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

Sunday, October 9, 2016

CATCH UP-A NEW TRAVEL TOTE

It's been 3 weeks since I've blogged...busy with puppy, daughters visiting, foot problems, sewing...the usual!



 Here is the travel tote I've been working on...it's the Professional Tote by Creative Thimble, and I've made it once before; it was for my very first blog post, 5 years ago! I've had this marvelous black and white sashiko fabric for a while...I bought it on Etsy. I added some faux leather from Emma One Sock,




 a marvelous stretch cotton dragon print from Marcy Tilton for the inner pockets


 and a wine-colored nylon Taslan for the lining...





I'm planning to take this to Paris, as my plane carry-on; it has pockets galore, (I added several more to the inner pocket for my iPad), places for passport and boarding pass, water bottle, etc. It also has a strap to anchor it to my suitcase handle.

It closes on top with a chunky zipper...




 Maggie and David came up for the weekend a few weeks ago...more swimming with Teddy, Sunday Brunch. Always fun!

The next weekend, daughter Janet flew out from Salt Lake City for a few days...
and, you guessed it, swam with Teddy. That seems to be #1 on the activity list chez Houtz...


With so much time spent in the studio, I've listened to several good books: Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles, Nutshell, by Ian McEwan and just finishing up The Life We Bury, by Allen Eskens.
My favorite was A Gentleman in Moscow; Nutshell is beautifully written, but weird!

I bought a glass flask (borosilicate) to cook my beloved Rancho Gordo Marcella Beans, a la Romana...

They were delicious, of course, and so much fun to see them simmering away on the stove!
Here is where I got the flask.
Teddy is growing, losing his baby teeth (finally!), finding new ways to get in
trouble...we have a fountain in one of the gardens and the combination of water and mud is irresistable!

  
Supremely happy muddy dog...


and equally muddy kitchen floor! We had to drop out of Puppy Class; my injured
foot is very painful, and the surface of the class space, a rough dirt ring, was not good for the foot. I think we'll try again in 4 or 5 months. I'm seeing a chiropractor for my foot several times a week and am hoping for a miracle in the next few weeks. I leave for Paris on October 28.

I made a pair of pajama pants in a pretty knit from Girl Charlee and paired it with a tee from Uniqlo...


I used my TNT B5572 for the pants...for those innocent people who think a lifetime of sewing precludes foolish errors, my first attempt at pajama pants
(which are ridiculously easy to make) came out like this... (super high rise, super short legs)

and of course, by this time, I'd not only sewn the seams, I had serged them.
Live and Learn...NOT.

I think I'm almost done with Paris Wardrobe sewing...I have a pair of pants to make with a yummy cross-woven silk blend from Marcy Tilton called "Ruby Begonia"...and then the decision making/culling begins! I waterproofed my boots yesterday, so I am ready for whatever weather Paris has to offer!



That's it for catching you up...I will be joining Patti's Visible Women later this afternoon...providing she has power. She's in the path of Hurricane Matthew and 
my hopes are for safety for her and all the people in Florida.

TTYL

43 comments:

  1. Well, I hope your foot gets better, but surely there will be ways to enjoy Paris even if it's still hurting? I hope so. Love all the little updates - Teddy is so sweet. Love your pajamas!

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    1. Thanks, Robin...I wish you were joining us in Paris!

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  2. Your bag looks wonderful! It should be inspiration to me, but for some reason I keep postponing working on mine. I have the mini version of that pattern. I have all the fabric, the zippers, and whatnot. I think I'm petrified of all the work that a well-made bag entails. It is no small undertaking.

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    1. Thanks, Irene...there is a different kind of satisfaction (for me) in making a bag...slow and steady seems to be the way to go (and that is NOT my usual MO!)

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  3. I certainly love your pj pants. Especially the fabric! Teddy cracks me up with his muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor. Wishing you healing thoughts for your foot, so that your trip to Paris is a joy.

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  4. I love that you are using KIWI boot protector! Kiwi because...it rains a lot here in New Zealand? But not today - the sun is shinning and the sky is a brilliant blue and a great day to head off to explore the great fabric,knitting, quitling store that is just down the hill! Teddy is adorable, I WANT the red boots, Paris will never the be same after you and Shams arrive!

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    1. Haha, Re...you should be with us as we turn Paris upside down

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  5. Ouch - so sorry you have a sore foot! You might think about renting a scooter or a wheelchair for your wonderful Paris adventure. I'm sure Shams would be willing to push you around so you could enjoy your whole trip. Love your bag! Karen

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    1. Thanks, Karen...Shams is willing, although maybe it won't come to that!

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  6. Starting at the top...killer bag. You thought of everything including a way to attach it to your luggage, brilliant and gorgeous. Rancho Gordo beans in a glass flask, makes me want to get one, where did you find it? And Teddy, the center of everyone's universe, as well he should be, he is just so darned cute! Great post, thank you.

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    1. Thanks, Gayle...I added a link to the post on where to get the flask.

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  7. Love your bag - gorgeous. Cute PJ pants also. Never seen cooking in a glass flask - thanks for the great post
    Marciae

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  8. Oh, Margy, take extra good care of your foot, we want you in full fine form! I am SO impressed with the bag, to say nothing of Teddy the adorable puppy, and I want to know about that flask, where is it from, and is it big enough to make a pot of beans. The PJ tale is like a cherry on top of all you are doing. ...and the waterproof boots, you have done it all and then some. Can't wait to hang with you!

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    1. Thanks, Marcy...I am working hard on the foot. I put a link in the post to the place I got the glass flask. Can't wait for Paris!

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  9. Your bag is GORGEOUS, Margy! So professional looking. And your jammie pants are so cute - they work great with that burgundy Uniqlo tee! I can't wait to see you in Paris soon and I REALLY hope your foot is much improved!!!

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  10. LOVE that bag!!! It's a good thing Teddy is so cute, because he does have that "I'm trouble!" look about him! ;-) Please heal completely, Foot, because Margy needs you in Paris!

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    1. Thanks, Jillian. I can't figure out is Dave and I choose "I'm trouble" dogs, or if there's something we do...

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  11. For those interested in the flask, it is from Online Science Mall Be sure to get the one with the flat bottom. Marcy, it easily makes a pound of beans.

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  12. The link didn't come through...it is a 3000 liter FLAT BOTTOM Glass Flask...

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  13. Thanks for your well-wishes! Love, love your new tote and print trousers. I think "Swimming With Teddy" could be a TV show. xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti...I'm so glad you survived Matthew!

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  14. I love the professional tote! I have made two and I bought the pattern for the new smaller version to make as my every day purse. The best bag pattern I have ever used! Yours is beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Christine...I may try the smaller version next...

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  15. I love the professional tote! I have made two and I bought the pattern for the new smaller version to make as my every day purse. The best bag pattern I have ever used! Yours is beautiful.

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  16. Nice bag! Have you entered it into the Handbag contest on Sewing Pattern Review?

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    1. Thanks, helenko. I didn't even know there was a contest going on!

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  17. Can't wait to show my Chemistry teacher husband the flask use! LOL! Also, why not waterproof your divine bag? I did all my shoes AND my mid-grey fabric travel bag(Pacsafe) and it came back from a 10 week trip to North America and Scandinavia without a mark on it.

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    1. What a great idea, Aless...I waterproofed the bag yesterday!

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  18. I had no idea one could sew a bag! Not that I could, of course, I can't, but that anyone could!

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  19. Love the tote! You always do such impeccable work.

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  20. I so enjoy your blog darling! You are always an inspiration … on so many levels!

    xox
    Tamera Beardsley

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    1. Oh, so nice, Tamera...you're a stellar inspiration yourself!

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  21. Edit nothing - take the whole lot!
    I do hope it doesn't rain in Paris just as much as you are anticipating but then again you wouldn't get an opportunity to wear all your jackets......

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    1. As there has been a 5 year severe drought in my area, I wouldnt mind a little rain!Thanks, Ruth!

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  22. Love the bag! Hope your foot heals totally---walking in Paris is mandatory. I hope to meet you and Shams while you are here. There has been no measurable rain in the last six weeks---and none in the long range forecast. Paris needs rain, but not while you are here!

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    1. I look forward to meeting you in Paris...rain or not!

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  23. Margy, love the bag, and the pj pants. Have a lovely time in Paris and take lots of pics.

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