All Posts By

sarah norwood

Really Good Weekend…

Uncategorized March 15, 2010


I finally took some pictures of my 3 month old Fish Tank. I just put a Chinese Algae Eater in, which you can kind of see in the corner. My guppy babies are finally starting to get some colour, which I’m excited about. They have black and yellow spotted tails!

I had one of the best weekends this weekend. Dan (who is still here) and I went out with my mom on Saturday, then to my parents for dinner, where we scouted out potential houses in the newspaper. Last night we stayed up and worked on thumbnails for banners, and re-decorated his guppy tank. This morning, we wandered downtown Orillia, then headed back here, where I actually managed to get some sewing done, and Dan worked on a business card layout for me! It is so handy having a mechanic who knows graphic design for a boyfriend!

While in Orillia, I picked up this heart print jersey. I remembered to grab the pedal for my mom’s amazing Pfaff and whipped up these; gathered-derriere panties.

The thing I love most about this sewing machine, besides the amazing stretch-stitches it does, is the embroidery stitches! Now I REALLY don’t want to go to work… I’ve got new stitches to try out!

So Few Photos…

Uncategorized March 12, 2010

I haven’t finished anything lately.

I borrowed my mom’s sewing machine, but forgot the pedal. Mine is going all wonky when I try to zigzag stitch.

I decided to set up my old machine anyway and sew a dress… I did everything wrong, sewed the bottom of the skirt to the zipper (which needs to be ripped out completely), screwed up on the lining of the midriff band… made the straps way too long… the fit is awful… I don’t think anything went right. It can be fixed, but I invested my entire night into this monstrosity.

My week at work as been particularly horrendous, aside from a brief outing to Kravet to see a new Ralph Lauren Program. My co-worker is on vacation so I am doing a little of her job, plus my job (which I already can’t handle). I went to my second interview at a competitor who tells me I will in the least, make the same as I’m making there, likely more based on their commission structure, to just to do sales… not book appointments, and do deposits, deal with everyone’s customer complaints, and, and, and… Despite that, I’m not sure I’m really that interested in the job.

I feel like I work, work, work all day, come home, write resumes, cut patterns, draft patterns, try to sew things that just screw up… I eat Campbell’s soup every day and still have no money! I feel like I’m doing all these things to no end… I hope this feeling fades, because it’s really getting me down.

I am impatient.

On a good note, one of my loveliest friends came over on Thursday and did my hair. I’m blond, blond, blond again, and THAT at least feels good… a girl’s gotta have something.

Motivation…

Uncategorized March 9, 2010

Last night started out as a great night. I cut out a size run in a gingham and floral cotton pantie (and an extra gingham pair for me!). I read a chapter of The Smart Cookies Guide to Making More Dough and Getting Out of Debt, and felt even more motivated to save for that down payment! I read a chapter of Three Day Road. I listened to the classical radio and felt really great about cancelling my VIP cable package and going down to bare basics (did you know if you tell them you can’t afford it they’ll automatically knock off 20% and remove any other fee’s? I went from spending nearly $70 a month on cable to $28).

I feel great that I’ve made some pretty big financial changes in order to reach a bigger goal. I’m excited about it, and I’m excited about my life. I cut out my morning coffee and muffin, I cut out most of my cable, I cut out lunches out at work, I’m cutting back on my going out expenses. Now I feel like I should be seeing the money rolling in… I guess that takes a while!

Last night reminded me why I really want to do this. I was almost asleep when I hear “JESUS CHRIST F#^$ F^%# JESUS F@#$ S&*% F$*&!!!!” Then crazy, insane crying. I’ve heard the crying many times, but the swearing is pretty new. Now the thing that really scared me, as I lay alone in my bed last night, is that it sounded like it was coming from outside my front door. Either way, my neighbour is insane and scary and I need to move.

The crazy dreams have returned!

Uncategorized March 3, 2010

I had nightmares all night last night.

I should explain my nightmares to people who may not be familiar with me. My nightmares usually involve doors being closed on me, or some other totally not scary event, then me waking up screaming.

My nightmare last night was a little different. Dan and I decided to have people over to my Aunt’s old house (bad idea). Everyone decided to go out, but I as usual wanted to stay home. So they leave, and eventually come back, but without Dan. I ask about it, but get round about answers, and decide to go out and look for him myself.

I head out to the subway and start my search. I go shopping (thought the mall is probably the last place I’d ever find my boyfriend) and discover that Benefit Cosmetics now carries hair colour! Score!

At this point I figure I’ve exhausted my search and go back to my parent’s house where a sudden burst of rage makes me head over to the china cabinet and start smashing all of my tea cups and nickknacks. I grab a porcelain Peter Rabbit and hurl it to the floor. The second I hear a crash, I’m filled with remorse. I pick up the pieces and try to put it back together again, regretting my anger.

Then… some time passes.

I am laying on my bed and I have finishing nails, a hammer and empty picture frames. I place one nail, point down, towards the bottom of my breast, hammer the nail in, then hang the frame.

My dream quickly turned into a bad student art film. I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep again. These are the kind of dreams that bug me all day…

In other news, I started readying Joseph Boyden’s Three Day Road. I’ve picked this book up three times and couldn’t get into it. I was tired of murder mysteries last night, so grabbed this one again and couldn’t put it down.

The End… off to work.

Headache!

Uncategorized March 2, 2010


I stayed home with a headache and upset stomach today… I am feeling better, just wiped out which is funny because I slept for nearly 12 hours straight.

When I woke up I worked a little more on my get to Orillia plan, then finished this ruffled set. The panties are actually shown from the back. I think that I’ve decided that I don’t like it very much. But that might be my bad mood talking.

Alone again.

Uncategorized February 28, 2010

Dan left this afternoon, just after 3 pm. It’s been harder than I anticipated. I’m finding myself randomly bursting into tears while turning on the sconce light that Dan fixed, or walking the dog and coming into an empty apartment, cooking dinner and having a pot full of left overs and no one to say “This is really good, thanks honey,” in between mouth fulls. He missed a good dinner tonight, fresh marinara sauce.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on why it is so hard. We spent a year only seeing each other on weekends, and we were okay. I just want this so bad, and now that I’ve had a taste, it’s really hard to go back. The worst part, though, is just being alone. Far from my family, far from Dan, far from so many things I love.

I should try to sew, but everything just feels so much more difficult. I finished a pair of ruffled panties, and started a matching soft-bra. I need to finish a cup and just assemble it… instead I think I will soak in a bath and snuggle down with Oliver and Great Expectations for the night.

I don’t want to get into an empty bed.

Soft Bra for a Busty Girl

Uncategorized February 26, 2010

I spent the night sewing last night, and was able to try out that pattern I drafted earlier this week. I admit, it’s a little tight through the bottom, but that’s why we make prototypes!

The soft bralette is an adaptation of a vintage camisole pattern. I’ve always wanted one of those soft, delicate bras that tiny-chested girls get to wear. So, I’ve made this one with lots of elastic, thicker straps, and more room in the cup. It’s actually pretty comfy.

My sewing machine’s zig-zag stitch is acting up again… Sigh…

Today is Friday, the night before my last weekend with Dan. It’s a snowstorm outside, as you can see out the window in this picture, there is nothing but white. Somehow it feels fitting of my mood.

I was up most of the night last night worrying about money. I wish I had more time to sew some more and get some of these things up on Etsy… I wish the process was faster.

When I did manage to get some sleep last night I dreamed that my fish grew legs, and were crawling out of the tank, then attacking my dog. It was awful, and I felt a certain amount of unnecessary disdain towards my fish this morning. I have a hard time separating my dreams from reality sometimes.

Oliver is extra whiny this morning. I wish I could stay home with him today. I’m half considering calling in a snow day.

That probably wouldn’t go over so well.

Four More Days

Uncategorized February 25, 2010

Yesterday was Dan’s (actual) Birthday. Since I have no money, it was pretty relaxed. We made dinner together, had cupcakes from Flour Bakery, and spent the rest of the evening watching movies, and relaxing. It was nice, I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did.

I haven’t touched my sewing machine since Sunday. Monday, I drafted a new pantie pattern for some beige tricot I picked up. Tuesday, Dan and I discussed our One Year Plan and made some pretty big decisions that involve a move for one of us. I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to stop talking about the life that I want, and just start living it. I think we all have visions of how things could be ideally, but we keep putting the steps to getting there off until tomorrow. I’m getting old, Dan is getting older, I don’t want to wait anymore. I’m very impatient.

It’s almost time for Dan to leave. I’m feeling really unsettled about this. We became comfortable way too quickly here, and I don’t handle change well. We have a plan, but it’s scary and involves a lot of change. I am excited about it but scared parts of our plan won’t work out. What if one of us can’t find work? What if…? What if…?

Goal!

Uncategorized February 23, 2010

I had a beautiful dream last night.

Actually, the real dream I had was weird and scary; my real dream involved a crazy stalker girl, who I met while knocking on doors asking if I could cook my ground beef in their kitchen.

The dream I had after that, while laying in bed trying to forget the stalker was this: I moved to Orillia and opened a store downtown. This has been a dream of mine since I was 14! Oh Lulu Studios – a place to sell my wares, offer classes, a workspace to sew. It was beautiful!

I thought: “I CAN DO THIS! THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN DO! THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN DO AND LOVE!” But, one little thing stands in my way…. Money. Considering I won’t be paying my Rogers or Hydro bill this month… maybe I need to come up with a plan of action.

Considering my expenses here in Toronto, I’d probably end up with more in the bank at the end of the month, working at Fabricland in Orillia and sharing a place with Dan, than living alone here and busting my butt at the Curtain Factory.

I finished this set over the weekend; it’s made of a printed eyelet cotton and ruffled pink mesh. The panties are the same as the first Gingham pair I made, but this time, cut on the bias, which makes them way more comfortable. Not sure why I didn’t think of this the first time.

I really don’t want to go to work. I say this every day. I am so tired of it…