Skip to main content

(more) Swimming & Sewing

Actually, this week's blog will be similar to last week's...Swimming & Sewing.  I think that summer has actually sunk into my psyche.  I did manage to slow things down a bit last week.  Then the heat hit and slowed me down even more.  Yep, I could get used to taking things slow.  I should be sitting on my new porch swing mouth breathing by mid July--when I'll have to come out of my Summer Stupor in order to start traveling again.

...in the meantime...

Last week friends from church came over for an Origami Night.  Kazumi, our sister of Japanese descent and resident origami expert, endeavored :) to teach us one of the most basic shapes.  Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take any group pics, but here's a few of the products of our hard labors.  Mine is the big orange one with, um, personality.  This is not my medium.  --but we had a lot of fun!  I wish I would have captured all of them on film before they started flying home :) There was quite a flock!

Then, there was the siren call of the pool...

This is blurry--because it was an Action Shot (and I don't have an Action Camera)!

All adults on deck!  Where's Amanda?  How come she gets to veg down at the deep end, hmm?




Stinker Kelby ;)


Then, from the Sewing (Therapy) Loft...I'm having a lot of fun sewing garments...for myself :)  ...and to have them fit, etc.--very gratifying!  It's been interesting to explore why the garments are pleasing.  One, a lot has to do with the fabric--at 54, fabric is my Friend.  Hides a multitude of sins ;) --but I also need light, fluid fabrics and a fit that skims, not hugs.  Which brings me to a Ponderance Two.  Is it just me or did there used to be a pattern section for "Mrs."?  I remember this from when I was very young--a whole section of patterns for, what they called back then, the Matronly.  Believe me, a C cup at 54 years old is NOT the same as a C cup on a 20 or 30 year old.  Sigh.  I just might pursue this with the pattern companies.  Stay tuned.

Tips gleaned these days mostly seem to come from my wonderful daughters.  Nikki recently passed on the tip of using a walking foot with knits.  Magic!
T
I sewed this tunic top up from a really light and soft knit from Denver Fabric's bargain bins.  I'm really pleased with the fit and feel; very flattering.

I

Then I finished up this blue sweater; again, very light, soft & drape-y knit.  Taking a tip from Nikki, I doubled the collar/scarf piece width and sewed as one piece to avoid hemming a bias edge.  Very pleased with this one, too!



















I end the past week and start the new one with a challenge the Lord gave me from Neh 9:17:  

...but You are God.
Ready to pardon
Gracious & merciful
Slow to anger
Abundant in kindness

am I.?..be imitators of God, dear children...  
Ouch

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Much Needed New Winter Robe - Vogue 9232

Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter.  Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US.  But still.  For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one.   When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern.  Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe.       Sham's review   in particular had great tips.   On a trip to Colorado Fabrics  in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric.  The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft.  And it's baby pink!  Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer.  But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...
2 comments
Read more

Travel Duds

As I've probably whined/stated before, the trip to and from Mongolia involves about 30 hours of travel spread over 3 flights, Incheon Airport, South Korea the long leg being 11-13 hours.   For almost 10 years I've resisted wearing anything closely resembling sweats.  I know, I know.  Call it an anti Ugly American thing.   About 5 years on, I had to ditch jeans with any kind of buttons on the back.  Finally, the knobby seam joint of the back yoke got to me.  Never mind having to unbutton midway through. Sigh.  I finally caved into wearing comfy pants (hereafter referred to as Happy Pants) on the long leg of my international flights last September.  These were made up in my favorite yoga pants pattern, Laura Lounge Trousers  (I'd made 3 pair for Pilates already :)  by Maria of Denmark (her Kimono Tee pattern is another one of my go to's!).  In purple stretch velour.  Still, I couldn't bring myself to hang out in the airpo...
1 comment
Read more

Jesus, Me, and Yoga

Almost a month ago I signed up for a 3-month membership at a local Dahn yoga center--and I have to say it has been life changing! Seeking to conquer my constant heart palpitations and gain lots more flexibility in ever creakier joints and muscles, I am constantly surprised--and delighted--to find it a profoundly spiritual experience. Not in a zen way, no Hindu gods invoked--but lots & lots of Jesus. I have found this stage of life to be an intersection where my spiritual life & emotions collided head on with my body. Things that for years I could sweep under the rug or just push through (ok, and blame others, hold grudges, lash out, etc., etc., yuk & yikes); well, my body would no longer tolerate it. Results: constant heart palpitations, sleep issues, anger/depression, etc. God used the hormonal stew of this life stage to bring me to a Ground Zero of sorts--what a journey it has been! My trip to Cambodia was the beginning of Change; it rebooted my decision-making p...
2 comments
Read more