Friday, April 10, 2015

The year of the shirt and a slimy visitor.........


Last year was the year of the skirt, I made many of them from the same pattern and I still wear them when the weather is warm, which is a lot of the time here in Florida.  This year I decided to try and sew some shirts.  I wanted something light weight and easy to wear that was not my standard white t-shirt.


Believe me when I say I have a difficult time sewing.  I really can't seem to sew a straight seam, but I try and I think it is kind of fun.  I dusted off my newish machine Ms. Anna, and got to work.

This pattern is New Look 6891.  I adapted the front and back because all the fabric I bought was not going to work well with a seam down the middle.  I find it almost hysterical that I am adapting anything as far as sewing is concerned.   I made these last weekend after my head cleared a bit.  


I bought these beautiful fabrics at a new and local quilting store.  They are more expensive than Joann's but the variety is so much more fun.  I did not iron them on purpose for this photo shoot because 1. I am lazy and 2. I don't see myself ironing them this summer, I want a top I can just put on and go.  I have three more to make with the same pattern but those will have sleeves which I actually think will be easier then this crazy arm band thingy I had to make fit.  Notice you are not getting a real close-up, of the neckline or arm binding, my sewing is atrocious.


Yesterday when I got home from work and the grocery store I had a bit of a scare.  I put down my groceries, went to rinse out my strawberries and grapes and noticed something strange.  There was an odd, dark shape on the carpet inside my house by the sliding glass door.  I went closer to investigate and found this black racer snake inside my house, with his tail on the carpet, and his body on the track of the slider.  I just about had a heart attack!  I ran and grabbed a towel and threw it on Mr. Slime completely missing of course as throwing anything has never been my strong point.  The snake then moved under Little Buddy's excavator which was located next to the door.  I ran and got a broom, picked up the towel, threw it on the excavator and opened the door and swept everything including the snake out the door.

Here you can see the snake making a getaway.  It went up under the wooden paneling on my house.   My son actually was amazed I had the time to take a photo of the snake.  He underestimates the power of a blogger  whose camera is always near, and who actually thinks about taking a photo of a snake inside her house before getting the actual snake out, but then comes to her senses and gets the snake out before it can hide up under her sofa. 


I know my husband left the slider open for Max to bark at the pool, then I am sure Mr. Slime thought it would be fun to come inside.  Lucky for all of us he did not venture far and went back to the slider to  try and get back out.  Little Buddy was at school and Max my ever vigilant watch dog was no where to be found.  Mr. Slime is still out on my back pool area, slithering around or hiding which gives me the creeps.  But better out there than inside my house!


As soon as Little Buddy returned from school he got a car and made it to his favorite place to play, yup right where that snake was!


I swear my heart has not stopped pounding!  I think a nice picture of a flower might help.

I have had another week of migraines and missed a lot of work and your posts.  Seems the computer really bothers my eyes after I have had one.

I hope to catch up with you all this weekend.  Have a great day and stay away from snakes, even non- poisonous ones.



43 comments:

Christina said...

I am glad the snake is outside. No doubt it will be on its way out of your garden soon. Well, I hope it is. There are advantages to living in Scotland after all. It is funny, I just did the same adaption to a top pattern, too. Who wants a seam down the front anyway? I have not sewn my top yet, I am working on Annie's summer dress. Have a wonderful weekend, hopefully migraine free. xx

Anonymous said...

Oh my...but you did indeed take great photos. I would have done the same thing.

Claudia said...

I'd ask you to make one of those adorable tops for me, but A. You're a smaller size than me and B. I don't like my arms hanging out there at my age.

So, you don't have to make one.

xo
Claudia

Tanna said...

LOL! I am still laughing at the part about your son underestimating the power of a blogger with a camera ever close at hand. LOL! But, my heart is pounding with you! Oh, my goodness. I am not a fan of mr. no legs!

Looks like you and Ms. Anna have been doing a fine job of sewing. Those tops look great, Meredith!

Sure hope your headaches ease up soon! Sending hugs and blessings ~ tanna

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Shiver on the snake! Glad you got it out!! Love the top but I don't let my upper arms wave uncovered very often! I don't sew at all so you are way ahead of me on that one. With all the pollen this week I've had a few headaches but no migraines thank goodness, they are awful I know. Still waiting on baby girl to make her way into the world! Take care and hugs to you and Little Buddy.

Linda

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

Your tops are wonderfully, I do like the floral material it's very pretty. As for the snake ewww! a little too close for comfort for me xx

CJ said...

Lovely tops, perfect for your gorgeous weather. The snake is a scary thing, I would have been throwing things as well. Good job on the photo though. I hope your head is all better soon, migraines are awful. CJ xx

Betsy said...

Okay, I NEVER would have thought to grab my camera. I would have been too busy panicking over a snake in the house. I'm terrified of snakes. And ooh, ick. Lil Buddy is laying where the snake was? Let's just move on to the the next subject...your tops! They are beautiful Meredith. What is it with all of these patterns that have seams down the front and back? You did a wonderful job.
I hope the next week is migraine free for you. Does spring seem to make them worse? My best friend has been down for 3 days with one. She has even missed work and that never happens.
Blessings my friend,
Betsy

RURAL said...

Your tops are adorable...it's nice to have something easy and no fuss that still looks wonderfully cute, and stylish...that's going to be a staple item for you this summer.

Mr. Slimey..well he is just looking for some crunchy bug granola and thought he might have found a warm spot. Better than Mr. 8 legged freaking spidy...lol.

You were very brave!

I'm so sorry you get those migraines...I get the Aura's and occasionally a headache...I sympathize, and am sending a virtual healing hug through the internet.

Jen

Bridget said...

I love those tops!

I would probably need therapy if a snake got into our house ...

I hope you'll feel better soon. Take care.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Oh no! Thank goodness he didn't venture far or who knows where you might have found him. Yikes! I've had migraines the past two days, too. Started first thing yesterday morning and I couldn't help but stare at a computer screen at school because all of my work is on the computer. I started with another one today -- must be because of the change in the weather. Has been dusty for days. My head has settled down a bit now. If you are sewing and wearing your creations, then your skills must not be too bad. I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to begin to make something. The shirts will be nice and cool to wear in the heat. Hope you have a relaxing weekend and that those migraines go away. I know how you are feeling and it ain't fun. Hugs, Tammy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

P.S. I was laughing out loud at your description of bloggers and their mad photo taking skills. Ha! :)

Heldasland said...

I think you are incredibly brave I would have screamed the house down .I have no idea how you took that photo, brave, brave lady.

I am loving your sewing I have just paid for a one day 'get to know your sewing machine' course.
I am hopeless with seams and even more hopeless with cutting the blooming fabric in a straight line .Wish me luck

Lynne said...

Way to go Meredith! The same thing happened to me with a garter snake after we moved in this house, and the first thing I grabbed was the broom. Shudder.
Your summer tops are so pretty! I'm sure you already have the nice weather to be able to wear them right now. Makes we want to sew something besides a quilt.
Migraines are miserable. Hope you are getting some relief :)

kathyinozarks said...

I was laughing too with the story-especially about us bloggers-to be sure and get a photo-lol still smiling
we have allot of snakes that just show up here too-and could tell you a few stories that frightened me to the willies-it does get your whole body shaking-especially as it seems they just appear from no where. we don't kill any of the snakes here since we are sharing the woods with them-but copperheads-that is a different story.
glad you got him outdoors-hugs

kathyinozarks said...

Oh and I really loving your shirts, I learned how to sew as a child and back then the stores were fabric stores-for making clothes or draperies and such-now it seems they are just quilting stores-that is sad. but the quilt stores do carry a much better quality line of fabrics than stores like Jo Ann's.
good for you being able to make a pattern work-you will enjoy your shirts

Unknown said...

Oh my! I think I would have screamed and run out of the house. That was quick thinking. I think your tops are very cute. Hope you are feeling better. Take care

MaryLynne said...

Hi Meredith,
Sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well.

As for the snake...EWWW! I don't like them at all! Not even in the zoo behind glass! They give me the willies! The nerve of some snakes to invite themselves in.

I love the tops, they look comfy and the fabrics you chose are very cute.

Bestest,

Mary Lynne

Amy at love made my home said...

OMG, my heart is pounding now too!!!! Eeeekk doesn't begin to describe it. I am so glad that you and Buddy and Max are alright. I hope the snake finds his way far far away and does not come back again. I am very grateful for not having any dangerous snakes in this country. Oh, there are quivers going down my back. Anyway, I love your top, hope you enjoy making the rest and more importantly enjoy wearing them!! Hope too that you feel much better again soon. Hugs. xx

Gracie Saylor said...

Mercy!!! I am so proud of you, Meredith!!! I was trained to carry a hoe while hiking with the Girl Scouts in Missouri so that I could chop off the head of a copperhead snake [I never had to...thankfully] but how to deal with a snake INSIDE my house is something scouting did not prepare me for. The broom was a brilliant weapon. The photos of the pretty new tops whose imperfections I can not see and the pretty flower are helping me to calm down from my squirming horror...but the photo of Little Buddy where the snake was gave me another squirming shiver. So glad he was at school during the invasion! [I have to admit you told the story so well I laughed out loud more than once...in spite of my horror :) ] Wishing you and yours a SAFE and happy weekend!!! xx

Teresa Kasner said...

First off.. your tops are so classy and perfect! You are so lucky that you are so slim that you can wear sleeveless and pretty hand made wearable art! The snake.. oh dear.. you're my hero on dealing with that yourself! I would be shrieking and finding someone ELSE to catch it! But it was good blog fodder.. (what D calls things like that). ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

ellen said...

Well done, you old snake charmer, you.
I once came home from work years ago and kept hear a scrabbling noise in the kitchen and finally saw that it was a mole. Poor thing. No doubt the cat had brought it in, got bored with it and forgot all about it. I do say, I'd rather rescue a mole than have to wrangle a snake out of the house.
Your tops are great. They will be so comfy in the hot and humid weather.
I am sending evil messages to those migraines right this minute. I am so sorry you get them.
Love to you, Ellen.

kathy b said...

Bless your sweet Head. Cold compresses and quiet and dark for you ASAP. Snakes do not bother me...but MICE, OMG. I Freak out with mice. Hence I have 3 cats. I fear not with my felines in the house. The other day 2 of them were huddled together in an odd corner of the family room: a hornet was on the floor. !!!! They must hear it or smell it or something. Still its not as bad as a mouse.
Im hoping Lil Buddy won't decide he likes snakes....and insists on having one.....

gilly said...

Eeeek! Although snakes don't bother me too much, but spiders really scare me (for some illogical reason) so I can identify with your fear ;-) Well done you for being brave and sweeping it out. And I did have a little giggle about pausing long enough to take a pic! Tee hee.
Glad little Buddy wasn't home at the time too.
And on a happier note - your tops are lovely :-) Such pretty fabrics, I'm sure you will enjoy wearing them.
Happy weekend, hugs xx

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

I love your top, good job! I once threw an entire vacuum cleaner, still plugged in and switched on, out of my sliding doors when the spider I was trying to vacuum up just stepped casually onto the vacuum cleaner! Eeeek!
(By a he way - LOL - I mistyped Eeeek and autocorrect put in "Derek" hahaaaa!!!)
Jillxo

Judy S. said...

Gosh, Meredith, you had a wild and crazy day! One of my teaching friends had one of those black racer critters slither up the edge of her chalkboard while she was teaching math. (That was before whiteboards.....) At any rate, good job on the quick thinking for the photo op and the snake removal. Have a great snakeless weekend, and I hope those migraines leave for good!

handmade by amalia said...

I'm so impressed with your shirt, Meredith. I got a new sawing machine for my birthday and I'm completely in awe of it. A shirt looks to me about as possible as a trip to the moon.
Amalia
xo

Grammy Braxton said...

Meredith, I would have had a flat out heart attack! I hate snakes with a passion and to have one in the house??? EEEEWWWW! You are a brave woman. I'm glad you were able to get it outside. I love the shirts you made. I'm a fan of t-shirts, that's about all I wear. You are going to have some easy-peasy clothes for this summer.
Hugs,
Sharon

gaia said...

You were very brave to do what you did! If it were me, I would have just screamed and run away from the house :)
Have a beautiful week-end...
Gaia.

linda said...

I think you tops are lovely and look fie to me I am the worlds worse sewer a straight seam is way beyond me, I'm looking forward to seeing the ones with sleeves. As so for snake OMG! my worst nightmare you are very brave Meredith, I would have run a mile!. Hope you are feeling better and are having a lovely weekend. :) xx

Géraldine B. said...

Take care .... see you later .. don't worry !!! Hopefully, the snake was outdoor ... I wish you and healthier weekend !

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Yikes! I don't like snakes. That's one of my problems with visiting our condo in Florida. Last time I was there, a racer was sunning outside the door and when I walked out it shot right past my foot. Luckily for me, I didn't actually see it (son did) or I would have freaked out.

Petunia Pill said...

Ha ha ha, Claudia's comment above! You go, Mer! Look at you sewing! I'm impressed! So sorry you are suffering with migraines! They are just oh so awful! Hugs, Annette

Taci simmons said...

Well done my dear friend ... You are one super woman... I would've been screaming myself ( I'm no good with sneaks and rats). Love, love your top and the flower of course, it's my favorite flower color:) yellow flowers are so bright and shiny. Hope your migraine goes away and you have a good weekend.

Old Magnolia Tree said...

I know migraines ate pre hell. I find the only thing that works is to rest with an ice pack for my head and try to avoid direct sunlight for a day or two. Hard done in florida though. Hope you are better soon.
Rosie

Ljubinka said...

Lovely shirt.
Snake is my phobia, horrible..
Take care, hugs.:*

20 North Ora said...

Cute tops! I am like you - all snakes are deadly to me - they can cause me to have a heart attack! LOL

Judy

Debby said...

Oh my gosh, I had to not look at the pictures. I hate snakes. When my kids were little I would take them to the zoo. I would sit outside the reptile house. I wasn't going in. That snake would have given me a heart attack for sure. My little grandson loves all kinds of reptiles. They got a pet rat since I was last there. I will have to pretend it's a hamster on my next visit. They know I won't be coming to visit if they get a snake.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Your shirts are cute! I rarely wear sleeveless shirts in OR but I did when I lived in NM! I don't sew alot but I have a good Bernina sewing machine that I love to use, when I need to. Glad Mr. Slime is gone and out of your house. ICK! We've had trouble with snails lately but they aren't too bad. Hope you are feeling better. I've had icky headaches yesterday and today and I think it's allergies to blooming flowers. Have a good week, my friend!

My Garden Diaries said...

Love those tops my friend!!!! I need some of those in my life as I am a boring t-shirt wearing gal! And I would have a heart attack if I came across that guy! OMG! You are braver than me...I can handle spiders and mice but snakes.....I would have passed out!!! Wishing you a better week..i hope that your migraines go away so you can feel better....thinking about you! Nicole xoxo

eclectichomelife said...

Ok so I started to read the post and had much to say about your seeing (great pattern btw) but all I can think about is the snake in your house so not funny. Yikes. Not happy. I don't know what I would have or could have done. You are brave

Pradeepa said...

When I was a kid we used to get plenty of such visits at my parents' place. Once a snake was hiding behind a light bulb in the house and our milkman drove it out. Even recently my dad along with the help of a few neighbors caught a huge cobra that was napping in our verandah and left him in the woods. Love your shirt!

elns said...

Nope, not feeling the snake. I used to be okay with them when I was younger. I would clean the cages of the garter snakes at the after school program I worked at and everything.

Nope, I think that the white one Diane bit me one too many times and now ... me and snakes we leave each other alone.

I would totally be creeped out. I was creeped out reading this.