Retired in Alaska

Wood Cuts and UAF & Winner

2012-01-30T03:00:00.003-09:00

This shop on Etsy is so interesting with his wood cuts of all kinds. I bought this little set of Marie Antoinette cuts with making Valentines in mind. They are 2" long. Etsy is my source for all things I can't buy here in Homer. Sat. I had three 13 year old girls turned loose in my new craft room to make Valentines for 3.5 hours and they were so creative! Next time they come I will teach them about embossing.

This was posted on FB and I wanted to share with you the hearty students at UAF. My grandson is attending but is not one of these kids. Honestly I don't know how they pull this off they could only do this for seconds.

We have our winner picked by Kalen here under his nose is Mary from Bellsouth.net. Congratulations Mary.

Lots of Weather Here

2012-01-29T03:00:00.003-09:00

Turning into our subdivision above

Me coming home from the gym and Bob out with the boys in 5 degrees.

Kalen on the left Pan on the right. The dogs who know they are pretty and love to pose!! They were looking at me this morning like this and I said hold it boys while I get my iPhone!

*I draw on Monday so sign up below on the New Giveaway post if you want to be in the drawing for both items.

85-year-old woman wields shovel to stop moose stomping

2012-01-28T03:00:00.001-09:00

Friend Barb Landi wrote me this and I thought you'd like to see the article in our ADN.

Two years ago this couple drove 300 miles down to Homer for our Gardeners' weekend.They are friends of ours. We give free admission to our garden tours to people in their 80s. So besides being a pilot and teacher & dog mushers, they are gardeners too...in one of the harshest climates in the world.

By LISA DEMER
Anchorage Daily News

Published: January 23rd, 2012 10:20 PM
Last Modified: January 24th, 2012 07:49 AM

An agitated moose ran down and stomped a well-known Bush pilot from Willow, but he was saved when his wife grabbed a shovel from their pickup truck and whacked the big animal until it backed off.

George Murphy, 82, and his wife, Dorothea Taylor, 85, told the story of their recent moose encounter Sunday afternoon from Murphy's hospital room in Anchorage, where he is recovering from gashes to his head and left leg as well as seven broken ribs.

They were at the Willow Airport around 10:30 a.m. Friday running their golden retrievers as they do almost every day. They drive along the access road in their truck and let the dogs, Fellar and King Tut, run on ahead.

Read full story here:

http://www.adn.com/2012/01/22/2277726/wife-stops-moose-stomping-with.html

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/01/22/2277726/wife-stops-moose-stomping-with.html#storylink=cp
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More Snow

2012-01-27T03:00:00.002-09:00

We had another blizzard starting on Tue through Thursday afternoon. I've never seen so much snow here. All our snowshoeing trails are gone now but it's way too cold for us to take the dogs out right now in the low single digits. Maybe the snow machine neighbor boys will make more trails for us.

Be sure and sign up below the my giveaway.

New Giveaway

2012-01-26T03:00:00.008-09:00

First item is a quilt I started and have several blocks finished and some additional fabric already cut. You will have to add to this or make a smaller quilt than the pattern I'm including.

Second is a panel 45 long and 35 wide along with a yard of the backing fabric which is shown next to the red flower in the first photo. You also could use this for 2 or 4 pillows. All fabrics shown are 100% cotton from a non smoking home.

New rules I'm afraid, only US residents as shipping is just out of sight & not worth it outside the US. Drawing will be Monday the 30th. if you win and I don't hear from you in one week I will draw again. *Both items will go to one person.

A Variety Today & Another Winner

2012-01-25T11:23:00.010-09:00

I had not heard from my winner Angie in Kingston, ON Canada so Kalen drew another name today and it was Cheryl she just needs to send me her address so I can mail out the baby quilt kit.

A blizzard going on out there and I take Wed off from the gym anyway so this is good. Wanted to mention a few things about my blog. I have it in books from Blog to Print. It's all done now from June 08 to present so I have deleted all but this year and 2011,

The boys drinking their 'juice'. Dogs in cold climates who don't pant don't drink enough, to insure they do I have liquids in with their two feedings and 'juice' at noon. What do I use? Whatever I have cooked with and saved and if not that a teeny amount of low sodium chicken or beef stock as shown below here. They get all warm meals by the way. What do I feed them? I went through a lot of foods to find one that agreed well with them, now I've been using California Natural lamb and rice. Cost for bags of food up here is very high, shipping you know. Two 30 lb bags is $118. I also use NuVet Plus a canine supplement recommended by Pan's breeder for the life of the dog.

Above is the local eagles nest I photographed while snowshoeing.

This is a pumpkin soup I made up and it's so good.

A lunch yesterday of cauliflower, organic pink beets and an Angus burger. We don't eat large amounts and eliminating the sugar and heavy carbs can really do a number on your body to keep your weight in check.

Valentines and Snowshoeing

2012-01-23T03:00:00.004-09:00

Some images to make Valentines with. I love using Maria A. in paper art, oh my I have seen some lovely things done with Marie art. I once found a website totally dedicated to her and the blogger had made all kinds of fantastic things using her images I need to try and find that again.

Snowshoeing on Sunday afternoon with friend Kathy H.

Nan, Bob, Pan and Kalen, 18 degrees felt warm to me, had to take off my hood!

Bunnies about

2012-01-21T13:15:00.000-09:00

My friend Karen's home. She turned loose her domestic rabbits several years ago and they run all over. They are really quite tame and came right up to me. Yes the eagles do get them from time to time, but you know how bunnies reproduce if left unchecked!

On the way home two moose in our subdivision.

My front door today

Last a Primal meal of sweet potatoes, salad, and a charbroiled angus burger I buy frozen, they are so good.

Having friends over for dinner at 6 today. A roast in the slow cooker as my oven is out, bread and potatoes for them, and fresh green beans, dessert is coconut chip ice cream make by me. So easy.

Blend 1 can coconut milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup honey

You can add 2 Tbs of powdered coco for chocolate but this time I added coconut unsweetened in the blender. Blend all this together and put in the ice cream machine for 20 minutes then I added chocolate chips and put in the freezer until serving. It's so good and makes 4 small servings.

Pinks

2012-01-19T09:32:00.003-09:00

I bet you didn't know my daughter Ingrid is named after this Ingrid. By the way my Ingrid is every bit as beautiful as this Ingrid was.

These are mine, cute huh?

Fairy Teas of the past

Metal zipper flowers I made

Project

2012-01-18T03:00:00.002-09:00

This beautiful blue velvet came Tue and it's intended for this vintage dress below.

My friend in Scotland Debi who writes this blog made hers out of a vintage curtain and I totally fell in love with this look. Now I can't find the pattern and if Debi can make me a copy as she suggested then I will make the dress.

Primal food.

Lunch today green beans, bacon and onions, halibut with a topping of sour cream, mushrooms, and jalapenos and an apple on the side. Primal is so good for you, no sugar and cut out all the white fillers that put the weight on you, makes sense. I know and do understand it's hard for a lot of people to give up food they have eaten all their lives and see nothing wrong with. Things come along to change the way we think and if you are slim, fit, and healthy then you have no problem but if you are not then perhaps it's time to make some changes in the way you look at foods.

Sunny Cold Days ahead mean snowshoeing

2012-01-17T09:55:00.001-09:00

Snowshoeing yesterday with a view. Right out the door and we are off with the two boys again on these sunny days following the snow machine trails which make perfect trails for us to follow.

What gets cold are our thumbs in these mittens which are made for the cold. Just ordinary mittens won't work here and we had to buy these locally to keep our hands from freezing but they are not working on our thumbs.

Yesterday lunch at the Senior Center and I noticed snow falling off the metal roofs there.

**My winner (below) Angie in Canada has not responded I'll give her more time. I can't find her as she has an anonymous listing.

Sunny cold days

2012-01-16T14:40:00.002-09:00

Enlarge these they will go across your screen.

Snow shoeing again yesterday and this afternoon we are headed out.

Sunny days and low temps leave us with no excuses not to.

The dogs need the workout and can only stay out about 30 minutes

due to the cold on their feet. Bob has already been to the pool and

I've been to the gym but we must work the dogs, they stand and whine

at us pleading to go.

About our water. We have water here, lots of it as we live in a wetland.

Due to rotting vegetation there is a lot of tannins in the water which

makes it not potable. When digging down you come to layers of

peat formed by the years of rotting of this grassland here. A few have

put in wells successfully (very expensive) and others like us get hauled water. The

city water does not come out this far at this time.

*Another pheasant gone this morning (4 now.) When we got up 7 eagles were out

here, some on the snow and others flying, I grabbed my camera and

my battery was dead. Ran for the other one upstairs and when I got down

I see of all things two dogs running for eagles. They all flew off while

I yelled at the loose dogs. They don't belong here, no one here has loose

dogs so they came from outside our subdivision. I will be looking out for them!

That's Mother Nature

2012-01-15T14:47:00.001-09:00

Our Sunday sunrise and while this was going on two goshawks got another pheasant that had hid inside a tree frame. I watched the whole scenario work itself out. When the pheasant flew for it the one got him. They did not share at all the one goshawk ate the pheasant until the eagles showed up.

two adolescence eagles

While he was eating the pheasant these two came along and finished off what little was there. I have video but it takes too long to load up on my blog.

Bob and I went out snowshoeing yesterday in about 8 degrees. The dogs went along in their coats w/o booties on their feet as I gave up using them last year, they just lose them off.

He is how our water arrives, by truck with chains on. He was a day late due to blizzards. These heavy trucks really have a time of it getting down icy driveways to deliver our water. What does it cost? Water is .049 a gallon and I usually get 1030 gallons every other week and that is for two people being conservative so you can imagine what a large family uses. I have a front load low water washer. I have a Jacuzzi tub which I use 2 times a year at most due to the fact that it takes so much water, a dishwasher, and a 40 gallon water heater that also runs my floor heat. Propane is the most expensive thing we pay for here especially when this really cold weather is going on. If you turn your heat to 68 you will be paying at least a thousand dollars a month. We have ours on 65 and run the wood stove 24 hours a day. We have a large home now along with a good sized garage that we have to heat as well. My room here is 73 degrees right now due to the solar gain from the windows, the second reason we have those big windows. The guest cottage does not need to be heated in the winter due to the foundation it has.

WE HAVE TWO WINNERS

2012-01-14T13:08:00.001-09:00

I want you to know Nan does not lie. I set the basket on the craft table and put a couple small treats in there and then all hell breaks loose. When the dust settles I see Kalen is the one who managed to get two names out of the basket again perfectly. I'm not kidding this is what happened exactly as you see in the pictures.. It was a challenge to take the photo before Kalen ate the names!! The names say Meri who wins the cards, and Angie in Kingston, ON. Canada who wins the baby quilt kit.

I need your addresses. Meri I know I have yours around here but send it anyway as I'm in an upheaval switching out the craft rooms.

Pheasant not doing so well

2012-01-14T03:00:00.001-09:00

The first blizzard of the week of all things a pair of mallards flew by the house in a white out. One landed by the cottage and one by the French doors of the basement which I sneaked over to snap this shot.

Then today after our second blizzard we had the sorry story of the goshawk and the eagle after a pheasant which stand out like targets in this snow. Inside this tree cage is two pheasant hiding. The goshawk missed this one, yes the hawk can go inside the tree cage and did and that is how he lost the pheasant it then took off flying away and by the time the hawk got out the pheasant was gone. Below the young eagle later got the second pheasant that was inside the tree cage only to have the more mature eagle take it away.

The adolescence eagle waiting on the pheasant hiding inside the tree cage.

He has landed on the pheasant here and then starts to eat him until the mature eagle below comes by and takes it away, the young eagle back right off.

Here you see the mature eagle with the pheasant in his talons and he then took off to a tree followed by crows who harass him while he tries to finish his kill.
Oh I did see the most amazing thing today. A goshawk was flying low with a pheasant below him trying to get away when the pheasant dropped down, dove into the snow, flapped his wings digging down under the snow and the hawk flew off. I fear our pheasant number are going to be greatly reduced by Spring, that is two gone this week and both by eagles.

Townie Moose

2012-01-13T09:27:00.001-09:00

(Photo Source FB Old Town Homer Alaska)

I'll try and get some shots of Homer today when I get out. We were stuck in yesterday, that makes two days this week with blizzards. This section in the photo is called Old Town Homer and a developer built many cute little (and expensive) quaint cottages there which is very close to the water with a view of course. In these shots are two businesses along with the townie moose.

*Pan and Kalen will try drawing again for the below giveaway on Saturday, check back tomorrow for the two winners of the cards and baby quilt kit.

Lots More Snow and Friends

2012-01-12T10:49:00.000-09:00

Chicken coop above and to the left

Cookie and Ron below at my house Christmas

The above four photos are from my friend Cookie who lives a distance out of Homer. She and her husband have a very nice house in town but she prefers to stay out here in this cabin the size of my guest cottage along with her chickens (and dog) for the quite solitude and peacefulness of the area and come home on weekends. Could you do this, stay alone without running water, using a generator for power and a wood stove for heat?

Some shots of the snow around our house, Bob shoveling and playing with Kalen on a snow pile, the pheasant now coming up to the house to eat under the deck as the snow is too deep out there. I see how important it is to leave plants for them as they eat the seeds off this time of year. Yesterday I watched them as they went all over those dried up sticks out of the snow looking for seeds. An eagle got a rooster pheasant this week at the top of our driveway.

Blizzard here New old Patterns

2012-01-10T14:48:00.001-09:00

I love this 1948 pattern I found on Etsy totally uncut and never used at all. I have ordered the fabric to make the view on the right with the bolero on Fabric.com. The print will be the dress and the solid the bolero.

Last night and until noon we had a blizzard going on here. Snow coated the house and windows when we got up this morning, gusts were up to 50 mph.

Drifts made it impossible to drive and the radio said most of the town was closed including all the schools and the library. Our snow plower came through but my meeting was cancelled today as no one can really get anywhere.

Our family over on Kodiak had the same thing yesterday and they had to stay in a motel all night rather than drive the road home.

Local Author Jean Aspen

2012-01-09T17:19:00.001-09:00

This is Alaskan author Jean Aspen who came to my house today to collect three books I had for her. The books were written by her parents and I had them for years and decided they should go to the family rather than selling them on Amazon. Jean is a published author herself and I have put links below of hers. I loved her book called Arctic Daughter which first introduced me to her years ago. Now she lives right here in Homer. There is also a documentary of their lives out there too which is so interesting. It sells on her webpage below and you can watch a clip there. I saw it on the computer years ago and also in our local theatre in which Jean and her husband attended and that is how I found out they now lived in Homer and met them.

Her parents books

Link to Jean's webpage

Link to Jean's book

Next Give Away & Alaska

2012-01-08T03:00:00.001-09:00

This giveaway will be for over 40 vintage cards for crafting or using, some with envelopes unused and many used, and a few reprints off my printer. I don't find myself using them so I'm moving them out.

*Second is a baby quilt kit I started from a picture I have included of the quilt idea. Very simple just squares of the vintage chenille and another fabric called Over the Moon plus the backing fabric. I just don't see myself doing this so it's up for you. Drawing will be next Sat. If you entered before I still have your name and if you have not please sign up here.
Thanks Nan

Two Alaska photos for you the source being ADN. com.
Top one is Helena at the Noatak River 8-20-11 sneaking out of the tent on an outing with the family.
The two black bears are at Rabbit Creek near Anchorage 7-25-11 They played and slept in the yard for over an hour with no mom in sight.
The three moose shots below were taken by me out our windows on Saturday.

We have our Two Winners

2012-01-07T11:16:00.000-09:00

I'm telling you the truth here. I wondered how the two boys would pick the winners as I said they would, but it worked out perfectly and they did their job!! I put a tiny treat in the basket with the names and before I knew what happened or could photograph it one name dropped to the floor and one fell out on the desk. I said 'Boys you picked our Winners good job!' and gave them another treat.

GPC you win the table cloth kit

and

Chris from Perfectly Printed wins the table runner kit.

Now girls just e-mail me your address please. My e-mail can be found on my blog.

Tomorrow I will post another contest for two more items to give away and keep all these names that didn't win to go into that drawing. I like to do the drawing the old fashioned way not the automatic deal and then my boys did such a fantastic job of picking two winners I'll let them do it again next Sat.

Food for Thought

2012-01-06T14:13:00.001-09:00

The Paleo/Primal life style way of eating. Here is our main meal today at 1:30 PM. That's organic Swiss chard and sweet potatoes from Full Circle Farms. The meat in this case is not organic, I try but can't always get that.
Read this 'Five reasons not to worry about your cholesterol levels.'

Ice in the bay on Thursday. The Fox river at the head of the bay forms ice on huge mud flats then when the super large tides we have here cut under it the ice is brought out in the bay on the salt water.
*Drawing Saturday for the two items below then I'll have two more for next week. Sign up if you want your name in. Thanks Nan

Skirt Completed

2012-01-05T14:35:00.000-09:00

The skirt with the waistband of Petersham ribbon per tutorial I mentioned below. I finished it last night and when I came home from the gym in the top I wore there Bob took this photo. The skirt is lined in Duchess Satin in a jade green I had in my stash. Not sure what top I'll wear with this, certainly not this one it's from Under Armour a shop on the net for work out garments in this new age fabric.

The fabric is wool and it has a pattern you can see here enlarged. Now I'm working this afternoon on putting together a muslin for a dress for my daughter before I cut the pattern out of really beautiful brocade.

*I'll be drawing for the two give away items on Sat so enter if you have not on that post below, so far there are 16 of you in the drawing.

Nan

Bunnies and their predators

2012-01-04T03:00:00.003-09:00

A Goshawk in our front yard today watching pheasant. I haven't seen him get one yet and it's not for lack of trying.

Above can you see the snowshoe hair? That is the last you'll see of him as 2 hours later an eagle got him and ate him right under one of our trees. I'm just sorry I only caught him flying away so I missed that photo.

The hares have been in extreme abundance here in the Kenai Peninsula. So far they are just eating the lower branches of our spruce trees not the bark. Kalen sits at the window and watches bunnies at dusk whining to get out.

Shells, What do you Say?

2012-01-03T13:17:00.000-09:00

Shells from our bay here. I am not sure what kind of shells they are but some are so hugh and flat like the Shell Oil symbol and measure 7X7". They were for table decorations at a fund raising event I was involved with a few years ago. They were going to throw them out but I grabbed them up. They are sprayed gold and silver. Does anyone want all or some? I just don't know what to do with them and as I told you I'm cleaning out my craft room.

** Please sign up for the give away below Pan and Kalen will be drawing on Saturday.

A Give Away, Vintage Photo, and Cold Alaska

2012-01-02T18:44:00.000-09:00

Hi Girls I have for you today a give away. What is going on here is I'm cleaning out and reorganizing into my new craft room from the present room I've been in for 10 years.

Things I had purchased I no longer have an interest in making so I thought of my readers and decided to give all the things I find in here to you I no longer want. I will be doing a give away each week. On Saturday I will announce the two winners of the above kits.

#1. A Summerhouse table runner kit. This kit includes front and back fabric, batting, and directions. No real quilting is required on either of these kits. You can tie them off with yarn or embroidery thread instead of machine quilting that is what I had planned.

#2. A Victory Garden table topper kit. Along with front and back fabric, batting and directions.

Girls I have more for next week already so check back.

To win just leave me a comment on this post and I will take all the names down and Pan will draw for one and Kalen will draw for the other name and I'll have the photos to prove it!

My vintage photo.

Believe it or not this is me and my Mom in 1948 street walking in Sacramento, CA. The down town section flourished in those days with all the neat department stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, and of course Woolworth's. This is where everyone shopped before the invention of the

mall. There would be these street photographers and that is how this photo came about. My Mom is very protective and has hold of my hand. She was an older Mom and my Dad was 51 when I was born. Check out my shoes and that cameo my mother is wearing I still have!

Playing at home today.

The boys on the Homer Spit today.

Today we went out on the Homer Spit and I took this shot looking back to where we live on the Homer Bluff. See that brown grass to the lower right, in there is our house. The snow is less and the winters are shorter if you live down low here.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:00:00.003-09:00

I want to thank everyone for following along with my sewing in 2011, my dogs, and our life here in Alaska. I really appreciate it when someone takes time to post a comment no matter how brief then I know you care and your friendships mean a lot to me.

Well I am off to a start this new year with these two.

The above project is from that talented young lady, and shop owner, Sunni who writes a blog I read called A Fashionable Stitch, found in my blog roll. She taught me the difference between grosgrain and petersham ribbon which I purchased from her shop along with many other items this last year. I'm making a skirt along the lines of her tutorial which is posted on her blog.

I love these young women as I have learned so much from them this last year. Just because I'm 70 and have been sewing since I was in junior high doesn't mean that methods don't improve and new ideas come to light and I like to be right there to pick up on them.

I have cut out the jacket for the Nancy Drew I call it I'm making this year. Lots of pieces and all of them say, cut two of fabric, two of lining and two of interfacing. So far I just have the amethyst, aka purple, wool gabardine cut out.

This is the type project which takes me a lot of time as there is tailoring and lining involved, no not a quick sew. I will be working on other projects around this long running one.

Family Retro Photo

I will close with this beautiful family at Easter which is my cousin Betty, she's always been a cutie, with her kids (my second cousins) way back in the 50's. Betty (my Mom's sister's child) is around 87 now and her daughter there on the left looking so fabulous in her glasses, hat, and gloves is Kathy who is in her 60's now. We communicate on FB as she lives in HI.

Kathy likes to make beautiful quilts and bags today with a Hawaiian theme to them. I thought she just looked so smart here I couldn't stand it and had to post for you to see!

In fact I think I'll post more old photos of family I think you might like to see the fashions.

Happy New Year to all my blog readers!

New Patterns, Cabinets, and Wildlife

2011-12-30T09:50:00.000-09:00

These patterns are all $3.99 each and from the Vogue website. I ordered all of them last night. The red dress is made from this pattern at the bottom, stunning I thought.

Well as you can see I've not slowed down when it comes to plans for 2012 and my sewing. My craft room is just coming together, or will when the top half arrives and I'll be good to totally move in there in 2012.

The boys are posing (without me asking) while I snap a shot of my cabinets. My daughter and I went to our one store for 'variety' and bought some of these plastic bins to put on the shelves as I had not thought out this prior to seeing this finished, pull out bins makes sense to me. That box on the far right is my wall mounted iron which will not go up until all cabinets are completed to be sure of placement in the room.

Kalen above is showing you the bins.

Pan is showing you below that I have one draw completely filled with my patterns. I'm sure he checks to see if any treats dropped in there, it could be a storage for treats you know!

I'm thinking this is an immature Goshawk that is plaguing the pheasant we feed. Yesterday not only two of these guys were hovering over them they had a dive bombing eagle that came right down near the feeder landing near a bird but missed him. That all happened to quickly for my camera. We had snow all day and all night and the snow plower just came again with more coming down. Our snow here is a very light and dry snow almost totally moisture free. I'm headed to the gym soon in this.

The last few days here

2011-12-28T09:59:00.003-09:00

Shots of Bob and Dallas with the two boys. We've had some pretty good snow here for Christmas.

I gave Ingrid for her birthday on the 27th a silver spoon bracelet from this Etsy shop.

Dallas preparing

Photo credit goes to E. Wise our Pastor's wife for taking this photo out her window. They live just about a half mile above us, thought you would like to see this one.

Ingrid and Dallas arrived this morning on the ferry in Kodiak after sailing all night. We took them to the ferry at 9:30 last night. It was a very rough ride Ingrid said.

Baby it's cold outside!

2011-12-23T03:00:00.001-09:00

My daughter Ingrid is here from Kodiak Thurs. morning and also my grandson. Here she is throwing for Kalen. It's so cold with all the ground ice with a thin layer of snow. He still must be exercised and loves to fetch the frisbee. Pan is out there too just not shown here as Kalen is the frisbee boy.

Crafting

2011-12-22T03:00:00.000-09:00

Tag I made from the Graphics Fairy images. It's really pretty as it's spayed in gold and has vintage glitter on the edges that tarnishes with time.

Here are the plans I drew up for the craftroom cabinets. We have the bottom section in the basement and it will come upstairs tomorrow when my grandson arrives to help.

The top section is still being made by our friend.

Sewing and Scenery

2011-12-21T03:00:00.001-09:00

This happens to be my favorite look. I didn't buy this pattern as I already have a top and skirt very similar to this, but I adore this old pattern.

This fabric order came today from an on line shop. The aqua is silk organza, probably will be used for lining. The is jacquard for lining and the brown/camel wool is suiting fabric. As you know I often buy fabric before deciding what to make.

As this is Alaska I must put in a few shots of my surrounding. Our guest cottage at sunset last night and below is 3 literary moose visiting the Homer Library. Bob is a volunteer here two nights a week. His job usually is shelving returned books.

Two Craft Items from this Magazine

2011-12-19T03:00:00.000-09:00

The above two felt ornaments I made from this magazine below. I saw a few more things in there I'd like to make with the color aqua if I get time. This is a Swedish horse and a little gnome with a bead nose and no face. He has a beard of roving wool. *My daughter and grandson arrive on Thurs very early in the am on the ferry coming over from Kodiak. I'm really excited to see them both again.

Proud

2011-12-17T17:17:00.000-09:00

image source

Congratulations to our grandson Michael Dominguez who graduated from A school in Petaluma, CA. and is heading right now for his new assignment in Chesapeake, VA in the US Coast Guard. We love you Michael and are very proud of you.

Busy Week

2011-12-16T10:15:00.000-09:00

image source

Both photos taken out my windows this last week.

I don't have much sewing for you this week as I've been so busy with my regular workouts and added to that many errands and gift preparations, mailing packages out, etc. to be done as my daughter and grandson will arrive here next week. What sewing I'm going to do next is a muslin for a silk dress I plan to make my daughter for Christmas. When she arrives I can fit this to her. No matter how busy I get I never forget my gym visits as this is the core to my sustained good health. I encourage you to pick something you can do, walking for instance is great and do this as you age as good health will not come as a gift you must do your part to support it the rest of your life.

Snowman Craft

2011-12-12T03:00:00.002-09:00

I have always loved Elizabeth's Creative Breathing crafts and in her side bar she has a tutorial for this little snowman who can sit on top of a jar. I finally got one made Sunday night thanks to Meri who sent me some air drying clay sometime back. Mine is not as perfect as Miss E's but that is me. I'm really happy with how cute he came out.

Bustle and Sews Caroling Mice

2011-12-11T03:00:00.000-09:00

Check out the cute caroling mice over on this link.

I managed to make one mouse this afternoon. He may just be singing alone. Helen puts out a great newsletter I take with several patterns, it's only 4.50 a month and you can cancel at anytime. She designs some beautiful embroidery patterns and I hope to be good enough someday to make some of them! The little felt trees in the background I made other years from different patterns I have.

Nan

Gifts for Local

2011-12-10T03:00:00.001-09:00

Have you ever made these quart jars of cookie mix as gifts?

I found the recipe easily on line.

Bob and I worked on these today making six of them and I'm going to make 4 more later. They make great gifts for local friends you like to give a little something to.

They are too heavy to mail. I had to buy a box of quart canning jars then I found in my stash the fabric for the top, cut it in a circle that fit and tied off with rick rack along with the recipe.

Finished Retro Dress

2011-12-08T13:56:00.001-09:00

I finished the dress Wednesday and the pattern for that is in the below post. I used a 1970's pattern and fabric from that same era. Bob took these shots of me this morning.

Bakelite navy buckle from Etsy

Hem had to be gathered to fit the curves.

This is where we were photographing our icy driveway.

1970 Pattern

2011-12-06T03:00:00.001-09:00

I have started on this 1970 pattern. The pattern sleeve was worn but the pattern completely uncut. The skirt is ready to attach now. It has a 12 inch side zipper. I am making view A with long sleeves and cuffs of this yellow. I have 10 yards of this fabric from a friend and it's as old as the pattern so I thought I would see how it looks. The yellow is of the softest vintage cotton and I've been saving it. Not sure yet what I'll do for the waist there, a belt or tie. It's not like I can go out and shop for something I have to make do here with my stash.

Bad Boys

2011-12-05T03:00:00.003-09:00

This is a view taken into my large mirror of the sunrise the other morning.

Meet the Bad Boys of Homer

These crows visit us frequently and settle on the pheasant food. They love to tease the dogs if they happen to be out. They can be seen around town being drunk and disorderly after eating the red berries off the mountain ash trees. They get really sloppy drunk and get run over in the street.

Two Goshawks who like to prey on the pheasant. Lately we've had 25 pheasant here eating at our feeder and these guys dive bomb them. I see one little hen is lame and her wing is hurt and I bet that is from the goshawk or even an owl at night. We are using up 50 pounds of cracked corn a week right now.

Skirts and Craft Cabinets

2011-12-03T03:00:00.004-09:00

I made an antique white cotton velvet skirt Wednesday afternoon. The fabric is so easy to sew on I love it. The fancy button detail must be removed for washing. I also now add inside my garments some small embroidery detail. Folks I am not the best embroiderer but I give it a go anyway. The top is one I made when I started doing all this sewing and I've never wore it or had a skirt for it. It's quite glittery and good for a party.

I was so excited when my friend called and had the bottom half of my wall of cabinets finished. The open space is for shelves and there is a left and right side that is waiting for Bob to put the finish on. We also have the desk top that goes across these two cabinets connecting them. I'll have a space in the middle to set up my sewing machine. Now when Bob completes the finish (on the birch) we can install the bottom half in my new craft room while my friend is starting work on the top section I can go ahead and start to fill up this one!

Popular eagle tree topples

2011-12-02T03:00:00.000-09:00

Popular ‘eagle tree’ topples during strong winds

• Aspiring eagle parents will have to find new digs
By Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune

Photo by Beverly Macy - An eaglet peers out over the edge of its nest on the Homer Bypass.

The tall ancient spruce tree at the corner of Lake Street and the Sterling Highway blew down in recent storms, destroying a popular eagle’s nest where two sets of eaglets were raised in recent years before thousands of eager tourists.
Near hurricane-force winds ushered in a frosty November that leaves some residents contending January came early this year. Yet another storm front moved our way Tuesday, calling for more high winds, but warmer temperatures and rain as well.
Local artist Beverly Macy was disheartened when she saw the tree reduced to a mere stump and its nest scattered across the icy snow. She had photographed the stages of eagle development for a series she plans to paint the eagle’s progression from hatching to flight.
“It’s gone now. The whole tree snapped off at the bottom. It looked like the city plow dumped on top of the nest,” Macy said. “The eagles raised their young there where we could all see. The tourists enjoyed that so much.”
The stand of dead spruce trees just past the traffic light didn’t fare too well in that first set of heavy wind storms. A dozen trees were knocked over or splintered, and the famed tree laden with its eagle nest is the most obvious causality.
Public Works Director Carey Meyer, who needs to oversee where eagles build nests in case they take a dangerous liking to spots atop street lamps, was surprised from the start to see the nest.
“Eagles don’t nest just anywhere. It was always kind of weird that the eagles would pick a location at the busiest intersection in town to build their nest,” Meyer said.
The bold parents were undaunted by the traffic or the nearly dozen vehicles pulled over on any given day while tripods were set up to capture a rare look at the raptors hauling dead salmon to feed their young, or teaching the two hatchlings to fly.
Retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist Dave Roseneau said Homer eagles aren’t shy. Perhaps because of their human conditioning as fed birds when Jean Keene lived on the Homer Spit, these eagles don’t feel as threatened by human encounters.
“It all comes down to finding a good tree to build in. They chose that one two or three years ago,” Roseneau said. “People in Homer live, and let live, when it comes to eagles. Homer eagles aren’t nearly as sensitive to disturbances as people might think. They have been building nests in people’s yards where kids are playing.”

Photo by Beverly Macy - Eagle parents tend to their young at a nest they build in a dead tree near the busiest intersections in Homer. Homer residents and tourists enjoyed watching the story unfold of the parents raising their young, from egg laying, brooding and hatching of two eaglets. Recently, during a heavy wind storm the tree blew down and experts predict that the eagles will be back looking for another tree in the vicinity.

He observed visitors taking careful steps beneath the nest, creeping up to avoid startling the birds.
“They were concerned they were doing something disruptive, but the birds couldn’t care less. Our eagles are more familiar with people and the things that go with that.”
Roseneau watched as an eagle parent dangled a piece of salmon, enticing a reluctant eaglet to try its wings.
“The adults will entice them out of the nest, sitting around in trees, teasing them with a piece of salmon. That occasionally happens. They will do this to encourage them to leave the nest,” he said.
The dead tree was somewhat ideal for a nesting site. “Once it reached that point as a dead tree it was great for building a nest in,” he said.
Eagles have a criteria for good nesting sites – it must have open access so they can spread their wings while flying in. They need branches configured for laying in sticks that won’t fall away. It needs to be a certain distance from other eagles’ nests.
“It will be interesting to see what happens next spring. That’s their territory and they will keep it,” Roseneau said.

New Old Patterns

2011-12-01T03:00:00.000-09:00

I love these three patterns I scored on Etsy today. The first one I just liked and have nothing in mind right now but the other two I have ideas lined up.

Here is a skirt I spotted on Pinterest and printed off. I have similar fabric and over 5 yards of it was given to me.

This doesn't look like much right now but I cut out this cotton velvet antique white skirt today. I need it to go with something I was to wear around Christmas. My sewing has been rather stalled up with all the Christmas gathering and preparing going on here. Hope I can at least get this skirt finished it's quite an easy one to make.

Another Quick Christmas Craft

2011-11-30T03:00:00.001-09:00

Image from the Graphics Fairy.

Idea and tutorial from Tinyrosebud3

(Check out her tutorial and others she wrote)

Following the tutorial above from Tiny Rosebud3 I cut out a blue sheet of paper for the background and used the Graphic Fairies image. (The Graphics Fairy link above with give you the image w/o the bkg) I first stamped with gold stars and when the image was applied I sprayed with gold effects which are probably not visible here.

I filled with shredded paper I had from Stampin Up that has words. Found a pot in my stash that was already painted and I put my friend's name Cookie on there who has the green house. I will fill this with small gifts for her.

Since my pot was ready made this took a few minutes to make. I attached the lid with a vintage silk ribbon in gold making a knot under the hole to pull from the top. So easy and a nice gift for your gardening friends I thought.

Nan

Craft for You

2011-11-29T03:00:00.000-09:00

Northern Lights Cards

Only three things needed. A cut out a mountain shape, a black paper card 3 1/2 X 5 " and chalk.

Chalk on the non shiny side of the cardboard if you use what I did.

Place on card and pull over with a cotton ball or a Kleenex to spread chalk.

You can add glitter like a falling star or dots of glitter for stars. You can make any shape mountains you want.

Tomorrow I have another neat craft for Christmas I found on the net and made in a few minutes.

Nan

Local Events

2011-11-27T03:00:00.000-09:00

Each year we work at the Pratt Museum's Stocking Stuffer. There is no stocking and nothing gets stuffed that is just a name. It is crafts for kids and the making of a gingerbread house out of graham crackers and candy. Above is the chief glue (frosting maker) in the museum's kitchen.

Bob's job each year is to keep the candy bowls filled.

Coffee, punch and cookies for anyone. Parents and grandparents come to this.

I was given a craft table again this year. It was wreath making out of a sheet of paper. I just show the kids how to do it and they make it themselves.

This craft I used one year for my cards. It's using chalk to make the northern lights. Anyone interested I can tell you how to do that it's quite clever. We are a very small town but this year attendance was at 250 and down by about 100 and by 200 from 09. It is a free event by the way and also Santa is out in the homestead cabin. It was too cold to go out there maybe that is why attendance is down.

Elf Abuse

2011-11-25T13:33:00.000-09:00

As you can see the boys are looking here at my Christmas elf that was taken out of the box today and put on display. Then I see two legs on the floor and Kalen has the elf body running with it playing keep away which is their favorite game. I restored the elf's legs.

Not my car. I didn't go off the driveway up where we went for Thanksgiving dinner. My friend did as there is no way to tell where the edges of things are in an unplowed driveway.

Table setting for dinner it was just beautiful. Thanks to my friend Esther for inviting us.

Fairbanks is Really Cold !

2011-11-23T10:45:00.000-09:00

My grandson Dallas is at the University of Fairbanks and being from Kodiak he knows cold but not like this! He called me the other day and said his hair in the front freezes up like this boys below and he only stays out 6 minutes at a time getting somewhere. The university has an excellent bus service so the kids really don't need a car. He has adjusted to the cold here he says.

Spell of unseasonable cold keeps icy grip on Fairbanks

Readings expected well below zero for rest of week.

By MIKE DUNHAM
Anchorage Daily News

Published: November 23rd, 2011 07:52 AM
Last Modified: November 23rd, 2011 09:21 AM

Cold weather fouling your holiday mood this week? Here's something to be thankful for: At least you're not in Fairbanks.

Click to enlarge

Frost clings to UAF student Cory Hobbs.

Record week of cold weather in Fairbanks

Between Nov. 17 and 21, five new record low temperatures were recorded at Fairbanks International Airport.

Date New record Old record

Nov. 21 -38 -35

Nov. 20 -37 -33

Nov. 19 -36 -33

Nov. 18 -36 -33

Nov. 17 -41 -39

Nov. 15 -35 -33

A record-breaking deep freeze that settled on the Interior city eased a bit Tuesday, but temperatures haven't crept above zero since Nov. 13, according to the National Weather Service

The lowest lows came last Thursday, hitting 41 degrees below zero, with more chilly readings expected through the end of the week.

Monday marked five straight days of record cold at the airport, with lows well below minus 20 predicted for today and Thanksgiving Day and down to 30 below on Friday.

Tags and Eagles

2011-11-21T10:36:00.000-09:00

I worked for hours on this many tags on Sunday after church. I have 14 more to go. Probably 10 will be like this and 10 in a different design. I'm not the best tag maker around folks but I try awfully hard I want you to know!

I really have to halt my sewing projects to do these tags as I made a commitment to E. over at Creative Breathing.

E. if you see this I'm working fast as I can on them!

This was taken off my deck in the freezing weather (@ 10:15 am) we are having this start of our winter. Two resident eagles perched on a dead spruce with the glacier Grewingk in the background.

Colorful Sunrise

2011-11-19T08:53:00.000-09:00

Taken out my window at 8:45 am Saturday @ 3 degrees. We're having some unusually low temps here and more coming next week I hear.

Coats and Kindles

2011-11-18T10:30:00.000-09:00

Here is the coat I've been working on for Kalen with some materials I've had for years. It was for jackets for my grandsons originally and it's a Gortex like water resistant fabric I lined in a really nice fleece. I found some reflective tape for 2 dollars a foot over at the Gear Shed that sells Alaska type products to locals. I totally copied the coat pattern off Pan's from Landsend, had to make the straps shorter as Kalen has a slim waist.

My Kindle Fire arrived yesterday and I was playing with that learning how to get my books on there. Movies can be watched on here too, plus it has the Internet and it's a touch screen very similar to the iPhone. What it doesn't have is a camera and a phone.

Coat Dress

2011-11-16T09:51:00.000-09:00

This is the coat dress I have been planning for ages to make. This fabric took 3 1/2 weeks to arrive for some odd reason. This is red wool gabardine with faux fur for the collar and cuffs. I've had the pattern for a few years and mine will not be this long. The pattern does not call for lining, of course things are much nicer with lining but double the work, I'll have to think about it when I get that far.

High Winds Again

2011-11-15T15:47:00.000-09:00

As you know we feed the birds here. The flock of 70 mallards we were feeding has flown off to open waters so now we have a flock of 12 pheasant we feed twice a day. They really look forward to the food and are never far away hiding in the tall grass. They get on the board before we can get back in the house even with the dogs out there. We've been plagued with high winds lately up to 50 mph gusts. Today we have a high of 17 degrees and 25 mph winds. It's blowing the powdery dry snow like crazy and I just took this of the pheasant out on the board in this wind.

A long time coming metal

2011-11-14T10:02:00.000-09:00

Photo credit Michael Armstrong

Nakada's son, Mike Nakada

*We got to know Hank here in Homer before he passed away. He was an amazing man and always happy to see you with a big smile!

Homer WWII veteran receives medal

CONGRESS: With relatives in internment camps, he enlisted.

By MICHAEL ARMSTRONG

Homer News

Published: November 13th, 2011 09:55 PM

Last Modified: November 13th, 2011 09:56 PM

HOMER -- A Homer World War II veteran received posthumously the highest civilian honor of the U.S. Congress last week. He was part of a group that received early Veterans Day recognition. Isao "Henry" Nakada, who died in 2008, served with the U.S. Army 100th/442nd Battalion, a unit of Nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, called the Purple Heart Battalion for the number of its soldiers wounded in battle.

In ceremonies last week at the U.S. Capitol, Congress honored all members of Nakada's battalion as well as Japanese-Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service. Nakada's son, Mike Nakada, also of Homer, attended two days of ceremonies in Washington, D.C., honoring the Nisei veterans and picked up the Congressional Gold Medal given to his father.

"It was a real show," Nakada said. "It was all about the old gents. They did a lot, those old guys."

Legislation granting the award enjoyed bipartisan support in both houses, with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., cosponsoring it. President Barack Obama signed it last year.

"Granting this medal is a long overdue honor which recognizes and expresses our utmost appreciation for your dedicated service in the U.S. Army during World War II," Boxer said at the ceremony. "You enlisted even as many of your family members and friends were sent to internment camps. You served your country despite being subject to hateful slurs and deep suspicion from many of your fellow citizens."

Born Oct. 12, 1922, the fifth of 12 children of Ginzo and Kagi Ikehara Nakada, Isao Nakada grew up in Los Angeles County, Calif. He died in Homer at age 85 on March 13, 2008. Unable to pronounce his name, a grade school teacher called him "Henry," with the nickname "Hank." Nakada came to Alaska in 1940, arriving in Seward, eventually getting a job at Elmendorf Air Base. When World War II broke out, he was fired because of his Japanese ancestry.

After President Franklin Roosevelt issued order 9066 sending Japanese Americans to internment camps, Nakada's parents and sisters went to Heart Mountain, Wyo. Kagi Nakada was in a wheelchair, and Isao Nakada's eventual wife, Mitsu Hasegawa, a nursing student, cared for her at Heart Mountain.

Isao "Hank" Nakada joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 100th/442nd Battalion made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii, California and other states. All nine of Ginzo and Kagi Nakada's sons joined the military. Most of the Nakada men who served in World War II were in the MIS. George Nakada served with his brother in the 100th/442nd, in K Company. Isao Nakada was in I Company, part of a group that rescued the 141st Texas Regiment, surrounded by 6,000 Germans four miles behind enemy lines in the Vosges Mountains in northeastern France.

"The amazing thing to me was he was 17 when he entered," Mike Nakada said of his father. "When he was actually over there, he was 18-and-a-half running around Europe with this Thompson submachine gun."

The battalion suffered 800 casualties, included 140 killed, to rescue 200 soldiers of the 141st. An infantry scout Nakada would have been at the head of the final push, but he and another soldier had gone to retrieve the body of a fellow soldier. On the way, his Jeep hit a land mine and they were thrown into soft moss unharmed.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he was an extremely lucky man," Mike Nakada said.

His Uncle George was raked by a submachine gun, a wound that left him partially paralyzed in one hand.

"He didn't let it stop him," Mike Nakada said. "They were tough buggers."

Isao Nakada received a Purple Heart with a three oak leaf cluster. Decades after the war, and after reviewing medal nominations, 100th/442nd veterans received medals long overdue. Nakada received a Bronze Star in 2003.

Toward the end of the war, Isao Nakada won some money in a dice game and used it to look up Mitsu Hasegawa, who had gone to nursing school at Temple University in Philadelphia. The couple married in 1946. After a career as a university professor, Nakada and his wife moved to Homer in 1977 to be with his sons Mike and Robert.

Mike Nakada attended the Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies with his cousin Pat, daughter of Minoru Nakada, who served in the MIS. Minoru Nakada was a Japanese translator and went to Hiroshima and Nagasaki several weeks after America dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities, ending the war. He wasn't able to travel to the ceremony.

With four uncles who served in the MIS, Mike Nakada said he was glad to see the MIS veterans get recognition. While combat soldiers could talk about their experience, the intelligence service veterans were told not to say anything.

"I think they made the veterans feel good, especially my cousin's dad who never got any recognition, because it was supposed to be secret," Mike Nakada said.

At the Congressional Gold Medal events, Nakada talked to other sons of the veterans. They all said the same thing about their fathers.

"They didn't talk about it at all," Nakada said of the veterans. "They were just so quiet about what they accomplished in their place in history."

Concealing Stitches

2011-11-12T09:00:00.001-09:00

Notice the facing on this satin shows the stitches to hold it down. I do not care for this look. In the dupoini silk the stitches did not show at all. I decided to dig out some vintage lace from Kathy H. and cover this up. Worked out well.

What are the boys so intense about here? They are waiting for their tiny morning treat. Dogs are not aware of the size of food. It's best for their health to keep them lean and fit. If you give a lot of treats this is a problem but not if they are just tiny pieces.

*all taken with my iPhone 4S.

Pheasant and Bad Week for my car

2011-11-11T09:25:00.000-09:00

I took these through the windows of pheasant trying to sit in the tree eating the berries from Mountain Ash.

This one female pheasant is a very dark cinnamon color on the far right.

This is what's left of my sun visor after Kalen got done with it. The dogs always wait in my car with no problem but this time he decided to chew this up. Now I'm going to leave him home for awhile. There are 10 visors available in the US for my car and a shop has ordered me one for $73. to get it here, not happy. Also this week I had a $109. new battery and a $560. rebuilt alternator installed in my car. Don't need Kalen helping me spend anymore.

Fabrics for suit

2011-11-10T03:00:00.000-09:00

The above photo is taken with my new iPhone4S and you can see the accurate color of my selected fabric for the Nancy Drew suit. The two satins came from the Russian store. I think I'll use the matching one for the lining and the more lavender one for the blouse. The suit fabric is 100% gabardine wool in a color they called amethyst.

Above is taken with my Nikon CoolPix P90. Not anything right about this color. I've tried all kinds of setting and still get the camera lightening the dark colors.

A Whale of a Time

2011-11-09T09:41:00.001-09:00

Our neighbors Ben and Debby took these photos in our bay here on Sept 16th this year of humpback whales they encountered. There is another photo I'd like to get of Debby standing out there on the water on a board facing the whales. Photo #2 looks across at the Homer bluff where we live.

Nancy Drew Blouse and a Goshawk

2011-11-08T03:00:00.000-09:00

This is the blouse I call the 'Nancy Drew' from the below pattern with the brown suit. I found this dupioni silk I had for years lying around and decided to cut one out on Sunday afternoon. I finished it Monday afternoon. Very easy to make and a good thing I made it as it very difficult to get off. It really needs a stretchy type fabric, at least for me it does. They do make a stretch satin I can get at the Russian shop.

I notice a little face there watching me.

The boys lie down right in front of my iron where I need to stand, they constantly do this.

This is a goshawk on Monday that is chasing the pheasant in our yard.

Old is new again or Little House on the Prairie Look

2011-11-05T15:04:00.001-08:00

Finished the top today I started after throwing the other one away. No trouble with this one.

The skirt I'm wearing is one I bought a few years ago. It's a very soft twill patterned after the walking skirts of the late 1800's Here is one of the shops where they sell the Scully brand.

Grosgrain ribbon is sewn on cuffs and bottom of my top to give it more body as this pattern does not do facings. I have made this pattern twice before out of black and pink velvet but I lined it, this one is not lined.

Vintage buttons from Deb N. They are brown with brown crystals and work perfectly with this.

Below is a very similar top I just spotted on sale at Nordstroms

Below is the 1933 pattern I have now used 3 times as it can have many different looks depending on your fabric.

Here is another example of old is new again. I bought this pattern from 1988 on Etsy recently and here is a similar dress on sale at Nordstroms.

We have a big snow storm on the way. I DL this App for my iPhone that has radar so I can easily track the storms progress.

Coats on here

2011-11-03T13:20:00.001-08:00

We just came home from the gym and lunch. The boys were very good about leaving their coats on in the car today. It's very cold here due to high winds. There are snow flakes coming down. *Pan will always be the one making a face at the camera and Kalen looks straight on.
*A note on my latest sewing project below the plaid flannel. Would you believe I just tossed it in the garbage? Yes I messed it up that much I actually had to throw it out and look forward to the next project I have lined up. To add insult to injury I have made that pattern before and had no trouble at all, but this time had foul up after foul up until I just said no more it's not going to happen!!

Sewing Project for this Week

2011-11-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

The weather is sunny & 30 degrees with a wind and the dogs are busy eating snow. This is the gold taffeta skirt which I see I have made longer than I really wanted it. Oh well not going to change it as I have horsehair braid in the hem.

The next project for this week I started yesterday and it's blouse of flannel plaid and I'm using left over brown cotton velvet for the collar and inside facings.

We put my studded tires on today, finally, we're running late this year due to Bob's illness. He is doing well now with treatment of low dose steroids. He shouldn't do any heavy work so this year I did my tire change with Bob taking my part of the assistant. He has Polymyalgia Rheumatic which is inflammation in the body's muscles and joints similar to Lupus. This can last a couple years then totally disappear as quickly as it came. The average age for getting this is 70. He's always been very healthy and weighs under 150, is active and never sick. Who knows why it comes on but at least it's treatable.

Gold Taffeta Skirt

2011-10-31T03:00:00.003-08:00

Inside French seam above

Sewing on gold taffeta today. First I did a zigzag on the seam edges then cut them off changing my mind and made French seams, much nicer on taffeta and easy peasy to make. Taffeta really likes to fray.
People always ask how long did it take you to make that?
I never know as I take my time. I make the best seam I can and the best dart going off the end with the smallest of stitches so I don't have to back stitch, however long that takes I'm not counting. I'm trying to do the best I can which is not always perfect you understand as I am never perfect. The kind of sewing I do now is not about speed and production but pure enjoyment and producing a garment that looks good on the inside as well.

so much gathering

Other news below the panda bear is back on the mountain. He showed up yesterday after a snow over there. On this side of the bay we have not had snow yet but it's predicted for tonight. Can you see him there to the left of the tree? He's very large.

Etsy Finds

2011-10-29T12:25:00.000-08:00

These are some yet to arrive Etsy finds. That top Retro suit is so Nancy Drew I have to make one! I will search out the right wool suiting. Over on Debi's blog she made the blouse and pants from this pattern and they came out so lovely it inspired me to try this. Her blouse was a bright pink satin, gorgeous!

I was outside photographing my Toni doll 14" as I made her this Christmas dress in a deep burgundy taffeta scrap I had. I added vintage tatting on the hem given to me by Kathy H. to recycle off an old dresser scarf.

I love this photo of the boys but it's not in focus. My new iPhone actually takes better photos than my Nikon.

Musk Oxen

2011-10-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

Musk oxen getting on nerves in Nome

Published: October 28th, 2011 08:35 AM
Last Modified: October 28th, 2011 08:35 AM

Musk oxen like Nome, but Nome doesn't always like them (Nome Nugget): Musk oxen are drawn to Nome by its sheltering buildings and its lack of predators, but they're notoriously stubborn and easily offended. And they hate local dogs. Some residents want a community discussion of what to do about them. In the meantime, warns a Fish and Game biologist, don't be an idiot and try to approach them for a Facebook photo.

1965 Jackie O Suit

2011-10-27T03:00:00.003-08:00

Really a great photo of Kalen!

Well I 100% finished the Jackie O suite on Wednesday.

I'm really happy with it and this silk suiting is so easy to sew with. I wanted to go outside but we're having high winds today so I'm not real happy with my photos. The dogs were acting silly too. That's a silk blouse underneath I made awhile back for this suit.

Vintage black glass buttons

Above is inside the skirt. The pattern did not call for lining there but I wanted it.

Inside the skirt waistband being sewn down by hand.

Lots of tailoring went on inside this jacket it was lots of fun to make and I'm glad I did it.

I have some taffeta on the way from fabric.com in a gold. I wanted to make a full skirt in gold or bronze for Fall.

I might tackle that Kuspuk as well, after looking it over I was having doubts so I cut out a deep burgundy taffeta Toni doll dress for Christmas I'm adding some tatting to the skirt.

The entire bluff behind us here is empty of leaves and I have this one Canoe Birch in our yard still holding on the the gold, reminds me of the Robert Frost poem.

Labels

2011-10-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

Do any of you gals know of any good clothing labels I could order to put inside the clothing I make? If you have any knowledge of this I would appreciate the tip.

The above labels are ones I made and printed myself on the linen sheets you can buy for the printer. They were made pretty good size like 2X3. A clothing label could be smaller. I don't have my designing program anymore on my Mac these were all made on my PC when I used Paint Shop Pro.

So if you know on line of any label shops let me know. Thanks Nan

Kuspuk Making & a Give Away

2011-10-24T03:00:00.004-08:00

In the below post she mentions the Kuspuk making and supplies needed. That got me to thinking about the pattern I have. These patterns seem a bit hard to come by.

What is a Kuspuk? It's a brightly colored garment worn by the Eskimo women over their parkas to protect the fur, or alone in the spring or summer. They like their Kuspuk's decorated with rickrack, ribbon, beads, trim, or embroidery. Lots of women in town wear them and I love the fabrics they pick which are very colorful. (I'm referring to the design with the little skirt.)
I've been thinking I might want to make one to give away. Let me see how I do first with making it as I've never used this pattern. I think I'll start on this after finishing the suit I'm making, keep you posted if you are interested.

I have a lot of this vintage fabric which I think would work well for this project.

Native Crafting

2011-10-23T03:00:00.002-08:00

Young entrepreneur wins award

AFN: Artists in villages could buy raw materials from trappers and hunters.

By KYLE HOPKINS
Anchorage Daily News

Published: October 22nd, 2011 12:30 AM
Last Modified: October 22nd, 2011 08:58 AM

Meet 24-year-old Rebecca Wilbur, an entrepreneur with her eye on becoming the Michael's crafts store of Quinhagak.

Keeping up with AFN

The annual Alaska Federation of Natives convention continues today at the Dena'ina Center. It's open to the public. The event is also being broadcast live on GCI cable, ARCS and 360 North, streamed at nativefederation.org and broadcast live.

Artists in the cash-poor Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta need beads and bones, leather and carving tools to make projects, she said, but it can cost more than $600 to fly to Anchorage for supplies. Wilbur's solution: Import the craft components, buy raw materials from neighboring hunters and trappers, and sell to artists in nearby villages.

"I want to provide the supplies for kuspuk making, for putting bracelets together," said Wilbur, whose business is called Yup'ik Originals. "The string, beads. (Supplies for) making earrings and hair pins and everything that I guess defines who we are."

Voters in the Alaska Marketplace competition -- a contest to win seed money to start small rural businesses -- awarded Wilbur the people's choice award at this year's Alaska Federation of Natives convention. She'll take home $6,000 from the competition.

If the business model works, other supply shops could sprout up around the Y-K, Wilbur said.

"There aren't many jobs in the community, and we are hoping that with our business, we can help our artists flourish," she said. "And at the same time, we want to encourage trappers to go trapping by purchasing their raw hides."

Eventually, Wilbur hopes to buy art from artists across the region and sell the work at the Bethel Saturday market or at the AFN crafts fair.

"People spend so much time making their art that they don't break even," Wilbur said.

POLL: CAN VILLAGES SURVIVE IN THE FUTURE?

Grab a seat at the AFN convention this year and someone might hand you a credit card-sized gadget that looks a little like a calculator. It allows the audience to participate in informal flash surveys or polls.

On Friday, delegates were asked if they agree with this statement: "I think our rural communities can survive into the future."

More than 70 percent of the 500-plus people who responded said yes.

"How do you rate the Native community for working effectively to address homelessness and transiency among our people," another question asked.

Seventy-four percent said the community does a poor job. Asked to rate the state of Alaska's performance in providing adequate programs that combat Alaska Native homelessness and transiency, 81 percent of respondents said the state does poorly too.
Read More Here: http://www.adn.com/2011/10/21/2132463/young-entrepreneur-wins-award.html

PUMPKINS of ALL KINDS

2011-10-22T03:00:00.001-08:00

Last year I posted a similar photo of the price of pumpkins here in this part of Alaska. This is the SALE price by the way the normal price is 18.99 each. Now you ask yourself do you want the view or do you want cheap pumpkins?
(I'll stick with the view)

Speaking of pumpkins this little guy arrived the other day from my dear sweet blogging friend Meri who does these wonderful sculptures. He is so much more fun to see in person than a photo. If you have not seen her work check it out she has a blog and does these giveaways quite frequently. Check too her Etsy shop where she sells her work and can also do custom orders.

Meri is a talented tag/card maker and made this Halloween one for me. I love it !!

Extras were included in my win. Meri knows it's hard for me to find stuff up here in AK so she sent me a goodie bag filled with trinkets!

Meri thank you so much! I really appreciate this.

Nan

Gold Silk

2011-10-21T03:00:00.002-08:00

This beautiful fabric on the right is cotton and silk poplin. I bought this on Fabric.com and was going to make a full skirt to wear with my black velvet bolero but this fabric is too thin and light more for a lining I should have known. So I decided to keep it for the Chanel jacket out of the boucle fabric on the left there it's a perfect match.

This Jackie O suit is all cut out including the lining and also the darts are all ready sewn now. Inside there is quite a lot of tailoring to be done on this little jacket.

The Jackie O pattern I'm using.

The Old and the New

2011-10-18T03:00:00.001-08:00

Nan in her blue wool skirt using a vintage pattern. The wool given to me by my friend Karen M.

The old is me with the 40's look and the new is my 4S iPhone I'm holding (and learning how to use.)

The shoes are red suede by Gabriella Rocha from Zappos.com

This last photo taken with my iPhone by Ingrid.

What is next?

I'm going to cut out the tiny black and white hounds tooth raw silk fabric Jackie O suit lined in a gorgeous color of magenta or fuchsia. It caught my eye at the Russian shop and I grabbed it up.

My Daughter and Kalen

2011-10-16T13:35:00.002-08:00

Ingrid and I dressed up for church today in our clothes we made. I wore the outfit below and Ingrid wore this rayon skirt she made. Now my daughter does not know how to sew so this was a learning experience for her. We left church early because Bob was too uncomfortable sitting.
I have a wool skirt cut out before church today and I'm going to sew that up this afternoon. Sorry I'm not getting to visit blogs as much this week as normal.

Velvets

2011-10-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Here is my bolero finished and modeled by me with my daughter Ingrid taking the photos this time just before a storm is coming in today. The skirt and top are cotton velvet. The top is lined in satin and I'm using vintage buttons from Deb N. The scarf I just bought from LLBean.

Ingrid came over on the ferry Mon. to be with her Dad as he was having a medical issue which we now have sorted out and he is on a treatment. Bob is really never sick so this was quite unusual for us.

Today Ingrid and I went to the AT&T store and I bought my first iPhone 4S so I'm learning how to use this while she is here to help me. Also we're doing some sewing together Ingrid making a skirt for herself.

Halloween Window

2011-10-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday Finds crow and Magpie Ethel's witch and masked face are displayed in my craft room for Halloween. Also my little pumpkin from Creative Breathing's pattern I made and a Madame Alexander doll. My new craft room not finished yet due to my cabinet maker. I must be patient with his slow work it will come it just takes awhile.

The Rescued Seal Port is Released

2011-10-09T03:00:00.001-08:00

If you recall my neighbors rescued a seal 6/6/11 which was later named Port by them (a wine and cheese theme) and sent to the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward for rehab later to be released back into the sea which was today 10/8/11.

Port weighed 18.3 lbs at rescue and 44 lbs at his release today.

Another rescued seal name Bleu was released at the same time as he came from Homer too.

Deb is opening the door of Port's crate. Her husband Ben and two nephews are also watching for Port to come out.

The two seals reached a small pond and had to be encouraged to go further out into the sea.

This is the Homer crowd who came to watch the release. The goal of the Alaska Sea Life Center is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release healthy marine mammals back to their natural habitat. This is an important part of the Center's mission to generate and share scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems.

Dupioni Silk Christmas Skirt

2011-10-07T03:00:00.002-08:00

Inside lace from the Russian shop.

Hem and waistband sewn by hand.

Had to do my photos alone just me and the boys today Bob is doing his volunteer job at the museum. This skirt is so easy Nan's way. I buy 2 yards of Dupoini silk, lay it out and cut off some of the 45" width all the way across to make it the length I want including my 4" hem I will have. This length is 27.5" finished from the waistband to the hem bottom. With some of that cut off fabric I cut the waist band in my waist measurement plus another inch or so for the zipper opening. I make the waist band in one piece not two and add fusible interfacing folding it over. The skirt also is one long piece not cut into two so there is just one seam down the back with the zipper all the way up to the top of the waist band like Gertie shows to do. Very easy little skirt to make and the Dupioni comes in such gorgeous colors I'm thinking now I want more of them (if I can find the silk.)
~Next Project~

Pink cotton velvet and lined bolero the same as the black one above. This has turned out to be my favorite. This can be worn with the brown velvet skirt I just made don't you think?

Mr. Eagle and Kalen

2011-10-05T03:00:00.002-08:00

Mr. Eagle flew up to our roof peak. He and Kalen were having a stare down contest.

Blue Satin*Brown velvet

2011-10-04T03:00:00.004-08:00

The blue top was finished Monday. I used view C without a collar due to the crinkles. Instead of hook & eyes down the front I used one vintage button (from Deb N. Pan's breeder) at the top as I find hook and eyes don't work very well. This crinkle satin is lined in Egyptian cotton I was saving for quilting in a gorgeous fuchsia color (no more saving.) At my age I want all things pretty, no more practical I did that already. The brown velvet skirt's hem is so perfect with the horse hair braid in it. I love using that stuff.
What is next? Check this Dupoini silk in a plaid below. This will make a skirt for Christmas to be wore with the black velvet bolero! The fabric is much prettier than I can photograph. * question about the boys...yes they are always together like twins and always with me.

Fall Colors

2011-10-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

Some Fall colors around the house.

Behind the curtain is a pumpkin. A card I made for a friend.

Beautiful Blues

2011-10-02T03:00:00.002-08:00

Now sit there while I take your picture.

Visited the Russian Fabric Shop today looking for material for a top to go with the finished brown velvet skirt show above with the dogs. I wanted binding for the hem and she pulls out of all things horse hair braid. I was thrilled to find it here and bought 6 yards for .25 a yard! I used it in the brown skirt it makes the hems so nice.

I had my mind set on another color entirely but this blue jumped right out at me as it has a texture and weight to it. A yard and a half @ 5.00 a yard makes a top. One thing for sure I need more blouse patterns here.

A Gift in the Mail/Latest Project

2011-10-01T03:00:00.001-08:00

My sweet friend Jackie over at Once upon a Fairyland has sent me a belated birthday box. I was thrilled to open this today and find all these sweet goodies. She and I like so much the same things it's spooky. This is a tin birdhouse and I've never seen anything like it! See in the photo the little spun head Christmas elf? I saw him on Victorian Papers and wanted that, even asking over at Magpie Ethel's if she could make some up, and here it is. How did Jackie know? The little felt box contained the cutest little items. I love the elf match box, and a beautifully illustrated Tasha Tudor The Little Princess book! Thanks so much Jackie you are a treasure to have as a friend.

Finishing touches on the brown velvet skirt. Used a metal vintage zipper as I have been doing lately. Need some hem binding and can't find any around here that matches will check the Russian store today.

Fascinator

2011-09-30T03:00:00.002-08:00

This is a fascinator. I plan on making one. Angela here who is my grandson's girlfriend and in college in Fairbanks bought this one and I love it on her. I have bought netting and a small round straw for the base of mine on Etsy. I just have to get it all assembled.
My next sewing project is the brown velvet skirt in which I am attaching the waist band today, then the hem and I'm done. I picture something bright pink for the top.

1948 Suit

2011-09-29T03:00:00.002-08:00

My heels are sinking in the wet ground

Pan and Nan

Right after these photos were taken we had the largest hail storm I've seen here yet. Near the tail end of it 50 mallards flew into the pond and found the corn I put out.

Finished this 1948 outfit today and this is the second outfit I've made with the top too large. If I'd stuck with the pattern the way it was it would have fit better. Don't I have a manikin? yes I do it doesn't matter I don't trust it. No problem with the skirt as they are simple to fit. Well I'm not going to fool anymore with it as the fabric is not to my liking, if it were something more special yes. I will move on. My sweet friend Meri says I should step away for awhile but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. I really only sew a few hours a day, having my workouts in the morning at the gym, keeping up with the household chores, shopping, cooking meals, managing the money, outdoor mowing, etc. I can't sew if the house is messy or some task is looming over me.

Lunch today New York grilled steak, (locally grown grass fed beef no less) and salad. This was actually two meals worth for us.

What is next?

I'm cutting out a vintage Advance skirt pattern in brown cotton velvet.

The Old and New/Back with the Old

2011-09-28T03:00:00.002-08:00

My old 1947 Singer with reliable button hole maker.

Everything about this old machine is simple and easy! From the way it threads and winds a bobbin to the way it goes forward and backward. Where did all the simplicity go with these new machines?

My top is finished and the plaid that came matches perfectly for the skirt so I'm on the way to cut that out. Here is my problem. I take a lot of time and trouble to finish a garment only to have holy hell raised when I try and put in the button holes using my 2007 Husqvarna made in Sweden machine (really nice) with two methods for button holes. I can truly tell you they are NOT reliable and will take off in the wrong direction on my beautiful and completed garment making it so I must rip button holes out NOT fun or good for the fabric. Today I resorted to actually opening up my Mom's old Singer I have always had and using the button hole maker which can make a nice button hole any day of the week. I might just stick with this method! The old Singer can't stitch very fast anymore after all it is old enough for Medicare.

Homer goose thinks he is a Crane

2011-09-27T03:00:00.001-08:00

Video: Homer goose thinks he's a crane

Published: September 26th, 2011 01:39 PM
Last Modified: September 26th, 2011 01:39 PM

Homer residents who keep an eye on the area's sandhill cranes noted that a lone Canada goose spent the summer with a flock of cranes. And although he seemed to do whatever the flock did, he was often aggressively standoffish with the cranes. A biologist told the Homer Tribune the goose might have hatched from an egg laid in a crane nest.

VIDEO HERE BY MY FRIEND NINA. SHE FILMS THE CRANES UP ON HER PROPERTY.

Red Dress Completed

2011-09-26T03:00:00.003-08:00

Taken on Sunday and it's a gorgeous day in the bay. I finished this outfit by completing the covered belt this afternoon bought from Sunni's little shop (her blog is a fashionable stitch.)
This dress was a challenge as it is completely lined in red satin. I'm not sure if the top is suppose to fit this loose or it should have been taken in, anyway I'm tired of fooling with it and will wear it for an event like Valentine's Day or Christmas at church. Today I wore my black cotton velvet bolero and red plaid skirt and that has got to be my favorite for looks and comfortable fit. I'm inclined to make another one out of the pink velvet. This evening I need to work on my blue jacket.

These are the shoes I'm wearing with the red dress I forgot to post these. Never in my life have I had a pair of shoes like this and here I am at age 70 wearing them. You know I think I know the problem with this dress even though it's my pattern size it's over all just too large.

Next Sewing Project

2011-09-24T03:00:00.001-08:00

Here is my latest project the pattern is below and also the skirt sample is in the below post. I hope that blue in the plaid matches, wait I see I guess.

This is the pattern I'm using bought on Etsy a 1948 suit. My skirt I will not make this long. Since the pattern was small for me I cut it larger and it turned out way too large. Been taking it in. Have to look in my vintage button stash to see what I'll use on this. It does not call for lining but I am considering putting some in. Both sleeves are in now and I'm hemming it.

This came today and it's just so nice if you have not sewn on real cotton velvet you should. It's a beautiful fabric and I'm not sure what I'll make but it's 56" wide and 2 yards each.

Finished the Gathered Silk Skirt

2011-09-22T03:00:00.001-08:00

Sorry trying to photograph a navy silk skirt is not easy it just doesn't want to show up! I finished this today and wish I had my red shoes to wear with it but I sent them back and am waiting the replacements from Zappos.com. My feet shrunk. The shoes I have on however are brand new never worn black leather. I actually had to buy 3 pair of shoes as I was so lacking in them for the outfits I have made.

This plaid is 40% linen, 40% silk, and 20% cotton. Will be interesting to know the feel of this. I'm planning on a vintage pattern plaid skirt. I have some gabardine that is the blue in this so that might work for the jacket.

Solid Dark Beige

Light Weight

Worsted Wool Suiting

Fabric

Imported from Italy Suitable for

Suits, Slacks, &

Jackets

100% Wool

63" Wide

Hand Wash Cold or

Dry Clean

Usually $22.00/yd.

I will look over my patterns and figure out this one, maybe a suit jacket. They were both only 8. a yard on sale. However they will take a month to arrive.