Saturday, April 30, 2011

Gertie's Week in Review {4.30.11}


Good morning, friends! Yes, it's past noon. But I only just recently woke up; I think I needed the extra sleep after this crazy week.

Sewing-wise, all I accomplished was finishing my Elizabeth Taylor-inspired slip to go on The Sew Weekly. I love it, but it sucked up a lot of time.


So today will be a mad dash trying to catch up on patternmaking for my book. I think I'm about three patterns behind where I'm supposed to be. Yikes! I need some little patternmaking elves to come help me. Have any of those you can spare?

Are you all recovered from the excitement of the royal wedding? I got much more caught up in it all than I expected to. I had a lot going on yesterday. My dad was having surgery to remove a brain tumor (it's his second), so I was waiting to hear how it went. I suppose the wedding was a bit of a distraction. Anyway, my dad is doing much better than expected and was even chatting the nurse's ear off last night. Mom said he's being perfectly himself, by which she means a nuisance. Apparently he wanted to regale the nurse with all sorts of stories. Yep, that does sound just like him!

And to top off the week, today is Jeff's birthday! I love birthdays. We're going out to a tapas restaurant with a big group of friends and I know it will be a blast. I just have to decide what to wear.

Also, breaking news: I bought a new curling iron yesterday! And I'm obsessed with it. It's called The Bombshell by Sultra, and it doesn't have a clamp. Instead, you wear a heatproof glove and wrap your hair around the iron, hold it there for a few seconds, and then pull the iron out while holding onto the curl. You let the curl cool a bit in your fingers and then release it. (Sultra has a bunch of tutorials and videos here if you want to see it in action.) It makes the most gorgeous curls. Also, I discovered that it's the perfect tool for making victory rolls. I think I'll do a video tutorial on that soon; I think this curling iron will be a godsend to retro-loving ladies. Also, it's weirdly fun to use. I was loathe to spend this much on a curling iron, but I'm glad I did. You can buy it at Sephora, if you're interested. (Plus, they have a great return policy if you decide you don't like it.)

Hey, I passed 3,000 blog followers yesterday! That was an amazing number to see. I'm thinking about a fun giveaway to celebrate and thank you all.

Well, I think that's enough excitement for one post. I'm going to go rustle up my patternmaking elves and get to work! Have a great weekend, everyone.

26 comments:

  1. Seems like you might have a gorgeous *slip* to wear out.
    I've been thinking about a curling iron, that one looks good but it would be a big splurge.
    And congratulations on the 3000!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on your conic styling tool. They do make the best curls. I find that I also like using a straightener (yes, a straightener) for loose waves.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad to hear your dad's surgery went well, that must be a big boulder off your shoulder. And many congratulations on 3,000(!) followers. x

    ReplyDelete
  4. omg I love curling my hair without clamping! I got used to a marcelle iron years ago, and that was easier than the spring clamp once you get used to it. These are the best to get that lose curl/beachy look.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gertie check out my blog I posted a link to yours. You have been inspiring me so much lately.
    http://nansnewsfromthenorth.blogspot.com/
    Love the idea of this curling iron.

    ReplyDelete
  6. glad to hear your dad's doing well. nothing like a bit of froth and fantasy to distract when life is just too real. good luck with his recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad to hear your dad is doing well! I, too got WAY too caught up in the royal wedding, but loved every minute of it! Had a crazy week, too - flood in my sewing room!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope your dad has a speedy recovery! I had so much fun watching bits of the wedding yesterday & checking out pictures of all the guest outfits. So many neat photos to scroll through!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So glad to hear that your father's surgery went well.
    Good luck in catching up with all the pattern making - hope that runs smoothly for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. best of luck for your dad's recovery. When my step-father had his, someone gave him the book 'I just had brain surgery, what's your excuse?' or something like that- and he Loved it. good book.
    also- I've often wanted something like a heat-proof glove for ironing those little bits of a project. -To be able to stick a finger under a seam and press it open! Your glove could serve double-duty at your ironing board, making your new tools extra-worth the price.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hmm, I sort of AM a patternmaking elf, does that count? Sadly, I'm also at the other side of a rather large puddle of water from where you are... (you can check my blog http://petitmainsauvage.blogspot.com if you want know what I'm talking about)

    Best wishes for your father!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad to hear your Dad's doing well.

    Congrats on the follower milestone - that's great! I'm really liking the week in review posts - I've mostly been a lurked on here (though I've been following for quite a while), as I find bigger/more well-known blogs a bit intimidating, but these review posts feel like I'm receiving a letter from a friend! Keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. So glad your dad is doing well!

    I could use one of those heat-proof gloves for regular curling irons! I am terribly afraid of burning myself.

    By the way, I love these week in review posts!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats on hitting 3000! And so glad your dad is doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Glad your dad is doing well! Happy birthday Jeff! Congrats on all of your followers!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome! So glad your dad is doing fine, my goodness that must have been hard to get through!
    I reached 350 followers and I am quite excited, too (it's all relative :D )
    Have fun at dinner!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm giving your dad good vibes - though it sounds like he's doing fabulously.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That curling iron sounds awesome. I think that heat proof glove could double as a sewing tool when you're ironing. :]

    ReplyDelete
  19. Glad your Dad is ok. Good to hear he is being a nuisance means he is feeling like himself. Love the sound of the curling iron. I have curls but sometimes they need a helping hand. As for the pattern making elves; mine seem to be lost or I would send them to you. Congratulations on 3000 followers!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Best wishes for your dad's continued recovery, Gertie! Please do post tutorial on the hair curler. I'm so curious. The "just had sex" hair on the website is, um, really not my goal. A more "vintage" option is much more appealing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Glad your father is doing well after such a major surgery, Gertie.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Just had a chance to read your post on the Liz slip. It drapes beautifully. I still have several vintage slips with zippers, they so no long fit me, but I keep just in case:) Hope all goes well with your Fathers recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for 'the Sew Weekly' link--how have I missed that? With such cool posts there, I've added it to my daily reading list!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Best wishes for your dad and happy birthday to Jeff!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your dad is doing well according to him (via phone) and your mom is too (in person). This is truly amazing that he is home in two and half days!

    As to the wedding, I was fascinated with the HATS! Boy do they know how to wear hats. It would make a great source for a future colomn.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake