Holiday Time

Here it is, almost Christmas and I haven't posted any news this month. It's been a busy time, like it is for most of us. There have been multiple projects at work that have pulled me away from blogging. And on top of that, some medical issues that have taken up some time. Thankfully nothing too serious, but I've been making the rounds of doctors and having tests.

I also needed to burn off some vacation time since I can't carry it over, and it disturbs me to just lose it. So DH and I did a quick getaway to Las Vegas recently since it's a quick and easy flight and hotels are relatively inexpensive in the run up to Christmas. We stayed at the Mirage, our usual Vegas home away from home.

Since we hadn't been in a while, we went the the Secret Garden at the hotel. It features a dolphin exhibit and a small zoo of big cats...

...including three lion cubs. They have a minder in their exhibit at all times. They're still young, but I imagine that will have to stop that soon. 

We also did a lot of dining out, and went to see Penn and Teller. Their magic show is very un-traditional and a lot of fun. 

The casinos went all out in their decorating. The Venetian and Palazzo featured a peacock theme that was quite pretty. The scale of the decorations is hard to capture, but the peacocks were enormous! I'd guess that the ornaments in the picture below are at least as large as a yoga ball.

The poinsettias below are the size of a coffee table.

Being Vegas, there are some strange contrasts. This menorah was in front of a fountain. I think someone forgot what the statuary was. As they say, it's the thought that counts! At least Hanukkah was not forgotten.

I'm home until Friday, when I have to go back to the office. I think I'm done with most of the duties that DH has assigned for me this week and can relax a bit before going back to the office. 

Have a wonderful holiday everyone, whatever you may celebrate (or not)! 

Christmastime 2013

We went back to the Mirage in Las Vegas again this year. I had a week off scheduled, and both of us desperately needed a change of scene. The trip was our main Christmas gift to each other. The pricing was amazing at about $80 per night including the resort fee and also a buffet. I was surprised at the assortment and quality of the food...that being said, I had sushi every day.

We also had some amazing evening meals at the Sin City outposts of celebrity chefs Mario Battali and Tom Colicchio (Top Chef). I found Mario's place a bit meh considering the money that we spent, although DH liked it. I liked Tom's restaurant better--an upscale steakhouse with great food, attractive decor, and an interesting soundtrack. Unfortunately, Onde was dark for the week and it's traditionally been one of our favorites. Next time.

I also treated myself to a massage, oh yes! A bit of a splurge but so worth it! A good knead for my stiff muscles...

I got very brave on the day after Christmas with a trip to the Fashion Show. That place is quite a location for window shopping since they have every store. It's almost too much to take in. I braved Macy's shoe sale and got a wonderful pair of Aerosole loafers in blue suede and a pair of teal suede and black leather D'Orsay flats. My feet aren't handling heels well lately so I've been stocking up on flats for now. 

Yes, I know Macy's is just about everywhere now, but I guarantee you that neither location in Albuquerque has shoes like these (and the 1000s of others at the sale).

I am hoping to gain some sewing mojo now that the new year is coming. I made some adjustments to my TNT Kwik Sew 2565 T Shirt this month and cut out a new version on Sunday. I've made this pattern so many times that it should be a fast project to make. The fabric isfr

I've been cutting out some new patterns too! JillyBe's version of Vogue 8962 encouraged me to get going with mine. I also enjoyed Barbara's Vogue 8961, so will need to give that one a try since it's also in the pattern stash.

December Wrap Up

Yes, I'm still here and finally coming up for some air now that the holidays are almost over. I've been crazy busy at work since a lot of people took time off between Christmas and New Year's. Reminder to self: be one of those people in 2012!!

I haven't been a total drone, oh no. DH and I escaped to Las Vegas last weekend for dining and a show, specifically "Jersey Boys" at the Palazzo. It's a fun musical biography of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Do go see it if you can, especially if you like 1960s rock and roll. Amazingly enough, the trip was less expensive than a trip to Santa Fe--yes, including air fare. The hotels have crazy deals at Christmas--we stayed at the Mirage and the room cost $65 Friday night, and $85 Saturday. Plus resort fee of course, but that's still quite a deal!

My big splurge over the weekend was a new iPhone, purchased at the Fashion Show Mall, which has every major department store from Dillard's and Macy's to Saks, Nieman's, and Nordstrom. Amazing place. We even saw a Christmas floor show pageant, complete with Santa and his very svelte showgirl elves. Anyway, I'm all set up with the new 4S. Siri and I are trying to reach an accommodation; the girl has attitude.

And of course, I managed some sewing between the last post and this one.

Like many others, I made Shams' famous TableCloth skirt. However, I ended up making some alterations to it after its first wearing. I have hips about 3-4" below my waist and carry most of my (excess) weight there as well. So for me, the original pattern just had too much fabric in that area, and I felt very wide. I ended up taking off the waistband and making darts at each corner of the original square to eliminate some of the volume. I think it helps but I have to confess that I've had the revised version on around the house but haven't actually "worn" it yet. I hope it works out in a real wearing, as I really like the fabric and the asymmetrical hem. If I like the revised skirt and want to make another one, I'll convert the square into 4 trapezoid-like pieces rather than making darts. It's worth playing around with, and a warm-weather version would be nice to have.

I also made yet another Loes Hinse Cowl Top, finishing it up last night. I love this pattern--it goes together so quickly and is comfortable and flattering to wear in both the short and tunic lengths. This version is an acrylic blend sweater knit that I ran across at Hancock's Fabrics last fall. This is a revival of the same fabric as the vintage cardigan that I made from stashed sweater knit. It's very soft and feels very much like real wool. I think I'll wear it a lot this winter, with jeans and more dressed up clothes. I have another piece of it in the Sewing Cave, so I may make another version soon.

I'm not big on year end wrap ups for myself nor lots of resolutions. I've tried both in past years and I'm just kind of "meh" about doing it again. 2011 was a mixed year for me, but I'm hoping (as always) that 2012 will be better.

As far as sewing goes, I want to continue to make it a priority, but I think I'll lay off the sewalongs in 2012. I did garment-a-month and jacket-a-month this year and was relatively successful. I made at least one garment every month in 2011 and ended up with 8 jackets. I think challenges and sewalongs can be helpful in kickstarting sewing mojo, but they can also become production for production's sake.  I'm planning to continue to sew down my stash  in 2012, but with a few well chosen fabric acquisitions too. I want to keep sewing fun. For me, new fabric is part of my sewing enjoyment so I don't see myself stopping the acquisitions altogether.

Have a joyous and safe New Year!!  See you in 2012!

Bad Blogger!

...meaning yours truly, not the Blogger platform. I seem to be one of the few that seldom has any issues  with it. I think it's due to having an Apple. Anyway, yes, it is me who's been a bad blogger this month. Only 4 posts, and mighty slim on pictures.

Sometimes it's just that way, folks. September and October are busy months in ABQ, even though I didn't attend the State Fair or Fiesta de Santa Fe, and it's unlikely that I'll be at Balloon Fiesta. I was out of town this month at DH's army reunion in Las Vegas and I've had weekend classes. You know about the ribbon class, but DH also signed me up for a women's gun safety class. He's still working on me to take a motorcycle class--that would be a no, sweetie.

I actually did sew something this month, TSW Mimosa Pants. I even wore them to work. Meh. Not my favorite so I'll be setting them aside. I have a pair of TSW Quincy Pants cut and ready to go--I think the styling is a bit more current than the Mimosa, with narrower legs. So hopefully, results on that soon.

The container garden is still putting forth tomatoes, basil and mint although all of the plants are looking rather worse for wear. Especially the tomato plant, which looks like a weed. However, it does have 5 or 6 tomatoes on it so I'll keep watering it as long as it keeps producing.

OK that's about it for now. Thanks for reading and I'll try to be a better blogger going forward.

Playing Catch Up Again

I was gone last week and just now getting caught up with various and sundry. DH and I were at his army reunion in Vegas. Yes, Las Vegas again. Next time we go out of town, I'd like to go someplace else. Please. Surely, Southwest Airlines has other places we can go. It's not that I don't like going there, I do. But I'd like some variety--San Diego is a quick flight and DH's niece lives in San Francisco. Those are my votes for next time we go away. We do have some guests in town next month: DH's best friend from the Army and my in-laws (DH's sister and her husband).

I'm in progress with a couple of sewing projects for me, another pair of TSW's Trio Pants and my TNT t-shirt pattern, Kwik Sew 2565. What I should be doing is working on a vestment project for church--the sewing will be quick but the planning is what's bogging me down.

Anyway, on to my projects...

TSW Trio Pants: I originally made a pair of these in black linen in time for the ASG Convention that was in Albuquerque last year. I made a Medium but later took out a full 2.5" of ease. After sham's praise of this pattern, I decided to re-cut the pattern as a Small--by coincidence, it measures 2.5" smaller than the Medium. Hmmm...I had some embroidered camo fabric in the stash from JoAnn's and decided it would be a fun choice. I also decided to play around with the pocket fastenings, using D-rings and grosgrain ribbon to give it an outdoor/military feel. I gave them an initial try-on this morning and I love the fit! Small is much better for me. I still have stuff to do before they're finished, but so far so good.

Kwik Sew 2565 T Shirt: This is an old workhorse of a pattern that I've made a bunch of times since buying it in the mid 2000s. Of course, it's out of print now but Kwik Sew probably carries something similar since it's a basic T. I retraced the pattern since I couldn't find the right pieces, so this one is basically a prototype to check the fit. I'm making it from a remnant of onionskin knit left over from a previous project. That project was a long sleeved T from Kwik Sew 2565. See, if you sew you can re-make all your old favorites (hahaha).

Just touching base for now, more later...

A Quick Trip

Yes, another Vegas trip. Say what you will, it's an hour flight from New Mexico and a world away. This time it was a quick visit, only a little over 24 hours. DH is a fan of Chelsea Handler, and several weeks ago he discovered that she would be at Caesar's Palace on Labor Day weekend, so he put together a little junket to Sin City for us. We flew out via Southwest on Saturday afternoon and returned on Sunday.

The venue was the same one as Cher's, so I got iPhone pics of some of her costumes. How fab are these? Say what you will about Cher as a performer, her costumes are absolutely beautiful:




I hope I can persuade DH that Cher should be the reason for a future Vegas trip. I bet her show would be a lot of fun. We do have another trip coming up later this month, but that one's for DH's Army reunion.

I'm glad we got away for a little while at least. Otherwise, there's too much of a temptation to veg out and do nothing on a long weekend in Albuquerque. We went to the Mirage's pool, had a nice meal, saw a show, had a room service breakfast. What's not to love?

Now that we're back in New Mexico, domestic tasks. Other plans for Labor Day weekend include a trip to Home Depot to look at washer/dryers. DH really wants front loaders...hopefully they're available in red!!