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.

Still in Florida

28 Nov

By now on a parental trip, I’d have posted half a dozen times. But, I’ve really been relaxing on this mini-break. I started taking photos of  Thanksgiving food, but got too hungry. Here’s the main thing to know:

This peach cobbler was my breakfast for three days. Which could be one of the many reasons I’ve actually gone running twice since I got here.  Is anyone on Nike+ / Nikerunning.com? I think my profile is public and I’m listed as Fussbudgit.

While here, I have been doing quite a bit of sewing. My Aunt Judy bought this outfit for my mom on a recent trip to Ghana. I didn’t take before photos. It was too big in the back, upper bust, hips and waist. Now, it fits nicely. . It’s remarkable how much easier it is to fit another person. It’s also remarkable how  differently we carry weight. I’m all saddlebag and boob. She carries weight in the mid section.  My waist is the only small thing on me.

The details are really neat. The applique leaves are cut out from the material and hand sewn together. This makes trim for the bust, back, center front and are the actual cap sleeves!

Alterations are the devil. For reals. Ugh.

The bodice and skirt are underlined.

And the stabilizer in the sleeves, waist  and hem is just paper!

Check the zipper. It goes all the way up along the back pieces. Nice and decorative. Would be totally fun in a metallic teeth, right?

Oh, I also made my dad two bow ties for Christmas. I’ll just leave them here and my mom will give them to him next month.

Have I mentioned how glad I bought a Singer 301 *just* for here?

I’ve also decided to give the warmer of my red trench coat a go. I’ll work on that this evening. I fly out tomorrow and am back in my own bed Tuesday night :)

I Bought A Dress

23 Nov

As I noted last month ‘we’ have won re-election. That means there will be an official evening ’gala’, not unsimilar to this one four years ago. I had grandiose ideas of making a dress. But, succumbed when I realized the event was going to be in early December, not mid January.  I had a vintage dress in mind, but it kind of came down to just not having the ‘right’ material. I wanted a 4 ply silk and it’s just not in the budget.

It’s an odd feeling because I am  *so* used to making fancy dresses! I look forward to every bit of the process. You get to sew something you normally wouldn’t wear and you have a dress no one else has. But, it wasn’t in the cards this year. I also suspect I’ll be asked all night if I made my dress and will have to hang my head in shame when I say, ‘no’.

So, I found this dress at Neiman Marcus Last Call. It’s a beautiful navy and a gorgeous, thick silk. It was originally $540 and I paid $120.  Mine is longer than the model’s. Err, rather, I am shorter than the model. I  may take it up an inch or two.

That doesn’t mean I won’t be sewing *anything*. The actual swearing in will be outside. In December. For two hours. Brrrr. I do have a good winter coat and shearling boots. But, I need a warm outfit too that can transition into a reception following.

Oh, and before you ask me about shoes. I, um, don’t have any. I’ll make my mom go looking with me in Florida this weekend. I think she actually likes shopping. But, I’m open to suggestions on Zappos for under $100. Ideally, $50.  But, beggars can’t be choosers. I’m an 8.5 wide or a 9 in a pinch. Thanks in advance, LOL!

Being On Trend

22 Nov

I’m still waiting for the Burda Easy Fashion with the shearling bomber jacket pattern to make its way to me from Oh, Canada!

I have this gray and black shearling from FabricMart for it. I think I will not have enough skins to make the jacket happen. But, I definitely have enough for a vest. I wanted the pattern to come before I left town for Florida / Thanksgiving with my parents. I was going to lay it all out and see if I had enough material. I’m so obsessed with this idea that I won’t be able to think of much other sewing until.  If I did come before I leave (Wed. night), I figured I could cut it at my parent’s place and leave my mom to contend with all the bits of cut fur / wool…. But, it’s not here yet.

I was thumbing through my crack US Weekly and saw this awesome faux shearling from H&M. I thought it was *so* cute. I thought, ‘Oh, if I had a jacket just like that! Where is my Burda Easy Fashion!’. And then I realized, ‘Crap. Dumb Dumb. You bought that jacket three weeks ago.”

You see, I bought it three weeks ago but at $50 I wasn’t sure it was ‘worth’ it. Not because I’m cheap. But, because I knew on a good sale I could get enough ‘real’ shearling to make this up. So, it’s been in a bag in my living room while I decided if I was going to keep it.

I really liked how it was sewn and wanted to keep it around for construction technique. But, after having my taste validated in a gossip magazine, I’ve decided to keep it. It’s super cute. And warmer than you would think. Warmer, but *not* breathable.

I’ll need to look out for the next FabricMart shipment of shearling. Actually, I’m pretty sure when they get it again I’ll finally just roadtrip out to PA to purchase. Then, I can make sure I have enough material.

Missing the Boat

17 Nov

How did I miss the most recent Burda Easy Fashion? Currently, it seems to be published in French, German, Italian and Russian.

I used to have a subscription, but about two years ago realized I had just plain aged out of the magazine.  This morning I was looking online and saw some images from the Winter 2011/ Spring 2012 which came out in August 2011.

Most of it doesn’t appeal to me, but am totally digging this shearling aviator / motorcycle jacket. Methinks that jacket will be a very easy sew. Princess seams should make fitting easier than the first time I attempted one of these!

I also like the all-leather version of it they made up

I think the lingerie in this edition is super pretty. There’s this lacy kimono

And this chemise

And, of course there are the things that I wouldn’t bother with

Not meant for my thighs (and I’m annoyed by knitting patterns in my sewing magazines)….

Not meant for my life….

Not worth buying a magazine for

Since the magazine came out it August it is long sold out of GLP News. My backup is usually GCN News and they had a French language copy available!

A #WINNING Thank You!

16 Nov

I don’t know how to write the following without being a total and complete #HumbleBrag.  But, last night the Mobbies (Maryland Outstanding Blog Awards) were announced and I won. I won in every category I was nominated for. I took home Mobbie fedoras for Best Personal Blog, Best Lifestyle Blog, Best DIY Blog. And, amazingly. Like, seriously, overwhelmingly amazingly, I won Best Overall Blog for Miss Celie’s Pants!! Guys, I dropped the F-bomb I was so gobsmacked.

I know it seems like a silly thing to care about. But, I REALLY wanted to win so a sewing blog would be named Best Overall Blog. I meet people all the time who don’t understand what there is to blog about sewing. Or get that it’s a shared passion. I was so excited I was jumping and yelping. 

There were 30 categories. Here are all the winners in our fedoras.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your support and your votes.

I love to write. I love to sew. And, I talk too much. There wasn’t much left for me to do but start a blog about sewing.  I’ve made some of my closest friends through the sewing world. I’ve made personal contact with people all over the globe because of my blog and sewing. I met my best friend through this blog!  Blogging has given me a real platform to talk about the things that inspire me and the world around me.

What you did in voting for me (and putting up with my pestering) is immeasurable. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. There really aren’t words to express my total and complete thanks.

I will tell you that the staff at the Baltimore Sun asked around about me because they couldn’t understand how I got so many votes. They wondered if I knew how to rig the voting.  A friend who works at the Sun told them I’d been blogging for a while and that my readers really are my friends. And, he knew I basically flunked computer science the first time I took it in university!  Not a lot of people sew for fun anymore. We really made them stand up and notice. You are the most loyal group of readers anyone could have!

Did I mention I have food blog too? Here are two of my co-authors Catalina and Liz. We placed 3rd for best food blog.

I said this on my FB page. I’m not a mommy blogger. I don’t have thousands of followers. I don’t have a book deal and I’m not on a TV show.  I’m just a girl who loves to sew. That’s it. What I do have are my friends, family and my readers and I wouldn’t trade that in for anything.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Truly.

And, I hate camera phone photos (these). They do not love black people in low light. I’m using part of my prize to get a point -and-shoot camera so I don’t have to lug my beloved DSLR to bars and awards parties :)

As for prizes….. I really just wanted to call myself an Award Winning Blogger. But, I’m happy to report that I will get some marketing help from the Baltimore Sun by way of banner ads on their site. And, as best overall winner I received a gift certificate to Best Buy. Nook Tablet (or iPad), here I come! Oh, of course I checked to see if Best Buy carries sewing machines. They do. But, no cover stitches, LOL!

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DC Tweed Ride 2011 Cape: Burda 8-2008-101

14 Nov IMGP1463

Guys. I was seriously just plowing through this cape to have something for the 10-mile DC Tweed Ride. It wasn’t until I finished the cape that I fell IN FREAKING LOVE with it!!! With over 900 people registered for the ride, I was definitely in a color that stood out.

I think my neck may seriously be getting shorter and shorter...

The BEST thing about this cape is that so many tweed riders were in darker fall colors. This turquoise blue just *popped*. I was nervous in general about how bright the blue is. It’s not a color I normally wear. My original fabric was a dark gray tweed, but I ran out of material and used this blue from the Carol Collection instead.

The Girls

 A good indicator of your outfit on these rides is how many people ask for photos or tell you they like your outfit. Liz is wearing my Burda jumper, 10-2009-119.

 Liz and I did *ok* during the Seersucker Social. But, we were on fire at Sunday’s ride. I borrowed the white feather fascinator from her. I’d love to be in a hat. But, my head is just too big for vintage and even modern hats are generally pushing it. 

The cape was finished on Friday. But, the buttons will NOT stay on. They are metal and shank. And, all four buttons on the opening edge have been resewn at least two times each. Three fell off on Saturday night. Two fell off before the ride on Sunday. Two fell off during the ride and now, on Monday morning, another fell off.  In fact, in the photo above Trena and I are with Claudia. She’s a DC dweller who reads our blogs. She saw the ride go by and happened upon us! Good for me, because she sewed one of my buttons back on!!

I *think* the rough metal shank is just cutting through the double strand of thread. I’m going to reattach with coat / button thread and see if that will help.

 I’m wearing a knit Burda jumper, 9-2007-121. It had a classic look with my shoes.  I lined the cape with a stunning raspberry material, also of the Carol Collection. It gives an amazing double whammy of color. The blue wool is fully interfaced, which happily did not stop me from having beautiful, crisp edges.

 

It can be worn open, and not buttoned. That does make it easier to *do* things.

Capes are totally and completely impractical, but I have a serious thing for them and trench coats. I guess it’s kind of that military influence, no?  The cape is PERFECT for this kind of ride and (I’m told) looks great while biking.

 Our ride took us around downtown DC. I couldn’t resist a photo in front of the White House. We also biked past the National’s Stadium, the Capitol Building, and through Chinatown. I’m not sure there is anyone Chinese in DC’s Chinatown….

The night ended at Smith’s just outside of Capital Hill with a live band, gin drinks and fun!

I fell in love with this guy’s vest. Someone (a UK National) recently told me I’d fetished the whole Brit thing. True Dat.

 We were wiped out oat the end of the night. I just love this photo! Liz has a folding bike so we popped that in the back seat. That’s Trena next to the bike with two more bikes out back!

 These rides are so much fun! You get dressed up, you get to bike and see the city and the people are all just incredibly cool. I’m already planning next year’s outfit!

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