New Sewing Project

Next up, after I finish my jacket and my suit (which still isn't cut out), I want to find fabric to make this dress, since none are available for sale, not to mention that I don't have an extra $650 to spend on a dress:

I'm going to use this McCalls M5974, and maybe do something different about the sash so that it looks more like Kate's dress:

The blue color will look better on me anyway!



New Recipes!

Now that my Christmas decorations are up, I can move on to more important things, like baking!

This week on my day off, I had my first attempt at baking pumpkin pie. So I decided to try from scratch. I actually used a butternut squash pie recipe from Good Housekeeping, and it was easy to make, and also tasty. The recipe says to mash the squash and mix everything together, but I just added all of the ingredients to my blender and gave them a good spin before putting the filling into the pie shells. I also had to bake longer than the recipe called for, but they turned out well. Here's proof:

Next up will be a cranberry meringue recipe from Martha herself!

Blue Jacket Project - In Progress

I started the blue jacket right after I finished the black dress. It's coming together quite easily, but now that I am at the part where I have to connect the inside, the outside, and the collar, I've lost all interest! I think that the sleeves are too puffy, and can't decide if I should take them in on the top seam or the bottom seam, or both. So it hangs, one piece on my sewing chair and one on my mannequin. I'll feel motivated soon, I'm sure.

Jacket front and sleeve connected:

Back lining pleated and staystiched:

Hopefully I can post another update soon, maybe even a finished product!

Black Dress Project - Finished!

I started a black dress awhile back, right after I discovered SR Harris. It's finished, and I've even worn it to work! This is the dress that Andy thought looked Amish until I put the zipper in and it actually fit. Vintage Simplicity #5197:

And the finished product (I'll have to get a better picture!):

2 Years Married!

Since we were both just back from traveling, we didn't do much to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Andy, however, redeemed himself by bringing home the most beautiful roses that I've ever received:



Must Own

New Season: CHRISTMAS!

I am a firm believer that anytime after Halloween is fair game for Christmas decorating. Since I spent last Sunday night hearing about how scary my cob-webbed house was from trick-or-treaters, I'm pretty sure the Christmas trees are getting themselves ready for their yearly display.

Next week I'll put them both up, the matchy one in the living room, and the colorful one in the basement. I have to find a new place to hang the mistletoe, I want pine garland on the mantle, and I have to hang the stockings.

Outside, I want to put net lights over our shrubs in front (although we have to figure out how to plug them in...) and I have a wreath that I might put up, and also some pine garland that will go unlit around the front door.

I should also whip up a new tree skirt for the basement, since the only one I have will go on the upstairs tree. I'm thinking some felt is in order, and I can applique felt designs on it, and add some sequins and beads? I might be crazy!

Here is my inspiration:

A menagerie of Christmas fun!

Snowflakes!

Notice the squirrels? Cute!