I have to interrupt this entry to include a link to a YouTube video I just saw re foldover elastic.... watch it, it's good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc4BLL2MhVY&eurl=http://angrychicken.typepad.com/

I've been so busy these last few months with ASG stuff.  The American Sewing Guild, which is nationwide non-profit, educational organziation and has over 22,000 members.  They recently started a Los Angeles Chapter.... Guess what, I volunteered to be VP.   Since March we have grown to 160 members in our Chapter and had our kick off event with Peggy Sagers in June.  Next month is our second event is with Bobbi Bullard. 

I have also started a neighborhood group and we are now 10+ sewing ladies strong.   We have been meeting 1x per month and each time the group grows and the previous attendees come back I am so happy.... it's like Sally Fields in the "you like me" speech she did when she won the Oscar. 

The Los Angeles County Fair is next month and I have secured a booth at the Fair to help promote the ASG.  16 ladies have volunteered to help me.   I want to grow our Chapter to 500+ members by next March - I'm the little train that could.... I think I can, I think I can...  If you sew, why not be a member, there are so many benefits that it is well worth the $40 membership fee.... just the discount at Joann's will cover the fee in no time.  Most sewing shops give an ASG discount!   www.asg.org

The other part I've been working on is programing for the next year... and I've got that pretty much set.... now to find locations for the programs!   It's all coming together!  

Posted by sue at 11:10 AM PDT

Updated: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:49 PM PDT

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I made a second bra and want to recommend that if you sew, you tackle this project.  It is well worth it.  A nice fitting bra!  And it's not difficult at all. 

here's my supplies, pattern, fabric, instruction book, elastic

it went together in about 2 hours, but I was watching a movie.  I can't wait to make more and just think of all the options and fabric choices....  

here's the 2 sides, inside and outside with wire.  the band is made from a power knit, the cups are a knit satin and tricot.

here it is sewn without the straps.  I used plush elastic for the top and bottom.  The straps will be out of interfaced tricot.  There is a 1-2" piece of elastic at the base of the strap in the back for movement, otherwise, the straps go on and are fitted.  There is not need for adjusting hardware. 

and the finished project.  

I still had another movie to watch, and so I decided to tackle a knitting needle case I promised a friend at least 8 months ago!  She purchased one of my purses and wanted a case to go with it.

I was stalling making it because I don't knit and didnt' want to figure out all the math and sizing, but then I saw a pattern so I purchased the book "Quick Gifts Bullard Style" from www.bullarddesigns.com.  It went together really nicely and now I can't wait to give it to her.  She does pottery and has made me some fun pieces and does beautiful work.  This is her site http://www.MelsPottery.etsy.com 

and here's the needle case.  

Posted by sue at 3:49 PM PDT

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Went for my 3 month BC check up yesterday and all is well.  Blood work is good.  Doc was considering switching me from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor, but because of my osteopenia, decided not to.  The tamaxifen helps keep bone and the aramatose weakens bones.   No need to live to a 100 if I'm just going to crack and turn to dust!    The doc also noted that I lost 6 kilos (13 pounds).  I was so happy about that because I am now back to my pre-bc weight!   You know the doc would say, ah,you can't lose weight on tamoxifen, and so I'd think, ok, may as well eat that quart of ice cream and THAT is what caused the weight gain, not the meds!  So, I went back to my trusty Weight Watchers in May and dump the extra poundage.

I got out of going to Gypsy Kings tonite, so I will sew!   Other than a bra that I cut out, I don't have anything in progress, so tonite, with a nice glass of wine, I'm going to rummage through my stash of fabrics and patterns and put some ideas together!  Can't wait!  Later this weekend I'll post a mini-tutorial on my bra making adventure.

Posted by sue at 9:52 AM PDT

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This weekend, we have 4 Hollywood Bowl events!  Yikes!   That will not leave enough sewing time, so I'll need to ditch 1 or 2.  Last night was the first Bowl.... Etta James, Solomon Burke, and Paolo Nutini (each separate performances).  It was a fun night, I'm really enjoying the wednesday night jazz series so much better then the weekend "spectaculars".  I also thouroughly enjoyed Paolo Nutini and you can read more about him here  http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/music/artist_detail.cfm?id=3461

Solomon Burke was an interesting guy... he sat the entire time in a large throne and wore a really glittery suit and had a guy on hand to occasionally wipe his brow, then later in the show passed out roses to the ladies in the audience.  Etta was sassy as ever and looks like she lost a lot of weight, I don't recall her being slim.   Her voice is still strong.

Friday is Gypsy Kings, this is DH's pick and I can tolerate them for about 30 mins, then I'm done, so I'm hoping he can find a friend to go with him.  Saturday is Mambo Night... should be lively, and Sunday is the JVC Jazz Festival with James Ingram,  Boney James, David Sanborn, Ledisi and Eric Darius.

 Now for sewing,   the minute I saw this...... I knew I had to make it!

It is Burda WOF, August 2008 #101.   I have the magazine, now I just need to find some fabric.   It looks so "Agent 99"!

I'm thinking a nice brown with some rustic type buttons.  Something to take the conservative-ness away.  Maybe a fun lining... it's always fun to have a surprise inside your outfit 

Posted by sue at 1:44 PM PDT

Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 9:53 AM PDT

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So, how was my weekend....

Here's the short version.

Thursday, left for Yosemite, drove up 395, stayed in Big Pines at a nice motel.... day basically uneventful.  We got an earlier start then planned and didn't hit any traffic.  It took us about 4 hours which is about my limit when it comes to sitting in a car and driving.

Friday, we visited Mammoth, Mono Lake, Bodie, and drove through Tioga Pass into Yosemite.  I was happy to see that Mono Lake is much fuller than when I visited 15 years ago.  I heard they were not diverting so much water... glad to see it. Bodie on the other hand, didn't look too well.  It appears that visitors are taking portions of what remains of the town. There were few relics, just mostly abandoned buildings.  It's too bad!  We stopped in Mammoth Lakes and ate at The Stove, the food was delicious, then went to Schats Bakery for some yummy bear food... er, I mean cookies....  I spent a lot of time in Mammoth in the early 80's and it has grown considerably since then. 

That afternoon we drove into Yosemite which was picturesque, as always.   Unfortunately, on our way in we hit a deer!  It was very upsetting.  Fortunately, the car was not damaged and the deer appeared to be ok, but still, it was very frightening for us and the deer, which came out of nowhere up the side of the mountain and leaped in front of our car. We drove a few miles up to the Ranger Station and notified them and asked that they go back and check. 

We finally arrived in the Valley around 5PM after a few stops and also to take photos of some wildlife.

Saturday, we went for our planned hike.  We took the hiker's bus up to Gracier Point. (7200 feet).  Glacier Point is wonderful and gives you a spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the back country.  The trail down (which was actually down 2 miles, up 3.2 miles, and down 3.3 miles)  was magnificent and is called the Panorama trail.  We passed 3 waterfalls on our way back to the valley floor (4000 feet).  One of our hiking buddies was having difficulty walking the last 3.3 miles and felt like she couldn't walk any further..... so, fortunately for us, 3 nice men helped carry her down!  I always said most people are generally nice and helpful and this proved it again!  2 of the men were from Austria and were vacationing with their wives.  The day prior they were in Las  Vegas (for some reason the tour packages always have you go to Vegas and then Yosemite.... too completely different locals).   The third gentleman was from the Bay Area and up there with some friends.  (Honestly, I think he was eyeing my niece, and luckily he was already committed to helping by the time I told him she was only 14!!.  After we arrived at the Valley floor (some 8 hours later), we treated our recuers to some pizza and beer!  We finally got back to our tent at midnight... but.... seems our adventure wasn't over..

at 1AM we were awaken by a bear

and her cub who got into our food locker and managed to eat all our food!  (Lesson learned: never trust a 14 year old when they say "yes, I locked it")  That bear had some nice cookies, blueberry bread, almonds, cranberries, watermelon and granola bars!   We could hear her chomping away on our food.  when I heard the ice chest, I knew my watermelon was next!  With just a piece of canvas between us and the bears, I thought it best to stay in the tent.  Around 2PM the ranger showed up to take a report and request us to clean up the mess.  I noticed the Ranger was armed with a paint gun!  Luckily, the bear didn't like our bananas, so we were able to have those for breakfast!  (yea, there's probably some bear slobber on them, but we didn't care).  

Sunday, we drove home stopping on occasion to stretch our legs.  Today, my legs feel like they went through grinder.  I guess it's been a while since I've hiked a long distance (not to mention a few birthdays) .... note to self, walk more!!

Posted by sue at 1:43 PM PDT

Updated: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:35 PM PDT

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