I nearly forgot!

Oh horrors! was my reply when I realized that the drawing for my apron giveaway didn't take place this afternoon! I seriously have been on the go, non stop, these days. My apologies if you've been checking dozens of times to find out who was the winner.

Thanks to the random number generator, it picks a random number without me having to "draw out of a hat" or be tempted to choose a winner (in that was the case, everyone would win!).

So without further ado: Ada Grace is the winner! If you want to e-mail me with your address Ada, I'll get is shipped out to you.

Tea on the Veranda

Deciding what to do with a lovely piece of white, lightweight linen over Good Earth tea and a Victoria magazine. And of course, the soothing patter of rain on the rooftops adds to the happy scene.

A dress like Laura Ingalls

This little treasure is in the SHOP this afternoon!

Oh yes, and I have an overstock of totes, so they are all $10 a piece!

Apron Giveaway

Several weeks ago I was going through one of my fabric bins and came across a lovely left over piece of fabric (from a Regency dress, I think) and thought it would be great apron material!

It has a pretty little pocket with come crocheted lace trim...

It has LONG ties, so it is pretty much a one-size-fits-all...

And I thought it would be a perfect apron for the shop until, after I completed it, and was just "pressing it off" as Grandma would say it, I sadly noticed two things:

a pin sized hole,

and a smudge of dirt. Don't ask me how they got there, as I store all of my fabric carefully and well. So since there is no way I'd have a free conscience about selling it, I thought it would be great for a giveway!

All you have to do to enter, is leave a comment with your name (first name and last initial, please).

You can be entered twice, by posting a link over to this post from your blog, and then leave a second comment (please be sure to leave your blog address too)!

I will randomly choose a winner by Friday noon (CST), and will post the winner shortly thereafter.

Somebody Stop Me!

I can't seem to stop making totes! At least I'm keeping my word of not making any more hobo sacks for awhile...

Two are up in the SHOP tonight, and another one just like them (except with a red polka dot lining) will be added soon.

Back to Nature Tote

Okay this will be the last of these hobo sacks for awhile, but I just can't stop myself from making them! They are fun to make, in style (or at least in my neck of the woods!), and takes me only a couple hours to put together.
My favorite on this one (other than the colorful linen) is the front pocket that sports the lining fabric and some vintage rack rack.

I added it to the SHOP this morning...

Because the weather doesn't allow me to dig around for weeds in the gardens right now, I think I'll dig around in the kitchen cupboards to see what I can whip up. Hmmm, maybe I'll grind up some rye berries and try out a new recipe for rye bread.

A new look for the blog

I've been playing around with settings and photoshop today. I'm not sure if I like it yet or if I'll change it to something different. For now it will have to do. =)

Pink Roses & Lace

...and you'll just have to visit the shop to see what it is!

The Gardener

As I have alluded to previously, this seamstress doesn't stay indoors all the time plugging away in her sewing room. =) I love to garden. Mom does too, but with seven of us children (half of which are in their teens and twenties) still at home, she doesn't have time to garden, so I get to take on the blessing of doing about 75% of the yard work and tending the gardens.

Yesterday in my vegetable garden I planted peas, a couple rows of two varieties of peppers (anyone have any special tips on growing them? I haven't had any good success, but I keep trying!), green onions, a couple rows of two kinds of lettuces, and then this weekend when the last frost date is past, I'll be planting tomatoes.

Since all you see in my garden is dirt mounds, I thought I'd take a couple pictures near our cottage abode. This picture is actually of our neighbors lilac bushes in full bloom. Their scent is heavenly.

Among many other things we are growing, we have this interesting little "wooded area" and it has been growing moss, tree shoots, and other little green things. It makes me wish I was little so I could spend some time imagining little stories back in there.

Much to much...

I've been sort of redecorating the sewing room by finally putting my oak quilt hanger up (was given to me for free many years ago!), a quilt that someone was going to throw out, my antique books to decorate the top, and a few shop items to decorate the door.

Okay, forget that last post, if you saw it, of my saying that I was taking a break. I need to, I don't have tons of time for blogging right now, but I do have to many sewing projects going on right now and inspirations from vintage/real clothing that I'll just have to continue my sewing blog. =) No promises as to how many posts per week however!

In other news, I finally have made some white peasant shirts after many requests for them. I found some stashed white fabric that I forgot I had (!) and it dawned on me this morning, "Hey! I could use this for peasant shirts!" Right now there are only 2 in the shop, but I probably have enough fabric to make 3 more if people really like them.

Up next...

Amist gardening, music practice & lessons, and "normal life" I am working on a few projects although not quite as quickly as my usual pace. Maybe that's a good thing. =) But as of right now, in the next couple of weeks, I'll be showcasing:

• a Regency Peach Robe

• a "Little House on the Prairie" dress and pinafore

• a couple of white peasant shirts

• a Gracie apron

• a couple vintage toddler smocks now in the shop!

Of course I could go on and on about what I feel like making these days -- lots of summer Regency gowns to sell, a few Narinan gowns (never thought I'd ever hear myself say that!) to explore the hills and woods in, and lots of fun & funky hobo totes, but I must shelve those away for awhile until I finish the above projects.

Hmm, what should I work on first?

Contemplations in Regency

Today I grabbed one of my sisters and they politely consented to taking pictures of yours truly in Regency fashion. My hair was curled for church, so it was a perfect opportunity to attempt to do an updo of somesort.

I am having a very difficult time deciding as to whether I should sell my ensemble or keep it. I like it, but the gathers in the front of the skirt make me feel "poofy" and the bodice petticoat wasn't fitting as snugly like a glove as before (which is what I want for support). But when I think of the many hours and late night hand sewing each, I'm not so sure that I can give it up!

At any rate, I'm inspired to work on my Peach Robe so stay tuned later this week for either pictures or listings of the three on ebay.