A LITTLE SEW-ALONG CATCH-UP

Off to the beach -- August

Beach tote and accessories

I bought a book of doll patterns, My Doll My Style, by Anna Allen, and subsequently joined her sew-along Facebook group. We started in late July to systematically work through the patterns, one pattern per week. I’m a slow worker, so not much is coming out of my sewing room except for these outfits, but at least that’s something. I have enjoyed comparing notes with others – many who are my age – who also enjoy sewing for dolls. 

Today I'm sharing photos of my creations based on patterns in My Doll My Style. In August, I made two swim outfits complete with cover-ups and sarongs. The tote bag was also from the book, and I accessorized with goggles (from Walmart) and a "water bottle" which was originally a sample of shampoo. 

Athletic top and shorts

This is Molly's athletic outfit, a happy pairing of two different knits. I say "happy," but it didn't come easily. I agonized over the fabric choices, especially since I don't have many knits in my fabric stash. The book gives instructions for crafting a decorative design for the shirt, but I did mine with machine embroidery. I think if I worked with a little girl, we might do some crafts, but just for myself, I prefer to use the machines on hand. 

Wrong fabric

Next up is my interpretation of the slip-over shirt and textured skirt -- a Halloween party outfit. However, the top was supposed to be made of a super-stretch knit, and while it's cute, I had to contort Molly in order to get it on her, and she says she never wants to see it again. 

 

And this is my latest finish -- the flutter sleeve dress. I have plans for this pattern -- a story for another day. KW

JUST CHECKING . . .

Tuesday (Sept. 25) was a beautiful day, and we made another morning trip to the farmhouse. We didn’t stay long, but Mike loaded the riding mower and we trailered it back to town.

We had thought the painting was finished, and I panicked when I saw the dining room in a shade of putty. However, Mike explained that the lower part of the wall isn’t painted, and as we looked around, we could see more areas that need paint. Later, the contractor explained that the painter has another day of work to finish.

The maple tree in the front yard is still green, but the autumn colors are making an entrance. The black hawthorn just above the lane is a dark shade of maroon. However, the leaves are dry and curled. Along the river, the autumn colors are just beginning to pop out.

No zucchini. No yellow summer squash. And I didn’t see the point in watering, so I didn’t, but it’s very dry. I always think of what Neighbor Pete told me years ago: “It used to rain, but we have to water now.” We’ll just have to see what comes back in the spring.

Really, we didn’t stay long at all. We were back home late morning. As we traveled, we had several calls from the contractor who was ordering the flooring and wanted to know about quarter round. It’s tough to make these decisions, but we did it. I’m afraid that the house isn’t going to be as well appointed as before, but that’s just the way it is.

Bess

I have no hope that we will spend Christmas at the farmhouse. Some years we can’t anyway. If it happens, I will gladly put up a tree and sing carols. KW

OFFICIALLY AUTUMN

Sunset, September 22

It’s officially autumn, and it feels like it. It was 43 this morning, and I’m thinking I might just as well pull out our tomato vines. I have three plants, and they didn’t do much. Planting and tending them was a waste of time, energy, and water.

We went to Costco yesterday (Sunday) during the noon hour. They were generous with the samples, and we called it lunch. “Look at all the people standing in line to pay for food,” said Mike as we passed the food stand. “They must be really hungry!” We were not enticed to stand in line for food, but we bought a few groceries – walnuts, pecans, tuna, fruit cocktail, -- AND VANILLA at $20.00 for a 16-ounce bottle. I’ve been shopping for vanilla everywhere, and I know this price is as good as it gets at this time.

“Liquid gold,” said the man checking us out, and I agreed. “If you don’t have it, you know it,” he added, and I agreed again. That cheap artificial vanilla just isn’t the same.

Then it was on to the Dollar Tree where Christmas is gradually replacing Halloween. And then on to Albertsons for a few things.

Decorating in progress

“What are you going to do today,” asked the cashier. I can’t imagine she really wanted to know, and I was tempted to say, "I’m shopping," but instead I said I might do some decorating. “It feels like Halloween,” I said. And to my surprise, she agreed. KW

RECYCLING REVISITED

Early in 2017, daughter Hallie wrote to say she was motivated to decrease her carbon footprint and suggested a blog discussion on recycling. I endeavored to step up to the challenge, but truth be told, I’m a skeptical recycler. Yup – I’m one of those who believes that in my community, if not every community, those items I zealously separate from garbage and save into the recycling bins eventually find their way to the transfer station.

As it happened, last year the voluntary recycling program in our community was curtailed. While continuing to accept paper and cardboard, they no longer accept plastics or cans. Well, where does that leave the consumer who is convinced that recycling is essential? Mike and I continue to collect our plastic containers and cans in the garage, sloppy though it is, and then carry them to recycling in the neighboring community when we’re heading that way.

But just looking down that chute where all recyclable items are dumped, I see a jumbled mess, and I just can’t believe that transfer station workers are going to spend hours separating the good from the bad. It looks like garbage, and perhaps more telling, it smells like garbage.

Well, last month I happened to hear a program on NPR where the guest was saying that China has served notice that it will no longer take our recyclables, claiming they aren’t clean and that it’s mixed with garbage. According to the speaker, both Portland and Seattle have lifted bans on accepting plastics at their transfer stations because we literally have no option but to stop shipping our “recyclables” to China. I’m wondering how this will impact the citizens of Seattle, where recycling has been mandatory. Perhaps someone will tell us.

A local feature article, “Recycling Wreck,” in the Lewiston Tribune of July 15, 2018, addresses recycling issues. Recycling programs are still in place in our community, and it appears they will continue in some form, as domestic markets are sought. A big part of the problem is the consumer himself, who fails to adequately separate garbage and recyclables.

It’s a huge problem, and it seems to me we, as citizens of the world, have done little to address it at its source – manufacturing. We’re over-using plastics in packaging, and it’s harmful to our environment in more ways than one – and sometimes tragically so. Well, I’m no expert. I just do what I can, sometimes kicking and screaming as those plastic containers and cans mount up in my garage.

I continue to carry my reusable bags when I shop. And for overall garbage reduction, I also compost kitchen scraps, brown paper, garden waste, etc. What else can I do? KW