to be in slight disarray. Apparently, this shattered the perfect image they had of my housekeeping skills. So ladies, this closet shot is for you. My messy towels aren't just limited to the second floor!<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjnOmH2JI/AAAAAAAABOA/V8sabQHPk0Q/s1600/fan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605373118666898" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RjnOmH2JI/AAAAAAAABOA/V8sabQHPk0Q/s320/fan.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Moving upward you'll see the ceiling light and exhaust fan. Nothing special here other than we reused it and spray painted the baffle white to better blend in with the fresh new ceiling. $3 in spray paint goes a long way with something like this.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rcr4HpWKI/AAAAAAAABNg/zkovYvp2DLk/s1600/shower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468597756403210402" style="WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rcr4HpWKI/AAAAAAAABNg/zkovYvp2DLk/s320/shower.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>The new configuration of the bathroom doesn't really allow for towel racks so we've got some handy hooks instead. Both the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90174393">towels</a> and the towel hook are from Ikea.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RclhkLyDI/AAAAAAAABNQ/TU6AekQIfqc/s1600/towel+hook.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468597647269677106" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RclhkLyDI/AAAAAAAABNQ/TU6AekQIfqc/s320/towel+hook.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>I particularly liked <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00074185">this hook</a> as it reminded me of a fishing lure. You might say I found it a-lure-ing. HA!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rje9T2WXI/AAAAAAAABN4/LbMVqbhpvLg/s1600/floor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468605231039666546" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-Rje9T2WXI/AAAAAAAABN4/LbMVqbhpvLg/s320/floor.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>As we go to make our way back out the door you can get a glimpse of the wood plank-like tiles against the new carpet. All in all I'd say we're pleased with both of these selections.<br /><br />But before we close the door on this project (and pack up our fishing gear) let's take a closer look at the wallpaper. Remember my earlier comment about the bathroom giving a slight, if inaccurate, nod to the Civil War? All credit for this realization goes to Angler Matt. He took one good look at the scene above the toilet and said, "The gray coats are on the wrong side of the river! They should be on the south bank! And the blue coats on the north!" Blasphemy! Then again, it's not like the Brits were fighting <em>this</em> battle so I guess we can't blame them for getting it wrong on the wallpaper.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RcV-EEfGI/AAAAAAAABNA/u9aI4MzGOu0/s1600/civil+war.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468597380041702498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-RcV-EEfGI/AAAAAAAABNA/u9aI4MzGOu0/s320/civil+war.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">With that, if you're still reading and sipping your tea, I close out this bathroom story. Enormous thanks go to my mom, who practically hung the wallpaper all by herself while I just provided additional paste and held the razor blades. She's a talented gal and we're so thankful to her on this Mother's Day weekend. Go grab your fishin' hats and have a great weekend!</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-1592876494538033382010-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.887-07:00WIP: Over Easy DressHere's what's shakin' on the Cynthia Rowley <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-5008-misses-dresses.aspx">dress:</a><br /><ul><li>Sunday night I pretreated the fabric. It's a super soft linen from JoAnn's that looked destined to shrink. I try to avoid pretreating as much as possible because of impatience, first and foremost. And when it comes to cutting, the fabric never lays as smoothly as it did straight off the bolt. At least not for me, even after ironing.<br /></li><li>Monday I cut stuff up. Because I had to match the pattern print, this took a decent chunk of time. Oh, and it involved a dumpster dive. More on that later.<br /></li><li>Tuesday I started assembly. Roughly 3.5 hours later I had a dress! All that's left to do is the handstitching on the hem and tacking down some facings. Have a look-see at the progress:</li></ul><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9rGshiPI/AAAAAAAABM4/KIbSi15IdI8/s1600/wip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467789602089699570" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9rGshiPI/AAAAAAAABM4/KIbSi15IdI8/s320/wip.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>We're having some of Matt's work chums (no one uses the word "chums" anymore so I thought I'd throw it out there) over for dinner tonight or tomorrow. Thus, I'll probably finish the dress this weekend and will provide a full review Monday. And you'll see why I've dubbed this one the "Over Easy" dress.<br /><br />To finish things off today, J sent over some pics of the kiddie clothes for your viewing pleasure!<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9njBbgCI/AAAAAAAABMw/rjJUwvPle9I/s1600/romper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467789540974100514" style="WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9njBbgCI/AAAAAAAABMw/rjJUwvPle9I/s320/romper.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9lFTPQvI/AAAAAAAABMo/YZPtzukc7oo/s1600/overalls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467789498635993842" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S-F9lFTPQvI/AAAAAAAABMo/YZPtzukc7oo/s320/overalls.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>The Gentleman's Bathroom is on the docket for Friday. Get your fishing gear ready.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-50172581090156271812010-05-03T06:38:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.896-07:00Baby Rompers, IndeedI mean really, aside from Kate's emailed comments about snap tape being used for tear-away pants (genius and terrifying all at once!) what else would you put snap tape on aside from baby rompers? So ladies, bravo for zoning in on that pretty quickly!<br /><div><br /><div>Is that the surprise then? A bun in the oven? Yes! But here's what mine looks like:</div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S97T1q7U3sI/AAAAAAAABMU/BsCA2iYr-l4/s1600/oven.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467039916684009154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S97T1q7U3sI/AAAAAAAABMU/BsCA2iYr-l4/s320/oven.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Empty! </p><p align="left">Then what was I doing making baby rompers? They were gifts for our friends in town for the reunion this past weekend. Since these friends, J&P, occassionally drop in on the blog I had to keep the project under wraps until they opened the package. J&P just learned about 10 days ago that the kid in the making is a boy, leaving yours truly with very little time to whip up some outfits.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S97T4GunIWI/AAAAAAAABMc/NlN0Vm61djE/s1600/jose+y+paty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467039958506611042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S97T4GunIWI/AAAAAAAABMc/NlN0Vm61djE/s320/jose+y+paty.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">The patterns of choice this time around were both from Simplicity, <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2178-babies-separates.aspx">4711</a> and <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-4478-babies-romper-and-jumper.aspx">2459</a>. And I'm really sorry, but this is the only picture I have of the finished products (courtesy of J&P). Things were hectic last week and I was literally sewing on buttons and closing up seams on the El ride down to brunch, where I planned to give these to the parents-to-be. So put on your thinking caps, y'all, and imagine the following:</p><p align="left">- nice summer-weight cottons in gingham, classic white, and plaid (which, tragically, I didn't even have the time to align perfectly....sigh)</p><p align="left">- overalls sized for 1-3 months, plaid romper sized for 9-12 months</p><p align="left">- serged finish seam edges (j'adore)</p><p align="left">- tiny baseball and bat buttons for J, who is a big Cubs fan, and little yellow ducks in a row</p><p align="left">- snap tape for the legs. Having used both the cloth twill-tape style with metal snaps and a nylon tape with plastic snaps, I'd recommend the former.</p><p align="left">All in all I'd say these were good patterns to work with. Both of them are patterns with a basic foundation and lots of little options. You're left digging through the instructions at various points and that was mildly annoying. Yet once I finished the gingham overalls the romper went together much the same.</p><p align="left">I've made baby clothes before and if you haven't gotten a strong indication of how much I love having a serger, I'll yell it from the rooftops. </p><p align="left"><strong>It's marvelous! </strong></p><p align="left">When I whipped up some corduroy overalls years ago I wanted finished seams. Really my only option was french seams and any of you experienced sewists out there can probably imagine how thick they felt. Baby clothes, being a small as they are, don't leave a lot of room for bulky seams and the like. And when you're likely going to launder them a bazillion times it's swell to know that the seams won't unravel in the wash. I don't have munchkins of my own but I made a modest teenage living by babysitting (and simultaneously folding rompers) so to me, ensuring durability was key.</p><p align="left">Anyway, we've got a handful of other friends who are preggers so I plan to make some of these again in the future. I promise to take more pictures the second (and third and fourth...) time around.</p></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-83587702197943853542010-04-29T15:19:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.905-07:00Snap to it<div>I'm sewing.</div><div>I'm serging.</div><div>I'm snapping.</div><div> </div><div>"Snapping?" you ask.</div><div>"Why sure," I say.</div><div>That's what you do when snap tape is involved.</div><div> </div><div>But the project is a surprise still waiting to be revealed.</div><div>Don't worry, I'll come clean next week.</div><div>Thoughts?</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9oGDthjpKI/AAAAAAAABMM/xv7MoPtx6-8/s1600/snaptape.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465687758597235874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9oGDthjpKI/AAAAAAAABMM/xv7MoPtx6-8/s320/snaptape.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-54299006525301994032010-04-27T06:33:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.913-07:00Grading<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>A+</strong></span><br /><div>Weekend in New York with my sister and some swell lady friends. The weather on Saturday was glorious.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boLS8sNYI/AAAAAAAABL8/HCdQT-3WcgM/s1600/new-york-city.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810478623274370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boLS8sNYI/AAAAAAAABL8/HCdQT-3WcgM/s320/new-york-city.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>A-</strong><br /></span>Fabric from Mood for the June wedding. I'm going to use the <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1174-products-11082.php?page_id=861">Cynthia Steffe pattern</a> after all since I think this polka-dot stuff in an espresso-y color will look quite refined in the end. Why A- and not A+? Well, I like to be frugal when it comes to these things and so $12 a yard for a poly blend is cause for point deduction. Still, I love.</div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boAMW40xI/AAAAAAAABLs/t2-IYK9CiQ0/s1600/material.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810287875543826" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boAMW40xI/AAAAAAAABLs/t2-IYK9CiQ0/s320/material.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>B+</strong></span></p><p align="left"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId={07E0F589-3CF2-4929-9F71-469BC40A403E}">This exhibit</a> at the Met was charming. I only wish they had shown more of the collages on the wall and not in the books that were hard to get to.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9bpaqBafhI/AAAAAAAABME/Lkri12WMDpI/s1600/photocollage_09__EL.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464811842026765842" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9bpaqBafhI/AAAAAAAABME/Lkri12WMDpI/s320/photocollage_09__EL.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>F-</strong></span><br /></div><div></div><div>Invitations to the hospital gala arrived just before I left for New York. So did the RSVP card with the ticket prices. You probably can't see it in this picture, and that may be for the better, but I'll fill you in anyway. $350 for an individual ticket. We'd need two. For 700 clams. </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boFm-hxbI/AAAAAAAABL0/NaPw-xezGec/s1600/invite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810380920473010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9boFm-hxbI/AAAAAAAABL0/NaPw-xezGec/s320/invite.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>After pondering this for quite some time we've decided Cinderella and her Prince Charming will not be going to the ball. I'm sorry, y'all, because that means no madras dress despite your much appreciated voting. As I said, F-. At least we've got the Steffe to look forward to!</div><div> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;">*images from </span></em><a href="http://www.greenwichmeantime.com/"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">www.greenwichmeantime.com</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"> and </span></em><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">www.metmuseum.org</span></em></a></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-69288846880036332482010-04-22T07:31:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.928-07:00On DeckHey y'all. (Now I have the "Hey Ya!" song in my head - great!)<br /><br />I'm leaving on a jet plane for New York tomorrow and I won't be back again until Monday morning, whereupon I will hop in a cab at O'Hare and scoot back to work just in time for a meeting (fingers crossed).<br /><br />Then, next weekend is our first year Kellogg reunion. Talk about time flying. My favorite people are all returning to the coop and there will be lots of fun and debauchery next Friday through Sunday. This means little to no time for projects and even less time to create some blog posts. Things will be a tad sparse in this neck of the internet but here's what waiting for us the first week of May:<br /><br />1. <strong>Basement bathroom reveal.</strong> Fly fisherman in top hats and a slight reference to the Civil War/War of Northern Aggression? How can you NOT love that? :)<br /><br />2. <strong>Summer fun dress.</strong> I'm picking up this pattern from Joann's sale this afternoon (assuming it's in stock) and can't wait to cut up a great mod print to make it all happen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9BgMHIWm9I/AAAAAAAABLk/yGBmYLX6ap8/s1600/simplicity+dress.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462972109189192658" style="WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S9BgMHIWm9I/AAAAAAAABLk/yGBmYLX6ap8/s320/simplicity+dress.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">3. <strong>Fancy schmancy dresses.</strong> Based on your votes, we're down to madras and stripes, with the comments leaning towards stripes. Poll closes tomorrow so get your say in now! Then I've got the "black-tie-optional-what-the-hell-does-that-mean" dress to get going on, too. Per Kate's comment a few posts back, if I can find the right fabric in The City this weekend then Cynthia Steefe's little number might stay on the cutting table. <a href="http://www.ericabunker.com/2010/04/vogue-1174-cynthia-steffe-dress.html">Erica</a> did a stellar job on her version - could I be so lucky?</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-39768541243519454282010-04-19T12:27:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.942-07:00McCall 5556Now, tunic time. Although I may need to call it a <em>popover</em>.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8yxC1yAw7I/AAAAAAAABKc/Hgthxs3XrNc/s1600/M5556.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461935110448268210" style="WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8yxC1yAw7I/AAAAAAAABKc/Hgthxs3XrNc/s320/M5556.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div align="left">This pattern is an out of print number by McCall and I honestly cannot remember when I bought it. I know for certain, however, that it was generally in style when I picked it up, cycled out of style, and now could pass for being semi-fashionable if paired with other articles correctly. Hopefully, my version of View B is appearing more in than out of style. The description might need to change, though, since I found a <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shirtstops/casualshirts/PRDOVR~20610/99101889543/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~17~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~popover/20610.jsp">close match</a> at JCrew but it's called a popover instead of a tunic. Isn't that a bakery good, not a piece of attire? Hmmm.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YVQoIOzI/AAAAAAAABKk/uu3grwRatxI/s1600/jcrew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048676589878066" style="WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YVQoIOzI/AAAAAAAABKk/uu3grwRatxI/s320/jcrew.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YedoGcgI/AAAAAAAABK8/rdRn3LDPAes/s1600/tunic+on.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048834698244610" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YedoGcgI/AAAAAAAABK8/rdRn3LDPAes/s320/tunic+on.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left"><br /><em>Pattern Description:</em> If the best part of this pattern is the nicely finished product then the worst part is the time it takes to get there. The pattern envelope says "4 looks, 1 easy pattern." Let me clarify what they mean by "easy." Easy, in this case, means straight seams, minimal darts, little to no fit issues (it's a tunic, y'all), and suggested material that presses well. Easy is not a synonym for "fast," "so straigtforward you can use your instructions as a coffee cup coaster," "start this on a weeknight and plan to wear it tomorrow," or "no need to care about finishing details because it will look professional regardless of what you do." You'll have to invest some time in this one if you want sharp points on the bandings, evenly spaced button loops, and crisp top stitching. All in, I think this was 12 hours of production time. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><em>Instructions:</em> Not bad. In fact, if you can force yourself to really read them, pay attention, and not say, "Whatevs, I know how to sew a shirt, forget this!" then you'll be rewarded with a well-constructed item. The neck, hem, and arm banding are sewn backwards and if you don't pay attention I'm going to bet you'll think it's a mistake in the instructions rather than an intentional approach. Or maybe that's just me....<br />The pattern does call for a fair amount of understitching. I only did this on the neck band facing, reason being that the other areas that call for understitching can be difficult to get to fully. Personally, I think semi-finished understitching is less desirable than no understitching at all.<br />Once you've flipped all the bandings into place you then edgestitch them. I thought this helped<br />the shirt look a little less home-sewn.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80Yh7u6RxI/AAAAAAAABLE/_jEsfdJDppM/s1600/banding.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048894319478546" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80Yh7u6RxI/AAAAAAAABLE/_jEsfdJDppM/s320/banding.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><em>Fabric:</em> The fabric is your basic striped shirting in an ambiguous charcoal gray/navy shade. While the pattern says you can use all kinds of material I'd suggest sticking with the lightweight wovens. There's a lot of folding and flipping going on with this top and thick material could make things sloppy.<br /><br /><br /><em>Fit: </em>As a tunic/popover/whatever-it-is I don't believe you should be looking to this to show off one's figure. Thus, I did nothing but cut on the line marked "10." I feared this could result in a look of me wearing one of Dad's old shirts for art class. My first fitting came after the last stitch was sewn and mercifully, I was pretty happy with the results.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YbXYwRQI/AAAAAAAABK0/A5sjutNw3RE/s1600/serger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048781483656450" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YbXYwRQI/AAAAAAAABK0/A5sjutNw3RE/s320/serger.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><em>Finishing:</em> Do you see the serged seam allowances? I love, love, love being able to do this! I particularly enjoy being able to finish off the armsyces with the serger. It cuts down on bulk and looks so much more professional than my past approach of using pinking shears.<br /><br /><br /><em>Cost:</em><br />Fabric = $4.50<br />Pattern = $1.00 Never pay full price for them!<br />11 buttons = $13 (!). They're small knots - j'adore, even if it was highway robbery.<br />Interfacing = $2.00<br />Total = $20.50<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YYVKCxcI/AAAAAAAABKs/0uUc17rPGCA/s1600/overall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462048729345476034" style="WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S80YYVKCxcI/AAAAAAAABKs/0uUc17rPGCA/s320/overall.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><em>Verdict:</em> I like it. My model shot highlights how thin the fabric is and I'll likely sport a long tank top beneath to hide that shirt-to-jean transition. I suspect I'll get some good use out of it this summer since it's made from a classic fabric and the shape is pretty versatile. It's lightweight for day and the 3/4 sleeves will keep my always-freezing self comfortable at night. And, I'm thinking beach cover-up for sure.<br /><br />Has anyone else made this shirt (and given half a day to do it?)Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-43962870404031248122010-04-19T05:48:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.950-07:00Sunday Recap by iPhoneIf you've ever wondered what "quiet" looks like, here it is:<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8xRWQrxuhI/AAAAAAAABKU/pilEu47s2Cw/s1600/napping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461829890971122194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8xRWQrxuhI/AAAAAAAABKU/pilEu47s2Cw/s320/napping.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> One year I got Matt a knife skills class session for a birthday present. It's still paying dividends.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8xRQTDTxVI/AAAAAAAABKM/JPVBa58t2y4/s1600/salad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461829788527478098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8xRQTDTxVI/AAAAAAAABKM/JPVBa58t2y4/s320/salad.jpg" border="0" /></a></p> While the hounds and the boy were snoozing, I was sewing. I finished McCall 5556 but need to pick up some buttons today during lunch. Full post to come later tonight!Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-78487894177719655152010-04-16T17:36:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.958-07:00Friday Fodder: More Dresses!A few quick things:<br /><ul><li>Mom's here. The basement bathroom is wallpapered. Holler!</li><li>I had to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress today and let me tell you, I am in the wrong line of work. 3 hondo for a simple a-line number!? HA! And that doesn't even take into account the alterations that I'll have to have done to it because, naturally, my chest and waist measurements do not match my hips. I know this and this is why I choose to make my own frocks, thankyouverymuch the not-so-friendly lady in the store.</li><li>We received an invitation to a different wedding today in the mail. This is Matt's friend and he neglected to inform me that this is a "black tie optional" affair. Is there anything more gray in the dress code world? Nope, I think not. Anyway, <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1174-products-11082.php?page_id=857">the dress I was planning to make</a> will now be too casual for my liking at "black tie optional" events. </li></ul><p>This brings us to......</p><ol><li>Please vote on a dress for the hospital event</li><li>If you've still got dresses on the brain and can think of a pattern that works for a June "black tie optional" soiree in D.C., hook me up! Drop a comment, y'all.</li></ol><p>Happy Friday!</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-5211145069742133642010-04-14T18:57:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.965-07:00WIP Wednesday: Skinny Jeans Need A TopFor whatever reason, praise for <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=690476&kwid=1&sem=false&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.com%2Fproducts%2Falways-skinny-jeans-womens-clothing-C48599.jsp">these jeans</a> was going around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">interwebs</span> last week. To date I've been terrified and even mildly repulsed by skinny jeans. I've got a long torso and short legs by normal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">proportional</span> standards so I thought they would equal disaster on me. Nevertheless, I marched off to Gap on the same day I clocked 6 miles running because, hell, if that's not going to make you feel good in jeans not much else will.<br /><br />Well, I liked 'em. Color me shocked.<br /><br />So then I got to thinking and a tunic top seemed to be in order. Since I promised Matt I would pick him up at the airport late Sunday night I needed something to help me stay awake. Enter <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5556-products-8105.php?page_id=510&search_control=display&list=search">McCall 5556</a>, stage right, straight from the Out Of Print door.<br /><br />After a few hours of work, I'm embarrassed to say that I've got little to show. It took me 30 minutes to figure out how to turn one strap inside out using this poorly illustrated technique in the instructions. Pathetic!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Zz7udopRI/AAAAAAAABJ8/or9gRLzmZxY/s1600/loops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460179068155110674" style="WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Zz7udopRI/AAAAAAAABJ8/or9gRLzmZxY/s320/loops.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">But I emerged victorious, I cut the two long strings down to size to make the button loops, and I called it a night.</div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Zz_KNs63I/AAAAAAAABKE/TuE49NGwMyo/s1600/loops+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460179127144082290" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Zz_KNs63I/AAAAAAAABKE/TuE49NGwMyo/s320/loops+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Mom's in town for a conference and she's spending the weekend with us. Hooray for a visit from Mom and her wallpapering skills! The basement bathroom is about to be finished, once and for all.</p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>* Scroll up and over to vote on a dress!*</em></span></p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-43841766014293742442010-04-12T16:38:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.977-07:00Made It Monday: Guest RoomHowdy! It was an awesome weekend in this part of the country and hopefully it was just as nice in yours. Matt was off in Vegas doing the bachelor party thing and that left me a single lady for the weekend. Activities included dinner with friends, brunch with friends, two - yes, two! - trips to the dog park, cleaning, sewing, a long run, and even some shopping. Good for the soul, I tell you. Oh, and our bloomin' tulips topped things off nicely!<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OxnSeDtoI/AAAAAAAABJs/-TiW9xXCSec/s1600/tulips.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459402461834098306" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OxnSeDtoI/AAAAAAAABJs/-TiW9xXCSec/s320/tulips.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>So now I've got some pics to share of the guest room, which I mentioned previously as the room stripped bare while I spruced up the rest of the joint last weekend, hiding from the <a href="http://bschoolstudio.blogspot.com/2010/04/made-it-monday-workroom.html">workroom project</a>. Per my usual, some befores (the first is the day we closed and the second was taken during the basement reno, when the guest room was a depository for relocated basement junk).<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ovi_JemoI/AAAAAAAABIM/WCZWBvRoaco/s1600/before+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400188904774274" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ovi_JemoI/AAAAAAAABIM/WCZWBvRoaco/s320/before+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov2-1rwzI/AAAAAAAABI0/GzXMfTAjZik/s1600/before+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400532419134258" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov2-1rwzI/AAAAAAAABI0/GzXMfTAjZik/s320/before+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">This is the only room in the house that we didn't paint and that remains to be the case. I guess the color is inoffensive enough, and the wood trim abundant enough, that I can't muster up the energy to bathe this room in another color. But that's about all that stayed.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400883979835794" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwLcgSWZI/AAAAAAAABJk/0vxln0qEoRM/s320/after.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">New drapes (a fun jungle-y print from Hancock Fabrics)</span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwIIXkktI/AAAAAAAABJc/PStLjnBT-3A/s1600/art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400827034964690" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwIIXkktI/AAAAAAAABJc/PStLjnBT-3A/s320/art.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Cut paper artwork from a very talented old coworker, which just happens to go perfectly with the George of the Jungle drapes.</span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvzWCg0JI/AAAAAAAABIs/VC8SZxI1lRU/s1600/chair.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400469927481490" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvzWCg0JI/AAAAAAAABIs/VC8SZxI1lRU/s320/chair.jpg" border="0" /></em></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The thrift store chair, relocated from the basement but still donning that nasty gold cushion. Eek.</em></span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvwODMJnI/AAAAAAAABIk/_Iku8Bmn_9w/s1600/dresser.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400416243230322" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvwODMJnI/AAAAAAAABIk/_Iku8Bmn_9w/s320/dresser.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The dining room buffet, now repurposed as a modest dresser with the mirror from the front hall above.</span></em></p><p align="left">And let's discuss the bed for a sec, because I won't lie, I dig it. This bed has made the rounds with us for the last few years and while perfectly functional, I was growing tired of the brushed nickel bars. Serendipitously, a major sale at the HF gave me a ton of this great asparagus green stripe that's actually an outdoor fabric (read: tres durable). A slipcover could be had for just a few clams and this bed would then have a whole new look. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwBglmpZI/AAAAAAAABJM/FBRSYu_OaHk/s1600/bed+before.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400713277187474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwBglmpZI/AAAAAAAABJM/FBRSYu_OaHk/s320/bed+before.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Before</span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwFAZvmxI/AAAAAAAABJU/YFaM2-Z9usk/s1600/bed+after.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400773356985106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OwFAZvmxI/AAAAAAAABJU/YFaM2-Z9usk/s320/bed+after.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">After</span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov-CSSijI/AAAAAAAABJE/rhm8cYMQmZI/s1600/bed+detail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400653603506738" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov-CSSijI/AAAAAAAABJE/rhm8cYMQmZI/s320/bed+detail.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I left the inside panel a tad shorter to accomodate the rail connection.</span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov6wRTqQI/AAAAAAAABI8/TPGnknlGb50/s1600/bed+footboard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400597227940098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8Ov6wRTqQI/AAAAAAAABI8/TPGnknlGb50/s320/bed+footboard.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The top was done in the same way you would make a square bag bottom, and the stripe was the exact width of the rail.</span></em></p><p align="left">As for the bed's home in the eave, well, there really isn't any better place for it. No joke, furniture placement in the house is a challenge but I'm pleased with this solution. The bedside curtain panels were hung using <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60075295">this set</a> from Ikea; I wanted everything to align with the headboard and for the curtain hanging hardware to be invisible.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvwODMJnI/AAAAAAAABIk/_Iku8Bmn_9w/s1600/dresser.jpg"></a><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvnSvjV3I/AAAAAAAABIU/6lUsfulZeCY/s1600/wire.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400262884218738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvnSvjV3I/AAAAAAAABIU/6lUsfulZeCY/s320/wire.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>An added bonus of this set-up is the additional storage space created behind the bed and curtains. Nothing's back there yet but I doubt that will last!<br /><br />Some parting notes from the guest room makeover:<br /><ul><li>I think <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m2017-products-670.php?page_id=106">this pattern</a> from McCall is swell (if you can look past the mock-up, which is fugly). It's got all you need for creating bedroom/home dec basics and the directions are crazy easy to follow. I've used it for all 5 sets of drapes I've made in the house. I'll probably use it to make some more interesting pillow shams should the mood strike.</li><li>The bed project was also crazy easy. Really, it's a giant bag that you just size to fit your headboard. If you've got a metal frame bed that you've grown tired of, I suggest hitting up the fabric clearance rack. Heck, when you get tired of it, just take the covers off! Cake!</li><li>I was always skeptical of those home decorating shows where the host would shop in the frightened subject's home in order to make over a room. It turns out it works, or at least I'm convinced now that it's a viable option when the change itch strikes.</li></ul><div><div><div><div><div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvrZxyDHI/AAAAAAAABIc/YBBapi66I_8/s1600/charlotte+guest+room.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400333492096114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S8OvrZxyDHI/AAAAAAAABIc/YBBapi66I_8/s320/charlotte+guest+room.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Charlotte says, "Could you turn that camera off so I can jump on the bed now?"</em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">*Don't forget to vote on the June party dress up at the top!*</span></em></p></div></div></div></div></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-84663882621635304512010-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:51.989-07:00Friday Fodder: I need a dress!Hello Friday, I adore you.<br /><br /><br />And holy crap, we're through the first week of April already! That means June is nearing and that means I've got some dresses to make. This is where you come in, dear reader(s).<br /><br /><br />Here's the situation. The hospital fundraiser is in June and the theme is some sort of tropical paradise (we dream big in Chicago - warm, tropical weather in June can be a bit of a stretch). Anyhoo, I tend to dress the part for these types of events. That's a major perk of crafting your own dress, afterall. Normally I know just what direction I want to go in but this time I'm torn. Stripes and solids are at war in my mind. Silhouette is too, for that matter. So let me show you what I'm thinking and then please weigh in.<br /><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Option 1: Stripes and slim.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79CQZ0JA8I/AAAAAAAABHU/1ESJ2ZU40vM/s1600/doolittle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458154122971251650" style="WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79CQZ0JA8I/AAAAAAAABHU/1ESJ2ZU40vM/s320/doolittle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Who doesn't love Eliza Doolittle?</span></em><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79Ao7KLRRI/AAAAAAAABHE/B1kU9oB9_Pk/s1600/acktocucrdq7tkc7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458152345215649042" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79Ao7KLRRI/AAAAAAAABHE/B1kU9oB9_Pk/s320/acktocucrdq7tkc7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I saw this Ralph Lauren dress in the window of his shop here and it was instant love. I still cannot stop swooning over it.</span></em> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79AuSTF4VI/AAAAAAAABHM/WDHBGO1jmqA/s1600/PR+dress+fron.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458152437326405970" style="WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79AuSTF4VI/AAAAAAAABHM/WDHBGO1jmqA/s320/PR+dress+fron.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>From last night's PR episode. It's circus-y (that was the challenge) but I like the vibe it's got going on.</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79DHFIhGfI/AAAAAAAABHk/gpgh0fuhZ5g/s1600/v2963_2.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458155062312376818" style="WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79DHFIhGfI/AAAAAAAABHk/gpgh0fuhZ5g/s320/v2963_2.jpg" border="0" /></em></a></span></div><br />I PhotoShop-ed up <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v2963-products-8315.php?page_id=947">this dress</a> in a stripe that's similar to some stuff I've got in the stash. It's fresh, I think it evokes a certain beachiness, but is that beachiness too cabana-ish?<br /><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Option 2: Solid and simple</span></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79EY8LaBXI/AAAAAAAABHs/xkeUJsyzx9g/s1600/yellow+vogue.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458156468657849714" style="WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79EY8LaBXI/AAAAAAAABHs/xkeUJsyzx9g/s320/yellow+vogue.jpg" border="0" /></em></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><br /></div></span><div align="center"><em>A stunning vintage Vogue 2134 in yellow silk </em><a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&ID=23486"><em>by Shinta</em></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79SGwWeDRI/AAAAAAAABH0/HFptLOaYbuk/s1600/vogue+1897.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458171549408169234" style="WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79SGwWeDRI/AAAAAAAABH0/HFptLOaYbuk/s320/vogue+1897.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79SK-4zCnI/AAAAAAAABH8/IRxAXn-s9wg/s1600/simplicity+7806.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458171622029724274" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79SK-4zCnI/AAAAAAAABH8/IRxAXn-s9wg/s320/simplicity+7806.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you're a seasoned reader of this site you've probably noticed that I don't make a lot of empire-waisted dresses. I have my reasons but I'm considering putting those aside and forging into new territory. If I went this route I'd go with a vibrant tangerine color, something el</span><span style="font-size:100%;">se I haven't done before.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Option 3: Madras madness.</span></em><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458173844627428226" style="WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S79UMWtYk4I/AAAAAAAABIE/z7GNulziyEc/s320/madras.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">A full dress in madras? Sure, seen it. But mine would not be a socially safe, strapless, knee-length column dress like this one (not that there's anything wrong with it - I think it's adorable). No, if I used madras it would be a floor length number. And it would have to have be something beyond a tube dress. A bit over the top? For sure. But I'd totally do it and would probably love every minute of it. It is a tropical themed party, yo.</span></p><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">So, with my options on the table, help! Which do you like? Any, none? Click a box in the poll on the side, top of the page. ----->>>></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="left"></span></div>Got something else in mind? Have just the right pattern for the madras number? Tell me. This could be fun - y'all choosing and me making. I'll leave the poll up for a week and we'll see how this experiment works. Thanks in advance!<div align="left"> </div><div align="left">*****</div><div align="left">The voting box wasn't working but is now - scroll up and click an option!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-67133703268743438712010-04-07T10:04:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.017-07:00WIP Wednesday: Extreme Home MakeoverMinimal pictures today, y'all. That's because this is a work-in-progress posting as opposed to a "Yo Mom, check this out!" kind of deal.<br /><br />I mentioned earlier that aside from Matt's workroom, other areas of the house were experiencing a revitalization, of sorts. It all started Friday afternoon when I went to put some clothes away and practically tripped on our bedroom rug. Out with it! One thing lead to another and suddenly drapes, rugs, artwork, and furniture were on the move.<br /><br />Hudgins HATES moving-related activities. Despises. Freaks out at the sight of shifting stuff. There is actual trembling involved with lots of cramming his butt into whatever corner is closest. And those are probably fair emotions since we've dragged him to 8 different homes in his 7 years. To keep him and Lil Monster occupied while I sent dust flying, we swapped out the glass insert of our storm door with the screen. Miraculous! The hounds were entertained by our passing neighbors for the rest of the evening.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7y8qLbvTeI/AAAAAAAABG8/uo3_os7FD0Y/s1600/dogs+at+door.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457444281275862498" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7y8qLbvTeI/AAAAAAAABG8/uo3_os7FD0Y/s320/dogs+at+door.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><em>This scene is the standard arrangement: Charlotte at the front door keeping watch, Hudgins on the front hall landing, ready to bark at a moment's notice. He undoubtedly feels like the king up there. Matt and I suspect the real reason he stays up a few steps is because he's willing to have Charlotte take the fall for him should an evil intruder actually cross the threshold. Such a knight in black fur, he is.</em></p><p align="left">Anyway, back to the extreme home makeover that was going on behind this scene. I'm prepping the guest room for our April visitors (yippee!) so as soon as the final pieces have been put back in place I'll share the pictures. Until then, the list of moves:</p><p align="left"><em>Rugs:<br /></em>master bedroom --> living room<br />living room --> dining room<br />guest bedroom --> storage</p><p align="left"><br /><em>Artwork:<br /></em>living room --> stairway<br />guest bedroom -->master bedroom<br />master bedroom --> living room</p><p align="left"><br /><em>Furniture:</em><br />guest bedroom --> basement<br />table in storage --> dining room<br />dining room --> guest room<br />basement --> guest room</p><p align="left"><em>Mirrors and lighting:<br /></em>front hall --> guest room<br />guest room --> master bedroom<br />front hall --> dining room<br />dining room --> basement</p><p align="left"><em>Drapes:<br /></em>guest room --> living room<br />old dining room --> master bedroom</p><p align="left">If you followed all of that, you probably detected that the guest room was practically stripped bare. New drapes, recovering the thrift-store chair originally in the basement, and a twist on an upholstered headboard are all in the works. I took the plunge and got an entry-level serger a few weeks back and let me just say it has been a star player in this makeover! To those shopping around, I'm quite pleased with <a href="http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Juno-Serger-Machine-by-Janome-Model-3434D-Front-Page_stcVVproductId48446241VVcatId537258VVviewprod.htm">this little baby by Janome</a>.</p><p align="left">Anyone else doing some spring cleaning/home sprucing with their sewing machines?</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-35114194387228174572010-04-05T06:07:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.030-07:00Made It Monday: WorkroomG'morning.<br /><div><div><br /><div align="left">Fresh off lots of chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs, here we are again on Monday. The spring cleaning bug bit hard over the weekend and I think our house was literally turned upside down with all of the reorganizing that went on. But the room that is getting the blogging love today is our new man cave. This room, the utility/workroom, oozes testosterone. For awhile it was also oozing obscenities (on the day that Jesus has risen! Poor form for us, indeed.) but more on that later. A recap of the floor plans, before and after:<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nihFHuT8I/AAAAAAAABGs/THtvGDpoIvk/s1600/utility+exist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456641481474199490" style="WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nihFHuT8I/AAAAAAAABGs/THtvGDpoIvk/s320/utility+exist.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nidnDFTUI/AAAAAAAABGk/Ah9jQk9qoA4/s1600/utility+new.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456641421862063426" style="WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nidnDFTUI/AAAAAAAABGk/Ah9jQk9qoA4/s320/utility+new.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Before After</div><br /><div align="left">Once construction on the basement ceased we were a little worn out on the home-improvement front. This is Matt's corner of the house and out of respect for that claim I originally said he could build the room out whenever he wanted to, at his own pace., and I would temper my need to see projects completed. Here's where I admit, to Matt's pleasure, that I am definitely the slave driver of the house. The workroom idled as the "piles o' junk" room for about a month.</div><br /><div align="left">Meanwhile, the rest of our house started looking like we were staging an estate sale with things all over the place but not in their places. I couldn't take it anymore. The "honey-do" list came back with a vengeance, the workroom was at the top, and the deadline was last night. Matt came through, big time. Here's the proof:</div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhtYvGXVI/AAAAAAAABGc/P3QBTisA8p0/s1600/P1010353.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640593386429778" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhtYvGXVI/AAAAAAAABGc/P3QBTisA8p0/s320/P1010353.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Before</strong> - I couldn't step back any further to capture more in the picture</span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhPHTgoSI/AAAAAAAABF0/HK_CgzFsbSE/s1600/P4040687.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640073311232290" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhPHTgoSI/AAAAAAAABF0/HK_CgzFsbSE/s320/P4040687.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>After:</strong> Wide open space! </span><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhLJuwjPI/AAAAAAAABFs/z-MTbFUlgE4/s1600/P4040685.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640005242916082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhLJuwjPI/AAAAAAAABFs/z-MTbFUlgE4/s320/P4040685.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhfN28qgI/AAAAAAAABGE/5ALvLKJXYfI/s1600/P4040691.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640349948389890" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhfN28qgI/AAAAAAAABGE/5ALvLKJXYfI/s320/P4040691.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Big, deep shelves to hold all the fun new tools, lots of plastic bins, suitcases, and odds and ends.</span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhCD1rNoI/AAAAAAAABFc/nP0VFevX6U4/s1600/P4040680.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456639849042491010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhCD1rNoI/AAAAAAAABFc/nP0VFevX6U4/s320/P4040680.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">The loveliest peg board I've ever seen, again, all thanks to Matt.</span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhjh6M3BI/AAAAAAAABGM/NSWUgHBPraM/s1600/P4040693.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640424050220050" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhjh6M3BI/AAAAAAAABGM/NSWUgHBPraM/s320/P4040693.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">And the treasured "catering closet," which alleviated our overstuffed kitchen and finally gave us a chance to put away oodles of wedding gifts.</span><br /></p><br /><p align="left">Back to the obscenities part. From the get-go Matt and I did not see eye-to-eye on this project. He's wanted to build shelves and a workbench from 2x4s and plywood all along. I thought some shelving units from Ikea would work just as well and would probably be installed in half the time. Costs for both options were identical. We went back and forth on this for the better part of last week and ultimately the hour long drive to the Big Blue Box proved to be too much. Home Despot lumber won out. </p><p align="left">I'm embarrassed to say that I was a brat at times because I thought this project was unnecessarily complicated, all in the name of manliness. But Matt built an awesome work room, his own way, and most importantly he loves it. And we both learned that the only type of project that causes friction between us is the project that involves construction. Design? My territory. Cooking? His. Travel arrangements? Mine. Gardening? His. Maintaining life's calendar? Mine. Disciplining Hudge and Charlotte? His (I'm awful). 2x4s and screws? Watch out.</p><p align="left">So with that I say thank goodness all that is left in the workroom is moving the utility tub and dryer. No studs involved, except for Matt, of course. </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhnVQ5McI/AAAAAAAABGU/RNZvxqfXvhc/s1600/P4040696.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456640489375216066" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7nhnVQ5McI/AAAAAAAABGU/RNZvxqfXvhc/s320/P4040696.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></p></div></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-55154438721747918972010-04-02T07:10:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.046-07:00Friday Fodder: CommutingA smattering of what I saw on my drive to the office this morning:<br /><br />1. My friend's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FB</span> status update saying, "Good Friday is probably the only time in my life I wish I worked in finance." Amen. As I answer emails and look at spreadsheets Matt is still sound asleep.<br /><br />2. A polished gentleman getting out of his convertible with his golf clubs, ready to play a round at the course directly across the street from the hospital. See point #1. I'm guessing he works in finance. And now I get to watch him tee off.<br /><br />3. A not-so-polished lassie crossing the street, smoking a cigarette, one dress strap draped haphazardly over her shoulder, mascara smeared beneath the eyes. Facial expression: what the hell just happened? In other words, a classic <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=walk+of+shame">walk of shame</a>. I don't know about Good Friday, but she must have had a Good Thursday.<br /><br />And on that not very polite note, Happy Easter! I'm hoping the Easter Bunny leaves a basket of sewing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mojo</span>.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-1216443195211120842010-03-31T07:39:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.056-07:00WIP Wednesday: Spring CleaningIt's 70* here today. Praise ye, weather gods.<br /><br />With the weather turning so went my attention from clothes back to house. I have an unhealthy need to keep switching things up in the city cottage and this tends to drive Matt nuts. For the safety of our marriage I've learned to rotate things around the house rather than go out and buy new each time the change itch strikes. Last night the master bedroom was my lucky subject.<br /><br />To help you get your bearings, here's a handy dandy floor plan. We swapped rooms and are using the former "master" as our guest room. You'll see that we're not working with tons of space (thus the city cottage classification) and yet we've found it to be spacious enough.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NkVtlDSbI/AAAAAAAABFM/bsLlqjasl2g/s1600/second+floor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454813897850833330" style="WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NkVtlDSbI/AAAAAAAABFM/bsLlqjasl2g/s320/second+floor.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Have a look at some <em>before</em> pictures that we snapped the day we closed on the house. See if you can guess who used to live in the room we now use as the master bedroom. Three clues:</p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiGkR1I8I/AAAAAAAABEs/upMCX9UIMKE/s1600/DSC02134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811438633001922" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiGkR1I8I/AAAAAAAABEs/upMCX9UIMKE/s320/DSC02134.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Pretty pretty princess pink walls<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiDLo4ZaI/AAAAAAAABEk/y4c_EHfZuBU/s1600/DSC02132.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811380479190434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiDLo4ZaI/AAAAAAAABEk/y4c_EHfZuBU/s320/DSC02132.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Itty bitty shelves in the closet<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiJh9ZbWI/AAAAAAAABE0/0kpWc-Euelc/s1600/DSC02133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811489550036322" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiJh9ZbWI/AAAAAAAABE0/0kpWc-Euelc/s320/DSC02133.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Bubblegum ball fringe on the window treatments.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">Let's forget the guessing game, as there's only one clear answer. This room once belonged to a cute little 2 year old munchkin who obviously loved all things pink (or her mother did, anyhow). </div><div align="left"> </div>As charming as it might have been, we couldn't handle the pink after about a month or so. Super White (my favorite BM white) to the rescue! Here we are, in the dead of January:<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiP2sr14I/AAAAAAAABFE/9Zb4K4nXLUE/s1600/winter+room.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811598196299650" style="WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiP2sr14I/AAAAAAAABFE/9Zb4K4nXLUE/s320/winter+room.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiNWw6cYI/AAAAAAAABE8/mteyiUvi4X0/s1600/winter+bed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811555264360834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NiNWw6cYI/AAAAAAAABE8/mteyiUvi4X0/s320/winter+bed.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>A rundown of the changes: floors stained darker, walls and trim all painted white, window blinds replaced, window drapes installed on new curtain rod, and a TV mounted and hooked up, but nicely hidden from view when standing in the hallway. The other side of the room has a dresser and some artwork but still needs a dash of aesthetic love.<br /><br />But back to the spring cleaning.<br /><br />The muted colors in our room are nice for evoking that winter white feeling but I'm now looking for a little more vibrancy. Much like my tendency to pick a paint color only to then repaint a few days later, I found some print drapes for the dining room months ago, thought I loved them, but then swapped 'em out for classic white. Last night the print option experienced a revival. Our MB curtains only need to be 82" so there was some hemming involved. Thanks to years of watching my mom do the same thing, I've learned <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat3439&PRODID=prd3125">this tool</a> is your best friend for getting even hems:<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NqOpE5GcI/AAAAAAAABFU/gvIN9boFxoA/s1600/hem+guage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454820373452888514" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7NqOpE5GcI/AAAAAAAABFU/gvIN9boFxoA/s320/hem+guage.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Now I'm trying to come up with something fun for the bedding and I'm considering some new duvet options made from sheets. Our weekend will be packed with home improvement as Matt and I work on finishing up the utility room in the basement and I pull the bedroom into the spring and summer seasons. If there's time, those dead plants on the little balcony, a gracious housewarming gift from the previous owners, will finally get kicked to the curb. Stay tuned for more <em>after</em> shots.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-81997064557707551022010-03-30T08:00:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.076-07:00Made It Monday: Simplicity 2728<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IS5SD073I/AAAAAAAABDk/CBdiievAKk0/s1600/worn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454442874008825714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IS5SD073I/AAAAAAAABDk/CBdiievAKk0/s320/worn.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sound the alarms. I started, finished, and am wearing a garment. It ain't perfect (um, two button holes for one button because I put the first button hole on the wrong side - who does that?) but it'll do.<br /><br />In an effort to provide images of what things look like on the body, I braved 40 degree temps and utter embarrassment. You're welcome.<br /><br />This shot was captured at 7:04am and I surely entertained my neighbors as I ran back and forth between camera and brick wall. No need to tell me I shouldn't quit my day job to become a model; I've got miles to go on striking a pose.<br /><br />Outfit consists of some sort of weathered black jean-ish trousers from TJMaxx, white tank from Old Navy, gray ballet kitten heels, pearls (standard), and <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=2728">Simplicity 2728</a>. I kinda dig this "study in neutrals" I've got going on. Sure, it's casual as compared to my normal work wardrobe but I like the feeling of warmer weather that it suggests.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now to the question and answer session.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IU7wZjsiI/AAAAAAAABEE/1iTewHwj_EM/s1600/hanging.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454445115536028194" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IU7wZjsiI/AAAAAAAABEE/1iTewHwj_EM/s320/hanging.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><em>Pattern Description and Sizing:</em></p><p align="left">Project Runway jacket with sleeve and collar variations. Regular sizing schedule and I made a 10. I normally make either 8s or 10s in Simplicity so I'd say the measurements were accurate and there's not too much ease to mess things up. I made absolutely no alterations to the fit.<br /><br /><em>Fabric Used:</em><br /><br />A linen chambray from Hancock. It's a good neutral color and the thread named "nutmeg" is a perfect match, so it runs on the warm/pink side of browns.<br />The lining is a lilac poly found in my stash. I love using up stuff that has been sitting on the shelves. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVAw4UCDI/AAAAAAAABEM/1tXzAGqj2Bk/s1600/front.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454445201564370994" style="WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVAw4UCDI/AAAAAAAABEM/1tXzAGqj2Bk/s320/front.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IU256kZrI/AAAAAAAABD8/cXEz70alW6I/s1600/back.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454445032191059634" style="WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IU256kZrI/AAAAAAAABD8/cXEz70alW6I/s320/back.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><em>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it?</em><br /><br />Generally, yes. The envelope doesn't show the particular combination I chose (bow collar, 3/4 sleeves with no extra adornment, pleated pockets, no back buttons) but you get the gist.<br /><em></em><br /><em>Were the instructions easy to follow? What did you particularly like/dislike about the pattern?</em><br /><br />Uber easy. In fact, they're probably unnecessary. Though totally unusual for me, I actually liked constructing this jacket more than wearing the finished product. The pattern is very well drafted and the pieces come together in a very logical fashion. I also really liked the continuous facing on the inside of the jacket. The result is a neat and tidy marriage between lining and fashion fabric, crisp inside corners and all.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVHT9BbOI/AAAAAAAABEc/H0vSn-RVpRs/s1600/lining.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454445314058579170" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVHT9BbOI/AAAAAAAABEc/H0vSn-RVpRs/s320/lining.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="left">If I had to pick one thing I don't like about the jacket it would be the proportions of the collar. I can't quite explain it but now that I'm wearing the jacket, the bow feels a little off. Like it's too small, starts too high, ends too short, I don't know. It just seems a bit out of whack.</div><div align="left"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVEnXxzEI/AAAAAAAABEU/vPVPuVtt0W8/s1600/detail+bow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454445267731467330" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7IVEnXxzEI/AAAAAAAABEU/vPVPuVtt0W8/s320/detail+bow.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><em>Pattern alterations:</em><br /><br />Since this pattern package comes with so many "designer additions," as the PR series calls them, I can proudly say I restrained myself and made this little item straight off the paper. Oh, but I did tack down the outside edge of the bow to keep things in place and that was not suggested anywhere in the pattern.<br /><br /><em>Would you sew it again? Recommend to others? </em><br /><br />Pleased with the overall fit and in love with the construction process, I will likely sew this up again with a different collar and sleeve style. There's something subtly feminine about this jacket so it's a nice addition to the otherwise suit-heavy work wardrobe. It's a perfect jacket for those looking to make something a little more interesting than most of the stuff that's in the "easy" category.<br /><br /><em>Conclusion?</em><br /><br />I give it a 4/5. It's wearable, washable, and most importantly, a finished item. The hardest part of getting back into anything is starting up, right?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-14122452836615869342010-03-30T06:30:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.102-07:00First Things First<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7H9B_nPzrI/AAAAAAAABDE/I5TqdDCFgzE/s1600/birthday+burger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454418834420125362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7H9B_nPzrI/AAAAAAAABDE/I5TqdDCFgzE/s320/birthday+burger.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Birthday burgers, complete with ketchup icing and a "7" in classic mustard, were served up for dinner last night. </p><p align="left">Always the Virginia Gentleman, Hudgins politely said "please" by raising his paw as soon as the plate was within eyesight.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7H9FyDph1I/AAAAAAAABDM/NpJLJYwSrik/s1600/Hoot+at+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454418899500631890" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7H9FyDph1I/AAAAAAAABDM/NpJLJYwSrik/s320/Hoot+at+7.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Also, please be sure to take note of his prep-tastic new dog collar. Yes, friends, that is orange gingham on blue. Charlotte's got one too, with green on pink. Spring has sprung.</p><p align="left">Jacket post to follow...</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-11957184197367383052010-03-29T05:50:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.119-07:00Interrupting Our Regularly Scheduled Programming<em>Because our dogs are like children to us, I'm holding off on a regular Made It Monday post so that I may properly celebrate March 29th. A finished jacket! post will come tomorrow.</em><br /><br /><br />Today is Hudgins' 7th birthday.<br /><br /><br />Looking at him in the picture below makes me feel old. Matt probably feels the same way. Funny side note - I swear Matt was wearing that exact outfit last night. We tend to call this look "the uniform."<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CkjXBKJqI/AAAAAAAABCM/7oGvShu1m-0/s1600/Picture+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454040076126922402" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CkjXBKJqI/AAAAAAAABCM/7oGvShu1m-0/s320/Picture+015.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Not much has changed there, I guess. But other things sure have - check out my short hair! Keep the snickering to a minimum, please. This shot was taken the day of Matt's graduation from UVa (Hudgins was my graduation present to him) and the humidity sat at 95% the whole freakin' weekend. My hair and humidity have never been pals. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Ck0c04V1I/AAAAAAAABCU/9eV1fgR9JO4/s1600/graduation+eve.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454040369743812434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Ck0c04V1I/AAAAAAAABCU/9eV1fgR9JO4/s320/graduation+eve.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Over the years we've been sure to include (torment?) Hudgins in all the fun. This was pretty easy in college. I put the short 'do to use one year when I dressed up as Velma from Scooby Doo, Matt was Shaggy, and Hudge was Scooby, natch. We happened to run into a Daphne and Fred so the clan was all represented.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Clb_STaCI/AAAAAAAABCc/tGRV280rBzA/s1600/Picture+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454041049008924706" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Clb_STaCI/AAAAAAAABCc/tGRV280rBzA/s320/Picture+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">Following his master's lead, Hudgins ended up on the fraternity's beer pong table later in the evening. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7ClizKqwcI/AAAAAAAABCk/uoJI1EZxICg/s1600/Picture+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454041166014759362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7ClizKqwcI/AAAAAAAABCk/uoJI1EZxICg/s320/Picture+007.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>We've also ditched him with our respective parents plenty of times (thanks y'all!) but we think of this as "going to camp." Here Hudgins is hanging out with Matt's parents' dogs, Bo and Daisy. He looked like such a little guy then.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Coa8d9blI/AAAAAAAABCs/Yz_GhT1vCMY/s1600/dogs+in+august+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454044329607523922" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Coa8d9blI/AAAAAAAABCs/Yz_GhT1vCMY/s320/dogs+in+august+03.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Just as Hudgins (aka Hootie Bootie, a moniker given by Matt's sister) settled in to being the calm dog of the house, we decided to shake things up a bit and bring home Charlotte.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CpG7KQY4I/AAAAAAAABC0/h4axVgc_oyc/s1600/DSC01967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454045085170688898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CpG7KQY4I/AAAAAAAABC0/h4axVgc_oyc/s320/DSC01967.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">They're good buddies most of the time, he wants to give her a good smack some of the time, and she loves him all of the time.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CpjkUHPDI/AAAAAAAABC8/6IdgHkNffuM/s1600/DSC01989.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454045577254222898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7CpjkUHPDI/AAAAAAAABC8/6IdgHkNffuM/s320/DSC01989.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>So Happy Birthday to Hootie Bootie. You'll always be our favorite little redneck dog.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Ci4Kbhs9I/AAAAAAAABCE/Ux0x5rtRIC4/s1600/matt+and+hudge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454038234501854162" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S7Ci4Kbhs9I/AAAAAAAABCE/Ux0x5rtRIC4/s320/matt+and+hudge.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-8732089928409304872010-03-26T06:39:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.131-07:00Friday Fodder: The Big HToday I'm super excited to be skipping town and heading to the DC area. I'm off to see my best friend Katie and this could not come a better time - seriously, I need a girly weekend of shopping, pedicures, movies, and the like. And, though flying generally sucks these days, it does provide at least two uninterrupted hours of catching up on my beloved Vanity Fair.<br /><br />But back to my destination and departure cities: DC and Chicago. A lot happened in DC this week, as you may have heard. Healthcare reform. My only consistent political commentary on this subject is that I think it truly should be called health <em>insurance</em> reform, as that's where the major changes are rooted. I'm kind of a stickler for truth in advertising.<br /><br />But anyway, I'm not going to get on a soapbox for anyone or any party about this because I think I could genuinely stand up for both camps. <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(Yay for eliminating pre-existing condition clauses! Boo for surely adding more layers of bureaucracy, which goes directly against the original intentions of cutting out inefficiencies! Damn! I just can't help it.)</span></em> Yet while laws were passing in DC, others were having conversations here in Chicago, and, I don't know, I thought they were worth sharing. Maybe I need to get out of the hospitals more but when you work in one every day it's kind of hard not to talk about what's happening on The Hill.<br /><br />Chicago is chock full of outstanding hospitals, medical schools, tons of other health-related groups, providers, organizations, and is home to the American Medical Association. As you can probably deduce, there are loads of doctors here. I have the distinct pleasure of meeting with lots of them day in and day out. And here's where I get to the point of this rambling post. I don't know how many MDs I crossed paths with this week but there were surgeons, specialists, general practitioners, OBs, neurologists, family doctors, etc. It was the whole spectrum of physicians, from the top of the reimbursement food chain on down. Normally these dudes (yes, almost all are men) love to challenge each other's opinions and to get a lively meeting going. The locker room comes to the conference room! So you can bet your healthcare dollars (all 16%+ of GDP!) that each one of them had something to say about what happened in Washington this week.<br /><br />For once, they all were in agreement.<br />They don't like it.<br />And, I can assure you, they're not all card-carrying Republicans.<br />Hmmmm.<br />This struck me.<br />Feel free to weigh in if you want.<br /><br />Peace out!<br /><br /><br />***********************<br />Edited to add:<br />Just got back to my office, which involved walking through the women's hospital. I happened to pass by as a new dad broke the happy baby news to the waiting family of grandparents , aunts, and uncles. There were tears. There were squeals. There was actual jumping for joy. That's the best way to leave a hospital on a Friday.<br /><br />Peace out, again!Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-7954465748629516322010-03-24T08:41:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.143-07:00WIP Wednesday: Jacket!First, if you are able, please view a few seconds of this clip:<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/19681/saturday-night-live-suze-orman">http://www.hulu.com/watch/19681/saturday-night-live-suze-orman</a><br /><br /><div></div><div>Did you hear the part about the <em>"jaaaaaaacketttss!"</em>? Yeah, this is what runs through my head any time I think of starting a <em>jacket!</em> project. Ms. Orman might be giving swell money advice but other decisions appear to be more questionable. Surely that clip helps validate my hesitation, no?</div><div></div><br /><div>So anyway I'm fighting desperately to get back any shred of sewing talent I had in the garment department. The pattern du jour (literally, I seem to start - and throw away - one almost every day) is <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-1675-misses-jackets.aspx">Simplicity 2728</a>. Despite the aforementioned <em>jacket!</em> worries this item won out because fit problems in <em>jackets!</em> can usually be remidied without throwing a fit, if you will. </div><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6o2a8aAGbI/AAAAAAAABBY/gGmxybk1HBA/s1600/midpoint.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452230135405091250" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6o2a8aAGbI/AAAAAAAABBY/gGmxybk1HBA/s320/midpoint.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>Survey says....undecided. Construction has been easy. Material presses really well, despite the evident wrinkles that suggest otherwise. I'm using a linen chambray from Hancock in a versatile neutral. And, um, that's all I've got to share so far. Unintentionally this week's design theme appears to be "bows." If next week's theme shows up as "scrunchies" I forgive you for discontinuing your subscription.</div><div></div><br /><div>Ooooh! Before I go, how's this for follow through? </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6o3jcpKTPI/AAAAAAAABBg/IOXpe3Hc_Zk/s1600/food.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452231381009190130" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6o3jcpKTPI/AAAAAAAABBg/IOXpe3Hc_Zk/s320/food.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>Matt saw me assembling my lunch the other day and asked if I was making a grown-up <a href="http://brands.kraftfoods.com/lunchables/">Lunchables</a>. Charming grade school association yes, but these Lunchables don't have mystery meat as a star player (no offense, my friends at Kraft).</div></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-19152517064338909002010-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.151-07:00Made It Monday: BowtiesWelcome to the work week! Hopefully everyone had enjoyable weekends. As expected, the weather here was pure ugliness on Saturday. This did make for good basketball watching (holy Northern Iowa/Kansas game!) and even better sewing.<br /><br />I think I may have mentioned that Matt recently transitioned over to bowties as his office accessory of choice, forgoing the more traditional neck tie. It turns out that this worked well on my end because I've now learned that making bowties is way easier than <a href="http://bschoolstudio.blogspot.com/2009/07/all-tied-up.html">making neck ties</a>. Using <a href="http://kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3183&Cat=Men&Level=Jackets,_Vests&QL=MenJacketsVest">this pattern</a> as a template for shape only I went to work figuring out how these things come together. The muslin was successful enough that I bit the bullet and cut into some prized silk. Hello Monday morning! Nothing like direct to consumer distribution.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fA44bzw_I/AAAAAAAABBA/vJCFIaZ_5Jg/s1600-h/whales.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451537957409506290" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fA44bzw_I/AAAAAAAABBA/vJCFIaZ_5Jg/s320/whales.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">There is a pile of silk remnants on my dining table right now because I ran out of the hardware necessary to make the bowties adjustable. Fortunately I was able to muster up three sets and thus churned out some others. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fBsj6AphI/AAAAAAAABBI/WLta_z9EkEA/s1600-h/paisley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451538845252232722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fBsj6AphI/AAAAAAAABBI/WLta_z9EkEA/s320/paisley.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">I may or may not have had a little too much fun merchandising the ties for picture-taking this morning. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fBwQqzZJI/AAAAAAAABBQ/9GrNCQcgwko/s1600-h/stripe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451538908807652498" style="WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6fBwQqzZJI/AAAAAAAABBQ/9GrNCQcgwko/s320/stripe.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">What say you? Should I quit my day job and buddy up to Brooks Brothers? :)</p>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-57360348728529989142010-03-19T07:21:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.159-07:00Friday Fodder: Frequency, Food, and ForecastingAlternatively, this post could be titled, "How many f-words can one use as her subject line without using the mother of all f-words?"<br /><div><div><div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6OMyMvjPnI/AAAAAAAABAo/7Nm-UWUyNQ4/s1600-h/j0405396.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450354768090447474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6OMyMvjPnI/AAAAAAAABAo/7Nm-UWUyNQ4/s320/j0405396.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Ok so frequency. I learned the summer in between first and second year of grad school that I truly am a routine person. This could be read as "boring" but whatevs. Getting back on some sort of schedule, even if that meant no more free Wednesdays or sleeping in until 10 am on a weekday, made me a happy camper. I got stuff done, I was running a respectable distance each week, I always had clean laundry, you get the point. And ditto for blogging. Personally, I think this blog was at its prime when I had "Wedding Dress Wednesday" going on. If not for the content then at least the regularity of posting. So moving forward I'm going to try out a M,W,F schedule, with Friday's content being some sort of fodder to take us into the weekend. And yes, there will likely be times where quality is sacrificed for quantity, or regularity, as it were.<br /></p><p align="left">This brings me to today's fodder, which involves food (and, as it turns out, a routine). I had my third 6:30 am meeting of the week this morning. Woof. I'm not bringing it up for sympathy but rather to point out a side effect of meeting at that early of an hour. Breakfast gets thrown by the wayside, I end up scavenging for junk, and any pitiful effort I've made in the weekly running department usually gets screwed by a hospital cafeteria donut. Today I visited Starbucks twice in as many hours and spent ten clams on mediocre coffee and an overpriced but satisfying <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/fruit-and-snack-plates/protein-plate?foodZone=9999">protein plate</a>. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6OOMJdoI7I/AAAAAAAABAw/8vwtIXZqE7s/s1600-h/sbux+protein.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450356313398191026" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6OOMJdoI7I/AAAAAAAABAw/8vwtIXZqE7s/s320/sbux+protein.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="left">Those who know me know I don't cook. Matt's one dandy chef so that makes me the lucky taste-tester. However, I do assemble. After forking over $5 for this item I got to thinking, um, I could make this at home ahead of time and have a decent lunch at work even when everything else around me might not be so decent. So I did some research on Peapod.com to see what it would take to slap together my own protein plate and I came up with this tally, which should even be discounted 10% or so to cover Peapod's mark-up.</div><ul><li><div align="left">egg - $0.36</div></li><li><div align="left">cheese - .87</div></li><li><div align="left">apple - .22</div></li><li><div align="left">grapes - .5</div></li><li><div align="left">bagel - .37</div></li><li><div align="left">peanut butter - .1</div></li><li><div align="left"><strong>TOTAL - $2.43 (!)</strong></div></li></ul><p align="left">I already eat the same thing every day for breakfast (6:30 meeting mornings notwithstanding) so doing the same for lunch would feed my need for consistency. Pun intended. Is anyone else noticeably better off with routines in life or am I just dull like that?</p><p align="left">Anyway let's get this Friday Fodder post in the books by talking about Spring. Or maybe the lack thereof if you're in Chicago. Snow, yes snow, is forecasted for the weekend. In keeping with our letter of the day, F me and the weather!<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ORA2IYCiI/AAAAAAAABA4/HiKHQaRjIWM/s1600-h/forecast.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450359417765104162" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ORA2IYCiI/AAAAAAAABA4/HiKHQaRjIWM/s320/forecast.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">I'll be hunkering down watching NCAA basketball and giving my latest garment project the ol' college try. I've already dismissed the green shirt mentioned on Wednesday. Honestly people, not making one respectable item of clothing since July 09 is downright embarrassing. This was supposed to be a sewing blog after all. Wish me luck and enjoy your weekend!<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">*images via microsoft.com, starbucks.com, weather.com</span></em></p></div></div></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8759623890089208510.post-63586975318884914812010-03-17T10:24:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:28:52.175-07:00Progress. For some, anyhow.I had so hoped to post a review today of a top I started over the weekend. It's green. And today, if you couldn't tell already by the number of coworkers who are out "sick," is St. Patrick's Day. Technically I'm on the orange team but I love sporting green and equally love a finished garment.<br /><div><div><br /><div>Anyway, I do have a different finished project to share, also started over the weekend. Behold our utility room floor:</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ERlkQp7iI/AAAAAAAAA_o/udTxzgnRVwc/s1600-h/P3130532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449656361181376034" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ERlkQp7iI/AAAAAAAAA_o/udTxzgnRVwc/s320/P3130532.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">When we tore up the old bathroom we were left with a nasty patch of about 4 layers of concrete laid over who knows how many years. Before new tile could go down this ugliness needed to be leveled out.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ER1eea5-I/AAAAAAAAA_w/JSbJ4tEyjH0/s1600-h/P3130534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449656634506405858" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ER1eea5-I/AAAAAAAAA_w/JSbJ4tEyjH0/s320/P3130534.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">Ah! So much better. The self-leveling concrete just oozes its way into every little crevice until you're left with one silky smooth surface.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ESBan0bXI/AAAAAAAAA_4/UkZEZF1Tfjc/s1600-h/P3130541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449656839630515570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ESBan0bXI/AAAAAAAAA_4/UkZEZF1Tfjc/s320/P3130541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">And once all has settled into place, just slap some tile down and call yourself "floored" by the ease of the project.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ES91NfMuI/AAAAAAAABAA/tUEGTVrGQPA/s1600-h/P3160590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449657877559980770" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6ES91NfMuI/AAAAAAAABAA/tUEGTVrGQPA/s320/P3160590.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">I'll take some cheesecloth to the new tiles tonight to clean up the lingering grout haze. Unlike in the bathroom, I used pre-mixed grout and mortar with this floor. That stuff is about 10x more expensive than the mix it yourself kind but seriously, the convenience factor and general tidiness of it all won me over in no time. </p><p align="left">Where was Matt in all of this? He was muttering four letter words from the family room while he attempted to set up his fancy schmancy new remote control. Ok, ok, to be fair he helped mix and pour the leveler and did all of the wet saw tile cutting because my constantly frigid hands would have fallen off had I been the cutter.</p><p align="left">But back to the remote. I know I shouldn't be laughing about this (still) nor should I be posting about it because apparently a few of his coworkers read this blog and this most certainly could call his dude skills into question. However, having just seen an <a href="http://www.cepro.com/article/philips_pronto_on_modern_family_worst_product_placement_ever/">episode of Modern Family</a> in which Phil pisses off his wife by bringing in some uber-complicated remote control, I am endlessly amused by this turning of the technology tables. Hot-shot remote be damned! Just typing this is making me smirk. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6EZh5tVaFI/AAAAAAAABAI/HNYRtLaMAeg/s1600-h/explaining_remote.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449665094312355922" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A7uDNxEHn_A/S6EZh5tVaFI/AAAAAAAABAI/HNYRtLaMAeg/s320/explaining_remote.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">image from </span><a href="http://www.cepro.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">www.cepro.com</span></a></em></p></div></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04483372769461055922noreply@blogger.com1