Sunday, September 6, 2009

SCONES

HEY -- last week, I wrote about my Fritatta breakfast -- and my attempt to make "scones". THEN, my friend Debra Justice posted a scones recipe on HER BLOG (see link on right hand side of this blog) or just click on this link: debrajustice.blogspot.com

Guess what?? SHE HAS THE ORIGINAL RECIPE for the fabulous Fisher Scones we get to eat at the Puyallup Fairgrounds...

THANKS, DEBRA...I am soo delighted to have this recipe! I can hardly wait to try it...
(You will love Debra's pictures of her recent camping trip...the scones recipe is on last Wednesday's posting...I think...) READ HER ENTIRE BLOG -- Debra does a beautiful job with everything she does. And I love the story of her chirstening gowns...

Power of Words

I believe children live "UP TO" an adult expectation. Of course, that means they also live "down to" an adult expectation. So -- the important thing is to have high expectations. And how do
you do that? I believe one of the best ways is to TELL them. Duh! But that's often easier said than done.

Are you supposed to have meaningful conversations during breakfast? On your way to the soccer game? Being a Parent/Lecturer almost never works. Kids tune you out...

I believe our thoughts become our words and our words become our actions. Both Good and Bad.

So, it's important to give children some really good stuff to THINK ABOUT. Of course, that always meant BOOKS. But -- just to be safe -- I hang inspirational sayings all over the house. (especially in the bathroom!)

I love words. On everything. The walls, the pillows, the sheets -- you name it and I embellished it with words. I especially love embroidered samplers. I love, love, love, knowing that many years ago, somewhere, there was a woman, who enjoyed sewing, and she spent hours embroidering her sampler. To send a message dcown through the ages -- and it ended up in my house. I have a collection of over 100 embroidered "samplers" -- every one of them with the theme of love, friendship and/or family.

One of my favorite samplers says, "Life Has No Blessing Like A Good Friend."

It was a gift. From a really good friend....and she knows who she is...

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Jeans Challenge bra update


Okay -- this just goes to show -- you should always BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR. I swear, the bra was just a little joke...nobody could have predicted it would turn into anything...



Bonne's email:


Hey Rita,
I'm so with you on Qristyl & Epperson - I wanted to scream "GROW UP"

The Bra thing isn't so far out there!!! We actually bought bra purse patterns one year at Expo!

I also wonder if Jan is truly done. It's not over till it's over, and she's been known to get some amazing last minute inspirations!!

Have a great Labor Day everyone - can't wait for the reveal!!! Bonne
***********


Then -- Jan wrote:


Dear Rita,

First rita, I'm sorry your zebra placemats died - really I am, as I'm getting to know how precious these critters are to you.

AND SECOND, whaaaaaaat are you saying? A bra................

I can do it!!! I have 5 days to go, ya know! A bra will go with my recycled jacket............yes it will! AND I will model the whole thing!!! Your "blog" will fall into deep depression, but I will model the darn thing!!

AND THIRD!!! You HAD to put that pic of me looking like I'm half asleep, thank you very much - paybacks are bad girlfriend!!! Even in zeBRA world!!! This Wednesday, you will see the "plain and simple, no frills, no big deal jacket and BRA!!! So whadaya think pal bonne?!!!

jan .... (too much info?)

************

I'll be lucky to have my jeans project done by Wednesday...SO THERE WILL NOT BE A BRA FROM RITA. But, just so you know -- if I could do it -- it would look someting like this:


A Young Sewster

Today I got a great email from Anne, a young friend of mine. She has twins, Sam & Sarah, starting first grade this year. (Hopefully, that means we'll be able to meet halfway to have lunch one day soon.) Anne is a positive, upbeat person, with lots of creative energy and good humor. She is an incredible young mother --here's part of the email she sent me:

"The summer was so much fun. Sam played baseball, they both did jump rope camp, golf lessons, 4-H, Bible school, etc. Sarah sewed the cutest little halter top – just a handkerchief folded in half, and then a casing is stitched in for the tie. Super easy and fun. Here are some pictures."

**************

Jump Rope Camp?? Who knew? Keep up the good work, Anne!! If the next generation is going to know the joy and creativity sewing can bring into their lives -- it's our job to PASS IT ON.


Good Job, Sarah!! Thanks, Mom, for giving me permission to share Sarah's picture. She did a GREAT job on that top...

Friday, September 4, 2009

Project Runway Week #3 Recap

Project Runway on LIFETIME, Thursday night. They rerun it all the time. If you haven't been watching it -- go to their website to catchup.

In the interest of full disclosure -- I hated the "surfer girl" challenge. If real women ruled the world, they'd get a root canal before they'd wear a swimsuit.

However -- the episode was saved by two things. First of all, it was a TEAM challenge. YEH! Drama! Secondly, they added a twist -- a second "Avant Garde" outfit.

Here's my take of episode #3:
*************

Johnny & Irina: They made the white skirt and the brown shirt with the macrame on the open back. Of course, I loved it because it had absolutely nothing to do with the "surf" challenge. The judges didn't seem to notice that they paid no attention to the actual challenge. THERE WAS NO SURFER ELEMENT. Hello?? Heidi? Wake up!! Where is Michael Kors when you need him? If the challenge had been "make a nice casual outfit you can wear anywhere" -- well then -- they did a great job. Their brown avant garde piece was, well -- brown.

Qristyl & Epperson: I cannot imagine how these two people could have been any more annoying. Really. And to think Qristyl could have chosen Irina instead of Epperson? That's a moment she'll relive a thousand times. By the time their models walked down the runway, the outfits were completely beside the point. The POINT is YOU TWO NEED TO GET A DIVORCE...before somebody gets hurt...My real wish by the end of the night was that the two of them should be voted off the island and on to the Dr. Phil show...

Mitchell & Ramon: Mitchell had absolutely NO GAME. And in this episode, it was clear that he understood that as well as we did. He was quite frank about needing somebody to "carry him". As for the two "looks" Ramon made -- obviously, the judges loved it. They declared him the winner. Nina actually said, with a big smile on her face, "thank GOD for neoprene"...and I'm thinking -- really?? How many neoprene dresses do you have hanging in your closet, Nina? The neoprene dress was thrown together in just a few minutes and I thought there were at least five outfits that beat it by a mile. To me, the green neoprene felt like a Woody Allen movie. I'm just not smart enough to "get it"...

Nicolas & Gordana: I thought Gordana's macrame swimsuit was the most original element of the entire night -- and the "wrap pants" should have been a big hit -- but they left them dragging on the floor and didn't open them on the runway so the concept could be appreciated. If it had not been for Nicholas and his pitiful misunderstanding of the term "avant garde" -- they could have won. Apparently, where he comes from, "avant garde" means " do everything-you-can-to-make-your-model-look-like-a-hooker-wearing-a-garishly-dyed-cheap-lace-tablecloth-attached-to-her-shoes.

Shirin & Carol: Possibly the team that had the most fun. Both of them have mad sewing skills. They actually had the NERVE to let their model take off her beach cover-up and SHOW THE SWIMSUIT. Which seemed to FIT -- quite an unusual concept in this beachwear challenge. Their dark blue avant garde dress, with the big cupped waves looked meticulous and they would have been one of my top teams. I was glad Carol gave her model the heave-ho.

Christopher & Logan: They made a really interesting hat -- but when I saw their tan- shirt on top of the beige skinny pants -- I wondered how it took TWO designers to come up with that? Really fellas? Have you been to Walmart lately? Cuz it's "been done". However -- as boring as that was -- that's how interesting their avant garde piece was. I would have picked IT THE WINNER. Remember? It had a wonderful pleated peplum over a hundred yards (maybe)of different shaded, gathered and bunched tulle, not to mention and a tall, stiff collar.

Louise/Kenley & Althea: Their surf piece was a black & white swimsuit with a red bubble-dress? Right? They didn't actually show the swimsuit (typical). I guess it's not a good thing that I don't remember it that well. But I did make a note about their avant garde piece. They used a bunch of black zippers to create texture on the bodice (yawn). Then -- the the skirt being very short in front, with long shaped ruffled layers in the back. Well, I dunno. I just kept channeling "Miss Kitty" from Gunsmoke...(yes -- I am THAT old!!)

About the "Model" show. Vanessa -- please -- you must stop talking. Wow. I've figured out the biggest problem with the Models show. They're really not supposed to talk...

Bonne & Jan's Expo Tradition


As you know by now -- Bonne is the one on the left and Jan is the one on the right. Here's what you don't know. Bonne is "conservative" -- and Jan is "wild and crazy". That's what makes their sewing challenges so interesting. Bonne enjoys a tailored, classic look. Whereas Jan lives to take things over the top. She adds miles of thread, then lots of beads, charms and trim -- maybe even some piping. When she has that moment, where she worries that she's gone too far -- she pushes through and makes a matching purse and maybe a bra for good measure. (I'm making up the thing about the bra...but it would not surprise me).
But, for this recycled jeans project -- I wonder if they decided to "switch it up". I mean -- can it be true that Jan is actually DONE?? And Bonne is the one "acquiring" secret elements in plain brown envelopes?? Something seems a little out of order at this point...
***********
Bonne writes,
Every evening after all the Expo events are over (as well as any stops at Pacific Fabrics or Quilt Barn after hours) we head back to our hotel for show and tell. We get to share what we learned in our seminars, as well as what treasures each of us discovered and purchased. Besides -- that way Jan doesn't get home with something really cool that I missed!!!! - I can go back the next day and get my own

Off to spend the evening on my ultimate recycled jeans jacket!!!! Bonne
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HEY -- keep up the good work!! Expo needs all the super-shoppers we can get!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

GREAT Chinese Lunch












If anybody lives near Davenport, Iowa -- GO TO THE CHINA CAFE for lunch. My friend Sandy and I met there today and when we saw the lunch was $4.89 -- we almost felt guilty using the "buy one get one" coupon.

Of course, we did it anyway...and it was absolutely WONDERFUL. Our bill, lunch for two people, was $6.38...did I say it was delicious?

Altho this has absolutely nothing to do with sewing, I thought it might be refreshing to show a picture of me eating somewhere OTHER than my porch. Marion -- when you come to visit me --I'll take you to lunch at the China Cafe!! My treat. Really. I insist...