Easing into the School Year: FOs, Fabric, and Friends

School is off to a good start for Daphne.  She likes her teacher, she likes her classmates, and she isn't complaining about anything - not even getting up early.

I sort of took last week off.  I didn't do much while Daphne was at school.  A couple pilates classes, a few errands, minimal cooking, and no meetings unless you count breakfast with friends during which some Brownie Troop items were discussed.  One afternoon, I got all Mom-from-the-Fifties, and walked downtown to do errands.  I stopped in the sewing shop to buy dress-making fabric, went to the hobby shop for Girl Scout supplies, stopped for a sandwich, and went by the jeweler's to pick up my ring, which needed a minor repair.  During this outing, I decided that downtown Leesburg needs a Malt Shop, or Soda Fountain, or some sort of retro ice creamy place with a counter with swivel stools and teenagers who look like Wally Cleaver with little soda jerk hats.  That, and a gourmet cheese shop.  And a butcher.  And maybe a donut shop.  Let's make it happen!

I don't really have to complain about not having a yarn shop anymore, because the sewing place is getting its first shipment of yarn this week.  Malabrigo!  Oh my.  I can't wait.  I will be walking distance from some REALLY nice yarn.

The weekend was good.  I went to brunch with some good friends (above).  There were grits! It was fun but sad because one of them is moving to California.  I don't like it when people move away.

We went to Manassas to visit the people and puppies there, and eat delicious brisket cooked on a Big Green Egg by Uncle Jeff.  This picture makes me sadder than you can possibly imagine, but happy at the same time.  Look at their hair!  It's exactly the same.

And, I got to go see a movie with Kev at the Alamo.  A really weird funny movie about beer and alien robots.

And, since we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator over the summer, Kev, Daphne, and I watched Willie Wonka on Saturday night.  The REAL one, not the Johnny Depp one.  Such greatness.

Daphne doesn't know this, but we are taking her to the Alamo in a couple weeks for a special screening of Willie Wonka, with bubbles and candy and special appearances by the real Veruca Salt and Mike Teevee.  She is going to flip out.  Don't tell her!  It's a surprise!

This week is all about sewing.  Below is the fabric I bought last week.  It is going to be a dress (I hope) after I take a class downtown.  And Thursday night, I start a beginner quilting class.  Quilt fabric is still undecided.

Today, I decided to finally finish a project I started last year - a knitted and felted pouch.  I made a felted i-cord strap for it, and sewed a cool button on the front:

I love it, but it's really itchy, so we'll see how much use it gets.  It's a perfect size for just my phone, keys, sunglasses, and money.  Good for downtown errand running!  It gives me a sense of accomplishment to have an FO (finished object) to show you.  I still have a couple more UFOs hanging out in my project stash.  It would be nice to have a clean slate.  By the way,

Every day that goes by is one day closer to a day that is cold enough for me to wear my owl sweater!!!!!!!!!

Discussions have begun regarding this year's Daphne Halloween Costume.  The ideas being thrown around at the moment are Veruca Salt, Daphne from Scooby Doo, a detective, and a cowgirl.  As they don't involve making wings or tentacles, I am happy with any of the above.

That's all I have for now.  Stay tuned for dress-making triumphs or disasters, and quilt success or catastrophe.  And feel free to submit costume ideas.  I should probably go clean something...