The Sewing Room is Cleaned

Yesterday was another lovely day with a high of 17C. The wind was coming in from the north keeping it cool until the afternoon. We had a frost advisory for this morning and the temperature was 4C this morning. There is a heavy dew on everything and frost on the roofs of the houses. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit picked tomatoes yesterday. We have buckets and bins full in the garage. I will be making sauce starting tomorrow. With the frost advisory, clear skies, and the temperature dropping faster than we liked, we were out the door to cover the tomatoes after supper. 

We will be out there this morning putting it all away. 
I spent some time cleaning the kitchen. The next cleaning will be a deep cleaning after tomato sauce is made. Actually some of it can be done while the sauce is being made. 

Sewing

I spent some time cleaning up the sewing room. Actually it was about 3+ hours. I started off in the doll's area and sorted out their clothes. What was not wanted was tossed after buttons were taken off. What was left was sorted into doll type and for sale. 

I then worked from the doll's area to the other end of the room. Every surface was cleaned off and only what needed put back onto it. Everything else was put in it's home or tossed. 
The cutting table was a disaster. I had been collecting on it for too long. 

Everything was handled and put away. Only what is needed was left on the table. The room feels much calmer and more organized. 

And the cutting table.

After that was done, I started to make straps for Son's winter pool cover. I started and ran over to get the details right. By 4 p.m. I was delivering them to him. 
My next little project is on the table. I am going to show how to fit a bodice on a non American Girl doll as their bodies tend to be smaller and the clothes fit a tad big. 

Knitting

No knitting last night. 

Today

We are going to the fair today and hope to last long enough to watch some of the barrel racing in the late afternoon. 
Until the next time.....................

Test Dress Pattern Completed

Yesterday was cloudy. The sun was able to make it debut for about 10 minutes around noon. The high got to 18C and the low was 8C this morning. The sun is shining for what could be a lovely fall day. 

Lifestyle

Part of the day was spent getting the Spousal Unit's 3 vegetable entries ready. He had already chosen the 5 tomatoes and I helped with the 5 beets and 12 small tomatoes. We got them to the fair grounds at 6 p.m.
While talking with a couple of other people, we found out that Dorian caused a lot of damage to gardens. People were saying sunflower and corn plants got hit the hardest though there were lots of tallest sunflower plants coming through the door. Tomatoes were another that got hit hard people were also saying. 
The entries to the fair stay until the end of next weekend. The vegetables will be composted as they will rot. What I put in will be picked up next Sunday and brought home. We have to show proof of ownership to get them back. 

Sewing

I spent quite a bit of time in the sewing room finishing up the doll's dress. I have to say, the pattern fits well and is really nice to sew. The down side is I am not a fan of exposed seams in the bodice so will be looking at how to fix that for myself. The skirt went on nicely and has a nice closure with no overlap on the skirt. I did use fray check to on snips and serger ends to keep fabric from fraying. 
Anna was the model this time and she says she loves the dress. 

I do like the fabric and the strong contrast between colors and design (flowers and stripes). 

Though the lace was wider than I had hoped, we made it work. 

With a few tweaks, this could become a great pattern for the girls. 

Knitting

No knitting yesterday. I couldn't get into it. Too tired? Too busy? 

Today

We are home today as the fair does not have everything open. It is clean the kitchen and sewing room day along with starting to get a project done for our son. 

Test Pattern Progressing

Yesterday was cloudy but warm. The high got to 18C. This morning it is 13C and we have had a shower early this morning. It looks it could be wet during the day. 

Lifestyle

I thought I was over being sensitive to onions but two days of spaghetti sauce with onions in it gave me a mild IBS attack. Lesson learned. One day is fine but none for at least 3-5 days. 
I did a bit of housework in the morning. I'm trying to get the house tidied up. Once this next week is over with, I am going to do a deep cleaning. It is time to move the furniture and get all the baseboards and corners cleaned up. 
The Spousal Unit is busy getting his three entries ready for the fair. We take them in tonight. He has plenty of tomatoes to choose from plus quite a few beets. 

Sewing

Yesterday, I trimmed the seams in the collars and pressed them well. They lay incredibly flat now. Just too much bulk for tiny pieces when the seams and lace edging is not removed.
I sewed in the lining and got it looking great. In went the sleeves and then I sewed the side seams and finished them. Not my favorite way of finishing a bodice. I love hidden seams. I'm thinking of a way to hide the seams and may have an idea brewing in my head. 
The pattern fits to perfection. 

The collar needs a bit of adjusting as I feel it is too short. I like collars to go to further along the back neck. An easy fix. 

Knitting

I did 4 rows last night but am knitting slowly for the time being. I am needing to get the UFO's done but I also need the break. 

Today

I want to finish the dress and get pictures taken. I have a project to do for son's pool and want to get it done. Then it will be time to clean up the sewing room and get started on new projects. 
Until the next time.............................

Fall Fair Entries Submitted

Yesterday started out clear and sunny and as the day progressed, it became more and more cloudy. The high got to 20C. This morning it is cloudy and 13C. They are calling for rain today. I thought so as my knees were aching. 

Lifestyle

We were out to get our passes for the fair yesterday morning. We asked a few questions on entering and headed home. It was time to load up everything to be entered into the fair. It was a day earlier than I had thought. 
We returned after lunch and got my 8 entries entered. As I'm new, everyone was helpful and two ladies were right there to help me unload my 8 items and make sure I had them all. They oohed and awed over everything as it is so different than what others put in. 
The Spousal Unit is going to put in tomatoes and beets on Thursday. He has looked about and found his specimens. We were told we have faired well after the hurricane as other people's gardens were destroyed. 
We spent some time cutting down the potato vines in the flower pots and put the last of the pots outside the garage. We will probably have them looking good for another couple of weeks. 

Sewing

I worked on the doll's dress yesterday and made the tiny collars. They look horrid in my opinion. 

I am taking them off and trimming the seam allowances. See how that works. I know part of it is the lace thickness. 

It does look cute but if it doesn't work, I will put lace around the neckline without the collar. 
I did watch the first videos once again for Design Academy and updated a mood board that I had done and only got off the ground while fooling around with the fabric to make a boot bag. 

I'm looking once again at proportion as there is still lots to learn. 

Knitting

I had to hustle around and get my knitting blocked. I sprayed water onto the hats and pinned them into shape onto the blocking board. I left them for over an hour to absorb the water. The stitches relaxed, got more even looking, the shape was perfect. I set them outside in the sun to dry for an hour. They were then packed up for the fair. One thing I have learned is to knit with good wool yarn. It blocks well and always looks so great afterwards. 
I picked up a doll's sweater for finish. I got the stitches re-picked up on the second sleeve and two rows knit. I want to finish it and get it off the UFO knitting list. 

Accountability

This is what I did get done. 

• Doll's outfit - Done
• Lady bug shopping bag - Done
• Knitted doll's dress - Done
• Reading Pillow - Done
• Messy Bun Hat - Done
• Embroidered Make up brush bag - Done
• Children's hat - Done

• Any article Sewn - Mug Rug - Done

It was stressful and it was fun. I plan on starting earlier next year -- like in two weeks. I will be using up as much of the stash as I can and having fun making items. I am not worried about winning prizes but helping keep the entries fleshed out over the next couple of years. It also helps me pass the cold winter months. 

Today

The goal is to do some housework, work on the doll's dress, and knit on the sweater. I also have to do an hour on Design Academy. 
Until the next time.............................

Starting A New Test Pattern

Yesterday was another lovely day. Sunshine and a breeze in the afternoon. The high got to 20C. This morning it was 10C, the skies were clear and the sun is shining. Another lovely day for us.

Lifestyle

I did some housework yesterday morning. The bathroom and kitchen got a good cleaning. I also dusted the bedroom as it had a layer of white fluffy dust on it. It gathers quickly in this house. 
The Spousal Unit worked in the vegetable boxes yesterday. He also got the flowers out of the shed and between the house and the deck. The only plants left to go out are the ones in the garage. They will get a haircut and out today. 

Sewing

I had a great run in the sewing room yesterday. I printed and cut out the next test pattern. 

I used fabric from the stash that I had bought in the spring and early summer. 
The pattern has been easy to sew. The contrasting piece has the lace sewn onto it and then is top stitched to the bodice. 

Anna is modeling the bodice for me. So far the fit looks to be good. The next step is the ties in the back and the collar. I'm going to use a trick or two to do the collar pieces as they are small. 
Design Academy (put on by Pixie Faire) has started up again so I plan on spending a bit of time each day reviewing my materials and adding to my binder. Though fast paced, it will be fun to be back doing a bit each day. 

Knitting

I'm taking a bit of a break from knitting this week. I need to get my mind back into place to finish up projects before I start new ones. I'll begin next week. 

Today

We have to go out and get our passes for the fair which starts on Friday. I also have to get everything ready to submit tomorrow. A busy day in our house. 
Until the next time..................................

Mug Rug Finished

Yesterday was sunny with a brisk breeze. The high got to 16-17C. This morning it is cool (10C), sunny and calm. The weather is back to normal. 

Lifestyle

We surveyed our property for damage and couldn't see anything. The watermelon and cucumber plants didn't fare well during the storm but the tomatoes did well. I will be freezing tomato sauce soon. We are back to doing things we were doing prior to preparing for the storm. 

Sewing

I spent some quality time in the sewing room yesterday afternoon and finished the mug rug. 

I had stitched the binding down and finished the napkin.

Knitting

I finished the child's hat last night and am ready to block both of the hats today. Pictures to follow when they are ready for the fair. 

Today

Housework today and sewing. I will probably do a bit of knitting tonight. I have some projects to finish. We have to do a bit of work outside also. 
Until the next time...............................

Hurricane Dorian Has Passed Over Us

Yesterday was Hurrican Dorian Day in Nova Scotia. Our morning started out with a light rain and wind and it progressed to quite the storm by 5:30 p.m.
I went out in the morning to get cash out and to buy a few more items we needed. On my way home from doing those few chores, I sat at the intersection and watched this low-bed end up on a wonderful angle in the ditch.

I truthfully thought the whole rig was going to be on it's side in the ditch. A bit scary to watch. 
At home, I spent quite a bit of time charging everything up. I can charge my phone off my computer in a pinch. Everything was charged to capacity when the power went off the first time. In less than 2 hours, we had power back on and the first priority was to make sure the laundry was dry, and the food was cooked, cooled, and in the fridge. We were successful. 
As I had unplugged the TV's and sewing machine, I spend quite a bit of time knitting and unknitting and watching Netflix. Time went slowly. We had a lovely warm supper, cleaned up the kitchen and the power went out. It was about the time Dorian hit us hard. 
It was quite the storm with the rain blowing in sideways and being pushed down the street in waves. Visibility was limited and it got quite dark. Suddenly, we could see again and it was nice to find our landmarks coming into view. The rain was less though the winds were still blowing. During the night, the direction of the wind changed as the storm moved east. This morning it was very quiet in the house as the worst had passed. 
Upon looking out into the back yard, we had a trampoline resting in our property. It had been moved about 6 feet or more from it's spot in the neighbor's yard. 

Daughter-in-law came over and helped us start the generator. We got the fridge and freezer cooling again and made coffee for ourselves (best coffee is the cup you have to earn). We boiled water for our neighbors so they could have their pressed coffee. The power came on at about 10:30 a.m. and another neighbor came down to tell us. He had his generator going also but fell in love with our set up. Everything is put away for now and we feel more confident if/when we need to use it again. 
Elliott did well during the hurricane. 

And a bit later he was under the blankets.

He was a bit cuddly during the worst of the wind but he wasn't really scared or acting up. He's been pretty calm during the wind storms we've experienced. 
We planned on putting out the plants again but not until tomorrow. It is still too windy for them. I will do some hand sewing this afternoon as I'm tired from not sleeping well. I will probably watch more Netflix. Energy level is low. 
Until the next time.......................