McCall's 5023

As you know, I am catching up on Downton Abbey. I just finished the episode in which sweet Lady Sybil passes. I am fully aware the tears are not over as I well know that Matthew Crawley is not a character in the fourth series. Sadly. Downton fans were surely outraged at the end of the series that I currently am on... I dread it. An oncoming train wreck and I cannot look away. I must say that Sybil's death departure was quite dramatic-- all the jerking to and fro. And then the Physicians just standing there.... like they were waiting for the next spot of tea. DO SOMETHING! It was such a strange scene. I believed Branson's acting, but not Lady Grantham's.

MY tears didn't start until Violet. While speaking to Carson about never seeing trouble like her granddaughter's death, Violet's breath caught and her voice began to quiver. For a moment, I thought she really might break down. But no, not the Dowager Countess of Grantham. She composed herself, covered her tired face with a stunning black lace veil and walked on, cane in tow. WHAT A SCENE! Ugly girl cry full on.

In other news, I finished The Secret Lives of Dresses by the great Erin McKean and adored it.
Jason and I took Maggie on an adventure yesterday. We decided to hike Panther Creek since the weather was so cool out. Maggie is still sleeping it off.

Our dogwoods are blooming.
The first hint of hosta leaves are now above ground.

McCall's 5023 came to life.

I decided to add the bow to the back instead of sewing the band and bow at the front waistline. I didn't hide the back zipper either. 

The darts on the waist drew me to this pattern of Grandmother's and as anticipated were my favorite part to sew. Who doesn't love a good dart?

Spring has Sprung.

Pity Party

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to. You would cry too if it happened to you.

I threw myself a pity party over the weekend. My baby sister (who is not really a baby anymore) and baby niece flew back to Michigan early Saturday morning. To console myself, I made lots of macaroni and cheese and watched Downton Abbey.

My Jason was up with the sun (probably more like the moon) as Saturday was the first day of turkey season. He hunted that morning and evening with a friend while I stayed at home, cooking and crying. After stuffing my face full of cheese and carbohydrates, I cried some more.

For a solid week, I lived and breathed this baby. When I wasn't at home, I was kissing those cheeks. And most days, I pulled in my drive long after dark. Even during the work day, my thoughts were always with her.

Now, my girl is not here for me to kiss or change her diaper. Or feed her yummy apricots.

I miss this little angel...

and her Mama. Real bad.

The next post will be about sewing, I promise.
But, for now... I will continue to eat my feelings.
Barbecue chicken and fried okra for supper.

Tomorrow

I apologize for being MIA most of March. I still plan to share details of the pullover dress I previewed in the last post. Each time I'd get on here to tell you, distraction set in.

Jason took me out on the boat for the first fishing trip of the year. He caught fish. I did not. I caught a sunburn, two itchy mosquito bites and a few tree limbs from "overcasting". The good news... my form is shipshape. Jason says next trip will be better because of all that mumbo jumbo about "spawning" and "on bed" stuff you fishers talk.

Here are some lovely turtles on a log. See the itty bitty on the far right? Cute!

This pattern may be my next sewing venture. Tempting, huh?

Right after I finish this...

I must tell you. I have been in a Nashville coma.

After hearing rave reviews, I decided to catch myself up on this sensation. Then something happened to me. I couldn't stop watching it. When I wasn't working or eating or sleeping, I was dating Nashville. The problem now is.... I am caught up. No new episodes await me on my DVR. To pass the time, I've thrown myself into researching the actors, song writers, producers... the whole kit and kaboodle! I've found some pretty talented artists along the way AND versions of these wonderful songs that aren't so glossed over. Another reason I love Nashville? The character names. Rayna. Deacon. Scarlett. Coleman. Gunnar. Juliette. Avery. Who came up with the name Deacon? Or Rayna? I don't know 'em, but I love 'em. And not to let the big pink elephant in the room go unnoticed.... Deacon ain't too hard to look at, ladies.

Tomorrow is the real reason I started this post. Tomorrow, my sister and 6 month old niece fly in from Michigan. Tomorrow, I get to snuggle this little sweetheart.

Ain't life grand?



P.S. I hear that the Nashville cast may be entertaining thoughts of a tour.... ?????   Yeehaw!

Good, Better, Best... Never let it rest...

If there ever was an anthem of my life, it would be Airstream Song by Miranda Lambert. Lord, I love it. Basically, she sings about loving and dreaming of different walks of life. I can relate because I'm never satisfied. Nothing is ever left alone. Like this blog. It has evolved to over 50 blog entries. While I am proud of what I've written, nothing is more satisfying than receiving compliments of my sewing ventures. So, I decided to give the blog a more generalized "theme", including a name change. I still plan to share life happenings on Willis Hill as I couldn't imagine not sharing.... but... I had an idea. And I'm running with it.

I started with Google. While the years of high school Yearbook Staff taught me the art of design (basics), I am just not equipped with the equipment to design what my crazy imagination wants. Plus, I probably couldn't remember much of it anyhow. However, I will say that my previous homemade blog headers did their job. So, I googled freebies until my heart went pitter patter over this:

Source: http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/2011/09/freebie-image-sew-pretty-blog-banner/#more-37

Lovely, eh? I'm fairly certain it was made for me. I would have chosen this one even if the girl had blonde hair but the red... my goodness...over the top, man.

Why wear the red thread sews? It's a play on words (which I LOVE). You know...similar to where the red fern grows. When I was naming my Etsy shop, I asked Jason for help. When I didn't have enough characters to name it "where the red thread sews". He suggested to change the spelling of where to wear. I was hooked.

Take a moment to look around. Visit the different pages within the blog (top left).

• About Yours Truly
• Stitches
• From the Kitchen
• Shop Til You Drop
• Pinterest
• BurdaStyle
• Craftsy

More changes are on the way. The next blog entry (#60) will hopefully be the start of something wonderful. My goals are to improve my sewing techniques and move into more technical, intermediate sewing. I feel widely informed of the basics. Time to step it up a notch! Stay tuned.

Here's a sneak peak.

--Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest until the Good get Better and the Better get Best.

Under Construction...

I will update you as soon as possible about the new blog changes.

But for now... Duck Dynasty calls.

@jhaliewill on TWITTER

Jason has convinced me to join Twitter. He is always giving me ideas to keep incoming traffic to my blog. I'm SO behind on the times but Simple Man says that I am a smart girl and I'll figure it out in no time.

So far, just tonight, I've learned:
Boyd and Ava will face off with someone in Harlan on tonight's Episode of JUSTIFIED...   (so excited!)
Ree Drummond is in Minneappolis.
Blake Shelton really is as funny as I had anticipated.
Garden & Gun...... where have YOU been all my life?

I believe it is safe to say that I think... I might... sorta, kinda... like this. I already feel like I'm actually friends with Rihanna... She was the seventh person I followed. Second only to Ree, Blake, Gretchen, the hubs, BigMama and Miranda. I successfully tweeted my first... umm... tweet? Is "tweet a tweet" correct twitter lingo? I am still trying to sort through all of this nonsense.

So.... if you would like to follow me or tweet me or whatever, do it here https://twitter.com/jhaliewill or just click on the pretty blue bird above. Be sure to follow my blog as well- options to follow are on the left side of this post.

That's it for tonight, peeps (no pun intended)...
Train roll on.... [twitter] Tuesday's gone.

Big Mama

My weekend began with a Nook notification that my pre-order of Sparkly Green Earrings was ready to read. I am a BIG fan of Big Mama; she's quite hilarious. Her book has received rave reviews- even though I am not a mother, I HAD to read it.

Jason had to work on Saturday so I took full advantage of a quiet morning, my warm bed and a brand new book. I had all intentions of sewing but sleep and other things got in my way.

However, in between my rem cycles, I managed to get a few things done.

I proudly showcased my newest earrings to the world. Note to self ladies: If your husband asks you to accompany him to a CB Repair shop in Timbuktu, joyfully accept. Your next earring purchase may be waiting for you. Aren't these sensational? I also bought another pair that are made from porcupine quills. Both were handcrafted by Native Americans. Translation: happy, happy, happy.

I "instagramed" cute pictures of my Magpie. Have you ever? Homegirl is just chillin' on my couch pillows. Not a care in the world. She also watched the back of her eyelids with me a few times. She enjoys it mucho mucho.

I helped Jason fill the deer feeders. Don't ask me why, but I did.

I applied my very first set of Sally Hansen nail color strips. I don't know what possessed me to purchase the "Laced Up" pattern. Do these look like hooker nails to you? They do to me. 

After a delicious dinner with my fabulous friend, Karen, I am now tuning into the Grammy's. Is anyone else confused of how some of these musicians are nominated? I mean, exactly who are some of these people?

Happy Sunday, sending love!

GRAMMY UPDATE: I find Taylor Swift opening the Grammy's very hilarious. Girl can't carry a tune... BONNIE RAITT in the house! What is it about Wiz Khalifa that I love so much? I love when Miranda sings harmony.... I will wait, I will wait for you!!!!! Kelly Clarkson is hammered. Who run the world? Rihanna! I don't know where I went wrong, but I can write a song. I belong with you, you belong with me. You're my sweeettthheeeaaarrrtttttt!