Happy Birthday to me…# 50!!!

Yes, I am a half a century old today…two days after Christmas. I didn’t have plans for a big to-do. But I did get a full body massage for an hour, I had a birthday coupon for the massage. They have good rate where I go. I am going to do my own mani-pedi. (I went to beauty school for nails in the 80’s so I know what I am doing) I’m going out to dinner with my husband at my favorite spot…Applebee’s; I have a coupon for a free entrée so that would be a money saver.

Since its two days after Christmas I don’t except much and I never have. I like buying my own gifts anyway, from me to me. I am just happy to be healthy. I found a lump in my breast back in October. So when the biopsy came back negative I was so HAPPY. I was so happy about getting the news a few days before Christmas. So that is the best that I could ask for.

Anyway, I traced Butterick 4865 today. I made it a bit longer, added 1" to the hip and moved the waist down some, since I am long wasted. I’m also putting in side seam pockets, since this does not have them. I have off of Friday, so I will cut it out and start to sew up!!!!

Time to pamper myself…Take care and I hope you all have a happy holiday!!!!

December 1, 2011…ramblings

Well on December 27th, I will be the big 50!!! Yay…So this is my count down to it. I have a ton of vacation and sick days to use before the end of the year. I’ve been off since Tuesday. I’ve cleaned and organized my recipes; roasted some turkey wings…yummy and cut out one top and made alterations to two other patterns. The one that I am working on now is KS-3740, I made a few adjustments to the bust and hip area. I will be making it out of a green open knit with gold thread running through it. I picked it up from a local fabric store in the area for about 1.49 a yard, maybe less, can’t remember. I will post pictures when I finish it. I will try to start it today; it’s fast and easy. I made a blue one a few weeks ago.

I am on my way back to the fabric store. They are having a nice sale. I will be making B-4865 in a fleece. I like view B. I will be making it a bit longer for more coverage for the winter time. Gets cold in Philly.

Another note…the company that I work for was sold to someone else. The deal is final on December 1, 2011. They did say that there will be layoffs. They did say that they will give us 2 weeks or more notice if we are being let go….NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT. Oh well, when one door closes another one opens. When life gives you lemons...make lemon aid...with a shot of rum in it!!!!

I’ve lost 10 pounds so I am happy about that!!!! I am going to start working out again regularly. Today will do a two mile walk.

I am going to start to blog more often. Don’t know why I have trouble doing it. Just like YT and posting vid’s. I sew often but can’t seem to find the time to post my work. But will start…I love feed back on my work. I am trying to find out how to use the self-timer on my camera so you can see me in what I finished instead of it on the dress form or laying flat on the bed.

Any way…going to get myself together and head on out.

Here is B4865...

Here is KS3740...View A...the cowl...

Here is my next project...M5668

I’ve had this for sometime now and I have the perfect fabric for it. It’s a black Pique that I got on line. I am going to fully line it. From the guide sheet only the sleeves are lined. I like it because it seems pretty straight forward; no button holes. I want the fabric to speak. I like the sleeve length because I can show off one of the bracelets that I made. For this one I am going to have to do a few alterations, hip alterations.

I will take a pic of the fabric that I will be using later.

Making a bra....finished!!!

The bra is finished. Will make again before the end of the year. It was fun! I need wider straps for better support. When I sew foundations I like to use up my bobbin threads. I really don't care if the colors don't match. It's for me...here it is!!!

Making a bra....

Well I missed national sewing month. Better luck next year, God willing. I’ve decided to make a bra. I’ve made them in the past and have had great results. I am a “firm” believer in having the proper foundations. Whether you are a size 2 or 22 and beyond, I think you should always have your foundations in check. I will be working with KS2374. I think I have all the fixins’ in my lingerie stash. The size range on this pattern is 42 – 46 C-DDD.


Since my last post, I’ve stacked all of my fabric, will have picture soon. It’s almost to the ceiling. I have decided to just use my fancy wire shelve for my patterns and current projects.
So after I do a few loads of laundry, I will copy onto my tissue paper. I am the same size as my Just My Size ready to wear…42DD.
When I look at my profile in an old bra it ain’t pretty. I have one or two that are “holding” up ok. But about 3 that should be tossed.
I will post the fabric that I will be using on here. It’s going to be an animal print. I like to walk on the wild side sometimes! I’ve had the fabric for a while now. I think I got it from spandexworld.com. I feel funny when I say where I got something. I feel like I am advertising.

The fabric and pattern. The pattern could be out of print, not too sure.

DID A 5 MILE WALK!!!! YAY...

Today I did a 5 mile walk. I used one of  my DVDs. It was great! I felt really good after it. So I am hoping for a good nights sleep. I made my breakfast and lunch for tomorrow and did the prep work for my carrot/beet/orange juice and for my green smoothie (collards, grapes, some peaches and strawberries). For the smoothie I am going to use some vanilla almond milk. Still trying to limit my sugar. I haven't been on the scale in two weeks. Ate some salty foods and it's that TOM so no way!! Tomorrow is always a new start. It's great that we are blessed to start the day fresh. I guess that depends on what type of life you lead also. Anyway, going to take a shower and read a little. Just in time for Project Runway. Peace!!!

Padded Ironing Board Cover...

Last year I treated myself to a new ironing board. I like this one…reason why…it’s wide at the bottom (like me…lol) and it’s has a nice height to it. A few years ago I was surfing the net and I thought I saw something about making an ironing table. It had something to do with quilting from what I can remember. I think that they used wool for the padding. Anyway, I got sort of fed up with my ironing board pad and cover. The padding is null and I stained the cover ironing a red shirt. I searched and found something about “How to Make an Ironing Pad”. It has what I basically wanted so I am using this formula. They say something about quilting the fabric. Who has time for that?

I ordered all the fixings from Fabric.com…
• 1 yard Insulated Fabric (Insul-Brite)
• 1 yard Cotton Fabric (I am going to us an old sheet or look for some muslin in my stash)
• 1 yard Cotton Batting
• 1 yard Silver Ironing Board Lining (I got tan)
• 4 yards Bias Tape (I don’t think I have enough of bias tape, I have to check)
I am just going to trace around the ironing board in this order: ironing board lining, batting, Insul-Brite. I am going to make the cotton fabric fitted. That is why I need the tape. I think that I am going to need some cording so I can tie it around. I could reuse the string they have, but since I am taking time to do this I want it to be stronger.
Here are the pictures of my fabric…(I didn't make the bed this morning)



Wish me luck. I will post my progress. If I feel like heading out tomorrow to get the tape I will. But I am hoping that I have enough. Second thought I need cording. I know I don't have that. I will check though but I don't think so.

Gotta loose this weight!!!!

Hi, starting on August 22, 2011, I am going to try to kick the sugar habit and get back on track with my weight loss. Today I weighed in at 254.8. I will be using the Weight Watcher’s plan. Back in 2001 I lost 75 pounds on WW, but gained all but 20 pounds back. I will be working out 4-5 days per week. This will include walking up to 5 miles and toning and weights. I will alternate days.

I also have a new Breville 800JEXL juicer. I will incorporate juices and…I have my Vita-Mix that I just love, love, love. So with those two appliances I will no doubt get my veggie/fruit quota in.

I will be 50 this year and would like drop 5% or more by my birthday. It’s 12/27, so I think I can meet that goal. Wish me luck!!!! 

Here is before pick that was taken last month.

sewing room...

looks like YouTube blocked it!!! that took me so long to do.

My sewing room...part 1...

Hi…well I am ALMOST done with the sewing room/beading room. I’ve been in my home for over a year now and finally started on my room. When I moved in I just had the movers dump the boxes. I was sick of looking at them, and they didn’t seem to want to put my crap where I wanted.

I haven’t really sewed anything for a while. I did make a skirt for my brother’s wedding. It was a Polyester Crepe Suiting Black, lined that I got from www.fabric.com. So I got a nice lined skirt for my size for a little under 20.00. Can’t beat that!!! Sewing is great. I have posted something on YouTube here is the link about the progress of my room.

After I painted, I got my cousin in-law to do the floors. I won’t use him again, because he cut corners and I was aware of it. When I questioned him, he just grunted. He could have been saying something, but there is a language barrier. I can understand the Caribbean accents, but I don’t think that he had his teeth in.

He did have someone to do my trim. He quoted me 130.00 plus dollars. I figured that I could do it myself and I did!!! It cost me a little more, but I have the satisfaction that I did something myself. I got myself an air compressor; it would have cost me about 100.00 to rent it. I got a reconditioned one from The Home Depot. So for what I paid for the materials and the worked that I did, I still think that I came out on top. Reason being, I learned something new!!!! It cost me about 160.00.


I got a new TV at a “mart” store. Great price! I also got a TV cart that I have to assemble.

It’s good to have a “forever” home for your sewing. Although living my apartment was cool. I just didn’t have enough space for all my stuff.

So in the coming days, weeks I will be posting and blogging!!!!


XOXOX

SIX POUNDS!!!

Don't know how I did it, but I am down 6 pounds. Just watching it and walking a mile or more almost everyday after work. About 4-5 X's per week....Yay me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blogging....dieting and other things....

Hi, hope everyone is doing well. I've started back on my WW diet. I just do the old 123 program. I have great results with that. I have decided to "try" to drop 50 pounds my by birthday this year. Will be the big 50 and that would be a nice present from me to me, along with a pair of diamond earrings that I am saving for.

My sewing room is almost together, just have to decide what I am going to do with the floor. I think I am going to get it sanded and finished. I really don't like the "pergo" type flooring. I am the natural type.

The room is painted a nice yellow. Had to do it twice and then I have the nice flowers that I put on one side of the wall. I think I start downloading pic and post on my YouTube account.

It's Sunday and it's my laundry day and I also prep for the work week....

Anyhow...these are just my thoughts for the morning.