Ladies Sewing Circle

I've been busy...

2011-11-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

I have taken quite a breather since the last post. I don't really even have an excuse...except for the cutest.baby.ever (as pictured above). I skipped the whole posting while pregnant deal, but if you miss that kind of thing it would have gone something like this...fat, fat, fat, hungry, ugh, fat, eat, eat, eat and then birth. There are we caught up? Good.

The sewing circle will be a little less of an actual sewing circle for the time being. Reason being, I cannot wield a needle and a baby at the same time. I am not that good yet and gimme a break, I just want to stare at this baby. She rules.

xxoo

Carole

Oh Hello!

2010-10-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I am here again. Here I am. Right here. In your face, on your screen.

This has been a long break, for real. I think I forgot about the circle and the ladies, sorry.

Here are a few things that I have been working on.

FIrst -

THE OC SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC ARTS!!!!

www.ocschoolofdomesticarts.com

Check it out. I am your long lost Home Ec. teacher. Let bake a ham. I am not a one woman operation however, Heather makes cheese and does too many things to list. You might love us. I think you will.

Second -

Archie ate something weird (Thai food, I know) and broke out in the most disgusting awful hives. He looked like a monster. His already fleshy face swelled up to astronomical proportions. But he never acted sick or in pain, in fact he was biting me continuously until he passed out from the Benadryll. He is fine now and no more Thai Food, I promise.

Third -

I made an ET costume and forgot to take a picture. Sheesh.

Fourth -

Tomorrow is halloween and I need a fake beard.

Be back soon,

Carole

Have a relaxing weekend

2010-09-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Take a lesson from Archie and rest all of your face folds on the cool kitchen tile for maximum relaxation. And while you're down their... why not lick the grout clean? Or not.

This gal...

2010-09-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Who gets bit directly on the calf by a dog who just cannot wait his turn with the garden hose?

this gal.

Who makes pita bread with no pockets? Hot pants pitas?

this gal.

Who goes to Target to get a baby shower gift and ends up lying on the floor in order to read the skew number on a 3 pack of onesies that turns out to be the wrong ones(onesies) ha?

this gal.

Who smiled at a baby today and got snubbed?

this gal.

Not complaining, just saying.

Zuul and Archie

2010-09-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

I thought we bought a puppy and named him Archie.

Turns out we also bought a mythical beast named Zuul.

Where Archie is a sweet playful bulldog.
Zuul is a snarling foot-chomping hell hound that takes all action as a threat, especially the offer of a treat.

There is no warning as the when Archie will take a back seat to Zuul and Zuul stays as long as Zuul wants.

Archie is currently snoring away on the bathroom floor. He loves the cool tile and shoves the bathroom rug to the side to get maximum body to tile ratio. Sometimes he helps out by polishing the tile with his tongue and gnawing a little at the grout but mostly he just snores. I have to be careful not to disturb his slumber because it is usually Zuul that I am waking up.

Wait...Uh oh.

Hiding...

2010-09-17T17:03:00.000-07:00

There is something amazing at the bottom of this clay pot. It used to hold a little daisy plant until Archie knocked it off the plant stand and emptied the contents all over the back porch. Archie hates daisies. Ever since he's emptied it, he's been concentrating deeply on whatever is at the bottom, which from what I can see is just a hole.

Cone of Silence

2010-09-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Archie loves his pool. Even when he is wearing his cone which doesn't exactly make him silent, in fact, it amplifies his barking like a megaphone. Yipee.

the sum of all of Saturday

2010-09-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this picture make you want to smile? me too.

Today was a good day here in the sewing circle. I just thought I'd make a note of that.

brief intermission (brief as it pertains to the amount of time the earth has been spinning)

2010-09-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Wow. I am back. I highjacked Ryan's laptop for the day and man there is a lot of computering' to catch up on. Here is a list of what has been going on lately...

1. I have been nominated for a just spotted blog award. No kidding, it's true. I am in total awe of my co-nominee's, because they are amazing and .....

Oo, Archie is letting out a muffled howl in his sleep, now he's running, and now he's doing some muffled barking.

back to it:... seriously if you have a moment, go and cast a vote for some or all of these amazing people and their blogs here. They deserve it for all of their hard work and extreme creativity and I am happy to be mentioned.

2. Archie got 'fixed' yesterday. He is wearing the cone of silence and if he was clumsy without the cone, he is a basket case with the cone. There is no wall that he does not catch on with that ridiculous plastic contraption. Poor guy.

3. Summer is pretty much over... darn, and I was just about to break out my bikini (thank you, thank you, thank you for the changing of the seasons).

4. A troll has taken residence in my garage beneath my summer sewing stuff. Garage trolls, big deal, not a laughing matter.

5. My hair bun was too tight yesterday which caused me to have a headache.

6. Gilmore Girl's in sindication has looped and is back to the pilot episode. In case you care.

7. I have 15 followers now. I might cap it. 15 people is about the largest amount of people that you want to take out to dinner at one time. Any more and we will have to have a banquet and those tend to be impersonal.

8. My vacuum started expelling dirt rather than inhaling(?) it. This made for some extra cleaning and vacuum abuse. Ryan fixed it but I am writing this down in my "reasons why cleaning is dumb" peachy folder.

I would love to gossip with you some more on my rotary phone at the desk where I catch up on all my correspondence but I have to feed the garage troll or he wont let me do any laundry.

Ladies Sewing Topic - Getting to where you need to go with out major directional issues....discuss

2010-08-27T23:26:00.000-07:00

I am developing a wrinkle above my right eyebrow... it's the one that shoots skyward when I am in disbelief. Like when, last night, I was headed home, in my city... that I live in and have lived in... for the past, oh, 30 odd years... when I got lost, like realbigdeal lost. I crossed over train tracks at least 3 times which only caused more confusion as to whether I had crossed over the tracks into the wrong side of town and which side I was currently on (kept an eye out for neerdowells and all of their shennanigans). I swear I passed a hobo with a red checkered bindle. I don't know what that means other than that when I hallucinate, it's usually composed of well placed comforting images, like the time I thought I saw Little Debbie when I was lost at the airport in Canada. Eventually I found a street name I knew and I followed that sucker until, well until I was home. I get lost a lot. I have navigation and I still get lost. I can make you anything out of anything, but you'll have to pick it up at my house because I'll never find you.

Archie

2010-08-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

This guy lives with us now.

He is still working out some of his more undesirable traits, but at 4 months old, I am just happy that he does his business outside.

Archie barks a lot, I mean a lot. But then he'll lounge in backyard on a lawn chair and I can see that someday we'll get along fine.

But for now, if he could find it in his little doggie heart to stop tearing the hem of my dresses, I would be more receptive to playing in the backyard with him.

The wind has changed and I have been blown right back into town...

2010-08-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am. I have survived the harsh blows that life has dealt so far, so far and I am truly happy just to have something to say, in the words of Glen Danzig...I have something to say... thanks Glen, the life that I, and many others have made up for you is probably far more entertaining than the one you actually live. I will gladly peruse your book collection and I do love werewolves though probably not as much as you.

I spent most of yesterday sorting through a bazillion t-shirts left behind by my dad. He sure loved a good t-shirt and his humor was evident in every single one. I grabbed a few for myself and the rest will be made into quilts, if they are good and sold if they are lame. When I got home I had many a carrot to Harvest. Archie...Oh whoops, about that, Ryan and I got a puppy. A baby American Bull dog, and as you might have already surmised, his name is Archie. Well, Archie loves the garden hose and the water that shoots out of it and the mud it makes. The poor floppy pooch came tearing into the house and slipped and slid, whoosh all the way from the back door to the kitchen. He is 4 months old yesterday and still not in control of his almost 25lb body. PIctures to come soon. He is cuter than most dogs. I mean it. You will see and readily agree.

Well, those dern carrots finally begrudgenly (word? who cares) came out of the ground and I made Coconut Carrot Soup from Amy Pennington's Urban Pantry. A gift given to me by my fantastic friend Sharon for my last birthday. This book is my new guide to living. I wish it was longer. I wish I knew what she was talking about, I will soon. Anyway, that soup was.so.good. So simple, and so delicious. We ate it so quickly there was no time for a picture but it was the color of orange sherbet. No lie, the color was neon electric. The way it bubbled a little in the pot made it look radioactive, but man, this was delicious. Curry chicken salad from Joy of Cooking...not so good. Great recipe, bad execution on my part. One out of two is good though.

The day before I made home made pita bread and I am ashamed of the results. That is all I can say. I will go and stand in the corner now.

As for today, I must make the mad dash across the south land. There is much to do before the weekend and before tonight. My goodness, you guys are my favorite, but I have to go.

Love - Carole

Here it is...summer

2010-07-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

I smelled summer today when I opened the front door. It was in the air and in the way that my eyeballs immediately started to cook when I stepped out of the shade and into the sun. I ran back inside and remained perfectly still under the air conditioning vent. Don get me wrong. I love summer. But I really do have to ease into it. It seems like yesterday, it was a little chilly and today...BAM!!! Summer slammed into me with brutal force. Perhaps tomorrow I'll dip my toe into a ray of golden sun.

Sew... Summer has freed up the sewing schedule quite a bit. I have some availability on Mondays and Wednesdays at least until October. If you have a hankering for some sewing lessons send me and email and we can talk about it. Haven't you just been dying to make a quilt? or a summer dress? I can help you with that. Just sayin'

Independence Day and my 100th post

2010-07-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today is the fourth of July and my 100th post. Yipee! Let's celebrate, one event slightly more important than the other, I know, but don't tell the United States that you congratulated me first and it should be fine.

Speech.

I knew when I started this blog that I would probably never run out of things to say about... stuff. Because life is full of stuff and things that you are likely to want to talk about. I like that the internet doesn't talk back or diminish my fun with questions like... "Well, why would you want to do THAT!?" Thank you internet for being a silent but smiling audience (I think) and for not kicking me out of cyberspace. And let's not forget my readers, I am going to send you all a thank you note, because A.) I am pretty sure that we are family. B.) I have exactly 6 stamps and I am sure that that will be all that I need. C.) When ever you tell me you like my blog I feel warm and fuzzy inside. Like an Easter Peep... you know what I mean. Thank you for reading. I promise to say more in my blog and less in person... "Why are you backing away and averting your eyes?!, I didn't finish telling you EVERYTHING!"

So there it is. 100. I will finish this post with 100 of my favorite things (in no particular order except for the first one). Because I enjoy every second of life. Do you?

1. My Husband and his catch phrase "Problem is...."
2. My new puppy (pictures to come)
3. Old family photos.
4. The fact that everyone in my family has similar ears. See taxi with both doors ajar.
5. Carmen Miranda.
6. Yellow Dresses and wooden shoes.
7. Warm concrete next to a pool.
8. Me, my sister and my Dad all having the same pink LA Gear shoes when I was in kindergarden.
9. Rod Stewart Mandolin Wind.
10. Strawberry lIcorice.
11. Stella D'Oro despite their contant factory worker revolts resulting in lack of Stella D'Oro.
12. Chirpy birds in my bird feeder.
13. Second hand yarn(s). The textiles or a someone's story told by another.
14. THe Lovin' Spoonful.
15. Radio Days. Dear Woodie Allen, you are a strange man, but you make me laugh out loud.
16. Sewing and sewing and sewing and sewing.
17. Finding notes in thrift store jacket pockets.
18. The fabric store. If you need me, I am probably there. The ladies at the counter will take a message.
19. Thinking about traveling to Europe.
20. Gardening with my husband.
21. The smell of fall and then winter when it comes rolling in.
22. Did I say wooden shoes? Well I MEANT IT!
23. My mom's perfume but only on her.
24. Hello Kitty. If I went to Japan. I might explode, therefore I stay away and only occasionally visit Sanrio.
25. Grandma McCarty's traveling out west and her roller skating and knitting.
25. Grandpa McCarty's breakfast gravy and the directions for making it. "How much?" "Just enough." "Oh."
26. Singing... whether you like it or not.
27. Weddings, weddings, weddings.
28. Huge pickle jars full of lady bugs.
29. The Harvester
30. Ma and Pa Kettle
31. The Egg and I
32. Angry Geese who chase people. Take that innocent park goer.
33. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Sorry Johnny, Gene did it better. Are we still friends?
34. Googlie Eyes
35. Plastic insects.
36. Growing flowers. I am still so amazed that I can get things to grow.
37. Simple Simple SImple Lives.
38. Used Book Stores. I almost just jumped up to go to one when I typed that.
39. Cowboys and Indians (Native Americans)
40. Vintage Clothes.
41. Estate Sales and the strange politics involved in attending them. I have been scratched. Just sayin'
42. Toast.
43. Butter, please never change, you are delicious and that is all there is to it.
44. Laughing really really hard.
45. Remembering something that was funny and laughing really really hard all over again.
46. Shoes.
47. Lunch on the beach.
48. Pic n" Save. Not to be confused with that other place.
49. Weinershnitzel chili cheese dogs right out of the refrigerator.
50. Jeopardy
51. My judgemental turtle
52. Incorporating Elvis, Keny Rogers and John Wayne into my decorating scheme.
53. Armadillos and their means of rolling transportation.
54. Augustus McCrea
55. Ronnie Lane and the Debris.
56. Camping
57. Riding a beach cruiser to the beach.
58. Donuts... in a dangerous way.
59. Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
60. Elvis Presley
61. Thrift Stores in Hesperia with my Dad. P.S. Don't try this at home.
62. Remembering to be grateful.
63. Poncho
64. and Lefty
65. Andy Taylor
66. Ethel Merman
67. Shirly McLaine
68. Dog's that swim
69. People that dance.
70. The smell of Thanksgiving Dinner
71. Finishing everything on my list.
72. Bernnaisse Sauce (see #43 regarding butter)
73. Being on a stage.
74. ghosts.
75. the story of how you met the one you love.
76. waking up rested and happy.
77. pink plastic grocery bags.
78. tea and lots of it.
79. floating on my back in the ocean.
80. cheese, holy cow I almost forgot this.
81. my memories of Disneyland before I grew up and started counting calories and insults.
82. Writing letters, I wish I had a penpal. If interested, email me your address. I have scented stationary and I always write back.
83. Yellow curry.
84. puppies that run and bark in their sleep.
85. San Francisco.
86. red red lipstick. I try to wear it sometimes but I don't think it's my color.
87. going out to dinner.
88. Catch 22, the only book that ever made me laugh out loud.
89. Nancy Regan's commitment to Chanel sutis.
90. My Dad.
91. Amish Country
92. Chip Coffey
93. Johnny Paycheck
94. Ping Pong.
95. Western wear.
96. Getting stuff in the mail.
97. Churros
98. Blogging. obv.
99. Plaid.
100. The fact that I have way more that 100 favorite things...

Love - Carole

Did you ever think?...

2010-07-03T16:16:00.001-07:00

So, I have had this idea for a very long while. It is the kind of idea that you sit on forever thinking that someone is bound to catch on and mass produce it before you even have a chance to yell "But that was MY IDEA!!! Every so often I check Etsy and hold by breath for the results and so far.... nothing. Still no-one has caught on and I am amazed. Perhaps it is a dumb idea. Either way, i think it is time for an unveiling of epic proportion. I love making these and I think you will love wearing them. I have already said too much. Did you think I would tell you? No way, you are too crafty of a bunch for me to show these too just yet. I need a fair crack at the design. But soon, I promise, I will let you in on the shenanigans.

On gifts and ideas

2010-06-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

I want you to know that I thought about you today.

The good times... like when we made up dance routines to Wham! songs in the eighties, and the bad... when you accidentally washed my Dr. Pepper chapstick with my Fido Dido Hyper color t-shirt rendering both useless.

No really, I thought about every person I know today. I thought about what I would make them if the occasion called for it, birthday, etc. I have a lot of excellent ideas, but I know myself well enough to know that some ideas pan out and go down in history and others pop loudly and fizzle out quickly like last year's piccolo pete. I wish that I could make you all matching outfits or paint your portraits or both but at this rate of production, I will be lucky to get each of you one good gift in your life times.

I hope that is enough.

Carole

Are you tired, run down and listless? Do you poop out at parties?

2010-06-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

hello girls...

10 cents for anyone who can name the source of the title of this post. If you can, then we will be best friends forever I am sure of it. But I am the Ethel. I just have to be. Let's get together soon and gossip about Carolyn Applebee.

Next. If you are here looking for some wisdom I managed to scrape some up today totally by accident. Here it is. A long long time ago, or last week. Sharon, fabulous Sharon of Cupcakes and Cutlery, handed me this little book called Substituting Ingredients; The A to Z Kitchen Reference by Beck Sue Epstein. Now, I know what you are thinking... but stop thinking that and pay attention. This is important and here is why...

Today I had a headache. I was tired, run down... see above. This makes doing any task difficult at best. Cook dinner? Wait, what? Any other day I would send my husband through the nearest drive thru and call it good but today there happened to be a 4 and a half pound zucchini on my counter and it needed to be cooked. The giant telephone jokes had run their course and frankly, my husband didn't laugh the first time I held it like a rifle and marched like I was on night watch in the military. I purposely avoided putting googlie eyes on it because it was much too large for that. It was big enough to talk back and I did not want to encourage a personality. But what can I do with zucchini that is not just steamed mish-mash? Wait for it....

I consulted The Joy of Cooking and found a simple recipe for a zucchini casserole. Fine, good, this sounds simple, right? Well I guess, if you have all of the ingredients. But I had no sour cream or ground coriander because I am not an Iron Chef, I am not even a short order cook. No way am I going to leave the house to get this stuff. Nobody combed my hair today and I had a kool aid mustache. So what to do?, insert twiddling thumbs here.

And then I remembered the book...I had thought at the time that I would use it for all of those obscure ingredients that are present in most of the recipes that I tear out of doctor's office magazines. I was not thinking of it's practical everyday substitutions. Here I was with a monster headache and I just needed to make some food, nothing fancy, just simple, fast and tasty.

No sour cream? Well Carole, do you have greek yogurt? Yes, I don't know why, but yes, I do. And no ground corriander? or cilantro? Well how about a little dried parsley and lemon zest? Heck yes. No Monterey Jack? Well cheddar is like a cousin from your mother's side.

Done and done and I didn't even have to leave the house. Score. This book is a wealth of knowledge. Perfect for the thrifty or dare I say lazy (just me ladies, I can say that about me) cook. I was intrigued and saw that there were tons of great substitutions for all kinds of things. Saffron! Have you ever hmmmed and hawwed over a fourteen dollar bottle of saffron? Well, tumeric or marigold petals for color will do just fine in a pinch.

Check this book out, you will not be sorry. Especially if you really dislike going to the store at 5:30pm on a weekday.

p.s. I will be trying this out on a fancy recipe soon.

p.p.s. I love this book.

p.p.p.s. the cheese substitution categories in the book are the greatest. I buy a lot of cheese and I almost never have the correct cheese for a recipe. It is good to know who is related to who in the cheese family.

2010-06-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

First, I must apologize for the radio silence... Many things have happened that are just not funny and I just cannot bring myself to blog about them. I would rather not slather you all with the sticky peanut butter of my situation but as Billy Bragg says you gotta take the crunchy with the smooth when it comes to this life. So that is me lately... Well in a few lines anyway. I purposely left out the fact that I really love coca cola in styrofoam cups. I know! Terrible right? Geez I might as well just go and kick a dolphin while I'm at it. If it makes you feel any better I rarely partake in this guilty pleasure, mostly because only donut shops sell soda in styrofoam and I make it a point to steer clear of all donut shops. There is an excellent reason for this and it involves will power or lack thereof. One day I will tell you how iused to order donuts for imaginary people so as not to look like a piggy. But that is for
another day entirely.

I just wanted to check in and see what the weather was like over here in the sewing circle. Looks sunny. I'll check in when I feel funny which is not a lot lately.
Perhaps I should take into consideration what my father would think of me not
feeling funny. He's always funny... Even right now.

Dear Dad,
thank you for rolling down the stairs in front of all of my friends in high school. You are the funniest man on earth.
Love Carole

status

2010-05-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

life is happening at an alarming rate. be back soon.

Monday is a day for sewing...

2010-05-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

new things... exciting things... things that are needed to make my kitchen brighter, my couch comfier, my bathroom... less like one that I wore flip flops in while I was in Barcelona. Monday is a time for cleaning up after the whirlwind of a weekend left maple syrup on the dining bench seat, huh? weird and a trillion rhinestones on the floor... there was a crafting incident that I barely walked away from.

This stinks....

2010-05-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

The one skunk that lives under our ancient jacuzzi has multiplied into three. This solves the mystery of who ate the baby sunflowers. Freeloading skunk family.

Scrap Day or Free Time Sewing Day

2010-05-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was our sewing class's first official free sewing day. Meaning, I brought most all of the scraps that I save all year long and I gave the girls the opportunity (for the last half of class) to make whatever their little hearts desired. This is something that I have not been able to do as of yet for the reason that machine skills were still being developed and I wanted to get a few projects under their belts before I asked them to be creative. The past few weeks have shown me just how creative they can be, what with their cute little additions to some of our planned projects bows, pockets, stripes, etc. So the free sew day was a go. (Also it gave me some much needed time to perfect the hat we will be working on come next week... hats are fussy, if you didn't know =)

I cannot believe what some of them came up with. Pocket clotheslines, masks worthy of international spies, purses, some girls added pockets to the insides of their beach bags. Darling little flowers and bears that are very similar to the appliques that we will be putting on the messenger bags in the summer classes. Jewelry and hair accessories.

Needless to say, I was very impressed. Free sewing allowed me, but more importantly the girls, to see that they have come a long long way since class began. I promised the girls that we will definitely do this again before summer and I really cannot wait to see what they come up with next. I will take some pictures of their creations next week if they let me.

the sewing teacher

This is so exciting...

2010-05-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am blogging from my iPhone. Now we can talk all of the time.

You are going to get so sick of me.

I am not sure how to post pictures yet. But when I figure it out...Watch out!

Technology.

Foggy and in need of a shower

2010-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

I woke up in a fog after a dream about the IRS asking me too many questions about off shore accounts... which I don't have and I still get the pleasure of dreaming about. thanks brain.

so i exercised and still could not beat the fog, nor could the hot cup of tea. I did my shopping and the fog followed. I am still in a fog. So. now I am going to shower in hopes that that might lift the fog. we'll see.

A day like today....

2010-05-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

oh brother. seriously. today was a doozy. I think I slapped my forehead with my palm several times in utter disbelief. A day like today is what a person needs to enjoy the good ones. Yes, needs. If you didn't know how bad it could get, could you or would you truly appreciate the good stuff and be grateful for it? I don't think you could or would. I really don't.

That is why I would like to say thank you. Mostly to be silly. But seriously, days like today make a good day so much sweeter.

Thank you super hairy spider that made a web from my side mirror to the tree therefore casting a net across my walkway designed to catch me... by the FACE! on the way to exercise this morning.

Thank you final bill notice that was not prefaced by a first or second notice...EVER. I'll be sure and pay you immediately considering I do not have a choice in the matter. Do you take MasterCard? greeeaaattttt.

Thank you impossible directions for seemingly simple tasks. You didn't mention I needed an algorithm to use this can opener.

And finally, thank you person who states the obvious. I did not know that the throbbing pain on my chin was a zit. You are so helpful. Perhaps I may one day return the favor. Until then enjoy your clear complexion...

Most truly and sincerely, Thank you. Without you I could not appreciate the good stuff.

Back in town...

2010-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here I am again. Why is it so difficult to get back into the swing of things after only two days of vacation and relaxation? I am not complaining. I had fun. Good food, really good food and sun bathing.

But, I must hit the ground running tomorrow, which will be easy because the first thing that I am going to do is exercise and then... back to the sewing table.

Carole

gone fishin'

2010-05-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

The blog will be quiet this weekend. I will be out of town. Livin' it up' in delayed celebration of our first wedding anniversary. Looks like at least one of the flashy ties that I made my husband will come in handy. Photos to come.

Have a lovely weekend.

In case you missed it...

2010-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Note: July will be AM classes and August will be PM classes.

July 5th-9th: Summer Blouse or Tunic- 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
July 12th-16th: Ruffle Skirt - 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
July 19th-23rd: NO CLASSES NO CLASSES NO CLASSES
July 26th-30th: Messenger Bag 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)

August 2nd-6th: Beach/Picnic Blanket - 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
August 9th-13th: Summer Blouse or Tunic - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 16th-20th: Ruffle Skirt - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 23rd - 27th: Messenger Bag - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 30th-September 3rd: Beach/Picnic Blanket- 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)

In order to determine your child's advanced or beginning status you may email me. I would say that most of the current students will be able to handle the advanced class however, if you child feels they would rather take the beginning class they are more than welcome to do so. But please email me if you are unsure. The same project will be given in both the beginning and advanced with only slight modification according to skill level.

Workshops are $100.00 per student/per week. In order to reserve your spot you must email me with you class request including student(s) names(s) and week/time slot(s) requested. I will send you a confirmation and you then must send payment before May 31, 2010 to reserve your space(s). If your child plans to attend more than one workshop you must indicate this in your email. Spots will fill quickly and I will do my best to fit everyone in.

The photos of the projects will be available sometime next week. For now here are some photos of the projects as they appear on the patterns. I do like to make my own adjustments to fit my classes particular needs and I also like to make things cuter... you understand, I am sure. In the case of the beach/picnic blanket, I do not have any images yet... I wish I could send a picture from my brain to your email but this technology will not be available until 2015...or thereabouts, either way, I am sure it is coming.

Can't wait for the summer!

Summer Sewing and other stuff to jibber jab about

2010-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Summer sewing classes are filling up nicely. Just thought I'd let you know. I cannot wait to start these workshops the projects are sew cute (see how I did that? sew instead of so).

Other news. Not much. Just sewing. I made about four ties for my husband on Tuesday. They are very flashy ties. My husband in a flashy man. So the ties match the man for sure. I'll post pictures when I figure out this machine,

Summer Sewing Classes

2010-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Remember to sign up for a summer sewing workshop. You can email me directly at:

Carole@ladiessewingcircle.com

I need to know the student(s) name(s) and the week(s) and time slot(s) desired.

When I receive this email from you I will return a confirmation email.

Classes fill up quickly. Save your space.

Carole

Summer Summer Summer Classes Info!

2010-05-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

***Classes will all be held in Ladera Ranch as per usual. Additional info will be given to new students upon confirmation regarding specific address. For information on classes in other areas please email me carole@ladiessewingcircle.com.

Hello All -

It's about that time to start thinking about summer sewing classes. I thought I'd put this information out now for those of you who like to plan ahead and coordinate with other exciting summer plans. Spots will fill up quickly so be sure to reserve your spaces now! I only take 6 per class and there will be only two time slots available for each project. I offer each project twice to ensure that all current and new students will have the opportunity to attend the workshops of their choice.

The Details:

Here is how it going to work for the months of July and August. Classes will be held workshop-style Monday through Friday in two time slots. Each week is a new workshop/project. Here are the list of class time slots and corresponding projects.

Note: July will be AM classes and August will be PM classes.

July 5th-9th: Summer Blouse or Tunic- 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
July 12th-16th: Ruffle Skirt - 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
July 19th-23rd: NO CLASSES NO CLASSES NO CLASSES
July 26th-30th: Messenger Bag 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)

August 2nd-6th: Beach/Picnic Blanket - 9:00-10:15(Advanced) 10:30-11:45(Beginning)
August 9th-13th: Summer Blouse or Tunic - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 16th-20th: Ruffle Skirt - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 23rd - 27th: Messenger Bag - 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)
August 30th-September 3rd: Beach/Picnic Blanket- 5:00-6:15(Beginning) 6:30-7:45(Advanced)

In order to determine your child's advanced or beginning status you may email me. I would say that most of the current students will be able to handle the advanced class however, if you child feels they would rather take the beginning class they are more than welcome to do so. But please email me if you are unsure. The same project will be given in both the beginning and advanced with only slight modification according to skill level.

Workshops are $100.00 per student/per week. In order to reserve your spot you must email me with you class request including student(s) names(s) and week/time slot(s) requested. I will send you a confirmation and you then must send payment before May 31, 2010 to reserve your space(s). If your child plans to attend more than one workshop you must indicate this in your email. Spots will fill quickly and I will do my best to fit everyone in.

The photos of the projects will be available sometime next week. For now here are some photos of the projects as they appear on the patterns. I do like to make my own adjustments to fit my classes particular needs and I also like to make things cuter... you understand, I am sure. In the case of the beach/picnic blanket, I do not have any images yet... I wish I could send a picture from my brain to your email but this technology will not be available until 2015...or thereabouts, either way, I am sure it is coming.

Can't wait for the summer!

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***project photos and descriptions are available on sewmamasew.com for further information.

LATE POST!

2010-05-10T09:37:00.001-07:00

Here I am! Better late than never.

I am simultaneously drying my hair, eating breakfast and typing this post.

This weekend was bananas. I will tell you all about it later.

Carole

One year ago today...

2010-05-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

... we got married at the Madonna Inn. And it was just the way we wanted it. Animal masks, magicians, a giant pink cake and all. I have to say that I never knew it was going to be this wonderful. I am grateful.

And Happy Mother's Day too!

Saturday morning minus the cartoons

2010-05-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

There is a long list of projects for this weekend. Remember when the only thing on our lists were Saturday morning cartoons? I can honestly say that I have more fun now. I really don't wish I was a kid again. I have definitely had enough of being a kid. I was the nine year old that wanted a job and a sewing machine that didn't have a mouse picture on the side. I remember thinking that when I had my own life I would only do fun things. Well, we all know that you cannot have fun all the time... still, I"ll take the long list of projects over cartoons and no responsibility any day. Just sayin'. Have a lovely Saturday.

Carole the grown up lady

unusual mid-day update...

2010-05-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

I completely forgot to tell you that I ran into a herd(?) of wild peacocks yesterday while exiting the Farmer Boy drive thru. No Kidding. For those of you who don't know, Farmer Boy is like a Henry's Burgers, one of those everything is on the menu, from burritos to gravy and this particular drive through is in an industrial area near my house. So needless to say, wild peacocks have no business there. Especially in the right hand turning lane. Did I mention there were four!? If I hadn't been so shocked I might have been able to take a picture with my camera phone. Also, every time I moved my car forward they got right in front of it. I am really not sure how they got there, why they were there, etc. Unusual and worth mentioning. Just in case you are thinking of going to Farmer Boys.

Annnnddddd... I realize that I might sound a little crazy telling you this but I am being terrorized by a butterfly. He(?) is one of those black winged white dotted variety (morning cloak?) and he makes sailing/diving maneuvers at my head every time I am watering and nearly misses my face. I swear I felt his wings on my chin the other day. He is there everyday without fail. He chases other butterflies away. I went outside this morning to get a picture and he was no where to be seen, so I turned on the hose and there was an erie stillness BOOM! He came whirling out of the neighbors yard and came right for me, nearly missing. This butterfly is a total jerk.

I am not even going to tell you of the nasty creature that I found lurking on out ceiling the other night. I'd have to go and take another shower if I went into it. Let's just say it had spotted legs and a grin.

I am being invaded by the animal/insect kingdom.

Carole

you ask, I answer

2010-05-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sharon said...
I'm wondering why when you go to a strawberry stand, they always place the nicest strawberries at the top of the box. Do you think they would mind very much if I dig to the bottom before I commit to a box?

Strawberry 'stagers' are a dishonest bunch. I mean really? Where DO all of those busted strawberries come from. ABC strawberries, a lot like ABC gum. Strawberries are fragile... that is Italian for really breakable. Some strawberries make it through the growing, picking and boxing stages in one piece and those are the ones that make it to the top of the box. I am quite certain that you would find strawberry mashola at the bottom of all cartons. So here is my solution.

So, I say, you order a box of 'top quality strawberries' wink wink and while the proprietor is telling you that all of the strawberries are 'top quality' you skim the pretty strawberries off the top of enough cartons to fill up the pockets of your culottes (you know you have a pair) and make a run for it... in your culottes. You might pair your culottes with another dated accessory, like some LA Gears, Hammer pants also work, but running is not an option.

I hope this helps.

As always, Carole.

Blurb

2010-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

What do you think? Really, I'd love to know.

About anything... I'd really like to know what you think about all day.

Tell me.

Carole

Life without the internet...

2010-05-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

So for the past few days I have had to live without the internet. My laptop is very ill and needs some R&R and refuses to turn on... even with a brand new battery. sheesh. This is a strange strange life without the internet. I have had several instances where I needed to know something and sadly there was no world wide web to peruse for answers. What is the alternative source for information? Should I call people for answers? The library? Encyclopedias A-L or M-Z? I dunno.

This will also explain the absence of pictures from my posts. I know that I can use this precious time that I have now to look for stylish pictures for you to oo and ahh over but really I cannot. This fancy pants laptop has way to many buttons for me to navigate through. I seriously just said that. Lazy? No. Stuck in my old ways of the right click cut and paste? Yes. I know how to do many things. No brag, just fact. But I am afraid that if I took in one more technical thing it will push out some crucial bit of knowledge.

You: Why is Carole wearing her underwear on the outside of her pants?
Your friend: Well, she is really good at working on her husband's laptop now, but her knowledge of proper and appropriate attire has gone right out the window. Sad.
You: Should we tell her?
Your Friend: Nah.

Btw, your friend is mean.

In other news. I got quite a bit of catch-up work done today. Could this be directly related to a lack of internet and television. I'd rather not say.

Thank you and have a lovely Wednesday. If my laptop works today there will be a celebratory post. If not... well, I'd rather not say.

Things I Like...

2010-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. plaid
2. elephants
3. wax bottle caps
4. my yellow purse
5. the black moth that lives in my backyard
6. grape bazooka
7. Elvis Costello
8. Christmas decorations
9. knitting
10. running, jogging, running and then walking
11. googlie eyes
12. chickens
13. red tennis shoes
14. Otis Redding
15. T.V. tag
16. picnics
17. looking on the bright side
18. saying yes
19. singing to my plants
20. orange flavored tic tacs

I'm Back!

2010-05-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

I know, it has been really quiet around here for the past two days. I have a long list of excuses for you, beginning with one about my busted laptop battery. That is the best one from the list, second only to impromptu European vacation, which is just not true and too cruel to joke about.

But I am back and I missed you all. In the desperate moments after realizing the fate of said computer battery, I decided that I would turn my post into a flyer and deliver them to all of your homes. There were problems with this idea as you can imagine. So needless to say, I had to just wait it out. Still though, I do not have a working computer, so I am using my husband's laptop and all of the keys are in the wrong place and its cold and it keeps correcting me. This computer thinks it's better than me. It needs to stop being so shiny and foreboding.

In other news, I bought a whole bunch of canning supplies this weekend. I have never canned a thing in my life. But I have some help...more about that later. The reason I bring this up is that I made a trip to the Farmer's Market this weekend to collect some fruits and/or veggies to can. I ended up with 50% canning foods and 50% tamales which is good, the odds are stacked against me in a situation where foods and samples are displayed. I am excited to get started. But I am three steps behind a mountain of projects that is catching up with me and I can't seem to get a thing done. This is where life gets funny (not funny ha ha, but funny strange)... because it seems to me that the more I have to get done the slower things move forward, the less I feel like being productive and the less that ultimately gets done. Lame Carole, really lame..got a job to do? get started. Pep talk to me and I hope it works.

Happy Monday!

Sunflowers are delicious...

2010-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

We had several tiny sunflower plants pop up in the past week. I strategically planted them to hide our aging above ground jacuzzi, how classy is that, I ask you?

Anyhow, I went out to check on the garden this morning and I noticed that ALL of the sunflowers, that were at least and inch and a half tall, were GONE! Was is the skunk that lives under the jacuzzi? classy skunk. Was is the rogue gang of bunnies that terrorize passers by on the river bed behind our house? Was is Ryan thinking they were weeds come to thwart maximum giant pumpkin growth? The answer is I DON"T KNOW! Except Ryan, he did not do it, I called him at work to ask. I really did, and it was really that important. really.

Madness

2010-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

...and when you're done with that table cloth, you can make a smart frock out of it for any occasion.

May's Sewing Projects...

2010-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmmm, May is just around the corner and you know what that means...A new bunch of sewing projects for you my lovlies.

Stay tuned for a preview to arrive sometime within the next couple of days.

That is all for now, until tomorrow please enjoy your daily Dorothy Parker.

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.

Dorothy Parker

Potato Eyes

2010-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some of our potatoes from the garden. Needless to say, it was a sparse breakfast. Hopefully the other plants have a larger yield, if not, Ryan suggested that we host a super fancy dinner where there are teeny tiny portions presented in very artsy ways. artsy. artsy. artsy.

Our potatoes are watching your every move.

Sweet Peas

2010-04-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

The long awaited Sweet peas have slowly but surely began to arrive. I grew these darlings from seeds if you can believe it. You can't? Well, let me show you what the process looked like. Ha, see? I even talked to them when they were little inch high stems and ...sang a little. You would too and you know it.

I really love Sweet peas. My motherinlaw Joyce did all of the flower arranging for our wedding and made all of the a-ma-zing bouquet's with Sweet peas and roses. See above. And this was no easy feat. Sweet peas are picky little buggers who don't wait around for anyone. So thank you thank thank you again Joyce, you are an excellent flower arranger and Sweet pea rangler.

Another thing about Sweet peas is that they have the most intoxicating scent. Maybe you knew this already, in that case I reminded you of it and you can thank me later. You are welcome.

Here comes the week, prefilled with tasks to complete and many many minutes to try a little harder and do a little bit better at whatever it is you are doing. How's that for a pep talk? Pretty good right? Okay, now get to work and I don't want to hear a peep out of you until...you think you would like to comment on a post or you might be singing to your Sweet peas.

Happy Monday.

You Know What!?

2010-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

We had a garage sale today and we got rid of the television in our living room. This is big...Huge! Mostly because we eat all of our meals in front of the tv...geez, I felt fat even typing that. I think we might eat at the kitchen table for meals...have you ever heard of this? I have to make some cushions for the table bench seats if this is indeed the case. No need to torture ourselves with wooden bench seats and no tv.

Off to Los Angeles for today.

50th Post Hooray!

2010-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is my fiftieth post. I am not sure what the appropriate topic would be for such and occasion, paper? silver? etc.

Here's to 50 more.

Poor Barbie. She looks like she escaped from an awful beach party where everyone ate bad marshmallows and gave each other terrible haircuts in the dark.

I love this...

2010-04-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have some cooking, baking and sewing to do today. Like June Lockhart.

I have also done 150 burpees (insane squat push-up jumping hybrid exercise)this morning in 29minutes. Probably more like the Incredible Hulk than June Lockhart.

To my sewing ladies in training...

2010-04-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

You are all my favorite people.

Even when it gets loud and the decibel of your voices rises far above that of the six singing sewing machines, you are all still my favorite people.

And even still after the second sewing needle of the night snaps under the pressure of the thickest of bunny slippers and this sends you all into a fit high pitched disbelief, you are all still my favorite.

You are all just as excited as I am to start and finish projects and I cannot think of another situation in life where this have ever been true. Thank you for being genuinely excited and ready to work each time to come to class and genuinely sad when class is over.

I especially love that I you are all part of my dream job (job seems like such a small insignificant word to describe the fun we all have) but you are all part of it and it could not be with out all of you.

Thank you for making me laugh and having truly surprising things to share with me every class and usually all at once.

See you next Wednesday and don't forget your blankets...

Twoosday

2010-04-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that Tuesday is the one day of the week, the one chance I have all week to get things done for sewing on Wednesday. It seems I cannot concern myself Friday through Sunday, as I am usually knee deep in the garden or off on some adventure with Ryan.

It took some time for me to realise that Tuesday is the day that I need to harness some supreme concentration in order to accomplish what there is to be done. No dilly dallying at the fabric store. In fact, a lady in line asked me how to make the blanket that I was holding and I rattled off the directions like an auctioneer and sped out of the store leaving a cloud of dust in my wake. Nope, no time. Look it up on the Internet if you didn't hear me. I am a woman determined to finish every.item.on.her.list.

Like I was saying, I used to wait until around noon to begin my prep on Tuesdays. Now I shoot out of bed and land somewhere near my sewing machine. I whip out a few projects...just for practice and then I start into my list making. Blah, blah....blah. This is really just a long story about having finished everything I set out to do today and I am proud.

I would, however, like to suggest that the duration of Tuesday be changed to 48 rather than 24 hours. I realise that this may foul things up a little, being that 2010 calendars have already been printed and such. But think about it, extend Tuesday by one day, let's call it Twoosday, therefore adding another day to the week and bam! Friday can offfically become part of the weekend.

In other news, I made a loaf of french bread to go with soup for dinner. I am not so good at the bread making yet...unless my bread machine is involved. I did not take a picture because it would have fogged up the lens...or because if you saw it you'd tell me to try again or better luck next time Mac (because we are in New York in the forties).

p.s. the cake above features a hotdog wearing a sombrero, no need to clean your computer screen, it is exactly what you though you saw.

Judy Mary

2010-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

When I was little my Grandma Judy had a farm. She had geese that bit if you put your finger in their pen and goats, chickens and sheep that liked to follow her in a parade when she walked down to get the mail. My Grandma liked to make things. She could make anything. She said that I could make anything. So I do.

My Grandma Judy is not here anymore. In fact, she's been gone a little over two years and I miss her. I still forget sometimes and go to dial her number to see how hot the oven needs to be before I put in the cheese and rice and then I remember and I do my best without her.

She taught me how to sew and crochet and most importantly she taught me that there was no piece of furniture that we couldn't move together. A lesson once demonstrated around midnight during an engagement party while we were both in dresses and heels unloading a five piece art deco hulk-of-a bedroom set from the back of her truck. We did it and we returned to the party with the healthy glow of ladies who move enormous furniture during a social event...are you familiar with this glow? If not, you probably didn't know my Grandma Judy.

Peas and Carrots, pants for carrots and other uses for peas...

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we harvested enough peas for dinner with the family. Well almost enough, I threw in a few of our carrots just for good measure and I have to say...the combination was pretty good, not that I came up with the combination of peas and carrots...who can we thank for that? Erma Rohmbauer?

Check out these carrots...I was so tempted to make some pants for them...have it be known that if another one of these carrots happens to show up I will be making pants for it and enrolling it in school. Don't try and stop me.

Say "Peeaaaaasssss"

Sunday

2010-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

This has been a week of baby showers for the ladies sewing circle. Two to be exact. Tiny clothes, tiny shoes, tiny sandwiches (for the ladies).

Bear Grills is building a raft on a beach and collecting water from a home made still on television. He yells everything that he says, I wonder if he ever relaxes.

I am sitting on the couch writing this to you all, attempting to relax but I just had too many cups of tea today.

Today I am going to cook my very first batch of homegrown peas... for people other than just me. I hope they are good.

Done and Done

2010-04-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I really really really dislike going to the grocery store. Time seems to move so much slower within the walls of the grocery store. Simple tasks such as writing a check(not me) seem to drag on and on and on until I have really considered buying one of those horoscope roles just to see if ANYTHING is going to happen next, or if this is it. I can only hear Mr. Bojangles Instrumental so many times before I want to run a muck with a cleaver. I make out a list and then panic and end up with a box of white cheddar cheezits, 1/4lb of butter and some bendie straws and I leave anyway because I am just so relieved to have gotten anything at all. I can still make a mean caserole out of this...take that Martha, Julia, Paula, Giada, Guy and Alton.

Is there some way to never have to go again besides slowly starving to death or randomly showing up at my mother's dinner table?

Maybe.

Ryan and I are in the process of growing quite a bit of food in our garden. I am hoping that we can subsist on this for a while. This is our second time around with a garden so we know just a little bit more than last time and that is still very little. Did we grow enough for the winter Pa? How do we store this food Ma? There are many questions that I cannot answer yet. Luckily we can always go to the dreaded grocery store if we do happen to need food. The Duggar's make their own laundry soap for goodness sake I think I can figure out a way to at least not have to go to the grocery store so often.

So the garden is part of the solution. I would also like to purchase a lot of meat. Legally people, please do not email me if you 'know a guy.' Also, I have some chickens coming to me as last year's birthday gift from my husband. So, eggs, check. Bread, got it covered. What else? Listen, I am not going to go bananas and stop using soap or shaving my legs just so I don't have to go to the grocery store, perhaps a few well times trips to Costco are in order. And we don't really drink milk and powdered is ok by me.

By the way, I am serious about this just so you know. Do not expect to see me knocking on watermelons, or harrassing the lobsters in the tank anymore...well not very often anymore.

Fondue Pot Bird Feeders

2010-04-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Around here on the Clark Farm (slightly short of animals at the moment) we have been making some bird feeders out of old fondue pots because we rule. The birds seem to enjoy them but you never really know with them, they are such an anxious bunch. They scatter when I approach the kitchen sink to fill the teakettle or drop off some dishes. I keep hoping for a really good looking bird to stop by so that I can get a photo but this would involve standing frozen in the kitchen window with the camera to my eye ready to shoot. This could be time intensive and I have not frozen for long periods of time since I left my desk job

These fondue pots and aluminum pan were rescued from various thrift stores and swap meets for pennies. I really like the colors and I did not have this in mind when I bought them, but I started messing around with the design and Ryan added the wooden spoon and figured out the hanging apparatuses and viola.

Dear giant killer doves who take over the bird feeders with their enormous bird bodies,

Please stop dive bombing the feeder and causing a frenzy amongst the other reasonably sided birds, huh? You are making a mess and seriously reducing the chances of one of those really cool blue birds stopping by.

Sincerely -

Carole

Zesty Bean Dip

2010-04-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love these posts that I write late at night just before I go to sleep and right after I have taught sewing for 10 hours. The topics are weak and the grammar is terrible, but I love these posts. Why? Thank you for asking. It is because they have titles like 'Zesty Bean Dip' and I am under no obligation to actually talk about zesty bean dip.

I spoke to my sister today who recounted an entire episode of Jerry Springer to me over the phone and I have to say, I am never one to watch that show. It has to look partially authentic for me to enjoy it and well, do I really need to explain to you all that it wrong with Jerry Springer?...I didn't think so. Anyhoo...I let her go on for a while about a lady talking to her chickens and playing a harmonica (all on the show BTW) and our phones disconnected. I didn't want her to think that I hung up so I called right back and she didn't pick up. Then she called me back and I couldn't hear her. Finally after about 10 minutes of back and forth we were finally able to get through to each other and when we did...what did we do?...We finished the conversation about the lady with the chickens and the harmonica for another 10 minutes. Colossal waste of time? Perhaps. But at least I am polite.

Yikes, I better go to bed.

Things are quite around here today....

2010-04-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

I got to thinking about a movie that my Dad and I used to watch all the time. Primrose Path with Joel McCrea and Ginger Rogers in roles not typical to their acting careers (no cowboys or dancing or laughing really).

It's not a comedy at all, but there are quite a few moments where you smile at the innocense of it all and wish you could do things like tip someone sideways in a motorcycle sidecar just to "get a rise out of them." Or ask your father to tell you 'all about 'them ancient greeks."

It is impossible to find this on DVD. Our copy was taped off of AMC onto VHS years ago. I wish that I could watch this right now, but alas, I must go forth into the wide world and tackle sewing, one student at at time (or seven) and that is more that all right with me.

p.s. if you ever get a chance to see this - do it.

Garden News - Sewing Seeds

2010-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the foods that we have been growing over here in every possible square inch of available dirt. We even bought extra dirt, just in case. Isn't it funny that you have to purchase dirt?...for money? This is really good dirt though, the best. Which is why quite a bit of our garden came up from seeds that we planted last year.

Morning Glory (This came up from some seeds that I planted last year...One even made it all the way through the peas and out the other side.

Rogue Lettuce.

Grapes. Well. the leaves anyway. Grapes still to come.

Here are those peas from an earlier post still.not.ready. When they are ready, there will be a week long feast of peas, there are enough to feed you, your family, your extended family, your Aunt Edna and your bowling team excluding Ralph.

The effect of gamma rays on the man in the moon marigolds. Natural insect repellent.

Baby bell peppers

Pumpkin? blossom. I am thinking this might be a squash, we planted this last year...so who knows. I guess we'll find out.

The first jalapeno of the season.

Happy Tuesday!

Dolores Getting Things Done

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Monday -

Let's try this again, shall we?

Many, many sewing projects to do this week...kitchen curtains (finish the hem darn it), buying/cutting/organizing class project fabric, a gift project that I cannot mention out loud just yet and a whole bunch of those hats that I made for my mother.

I would like to get all these tasks done by Tuesday Night...please stop laughing so loudly, I can hear you. If I do not happen to finish this list, ahem, I will be satisfied to have everything done for classes on Wed. But I am aiming high.

Ryan and I got a lot done this weekend despite the fact that I was working on my trapeze act. All of which I will list now because I want to brag a little.

1. We reinforced the peas that were trying to lay flat across the bell peppers with fishing line just like McGyver would if he was faced with this challenge. Remember that episode when he grew peas?
2. We planted a bazillion marigolds for insect repelling purposes and to fancify the garden.
3. We laid bark down on a dirt path on the side of our house. We did not plan to do this, but we are extremely spontaneous when it comes to bark and paths.
4. Ryan cut down a palm tree and broke our shovel in the process. This probably happens to pro wrestlers all the time while they are gardening. Note: Ryan is not a pro wrestler.
4. I planted some cacti, chamomile, $1.00 wildflowers,an herb garden, more tomatoes, and some fancy plants to cover the hose apparatus and I did I mention I swung on a trapeze? Note: I really did swing on a trapeze.
5.We made some bird feeders that you will be jealous of. But don't be, I will show you how to make them and I will post pictures sometime this week.
6. Picked weeds. Picked some more weeds. Ate some lunch and got back to the weeds.
7. Hung a morning glory plant in my kitchen. This is against what most professional gardeners would recommend, but I am doing it anyway. So there. I will take pictures when I looks like I want it too. Science.

More about the trapeze later this week.

Busy

2010-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Cannot talk about sewing today, I am on a trapeze. No, really. Wish me luck.

Pattern Talk

2010-04-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

The model in green is trying to sneak off of the cover so as not to be associated with that hat behind her...just passing through...don't mind me.

Is the hat too much? Well, what do you wear to the grocery store?

When I see these jumpers, I start to itch and choke and I wonder how I made it through kindergarten wearing these without commiting a crime out of restrictive clothing frustration. Must have been the sweet relief of nap time.

Rhonda, Sharleen and Barbara were all shocked to see that they chosen to wear near the exact same outfit to the barbeque. They spent the rest of the barbeque circling one another giving eachother looks that could kill. Barbara took a break for some three-bean salad and bocci ball, but returned promptly to continue circling.

"Oh, am I stylish?...well, I suppose I am. How kind of you to notice."

Handmade by me

2010-04-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have sewed for so long today that I cannot muster the strength of mind to put together a coherent post. Do you see where this is going? Yep, I'm gonna ramble...

I am sure that you have heard the term 'handmade' used when it comes to quilts clothing or crafts. It is usually said with some emphasis on handmade or said with a hushed tone and often followed by a gasp of admiration or disbeleif. I always took it to mean exactly what it claims 'something made with the use of only your two hands' right? Well that is all fine and good, but I would like to argue the point that though I use a machine, my hands are still very much in use. I would like to amend the definition, who do I call? Not a big deal, just sayin'

That is the long and short of it.

Carole

Surely you know...

2010-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

...that the fair is coming back to town! I know exactly what you are going to say, you can't stand those terrible rides. Well, me either, for the most part. But what I love about the fair are the competitions, for cooking, fine arts, canning, farming and what am I forgetting? Oh SEWING! yes! I am just so excited, did I say that already, can you tell?

Last year I entered a table setting along with my friend/former co-worker Heather. We used our work time to create a pretty sucessful table setting (if I do say so myself) complete with handmade table cloth, napkins and centerpiece. Perhaps I need to explain this particular competition...you set a table. I am serious. There is a specific way it needs to be done, no joke. We received 3rd place (applause). Table setting to the fair is like curling to the Oympics, it really excludes most of its audience and makes people laugh. Also, no matter how silly it seems you cannot look away. Here is the only reliable source for proper table setting.

Emily Post

I did not have time to enter any sewing last year, but I am making up for it this year. Adult and children original designs...I have something in mind, but I don't want to jinx it so more about that when it's finished.

If you would like to see what other catagories there are to enter or read in greater detail about sewing...click here.

April Sewing Class Project Preview

2010-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies -

As I promised...several times, here is the April Sewing Class Project Preview... So exciting...can you stand it!?

Young Ladies Sewing Classes: Theme - Super Straight Lines (and a few squiggles...just a few)

First, after many many many requests from the young ladies to make a blanket, I have decided that now is the time. This particular blanket is a light weight throw that will be perfect for the rainy days ahead. It will be another chance for the girls to perfect their straight line sewing accuracy. This straight line practice will be a welcomed relief after last month's seemingly endless marathon of sewing curves, arcs and circles. I am still dizzy and considering naming those projects the vertigo series. This project will begin after this week and will take 3 weeks, with time to spare for a secret project...sorry Moms, you'll have to wait and see what that is. This is our largest project to date as far as size and our first true sewing project in that it will take time and patience to complete.

Adult Sewing Classes - The theme for April is Dress-up Your Kitchen!(literally in some cases)

Wednesday, April 7th:

Dress up your dish soap bottle with a mini apron. Why are we doing this? Because you know you've always wanted to.

Wednesday, April 14th:

Place mats and cloth napkins in a cinch. It is unbelievably easy to change up your dining table with the addition of custom made place mats and cloth napkins. You will no longer be limited to what is available in the stores and next time you run into Martha Stewart in line at target, you can give her a smug smile with the knowledge that you can do exactly what she does...sort of. Just kidding Martha if you are reading this you know you are untouchable. Can't be too careful.

note: these are rectangular place mats and napkins. Bunny folded napkins is just for fun and made out of a regular rectangular napkin...though I can totally show you how to fold it this way if you like.

Wednesday, April 21st and April 28th:

A reusable grocery bag. Imagine casually tossing one of these bags on the check out counter...oo la la! the checker will gasp at its beauty and all of the shoppers behind you will lean in for a look. The bagger will stand on the check out counter waving the sac over his head declaring it the most wonderful grocery sac he's ever seen. Or...you'll have a reusable grocery bag that is cuter than most. Either way, you win.

Hello Monday - Spring Break and Sew! Sew! Sew! Three things about sewing you know but need to be reminded of...

2010-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

All of the young ladies of the Ladies Sewing Circle are on Spring Break from school this week sooooo we'll be missing a few young ladies classes on Wednesday due to super fantastic and exciting spring break vacation activities. We won't be starting anything new, just finishing up the bunny slippers. And then...new April stuff that will be posted for your Tuesday viewing pleasure.

Until then here are a few quick points I have about sewing that I would like to share with you:

1. If you sew something once, you made one and it may or may not have been fun. If you sew two of that something, you will know how to do it a little bit faster and better based on what you did the first time around. If you sew something three times, it will probably stick and you can crank this 'something' out, like nobody's business from here on in and it will look better each time. In short, do not be discouraged by your first attempt at any sewing project because it will most definitely look like you made it with your left foot in the dark. It will take at least three times to look as though you made it and four or more times to make it look like it was manufactured in a fancy-shmancy high-falutin factory. Isn't that what we are all aiming for?

2. Sewing takes time, so enjoy the process. Put on some music or some television in the background and go to it. Or if you are part of the sewing circle, engage in some conversation that is likely to take you from angry biting geese to possible names for future pet bunnies and then back again in a matter of seconds. It is important that you realise this fact before you begin your project. Do not expect to complete and entire project each time you sit down to sew. I love to instead concentrate on making super straight sewing lines and ironing between each step. I also like to estimate the time it will take in total and try to stick to a schedule to finish. Sewing is a process, not a race. Sewing is war.

3. Start early. This means several things. Age - I started sewing when I was fiveish' and look at me now, just look, I can make anything. No brag, just fact. And I love it.
In terms of project completion however, if you have a sewing project in mind, and you need it by next month, for goodness sake start now. Poofy hair flowers are cute now, but if you need twenty by Tuesday and it's 9:00pm on Monday, you will hate yourself and those poofy hair flowers before you are done and where is the joy in that? I'm just singin' the same old tune you've heard before, it's called Procrastination and it's by Nancy and the To-Do List Avoiders.

Look at me imparting wisdom like I have any to spare, I swear, I totally searched for my phone today and I found it in my hand. And look at me sharing that story.

Easter

2010-04-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

I was never entirely comfortable with the Easter Bunny coming into my home and leaving me a basket of goodies. I was, in fact, extremely uncomfortable with the thought of a giant rabbit sneaking into my home in the dead of night...breathing his giant rabbit breath. I really had to psych myself out to sleep the night before, listening for those huge feet to come creaking through the house and in the morning, no matter how prepared I thought I was, I was always really horrified to see that he had left a basket...he was there...shiver. Is he still here? watching? Did this ever bother anyone else? No amount of chocolate or colored eggs in shining grass could warm me up to the thought of a huge rabbit, all those things were only evidence that he really existed. I had forgotten all about my rabbit-phobia until today when someone mentioned that the Easter bunny had left behind something or other and I felt this strong sense of relief, I am an adult now, the Easter bunny won't visit me...until I have children. This is definitely something to consider.

I can't help but think that watching this movie had something to do with all of this.

This Week in Sewing Class: Reflecting on Bunny Slippers and Spring Cleaning

2010-04-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week in sewing class the girls and I tackled the much talked about bunny slipper project. I have to say that I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how difficult this would be for the girls who were newer to sewing. There are not a lot of steps and really very little actual sewing but, boy! is there a lot of cutting and in order for the sewing to be correct the cutting must be very precise. The girls really impressed me with their cutting skills, they took their time and made sure that all of their cut pieces matched one another. We are aiming to finish these guys next class - but if you are not here due to spring break...do not worry, we'll catch you up when you return.

Uh oh...

I'll be cleaning the house from top to bottom tomorrow and there will be a mini-break in the middle for Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Yes, I break for chicken and waffles, it may not may not be healthier than breaking for coffee. I don't drink coffee, so what choice do I have?

And Happy Easter!

Carole

Frugal Frau Friday: Dozens and dozens

2010-04-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

So here are the Secret Pocket Easter Eggs that I made using this tutorial.

I really really really really really like how they turned out. In fact, I liked them so much that I made a trillion of them, not so frugal right?...Wrong!There is so little fabric involved that I was able to purchase 1/2 yards of fabrics that I wouldn't otherwise purchase due to cost and still had fabric left over, I even threw in some $1.00 per yard fabric, 'cause it was cute and cheap.

The tutorial suggests candies like jelly beans or quarters to accommodate the small pocket but I was totally able to jam mini candy bars in. And what is more, these eggs can be reused next year! How's that for frugal...hmmmmmm?

Have a lovely Friday...

Carole

Sewing Class Information

2010-03-31T21:36:00.001-07:00

Just in case you were wondering... and I think you might be, I am opening up sewing classes all the time. There are a few (very few) openings in the children's classes in Ladera Ranch, and many opportunities for classes depending on your needs and availability. I will come to you (whereever you are) , or you can come to me (in Anaheim Hills). In order for me to come to you I need to have at least 4 students lined up. You may email me for details as far as price and time and I will glad to work something out with you.

Here are a few of the projects that we have done, here and here.

You do not need your own sewing machine, and you definately do not need to have ever sewn before. I am a traveling sewing instructor with 6 of my own machines and supplies.

Classes are paid for monthly and there is a small materials fee to cover some of the fabulous things we make - again, please email me for specific details.

carole@ladiessewingcircle.com

Wednesday Sewing Classes UPDATES

2010-03-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies:

Here are a few important UPDATES for the upcoming month's classes. I just(literally) emailed you all in regards to Spring Break attendance. As soon as I hear back from everyone I will be forming some kind of plan in regards to class consolidation...if any is required.

Thank you all for getting back to me, it is so nice to be able to hear from everyone. I love to hear what you think about the class and its progress (good and bad) please feel free to email me with any thoughts, ideas, concerns or recipes for donuts.

Also, as I promised, the April Class Preview will be up soon (did I say today? well, I was dreaming, I am sure) definitely soon, as April is right around the corner. Due to spring break some of the girls will not be here for the first class in April and that leaves just three classes after that - April only has four weeks. So we will be using April's first class to finish up bunny slippers.

See you in class -

Please accept this photo of Walt Disney eating chicken in lieu of a photo of something I made today. I think it's an even trade.

To Do Tuesday List

2010-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday is my day to get things done. I have all day to lay face down on the front lawn if I please. But not today, I have a lot to do. Here is what I need to get done today.

1. Go running. Seriously, it has been too long.

***UPDATE. I did not run today, though it would have been the perfect weather to do so. It is hard to get yourself to run for health's sake. I need to be chased and running for my life.

2. Finish making the rest of April's projects for the April Preview that will be posted some time today. Accomplishing this will take a trip to the fabric store. Note: remember to return from the fabric store and do not stop at Portillo's, you do not need a hot dog before you sew.

***UPDATE. Made most all of the projects, but did not post. Contrary to popular belief, I am not Wonderwoman...or the Green Lantern. But I DID go to the fabric store and DID NOT stop at Portillo's, but am seriously reconsidering the role a hotdog plays in my sewing projects.

3. Cut out the pieces needed for the bunny slippers that will hopefully get completed in Wednesday's class. The last project ran a little long and bunny slippers got pushed up a week. I think this was as a result of a little more difficulty and a lot more interesting conversation...which is a very necessary part of a sewing circle you know.

***UPDATE. The pieces were not cut out, but I expected this (says me).

4. Go to the grocery store and don't forget the peanut butter or the dish soap. Also, food, buy some of this, and no more Ramen or edamame.

***UPDATE. Went to the store, did not forget the peanut butter, did not actually need any dishsoap (are you still awake?) and bought real food.

5. Super secret Easter project needs to be completed by tomorrow night...stay tuned for photos.

***UPDATE. Project completed. The Easter bunny can now stop texting me...he gets so rude around Easter.

If I can get this done today, I will be my own hero. If I can not get it all done today, I will reconsider being face down on the front lawn.

***UPDATE. I have decided to be my own hero regardless of the list and the lawn was too soggy for any type of laying today.

wish me luck.

Monday Monday

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Monday

Looks like the week has begun again, despite the lack of enthusiasm for Monday's in general, it seems to come around again and again no matter what people say behind its back or to its face. I'm talking to you Mama Cass.

I actually really don't mind Mondays. Mondays are hopeful, a new chance to do it all again, an opportunity to maybe come out ahead this week. You just.never.know. Mondays get a bad wrap...for the record, I love Monday and you should too. Yeah Monday. Monday for President. Viva Lunes.

So the big project for this weekend was for my Mom. She works as a surgical tech assisting in many a c-section. She'll tell you all about it, but I cannot listen, because I'll faint dead away at the mere mention of the process. Once I fainted when a man who was about to draw my blood told me not to worry because he does this to oranges all day long. Goodnight.

She asked me a few weeks ago to make her a few new surgical caps. My mother, much like me, prefers things to be a little more exciting than the average bear. The cap she had was cute, but by no means anything we would choose fabric wise. So, I had no pattern, but I did have one of her old surgical hats. It proved to be a fairly easy pattern to make and then sew and I chose some pretty hilarious fabrics too. Mom, you asked for poodles and I delivered. Did you ask for sock monkeys? No? Well, guess what, you got 'em.

It occurred to me that these caps could also be used for food preparation and any other process where your hair is not listed as an ingredient. I am thinking of making a tutorial for these...

'til Tuesday - Carole

2010-03-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to the Apple Pan, and I was really looking forward to it. I know now that I should have done a little more research before hand.

I guess we couldn't have known that the place only sat like 30 people and that all of those seats were at the counter...bizarre right? But, still I like to be prepared in situations such as these, I like to know the proper or agreed upon etiquette before entering so as not to be shamed in front of the everyday patrons (you know the people that go there so often that they have a sandwich named for them? yeah, I suppose I care what they think of me).

Well upon entering it became entirely obvious that we were not going to be eating for a while...all counter seats were full and there were already people waiting. So we waited, and waited and then waited some more only to find that we should have called out the number in our party before entering so that we could have been seated together. There are no posted signs, you are just supposed to know, and that is fine, I am hip to that, I like secret clubs, but only when I am in them. So we finally sit, order, eat, blah blah and the food is pretty good and so on, but I can't shake the feeling that we are doing it wrong, like I should be engaging in some elaborate handshake with the customer to my left or that I should have offered the first bite to the goddess of hamburgers. So I left feeling a little unfulfilled, I didn't want to be given a parade for my ordering competence in this confusing situation or anything like that but I guess a certificate for completion of the most difficult seating square dance ever, with out practice or prior knowledge would have been good. I do recommend this place, but don't expect any hugs or eye contact from the waiters...they don't have any time for that.

Thriftathon

2010-03-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I picked up my Dad and we had a thriftathon, this is a sport that we both medal in, usually gold, no brag...just fact.

Our thriftathon took us deep into East L.A., through several drive through establishments, past the A&W that once gave me food poisoning because I had to order the Dagwood burger - complete with olive and toothpick, through the exotic Hawaiian Gardens Bingo Parlour and then into some uncharted territories where there was a Donutland next to a Hair City across the street from a Dress Barn.

Here are some the items that I found along the way that I would like to share with you.

First,this 'candy, nuts and pretzels' canister which will hold some of my sewing doo-dads...because I know myself well enough to know that I would never be able to leave those snacks alone if I did fill this up as the labels specify.

Next...a pukey colored fondue pot. This is for a project that I am doing soon and that is all that I wish to say at this time.

And then...these patterns for me to sew for you. Yes you! Weren't we just saying how I should make you something?

Moving right along... to this fabric for my spring kitchen bench cushion covers. Perhaps you will come and sit on them when they are finished? Or admire them from my kitchen window. I promise I won't turn the garden hose on you.

These metal baskets...because I was blinded by a thrifting frenzy and I lost my mind in the curiosity section and wound up with two of these. But I love themm oh! and the silky table runner below them - I nearly fell on the disgusting floor when I found it.

Hello Santa in March...I can't wait to use you in December. I hope you are just as jolly after several months smashed into the linen closet.

See these glasses? They are waiting to be cleaned and used. Hunting theme meets superman and a whole lotta hearts.

Unidentified animal wood shop project to hold my bananas...?

And there may or may not have been a tad more...but I didn't want to overwhelm you and in total, I believe I spent around $30ish dollars the most expensive item being the fabric because there were a few pieces that were marked separately.

Once we drove to Arizona for Pizza...

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

For reals.

It was Ryan's birthday and darn it, if he doesn't love 'him some pizza. So much so, that we decided to drive to "The Best Pizza in the United States"(already suspect that this pie's popularity doesn't extend beyond the borders of the United States)Still, we were intrigued.

We rented a van, rounded up the usual suspects and left for Phoenix from Orange County. Except for a brief stop over in Quartzite (if you haven't been to Quartzite, then you haven't been as close as you think to being exposed to flesh eating disease) we pretty much drove as fast as we could so that we could get in the 4 hour line that forms outside of said pizza place, which BTW is called Bianco's. Yes, you read correctly, there is a 4 hour line every day.

The pizza here will make you want to hug yourself.

The sauce, dough and cheese is all made by they owner/chef and the veggies are grown next to the restaurant. And I heard that he imported his oven brick by brick from Italy to Arizona so top that! all other pizza places everywhere! Also, we ordered everything on the menu, no kidding, and it was all unbelievable.

Despite eating the best pizza in the United States of America, Ryan still prefers a Little Caesar's 'hot and ready' any day.

Oh and we stayed here...

The Valley Ho. Check it out.

p.s. if you think I am avoiding sewing, you are wrong, I'll prove it tomorrow when their is daylight for picture taking.

Zonkeys are hard to come by...

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you are not aware of the zoological phenomenon known as the Zonkey or Zorse, please look it up immediately. You will not be disappointed. Whereas there are actual living breathing crossed donkey/horses/zebras in existance, we are more interested in Donkeys painted with white paint to look like Zebras. Somehow this seems less cruel than the actual cross breeding...go figure.

Sooo...Ryan and I threw a birthday party for a friend of ours at our house. There was a Latin theme...pinatas, tacos, water slides(what?) and a Zonkey...though not the real deal. It is easier to find a zorse than a donkey painted with white stripes, so I had to improvise and make a Zonkey mask. Here is my handywork. Please enjoy the super artistic fantasy lighting...photo by Simon.

"Pajamas, let's be more comfortable, okay?"

2010-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

What does a girl have to do to get a decent pair of 'jammies? Make them, that's what!
After searching high and low and even delving into the deepest depths of discount stores, I found only my most disliked pajama styles.

1. The super long nightgown. You know, the one that your grandma wears...the one that will twist around your waist and ankles until your wrapped tighter than a tamale and if your side of the bed is against a wall like mine is, you end up inching to the end of the bed like an worm. no thank you.

2. Tank and shorts/pants combo. There are many cuts and fabrics that these can be made of but this will not stop the bottoms from riding high on your waist a la Fred Mertz. Next?

3. Husband's old Rush t-shirt and yoga pants. If there is a fire...I will be embarrassed, geez.

I am going to make some pajamas...here are a few patterns I like, we'll see what I come up with.

Kidding...kidding. I did not metion it above, but the adult onezie does not spell comfort to me.

Not too long, not too short...many fabric possibilities. This is a great candidate.

If a bird doesn't land on my finger after I make these, I will be sorely disappointed.

Where are all the good pj's? Any ideas?

Looking forward to...

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

...the weekend, so that I can go here: The Apple Pan

...today so that I can clean my house. I am pretty sure that I have squatters.

...someday, when I have room for this guy

Have a lovely Tuesday

You asked...I answer

2010-03-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

I have had a few questions lately about the type of machines that I use personally and those I use to teach. Sooooo....here they are.

Brother LX3125

First, this is the machine that I use to teach classes. I did quite a bit of interneting and talking out loud to myself in public to decide which was the best machine for teaching purposes and this is the machine that stood out above all for several reasons:

1. It is extremely user friendly. This machine has all of the necessary functions for sewing clothing, home projects and crafting and it doesn't take a scientist or a professional seamstress to figure out how to use them. Easy peasy.

2. It is inexpesive and easy to find. I have found this machine for as little at $58.00 and as much as $74.00 which are both very good prices when it comes to sewing machines. Also, Brother's are available at Target, Walmart and Costco (occationally) - you do not have to venture into a sewing machine retailer - which are great places, but overwhelming sometimes for the novice sew'er.

Brother XR-9000

Second, this is the machine that I got for Christmas... the creampuff. This machine has 80 built in stiches, over 120 stitch functions and you might wake up one morning to this machine brewing you a nice cup of tea and giving you advice on your outfit...it is that awesome. This is the machine that I would reccomend if you are serious about this sewing stuff, if you dream of sewing, if sewing is on your to-do list every.single.day. It really does the job and asks very little of the person sitting in front of it.

Riccar 2600 Super Stretch

Third, the always dependable, extremely fast and efficent Riccar. I love this machine. It makes the most beautiful patterns and asks nothing in return. Riccar's as I am told, were like 'the thing to have' and I can see why, they sew like a dream. Which also leads me to fourth, the teal beast of a Riccar, that takes arms of steel to transport. This is also such a great worker though not many bells and whistles so I don't use it as much as a used to.

Riccar (Who knows? Vintage...the super heavy model)

If you should have any further questions or thoughts, I am happy to answer...I hope this is helpful.

Simply delicious...

2010-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is our very first batch ever of green onions...I think they look pretty good. I cannot say how they taste, as these were given away today, but there are many more where these came from and did I mention radishes? sheesh.

And, here is a little Saturday night treat. Just a simple batch of monkey bread. I learned to make this in junior high home economics. So simple and sooooo good.

As you read this I am in the garden admiring our rogue lettuce and pumpkins that sprang up from last year's planting and wondering how we are going to do-si-do the other plants around them...like corn, watermelons, green beans, blue berries, black berries, tomatos, peppers, etc. Also, bird feeders...succulents...and relaxation

See you all Monday.

Upcoming Sewing Projects - Wednesday

2010-03-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies -

Here are some updates for classes on Wednesday. In the children's classes we will be finishing up the Ricey Rabbits. So please be sure to bring your bunnies to class on Wednesday. Until this time please do not allow your Ricey Rabbit to operate heavy machinery, as we did not have a chance to embroider any eyes last Wednesday. We will also be starting a two week project where we will be making bunny slippers.

In the adult class we will be finishing up the aprons and moving onto the easter baskets.

I have ten hundred thousand things to do this weekend, and I can't wait to get started. I did work on a pretty ambitious project yesterday involving Easter and some freelance work that I am doing for the Easter Bunny. But I signed a confidentiality agreement and I really would want to mess with the Easter Bunny, he's huge...cousin to Harvey. So, for now, it is hush hush, but soon it will be revealed. I promise. All I will say is that if I were a chicken, this would be a whole lot easier.

Frugal Frau Friday

2010-03-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hallo Frauen!

Welcome to this week's edition of the Frugal Frau. I have a few good swapmeet finds and what is more frugal than a home garden I.ask.you?

If you didn't know it already, let me tell you a secret, lean in so I can whisper...the swapmeet is the best place on earth to get gifts. Shhhhhhhh!!! Don't repeat it out loud! I am not talking about the swapmeet that has slapchops demonstrations and tube socks, I am talking about 'the swapmeet' where someone brings their junk so that it may one day become someone elses junk, for cheap. We have found so many priceless items at our local swapmeet. Here are a few recent finds...

Did you notice the clown above...when you turn his nose he plays 'send in the clowns...'$2.00! The look on the face of the person who chooses it in this year's white elephant party...priceless. BTW, this clown randomly began to play when it was in the back of my car when we were coming home...creepy.

These scissors are.so.great. I am not sure what they were intended for originally but they are excellent for cutting plants and scaring off assailants...also there is a man who sharpen's scissors outside of the fabric store on Thursdays and I am dying to bring something to him. I was hoping to find a menacing cleaver to bring to him...but these will do.

Here is this years crop of peas, carrots and brocoli. The peas are going nuts! and the carrots are stubborn. Brocoli...no comment at this time. See for yourself below. I'd say that every seed we planted took root, and each seed packet was under $2.00. This is a whole lotta inexpensive food for the eating and gifting. Get ready local family and friends.

Until next time, auf wiedersehen! from the frugal frau...

Shhhhhh.....

2010-03-17T23:16:00.001-07:00

(whispered tone) I am one of those people who kill spiders.

Well, not me, my husband. He kills spiders and takes out the trash.

I sure do love a good spider smashing. That is not true. I do feel sad a little, especially when they are just quitely lounging on the wall beside my bed, sometimes even facing away from me as if to say, "oh, your're not bothering me, I'm just looking over in this direction" But I know, and they know, that they have at least 7 of thier eight eyes focused on my ear, or nostril and are trying to navigate their way in. Yes, that is the fear, that the spider will crawl into my ear, nose or...mouth, ahhhhhhh!Not impossible, ask the science channel, no not that one, the one on cable!

I will not be able to make anything today, but I will be dreaming of the next project and Friday I will be unstoppable. Until that time, please accept the photo above of my husband as today's post. I can't even begin to explain.

Meatloaf Sushi Style and Cream cheese the duct tape of the culinary world...

2010-03-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

This was Monday night's dinner. I waited to post it because I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Don't get me wrong, it tasted like heaven. It is meatloaf wrapped in mashed potatoes, sushi-style (though not raw, I feel like I have to clarify). In order to make the mashed potatoes sticky, I added cream cheese. not sure if this actually made them sticky or if it just made them tasty. I say both. This meal will make you want to hug yourself, and I did. The radish roses (...ish) are part of the never ending radish harvest. I was glad to see that some of the neighborhood rabbits have gotten wise to the crop. There were quite a few radishes without there greenery and then quite a few empty holes along the edges - at least someone likes them. Rabbits, have at them. But leave my carrots alone please.

Oh, and happy St. Patrick's Day.

Carole

Time to lean = Time to clean

2010-03-16T10:57:00.001-07:00

I must take a much needed break from the internet today...as I am trapped beneath a tower of trash. My house did not get it's Monday cleaning this week, or last week. Sewing calls a lot louder than dirty dishes and laundry most days and darn it, I just don't have the relationship with my broom that I would like. So today, whilst I am knee-deep in laudry and junk mail, have a gander at these hats I made. Modeled by the loverly kelly (thank you again).

I was on a real hat kick a while back and I whipped up about three one day in a mad fury. I love hats and Grandma Margie says that I look good in them. So why did't I take my picture in the hats you ask? Well, I am a one woman show during the daylight hours, or prime photo taking time. Kelly was nice enough to come on down and strike a pose and join me in some Dr. Pepper and grenadine at Watson's downtown.

Oo, also, here is the pattern that I used. Snazzy eh, I wonder where this lady is now. I would like to congratulate her on her extreme cuteness.

Lindsay, if you are reading this, I am mopping the floor using your method and I feel like Pippi Longstocking and it is awesome.

Sewing Wednesday Updates...

2010-03-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies...

Here are a few announcements for Wednesday's sewing classes.

The beginning and advanced girls classes will be making 'ricey rabbits'. As you can see from the photos of the sample below there are varying degrees of difficulty to accomodate each class.

In the adult class, there was a unanimous decision to continue working on the aprons that we started last week. If you were not there last week, you can join right in and begin making your apron tomorrow.

Can't wait.

Carole

2010-03-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Homemade Oreos

I came accross a recipe for homemade oreos in the wide wide world of the internet quite a while ago. Not being a fan of the real deal oreo, I wasn't very keen on the idea of trying the recipe. But, as things usually do on the internet, the recipe popped up yet again, and I noticed that the filling, listen closely...had cream cheese in it. No kidding, why didn't you say so in the first place internet? I would have dropped what I was doing way back when and made these 'little devils' (see recipe) immediately. Creamcheese, as far as I am concerned, makes the culinary world go round. It's not for everyone, I know, but if you have anything against creamcheese, put those feelings aside just to take a quick bite of one of these cookies, you will not regret it. Man oh man, I packed up the rest of the cookies and dropped them off at the homes of families and friends...mostly because I had two for breakfast on Sunday and that is just madness.

In our house we only drink Huell Howser approved milk.

Here is the recipe:

1 box of devil's food cake
3/4 c of shortening
2 eggs

Mix these ingredients together for outer cookie wafers.
Roll into small balls (1 inch diameter..ish)
bake on cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. Balls will flatten out while baking, so do not flatten before baking. And no need for greasing the cookie sheet. Do not over bake, they should be slightly mooshy (technical culinary term) and allowed to cool to hard for about 20min before frosting.

1 8oz package of creamcheese
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 stick of butter

Allow creamcheese and butter to soften before mixing together, unless you are the incredible hulk then mix straight out of the fridge. Spread this good stuff on an overturned wafer and top with another overturned wafer. Take small spoonfuls of this frosting to taste between cookie frosting (just a suggestion).

Homegrown radishes

We planted quite the crop this year of onions, red potatos, carrots, peas and radishes??? Not sure what the reason for the radishes were come to think of it. I mean, I like radishes but not as much as you would think if you saw our garden. EVERY seed we planted sprouted. So here is the first picking of our radishes. These were packed up with the oreos and distributed. Radishes were not as big a hit as the oreos as you might imagine. There are about a million more radishes on their way - other than eating them raw, or having them in potato salad, I am kind of at a loss for what to do with them. Radish Rose garnishes were suggested (thank you Sarah) dinner at our house will be fancy for a while - Any other suggestions?

Happy Monday!

For the birds...

2010-03-13T22:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies...

Here is a quick late night Saturday post... for the birds. Remember those little darlings? Well, initially I had planned to add to this wonderful little pattern but time has flown by this week (pun intended).

So here is the original pattern (without my comments) supplied by an awesome blog entitled "Spool". You will find their free bird pattern in the right hand column under...you guessed it Free Patterns. Print it out, cut it out, sew it up...and email me if you have any questions.

http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/05/16/bird-mobile/

Remember, we sewed each side of the bird first from tail to neck and then finished up by sewing the head. And, leave the tail end open to stuff the bird.

Until Monday....

Carole

Frugal Frau Friday

2010-03-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Frugal Frau Friday (Aunt, is this correct?) where I will feature some projects that I have made for pennies on the dollar, or even sometimes for FREE! I love a good deal, and I know that you do too! So here goes....

I know what you are thinking, Carole, those projects that we did last week were cute and all, but what else can we make using this newly acquired knowledge of yoyos. ranunculas and birds? Well, I am so glad that you asked, and I knew you would, so I decided to whip up a few projects so that you can see 'exactly what a machine could do with a lifetime supply of chocolate' (there is a little Charlie and the Chocolate Factory humor for you, the original...no offense Mr. Depp, you know how I feel.

So please, feast your eyes on these incredibly easy and CHEAP projects. Girls, you have made several yoyos now, and by all accounts you are yoyo masters so go for it.

First, the yoyo necklace...comprized of one, two, three, four, five??? yoyos and a couple of garage sales buttons and one thrift shoppe necklace. Total investment - a whopping $2.oo...probably less. Just a few stitches, some hot gluuuuueee and viola.

Next. What??? A yoyofied pillow? Yes, 12 yoyos later, about $3.00 worth of fab fabric, and a pillow that was probably around $8.00, but ladies, we can find them cheaper, this was an impulse buy. Don't you just want to make a billion? ME TOO!

And what is more, those aqua ranunculas, on that navy dress, Lucy Ricardo would call this "A dream!" As do I. Dare I say that I wore this two days in a row, well, I just did. This dress was a steal from Old Navy, something I bought to kick around the house in. Adding a few scraptastic ranunculas made Donatella Versace call me up directly and ask to be my best friend. I said yes.

And last, but not least, ladies, we made a sparkling of starlings last week in the 8:00pm hour, did we not? Here is a sweet little spring wreathe for your door, wall, or a necklace if you're mother nature. Sticks, free from the river bed, or a yard near you. Fabric, This again, is about $3.00 worth of fabric, hard to say though, I used scraps (frugal frugal frau). Hot glue and a small piece of ribbon. So cute, and just in time to welome spring, March 21st???

That will do it for this week's frugal frau...please tune in next week for more money saving projects that look like a millon bucks...or at least $49.50.

And just in case you need a little help, tutorials are on the way, just need a little polishing...stay tuned.

French Fries, Dreams and April Sewing

2010-03-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

When you eat a cold chili cheese dog for dinner (perhaps you never do) you are likely to have some strange dreams. My grandma used to tell me that if you have french fries before bed you'd have nightmares, not sure if this was to detour me from doing so or if this was true because I never had the courage to try. Anyway, weird weird dreams last night. See picture above.

Today I will be working feverishly at my kitchen table (where all the sewing takes place) to create some new projects for April. I know it's far far away at this point, but I like to start early. Pretty soon I'll be working on Christmas 2012. I am ambitious. I already have some things in mind but I love suggestions...

A Break from Sewing...

2010-03-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

Cheeseburger Cupcakes...

It is kind of unsettling how authentic these look, in fact I have made them several times since and there are always a few party goers that are stumped by these cupcakes thinking they are the real thing. They are very tasty and very fun to make. I also make 'fries' to go with them (not pictured here).

'''''

I knew that I would add a revision to this post. All the above is true, but I thought that it was necessary to add that I did not do this alone. No, in fact, I had help. My husband, who never even flinches when I tell him that I am building a teepee, or that I need a duck or a chicken, assisted me in this endeavor. Not only does he willlingly participate in these adventures, but about fifty percent of the time it's his idea. There are many posts to come that will fall under the catagory of "Joint Venture" and this is just one of them. The extremely authentic fondant 'american cheese' that looks as though it has melted..genius, was entirely the husband. He even made his own condensed milk because we had none. He is a boy scout through and through.

This is not to say that there are not disagreements during these adventures. In fact I remember being doubtful that condensed milk could be condensed at home. But...I was wrong, so wrong (did you hear that?) And it was delicious.

So yes, Joint Ventures...more to come involving sawing furniture in half and carrying a coffee table like a pack mule through a crowded swap meet.

Welcome to my life.

Where did you get that purse?!

2010-03-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

This purse has made quite a few friends lately...I have had many compliments on it - so many in fact, that I have decided to make it available for custom purchase here. Price will be determined by size and fabric. Unfortunately this fabric was a thrift shop rescue and there is not enough left for another purse. But...I have plans to head out to the fabric shop this weekend and procure some other options. This particurlar purse is a hand-held but it can easily be transformed into and over-the-shoulder.

This is an original design by me so you will not find it anywhere else. I made it one day while listening to (and occasionally watching) Ziegfeld Girl with Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr and Lana Turner...so it took on a very vintage feel. There is actually a hat that goes with it - sort of a french school girl beret meant to be worn on the back of your head, but this will be saved for a hat post in the future.

If you would like one of these purses please email me at carole@ladiessewingcircle.com and we can sort out the details.

This Week in the Ladies Sewing Circle...

2010-03-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

Greetings Ladies,

Today, I have already made the mad dash to Long Beach, Orange and then back to Anaheim in the name of monotonous errands that come with adulthood. Boo. All the while battling a cold, passed on from the husband, and it’s the kind of cold where you want to detach your head and leave it on the nightstand and go about your daily business sans head.

I have planned an incredibly busy week for myself and despite the fog I am in, I am super excited to get started, however sluggish I may be.

First things first, I am going to finish up some costume alterations and then…I will be working on some tutorials that I promised for yoyos, runanculus (there are many ways I can spell this and none will be correct) and birds. I will also be bring in to class some examples of other projects that involve these newly mastered skills – I’ll also post pictures here.

I am now going to leave you with the image above. Hope it makes your day like it did mine.

Carole

Making the Cut

2010-03-03T22:54:00.000-08:00

Ever since this adventure of being a sewing teacher began I have searched high and low for tools for smaller hands, especially scissors. Cutting is an extremely important skill to master when it comes to sewing. The accuracy of your cut will determine the entire outcome of the project.

Yes, there are oodles of scissors for children, but not for cutting fabric. I am always dumbfounded when there is something that I cannot find on the internet and I seriously scoured the internet and came up with nada in the way of smaller fabric cutting scissors. Until...

Last Saturday I was at M & L Fabrics in Anaheim (BEST fabric store in Orange County...no kidding) and as I was paying for my loot I noticed that there on the counter were the scissors in the photo above. They were the perfect size, with a comfortable grip and they were SHARP! and $4.00? really!? I immediately bought 6 pair - now here is the down side. No brand label. I have no idea who made these gems and neither did any of the available employees. They simply say "Made in China".

So I am greatful that I found them, and they were met with much approval by all of the girls in class today. I could see a marked improvement in cutting. But the world may never know who manufactured these scissors. I will never stop searching.

March Preview and other fun business...

2010-02-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to the inaugural post of the Ladies Sewing Circle Blog. Here you will be able to see previews of the next month's projects, as well as tutorials for the projects as the month progresses.
For the month of March we will be ringing in the spring season with projects focusing on the upcoming holidays, St. Patrick's Day and then...EASTER! Please scroll down to see previews for the adult class where this month's project theme is also...EASTER!

Carole

p.s. fabrics used below are subject to change due to availability and price.

Young Ladies' Sewing

3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm

Week One/Two - Bobby-pins and Pin-backs

We will be spending week one and two making hair accessories and shamrock pin-wheels. Beginner students will be making a bobby-pin backed "yo-yos" (top picture - on right) and the advanced students will be making the bobby-pin backed fabric ranaculas (top picture on left).

Both of these hair accessory projects serve to practice refine the sewing of circles and curves and gathering - all essential skills in more advanced sewing projects.

All skill levels will be making a matching set - with left over time on the second week we will be making the shamrock pinwheels. These pinwheels have pin-backs and will be ready to wear just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Week Three - Beanie Bunnies (Actually Ricey Rabbits)

These rice filled bunnies are all curves and turns. Yet another project to practice our machine sewing turning abilities. There is also some embroidery involved. There is also a bit of a surprise that has to do with these sleepy little bunnies that will not be revealed until we make them.

Week Four and Five - BUNNY SLIPPERS!!!

There are two different versions of these fuzzy footsies - one a little more challenging than the other. Using the knowledge of sewing curves that students have refined all month long - they will construct their very own pair a bunny slippers. This project will take us two weeks and these slippers will be ready just in time for Easter.

Ladies Sewing (Adult) 8:00pm

Week One - Spring Bird Mobile

Too cute. These simple fabric birds can be used in a variety of ways. We will be positioning these little guys on painted branches.

Week Two - Easter Apron

Cute hostess Easter Apron.

Week Three/Four - Easter Basket

I just love this basket...there are many many many projects that can be spun from this one, trivets, wall hangings, etc. Keep checking back to this blog as I plan on posting a few examples.

Week Five - Finish it it up!

We will finish the month of March with a class devoted to finishing any of the above projects that you may not have had a chance to in our hour together - or - you may want to make another one of something we made this month.