Mission Pants: Completed!

Three pairs of slacks in about one week. Much needed too. I don't wear jeans often anymore and the ones I have are pretty darn shabby looking. Suitable only for around the house or maybe an incognito trip to the local Grange for feed. At this point 75% of everything I own has been sewn by me.

The two wool pants are made from the Sewing Workshop Trio pattern. Many small modifications have been done. Pockets completely different, flat front waist band slightly extended, leg shape changed to be straighter. These are comfortable pants and fun and easy to add embellishments too. Here is the dark teal pair with a fake front vent and bamboo buttons added.

Oh, and the top is a Chinois Coat by Indygo Junction .

I had done the cut out while my folks were here and then went on to other sewing projects during their visit. It still needs buttons and button holes.

The last pair of pants is a Japanese made cotton/linen blend. Due to the patterning of the fabric I wanted to use a sewing pattern that didn't have a lot of seams. My choice was the pants from Sewing Workshops Urban T-Shirt & Pants pattern.

Again, some changes. The body of the pants has been shortened as it was so long it came up under my rib cage the first pair I made. Now they sit just below my natural waist. Pockets have been added

and I lost the front faced vent and lengthened the leg as I am not fond of cropped pants. This pattern is so easy I could almost do it in my sleep.

A certain friend brought me back some vintage donkey buttons from a trip to the Houston Quilt Market. Three of them. Are these not just the most perfect donkey buttons you have ever seen??!!

I love them and thank you. I may just have to make a little pictorial quilt to showcase them.

In other news, the towel weaving has started again. I am also planning a second towel warp for Hey Baby to be followed by a blanket warp.

Eight cords of split mixed wood was delivered yesterday. Looks like we're ready for all the cold weather this winter is promising and then some. I sure hope so. Heating season can drag on and on into late May.

Parting shot: Stinkin' Cute! ( Thank you Sharon & Alexia for that gem)

Stewed

Can you find the terrier?

Nothing says winter has arrived like a hearty stew and after two days of snow spewing forth, I can say; Winter has arrived! And stew has been made. Your basic throw it all in kitchen sink kind of stew with root veggies, the last of the fresh green beans and my personal favorite in just about anything...mushrooms.

It cooked in the crockpot all day and when Gene and I came in from a ton of evening chores, there it was, smelling good and waiting for us to heap some into bowls.

In farm news, the foundation for the new stall barn is poured and curing. It is covered with hay and tarps. Next week the building will begin in earnest. In the meantime, I have done something I have never done and that is blanket the horses. Basically rain sheets to keep them dry. Heavy denier poly/nylon cordura type rugs with no poly fill lining. Curly horses really do grow a dense warm coat but even that with a long enough period of wet weather will finally allow them to get soaked to the skin. Wet skin equals cold horses and with no true shelter available, this was a good option. Let me take this moment to mention that I should have been keeping the horses use to the sight and sound of said blankets. We had QUITE the rodeo getting them on. Once over their backs though everyone relaxed and went back to what they truly love to do. Eat hay!

The donkeys are staying snug and dry in their coats with quilted linings. The horse trailer is doing double duty this year as a run in for them and is working perfectly. The little front tack area gives me a place to hang the blankets when not in use and the trailer itself is matted and bedded with shavings making it very easy to keep clean and the donkeys themselves don't often go where they hang out, preferring certain parts of the fence line. The horses too prefer certain areas for their business.

Dennett had his 6 month blood work up, other than some adjustment downward with his thyroid meds, everything is stable or better than in June. He soldiers on and has enjoyed the last two days of snow very much. It was discovered that Pogo (the day after I took Dennett to the vet) had an abscessed anal gland. A miserable time was had by all dealing with that but he is on the mend and I still have all my fingers, keeping where it was lanced, open and draining.

Robin had his first real taste of winter yesterday and loved it. We went for a walk with Jack (who has to be leashed) through the back 40.

It snowed, they sniffed and played.

I took pictures. A great time was had by all.

I have managed to get some sewing done. One pair of wool pants is done, the second ready for hemming. The wool was a pleasure to work with.

It cut like butter and sewed up beautifully. The pocket lining used in this pair is leftover from the kitchen curtains.

I love that fabric but there was only enough for curtains. I bought the last of the bolt. One more cotton pair of pants and a blouse are cut, marked and waiting for assembly. The next batch of sewing will be all new patterns to try. I'm hoping for some winners in there.

Parting shot: Wow! All this just for me. ;)

A Quick Side Trip to Italy

The end of the annual visit always feels like the day after Christmas. The little let down that the holiday is over. It makes for a great time to throw oneself into a project (or two), so I took myself off to Italy yesterday. It's no secret that there are certain places in this world known for excellence. Paris fashion, Irish Linen, Shetland wool yarn, Turkish rugs and Philly Cheese Steak to name a few. Well, nothing is nicer than Italian woven fabrics, at least to me. When I went to Italy in 1995, I brought back yards of Valentino fabric and even by today's standards the yardage cost was dear. Today I am lucky enough to have someone bring fine Italian fabrics locally for purchase. Sandi at FOV (Fabric of Vision) out did herself this fall with some beautiful bolts and I made some great purchases at good prices.

I wish the computer could allow you to feel these fabrics. The drape is like liquid silver, the hand soft and smooth. This is wool meant to be worn next to the skin and season spanning in weight.

Double sided twill Peacock/Navy wool

Honey Comb type weave in Black and White. Very very soft.

Pinstripe wool Grey/Brown and Cream with a blue/grey cast. I'll be using the less shiny reverse side for some of my garment.

I spent yesterday cutting out 3 pairs of pants and one Japanese cotton fabric for a blouse. I have a lot of sewing lined up and it's a good thing. We're expecting the first true snow of the season and about 5-6 days of unsettled weather starting tonight.

In other news, the rabble is settling down after the visit. Robin still expects his daily walk and I've been accommodating him.

He is one terrific little terrier! Our walks now are just about all off leash, he sticks close to me and even when he sees something like a wild turkey, doesn't run off. I'm SO impressed with him and even more thrilled to have a hiking companion again. Fat Sam and Lexie were my steady hikers for many years. Peter also has been a great little guy to take on walks, but he is almost 17 and not up to the hard long hikes of old. Charlotte is reliable but never really enjoys the walks. Stella has many charms, but walking on the leash is not her strong suit and she would be gone in a heartbeat off leash. Robin was 6 months on October 28th and I am looking forward to many many miles together. I allowed the breeder to pick this pup for me from the litter of 3 boys and can't be more pleased.

Parting shot: Did you say close up?

They're There

Yep, Friday night we had our last dinner together at the Peerless Restaurant. As always the food and spirits where first rate and conversation and dessert lively. All too soon the meal (and the visit) were over. My folks flew home to Massachusetts ahead of the Nor'easter that came up the Atlantic coast. They woke up Sunday morning in their own beds to some of the white stuff and a downed branch in the driveway. I spent Sunday wishing for a longer visit, thinking about next spring and being grateful the Patriots game was blacked out.

We had a wonderful visit, the shopping was good, the eating and drinking...better!

Both my Mother and Father are great cooks and each did a few fabulous meals. I will say, my Mom gets points for always doing the clean-up and Dad for doing the daily run down the mountain for supplies except on Sunday's of course! ;) It's amazing what we can dream up when we all get together.

Robin and my Dad took to one another and each day the two would head out for a stroll. The donkey's got some extra attention too not to mention lots of carrots. Stella

got her fair share of ball throwing each day and Smoochie, who adores my Mother more than anyone he knows, lavished her with attention.

There was also some sewing, Mom picked out some neon green corduroy at Fabric of Vision and I whipped her up another Quincy top.

Got one done for myself too!

Dad got some wonderful hand dyed Tencel yarn at Webster's and will be making a beautiful scarf or two from it. Just grand stuff from Prism. Here's my hank.

His was in greys, blues and bronzes. Sorry no pictures. As is typical, I put the camera away during these much anticipated and enjoyed visits and go with the flow.

I managed to get a prayer flag done and sent home with my Mom that was requested last spring. They are so time consuming and I have to be honest, writing out the prayers always makes me rather depressed since it was a Rainbow Bridge flag.

The towel warp is again being woven on, but not too much. I need to get those rolling as the holidays are just around the corner and I need a lot of towels!

The horse shelter is slowly moving along too. Gene completed the digging and form building Sunday and will be getting rebar today and pouring the concrete foundation tomorrow. From there it's all simple building and I hope goes quickly.

Parting shot: Small-Medium-Large.

They're Here!

And that means that I am usually not blogging but enjoying every moment I can during the two week stay. Worse, I have no pictures to post. You will have to take my word for it that the top I made my mother fits and she likes it and that the wool runner is packed up in my Dads bag so it isn't forgotten when the visit ends.

The loom is weaving again some more Celtic towels, the sewing room isn't being totally neglected, food, beer, wine and football all are being enjoyed.

Parting Shot: A sniffing nose gathers some interesting moss!

Able to Leap Small Gullies in a Single Bound

Yeah, sure, They can try to keep me quiet with their bandages and bags and inflatable collars.

But my nose is good.

My hearing and eyesight keen.

I could go for miles wrapped paw or not.

And I'm smart too. It's nicer to just stay close to home, walking with someone who loves me

and has treats... ;>

Let's Play Dress Up

Oh heavens, Robin isn't the only one wearing some gear these days. Who would have expected wet snow on October 5th? Not me! But there it was, snow here in the air and snow actually sticking just a bit higher up. And now I have three Miniature MEDITERRANEAN Donkeys. I'm pretty sure it doesn't snow where they are originally from and donkeys with the exception of the Baudet du Poitou,have a pretty skimpy coat. Hence my having to go out and dress the donks yesterday.

Brand new waterproof coats with warm linings came out of the packages and onto the donkeys. And they were pretty good about it too. I didn't get kicked and the only one who appeared never to have been blanketed was Sugarfoot. The girls stood like like little troopers while I adjusted and crossed back leg straps. Sugarfoot needed a bit of a lead around with just the neck and belly strap buckled but finally relaxed enough for me to do the back leg strap cross.

He got carrots, they all got carrots and then went and wandered around their paddock admiring each others new clothes. They hopefully stayed warm and dry last night as the temps dropped to below freezing. I will undress them today once it has warmed up.

Robin is doing well although his maid is becoming weary of bagging his wrapped foot for the wet outdoors. He is so good though and while he'd tear that bandage to pieces if left for very long on his own, he minds his manners about it for the most part.

I've put a little infant sock over the whole wad to keep it clean and he seems less likely to want to chew that.

We'll change it today and check on the nail growth. Once he has a bit of it over the exposed bone he'll be good to go without the bandage. About two weeks.

I managed to carve out some time from cleaning and puppy care on Sunday and had a fabric cutting bonanza while I watched and listened to football. Lord knows there is enough of it on Sunday! A couple of shirts have been completed, another three are cut

and waiting for marking and then I can start in on them as I have time. The first of the completed shirts is a second rendition of the grey tie blouse. I opted not to do the ties and did a better job of grading.

It fits very nicely and I love the soft interesting print. Yesterday morning we had a disaster with it though. I was serging one of the side seams and the fabric from the side front got creased and serged under it. Now mine is an old serger, fast and powerful and cuts quicker than you can take a breath. A large V cut was created in the front panel. I creatively patched it after shedding some tears and truth be told, I like it better. I LOVE happy accidents.

The second top is my standard TNT (tried and true) Hot Patterns shirt.

I did the collar for the first time and I like it. Of course I cut it way down along with the stand to be more like ready to wear.

That is my main gripe with just about all shirt patterns. The collar and the stand are too big. I took this down by almost half. Next time I may trim it even more and do a button down collar.

The loom is all back and ready for weaving.

In fact I might get to some of that today after I put my portion of cleaning time in. I loved that one dark brown/mink colored towel and think I will do a couple of them for myself.

The folks will be arriving next Saturday and we're both getting excited. This Saturday hay arrives and that should excite everyone outside. Hay is costly this year, less growers since the livestock market has tanked, especially horses and those that are, sell out of their barns and fields in small tonnage amounts. Fewer farms are offering delivery. We're paying about what we did last year for hay. Buying less with just three horses but spending more. The donkeys don't eat enough to really add into the equation, much like the goats.

Parting shot: "More cut carrots, Please!"

The Collar of Shame

Oh it is so sad, my tale of woe. ;) Yesterday was the big day for Robin. On Weds he had injured a toe on his front foot digging. We figured it was a thin slice in that little space between the bottom of the toenail and the pad. Well, it seems he peeled enough of the nail off below it's bed that he actually exposed the bone underneath. The nail had to be cut back, lots of antibiotics and of course, a bandage. Oh joy! Try keeping that on a 5 month old Jack pup.

He had a baby tooth pulled, he was microchipped and of course, he was neutered. He was quite a doped up sore little mess of a dog when I rescued him from the vet yesterday afternoon. As it seems all dogs do, this morning he has made a remarkable recovery. Bouncing, jaunty, ready to take on that vet wrap and his appetite is back!