I am TIRED today. Not feeling well -- sore throat, stuffy nose. Nothing I hate more than a summer cold. Luckily I can rest today.

Driving in Brooklyn

Summer is almost over here. By that I mean that the kids are almost back in school. I thought I'd take them to see Grandma (my husband's mother) prior to going back to school. While leaving Brooklyn, I drove down Third Avenue towards the Verrazano Bridge which leads to Staten Island. Third Avenue runs beneath the BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway) -- a major highway. I saw the view shown in the picture above and had to grab my camera. After the bridge collapsing out in Minnesota, aren't we all a bit more afraid of things falling apart while we're driving? I could just see the entire highway falling on us as we headed towards Staten Island. Anyway -- it didn't fall and now I'm back in Brooklyn. One of these days I'm actually going to sit down and make something, but it's just been too busy.

A Room of One's Own

My kid share a bedroom. It seems that among the people we know this is becoming (or "has" become) an unususal thing. I personally think it's good for my daughters. It teaches them a sense of sharing and tolerance. They are 12 & 15 and in some ways it would be great for them to have their own space. But we just don't have it. I grew up sharing a room with one of my three brothers until I was probably 10 or 11 and a lot of my best memories are of him and me goofing off after we went to bed. We would listen to my mother playing piano and pretend the headboard was a piano keyboard and play along with her. One night he got stung by a wasp which was inside his pajamas and it was all so sad and traumatic for both of us. My parents (who for some strange reason didn't smoke) would have smoke-filled parties (this was the 60s) and the smoke would waft up to our room through the register in the floor which was the only source of heat. We would peak down through the register to observe the adults. They would be silly and giddy and so would we. Then one of my other brothers wanted his own room downstairs (no one slept downstairs) which freed up a space in another room which gave me my own room. From then on, I had a big room with two beds all to myself.

Celebrating 80 Years

This is my Dad. He turned 80 on August 23rd. I turned 46 on August 24th but that's besides the point. I know I know. He doesn't look 80. He doesn't act 80 either. He's very fit and very active.

We had a party for him last Friday. I put the whole thing together. I have three brothers who really don't help out much in this regard. One did show up 20 minutes early and hung some streamers. Another shopped for the recliner that we gave to my Dad as a family. So I guess that's something. Do I sound bitter? I hope not. I actually really appreciated anything that they did. I wasn't expecting it. My mom passed away years ago (1983) and as the sole remaining woman in the family, my adult life has been filled with these sorts of occasions. Women are the planners and schedulers and organizers. I used to be angry about it but now I see that that is just the way it is. I know there ARE men out there who do those things too, but I'd say, in general, that women are better at this stuff. Anyway, the party went very well. It was a casual affair: barbecue/picnic at my husband's family's summer cottage (see previous posts).

The highlight of the party for me was when my husband, two brothers and a nephew sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" to my Dad as a barber shop quartet. If I can ever figure out how to YouTube it I will share it with you. Part of the reason it means so much to me is it was totally my husband's idea. He scanned and sent the music to everyone and rehearsed it. It was a very sweet gesture.

Last Days of Summer

Summer is on it's way out here. I know other parts of the world are getting ready for summer. I just got back from a visit to Upstate New York. My Dad's 80th birthday party went well. Laundry is piled up.

On Holiday

I am away from Brooklyn in Upstate New York. It's raining. My kids and husband are playing Monopoly. I went belly up early in the game. I am celebrating my father's 80th birthday tomorrow (actually it's his birthday TODAY and MY birthday tomorrow but tomorrow is the day that worked best for everyone to celebrate his 80th). I'm hosting the family (including cousins, etc.) here at my husband's family's summer cottage. Wish me luck. I'm looking forward to it and also looking forward to it being over. I'm sure you'll understand.

Threads

Don't you love old thread? And the spools? I do. I inherited a bunch of sewing stuff from my grandmother when she passed away in the early 90s. The threads are one of the favorite things from her sewing boxes. But my favoritest thing is the collection of buttons I have from her. I will share those with you another time.

I'm leaving tonight for my trip to Upstate New York (see yesterday's post). Cleaned out my (and my two daughters!!) workspace yesterday so when I come back it will be more inviting. The leaves are starting to fall here in NYC even though it's still very hot and muggy. Being an Upstate girl (lots of cold and snow), I actually like winter or at least I know how to deal with winter. So I love the change of seasons and look forward to some crisp air.

a still life

This dress form was given to my 12-year old daughter. It's from a friend of mine. I guess she didn't want it. My daughter dresses it up in clothes and has a great time with it. I plan on "borrowing" it for pictures for etsy items.

I will be away starting tomorrow and will not be updating my blog. I am going Upstate to visit my family and to stay at the summer cottage of my husband's family. It's how we met, actually. His grandparents had a summer cottage where his mom used to take him and his 5 brothers and sisters each summer. They'd arrive in June and leave at the end of August. Years later, when I (a local girl) was 22 and lifeguarding in between "real" jobs one summer at the State Park near the cottage, I ran into Tom's sister whom I knew from previous summers. Tom was standing with her. After several chance meetings, we began dating. The rest is history. We've been married 21 years, have two beautiful daughters.

So off I go to "home" where my Dad still lives all by himself in the big farmhouse where I grew up. You may be wondering why we don't stay here when we visit. Let's just say that he's gotten used to being alone and it works better for us to stay at the cottage. We're all happier that way. Here are some pictures of the house I grew up in:

What is blogging anyway?

I think I'm understanding that a "good" blog is one that expresses itself. It's not just about advertising your or someone else's work, is it? It's an online journal, right? OK, so I'm a bit slow on the uptake. I come from a different era, I suppose. I know there are a lot of people my age who blog but I find it sort of hard to express myself publicly. I used to hide my journal from my brothers so that they couldn't read my inner thoughts. And now I'm supposed to put them on the internet so everyone can read about them? Well it's not junior high anymore and I don't have a lot to hide anymore. My life is actually quite boring. But I will try to express some more of what's going on inside. I have a tendency to go way too deep in the real world, so I guess I could try that here. See if anyone is interested. I am currently living through the decade my mother was when she died. It has been an interesting ride. Especially since I have two daughters now. The whole mother/daughter bond is quite tight. Anyone I know who lost a parent early (I guess I mean before the usual time, but I know it's always hard and leaves you with strong emotions) understands how weird it is to be yourself around the age the parent was when she/he died. I am looking forward to 50.

By the way, that's me in the photo.

A Little Something New

I am moving into a new design of bags. Don't have time for too much writing here so I will bore you with pictures. I am planning on making them in other fabrics and in bigger sizes too. What do you think?

This Bag is Not Sold on Etsy

My 46th birthday is in late August. As an early birthday present, I received this cool bag from a friend. It is from Brooklyn Industries. When you first look at it, it's hard to see that the designs on the bag are actually sewing pattern lines. I will use it when I go to teach sewing classes or when I need to carry supplies somewhere. My photos are not very good, but the actual color of the bag is black with silver lines, and an orange zipper. Very cool. I love it.

A new generation

Earlier this summer we had a stoop sale (that's what they call them here in Brooklyn). We sold a bunch of our old LPs. Who knew they would go so fast? But my 15 year old wanted pictures of the album covers before they sold. She's much smarter than we are. So here's a sampling of some of the albums we sold for $2 each (are we crazy?)

Laura Nyro

Simon & Garfunkel

Elton John

Crosy Stills & Nash


While you're here, check out the young Elton John. He was great.

Elton John - Tiny Dancer (live 1971)

[via FoxyTunes / Elton John]

My 12 year old daughter made this...

And I am a proud mommy. She has a big sister (15) who also likes to sew. It's fun to pass on the craft.

And anyone who checked my blog yesterday, look again, please. I just figured out how to link to the actual beginning of the 6 Million Dollar Man. So hilarious!

"We have the technology..."

OK, so I'm dating myself with that quote. Growing up with three brothers (no sisters) and one black and white TV, I watched a lot of Batman (me: Can we watch "The Brady Bunch?" brothers: "No, it's Batman night."), Star Trek and of course, the 6 Million Dollar Man. Who remembers the beginning of THAT show? Well probably not very many of you. But the guy ends up mangled in a plane crash and they say "We can rebuild him, we have the technology."

I am using that as my inspiration today. I have the technology (pictures are proof) and can build it.

And let's not forget that from the 6 Million Dollar Man the Bionic Woman originated. Now SHE was something special....

six million dollar man intro

[via FoxyTunes / Six Million Dollar Man]

I Dreamed I Saw

A friend has a "shopping portal" website (click on "I Dreamed I Saw" title above for link) It's in its early stage of development but quite classy. Please check it out.

It's a rainy Monday here in Brooklyn. I'm hoping the rain will take away some of the humidity.

Applique Hat Project

Starting making this hat today and took photos for the step-by-step process.

First I embroidered the felt flower to the front of the hat









This is what it looked like when I was finished. My stitches are not exactly the same all the way around the flower. I guess that makes it look more handmade which is both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on your perspective. At least the gods won't be angry with me.









Next I finished making the top of the hat and then attached the lining to the inside.










Then I made the rim (don't have a good picture of this) and attached it to the hat.










Sewed grosgrain ribbon to the rim on the inside for a clean, finished look.










Had my younger daughter try it on so that I could photograph it for etsy.

New Photos

Inspired by mLee's blog update on the etsy forums, I am UPDATING my blog. First time since May. I redid a lot of my photos. I decided to go with the "what is that?" approach to listing photos. See what you think.