Sweet Addition

My cousin and her husband have been waiting for this for years. Finally, they are crowding 9 months of expecting into about 3 weeks. Their little boy was born, soon they will hold him in their arms and take him home. What a blessing after years of waiting, and hearts crying to be mother and father.

To celebrate, I've made this sweet little baby tux for him. Made from scraps of a wedding dress, vintage lace and vintage mother of pearl buttons.

I'm so excited to meet my new little cousin!

In another part of my life, my son and his company made it safely into the nether regions of Afghanistan. A few posts ago, I talked about sewing these patches into his clothing. He left a few in his room. My husband came down and said they would make a great bracelet.

I got out the findings, and here it is.

My husband wears it, a reminder to pray throughout the day. (does he really need reminding???)

I am at peace with him there. Thank you for your prayers for all out servicemen.

Now, what is the next project? The list is long. Which one do I chose? LOL

Thank you for visiting!

Debbie

Organizing and Sewing

I can't take the credit. After the new year, my studio was......well.....it looked like a tornado touched down. Everything was a mess. Piles everywhere. One daughter was over, I went in the studio, sighed, "I need to clean this up" I said. She walked right in and started picking things up, moving things around.

After two days, things are reorganized and usable. It was wonderful. I played with the baby, she cleaned and organized. Now it's just a little messy, cause I've been playing in it again. lol

I have LOTS of stuff. The sewing stuff. The painting stuff. The book making stuff. The different kinds of fabric for clothing, quilting, formal wear, and upholstery, and other home decorating. The vintage lace and fabric scraps. Books about all of that, along with gardening, and medicinal herbs. I'm not bragging about the amount of stuff. Just justifying to myself the reason why I have so much, so I shouldn't get rid of it (and have more room to work), cause I use stuff from the stash all the time. It does make things crowded and easy to be overwhelmed when I get several projects going a once.

I like the way she hung some finished pieces on a old six pained window frame that are not out on display right now, next to hanging baskets, and bags.

I finally got to sew something for myself. It's an upgraded hoodie. I used a Burda pattern. The fabric is a blend of cotton and silk, French Terry knit. I love the feel of this fabric.

I think I be wearing this a lot.

I made this jacket from a gently worn wool suit several years ago. Another folk art clothing item, all pieced together. When I first made it the styles were rather boxy. I haven't worn it for a couple of years, because it looked so .......frumpy. It's light, but warm, and very comfortable to wear. Today I spent a little time taking it in. You can't see it well, but it does have some curves now.

My favorite part of the jacket is the scalloped hem.

How is your weekend? There are still two days to do fun things. Enjoy!

Thanks for taking time to visit.

Debbie

Priviledged Sewing

This morning My husband and I said good bye to our son. I didn't think I would be in this position a few years ago. I knew I would say good bye, as in leaving the "nest". I just never dreamed in his growing up years that he would join the Marines. I wasn't anti-military, it had never been discussed, although my husband is a former Marine. Our son joined two years ago. I've had to rethink my views and how I would support our son. Today in the early morning hours I took this picture, our last for awhile, son and father. We said good bye, knowing he is on a long journey, serving with the Marines, for the next 16 months in Afghanistan.

While my son was home, I had the privilege of sewing on patches. You know all the "stuff" you see on uniforms. I had an education. So many pieces to wear under what you see. Garments for warm weather, garments for cold. Flame retardant clothing, covers for your head, and gloves. A variety of patches for each item, and inside each item, his name. It was a privilege to sew them on. Being able to do this small thing for him was important to me, and in a way, this is a small piece of me going along with him.

While my son was home, one of my daughters had a birthday. Last week we had seen a skirt made from a sweater. It was sooo cute. I went home looking through some old sweaters.......This is what I did:

I cut the sweater off, straight across, under the arm. The ribbing at the bottom of the sweater became the bottom of the skirt. (The skirt I saw turned the sweater up-side-down and had the ribbing hug the hip) I accented a pocket with embroidery. I cut a thin strip of wool and attached it to the bottom of the skirt for a vine with whip stitching.

Then I cut out leaves from another washed and shrunk sweater. I attached them with pearled cotton, using stitches for veins on the leaves. Next I cut out small pieces of dark red washed sweater wool. Pinching them together, as I sewed them on to create flowers.

I made a waist band using wool from the sleeves. I cut the band a little smaller than the skirt, so there would be some stretch to hold the skirt to the hip. I sewed it on with a Herringbone stitch, described for stretch construction in Alabama Studio Style.

It was a fun, creative project. I'm pleased with the outcome. I need to find some more sweaters..........so many ideas! Privileged sew for may family.

Thanks for visiting,

Debbie

Tea Cozy and Crackers

The dawn of the last day of the year. The soft glow was wonderful for moments, when the earth was hanging on to the last little bit of night, then bursting into dazzling sunshine. We woke to shivery chrystals of ice and sun. We haven't seen much sun for the last few weeks. What a welcome sight!

One of the projects I was working on for gifts was another tea cozy. With space for handle and spout, tea can be poured without removing the cozy. Made of washed recycled wool, hand appliqued, cotton batting to hold warmth, lined with cotton, and trimmed with bias cotton.

I made it for my sister. We have been enjoying tea time lately.

I tried a new cracker recipe for a party last night.

I used some of my own milled whole wheat flour. They have a rich nutty taste. They are not too heavy or cardboardy tasting, as sometimes happens with whole wheat.

I roll the chilled dough out to about 1/8th" thick. Then I brushed on a little melted butter infused with garlic, rosemary, and fresh cracked pepper. Cut to the size of a tea bag. Then baked for 9 minutes.

Mmmmm. Served plain or with fresh farmers or goat cheese.......yum.

Thank you for your wonderful inspiration and thoughts this past year. You all are amazing. May you treasure the memories of this past year, and experience true joy in the new year.

Happy New Year!

Debbie

Jingle Bell Tassels

I enjoy a few tassels around. Most tassels are a little fancy. I made some last year using old glass door knobs for the top.

A few look good juxtaposed against my more primitive decor. Last night I was hanging some jingle bell garlands that I made, and had an idea for a bell tassel using a few left over bells.

First I cut a fringe from a scrap of black wool and some homespun cotton.

I tied the bells with some knit cord, and stained the candle cup.

I threaded a loop of cord through the hole in the bottom of the candle cup for hanging. Then placed the grouped end of cording on the fabric and rolled. After placing a generous amount of hot glue in the candle cup I shoved the rolled end in and waited.......How will this look????? while the glue cooled and dried.

Finished! A Primitive jungle bell tassel.

I hope you are enjoying yourself in the hurry of the season. Much of the time we rush about, as I have been doing, and neglect to ponder or appreciate the meaning of this season. Is it a duty? What family and friends expect? I want to be joyful and share the love that God has shown me (even during some hard times) with those I love and others I cross paths with day by day and on occasion. May you experience peace this day.

Debbie

No Show and Tell

What Pictures can I show you? Show and tell is hard to do right now, because everything I have been working on are presents. I would hate to ruin a surprise. There are a few people who will stop by and see what I'm wrapping up to give to them. Sooooooo....instead, I'll show you one or two things around the house.
I love the old world Father Christmas. He sets the tone for the long ago Christmas flavor we try to keep in our home. Lots of greens and garlands. Old Christmas theme stitchery, jungle bells, and candles everywhere.

One example of a candle arrangement is: a wooden bowl, old silver that I have bent to hang and hold a small candle, a hurricane, and spices.

I put the hurricane in the bowl, added star anise, allspice, rose hips, cinnamon sticks and cloves. around the outside of the hurricane. I hooked the twisted silver spoons on the edge of the hurricane and set the candle on the bowl of the large serving spoon. It sets next to an angel and a old wooden cake pedestal holding orange and clove pomanders, covered with a old wire dome. All draped with a wool garland proclaiming "Joy to the World".

During the dark time of the year I hate to get out of bed and have all the lights in the house on. It seems so intrusive all the lights blazing. I like to wake up gently. I use candles and oil lamps in the mornings while I make the morning coffee (cocoa for me), breakfasts, and lunches.

My husband comes down to join me for a candlelight breakfast. It's a quiet and intimate time, starting the day together in the soft glow, watching the light grow out the windows. It helps keep a relaxed atmosphere, a time when we don't have to rush.

I hope you are enjoying this season. These special times spent with family and friends are a time apart from the everyday. A time for memories to be made.
Thank you for letting me share with you,
Debbie

Fall, Tea, and Comfort Food

The leaves are still here, gorgeous, falling. I love the fogy mornings, the earth wearing a mantel of shrouded mystery. Soon the color will be gone, .....on the ground for me to rake. Fall......
it's time for comfort meals, cozy quilts, hot chocolate, spiced cider, crackling fires, and tea with friends.

Comfort foods aplenty here. The Oregonian featured this Bacon, Onion, Upside down Cornbread last week. Baked in a cast iron pan.

Very yummy! And pares well with soup. I made a Split Pea soup.

I started a new project. Using recycled wool, wool and cotton scraps. In the style of Maggie Bonanomi, who designs 19th century-inspired primitive projects, I made a Tea Cozy.

I made openings on each side of the cozy. One for the spout, and one for the handle. Tea may be poured without removing the cozy and losing heat.

There is a different design on each side.

I'm also spending time snuggling with my newest granddaughter, Emery Abigail.

Looking at the beautiful, bright warm tones of leaves gently swirling to the ground, I'm reminded of how rich and warm life is. I hope you are enjoying your fall.

Debbie