The land of the unemployed

My unemployment insurance ran out this week and it is time to apply for the next tier. True to form DC said I did not work in DC, since my address is not in DC I assume, and I must apply through the state I live in. After going around in circles with the PA system where there does not seem to be any offices one can go to, I have applied over the internet. We will see what happens from here. All I know is one does not need to be hungry when drawing unemployment insurance as it is small enough when one gets it and really small when one has to jump through hoops to get it.

In the meantime I will continue on with sudying couture sewing, making shirts, quilts, and whatever else I can download free from internet. I love the internet it is a source of all things good, at least for me. I also purchased a 24x24 inch canvas to oil paint Georgia O'Keefes poppy on for our master bathroom.

Entertained a couple of friends last night and tried a new pok roast receipe. It was perfect as was the evening.

May life treat you well,

Caroline

Never cut two cups of Jalapenos without wearing gloves

This crazy Summer weather - not to mention the crazy Spring weather really confused my tomatoes. They did not start until late and now with the temp getting down in the 40s at night they are not ripening. Problem solved. Picked the ones worth picking, tore out the vines and spent the day making green salsa. Now in the process of making the salsa I had to chop up two cups of Jalapenos and a couple of Poblanos to add to the salsa. Chopped them without gloves and my hands burned for about two hours after.

You can take the girl out of Texas but you cannot take the desire for good Tex-Mex out of the girl. And in this case the guy, spouse, loves good Tex-Mex. I do not expect this salsa to be as good a Mrs. Renfros but I will work on it. Actually Mrs. Renfros has no tomatoes in it so there can be no comparison. Hers is made with just Jalapenos and is hot, hot, hot.

Bet she is smart enough to not chop them without gloves. Above is the fruits of my labor. Should have gotten more for all the pain I went through.

On another note I signed up for a couture sewing class and received the pattern for the class today. Really looking forward to this on-line class. Also have a commision from a friend to make a camp shirt for her significant other. That material arrived today from E-Quilter, the friend picked it out, it is beautiful as you can see by the pic. He is going to look great.

That is all for today.

May life treat you well,

Caroline

100 Quilts for Kids

I am sending on a web page I got from a Oh, Fransson! blog. If you are a quilter you may be interested. http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2012/09/100-quilts-for-kids.html

I have been working in my studio today - trying to get it setup. It is hard since Dave has only had two weeks since his operation on his knee. But we are getting there. Cannot wait to post pics of it.

Finished two more Sun Bonnet Sue pillows. Decided I am going to make the fourth into a wall hanging instead of a pillow. But in the meantime I have to make a coverlet into a duvet since the stuffing shifted during cleaning. What a bore.

May life treat you well,

Caroline

Couture Sewing or Why I Love The Internet

Whoo Hoo, signed up for an online couture sewing class with instructor Susan Kahlje. Really looking forward to this as I have always loved couture and I have been following Susan for a long time. Class comes with a Vogue pattern and does not expire. Looking at the projects on the class page I see many people have already taken it and submitted their work for others like me to look at. This is fun - I love the internet - all doors are open.

I have made and sold mens tropical or camp shirts before. Have also sold many of my fabric bags and totes. I have sewn for over 50 years but have not really done couture sewing. In a day of get it done as fast as you can, does microwave brownies ring a bell, courture sewing is old fashioned. But I believe if you want something that is just yours - it is the way to go. I am really looking forward to designing my own fabric, using Spoonflower.com, to sew with - now that is "just yours".

Will keep you posted on the progress of this class as well as the quilt block of the month class with instructore Amy Gibson which I also just signed up for. All on Craftsy.com - check it out some of the classes are free.

Until next time,
May life treat you well,
Caroline

Has it been two months?????

Goodness - a lot has happened. My spouse Dave has had a knee replaced and is still moving slow. He cannot yet drive. His being incapacitated has added to my duties around here - but that is what married folk do. I have joined a local gym and am disciplining this rather sad body. Never too late.

Adding to my Etsy store and hopefully will sell something soon. But in the meantime I have made some real nice items. Also hoping someone reads this blog at sometime in the near future. When I first started I really did not want anyone to read it as I was shy, but now I am really ready to be read and to sell. Also want to start my own website along with Dave - he is an excellent black and white photographer - old school film and prints them in his own darkroom. I have added one of his pictures to this blog as it is one of my favorites.

I have started with children items for my store. Sun Bonnet Sue is the beginning. Tarpunto effect, machine creative stiching, hand sewing. Enclosed a pic of the first one done. I have added several other fiber artists blogs to my reading list.

Until next time - may life treat you well.

Caroline