Blog Makeover

Recently we decided our blog was long overdue for a makeover. It was past time to get rid of the old country blue background and give the blog a new, fresher look. We started this blog 6 and 1/2 years ago, and yet the background and template have only been updated one time.

If you look around, you will see that we did not change too much. We widened the columns, swapped out the fabric for the header photo, changed the background color, added and deleted a few things on the right sidebar, and updated our "About Us" page.

Maybe now we'll feel like posting more often. :-)
Ruth

Too Much Green

Daughter ABC, who loves bright green, picked out some fabric for a simple skirt.  Mom BAD (me) inadvertently cut out the wrong size for the skirt and didn't have enough fabric to cut another.  So Daughter XYZ gets the skirt.  Good thing XYZ also likes bright green.  So sorry, ABC.  

XYZ informs me that she will NOT wear her Kermit shirt with the skirt.  It's the shirt she happened to have on when I coerced her into trying on the skirt for a picture.  Personally, I think the shirt and skirt look rather good together.  But then, I do not like green.  

The pattern:  Simplicity 4285, a skirt with curved yoke sewn to a gathered skirt with options for various trims; side zipper.  

"A Fitting End" Book Giveaway

~EDIT 2/27~ This giveaway is now ended...congrats to Lori and Kris, the winners!

Two copies of  "A Fitting End" by Melissa Bourbon have recently shown up on my doorstep, courtesy of Penguin Publishing.  Last year I had read the 1st book in her Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, titled "Pleating for Mercy" and found it to be a quirky and quick read featuring Harlow Cassidy, a seamstress turned sleuth with a paranormal family history and a grandmotherly ghost who aids her in her search for the murderer when tragedy strikes right in her own sewing room.

At this point I don't have time to read "A Fitting End" and give it a proper review, so I'm going to offer them both up to you!  If you enjoy sewing and murder mysteries with a bit of of magic thrown in, leave a comment and I'll draw two names on Monday the 27th.

Jessica

Front Seat Knitting

Sewing has taken a back seat to knitting in my life this winter. I do miss the sewing, but I am certainly enjoying the knitting!

This afghan has been hibernating in my closet for 2 years now. I started it in 2008, but recently pulled it out and resumed knitting. And now I'm excited to finish it! Just this week I completed 8 more blocks. I'm now halfway through, and I'm determined that this time I won't stop knitting until it's finished.

Pattern: Rambling Rows Afghan by Cottage Creations.
Yarn: Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand



I'll close with a picture of my youngest daughter modeling a hat that was a super-quick and fun knit.

Pattern: Cute Noggin Baby Hat
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease

Three Knit Scarves

Red Scarf
Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

I finished it yesterday, and wore it today. Lovin' my new scarf!



Green Scarf This green scarf is also the same drop-stitch pattern, knit in October 2011 for a gift. I used Knit Picks Swish Tonal yarn and let me tell you, it was a dream to knit with. Beautiful yarn!

Black Scarf
The third scarf is one I made my son for Christmas. The pattern is called the Manly Scarf #7. Really. I think there must be manly scarves #'s 1 through 6, and maybe more....I didn't pursue it. But #7 is a winner because it was a fun pattern to knit, and my son wears his scarf all the time on these cold days. The yarn is Knit Picks Swish Worsted.

Yea for scarves! I love knitting and wearing them during the winter months. Happy knitting, happy sewing, happy whatever hobby you're enjoying. :) Ruth

Christmas Wedding

It has been 2 weeks since Katie was married! Two weeks already, and I meant to post a few pictures before now. I now have 3 married daughters--I can't believe it when I think about it. The girls are still my babies, but now the oldest 3 are married and all grown up.

The wedding was beautiful, and Katie was a lovely bride. I thought I'd share some snapshots of the decorations. Because the church was still decorated for Christmas with a tree and poinsettias, Katie decided to go with a red berry theme for her decorations.

Berries on the candelabras, on the pew bows, on the bird cage card holder, berries on the cake, and berries in the table centerpieces....it was simply delightful. By the way, the centerpieces were upturned glass goblets with red tea lights on the top and berries and greenery underneath, and the idea came from Pinterest. Gotta love Pinterest for great ideas!

Oh, one last thing, I still want to round up some pictures to show you of my youngest daughter and my 2 granddaughters wearing their wedding finery, especially since this is a sewing blog and Jessica and I sewed the dresses. Another post for another day....

blessings,
Ruth

Two Flower Girl Dresses

Finally, here is the finished dress I made my 6-year-old daughter for her sister's wedding. The pattern is New Look 6065, size 3 width with a size 5 length.

I also sewed this next dress for my 19-month-old granddaughter. My other granddaughter's dress was sewn by her mommy, Jessica, who I hope will post pictures too.


Tavi's dress is a McCall's 6268, views C and D combined. The pattern comes in sizes S, M, L, and XL. I made a size XL, and it fit perfectly. I used the same crepe backed satin as Emily's dress, with the matte side as the right side. For the sleeve bindings and the bloomers, I used the satin on the outside.


Take a look at the beautiful flower that Jessica made for Tavi's dress. Somehow or another she cut the flower petals out of satin and melted the edges. If you're interested, I'm sure Jessica can tell you how she made the flowers. Yes, flowers--she made 4 total--one for each of the 3 flower girls' hair, and one for the front of Tavi's dress.


The three flower girls each wore these sweet little blue beaded bracelets that I made. (I'm almost afraid to admit it, but I think I want another hobby--beading. These bracelets are simply beads strung on elastic thread, but oh, they were so fun to make. And now I want to make more. And more elaborate. Oh, the fun I could have if I decide to take up beading!)


Once I get them from the wedding photographer, I will post pictures of the girls wearing their lacy dresses. Can you believe I didn't take ANY photos with my camera?!

Blessings,
Ruth