Archive | December, 2011

Happy Christmas!

30 Dec

Yeah… a week later, LOL. 

I spent Christmas 2011 in Ohio visiting my best friend from middle school and her three daughters. You may remember when we reconnected after 20 years or when I visited them in 2010. Steph and I met in Germany when our families were stationed there. I remember bawling my eyes out on my last night in town I was so upset to be leaving her.

This year when I visited the family in Youngstown, we did the touristy thing in Cleveland.

There, I froze my pajamas off by Lake Erie.For real. FREEZING. I now know what ‘Lake Effects’ mean.

We hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Loved every single minute of it. I love history and music and this was a perfect meld.

After four hours at the Hall of Fame, we had lunch at the West Side Market. By far my favorite public market is Pike Place in Seattle. But, this is a close second.

I couldn’t get enough of the pasta shop. Mmmm. Pasta.

I don’t have children and I’m the youngest in my family. So, I’ve never experienced the Christmas Morning Wake Up. But, with a 6, 11 and 15 year old around, my presence was requested far earlier than I would have gotten up on my own.

Christmas is seriously magical for kids. I didn’t realize that until now. All that double talk about Santa. I didn’t want to be the one to spoil the ‘secret’.

And, now I’m back home.  I’ll be doing my 2011 recap as soon as I get a new keyboard. What’s that? New keyboard? Yeah. I spilled wine on my iMac keyboard just before leaving town. It is kaput for real. A new one is coming soon and I’ll be able to update on other projects.

Rebecca Bra and a German Request

19 Dec

Folks,

Between holiday parties, tree decorating, last minute gift shopping and such, I managed to work on my Sewy Rebecca Bra . I made a second go with this Netherlands material after the last time I made this bra.  Back in August an almost perfect bra was too large in the band and wide at the bridge. This time I had actual Enlish directions thanks to a reader and I used the downward hike technique so the band would not ride up in the back and I shortened the band by an inch or two. I also took some height out of the cup.

The result? Well, the band is great. I love the layout I used for the lace this time (directional change). The bridge is much narrower and a better fit. But, the cup is too small. The center bridge does not lay flush against my breastbone and it gives me a double breast.

I suspect this is about a C cup. I’m going to shop it around at the office and see if someone wants it. It’s too pretty to salvadge for parts.

Now, the bigger problem. I cannot find this pattern in my stash. Normally, it would turn up. But, I’ve managed to throw away some things in the past (a year’s worth of contact lenses, the sleeve to my tuxedo jacket, etc.) in fits of cleaning. And, I think this pattern is a casualty.

Not a big deal, right? Just order a new one? Well, they are only sold on a German language site. I’ve emailed them in English and was not able to get a response. I tried to register on the site to place an order and that didn’t work.  A KIND KIND PatternReview.com member was going to Germany. She contacted them while there and they sold her the pattern which she in turn sold to me.  While there she spoke with the owner and she’s not currently shipping to the US.

So, my Christmas plea. Is there a reader in Germany (or in the EU) that is willing to order this pattern for me in a Group 1 and let me reimburse them? I will happily (and quickly) paypal you the money. Or, if there is something in the US I have access to we can work out and exchange.

I think I’ve worked it out! It appears the site’s bugs are worked out. It’s letting me order now and ship to the US. It’s no longer getting hung up on Paypal or requiring registration. So, fingers crossed. Thanks Ghainsom!

Thanks!

Union Square Cookie Tour

14 Dec

Trena may have the White House as part of her holiday experience. But, I’ve got Union Square and the H.L. Mencken House around the corner :-) .  In addition to the Christmas Tree Farm experience, my holiday-themed weekend included the 26th annual Union Square Christmas Cookie Tour.

 Homeowners in historic Union Square open up their 19th century homes to participants. Each house bakes a different cookie too.

The neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places district. I had some serious house envy. On average, the houses are around 2500 to 3,000 sq ft, 4 bedroom / 4 bathrooms. Oy.

One homeowner said that during the 1800s there were 19 servants that worked in the home!

I didn’t take the best / most useful photos for blogging.  I was all caught up in getting cookies. Plus, it felt a little strange photographing someone’s house. But, here are a few highlights.

This house with the nutcracker collection has nine fireplaces, eight of which are in operation. The one below is in the kitchen. Can you imagine??

While some houses kept the super traditional look. Others went with a more modern decor.

Including this house that hung doors from the set of HBO’s the Wire. These were used as the fictional police department on the show.

Here’s the Christmas tree in the same house. Upside down! I didn’t know that was a thing.

More of the infamous marble steps of Baltimore.

The renovated bathrooms make me want to drool

And other homes of the more modern home were the exposed brick

If you are in the area next Christmas, I recommend you take the tour. It’s got great history, it’s fun to see how people decorate and renovate their homes and a wonderful introduction to this historic area.

Christmas Tree Farming

12 Dec

As evidenced by my earlier post, I like my trees white, pink or black and faux. It works well for my personal style. I asked my frequent male companion if he was going to get a tree this year. He answered in the affirmative. I suggested Ikea and he said, ‘Why wouldn’t I go cut down my own?’ You see. He’s from the midwest. And there, apparently, you go and cut down your own Christmas tree. What a novel idea! I was game.

I remember two years in a row my mom and I got a free tree on Christmas Eve from the abondoned tree sales lot. I don’t know that I’ve ever paid for a tree never mind left the City limits looking for one. So, on Saturday a group of us went to the country, err *county* to cut down some trees.

Turns out there is a lot of walking when looking for the ‘perfect’ tree. Perhaps, dare I say, it’s like hiking?

You walk

And survey

And walk some more.

And evaulate and compare different trees.

Finally, you settle on one tree (when truthfully the three ‘contenders’ look the same)

And it must be cut.

Not with power tools. But, a hand saw. Unless you choose to ignore the rules…

And the tree comes down.

I did initially help with the carrying of the tree. I mean truthfully, I felt my role was to document the process. And to insert my will over color schemes. But, apparently, I didn’t do a very good job with the carrying.

Hah! Well. That’s one thing I can check off my bucket list!

2011 Inaugural Gala

7 Dec

The swearing in was yesterday.  It was a really beautiful setting outside of City Hall on the plaza. Unfortunately, it was rainy. But, not torrential.

Later that evening was the gala / ball. The room was set up with murals of Baltimore with live painting.

Here I am with my work girlfriends. We’re a little Model UN! Eastern European, South American, Indian, German-American and me.

I was excited to see style blogger Jessica from her fun style blog, Get Jessed Up.  How sharp does her date look in his tux? I had to show off my my Princess Diana sapphire ring. I’m hoping to pull myself together to do a guest post for her soon.

Finally, here’s a photo with my frequent male companion. My boss loaned me the art deco inspired jewelry. She found the earrings at an estate sale.

Apparently, I can only take photos with my hand on my hip.

 

 

Warmer Sewn (But, Not Installed)

5 Dec

While in Florida, I did manage to sew the warmer for my red Burberry trench coat. While I still plan to wear the blue vintage coat for the outdoor ceremony tomorrow, there is a 40 percent chance of rain. Boo! The warmer still needs binding along the edges. I made the raglan sleeves a bit of a cap style to reduce bulk in the sleeves.

This would be perfect for the weather tomorrow. Except, as you can see, it’s not installed yet. I originally planned to make a button out warmer, like a ‘real’ Burberry trench. But, I’m going to have to go the London Fog (originally made here in Baltimore, BTW) route and make it a zip out. I bought the zipper in NYC last October.  I’m not sure yet how I’m going to sew it together. I haven’t inserted a ‘regular’ zipper in dog years.

In other news, Christmas is here! I seem to want to decorate every other year.

My tree is up. Did I tell you I bought my tree at Rite Aid the day after Christmas for like $20?

And for the first time I’m doing some draping and lights between my dining and living room.

I have lights outside, but forgot to take a photo. But, you know I will :)

Vintage Coat Cleaned

3 Dec

Remember my pastel blue vintage coat? It was just grime and dingy. Almost greasy feeling.  I contacted a local theater and asked for suggestions on cleaners.  I also asked if they knew someplace I could possibly dye the coat. The lead costumer warned me against dying. He said wool was temperamental and easily shrinks. Plus, any stains on the coat (of which there were a few) would pick up the dye even darker. So, he referred me to a dry cleaner less than a mile from my house that two theater companies in town work with.

For $16, my coat looks pretty good! It still not brand new clean. But, for a 30 year old coat, it looks pretty awesome. I need to get the collar and cuffs sewn back on by Tuesday. I’d like to wear it for the inauguration ceremony. I have another coat in mind for the gala that night.