Green Apples

1. Cynthia Rowley dress (Simplicity 2443) - Pattern: Simplicity 2443 Fabric: Ponte de Roma knit from Hancock’s, 2 yards There is much to be said for the simple dress.  This deviates quite a bit from my usual style, yet I love it!  This is the second Cynthia Rowley design that I’ve sewn (first here,) and I think I might be a fan. [...]
2. Feeling much better - Thank you all for the support shown to my bad week – it really helped to know I’m not the only one who (for instance) is an angry crier.   In spite of my tendency to hibernate when I’m down, like Leon the cat above in his hamper (where he has spent the majority of [...]
3. Not the best of weeks - I have had a bad week.  People have been upset with me, I’ve been cried on, and in one memorable conversation, someone tried to convince me that I was morally a bad person (which is so completely the wrong thing to say to me if you don’t want a fight.)  I avoid confrontation at almost [...]
4. Wishful thinking - First of all, thank you all so much for the delightful comments on my last two posts!  I was glad to see all the INFJs come out of the woodwork, and that I’m not the only one with a secret regency romance obsession.  I’m eternally a bit behind in responding, but I will get there! [...]
5. Finished: Butterick 5490 - Note the fabulous (autographed!) Liberace album, complete with tribute candlesticks, on the mantle in my studio. Pattern: Butterick 5490, view A Fabric: Silk/cotton/lycra twill print, available from Gorgeous Fabrics here Notes: I have a complicated relationship with stretch wovens.  They are comfortable to wear, but at best they seem unpredictable to sew.  Sometimes I wind [...]
6. Etsy faves and 10 things about me - Above: A sneak peak of this week’s project!  It’s actually all finished, and awaiting photos this weekend.  I went with dark brown piping, as it was the overwhelming winner!   Does anyone else feel like they can never get piping the way they want?  I have the special piping foot, but my zipper foot works [...]
7. The rest of summer sewing - I divide the year up into three seasons: 1. So cold I have to wear a sweater (ie Winter, but really only January and maybe February) 2. Actually warm enough that I can go without sleeves (except in the case of air conditioning) (Summer, but really only July and August.) 3. Most of the year [...]
8. The First dress of Autumn (Simplicity 2360) - Pattern: Simplicity 2360 Fabric: Peachskin print from Joann Notes: I don’t usually make wearable muslins.  The reason for that are twofold: first of all, I want to be able to write all over my muslins, and second of all, if it turns out well I end up never making the item with the original fabric. [...]
9. Fall Vogue patterns 2010 - After my disappointment with McCalls, I was really hoping that the Fall Vogue patterns wouldn’t turn out to be nothing but a repeat of all the bad fashion choices I made in the 80s.  They’re out today, and I am so relieved – they’re actually way less crazy pants than they have been lately (no [...]
10. Ruffles! (Simplicity 2599) - Pattern: Simplicity 2599, view D Fabric: Poly charmeuse Notes: I told you that I had a great sewing weekend!  My last week has contained plenty of turmoil, and culminated in me having to make a decision to sit out next season in one of my choirs.  There is a conflict with my trip to Italy, [...]

Mason-Dixon Knitting

1. First Annual Olive Bergmann Festival of Songs About Dogs - Dear Ann, You may have wondered, with a sinking, sure knowledge, "Is Kay going to be one of those people who celebrates her dog's birthday?" Why yes. Yes I am one of those people. (I know! It's awful!) Olive...
2. Cool Heads on a Hot Day - Dear Kay, The Cottage Tour and Bazaar! Sometimes a day is a little too big. But it was all a good kind of big. At one point, as I was wheeling visitors around on a borrowed golf cart, a fellow...
3. Extreme Makeover, Carriage House Edition - Dear Kay, One bad piece of planning for the Cottage Tour was when I asked two of my neighbors if they would be willing to put their adorably and recently renovated cottages on the tour. Frannie and Amanda said yes...
4. Look Who's.....Blocking - Dear Ann, Here is Dawn, pre-block. I did the i-cord last weekend. Note for aficionadas: I didn't do it in the contrast color, but instead matched the stripes, changing colors as I i-corded. I like the way it looks...
5. Cottage Tour and Bazaar Red Alert - Dear Kay, Oh, my, gravy. I have never in the past SEVEN YEARS OF BLOGGING gone this long without an entry. I feel like I've died or something. (You do realize, of course, that today marks the seventh anniversary...
6. The Ears Don't Lie - Dear Olive, Don't get me wrong. I love it when you help me make up the bed. I know it's a lot more fun for you than the knitting. And better exercise! All that huffing and puffing and stretching....
7. How To Bore Your Dog - Dear Ann, Don'tcha hate it when a blogger says they're working on secret knitting, and they get all CIA about it? Olive finds this very boring. But what can I do? I'm working on Secret Knitting. It's for a pal....
8. "Our Destiny Is Written in the Hand" - Dear Ann, I saw this gem amongst the exquisite roses over at Emma's, and the plainspoken truth of it smacked me in the head: All of a sudden this endless i-cord I'm working seems downright noble. Enjoy and share! Love,...
9. This Is the Abridged Version - Dear Ann, I've photoshopped my fingers to the bone, and can't think how to go about describing this trip other than in pictures and captions. (Our favorite literary genre!) If I had more time, I'd write a shorter post. Sorreee!...
10. First/Last/Home - Dear Ann, First picture in Israel. (Basel Street fruit store.) Last picture in Israel. (Beach at Jaffa.) First picture at home. I have a lot to tell, but also a lot to do. Stuff has been piling up around here....