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Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Saturday, November 23, 2013

BITS 'N PIECES...CATCH UP!

My best friend, Joan, had a birthday right in the middle of all the wedding activities, so we put off celebrating it till I could get my act together. That finally happened this last week. First, the food...

(I know I've shown this before, but I LOVE those colors!!!)

We had Lamb Shanks with Gremolata and Baked Polenta and Warm Kale Salad with Maple Roasted Acorn Squash...a perfect meal for our cold rainy night!

 For her birthday cake, I made a Clementine and Almond Syrup Cake (AGAIN!)
from my TNT cookbook, Jerusalem...
 

The other part of the celebration was a Travel Vest for Joan; she travels as much or more than I do and had wanted one. I had her try on mine (here and here) and showed her the colors available from the vendor I use. We're almost the same size, so I didn't have to make many changes...she did want a reversible vest, so that was new for me with this pattern.

She close black for one side, with black twill tape and tiny "evil eye" beads I got in the fabulous Ashkabad Market in Turkmenistan. (I astounded the old lady in the market when I bought her entire stock.) The opposite side is the cranberry stretch taffeta I've used before...


I used some printed bias tape for the pocket trim. I had to find a place for my label that wasn't on the neckline...so I hid it behind the zippered pocket!
One change I made was to use elastic in the back waist channel; it works better than trying to make the tape tie gather evenly.


Here are some pictures of the vest on Joan, at her beautiful home on the Alisal Ranch...


N.B. The warrior in the background is from Xian, China, as is my horse who
has lately appeared in the blog...



My jacket is a RTW ponte moto jacket trimmed with (faux) leather by NYDJ, as are the jeans...and my beloved red western boots!

 As for my next sewing project, I am working on a Super Secret knockoff of a jacket by one of my favorite designers...I do have a couple of non-sewing posts
to share, so stand by...

 Till later!
Posted by at 2:58 PM
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29 comments:

  1. shamsNovember 23, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    That vest is beautiful, Margy! Such a loving gift and no small task to make!!

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  2. NancyDaQNovember 23, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Lovely vest, Margy! What a perfect gift. Your tableware is beautiful, too.

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  3. RonnieNovember 23, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    It's all beautiful. The vest, the food, the tableware and both of you.

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  4. SheilaNovember 23, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    You did an amazing job on that vest! I love the colours.

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  5. JoyNovember 23, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Just gorgeous, so practical and perfectly constructed as usual. You've really found a way to travel safely in such style, but then you're always turned out to a T and so stylish. Perfect gift for your traveling friend. How do you treat the stretch taffeta? And did you use the beads as a surprise, jazzy embellishment on the twill tape? BTW, the cake looks yummy. Lovely celebration.

    ~Joy~

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  6. poppykettleNovember 23, 2013 at 6:03 PM

    Fabulousness on all accounts :)

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  7. sewingkmNovember 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    I know your friend is thrilled with the reversible vest you made especially for her. Your skills are quite evident here.

    Karen

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  8. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)November 23, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    What a wonderful birthday present for your friend!

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  9. DixieNovember 23, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Wow, what a nice vest you made. And what a beautiful feast you prepared. I want to be your friend!

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  10. ElleCNovember 23, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    I adore your vests, and as a matter of fact you are to blame for me buying that pattern! I have had no luck finding fabric for it. Now I can. Thank you for the link! And they ship to Canada!

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  11. freshcityfarmNovember 23, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    I love that your best continues to evolve! Just about the time I think I'll have to try making one, you create yet another fabulous version!

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  12. VickiNovember 24, 2013 at 3:13 AM

    Lucky Joan , gorgeous vetst.

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  13. Kathryn, aka fzxdocNovember 24, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    Good friends, good food, and a great gift. Nothing not to like about that celebration.

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  14. Tamera BeardsleyNovember 24, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    As always my dear, I am utter awe of your life, style and talent! Always such a joy to visit you!

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  15. MaryNovember 24, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Thanks for sharing the celebration with those of us in computer land :-) The vest is so pretty, and so perfect for travel. I love your label tucked into a pocket. Finally, the cake sounds very good! Theresa of Camp Runamuck also uses that particular coolbook. I need a copy now.

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  16. carolinascallinNovember 24, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    What a great vest! Well done, and how nice for your friend :) LOL at the 'evil eye' beads...good things to have with you when heading out to parts unknown!

    Love her warrior, too! The originals were terra cotta, were they not? Nice guard to have :)

    Your meal looks delicious, too! I'll have to locate that cookbook - sounds like it has some great recipes!

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  17. Sue @ A Colourful CanvasNovember 24, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    The vest wows me! Both clever and stylish! You and your friend appear to be peas in a pod...not many of us have Chinese warriors and horses in our backyards, :)...and a travel vest is likely the perfect gift for her. The meal looks delish; although I'm not usually a dessert person, I am drooling over that cake. A friend was visiting last night, and couldn't put down Plenty! Thanks for giving a mention to your various favourites...books, fabrics, you name it!

    Happy birthday to Joan and cheers to both of you! May you treasure many, many more celebrations together!

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  18. Jean at www.drossintogold.comNovember 24, 2013 at 9:22 PM

    You bring a wonderful richness to my life!! I love the images of food and it's presented. The vest you made is a fabulous piece. I'm so happy for your friend!! You inspire me to become more discerning in my choices, appreciating quality over quantity. I have a lot to learn when it comes to my sewing technique. I love having things to look forward to. :-)

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  19. Jean at www.drossintogold.comNovember 24, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Let's try "and how it's presented"... :-)

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  20. Maunawili MamaNovember 24, 2013 at 10:46 PM

    Everything (food, settings and birthday vest) is so vibrant and alive...what a wonderful post... XOXO

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  21. GailNovember 25, 2013 at 2:13 AM

    Lovely vest. I really admire the detail in your work.

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  22. AnonymousNovember 25, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Missed your posts - so happy to see a new creation! The vest is wonderful and your friend got an incredible gift.

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  23. MelanieNovember 25, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Joan is radiant in her new vest - I would be too! And how lovely that you could postpone the celebration until you had time to breathe deep and revel in slow food and friendship. I like your male companion! A bit stony faced but very rugged and manly.

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  24. RobynNovember 26, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    lovely x2!

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  25. AnonymousNovember 26, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    Astounding travel vest Margy. You've thought of everything that is essential in a travel garment - dare I say it's perfect? I'll allow you the monochrome because your table setting was so colourful and vibrant. LOL! Would you like to live closer to me?

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  26. AnonymousNovember 28, 2013 at 1:16 PM

    That double-sided jacket is gorgeous-sporty on the red side and evening elegance on the black side. Lovely combination of fabric and trim as well. Really awesome. Your friend must feel very spoilt! Love your motojacket too.

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  27. UnknownNovember 30, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Lucky Joan, she looks great in her vest. I love that flash of red as she turns up the collar.
    All the best things in life- travel, food , sewing and friendship ( in no particular order!) brought together in one post.

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  28. carolinascallinOctober 7, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    What a fun and special gift for your friend! She looks terrific in it, too :)

    LOVE those statues...!

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  29. InesOctober 8, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    Fantastic! Now I have to buy this pattern.

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