Provision and Progress

What a sad thing it is to be separated.

On Monday Dad and I took my serger and sewing machine into the repair shop. My sewing machine is "fine" although the lever to lift up the presser foot has been tight with the occasional sprinkling of silver powder (metal?) coming down from that area. It still worked so I never said anything about it, but Dad said to say something next time.

He likened that to driving around with an engine light on in my car and me saying, "Oh but it still runs so I'll just keep driving" but ignoring the problem. That analogy could be said of our spiritual lives, too, I think. God sometimes pricks our hearts of areas that need attention and we just try to ignore those promptings when not only have have a problem that will only worsen with time, but we're also building up a wall, brick by brick, around our heart...

Well. So here is Cheri without a sewing machine and serger. While I don't always sew (surprise, surprise to some of you!), I do get into "sewing swings" of not sewing for weeks/months, but then oppositely, sometimes I DO sew for several days/weeks in a row. What does a seamstress do without her machines for 7-10 days? "What if I get really inspired to sew something NOW and can't?" I wondered. ;)

I could start sewing by hand... I could start mending my yellow purse (used for the spring and summer months). I could fix another duck of Sadie's. I could pick up a crocheting project that I started years ago. I could work on some more tatting. But one of my sisters came to my rescue and said that I could use her sewing machine and serger for as long as I needed to. Her machines are several "notches" above mine in what they do, so I'm quite delighted to use them. :D

Yesterday I finished the silk underskirt for my 1914 dress. I love how the shape and fit turned out.

The invisible zipper even went in without any ripples or curves. Zippers and I don't always like each other.

Last night I finally cut out the rest of the dress. Have I ever mentioned that THE thing I dislike about sewing would be having to cut out? It's ridiculous, I know. One can't sew unless something is cut out to sew! The other thing that I dislike in sewing is whenever I put in "hidden" side pockets. Pockets on the outside I love doing, and especially when doing all sorts of designs or using fun trim, but the other ones: no thankyou! :)

Anyone out there have anything that you don't like doing in a sewing project?

A Woe of a Seamstress

My serger, I believe, is broken.

Nothing will move and it makes an awful noise.

This, my friends, is NOT good.

(...and I was in the middle of serging the hem of the silk underskirt, too!)

Daddy is going to take a look at it. Pray with me that he'll be able to discover the problem, and fix it!

An Earl Grey kind of Day

Today I'm taking a break from the Dress It Up series to focus on other priorities around me. Trying to get errands done before the storm hits (we've heard conflicting reports from thunderstorms and tornadoes with lots of rain to three feet of snow ... we decided to ignore all weather reports and just wait until whatever it is, comes) and then get back to work on my current sewing project.

[Bringing in a bit of springtime beauty just in case we do get that snow!]

I started sewing the silk underskirt the other day, and I forgot how regal it feels to sew with silk(::winks::) not to mention a historical inspired dress. Ahh, it's been to long! I tried it on over a skirt, tank, and sweater and it fit like a charm. I've decided to take the plunge and make an edwardian corset, which I probably should have made before sewing, but I can easily take in the back skirt seam if the skirt ends up being to big after being worn over period undergarments.

[Photo copyrighted to my talented sister]

Dark storm clouds hovering the western horizion and shutting oneself in one's sewing room calls for some Earl Grey tea. This morning I drove ... well, you don't want to know how far (!) to pick up this loose tea. I even paid a full price of $6.99 for it, but it seemed reasonable since I can't get it for less on ebay or amazon. The Twinings is my favorite kind of Earl Grey, and tastes best with some french vanilla creamer poured in the biggest mug you can find and fill.

Springtime Busyness

Over the weekend I had to do some "emergency" sewing. A long-time family friend of ours, and who we affectionately called "Grandpa" passed away Thursday morning and the funeral was to be held Monday morning. My older sister and Mother were flying out Easter morning to attend his viewing and funeral service. Mom didn't have a stitch of black to wear. Providentially some beautiful black fabric came in the mail just in time for me to sew her a dress. That's what I did over the weekend, and finished up around 9:30pm Saturday night.

[The evening light was lovely as I was out by the apple tree yesterday.]

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day. Full of sunshine, perfumed wind (the flowering trees seem especially lovely this spring!) and fullness of joy. The church service was a blessing with all of the music, one of the choir special accompanied by piano & orchestra, which I was happily apart of, and an encouraging sermon. (Yes, if you're wondering, I did wear my comb.) :)

Laundry, meals, assisting in research papers and book reports, teaching violin, and errands will fill my week, but this afternoon all of us are heading outside to do the first grass-mowing (please tell me you like the smell of freshly-cut grass, too!) yard work, and seed-transplanting from their tiny cells to larger containers where the seedlings will grow some more before put into the gardens.

Speaking personally, I think this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Dress It Up - On Your Head!

Wearing hats can be another element that will add a touch of elegance and dressiness to an outfit. With Easter this Sunday, it would be a perfect time to pull out a hat out of its box! Have you ever considered wearing one out to a special dinner or even just out doing errands?

I have several times. I have come home with hats or simply tried them on at the store, and my poor dear family does all they can do to not laugh at me. I can wear the ones that work well for when I dress up in a historical garment (like this) but in general, most modern hats look hideous on me.

Perhaps there is a reader who can empathize? There are other options, dear ladies! There are fascinators and hair combs to try! :) Some are really ridiculous, I readily agree, but then there are some that are quite charming.

I actually have yet to try one on myself, but I'm not going to shrink back from them quite yet as I have most modern hats.

If you're not quite sure about an actual fascinator, you could try a flower on clip with some netting like this one by Olive & Jane or simply wear a real flower in your hair. You can never go wrong with fresh!

If you're on a tight budget (who isn't these days?!) you could make your own hair comb like this one:

Ebay and Etsy are wonderful sources to find hair combs with reasonable prices. Now I have tried and rather like haircombs. Personally speaking, they add that touch of elegance without the WOW, WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?! factor; if that is something you concern yourself with.

This is a simple one in a tortoiseshell-like plastic.

And then I have another that is a replica of the butterfly comb on Titanic (I don't endorse the movie, though there are some fantastic costumes, hats & combs, and jewelry on there!)

Don't look on ebay for these, unless you want to pay over $100 for it. Back in 2008 or 2009, I think I payed around $25 for mine from a extraordinarily talented lady who is no longer in business, though she has a few left that she is selling here for a bit more.

I'm going to take the risk and wear one of them to church tomorrow for our Easter service, with the attempts of doing some kind of curly updo. Which comb should I wear?

In Glorious Bloom

Spring has arrived at least 3-4 weeks early because of the unseasonably warm weather we've had. I can't complain since it's my favorite season of all. There is color everywhere around our cottage, and thought I'd share some of that beauty through pictures (none of them have been edited or enhanced in anyway).

This is our tulip bed, which also contains hyacinths and grape hyacinths. Both are for the most part done for the year, but our tulips have showcased their loveliness all week. We have reds, yellows, whites, and purples. During the summer we'll plant annuals in this bed. I'm thinking red geraniums.

On of our blossoming tree's that we are often taken back by every spring. The fragrance of their blossoms is incredible. When we have a warmer evening, I love to open up my bed room window for awhile to savor the aroma.

Another bed that hold spring bulbs and other perennials. That large patch of rocks will be full of salmon and apricot colored tulips next year.

What's blooming at your house this week?

Back in the Sewing Room

The past two days have prevented me from spending very little time out of doors. We have had unseasonably warm weather for a good month and all of a sudden it took a turn into the 30s and 40s. I really can't complain because we need any and all moisture we can get.

So instead of spending my time out in the flower gardens like I planned, I got back into the sewing room to re-organize my fabrics, notions, patterns that I no longer need, thoughts, and the like. Not to long ago I happily discovered that I still had a bit of some cotton-sheen lilac fabric left. Of course out it came as did the scissors!

No lace or extra frills on this one. The fabric is quite beautiful in and of itself.

Wouldn't you agree?

Dress It Up - Wear a Cardigan!

Confession time.

I think I have almost the same amount of sweaters as I do summer and winter tops combined.

Ahhh. That felt good to get off my shoulders (confessions are good for the soul...)

But really, I wear sweaters three out of four seasons. I have some thick, chunky ones for the really cold days of winter, a couple standard weave for fall, and then a few 'paper-thin' ones for spring. Depending on the style of the cardigan and what I'm wearing with it, I wear them zipped up, buttoned up, open, or in the case of one odd one, there is a "built in" eternity scarf - or whatever it's called - that I twist and drape around the back of my neck. (I liked the color more than the style...)

As before, Pinterest continues to inspire me.

Cardigan's can be belted, too!

If you're needing some pizazz to your outfit, add a couple of flowers or a vintage pin.

Don't be afraid of vintage styled sweaters, either. "Back when I was growing up, boy, they sure did dress classy" as my dear Grandma would say. I think they had the cute details that today's lack.

How excited I was to find a vintage-inspired cardigan from Anthropologie a few weeks ago. AND on clearance (reduced at least twice, I think), AND something that I could actually let myself buy without feeling guilty about spending the money on it. ;)

The cardigan was described as "pintucks, ruffles and a sweetheart neckline transport you to an era of suppertime traditions and Model T's." Who wouldn't be charmed by it and its details?

::ahem:: Please excuse my messy hair, my unmade bed, and thrown-on-the-bed pajamas, too. I literally rolled out of bed and "threw my clothes on" before doing anything else. ::ahem:: So without further ado, I'm wearing a white lace camisole (Maurices), a thrifted white knee-length skirt (New York & Company), and the "Orchard House Cardigan" from Anthropologie.

PS. Do you like knowing the brand of clothes I post? I personally can't stand it when people post pictures of their outfits and say "thrifted" for certain articles of clothing when I want to know what store or brand it came from so I can be on the look out for 'this or that' when I'm thrifting myself. ;) But maybe that's just covetousness? :P



I'm Dreaming of a 1914 Dress

Several years ago my parents bought me Anne Shirley's Wedding Dress pattern, and just this spring I've pulled it out with some fabric and started dreaming. I've had the gold silk duponi in my stash for a year or so now (shh...I only paid $2 for the yardage, thanks to one of my wonderful thrift stores!), the vintage buttons, and very recently picked up the lace fabric (also from the thrift store).

I'm thinking of making the underskirt with the silk, and then the whole dress out of the lace, but line the bodice with the silk also so it would be underneath the lace. Make sense? I'm not going to make the sleeves like the pattern, but I haven't come up with any other ideas yet.

After I publish this post, I'm going to look up what those buttons are saying. Here's hoping it's not anything to crazy! ;) Am I the only one who finds vintage metal buttons fascinating?

Do I have an occasion for this dress? no...

Why am I making it? um...for fun?

Maybe it's because of Downton Abbey? maybe...

Perhaps you like the Edwardian era? oh yes...

Or you grew up with Anne of Green Gables and always longed for a kindred spirit? most definitely...

The Loveliness of Toile

According to Wikipedia: Toile is the name of a fabric that entered the English language around the 16th century from a French word meaning "linen cloth" or "canvas" — particularly cloth or canvas for painting on. The word toile can refer to the fabric itself, a test garment (generally) sewn from the same material, or a type of surface decoration (traditionally) printed on the same fabric.

Mom likes to decorate with toile by using it in accents around our home, as you can see in this picture of the lampshade and clock on the antique end table in our living room. But there are other things that we have in toile prints. Mom has me looking for a toile settee when I'm out thrifting. :)

So as I mentioned in my post earlier today, I'd have a couple items in the shop that were toile, though I'm quite tardy in listing them. One looses the time quite easily when moseying around in antique shops.

I was originally going to sell them as a set, but at the last mintue decided to list them separately. If you'd like to purchase both, send me a note via etsy, and I'll send you a $2 off coupon code to use when checking out.

Dress It Up - Wear a Belt!

For a long time I've always associated wearing belts jeans or dress slacks. But then over the last couple of years, I've seen more and more pictures pop up of women wearing belts with their outfits.

Like these two pictures, you could wear it over the waistband of a skirt with a tucked in tank top, or a pretty blouse. Or, wear it over a loose shirt or tunic like my friend Laura did below. It could be skinny or wide, black or brown or any color that might add some "pop" to your outfit.

I opted to wear it over my shirt since it is longer in length, and being an hourglass-shape who still needs to lose a few extra pounds, things don't look to classy tucked into anything around my waist!

I'm wearing a thrifted white shirt (Jones New York brand), a thrifted red toile circle skirt (no brand), and a thrifted skinny black belt (Kohl's). What's odd is that up until the day I wore this, I never paired either of these together even though all of them have been in my closet for 4+ years!

PS. Later this morning, look for a couple things in the shop that are inspired by today's Dress It Up outfit.

Patterns GALORE for sale!

Major sewing room cleaning and this week it's my pattern bins being sorted through.

There are newborn to ladies sizes. Dresses, jumpers, blouses, shirts, skirts, aprons, accessories, historical reproductions, and vintage.

10 patterns listed. 70 more to go. Yes, I'm serious. They are being sold here.

EDITED to ADD: Ooops! Ebay only allows 50 free listings per month, so I'll have to list the 30 more on the first of April. Take a look what I do have though before they all go!

Dress It Up - With a Scarf

A week has already past, and it is time for the 2nd installment of "Dress It Up"? Time flies. :)

Today's "tip" to dress up an outfit is from the below picture that I found on Pinterest. A simple black cardigan (maybe over a silver-white button up blouse?) can sometimes be just that: plain and simple. Which of course there is nothing wrong with such, but seeing how another "plain and simple" color, ie. gray, in the form of a scarf can really make boring = classy. 

So with that in mind: this is me a couple Sunday's ago before going to church. I was wearing a pencil skirt in plaid (The Limited) paired with a plain black sweater-shirt (Covington - thrifted), gray tights (The Limited) and black tall boots (Covington). And of course the gray scarf (Macy's) to complete the look.

Have a lovely weekend, ladies!

Busy Hands

"Can't we turn off the light?!" asked my sister numerous times when watching Downton Abbey in the evenings. Not all of the time, but usually I like to keep my hands busy when I'm sitting down for several hours watching movies.

Over six years ago a friend taught me the lost art of tatting and within an evening or so I completed my first tatted bookmark in the shape of a heart. If one does knitting, crocheting, or anything else that requires two hands, she assured me that tatting will often come easily to a new tatter.

Ever since I've been tatting more than knitting and crocheting. It's very portable, requires very little space, and not to mention quite fun. I haven't made lace or doilies yet due to time constraints, but I'm content with making bookmarks.



I have four collections in the shop this evening, but wanted to let you know that I take private custom requests as well, so please ask if you're interested!

New Life

Shadows and signs of spring by the porch this morning.

Edwardian Inspired Heels

Over the weekend, I brought home some Edwardian looking heels made in early 1990s (?) from the thrift store and as soon as my youngest sister saw them, she looked at me seriously and said, "I think we're watching to much of Downton Abbey."



But shes loves Downton Abbey AND the shoes as much as I do. I'll have to keep her from stealing them. ::winks::

Having grown up on Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Road to Avonlea series, I found myself quite at home watching Downton Abbey (other than those dreadful scenes to fast-forward). Being predominately English,I have been glued to it and find the culture very appealing. My father has been to England on many occasions because of his job, and he tells us that it is like a home away from home for him. Of course we girls beg him to take us one of these days. ("Daddy, it would be a perfect summer vacation!")

Finishing the 2nd season just last night, I'm full of inspiring ideas to go through my patterns and fabric stash to make up something from the 1912-1918 time period. Having patterns from Sense & Sensibility as well as Hint of History I'm trying to decide what to make. No worries, you'll hear about it all when I get to it. :)

Post-script: A blog reader kindly notified that she couldn't post any comments, and after looking into it, it was a dreadful error on my part and the issue has been resolved. I am now gladly welcoming comments. :)

Dress It Up - A Pop of Color

Does anyone else find Pinterest helpful, fun, inspirational, and yes I'll say it: addicting? :) I thought I'd do a weekly post on Saturday's called "Dress It Up" by sharing inspiration that I get from Pinterest and how it effects my wardrobe but without having to spend an arm and a leg to do it.

Today's inspiration is either called "A Pop of Color" or "Colors Mix-matched."

This outfit not only grabbed me because I have a canary-yellow purse in the same shade as this one, but I never would have thought of pairing it with a grass green coat. It looks fabulous though, and the yellow adds such a happy tone to an otherwise dreary winter setting.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to be bold and put together something that I never would have considered wearing together. Wearing a slate blue turtleneck, a jean skirt, and a black & white weave sweater, I paired it with a mustard orange scarf.

Pop of color? Check.

While out doing errands that day (as you can see my royal blue purse on my shoulder and finishing a cup of tea as I was heading out) I received at least one compliment on the ensemble so it must not have been a hideous choice.

Would you ever put blue and mustard together? Go try it! :)

Panjandrum of Duck

[photo credit]

Just this morning I operated on my second duck. A week or so ago Daddy approached me about a duck whose head was barely on to its body. Definitely "hanging on by a thread" you could say. I was able to fix it, and the duck is as good as new. This morning's patient had suffered from a gaping wound in its back, though thankfully quite mendable.

Now lest you all think we have a duck farm or I've been a quiet veterinarian for some time, I should mention that the aforementioned ducks are stuffed and feathered toys that our family dog Sadie has enjoyed playing with. She still has one more duck that she hasn't injured, but probably because it's her most prized possession.

Fresh Beginnings

As my friend Mrs. Smith would say, "Happy New Month!" The beginning of a new month is almost as exciting as a new year. There can be new beginnings, fresh resolves, and renewed vigor. As some of you may have seen, I have freshened  up the graphics on my blog and one of my shops in the attempts of uniforming them to a small degree, but I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with them quite yet.


Thankyou for your kind understanding in allowing me to take a month off of blogging and less social networking. Little did I know that it was Providential! Truly, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Ps. 37:23) even when His leading doesn't always make sense. That simple trust is something that I've been having to learn all over again. Or maybe it's just in a deeper way.


Almost two weeks ago, I found myself lying helpless on the floor audibly crying out for God's help. As I described the incident to a friend: my body was shaking uncontrollably, all sense of feeling leaving my feet, hands and fingers as they grew nearly unmovable, my skin turning an ash-gray color, and seriously thinking that this is what it's like to die. Such an event found me in the ER with the doctors uncertain as to what was wrong with me. They did suggest some things, and while I'm resting and drinking lots of fluids, I've chosen to explore some natural help for this health problem.

[If any of you would know of family and friends who like vintage styled aprons, tote bags, skirts, etc, would you consider telling them about my etsy shops? Please don't feel obligated, but I'd be eternally grateful for any word of recommendation you could pass on to others! Receiving hospital bills with the monetary sums of four didgits look overwhelmingly impossible to pay off. Back to trusting in God...]

Speaking of health, it was such a fun challenge to stay away from sugar last month! I made all sorts of treats with using honey like apple crisp, cinnamon rolls, and other delights. Of course around Valentines Day, we brought out the cookie cutters, real sugar, and frostings to decorate cookies. And no, I didn't eat a single one! ::wink::

A friend of mine flew out to visit an actor friend of her's at local university and she stayed with our family in between theatrical productions. It was great fun to visit with her, talk and laugh late into the night, watch movies she had never seen such as Lantern Hill, Somewhere In Time, Little Dorrit, and Jane Eyre. We also did some exploring in the snow, which she is not accustomed to with living in the south.

 It was as if we had entered Narnia that day where the tall evergreens stood staunchly against the winds, but across the lake the wind and sun played a musical fairytale-like dance with its rays and swirling snow.

But company has left and so has good health since the ER visit, but little things like crocus' in the south-facing bed beginning to bloom and many friends having babies or news of wedding bells keep me in good spirits. I've ventured out a few times to help a friend with some estate sales she and her husband are having (and I've come away with a few treasures from there myself!). 


My sewing machines will be put to good use this next month with Mother-dear needing a few garments, a friend's daughter in need of a few jumpers, and other odds and ends. Just yesterday I was given several lengths of cream colored cotton lace in various designs and widths, large piping for home decor use (like pillows), and three wooden handles for tote bags. Just last night I excitedly went through my stash of fabrics and found enough fabric to make some totes for the shop. 

The first one is in the shop this morning with the other two to follow sometime this weekend. I forgot how much fun it was to make totes, and these, with wooden handles make it all the more fun.

Well dear readers, this probably gave you more than what you wanted or expected to read, so until next time, have a lovely week in March!

To Much of a Good Thing, Starting Today

Sometimes to much of a good thing isn't really all that wonderful.

Like sugar. I confess. I love baking in the kitchen, whipping up a batter full of goodness, planning cookie decorating parties. Over the last couple of years developed a taste for chocolove bars. I've always liked chocolate in things (ice cream, cookies, cakes, frosting's, you name it) but when it comes to a chocolate bar from the store, I'd rather pass. Unless of course, it's chocolove. ;) Obviouly, I try to limit what and how much sugary things I consume, but even still, to much sugar isn't a good thing. That is why for a month I'm going to go off artificial sugars. Just to make me aware of how much I actually intake. Starting today.

Internet is another wonderful too, resource, and help (like Pinterest to categorize all of your favorite things in the forms of pictures!) but to much of it is not wise. A friend once told me something that a friend passed on to her "You know, you don't have to post everything." Sometimes for bloggers, facebook-ers, and any other form of social networkers we need to be reminded every now and again that there is life beyond the screen. There are families to love and cherish, friendships to cultivate, people to reach out to right where we are at that (at least for me!) and it becomes easy to push the truly good things away for the excitement of a new blog post, an updated facebook status, or a new pin on pinterest. That is why I'll be taking a sabbatical from blogging for a little bit. Starting today.

I'll still be sewing up more things in the next couple of weeks (I've got some delectable fabrics that are begging to be made into aprons!) so do pop in the shop every now and then.

Blessings to each and every one!