2012? No Problem...but when?

[babynala]

Yippie!!! How awesome that you got a two new machines. It will be nice to have a dedicated machines for ruffles. I saw your post on facebook and on the last few skirts I made I was able to use my regular Brother machine without the ruffle foot. I did the technique that people suggested with adjusting the stitch length and the tension and it worked really well. I just left a long tail on each end so I could adjust the ruffles if they were too tight.

I see lots of shirring and rolled hems in your future. I love being able to do a rolled hem on the ruffles. I also used it on the hem of some knit PJ shorts I am working on. So much easier that doing a regular hem.

Can't wait to see your latest projects and all the shirring I see in your future.

 

[DMGeurts]

So glad you got your new machines and you like them... My serger is much the same way - it does sound like a jackhammer - now that you mention it... but I use it soooo rarely that I can't justify buying a new one.

And how awesome that you now have a dedicated ruffler machine... I use Patience for my ruffles... I just keep everything set up on the ruffler foot and it's super easy to switch out her feet - I make ruffles so rarely too, that I am not sure I could justify the space to have a dedicated ruffler.

I do have elastic thread for shirring - but I've never been able to get it to work... The one time I tried it, it was on a double layered Kona - and I think it was just too thick for the elastic to shirr it?

I hope you'll take a moment to share pictures of your new machines - I love seeing what everyone sews with. And congratulations - do they have names yet?

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Hold the presses!​

I have talked myself into a girls only trip of one night to Disney for Miss B's 13th birthday! Now to figure out how to pay for it!


Nini

 

[cogero]

I am so excited for you.

 

[DMGeurts]

ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Puleeze tell me her birthday is at the end of August....

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Miss B's 13th birthday is June 19. Eight years ago, we had planned on going to Disney for her birthday, but that was the year of the accident. (and the trip got cancelled) We have not attempted a trip during the summer since then.

I originally tried to work a trip staying in a value...it would cost us around 450 for a one night and one day ticket and dining plan for the two of us. Then add in the driving down and back...the food on the way...and how tired I would be with all that driving and walking in a less than 48 hour time frame...

Then I remembered the two free nights. We will never use them...simply because hubby doesn't want to take a quick trip. So now, if we use those free nights... the trip for 2 nights will be 514! That INCLUDES gas, food on the way there and back and food while there...

We spent the afternoon looking through menus, and here is our plan...
We will leave early in the morning, stop in Ocala at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then head on to Disney. We will arrive at CSR sometime after noonish and spend the afternoon getting settled, going by Shades of Green to pick up our one day park ticket, and swimming. Dinner will be counter service at Pepper Grill.

The next morning, we will eat a light breakfast in the room and head to Magic Kingdom. Lunch will be at Pinocchio Haus, and dinner at Tony's. The next morning, after a light breakfast in our room we will head out for home. Stopping at a McDonald's for lunch.

It will be quick... It will be crazy...It will be fun!

I have to wait until Disney is open to call and confirm the room availability...then I have to start saving like crazy!


Of course...now hubby is thinking about going with us...our original plan was for him to stay here with Mr D...now they are thinking of joining us....



Nini

 

[cogero]

Miss B's 13th birthday is June 19. Eight years ago, we had planned on going to Disney for her birthday, but that was the year of the accident. (and the trip got cancelled) We have not attempted a trip during the summer since then.

I originally tried to work a trip staying in a value...it would cost us around 450 for a one night and one day ticket and dining plan for the two of us. Then add in the driving down and back...the food on the way...and how tired I would be with all that driving and walking in a less than 48 hour time frame...

Then I remembered the two free nights. We will never use them...simply because hubby doesn't want to take a quick trip. So now, if we use those free nights... the trip for 2 nights will be 514! That INCLUDES gas, food on the way there and back and food while there...

We spent the afternoon looking through menus, and here is our plan...
We will leave early in the morning, stop in Ocala at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then head on to Disney. We will arrive at CSR sometime after noonish and spend the afternoon getting settled, going by Shades of Green to pick up our one day park ticket, and swimming. Dinner will be counter service at Pepper Grill.

The next morning, we will eat a light breakfast in the room and head to Magic Kingdom. Lunch will be at Pinocchio Haus, and dinner at Tony's. The next morning, after a light breakfast in our room we will head out for home. Stopping at a McDonald's for lunch.

It will be quick... It will be crazy...It will be fun!

I have to wait until Disney is open to call and confirm the room availability...then I have to start saving like crazy!


Of course...now hubby is thinking about going with us...our original plan was for him to stay here with Mr D...now they are thinking of joining us....



Nini

this sounds like a great idea. I have to say I think it is hilarious that your DH is now thinking of going with you.

 

[NiniMorris]

this sounds like a great idea. I have to say I think it is hilarious that your DH is now thinking of going with you.

Especially when you consider that he claims to HATE Disney! He just made the comment along the lines of how much money he had to contribute for them to go.... Another hour and 45 minutes until I can call....


Nini

 

[babynala]

Hold the presses!​

I have talked myself into a girls only trip of one night to Disney for Miss B's 13th birthday! Now to figure out how to pay for it!


Nini

Especially when you consider that he claims to HATE Disney! He just made the comment along the lines of how much money he had to contribute for them to go.... Another hour and 45 minutes until I can call....


Nini

I was thinking "I thought Nini's husband didn't love Disney". But of course you have converted him. Either way, it sounds like a great plan but I do think Miss B would enjoy a girls only trip. Maybe it could be a girls only day in the parks and the boys could just hang out at the pool (would save money on park tickets). Then again, you could always get a season pass!

 

[NiniMorris]

I was thinking "I thought Nini's husband didn't love Disney". But of course you have converted him. Either way, it sounds like a great plan but I do think Miss B would enjoy a girls only trip. Maybe it could be a girls only day in the parks and the boys could just hang out at the pool (would save money on park tickets). Then again, you could always get a season pass!

LOL...

I also have two free tickets to Lego Land... I KNOW Mr D would like it, just not sure that Dad would like to take him!

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

That is sooo funny! Hilarious that DH now wants to go. LOL

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

That is sooo funny! Hilarious that DH now wants to go. LOL

D~

I have suggested using those comp nights NUMEROUS times...and he always said it wasn't worth it to drive down for 2 nights... I'm not sure if he really wants to go or is worried about me driving down by myself. I seriously don't drive at night ...and sometimes have migraines while driving...especially if there is stress, like driving somewhere new or unfamiliar.

I have driven 'cross country twice ...just me and the kids... and I used to come home for a week or so when we were stationed in other states...but lately...I only drive around here.

Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Yesterday was a fairly productive day! Our June trip is ON!

I called Disney in the morning and got am emailed confirmation in the afternoon. Our CSR room is booked for two nights. June 17 to June 19. We have Tony's for dinner on the 18th. Since we are already at the 95 day mark, we are a bit behind on the packing, so Miss B is in charge on the shopping lists and packing lists.

I promised her I would not make shirts for this trip...we do not have to be matchy, but she HAS to wear something Disney! She 'may' decide to resurrect some of the tops we started to make for her last year when we thought we were going during September. (hot weather). There were some really cute ones. All started and none finished.

She is not 100% happy that her dad and brother will be going with us, but she is happy that no one else (meaning other family members) will be going.

On the sewing front, I was VERY busy yesterday! Just didn't get as much accomplished as I had hoped. My new machine configuration allows me to sew and embroider at about the same time. The two machines sit beside each other so I can keep an eye on the embroidery easier. (the fact that I am working on flat panels of fabric and not shirts makes that TONS easier!)

So, while stitching out the hour long appliques on the customer skirt panels, I can work on my launch dress at the same time. (no more of that helpless feeling I got while babysitting my machine...when you have a ton to do you can't spend a couple hours just staring at a machine.)

Unfortunately, I was not paying close enough attention to the launch dress. All I had to do was to simply put two small ruffles on the back panel of a Grace skirt... simple and should have taken 30 minutes tops...the ruffles were cut, serged, and ruffled. The skirt panel was already marked. All I had to do was to pin the ruffle in place, sew, iron and topstitch. Easy peasy!

Right....

As I was pulling out the last of the basting stitches, getting ready to iron, I realized I had put them on wrong side out. GRRRR..

Take two... after I ripped them out, re-ironed (easier to gather when crisp), re-basted, re-pinned, re-sewed...as I was taking out the pins...I discovered I had basted them upside down...in other words I had gathered the hem.

Take three... after I ripped them out, re-ironed (easier to gather when crisp), re-basted, re-pinned, re-sewed...as I was taking out the pins... I discovered I had somehow managed to put them about a half inch too low!

Take four....after I ripped them out, re-ironed (easier to gather when crisp), re-basted, re-pinned, re-sewed...as I was taking out the pins... I discovered I had actually gotten everything right! Or as close to right as I was going to try for! LOL!

By this time the appliques had finished.... and it was time for home school! So, instead of having the skirt and bodice ready to attach (or maybe even attached) I have the skirt panels finished and ready to sew together!

As I am waiting for Miss B to leave for school...I seriously hope I can get more accomplished in my one hour this morning!

So, while it was a really active and busy morning...not a very productive morning! LOL!!!


The Grand Princess will be spending the weekend with us! Her mommy and daddy are going with her other grandmother to the races in Bristol. They will be leaving out early Saturday morning and not returning until Monday morning in the 5 or 6 am range.

I find it odd that the other grandmother never takes the grand princess with them on their trips... while we have NEVER taken a trip of any kind without her... whether her mommy and daddy go or not! In fact this June trip is the first trip without her....EVER. Including day trips.

Since there is no school tomorrow...I can see zero sewing getting done this weekend. Add to that the fact that the weather is going to be gorgeous...I think I see some outdoor projects being done. Like...the pool...I started cleaning it last weekend (when we had some warm weather creep in) but discovered I needed to purchase a couple of items ... like a replacement part because somehow the pump sprang a small leak over the winter. NOT happy about that... since the instructions clearly stated that if I drained the pump I could over winter it in the back yard...based on where we live. Add to that the fact that we did not have ice in the pool a single time all winter... there is no way it got cold enough to damage the seal! This seal is not easily accessible... should be a fun fix! LOL

And I want to stain the deck before the swimming season gets here...somehow I missed it last year. It was on my list.

Nini

 

[babynala]

Yeah for having the trip booked. Having the boys along will make the trip down easier and then they will have fun too. Plus there should be plenty of "girl" time. No mickey birthday shirt?????

So frustrating about the dress. Your sewing setup sounds nice. Hope you get some things finished up this morning.

 

[cogero]

So glad you are going in June and I think it is nice that is will be just the 4 of you.

 

[DMGeurts]

I have suggested using those comp nights NUMEROUS times...and he always said it wasn't worth it to drive down for 2 nights... I'm not sure if he really wants to go or is worried about me driving down by myself. I seriously don't drive at night ...and sometimes have migraines while driving...especially if there is stress, like driving somewhere new or unfamiliar.

I have driven 'cross country twice ...just me and the kids... and I used to come home for a week or so when we were stationed in other states...but lately...I only drive around here.

Nini

I am happy to hear that you all are just going as a nuclear family - I think that will be a wonderful birthday for Miss B.

So, did you all decide on which park you are going to?

Actually - I think it's magnificant that you are finally getting to use those comp rooms, and I think it's even better that you are able to use them for such a fun event!

Sorry your day in the sewing room didn't go as well as you'd hoped... Your play by play kind of made me chuckle, because I can see myself doing the same thing...

I hope your day goes better today.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

In my hour long sewing marathon (ok I know it was not REALLY a marathon...just seemed I was running around a lot!) I managed to get one bodice applique done (yes, another hour long one)... both of the customer skirts sewn together (both the underskirt and the over skirt on both sister dresses) and managed to get all 4 serged (seams, top and bottom); then managed to get a little work done on my launch dress.

My launch dress is a sort of remake of one of my first custom dresses I made for the girls trip to Disney. I am making it a little different...using a new technique, a new pattern and a few new fabrics with the main fabric the same... One of the things I am having trouble with was the sleeves. I was trying to do a double flutter sleeve. Unfortunately, since I am using Fairy Frost fabric, the fabric was too thick to make it work... Luckily the dress pattern designer is a friend and she helped give me some ideas on how to make it work. Now to make my 'vision' a reality!

In case you are wondering...yes, I am stalling! I know I need to get back down to the studio and get busy...but I don't want to...maybe because when I get back down I have to attempt to set in those sleeves (while doing the second bodice applique) and I am not 100% sure how it is going to work. If it doesn't turn out the way it is in my head I might have to scrap the whole dress until I can spend more time on it...and it is the ONLY dress I have for this launch!

At some point today I really need to clean house... and we have our regular Thursday therapy. So...another busy day in the Morris household...but then again, when is it not!?



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Today is the anniversary of the first in a round of surgeries my sweet Grand Princess had last year. So glad to say that she is doing so great right now! AND that we are planning her do over beach trip this August!

I just realized...I am going to Disney in June, Destin in August and Disney again in November/December! And let's not forget the new grand baby in May! I better get busy sewing and selling some trips...I NEED to get these things paid for!


Nini

 

[cogero]

Nini I am so glad the Grand Princess is doing well. I will keep her in my prayers.

 

[NiniMorris]

This weekend was supposed to be spent working on my 6 dress order. I plan on having it hit the post office this week.

I ran in to a snag on Saturday. On the two Steamboat Willie dresses, all they need is the buttons. I always save them for last...while they are not fragile, I am always afraid the Mickey ears will come off the heads.

I had all 4 buttons sitting (oddly enough) in a Mickey Head soap dish that I use by my sewing machine to hold pins and things. When I went to sew on the last button...it was GONE! I have turned the sewing room upside down looking for it. I have offered a TEN dollar reward for it (that ALWAYS brings things back to where they are supposed to be!) No luck!

My supplier no longer had it on his website...so of course I am in panic mode. I found some similar on Ebay, but they are not exact...meaning I would have to change the ones already on.

I finally got an email from Hong Kong this morning...he has some! Just got them in and will send them off in the morning! Crisis averted...except now the dress will not be able to be sent this week! And I really hope I did not sound too desperate in the email! All my profits could be eaten up in that one shipment! LOL!

Hubby and I had a small short talk about the budget for our three trips this year...he is paying for the beach trip and I am paying for the two Disney trips! It looks like I am going to be about two thousand short having enough for both trips. I really need to figure out a way to bring in a little bit more money. I seriously doubt I could trim the budget much more..I only spend around $250 a month for food as it is (for 4 BIG eaters).

Interestingly...next year our vacation habits will change drastically. For the past several years, we have taken one beach and one Disney vacation each year. Next year, hubby's brother is signing over his condo time share in Branson to him. They grew up in Springfield, Mo (just thirty minutes away) and we haven't visited them in 5 years. It has become more expensive than going to either Disney or the beach for a week...the drive is twice as long...and we used to be able to stay with his mother or grand mother when we went. Since they have both passed on, there are not a lot of places to stay within our budget.

Since his brother has gotten married, he no longer needs the condo...so he and his new wife decided to deed it to us, so we can visit more often.

While visiting my inlaws is not unbearable...I have been fine with once every couple of years...now we will be expected to go every year. But to make it work, we will be having to give up either a beach or Disney trip each year...BOOO!

I know...such a terrible problem to have! Seriously I know how fortunate we are to have this type of a problem...and I get lots of lack from friends who don't know how much we sacrificed in past years to get to this point. (and how much we sacrifice now!)

All plans are finalized for the June birthday trip. The last variable is do we rent a wheelchair for Mr D or wait....


Nini