Current Mood : Just floating

Current Image Notes : This is the Ariel diary I got a few weeks ago from Target's Dollar Spot. I removed the lock, keys, and hinges easily.  The inside pages are lined, with a 'happy Ariel' graphic on the right page corners. 

Today, I just took it easy. Watched fireworks last night as dinner finished up, and it was great. Dearest Son came home from his grandparents' this morning and we chased each other all over the house with those streamer poppers. It was funnier to lie in wait, until the victim had relaxed in front of a computer, book, or Tv...then, POP ! Strands of thin crepe paper everywhere.

We had two packs of ‘em, for plenty of pranks. It was funny, though. Sixteen of ‘em in festive July 4^th headers were $2. at the front of Mal-Wart's holiday display. Two aisles down, in the party section, packages of 12 were $1.27. So, yeah, we had plenty.

Emptied two more thread spools with all the cheap-serging. I was tired of seeing black everywhere - black threads, black lint, black bits of fabric. Best way to get that crap out of my machine was to sew lots and lots of candy colors ! And yes, there's still more material in the box. Did two loads of laundry, and one was all fabric. It was so pretty on the line, soft prints and gentle pastels, wafting in the late-afternoon breeze. Next week, I hope to get the brighter colors washed. Then the darks ! I certainly have plenty of fabric !

You'd think that, with all the material and new dolls, I'd have hopped right on a project. But about all I did was repair a pillow that got torn in a family pillow fight last month - sewed a new ticking for it, and shredded the old one for rags. Mostly did that because I got tired of tripping over it on the floor. Not sure what's with my inertia, but I puttered around the Lab all day, just the same. Then, I took a nap.

Ah, well. With everything going on last week - MIL is doing much better, her kidneys were damaged when she was ill a few months ago, and we're hoping it's not permanent - maybe it's best I take a bit of a break. Besides, two kittens are attacking my ankles, and it's hard to say ‘no' to some play !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:38 PM CDT

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Current Mood : I'd be more contemplative if I weren't so happy ! 

Ding dong, the d*mn thing's done ! Whoo. Got going on Robe #2 about 9am and was finished, hems and all, about noon. Now, the last thing I said to BIL, last Friday, in the letter, and yet again when I talked to him Wednesday, was for him to call me today when he was ready to get this thing fitted, because I was running out of time to work on it.

Guess who didn't call ? (sigh) Or show up ? Godiva only goes so far, dude...

But anyway, I got into trouble without his butt. Earlier this week - forgot to blog it - I placed a bid on a lovely Tinkerbell doll. Yup, one of the DPrincess ones. Today, I was tooling through Craigslist.org again, and I found one there ! In great shape, and in my budget ! The owner will be in town Tuesday, for a medical appointment, and we'll meet and exchange then. Whoo-hoo ! Lucky me ! I really wasn't sure about Playmates re-releasing Tink (I'd only asked about Mulan), so it's great that I have one coming, and don't have to rely on Playmates for her. Just for Mulan now !

Only one problem. I'm still ‘currently in the lead' for the one on eBay. I kinda figure I'll get outbid, I usually do, and there's several days still to go, but it's a gamble. I don't really need two, and money's getting a bit snug. So it's a risk, but I hope it all pays off.

Upshot is, I'm staying home this weekend. No yard sales. I've already received quite a bit for my birthday - brand-new stereo, yummy candy, dolls, fancy drawer pulls - and I've barely even opened most of it ! Nope, it's a good idea to stay home and enjoy the holiday.

I like to think of those who've gone before. Not just the patriots and the soldiers, but friends and folks you only know via handles on web sites. I love all of you, ya know.

Burgers on the grill tonight, with bacon-wrapped corn and potatoes. A feast !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:38 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Approaching Robe Relief ! So, pretty happy.

Well, today I got off my butt and on my sewing machine. Got the fabric cut out, cheap serged, and the basic construction of Robe #2 together. I'm saving the rest of the work - the capelet, the neck facing I botched on #1, the hems, etc. - for tomorrow.

It's been really nice to have that new stereo. Got to listen to all my favorite songs on the MP3 without headphones, which is great. Reminded Beloved Hubby how much I loved it and his idea. He grinned.

I learned with the first robe that the only place big and open enough for a layout/cutting was Beloved's office. I also learned that his floor is full of tiny Lego, bits of dry cat food, dust-small sharp pebbles, and other bits that hurt my knees. So I gave it a full sweep, then a vacuum. The fabric BIL picked out attracts dirt and cat hair like magic ! Very glad that won't be my problem soon ! I swear, the next time I need crap fabric, I'm gonna turn BIL loose at Hancock's again. He's uncanny !

Cutting left little bits of fabric everywhere, so I cleaned up and broke out the vacuum again. Beloved was quite happy at the sight of his office floor. ‘Leave it better than you found it' - weren't we all taught that ?

This material didn't get along well with my machine, but it got sewed, and I was soon beyond caring. While it wrinkled easily enough, it also didn't want to hold a press for long, which seemed odd. I did everything but melt the fabric, but it still opened right back up as soon as I took the iron off it. So I just tucked it and sewed it. Why waste hours ironing a fabric that won't press ?

Did a couple loads of laundry - my housework's slipping behind, between my birthday and these blasted robes - but that's about all I got done today. It's enough. Beloved grilled steaks on a new-to-us grill that a client gave him. It needed a serious cleaning, but the propane tank was pristine and still full. Client's hubby died seven years ago, and the grill hadn't been touched since. She wanted it to be enjoyed. Which we already have.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:37 PM CDT

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Current Mood : bag fulla sighs 

Well, don't I feel guilty. BIL came over this morning, bearing Robe #1 in one hand and a box of Godiva in the other, saying he probably completely forgot to thank me, but he really wanted me to know how much he appreciated all this work I did for him. He completely understood why I objected to some of the changes he wanted, my explanations made sense. And if I could make the second robe, just straight black would be fine. He'd found some buttons he'd like on the front openings, if I had time. Meanwhile, whenever I could get to them was fine, he really loved the first one, and couldn't wait to see the next one.

Well, shoot. If he'd said that Friday, I could have gone a few days without feeling like crap. And angry. (sigh) I haven't even started #2, and with visitors coming over, it wasn't gonna happen this day either. But, heck, I've already made one, and it came out good, I wasn't worried about this one. I'd finally reached the ‘don't care' plateau, and frankly, if BIL didn't like it, it was good - maybe he'd never ask for another !

The nice young lady I'd spoken with about the kittens came over with her fiancée. She couldn't decide which one she wanted ...so she took both ! I made sure to provide her with cat food, a familiar box, and a CD of all the photos I'd taken of them - which weren't many, as I'd been sick for most of their earliest days. She was thrilled, her fiancée was happy she was happy, and they were soon headed for home.

So, while it was a topsy-turvy day, it all ended well. I have Godiva ! Even the ribbon and the raffia daisy box decoration from it is reusable - the daisy already has a pin back to it !

I miss the kittens, though... I'd miss them more if we didn't have DC to keep and Jack - who I think is ours now, that family who wants him hasn't written me back in nearly two weeks.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:37 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Deliriously happy ! 

Another wonderful day. Beloved Hubby came home with a huge Whitman's Sampler of dark chocolate goodness. It'd been a busy day, so the luxury of it was really nice.

Wrote up an ad for the kittens on Craigslist.org. With four kitties and Velvet underfoot, my asthma's really been pushing it, even with the new medication. Almost immediately I had someone interested - she's coming over tomorrow evening. Guess who's cleaning house tomorrow ?

While waiting for my ad to come up, I poked around Craigslist a bit. On impulse, I typed ‘crystal drawer pulls'. Y'see, about a year ago, I'd fallen in love with these silver metal  and green ‘crystal' (acrylic plastic) drawer handles. They'd be perfect for my pattern cabinet ! I really hated the ones it came with - half of the drawers had those gosh-awful ‘hammered bronze' pulls you've seen on most every cabinet made in the 70s, the rest were bland but nice silver curves. I didn't mind those silver ones, but those bronze atrocities had to go ! Unfortunately, the ‘crystal' ones were $8. each, and I'd need eight. And that cabinet, simply put, wasn't worth $64. in new hardware. Target sold 4-packs, for $28., but it was still a bit much, in my opinion.

Here's what I'm describing - http://tinyurl.com/5fmbtg

But, looking around, I noticed that cabinet hardware wasn't cheap in any style. Nearly everything I saw was at least $5. each, usually more. Eventually, I found some clearance cup-style pulls and bought several. One thing led to another, and we never got those installed. And, when the Stimulus Package looked like it'd dump a buncha cash in our laps, I allowed m'self some daydreaming...

Still, it was wise to use it to pay down bills. I could still get the drawer pulls I liked, if I could go without yard sailing for a week or two. With that on my mind, I whimsically decided to see if anyone on Craigslist had any...and I found them ! A nice lady in a neighboring town had purchased three each, of green, pink, and blue, and they didn't fit the cabinet she wanted. Since Target wouldn't take them back -she'd lost the receipt - she was offering them on Craigslist for...$20.

Amazingly, she still had them, and she could meet me that afternoon ! Beloved Hubby was happy for me, and was home shortly after that, so he played Wii with Dearest Son while I headed off to the Town Next Door, a $20. clutched in my hand. I couldn't believe my luck !

Still can't. Someone else might call it putting a tiara on a mule, but I love the way they look on my pattern cabinet. They catch the morning light and toss it around, like real crystal. I know they're plastic, but they're just so pretty !

Once that and dinner was done, I realized...I hadn't started that second robe yet ! Yeek.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:37 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Celebratory !  

We had rain today, so Beloved Hubby stayed home, and we had my birthday early. He awakened me with a Black Forest Sundae, a decadent concoction from a local restaurant - my favorite black walnut ice cream, resting on top of a dark chocolate brownie, all drenched in hot fudge, real whipped cream, and cherries. I couldn't eat the whole thing, but Dearest Son helped out.

From there, the day was mine. Beloved said he'd wanted to find me a nice bookshelf-type stereo for my Lab, he was tired of me ‘making do' with whatever boombox was available. But he didn't know exactly what I wanted, either. So he pressed a nice amount of cash into my greedy little paws and said I didn't have to buy a stereo - but I was supposed to go have some fun !

Well...there wasn't much else I wanted, really. Our Economic Stimulus Package arrived and went to paying down bills, so I was happy about that, and I couldn't really think of much else I wanted. I already had almost all the markdown stuff from TRU - I'm still considering that Island Princess set, for the screen frame - and didn't want any of the stuff out now. I'd just found a bunch of stuff yard-saling, and those sewing feet I got from the Thrift taught me a bit. A new stereo for the Lab, once I could use the MP3 with, sounded pretty nice !

Thus began the hunt. Nothing at TRU. Nothing at Best Buy, unless I wanted iPod connections - no, thanks - or glorified speaker/chargers at twice what a small stereo cost. Decided to check out Hastings, more for the books and magazines than the electronics.. but, of course, that's where I found a great little system ! Speakers I can put darn near anywhere, an upright CD player (love to watch those spin !), a good radio, and a port for my MP3. It even has a remote for volume and power, and some CD functions.

It even took up less space than the XM boombox, so I've gained a bit more room on the cutting table. Only problem is, I have to leave the cutting area mostly cleaned off, so the remote will work !

Picked up lunch on the way home, and got everything installed and playing. It does a great job with my MP3. Guess I can ditch the Sound Cube to Dearest, if he wants it. While enjoying lunch, we had a visitor - my Disney Princess dolls and my prize from In The Pink had arrived ! Whoo-hoo !

Even though it wasn't really my birthday, it was a fantastic day. I mostly sat around for the rest of it, enjoyed tasty Chinese for supper, and enjoyed my new stuff with my older stuff. (happy sigh) I hope everyone has a non-birthday like that !

Oh, and I haven't opened the DPrincess dolls yet. I had too much else going on !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:37 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Unsettled  

Well. After all the drama yesterday, nothing's changed. I composed a purely business letter to my BIL ‘client' detailing exactly why I couldn't do everything he expected, and e-mailed it yesterday, but I've yet to hear a word. Monday, unless I hear differently, I'm gonna start work on the second one, but it's gonna be as plain as the first unless he delivers whatever trim he wants - I've given him the yardage necessary, as well as the max width - by Wednesday. I want this as close to over as possible by Friday.

Sorted through all the yard sale goodies, emptied a spool of thread getting some of the new-to-me fabric cheap-serged, and there's at least half a box still to go ! I'm seriously contemplating staying in next weekend, so material doesn't have a chance to follow me home ! I'll definitely skip the big July 4^th sale at Hancock Fabrics. They can't possibly have anything I don't have already !

It's just funny to me. I learned how to cheap-serge a very narrow hem by how I fed it under the standard zig-zag sewing foot. So I thought that having a narrow hem foot would make that easier. Instead, it's a major PITA. Seriously, if I have to iron it down to fit into the foot guide, I can already sew it, straight or zig-zag. I don't need a special foot for that.

So I'm not getting the free-motion foot, either. I'd kinda been wanting one, but so far, all my experience with add-on feet has been more frustration than fun. About all Hancock's has right now that I find interesting is a $12. floor mat that supposedly keeps a sewing machine pedal from sliding around. Mine must be part hovercraft, or it has wheels. And I bet I can fashion a similar device from a catbox floor mat from Dollar Tree and some Lego. And I can probably skip the Lego, it's just that it's already all over the floor in  here !

Maybe I'm still in a mood from yesterday. I think I'll grab up some potato chips and lose myself in some doll magazines. Catch ya later !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:36 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Beyond.

Current Image Notes : Pattern sketch from Simplicity 5840, view A. All rights retained by originator, no copyright infringement intended. 

Well, yesterday at about 5pm is where things started to tank. BIL came over, and I had to ask him if he liked the finished ‘rough draft' (coughfullywearableandfunctionalhack) robe. I hate begging for praise, especially when I've put in serious effort, but I needed some positive reinforcement. BIL told everyone else how much he liked it, but he somehow forgot to tell me. (sigh) He put it on, and it fit well and flowed beautifully, and I was so happy with how it looked on him, and very proud of my good work  -  for about ten minutes. Then he launched into a long laundry list of amendments, changes, alterations, and enhancements he wants for the final version.

WTF ??! The robe is for a trip next month - in roughly two weeks. To change everything he wants me to, I'd need to pretty much scrap the pattern and make a new one, custom fitted to him, from scratch - and some of the changes he wants, I have no idea how to make. It's a robe. Basically a bag with sleeves and a little cape around the shoulders. Simplicity #5840, View A, no hood. Shoot, I had to alter the pattern for him before I sewed a single stitch !

I have no clue how to pleat it around his waist so it spaces evenly under his belt - the bloody pattern doesn't call for a belt ! Or belt loops ! The belt he wants to use rides high in the back and low in the front. Imagine trying to put in little pleats all the way around six yards of fabric where it's x amount up in the back and y in the front, but it all has to be even. Plus, the darn belt pulls the robe up too high, and that's why it's unevenly spaced. It's supposed to drop straight to the floor, not get hitched up into a skirt ! Little pleats and belt loops won't change that. Oh, and he wants me to make a new belt, too. (heavier sigh)

He also wants to get 4" wide ribbon, fold it in half, and edge everything - the closed front opening (don't ask), the hem, the capelet, the sleeves, the collar, everything. Maybe next week, he'll have time to shop for said ribbon. Um, BIL - I intend to be DONE with this project by next Friday. I am not dragging this out any further ! House went to heck while I stewed and fretted and fussed over the rough draft all week - I am not going to ignore my family and my house again while fussing over another d@mn robe for you !

Does he even realize how difficult it is to sew folded nylon ribbon ? Nylon doesn't hold a press unless ya melt it, and is gonna slip and slide all over the cotton twill he picked out for Robe #2. Finished, it'll look like crap, and every bloody wandering stitch will show like a roach on a wedding cake. Like anyone's first attempt to machine-sew bias tape to a raw edge with a straight-stitch presser foot. Sure, I added ribbon to a set of sweats for Dearest Son's Halloween costume last year - but I used Stitch Witchery. It's ironed on, and tacked down at the waist and leg on the pants, and shoulder seam and waistband on the shirt ! And it's already starting to come off. Luckily, Dearest's nearly outgrown it.

Like an idiot, though, I sat there in shock, feeling like all my efforts were for nothing, because it seemed he liked very little about the finished draft. I mean, if he liked it, why would he want to change or alter darn near every piece of it ? I did some amendments to the rough draft on the spot, and I said I thought I could do most of the changes on the next one...because I want him to have what he wants, but the more I think about them, the more I realize it'll be a ton of work using time I simply don't have budgeted for this, and some of it, like the pleated belt loop things, I don't have the skill to even try. I make doll clothes. Occasionally, I make loose-fitting people clothes, but only when I can stick darn close to a pre-made pattern. I'm not a seamstress. I'm not a designer. I'm doing him a favor, and doing the best I can, but I'm really starting to feel used. I've already put in ten solid hours on this little project, with at least nine more to go, and I just don't have another fifteen to screw around with pleats and belts and ribbon and everything else he wants. I'm not getting paid, I'm barely getting thanked, and I just want this to be over.

So I get to eat a bit of crow in a bit. I'm gonna call him, and tell him I'm going to make the second one the way I originally planned. Straight basic black. If he wants to add ribbon, he's welcome to use fabric glue. He can pick stitches to tuck the ribbon in on the seams, and hand-sew them back. As far as the belt loops and waist pleats...I have no idea how to pleat six yards of fabric evenly around someone's waist when the front is several inches different from the back, and the pattern was never designed to accommodate a thick belt. And not once in my entire life have I ever made belt loops. He can try it himself, or he can hitch it up under his belt, the good ole fashioned way. It's his robe, but I am not killing myself to rework the whole thing. If he wants it to be jazzy, he can do some of the so-necessary work himself.

I'm just really upset, because I feel like I busted my butt to do something good and nice, to keep a promise I made four years ago, and I'm informed that it's only barely adequate, and only with numerous time-sucking changes will it be good enough. I'm proud of what I did, and if it's not good enough, he can take this ‘little project' to a real seamstress and pay $200. or more for what he wants. Added to the frustration is that he's detailed every dollar he's spent on this trip to me, and while I don't expect to be paid, it kind of hurts that I don't even get thanked - but because the robes are just sooo cheap, he can get the deluxe everything else for the trip. Oh, and here's my list of what needs to be improved next time. These robes AREN'T cheap, BIL. Ten hours of my time isn't nothing ! Sheesh, I've gone from feeling so skilled and confident to feeling like I can't sew shiat after ten minutes with my ‘client'.

Crap, I don't even want to make the Final Version now, because there's no way it'll be good enough. Beloved Hubby says it's fine with him if I hand his brother six yards of cotton twill next week, because he hates to see me so upset about it all, and he thought I did a fine job that should be good enough on the first one.

I have plenty of things to do with my time. I'm being nice, and trying new things that aren't exactly comfortable for me, all because I want to keep my promise. I told him I could make the changes partly because I was in shock, partly because I wanted to appear professional and skilled, but mostly because I was too hurt to do much more than nod at him. What he has right now is my best. I don't need someone who can't thread a needle expecting miracles with $12. worth of fabric. I don't need the stress and I can't spare the time.

Would you like the kicker now ? BIL realizes we probably won't have time to make the View B cloak...WHAT ? I never said a (*&^%$&*( ing thing about making a cloak, ever ! What the... oh, never mind, (*&^ it, I'm just gonna go running off, screaming into the hills now....

But, "Woman feels 'supremely justified' about murdering her BIL over a fake Jedi/Priest robe" would make a juicy headline ! I'd get to read how insane/fat/ugly I am over on fark.com, too. Provided the county lockup would grant me internet access...

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:45 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:36 PM CDT

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Current Mood : Feelin' fine !  

Ya'll are soo gonna laugh at me again. Remember yesterday, I was pretty happy at using a 40% off coupon at Hancock Fabrics, to score some midnight blue tiny-wale corduroy for my soon-to-be signature "Friday Night Date" copy ? Well, I finally got to sort through the box of fabric I got at yesterday's yard sale - I'd only seen about a quarter of it before I knew it was worth the price to me. Well, guess what was at the very bottom ? Yup - about half a yard of tiny-wale navy blue corduroy. Serves me right for buying more when I hadn't gone through what I had ! No matter how busy I was, I really should have looked before I bought . What I got at Hancock's is a bit lighter, and I still intend to use it, but this would have worked, and I already had it. At least it's only a $4.19 mistake !

And it didn't stop me from hitting more sales today ! Found some neat goodies at a ‘not advertised, but there's a sign !' sale. A small guitar with dead batteries in a box of Christmas ornaments, just about perfect for Elphie, a package of deep green ribbon, and two clock faces - if you sniff another project brewing, your whiff is correct ! The gorgeous red suede ballerina flats that'd never been worn were even my size. So I asked, and the great seller told me I could have the other goodies for free if I paid her $2. for the shoes ! Oh, sold ! The guitar makes me happy, because I'd been eyeing a Fender small-scale replica for Elphie - but it's $20., and I always manage to find something else to spend twenty bucks on, so I never bought it. With this one, all I need to do is make a small amp from a box, and run a thin cord between it and the guitar. Much cheaper - and just as fun, if not more, because now, I can make it myself !

Dearest Son cleaned up in another sale - a wire grocery cart about his size, already loaded with play money, fake coupons, and shopping list blanks was just a buck, as was a HUGE framed Star Wars puzzle. He's still deciding where he wants it, but the cart's been used to ferry toys and his summer school projects from the living room to his bedroom and back. The other two sales didn't have much for me, but I managed to spend what cash I had, so I'll be home tomorrow.

His last day of summer school was today, and there was a reception of sorts at 11am. You know I was there ! I even snuck up behind him and planted a kiss to the crown of his head before he saw me. Got to talk to his great teacher, see the class projects, hear some stories, and meet some kids. I gave Dearest my doughnut, and looked through all his stuff - there's a whole package of learning activities for the rest of the summer. Cool !

The party began to break up at 11:30, and we were soon on our way to TRU, to spend the ticket rewards he'd earned. He chose a new ‘Town' Lego set, and a ginormous Star Wars sticker book -  there's over 600 stickers in there ! He's enjoyed just looking at them so far. No new DPrincess dolls, but all the markdown stuff was another 20% off, so I scored the Madison My Scene Roller Girl doll - Erika, do you need her ? - for her skates and a couple props, and a Barbie Mini Kingdom Princess and the Pauper  ‘Princess Boutique' playset, for the tiny pink dress form inside. Each for $4. ! I'd thought about finding a Dawn-size dress form for the collection, but this will do fine. No exorbitant shipping fees, either !

Came home and felt a bit lightheaded. Decided to stretch out instead of eat lunch - and I crashed for three hours. For some reason, most of the best sleep of my life has been when the sun's shining brightly. I feel sooo good now ! Called BIL and set up a time to alter his robe - as predicted, the sleeves were a bit too wide for him - and I'm starting Robe #2 Monday. This time, though, I'm not gonna do 90% of it in one afternoon/evening !

The rest of the afternoon, I just lounged around, watching unlicensed anime on crunchyroll.com - I really like Glass Mask ! - and watching Dearest play school, and Beloved put Lego Indy through his paces on the Wii. Haven't even opened up the stuff I got from TRU, but there's always tomorrow ! I'm hoping to sew something, but whether it's for me or a doll is up in the air right now !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:36 PM CDT

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Current Mood : I feel freakin' amazing !

After yesterday's triumph, today was ‘me' day. Hit a yard sale soon after Dearest Son got on the bus. Spent $7., but got a ton of goodies. A whole boxload of fabric, a bagload of small fabric pieces ($3.50), a bag of silk fall leaves, heart craft pieces and gorgeous buttons (25c), two Cars Happy Meal toys to replace Dearest's damaged ones, and a bag of plastic fedoras (30c), another Disney Princess scrapbook with stickers (50c), an unused pair of foam infant sandals (50c), and a great Ariel lamp ($2.) ! I'll probably move the star one to the living room, and put the Ariel one in here. The lady of the house even gave me a full-size cardboard fabric cutting surface, which was very thoughtful. Darn things are $8. at the fabric stores. And if I didn't want it, I know Dearest would love it for his cars and city scenes.

Scooted home, grabbed a quick breakfast, then did two loads of laundry, got one hung up, washed enough dishes for lunch and supper, cleaned up the living room, cleaned up the kitchen and dining room a bit, and stuffed another bag of kitchen trash into the not yet picked up trash bin. Loaded the bags of crushed soda cans in Molly, and the MP3 into the dash, and it was time for more Me  !

I only had two hours, but I enjoyed ‘em ! Soda cans netted $7.85, and I left $6.76 of it at Hancock Fabrics, in exchange for eight sewing machine needles - honestly, I sewed BIL's robe with too large a needle for that h#ll fabric, but I had no time to go on a shopping safari yesterday ! - and a 40% off yard of dark blue mini corduroy. I have my own personal version in mind for the ‘Friday Night Date' clone...

Salvation Army had its usual nothing. I swear, I used up all my luck over there when I got Casey. I've yet to find anything remotely good since. Still had time, so I decided to check the status of that DPrincess fabric at the high-side Mal-Wart, see if there were any trims or such to get. Yikes. They'd moved in more storage boxes and towers, and even the clear plastic by-the-yard display was picked clean. As was the fabric I'd come for. Oh, well, I really wasn't sure how I'd use it anyway.

None of the 20 or so remaining bolts were at all good. By now, if it's left over, it's pretty much deemed crap by the local sewists. Noticed that the ribbon for blanket binding was silky and wide - might make some good ‘Swingin' Easy' clones. The dark green and dark blue scanned at a buck each, but for some reason, the black was still $3.98. So I left it there. Also scored a rotisserie chicken, and it was as good as I'd hoped. Even Beloved Hubby had some for lunch, and he doesn't like chicken much.

My yard sale finds still lounged by the door - I hadn't had the time to unpack ‘em since I brought ‘em in. Hung up the remaining laundry while Beloved finished eating. While I waited for Dearest's bus, I got more soda from the trunk, and wheeled the trash around. Whew ! I didn't even have time to unpack the smaller goodies until about 6pm, and I still haven't sorted through all that fabric !

Found out from FIL that BIL was surprised at how good the prototype looked. He'd expected dangling threads, unfinished hems, and raw edges. He said BIL really liked it, and only wanted the sleeves changed. And he couldn't wait to get started on the final one. Shoot, at this point, I am, too. Thinking that, by this time next week, I'll about be done with the whole project it is a joy ! But I am glad he liked it. I'm sure I'll hear from him tomorrow afternoon, for fittings. I'm in the mood for some praise !

Tomorrow is Dearest's last day of summer school. There's a sort of reception, and then, we're goin' to TRU ! He's saved up his tickets and decided where he wanted to go today. Gee, just draaaag me to a toy store, Son ! (grin)

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 4:35 PM CDT

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