Ranunculus & Dark Chocolate

My dear sister surprised me this morning with these lovely flowers,

and delicious dark chocolate!

Both now have taken residence on my writing desk.

Have a delightful Monday!

A thought-provoking article on Modesty

"You should not judge a book by its cover. That is true. And if you have time in the library to browse and read the back flap or half a chapter, you will often come home with an amazing book even though the cover didn’t really promise much. But how often do you have time for all that? Between children, household, work, family, hobbies… quite often we run in and out of the library in fifteen minutes and we have to content ourselves with first impressions. After a while you even become very good at this. You know what styles of illustrations probably promise a great read, or what kind of font is often used just to draw attention to a cheap sensationalist piece of non fiction. Now and again we have pleasant or unpleasant surprises, but, in general, we know what we get. After all, a scientific work will not often have a full-colour shot of playing children against the background of a wheat field on it, a family novel will rarely have a shiny black dust jacket with blood drops over the title.

"In the same way, people who do not have the time to truly get to know us and be surprised by our personality must judge us by what they see–the woman we pass in the grocery store, the librarian, the people we meet on the street. While it is true that beauty starts on the inside, the way we present ourselves shows that we care about the feelings of others who meet us. We should not explicitly dress to get attention to ourselves, but it is a thoughtful gesture to present ourselves with the beauty with which the Lord has endowed us undimmed by sloppiness or carelessness... Click here to read the rest!

A Romantic Nightgown for Summer

If you know my sister Erin, she *loves* to sew nightgowns just as much as I love to sew aprons. Just to put it into perspective. =) I dread having to sew nightgowns, while she thinks they're the greatest thing on the block!

A couple of months ago she got a pattern from another nightgown-enthusiast that is based off of an out of print 80s pattern, Butterick 3778. It came from the eldest of 4 girls, all whom are married now, and each had a nightgown made using this pattern for a wedding nightgown. My sister and I were fortunate to have seen one of them shortly after it was sewn, and before use!

Just a couple of weeks ago, Erin pulled out the pattern, stashed cotton fabric, some lavender lace from my stash, and put together this lovely nightgown. As you can see, some alterations made by our friends were a higher neckline, sleeves, and a tiered skirt.

My favorite details though are the pintucks.

Is anyone else inspired to go make a romantic-looking (not to be confused with the Romantic Era) nightgown, like I am right now?

How I Spent My Afternoon

I do so love a good cup of English tea and a captivating book.

::sigh::

Pesto

I can't take the credit for making this recipe up, as I found it on a blog a couple years ago. It is delicious, but I'll warn you that the house and your breath with smell like garlic for several hours after eating. ;)
3 c. fresh basil leaves
3 large cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 t. salt
pepper to taste
1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. lightly toasted pinenuts
1/2 c. freshly grated cheese (Parmesan or Romano)

Put basil, garlic, salt, pepper, oil, and nuts in blender and chop. Add cheese and combine gently. This makes enough for about 1 lb pasta of your choice. Can also be served with pasta and sauteed chicken.

Morning Light

The sun was just peeking out over the clouds in the east this morning as I watched its rays clothe the Grape Hyacinths.

The Old-Fashioned Way

Yesterday I was lamenting to a friend of mine at church how I've gotten some pain and soreness in my wrists and forearms from all the sewing I've done lately (I know, because I took a day off, and as soon as I went back to it, the pain came back).

But stop sewing for awhile, and especially after being inspired by gowns worn by Elizabeth Bennett of Pride & Prejudice, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility, Emma Woodhouse of Emma, Anne Elliot of Persuasion, Catherine Moreland of Northanger Abbey, and Fanny Price of Mansfield Park?

And then this fabric?

I think it would look delicious made up into a Regency dress, don't you? I suppose I could go the old fashioned way and hand sew it up. T'would be more so authentic too, I think! Perhaps I'll give it a try.

If you don't hear from me for the rest of the week, it probably means that I'm lost in stitching, tea drinking, and watching Jane Austen films. =)

At long last, a Regency dress!

A springish Regency gown that buttons with vintage glass buttons is now for SALE.

Winner of the Marci Apron!

Using the free and handy random number website, I am here to announce that the winner is:

R u t h A n n!

Many congrats to you, and if you could please send me your address, I'll ship it off to you today when I make a run to the PO.

And to the rest of the poor unfortunate souls out there, I generally have giveaways a couple times a year, so add the blog to your favorites, or check back every now and then. But until then, may I direct your attention to a whole hoard of stuff in my online shop? These things are starting to collect dust due to the lack of use, and before I announce it to a whole sewing forum of ladies, I wanted to share the goodies with my blog readers first!

So check it out to your heart's content!

Daffodils on the Counter

My latest collection is vintage milk glass vases from the local thrift stores. Especially when finding them for 25 cents up to a 75 cents per a vase.



Who cares if they don't match?




Everybody at our house loves them!

Apron Giveaway!

As promised, I am hosting an apron giveaway this weekend! That's right, an adorable child's version of the Margaret apron. It is made in the sweetest rose calico on a lovely shade of spring green.
Lots of vintage rick rack; even on the pocket too. For girls approx. ages 9-12.

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/LJ/wordpress, etc, and then leave a second comment (please be sure to leave your blog address too)!

A winner will be randomly selected by Tuesday (the 30th) noon, and will post the winner shortly thereafter.

Frippery or not!

Frippery: something trivial or nonessential

Sorry to have burst someones bubble out there, but aprons are not frippery! They are indeed very useful. While most would wear aprons in the kitchen or out in the gardens, they are ever so useful while cleaning, or painting.

(My sister wearing a Ginnie apron when painting the sewing room last month)

What a delight it was to find out that Shannon was putting together her own lovely apron design into an e-pattern for apron-savy peope like me who can download a file, print, tape, and wala! a pattern! Imagine my thrill when she was hosting a giveaway for one of these patterns, and I won it. My version of it is in my etsy shop; now that I have the real macoy. =)

While I'm in the mode of sharing links this afternoon, I was blog hopping the other day and found this clever idea of repurposing T-shirts.

Butterick 3262 - a Linen Embroidered Skirt

A pattern that is now out of print, this is now my second skirt using this pattern. I used view B of Butterick 3262. It is a simple and easily put together a-line skirt (two side seams!), a side zipper with a hook & eye closure at a turned over waistband. I fell in love with the fabric when I saw it back in MI a couple of months ago. When it was on sale, although still a little pricey for what I like to pay for, just enough was purchased for a skirt.

Spring, Fabric, Chemisette, & Pretties

On my morning walk, I spotted my first robin this season. Spring must have arrived! It shows in other areas too; crocus' are blooming along the front path, hyacinths aren't to far behind, and the tulips are slowly inching their way up too.

While I was away, without any consent or mentioning the idea, our sewing room was painted. Perhaps you've noticed in some of my pictures? (My poor sister picked out a lovely name on a card; "Morning Sunlight," and indeed on the card it was lovely, but some in our household dubbed the room "the baby nursery" while others say the color reminds them of lemonade.) Either way I'm learning that it is rather cheery, although I may have to find another spot in the cottage to take pictures of my sewing things -bright yellow just doesn't go with some things!

But around us there are other touches too that remind us that spring is on the way. Going through drawers or closet shelves are areas that I like to tackle. While mine hold "hope chest items," it's fun to freshen them up a bit. Somehow I'd like to create a little library in a certain area of our abode. The room would suit perfectly, but I just need to convince other people that it is a great idea too. Speaking of books, this afternoon I pulled out my Patterns of Fashion book and my eyes fell once again on this lovely chemisette.
Somehow I'd like to combine it with these lovely items, and come up with something pretty. I've had the vintage laces and buttons for awhile, but the fabric was recently taken up when it was $1.50 a yard.

Perhaps a Regency gown, another Romantic or a late Romantic dress, or just something that is simply historically inspired? What does it seem like it would look best in?

Bits of Time and Lace

I've been able to sneak in a few moments to sit down at my sewing table to finish this 1830's inspired summer dress. Made out of a crisp pink and purple plaid shirting, and is adorned with a bit of antique lace at the sleeves. Find more pictures here.

Parmesan Herb Rolls

The chicken is in the oven, (thanks, ladies for your helpful ideas!) there is a spinach salad to be made, and corn from the freezer to be pulled out and cooked. We're also having my herb rolls tonight with dinner.



• Cheri's Parmesan Herb Rolls •

1/2 c. wheat bran
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. salt
1/2 c. shortening
2 c. milk

1 T. yeast
1-2 eggs (opt)
5 c. flour (approx.)
2 T. mixed dried herbs

Cook first column until heated. When cooled to slightly warmer than room temp, add yeast. Beat in eggs (opt.). Add flour (you can use a mixture of white and whole wheat like I did) and herbs to make a soft dough.

Knead. Let rise until doubled. Punch down. Make rolls and place inside greased muffin tins. Brush with melted butter and dust with parmesan cheese. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 350* for 18-20 minutes.

Home, Laundry, and Chicken

Last week upon sudden situations out of my control, I left my grandparents home to come back to my parents home to help out. My days have been full of chauffeuring here and there, at least three loads of laundry a day (compared to laundry being done once a week at Grandma's!), fixing meals, cleaning house, and all that comes with keeping a home. It's been a fun though, really. =) As you've noticed, I really haven't had much time for sewing other than finishing a patchwork tote.

Tonight for supper I am fixing a free organic chicken, but am rather clueless as to how to fix it. The majority of us are vegetarian unless we can get organic meats every now and then. We've fixed turkey's around the holiday's, but a whole chicken? Never. I would imagine it would be sort of the same, but I'm calling up Grandma to see how she would fix it. She's so creative, and makes the best meals in the whole wide world. =) How would you ladies fix a whole chicken? or leftover chicken? or can one boil the carcass and make chicken noodle soup with the broth?

The Marci Apron

Here she is! Yesterday between errands and laundry, I got busy and pulled out my tracing paper, pencil, and scissors. With a vintage child's apron and the Margaret apron as my guides, "Marci" was born.

I named her Marci for a two-fold reason: one to hopefully help keep it in connection with the adult sized (Margaret & Marci, Gracie & Molly Grace ... yes, someday I'll need to make up a smaller version of the 1930's Ginnie) and secondly after a friend of mine whose name is Marci. She is an avid seamstress who sews just about everything under the sun, I would imagine!

Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for a giveaway of this child's sized apron, but if you find that you or your daughter/sister/granddaughter can't wait for that, the very first is up in the SHOP!

Snow day = Sewing Day

Waking up to a world covered in that beautiful white fluffy stuff, and several inches deep I might add, it is definately enough snow to cause a "snow day." School is closed for the day, which means I have no way of getting in to practice my music. Bummer, I'm having alot of fun these days with my Kreuzter No. 13 etude and Handel sonata!

But that's okay. There are lots of delicious fabrics in my closet just waiting to be made up into something. And actually, I have gotten a few custom-sewing orders too, so I'm putting those at the top of my list before I sew anything more for the shop. But we'll see if I can squeeze an apron or two in this week's projects. Might I also mention that a child's size version of the Margaret apron is on the works? Of course I have no idea what size it will turn out to be, and so I'll have to have a giveaway to find out. ::winks::

Cheerio and have a lovely Monday!

Family Heirlooms

Grandma is doing her spring cleaning, and the other night she handed down two treasures to one very grateful recipient. The pair of scissors were her mother's sewing "shears" as Grandma fondly calls them. They've been back in a storage container, and rather than it still being stored away, Grandma asked if I'd like them.

The other lovely piece is my Great-Great-Great Grandmother's hanky with hand-tatted lace. It was pulled out a number of years ago, and when visiting us several years ago, Grandma had given it to me because of knowing that I did tatting. Somehow it found its way back here, and went missing for several months. Upon cleaning out drawers, it was found and once again placed in my possession.

Isn't it lovely? The fabric itself I think must be that long-desired-for cotton muslin that they used to make decades ago, (oh to have a Regency dress in this gorgeous material!!) unless someone more knowledgeable than I says that it is something else. The embroidery is definitely done by hand, and for years it has baffled me as to how they could getting tatting onto a hankie. "It must be needle tatting" I have thought, but this looks like shuttle tatting to me, and upon close observation, it looks like it was sewn on because of the uneven spacing of the lace. How it was done, I still haven't figured it out. Any ideas?

Though not in the sewing/hand crafts department, Grandma asked if if I would like these juice glasses that she has had in her closed hutch. They were to pretty to pass up!

Another picture looking down into the glass. I like the wheat pattern. Grandma didn't mention how she got them, or how old they are, so I need to ask.

Of course, by the time I get married and will put them to use, they probably will be antique!