Vintage finds

Last weekend I was in Maine. Tickets are astronomically priced, so my sweetie stayed at home while I went to visit mom & dad. I discovered some very cool workbasket magazines that used to be my grammy's. Mom was looking for some crocheted afghan patterns, and we found them!

Way uncool for me...free class for someone you know?

So I just got home from the doctor. My back and shoulders have been getting increasingly wonky for a few months- and she ordered muscle relaxants and physical therapy. And suggested I should NOT spend the day sewing and at the drawing table on Saturday- when I'm supposed to be doing the Fit a Muslin Blouse class at Vogue Fabric in Evanston.

There is a free spot (I can't get my money back, if you can use it, just take it and do something nice for someone) in the class, 10a-5p Saturday August 23. Leave your email through comments and the first one who can use it, has the class.


That is the Fit a Muslin Blouse class at Vogue Fabrics, in Evanston, just north of Chicago IL.

What to wear, part two

Today after work I hit Nordstrom Rack (TJ Maxx and Filene's Basement were done during lunch). And I found a dress. It was on clearance, so I bought it. Now I ask you, dear reader, to give your honest opinion. And if it's okay, what do I wear with it? I have a grey purse with beads or something shiny, and a grey wrap- grey or silver shiny shoes?

PS I also bought some ultra-super-control-top hose to wear with it. So waist will be controlled a bit.

PPS this is as unpacked as we've got so far.

HELP! What to wear?

I'm back from Maine, will post pics about knitting stuff and all that later, but...

My sweetie just told me the wedding we're going to Saturday is formal. Church wedding at 3p and reception at 6p. What do I wear? Is that a cocktail dress? A long dress? Where can I find such a thing quickly (ok, I live in Chicago, it shouldn't be all that hard, but ideas help)?

(pretend there is a funny picture of me here- blogger is having issues)

Your advice is urgently needed. I'm a size 12 and something that cuts right under the bustline makes me look preggers, if you've got extra style tips...

project updates

I haven't been sewing lately, mostly because I can't find my projects and I don't seem to have the time. Tomorrow I have to head up to Vogue Fabrics and get supplies for my fit-a-muslin class on August 23, so I'll at least sew that much. But instead, I've been knitting


a sock yarn scarf in the Yarn Harlot's one row pattern,


a big comfy scarf in garter stitch using Lion Brand Homespun,


a facecloth or perhaps the outside of a little purse in cotton yarn,


and getting ready to knit some Malabrigo. Yum!

If you are thinking of a pattern, here's a lovely pattern for a great cause: Knitting for Knockers. I did it, don't you want to?! :)

ps I've started working on Christmas presents! I grew up not celebrating Christmas, but it's really fun without family pressure to make things for my friends who I love (and the family usually gets something in that process)...it's quite fun without the pressure of HAVING to do it.

Bluefaced Leicester (true love)

I really like that Rowan has come out with the British Sheep Breeds yarns. As I have been debating over which shades and how much to purchase, it started seeming more important to me that I find a smaller source- surely a small spinnery or homespinner has been making natural fleeces into yarn for a while. A quick hop over to Bartlett Yarns showed their Fisherman yarns are available in undyed colors (I naturally had to purchase a few skeins- with colors like "light grey sheeps wool" how could I resist?). And etsy had a lovely Ramboullet worsted handspun as well as a bluefaced Leicester. Aren't they pretty sheep?


The Bluefaced Leiscester Breeders Association (photo above) has a chunk of interesting information about the breed.

Not losing my mind because my new job is so much less stressful allows for a lot of time spent thinking about things: sheep, farms, country air, how much I hate living in the city, how much I want to move to a less populated area, cows, more cows, winter... And lots of time checking this website.