Cleaning The Sewing Room and Prepping Projects

 Yesterday was sunny and hot. The high got to 32C (humidex 40C). This morning it is clear and 18C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 31C (humidex 40C). 

Lifestyle

I made sure everything was tidy upstairs and then I headed downstairs to clean. I hit the sewing room hard. The first job was to clean the corner beside the closet. Everything was taken out and I scrubbed and wiped the floor and baseboards. Then I made some quick decisions. The sewing machine box and a box of large pieces of batting was put into the closet. I put the foam mats into the maintenance/storage room. I put what was left into that corner and what a difference it made. 

My next job was to clean the fabric shelf, move it and clean the floor and baseboards in that area. I folded fabric, stacked it neatly, and moved the shelf, the plastic drawer unit, and the table the pressing supplies are on. I scrubbed the floor and baseboards and I will admit it was dirty in that area. I got everything put back into its right place and vacuumed a bit more floor. By this time, the cutting table was pretty much cleared off and it was lunch time. 

I had home smoked Montreal meat for lunch. It was delicious on a bun with mustard, mayo, lettuce, and dill pickles. I also had some Grandma salad with it. Family had done the meat and did an awesome job of curing and smoking it. I have enough for lunch today and maybe tomorrow. 

I closed the blinds in the basement yesterday afternoon and it does help keep the basement cooler. I also ran the heat pump on dehumidifier also. The humidity outside was high and I could hear the little dehumidifier run all day. I will be emptying its tank this morning. 

Sewing

My idea and plan yesterday was to prep some projects for sewing. I had printed off the Edwardian bicycle hat and the skirt pattern for the Gotz dolls. I took some time to cut them out along with the pocket for the Market tote. 

I cut the bicycle hat out first. I knew what fabric I was going to use for it. When it came time to cut the trim piece I chose the stripe fabric I used for the Acadian skirt. Project 1 was ready.

The next item was the skirt for the Gotz dolls. I wanted it to be dark blue so hauled out the scraps left over from the quilt I had made. I had enough fabric to cut it out. Project 2 was ready.

I decided to make another blouse for the Gotz dolls. I got the pink print I used on the quilt out and laid it out. I had to piece bias strips together to make the tie for the neck. Project 3 was ready. 

Project 4 is the Market tote. I have the pocket fabric on the table and the pattern laid on ready to start cutting it out. I stopped for the day as I had to come upstairs and see what I needed to do. I will cut out the pockets and then decide if I need to buy another 6.5" of the pocket fabric or if I have enough of the body fabric to make what I need from it. 

My little scrap container is getting full but I did take fabric from it yesterday for the doll clothes. What is left in it at the end of December will go into the trash. I do hope to use more of it in small projects I plan on making. 

Knitting

I knit another 8 rows on the afghan last night and it is growing rapidly. 

I will measure it when the ball of yarn is done. 

Thoughts

    Thank you Marianne for the kind comment on the items I got for daughter. I found it difficult as I do not sew a lot of green and pink household items. But it came together rather well as the dishes were an accidental find. The outfit you made for your grand daughter is so cute. You did an amazing job even with all the alterations you had to do. I hate it when they call a lining an interfacing. My brain does not like that either. 

    The heat came in faster than we had expected. I watered the plants in the morning and then again last night. I have cucumber seeds coming up and don't want them to cook in the sun. They seem to be doing okay considering how hot it was. I have been watering the rose bush each evening as I don't want it to suffer from the heat. I have to cut the roses off this morning as they are finished blooming due to the heat. It will be brutal again today but we will survive it. 

Today

I have to do a load of laundry this morning. I want to go back to cleaning the sewing room as I am motivated to get it cleaned up. I hope to cut out the market bag today and may start sewing the piping for it. I hope to knit tonight. I do have to water all the plants today. 

Until the next time.............................................................

Bicycle Jacket Completed (Hurrah)

 Yesterday was mainly sunny with a high of 26C (humidex 31C). This morning it is cloudy and 21C (humidex 28C). Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 28C (humidex 31C). We are under a heat warning until Saturday with the humidity making it feel more like 40C.

Lifestyle

I did get all the plants watered in the morning and I have to pick roses today. The blooms are coming out quickly with the heat. 

I spent quite a while packing the items I bought and made for daughter. I have them in two large boxes which are well stuffed with paper and some quilt batting. They are ready to go to the post office when it cools off a bit. 

I did make a "grandma" salad for dinner last night. It is my version of a Greek salad; cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese, and Greek dressing. It was a hit as it was cold and refreshing on a muggy afternoon. We had smash burger (delicious), chips, and mini ice cream bars. We talked about the smash burgers we ate in Montevideo and the wonderful fireworks we saw at Christmas and New Years. Son and I cleaned up the kitchen so daughter-in-law could go to work today knowing her kitchen was clean. 

Sewing

I did sew yesterday and I wondered how many times I could/would take to get the sleeves in not twisted. Three times for both sleeves. In the end, I would do a bit, turn the jacket right side out and test. I did get the jacket finished and was really happy to see it done. 

I did not make the one buttonhole. I was scared to death I would make a mess of it and didn't want to do that after all the time I took to make this jacket. I used snaps instead. 

I sewed the buttons on the sleeves. The one at the bottom is sewn just on the flap and the other one is sewn to both parts of the sleeve to hold it secure. 

The last item to make for the Edwardian wardrobe is the hat that goes with the bicycle skirt and jacket. 

I watched a quick video from the Quilted Forest. I love her videos as she does a lot of neat quilts. When watching what she is to finish in July I found out she is the designer of Pieced Tree patterns. I love looking at them but can't find them in our area. 

Knitting

None done last night. 

Thoughts

    The humidity is up and down. I emptied the dehumidifier in less than 24 hours and the container was 1/3 full. I am sure it will be very humid here the next few days as the cloud of humidity will roll in with the heat. For those who love the heat they will be happy. For those of us who hate it, we will be hibernating in our a/c cooled houses. 

    We had a lovely bbq for Canada Day. It was a quiet day for us with no commitments. There were parades and activities in the area but we don't take part in them. Too many people. My street was quiet which is usually the case. A lot of people have family bbqs. Others were gone to family or to their cabin. The fireworks went off at 9:30 pm and it was quiet compared to what we saw in Montevideo. It lasted maybe 10 minutes. 

    I ate quite healthy yesterday. I did have some chips and a mini ice cream bar. I had no snacks which was a bonus for me. It is time to work on my health and it is a focus for this month. 

Today

I plan on doing some cleaning in the sewing room this morning. This afternoon I want to cut out a bag so I can plan on how to make my contest bag. It is time to focus on it. I will have to water the plants after dinner. I do hope to knit tonight. A bit of a quiet day for me. 

Until the next time........................................................

I Twisted The Sleeves

Happy Canada Day

Yesterday was sunny and warm. The high got to 28C (humidex 32C). This morning it is clear and 14C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 26C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

I was out the door for osteopathy and it was a good session. She worked on the outside muscles of my right leg. They were really tight and tender. She did do a few minutes on my SI joint which was in place and not tight. I walked out of the treatment room with hardly a limp. 

I went shopping for items for daughter's horse trailer at Dollarama. The store I went to is my favourite one. I got her the dishes I was looking for -- 4 pieces of each. I almost squealed out loud when I found the plates. 

I did roam around the store and found this solar light for her.

I also got the last roll of packing tape and some rice crackers for me. I did another sweep of the dishes looking for mugs but found these two bowls to add to the collection. 

I then went to the grocery store and got the items I have to bring for dinner tonight. At that point I was feeling tired and headed for home. 

At home, I relaxed and then laid out all the items on the couch. I did go out to the local Dollarama to see if I could find 2 more of the green and white bowls. None so I will look in New Minas. 

Once home, I had a 45 minute nap. I was tired from osteopathy and then shopping. I woke up feeling much better knowing I would sleep poorer last night. 

Sewing

I did go and sew after I had a nap. I clipped all the edges and sewed the hem on both sleeves. When I turned it right side out, I found that I had twisted both the sleeves. Now I had something that was unwearable. 

I turned the jacket wrong side out and unstitched one sleeve's hem and the placket. I fiddled, I stitched, I picked out the stitches and finally got one sleeve done correctly. I am ready to tackle the 2nd sleeve. Hopefully this jacket will be done today. 

Knitting

As the house was cool, I knit on the afghan last night and got 8 rows done. It is 31" long and the ball of yarn is getting smaller. 

Thoughts

    We are going to have about 3 hot days starting tomorrow. The humidity is going to roll in pushing the humidex up to 38C. I have been out to water the vegetable pots already and will do the flowers right after I eat breakfast. As soon as it starts to warm up, I will close the windows, put down the blinds and run the a/c on dehumidify to keep the house cool. This will be my routine for the next while. 

    When I was out to water the flowers last evening, I checked on the rose bush. I have 2 more blooms to pick today. I am impressed with this rose bush once again. It seems to thrive in its location and produces many flowers each year. 

    To the person who left a comment yesterday, I hope your children are enjoying their time in Nova Scotia. I don't know where they are at this time, but if they are on Highway 101, they should take Exit 10 and go to Grand Pre. I hear the flowers are beautiful and the church is really nice. If they drive past the site, they will see the land that the Acadians reclaimed from the ocean and it is still farm land today. There are so many other places to see in Nova Scotia. Lunenburg, Peggy's Cove, Fisherman's Cove, the wharf in Halifax where I hear they have the best lobster rolls. 

Today

I have done a bit of tidying up already this morning. I am going to sew on the doll's jacket once I finish a bit more tidying up, pack up the dishes for daughter so I can mail them to her, and make a salad for dinner tonight. I am out to family's for smash burgers. We are doing a low key this year. 

Until the next time.....................................................

It Looks Like A Straight Jacket

 Yesterday was quite sunny and warm. The high got to 26C (humidex 29C). This morning it is cloudy and 17C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 27C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

I was out to make sandwiches first thing. There was 4 of us doing it and we were done in good time. Once home, I sat and had a cup of coffee. 

I got busy after that and I fold the laundry and put it away. I emptied the dishwasher and watered the plants. There are two more blooms on the rose bush that are almost ready to pick. I also have one tomato. 

My big job was to work on my Fitbit. The battery had drained to almost dead (normal when it needs resetting). I played with it, left it alone, played some more, and finally got it working again. It took 3 or 4 resets to get it properly reset. The clock was out by an hour so I synched it to the phone. It reset and worked perfectly all day and still going strong today. 

After lunch I took the clean dishes used for sandwich filling back to family's house and took the grocery basket back to the hall. The ladies have to make sandwiches again today. I can't help as I have osteopathy early this morning. 

Sewing

I decided to work on the doll's jacket even though it was later in the afternoon. I looked at the video on how to do the lining. I read the instructions and got started. I worked slowly and carefully on it. I unpicked one seam I had done wrong. I started to pin the jacket to the lining and stopped. It looked funny. I looked at the video 3 times and realized I was doing it right. The lining is sewn into the jacket and it looks like a straight jacket. Yes, the sleeves are attached and you move them around to sew the lining and outer fabric together. 

Shari Fuller said it would look unconventional and it would work. I still have to sew the sleeves together at the wrist. A few minutes of sewing. 

There is an opening in the center back of the lining where you pull the jacket right side out. I will get to it when I sew the sleeves together and clip all the way around the outer edge. 

Knitting

I did 8 rows last night. l may have to put it away for the summer as it is getting heavy and I get hot knitting it. 

I will get something small to knit or crochet which will be cooler to work on. 

Thoughts

    The weather forecast has several predictions. One for hot dry weather and the other for lots of rain. The only thing they agree on is one storm in Cape Breton Island. The rest is polar opposites. We are, as usual, in a wait and see mode. Environment Canada predicts hot and dry with 60% chance of showers which I will go with for now. 

    Tomorrow is Canada Day and we will be having a family bbq. There are some activities going on but we don't go to them. There will be fireworks at night. There is a lot of preparation going on by some people and others will retreat to their summer cabins and enjoy the quietness it brings. 

Today

I am off to osteopathy this morning and then will do some shopping. I want to be home by noon or just afterwards. I would like to sew this afternoon and see how far I can get on the jacket and will knit tonight. I do have to water plants this evening. 

Until the next time...........................................................

A Day Of Resting

 Yesterday was a mix of clouds and sun. The high got to 25C (humidex 27C). This morning it is cloudy and 14C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 25C (humidex 28C). 

Lifestyle

I was tired yesterday and all I can say is it was my fault. 

I did do the balance sheet and was ready to throw my hands in the air when I found I was 6 cents out when over half done. I took a deep breath and decided to go backwards carefully to make sure each entry was in correct. I got back to where I started and it was still out. Two entries down I found the mistake. I am still asking why it balanced the last time with an error in it. 

I decided that I couldn't do much more and I went back to bed after cleaning up the paperwork on the table. I slept soundly for almost an hour and when I woke up, I did feel a bit better. I did get the recycling out to the garage and all the plants watered. 

My eating has been out of control the past two days as I have been exhausted from the humidity. I was fuelling my body incorrectly and it wasn't helping me get through the humidity we were having. I caught myself late in the afternoon and decided to make a simple dinner of hamburger patties cooked on the bbq and a caesar salad. It was awesome to eat something that held me over rather than have me spike and crash. 

The egg cooker is something we really like. Rather than boil eggs (which we do), it steams them. Whether you boil or steam the eggs, putting them into ice water is the key to getting them to peel nicely. 

Sewing

I watched the video on how to sew the lining into the doll's jacket and realized it was not something I could do yesterday. I was too tired to sew so I put it aside for the day. 

I am thinking about sewing outfits that the ladies would have worn in our community which was founded in 1768 - 11 years after the Acadians were deported from the area. I will do a bit of history on it as it was a thriving community in its early days 

Knitting

I did pick up the afghan and knit 8 rows on it. 

It is growing slowly and is getting heavy. 

Thoughts

    My Fitbit decided to act up this morning. The time was over an hour out. It corrected itself and then stopped working. I will play with it later to see if I can reset it. If not, I will leave the battery to drain and try again. 

    I opened the windows last night to enjoy the breeze. By the time I went to bed, the wind was back to calm and the house was getting warm. This morning the cool air is coming in but there is no wind. When the wind came up, the humidity went down which was nice. 

Today

I am out to make sandwiches this morning and once home, I will sew on the doll's jacket. I do have to make dinner for the next 2 nights. I hope to knit tonight. I will also be checking the plants to make sure they have enough water. 

Until the next time.............................................................

The First Roses Picked

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 23C (humidex 28C). This morning it is foggy and 16C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds this morning with chances of rain in the afternoon. The high is to get to 22C (humidex 27C).

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I got a load of laundry on before heading outside while it was cool. I wanted to see how the rose bush was doing and it didn't disappoint me. I cut three roses from the bush and did a bit of clean up. 

This rose has a delicate scent to it which is nice. I also checked the tomatoes and they are doing well. 

I also spent time cleaning the table the bbq is on. I put away everything I didn't need and washed it well. It was covered in pollen and dirt. Happy that was done, I went inside as it was getting humid out there. 

Inside, I dusted the living room and did some cleaning where I sit on the couch. I also got a box up and packed everything up for daughter. I could not get it all in one box so will have to send her two boxes. I still have more dishes to add to the 2nd box. 

The humidity was bad yesterday. The house got hot and was hard to cool down. I emptied the dehumidifier this morning and it was 3/4 full. It ran all day yesterday. Having little to no breeze is not helping either. I have to say that summer is not my favourite season and hasn't been for many, many years. 

Daughter-in-law called last night to say she cooked the egg cooker. At 30+ years it met its due date and decided to die. That thing has been one useful gadget and I will have to buy a new one. Anyways, I laughed really hard when she told me as I was expecting it to happen. 

Sewing

I did sew. yesterday even though the sewing room was warm. I sewed the sleeves for the lining together and then inserted them into the lining. It was harder than I had thought. The sleeve cap was not smooth but had little bumps on it. They kept sticking out past the arm hole and bothered me. When I realized what was causing it, I understood the why and finished the job. I did sew the collar together and have it basted onto the jacket. 

I am now ready to sew the lining and the jacket together. Time to watch the video so I do it right. I did a lot of hand basting yesterday which takes extra time. 

Knitting

I did not knit last night as it was humid. 

Thoughts

    We are building up to having it warmer than normal on June 30. July 1 is to be cooler and then it will be warm again. Nights are going to be warm which makes sleeping harder unless you run the a/c. It is a season where I don't like to be outside a lot, don't enjoy cooking meals, and sleep poorly. I will get through this season like I always do. I am trying not to complain as parts of Europe are having a heat wave with temperatures about 10 to 15C hotter than we are having. 

    As I have done as much as I want to do for the Acadian outfit and have almost finished the Edwardian wardrobe, I am now thinking of what to sew next. I have no idea at the moment but need to think about it. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet, the minutes from last week, and fold laundry. I hope to sew this afternoon but we wait and see as I am quite tired. Knitting will be the same wait and see. I may end up napping though I don't want to. 

Until the next time..........................................................

Sleeves Inserted on Doll's Jacket

 Yesterday was cloudy with a high of 20C. This morning it has rained, was foggy, and 13C. Today is supposed to be a mix of rain, sun, clouds, and maybe a thunderstorm. The high is supposed to get to 22C (humidex 27C). 

Lifestyle

My big job of the morning was to make a batch of cookies. I have it down to a science and got them made in good time. By 10:45 am I had the kitchen cleaned up and was ready to stretch out my sore SI joint. I was told later that this was the last batch of cookies I will be making as we now have someone to bake them for us. I will ask if I can make some batches until my supplies are used up. 

I did stretch my SI joint but the weather was against me. The barometric pressure was dropping and I was hurting. I did rest after stretching hoping it would stop but it was only a temporary fix. 

I decided to spray the weeds on the west side of the house. I had everything I needed but it was a job that wasn't going to be easy. Every set of batteries I put into the spray nozzle seemed to be almost dead. I cleaned the contact points to no avail. With a lot of determination and a few swear words, I got the job done. I will buy new batteries and redo it next week to make sure. 

I cooked a nice dinner for last night and tonight. I made one of my favourite dishes using chicken, onions, and peppers on a bed of rice. I haven't had it for quite a while and it was a delicious. 

Sewing

I worked on the sleeves of the doll's jacket. The cap of the sleeve is darted to give it shape. Each one of those darts had to be topped stitched and then darted. Then the side part of the sleeve had to be added which meant stay stitching, clipping and sewing. In the end, the sleeves were beautiful and fit into the jacket perfectly. 

I love how the sleeve has a placket in it. I don't have tiny buttons for it so am thinking about what to do about that. 

The sleeve lining pieces are cut out and ready to be sewn together. At least they don't have darts in the sleeve cap. Once they are put it, it is the collar and sew it together and turn right side out. 

Knitting

I did knit 8 rows on the afghan last night. I am slowly getting there. 

Thoughts

    I have almost finished reading the doctoral thesis on Acadian clothing prior to their deportation. I have learned a lot. Their fashion was neither French or British and differed in each of the locations were archeological digs were done. They all had luxury domestic goods connected to textiles and clothing production. Clothing in Louisburg was very high fashion and as you moved further away to other areas, the clothing was more suited to what they were doing. Communities in the Bay of Fundy traded with Boston vs trading with Quebec or Montreal due to the time it took to get items there. All communities had access to fine fabrics and items like scissors and pins. All areas had capital wealth as can be seen in what was excavated and from registers. They had both coarse woven fabric for heavy labour and fine fabrics for leisure activities. In areas they dressed in the coarse fabrics so they wouldn't be attacked. If they looked poor they were left alone. In rural areas, the people worked together when farming, building dykes, making and weaving fabrics and sewing clothes. When weaving their cloth, they had simple looms but they took the time to make striped fabrics which had uniqueness to them. They were very ingenious people. I have to think about what I will read next. 

    I did a small dig in the one cucumber container and I have two seeds sprouted. Here is hoping they make it. Our weather has been in the normal range this summer but the cooler nights has slowed the growth on the plants. We wait and see what July brings as that is when the drought started last year. 

    I emptied the dehumidifier yesterday and after 24 hours it was half full. I will empty it again this afternoon and see what I get in the last 24 hours. 

Today

My plan for today is to clean up the living room and do a load or two of laundry. This afternoon I will sew on the doll's jacket and tonight I want to knit on the afghan. 

Until the next time............................................................................