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December 24, 2006
In-laws, Loot, and Foxes
It is Xmas Eve and I am sitting in a cozy bedroom in The South tapping away at my beloved laptop. The journey so far has been mostly uneventful. My family tends to bicker a little, but then mostly get over it. This is, certainly, a mainstay of all families and we cohere pretty well, methinks. Much better than certain families (coughJcough). I am not sure if I would survive a holiday season with my "in-laws." It may just be too much for my brain to process without exploding in a sticky mess. Xmas Chez Villain is very laid back and easy. Mostly we lounge around and watch British murder mysteries on A&E. I never really have to do anything except shop, really. I cut out a dress to sew up tomorrow when everyone (all three of us) have scattered for a bit. I will get to use my mom's extra fancy schmancy Bernina. It's a little intimidating, actually.
I will be starting a Simplicity pattern in a black fabric with gold outlines of cherry blossoms soon. Here is the pattern. I'm doing the solid blue version:
Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and she gets overwhelmed. Well, really she gets underwhelmed on a massive scale. Sure gifts from me are nice and all, but those from certain family members (the joy of inlaws) are sometimes so thoughtless as to be insulting and she takes it to heart every time. I made my folks stuff. Pretty simple stuff really: pj pants, beret, scarf (ahem still in process), but their major gift is pretty major. I splurged on an el-huge-o print of one of our Florence photos on a big ole canvas. I know it is totally kitschy and a little silly, but I still think it will look pretty awesome in their big ole house. I'll take a photo in situ. I think that handmade gifts are really the best and was kind of pissed off when I saw a commercial with the tagline "Handmade gifts are ok... if you're 7" Well, no I'm not 7 thankyouverymuch. I'm sure that everyone in the crafting world is sick of having to worry if their stuff is "good enough" to give as gifts. I hate when the Marketing Scum who makes these ads tries to force is to feel inadequate. I guess that is what Xmas is about, mostly: inadequacy. Shows why there are so many suicides this time of year. So the short answer is: YES, your stuff is good enough! If it's not, then perhaps your recipient isn't. Humph! This is me being snooty to you, Mr. Adman!
Well, I make all those complaints about the evils of capitalism, but I am certainly guilty of excessive consumption. My mom claims that it is because she only sees me twice a year and has to load me up with the loot she would be buying me all the time if I lived closer. I can't complain about that part. One of the best things I have gotten is my New Favorite Makeup. I read about Bare Escentuals on Sundry Buzz and I really love it! I even watched the infomercial DVD they packaged with my kit to learn all of the Fascinating Techniques. It does work pretty awesomely. Doesn't feel like you have anything on! That is a big plus over in Grease Territory where I reside. Additional loot includes yummy Asian fabric and a couple of new patterns including this dress:
Soon, my pretty, soon. I have been trying to finish this scarf for my mom and I am remembering why I don't knit very many. They take bloody forever! The payoff seems so low compared to a sweater, but I think she will like it. I used the pattern from Sheep in the City and it is pretty good looking. Mine has an extra sort of ribbing effect that makes it curl (?!@?), but it still works pretty well. I used Malabrigo and it is so soft! I'd love to make a sweater out of that stuff. Maybe when I have money again.
My parents have been cooking a lot of fancy food (filet mignon, swordfish steaks, quiche, smoked turkey breast) and that means that this little Villain might not be so little by the time I get to wear the new dress. Good thing the panyhose I bought are control top, I guess. Blargh. We are going to a swanky restaurant next to the White House in a few days. I am excited! I have been wearing the shoes quite a bit already and am starting to get used to the height. I have tried on others to add to the Awesome, but nothing seems to fit, so maybe I will have to suck it up and get the same pair in brown. I seem to end up with a monotonous consistent wardrobe because if I like something I'll just get it in multiple colors instead of searching for new looks.
Well this post has pretty much been about consumption and buying junk. Kind of gross, huh? I guess that is because the rest of the trip has been so relaxed and uneventful, but in a good way. We don't really need to do much or have dinner with the bone china to have a nice time and I appreciate that about my family. When the extended family comes into play, things just get too crazy for me. For Thanksgiving everyone (except me, of course!) came down here and from the descriptions, it sounded just dreadful! My uncle-in-law was a holy terror and pretty much made life miserable for everyone. I like our tiny family gatherings. It would be nice to add J, though. And a dog. This is the first Xmas without our beloved Sandi Dog and it is a little sad. I hope that my mom gets a new pupperoni soon. I think the world will be a better place when she does. I miss having a little snoot around to snuggle. I wish it could be a fox. JUST LOOK HOW CUTE:
Don't you just want to snuggle its little face off whilst drinking hot chocolate by the fire? Well *I* do. So there.
Posted by loyd0008 at December 24, 2006 10:50 PM
Comments
I found your site as I was searching for the Bernette 50 - a machine I've had for awhile and am also having 'issues' with the bobbin area :)
Any chance you can tell me how much this machine was purchased for? I got it as a gift from my mother almost 8 years ago - and I'm wondering if it's worth fixing or just purchasing a new one.
Posted by: Toni at December 28, 2006 04:15 PM
Sorry to take so long to respond! My parents got me the machine for a song: under a hundred bucks plus they got a gift certificate for fabric at the shop. Because it was so cheap, I have been hesitant to put any real money into it. I think that I am going to hold out until I move (this summer I hope) and invest in a decent Pfaff. So, I guess if it is not a lot of money to fix, I would go for it. Otherwise, save up for a new one (like me!). My bobbin is noisy, but not as much as it used to be before I got it temporarily fixed for ten bucks.
Posted by: Villain Extraordinaire at January 8, 2007 10:55 PM
i like ur colther can u make lik it for my?
Posted by: JAZI at January 13, 2008 12:52 PM