The Button Collection: Pearly Whites

This is probably the largest group out of all of them. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish the ivory pearls from the whites and creams, so all of them are in this collection. As you can see the smallest ones didn't get organized. It was late at night and my eyes were playing tricks on me. =) Like most of the pictures I post, all of them are clickable.

And last but not least, the metal collection will be up on Monday. Have a lovely and restful weekend!

The Button Collection: Black

Contrary to what you might think, black buttons can be very nice. In fact some, quite classy indeed!

Tomorrows featured collection will be the white, ivory, and cream bunch.

The Button Collection: Interesting Ones

Actually, they are the group of yellows, tans, browns, and tortoiseshell, but there ARE some interesting ones. As before, all of the pictures are clickable!

WHO would use those ugly snake ones?!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the black ones!

The Button Collection: Red, Pink, & Purple

This is my smallest group. It shows that I don't sew much with these colors. I'm not sure why, because I do like these colors!

Up Next: some interesting ones

The Button Collection: Gray & Green

Some bright green, some dark, some army greens that turned into gray as I was sorting them out, so both colors are showcased together:

Up next tomorrow: red tones

The Button Collection

Surely this seamstress isn't the only one who collects buttons! Over several years I've seemed to accumulate buttons from my own sewing, and every now and then I've picked up buttons at antique shops, flea markets, and thrift stores.

This week I've decided to showcase the ones I've collected for anyone who likes buttons. Last week I was sorting them out by color and took pictures of each "group." Today's featured color is blue. All pictures are clickable.

Enjoy!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the green ones!

P.S. There is a 10% off sale going on in the shop this week! Prices reflect the discount.

Just like Grandma Brown

If you're like our family, you know what I mean by "adopted" grandpa's, grandma's, aunts and uncles. Well, many summers ago we were on "Grandma" Brown's farmhouse porch where she served vanilla ice cream and blueberries after a good old fashioned hymnsing. We never forgot that.

Tonight I served everyone ice cream, blueberries, but with a good spoonful of freshly whipped cream in between. Brings back happy memories.

Ethel

I stole away the afternoon in my sewing room trying to get "Ethel" done. Many thanks to those who gave name suggestions! The name "Ethel" is a lovely one, and I do believe it suits her well.

Honestly though, I had no idea that bounding an entire apron in rick rack would mean large quantities of it! I mean l.o.t.s. of it!!! Because rick rack is more expensive than bias tape, I probably won't be making this style all of the time.

But oh yes, the end result is so worth it. Check "Ethel" out for yourself!

Charlotte

Let me introduce to you yet another apron! =) I picked up "Charlotte" last summer at an antique store and right away snatched it as my own. Not only was it full of charm, but as a musician, I l.o.v.e.d. the musical notes on it. The largest notehead being a pocket. Now you understand why I had to have it! ::nodds::

Over the course of two weeks, I was able to make a pattern off of it, and go through my stash of fabrics to see what would suit this pattern, and what notions would fit a normal pocket. Not everyone is a musician, you know.
I just finished the very first this afternoon, and it is up in the SHOP for your viewing!

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! =)

Oh dear, oh dear: it's another apron!

Look what I found!

I know one should stay away from addictions, but I just can't help myself with vintage aprons! This one fits beautifully too. Looking at the way it was constucted, my guessimate would put this apron in 30s. It has a darling little pocket on the right side (can't see it in this photo) and an "H" style back like the Ginnie and Gracie, and two interesting skirt pieces in the back that makes the skirt fuller which rounds at the hemline. And would you take a look at all that rick rack?! It's a winner for sure.

Would anyone be interested in seeing this style apron in the etsy shop? If so, you all will have to help me name her. Pulling names from "Lantern Hill," a 1930s film by Kevin Sullivan (the same producer as Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, etc.) I'm thinking of names like: Victoria, Jane, Robin, Agnes, Jodi...

Any more ideas?

summer cherries anyone?

At long last, a newly-sewn apron is in the SHOP this morning!

Summer Offerings

...or less romantically entitled, "Flowers in a Vintage Mason Jar."

Hopefully it won't be to long before I can add some "offerings" to the shops soon! If your summer is anything like mine, it is rather busy!

Independence Day Celebrations

As promised, I have pictures to share with you of our Old Fashioned Sunday that we had. Many, many thanks to my wonderful sister who took all of these for me. If you haven't checked out her online shoppe, please do!

The cherry pie I made:
The lemon bars that were a hit (thanks to this recipe that was super easy for a gal who has never made lemon bars before!)

My brother and I dressed up in retro fashion. With a shortage of income, I just made do with whatever was in my closet, which was all from the thrift store: the blue shirt, a black 100% wool skirt: a-line, flared at the hem, and mid calf in length, by Ralph Lauren, and also my never-worn black heels (brand: MUDD) that were thrifted too.

I never did find a hat I liked. Some people just can't pull off looking decently in a hat, however I did like a cloche style hat at Target, but there was no way I was going to pay full price for something that I would only wear on rare occasions. The silver purse was found at an antique store (only $2.50! The lady at the checkout said I got "a screaming deal on this.") It is lined with silk, and has a tag saying that it was made in Germany.

To compliment the silver purse, I worn my vintage rhinestone earrings.

It was lots of fun to dress up, and though my younger brothers (also dressed up like their older brother) lamented that the whole church wasn't dressed up, I encouraged them that someone has to be the first one to step out and do it. And too, what boy wouldn't want a hat like theirs?!

The picnic afterwards was lots of fun. Wonderful food and desserts, lots of fun, old fashioned games, but perhaps my favorite part was the message that our pastor brought out of what Godly men our early Presidents and founding fathers were, and what they stood for. He brought out many quotes and challenges from the words of these men, very much like the quotes in our Hobby Lobby newspaper page which I have written out below.

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor." --George Washington

"We have no government armed with power capable to contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --John Adams

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." --Thomas Jefferson

"I've lived, sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We've been assured in the sacred writings that unless the Lord builds a house, they labor in vain who build it." --Benjamin Franklin

"America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under." --Ronald Reagan

Evening Pleasures

New growth...
Shasta Daisies...

Roses blooming on the bush that I got for free...

Weeds that can look lovely in the last ray of sunshine...

...make for a pleasurable evening. Goodnight.

Going Retro Instead

All of you ladies were so encouraging with my post on the 1905 blouse, and I seriously was going to wear the accessories too. However with my recent custom orders (and getting another one) I've been informed that two of them m.u.s.t. be finished this week. That means 4 aprons, 1 dress, and 1 jumper must be completed by Saturday.

So...I won't have time to sew my blouse for our church's "Old Fashioned Sunday" on Independence Day. But that doesn't mean I can't dress old fashioned. If I can find my cream cotton Folkwear Gibson-Girl blouse and a prairie skirt I'll wear that and will look very pioneer (something which our pastor eluded to on Sunday), but my sisters and I are leaning toward a 1940-ish retro look with red lipstick and nail polish, netted hats, and heels. Never before have I tried to pull off that look, as I tend to like the 1930s era and my other sisters like the 40s era, so we'll see what happens! =) Any tips from you gals would be fabulous!

For the picnic I'm bringing a cherry pie using my Grandma's award-winning recipe, and some of these lemon bars (if I have time to run to the store for lemons!) for dessert.

Two out of Six

Every once and while people will write asking if we (my sister and I, who ran a modest apparel business out of out home for several years) accept custom orders. This month has been the month for such requests. And guess what they are? Aprons! =)

An etsy customer wrote asking if she were to send in her own fabric, if I could make her six aprons out of the 1940's "Gracie" style. Of course I said yes, and so this week I've been working on cutting them all out, and have two sewn up already. They are turning out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

The other custom order is for four aprons in a style similar to the 1950's "Margaret" apron. My sister and I will share this order. It is this dear 80+ year old lady's pattern, and Erin took her my other styles to see if she might like something different, but no, she liked her own pattern with no pockets, no rick rack.

I can't imagine an apron without a pocket or rick rack! Can you?

1905 Anne Shirley-Inspired Blouse

Just this afternoon I had the strong desire to pull out some fabric from my dwindling stash bin and combine it with a winsome and old fashioned pattern.

I found a match.
I have already cut most of it out, and have already begun sewing some. I'm guessing that I may have enough room in front for some vintage mother of pearl buttons, and I'm wanting to add that vintage lace somewhere. Perhaps hem the cuffs with it on the 3/4 length sleeves?

We'll see how it decides to turn out. Perhaps if it turns out well, I'll pair it with a ankle length blue skirt and wear a red scarf with it for my church's Old Fashioned Sunday picnic on the 4th of July. Do I dare bring my straw boater hat and vintage boots shown in these pictures?

A giveaway every seamstress should enter!

Take a look at this giveaway that a lady is hosting! It is a gift certificate for $100 towards marie-madeline studio! Imagine being able to spend that much money on patterns and fabric. T'would be like a little slice of heaven, I think! =)

The Tatter is Back, too!

Last weekend I finally pulled out my tatting after it being put away since Christmas. I discovered also that there were a few bookmarks left from the craft fair that I was at with Grandma.

They are all in my tatting shop this morning, which is back up and running. Take a look!

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!

She's back, and with announcements!

Thanks to all of you who gave well-wishes in my last post! My two week stay in Dallas was fabulous, and many exciting things happened violinistically (that is a word, isn't it?) =) speaking. I'm looking forward to seeing how God uses the things I learned and am applying for His use in the future. Stay tuned for a public violin blog, for any violinists out there. A show of hands, please? =)

Meanwhile other exciting things were happening in my family too. Some of you may recall my traveling out to PA last fall to be in my sister's new CD. She is a gifted harpist, and already has two albums out, and her third was going to be more of a Celtic/Irish style with flute, pennywhistle, ocarina, and harp of course. She wanted violin on two of the songs, so I'm on there too. =) All that said, those CD's all packaged, shrink-wrapped, boxed, and shipped arrived not to long ago! If you're interested, the latest CD is This is My Father's World.

The other exciting thing is that I have finally influenced my other talented sister, who is a photographer, to open up an etsy shop of her own! She is always going somewhere to shoot a wedding, maternity or senior portraits, etc, but lately she has been getting fun things made from her amazing work such as note cards, magnets, key chains, etc. Do check her out, "heart her shop," or drop her a note to ask about her other work. She's got photos of nearly everything under the sun than could be made into cards, or whatever . . . you'll make her day! PS. Her stuff is high-quality matierals that she orders from professional companies.

Sunshine, Rain Droplets, and Travel

This week my grandparents flew in to visit us, but mainly to be here for my brother's graduation this weekend. That's means there will be four down and three to go (yes, there are seven children in our family, and we love it!). Much of our time has been outside doing yard work, dodging spring showers and thunderstorms.

These are bleeding hearts from one of my plants that didn't get hit by frost earlier this month.


For the next two weeks I'll be in the state of hot weather and southern accents, also referred to as Texas. Never been to it, let alone been down south (unless you count southern California, where we lived for a number of years, as "down south"), so I think it will be interesting!

OH! And I forgot to menton earlier this week that there is a 10% sale going on in my etsy shop this week ending on Saturday, as I already mentioned that I'll be gone for the following 14 days or so, and the shop will be closed during that time. Just thought I should say something. =)

Regency Dress in Blue Toile

Up late finishing and posting another Regency dress on ebay. This one is in a lovely blue toile-looking cotton. ::sigh:: I do wish I could keep it!

Click right here to see more pictures!

A Dress like Jane Bennett

Perhaps not an identical match, but I do say that if you add a light blue sash to the waistline, you just might be mistaken for Jane Bennett!

Finished late last night and put up on ebay this morning, you can see more pictures and details here!

Anthropologie Inspired

Okay, so never mind about what I mentioned last week about taking a break from sewing. This week I am forcing myself to find time to sew.

It's been fun too. =)
Just before my chicken noodle soup for lunch, I finished this Anthropologie inspired peasant blouse. By no means to I care for some of their items, but they usually have some aMAZing blouses that are unfortunately way beyond my buget!

I did some free-hand embroidery on the sleeves, there is vintage rick rack in the front and back, and remember those vintage mother of pearl buttons? I sewed them on in front. You know, just for that finishing touch.

The blouse is in my SHOP, as is a more simpler one with lace peeking out at the hem.

Tip of the Day

You may all laugh with me as I make a post this evening. Especially in reference to my previous post. But I rediscovered how much time one has when a body gets hit with three different aliments in one day. One blessing? Lots of resting, tea, and reading.

Tonight as I was washing my black dressy shirt from being worn when I played in a wedding last weekend, (it has taken me this long to hand wash it ... yes, I've been THAT busy) I remembered a tip that came from one of my sisters sewing friends (thankyou Elizabeth S.!). Have you ever washed items, especially polyesters, to only find that the underarms still have a "left over" smell? The friend gave us the tip of spraying vinegar directly onto the area(s) and then washing as normal.

Tonight I happily found that it works!

A Notice of Neglect

Once again, a super-busy season of life has descended upon me, and as you all have noticed no doubt, my sewing projects have dwindled quite a bit lately. I'm beginning to find that I have little time for blogging and it will probably be like that for sometime, so until next time, have a delightful spring!

(Will I still update my etsy shop? Oh yes! You may depend upon it! It be not be a steady supply, but I do have some things like aprons and peasant shirts waiting to be sewn, so keep your eye on it.)