Sunday, July 05, 2009

Surprisingly Organized

I am usually disorganized, but I just love having my fabric strips and crumbs locked up together in their own little sandwich bags. I actually tried to break this habit because it takes extra time to get the fabric out of the baggies and then back in again. And I'm slow enough as it is. But I can't stand how wrinkly and frayed everything gets when it's all mashed together.

Additionally, when I'm making letters I like to have various widths of matching fabric so if I have to search around in the bin that's even slower than having to baggy, debaggy, rebaggy, debaggy and on and on.

To fit as many scraps as I could into our suitcases when we were coming from Paris I debaggified my fabric. I wonder how much space that actually saved me? So now I'm spending time redoing it. Argh. But what a relief to have my strips protected from fraying and wrinkling.

Pokey was a big help as always.

Baby Pokey is doing well. No news to report there, which is good. No news is good news.

This was the cats first 4th of July in the U.S. The loud booms made them nervous but I was surprised at how brave they were - Pokey actually stared out the window the whole time. I could see fireworks from my balcony so I had two nights of great viewing. Of course up on the roof would be even better. Or get that other group of condos relocated...

I first saw An Engineer's Guide to Cats over at Force Majure Farm. What a hoot this is. If you love cats (or engineers) try it:



Oh the gravity. I don't think my cats would take to yodeling...

I am finally now completely and totally caught up with Burn Notice and The Closer. I love both shows. But this new detective woman who was dogging Michael? Annoying. And of course she's young and attractive; how predictable and boring. I'd much rather have a crusty old-timer who actually knows something - like Provenza and Flynn. Would be interesting to see who would come out ahead in a duel between these two teams. I think the spy crew, even though Brenda has never met a case she couldn't solve.

On the subject of annoying characters, I just hope Brenda's parents don't make an appearance this season - that was just way too much last year.

Has anyone else been watching The Fashion Show on Bravo? Real fashion for real people? Eh?Who are they trying to kid. Had the designers make clothes for humans (instead of "walking clothes hangars") and you got tears. Can't say I like anyone on this show. All the contestants are annoying and the hosts seem catty rather than helpful. I miss Tim Gunn! Anyway, I still keep watching the show so what does that say about me? I love watching creativity, even when it's terrible.

Not like we needed another fashion reality show. Bravo could have done Top Artist instead - that could be fascinating and it's not like they'd need a lot of expensive equipment. Here, crayons, paste, scissors and glue. Go!

18 comments:

Magpie Sue said...

You and I are of the same mind when it comes to The Fahsion Show. And Burn Notice and The Closer. (My current favoriet tag line is "Michael, don't you know that C-4 is for using, not storing?")

I've thought more than once that it would be interesting to have an artists/designers version of Project Runway. Have you ever seen Top Design (I think)? Also on Bravo - a bunch of interior designers tackle a different challenge each week. Again, creativity and problem solving on display. I can live without the drama that Bravo seems to thing viewers are tuning in to see.

So how, precisely, are you sorting your scraps into baggies? By color, size, shape, type of print?

Twisted Quilts said...

I have tried to watch The Closer but her accent is not a southern accent. It is someone trying to do a southern accent and it is hard for me to listen to. There is so little to watch on tv these days I wish I could something to watch. Great job on your crumbs and strings.

owlfan said...

Thanks for the video link. That was a hoot! My DH had to come over and watch it too - we both really enjoyed it. And yes, I love both cats and engineers.

Deborah said...

I gave up on The Fashion Show after about 2 episodes. Project Runway is classier. We have been watching She's Got The Look on TV Land. My teacher's aide is one of the contestants. Her name is Theresa K. She is gorgeous! I had her son in 2nd grade. We are having fun watching her success. The cat video was spot on. Rusty's favorite game is "cat in a box" then he destroys it.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I'm with you on burn notice! love that show.

All that work for your scraps! amazing... I've got color coded bins... no fraying it works...

Sounds like you had some good views of the fireworks. I'm so glad I wasn't in NYC with all those, my poor dogs would still be shaking...

Quiltdivajulie said...

... married to an engineer ... and our cat is frequently subjected to corporate cuddling with yodels of protest... no way she would cooperate with the deliberate production of static electricity!

:-)

Lindsey said...

Could anything be as good as Project Runway? That Tim Gunn takes us all to a higher plane!

sewprimitive karen said...

Can't wait for Project Runway to start again in two weeks. Thank you for posting the video, that was so funny. I liked the Aspect Ratios.

Beena said...

I think it's pretty organized to have strips that are pre-cut in the first place. I only cut into fabrics as I need them, and that can be a pain. I end up setting aside a whole day just for cutting sometimes. And it's certainly a lot more mobile to have your strips all bagged up and ready to go to a class (or another country!)

I love Burn Notice! And now I've added "Royal Pains" to my list of shows because it's on right afterwards.

jovaliquilts said...

Such a great cat video! Love the deadpan delivery, too.

What about What Not to Wear? It's the only reality show I ever watch, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I like it.

And as for scraps .... aarrrggghhhh... chronic problem, don't know how to deal with mine. I like your system, just seems like so much work.

sewprimitive karen said...

Oops, I mean Design Star starts in two weeks; Project Runway starts Aug. 20th. I'm getting my favorites mixed up :-).

Anina said...

I SO need to get myself organized!
I'm looking forward to Design Star. Somehow I missed Food Network Star this year. How did that happen? I'll just have to wait for a marathon rerun I suppose.

Scrappy Raven said...

Your scraps are so pretty all together.

YankeeQuilter said...

We picked up the first season of Burn Notice DVD at a yard sale last weekend so we could start from the beginning. My scraps have definitely been multiplying...I'm finding little baggies everywhere...

Sharon said...

Love your little baggy idea. Do you have different width strips of the same fabric in each baggy? I don't really pre-cut my strips, but I think I would before I start on a big "word" project. I can see how that would be a help.

Pokey looks so helpful! I'm sure she's pre-hairing for you!

Karen said...

....cat video....HILARIOUS!!!

Stephanie D said...

That cat video and the one after it--Cat Yodeling and the Introduction to Cat Polka--are both hysterically funny! How they managed to keep straight faces is beyond me! Thanks for sharing that.

Cher said...

ok caught up with your posts..we finished first season of Burn Notice and look forward to watching the next when it is out-same with closer..can't watch it currently but will on netflix.
Gwen thanked us for helping get AQS to reprint her book-we chatted about it for a bit...love your organzing style..I have all my favorite bright scraps right now in a shopping bag...works for me currently. ok..I should be sewing or something..time to get off the computer! so glad Pokey is doing better and you have friends to sew with...I envy you that time.