Here I Am!

Today I had two, yes two, people ask my why I haven't been blogging.  I've been missed ;) 

Things to report: 
                             1)  it has rained A LOT here in California.  We are officially out of our drought.
 
                             2)  I was sick last week but I get tired of blogging about being sick.

                             3)  very little sewing has been done.  I made five button holes in my vest.

                             4)  next door neighbors put their house up on the market.  Very sad for us.

                             5)  a friend is divorcing her husband.  VERY shocking and sad.

                             6)  Dancing With  The Stars has started

Wild life photo to add interest to blog!

Placerville, California

Last month we went to Placerville, CA for the weekend.  We ate breakfast at this cute little restaurant.  Everything is made by scratch.  I will confess that I am a breakfast snob.  I don't like to eat breakfast "out" because I like my made-from-scratch waffles and pancakes better than any restaurant.  But, Sweetie Pies breakfast was a good as mine!  It was yuuuuummyy!  We are going back this weekend and we will eat there again.

Lots of cute old buildings in the old part of town.

See the gold miner in the upper right hand corner of the public restrooms building?

There was also a knitting store in town with lots of awesome yarn.  I didn't take a picture or buy yarn.  I don't want to buy yarn until I take my knitting class.

As you can see, I figured out (finally) how to put in more than one picture!  yay, me.

Baking!

I have only baked bread once before and it didn't turn out great.  This time I did a fair amount of reading about wheat types and bread making.  It turned out pretty well except for two things.  I didn't divide my dough equally.  The one on the left is a bit larger.  I also put melted butter on top of the loaves before putting them in the oven.  oooops, it was supposed to be done after they were baked, not before!  Imagine the smell of deliciously baking bread mixed with the smell of smoking butter that dripped onto the bottom of the oven.  Nice!  It tasted very good.  We had it for dinner tonight.  It will be great for sandwiches.  I was going to post more pictures but blogger won't let me post more than one.  Hmmm.

Last project of 2010

Brown full circle skirt made from a 50's pattern.  Step-daughter/photographer cut the top of my head off.  My boots and sweater were Christmas gifts from DSH purchased to match the skirt.  He likes to shop (I hate it) so I gave him a swatch of the fabric, drew a picture of the skirt, stapled it together and told him to go shopping.  The sweater is cashmere!  I would  NEVER buy such nice expensive things.  The towel in the picture is one of our many "paw-paw" towels used to clean the dogs feet before they come in the house after it has rained.  Bailey always drags the towels everywhere.   She gives them a good shake, too!  If only she would dust the house! 

Knitting

Thank you for all your nice comments!

My sister and I have decided to take a knitting class.  We are signing up at Joann's.  The class is two and a half hours for $35.00 but on the day we are taking the class it is half off!!  What a deal.  Of course, they will more than make up their loss when I go shopping for knitting supplies with my 30% discount that comes with the class.  I already have every size of knitting needle inherited from a friend's mother when she passed away but, I will need/want LOTS of yarn and patterns :D

My sister and her DSH just bought an RV so she HAS to learn to knit so she can knit on the road!

My DSH and I want an RV someday too and I plan on knitting when we are on the road since I won't be able to sew.

Last Post of the Year

Hello 2011 !!

Here is a recap of what I have sewn this year.  Pictures were not take of all items.

6 dresses for me
2 Halloween dresses for the granddaughters
2 practice dresses for the granddaughters
6 skirts
1 top (which I am not happy with and probably won't wear again)  I learned a lot though
1 flannel nightgown

That is 18 items in one year!  I'm so excited because I am happy with 16 of them, I learned a lot of new techniques and I think my goal was 12 items.  One a month.

For this year I want to start using my serger on knits.  And, I want to make a coat and some jackets.  I am working on a plaid wool full circle skirt and matching vest.  The skirt is done except for the hem and the vest has been waiting for the lining material choice.  That choice has been made and now needs to be cut and sewn.  Next in the queue is a vintage dress out of a blue wool.

I have my next couple of projects figured out but for the whole year I would like to make:

1 wool coat
1 wool dress
2 knits dresses
4 knit tops
2 wool skirts
2 summer dresses
2 Halloween costumes (maybe 3 if youngest granddaughter wants one)

I have material and patterns for everything but the knit tops, Halloween costumes and any linings I might use.  It is so hard not buying patterns and fabric!  I love me some fabric.

I only made it half way through the Bible this year so I will finish it in 2011.  I obviously sewed too much instead of reading my Bible!

Have a wonderful and happy new year!

New Design!

I am visiting my recovering daughter today.  She had surgery and I am here to "help" and visit.  She helped me spruce up my blog!!  Yay!  I love the new look.  So much cleaner and easy to read.

Does anyone remember Beany and Cecil?  I love Beany and Cecil!