A lovely day at Point Defiance Zoo

The sun is out!  Let's go to the zoo!  Here is Maggie the Arctic fox waiting for a treat.  A little girl called her a baby polar bear.

And an umingmak.  She has lips!

The alien family having a picnic.

Salmonberry in bloom

A happy otter with her fish

A tiger hiding in the bamboo forest

David's picture of a puffin jumping off the cliff

A morning spent sewing

Sometimes it's not worth it even to get out of bed, let alone attempt sewing.  I'm lucky I'm still alive.

I am working on a Katherine Tilton top with a black and tan knit that I bought at Marcy Tilton's booth at the expo.  I love both the pattern and the fabric, but the fabric is giving me troubles.  I think this will be one of those projects where you just do the best you can, and refuse to admit there are any mistakes.

A Test Post!

Annie,

I'm testing my newly-given blogging permissions! Here is a practice picture of the most adorable Fiat Cinquecento, which would enhance the already high adorable-factor that we both possess!

I am currently working on a jacket version of the Katherine Tilton pattern Vogue 8691, but I really need your help setting the hem! I made it in a heavier weight fabric than recommended, so the shaped hem is somewhat bulky. I want to straighten the hem and need a sister's eye and guidance. I am going to make the pattern again in a lightweight knit to wear under the jacket. Part of the European trip wardrobe? We Shall See.

xoxoxo Sis

Sis's lunch

Smoked salmon piroshky!

Also, I have added some new pictures and commentary to my list of old cooking and sewing books.

Jack the cat

Last Friday Jack had his one month checkup after being treated for hyperthyroidism.  He has made a wonderful recovery.  His weight is up to 14 pounds 8 ounces and his patchy fur is now thick and shiny with no bald spots.  Best of all I'm not treated to a view of a hairless pink belly (with nipples) when he is lounging.  Unfortunately, although everyone who meets him says he is a handsome cat, he is not at all photogenic, so I'm posting a picture of "me" in my new spring hat instead.

And here is a picture I found in an old sewing book.  It's like getting to meet a former owner.  I think I would have really liked her.

A memento of our sewing past

Not long ago I picked up a book called Singer make-over guide, published in 1943 and intended to encourage women to "mend or make do" in support of the war effort.  One of the suggestions really intrigued me; it showed a device which allowed you to darn socks and stockings by machine.

Pretty cool, huh?  And then I picked up this book which has that same cool device on the cover.

At this point I decided I had to have one!  I went looking and found you could pay as much as $100 for the thing, but when I found "mine" it was only $4.  It came in the mail yesterday, looking like it was made yesterday.

I am completely charmed and I can hardly wait to mend a stocking.  The instruction booklet says "Fine soft thread used with a fine needle will produce a soft, comfortable darn that will outlast the rest of the stocking."  Have you ever darned a sock?  I tried it once, using my mother's darning "egg" and that fine wool yarn they used to make for darning.  (Ha!  I just checked and they still make the stuff.)  The result was a big thick wad that was thicker than the sock itself, possibly due to my lack of skill, and which made the sock too uncomfortable to wear.  As for stockings, I remember as late as when I was in high school (and yes I heard that snort of laughter) Frederick and Nelson's in Seattle still offered a stocking mending service.  I had always thought that meant repairing runs, but now I see it probably meant darning holes.

Jamaica Mistake -- finished!

And hardly a mistake in it (and I wouldn't tell you anyway).  Did you ever see such sweet curves, such a miracle of top- edgestitching?  Well, except for Sis's (whew, that was close).  I can hardly believe I did it!  As usual, waiting for the rain to stop so I can take more pictures.