Bodice Lining Completed

Yesterday was a mix of sun and cloud. The high got to almost 6C. This morning we woke to a skiff of snow, -3C with a wind chill of -7C. We are to have snow start late this afternoon and it will turn cold. Hopefully we will see some sun before it starts snowing. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning we went to the quilt shop to get out of the house. It was a nice drive before the storm hits. I did some more cleaning in the kitchen. I scrubbed the counter tops and then I went back and disinfected them. I also wiped down some cupboard doors and shone up the stove top. 

I helped with the puzzle yesterday and got a big piece in place and added about a dozen more pieces to the area. The Spousal Unit also found some pieces to go in so it was a successful day. We also watched the latest episode of Finding Your Roots. We enjoy that show and I record it to watch one afternoon. 

I ate very blandly yesterday. It was boring but my IBS has settled down. I have to be careful for a couple of weeks and eat only those foods that do not cause the flare ups. I reviewed them and need to buy a few things this week. In the meantime, it will be bland. 

There are no new cases of the virus yesterday for the 2nd day in a row. We hope that cases remain low with restrictions lifted. We know they will be put back in place if the numbers go up. For us, it means shopping early and getting out before the crowds arrive. 

Sewing

I did buy at the quilt shop yesterday and duly recorded it. Two fat quarters of an orange fabric and 1/2 meter of heavy interfacing for the next fabric basket. The orange fabric will probably be used for ski pants and I will get a cute print to go with it for the ski jacket. 

It was lining day for the Civil War Day Dress. I sewed up side seams and hand sewed the lining to cover the sleeve seams. 

Once done, I got the cuffs ready to put onto the sleeves. They look like little boats.

Addy tried on the dress and is happy with it. She is sure that Sarah will love it. 

Knitting

The buttons are on the hat for daughter and it is ready to go into the box I want to ship this week.

I also knit on the test pattern and got it finished. Julie has asked to model it. 

The hat is on the needles and I'm doing the garter stitch brim. I hope to have it done by Monday. 

Today

Once I fold a load of laundry and get one on, I am going to try and finish the dress today. There isn't a lot to do but most of it is time consuming (the cuffs). Once done, I will tidy up the sewing room. Piping is next. I will knit tonight unless we have to go out and shovel snow. 

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

More Done On The Dress

 It is warm outside this morning. It rained also. It was 6C and cloudy though we are to see some sun today. That will be nice as we are to have more snow starting tomorrow night.

Lifestyle

Though I was tired yesterday, I got the bathroom cleaned up. I really pushed myself and had to rest when done. The reason -- I was having small IBS attacks due to eating chili. 

With the main IBS attack happening last night, I am back to eating bland food (rice and chicken) for a couple of days. Then it's back to the IBS diet. I've been eating healthy but including foods that cause IBS flareups. 

There were no cases of the virus reported yesterday. Some of the restrictions in place will be lifted on Monday. They are mainly around sports, theater, and some gatherings. It was stated if the numbers go up, the restrictions will be returned. It is because everyone has been doing their part in keeping the province safe that they are trying this. 

Sewing

I spent time in the sewing room doing the lining for the bodice of the dress. It is in and I am pleased with it. 

It has been an interesting pattern to work on and I am enjoying the process. I will be happy when the cuffs are on the sleeves. It means the skirt can be attached. I'm sure that Sarah will love wearing it after she arrives next month. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night as we were out to celebrate son's birthday. I will have to try and finish it tonight. I am hoping I will have the hat done by the 10th. 

Today

I have to go to the quilt shop and look for trim for the dress and then will be sewing on the dress. I will knit tonight.  

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

More Done On The Civil War Day Dress

 Yesterday was another nice day with a high of 4C. This morning, it was 1C at 6 a.m. and it had snowed during the night. Not a lot but enough to make the lawns white. Rain is in the forecast for tonight. High is to get to 2C. A cooler day. 

Lifestyle

I spent some time cleaning the hallway and getting the items back on the half round table I have in there. The floor was washed and laundry was done. I am going to have to speed up my house cleaning as I feel like I am getting behind again. 

We were out in the late afternoon and enjoyed our little trip. Got son his birthday present. It was a break from being in the house all the time. 

There was one new case of the virus reported yesterday. They are asking people who are out and about to keep getting tested. We aren't out a lot so aren't getting it done at this time. We will if necessary to help keep others safe and healthy. 

Sewing

I spent some quality time in the sewing room yesterday putting in the sleeves and then doing the collar.

The amount of hand basting I'm doing is unreal but I want this dress to shine. I've decided that I need to up the ante on couture sewing. I am hoping that I will have this dress done by Sunday afternoon. There isn't a lot left to do. The pattern has been closed as the designer wanted mainly proof reading and I was the only one to sew. I really don't mind as I will have a lovely dress for Sarah when she arrives.

Once done, I am going to cut out piping and sew it. I need to send a box to daughter by mid month. 

Knitting

I'm into the swing of things with the pattern on the sleeves and have about 4 repeats left to go and the sweater will be done. I'm pleased with the results so far and hope the hat will be cute also. 

Today

Housework this morning and then sewing until 4 p.m. We are out to family's for dinner. I may knit tonight depending on what time we get home. 

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

 

A Warm and Sunny Day

 If Tuesday was an inside day, Wednesday was an outside day. The high got to 12.8C, which broke a record. The sun shone, the sky was blue, and the wind was a bit cold. This morning it is 0C. There was a chance of freezing drizzle and the roads have been salted already. 

Lifestyle

I cleaned the bedroom yesterday and couldn't believe how much dust collected in there in a week. It is done and I am happy. I need to kick the housework up a notch again though. 

The Spousal Unit went out and shoveled the gravel off the end of our driveway yesterday morning and by late afternoon it was dry. Most of the snow is gone and you'd never know we had the storm on Tuesday. We spent time on the deck yesterday enjoying the sunshine and warmth. I even had the back door open. 

I helped with the puzzle yesterday and got a couple of big hunks put in. We were spending too much time looking in the wrong place and I focused on another spot and they fell into place. 

There was one new case of the virus reported yesterday. It was also reported that people 80+ will be getting the vaccine in Nova Scotia shortly. That was great news to hear. 

Sewing

It was a busy day in the sewing room. First the iron leaked (once again) and left a brown stain on the white fabric. I did lay out the pattern on said fabric and threw the stained bit in the garbage. 

I checked the dress to see if I needed to do any serging using the navy thread and then changed the thread to white. I hand sewed the outer sleeves into the bodice and started work on the inner sleeves. Without any problems, I got the placket in. I had to hand sew them down they are so tiny. 

At this point, it was time to start dinner. 

Knitting

I finished the first sleeve. I got the pattern repetition and finished it in record time. The second sleeve was started and about 9 rows were knit. 

I got buttons for the hat and I am happy with my choice. 

I have 3 to sew on which will be done shortly. 

Today

Housework today is laundry, clean the bathroom and hall. I want to put in the under sleeves on the bodice, sew up the side seams and add the cuff. Tonight will be knitting. We do have to be out today for a bit so sewing will be a shorter length of time. 

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

An Inside Kind Of Day

 It was quite the day weather wise. It snowed about 6" in no time flat and the wind howled. Then there was a bit of freezing rain which turned to rain. We watched it rain hard and blow hard for the rest of the day. The high got to almost 11C and we had 47mm of moisture. (Personally I think there was more moisture). Both broke records. Today we will have it warm (8C) with periods of rain this morning. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit was out twice and got half the driveway shoveled. He was very tired when he got done as the snow was wet and heavy. The heavy rain made it worse before it got better. Most of the snow is gone today. The road end of the driveway still has snow in it. Not a lot compared to yesterday. The plow truck did our road 4 times and filled in all the driveways.

I did some housework yesterday but was drawn to watching the snow and rain blow across the sky. But the laundry was done and the bed changed. I also made sure the kitchen was tidy. 

There was one case of the virus reported yesterday. Our numbers are remaining low which is great. Everyone is doing their part to keep each other safe. 

Sewing

I worked on the doll's dress yesterday and got the buttons sewn on to the bodice. Then I did the outer sleeves taking my time to make sure the lace looked good on them. They are lined with the same fabric.

I also did Hong Kong bindings on the center back seams of the doll's skirt. I was worried I'd make a mess of it but it turned out really nice.

I have been on a mission to read the AG historical doll's stories. I had done a lot of research on African Nova Scotians when I read Addy's first book. I learned a lot about her story of freedom. Last night I read about Kit's story and it was another good story. My parents talked about the Depression and some of the hardships they had. They were rural people in the Maritimes and were quite self sufficient. I remember dad saying they would go out and drop their traps or nets and get fish for dinner. Mom said they had everything they needed on the farm they owned.

Knitting

I read rather than knit. I had no interest in picking up the needles and finishing the sleeve. It was a reading kind of evening. 

Today

Another day at home so more housework, sewing and knitting. 

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

A Stay The Blazes Home Kind of Day

 It is snowing and blowing this morning. It was when I got up at 6"30 a.m. It is a storm chip type of day. 

But not at our house. We joked and laughed about it but we haven't had them in the house for a year. They are delicious and addicting. And they only come in bigger bags.

Storm chips are the brain child of a Nova Scotian reporter who bought her favorite variety of chips and dip when a storm was coming in 2014. Covered Bridge had them out in 2015. They sell fast when a storm comes in. 

The snow is going to be here until it warms up and changes to rain later today. They say the temperature could get up to 11C. In the mean time, we are hunkered down watching it snow and blow. 

Lifestyle

I headed into Dartmouth early yesterday morning. I got to Costco at 9:30 a.m. and was out the door at 10:00 a.m. Not looking around for me. It was getting busy and I didn't want to be there in a long line up. As it was, the line up was from the tills to the produce. 

My next stop was Walmart and I was out in an hour. Couldn't get everything I wanted but that happens. It wasn't too busy in there but I wasn't going to wander around either. I was on a mission to be home by just after noon. 

Third stop was the fabric store and I was in and out with very little time looking around. Good sale but I only needed buttons and circular needle. Did peek at some yarn and though. Left it there. 

Once home, we got everything put away by 3:00 p.m. That included the meat I bought. It was repackaged and in the freezer. 

The Spousal Unit and I watched a bit of TV before dinner. We had lasagna which I had pre-planned for. I was tired from the fast trip and aching from the storm coming in. 

I didn't sew or knit yesterday. It was a day away from both activities. 

There was one new case of the virus reported yesterday. There are 10 active cases in the province. 

Today

 I am going to keep busy doing some housework, sew some, watch a bit of TV,  and knit tonight. It really is a "stay the blazes home" kind of day. 

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

Another Test Pattern Begun

 Yesterday was coldest morning so far. -14.3C. The high got to -2.4C but the wind made it feel colder. This morning it is -3C and we are under a snow warning that will be here late tonight. 

Lifestyle

Saturday was a quiet day with the front entrance getting cleaned. It will need to be touched up and then scrubbed. 

Yesterday mornings job was to order the vegetable seeds and then to do the budget. All that is done but one bill has not been paid as I got locked out of the site. Grrr.

I've been doing well with my eating habits and it is paying off. The only thing that was an issue yesterday was getting enough food. I was full and way under what I should eat. So I had a treat -- a butter tart. I'm also learning to weight all my food before I record it. Big differences in weight. I am down 14.1 lbs this morning. 

There were 3 cases of the virus reported on Saturday and none on Sunday.

Sewing

On Saturday, I cleaned the sewing room and put away a lot of items from sewing the purse and fabric basket. It was nice to have it tidied up though there is a pile of items on the cutting table. Future projects. 

While watching TV on later, I cut out the next doll's pattern and taped together pieces of the skirt. I also laid it out on the fabric ready to cut. Yesterday, I cut out the fabric and pinned the skirt together while watching TV.

I got the bodice cut out, the serger threaded and sewed up the bodice. It wasn't hard to do as the instructions are good. I pinned it on Addy and attached the skirt. I'm quite liking it. 

The pins on the bodice is where the buttons go. I will sew them on before I start the next part. I also need to sew the top of the skirt to hold the pleats in place. It needs to be hemmed and a row or two of lace added to it. 

This dress is for the next doll I am going to order shortly. She is an Addy mould with ringlets. She is going to be Addy's friend, Sarah, though Sarah has very short hair. 

Knitting

I knit on the sweater last night and am almost finished the first sleeve. I hope to start the 2nd one tonight. 

Today

I am off to the city to get groceries and a few small things from the fabric store. I want to be home in good time so everything is put away and we can watch a show on TV. I have them on the PVR. Today won't be a sewing day but I do hope to knit. 

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