Progress Report, Summer Session

The Salvation Army in Portland Maine holds an annual sale of donated goods for knitters/sewers/crafters every spring.  This year I picked up a stack of fabric and books, all for about twenty dollars.  I only had one yard of this calico, and I managed to squeeze my favorite pattern onto it by shortening the sleeves and adjusting the placket.  My pattern is an awful lot like Great-Great GrandPa's hammer:  we've replaced the head twice and the handle three times.  I started with Butterick 4064 years ago (which I purchased for 25 cents), but all that remains of that pattern is the bust dart and the armscye. 

Of the six million buttons I own, only these green buttons would do, and they came as a foursome.  I think I'll add more holes and change the buttons - I have a new foot for my machine for securing buttons, I should use it.

McCall's 3341 is a clean and classic A-line skirt that I love.  I've added some pockets on this version, and belt carriers too. I'd show you the back, but somewhere along the line my caboose started looking like a pillowcase full of kittens.  I either need more supportive foundation garments, or more supportive skin. Or a personal trainer.  My head is cropped so that we can all focus on the clothing, not my lack of head maintenance today.  (Don't be fooled, I clean up pretty nice, and this ole body has served me really well).

Here's the best part : my first etsy purchase, a belt and buckle by bmused buckles by Arete.   I've been coveting these buckles for a long time now, and it was high time to pull the trigger.  I am so in love with this.  And it came beautifully packaged, a special gift to me.  Go, get one for yourself!

'Tis the Season

It's that time of year, my unofficial start of the summer, Motorcycle Week.  The drone of hawgs tooling down the highway.  Sun burned two wheeled tourists.  Ice cream on the bay, watching the parade of customized bikes and middle-aged riders pretending they don't have a care in the world.  

Dreaming of our upcoming visit to the track, camping with some of my favorite people.  Saturdays in the stands, eating shelled peanuts, homemade sandwiches, and pickles.  Drinking beer, wearing hats we wouldn't wear anywhere else.  Sundays in the stands are spent remembering we're not as young as we used to be.

Knitting and sewing are compatriots lately.  There's been lots of progress, little documentation.  Photos needed.  I've been inspired by a trip to the Squam Art Fair - met some lovely folks and soaked up some lovely work.

My boys are working hard at the garden center, their boss sending home gorgeous bouquets for me.  My 17 year-old is tending his vegetable garden, and an old pro with his granddad's backhoe. And they're fishing, bringing home delicious dinner (sometimes).

Summer brings our anniversary, and fried clams at Sandy Point.  We've been together longer than apart. 

This summer we'll need passports so we can drive to MacAusland's Woollen Mill on Prince Edward Island to pick up our wool, and visit colleges while we're at it.

And it's the season for everything to break, including my electric dryer.  No matter.