Tuesday, December 11, 2007

'Tis the season to be frazzled!

We had our first real snow! Last Wednesday they called for "a dusting." When I left home at 8 a.m. for my usual 25 minute commute, it was just starting to flurry at home. The snow was falling a little heavier as I got closer to work. Not enough, however, for the traffic to spiral out of control. It took me an hour an a half to get to work! I had to see my first class during my planning time! Here is what the little courtyard outside of my classroom at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.:


The next morning this is what we had at home:


Definitely more than a dusting! We got around 3 inches--maybe a little more. It was just enough to be pretty but not debilitating! School was 2 hours late the next day, which was more than fine by me! DH cleaned off my car for me!

Note where I am standing when I took this photo--inside the kitchen by the window! This is where I stand when I start my car every morning. DH bought me an autostart about 4 years ago and it is fabulous in this type of weather! I leave the defrost on when I turn the car off in the evening so that it comes on when I autostart the car!

I've gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done and hope to be done by this weekend. I went to G-Street Fabrics to get the supplies for my next major sewing project. I need a nice dress for my niece's wedding in January. I don't have an appropriate winter dressy dress so I decided to make this:

I am making view B--the black one. I planned on getting silk, but came across the most gorgeous Dana Buchmann brocade which is a polyester--though it certainly costs as much as silk. This brocade is unusual in that it has a herringbone weave in the background with the flowers being a satin weave. The color is a rich black:
The second fabric is a heavy silk satin which will be used for the contrast at the neckline. I've decided to line the dress also. I prefer lined garments and typically add lining whether the pattern includes it or not.


I will make the muslin and start the dress during Christmas week.

Knitting news--I've finished the body of the Tree Jacket and I'm happy with the fit:

I have to do the sleeves and I think I'll do them in the round. I made a boo boo in part of the body. I was nodding out one evening while I was knitting and messed up the lace in one part of the back.

I seriously considered frogging a few rows, but I always have issues with frogging rows with yarn overs in them. This is actually a small section in the back right at the waist. I don't think it is really that noticeable so I'll live with it. The yarn is scrumptious and feels wonderful on the skin!

I got my order from Little Knits in the mail. This yarn, Mondial Giada, is a sportweight 70/30 merino/silk blend. I love silk blend yarns. There are several Mondial yarns which are being discontinued. They are really a nice quality and Little Knits has them in stock at a really nice price. This yarn is a golden beige. It is to be used to knit the Gathered Pullover in the Winter edition of IK. I also put in a nice little order at Webs for some last minute Christmas yarn for some little projects and some cotton/microfiber blend to make the Pea Pod baby set. More on that later.


I really committed a fashion faux pas. I was seen in public in these:

I always hated the way Uggs look and I typically wear these as slippers. But I've taken to wearing them out on weekends and I don't have to wear socks with them.

Tonight I made these:

Part of the cookies for our knitting group's cookie exchange tomorrow night! It sounds like it will be really fun and we should all come away with a nice selection of different cookies to share with our families.

Bushism of the day:
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption." —George W. Bush, Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002

Kitty Cam: Greg was caught lounging on the dining room table.

4 comments:

  1. Wow, you've been busy! Tree looks good so far - I wouldn't frog it either. I have the same problem with frogging yarnovers. That dress is going to be gorgeous - can't wait to see that!

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  2. Talk about a SMALL WORLD!! Your downstream pal for SP11 was MY upstream pal!!

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  3. i love the way your tree body has turned out, like it so much better without that diagonal bit going on and yours seems to not be so open that it needs an under shirt! i wish mine was made of a better more suitable yarn! thanks for the link to little knits you have all the best shopping spots for yarn! i love your julia childs too what a great choice is it for a clapotis or something else?

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