Scenic Route

Christmas in Asia is a little bit different--in good ways and bad.  Asians tend to use all the Christmas trappings to celebrate the new year.  In very over-the-top ways.  On the other hand, it is left to the Christians to celebrate; in intentional ways.  That, I think, is good. Here's some pics of our 9th Christmas in the East! Hotel Lobby in Macau.  Rather tasteful.  Despite Randy wanting to sneak chocolate covered almonds behind the reindeer.  ...wherever you go, there you are... Kowloon in front of the historic Peninsula Hotel.  Rather tame in daylight.  Stay tuned. Kowloon in front of Peninsula by night.  Dazzling (blinding).  Yes, that IS a giant cupid hovering over the photo op! See that cupid now?  Yes? The beautiful, crazy-old tree above the lighted one pales in comparison. Christmas lights on Hong Kong shore seen from the ferry from Kowloon.   Back to some reality in U...

Well, The Coat is still in progress.  I got a bit stalled as I needed shoulder pads and one doesn't just swing by the sewing store here, so had to wait until of last week.  Then, I was down with some flu bug this weekend and that slowed things down more.  Whole new meaning to slow sewing. So, I want to blog about a jacket that I made this past summer that I am so  pleased with! Here's my Butterick 5616!  Even though I knew in the spring I wanted a white denim jacket for summer, I didn't get it done until almost the end of summer--mainly because I kept searching for just the right denim.  A denim with just the right feel and weight--and that was actually white, not off white or cream.  I made my usual 10 through the neck and shoulders and a 12 on the sides.  I actually added a bit to the side seams that I really didn't need in the end as it's a bit boxy, but I'm OK with that. I ended up using Hong Kong finishes and binding many of the...

Well, I've made progress on The Coat.  S l o w l y.  The first day of sewing was delightful--fabric wonderful to work with--then basted up the side seams…it was too big.  This  being my first try with a Burda Style pattern, I wasn't sure whether to go with the upper bust or full bust measurement.  Should have been the upper.  So…back to the L.A. freeway map  original pattern to grade the pattern pieces down a size.  Makes my head hurt.  Lots of un-sewing. A good week later and it's coming together!  Today I hope to get the sleeves in and then on to hems and fasteners.  One time suck has been the Hong Kong seams--that wonderful satin bias tape turned out to be a bit wonkey, going from wide to narrow and back again.  I think it was the end of a roll because I went back on Saturday to get more (15 meters and counting!!! --some due to all the un-sewing) and it was off a new roll and much better to work with. The sticky dot...

I've been tempted to leave off blogging--but I SO enjoy the online sewing blogging community!  ...and, frankly, I enjoy blogging--the whole creative and sharing process.   After reading about the whole online quandry of much younger bloggers on  Sew Well , I feel so validated and inspired to get back to my blog.  Just for the joy of it. My daughter Nikki, at Fancy That , always says "just pick up where you're at."  So, I'm going to take her advice and do just that.   I've been back in UB for--wowzers!  About a month!  I was thinking a few weeks.  That explains a lot. Anyway.  The fabric shopping here has become even more incredible.  I have to shop by feel for the most part, but man, the selection here is crazy.  I even stumble on a small shop selling amazing Italian ponte knits for about $7-$8 a meter.   What's on the sewing table today:  A coat from this crazy wool/ fleece piece that actually caught my ...

I have been sewing.  Lots!  Anne on The Great British Sewing Bee claims to have sewed every day for  70 years or so--and I have attempted to do just that!  Ann was rather validating. More sewing, but less blogging.  So, some catch up is in order.  A few mornings ago I grabbed my camera, wrapped my little bend-y tripod around the umbrella stand and got caught up :) WINNERS Simplicity 1806 in a cotton lawn from Fabric Mart.   I made this in a 10 on top and a 12 on the sides, with a FBA in the princess seams.  Worn here with a black denim Magic Pencil Skirt.  The skirt was a little on the big side, so I put it into the dryer for a few washes.  Now perfect. Now, I found the collar to be a bit fiddly--frankly, I think it's odd.  The lawn fabric is very soft, yet the collar still sticks up and out. So, I tacked it down in the center front and pressed it into submission.  Sort of.  I'm thinking of taking i...

There's a really great song by Van Morrison, These Are the Days --you can find it at : These Are The Days Beautiful.  So fitting for our family get together during Randy's recent home leave.  See for yourself: Lots & lots of ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc. Male bonding.... Gerald & Josh at church Andreas with Army S.W.A.G.  (Stuff We All Get--seriously) Tea parties: Swimming  (Natalie armed with killer boots, her killer smile--and a Noodle Soaker.  Yes.  Armed & Dangerous) : Kick ball--US Army style :)  Our Casey is in the striped socks.  Of course.  (what we love about him :) I could so do this.  Just let me in. Yes.  Well.  What's needed in kick ball, no? Monopoly!  Yes, into the night--long after I'd thrown up the white flag, the newest generation took over with vigor.  Elijah, the guy fingering his money, is r...