About Me

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

Sunday, January 19, 2014

CATCH UP!

I'M BAAAACK!

 It's been over a month since I last posted...I've been extremely busy, but I have missed connecting with all of you and it's time I brought you up to date with what has been going on...

 First of all, Happy New Year to all...I have to confess, I am rather glad to see the end of 2013; I am hoping 2014 will be a happier year for all those I know and love.

 So what's been happening?
  • Amazon Jungle Cruise over Christmas week
  • Jacket Workshop with Shams
  • Several wardrobe items sewed
  • Memorial for Kenny (Joan's son) yesterday
Our cruise, with Aqua Expeditions, on the upper Amazon in Peru, was fantastic! It was luxurious without being stuffy or glitzy...a wonderful experience with just 24 passengers and an outstanding crew of 22, who catered to our every need before we knew we had it!

 We went out on "excursions" twice a day, in comfortable small skiffs with at least one highly trained, personable naturalist per skiff...

Roland was my favorite leader...

 We saw wildlife galore...
 Village kids showing an anaconda and a sloth

 An anaconda, up close and personal

 a bat...


 A cayman

 Hen and chicks...

 A deadly poisonous frog...

Lizards...

 Bottle feeding rescued manatee babies


 Village puppies...
 Tarantulas...

 Turtles and highly colored fish...
Blue and gold macaws...

I'll show more trip pictures in a future post....

Next up...the Jacket Workshop with Shams from Communing with Fabric

I felt very privileged to be invited to participate...it was planned by a private group of highly skilled women and they graciously welcomed a "stranger" (moi)
into their midst!

They of course, got more than their money's worth...Sharon did a stellar job, and could easily have a new occupation (workshop leader) if Google ever gave her time off...

These are pictures of Sharon during her "trunk show", on Friday night. She
brought many many garments to show, to everyone's delight. I spied her
"LadyBug Lab Coat" in a familiar red dotted fabric...I tried it on and absolutely
fell in love with it...to make a long story short (you can read her telling of it on her blog), she gave it to me! 
Perfect buttons!

Lucky Me!

I will post more about her wonderful workshop in a later post...right now I have to get the pictures to her (I was the official photographer) so she can write about it too!

And at the risk of a way-too-long-post, these are the clothes I've sewn in the last month:

Another version of my TNT B5526, View C, in a cotton/lycra pinstripe cotton from my local B&M store


This was made for the Amazon trip and was worn a lot...it's a fine white stripe on a black background...a little hard to see the details here, but it has been a real workhorse in my wardrobe.

I also made a pair of StyleArc Lola Pants in a black/white check shirting fabric with a little stretch, from Marcy Tilton



I made them last minute, so I eliminated the pockets, but I like the fit and I will make them again, with pockets. Coincidentally, Marcy made travel pants in the same fabric for herself, and blogged about them.

I'm sure there is at least one more catch up post to come...I'll be back before you know it!
Posted by at 5:41 PM
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42 comments:

  1. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)January 19, 2014 at 6:11 PM

    Happy New Year to you too! So glad you had a wonderful time on the cruise. Love that you went with Sharon to the workshop...I'm sure you were great company! Finally love the black/white pinstripe shirt...you make me want to sew that pattern too.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 19, 2014 at 8:56 PM

      Thank you, Carolyn! I can't praise that pattern enough!

      Delete
  2. MiasewsJanuary 19, 2014 at 6:13 PM

    Such exciting times! Thanks for all your photos. Now I feel I have almost been to the Amazon myself!

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    1. MargyJanuary 19, 2014 at 8:56 PM

      Thanks, Carole...it's a pleasure to share such a wonderful trip!

      Delete
  3. shamsJanuary 19, 2014 at 6:45 PM

    Wow, you weren't kidding! What an array of fauna from your trip to the amazon! (My fingers want to type amazon.com. LOL) Thanks for the pics of the workshop - it's fun to see! And the ladybug jacket - perfecto!

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    1. MargyJanuary 19, 2014 at 8:57 PM

      Yes, it's hard not to add the DOT COM after Amazon...Am LOVING my ladybug jacket!

      Delete
  4. HeathersSphereJanuary 19, 2014 at 8:17 PM

    Lovely photos of your adventures and your outfits!

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  5. Dk's WifeJanuary 20, 2014 at 1:30 AM

    The Amazon trip looks fabulous! What an amazing time you must have had!

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  6. VickiJanuary 20, 2014 at 1:54 AM

    What a wonderful trip! And lucky you to get Sham's ladybug coat - too cute. Your new garments are lovely too.

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  7. AyaJanuary 20, 2014 at 4:36 AM

    Ooh, gifted clothes one falls in love with are the best. Thank you for sharing your pictures of your trip!

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  8. RhondaBussJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:37 AM

    Your cruise looks like it was amazing! And wow have you ever been busy. Great trip, workshop and as always, beautiful new pieces for your wardrobe. Welcome back! And Happy New Year!!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:37 AM

      Thank you, Rhonda...I'm so glad to be "back"!

      Delete
  9. MarthaJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:41 AM

    I so enjoyed *catching up* with you. Thanks. The pictures are fascinating and of course I love your new creations too.

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  10. Linda TJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:48 AM

    Loved all the critter pics! Good to "catch up" with your adventures. Looks like I need to get that Style Arc pattern. Folks seem to be having such good luck with it.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      Thanks, Linda T. This is the first Style Arc pant I've really liked on me. Try it!

      Delete
  11. pdiddlyJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:50 AM

    Happy New Year - looks like you have been having fun on your trip. I can imagine that Shams did do an excellent job on her workshop and you did well to gain that jacket it really looks great on you.

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    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:39 AM

      Thank you, Pauline. Any sewing from you, yet?

      Delete
  12. Fran GJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:51 AM

    You take the most interesting trips! The photos are great..a little scary (that little tiny tree frog!) ..I would be glued to my group leader! Lady Bug coat is very "you"..I am jealous of your jacket class led by Shams …and I hope 2014 is a wonderful year for you and yours.

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    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:40 AM

      Thank you, Fran G...I'm glad we didn't have to handle the frog! Happy New Year to you, too!

      Delete
  13. DianaJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:53 AM

    What an exciting life you live. I love Shams" coat on you and would love to have her as a workshop instructor. Great shirt and pants too! Glad you're back. I missed you here in Blogland!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:40 AM

      Aw, thank you Diana...it's nice to be missed!

      Delete
  14. Susan BJanuary 20, 2014 at 6:04 AM

    The Amazon trip looks amazing! And so is that ladybug coat, what a standout piece. I love the pieces you've sewn, and the fabrics you chose.

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  15. UnknownJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:29 AM

    Of all your trips...I like the Amazon trip the best. I thought the lady bug coat looked nice on Shams and it looks nice on you...it's a cute coat!

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  16. HarrietJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    So great to hear from you. Loved the travel pics and photos of Shams. When she posted that she had gifted the "Ladybug" to you, I knew it was going to be terrific on you. On your Lola' s, it looks as if you did not do the back leg elastic? This is my next project and I have been considering this.

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    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:42 AM

      Thanks, Harriet! I am a very grateful recipient of the Ladybug!. No, I did not do the back leg elastic as I was making it "quick and dirty", but I may try it next time.

      Delete
  17. HarrietJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:38 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  18. LPCJanuary 20, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    You look amazing, and the conjunction of anacondas in Peru and pants made of shirting fabric with a little stretch is brilliant.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:43 AM

      Thank you, Lisa...I hadn't thought of it that way!

      Delete
  19. LouisaJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:07 AM

    What a fantastic cruise! Love the anaconda and adorable baby manatees best. And I'm so glad the Lady Bug Lab Coat found its true home. You make every garment look fabulous!

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    1. MargyJanuary 20, 2014 at 10:44 AM

      Thank you, Louisa! Those baby manatees were pretty cute!

      Delete
  20. carolinascallinJanuary 20, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    Your cruise sounds wonderful - and the only kind I'd undertake! Small boat, few people, interesting guides - score! Wonderful pictures!

    I really love the way you do your long shirt/coats! They always look so nice on you, and so very stylish! Truly your signature :) The ladybug jacket looks great on you, too! Such cute fabric. Looking forward to seeing what else you've been up to!

    All the best for a terrific 2014!

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  21. MargyJanuary 21, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    Thank you, carolinascallin...I'd take a similar cruise (different destination) in a heartbeat!

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  22. The Style CroneJanuary 22, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    You live a fascinating life! What a cruise and the photos speak a thousand words. You are looking as chic as always, and happy to see you back!

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  23. RonnieJanuary 22, 2014 at 4:33 PM

    So glad to read your blog - always interesting. Now, everything is right with the world :-)

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  24. MelanieJanuary 27, 2014 at 12:09 AM

    Oh my goodness, I am behind on my blogging!! Your Amazon Adventure? Been there done that, already? What a trip, in the real sense and mind-blowing sense. A few of those critters freak me out.
    And Sharon is such a generous-hearted friend, the jacket is beautiful. But your own sewing always makes my head spin as well. Beautiful. And love those baubles around your neck too.

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