After working all weekend clearing out Kate’s room and setting up the work area and the guest sleeping area, Oscar convinced me it was time for a walk.

Ever since Kate moved out, I’ve had the bug to get her room cleaned up and then set up as a workroom. It’s the consolation prize for missing her, right? One of the downsides, for me, and upsides, for her, of moving within the city, is that she didn’t feel pressured to get everything organized in one fell swoop.

I am sure my urge to straighten what she’s left behind is getting on her nerves but I can’t help myself. Our house isn’t large and although I wouldn’t call myself a hoarder, I’m definitely a collector, who inherited the urge and the stuff from my foremothers . . .  As well as the urge to make things, which means I have a stockpile of supplies, and an inventory of things I’ve made . . .

I hope that someday she understands.

 

 It was so much fun to be part of an ELL class in September.  The students were mostly beginners and mostly from Iraq.  It was challenging to provide useful lessons for all of them, especially for FOUR HOURS.  Oh. My.   We did a lot of different things but the students seemed to especially enjoy crafty time . . .  making letters out of play-doh, coloring pictures with colored pencils.  It was not only a welcome break after traditional lessons, but a less stressful way for the students to practice forming letters.

  

 

Still need to add the snaps on the back and press the pleats so they aren’t so poofy. But overall quite pleased. Will dress her up in the turtleneck and proper shoes tomorrow.

Honestly, I don’t really remember what the skirt was like so I made it make sense to me. My first version with a straight skirt didn’t look right so I took it off and replaced it with pleats and a belt. Much happier with the look.

the straight version seemed “meh”

Henry isn’t usually my helper, but I enjoyed his company.

Took some noodling to figure out how to do the facing so the seams are all tidy.

Charlie and Oscar.

And they are so sweet together.

My current project/distraction from what I should be doing, whatever that might be, is to replicate this jumper:

i found some lovely red fabric which is actually silk even though I’m pretty sure the original was knit. But hey, we get to edit the past a bit, don’t we? And besides, this dress was THAT special in my eyes, so why not?

Thank you, Grandma, for the sweet jumper and for taking me to have my picture taken. Miss you always.

My progress so far:

CoraMaezy is pretty patient with me. (She’s holding her new jacket from Aunty Kathy, oh! And wearing her new slippers! Thank you Aunt Kathy!)

I decided to do the wrap as two pieces, a right front and a left front, looking with the dark blue, hoping to give a hint of the dark blue piping.

To turn the pieces I threaded one corner of the house through the tunnel at the shoulder seam.

It popped right through.

This is where I’m currently at. About 80% satisfied with the top. Not at all pleased with the skirt part. It feels too flimsy in comparison to the bodice. Also, the way I did the two section of the bodice. . . . Makes it impossible for me to use the lining to cover the skirt seam. I’m puzzling over how to do it differently thinking a pleated skirt could be nice, and there’s probably another way to do the wrap of the top and the piping . . .

Today we had breakfast out for Kate’s birthday. Good food and a nice time. I spent the rest of the day dinking around. Washing laundry for Kate and hunting down some shelves she can use as a tv stand. Finally in the

late evening, I sorted some patterns and cut out a jumper for CoraMaezy. It’s fall which means time for plaid jumpers, am I right? 😉

Miss Kate is moving into her apartment. Tonight she will sleep there for the first time. Already the house feels quieter.

Oscar just loves playing “twos”. Two of anything, makes him a happy boy. Two squeaky Kong balls = heaven. But he doesn’t get those often bc he tears off the felt and then tears the ball apart.

I spotted a vintage wedding dress at the Goodwill store. Linen, fitted, simple, but with a “cape”like train. I was inspired to make an imitation for CoraMaezy.

As usual, I cut out two of the dresses bc it’s fun to end up with two!