P!nk

The sisters went to Montreal for the P!nk concert! It was amazing! We love that girl.  We checked into a hotel across the street from the Bell Center. That was an excellent idea. I did grumble about the sound. Way too much bass and rumble. A perfect voice obscured by some idiot in a sound booth somewhere. I did try to email those responsible during the show, but my network let me down. If you get a chance to Google her concert, do so. The sight of her singing while hanging from a tiny wire in the nosebleed section is quite amazing. There were lots of people on the plane home that had also gone to the concert. I had no idea!

I took a lot of pictures as I always do when the sisters get together. We do have a great time! My battery went dead and I didn't have the spare with me. I dropped in at Black's in the mall and they charged me up - no charge! They had an adjustable charger. Now that was a nice touch to the vacation. Also lovely was picking up any of my devices over the week. My dear niece kept busy changing my screen savers.

I went fabric shopping. I went up a day early so I could and not annoy anyone. I do love a good shop! My fav store was no longer there! I wept. However there were a few new stores with excellent potential. They had great fabrics at reasonable prices. However the owners seem to have very little idea of how to cut fabric. One didn't even have a cutting table! He just rolled the bolt out over the other bolts and chopped while I cringed and covered my ears. He did seem to know fibre content. Other stores may have no clue about that. It's a jungle out there people!

My ducks are back. Both pairs are taking turns at the feeder, and I bought a new 25 lb bag of duck feed. That will last for a bit. One female hurt her foot, but it seems to be healing. She's walking much better now. Does this early arrival mean imminent spring? It doesn't feel that way currently, but ducks know these things.

I went shopping for a bathing suit on Saturday. My image consultant came with me. He was not expected at the Bathing Suit Hut in New Minas, and they tried to usher him to a sofa, out of the way. However, he was his usual indispensable self. We had a wonderful assistant, Brianna. Ask for her. She really knows what she's doing. Between her and DH we found some suitable suits in no time. It was also decreed by those in attendance that I could totally rock a bikini. Indeed! Suits sized for my figure are difficult to find, and they sell bottoms and tops separately! What joy! I needed up with 2 1/2 suits. Two bottoms came from the $2 bargain bin. Can't beat that. I'm now ready for the Dominican! If you are in the hunt for bathing suits or bras, this place should be a stop for you.

February

February 

This is an attempt at a shirt for the Pink concert. It wasn't enough impact for the loss of skin that occurred via the glitter and sequins. Definitely meant as a dress border fabric.

This pillow was made at a Husqvarna training session. I used a circular attachment that is so simple and works perfectly. 

This set is so soft and snuggy! A Fav!

Jury still out on this shirt. I will probably have to cut off that tail in front. It looks like a rat tail instead of a design feature.

Now this shirt worked out much better.

I always want to crochet with beads, and now I have. I crocheted in a circle, reminding myself once again that it is very difficult not to twist your work. Fortunately it does work as a design feature. 

Can you patch a heart with $50 bills?

My cat had 4 teeth out on Tuesday. She also has 2 more that look questionable, but you can only go so far in one go. Poor baby! The drugs are pretty strong and she is not herself. She has the saddest meow and is just starting to lap water. Last night she kept standing her 2 front paws in the water dish and tap dancing. I have no idea what that was about, but it can't be good. I just want to hand her money until she feels better! There doesn't seem to be much else I can do.

Mind you we have the fireplace on, the softest chairs pulled up, the bathroom floor heat on, and she is carried up and down stairs. I eyed the Hagen Das yesterday at the store, but I have told firmly not to change her food. Not that she hasn't had it before. She has no interest in non fat ice cream. If you need to know about fat content, she is the one to ask.

This is the last cat of 5 we had up until last year. She's almost 18, so you can imagine what this whole thing has been like. The vet called me mid surgery to ask a few questions and I was stuck between appreciating his concern and wanting to scream at him "Don't you dare take your eyes or hands off my cat!" Thank heavens he knows me well, and more than likely hadn't.

I am off to Montreal today to see youngest sis. The other sisters arrive over the next two days. 4/5 plan to go to the Pink concert on Tuesday. #5 is a stick in the mud. She's been told.

I haven't posted my February makings yet. I will do that when I get back. It was a good month. I ordered a dress form that can be just what I need, but it needs to be fitted to me carefully. I'll need help with that. I discovered that sleeveless blouses don't balance me well, as I need more of a shoulder. I think I can adjust for that. I'll give it a try.

And...

I also made this Jalie bra in January. I love the way it went together. There's an amazing video on YouTube that gives you the whole bra from start to finish just like a silent movie from the 20's. However, for a woman of my shape and size, it just doesn't work. Anyone out there want it?

January

So in January these are the things I got finished. 

 Here is one bra set with 2 panties. Very extravagant of me, I know - but I couldn't decide which style I liked better. I'm still not sure. The bra fits very well - it's a pattern drafted for me by someone who knows this stuff well. I like the fabric and lace trim. Fabric comes from the Fabricville cheap shelf. Trim and extras from Montreal shops.

This is the first pair of panties made from the Rosy Lady Shorts pattern. It's excellent! I did make them a bit taller than indicated. I may also bring the elastic in a bit from the edge at the bottom.

Here is a second bra and panties set. Here I took the pattern from above and created a full extended band. I am thinking comfort with this move, and I may be on to something. I would drop less next time by a smudge, and I need to remove fabric from the band about midway, allowing the 2 way stretch to smooth out. I have patterns to work on in February.

Here is a neck warmer experiment. I wanted to try crochet with beads. Look carefully and you can see little clear beads all through it. The process was a bit tedious but actually goes along pretty smoothly. However, I failed to get the initial row straight and didn't notice until I was finished that the whole thing twists. Wow. I can be so dense. This looks good wrapped around a neck, or containing overly frizzled hair. First one to 'like' it can have it. 

This is a recently retired Marcy Tilton shirt pattern. I had to make a few pattern fit adjustments but I'm pleased with it overall. It had a neat way of finishing the edges that I may use again. I'm making another version now. Don't you just hate my hair? What's up with that?

I also made this Jalie bra in January. I love the way it went together. There's an amazing video on YouTube that gives you the whole bra from start to finish just like a silent movie from the 20's. However, for a woman of my shape and size, it just doesn't work. Anyone out there want it?

Snow Day

Today was the first snow day since I retired. I loved snow days. First, you get to sleep in. Next, you have nothing you have to do! I would lie on the couch and read, drink tea and watch the snow fall through the windows. I have beautiful views.

In this school system snow days at one time were as rare as hen's teeth. In fact I actually went to work twice on snow days because that's what you did. The snow was not 2 feet thick, therefore why check with the radio to see if school is still on? It seems I can still stick my head in the snowbank.

It was snowing this morning but it was Tuesday and that's the day I volunteer at school so of course I got up and started out. I was 95% of the way there and stopping in for tea to go when I began to think that the roads were actually rather nasty for a school day. That's when I texted W to see if she wanted tea as well, and she replied (from deep under the covers) that today was a snow day.

I am such a keener!

So I delivered tea to W and got a full fashion show from her daughters as to what the well dressed American doll wears nowadays. Quite informative and entertaining! You have no idea! The shoes! The accessories!

So I spent the rest of the day reading and sewing. Ahhhhh!!!! I may do the same tomorrow. It was lovely!

Saggy Bottoms

For those who worried,  the last sister did get her neck warmer. I forgot to take a picture of it before I let it go. I want to document what I make this year. I'm not sure why. I just think it might be interesting.

I've been sewing a lot this week. I had a friend over for a prep day before a group sew in Saturday. It's so relaxing to prepare projects, get them lined up and then start in. You also get such great support and advice when sewing socially. It doesn't get any better than that! I'm sewing underwear this month. The drawers need refreshing. The latest bra is an excellent fit, but my bra guru has ideas about a different design and possible benefits to said design. This has me all excited! I hope to nab her expertise sooner than later.

I'm getting back into retirement mode. December was a busy month, and I had 'obligations'. I had to take a breath this month and remind myself that I get to choose (most of the time) what I am doing. Then I felt so much better! Retirement is really quite a joyful thing!

There is a stash busting challenge out there that has you busting 2 pieces of well aged fabric stash each month all year. This sounds like a practical and progressive plan. I must say that I am aware I don't want to die before I wear all my best fabric, and my stash is such that I better get a move on AND live a very long time. Why do we 'save' good things for later? I want to enjoy nice things now. If they are truly nice, they can stand lots of use in the first place. I don't mean to be frivolous or wasteful, but the joy you get from the nicer things in life is something everyone deserves and it stays with you.

I am also trying to wear a belt this year. It keeps my pants up, reminds me I need to lose belly fat and prevents saggy bottom. We should all do what we can to prevent saggy bottoms. Everyone needs a belt and Pilates.