Gap 1969 RTW copy #2

I finally got around to sewing the jeans I cut out in July!  These are my second copy of a pair of GAP 1969 jeans.  I loved the originals, but alas, they could no longer contain me.

This is a stretch denim that I bought at FABRIC.COM.  I liked the color when I cut it out... now I am thinking it is awful blue.... looks like the 70's.

I have not yet hemmed them.  Even though I preshunk the fabric a few times, I will wash and dry them a couple times before I hem them.

The waistband I cut in two sections, right and left and then sewed them together at a slant.  Before I attached the waistband, it was a slight V shape.  This helps get rid of the gaping at the back.  I used some quilting cotton for the pockets, inside waistband and fly extension. (like a cute little secret hiding inside, just for me)  Debbie Cook's fly tutorial once again ended with a perfect zipper installation.  

I tried my hand (er..machine) at embroidering on the coin pocket... not so hot, but I can live with it.  (-:

I used Coats and Clark heavy duty thread for the topstitching in camel.

I did crossed belt loops on the back.  I rarely wear a belt, but it just doesn't seem like jeans without belt loops!

I drew the design for the back pockets using my curved taylors ruler. 

I think for my next pair, I want to try some really dark denim. I have some great golden yellow topstitching thread that I think would look really sharp with dark denim.

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

Practice cake round 2...

This is my baby just a few years ago.... and now he is getting married.

Here is the happy couple...

On to the cake.....

This time we only made 1 double 10" tier.  This would be the center tier on the actual cake, as well as the size of the groom cake.

What did we do different this time?  After making and cooling the layers, we froze them.  Then using a dowel, made holes in bottom layer before applying the raspberry filling.  This allowed the filling to ooze down into the holes to allow more filling per bite.  yum.  Then we frosted them with buttercream and froze the cake again.  We made the fondant this time, as we were not impressed with the taste of store bought.  We made marshmallow fondant.  Boy, what a chore that was! (mostly for DDA).  The fondant was much easier to apply to the frozen buttercream.  The mm fondant was also much more forgiving than the storebought.  Applied more easily and tears were mendable.  The big test is..... What happens to the fondant as the cake defrosts?  We plan on letting the cake rest til Monday evening and see how the fondant holds up.  A successful test will allow us to make the cakes layers a few days ahead of time, and then apply the fondant up to 2 days prior to the wedding.  Assembly we will save for after the cake is delivered. 

Here are the tired but happy Wedding Cake testers.

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

On the running front... after last Sunday's 16 mile run, I had a nagging pain in my left calf and heel.  I think I strained it, too many hills in the 16 mile run.  I iced it all week and took lots of ibuprofen.  Have not run since.  Today I was scheduled for an 18 miler... I think I will do a few and see how it feels and 6 if all is well and then work up to doing the 18 miler next weekend.  Wish me luck!

On the sewing front.... I am finally making the second copy of GAP 1969 RTW jeans that I cut out in July!  I have to apply the waistband and then do all the topstitching and belt loops.  Wash a few times and then hem.  Will post picks when I am done.  Funny thing, when I cut them out, I liked the denim I had chosen, now I look at it and think ... very 70's looking.  Oh well. 

Practice runs, practice wedding cakes.....

Here is our first practice wedding cake.....  we ran out of fondant, so the middle tier is just buttercream.  Took us 8, eight, EIGHT, 8 hours. 

My DDA did the fondant, it was her first time and I think she did a good job.  Since then we have gotten a few more pointers and plan on another practice cake, 1 tier this time. 

We have been eating cake alllll weekend.  Giving it away to whomever happens to stop by.

Good thing I am doing long runs for the marathon training, 16 miles on Sunday.  That burnt off a few cake calories!

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

Just call me the bag lady....

There are so many things I want to sew.... so many patterns waiting in the wings, and my stash just continues to grow... yet ... I sew bags.  I think that there is just so much going on in my life, that in my sewing world I want instant gratification.  Bags do that for me.  (-:   

My son is getting married next month.... My DD and I are making the cake. Our first wedding cake. We will make a few practice cakes between now and then.  So far all we have done is plan and buy all the fixins. 

I have to arrange dinners to meet the two sets of parents on the brides side.... Our own little 'Meet the Fockers'  (-:  and plan the rehearsal dinner. My son  joined the Marines (smile, sniff sniff, worry worry) ... he will be shipping out in Jan or Feb....  I have 2 wonderful daughters who work and go to college and I try to find time to hang out with...oh yeah, and I work full time.  and have a darling husband I try to spend time with... and I am training for a marathon in Jan...  phew am I tired.  So what did I do?  Ran 8 miles.... and Made More Bags.

The first  is a Messenger Bag from a wonderful tutorial written by Larissa @ MMMcrafts. 

The applique is not part of the pattern, so I used hers as an inspiration.  It is from recycled material.  (retired pants and skirt)

This second one is called a Hobo Bag (not sure why) from a tutorial by jcarolyncreative.com.  I did not follow the tutorial exactly, so my body  and handle is slightly diff, and it has no tab closure. 

The outer fabric, which I love, is a recycled throw pillow cover and the interior is a linen from an retired skirt.  Pocket is lined with nubby silk.

Well now I must sleep.  So goodnight.

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

Carbo Load

14 mile run tomorrow.  Wish me luck. (-:

Run when you can

Walk if you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

The Grand Canyon

We live 76 miles from this awe inpiring wonder.  Saturday we hiked it to Plateau Point.  Six miles down into the canyon to the point.  Six MILES back out.  The sign at Indian Gardens says... the first 6 miles are optional.  The second 6 are not.  (-:

To view the Grand Canyon from the rim is breathtaking.  To experience the canyon from within is soul touching. No matter how many people are in your group, it is a very personal experience.  Of course is is also breathtaking, literally, when you make the trek out of the canyon.  (-:

Colorado River from Plateau Point

The top of the ridge farthest behind me is where we began our hike on Bright Angel trail

Run when you can

Walk if you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

Do I hear bells?

Guess who is getting married??????      My baby.

She is Perfect for him!

Aren't they just adorable?  November 21st.

I am pooped.

12 miles this morning. I am pooped. Kids are coming over tonight and we are making chicken green chili enchiladas. I better take a nap!

Run when you can

Walk if you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Later!

I love BAGS.

A co-worker of mine requested a black denim Market bag with puppies inside. Took me forever to find puppy material that I could stand. Here is the finished bag. I hope Carol likes it!

Lots of puppies inside...

And inside the zippered pocket.... Napping puppies!

Of course, if you are going to make one bag.... why not more?

B/W Burst of Flowers Teardrop Bag

Fleur de Lis Tootsi Roll Bag

and Fall Paisley Teardrop Bag

Now... I must clean house a bit!

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up!

Butterick 5328 Gathered Wrap Front top

Finally a few pics of what I have been sewing. Hubby was available to take pics today.

Here is B5328 gathered front wrap top and McCalls 5590 high waisted pencil skirt. I definitely had to work on the top. The gathers really needed reworking on the front, and the sleeves!--I inserted the first one TWICE! they looked like clown sleeves. Huge poof. I took it out and compared it to a Vogue sleeve that I had success with before and ended up reshaping the sleeve head. Third time in was the charm. They are still gathered, but much less. I really love this shirt. Think I want to do one sleeveless. No buttons! No zippers! Got to love it!

This pencil skirt I have made a few times. Next time I will not make it high waisted. I love this fabric, got it on sale at JoAnns. Not sure what it is called, but I hadto interface it with knit interfacing on all seams. I also added an insert in the back slit so my slip would not show.

Here is the whole ensemble, sans shoes of course. If I look sick and tired.... well, I have been both. (-:

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up

Later!

Anniversary Ride

Last night we decided to take a train ride for our Anniversary. The skies had been dumping rain for hours but as we neared the train stop, the rain stopped, the clouds disappeared and a moonlit sky shone above. We were the first to arrive, so we got our pick of train cars. We chose the open air caboose. As the conductor buckled us in our seats, he wished us a very Happy Anniversary. We waited as a few other hopeless romantics chose their seats, and then our ride began. The train whistle was very quiet and distant sounding from the rear of the train, but as we rounded tight curves, we could see the conductor and he would sound the whistle for us. (and maybe for the pig tailed little girl 3 cars ahead of us). As we neared the concert station, we could hear the band and see the people dancing under the stars. We held hands, it was a very romantic ride. Soon we were zipping past the home economics building which displayed the most beautiful hand made quilts and then past the swine and goat pens. Zoom past the ducks, turkeys and geese. We zigged and we zagged around the specators who jumped out of the trains way at the very last moment. We were amazed at the conductors talent at tight turns around ice cream vendors and slow moving strollers. As we neared the end of our ride, we whizzed past the vendor selling funnel cakes and I knew the remainder of our date would be just as sweet.

How I spent my End of Summer Vacation

(no longer to be referred to as our Anniversary Vacation - that is still to come)

I found a wrap top at Saver's (used clothing store) that I just loved. It was too small, but at only $1., I figured I could use it as a pattern.

My first muslin, I did out of a quilting cotton, came out pretty nice, but gapped at the chest some. This is the second one I have made. I really like it. I folded the neck edge seam over invisible elastic which I pulled every so lightly while stitching (fixed the gapping issue). This is a very see through woven, and loves to fray. I had to finish all inside seams. I did french seams and some other finish which I don't know the term for. You trim one side of the 5/8" seam allow short, fold the other towards it and then over again and then stitch just inside the orginal seam allowance. Makes for a nice enclosed seam. That is how I finished the armhole seams. The sleeves I morphed from a Vogue T shirt pattern. See through quality insists on a cami. I am thinking black or brown would look nice.

KG's (my body double's) tape has relaxed slightly over the years, so she is a tad larger than me (or I have shrank) so this shirt does not fit me this snugly.

Run when you can
Walk when you need
Crawl if you must
Just never give up

Later!

Off to the Market!

Well, if I felt up to it, I could be off to the market with my new Market Bag!

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up

Later!

Sick of Flying?

I am!
4 hours on a plane with some guy coughing on me the whole way. Now I am sick. Been a rough week. Playing catch up at work, then prepping for a week of vacation, a biopsy (benign, thank god) and a head cold trying to take up residence in my chest. Thankfully, my vacation began today.
I refuse to not enjoy my week off. My husband also has the week off. It was suppose to be an anniversary vacation (married 6 years), instead it will be 'tearing off an old roof and laying a new' - HIM, 'cleaning house and reorganizing the sewing room' - ME. Still sounds pretty good, as long as I can shake this darn cold. First thing on the sewing block in a new Market bag. For ME. (-: Have sold all of the others and I am in need of a new big bag. On the 9th my latest Fabric.com purchase is suppose to arrive. More knits for fall tops. Hope I actually have time to do some organizing!!

Run when you can
Walk when you need
Crawl if you must
Just never give up

Later!

Away

I am leaving for a week long conference in the am, so....no sewing for a week! egads. Hope I survive. I tried to get a quick fix in yesterday to last me. I made the M5590 pencil skirt (this time without the high waist and my invisible zip is... well invisible!) and two Jalie tops. The twist 2788 out a of beaufiful wine colored organic cotton the other the Empire CrossOver 2804 out of a lightweight white cotton. All fabrics from FABRIC.COM. All came out very nice. No pics til I get back, I just got back from a 6 mile run so am too sweaty to do pics and no one around to take them for me anyway. (-:

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up

Later!!

Almost half way!

Just shy of half way to my 800 miles goal this year! I know, I know, you are thinking, just almost half way and August is ALMOST over! No worries, Marathon training officially starts next month, I will make 800 by years end! You would think with all the miles I am running (and NO strawberry shortcake in MONTHS) that the lbs would be falling of..... but no. I have lost some, but mostly my body is changing, more muscle, less flab. Good thing, the gravity battle is non stop.

I have been sewing like crazy - skirts, jeans, purses.... and fabric SHOPPING like crazy. My fabric stash needs it's own room now. I should buy stock in FABRIC.COM I must be readying myself for the long winter. Stocking up in case I am snowed in for months. ((-:

Just finished a 7 mile run. I must hit the shower as that smell is either Poncho (our yorkie) or me and he is wrinkling his nose at me.

P.S. Britt bought a hula hoop. One of those huge ones with water in it. We still got it -- The MOVES that is....AND the hula hoop, she has a hard time fitting it in her car!

Run when you can
Walk when you need
Crawl if you must
Just never give up

Later!

Blogcation?

Where has my blogging mojo gone? I have been sewing, ALOT! I have been running, ALOT! I have been lurking on others blogs and reading their entertaining and inciteful musings. But I have no drive, no motivation to blog! What is up with that? I just got back from an 8 mile run.... think I will shower and clean off my sewing table and work on something. (-: Happy Sunday.