This little stack is five Evelyn Apron Skirts in the making (I already have two done). Of course I finished the first and realized I'm out of 3/4" elastic, which I also need to buy by the case load and stash in here. I just used my scraps and bolt ends for the skirts so they're turning out kind of funky but cute.

I've also been dabbing my eyes every time someone orders some of this incredible Rouenneries fabric. My girls are getting irritated by my over-emoting but this is one of those fabrics that can make even the coldest heart turn soft. I'm grabbing a little for myself because one of them keeps whispering "peasant blouse" to me. Lovely stuff.
Ooooh, speaking of French things (here's my segue), my girls and I went to see The Phantom of the Opera on stage last week and it was incredible (it takes place in Paris, so that's where the French part comes in). Joey and I had gone to see Wicked in August and it just broke my heart when I saw how amazing it was and then couldn't get tickets for my girls because it was sold out for the rest of the run. So when I saw that Phantom was coming I had the girls pitch in and we bought matinee tickets. It was on the Arizona State campus at the Gammage Theater which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (who lived part of his life in the Phoenix area which has always struck me as odd) so just seeing the theater is a treat in itself. Anyway, we got seats on the first balcony in the very front row and we were so mezmerized by the play and not one of us made a peep the whole time. Now we all sing opera around the house. Joey loves it. No really, he does.
Meanwhile, back at home, we are rejoicing in the aquisition of our new dishwasher! It's one of those mundane things that makes everyone happy since our old one has been broken since March. Handwashing dishes for a family of seven is no small task so we are all happy. It's the only piece of stainless steel in the kitchen now so I have (want) to replace the refrigerator and stove too (the stove can wait a little bit but the fridge is on it's last leg for sure).

I've gotten quite a few requests for Joey's hat pattern (which he calls Jona's hat for some reason) so he was kind enough to put it on paper and you can download it here if you like (and I'll put a download link under the original post). It would make a great gift if you're looking for ideas and I'm trying to persuade him to make me a matching scarf. Kind of pathetic since it's been in the 90's this week (it's November people!). Download Jona's Hat
Anyway, I hope you've had a great week! Start working on those Christmas gifts (not nagging, just a gentle nudge in the right direction)!
