Salzburg

One of the side trips we made from Freilassing was to Salzburg - a distance of only about 10 km.  We were able to take a bus there - no muss, no fuss!  The day started out hot and sunny, but by late afternoon it started to cloud over.

I took a ton of pictures that day, so I'm just going to spam the place.  I got some really nice pictures of my mom, my aunt and me, but they are both reluctant to share their pictures on the internet, so those will have to be my private treasures.

A beer garden.  Later in the day I had an espresso here!

We spent our time exclusively in the pedestrian Old Town.

We lucked out - admission to Mozart's
Birthplace was free that day!
We saved 21 Euros!

I do not remember what this building is, but it's very pretty.

I was wearing my Traveler Dress that day,
even though it was really too hot for it!

There was a dog show in town that day too.  We saw so many
beautiful dogs.

More pretty signage.

One of many sidewalk cafes.

Plop in the center is the fortress, up on a hill.

Another view of the fortress.

And yet another.

This is a pretty fountain/pool that used to be a watering
hole for horses back in the day.

And here it is with the fortress.

Weiss beer for lunch . . . yummy!
Don't worry - I ate food too!

We didn't eat in this cafe because they really only have
coffee and cake, but isn't it pretty?

And another pedestrian street.

There were lots of street musicians too.
These guys were my favorite, because
they played jazz.

Hello again!

I've actually been back since Saturday night, but I set up posts through yesterday knowing I wouldn't have time until now for anything new.  And sure enough, I have a mountain of laundry to deal with that's almost as big as the Alps I've just returned from!  And a house that needs to get cleaned top to bottom in time to receive a house guest tomorrow.  When it rains, it pours!

My mom and I spent the last two weeks visiting her eldest sister in the southeast corner of Bavaria, just across the border from Salzburg, Austria.  The town where my aunt lives is called Freilassing; it's a very charming little place, so I though I'd share a few pictures with you.

This is my aunt's terrace:

And when you step out onto the terrace, this is what you see:

Obviously, I didn't get tired of this view!

Here are some snaps from nearby her house:

The tower in the background is the old firehouse.

Lots of pretty houses all around, most
with very lovely gardens.

I really love this type of signage.

The pedestrian main street in "downtown" Freilassing.

We had a really nice visit with my aunt.  We went to help her out with a couple things, but we managed to squeeze in some fun times too.  Our evenings were mostly spent drinking wine, playing cards and giggling - priceless!  

We also made a couple side trips, which I'm going to use as fodder for the next couple of posts!

My childhood.

1973

1971

This is how I remember people dressing.  It seems to me that my mom made my dad a couple of leisure suits (polyester, natch) very similar to the top pattern, only more masculine.  You guys remember the leisure suit, right?  And the big side burns that went with it?  And cigarette vending machines.  Ah, the '70s . . .

Kindergarten

1970

I seem to remember my kindergarten teacher wearing something like this.  She was one of the young, cool teachers.  Believe it or not, I really like this, and kind of wish it were my size.  I'd make the midi-length one.

Never in a million years.

late 70s/early 80s

Not because I don't like it.  Because it's too darn much work!

My college years!

1980s

I lived in these skirts in the early to mid-80s.  I especially loved the border print ones from India.  You know, like the neo-hippies wore.  Does that give you a clue to my past?  I don't think I had this exact pattern, but I think I had one very like it.

Ummm . . .

1977

Ok, this one is a little fugly.  But the skirt has possibilities, although you can't really see it in this picture.  It's a lot like the one I want to use to copy the Emerson Fry skirt.

This is why I watch "Father Knows Best."

1949

To see Jane Wyatt wearing dresses like this, and to wish it were me wearing them.  Maybe some day it will be!

Oooh, pretty!

1960s

I love this one!  I have a reproduction Simplicity pattern that's very much like it.  I'd love to make this whole ensemble some day.

I like your puffy sleeves.

Late 70s/early 80s

Another dress I think is still wearable.  Minus the little jacket.

A bad rap.

1970s

Maybe it's just that I grew up in the 70s, but I think the styles from this decade don't always deserve the bad rap they get.  Take this dress for instance.  I think this is still a very wearable style, if coupled with a more modern length and fabric.  Of course, you'd have to ditch the vest . . .

1964

1964

Wow.  This pattern is the same age as me!  Now wonder it's falling apart at the seams!  I actually really like this one, especially the skirt and the blouse.  But I do have a soft spot for 1964.  I could totally see my mom wearing this back in the day.

Simple to make?

1958

The envelope says so, but it doesn't look like it to me.  There's some underarm gusset action going on, and a whole lot of fitted bodice.  Fitted bodices are scary.  I could handle the overskirt though.

My youth comes rushing back to me.

1978

This is the look of the sewing patterns I used as a teenager.  I used to love those tops with the drawstring shoulders.  Still do.

Hmmm . . .

I'm not really sure if this is an actual dress or a fit pattern.  Either way, it's from the 60s.

Win!

Here's our first pattern:

1969

Now, don't get distracted by the ginormous pants (which I actually think are pretty cool and would wear if I were about 5 inches taller).  Check out the skirt in the back - this is the pattern I have been looking for so I could knock off this outrageously expensive skirt!  And it's exactly my size!  All I have to do is add some patch pockets!

I'm a winner!

Over the last few months, I entered and won 3 different vintage pattern giveaways. Andrea over at Invisible Flower had 18 straight days of giveaways in February, for which she gave three patterns each.  I already showed you the first group I won, but I won a second lot from her as well, and never got around to posting it.

Then last month, Leah at Struggle Sews a Straight Seam had a huge giveaway of 14 patterns of mixed decades and sizes, and I won that one too!

So I thought I'd post these mostly one a day while I'm gone, as kind of a place holder so you guys don't forget me!  I could have Hubby guest post for me, but he doesn't really know much about knitting or spinning or sewing . . .  all you'd get from him would be guitars.  This will be more fun!

For today I'll show all three patterns I got from my second win from Andrea, and then starting tomorrow I'll start showing what I got from Leah.

1963

I was so surprised by how modern this one looks.  I have a pair of boots very like the ones the lady on the right is wearing, and I would totally wear  the long version of this cape.

1959

Ah - this is so lovely!  A tiny bit too small for me though, so I'm hoping to get up the guts to try my hand at grading it up someday.  I love the notched neckline.

1945

This one is so interesting.  This is the oldest pattern I own, and while the pieces are beige tissue, they have no markings and are already cut to the shapes of the pattern pieces!  Fascinating!  I really love this dress.

Almost Mother's Day

For me, Mother's Day is going to be tomorrow, because my mom will be arriving from North Carolina where she lives and spending the night before we go on to Germany together to visit her sister.  I can't wait to see her - we haven't been together since she visited last spring, although we either talk or email just about every day.  And I get to have her almost all to myself for 2 whole weeks :-)

Several days ago, I finished the back of my Antibes polo, and I decided to share it today in honor of Mother's Day because if it weren't for my mom, there wouldn't be any knitting or sewing going on around here.  Well, maybe there would, but she is the one who taught me both of these skills at a pretty young age.

I don't really know exactly how old I was when she first taught me to knit, but I remember I was in Mrs. Thomas's class, and that was third grade, so I usually count it from about 8 years old.  When she first taught me, she had me hold the yarn in my right hand - and I agree it's usually easier for a beginner to learn that way.

But I also remember that when I was maybe 13 or so, she strongly suggested that I start holding the yarn in my left hand, so I switched.  So now, I can do both, and that makes it SO much easier to do Fair Isle color work - one color in each hand! Thanks, Mom!

Mom also taught me how to crochet, I think even earlier than knitting.  Several years ago, one of my aunts presented me with this item which I made, and which she had saved for me for many years:

In case you can't tell, it's a dress for a Barbie doll!  You're seeing it from the back; the little loops at either side are where the arms go, and the strange loop at the top is for the head somehow.  I clearly remember sitting on the stairs at my aunt's house crocheting this!

A lot of the good stuff I know, I learned from my mom.  She's an amazing woman, and I'm always trying to be more like her.  There are times when I'll say or do something, and I think, "I'm turning into my mom!"  And for me, that's a good thing!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you!