Saturday was the second and last day (I don’t think I could have taken any more!) of the PR Weekend. It was shopping day! We all got on a school bus at 8am and went to Fabric Depot(before they opened to the masses!), then downtown to Josesphine’s Dry Goods and the Button Emporium.  Last stop was the big Mill End Store, then back to the hotel for wind-down margaritas (looooved)  then Flying Pie pizza (yum) and show and tell.

Judging by my goodies, I should now be called Aqua-Girl.

Fabric Depot (left to right): Press clothes, Merino wool jersey, thread, cotton(?) interlock black and white border print, Tailor’s Wax, charcoal interlock, Alexander Henry black and white print with sewing notions, Micheal Miller small black and white cotton print, broadcloth, white ambiance lining.

Mill End Store (left to right): Mystery sweater knit from Annex, Bamboo knit, jersey knit from the Annex, Supplex knit for activewear, charcoal cotton/lycra “leotard” knit

Here’s half the width of the interlock border print.  The print is mirrored on the other side.  I got 3 yards to do something with. What that is I don’t know   I figured that would be more than enough to work with the big pattern.

The Alexander Henry sewing notion print called “Sew Now! Sew Wow!”.  My machines needs some covers!  Would also be neat as an ironing board cover!

Micheal Miller print called “Petite Fleur”.  The woven cotton is of a really nice quality.  I’m foreseeing a summer blouse.

I didn’t pick any fabric up a Josephine’s as I’d been there the week before.  What I really wanted from there was a Liberty print but I really couldn’t bring myself to buy it at $39/yard (then 20% off).  I did get the Flounce about Jacket pattern on the left.  Josephine’s had one made up and it looked really nice.  The two Simplicity patterns were freebies from a pile some ladies brought for giveaway Friday night and the book was my prize for participating in the ugly fabric contest.

After two 12+ hour days, I’m glad it’s over but boy did I have fun.  I may have to save up for the next one, wherever that ends up being!  Now I need to start planning what to make out of all my new knits!

Oof! What a great event! PR Weekend is a two days filled with lecture, activities and shopping for PatternReview.com members. I was so lucky that they came to Portland this year and got to attend. It was a very exhausting two days, but the most fun I have ever had with a group of strangers!

I met so many people and everyone was so nice and talkative.  I’m always scared to go to places where I don’t know anyone, but I’m glad I did!  Thursday night I finished hemming my Jalie knit top (review to come once I get a decent picture!) then Friday morning I picked up Leslie downtown on my way out to Clackamas.  The event was held at the Monarch Hotel right at I-205 and Sunnyside.  Friday consisted of lecture from Pati Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch who talked about fitting patterns.  Pati went through her jackets, pants, and fit books.  I own Fit for Real People and it’s a great resource for all body types.  I’ll get the Jackets or Pants book should I ever have the desire to make either- at the moment I just don’t wear jackets and I really have no impluse to make pants.

Pati also brought along a lot of samples of her McCall’s patterns clothes. Some were the same ones photographed for the pattern and pattern book and some were her from her own personal wardrobe.  These were so fun to pick through and see in person.

Friday night we had a group dinner at Ye Old Spaghetti Factory and then a contest where we all brought a yard of ugly fabric and trim then split up in groups.  We had half an hour to make an ‘ensemble’ with whatever tools we brought (short of a sewing machine).  There was duct tape, staplers, pins and all sorts.  The winner was the outfit with the head wrap, but we all ended up with prizes.

Here some pictures from Friday, click on the mosiac to head to the Flickr set.

I was done with the flu (or something mysteriously as nasty) for a few weeks, I had a nice visit with my parents just before that.  Coming later this week… actual sewing content!

I’ve had been playing with my new Lensbaby Composer before I got sick (love!). It’s a selective focus lens that you can move around and create interesting effects with.  I also picked up some macro lenses and a wide-angle lens.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (too bright for awesome pictures)

Tillamook Creamery…

and of course, the BF’s cat.

This was taken a few minutes before I sprained my ankle in December.

The local Fred Meyer is renovating and seems to have stuck the wine section in an appropriate place…

Good news… I have ONE CLEAN CLEAR table!  And it’s under a window, not shoved in a dark corner!  It will eventually be for my 3 sewing machines, right now it’s serving as organization and purge central.  Eventually I’ll get one more table upstairs and then I’ll have a huge table for crafting and cutting and pressing! Oh my! Progress?!

While cleaning and going through some of my patterns I’ve been contemplating what to make first once I have room.  It will probably be this, from the new Ottobre Woman (they’re Finnish).  (Did you know you can order individual copies or have a subscription directly from Ottobre?!  And you can do it all online and they come fast.  Love that.  Now if only Burda would do similar!)

This top looks like a simple and easy project.  I have 4 Ottobre Woman’s now.  Time to make something!  Their styles are not as fashion-forward as Burda, but a lot of nice simple styles and the size range is larger.

What I’d really like to make is the new plus-size pattern from Burda Style (below).  Maybe in the future… right now all I wear is knits, knits, knits.  Sweaters, t-shirts, knit tops.  I’m thinking that’s what I should be sewing! So cute though!  If I started wearing stuff like this to work, people might at work might wonder if I was leaving them for a new job   Much classier than my normal casual-geek-girl look.

Nadine Plus from Burda Style:

The original had way to much gathering going on for already fluffy figures.  It looks so much nicer with the smooth peplum and cuffs.

I’ve also been collecting knit wear inspirations for creating my own tops.  The selection of sewing patterns for knits is… sad.  Here’s my recent favorites from Banana Republic, Anthropologie, and Adidas.

Cheers!

I’m doing some charity knitting…  I have some 12″ sock legs knit by a lady in Klamath Falls on a Circular Sock Machine (example) that I’m adding feet too.  (It would take me ages to knit legs that long!)  These will go to a soldier in the Middle East or Afghanistan.  I join and organization called Socks For Soldiers that sends high quality socks and beanies and care packages to soldiers.  Evidently there ’s a huge waiting list and having the legs done on one of the hand crank machines really helps the socks get done faster.  Too bad I’m not a fan of Olive Drab!

Charles would like me to leave him alone.  Or alone with the knitting.

Spotted one of the new MAX trains being tested while I was out catching a ride with my bike to the Zoo.  Verdict:  I need to work on hills.  Pushed bike half way up hill to Sylvan.  Where there was a magical Starbucks I didn’t know about!  After an hour there knitting, I did the 3 miles home, all down hill in about 15 minutes.  Wheeeeeee!

I found this while cleaning out my bedroom.  I have no idea where it came from.  It appears to be a King George V Penny from 1919 (and not worth anything according to the internet).  Anyone in my family know where it came from?  Well worn on the back side!

Long time no posts!

I’ve been busy since I got back from Texas.  Besides lots of work I’ve been cooking a lot and working out.   January’s total is 6 pounds lost. Lots of knitting done during commute and tv but nothing finished… knitting post to come soon!  I will now treat you to a picture heavy post!

I dragged a friend out Sunday during the Superbowl to take some freeway light pictures. I managed not to take any pictures in January! First stop was Gustav’s Bierstube. They had an “Economic Stimulus” special with a personal fondue and an entree. (I got roasted pork loin and hot German Potato Salad, seemed a reasonably sensible choice).  The place was deserted!  Of course they still had the Superbowl on the TVs.

Next stop was US Grant Park next to Grant High School off of NE 33rd Avenue.  I had heard there was a Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden and I wanted to just futz around with the camera (having not used it for a month).  The “Garden” was really just 3 statues around a fountain (turned off of course).  The statues are just south of the playground off of 33rd (you can’t see the statues from 33rd).  I found them a little creepy.  Not quite my sculpture style.  These came out quite nice considering how dark it was getting. The three sculptures are of Ramona, Henry, and Ribsy.

Here’s my favorite shot of the day, from the playground at US Grant Park…

On to the freeway…  taken from the 12th avenue overpass over I-84.  The overpass is just south of Lloyd Center and the MAX stop.  It is an old overpass that has no high fence, making it great to set up a tripod.  It is really hard to find fence free overpasses in the area. This one also is near a nice curve in the freeway.  Unfortunately there is a streetlight over the freeway to the right causing glare problems.

Sigma 10-20mm wide-angle lens (Judging by the lovely stars from the streetlights I should have taken off the filter). 20 second exposure, aperture f/32, ISO 320 (stupid me).  This one was taken early at 5:51pm and there’s more lovely blue sky.

6:10 pm with my Nikon kit lens (18-105mm i think).  15 seconds at f/36, ISO 320, focal length 98mm.  I love the neon-y light trails and the Made in Oregon sign!

Whew!  Finally made it to Texas and back.  I had a wonderful vacation and here are a few photos I managed to capture.

Snowmageddon still continuing here.  Most December snow in 40 years AND IT IS STILL SNOWING.  Contemplating hiking 3/4 mile to bus stop with backpack if I have to make my plane Thursday.  No one may get any presents, but they’ll get me!

Gresham and Vernonia have just declared “Emergency Status” and help from the National Guard.  Too much snow, too many power outages, etc.

My car is in this picture.  It’s like Where’s Waldo!

It’s also my birthday today.  Ick.  I decided I was going to make a cake.  We’re down to 3 eggs and a little over a cup of milk. The mixes take 3 eggs.  I found a “One Bowl Chocolate Cake” recipe in the Better Homes and Garndes New Cook Book that takes 1 egg.  I had to substitute butter for shortening (woo!).

Here’s my sad little chocolate cake iced up…