1955

my mom was 5. I imagine she wore something like this.

Isn't it adorable? The little details on vintage patterns just delight me.

sideseam pockets...darted front

lined, turn up cuff

Rooster applique!

I can't wait to start on the smock. I can just envision a little girl collecting eggs in those pockets.

giveaway aprons packaged and shipping this afternoon.

Old Mother Hubbard

While working on this...

I looked up to see it was 5 o'clock, my cupboards were nearly bare and I didn't have time to run to the store. Here in Northern Michigan, a trip to the store involves a 20 minute drive to town. Time to scavenge the fridge and pantry.

One chicken (too frozen to use for last nights dinner), half an onion, 2 floppy celery stalks, 1/2 bag of nearly bad carrots, last couple sprigs of rosemary and my last 3 potatoes... voila, dinner! It's cooking now...woohoo. Best part, it's a one dish dinner so cleanup will be quick. More time for me to work on that adorable baby blanket.

Shakin' in my boots

It isn't often that a pattern gets the best of me but darnit this one has thrown me for a loop!

Farmgirl needs a huntseat coat for her upcoming equestrian shows. I had visions of a gorgeous teal lined charcoal coat. Luckily, I decided to do a test coat in this inexpensive fabric first.

This is as far as I've come...to the collar. sigh. linings, welted pockets, multiple layers of stabilizer...it's a nightmare. I'm hoping I get my sewing mojo back soon and can tackle her real show coat soon.

Fig-tastic!

I whipped up samples for my first class, a bib and burp cloth. I think they turned out pretty good. We're gearing the first few classes towards novice sewers so I needed to keep it simple, yet pretty. We're also trying to keep classes affordable so I needed something that didn't require the class to purchase a pattern. No pattern means I needed to figure all the measurements for the strips, etc. I used fabrics from the Fig and Plum line by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda. I took pictures throughout the process. If I get positive feedback from the class I'll post a tutorial.

In other news...we are thrilled to have Todd, my bil, back home. We give thanks that his job transfer went smoothly and he's here to stay...Yay! We'll have to start up our every other week dinner and games night again. :-) Of course, Loral and I will have to kick our husbands' butts. But at least we'll all be together.

A little sewing

Ahhh...I was able to fit in a little sewing this weekend. A spring skirt for me. My favorite part is the waistband lining in a cute Kaufman print. The pattern is Burda 7906. I think it runs a tad big in the waist but other than that it's a great pattern.
I also made up a set for Baby. I tried out the new Antonia pattern. Super cute and easy to do as long as you don't mind German instructions. I also embroidered some cute German designs on her shirt and pants. The pants are just a simple wide legged self drafted pattern with knit cuffs. I like the knit cuffs because it makes it easy to stuff in winter boots.

I have been trying to get Jedi to stop doing this Jack Nicholson The Shining face. It gives me the creeps everytime! He won't believe it's not a flattering look for him.

Dolly

I plan on making most of the gifts we are giving this year. I am starting with Baby's 3rd birthday presents. I am making her a birthday dress, adorable dolly w/ matching dress and redoing a doll bed with coordinating linens.

No Peeking Baby!

I am using a Vogue knit doll pattern. It has the most delightful iron transfer eyes. Here dolly gets some arms...

and some legs with a heart...

dolly is stuffed with love...

and she's nearly done.

I took some photos for a tutorial on her sweet doll bedding that I may write up next week. For some great homemade inspiration check out SewMama's blog!

I took a shot of these gorgeous clouds on Halloween...