Invasion of mice

Gail, I understand your feeling and share your opinion that his behavior has been unacceptable. However, I did enjoy the film.

Lisa, it is easy for me to go out, if I want to. I just have to consult myself :-) And since I have flexible hours, when I see a movie I want to go to, I adapt my hours so that I don't even come home late in the night...

Suzie, you question the invasion of mice. I have evidences below:

This is a X-stitch chart by Pique & Pique et un diagramme.
They have a series of funny charts.

Edge of darkness

Hi ladies, I'm glad you like the tour in the local hill.
I did walk a little bit everyday since last Friday, not in the hill because it was too dark when I reached home, but through the streets of the village. Quite enjoyable. I saw some beautiful houses and gardens.

Kristy, why am I not surprised you like the heels ? :-)
Joyce and Lisa, this was a little hike, about 90 minutes.

I did not go for a walk today, it was my night out. I went to see Edge of darkness, with Mel Gibson. A good movie, but be warned, it is violent. I jumped and gasped several times. I was expecting the worst, I was wrong. It is a mix of Lethal Weapon without the humour (I don't mean Lethal Weapon IV, eeek!, that was a bad one) and Casino Royale. And I like the way Mel Gibson is ageing. He makes a convincing grieving father, looking for justice for his daughter (I did not say revenge).

Now I have to face an invasion of mice, more about that later :-)

Cheating...

I'm currently seen with those:

But recently, I met those and fell in love:

Yesterday, they took me for a nice walk, starting with the church:

This little church is above my village. It marks the place where Sainte Rosalie stopped the pest that had arrived in Marseille in the 18th century. 

This is also the entry to the hill:

There are not many trees, because wild fires come regurlarly, sigh.

But have a closer look at this almond tree:

Yes, spring is coming!

I was quite surprise to see this:

I went to the Castellas before heading home:

I must find more about the Castellas story to tell you. Castellas is of course a word for Castle.

I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

Budra Flared skirt

Pattern Description:
Simply skirted
This short skirt of comfortable pin-waled corduroy sports jeans styling with flat-felled seams, slanted front pockets, and seat pockets. A semi-circular panel set into the back adds shape and room to move.
Pattern Sizing:
34_42 I made 40
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, completely
Were the instructions easy to follow?
NO! The slanted front pockets were difficult for me. I read the explanations in Burda. Total Blank. I retrieved my old sewing book and started practicing. Well, the first pocket would not open :-) The second was better and the third was OK. Then I reread Burda instructions, almost the same as in my book, but my book had pictures to go with...
The zipper is not well detailed either.
The circular panel is very easy.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the circular panel, and the casual yet girlie look.
Fabric Used:
Stech denim
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yss I will, this is the urban version, a bush version is under way.
Conclusion:
Nice pattern if you know how to sew the pockets.

Lazy or clever?

When I went to bed yesterday, I almost stepped on a dead mouse. So what? I belong to two cats, don't I? Do you cats hunt mice with traps? Mine do:

This trap belongs to the ground floor, to the opposite end of the house, not to the first floor nor to my room...

More mail

From Neki, of a Movable Feast.
Thank you Neki!

In the mail today

from my sister:

Isn't she gifted?

I did not do much textile this week: I have a strong case of movie fever. This happens once or twice a year.

On Monday, I went to see The Princess and the Frog. Quite charming. I liked it. 

And on Friday, I went to see Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightining Thief. On the whole a good movie, with nice visual effects, but I fear I'm a bit too old for this one. Clearly, it is for teenagers :-)

Susan, regarding my understanding of English, Sherlock Holmes was easy to understand. Both Sherlock and Watson are British and educated, and as such, rather easy to understand. I remember I did not understand much of Juno, because she speaks like a teenager. From time to time, we've got American series in English on TV. For example, I can understand H and Eric in CSI Miami, while Calleigh gives me a hard time. So, it really depends on what I'm listening to. 

My coworker, and now friend, Irene is Scottish. She trained me to enjoy English, in books, movies, etc...As a result, I always try to see a movie in the English version, whenever possible. Even if I don't understand all, the atmosphere is quite different. 

Right now I'm working on a skirt, not an easy one because it is from a Burda pattern, with Burda instructions... I think the same with Vogue instructions would be much easier. I'm lucky I'm on leave tomorrow, so I hope I can post more about it.

In the meantime, take care!

Sherlock Holmes

I needed a break before going home tonight. Like watching a movie.
Why not Sherlock Holmes? I had 10 mn to drive from work to the parking lot, find a place for my car, walk to the cinema and buy my ticket for the English version. Or 30 mn to go to the French version...Uhuh. But the luck was with me. No traffic, a parking place at once. They were making the last call when I arrived at the cinema, so I did not have to queue for the ticket. I even had time to make myself comfortable before the movie started. The English one!
At the beginning, I was a  bit surprised. I expected something slow. It was very lively instead. Sherlock and Watson are also much younger than I expected, but, well, this has advantages :-). London is as expected it. Even better. On the whole, I like it very much. And I'm glad I made it to the English version. I'm sure the French one misses the humour and the accents. And I'm sure there will be a sequel.

If you can, go and see it, you won't regret it.

Au bonheur des petites mains - pattern to discover

Rosalie of Art You Wear and me just sent me a link to a French lady who sells patterns. Very nice patterns indeed. Have a look: Au bonheur des petites mains
I don't know yet if they are nice to work with, but I'm going to find out very soon. Believe me...

It's a good day

• when I need to wear sun glasses to drive home from work,
• when I discover a mail box full of magazines (wonder why I have more textile vocabulary in English than in French...),

• when I have time to visit your blogs...

burda 02-2010-104

Pattern Description: 
Skirt with pockets
Pattern Sizing:
40
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
On the whole yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, but I added lining, so I did not follow them by the letter.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the pockets, easy to make. On the other hand, the fabric is a bit too busy for the pockets... sigh...

Fabric Used:
Some polysomething weave. The fibers were very loose. tending to live their own live, in any direction. The fabric was so wild that it frayed at a simple eye contact... But I tamed it, at least I think I did 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Kept the size at it was, took the shorter version and added about an inch in length, to feel comfortable.
Added a lining. I cut it from the same pattern, just glued the pockets to the front.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Good basic piece. I will sew it again, in another fabric.

Conclusion: 
Took one day. Looks good. perfect for a weekend spent sewing.