What's wrong with this picture?

All those annoying labels, that's what! I was going to put this fabric into a pre-wash load when I noticed the labels. However, the manufacturers are obviously SOworried about the authenticity of their fabric that they make sure the labels are front and center with some serious glue. (Oh no, let's not put it at the end of the bolt, let's put it right in the middle of the yardage!) As you can see I already lost a battle with one label near the selvage... sigh...

Tagged - 5 things...

I was tagged by Lorrwill to participate in the "5 things" whatchamacallit (what DO you call these?) After procrastinating and putting it off for a long while, I've finally decided to succumb.

5 things in my bag:
1. My chapstick. My number one must-have.Sometimes people think I'm using a glue stick because I use this stuff on my lips.
2. A book - if it will fit. Currently reading Ken Follet's "Code to Zero" while riding home from work
3. 1 or more pens. Never know when you'll need one.
4. Hand lotion
5. Cell phone

5 favorite things in my room
Which room? Makes it sound like I'm a teenager again. I'm going to break the rules and skip this one!

5 things I have always wanted to do:

1. Travel/Vacation 6 months out of every year. And not for work either.
2. Sew all my clothes - quickly (working on that slowly)
3. Nurture a fruit/veg garden
4. Eat whatever I want with no consequences (haha!)
5. Fly an airplane (although I get really bad ear pressure which means I'm in tears from the pain during most landings)

5 things I am currently into:

1. Eating almonds. Yummy.
2. Not that I need to say it, but - Sewing.
3. Exercising on my own (tough one) - after seeing the sad state of the gym at my new local comm. college.
4. Breaking the habit of finishing other people's sentences.
5. Burda World of Fashion. I pore over the (now 4) magazines I own like they are prized possessions!

5 fabulous people I am tagging to add lists to their blogs:
I won't be tagging anyone else... This is not easy!

BWOF 02/2009 108A

You didn't think I'd make it only once, did you? Gotta have a version I can wear to work too!

My first Burda World of Fashion project!!

But before I get to that...
I started on my mother-in-law's jacket last weekend - finally. All I have to show for many hours of work on it is the lining, however, which was quite disappointing. I'm hoping that the more I sew the faster I can put things together. I haven't even cut out the actual fleece for the body of the jacket. Sigh... Here is the completed lining. I'm hoping to work up the motivation to finish up the jacket this weekend.

And now.... I started my Burda World of Fashion subscription with the February issue. In it was #108 - a simple knit top. Perfect initiation project, right? According to their charts I'm a size 46. However, I figured since I was going to serge the whole blouse (which would mean 1/4 in. seam allowances), I'd be okay - and if I wasn't, didn't matter, at least I'd be more familiar with what size actually works for me. I chose a cheap knit fabric that I wouldn't mind wasting in case I ended up with a wadder. Quick and easy project, but WHY did I END UP SPENDING 2 HOURS trying to put the right combination of pencils and pens together to use for making my 5/8 in. seam allowance while I traced?!! I'm not even going to talk about that. Needless to say, I finally ended up taping a mechanical pencil, short color pencil, and my marker together. Yikes!
Everything was straight forward after that. I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to add the seam allowance to the center front fold as well - I just went ahead and did so. I'll have to find out if that was correct.
So here is my completed blouse. It's a gorgeous day here today, so I took my picture outside. Couldn't decide which one to post, so... Anyway, I'll write a pattern review later. Time to go out in my new top!

If wishes were garments...

...I'd have hundreds of clothes sewn up by now. But alas, they are not. I really truly have no excuse for not sewing. I still have the jacket for my mother in law in the queue. I also received my Burda World of Fashion magazine for February!! Woohoo! I just haven't had any sewing mojo lately. I have the time, so that's not it. I've told myself that making a simple top may cure me, but haven't gotten round to doing that yet.
I'm wearing my last jacket like crazy, and know I need to make more since the style works so well with my work wardrobe. I did have to re-create and replace the center back piece of my lining, however, as it was pulling apart at the seams. I guess I'll have to add some extra width across the back on my pattern.
So... the weekend looms. Will I be sewing? We'll see what tomorrow brings.