Hubby's shorts, some tomatoes and brie dessert

Current projects

I haven't undated with any photos of my current projects, mostly because none have been finished in awhile!

For the past two weekends I've worked on a pair of shorts for Chris. I am using BurdaStyle's Jochen pattern. This is the first time I've used a print-at-home pattern. I've been using the traditional tissue paper patterns, which I use to trace out the size I need and then use that.

Let me tell you, I think I like printing out the pattern so much better. Because I've got the pattern saved on my computer, I don't feel the least bit guilty in cutting off the larger sizes. If I need a larger size, I can print it off.

I also don't spend hours taping together tracing paper and tracing out the pattern I need.

The downside is printing at home does use a lot of ink and paper. I did use the back of recycled paper so that helped somewhat. And recycled printer paper lasts longer than tracing paper because it's thicker. Still a bummer about the ink though.

I am using remnant material that Nannie gave me. I really liked the fabric, but didn't have enough to cut all pieces out of it. So, luckily, I had a blue in a matching shade and it works perfectly for inside pockets. Thanks to Ferny and lonemoose, BurdaStyle members, for the idea!

(Please do not use photos without permission.)

This is the front pants leg and pocket./Photos by E.A. Seagraves

With this pattern, which is actually a really nice pair of slacks that I've altered into shorts, I had to learn how to put in a back pocket. It took a while for me to study it and figure out what I needed to do, but I think I handled it okay. What do you think?

I hope to finish these before it turns cooler. All that's left is the center seams, waistband, zipper, buttons and hemming.

I've also been working on this sweater since February. I'm knitting on the collar now. So it'll most likely be finished before the fall.

Tomatoes

I have to say, despite early nibbling by deer, rot and insects, our garden has been a success! Look at this haul.

I plan to can these this weekend. Probably can more diced tomatoes and some salsa. I canned 2 quarts of diced tomatoes with chilies and 4 quarts and 1 pint of diced tomatoes the other weekend.

A dessert to try

For my birthday earlier this week, we bought a small wheel of brie cheese. I turned four triangles into dessert last night with left over egg roll pastry I had on hand and blackberry jam.

I got the idea from the web, but can't seem to find the two recipes I'd found before.

I basically placed the brie in the middle of the pastry and topped it with jam. Then I folded it up and placed the folded side down. I sprinkled it with brown sugar and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

It was very tasty! You should give it a try.