Progress and Planning

This week has gotten off to a wonderful start. My penchant for planning luckily is appreciated by my hubby. Each week I create a list of ideas for dinner and lunch, and try and schedule study time and movie time. We don't always follow said schedule but it gives me an idea of what can be made and what can be accomplished during the week. This week my lovely planning needs have helped me allocate time to start my project for my first swap and even complete my bag from this great book....

Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

I made the great big tote bag which allows me to stow practically everything in it and bring all of my treasures just about anywhere. I used sturdy heavy weight material not just cotton because I know I can be brutal to my bags and it came out beautifully.

I'll add a picture of the bag once I take just the right one, I promise.

I learned from this experience that a particular needle is definitely needed dependent upon the type of fabric being used. Also it's a good thing to wear glasses while you are sewing if you forget to change said needle and it breaks and launches at your face. I broke oh, three needles accomplishing this piece and I vow I will try the project again but will make several adjustments and I am sure one needle this time will be sufficient.

I was privileged to meet Ms. Ross in person and she was a delight. She demonstrated the smocking technique which is featured in her book and I plan on measuring my nieces this weekend (more on that later) to make them all a dress. This book is a definite recommendation for sewers out there. I loved the projects and can't wait to make the dresses and much more.

Now for the weekend...my best friend is flying in from Texas and we are going to veg out and catch up for as long as I can keep her, can't wait and then I'll be seeing my nieces and nephews from hubby's side on Saturday afternoon and then Saturday evening heading over to my AutoBot brother's house to watch this movie with his girls (did I mention that he and Nemo (his doggie) are seriously outnumbered in their own house by girls; I love it)!!!! So here's the movie....

Ballet Shoes is based on a novel by Noel Streatfeild and this movie version features Emma Watson, Hermione from the Harry Potter movies. Per Amazon.com "Orphans Pauline (Emma Watson), Petrova (Yasmin Paige), and Posy (Lucy Boynton) are being raised by an elder sister Sylvia (Emilia Fox) and her Nana (Victoria Wood) in the absence of their eccentric great uncle Matthew (Richard Griffiths). As Sylvia struggles to educate and support her three charges on very limited funds, she is forced to let rooms and enroll the girls in the Academy of Dance and Stage Training in hopes of furthering their education and preparing them to earn a comfortable living. While at the academy, each of the three ambitious girls discovers her own personal calling and labors intensively to achieve her dreams: Pauline studies to become a star on the stage, Petrova gravitates toward a career in aviation, and Posy trains to become a great classical ballerina. Their paths are difficult and full of adversity, but the sisters' steadfast support of one another and common resolve to earn a place in the history books based on their own merits propels each of them toward individual success. A compelling and inspirational film that encourages young women to strive for their dreams. "

All of us girls, Nala included will be watching the movie, eating cupcakes and having a ball.