Thursday, September 02, 2010
Pattern Publication Process... Proceeding
Pretty much, this pattern thing is like birthing a baby - but more about that in my Video E-mail I want to get to today!
ON target with this one now - need about 2 more proofs of the contents with my printer then they can go to press.
Talented webmaster son has to do his magic on the Talking Oral directions....
Sew.... hopefully by the middle of next week for the 'Birthday'!
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Wisdom for life from another Christian novel
Even on my Kindle - it is possible to highlight spots to 'save' them for reference in the future - so that is what I did, and then journaled about them this morning - marking and adding notes in my Bible as well. Two places stood out to me in the novel about a very Christian woman whose life went from bad to worse and then worser yet. I won't tell the events and ruin it for you...but one thing is that her husband comes down with what is apparently Alzheimers - and this is a long time ago, before it was understood - and barely identified. The beautiful way she stands by him through many years was inspiring - and helped me understand my Dad's devotion to my mother as they go through the same experience.
The novel is full of scripture for life that the main character, Elisabeth, had committed to memory - and though most of them were familiar, I certainly can't quote chapter and verse. Computer to the rescue - all you need to do is google for the phrase in the scripture and the location in the Bible comes up!
Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Of this, the father of Elisabeth, as written by Jerry Jenkins writes - explains: "We're saved by grace of God. Living godly is noble. But don't do it for any reason other than to thank God for the gift of grace, otherwise you're still trying to earn his favor." That's worth 'chewing on' for a spell...
Psalms 37: 3-5 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass."
True for you? Elisabeth responds, "I don't want to understand the mysteries of heaven! I just want God to make sense one time!" Ben answers, "It's clear he does not give us whatever we desire, so either we are not truly delighting ourselves in Him or we misinterpret the phrase 'give you the desires of your heart."
Consider this possibility Ben goes on, "That the phrase, 'he will give you the desires of your heart' means that he will TELL you what the desires of your heart should BE.
In other words, delight yourself in him and he will tell you WHAT to desire. "
All that is enough for me to try to get into the marrow of my bones as I work today...I hope it is helpful for you as well.
Oh - and in googling, I find that "Though None Go With Me" is a Hallmark Channel movie with Cheryl Ladd. I've pushed that to #1 in my Netflix list...I'll let you know how 'true' to the book the movie is.
Also - regarding Jerry J. Jenkins (one of the authors of Left Behind series), some things of interest....
- a new movie, just released... here is what Jerry states at his Blog:
To find out if it will be showing near you, click here: http://thewhatifmovie.com/theaters-3
It’s funny, heartwarming, moving, and we feel our best effort to date. When we want to be heard politically we vote at the polls, but if we want our voices heard in Hollywood, we have to vote at the box office. That’s why I will be buying tickets to my own movie when it opens in Colorado Springs.
What If… stars Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), John Ratzenberger (Cheers, Toy Story), Debby Ryan (Suite Life on Deck), and Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Trust me, this is a picture you can bring your friends to without reservation or embarrassment. I guarantee it’s not cheesy or typical Christian movie fare.
To see a quick sample, click on the above site and then click on “Downloads” and look for the video trailers.
And here’s the best part: if What If… is not yet scheduled for your area, you can help bring it there. Again, click on the above site, then Click on “Join Our Team” and see the many ways you can help.
What If… is already getting rave reviews, and I’d love to hear from you after you’ve seen it. Most important, let’s let Hollywood know the audience for faith-based films like this is vast and eager for more.
- and his new novel - re-written from years ago, called The Last Operative, he states...
Sounds neat to me. I always hate reading the 'He said", etc. when I read - especially as I read out loud to my grandson. If he's paying attention, he knows who says what - so I just leave it out. That's what I think Jerry is saying he has done in this book. It's next on my list to have mysteriously float through the air into my Kindle!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
For Pain - I LUV
I'm in pretty durned good shape for my age, but my hips ache - especially at night. Doesn't seem to matter what mattress I'm on - but when traveling it is even worse.
This Gel-Out does the trick - I massage it into my skin where it hurts - and in minutes, it is GONE!
I bought it at the Denver Rocky Mountain Show from a Tim Hayes.
If you have pain - I really recommend it!
www.gelout.com
Let me know how it works for you!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Materialism and Feminism hurt our kids, Alzheimers observations
Gheesh - my hubby didn't even have the chance to go to Kindergarten - it didn't exist! And, I'm sure I didn't hardly know my alphabet, much less know how to write it all when I started kindergarten! I went to a neighborhood school - walking home for lunch with my Mommy. And I certainly didn't ride a bus with a bunch of rowdy older kids to start my day. All made possible because my dear Mom WAS at home!
I praise my daughters' ability to deal with all this, her insight and maturity - and pray that her experiences will make her all that much more wonderful of a teacher herself someday soon. I pray for every young family these days - the daily challenges are more than they should be. Oh, that they all just put the LORD at the head of their homes!
Alzheimers Observations... yesterday I made the time to stay with my mom at the unit longer than usual. She is adjusting very nicely - the people there are so wonderful to her. Once adjusted to seeing through their eyes, the residents there are wonderful packages to unwrap! The lady who claps constantly claps in time to the music! Commenting on her long fingers and asking if she played the piano in the past - I find she certainly did! THEY had to teach ME how to play UNO! Lord, these people are most precious in Your site! Help me see them as You do, and not through my eyes, through my life's expectations. This is what I fear with Obamacare - that life will not be valued in Godly view, but a monetary view only. Save us from that!
All this reminds me that much more to value each and every days' blessings - not as though I deserve a good day, but that I should be ever grateful as a sinner for every good day sent my way rather than one of calamity. As I offer 'things' for sale at my website, my booth as I travel, it all makes me that much more intent to humbly offer creative experience over stuff. I truly believe, as we create - we can, in some small way, get closer to the God that created us!
NEW Refined Jacket #3
I hope you like it as much as I do! Combines an oriental print, a dark little print cotton, red raw silk, and grey silk dupioni.
Save 4 since you found this product on my BLOG: Click on link below to order:
Pattern-Design-Booklet-by-LondaCAT--http://www.londas-sewing.com/Refined-Too--A-Creative-Sweatshirt-Jacket-Talking-Pattern-Design-Booklet-by-LondaCAT--p25334.html
Friday, August 13, 2010
Creative Jacket Journey DVD - the Jackets
The newest DVD - Creative Jacket Journey is almost here! Gloria and I had a blast designing, fitting, constructing and embellishing these two jackets...
The blue jacket - Gloria named 'Triumph' because she 'triumphed' over her fear of cutting into
the sweatshirt and her fabric...
Created from my Genesis Too™ Talking Pattern™...it features a cardigan standing neckline created partly from the lower ribbing of the sweatshirt. Two batiks, two shades of silk dupioni and a cream yarn to couch supplied the 'Resources'.
A scrap of brown wool gab, a lovely oriental print rayon, silk dupioni, a silk tweed, and silk ribbon plus black couching yarn provided my 'resources'.
Pre-Order this TWO disc DVD now - by clicking on its name: Creative Jacket Journey.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Newest Refined Jacket
'clean' look this time - no bias, shaggy edges. I VERY carefully used the accent blue silk dupioni and yarn. I like it - photos all done, and in order - now time to write and 'speak' the directions...but that will have to be after the ASG Conference in Atlanta that I leave for on Tuesday.

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Button-Bustin' Proud of my Girl
Conclusions:
1. She has the creative bug - THAT's for sure! She must have caught it - that is exciting!
2. That sewing machine I gave her (and everything notions-wise to use it) will soon be broken out of it's case - especially since she's 2 hours away from ole' Mom here.
3. There is nothing she doesn't think she can do! How awesome is that?!? Even hard wood floors - Wow!
Anyway - I borrowed a couple of her tear-out sheets cause I thought you sewing gals might find these ideas interesting...


Avoiding 'Dog-Earred' Pillows...
Reminds me of something I learned from a Singer Sewing Reference Library book on Home Dec - which I can NOT find anywhere now - when she could use them - though I DO think I loaned all of those to her back when she was decorating an apartment..... is what you see below... folding fabric (or pattern you cut SAME size as pillow form - NOT larger for seam allowances!) in quarters, then trimming 1/2" off at corners to nothing half way along each of the 2 sides or loose ends and you get this:

She also had lots of pictures of pleated treatments - and most seemed to be Box Pleats. That made me think of the handy dandy Simflex Gauge that I finally have back in stock... for marking things like pleats. Wonderful - marvelous -super dooper - can't live without it notion. If you don't have one - order quickly! I'm definitely packing them this weekend to go along to the American Sewing Guild Conference in Atlanta.
Working hard on new jackets - and making Refined™ into a Talking Pattern™...
Friday, July 16, 2010
Refined Talking Pattern™ delayed...
OK - I can't resist. In transforming the Refined™ pattern into the Talking Pattern™ version - I created a NEW jacket from the V-neckline version (Fuchsia Fun) yesterday. Since I ALSO have collections of wonderful fabrics pulled together for the remaining 2 jackets in this pattern, I have decided to make those as well. Therefore - the availability date for this pattern re-make has been delayed to late August - early September.
THEN - what I 'refine' and add in the creation of these jackets will become wonderful ADDITIONS to the current pattern as it gets redone to the Talking Pattern™ format.
AND - if you've already purchased Refined™ in its present state, you WILL HAVE ACCESS to the Talking Pattern Version AND the additional photo galleries with abbreviated directions for all 3 of the new jackets!
This is pretty brain-twisting for me, but Mom taught me..."If you're going to do it, do it right and better", and my Dad taught me..."Always give your customers MORE than they expect...never less!"
All goes along with my motto of the Golden Rule as Jesus taught Treat others as you'd want to be treated (or better!) than yourself.
Off to work.
Here's the latest jacket:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Napkin of Ideas from Snoop Shopping on Vacation

Not jacket design - but, OH, was that cream cheese blended with salmon ever good!
Top right: a little T-shirt on a gal at a table next to us in a restaurant. The stretched elastic around the neck, down the center front, and around the armscye (but not under the armscye) was really a nice, simple, feminine touch. Can't wait to try it - utilizing Clear Elastic and my trusty Twin Stretch Needle.
Center Scooped Neckline: This was in a shop - many different ribbings - different colors - attached together for the front neckline. Fodder for the new sweatshirt jacket pattern my brain has started on featuring sweaters and sweatshirts....
Sleeve below above sketch: Yet another idea for insertion of sweater fabric for a sweatshirt jacket sleeve...
carlopick? well - I thought that was the label in some neat knit dresses - but, alas, Google's page 1 doesn't take me anywhere - shucks!
Pink Linen Note: Reminds me of this great pink linen jacket in a HIGH Class shop in Vail, CO - with ruffles all around - lapel, front, hem, etc. The princess seams were stitched regularly, then pinched together as a French Seam - on the outside, and stitched close to the edge - really highlighted those flattering seams.
Other half of my napkin idea to come - but must go iron! Hubby seems to think end of 2nd day home all wash and ironing must be done. O well..... catch me later!
New pattern: Genesis Too™ now available...

Alas - home from CO working vacation, and shipping my newest pattern, Genesis Too™.
The pattern pieces (Front, Back, Sleeve) arrived from McCall's 1 hour - yes, 1 HOUR before we left on vacation on July 1. I was able to stuff and get shipped all the pre-orders from customers and shops who had ordered this pattern at the Spring Quilt Market - as I had envelopes pre-addressed, thinking my Dear Son would get the fun of doing this...alas, I was able.
Genesis Too™ was top seller for me at the Rocky Mountain Sew Expo in Denver. Next Thurs. and Fri., I will be using it at a workshop for the DeKalb Quilt Guild. I'm SEW excited! This was a real labor of lover, and it turned out SO good - if I might brag.... If you want a beginner project - THIS is IT! PLUS, the entire Section II is like my 'Frumpy to Wow' and 'Embellishment' classes added as the frosting on the cake! Of course, this is a Talking Pattern™ - meaning I've taken a photo of EVERY step of the process, the recorded my personal tutorial for each and every photo. All that and more is posted on the dedicated webpage for this pattern - which, of course, you only get with purchase of the pattern. Still work best by reading and seeing? Well - it's all printed for you as well - now with the most vital photos printed in the pattern booklet.
Sew...for yourself, for your sewing group, guild, or shop - I recommend this pattern, Genesis Too™ !!! ANY questions - just holler - I'm home and working hard on transforming another favorite pattern, Refined™ into talking format!
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Trash at Sporting Events Rant
Hubby and I went to Cardinals vs Denver Rockies last night - and I couldn't believe the amount of trash left in the stands!
If everyone would have just picked up after themselves - Tickets could be cheaper allowing more people to attend the games. VERY sad - especially for the 'green conscious' Coloradians...
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Take just 3 minutes to help sewers in Guatemala
Dear Friends of Miracles in Action and Guatemala,
Most of you know, we are seeking votes from Facebook Friends to win $20,000 to build a school Guatemala that was destroyed by mudslides.
This morning, a generous donor offered to match the $20,000 winnings, but only if we win the Chase Community Giving contest.
Now your vote counts for $40,000!!!
We are at 217th position today, and need many more votes to move to the top 200, and stay there until voting ends on July 12th.
We can't do this without you and your friends. Please forward this email, and FB message all your contacts.
PLEASE VOTE!!!
Simple steps to vote:1. Go to our website www.MiraclesInAction.org 2. Click on the "Support Us" Vote box. 3. Click on: "Get Started to Vote" in Green4. Request for Permission to Access Basic information – click on "Allow" 5. Pop up window asks you to "Like" Chase Community Giving – click on "Like" 6. Verify you are still on the Chase Community Giving Miracles in Action page 7. Click on VOTE. If you are not on Miracles in Action's vote page, go up to "Search and Vote"
and enter our name in the search.
Thank you for your vote, and spreading the word, Penny
P.S. Please view our video with the "Story of Miracles in Action". Here is a YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvJNQho78H4&feature=email
Penny Rambacher, R.D.
Founder/PresidentMiracles In Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profitwww.MiraclesInAction.org239-348-0815Helping poor families to help themselves…Building our 28th school in rural Guatemala. Established 19 vocational workshops and libraries. Installed 20 water systems for remote villages. Join us, and support a sustainable development project, where 100% of donation dollars go directly to the project.
Dear Friends of Miracles in Action and Guatemala,
Most of you know, we are seeking votes from Facebook Friends to win $20,000 to build a school Guatemala that was destroyed by mudslides.
This morning, a generous donor offered to match the $20,000 winnings, but only if we win the Chase Community Giving contest.
Now your vote counts for $40,000!!!
We are at 217th position today, and need many more votes to move to the top 200, and stay there until voting ends on July 12th.
We can't do this without you and your friends. Please forward this email, and FB message all your contacts.
PLEASE VOTE!!!
Simple steps to vote:1. Go to our website www.MiraclesInAction.org 2. Click on the "Support Us" Vote box. 3. Click on: "Get Started to Vote" in Green4. Request for Permission to Access Basic information – click on "Allow" 5. Pop up window asks you to "Like" Chase Community Giving – click on "Like" 6. Verify you are still on the Chase Community Giving Miracles in Action page 7. Click on VOTE. If you are not on Miracles in Action's vote page, go up to "Search and Vote"
and enter our name in the search.
Thank you for your vote, and spreading the word, Penny
P.S. Please view our video with the "Story of Miracles in Action". Here is a YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvJNQho78H4&feature=email
Penny Rambacher, R.D.
Founder/PresidentMiracles In Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profitwww.MiraclesInAction.org239-348-0815Helping poor families to help themselves…Building our 28th school in rural Guatemala. Established 19 vocational workshops and libraries. Installed 20 water systems for remote villages. Join us, and support a sustainable development project, where 100% of donation dollars go directly to the project.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Colorado Observations
Some observations to share:
1. The flowers! Oh my gosh!!!!
You'd NEVER see pansies potted with geraniums in Illinois - pansies are only for spring and fall. The Lobelia are prolific...amazing!!! And, combining of colors - all and every colors in one pot. Really quite beautiful. The Lupines and Delphiniums and Poppies - just amazing! Especially fun was the Betty Ford Gardens in Vail. I even LOVE the dead trees amongst it all - what a wonderful contrast. It looked like the dead wood was specifically placed throughout as well...
2. Love to 'snoop shop' - though it seems it's either T-shirts and polar fleece smattered with 'Vail' on them - or VERY $$$$ clothing and art galleries. Guess where I linger??????? Yep - the $$$ shops and art galleries. Vail Village was exceptionally fun. Here is what I see:
Monochromatic embellishment - yes - embellishment done in the same color - oftentimes even the same fabric. I watch FOX News and I see this all the time on the simple dresses on the women reporters and commentators as well...and of course, sleeveless. I see this embellishment - usually of a knit fabric cut on the cross grain so it will curl, or on the bias for woven fabrics. Definitely adding to the cost - regardless of the price range....as well, it should!
WHITE Blouses and shirts with ruffles or pleats - everywhere! I actually really think this is a clean, fresh look - for most everyone - especially those of us who have seen cosmetic dental work ie: whitening. I learned in my color training that you shouldn't wear white whiter than your teeth or the whites of your eyes. Well - there are many more of us around with much whiter toothies than God ever planned on! Anyway - they look good. I love wearing my Coldwater Creek white blouse as a jacket.
More Embellishment than ever...EVERYWHERE. I have a napkin full of drawings and quite a few pictures on my cellphone from my snoop shopping. Many of the ideas I've seen will be adapted and utilized on upcoming Creative Sweatshirt Jackets. However, I often think that the designer has gotten carried away. Usually the more $$$ garments do this - in my humble opinion. Even Tim Gunn (Project Runway) would agree with me I'm sure. It all comes down to 'Less is More'. So - if you need some em bellishment ideas and techniques, be sure to invest an EZ $19.95 in my Refined Embellishments for Creative Clothing.
Off in a jeep today - into God's 'closet' of creation. Stay posted for what inspirations I get today....