Christmas Greetings!

Making it to the President's List (ie., having a 3.75 or higher GPA for the semester) may have something to do with my silence on my blog in the last several weeks. Reflecting on the four plus weeks that we have come through are somewhat of a blur. It must be either my caffeine is wearing off, or my body is still sleep deprived, or both. :)

But I do remember that the string quartet I was in this last semester had the great honor of playing Christmas carols in the university's widely acclaimed Museum & Gallery when it was open to the public early on in the month. Discarding the traditional black for the evening, we chose to wear festive colors.

Growing in friendships and musically with these girls this semester was great fun! For our chamber recital we played

Glazunov's AllaSpagnola and All’ Ungherese from his 5 Novelettes. Check out the links for an idea of what we were playing, played by real pro's...)

The rest of the semester was a whirlwind of completing classes, passing my senior recital note check, and taking eight finals. One of the weekends a couple friends and I went to watch the Nutcracker live, played by  the city's symphony. I think I would enjoy it more if I were to experience it again, since that night I was so, so tired. What I do remember was that I enjoyed it. :)

Prior to driving home for Christmas Break I went up to a surprise birthday party that was being put together for my Grandma's 85th birthday. It was the weekend right after finals, so it worked out perfectly to make the drive up north. She was completely surprised, and it was such a joy to spend a weekend with her. Michigan had lots of snow, too, which was a delight.

And now I've been at home for just under two weeks. What have I been doing? Mostly sticking very close to home and resting alot. Being a college student is exhausting (but oh so rewarding!!) and this semester was no exception. There have been a few occasions where I've gone out with my sisters, or up to the mountains for a morning in a coffee shop, or spent some time making Christmas treats in the kitchen, so I haven't been a complete lazy bum. ::winks::

With less than a week now before I head back for my last semester of undergrad, it is doubtful that I'll get anything added to my etsy shop (so sorry!). My priorities lie in some more rest and keeping up my senior recital repertoire. I'll spare you those juicy details, since most of you have had your fill of musical dialogue for one post! But I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas season and will have a joyous new year!

(If you love the delights of this season as much as I do, check out this wonderful new blog that will keep you occupied with lovely writings and pictures! I still have many more posts to catch up on, which I'm off to now after I fix myself another cup of TWG's vanilla caramel tea.)

A Thankyou Gift

Sewing for Mrs. L. this summer was such a blessing for me. The fun chit-chats, good conversations and fellowship, countless cups of coffee or iced tea, "bonus day," and her passing on her bridal sewing skills and expertise have left me so, so grateful. A card saying "thankyou" could not suffice.

Would it be flowers, a plant, or an apron? It seemed like an apron would be the most practical since flowers would die within a few days and even the choicest greenhouses have next to nothing nice this time of year in the way of something that would come back next year (unless one would want fall flowers).

Using an apron pattern from Sew Liberated has been my go-to for making aprons as gifts. It is a little bit more stylish and modern than what I make and sell for etsy, but still lots of fun with it being reversible. Mrs. L likes cheerful things, but without being to wild and crazy, so this fabric by Free Spirit of spring colors and birds seemed like a good choice for the one side.

The other side I used some fabric that might look familiar if you've seen this apron in the shop. It didn't have a name on the selvage, and almost seems vintage, but really high quality, if that makes sense. Mrs. L. likes the color blue, so it seemed like a good choice.

I was able to get the apron finished and wrapped up to give to her on my last day of sewing for her. Looking forward to next summer to hopefully be able to sew for her again! In the meantime, there is much to be done as I seek to organize my life before classes officially start on Wednesday.

Never in a Million Years

A couple of weeks ago, a friend from church called up and wondered if I could come over and help her sew. I knew that she was neck high in bridal alterations, but it didn't dawn on me just exactly what she might have me do until she handed me someone's wedding dress. Um, intimidation was THE understatement.

I can sew clothing, doll clothing, costumes, tote bags, aprons (duh!) and even did a quilt top way back when, but a wedding dress?? Very thankfully, my friend is the most patient person on the planet, and was satisfied with what I did for her. To confess, by the end of the day it was actually not to bad.

I've been able to help her every day this week, and if she keeps getting dresses, I'll be able to hopefully get more and more comfortable (and faster?) at something that I never dreamed of doing. Not in a million years! Lace, tulle, hems, trains and bustles. So very grateful to have the opportunity of learning.

But sewing here at home won't be neglected. Mom wants me to sew her up a jumper in the next couple of days, and I have some darling fabrics that I came across earlier this week that are just begging to be made into aprons. I already have the bias and vintage rick rack ready for them. Be on the lookout for them to appear in the shop, hopefully in the next week or so.

For Rachel

Oh the sorrows of being a college student. Gratefully, I haven't had to endure very many of them but just one every year.

Last year, a very dear friend had asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and if I couldn't be that, if I could at least come up for the weekend? Her wedding date was just a week or so after the fall semester started and there was absolutely no way that I could leave school. It was pure torture for me not to be there. 

This year it is happening again.

My friend Rachel, who I have known for just about half of my life time, is getting married next month. I can't say that when I first met her I was to sure of her (the feeling was probably mutual, but I've never asked) ;) but as we've grown older, matured, (we have, haven't we?) called up, or written to apologize for being self-centered, have prayed for each other and together, bounce off sewing ideas or patterns with one another, and have grown in Christ: I am so fortunate to be blessed with a loyal friend like Rachel.  I think she is the only close friend of mine who has put up with me the longest. ;P

Needless to say, this past weekend was her bridal shower, and since I'm obviously in college I had to have my family be the bearer of the gift.

I chose to make the Emmeline Apron for her, that way if she didn't like one fabric, she could turn it around and wear the other side (with hopes that the other would suit). Watching the pins she'd put up on Pinterest aided me in color choices, though I never had a concrete idea of her kitchen colors.

Fabric: "Caitlin Stripe" by The Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection

With black ties and neck strap, I figured that it would make up for any color deficiencies in the apron that may not be "her color." She has Diana Berry's gorgeous "black tresses" you see, so black looks well on her.

Fabric: "Covent Garden" Style #4071 by Benartex

Every new bride will need recipe cards, right? I'm hoping so, as I picked up a packet of them the last time I was in Anthropologie. They seemed to match the apron quite well and the visual appeal is much greater than that of a standard white '3 by 5' or '4 by 6' card.

Anne Shirley said when her kindred spirit got married, "Diana was the bride of my dreams" and when the pictures start pouring in of my friends's wedding that will be in a few weeks, I'm sure I'll be saying the same thing of her wedding... Much love to you, my dear friend!

I think I'll go call my one last single friend and make her promise me to not get married when I'm in college! :P

A Time for Traditions

It has been 11 years since the tradition started for our family.

It is a time of dressing in our new woolens, corduroys, plaids, and then bundling up in multiple layers (plus some) and grabbing the winter boots out of the hall closet. It's a time of taking a flashlight in one hand and music in the other.

It's a time of Christmas caroling. With four or five families represented, we all gather on one evening just days away from Christmas at the home of our gracious friends to carol to their neighbors. Between singing, the young girls giggle, the older girls talk while shielding their faces from the blinding snow, the boys of all ages throw snowballs and skid along slippery gravel.

It's a time of filling our hostess' home with coats, mittens, gloves and scarves (and dripping-wet boots) after laying them down to sip their delicious mulled cider topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream and taste the special holiday delicacies laid out, while visiting with new as well as long-standing friends.

Such is the account of the Christmas caroling evenings we anticipate annually, and it was one we happily partook of earlier this week. My sister took a few pictures which she posted here, for all to enjoy.

 

 

Thankyou dear Morgan's!

Pictorial View of a Tea Party

Originally my plans were to have a tea party out on the lawn near the gardens, but with temperatures rising in the 90s, I knew we ladies and the chocolate would melt. The a large majority of the guest list were unable to come or never responded, so that meant we could have it in our dining room, much to every one's delight! It made for a more intimate setting with dear people.

Pansy's and a few books greeted guests at the door:

The decorated room...

...with lots of teas to choose from!

Treats of chocolate sticks, chocolate marshmellow cakes, cucumber sandwiches, and scones were served.

Of course there had to be fresh mock Clotted Cream!

with homemade cherry jam,

and fresh organic blackberries to perch on top!

We also had clotted cream & butter biscuits,

and peach iced tea if we wanted something cold to drink.

Alas, there are no pictures of the tea party in action. We were to busy stuffing ourselves with these delightful treats and teas! :)

Tea Essentials

Memorial Day sales at the thrift stores are my favorite. Today's treasures included three spools of tatting thread in size 30 (very hard to find!), a William Sonoma cookbook featuring chicken recipes, lovely white damask cloth napkins that appear to be unused, and my most expensive item today was the Victorian Rose china. Four little mugs, four soup bowls, and three dinner plates for $3.50 isn't to bad, especially for Laura Ashley. I'll be hard pressed to find a replacement plate for that price alone.
It's kind of exciting when you pray for things, and the Lord answers them. "Lord, what about white cloth napkins for my tea party? If the china is on sale, then I know you are saving it for me" have been a few of my prayers, as I've had my eye on these items for a couple of weeks, but didn't want to pay full price. They were there today and 50% off. :) The pair of antique silver candlesticks were gone, but that's okay. God must have something else in mind.

For years I have wanted to host a tea party of some sort, and it is finally becoming a reality next week. If I can get the back part of the house cleaned up in time, I'd like it to be outdoors near the gardens and blooming lilac bushes.

My menu is for the most part already together, but if any of you could/would offer any other thoughts or ideas, I'd be most grateful!

-Tea, of course!

-Clotted Cream Biscuits (from the Norfolk Manor in England)

-British Chocolate Tea Cakes

-British "Finger" chocolate cookies

-Scones with homemade cherry jam

-Watercress & Cucumber sandwiches

On The Menu Tonight

My brother is coming home from college today. Mexican food is his favorite, and so tonight I'm making him a fully fledged south-western meal with some recipes that I picked up while down in the south.

• Easy Authentic Mexican Enchiladas



• Margarita's Rice



• Corn & Bean Salsa
  


• Normal (ie, tomato) Salsa



• White Corn Tortilla Chips



• Sweet Tea

A special thanks to my friend Laura and her family for the recipes. :)

An afternoon with Laura

Two years ago I met Laura. That is, in real life. For a couple years prior to that we "met" on Sense and Sensibility's online sewing forum, and we both read each other's blogs. But it was alot fun to actually meet her (and also her husband, Douglas, though at the time, her fiance) in person at Starbucks and Denver Fabrics a couple years ago.

And this afternoon I had the pleasure of seeing her again. We had to make our visit short due to a dinner engagement that my sister and I were apart of, but we made the most of it by going antique shopping. I think if Laura and I lived closer, we'd be pretty good friends as we have alot of similar interests. =) I was also glad to have met her adorable young chap of 7 months, Edmund.

If you don't already read Laura's blog, it is a delightful one to follow that full of beautiful things and thoughts. Might as well visit her sewing gallery, too. Talk about inspiration!

Thankyou, Laura, for a fun but short afternoon! =)

Emmeline

Before I left for TX, I finished up this apron for a friend who is getting married. Contrary to what you may think, I do sew with other apron patterns than my own. =) This one is probably my favorite of "outside patterns" as it so easy to sew, and fits a wide variety of sizes easily.
What is fun about this pattern is that it is reversible, too, and the ties are so long you can wear them in front if you wish!

Hooked? =) Here is the link for the website page where you can purchase a pattern for yourself! She also has an etsy shop, too, which is located at this link.

Happy apron sewing!

Lap Full

If my lap isn't full with either one (or sometimes both!) of these sweet little feline friends, my lap is probably full of yarn on these cold winter days.

The other day I picked up some 100% cotton yarn to make a few dishcloths for "someday." Grandma made several last fall, and she inspired me to make some. Underneath the blue are the ones she has done. Aren't they pretty?

She's wondering if I could sell some on etsy, and I told her I could try. What do you think?

Feminine Sewing Inspirations

I am such a sucker at seeing something I like, and then wanting to duplicate it.

When I met Laura, I just loved the jumper/dress that she was wearing. I wasn't sure exactly what it was until a few days later someone had asked about it on the S&S sewing board and linked to her sewing gallery and her blue seersucker sundress. The above was her inspiration, and I was amazed at how well she duplicated it and yet changed it for modesty sake. In fact, I am always amazed with her sewing creations, (she showed us her sketch for her wedding dress ... talk about gorgeous!!!) and so if you all enjoy sewing and lack inspiration at the moment, head over to her gallery and you'll soon be drooling. =)

So anyway, for a couple of years I have had this blue and white seersucker plaid with white flowers (same fabric as this dress; click on the picture to actually see it) that I just been stashing away for something. I think I found my something to make it in. =D Since I don't have the pattern Laura used, and can't find it anywhere, I think I just use my a-line princess seamed jumper pattern as a base and then go from there...

Well Laura, I hope you don't mind that I'm going to make another item like something you have!

S&S ladies meet!

Laura, April, Annette, and I

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting some ladies from the Sense and Sensibility sewing board! We all met at Starbucks (after my tardy appearance due to being a little confused and lost in the "Big City") and chatted awhile, and then we girls headed over to Denver Fabrics while Laura's fiancé did some other shopping in the area.

What a fun store and everybody got something. =) I picked up some plaid wool for a skirt later this fall, and some cotton shirtings to make up into tote bags for the shop. It was fun to get good quality fabrics on sale and just about as cheap as Walmart prices.

Meeting Laura and April (and her sister too!) was like being reacquainted with dear old friends and I hope that Lord willing, we'll be able to see each other again!