It's a VLOG Today

I made this little video this morning, but it has taken 8 hours to upload.  That is because I am back home at the sloooooooooooooooow internet house.

I realize I could upload it faster if I made it crumby quality, but I HATE watching blurry videos, and I assume my readers do too.

I intended to take some still pics, but I forgot because I had to go meet Jerry for lunch.  When I got home, I started a another project after changing into my play clothes.

Here's the little video:

It is 8 PM, and I need to go try on my latest creation.  Haven't decided if I love it or hate it.

I will certainly keep you posted on that though.

I want to make some little videos of our Zoo for a friend.  When she used to be my neighbor, she had dogs and chickens and cats and donkeys and horses and goats and whatever other kind of critter happened into their yard.  She even had a couple of Emus, but I think one kicked her husband or something.

I hated all the cat and dog hair that used to get all over me at her house when I would visit her.  I complained quite loudly, but she just laughed at me.  She told me, "QUIT wearing black when you come to my house!!!"  She would throw a sheet over a barstool and tell me to sit there.

She cannot believe that I now have 4 critters of my own.  I actually had to send her photo proof several months ago.  If I can even make a video, I'm going to TRY to show my critters' personalities.  Hard to do without help, but I don't have any.  If I gave Jerry my camera, he would probably let the dogs EAT IT!

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Sunday Hello, Friends and a New Card

Well, Matthew Hagee preached another awesome sermon today about people living the TRUTH found in God's word.  Living it every day -- not just on Sunday -- as some do.

Then there are those that deny it even is the Word of God, and those that say they "interpret it differently".

In MY opinion...

Say out loud, "THIS IS JOY'S OPINION"!

In my opinion, most of the world doesn't live a Godly life on Sunday or any other day whether or not they profess to be Christians.  Am I referring to the Not-so-Supreme Court.  Yes, but more than that.  We must ALL wake up before a younger, liberalized, godless generation takes over, and there isn't a single shred of decency left to be found anywhere in America.

My soul cries out for God to change hearts and minds before it is too late.  It may already be.

I just heard ANOTHER story a few minutes ago about a household where an alcoholic, drug-addict granddaughter is ruling the roost of her 73-year old grandmother, and the grandmother is miserable and at a loss as to what to do.  She doesn't want anyone to think she is mean, so she won't make the woman leave her home.

HOW MANY TIMES have I heard stories like this????

You will never hear about that happening at my house, and my children and grandchildren will be first in line to tell you that is so.

And that is pretty much how Matthew feels about it too.  Let's not just SAY we love God.  Let's obey His word and live according to it.

I better listen to Joel Osteen real quick, huh???  I love the fact that he has 50,000 members.  Between his church, and Hagee's church with many thousands and our church; SURELY there is hope for a Godly army to arise and march against the evil flooding the hearts and minds of so many people who refuse to believe the truth.

"As in the days of Noah.....", the Bible says.

I will change to a happier note by backing up a few days.

We had SO MUCH FUN the other night.

It was Friday night, and we were at our Edmond home where there are lots of restaurants to choose from.  I asked Jerry if we could go out to eat our last night in a REAL town.  He said, "Sure".  Then he asked me if I would like to go to Red Lobster.

We had not been to Red Lobster in over 10 years.  We had vowed to NEVER, EVER, EVER go back there because the last few times we ate there, the food was bad and the service was bad and the place was dirty.  We figured it may have changed management in 10 years time, and maybe the new manager had fixed everything we didn't like.  Plus, we both love fish.

We left early.  We got there right after 5 PM, and we were the only ones inside the waiting area.  I walked over to the lobster tank to look at the live lobsters, and I decided they looked really sad, and I didn't want to eat one.  I looked up from the tank and noticed this "old guy" waving at me from inside the restaurant.  I looked at him, but I didn't have any idea who he was.  I turned to Jerry who had just joined me at the sad lobster tank, and I said, "Do you know who that old guy is waving at us?"

Jerry recognized him right away and said so.  I figured it was one of his wheelchair customers.  Then Jerry told me who it was, and I went into INSTANT JOYFUL JOY!

I RAN into the room next to the booth where Wes and Mary Lou were seated.  I plopped myself down in the seat next to Mary Lou, and I invited us to eat with them.  We had not seen them since they moved away from near our other house at Lake Texoma several years ago.  We had so much to catch up on.  They had recently visited some other friends we both shared who had moved to Colorado very long ago.

We talked and talked and laughed and laughed and talked and talked.  It was the LOVLIEST evening.  NOT ONLY THAT, I ordered crab legs hoping they would actually contain a few morsels of crab meat inside.  They were delivered in a covered container that kept them hot my entire meal.

They were the BEST crab legs I ever have had.

The girls on one side, and the guys on the other since we just plopped down next to them after they were already seated.

I had to show Mary Lou and Wes the EXCITING card I received in the mail that very day.  I dug and dug through my wallet before I found it.  They couldn't imagine WHAT CARD I could be so excited about.

THEN, I found it, and I showed it to them.

They weren't very excited at all.  They said they had had one for years!

This is a pic I had Jerry take right after I opened it.  He thought I was nuts, but he has learned to just snap the pic when I ask.  I don't get any money for another year, but I do have insurance which is no small thing these days.

That is all I know for now.

Terry came over yesterday and today and we caught up on all our talking.  Now that I just got back home after being gone several weeks, she is leaving for Florida to go to some race.  Her husband really loves races.  I don't think she is nearly as thrilled as he is.

Be back soon with another new blouse.

Wishing you all a WONDERFUL week ahead!  May only good things come your way.

Hugs, Joy

Brilliant Ending to Dress Form Saga

Hey everyone!

I am SEW EXCITED!

I had an adventure yesterday searching for SOMETHING to use to finish my Duck Tape manikin.

I was having some real issues holding Pinky up.

I tried lying her down on the bed.  She liked it there, but I sure couldn't put any clothes on her that way!

Just WATCH THIS short video, and you will understand.  (LAUGH WARNING!)

So you SEE, I HAD to do something.

So I went to Hobby Lobby, and I found the most PERFECT thing to use as a "pole" to thrust up Pinky's back.

Here is a picture of what I found.  I took it to text to Tammy so she could get one too.  She had decided to hang hers from the ceiling like a Pinata because she couldn't think of anything else to do.

Look at that nice neck!  I was really excited to have a neck so I could put my jewelry on it.

Here is a video I made to show you how I put it all together, and you can see my almost-finished new Vogue/Sure-fit Designs blouse.  Still have to hem the armholes and the bottom.

Here is a picture of what the floor looked like after I pulled all the stuffings out of Pinky to insert the new dress form.

It was a real fun job getting all of that BACK into the bag it came out of.  The stuff puffs up and grows when you aren't looking!

For some reason, I like to clean house on Sunday.  It is relaxing to me.  I've had the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the living room all week.  Time to turn it on!

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Dress Forms Continued

We have had SO MUCH RAIN!

I have needed to go buy groceries and other various items since I arrived here.  I decided to wait until it quit raining, but it has rained every day.  I decided I was going out this morning, rain or no rain.  Fortunately, it only dribbled a bit, and I didn't have any issues other than my clean car getting all dirty.

GUESS WHAT I want to do?

I want to make ANOTHER dress form.

Yes!  I feel like Tammy and I have really mastered the process, and I want another one.  I went to Walmart to buy some more tape today, and I had the HARDEST time making up my mind.

Just LOOK at this:

There were SO MANY COLORS.  There was a pretty, shiny GOLD that I loved, but it was only half as much in the package --  10 yards instead of 20.

There was Dark Purple and Violet and Yellow and Light Pink and Dark Pink and Silver and Red and Orange and Turquoise.  So many pretty ones.

First:  I chose Dark Purple.

Then I put it back and chose Violet.

Then I put it back and chose Pink Camouflage.

Then, I finally had a mature thought, and I decided I didn't want something that would clash with the garments I tried on it, so I chose the pretty Tan color that we made Tammy's out of.

So WHY do I want another one?

    #1.   I have two houses.




 #2.  I want it to be wrapped HIGHER so it has a neck, and I want it to be wrapped LOWER so it has hips and a butt.

Look at this gorgeous dress form!  See the NECK.  Very nice color too.



Here is another one with a neck and hips:

This one has a neck, hips, butt AND LEGS!  Am wondering what the poles are.  Looks like the inside core of wrapping paper maybe.




Here is a lady in pink with short legs on her dress form.  I don't need that though.  Maybe if I do #3, lol.




This one looks REALLY WEIRD!  The leg poles make here thighs poke out funny.  Maybe she was riding a horse when she was taped up.



And how NEAT is this one!!!  It looks like she was spray-painted with silver.  Love the pole.  Maybe a lamp used to be on top of it.  Garage sale purchase maybe.


Another pole idea.  I have no idea what it used to be.  Any ideas?




And here you go!

When all else fails, try PVC pipe and cement in a bucket.



Right now, Pinky LaRue is taking a nap on the guest bed.  I'm going to have to figure out SOME way to do a pole.

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS???????????????



Gotta get.  I'm trying to make a blouse, and all the cloudiness has put a damper on my wannagetitdone.

Hugs, Joy

Duck Tape Dress Form

My daughter is SOOOOOOOOOOO dedicated.  She is an amazing nurse at the Heart Hospital and very dedicated to each and every patient assigned to her to the point she works 12 hours without a break or anything to eat.  This upsets me, but there isn't anything I can do about it.

Well, I found out Saturday afternoon when we went to Hancock's to buy Polyfill for our dress forms that she is also very dedicated to complete strangers in a fabric store.

My friends and family have seen me start up conversations with complete strangers wherever I happen to be.  Tammy does it too.  We were in line at the cash register at Hancock's to buy our big boxes of Polyfill.  There were two other ladies in line.

I began talking to the young lady behind me in line and asked her what she was making.  She was talking about a neighborhood "club" of some sort where ladies get together to sew, and she was so excited because they were making a sunglass case, or something simple like that.

She then asked me what was in the big boxes that Tammy and I were buying.  Tammy and I both went into a long, hand-signaled demonstration of what we had been doing all morning.  The young lady (20-ish) was very interested and so was the cashier.  Tammy and I took turns drawing invisible pictures with our hands and arms, and THEN Tammy realized that she had her dress form right outside in the car!

Tammy ran out to her car and grabbed her dress form that she is now calling "Carly" (after Marly at Craftsy) out of her car.  She came back into Hancock's and put it on so the cashier and the customer lady could both see it.  I, of course, ran out to my car and grabbed by cell phone so I could get PROOF that I didn't make this whole story up!

Tammy's husband was quite fascinated with Carly.  He and Tammy couldn't agree as to whether they should put a board on the bottom of Carly or insert a pole up the center of her, so I guess Len decided to give her a hug instead.

This is the only way to hug a girl without a head!

And here is Pinky LaRue.

Don't ask me how I came up with LaRue.  I have no idea!!!

I tore off the waist that Tammy applied to my mystery waistline, and I put this ribbon where I KNOW my waist is.

You can PLAINLY SEE now:  High Shoulder, Low Shoulder

                                                   High Hip, Low Hip

And below you can see:  High Round Back

                                         Sway Back

                                         Flat Butt (or No Butt At ALL!)

And I HAD to try my new top on Pinky.

Amazing!  A perfect fit!

I am going to tape her arms shut, and do something to the bottom.

Jerry said he would cut me a board when I get back home, and then I can stand her on a stool for legs.  I will buy a higher stool though.  I stuffed Pinky a whole bunch more after this pic was taken,  You can literally shove stuffing up inside FOREVER!

OH!  I keep forgetting to tell you that Tammy DOES NOT SEW!  She knits.  This is all about knitting for her; and if you are a knitter, maybe it could help you too.

That is the end of the Duck Tape adventure.  Please try it if you love to sew as I do -- or, if you knit.

It isn't that hard, and it is REALLY YOU!


Hugs, Joy

AMAZING Sermon and Dress Form Video

Oh my goodness!

I hope and pray you will go to GETV.org and listen to Matthew preach today, 6-14-15.  It is MY sermon -- as are most that they preach at Cornerstone -- and I have been trying really hard to preach it to friends and family, but for SOME REASON, nobody wants to receive it from me.  Hopefully, Matthew can get it across.

It is about how our "new" America refuses to believe truth, and they have turned every kind of lie and idiocy into "truth" instead.  So good.

And -- for those of you who requested it -- it is DONE!

Tammy came over yesterday, and we spent most of the day together making DUCK TAPE DRESS FORMS.

We had a TON OF FUN!

This video is 26 minutes long.  If you don't want to watch the whole thing, go to 19 minutes for a good belly laugh at me.

I took some still pics for Marly Bird's Craftsy class, but I haven't gotten them downloaded from the camera yet due to technical difficulties here at my Edmond home which took a lightning strike a while back.  Jerry has been busy working on a replacement computer, but it is giving him lots of complications.  I don't know HOW the man has the patience for it.  I would call in the professionals!

I am currently using my laptop at the kitchen table.

Be back soon.  Let me know WHAT YOU THINK about our "sticky" adventure.

Hugs, Joy

Relocated and Duct Tape Party Tomorrow

Yes, I am sitting in my dark blue recliner in my Edmond living room.  Jerry just put on Band of Brothers which is about WWII.  The soldiers are in France.  Shocking how much suffering and death there was.  Men who were really men.  Brave and strong.  I don't like watching it because it makes me so sad, but Jerry really likes it.

I prefer movies that make me laugh.  Too bad there aren't many in existence.  I've been watching old Carol Burnett Show skits on Youtube lately.  They don't seem as funny as they did when I was a kid.

There is a real funny lady on the internet.  Her name is Jeanne Robertson.  She is hilarious!  I have watched all of her videos though.  Hope she makes some more.  I think she is so pretty.  She looks and sounds very much like my friend, Margaret.  Actually, Margaret is the one that told me about Jeanne.

Tammy is coming over in the morning, and she has agreed to let me make a video or take pics of our duct tape adventure.  Hopefully, this will work a lot better than the last time I attempted it.  I may not have time to do much of it, but I will get something.

Here are a few I found on the web.

WHAT is with this lady?!

She has even done her feet!  How on earth is she going to get this off???



I really like this one.  I think I want mine this color and this long.

This one has a really neat stand holding it up!  I bet there was a really nice hubby involved.



This is a funny one.


The "system" we are using is from Marly Bird's Craftsy class about Plus Size Fitting for Curvy Knits. She is a FUN, easy-to-listen-to young lady.

I better stop.  Time to get the dogs in.

Hugs, Joy

Thursday VLOG

This VLOG has taken over 9 hours to upload.

I'm so glad that I will be at my FAST INTERNET house tomorrow afternoon and the weekend.

Watch me forget the camera!

Anyway, here is my VLOG for you today, 6-11-15.

Leaving town in the morning with the entire zoo.  

It's late.  Time to bring in the dogs and join Jerry in the bedroom.  

Be back soon though.

Hugs, Joy

Sunday's GosPILL and a Video by Request

Yep!  A "gosPILL".

That is what Pastor John Hagee talked about today.  I SWEAR, he is ME in a man's body when he preaches.  He says all the things I TRY to say to people, only people actually LISTEN to him.  When I say the exact same thing -- even if I say, "Pastor Hagee said .....", certain people get FURIOUS with me.  They tell me I'm mean or insensitive or that I don't understand or, or, or......  I just don't get it.  The truth is the truth no matter WHO speaks it.

Isn't that right?

Anyway, at one point in today's sermon on how to defeat depression, Pastor Hagee talked about how many people are on drugs for depression.  He said, "If you have to take a "pill", take the "gosPILL".  It has the answer for every situation including how to raise your kids -- how to live a blessed life -- how to be healthy -- what to do and not to do in order to prosper and be in health -- and what God loves and what God hates and absolutely everything.

AFTER ALL, my friends, God created us.  Wouldn't God know what is best for his own creation?  I certainly believe He does, and I, for one, want to know EXACTLY what He has to say about every subject there is.

And those are my thoughts on that, if anyone cares, lol.

I LOVE the comments I have been receiving requesting MORE VIDEOS and MORE TUTORIALS and MORE BLOGGING.

NOTHING encourages a Choleric more than appreciation.  Really.  It is right in the book.  I read it.  No, not the Bible.  It was a book about personalities written by Florence Littauer.  I read it many times and took the tests over and over.  I always came out the same:  1/2 Melancholy (list-maker, music lover, organization freak, perfectionist) and 1/2 Choleric (bossy and good at running things).

I actually made a new video for you.  It was for my readers that wanted to know how I make waistbands for my sway back.  It isn't that easy, but it works great.  Here it is if anyone would like to watch it:

And some of you always want to see what I'm sewing.

This is the latest which is nothing spectacular, but I do like it.

Remember the bumble bee buttons on the shoulder?  Well, this is the same pattern, New Look 6602, but I chopped the whole bottom off of it.  I think long tops make me look short and wide.  The pants are my TNT Burda Pencil Trousers.  They have been fine-tuned with my Sure-fit Designs pants, but I like the narrow leg in this pattern, and it seemed easier to just use it than to try to restyle the SFD pants.

We will start with the back.  You can certainly see my HIGH LEFT shoulder and my LOW RIGHT shoulder.  My left hip is high and my right hip is low, BUT I hem my tops and my pants and make my waistband APPEAR to be straight, even though they are all crooked!  This is the MAIN reason I make my clothes.  Notice the FLAT BUTT correction.  I removed the sag underneath using Peggy Sager's method.

And, OF COURSE, I put pockets in.

And, OF COURSE, I made matching earrings and put on matching buttons.

I made another NEW STYLE for myself with my Sure-fit Designs, but I looked so horrible the morning I finished it, I don't think I have a decent pic to show you.  It was black background with giant roses.  It is Gertie's fabric.  I'll check to see if I have a decent pic...

Nope.  No good pics.  Maybe I will wear it to work tomorrow and snap a pic for you.  It turned out real cute.

That's all for today.  I'll be back soon though.  Someone requested I make a video about something, but I can't remember right now what it was.  I shall check.

Hope you all SWING into a MARVELOUS, BLESSED, FABULOUS week ahead!  I'm going to say a prayer for every one of you, RIGHT NOW!

Hugs, Joy

Terrific Tuesday!

It wasn't really THAT terrific, but I was ECSTATIC that the sun shined all day long!

Sunshine makes me energetic, and I get a lot done!

I started out by getting the wash started, my shake made, my coffee consumed and my hubby kissed goodbye on his way to the office.

Then I headed upstairs.  I did not have any idea WHAT I was going to do up there today as I had just cleaned up my sewing room from the last project.

I was thinking of starting my new turtle quilt -- or maybe my new wildflower quilt -- or maybe a new top -- or maybe some more pants.  Since I couldn't seem to make up my mind, I decided to PLAY a new game.

I called it playing "Fabric Store".

I was having so much fun, I took a video of it to send to Terry, so I will share it with you if I can figure out how.  Please pardon the chewing!

Hey!  It looks like my short cell phone video is actually loading up here.  Hope it works for you!

So I played Fabric Store for hours until it was time for lunch.  I had a shake for breakfast, but I had not had any of my "three healthy snacks".  I save those up so I can have a sandwich before my noon shake which I have an hour later now.

Phylly says this "lunch" sounds like torture, but I really love it.  I call it a "lettuce sandwich" although it does have a thin slice of cheese in it too.  I make it on 45 calorie bread that I buy at Braum's.  You can see it in my video, but here is a close-up:

This bread has a big hole in the middle of each slice, so I figure it isn't even 45 calories!

Soooooooooooooo, after I ate my sandwich and I went back to my fabric stash I found the prettiest two pieces that went together.  I decided I would stop everything, and make a pair of pants today and a top to match tomorrow.

I worked the rest of the afternoon making the pants.  They are done except for waistband and hems.  They take a long time because I have to have pockets in them on each side.  There is a zip fly in the front.

Now it is 8:20 at night, and I am waiting for Jerry to come in after mowing the lawn.  He is so good about that.  He is pretty good about everything though.  I would be out there with him, BUT something in the air doesn't like my nose right now.

Be back soon modeling my new outfit.  Have no idea WHAT blouse I'm going to make.  PLUS, I took out at least four other pieces I loved to make four more blouses.  While I was sewing this afternoon, I watched Peggy Sager's Youtube videos which are very good.  I started one video of hers, and when it was done, another popped up, and then another, and then another.  It was a lovely afternoon.  I have learned so much from her.  She really is the MOST generous teacher and lovely person.

If you are new to sewing, PLEASE introduce yourself to Peggy Sager's videos.  Her newest ones are excellent quality and much better lighting.

Hugs, Joy