Purling Oaks

Holiday recap and a F.O.

What I did over my summer vacation Labor Day Weekend:

DH and I had a very nice four-day weekend.  On Friday, we both got haircuts, ate at the Indian buffet (YUM!!!), and shopped for ceiling fans and lights for the new construction and re-construction.     

On Saturday, I worked out, did a few productive things, then read for the rest of the afternoon.  Bliss with a book that required no brain cell bending.  I love to read and will read just about anything but this was perfect for the afternoon.

Sunday, the electricians showed up at a pretty early hour to start their part of the construction.  Sigh.  So, after a bit of breakfast and blog-reading, I took the Jeep down to Madison to do some grocery shopping and obtain things we cannot find at our local Piggly Wiggly.  Once I was back home, I started a new project and completed it today. 

The fabric is a dark red tencel that was 20% off at Gayfeather Fabrics a few weeks ago.  A simple top and a straight skirt were pretty basic to sew.  I pulled out my Featherweight sewing machine and tried to remember where I put my sewing skills.  *g*  No formal pattern but I copied an outfit I paid quite a bit for then had one of those V-8 moments.  *Hey*  I can make this myself!  And I did.  It will look great with a black jacket or the red shawl Stacey and I plan to knit together sometime. 

Today I also worked on the garden and divided the Florentine Iris.  For those of you who put your name in the hat earlier this summer for some rhizomes...expect a package within the next week or so.  For those of you who were too shy to speak up, let me know if you are up for some iris to add to your garden. 

For the week's *e* recap, I visited Curves three times this week, once in Ladysmith and twice at my "home" Curves. 

Such a stylish Kenmore!

This was a beautiful weekend! No rain. Lots of blue skies with sun and white fluffy clouds. Temperatures in the upper 70's (F). The grass finally dried enough for DH to mow this afternoon. Unfortuantely (or not), our anticipated load of dirt was delayed because of the rain/wetness so we can look forward to some landscaping work next weekend.

Due to the basement wetness this past week, my basement work-at-home office had to be "evacuated" and the contents moved to my sewing room, a thankfully dry place. Saturday I moved that stuff out of my sewing room back into the office but did nothing about organizing the office. I spent all my time working on getting my sewing room back in order. I felt quite compelled to have that room back to some moderate form of usefulness.

I should call it my "studio" since I do much more than sew there; but, my mom had/has her sewing room and I guess "sewing room" fits the bill for me for now. I have been sewing, actually. Last week I fired up my old Kenmore and worked on a little project and this week I'm working on trousers for me. The fabric is a crepe polyester/wool blend with a nice drape. It will look great with Sonnet, once I seam the sweater and add buttons. (Yes, I'm behind schedule on Sonnet. Oh well.) I found the fabric two weeks ago at Gayfeather Fabrics, a lovely place to shop for nice fabrics, especially when you're feeling a bit out-of-sorts. And if anything cheers me up, it is my old Kenmore.
Gorgeous, eh?! She says *style* in the most classic of styles. My folks bought her at a garage sale for $10 (yes, *ten* dollars and that includes the cabinet) and gave her to me about six years ago.
As you'll soon see, I do have other sewing machines but this one has a special place in my heart. She works great and she came with all sorts of do-dads and thing-a-majigs to do specific sewing tricks. As long as I'm showing, here's another corner of the sewing room. While I was compelled yesterday to find some floor space, I didn't go so far that everything was put away. *g* I still need another bookcase (but then, who doesn't?) for the books still in boxes. There's a bunch of yarn in that room too but it's mine, all mine.
Charlynn, I got the serger running today (you can see it on the floor next to my Kenmore) and it works just fine! I'm so pleased. It groaned for the first several tries since it hasn't been plugged in for how long?? But it is working swell now. I probably owe you more money for it. *g* Let me know!

Lunch-time finds

I went for a walk at lunch time today since the sun was shining and it was probably about 55 degrees or so. It was one of those nice days that lifts my spirits, even though it is a Monday. I happened* to come across an antique mall and followed through with my typical reaction when encountering such a place.....I went in! I found these lovely cards. I really enjoy old advertisements for sewing-related items. In this case, thread and a Singer model 27 treadle sewing machine. The "through the looking glass" card isn't directly sewing-related but a cat playing with string is close enough for me...especially when they are advertising coffee.



I know the sewing machine is a Singer Model 27 because it says so on the back of the card. I enjoy old sewing machines but that topic is being saved for a dry blog-topic day (or five).

*My walk took place in downtown Waukesha, Wisconsin, where if you walk 20 steps in almost any direction, you will find an antique store or mall.

++++++

I am sending healing vibes to a distant (in miles) work friend, Clif, who had a heart attack on Sunday. DH didn't want to tell me all the details over the telephone but he said the situation was not good. Clif, we care about you and hope you will recover soon.

If you could send a healing thought Clif's way, I would be grateful.