What Not To Wear

Warning....this post has absolutely nothing to do with sewing. We leave tomorrow for our apartment hunting trip to Paris. That meant some serious shopping had to take place. I hate shopping for clothing...there are just so many other things I would rather be doing. Clothing shopping is endless. Always searching. It's exhausting.

I live in Alaska. Dressing up for me is putting on a clean pair of jeans and wearing my Dansco clogs! I am fortunate to be slim...I've been a regular Jazzerciser for 17 years. I can buy off the rack without fitting problems...but I still hate it!

I sometimes catch the show, "What Not to Wear." I  watched a few episodes to get me inspired for shopping. Here's what I'm packing...

Black. From what I understand Parisians wear a lot of black basics. The shoes are so difficult...I haven't worn heels in years...but I did buy two pair for this trip. (Tonka helps me all day long. We are going to the boarding kennel in a couple of hours. The worst part is leaving my best friends.)

I have the prerequisite "little black dress." Black slacks that have skinny legs. A skinny black skirt.

I found two pair of black capris yesterday...I think I'll be wearing these the most. A few fun tops.

I really like these two, simple dresses.

And then just for fun...sparkly pink shoes. Finally...a pair of denim capris!  

After I drop the dogs off at the kennel I will grab a pair of black flats. I was just too tired to get that last essential piece for my wardrobe. Accessories? Darn...don't have those either. Definitely not worrying about those items right now.

Sew Good

Three nights ago I was sitting at my desk, watching TV and doing a little stitching on a Christmas ornament. Jenny was sleeping against the basement door. I noticed a movement outside. It was a baby black bear coming to check out my dog...through the glass of the door. I tried to get a photo but I was trying not to scare the bear so by the time I had my camera ready to go the dogs had seen the bears (there was a mamma and another baby bear) and the barking commenced.  You just have to imagine an adorable baby black bear peeking in the door at Jenny.

Then last night I decided it was finally time to set up my sewing machine and turn it on. I'm missing the knee lever...have to use my spare that is for regular tables so it travels to classes with me...not as comfortable. Sure hope I find it soon! I started working on June's Breakfast Club blocks.

Tonight I also started putting rows together on a quilt from May's Breakfast Club.

July's Breakfast Club was today but I only stopped in to say "hi," and spend money on more fabric for the stash. There was a sale...50% off the ends of bolts and there were several batiks to choose from.

Can't Get Enough Bear Sightings

Check this out!!!! A live camera at Brooks Falls in Kodiak that you can watch on the internet. The camera is there to catch the bears as they fish for salmon. It really is amazing. I hope you will visit the site.

http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

Sunday Stitching

I'm joining Kathy's link-up for handwork projects on Sundays, Sunday Stitching #5. First a recap of yesterday's finish, a cross stitch ornament - "Hawaii Santa" - a three-ornament series from Mill Hill that is stitched on perforated paper. I am addicted to these small projects because of their portability. And they are so darn cute!

Next is another addiction...Bucilla felt stocking and ornament kits. I am working on a set of ornaments, "North Pole." I don't know why but it seems to take me forever to make a set of six ornaments. Santa is the first, and I'm close to having him done. I cut out an arm piece ahead of time and now it has disappeared so I will have to wing it! 

This ornament matches the stocking "North Pole," that I finished in 2008....WOW...that was a little while ago.

These kits always make me smile.

Santa's Vacation

Santa is stocking up on lots of vitamin D in preparation for Christmas 2012. Just finished one of three ornaments in the "Tropical Santa Series - Hawaii Santa." Love his Aloha shirt and pineapple drink with an umbrella!

What's Next

I'm not sure where I'm going with this post but I feel like I am making some progress in the studio. I have a Hinterberg frame for my Nolting Fun Quilter. It took me three days to put it together. The first obstacle was a missing leg leveler...just so you know these are readily available at Home Depot. 

The next obstacle was I realized one of the additional supports I had for the frame never got stained so I searched for the oil...I remember I saved it from the old house just for this purpose...found it.

On the third day it all came together. 

The rest of the studio looks like a disaster. When I look at this mess...

And this area by the stairs...

And this pile of wreaths...

And the Millennium Falcon...

Well...I have no idea where to put all of these objects. And what do I do? I do more "gathering." Here are the latest acquisitions to my stash.   

Tortoise Pace

Why am I so slow at putting my sewing room together? It feels like it is taking an eternity! Yesterday I just couldn't stand it anymore...I started putting the frame together for my midarm. Of course I am missing one little piece that is crucial to leveling one of the supports. Hopefully I can find a replacement at Home Depot today. I'm also realizing I need to move everything around once again.