Heart Attacks: Reduce the Damage

I love vintage, yard saling, and crafting but in my real life, my making-a-living life, I am a nurse. I work critical care and have done so most of my adult life. I saw this ad today about heart attacks and thought I ought to spread the word to everyone I can.

This is not a lecture. I am not going to tell people to quit smoking, eat less, and exercise more. Most know that. Those who say “It’s OK if I smoke, it’s only a little”  are fooling themselves and that’s their problem. Eat less and exercise more, well, I need to do that too. So no lectures, at least not from me. What I will tell everyone is know the signs of a heart attack. Here’s some things you ought to know. If I leave some out, add them in comments. I won’t be offended, especially if it saves a life.

Chest Pain:

It might feel like squeezing in the center of the chest. Some folks describe it as “an elephant sitting on my chest.” It can be the indigestion that doesn’t go away no matter what is done for it. Sometimes the pain radiates, or travels, down the left arm or up to the jaw or teeth. It can feel like fullness.

Shortness of breath:

Sometimes the pain is accompanied by difficulty breathing or just feeling winded. Then again, you might be short of breath without the pain.

Nausea and/or Vomiting:

This can come with the chest pain. It is one of those things I ask if you have when you show up in my unit.

Time is Muscle: Get Moving and Get Help!!!

If you or someone you know has these symptoms and you suspect a heart attack is happening, call 911. Time is important. the sooner the person gets help the better the outcome. Please, do not be a good buddy and drive the person into the hospital. If they have an arrest you can’t drive and do CPR at the same time. The paramedics carry what the person needs in the ambulance. Follow the ambulance to the hospital and be a good friend by telling the nurses and doctors what is going on, notifying family members. If it isn’t a heart attack and the person goes home, you can drive him back.

At the Hospital

If you or your friend gets admitted please make my day and your stay a little easier by telling me what drugs (legal and illegal) you take and if you drink (and how much). I won’t be judgmental about it. I just need to know if you get crazy from withdrawal or if I need to prevent it from occurring.

If someone already had one heart attack he or she is at higher risk to have another. Smokers, couch potatoes, and obese people are at higher risk as well. As for knowing how to do CPR it really isn’t a bad idea to learn how to do it and to do it well. There are classes in your area. Call your local health department or Red Cross Chapter to find when and where the classes are being held. You can’t do it while you are driving but if the person arrests before the ambulance gets there you could help save his or her life. And saving a life is pretty cool stuff.

Cutting Down Time at the Post Office

I don’t know about most people but the post office isn’t high on my list of places I want to be. Don’t get me wrong, there are some lovely people at the post office in my town and getting to see them is OK but I don’t like to stand in line when I have other things to do. I found a couple of tips that save me time and money and could do the same for you.

For a long time I thought I could only use PayPal shipping labels if I received money from a customer but that’s not so. If you are sending things in the US and using USPS First Class Parcel, Priority Mail, or Express to ship use this link

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

You can ship to customers who sent you money orders,  send gifts to your grandkids, or anyone else you want to. If you use the flat rate boxes from the post office it is very easy, if not, make sure you have a scale for an accurate weight. Delivery confirmation is 19 cents, too cheap not to add it on.

If you don’t have a PayPal account you can set up an account with the Post Office and print out shipping labels for Priority Mail.

If you are sending packages out of the country you have to ship Priority or Express to use the online shipping labels. Since the bulk of my shipping out of the country is First Class International, I keep a few Customs forms handy so I can have them filled out before I get to the post office.

Remember, too, if you use Priority Shipping you can schedule a pickup. It’s an available option.

The best part of the PayPal labels is I can drop off the package on my way to work without having to wait on a line or worry about the post office’s hours. So much easier and a lot less stress.

Post written by Eileen Patterson.

GoofingOff.Etsy.com

GoofingOff.Artfire.com

Household Searchlight Recipe Book

Cookbooks are special. They spark interest in cooking, eating, and are a favorite of collectors. Every year there are cookbooks written and sold throughout the world. Just when I think every cooking idea has been covered, someone comes up with a different way to make soup, dessert, and entrees. There are special cookbooks and recipes handed down in families that are prized and held dear. That is the way of a cookbook, an unspoken promise to create fabulous food.

I’ve been a cookbook collector for years. I bought the Grand Diplome Cooking Course books back in the 70’s. Under the tutelage of the master chefs of the Grand Diplome I learned to filet a fish, make pie crust, and create a pot roast. I learned the importance and value good knives, how they should feel in the hand, how to sharpen the knife, and how to store a knife so it would last for a lifetime.

My favorite cookbook of all time, and one I refer to often is the Searchlight Recipe Book. My copy was left to me by a friend and I treasure it. The Recipe Book is a wealth of knowledge from Household Magazine of Topeka, Kansas. The book was first published in 1931, copyrighted in 1931, 1937, and again in 1952. My book is from the 1952 copyright. By that time it was in the 23rd edition. It is thumb tabbed with categories that include Canning and Preserving, Fish and Wild Game (a necessity if you are married to a hunter or fisherman…or fish yourself), and Candies. The recipes are practical, easy to follow, and tried-and-true hard-to-find bits of American history from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Recipes that have almost disappeared from everyday life like mincemeat (not in the jar), squirrel stew, and watermelon pickles are in the Searchlight Recipe Book.  It is a remarkable book.

Imagine my surprise when I found a Searchlight in a thrift shop. It isn’t in the greatest shape but it is still a great book. I’ll be offering it for sale in GoofingOff.Etsy the next few days. I just have to share this book with someone. It is wonderful.

Well, got to get on. Happy collecting to all.

Post written by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.artfire.com.

Thrift Shopping Goofing Off Style

Like many others who love vintage, I am addicted to yard sales. Unfortunately most yard sales are a weekend thing and with Christmas falling on Saturday this year (not to mention me having to work) yard saling is out this week. No yard sales means I shop at my honey holes, the consignment and thrift shops around my area. You never know what you’ll find. Some have first edition books, others have great clothes at even greater prices, and still others have fantastic furniture and what-nots.

One of my favorite shops is the Heart of the Hammock Humane Society Thrift Shop on US 19 in Old Town. 

The cute little shop is full of some of the best stuff anywhere. I’m never sure what I’ll find. Today, just inside the door, was a beautiful vintage mirror with the holder from a wood dresser. Great to fix up a drab room. Love it!

This is a paperweight, a hand-painted by one of the Humane Society’s many supporters.

Lots of glassware. Sometimes there are real treasures, beautiful vases of colored glass and crystal hiding on the shelves. Good place to get good glasses at reasonable prices.

  

The dishes are often vintage. I’ve found McCoy, Hull, and real vintage china here.

Bobar’s Bags are handmade with a different design on each one by a local artist, Marsha Hardy. They are awesome bags and make fantastic gifts. I should know, I have one.

And check out this hat!!! A Pink Straw Hat!!! I knew when I saw it I had to have it. It was made by Cappelli Straworld of Miami. It’s wonderful! Now I have to find something to wear it to.

Well there you have it. One of my favorite haunts in Dixie County, Florida. Good place to find vintage items, save a little green, and help out their animal rescue efforts. Say Hi to Pat and Doris when you stop in and tell them you’re Goofing Off!

Post written by Eileen Patterson who is forever Goofing Off.

GoofingOff.etsy.com

GoofingOff.artfire.com

A Cup of Tea

My friends would be surprised to learn that I am first and foremost a tea drinker by the amount of coffee I drink. Truth is I was raised with a cup of hot tea in my hand, lightly sweetened and black. The water has to be boiled, fresh steaming water for my tea. I love the smell of it. Tea has a soothing effect that nothing else does. Oh, I have my morning coffee, and mid afternoon coffee, but tea is special. Tea warms my body and soul.
I am picky about how I drink my tea. Since tea is an experience to me I have a little ritual with it. I am careful about the type of tea, whether to use sugar or honey, the water must be boiling, and, most importantly, it needs to be served in a glass or ceramic cup. No styrofoam. Tea doesn't taste the same in styrofoam.
One of my favorite cups is a vintage cobalt blue glass mug made in France. Good size and beautiful to look at. Perfect for the afternoon tea.

Vintage Cobalt Blue Glass Mugs

Sometimes you have to create your own rituals to find your own inner peace. Tea is part of mine. What's yours?

12.21.10 New Vintage Etsy Goofing Off Listings

Wow. I was so excited about the lunar eclipse last night that I drank caffeine and got up at 3:30 this morning so I could see the moon during the change. It was awesome!! The moon was a reddish-orange color, simply fantastic. Made my husband get up to look. He grumbled a bit at first but he was impressed. Then, after sleeping about an hour, I got up again to see the moon once more during the eclipse.  At first it looked like a mushroom then slowly changed. It was so bright! What fun!

Well, I listed a few more patterns in the Etsy shop. I thought it would be a good time before I lost my steam.

Butterick 2293

I just love the look of this pattern. I can’t decide if I like the blouse (I am partial to sleeveless tank tops) or the pattern envelope. The illustration sort of looks like Mary Tyler Moore back when she was on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Cute and easy looking pattern with 4 different versions for 32 inch bust.

 

  Simplicity 8110

I love this outfit. I think it appeals to my professional, put-together side. Not that I dress that way all the time but I do love the look. From 1969. Very put together and stylish. In Women’s size 38, Bust 42 inch.

Simplicity 8552

I like the thought of jammies but this is perfect for a beach cover-up. A necessity for keeping those burning rays of the bod. The pattern include bra and panties, too. Too Cute!!

There are more listings but those are my picks for today. Great to think about, especially with the snow coming down in feet in most of the northern hemisphere right now. I don’t think too many folks are going to be dreaming of a white Christmas. It looks like a reality.

OK, got to get back to goofing off. After all, it’s what I do best.

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy and GoofingOff.artfire.com.

12.20.10 Get Ready for Warm Weather! It Won’t Be Cold Forever.

It’s kind of hard to think about sewing for the warmer months especially when the snow is falling and there is more on the way. It’s not even Christmas yet! Still, sewing is a project that takes a little bit of planning. The more planning done, the less stress later….and I am all about decreasing the stress in my life. 

I always would sew according to my mood and need, all the spur of the moment. Not a good idea. The sundress would be ready close to the end of summer, the shorts miss the mark, the halter top done just in time to wear it but not with enough time to make sure it worked right. If I have any advice for the person who sews is take a little time to plan….it saves lots of time later. Look for the patterns that flatter you and those you sew for. Think about the special occasions coming up and get the patterns early, less stress. Finding summer patterns now instead of in the summer makes a little more sense since you have time to think about it. Better to have the super awesome summer dress or outfit waiting for you when you are going out with the girls in May or June or going to the closet and finding your wardrobe missing some great summer looks.

Look for patterns with timeless looks. You can always update them or spice them up according to the trends of the day. Classic translates to classy.

Here are some patterns just listed in the GoofingOff Artfire shop. This one, Stitch ‘n Save 8486 is a simple sundress with a jacket. Lots can be done with it. The dress is pullover, has shoulder straps, upper band, elastic waistline casing, and pockets. Simple and easy. Jacket is short sleeved with round neckline. Good for air conditioned rooms.  This pattern is available for bust sizes 30-32.

Stitch 'n Save 8486

Another great choice is See & Sew 3017 from Butterick. A loose fitting dress four inches from mid-knee with bateau neckline, extended shoulders with armhole band and side hemline slits. The pattern is made for knit fabrics with moderate stretch allowing for easy movement. It even has a tie belt to show off your waistline. Imagine showing up for a date in this. Very nice. Easy to accessorize. Classic.

See & Sew 3017 from Butterick

This pattern, McCall’s 5090, will keep you at least one step ahead of your little one. The pattern includes a top with or without ruffles, a ruffled skirt, shorts, and pants. Too Cute!! It is for sizes 2-5. Sweet look for your little girl. She’ll feel like a princess!

McCall's 5090 Girls Ruffled Top & Pants Size 2-5 Complete Uncut

Remember, buy 3 or more patterns and shipping is free anywhere in the US and Canada. Even the less expensive patterns. Buy summer patterns now and you have time to assemble the fabrics, thread, and other supplies you’ll need without stress (and catch them when they are on sale).

Post by Eileen Pattern, aka Goofing Off.

Goofing Off, it’s what I do best.

12.19.10 Dilemma

Every so often we come to a point in our lives where we wonder where we are going. If the work a person does is worthwhile, if the way life is going is what they wanted. I think I am at that place now. I've never been the most self-confident type, never too sure of myself, never brave enough to stand at the front of a crowd. That's me. I want to reach for the stars but I'm afraid I won't reach them and will be disappointed when I can't and so I don't bother reaching. How many of us don't bother trying to go a little farther and try a little more because we think we won't succeed?
I finished my BSN in August, a real big deal for me. I thought I would do it but I was haunted by the idea of what would happen if I didn't. Would I continue and try again? Would I be so embarassed at the idea of failure that I would hide and quit? Those fears made me try harder, made me obsessed with studying, made me neglect my friends because I was afraid to spend any time away from the computer. I made it though, passed OK.
Now I have to decide if I want to go on. My friends say to go back to school to get my master's degree. Yet those old fears are taunting me again. What if I don't pass? How much time will I spend studying? Will I neglect my friends and family again? What if I do pass? Will I find a job with an advanced degree? The most important question is Do I want to? That seems to be the hardest one to answer. Do I want to take on more school work, more debt, and take away time from my husband? Difficult questions with even more difficult answers.
Right now I just want to play. I want to create. I want to write. I want to travel and have fun. If I do go back and get my MSN, will I be happy with the role I take on later? I love what I do. Will I get the same satisfaction from a different job? Lots of questions.
In the meantime I think I will play while I can. I have baking to do and ornaments to make. Maybe I will sew some of the ideas I had while I was in school but couldn't do. I have a thousand sewing patterns to post and lots of fabulous vintage items to sell. Maybe the need to play is as important as the need to succeed. Maybe spending time with my husband and family is as important as spending time on my career. Maybe more important.

Miracle - Matisyahu Hanukkah Song

I was goofing off today and found this on You Tube. Sometimes I think I live in a cave. This guy is very good.
You thought all I do is list patterns? I list vintage, too.
Enjoy!!

Cookie Bake Double Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

The December holidays, Chanukah and Christmas, bring the task of baking. I’ve been baking holiday cookies for years. Some of my daughter’s favorite memories were of baking meringues. I loved the thumbprints even though they seemed to be the messiest in the bunch. One year I baked every cookie in my recipe file only to find some were difficult or didn’t taste as good as they looked by the time I was done. I guess the good thing about age is you filter through the muck and pick out the best. After all this time I found the cookies everyone seems to like the most, at least when I bake, are Double Chocolate White Chocolate Chip.  I use a recipe I found on a cake mix box a long time ago. The cookies are soft and chewy, great for traveling, and surprisingly easy to make.
To make these cookies you’ll need cookie sheets, cookie racks to cool the cookies on, a mixer (a potato masher will work if you mixer is uncooperative), an oven (these are baked cookies, not no-bakes), and the ingredients listed.
Get the cookie sheets ready by spraying lightly with non-stick spray. Extra insurance is always good.
My mixer, a gift from my daughter. Pretty, isn’t it?
The recipe calls for:
one box of cake mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup of butter, softened (margarine works, too)
1 bag of chips, white or dark chocolate
3/4 cup of nuts, pecans and walnuts work well
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cream the butter.  Add the egg. Now add the cake mix slowly. Too fast and it will blow all over the place. Don’t ask me how I know this, just take my word for it. Stir in the nuts and the chips.

When you are done mixing and stirring, make balls of the cookie dough and flatten on the cookie sheet. How big of a ball? Use a tablespoon and the cookie will be big enough. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart. Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Take out and let them cool before transferring them off the sheet. The cookies will be soft.
Transfer the cookies to the rack, let them cool, and pack them up. Don’t worry if the cookies aren’t decorated. Place the cookies on a Holiday plate or in a cute tin and they’ll be fine. Wait until you taste them. They don’t need icing and will become a family favorite.  You can even be crafty and put them in a take out box or make a box out of gift wrap or something to show off your other crafty skills. That’s what I’m going to do.
Have fun baking the cookies.  Enjoy!                                                                            

12.12.10 New Pattern Listings

  Sometimes I feel like I spend my life in front of the computer listing sewing patterns. Come to think about it, I do spend most of my life in front of the computer listing sewing patterns. I do have other things to do like working, cleaning, and cooking, maybe even a little bit of creating. I just can’t help myself, though. I see a sewing pattern and I have to get it to make them available to others. The thought of the old vintage patterns laying around gathering dust instead of being with someone who appreciates them just kills me so every week I go on my quest looking for patterns to link up with people. Some patterns bring back memories of my youth when I tried to sew EVERYTHING for myself and my daughter. Other patterns remind me of a special occasion, like the prom or homecoming. Still others make me remember a wonderful movie I saw years ago and fell in love with.

These recent listings are modern so they have none of the romance of vintage patterns. Still, they make me think of the time I sewed a robe for my little girl, or a sundress for a friend’s little girl.

 McCall’s 2157 Pants in 5 Lengths

Simplicity 2727 Misses' Robe and Pants

See & Sew 3888 Girl's Romper and Sundress

Vogue 9908 Misses' Jacket, Skirt, and Pants

Since gift giving and creating is on just about everyone’s minds right now, an easy-to-make robe and pajamas pants would be a welcome gift, especially now with the winter chill upon us. The pants and suit would be great now or later. As for the sundress and romper, it won’t be cold forever! Just think, it’s summer somewhere else, like Australia!

Well, got more goofing off to do, like bake cookies for the cookie exchange at work. 7 dozen double chocolate chocolate chip cookies are waiting to be baked.

Happy Sewing!

This post was written by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff.etsy.com and GoofingOff.Artfire.com

Goofing Off, it’s what I do best!

Free Patterns

There are always people looking for free patterns whether for the holidays or everyday sewing. There are a couple of blogs devoted to free patterns but not always is there a chance to get a free E-book to save and use. That is until now. Brother, those wonderful people who make great embroidery machines, has put together an E-book of holiday gifts. The pictures are great and the instructions easy to follow.

 

Click here to download the e-book.

I’m going to try the buckwheat pillow with some thrift shop rescued felt.

Have fun. Ho, Ho, Ho,

A Flock of Owls

For some reason, I am in the midst of a flock of owls. True, they are cute, but I never thought of myself as an owl fan. For some reason seem to attract them, though. I list them in my shop

 

 

draw them,

and make treasuries about them.

Owl Be Home for Christmas Five sales since posting on Saturday. Not bad for 3 days.

Delores the disco owl. What a hoot! Oops, sorry.

Well, maybe I am a fan after all.

12.4.10 Movies, TV, and Sewing Patterns

Movies and TV have always been involved with fashion. Women copied their favorite star's hairdos (Veronica Lake), pants (Katherine Hepburn), and dress (Audrey Hepburn). There was even a pattern company called the Hollywood pattern company that used pictures of Hollywood stars on their pattern envelopes. Other pattern companies, such as Simplicity, McCall's, and Butterick, had illustrations that looked like the stars to sell the patterns or had designers that would design similar clothing. Here's a few: Butterick Pattern 6988 from the 50's has the image of a young woman who just happens to look like a young Ava Gardner. Ava Gardner was very popular at the time, and very beautiful. Another Butterick pattern has the illustration of a cute, perky lass reminiscent of Mary Tyler Moore. One of the most popular movies in the 70's was a film by Woodie Allen called Annie Hall. Annie was played by Diane Keaton. The film was so popular that everyone wanted to look and dress like her (at least it seemed that way). Here is a pattern from that time with the Annie Hall look by Rena Rowan of Jones New York. Butterick 6325 There's many more, much more than I can post in one blog. Know of some? Got one? What's your favorite?

12.3.10 Brrr, Baby, It's Cold Outside! Pattern Listings in Artfire & GoofingOff

Hunting for cool vintage isn't easy, sometimes it is downright hard. There is the stores, the yard sales, picking through mountains of stuff, and hopefully finding something that is just truly aged, not made to look old. When that is done the real work begins, researching the find, learning the history. All this before listing anything for sale. Still, I love the job. It's a learning experience and it is work. Today the hardest part is getting out of the house. OK, how far south do you have to go to get warm? I'm sure you folks in NY or Minnesota are laughing at me but 20 degrees is cold no matter where you are! It's not 20 degrees outside anymore, it's 30degrees, still cold to me. It is hard to walk out of a 68 degree house and venture out. Still harder to think that there are sellers out there willing to venture into the cold for me, too. With that in mind I got to work inside and started listing patterns to my Artfire and Etsy shops. Most of the patterns are vintage, some newer, some warm weather outfits (can you say VACATION?). Here are a few: New Look 6634 in the Etsy shop. Great look from the 80's in sizes 6-16 all in one envelope. Uncut & complete. Simplicity 7175 in sizes 16-18, bust 38-40 from 1975 with raglan sleeves and upright collar. Used but complete. Simplicity 7322. A vintage 70's look for the little ones in sizes 1 or 2 (I got both!). Patterns are complete but used. Comes with a turtle applique, too! How cute is that? Well, gotta get going. There is a yard sale calling my name, even if it is shivering while calling me. Happy sewing!

Barbie Dolls

Barbie's been around a long time and still looks great. She's still as popular as ever being discovered by new fans everyday. Lucky for them I found this fantastic sewing pattern for Barbie doll furniture and and evening dress. The pattern is uncut, complete, with original factory folds. Simplicity 8158 Just gotta love that gal! Still looking good after all these years!!