Monday, April 20, 2009

DONE DONE DONE DONE

April 20, 2009

EVEN THE RHINESTONING IS DONE, DONE, DONE!!!!!!

YEAH ME!!!!!


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I'M FINALLY DONE!!!!

April 20, 2009

I'm finally done!!!!! YEAH, HURRAH, YIPPEE!! I am finally done with competition costumes!!! Can you believe it? Even the pointe one! Now I just have repack everything for competition, and rhinestone the pointe one, and then get my own stuff ready for my trip!!!

I can't belive it.....I made a Russian Doll Costume in less than a week, and it looks great!!!!! I'll post photos when I have time.

Competition results: Ladies Choice duet: Double platinum
Fun Fun Fun solo - Cymbre - Double Platinum
Come Dance With Me solo- Cooper - Double Platinum
Stand Out solo- Cooper - Platinum

Not bad considering Cymbre's hearing still is fading in and out, and Cooper has a hurt knee! Trophy photos later....

Me

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Just Stuff!

April 16, 2009

Well, Cooper can't do the 8th grade formal dance because her competition dances are at the same time period....so much for the dress we bought. However, she can use it for Homecoming next year if she doesn't grow much. I will still make the little jacket, just not this week.

The girls are getting excited for Showstoppers this weekend. We dance around 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday for Cooper, and they have to move the duet and Cymbre from Sunday so we are still waiting to hear when they will dance. At any rate, I still have to finish up the stoning of the duet costumes, but THANKFULLY, the stones got here last night. We danced in the costumes last night, and lost the wigs. More bobby pins, and tighten the wigs I guess. We'll see. I'll put them on and have them dance upstairs and see what happens.

Cymbre is still having her hearing fading in and out, and her surgeon is in observation mode. We do have her on an antibiotic just in case though. She is in school, but says it's really frustrating when she loses it for a couple of minutes several times throughout the day. We have to call the doctor if anything changes and he will see her immediately. He doesn't think it's anything serious....just wait I guess.

Dad got a new Ford Focus the day he took the Saturn Ion to Britni....hopefully, it will last for her if she takes care of it. I like the new one, it's an automatic so I can drive it without pain. Haven't driving it much as Dad takes it to work....during the summer it's mine though because Dad will take the van and put it in the covered parking so we don't have to sweat all the time.

Well, must get going on this pointe costume for next weekend....Cooper is competing her Bert Solo at Dad's request. I've only got a week to finish the costume.

Have a great day....say your prayers for Cymbre's hearing to heal.

Mom

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

April 8, 2009

Well, we made it through the day, and Dad decided he will have Britni start driving to Houston, and he will drive towards Dallas and they will switch cars. She will take the Saturn and go home, and Dad will bring the oil eating corolla home. I think he will trade it in on something, but this way, he can still get to work, and we have more than 24 hours to find another car. This isn't what Dad wants, but it's what we are doing. He was hoping to fix the corolla, but it's just to expensive for the warranty they are offering.

Finally have Ladies Choice done except stoning and adjusting the straps.....now on to the Russian doll costume for the pointe solo Dad wants her to compete. Got the material and patterns together today, so tomorrow is cut out day. That should do my back in.

I must admit, I will be glad when all this is done. Got the formal hemmed, and taken in, now just a masquerade mask, and a jacket for it.

Well, must get off this foot tonight....to much sewing for it too I guess....I'm going to put some ice on it, and put it up on the back of the couch.

Have a good week.

Mom

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

New Zipper Foot

April 7, 2009

Well, everyone can breathe easier, I found a new zipper foot. Last night I managed to get the zipper in Cooper's costume with the regular presser foot, but I wouldn't want to try that all the time. Luck was one my side, and it came out straight.

HOWEVER, I think $34 for a new zipper foot is a bit steep! I broke down and looked at a new sewing machine since the parts for mine are getting way to expensive....they are having a sale next week, and the store is paying the sales tax. $1700.00! I just don't know.

Guess it doesn't matter about the new sewing machine...we have to fix Britini's car, or buy her a new one. Something about the engine and very expensive repairs. Don't know what Dad will do, but a sewing machine just went down the tubes. Oh well, it hasn't quite died yet!

Must put my back in the jacuzzi...to much sewing and it's protesting with spasms....same old place. Muscle relaxers here I come...and if it's still hurting in the morning, I may call Dr. Ermac for that shot they gave me last time.

Goodnight.

Mom

Monday, April 6, 2009

Tragic Death Of Zipper Foot Stalls Costume Design

April 6, 2009

There has been a very tragic death in a sewing room on Cypress, TX this week. A well-worn, much loved, and desperately needed zipper foot DIED! The death is being mourned by the costume designer who is constantly at the machine this week, having multiple costumes to finish. We have been given this obituary for the beloved family member:

A scratched and worn, but well-loved zipper foot departed this mortal life on Sunday evening. This tragedy is greatly mourned by all in the sewing room. The straight pins are bending with grief. The scissors refuse to cut. The measuring tape is curled up in pain! The button-hole foot is claiming it's made it last button hole. The bias tap foot, thinks some of the sewing feet are just a bit biased. Who knew the zipper foot was so important in life in the sewing room? The seam ripper is ripped apart with grief! The thread is all tied up in knots. The bobbins are tangled together to support each other in their hour of need. The light bulb on the sewing machine refuses to light up, he is so distraught! (Or maybe, he's just burned out!) The presser foot refuses to sew, claiming he has other pressing issues to deal with. Even the iron has run out of steam!! Oh the drama of it all....to say nothing regarding the costume designer who is left high and dry to finish these costumes.

Funeral services will be held once the designer finds a replacement foot.....and no, I am not uncompassionate in feeling grief at this monumental death in the sewing room, but I do have to find a replacement quick! I've had a wonderful relationship with that little metal zipper foot. We have made many a costume, outfits, and pajamas pants together. I will greatly miss him. Hopefully, I can get another one without to much trouble. Who knows, they say they can't get machine parts for my machine anymore....let's just pray they still have zipper feet! We became very good at working together over the years....I don't even really know how old he was. He didn't have to just fall apart at the neck though! That makes it a bit difficult to put two metal pieces back together. There must be some unknown reason for the sudden death. Maybe he had enemies in the sewing room....maybe he felt to overworked these past few months....maybe he wasn't happy with his retirement options...maybe it was just his time to go to the great sewing room in the sky! Maybe the tulle tried to put rank on him, or the mending pile was just to much for him to look at...there are several zippers to be replaced in that pile. The rick rack is having it's ups and downs...the zippers have lost their zip, and the velcro is barely holding together. Maybe the thought of sewing things for my Grammie Box was just to overwhelming for the poor little guy. Come to think of it, he has probably sewn thousands of zippers during his little life...maybe he just gave his last stitch! At any rate, this costume designer will be looking for just the right little box to bury the broken pieces in....it has to be the perfect box. And who knows where we will bury it, our grief is to extensive to make those decisions at the moment! We do know that we will use the walking foot to carry the little guy to his final resting place. And the rolled hem feet can roll the dirt over the coffin. The button foot can hold the headstone in place while the hammer for the button cutter pounds it in place. Then after the final goodbyes, we can all grab on to the cording and follow it back to the sewing room to grieve in privacy!

Little Zipper foot is survived by all his loved ones in the sewing room.

SO: Some of us have to get over our grief and find a new zipper foot TOMORROW!

Grieving Designer

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Another Week Starts!

April 5, 2009

Cymbre's Ladies Choice Costume - check
Cooper's Ladies Choice Costume - in progress
3 Bert Costumes - not even started, but we have three hats!
2 Gretchen Costumes - not even started although a pattern is bought.
Cooper 8th Grade Formal bought, and hem is measured
Cooper 8th grade formal masquerade mask, still have to get organized.
Cooper Pointe solo Costume for competition (this one is all dad's idea) She just learned the dance this week, and competition is two weeks away.
Jessica's formal hemmed - check
Rhinestones and pointe shoes ordered - check
Shyla's afghan for her couch done - check
Mom survived a trip to the mall dress shopping - check

This past week is a blur of sewing stuff, and this new week isn't looking much better. Although the Bert Costumes and Gretchen can wait until I get home from Graduation. The Pointe Solo has to be done before I leave.

Cooper wasn't going to go to 8 th grade formal, but the quarterback bought her a ticket, and is really wanting her to come. Most of her friends are going. We told her she has to stay in her group of friends, and Dad's doing the driving. Matt can meet her at school, but they have to stay with the group. He seems like a really nice kid, but is a bit dumb when it comes to showing off. His mom is the one who brought cookies for the football team to share with Cooper for her birthday. That's competition weekend, I will be out of town, Dad will have to do competition and the formal stuff. Good luck there, hopefully, Kristin and Andee will help her before they leave competition. However, Matt was being dumb and was showing off at school, and now has a broken collar bone and two broken ribs. He tried to do a flip during lunch (Cooper told him not too) and now he is paying for it. His Dad told him he should listen to Cooper next time she tells him not to do something.

We found this purple dress at Dillards that was cheaper than I could make it, and have since found shoes at Payless, a purse at Charming Charlies, and jewelry at Claires. We used up some gift cards in the process, so I am thinking we did pretty good at keeping the cost down. I do have to make a little jacket to go over the dress, but that's an afternoon job. I'll post a photo when we get the whole thing done.

Once I get these Ladies Choice things done, then I have to make the Russian doll costume. I have no idea....just going by a photo the teacher sent.

I have this dumb dry cough again this year....it's got to be allergies. However, the doctors have given me all my asthma medicine, so we will see if it turns into bronchitis. Just what I need in time for graduation. So to try to stay healthy, I have become a sniffer!

Cymbre and I planted a few of her flowers last night after dance. We got the geraniums rearranged, strawberries planted, hanging plants on the fence done, and she fertilized everything. Then we gave them a big drink and she came in and showered. She has to shower right away because of her allergies, but at least the allergist didn't take away her flowers. She would have been devasted!

Dad washed some of the windows outside this weekend, and did some other clean up things around the house....he likes to get things in order before the weather gets too hot, and hurricane season rolls around again.

Well, I going to go put my foot up...to much sewing this weekend.

Mom

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wind!

April 2, 2009

Today started out VERY rainy and windy, but by lunch time (now) it is sunny and WINDY! I've been thinking about what kind of wind I would like to be when I grow up...not in the near future! Would I want to be a hurricane force blast that whips around everything not tied down quite extensively. Have you ever tried to even open a door that this kind of wind is blowing against. You can't! And if you did, there wouldn't be a door left. Would I want to be an angry winter storm wind, causing that snow to stir into a blizzard so that people driving in motor homes across Wyoming to go to Grandma's for Thanksgiving have to hang out the windows and watch the yellow lines on the street to keep Dad on the road? I've been one of those people hanging out the window, and I don't recall liking that kind of wind very much. Slightly less angry are the winds that come across the plains in Broomfield, Colorado. Some days you just have to chase the trash cans lids down the street even if you go out as soon as they empty the cans! At least there isn't the snow with this wind. Still a cold wind, with lots of fun is the one you feel on your face while riding on the back of a snowmobile with Dad. We never went particularly slow, but I enjoyed it with wind in my face as long as my Dad was sitting in front of me to break it up a bit. He had the windshield to break it up for him, I just had him. We used to have such a blast! He would go fast, and then turn and we would fall of the snowmobile. It was so fun! Then a wind that comes with a thunderstorm, one that can still blow you hairstyle into oblivion, but leaves your clothes on. Those kind really cool the house down if you can open just the right window. To bad most of mine don't open. We couldn't open them anyway with all that tree pollen floating around out there. I think my favorite kind of wind is just the gentle breeze that comes in the Spring. The one where you can watch the clouds blow by at a gentle pace, and still hear the birds chirping in the trees. However, strong enough to keep the mosquitos from biting. I like walking with Guy in that kind of wind. I like holding his hand and walking about 1/2 step behind him. He keeps the dust from blowing in my face, (guess I just like to use men as windshields!) I especially like to use my "GUY"! I like being outside and planting flowers in this breeze. It keeps you from getting to hot and sweaty. Then there's the wind that comes off the ocean while you are standing on the beach. That's a salty wind, but it still cools you down. If you could just go home and scrap the salt off, you could fill the salt shaker! I like to watch the way the wind drives the waves into the beach. Sometimes crashing in like with a hurricane, and sometimes just lazily like "Oh well, when I get there I get there." And then there's whatever kind of wind it takes to push those hugh windmills that generate energy...I really like to watch the fields of those things turn. It is amazing to me! Just the gentle breeze for me.

Well, back to the sewing machine....just a couple more seams and then I have to wait for the girls to come home to try on what I've made this morning before finishing....yes I said finishing those Ladies Choice costumes. Photos soon.

Blow yourself into some service for someone else today....someone is waiting on you.

Mom
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Not a Great Day!

April 1, 2009

Ok, it's not fun when your purse handle breaks in the middle of a store....especially the fabric store. Just what I wanted, My coins, the girls tylenol, pens, checkbook, receipts, etc. scattered all over the floor. What a mess.....and I know it's Aprils Fool Day, but this wasn't a joke! Now I have to find a new purse....and I was going to work on costumes.

Me