Kool-Aid Time (and another Giveaway)

At last count, there were 25 reviews on PR for this pattern (Vogue 1250). I feel like I'm already late to the party. But when this dress looks universally great on all the figures of the ladies who've made it, I'd be foolish not to try it too and if I like it, I'll just say that I was fashionably late. But I do have some misgivings. Namely, that my tummy is going to be highlighted, and not in a good way. I may be losing weight, but the tummy is definitely still hanging in there (and I do mean hanging!). You will note that I still haven't been showing side-view pics of myself. I do have my limits. ;-) So, on today's sewing agenda is a "muslin" of this pattern in a knit I won't care if I end up tossing. There's only 2 pattern pieces, so that should go quickly.

Speaking of unloved knits … I think I'm going to be returning 3-4 pieces from my latest Fabric.com haul. Either the print scale was too small or too big, or the color just isn't thrilling me, or whatever. One is a border print which I loved, in theory. In reality, it's just not me. I think it feels too dressed up or something I can't quite put my finger on. But when I looked at it on Zillie last night, I immediately thought of Carolyn, which is funny now because at the very same time it seems she was posting about border prints on her blog.

And speaking of my tummy, I got out the measuring tape yesterday. (Cue Dragnet theme music.)

I still haven't stepped on a scale, but I had a pretty good idea of what I used to measure, as most stitchers do. I've lost 6 inches in my hips, 2-1/2 around the waist, and 1-1/2 in my biceps. But zero, nilch, zip around the girls. Many women seem to gain/lose weight in the bust first, but not me. Unless I'm pregnant, and that is a scary thought in many, MANY ways. ;-) Looks like me and the girls will be keeping company for some time to come.

Still speaking of my tummy, I also broke down and ordered a workout DVD this morning. I hate (HATE!) workout routines, but I need to do something about my lack of firm ab muscles. We'll see how that goes. I think I can handle 20 minutes a day without hating it too much, especially after I start seeing results. Results in the thighs would be welcome too.

To answer some recent comments — I'm not following a particular named diet. But how I've changed my eating habits is closer to the Atkins Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) step than most anything else. I've dramatically reduced carbs (to about 40-60g/day) and eliminated processed and low-fat foods. This means I've also increased proteins, natural, healthy fats, and produce (fiber). It's called "shopping the perimeter" in the grocery store and avoiding the aisles of processed, packaged foods. I'm never hungry and I don't miss the junk and sweets at all, which is still sometimes hard for me — the sweetsaholic — to believe. I can't even remember the last time I had (or wanted) chocolate. Really!

Now, for today's Giveaway …

Up for grabs today is Amy Butler's Style Stitches, 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags!

I bought this book for myself a few months ago, and really enjoyed looking through and reading it. It's beautifully photographed, and the information and instructions for the bags in the book seem to be good, although I can't swear to that since I haven't actually made any of these bags. And that's the thing — I probably never will make these particular bags. It's not that they aren't pretty and I do love Amy Butler's aesthetic, but just to look at. AB is not really me. At the same time I bought this book, I bought another bag-making book and I'll be keeping that one for reference when the bag mood strikes. This one, however, should go on to another home where it will be loved and used. All the patterns are intact and still sealed into the envelope at the back.

If you promise to love and use this book, leave a comment on this post with your promise and you'll be entered into a random drawing. Fine print: For all the Giveaways this week, each entrant can only win once and in the case of duplicates, I'll contact you for your choice and then draw again randomly on what's left. Clear? And if you do enter, please check back next week to see who won because if I don't hear from you within a few days after announcing winners, I'll draw/decide again. I will close comments on this Giveaway on Thursday, July 21 2011 and announce the winner on Friday, July 22 2011. Again, anyone anywhere can enter this or any Giveaway this week.

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Parting Thought: Yesterday, Diane commented: "Long time reader, first time commenting . . . Does that make me greedy and bad? I hope not. You are such an accomplished seamstress, maybe I'm a little intimidated about commenting." (Please forgive me, Diane, for singling you out.)

First, no, you're not greedy or bad and neither is anyone else who is commenting for the first time on these Giveaways. Me and Carolyn  — Comment 'Hos. (Hi Carolyn!) How I get them matters not. I'm just happy when my readers do comment for whatever reason. And it's nice to meet you, Diane. :-)

What struck me, though, is that you're intimated by me/my sewing and that other readers may be too. Puh-lease! LOL! I'm the most lazy, laid-back sewer you'll meet. Yes, I can exhibit OCD about aspects of *my* projects, but only for me and usually only when something's gone wrong and I'm not ready to give up. Usually, I'm going for the fastest way to do something, which is one reason I'm not a hand-stitcher. I know there are many ways to do things, many levels of project satisfaction, and that this sewing thing we all love is really for fun more than anything. So, please don't ever be intimidated. Ask questions if you want to and I'll try to answer them. I can't promise but not because I'm intimidating — it's the lazy thing I mentioned. Or just plain scatterbrainedness. ;-)