July-August-September Things

Melody let me know that I owed my blog a new post... Looking at the date of my most "recent" post, I can see why she said that.

My summer was absolutely crazy. I taught sewing classes for 9 weeks, with only 2 short weeks of breaks between.

The first week off I spent in Gettysburg at B. Manor :) A lovely week with wonderful friends! I took the Make-A-Dress Sew Camp with Carolann Schmitt of Genteel Arts Academy. I took three dresses to work on and needless to say (at least to any sewers out there) I did not finish one dress. :-P

The second week off I spent at OCNJ, "America's Greatest Year-Round Family Resort." One of my favorite places. :)
I finished teaching summer sewing camps on the last Thursday of August. I tore out of the house behind my students in order to make it to my hairdressers appt. which was scheduled for 1/2hr after camp ended. I made it just in time and in addition to getting my hair cut "short" (a little longer than my shoulders) I got "long bangs" and think they do something for my face, but they sure are annoying, lol!!!

The past two weeks I have enjoyed doing absolute nothing. Well, as much of nothing as possible. I did have to completely re-arrange the sewing room for fall classes, order award ribbons, update my website slightly, e-mail a thousand people, fill up said fall sewing classes, and other sundry work items that couldn't be fully avoided. But, I did manage to relax and finish one of the Civil War period dresses that I began in G'burg, finish my CW period bathing costume, make a couple of new things to wear to dance classes this year, a new cute fall skirt, almost make and finish a cute new fall shirt, and make a cushion and pillow for my cedar trunk which now resides in the sewing room holding a rack of ribbons.

First pictures of the CW bathing costume, followed by the other projects...







Tonight I've scheduled for me to sew for myself. But, my dad's 60's band is practicing in the other room and I might just sit and read while listening to them play "Rit A Maid," "Help Me Ronda," "Happy Together," and other classics of the 60s. :)

4 days 'till my 24th B.Day. :)

Tidbits

About 6 weeks ago mom and I did some "antiquing" at a few shops between here and Gettysburg, after purchasing my material for my bathing costume in Gettysburg. I was so excited when I came across these books, as several of the stories are "new" to me. When I brought them up to the check-out I was so horribly disappointed to find out that three other books from this set had been sold shortly before I came to a book dealer. Aaaaagggggggg!!!!!! Of course, I looked up the missing books when I got home and they are nowhere for sale, and they have stories I haven't read, humph. Well, someday I'll "fill in the blanks," but I'm having fun reading "Penelope's Scottish Experiences" for now.

Here I am with two of my cute sewing students after the Mother's Day sewing class. The other three girls left before I could get a picture. K. on the left made a "candle doily" and tissue back for her mom, and H. on the right made an apron for her mom. I'm wearing the sample apron, which is now mine ;) and holding my "candle doily."

When driving to Gettysburg last weekend for Pt. 2 of the Bathing Costume class, I encountered a group of people sending off this hot-air balloon! Too cool. :)

I was sooooo close to seeing it take off from the ground, oh, and this was at 6:10am ;)

I made this dress last week to use for rentals. Lots of school kids ask to borrow or rent outfits for school programs/presentations. Mom suggested I make a pretty gown based on some of my recent research, as more people would probably like to rent that rather than the ugly local rural PA outfit I've rented out in the past. :-P

Here's the set of undergarments, shift, petticoat, pockets, and I do have a cap and straw hat to complete the set. :)

Here's pic of the mess mom and I made this afternoon when trying to clean up a couple of shelves and drawers. We had no clue there was so much stuff in two sets of small drawers, and a couple of shelves, lol!

Last tidbit of the evening... my unfinished bathing costume is in the top left corner of the picture above, the Turkish trousers are thrown over the top, and you can just see a bit of them over the red plaid dress. Pictures of that fun project coming soon!

Now, for anyone in the not-know, the first part of Cranford airs this Sunday evening on most PBS stations! I can't wait!!!

~Angela

"Who's giving a ball! I long for a ball!" ~ Lydia, Pride and Prejudice

...Mom came across this yesterday on a poster at the library.  :)

And the link to the website: http://germantowncountrydancers.org/  I was very excited when I went to the website because this place is actually semi-close to me!!!  Unfortunately, as the second picture on the page loaded I was a little bummed, but I think I'll go anyway.  As least I'll go to the second one because I'm obligated to go see a "fork" on the 30th.  ;)

Well, I'm leaving in about an hour to go fix up the mess of the dance costume closet, and do a fitting on one of the dancers that I'm making a feast dress for.  When I get home, I'll get a quick lunch, and make a fitting shell for a girl I'm making a Colonial Gown to rent, then at 1:30 Mom and I are teaching a sewing class (it's a long one, runs 'till 4:30!).  After the class, I'll get dinner and hopefully make a last trip out to JoAnn Fabrics before this week's sale ends.

Hopefully by tonight, Dad will have the antenna hooked back up to the TV which we moved from the family room up to the living room on Thursday, so we can watch some TV again!  

And hopefully this post with lots of little silly bits will be a nice read for Merrie!  ;)

~Angela