Week in Feminine Dress - Day Seven

The only picture that look half way decent was the one with my eyes closed. Our budding photographer is getting tired of taking pictures of the same person for the past seven days! ;)
White tank - Walmart
Top - Ann Taylor Loft (thrifted)
Knee length skirt - Banana Republic (thrifted)
Earrings - Kohls
Bracelet (thrifted)

Week in Feminine Dress - Day Six

This summer, while jobs and sewing income has been scarce, I've been grateful for the one day of work that was offered to me by a local Christian family who owns a store in town. There was no time to take a picture of me this morning, and you certainly don't wish to see me now after being gone for 9+ hours!

But today I'm wearing a white shirt (same style as this one) with a sage green sleeveless tunic over it, and then a well-used and thrifted denim skirt. Oh yes, and tennis shoes. Nothing cutesty, but I have to be practical for where I work. Tomorrow I'm filling in for a co-worker for a few hours, so I should manage to be able to take a picture before I head off to the closing shift.

Week in Feminine Dress - Day Five

Today shall be one of those fun days of thrifting, as I have a friend's wedding coming up (her bridal shower was blogged about last month) and I need something creative to find for a wedding gift - something with owls is what I'm hoping to find no less! You've never seen a collection until you've seen hers!

I'm hoping to also work on some new skirt patterns for TallySkirts.

Top - The Limited (thrifted)

Linen skirt - Old Navy (thrifted)

Shoes (which my brother forgot to get in the viewfinder) - Lands End

Earrings - Kohls

Week in Feminine Dress - Day Four

My youngest brother thinks it's so much fun when I ask if he'd take a picture of me. It wouldn't surprise me if later down the road that he would want to be a photographer with the way I see his eyes light up when Mom says that he can use his camera to take pictures. He see's something, and wants to capture it.

Anyway, it's another day of errands, cleaning out and packing, (only a couple weeks left before I head down to GA for another semester of college!) and other sundry things. Despite another busy day, I attempted to put a little bit of thought into my outfit than I did yesterday. This was taken after my shower, so wet/damp hair and no make up is what you get to see! :)
Top - Banana Republic (thrifted)
Tiered Skirt - Old Navy (thrifted)
Belt - (thrifted)
Earrings - Kohls
Flip flops - Old Navy

Week in Feminine Dress - Day Three

It will be another warm day, but this morning we woke up to a cloud-covered sky which made for a cool morning. Yay for a few hours of delightful weather. Because today is one of those days of being a taxi driver for my family, weeding the gardens, household chores, and what not, so I didn't dress "up" in any special way. Being a pretty wall-flower isn't on my list today. ;)
Not a flattering picture below ::cough:: but the back of the skirt has a cute panel of tucks where slits are most common. It's my favorite thing about this knee-length skirt!

Blue Tee - Apt. 9 (thrifted)

Denim Skirt - RuffHewn (thrifted)

Flip flops (not shown, but worn when driving the car) ;)

Week in Feminine Dress - Day Two

Goodmorning, one and all! The weather is already uncomfortably dry and hot, so today's picture was taken in our living room by my youngest brother.
Black tank - Target
Blue Sweater - Charlotte Russe
White linen skirt - Old Navy (thrifted)
Earrings - JCPenny's
Sandals - White House Black Market (thrifted)

Week in Feminine Dress - Day One

For many years, I've been apart of the sewing forum over at Sense & Sensibility (though I've hardly been visiting it this year) and a couple times a year they have what is called "week in feminine dress" to encourage women to dress in a way that is befitting for ladies to wear. For many, that means putting away the jeans and faded tees for skirts and blouses. For others who are always in feminine dress, it's a good reminder (and a great way to get some new ideas!) for us to not just focus on outward beauty, but have "...the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4

Having a Christ-like spirit of meekness and quietness is of far great importance to God than being perfectly put together. Some thoughts will be shared later this week in the area of adornment. My study of it has been fascinating!

After church this morning my brother wanted to be creative with the camera when I asked if he would take my picture for WIFD, and this is what he took. :)

Specs:

White eyelet collared blouse - Apt. 9 (free, from a lady at church)
Linen Skirt - Ann Taylor Loft (thrifted)
Black Sandals - White House Black Market (thrifted)
Earrings - Icings
Braclet - Kohls
Canary Yellow Purse - Angels

(No, I'm not wearing a floral wreath on my head, in case it appears that way. ;) It's safetly attached to the house!)

New Beginnings

Well, I can't contain my enterprise anymore.

After I wrote this post earlier this month, and wondering if I should give up sewing entirely for a season, some kind readers left comments on my blog in response. Despairingly, I came up with an excuse for every one...

Making custom-made clothing was, is, and forever will be out of the question. My sister and I did that for over 5 years and it was such a headache for us. I tip my hat off to people who are more talented than we are in this department.

Creating swimsuits just doesn't seem wise when there are so many modest-apparel companies out there who offer them, as well as patterns for them. If you're creative and don't mind looking around hard enough, you can find modest swimsuits that are store bought.

Sorry dear friend but making maternity clothing, let alone selling them is definitely not on my list of things to sew! Maybe someday I'll have the privilege of being able to make and wear such apparel myself, but until then, I'll leave that department to those experienced! :)

Modest and feminine apparel in general is so readily available now days either through home business that have their own online companies or mail order catalogs, young women from homeschool groups can be found sewing for other families, and if you like thrift store shopping as much as I do, you probably find alot of nice feminine apparel that way.

But..... my creative and visionary juices started flowing with rapid speed. It dawned on me that when beginning a sewing project, I usually have to have some kind of inspiration to begin with. A painting, a photograph, a movie, a specific reason (Chhheeerrrriiiiii, I need a nightgown! Can you make me one?) or seeing a friend's skirt in person, and I think, "Ooo! I like that!" Sometimes it takes just a glance or two to where I could re create it. Sometimes it's the historical film that is paused for 10 minutes for me to figure out just how that front piece is shaped. Other times I write to friends and beg them for their skirt measurements to make one for myself. ;)

Yes, I'll confess that I can be a very good copy catter. Perhaps it's a second-born thing, but then maybe it's just a human tendency... Either way, the visionary in my thoughts and ideas were forming into... TA DA!.... making things off of other things; store-bought skirts mostly since they are easy to make and not always easy to find. I got really excited the more I thought about it.

Considering the cost of materials, notions, and my time, I want to be fair in price and so if there is ever something that you think is not fair, please, please, PLEASE don't hesitate to write to me. It's be awhile since I've made anything for the public other than aprons, totes, and a few peasant shirts!

So with great trepidation yet excitement, this evening I'm pleased to announce the humble beginnings of a little online shop.


Tally, according the Thesaurus, is defined as : [to] be similar or consistent. Synonyms: accord, answer, attune, be in harmony, blend, click, cohere, coincide, concert, concord, concur, conform, consort, correspond, equal, fall in with, fit, get along with, go hand in hand, go together, go well with, harmonize, jibe, match, parallel, square, suit, synchronize, tally

Feminine Fun

My friend Laura has been sharing pictures of the vintage looking shoes from the early 1990s that she's been able to pick up, and is reselling. If you happen to wear the lucky 7.5 size shoes, take a look!

It must be that God took pity on me and my shoe size, and so last week He brought to my attention a lovely brown pair of 1990's vintage looking shoes. They were an answer to prayer (while I loved the ones Laura posted, I really wasn't struggling with covetousness. Honest!) as I've been needing some kind of brown dressy shoes to go along with my natural-toned outfits for church.

The brand of Sofft, and inside the shoe it says that the company has been established since 1927. I'm glad that the era has been somewhat showcased in this style of shoe. I have never been a fan of pointed shoes, but the point on these are ever so subtle that I don't mind it.

Hmm, I'm not modeling the shoes in the picture below. What could it mean? Are you curious? I'm not going to tell you anything, but a thankyou to those who gave their thoughts in regards to this post.

I'm really excited about it, too! ;)

Keep Sweet

Amid the duties of today,
In all I think or do or say,
Whether I work or rest or pray –
Lord, keep me sweet at home.
When pressing duties claim my care,
And I seem needed everywhere,
Then tune my heart to praise and prayer
And keep me sweet at home.
No matter what the day may bring,
Or night, I pray in everything
My life may glorify my King
Especially at home!
- Mrs. Fletcher Ford

English Country Cottage's

It could be my reading English Cottage Gardening, the recent hub-bub of the Royal Couple, my English heritage (found out a few months ago that our relatives in England several years ago - as in hundreds - were Knights!) or my general love for all things English, but when I saw this fabric at the store last week I knew exactly what I'd use it for.

It is in the SHOP this morning!

Saturday's Treasures

It's hard to believe that in about a month's time I will be back down south for my second semester of college. Am I excited? Oh yes! :) I have been doing some deep cleaning again (I didn't realize how much I can be a pack rat!) and most of it has been thrown away or distributed to local thrift stores. Don't ask me how I ended up with way to many tote bags, ill-fitting shoes, or piles of old sheet music, birthday cards from eons (ie, to many years) ago, etc.

In the process of cleaning, I've discovered that I've needed a few new clothes to take along with me. There is only one thing in my closet that I have made myself (quite surprising to all you seamstresses I'm sure), and 99.99% of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores or consignment shops. Therefore, some items tend to wear out faster than normal being that they are used. Since this discovery over the course of a few years, this year I've made it a point to only buy quality brand names from thrift stores, and only buy when the color tag is 50% off that particular day.

My favorite brands? Banana Republic, The Limited, and Ann Taylor Loft. The quality is long lasting, and I love the classic, professional, and timeless styles that, for the most part, these stores offer. Today's treasures were two skirts: a knee-length pencil style silk one for summer, and a lovely cream wool (perfect for winter!) in subtle plaid that is mid-calf in length. While these skirts may not be from the 2011 collection, I'm thankful that they look to have been hardly worn, if ever, at all. My total bill was $8.

"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matthew 6:30-32

Out with the old...

...and in with the new? And what is that?

Over the course of the last year, I've seen a tremendous drop in apron sales. No, not just in my shop alone but also in others, as well as a decline in vintage apron pattern sales on ebay or etsy.

Perhaps by now every other person owns an apron?

Perhaps by now every other person is sewing their own aprons?

Perhaps by now the vintage apron craze is over?

Such thoughts have run through my mind, and while it may or not be true, a seamstress who relies on sewing for extra income needs to be somewhat aware of what people are interested in. Why make scores of tea cozies if no one buys them, let alone uses them anymore? Of course on the flip side, if halter tops are in I will not be making or selling those because of personal modesty standards.

This summer the question that my mind is often thinking is "What do I sew?"

It has been well over a year or two since I last made a garment for myself since I'm finding hardly worn or new clothing at thrift stores for way cheaper than what I can make. As much as I love and miss sewing historical sewing there are no opportunities for me to wear such fun things outside of my own four walls.

Perhaps by now, after well over 11-12 years of having some kind of a sewing business (my sister and I did custom-made modest apparel for about 5-6 years, complete with a website and mail-order catalog) is it time to close this chapter of life and move on?

Last I saw, there were well over 70 readers. I'm amazed that there could be so many who would take interest in my postings, and I'm humbly grateful. While I don't normally call out to any non-commenter's or lurkers, if you have any thoughts or ideas for me, I would love to hear from you!

Well, enough of my ponderings for today. I need to run to the store to pick up another package of bias tape (I was to lazy to make my own when I started this apron). It is almost finished, and I'd like to complete it this morning if possible. The fabric was cut out in the Ginnie style, (personal tastes coming out here, but the Laura Ashley fabrics seem to look best in this design) and how fitting too, since my last Ginnie apron was worn until practically thread bare. That was a couple of years ago, so it's been awhile since I've had one of these.

Yes. I'm still in love with vintage style aprons, and am constantly wearing one for either gardening, housework, or cooking. :)

New Appearances

Many blessings have been counted these last few days. I'm assuming that in exchange for the yard work put out with great fervor, I've given a gerber daisy to plant along side of the day lilies.
This afternoon, a gorgeous blue hydrangea plant was bought on sale for me to put in my garden. This is another thing I've always longed to have blooming on our property. Personally, I think they are just as romantic as roses. Maybe next year I'll be able to plant some of the rambling lovelities instead of those boring hybrids.

While I was out doing my daily watering, I couldn't help but peek in to see that the five little eggs have hatched within the last few hours. At first I only saw one egg, but then a day or two later there were five that made their presentation. That mama bird will be busy!

Oh yes, and then the lilacs. No, not in bloom, but rather making its appearance in the shop. :)

Saturday's Treasures

A garden-park bench. Something that I've dreamed to have and prayed to find for many, many years. Today that dream came true.

Much to my great gratification or satisfaction, which ever you prefer, I kept asking members of my family to guess how much it was. One particular person threw out the amount of $100. Oy! I can't remember I last saw that amount of money! :) If I were to ask all of you ladies to guess, we might be here all day, so I'll tell you:

This morning I was out doing errands and when I was finished and heading home, a road was closed and I had to take m.a.n.y. odd twists and turns just to get back onto the main road. One of the turns was into a neighborhood where shortly after making a right, I saw this park bench sitting close to the sidewalk with a man standing in front, taping a remnant cardboard piece to it with the letters F-R-E-E.

My heart lept, and my car seemed to automatically gear toward the curb. I hopped out and inquired after the older gentleman, "Is this really free?" Indeed it was, much to my great ecstasy. Yes, there are a couple screws missing, and it probably needs a good coat of paint, but overall it is just lovely.

And it seems to have adapted itself quite nicely among the daisies, pansies, forget-me-nots, evening primroses, and delphiniums. No more indoor reading for me! :)

Summer Evening Studies

What better way is there to spend a cool summer evening than in reading and journaling?

["Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105]

Something to Keep

Many times a week I search for Laura Ashley fabric. The winsome, old fashioned, and sweet prints are often just my tastes, and the fabric is always high quality. Several days ago I found this piece of yardage on etsy for a good price, and it arrived with today's mail.

As all of my other Laura Ashley fabrics, this one will be made into an apron of sorts. But unlike every single one I've sewn before, this one will not make its appearance into the shop. I like it to much to part with it. ;)

If you're sadly disappointed, perhaps if I hint of three *adorable* fabrics that include peonies, lilacs, and butterflies - you'll know to watch for items in the shop early next week!

Cracker Barrel Biscuits

It is very rare that we ever go out to eat at Cracker Barrel, but the atmosphere and food is usually quite delightful. A few of my favorite things they serve are their cornbread muffins and biscuits. Quite awhile ago I got a craving for them, and with a bit of google searching, I found a mock recipe for their biscuits. ::happiness::

I love this recipe since it is super easy to make, takes very little time to have piping hot biscuits out of the oven and ready to serve, and the ingredients are ones that aren't hard to track down. Who knows, maybe you have them hiding out in your kitchen cupboards!

♥Mock Cracker Barrel Biscuits♥

2 1/4 c. bisquick
2/3 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. melted butter
extra melted butter

Mix first three ingredients, and then add butter to make a soft manageable dough. Turn over to a floured counter top and knead a few times while flattening dough to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut with biscuit cutter and place in 8 x 8 cake pans. Brush tops with extra melted butter.

Bake @ 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Makes 12.

(If you have a large family like we do, you'll want to make a couple batches of these! They also freeze well.)

Ways to eat them:
-Drizzle honey on top (my favorite!)
-Split open and fill with fresh butter
-Make a sausage gravy to pour over, and you have "biscuits 'n gravy"
-Serve with a favorite soup

Gifts for a Bridal Shower

Over the weekend I attended a friend's bridal shower at her home. I honestly never looked at her wedding registry's (didn't have money to buy anything, quite honestly!) but looked rather in my sewing room stashes to see what I could pull together for her home.

Drawing inspiration from this hip bag, and knowing that these are her favorite colors, I used some tan corduroy, a blue green stripe cotton, and some cording to make a pillow. Oh yes, and the assortment of buttons to decorate a corner.

She has faced alot of health issues over the last year or so, and while she continues to prepare for her August wedding through her physical suffering, I knew that the devotional book, "The Tender Words of God" would minister to her heart. A cream tatted bookmark was included too.

All packaged up in brown paper tied up with string with some wildflower seeds to share.

The bridal shower was a lovely event with a house full of friends, guests, and gifts. The table was spread with many delights.

A fruit tower a friend made for the bride-to-be.

'Tis the season for budding relationships, engagements, and weddings around here, and I'm loving it!

Summer Tropical Smoothie

One of my all-time favorite drinks in the summer is a homemade smoothie. Yes, even more than the coffee-raspberry frapps at Starbucks.

One of the places that I work at is now carrying organic fruits and vegetables over the weekend, and so while my family is on vacation, I stocked the fridge, freezer, and counters with such good things for one's body.

One of the treats that I picked up were mango's being sold for 3 for $1. I bought a bunch to cut up and freeze for smoothies, which I added in the recipe below.

--roughly 1/4 to 1/3 cup orange juice (I didn't measure)

--1 small organic banana

--1 frozen 6oz. carton of coconut yogurt (Liberte' brand)

--1 frozen organic mango, chopped

Blend juice and banana until creamy. Add yogurt and blend until smooth. Add mango and blend until there are no more chunks. This will be deliciously thick.

Pour into a vintage ice cream or soda glass, a strawberry to perch on the side and to eat later, and a fun colored straw if you're going for color. I prefer my fruit smoothies thick, so I eat mine right away with a spoon. :)