IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

(Click on the picture of the girl).....

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Late post - and it's almost over. This is the first chance I got to post today, but boy did I have a GREAT day.

Had to work, of course, but I still had a good time. My boss took me out to dinner at Outback early this evening. I got a cake and lot and lots of gifts. My dear daughter sent me roses at work! It's been a long time since I received flowers - it was a great surprise. But most of all I am so thankful to be alive, healthy and of a sound mind. I hit the floor on my knees this morning, thanking God for yet another year and all the bountiful blessings he continuously pours on me and my family. Life is such a great blessing!

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY, having a TNT pants pattern - a pattern that really fits is PRICELESS! I really don't think I will ever be able to thank my sewing buddy Lisa enough for helping me with this. When the student is ready...the teacher will appear. Don't know who coined this phrase or when I first heard it, but it is really, really true. Lisa taught me how to alter a pants pattern. Here's a picture of my first pair, fly front zipper and all - THE FIT IS GORGEOUS! No more sagging crouch for me. Now I just need to spring for a new digital camera. Lisa if you are looking in - Thank You Again!

Sewing at my leisure on a Rainy Saturdy Afternoon - ALSO PRICELESS!

RECOGNIZING THE BLESSING

I wonder how many blessings have come my way that I failed to recognize? This questions probably sounds a little silly to many, but it is something that I have been thinking about since yesterday. I imagine that there have been some of God's blessings that I have failed to recognize. My observation of things that I can count as blessings also extend over into my Sewing Adventures. Yesterday I met with Artist Lisa from http://www.sewonandsewon.blogspot.com/. We got together at my house for a sew along and fellowship. BOY DID I HAVE A G-R-E-A-T TIME! Lisa worked on a fabulous gored skirt and finished it all but the facing and the hem. It looked great on her and fit like a glove. Lisa says she will be sporting her new skirt with some kewl black boots. Hope she'll show us a picture of it on her blog soon. I cut out and started this knit top during our sew along and finished today.

I still don't understand why my pictures are so dark, but my top turned out really nice. I had made one just like it earlier this year, but it turned out too small so I sent it to my sister. I made this one of the same fabric, but of course cut the pattern wider. This top has a flounce at the end of the sleeve. I stepped out of the box just a little bit and doubled the flounce this time. I'm trying to get to the point where I can visualize beyond the picture on the pattern envelope. I'm taking baby steps.

I also finished the mock wrap dress that I had started and here's a picture of it - however dark.

I took Lisa's suggested and took the side under arm zipper out completely, after installing the zipper twice and still not being satisfied with it. The dress fits quite well and I was able to get into it without the zipper. Thanks Lisa, leaving the zipper out was a great idea!

Lisa also helped me come up with just the right fit on a pants pattern. Turns out that my correct crouch length was almost 2 inches shorter than the patterns I had been trying to use - thus the baggy crouch syndrone. I had also been using my measurements to figure out the pattern size for my waist and hip areas; the size I was using always turned out way to large. Lisa patiently helped me cut out a muslin for my pants and after stitching them up the fit just fine. So now I have my ULTIMATE "TNT" pants pattern - THANK GOD!!! I cut out a pair today in brown with a white stripe. Wanted to sew them up tonight, but guess I'd better get to bed. Lisa suggests that I reinforce my TNT pants pattern with fusible interfacing so it will last a long time. I can't tell you just how happy I am about solving this pants pattern fitting issue. And Yes, Carolyn I can see myself making 5 pairs of well fitting black pants - now that Lisa has helped me with my problem!

As I said I had the greatest day with Lisa, and to reinforce the title of this post I recognize our Sew Along as a true blessing from God. Hope we are able to have many, many more.