Happy New Year!

I want to wish health and happiness to everyone in 2011. I think that it's been a tough year on many levels.

I have been spending the past few weeks working and recovering from the cough that I caught in Egypt. I'm mobile and able to go into work, but dang, when I start coughing, everything stops for about 5 minutes.

I've spent this afternoon re-organizing some of my fabric stash and trying to sort out fabric that I'm not going to use and that I should donate/trade/gift. I'm going to do the same thing with my clothing. I just have too much fabric in my apartment. I'm participating in PatternReview's Stash contest, so I need to clear out space for new garments in my closets and drawers. I have several TNT patterns for tops that will work nicely, including the BurdaStyle 9-2010-121 turtleneck that I managed to trace off and sew earlier this week. Since I can make these patterns over and over again, I should take the opportunity to clear out tops that I no longer wear.

The massive amounts of sewing related stuff are making me feel uncomfortable and I'm glad that I'm sorting through things. Last night I went through and organized my sewing magazines (Burda, Knip, Threads) to clear out some space. I managed to pull out my UFO's (Un - Finished Objects) from under my sewing table (when I reached a stopping point on the project, I put it in a 3-4 gallon ziplock bag and tossed it under the table. Out of sight= out of mind). I seem to have more trousers projects than I remember.

I'm not buying any more fabric until I go to Los Angeles in March (fingers crossed that my plans work out). I did manage to buy some more fabric for Christmas New Year's presents for my coworkers, as well as a quick trip to Fabrics R Us in San Jose for garment fabric. I'm was sad to realize that Fabrics R Us has consolidated to two storefronts, instead of the three that I'm accustomed to seeing. I worry about the fabric stores and vendors--I am seeing more sales announced more frequently: I sense more tough times ahead. I hope that my friends and colleagues remain in business.

My goals? To consume what I purchase (to reduce on stashing--if I can purchase it once, then I can purchase it again. I don't need to buy it all at once); to take a worldview on events (to look at things from a perspective more widely than my own); and to take pleasure in simple things.

Also, if I'd appreciate it if I could find the key to my storage unit, so I can put my luggage away. :)

Home

Frankfurt airport, December 9.

I'm home from my travels. I'm still recovering from jet lag, and the lingering cough from my mystery Cairo cold. My cough was so bad that talking would set off a round of coughs.

I also had a sewing mishap while putting away my luggage. I have generic black Costco luggage. I wanted to make certain that I could easily identify my stuff on the airport baggage carousel. So right before I left, I used my rotary cutter to cut several strips of brightly colored fabric ( about 12-14 inches long and about 1/3 - 1/2 inches wide) to decorate my luggage handles. I just tied them around the handles.

It worked wonderfully, so after I returned I decided that I would cut some more strips. So, I'm jet-lagged, recovering from a cold, and not paying enough attention--yes, these are all the ingredients for a rotary cutter accident. Direct pressure and elevating my hand worked very well, but dang it's difficult to type with a bandaged fingertip. Over the past few days, I've graduated to a regular band aid. Good news, though--no blood got on the fabric!

Did you spot it?

I'm in Zamalek in Cairo for my conference. The Zamalek neighborhood is the home of many embassies and is international. I walked past this news stand twice before I noticed the Patrones Joven. When I walked down the street, I found copy of Elena coutoure.