Looking Back into Time

Of course I can't show you everything, but I picked out some fun pictures that I thought my sewing/historical loving friends might enjoy seeing. All of them are click-able to see a full sized version, and just because I felt like it, I watermarked them.

For a day we went over, via ferry, to Mackinac Island where there are no motorized vehicles. Your mode of transportation is either taking a carriage ride, a horse ride, a bike ride, or the old-standby of using your own two feet to get around.

All over the island, quaint cottages, homes, buildings, and bed & breakfasts add such beauty. I'm always so mesmerized at their flower gardens. I of course come home brimming full of ideas!

Lilacs were in full bloom that day.

The amazing Grand Hotel. It's something to see it in a picture, but it is beyond words to see it in real life.

It's okay if you want to turn on your Narnia soundtracks. =) I wanted to when I saw the Pictured Rocks in the UP of Michigan. Those are the real colors.

Tahquamenon Falls

Towards the end of our trip, we visited the charming Greenfield Village. I'm not even going to begin to describe it all, so you'll have to take a look at the link provided. But basically it is a place where famous people and families homes, workshops, sawmills, etc are moved to. Such as the Wright Brother's workshop, many many buildings of Thomas Edison's, Noah Webster's house, and SO much more. You can tour most of these, and the majority of them have the real everything (wallpaper, carpets, furniture, etc...) inside. It spans history from the 1600s to 1940s.

This millinery shop is always a favorite of my sisters, mother, and I. Inside the cases below (and more of which I didn't get) have real pieces from the late 1800s/early 1900s displayed. The hats on the stands can be tried on for fun. =)

My favorite place in the village is the Firestone Farmhouse that dates in the 1880s. A couple ladies were in the kitchen eating plum cake. Upon arriving, ther were a couple of guys (in period clothing of course and a horse drawn wagon) out in the field bringing in hay. The huge barn is fun to go in too. It looks similar to the King's barn on Road to Avonlea.

There are all kinds of people dressed up and walking around from all kinds of eras, but the majority being in the early 1900's. I came across a singing group of folks in 30's-like apparel. I thought of you instantly, Laura. =) Don't you just adore the ladies shoes?! I was so tempted to snag one of them and ask them if they knew where they came from. Sadly, I had to keep on walking before they got done singing.

And there you go, my dears! I hope that gives you a little taste of our vacation. Upon returning home I am realizing that I have an insanely busy summer ahead of me, but I'll post when I can of the projects that I'm able to work on. Some delectable goodies are being planned.

Lavender in Twilight

One of the fun things about returning home after an extended vacation is seeing what has changed in the flower beds and vegetable garden. Despite an overgrowth of weeds, my English Lavender is blooming ever so pretty.

I cut 15 stems and stuck them in a glass bottle that I picked up at an antique store.

We just might need a few more of those about our abode to freshen and calm the air as we unpack and settle back into normal, everyday life. If you'd like, I can post a few pictures from our trip. Since they do take awhile to upload, I won't unless they are requested.

And also, if you placed an order from my etsy shop while I was away, I will be taking a trip to the Post Office tomorrow to mail those out.

Fabric from Paradise

No joke, ladies! Just the other day I was in a quaint little fabric shop full of high-quality cottons, quilting accessories, and notions. There were a couple "left over" bolts on sale, and so I grabbed the little amounts to make two to three aprons when I get home.

The location? Paradise, Michigan.

Checking in...

We are up in the beautiful city of Mackinaw and are enjoying ourselves immensly. Walks along wooded and tick-infested paths, feeding thousands of mosquitoes, kite flying along the shores of Lake Huron, making smores over an evening campfire, and we'll be over on Mackinac Island in a day or two. Happy bliss.

No Sewing Machines Allowed

" 'Well, I'm nearly ready now,' answered Mrs. Beaver at last allowing her husband to help her into her snow boots. 'I suppose the sewing machine's too heavy to bring?

''Yes. It is,' said Mr. Beaver. 'A great deal too heavy.'

--C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

In just a few days I'll be leaving with my family to make a near-three week trip over to Michigan to spend time in Mackinaw; our favorite vacation spot, as well as visiting family. I will have a laptop with me, so if I can get it to work (it's an oldie) you just might hear from me, even if it's just through pictures.

Plum Puffs with Tea

Plum puffs...

Lavender splashes...

Black and green teas...


That is to say: a bunch of aprons are in the shop this morning!

A Gift of Roses

This is our second year of enjoying free roses. About five years ago, a complete stranger came up to me and asked if I would like a rose bush. "I found 14 of them in the garbage" said she, and because of my love for flowers, and gardening, I thought, "Sure! Why not?"

I planted what there was of the roots, but all you could see were dead thorny stems above the soil. Not a very pretty sight. That first year I watered it with some special plant food for roses, the second year I totally forgot about it, and the third year I discovered that the plant had some very minimal greenish tints. Last year it grew (with no care) and we enjoyed one or two blooms from it. This year we will be in store for dozens of mediums-sized blooms. They aren't miniature, but neither are they regular sized.

I think they're perfect.

A Meadow full of Poppies

This morning I discovered a most beautiful patch of colorful poppies nestled in a green meadow full of hills and curvy green lanes.
And I even found two vintage Ferris Wheels smack dab in the center. Must have been from those old country fairs they used to have back in the Depression era...

Take a look for yourself!

Candy Pink Confections

So. Several weeks ago I bought many yards of Candy Pink and White (cotton) shirting fabric just because it was SUCH a steal to buy it. And I have several ideas, thanks to the dresses that Pleasant Company, aka, American Girl used to sell in their catalog.

I just love Kirstens's pinafore and Samantha's lacey apron. Realizing that I still haven't made up my mind with what to do with my white linen, I think it would make a great apron or pinafore. Now which of the dresses do I try to recreate?

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.

"Peter, who was very naughty..."

Has found his way into my shop this evening!

Oh I do so love your buttons, Peter...

Would you like help him find his way home?

Hello Miss Strawberry Shortcake!

Miss Strawberry Shortcake and I met in the sewing room again and she begged to be made into a toddler's smock if I would only wrap her in red bias with pink buttons.

She is in the shop this afternoon.

My "Anne" Skirt

Only one picture to share with you that my younger sister quickly took before heading to church yesterday morning.
As I mentioned in this post, I have long wanted to make a skirt like Anne's, and I think I got as close as I could with what I had. Yes, the 1909 “Beatrix” Skirt Pattern could have been used, but for practicality reasons and wanting to not sport a look of 100 years ago, I decided to use my basic a-line skirt pattern by lengthening it, making the hem fuller, adding a bias flounce, and 3 teensy-tiny pin tucks.

So paired with a top that was given to me, my vintage-looking heels, and a blue sweater in case the weather turned chilly (in which it did!), I had a fabulous day yesterday wearing both modern and old-fashioned.

Tote Bag Craze

I was definitely in the sewing mood today (and now don't want to see my machine for the rest of the week!) and spent my time making more hobo sacks. And who said that they had to be made out of weird funky fabrics?

They can be made out of sailor stripes...
...colors of the sea...

...rose gardens...

...vintage florals ...

...and they are all in the shop tonight!

A Funky Striped Tote

I'm having way to much fun with this pattern I made up. I like it even better with some new alterations to the design.

Like it too?

Sweet Pea's and Spring Gardening

It has been a glorious spring season these days, surrounding our little cottage. Refreshing spring showers, beautiful skies overhead with floating "marshmellows" across it, a curtain being teased in the bedroom window from the fresh light breeze outside, and the melodies of the birds drifting in that serenades yours truly and drives my little persian to hysterics. Poor thing; she'd love to eat one for lunch!

Last weekend I started working on our vegetable garden area. It isn't very large, but large enough to grow several plants of tomatoes, lettuce, onions, peas, and so forth. Today I'll be adding a third layer (after the manure and compost) of coffee grounds, and maybe plant my peas and lettuce.

By no means have I neglected my sewing room over the last several days however. It was turned upside down and rearranged, added a few things, and when I can get on the main computer, I'll share some picture for you. In the mean time, if you don't have any gardens of your own to work on, take a look in the cottage as I added a "Sweet Pea" Gracie apron last evening. I do so love the color combinations.

What are your favorite colors to put together?

Fun from the 70s

Today was fun thrift shopping. I came home with these three patterns. I have such a weakness for patterns. =P But I usually have ideas for them all. For instance, that first one would make a perfect summer morning housecoat, I fell in love with the style of the jacket in the 2nd, and take a look at the 3rd (!) what a unique and fun pattern for ... well, I'm not sure what, but I love it!

Anne's Blue Linen Skirt

For years I have dreamed of making a skirt like Anne's that she wears to Fred's Clam Bake and when Gil proposes to her...





Delighted to see that linen is 50% off at JoAnn's this week, I picked up a lovely shade of sky blue linen to make one. I'll probably make it along the lines of this one, only floor length (like Anne's of course!). Now if I could only find some gorgeous lace fabric and make myself a shirtwaist too...

Afternoon delights from the antique store

My first antique copy of Dickens, a small yellow mixing bowl, and a baby spoon from the 20's -- all for under $10.

"Marilla, look at the Puffs!"

Perhaps it was inspired by an "Anne of Green Gables" and "Road to Avonlea" kick, or maybe it was just from the love for old-fashioned dresses, but I decided to make up a girls size 14 dress using the fabric, buttons, and collar.

I'll be listing it on etsy this afternoon, but if any of you must have it, you can contact me privately first: ajoyfulhandmaiden AT yahoo DOT com.

In other news, I relisted my 1914 White Lawn Dress on ebay since the buyer who purchased it never paid me for it and after several polite e-mails, didn't contact me either.

Stay tuned for a bunch of hardly worn clothes of mine that I hope to sell, all from Christopher & Banks.

Old Fashioned Coziness

Darkness has fallen and with it we are getting a sweet gentle rain. It is a bit chilly, and so I grabbed a sweater and headed down to the sewing room. I've decided that my next project (not sure what it will be yet! Any suggestions?) will include this fabric, that creamy collar, and those six vintage buttons.

Well dear ladies, it is to late to start on it now so I'm off to fix a cup of tea and find a good book to read, or watch a bit of my favorite movies; Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea.

A Bit of Sunshine

Due to some unfixable circumstances, I have been a bit detained here in town and so to make up for this misfortune, I have happlily kept myself busy in my little sewing room...

I love the little bits of warm rays of sunshine yellow rick rack on the pockets and at the dropped shoulder seams on this apron.

I wish I could keep it...

Leaving Town

Well, I'll be off shortly to spend a few days with my Grandparents over Easter weekend which I am very much looking forward to.

Of course I put off making Grandpa Fred a chef apron to wear for the Easter brunch until now, and so I'll be doing some speed sewing. I'm doing this pattern which I've never used before. And actually, I've never made a "butcher style" apron before, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be easy.

Spring is in the Shop!

I was going to wait until Monday, but I couldn't help myself...

Both of these are in the cottage this evening.

And the winner is...

...Andrea Herrlinger! Congrats to Andrea, whose apron will be shipped off this afternoon!

And I'm convinced that I need to have giveaways more often. It's so much fun "meeting" new or "silent" blog readers! =) I feel honored that you'd stop by my blog.

And since you all were so kind an gracious, I will offer to all of you a $5 discount off of anything in my etsy shop, through tomorrow. Just contact me through a conversation on etsy and let me know which item(s) you'd like and also mention this special offer to blog readers!