Summertime in Texas

Summer came early this year. Its been Texas hot, only it started earlier than its supposed to. We know we will have to deal with 100+ degree heat for at least 10 -20 days a summer, but when it starts in early June, you know you're in for a long one. Every spring, I can't wait for the last frost so I can plant my many containers of flowers and foliage. I dutifully water every day, even as it gets hotter and hotter. Finally, during the dog days of August, I give up and let the Texas heat burn them up, unwilling to subject myself to the daily sweat soaking you get from the 10-15 min it takes to water them all! This year, I am determined to prevail. I have begun working out every morning. When I am finished, I rinse off with a quick dip in the pool. This morning, instead of hurrying back in doors out of the heat, I took my towel and sat on the edge of the far side of the pool in the shade. Suddenly, I became aware of a distinct sound. It is the sound of summer in the hot dry southwest. The sound of cicada bugs in the trees. The sound took me back to my childhood, and hot, dry afternoons in Arizona. I relaxed, and began to splash my feet in the water, revelling in the moment. Suddenly, the 100 degree morning didn't seem so bad! I began to actually see the beauriful garden around me, and the home my husband and I built to raise our children in. I noticed the beautiful little blue flowers under the tree I was sitting by. I watched a butterfly enjoying a trumpet vine flower. I looked up into the huge blue dome over me and gave thanks for my life and family and home. Finally, reluctantly, I gathered up my towel and returned to the house and the chores therein. I know some people don't like the sound of cicadas. but for me they are the sound of carefree childhood summer!

Families

I'm back in my sewing room after a short family vacation. 19 years ago, I married my soul mate. I had a 12 year old son. He had a 10 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. I read somewhere that it takes 7-1o years to put together a blended family. We definitely found that to be true. The kids are all grown and gone, now. One is married. One is married then divorced. All are college grads. One lives in Maryland. One lives in Austin. One lives with his wife in Dallas. We all met in Austin the day after the 4th of July. There is this FABULOUS water park just south of Austin called the Schlitterbaun. We spent the whole day there. What fun! The original part of the park is built into the hillside along side of a river under grand old trees, so the lines for the rides are in the shade. Also, the rides may take you right into the river. Maybe the highlight of the day was when my husband and our oldest son decided they were tired of bumping their bums on the bottoms of the rides so they were going to ride the raging rapids on very small child size innertubes. We all tried to tell them the tubes were too small, but to no avail. Sure enough, they couldn't stay sitting on the tubes! Finally, they came bumping down the rapids, sitting on one tube and holding on to one or 2 others! It was hillarious! I am sooooooooo glad our daughter (who lives in Maryland) had the idea that she wanted to do this. On the way back to the hotel, our oldest remarked that for a little while, he felt like he was 13 again. I said this time it was way better than when he was 13. Back then, I felt soooooooooo responsible for everyone, that I couldn't really enjoy an outing like that. This time, I could just relax and enjoy it. It was soooo much fun!!! I want to go again!!! Love you kiddos!!! And next time, we'll START on the scary rides!!!

Seeking the Holy Grail

When I semi-retired from Nursing about 8 years ago, I returned to sewing with much enthusiasm. Having obtained a Top of the Line sewing machine and serger, I wanted to learn to use them to the maximum potential. I also felt that since RTW is so available and basically affordable, that in order to make it worth my time and effort, whatever I sewed should be at least as good or better than something I could by at an upscale shop. To that end, I became immersed in trying to get the perfect fit. My husband refers to this as "seeking the Holy Grail"! I tried 3 different computer programs for pattern making with varying degrees of success, but was never really happy with the results. With one program I actually had the perfect pants. Then the programmer upgraded the program and with the upgrade, the pants were broken. Unfortunately I had gained wt and could no longer use the pattern I had obtained. I tried another popular program. I printed out a semi fitted top. Out came a square, boxy shirt with darts. I then printed out a fitted shirt. Out came the same boxy pattern, just with HUGE darts. Maybe I didn't give it enough chance, but to me these patterns have very little sophistication. I prefer Vogue!!! Then I did some beta testing for a new program just starting out. After spending a year and a LOT of money and still having nothing to wear, I decided to learn to alter patterns and maybe even make my own to fit. So I went to Oregon and took fit from Palmer/Pletsch. I learned a lot and came back with several patterns ready to sew. I am continuing to learn and explore and experiment. Much of my blogging will be about that, I am sure!
Over this last weekend, I ran across an article in Threads, Nov 2006 about shoulder fitting problems. I used their suggestions, and taped a piece of gridded paper to the wall. Although my husband was less than excited, he did assist me by tracing around my shoulder line! I then attached this to my cutting table. Now, theoretically, I can lay a pattern on this, matching up the neck and center seam and be able to alter the shoulder slope to fit mine. One more tool to use in the search for the Holy Grail!!! The picture to the right is Vogue pattern V1021 which was fitted to me at the Palmer/Pletcsh school.