Exciting News!

Actually, nobody but me is going to be excited about this, but I nearly fell off the scale this morning.  I expected to step up on it as I do EVERY morning -- stark naked after my shower -- and read 150.8 or 151.4 or something in between.  I finally accepted the fact that I would probably never weigh less than 150 pounds again.  I did want to make sure that I didn't get back up to 157 again, however.  Jerry was at the sink. 

I stepped up on the Denise Austin digital scale and glanced down and COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES!  It read 149.0!  I squealed with delight and Jerry looked to see what I was squealing about.  I said, "It says 149 today!  I finally got under 150!"

He hugged me and kissed me and said how proud of me he was.  I was pretty proud of myself!  This DESM diet really works!

If I wasn't going to Kingfisher tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving Family Day with Jerry's Mom at Countrywood, I would whip up a couple more pair of pants that fit me.  I'm getting tired of pulling my pants up all day long!  At least I'm not having to put a bra extender on every day after lunch.  That is REALLY nice.  I may, however, have to start filling the bra cups with cotton balls soon.

One of my employees called me earlier this evening on her way home to tell me her son who plays in a band is going to be on Jay Leno tonight.  That means I have to stay up VERY LATE for me.  His band is called the Mowglie's (I think).  Of course, I have never heard of it.  I listen to Jackie Evancho and Josh Groban.  I am really happy for her though.  Her son lives in California, and he has been trying to "make it" for years and years.  She said their #1 song is called "San Francisco".  Never heard of it either.  She told me to look for her on the red carpet soon.  I will!

I'm headin' to the nearest recliner just as soon as I get in my jammies.  Jerry has given Boots and Barney -- our 2 cats -- their nightly treat.  I would give it to them, but Jerry says I don't do it right.  Fine.  He is welcome to the privilege.  He is now at his desk building a computer for his brother who we see only at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I'm not to ask any questions, so I'll go read or something. 

Hugs, Joy 

Pants Pictures, Praise for SFD and Thanks Laurie!

I deleted my post which hopefully, you didn't see, about my work problems.  It depressed me, so I removed it.  I went yesterday and was able to get everything resolved at least through the holidays.  I'm taking off my worry hat until NEXT YEAR.  Sounds like a long time away, doesn't it?

I am delighted to report that the plain old, by-the-book, SFD pant pattern fits me really well!  I didn't have to do all that crotch bowl stuff to it. 

Here are pictures of my turquoise pants with the crotch curve correction in them.  This fabric is a stretch cotton.  I used the SFD system, but made the crotch curve match my "bowl".  What this actually does is make the actual crotch portion quite long and the front and back seams above that quite short.

You can see the fit in the butt is pretty good, but it is TOO fitted.  If you recall -- or watch my crotch curve videos -- you take a tuck under the seat in the back to take out the extra fabric UNDER the butt.  This does make the pants CUP under your butt; HOWEVER, it also creates drag lines that require you to take a tuck from the outside of the leg.  See pic below. 

Here you can see the drag lines in the leg caused by the Peggy Sager's butt tuck, and you can see that when I take a tuck on the outside of the leg, they go away. 

I did wear these pants all day the other day.  They were very comfortable, and Jerry didn't say anything about them looking horrible, so I guess they are okay.  They certainly look as good as most RTW on me.

I had the choice of fixing my blueprint by adding the tuck from the outside leg, or starting over.  I decided to start over with a new SFD pants drawing and just TRUST the fit as it came out with NO CROTCH CORRECTIONS. 

I happened to have about six yards of this lightweight camo fabric in the closet that I bought when my 20-year old grandson was a little boy.  I decided he probably didn't want his Grandma making him camo pants anymore, so I pulled it out of the closet to use for my "muslin".  Here's how it turned out:

I really love these, and I am sorry the front fly -- flap ? -- and the pockets don't show up better.  The pockets are from Glenda's Mix 'N' Multiply Pants book, and I love them so much! 

WHY do I love them so much?

Because they stay FLAT against my body.  You can hardly tell they are there.  I can put my cell phone in one and my little credit card wallet in the other.  All ready for fabric shopping!

And I was happy enough about all of this pants success, when I heard from my new friend, Laurie, in Missouri.  She makes jewelry too, only she is way ahead of me.  My friend, Margaret, introduced me to her, and I've wanted to run away with her ever since for private jewelry-making lessons.  Laurie JUST HAPPENED to make some leather/chain bracelets for a craft show recently, and she JUST HAPPENS to have made one with green leather.  I hope she doesn't mind that I snatched this photo from Facebook.  She is mailing that bracelet to me so I can buy it to go with my camo pants!!!

THANK YOU, Laurie!

I've got to go.  I'm supposed to be packing to go to our other house tomorrow.  We have Thanksgiving with Jerry's Mom at Countrywood on Saturday.  And I NEED a Phylly-fix.  We are dragging our husbands to dinner with us one night next week so they can see what a delight we are together.  (-;  I know they will be enthralled with our conversation about coats and pants and fabric and Thanksgiving and stuff.

JUST realized that Jerry and I are going to have to go to Sears up there every day to do our Elliptical exercises!  We have worked all the way up to SEVEN minutes!  We can't stop now.

Until soon!                         Hugs, Joy

Crotchety Crotches and Red Coat "Bagging" Time

I am having a hard time accepting the fact that it is November and not Spring here.  It has been in the high 80's for weeks with an occasional 75.  I haven't even worn a sweater unless it was freezing in a restaurant.  Until late last night, I still had my air conditioners on.  I've said before that I like it COOL in the house.  It keeps me chipper and busy and awake.  Jerry would have it 80 in here all the time if I didn't go berzerk every time he touches the thermostats.  We had a big argument before bed last night.  He wanted to put the thermostats on 74.  I said, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! -- I will MELT and my nose will dry out!"

He finally agreed to put the termostats on 70 while telling me what a complete nut case I am.

That's not news, so I don't know why he brings it up.

About 5 AM this morning, I was awake and SHIVERING from head to toe under my covers.  Who knew it was going to be 30 degrees last night?  Not me.  I didn't DARE ask Jerry to turn the thermostat up for me so I wouldn't turn into a block of ice, so I had to get out of bed and do it myself.  All the way up to 72 it went, and I jumped back in bed.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Just right.  I went back to sleep.

I did confess when I got up that I nearly froze to death in the night.  Jerry just said, "I DON'T want to hear it!!!"

And, yes, I did finish my turquoise stretch cotton pants made from the SFD pattern I refined to match my "bowl" exactly.

I can now make a very important announcement:

If you aren't in your 20's or 30's and built like Brooke Burke Charvet (DWTS) or Britney Spears, do you REALLY WANT your EXACT buttocks shape to be highlighted with fabric that is formed in the EXACT same shape???? 

Let me answer that for you.

NO!, you don't.

I'll show you a picture of the different crotches I have come up with.  I haven't been in the "mood" to pose for them yet.  Today or tomorrow.

I'm still working on the red coat, but I got stumped on the BAGGING part as it applies to the sleeves.  I also noticed while re-re-re-re-reading the instructions, that I was supposed to cut off the bottom inch of all the pattern pieces when cutting out the lining.

Right now, I've got to get showered and shaved and dressed and ready for this gorgeous Fall day.

Many happy thoughts falling your way.

Hugs, Joy

Final One World Order

Rev. Hagee is still preaching the Four Coming Blood Moons series.  Very good!  He agrees with me.  God DID answer our prayers in this election.  Everything is going according to God's plan.  Tina was right when she told me God will protect us and be with us no matter what happens.  That is what Hagee said today.

I have complained for years about the Occult being everywhere -- tv, schools, movies -- and people just embracing it like it was harmless.  I assure you, it is NOT harmless!!!  My kids and grandkids think I'm just an old fogee, and I don't like anything, and I just don't fit in.  They ARE RIGHT!  I DON'T fit in, and I don't ever intend to!

I've lost a lot of friends for stating my opinions about the occult.  It's a wonder I made it through Halloween this year without losing another one.  I was absolutely shocked that my daughter, who could preach the whole Bible to you, took her daughter to see a movie about a vampire in love with a young girl.  (That was years ago.)  I let her know how wrong I thought that was.  Our young people are inundated with that kind of filth straight from the Pit of Hell, and parents don't have a clue.  Usually, the parents love it too.  So many books, tv programs and movies about vampires.  Young people with blood dripping from their teeth!  I can't even stand the commercials, and change the channel or turn off the tv.  

And I brought that up because Hagee talked about the Tower of Babel and how it was an occult tower with occult markings on it rising up into the sky.  The first "One World Order" movement.  The purpose was to do away with all diversity -- all religions -- anything not "politically correct".  The same spirit has been with us ever since.  People who want ONE WORLD RULE:  Hitler, Stallin, The Illuminati, The United Nations.  It all centers around Godlessness and perversion.  God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for sodomy.  Now, it is considered "marriage" between same sexes.  Sick!  Don't think God won't judge America for that.  He will.

The idea of One World Government is:

To remove individualism.  "You didn't build this."

To get rid of loyalty, patriotism and religion.

One currency.

US soldiers will fight under foreign commanders.

Destruction of Christian faith.

We are RACING toward Socialism, and Americans are deluded thinking America is unsinkable -- like the Titanic.

Hagee says God is about to say, "This is enough!"  He will turn the Anti-christ loose on the Earth. 

BUT REJOICE, because the LAST New World Order is coming!  How do we know?  It is in the Bible.  This was the scripture reference for this morning's sermon.  What a day that will be!  I've been waiting for as long as I have been able to comprehend Jesus and why He came.  How I long for every knee to bow.

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

Rev. 19:11-16

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

Hagee ended his sermon today with these words:

For the Lord God reigns!  NOTHING done on this Earth concerns Him.  He created it, and he controls it!  Rejoice Church of Christ.  No judgment will come close to you ....  (sorry, I couldn't write fast enough).  Men are pawns and puppets on God's stage.

As always, I encourage you to listen to it yourself at www.jhm.org and GETV.  It is usually under the Archived Events for a week.

Hugs, Joy

Comments On Your Comments (-;

First, my apologies for the typo in Marta Alto's name.  Goodness sakes alive, as much as I've watched Marta on her DVD's and read her books, you think I could find another place to make a typo in my blog then in her name.  

Thank you, Gayle, for pointing that out to me.  I am a super odd duck in that I actually appreciate it when people point out errors that I make so I can CORRECT them!  What I hate is when I make a mistake I can't fix -- like when my mouth goes off before my brain does.  Oh, for a chance to go back and unsay all the things I wish I hadn't!  But, I digress.....

And what I also hate is that when I pointed out the hundreds of mistakes in a certain person's book, she said, "So what if people say my book is full of mistakes, it is!"  Then she continues to sell the book with all the mistakes in it.  And her patterns are the same.  I do NOT get that!

To Jcortiaus who asked about my pattern for the 3/4 sleeve knit tops that I made:

I used my SFD blueprint to make my pattern for the knit tops.  I LOVE that pattern.  It sews up in no time, and the knits are SO COMFORTABLE.  I wear the three tops I made a LOT!  I took some pictures for you of my SFD pattern and the envelope I keep it in.

 

Here are the pattern pieces.  Notice all the corrections:

Forward shoulder adjustment in the sleeve.  High round back.  Sway back.  Glenda's Dress Kit Book describes how to move darts around.  You can see how I closed up the bust dart and opened up the french dart.  Notice the two facings I made.  You can, of course, just bind the neckline, but for V-NECKS, I like this method much better.

And to Anna from Sydney, Australia who thinks I have an accent and asked where I get my fabrics:

I buy fabrics pretty much wherever I see them, and ALWAYS when I have a coupon or there is a sale.  Quilt Shops, Hancock's, Jo-Ann's, and for the last year, I've bought miles of fabric from Gorgeousfabrics.com.  If you haven't checked out that website, I encourage you to go there.  What I really like about GF.com is how she gives you samples of patterns you could use for each fabric, and she describes what the fabric is like.  She also shows exact matches that you could put with it.  I don't know how Ann -- the owner of GF -- finds the time to put in all the detail she does.  ANDDDDDDDDDD, she always cuts a little extra, so you never come up short after washing. 

I wash EVERYTHING!!!  If it can't go in my washer and dryer, I won't buy it.  I have one of those new-style W&D combos that open in the front.  The washer is SO GENTLE, that I can put a FOLDED cloth napkin in the load, and when it is done, the napkin isn't even unfolded.  This is a good thing and a bad thing, actually.  How can something get clean?  I now make sure nothing is folded.  I learned a really good trick for this water-saving washing machine that WEIGHS the clothes and then measures out enough water to wash one cotton ball!  I always pour a gallon of water on top of my dry clothes inside the washer to make them weigh more.  Lots of water and clean clothes.

I better get this Saturday started.  It is so beautiful outside my tree-top view up here on the second story in my sewing room that was formerly the attic.  It gets cold at night now, and the leaves are all putting on their fall colors so beautifully orchestrated by Almighty God.  My very favorite time of year!  It makes me want to make a warm knit top -- one from Glenda's new book.  I need to finish those pants though.  Maybe pics tomorrow.

Hugs, Joy

Pants, Pockets, Hollie and Joseph

Tina got me yearning to make pants again.  I was determined to get the whole "crotch curve" mystery figured out once and for all.  I actually did a real good job this time with the crotch, but I forgot everything else!

I forgot to put the darts in the front that I WAS going to put in when I fitted them, but forgot.  So when I put the pants on to fit them, the waist was way too big -- of course -- so I took the pants in on both side seams but NOT until I totally removed the beautiful SFD pockets all sewn into the front.  They had to be redrafted and put back into the pant front.

They looked totally awesome and perfect after I got them all put back in UNTIL I decided to see how close I had gotten them to the front waist darts.  That is when I discovered there WEREN'T any.  There was still enough room in the waist to add them, so I did.  They aren't right next to the pockets like Glenda illustrated, but they are in line with the front creases, so they will suffice!

I also forgot that you have to make the pattern smaller if you are going to use stretch fabric.  Remember the jeans I made with stretch denim?  I can pull them off and on without unzipping them.

I didn't even think about the fabric being stretchy -- and didn't think it was.  It was just a real pretty piece I found in my stash.  I sat down to sew the pants, and -- as always -- checked to see what needle was in the machine.  It was a stretch needle.  I thought, "I don't need a stretch needle", so I removed it.  I started looking around for another needle, when my lightning fast mind decided to try to stretch my fabric -- just in case.  What a surprise it was to find out that it has quite a bit of stretch in it.  It is a stretch cotton, I guess.  I put the stretch needle back in.

I tried to make the pant legs narrower because that is the style now, but I was quite confused as to how to do that.  One direction said to taper from the hem up to the hip.  Another said to use smaller dots.  I wasn't sure what to do.  Whatever I did, I wish I had done more of it. 

I'll take a pic of my new britches when I get them done which, hopefully, will be tomorrow.  I need to finish that red coat.  It is almost done.  It requires a lot of pressing right now, and it is like wrestling a grizzly bear.  A LOT of fabric, and it is all together now. 

While I was sewing today, I got a call from Hollie.  She said it is 20 BELOW zero there!  Can you imagine!?  I cannot.

John happened to be home for lunch so I got to hear him utter a few sentences.  He is very busy, you see, buying, fixing and selling trucks.  I think Hollie said they have 4 vehicles in the yard right now.  I said, "OH, NO!, my grandson is a Redneck!"  She laughed. 

I got an email yesterday from some Branson agency.  Jerry and I went to Branson three times, and we really liked it, but every time we went the shows were all the same.  It has been several years since we have been there, so I started reading to see if there were any new shows.  I found a Christmas package that includes a show called Joseph.  I was really excited when I saw the preview video of it.  I asked Jerry if he would like to run away for Christmas.  He said, "YES!!!!"  "Make the reservations."  I haven't yet.  I am waiting to see what Hollie and John are going to do.  I would love for them to go with us if they come home for Christmas, but that seems to be an ever-changing dream of mine.  And, of course, with my yo-yo lifestyle, I don't like to make reservations to ANYTHING unless it is going to happen tonight or tomorrow.  

Doesn't that picture make you want to sing "the coat of many colors that my Mama made for me" by Dolly Parton?

I better go.  Jerry just got home.  Had to work late on another computer problem at the store.  I better go see if he is eating the right thing.  He has a way of not seeing what is right in front of him.  I am so sore from this Elliptical, I may have to slither down the stairs on my belly!

Hugs, Joy

I Will REJOICE and Be GLAD!

Yep!  I refuse to let the devil steal my joy or my peace over this election.  If you know the Bible, you KNOW there is going to be a huge war in Israel.  If you have been listening to John Hagee's 4 Blood Moons series of sermons -- awesome -- then you know the next eclipses of the moon are in 2014 and 2015.  Eclipses are God's sign in the sky that something big is about to happen in Israel.  I realized after Sunday's sermon that Romney would not win the election.

You can still listen to it for the next 4 days at  www.jhm.org - GETV - Archives.

There is no way America would ignore Israel if Romney was President.  Obama hates Israel, and he hasn't even been there once, and you know if you listen to Fox how awful Obama treats Benjamin Netanyahu. 
According to Hagee, that is just the way God wants it.  God wants to rescue Israel, and He doesn't want anybody else taking credit for it. 

So I guess I will start stocking food and buy some rain barrels. 

We have already applied for our conceal and carry licenses for our guns. 

I hear the Stock Market took a big fall today.  Get ready for all kinds of chaos in America so the masses of unamerican "Americans" can get there free cigarettes, alcohol and gambling, and the poor dears won't have to get a job.  The ones of us who have jobs will have to continue paying for all of that and more.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!!!  He will provide all our needs according to HIS riches in glory!      Phil. 4:19

I'm making pants again.  Spent about 8 hours so far just trying to perfect an SFD pattern for my slight weight loss.  The red coat is almost done. 

We have to go BACK to Edmond again this weekend.  I feel like I'm on a yoyo!

Hugs, Joy