Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Meow.

"A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world." - Irish Legend

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A recent purchase.

I went to JoAnn's on Sunday with my mom, daughter, and sister.
I bought some pre-smocked fabric (feels like cheating, but I can't get my sewing machine to use elastic thread) to make my daughter a dress.

I also bought something that I've been wanting. It's nothing that I've used before. Tile nippers! I've always liked mosaics, and have always wanted to try my hand at it.
I honestly don't know when I'm going to actually do this but at least now I have the tool I need when the mood strikes.

Another school quarter has started, I am going to try to blog at least once a week. It probably won't be craft-related, but ah well.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Me Smart.

So, I bought this capri/bermunda shorts pattern that I've been eyeing up for almost a year.

Bought super cheap fabric at Jomar; this way, if it was a huge failure, I wouldn't feel bad.

They come together super fast. Just under an hour. (Not including cutting or the blind hemming which I did by hand.)

(Please pardon what looks to be a camel toe, but is not; also, pay no attention to the dirty mirror or the mess of toys behind me.)


I wanted to include back pockets because well, let's face it, my ass needs pockets. BUT OF COURSE, I forgot to put the pockets on and didn't realize I skipped that part until they were assembled. I did my best to put the pockets where I thought they should be. Heh. The pockets look like flower pots and my butt cheeks look like big puffy dimpled potatoes.


NEXT TIME (and there will be a next time!) I will use less elastic on the back, and remember to put the pockets on prior to assembly.

Easy pattern. Two thumbs and flat misshapen butt cheeks up.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Paternal Past.

Both of my dad's parents are gone. My grandfather died suddenly in 1995 of a massive heart attack. I still remember that morning vividly. The multiple phone calls. My dad running out of the house and scrambling in the car. Then his phone call to our house.

It's always strange after some one dies to see how family dynamics are altered. After my grandfather's death, my grandmother seemed to lose her interest in living. Caring for my grandfather was what she did. Now she didn't know what to do. They were married for almost 55 years.




Her life after his death was mainly filled with search word puzzles and television. In 2005 when I called to tell her I was pregnant, she first gasped in excitement and then said, "Well, the future is for the young." She died on July 22, 2005. That was the day I had the 20-week ultrasound and found out that Abby was in fact, a girl. My dad told her before she died. I'm glad she knew she was having a great granddaughter.


My mom called me that night to tell me that she died. I was sitting in a recliner in my basement. It was expected. I didn't cry. Ever. Isn't that odd? I've never cried for her death. I think it's because I know that she is where she wanted to be for so long. I always thought when people said that, it was just something to say. I did feel tears starting to form as I walked toward her casket, but when I saw her, I felt a sense of calm and contentment. Wrong or right, it is what it is.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Past.

I have a certain fondness for things of the past. I can endlessly peruse old sewing patterns, old cookbooks, and old photos; I've always had an attraction to old black and white pictures.


Growing up, there was a closet in the basement (now my sewing closet) that contained an old gray metal shelving unit. On the top of one of those shelves was a painted gray crate with piles of old photo albums and stacks of single photos. Every so often, I'd finagle that crate from its shelf and look through its contents. Even though I'd seen and studied each photo countless times, I'd still concentrate on each picture. Trying to somehow force myself into it. In my imagination, I could go into those pictures and meet my young parents. (With my present knowledge, there's a lot I could say!)But, in the idealistic daydreams of my youth, I always wanted to go back into the 1940s, to see my grandparents get married, to wear one of those beautiful dresses, to be a part of something that seemed both romantic and comfortable. *sigh*

Almost four year ago, my cousin bought our grandfather's house. He left his old photo albums there. Recently, my cousin let me borrow those pictures. I scanned some. I tried to wish myself into the photos. I know it's not going to work, but I'm happy that I can still daydream.

Conclusions.

1. No matter what you do/ don't do, your child is gonna end up hating something about how she was raised. It's inevitable. My job as a parent is to make sure that the thing she hates doesn't somehow turn her into either a sociopath or a republican. I'm kidding... I know she's not a sociopath.

2. Happiness about a 4.0 is fleeting, as it should be for a 33 year old woman. I've been in college. I've graduated with honors. It has meant absolutely nothing and got me nowhere, and therefore, it is pointless to feel pride about it. Happily, I am no longer under the delusion that when I graduate I will get an awesome job. Been there. Done that. Got a job in a call center.

3. Now I understand why my mom said she was changing her name. "Mom, can I have a tissue?" "Mom, will you get me a drink?" "Mom, can I have a snack too?" "Mom, can I come out of my room?" "Mom, let's cuddle." "Mom, I don't wanna watch this." "Mom, I wanna go outside." "Mom, can I ride my bike?" "Mom, I have to poop." "Mom, I'm done."
Every time my daughter wants to say something to me, it begins with "mom." Imagine how annoying that is. If she would just cut out the "mom" it wouldn't be as bad. (At least that's what I'm telling myself.) Imagine your spouse saying your name at the beginning of every sentence. It gets old. Quickly. I feel bad for complaining, but I know I'm not alone in this. Solidarity in numbers.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Things I've Haven't Touched since starting school:

1. My sewing machine.

2. My new serger. I have a feeling he thinks I don't like him.

3. Sketch book.

4. My camera has been touched, but barely.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Exactly what I feared.

Blog is basically non-existent, as is my free time.
I'd feel worse about it if I was consumed with school work.

I was beginning to feel completely lost. In need of something creative and wonderful.
I picked up knitting needles and beautiful, silk blend manos yarn and whipped myself up a hat.

Of course, due to excessive knitting, my schoolwork suffered. I am sad that I cannot find the balance. Hopefully I will soon. Hopefully.