Updates, Updates, Updates......

Wow, there's been a lot going on as of late. I guess that's usually the case this time of year. I'm currently trying to get myself together. I tend to do this at the end of every year. I plan to clean and gut out the entire house of unwanted stuff. I'm on a war path to re-organize. I've had to stop sewing for a couple of days to organize the sewing studio. I'm beginning to realize that I can't operate in total chaos (just partial chaos) so organization helps me out tremendously.  I've been working on filing away new patterns. I've also started a new separate notebook for TNT patterns so I can get to them at a moment's notice if needed. I now have 5- 3 ring binders holding the pattern envelope in clear sheet protectors. Of course the patterns and guide sheets are stored in the 6X9" manila envelopes and are stored in drawers (I've posted about this system before HERE). To tell you the truth, I still haven't completely filed all of the patterns. I'm telling you, having to do this much work discourages me from wanting to buy more patterns for sure.

3 of the 5 Binders full of Pattern envelopes

Giveaway Round up....
Last month I enjoyed hosting several giveaways but on the flip side I was fortunate to win 3 Giveaways! I don't usually win things but to win three times within 2 weeks was jaw dropping for me! Here are my prizes....

Many thanks to Peter for the lovely Vintage pattern, Robin for the pretty Silk scarf, and Faye for the cool "Denim Revolution" Book!


Wardrobe essentials
I wrote a post on Lacking the Winter Wardrobe essentials last month but was able to able to rectify that situation on the accesory and shoe end. I am proud to say that thanks to the Black Friday sale I was able to update my wardrobe with the essentials fairly just in a few store trips. I have to admit that was my first Black Friday sale ever at a place other than Jo-Ann's. In the wee hours of the morning (4am-ish)  my Hubby and I were able to hit up Jc-Penny's and many other stores and the savings I got were huge. I have to admit that I couldn't have found a better group of sales to help me stock up my wardrobe. Here's some of the things I got

Yipee, shoes---from casual to dressy!

My favorite shoe---I love a cute shoe bootie. This one is made by Madden Girl and has a cool zipper rosette sewn on.

I love these boots and need a reason to wear them. Unfortunately the casual dress code at work doesn't give me a real reason to bust them out. I still need a pair of fancy calf high black boots.

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories---from purses, to belts, to scarves--all at deep discounted prices!

Current Projects
I am still plowing away on my corduroy jacket. I'm just a few steps from finishing. All of the separate pieces (sleeves, facing & lining) are sewn and just needed to be sewn all together.I would've been done a while ago before I decided to spend a week testing out a new toy.......

I finally scored the 2009 Threads Archive DVDRom (Thanks to a nice Lady in Canada who sold it to me for $70---50% off---told you I wouldn't pay full price) and I thought I'd take it for a test ride.

 I spent a good deal of time reading up on tailoring jackets, bagging the linging, and different ways to set in sleeves. I enjoyed studying and all of the great reading this DVD-Rom provided. It was nice to "go to school" and the info I learned definitely gave me the "oompp" I need to finish my jacket.

In addition to the jacket I'm working on a matching skirt...

The skirt  is actually sewn up but needs altering. Upon sewing on the waistband facing the skirt stretched so that the waistline was distorted. So I need to take it in and add twill tape. That should be an easy fix.

I've also got this long sleeve dress on the radar and would love to have it to wear to church on Sunday.....

I've made this dress twice before and absolutely love this pattern!


So yes I'm sorta working on three things at one time right now. Things are going pretty smoothly and  I'm happy about all of the projects.

Future projects
Oh, like most of you I've got tons of projects on the "back burner".

I REALLY need some more pants. I have a trio of corduroy fabric (tan, black, & brown) that's just waiting to be made into these wonderful Jalie pants......

I have 5 yards of black velour fabric that I definitely want to transform into this jumpsuit......

Here are some patterns I'd love to sew up within the next 2 months.

Well that's what's been going on with me. I hope to to increase my productivity before the year's end and have some great garments to show for. Keep your fingers crossed. What's been going on with you? Are you able to sew this time of year or is it hard to find the time?

Furlough Day Ends Sewing Withdrawal!!!!

You know you've got a busy work week when it takes a furlough day to help give you some sewing time. Such has been the case with me. I mean I haven't sewn one stitch since Sunday--NOT ONE!!!  Do you know how DIFFICULT that's been for me. There are no words. I feel like a "Sewing Junkie" going through withdrawal symptoms. Ok, so it's not that serious but when you're stressed it sorta feels like it sometime, huh? But thank goodness for my furlough day!!!  Tomorrow I'm going to sew like there's no tomorrow (wink)!!!!

But all my excessive work has been for a good reason. My research group is going to ALASKA--yah!!!!! I work at an Oceanographic institute and I specifically work with a scientist who studies bacteria in the marine environment. Well we're headed to the Arctic circle (you know where the North pole is)

to check out the bacteria there and see what they're doing up there. We'll be going off and on for the next 2 years. This year I'll be going in a couple of weeks or in August--we haven't decided just yet.  I'll spare you the details but I've been swamped with packing supplies and cold weather gear----because it's a "cool" -30F there--and yes I said "negative 30 degrees F" there right now. But there's one major question I have yet to answer, "Is there a fabric store in Barrows, Alaska"?


Well I've desperately missed sewing and posting as frequently and I need to make up for lost time. Because you know I've got some 10,000 hour challenge goals to fulfill for the month. So with a few days left in this week,  I thought this would be a great time to revisit a beloved pattern I made for the first time in January. Remember this look.....

Vogue 8593

Well I'm feeling a little daring--maybe because of my serious withdrawal but what do you think about it in this....hmmmmmm. I'm loving it!

Gotta get to work on this one to have it ready by church on Sunday.  Hopefully all that pent up sewing frustration from the last few days will work to my advantage and I'll be able to churn this one out quickly.

Current Sewing status, Challenge review, Upcoming plans, DVD Review...

  It seems like things have been sooooooooo crazy lately. At the tail end of last week my sewing machine began giving me some issues so I dropped it off for repairs and/or tune-up (details in my last post). Well the good news is that all it needed was a little cleaning. It's hard to believe that 7 months of hardcore sewing would produce enough lent to cause the thread cutters to malfunction and as a result cause all that jamming---come to think of it, it's not that hard to believe! It's time for me to stock up on canned air and to do more frequent cleanings since I use my machine practically non-stop---just like you Guys of course!!! Whew, well that's a load off. All it cost me was a $60 cleaning fee from the wonderful Mr. Smiley--the only other person that I trust with my Baby!!!!

Well that delay (and being too lazy to pull out the back up machine) means I've got alot of catching up to do. Sew much to do....... and Sew little time (and yes "so" is swapped out  intentionally). I'm getting antsy because the end of the month is quickly approaching, and I have to wrap up my January and February sewing goals detailed in this Post .  Well I made a few of the items but swapped out some in order to make others (you know we Girls are always changing our sewing plans). I plan on doing a January/February wrap up no later than Monday to evalute my 10,000 Hour Sewing Challenge Progress---remember I'm taking this challenge very seriously and am trying to stay disciplined as best I can! I have one item I'll be reviewing on tomorrow and I hope to get a couple of items done no later than next week. I hope I don't have to spill a little over into the first week of March to complete these items. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I will also be posting my March/April sewing goals by Monday. I'm sooooooooooo very excited to being sewing Spring clothes. You might recall this Post in which I showcased some really nice Spring fabrics I purchase and of course all of the New Vogue Spring patterns  that I can't wait to give a try. I probably should stop talking about this now because I feel myself beginning to drool.

Before I forget, I managed to squeeze in a sewing movie. I didn't realize that another movie about Coco Chanel was being released until a couple of weeks ago.

 So I checked it out. I had already seen the Lifetime movie "Coco Chanel" and have done a little reading up on her. Although I already knew a little bit about her life it was good to watch a more current film that focused on  her before she became famous. I just want to warn you that the movie is in French and has English subtitles, so unless you're fluent in French it will be a wee bit difficult for you to sew and watch this film. I have to admit that at times I forgot this film was about the designer since it focused on her love life (actor Allesandro Nivola wasn't too bad on the eyes) and some of the dilemmas and challenges she faced that pushed her toward becoming a designer. That's not a bad thing. It's always neat to see how Great people got their start. I believe that same greatness exists in all of us from one degree to another. I applaud her for following her "unconventional" vision even in the face of adversity. As we all know she has an empire that still remains today and is synonymous with true elegance and grace. If you have the time check this one out. I give it 3 out of 4 Stars!


Well, I've got to hop back to sewing and everything else. Although it's Tuesday, due to some weekend meetings, I have very limited time to sew, so I'm going back to the grind. I hope to maximize the little time I do have. How are your upcoming Spring sewing plans coming along??? You know I can't wait to see the fabulous clothes you make (wink)!!!