Busy Weekend...TGIM!

Things got done this weekend!

* Finished the blocks (20) & laid out my scrappy trips quilt...I have the strips sewn together and only need to sew those together, and then my top will be done.

* Finished DD's crocheted fingerless mitts.  Happy!

I thought, "I totally want a pair for myself."  Then I realized that I am already making a pair for myself, a WIP I've put on the back burner.  Oops!

* Finished the "curtain playclothes" costumes for the Sound of Music.

They wanted me to adapt an apron pattern to make them into dresses.  I told them several times that it wasn't going to fit well or look good, but finally I just gave up trying to convince them & decided to deal with it. They look cute laid out on my floor, but I have my doubts about how they'll fit.  Oh well, I tried!

I'm happier with these "real" jumpers for the younger 3 girls. 

* Made progress on my afghan:

I got a lot done at DD's gymnastics meet on Saturday.  It seemed eternal.  Mainly because this was my view the whole time:

A vent, if you will:  (New here? My rants are entertaining, I've been told...)

#1.  I resent getting up at 5 am and dragging our family out to a town an hour away, having to pay to get in, only to see the backs of people's heads the whole time.  RESENT IT!  This gym was laid out so poorly.  I'm no engineer, but even I could figure out within about 30 seconds of getting there, how they could have done it infinitely better.  This was beyond frustrating.  We had to scurry around the crammed-full gym to get glimpses of Abby doing her routines.  I was in a pretty bad mood by the time this thing was over.  But it wasn't over yet...

#2.  The Awards.  *or* "What is Wrong With America," as I like to call it.  There were 17 girls in Abby's age group.  I kid you not, they gave out MEDALS for 17th place on up.  Every single girl got a medal for every single event, whether she came in first, or dead last.  Had I myself gone out there and did the best handstand I could, followed by a really awesome cartwheel, and jumped on a springboard a few times, I literally would have gotten a medal for it. 

Number ONE: This is not real life.  By giving out medals for every participant, it reinforces the (false) idea that life is going to reward you just for showing up.  It doesn't.  And IMO, it fosters that whole dreadful "entitlement" attitude that seems to be everywhere.  And just to clarify, my daughter would not have gotten any medals if they did it the way I think they should have done it - up to 5th place.  Just my opinion.  She came in 7th in all but one event.  I am more than OK with that.  I am extremely proud of her, and from what I could see, she really did great out there.  I'm concerned that SHE is not going to learn how to "lose" gracefully, because of the extreme coddling that goes on in this sport.  I'm concerned that she is not going to be motivated to push herself to do better.  Why work harder when you're going to get a medal (and trophy) no matter what?  I'm told that after this level she's in (3), it gets tougher, and they don't hand out awards like candy...but I don't see what the point of all this nonsense is in the first place. 

Number TWO: I am not at all convinced that giving out medals to everyone, did ANYTHING for these girls' self-esteem.  I actually felt really bad for those poor girls in last place, who had to be called up first every time and stand there like, "yep. I'm in last."  They did not look happy or proud to be standing up there.  It's like getting the medals only called attention to the fact that they were in last place.  Not cool.  Why can the people in charge not see this? 

Rant over.  But now I'm all riled up! 

WIP Wednesday: Do-Re-Mi

Cold, yucky day + newly cleaned sewing room (and I use the word "room" loosely) = great day for sewing!

I was asked to help with costumes for a local high school production of the Sound of Music this year.  I LOVE that musical.  For obvious reasons, I mean, what's not to love?  Especially the Captain.  Rrroooowww.    But I also love it because I was in it in high school.  That musical was a big turning point in my life, when I went from shy and mousy and afraid of my own shadow, to the outgoing good-time gal I am today!  A teacher encouraged me to try out, and while I didn't get the part I wanted (Leisl...16 going on 17...), I did get to be one of the children (Lousia, the blonde one who can make it up the tree with a whole jar of spiders, anyone?)  What FUN that was!  I met all sorts of people and just had the best time. 

So anyway, I am super excited to be making costumes for other kids to put this on.  I'll be working on the "curtain playclothes" and some nun habits.  Today I decided to do the younger 3 girls' play dresses.  Behold:

Not too exciting, but that's why it's called "WIP" and not "DONE" ;)

In one short afternoon, I realized what a control freak I can be!  The person in charge of ALL the costumes took the liberty of cutting all the pattern pieces for me.  At first I thought, what luxury!  But then I laid out the pieces and there wasn't a straight line to be found.  I spent an hour just "fixing" them to get them ready for sewing.  After that it was pretty smooth sailing...I was very thankful for my ruffling foot - it turns a 30 minute job into a 5-minute one.  LOVE IT!

I made some more progress on my Downton Abbey Knitalong...

Check out that thumb gusset!  Are you impressed?  :)  You shouldn't be; it's not hard.  It just looks cool.  And may I say, I LOVE this yarn.  It's Knitpicks Felici, which is part merino wool and part nylon.  It is so soft and smooth and I love the stripes - definitely my new favorite yarn right now!  I got this blue/brown colorway, and also one that has more pastels - pink/yellow/aqua.  I wonder what I will knit with that...?

No progress at ALL on my scrappy tripalong quilt, but I hope to get some work done on that this weekend.  I did finish the clutch I was working on last week; more on that soon!