The fence continues....

As is typical in Portland, it rained off and on all last week while we were working on the fence. This is what it looked like after we had all our work clothes, coats, and rubber boots on.


Not terribly inviting, but we persevered. We set the posts with concrete. These will support a screen of narrow boards running horizontally. This screen will serve as a backdrop to the fireplace as well as a privacy screen.



Is it level? Why, yes it is!!! because we are that good!


View from the front.


And there was a lot of mud to navigate. Very slippery stuff.


Don't set your box of fencing nails in the rain puddles on the fence. The box literally came apart in 30 seconds. We had to switch to a plastic mixing bowl.


Then we took a break while the concrete set up and went Glow-in-the-Dark Miniature Golfing!



We also did a little shopping too. How about these lovelies at Kate Spade?





Makes me think of spring.... I can't wait for some warmer, drier weather.

Project-o-rama... Day 3... I think

Since we do not own a pick-up, we rented one from U-Haul. Be warned! They do not want any scratches, dirt, dents, or mess on, around, or inside the pick-up when it is returned. Especially the decals!! Heavens, do not scratch the decals! Honestly, why do they think people rent pick-ups!??!
So the debris was carefully packed into the delicate pick-up and hauled off yesterday.





Much of the rest of the day was spent planning/designing the fence. So that today we could start executing.
Here is the existing fence with the left side all scrubbed and the right part not. Quite a difference!


The scrubbing was my job this morning. My hands are so sore that I can barely type. After the scrubbing, we starting laying out the location of the fence posts... and that's when the challenges showed up.
We worked with our neighbor and dug a trench along side his garage foundation. This should have been done years ago (like three owners ago) but it needed doing before we put in any fence posts.




And just as we suspected, when the trenching was done, there wasn't enough dirt left to support our planned fence design. So we are modifying some things. Here is the spouse chipping away at the cement squares that were attached to our brick fireplace. In the foreground you can see all the bricks, stone, and concrete parts we dug out of the ground during the trenching.



And over here on Craigslist are the cement squares if you want them!
EDIT: They are gone!! I LOVE Craigslist.

We are now off to buy fenceposts, cement, and wire mesh.

Stay-cation/Project-o-rama Progress

Yesterday was pruning and plant debris removal day. We are preparing to fence the open sections of our perimeter fence to contain Irving, so he can be in the back yard with us and not take off running through the neighborhood. This is the back of the house...


Here is what we removed....


The side garden was also cleared out....


As was the area around the patio...


Yes, the motorcycle is still there. More on that later.



The fence is all clear of vegetation in preparation for scrubbing and Irving proofing.





Here is what is blooming outside...









Apparently this color tastes the best because all 4 plants have been eaten. Darn... and I really like this color too.


Peonies coming up! They like their new location.



This morning is loading all the trimmings into a truck and hauling off to the yard debris place. Better get moving.

Goodies from the Expo

Here is my fabric haul from the Expo. I will have to post the books later.
The Betsey Johnson butterfly fabric that I saw on Pacific Fabric's website. They had it in the booth at the show. I bought enough to make one really big square scarf. Silk.... of course.


These interesting skirt panels. They are from a clothing line out of San Francisco who's name escapes me. The waistband has elastic yarns knit in, so I just need to sew up the side seams, hem the bottom, and turn the waistband to the inside and done. The horizontal stripes are wool, the rest seems to be a rayon. Feels yummy!




Cashmere and wool blend in a warm purple. Sultan at Fine European Textiles was dealing, and he made be me an offer that I couldn't say "No" to... so I bought two yards.



Beautiful black and cream linen.... I was touching, considering, looking at this roll when another woman (same age as my mom which goes to show that age has no bearing on politeness) grabbed it out of the rack in front of me!!!! I was ticked! So I came back early the next day, marched into the Vogue Fabrics booth, grabbed the roll and bought 3 yards without even questioning the purchase. Some things you just need to buy and not fanny about pondering the possibilities.





Now finding the time to turn these lovelies into wearables.

Probably not this week though. It is Spring Break and we are having a Home Improvement Stay-cation. We are tackling a list of projects and eating out A LOT. There will be no house cleaning just mass amounts of pruning, constructing, nailing, painting, etc. I will post pictures of the progress.

Some pics from the Expo...

I took some quick pics before I "learned" that you were not supposed to take pictures at the Expo. There were so many people there, I have no idea what they would do if they caught you taking a picture. A guard couldn't climb over 20 quilters and all their bags to takes away your camera.



It was a fabric gold mine for the sewer! There were two suiting vendors that carried gorgeous wools and Italian cotton shirting all the way up to alpaca and baby vicuna (at $170 per yard... which was the discounted price). I bought a couple of yards of cashmere/wool.




Lots of ideas in all the booths. Most of the booths were for quilters, but every now and then I would find one stashed with fabric, trims, and BOOKS!!! Lot's of good books.



I will try to post some of my treasures later today.

Sewing and Stitchery Expo

I'm going to this tomorrow:

Sewing and Stitchery Expo

SQUEAL!! I hope it is good. I am meeting some of my colleagues from the University of Idaho there. I have signed up for 4 45-minute classes-
Working with Shear Fabrics
Behind the Seams with Interfacing and Underlinings
Needle Bootcamp
Sew Like a Pro

Needle Bootcamp covers the use of paddle needles to create openwork, using double needles etc. Very, very excited. Of course there is a vendor area and Clover is the sponsor, so I'm hoping for good things!..... or at least fancy pins.

The pattern companies will be there too. Maybe they can restore my faith in their offerings.

Unfortunately I have to leave at 6am tomorrow to get to Puyallup.

On a completely different note, how cute is this!!!!



It is over on the Burdastyle Blog. They have a whole entry on bias. I've been wanting to make some new pin cushions. I think this design may be the winner.

Finishing UFO's

I've hit a mainline of productivity and am making headway on some of my UFO's (Un-Finished Objects). I completed this skirt..



which was a remake of a skirt I made 12-ish years ago. It was longer... ending just below the knee and was too tight in the waist. I cut off about 6" from the top and instead of having a faced waist it now has this lovely bias waistband.



I also added a lining. The shell of the skirt is 100% poly and starts to creep up when you wear it. It now has a rayon lining with a little lace trim at the bottom.



Hope this fixes the problem. I haven't worn it yet.



I am so happy that it is done and off my sewing table! This skirt has been in process for a few months.