March And The Unbreakable Lion

Today is March 25th; according to the calendar, this means that the current season is, in fact, Spring. However, if I look out my window, my eyes see a few feet of snow on the ground. There is so much snow, that the glare from the sun hitting the snow hurts my eyes. The sunshine is, most certainly, Spring sunshine. These sunny days do bring a glimmer of hope that, eventually, I'll see grass on the ground. At first, it won't be pretty green grass, but the muddy and dead brown grass.. still, it won't be snow.

The channel playing in the other room is informing me of a nor'easter coming my way. Yes, another messy snow storm is heading for New England. This has been an ongoing plot line this winter. Now that it's Spring, I'd really like a reprieve from all the fluffy white stuff. The long winter is common in New England. The transition from Winter to Spring is always unpredictable. Most New England residents find a way to make the most of the weather. They take advantage of the snow for outdoor recreation, or they use that time to catch up on their reading or another hobby that gets neglected over the summer months. I've done all of these things and now, I'm ready to transition into Spring.

Did I mention a nor'easter heading my way? This puts a bit of a crimp in my plans. However, it's not all doom and gloom and Ladytoesocks will not be bothered. Over the next few weeks, I will be preparing for warm weather, because it is coming. Once the warm weather is here, I want to take full advantage of it. So, I've decided to begin my Spring cleaning next week. While the outdoors still looks like it's January, I'll be indoors, clearing away clutter, cleaning curtains, dusting, removing cobwebs and pine needles and all of the winter debris. This way, once the nice weather arrives I'll have the free time to spend on my garden.

There are other ways in which I have avoided the blues, grays and all around blahs. I have re-introduced summer treats, while indoors. The things that I enjoy doing and treats I enjoy eating, I play with now. I bought myself a hula hoop! Yes, the prices of hula hoops drop tremendously during the winter months. So, I bought one for a few dollars and it's fantastic! Not only is it fun, but it's surprisingly excellent exercise; it also lifts my spirits. I like to hula while I watch re-runs of Merlin on Netflix. Another trick that I like to use is, I like to make myself a treat, like a nice latte and watch the show McLeod's Daughters on either Hulu or Netflix. No matter how cold it is on that show, Australia always looks far warmer than New England. On that show, they spend a lot of time outdoors, riding horses or driving around in their utes, or sitting on their veranda, drinking beer and eating summery food. Sigh, it almost makes me forget that it's cold outside.

The next few weeks will be filled with preparations for warmer weather and more crafting, all of which I look forward to sharing with you! Until next time~ Toodahloo!



Fighting A Cold...

 

 

This is what my desk, typically, looks like each morning. Lately, I haven't had the energy to be tremendously crafty. I have been fighting a cold for a few weeks now, and it really is physically draining. Last week, I felt better and I decided to crack down on my sewing machine. I removed the plate and I REALLY gave the machine a deep cleaning. I felt like this would resolve my problem with my stitches catching. So, I did a test run and the stitches are now fine; however, the foot which feeds the fabric it set too low. I gave the machine another look and it turns out that the plate wasn't put back into place, properly, after I cleaned it. For some reason, I can't seem to move it. I decided to set it aside and try again on another day. Then, my cold came back again. Apparently, this is how this particular cold works. I have been taking things easy and not jumping into projects that might be too messy.



 

Rather than, working on the projects that I want to work on, I've been researching topics on Pinterest and finding some inspiration. I did bake some really delicious pumpkin muffins with dark chocolate chips. They are large muffins that are big on taste. I used a recipe that I found in a Yankee Magazine cookbook. Like most of my baking, I adapted the recipe to suit the ingredients that I had on hand. In the afternoon, it's lovely to sit with a cup of dark roast coffee and a pumpkin muffin and either browse Pinterest, read the blogs that I follow or watch a show online.

 

Speaking of shows, the upside to January is the television programming. Since it is way too cold to do anything outside, and I'm too sick with cold to desire the outdoors, it's the perfect time to get cozy and watch tv. January has treated me with "Downton Abbey," "Sherlock," "Pretty Little Liars," and the US version of "Being Human."

 

Lately, "Pretty Little Liars" has gone to a new level of creepy and since I've been watching so much "Sherlock" I can't help but wonder how he would solve the mystery of "A" if he were to take on the case. I'm pretty certain that I know who is the mysterious -A. I know that the show is trying to set it up to look like one character, but I think they are doing that to throw off the fans. Although, I will not say who I think it is, I will say that I have suspected this character for a while, but the show would move into another direction and distract me. After this weeks episode, I decided that my theory was right. Then, since I don't have much to do, but watch tv, I watched episodes from previous seasons on Netflix and found more clues to support my theory. It could be that I've watched one too many episodes of "Sherlock" ( can one, really, watch too much Sherlock?), but I'm certain about this.

It's time for a fresh cup of coffee and a muffin. Once I feel better, I should craft something. If not, I find something else to keep me entertained. Until then~ Toodaloo!

What's Going In My Bag?

Happy Friday to my readers! I have watched many vlogs on Youtube, in which some of my favorite vloggers featured the inner workings of their handbags. In these telling vlogs, all sorts of random necessities are removed from the bags; followed by either confusion, repulsion, excitement and or embarrassment expressed by the vlogger.
Today, I thought that it would be more fun for me to reveal what I'm packing into my handbag. Before I begin, I should first explain that I am one of those people who like to me prepared for any situation. ** Also, any brand names that appear in my bag are supplies that I purchased or was gifted by others and I have not been paid to show these objects. I just happen to like these products, and I'm not being paid to say so.** So, here it goes.....

 

I like to make little emergency kits. I re-use plastic bags from other travel kits. They are great to have in a handbag, because they zip up (keeping items from falling out), the plastic is easy to clean and it's easy to find needed items since the bag is clear. In this kit, I have a miniature sewing kit (which includes many extra safety pins), bandages, pain reliever, hand sanitzer, mouthwash, toothpaste (not pictured), hand salve, ointment and cuticle cream.

 

This emergency kit is more for cosmetic emergencies. Included in this kit is: more hand sanitizer, lip balm, face moisturizer, eye liner, mini-mascara, eye shadow stick, rose pink lip balm (which can double as a blush). I also have hair ties, clips and a miniature mirror. I think I should add some pressed powder in the future; but for now, this will do.

 

 

Here is the rest of the things I'm packing in my handbag. I have my two kits, gum, mints, granola bar, crackers, a baggie with green tea and instant coffee, a manicure kit, oil blotters, perfume samples, sunglasses, wallet, notebook, book lamp, cell phone, mp3 player, and yes.....a sonic screwdriver = the essentials!

 

 

All of the above fits, nicely, in my bag with room left for a kindle and any other extra snacks, lip sticks or techy toys! It is very organized and handy for any random scenario. This is how Ladytoesocks functions.

 

 

In other news, I cleaned my sewing machine and my fingers are crossed for a successful completion of my leg warmer project. I hope that it works so that I can move on to other projects.

 Until then~ Toodahloo!



 



It's Sunday and It's Finally Warm(ish)!

So, some of you may have heard, but for those who haven't, it's been a very frigid week in New England. Most days, I woke to temperatures of -10 to -20 F. The rest of the days didn't seem to get much above 5 degrees F. Taking my dog outside was a task that even he found to be painfully difficult. Although he did wear his jacket any time he was out doors, his legs and feet quickly felt the chill and he needed to be rescued. Mind you, I watched him from the window at all times, and the short time that he was out felt a lot longer...poor pooch.
Also, this week we experienced a massive snow storm, which reached blizzard conditions. The local schools were cancelled and all I wanted to do was stay inside, with blankets piled on top of me, while I sat and watched old episodes of "Manor House."
"Manor House" was a perfect choice for the week, since "Downton Abbey: Season 4" will be premiering on PBS this evening, and I can hardly wait. The ending to the Christmas special left me speechless, briefly, then a series of unpleasant words oozed out of my mouth. However, I had an odd feeling that something terrible would happen in the end, as things were just too lovely to remain and there was still 20 minutes left to the show. So, tonight will be a delight.
If you haven't watched "Manor House," it can be found online for streaming. It was on tv over a decade ago; PBS aired it, but I missed out when it was on then. I remember watching "The Victorian House" and I found the experiment to be very interesting. "The Manor House" is delightful, showing what life would have been like for those working downstairs for those who lived upstairs. The show is set during the time period of the first season of "Downton Abbey" and it also shows what life was like for the aristocracy. However, this series is far less romantic than DA, but as a reality series it's refreshing.
Finally, it reached 20 degrees F today; it felt so warm! Next week, Fred and I will return to home and we'll begin a new year of crafting, baking and crazies. If you get to watch DA, do enjoy yourself! Until next time~ Toodahloo!

My First Post For 2014!

Hello there, it's been over a month since my last post. It's been a very busy time for Lady Toesocks, So, when I last posted, I was still trying to work out some leg warmers. I decided to set that project aside until after the holidays. The project isn't at all difficult to attempt, it's more an issue with the sewing machine. I have been dreading the issue, but I am certain that I need to take the area around the bobbin apart and clean it. I had to do this last summer and it is a terrible chore to do. This is the sort of thing that I really didn't want to be bothered with during the holiday season.

Usually, I utilize my sewing machine for a number of projects during the holidays, as I tend to make numerous homemade gifts. However, this year I was too tired to do that. When I was home from work, I just wanted to rest. Even though my creative spirit desired projects, lack of time and energy forbade it. Really, between Thanksgiving and Christmas if I wasn't at work, I was running around preparing for the event, decorating, baking or wrapping gifts. It left little time for socializing or craft projects. I considered writing about my Christmas Eve baking, but I was too busy baking.

So, now that the holidays are winding down I will map out how I want to blog. I still have a few more Christmas mini celebrations with two friends left to enjoy. Right now, I am away from home, another holiday related excursion. In a few days I'll return home and can consider a plan for creativity. I should also sit down and give my machine a deep cleaning, in order to finish my leg warmers......

I hope that 2014 will bring on more inspiration for food and crafts projects. I also hope to read more, this year. Last year was dreadful when it came to my reading list. I also hope to start writing about other things that I enjoy, my frugal side. Here's to a new year and a whole year of possibility! Until next time~ Toodahloo!

Sewing Machine Whisperer

I have been wishing to craft a pair of leg warmers and a handy mug cuff. I decided, back in August, that I would wait until the Fall to do this. My intent was to devote the last of my summer to refashioning thrift store apparel. Well, the summer has come and gone and I did manage to refashion many thrift store finds. However, when it came to making those leg warmers, it was just something that I kept putting off. I can't explain why it seemed like such a task, but I procrastinated.
The other day, I finally convinced myself was that that day was THE day to make those leg warmers and a mug warmer/ mug cuff. First, I made the mug warmer, that was easy enough. Then, I made one leg warmer and that was a success. I was on a roll, as I had anticipated, the project was seemingly easy.  I wondered why I had waited so long to do this craft and I was relieved to have it done and to have something to post. Things were going swimmingly and everything was falling perfectly into place.
I began work on the second leg warmer, when things suddenly went wonky. First, the thread broke. Then, I finished sewing a line, only to discover that the thread had slipped out of the needle a few stitches in. Then, the sewing machine began to scream at me and an error code appeared on the display. After which, I had to take apart the machine and dig out a rats nest of thread around the bobbin. After a few failed attempts at the leg warmer, I decided to remain calm and walk away.
I have yet to resume the project. I feel that, after a little research, I can discover the source of the error and, from there, pick up where I left off. When I find my nerve, I'll complete the project and write about it.
I really wish that I was a sewing machine whisperer. It would be so nice to be able to say soothing words in a gentle tone and convince the sewing machine to do what I wish it to do. I've been using a sewing machine, off and on, for about 17 years and they are still a mystery to me. When those leg warmers are ready, I'll write then.
 Until then~ Toodahloo!

Only Two Days Until Halloween!

I finally logged on, after a long break, and discovered how long I've been away! I have been very busy with work and when I have a day off, I feel less than inspired. I have kept up with my normal Fall traditions. I've decorated the house, inside and out, I've made gallons of caramel corn and made a batch of squash doughnuts. However, I didn't bother to photograph any of this, because it would be a repeat of previous posts.

Lately, I have been wanting to make some leg warmers. I think about it, then I look at my sewing machine, then I come up with a reason NOT to work on a craft. It's not that I have lost my crafting mojo, it's just that I am taking a bit of a rest before the intense winter crafting tasks over. In the meantime, I have been cleaning and re-organizing my work space, and this is all in preparation for craft time.

I have also been working on various cocoa, coffee and tea drinks for the colder season. Mostly, I have been curling up, with my doggy and a hot cup of coffee and watching endless hours of shows on Netflix. For the most part, I watch re-runs of "Eureka," "Heartland" and "Haven." Since my day job involves a lot of time spent on a computer, the last thing that I want to do at the end of a long day is play on a computer. Instead, I want to bask in the comfort of an imaginary land, inhabited by Canadian actors.

Soon, I will map out which crafts I wish to make and decide when I will make the time to make them. Maybe I will write about my various hot beverage recipes.
 Until then~ Toodahloo!

Repairing A Quilt

 

This week, I've begun work on repairing my quilt. I made this quilt five years ago, roughly, and my dogs have done their worst to it. Now that Fall is right around the corner and the nights are much, much cooler, I will be using my quilt soon. It has been in need of repair for a year, but I dreaded the work. This is one of those projects that I wouldn't attempt to do in one day. All the hand stitching can lead to cramped joints and calloused fingertips. I really have no desire to injure myself for the sake of a craft. At the same time, it's a lovely quilt and I want it to last a long time. So, the work must be done. I began repairing it a little at a time. Fortunately, I saved all of the left over fabric from the first time that I constructed the quilt.

 

This quilt project really began in the 1980's, but I didn't complete it until 2008. A long time ago, while I was in the second grade, a lovely lady from my community came to my class and taught us all how to sew a square. From that moment on, I developed a bit of a fascination with quilts. I had attempted many quilts, throughout my childhood, which was really just a mess of scrap fabric, hastily sewn together and then cast aside. Then, I watched the "Anne of Green Gables" miniseries on PBS, and thus began a lifelong obsession with all things "Anne" and later, Maud.

 

In 2008, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I used that time to develop and nurture hobbies. I researched quilting on the internet and made my first quilt, a memory quilt, for my mum. After that experiment turned out to be quite successful, I decided to continue with my quilting hobby. It was during the time that I was assembling the memory quilt, that I fished out my old VHS tapes of the "Anne" trilogy. I would watch the movies as I passed the day away, working on the quilt. Christmas arrived and I presented my mum with her quilt, and I was presented with the "Anne" trilogy on DVD.

 

This is where the obsession deepened, this is where my A.O.G.G. fangirlness, grew to resemble that same fanaticism found in Whovians, Trekkies, and Star Wars nuts. Yes, A.O.G.G., is my "Star Wars" trilogy. With the DVD's, I was able to focus on scenes that I was unable to scrutinize with a VHS tape. In the movie "Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story" or "Anne of Avonlea" as I grew up with, "Anne" has many scenes shot in her bedroom. The scene where she prepares for the clam bake and the scene where she has a meltdown after her "Jonah Day" are both shot in the same area of the room. Both of these scenes include her bed on which is a beautiful quilt. I was OBSESSED with the quilt while growing up. In my research, I could never find who crafted the quilt, nor could I ever find any information or images of it. So, one day, I took my DVD and I advanced to all of the scenes that showed the quilt. Then, I would zoom the screen and pause the film. This enabled me to chart out the pattern as best as I could. Then, I went out and found fabric that was similar to the color and I assembled the quilt over a period of three months. What can I say, I LOVE this quilt!

 

Now, I am repairing the quilt, after my dogs had accidentally ripped out some stitches and some patches have become threadbare. This time, however, as I work on the quilt, I am not watching the Anne films or the "Emily of New Moon" tv series (which I also have on DVD). Instead, I am watching seasons 1 and 2 of the tv show "Haven" on Netflix. I love this show! In some way it makes sense to watch it, even though it's set in Maine, it's filmed in Canada (I think in NS and that's close enough to PEI). So yes, in my own silly way it all makes perfect sense.

 

Soon, the quilt will be repaired, cleaned and ready for Fall. Then, when I finish that project, I have my heart set on making leg warmers. Until then~ Toodahloo!

A Fun New Sweater

When I purchased a bag of clothes from the local thrift store, nearly a month ago, I snagged a men's extra large sweater. I originally grabbed it to convert into a skirt. However, as time went on and my relationship with my sewing machine had been challenged, I scrapped the skirt idea. Instead, I decided to make a women's sweater out it. Here are the before and the after photos:

 

I achieved this by placing a shirt on mine on top of the sweater. With the sweater inside out, I lined the necklines of the shirt and sweater together. From there, I pinned the sweater all around the outline of the shirt. Using a zigzag stitch, I sewed the sweater to the perfect size and trimmed off the excess material.

For an added feminine touch, I ironed on heart shaped brown felt patches onto the elbows; making the perfect sweater. Now that the weather has turned colder, this will be great to wear tomorrow. The sweater is made of cotton, not wool, so it will be just right for this time of year. Until next time~ Toodahloo!

Cookies For Fred

Today, I made mint and parsley cookies for Fred. Lately, he's had a terrible habit of snacking on the cats food, which leaves him with terrible breath. He really does not like the experience of having his teeth brushed. To be honest, it isn't much fun for myself, either. These cookies are made with oat flour, milled flax seed, coconut oil, fresh mint, and dried parsley. I have a LOT of mint in the herb garden, and this is a fantastic way to use it. Freddie absolutely loves these cookies and I love that it makes his breath minty fresh.

Today was a much cooler day than usual. The cooler temperatures made it easier to bake in the kitchen and not feel over heated. It is going to be very chilly tonight, there might even be a frost. When I took Fred for a walk today, I saw more leaves scattered on the lawns that we passed and more change trees are changing color. By the end of the month, Fall with arrive and it will be officially time for festive craft projects, baking and decorating. Until then..~Toodahloo!

So Long, August

I have been avoiding posting all week; after the plaid skirt experience, I just didn't wish to write about it. However, after all that was endured, the skirt was a success. So, here is the before and after of the dreaded skirt.

This is what the skirt looked like, before I cut it open. It was a very long wrap skirt, with a tiny waistline. Pictured below is the resulting aftermath: a much shorter skirt with a more accommodating waistline. I also added the pocket, so that my lip balm would remain, securely, on my person.On the left side of the skirt, at the hip, is an added zipper; which was a HUGE pain to add, but entirely necessary.

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, it was a struggle to finish this project. I was very happy and quite relieved when I finally completed the skirt. With any luck, I'll be happy to wear it. It will be a few months before it's cold enough to wear. Perhaps by then, I won't have such terrible emotions attached to the skirt.....maybe.

 

Yesterday, I finished another skirt and a sweater alteration. I have several repurposing projects that I will do soon, and I'll blog about them too! It is the last day of August; and in many ways the unofficial end of summer here, in New England. The leaves on the trees are already beginning to change color, marking the transition into Fall. Soon, I will be waking to chillier days. My future projects will be reflective of the changing seasons and I'm looking forward to the change.

Tonight, as I sit here typing this post, rain is falling heavily outside my window. Undaunted, I will sip hot cocoa, with Fred at my side, as we sit to watch a movie. Until next time. ~Toodahloo!