bicycle/skateboarding dresses

I have finished a bit of strange sewing for myself.  I like to ride my bicycle and skateboard in dresses.  I ride my bicycle every day to work so that means I need a few dresses.  Remember when I wrote that I felt like all my dresses were falling apart at once.  It is true for these as well.  

I thrifted the fabric and used bits from my stash.  I really like them.  They are a bit longer and fuller then my others.  Which means, strangely enough, that I am a bit cooler at 95 degrees.  They really remind me of Holly Hobby.  I do wish I had enough scraps for pockets but  I did not.  And I did not think about adding them until afters.

I also picked up a new helmet this weekend.  Mine was showing some wear.  High vis yellow.  Yes, I am that crazy lady on a bicycle - dress and high viz yellow helmet.  People know me!

eventful morning

This morning has been eventful.  I was working in the garden when I hear "Lady, can you help me?"  On entering the house, I come upon a wild eyed Beloved with scorched hair.  He had problems lighting his salt bath forge.

I pulled out the aloe plant.  Broke open a spear and slathered it on his face.  I kept doing it for the first fifteen minutes.  Then I had a bit of time to take the newest knife he made me (actually, I get all the seconds) and cleaned out the leaves to put the pulp in a bowl.  The new knife worked like a charm.  Took the pulp right off the skin like I was skinning a fish.

His skin is looking better but his hair is seriously scorched.  I am worried about his eyes, especially his left eye.  He can see but it is very irritated.  Prayers please.

not enough hours in my weekend

There have not been enough hour in my weekend.  I had errands to run on Saturday, which always takes much more time then I would expect.  But I got them done and I got to the grocery store.  I have been trying new recipes this weekend which have already been requested to be in our life more.

Small Mister asked to help with carding this week so one of the tasks I wanted to do was spin and card more.  Which I did.  My Beloved and I watched British television on the internet while I spun yarn for either his sweater or mine.  He picked out a sweater pattern so I am now spinning the yarn for it.  This fiber on the carder is the base of his sweater.  

Small Mister will get to help me spin and card more fiber.  I think we have him tonight and he loves to help.  He actually pulled his own print on the letterpress yesterday.  He had to show everyone!  

We will also probably be going to the hardware store.  It is one of his most favorite places and I would have to agree.  I have dimensions for the worktable I need to build for my letterpress.  I made a decision and now I just have to make it happen.  I like this table I have decided on well enough to think about building new kitchen counters and shelves.  It would make me happy and I would get new tools.  

All these bits and bobs are why there are not enough hours in the weekend.  Because I got some gardening, printing, and sewing in as well.  Just not enough of any.  

crazy drive this weekend

We took a crazy drive this weekend.  I picked up a new press in North Carolina.  Opening the boxes that came with it felt like opening Christmas presents.  I actually did some printing today.  And it came easy with impression.  I actually think I need to tweak the plate but what I am trying to print is coming out okay.  I am going to print more tomorrow and hopefully there will be some more good results.  I also need to build a table with wheels for this (an Alan table - yes, there is a story here).  I think I know the plans I am going to use.  I just have to make a hardware store run.  The Tall Short Person also asked for a toy box for Small Mister.  One more thing to make.

Words may not be easy this week.  I have a lot of reorganizing to do which is not very special!

Part of the reorganizing is to get these trees in pots so I can take them to the land.  Just keep taking one step forward.

a bit of stitching

I finished the quilting and now am working on putting the binding on Miss J's quilt.  I hope to get it done before I HAVE to go to the post office.  I really need to send a batch of business cards off to my sister.  I am not happy with all of the them but they will be a stop gap until I print more.  I know I am going to learn a lot next week and I may decide to recycle all of these.

Once the quilting was done, I was able to start a dress.  I have decided to double seam everything like I used too.  I find that the thread I can buy seems to wear faster then it used to and break.  When I first started using this sewing machine, I double seamed everything.  I am doing it again.  A dress that would take me a hour and half to sew is going to take almost twice as long to stitch.  It is okay.  I would rather the fabric go then the seams.  

I hope to have some nightgowns made soon.  I have some old nightgowns that need to be cut into squares for the linen quilt I am making for Nirinjan.  A lot of her quilt is going to be worn out clothes.  I am excited about her quilt.  And new nightgowns.  A new top or two.  New skirts.  I did buy a lot of linen.