mojo?

I've lost my sewing, blogging, crafting, knitting, photo mojo. A few months ago while hosting a sewing weekend by hands swelled up and hurt like the dickens. Within a few days, nearly all my joints started to hurt. I was exhausted beyond anything I'd ever felt. Saw the doc, sent me to another doc...turns out it's Rheumatoid Arthritis. Thankfully, I have a forward thinking Rheumatologist that is willing to treat aggressively which is the best way to prevent permanent joint damage. Unfortunately, it looks like I already have damage in my right hand from just 3 months of inflammation. I start some heavy duty drugs next week to get this in remission. I'm optimistic drug treatment will work.

To keep crafty I've started the 365 project. A photo a day for the whole year. My flickr set HERE

My favorite photo so far... a what's on my desk today

my funniest photo...

Jedi signed his "artwork" on the basement floor...not very swift buddy boy!

NWA deals giveaway

Keurig coffe maker giveaway! Click here to enter

Check out Real Holiday Helpings for a chance to win a $25 American Express giftcard!

Check this out!

A Nut in a Nutshell is hosting a giveaway for a Darda Racetrack. There are many ways to get extra entries but it ends tonight so don't wait!

Click Here to enter!

Overheard

A few weeks ago I had several ladies and girls over for some sewing time. Farmgirl and 2 other girls aged 11 to 13 were watching Pride and Prejudice when this was overheard...

"Wow, he's drop dead gorgeous!"

"Yeah, he looks just like Molly."

They weren't speaking of Mr. Darcy...they were talking about the horses! Gotta love girls who obsess over horses and not boys. ;-)

Crisp

Autumn is here. Usually, I welcome it with open arms and excitement. I must be getting old because I wasn't too thrilled this year. I could have used an extra couple months of summer after that especially loooong winter and cool summer. There is one thing that makes it more bearable... Honeycrisp apples! We picked up a half bushel yesterday. Mmmm...mm...m! The kids and I decided to try baking a pie. I'm ashamed to say it's been probably years since I've baked a pie. The kids loved the peeling part. Farmgirl did most the work including tossing the apples with sugar. Baby made herself a mini pie with leftover crust and a half eaten apple. She ate it before I could snap a picture of the finished product. We're off to the ice skating rink and will return to some warm pie and ice cream. Hoping your Autumn comes just as sweetly for you.

Rockin' a Smock

A few new listing in my Etsy store! Hoping to get some aprons listed this weekend. (click images to take you to listing)

Millie

Swing over to Handmaden and enter her drawing for an adorable handcrafted doll, Millie. If you don't happen to win, check out her other fantastic waldorf dolls at her Etsy store.

Jack-tastic

Made by Rae is offering up this adorable toddler backpack in a free giveaway on Grosgrain! Check it out.

a place for Grandma

I have mentioned my mother-in-law, Nancy, in past posts. She was officially diagnosed with Frontal Variant Alzheimer's at the age of 63 about a year ago. She exhibited symptoms for several years before her sons could get her doctor to acknowledge something was going on. She's been living in a facility near her home town for the last year. Unfortunately, the care wasn't all we had hoped for so last month we moved her closer to us.

She seems to be settling in okay and the kids are loving getting to visit Grandma a couple times a week. Ken visits her M,W,F for lunch, the kids and I visit on Thursdays plus we go as a family on the weekends. The kids have been SO great about going with the flow. They happily answer the same question repeatedly for Nancy without showing frustration. They give her multiple hugs and kisses when she insists they haven't greeted her yet. They don't correct her or give her weird looks when she clearly has her information mixed up. They love her, it's that simple. I am beyond blessed with the kind hearts of my children.

above ~ Jedi sends Grandma back to START

below ~ Grandma and Farmgirl get a giggle at sending me back to Start

A Cute Case

Swing by Twiddletails for a chance to win an adorable case! She's celebrating her 500th post...Congrats!

snap

Frost warnings have prompted me to get busy on new jammies for Baby. I had a nightgown like this when I was little. I'll be making version 2, long sleeved gown. Don't you just love the bluebird fabric? I've had it for about 6 months waiting for cozy p.j. time. I think I'll make up a baby blanket with the leftover flannel.

A Spark

My cousin Brittany was married at my mom's house this weekend. The ceremony was small but beautiful. My mom's gardens were gorgeous. The rain held off for the exchanging of vows but didn't hold back during the reception. Luckily, there was a tent. The bride and groom make a quick dash in the rain above. Unfortunately, a raindrop fell right into a crack on my camera... bzzzzt and a whiff of ozone. It hasn't been working right since. I'll have to start camera shopping, oh darn ;-)

currently working on a back to school set to list on ebay.

Want vs Need

I WANT to sew up a cool shirt design I have floatin' about in my noggin with this adorable red/pink polka dot fabric...

but I NEED to lengthen the sleeves on Farmgirl's western shirt for 4h photos tomorrow. Luckily, I have extra cuff fabric otherwise I'd have to sew a whole new shirt.

I also NEEd to embroider up 9 more bridle bags that the 4h equestrian coach has generously donated to the Achievement Day Show. Tomorrow is my day and I'm going to do what I WANT ;-)

Winona part 2

finished up Winona...they turned out super cute. The perfect play pant. Lots of room to move, comfort waistband and a roomy apron/pocket to store treasures! I used some of my Japanese fabric scraps, Baby picked to panda fabric for the apron/pocket and used some great vintage ric rac for the pockets (Thanks Lo!) I didn't get a good picture of the back but it is a curved two piece back leg. It is very flattering. I think I'll be doing these up in the Heather Ross mermaid fabrics next.

Winona...I think I love you

I was up late, late, late working on the Winona pattern for Baby. I think we'll be making many of these. They are turning out A to the Dorable!

1955 part 2

Finished McCall's 2033 sz 4. It was fairly easy to assemble. I was surprised to find it ran big. Vintage patterns generally run smaller than today's counterparts. I had to take in the waistband several inches to fit Baby. She is pleased with her "cock-a-doodle-do" outfit. The split pant cuff was very easy to do and I will be adding that touch to more patterns. Next up on my sewing agenda are the Winona pants!

Pledge!

The Pledge
I ____Missy______________ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__Melissa Milne________________.

Click here to be inspired by others pledging to refashion!

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.

12 hrs later...

and my sewing room is still very messy BUT my fabric closet is getting close to completion! Now, that doesn't mean all my fabric is put away...it just means my closet is full. I'll have to store the less worthy fabrics in tubs. I found some delicious fabrics I'd forgotten about like this...


and this delightful fruit children print...

and is that some oilily I spy???

Tomorrow will likely be another 12 hour day. The handy man is coming to attach my L shaped desk to the wall at 6. I'd better have that area cleaned up. I'm determined to have everything done by Tuesday afternoon so I can sew Tuesday night.