Afternoon stroll through the woods

At the other side of the woods in our back yard you come out on a narrow road and just across that narrow road is this field. The specks in the distance are a herd of goats. Nannies, billies & kids. All cute and very friendly. Especially if you're loaded up with leftover bok choy and a bag of carrots like we were.

All 3 of my "kids" had fun with the goats. Chili and Pepper were alternating trying to get inside the fence with them or barking furiously. Every once in a while a goat would ram up against the fence as if to tell the dogs to Shut Up! ;-) And they would … for about 5 seconds. Alex enjoyed his role as goat-herder and feeder.


The changes in Pepper since Chili's arrival and from all the time spent socializing with other dogs at the dog park is amazing. She was right in the thick of things staring down those goats and barking like a "real" dog. Two months ago, she would've turned tail and pleaded to go back to the comfort of the house.






While we were out Tyler returned home and, finding the house empty, called to see where we were. About 30 seconds later, we heard one of our ATVs heading toward us and then there he was. He missed the goat feeding but he and Alex had no trouble finding other amusements.






Afternoons like this are all the reminder I need of why living in the Money Pit, with all of its imperfections, is just plain fine with me.

Twist4U

My 2 Seam Twist pattern is ready for download.

But …

This is an AS-IS deal, OK? Please read the fine print below.

1. Some of the lines didn't transfer 100% smoothly when I was moving the file back and forth between programs. Nothing major at all, but I just don't want you to think this is what I regularly see in PMB. The tiny gaps are from doing things to the end file that PMB is not anticipating we do. ;-) I could've cleaned it up but, well, I didn't.

2. The first page shows the whole layout as it should look after you print and tape the pages together. There are "pie wedges" in the corners for page alignment purposes. Each page should fit entirely on letter or A4 paper, but it was created for US letter-size.

3. The second page has a 4"x4" square. You should print this first and measure it to see if your printer is printing accurately. If it's not, this is where AS-IS comes into play. It will probably be a driver setting but you're on your own to figure it out. ;-)

4. The third page has basic sewing instructions (and I do mean basic) as well as the relevant body measurements (not finished garment measurements). This is a plus-sized pattern and it's only available in one size (mine). You will undoubtedly have to modifiy it so make a muslin!

I added some marks (in addition to the pie wedges) to some of the pattern pieces to help you place the correct seams together. These marks are placement guides only, NOT notches. They are will not line up to each other perfectly. Again, see above re AS-IS. ;-)

5. The seam allowances are 3/8" (which I just remembered is not noted on the pattern). The hems are 1.75" but that's only because I always cut longer. I don't expect you to sew 1.75" hems.

6. I included the non-peplum back piece I ended up using for my last version, but it's morphed onto the peplum to cut back on pages you'll need to print. I think it's self-explanatory.

7. This is my pattern. I'm happily sharing it for you to sew for yourself but please don't make copies for everyone. Send them here instead.

So, are you still willing? Here it is. I hope some of you try it and share your results.

Here's a pic of me in the latest version yesterday after wearing it for a while. I'm a bit wrinkled and rumpled, but what else is new?

Twistin' the Night Day Away

I'm now putting this pattern away for awhile … because this one is a keeper. Finally.

After the stripes experiments, I knew I wanted to try a print. But I also knew I wanted the seaming to show somehow. I decided to cut the twist bodice piece apart and do some colorblocking. I'm very happy with how this turned out. Without a trial, I pretty much had to just guess where to slice the pattern. I think I landed pretty darn close to the right spot. Sure, I could have a squidge more length on the print section before it starts the twist, but anyone that close to see is either going to be DH (who wouldn't know the difference) or someone that is too close overall.

Here's a close-up (remember to click on 'em for the big versions) of the twist where you can see that I used a narrow coverstitch for topstitching the green sections.


Here's another close-up of the neckline, which was just turned and coverstitched (before I twisted the twist and attached the lower bodice section).


I'll be writing a review later to consolidate all of the information but it's much too nice outside to sit here and do that right now.

I'm thinking about making this a (free) downloadable pattern. Of course it would only be available in one size (mine, which is between 16 & 18 RTW on top). Is this of interest to anyone (besides Bev :grin: )? Leave a comment and let me know. If there's genuine interest, my arm can be twisted (pun intended) very easily.

I haven't done anything more than prewash the fabric for my sister's scrubs. I'm hoping to start and maybe finish cutting those out tonight. I probably won't finish though, since I just remembered I'm going to have to make alterations on the new pattern. But once they're cut, the sewing will be very quick.

It's Friday and I've Got Nuttin'

… so I'll just put up yet another dog pic. Or three.

This dog smiles. I swear he does. You'll really believe me when I am finally able to get a good shot of his full smile.



What they do at least 5 times a day.


King of the mountain hill.



And now DH and I (and pooches) are on our way to drop off the Toyota for new brakes. Cha-CHING! While it's being repaired, we'll visit the dog park. Again. It's a perfect day outside … sunny, 80 degrees and a nice breeze.

DH has been making progress on the door trim in the family room. Slower than he planned, but still moving ahead. Paying work does prevail, especially when we have a new brake job hitting the ol' bank account this afternoon.

The scrubs fabric did arrive yesterday but I haven't washed it yet. Later, after we get back. It's a long weekend (Monday school holiday) and I'm really looking forward to it. The weekend, not the laundry.

Scrub Maid

When my sister was here in January she was dropping major hints for some new scrubs. OK, not really hints … more like outright demands. ;-) I ordered some prints which will be arriving today and I hope to crank out 3 tops over the next week (around maybe another twist top for me). I'll use my TNT Simplicity 8336 but I'm also going to do at least one crossover top using this new pattern (she'll be on her own for the cami underneath unless I'm feeling especially generous!):

These are the fabrics I picked out. Part of the fun for me is that Lisa (my sister) gets absolutely no say whatsoever in fabric selection. ;-) I get to go a little wild and she loves the surprise.

The first in each pair is the main fabric and the other is the coordinating neckband, pocket trim or whatever I decide. I just realized this first fabric would look great trimmed with the striped fabric on the pattern envelope.












I'll toss them all into the washer and dryer this evening so they'll be ready when I am.

* * * * *

Thank you everyone for the nice comments about my "mom uniform." I'm loving those colors too.

Nancy, I do have a tripod and have used it. It's even being stored in my sewing room. But it's a real PITN to keep going back to the camera to click for each photo, and subsequently needing to rearrange myself and my pose in the 10 seconds before it goes off. Inevitably, I end up with a hem rolled up or a big wrinkle right down my chest. ;-) So, my apologies but blurry is what we get. LOL!