Tea and Handwork

My mom is here for a visit. I am so very thankful that we live close enough to make the visits many. I can't fathom what it was like for families, way back when, who the distance of a couple hundred miles made it imposable to visit. Or, now days having parents or children across country or in another country and only being able to see them once or twice a year! Yes, very thankful indeed!

Yesterday we had a friend and her daughter over for tea and handwork.  It was so lovely!

I have the best mother-in-love. Anywhere. And I am not just saying that because she makes my children ADORABLE clothing items. She really is the best, but back to the clothing. She make the girls fancy dress capes (Pictures to come) and she made Andrew a dress pants and vest set. It's so cute! He looks like a little old fashioned man! I am thinking that vests over his button down shirts are going to be a must!

Thanks Kathleen, Andrew loves them, and insisted on wearing the vest as we ran to town after sunset!

 

 

Nana Made Nightgowns! Yahoo!

Bit of Color

I love throw pillows. I don't have enough of then. I found this idea on a crafting site last week and HAD to make one!

I had some wool felt left over from a project years ago, and it was just the right amount to give it a go. 

Sorry for the dark picture, it is a gray day here, with very little good natural light.

 

I love how it looks, I love that it used scraps and a old throw pillow from our old couch. It's pretty, cheerful makes the couch/chair seem so much more cozy and inviting!

 

I am going to have to get some more wool felt to make a couple more! 

 

 

Plans changed yesterday. I got the fabric washed, pattern out and because of this cough I can not shake, also got a headache. I decided to sew on something that was a little "brainless".

Dew all cuddled up taking his nap.

 

I had about 1 foot of hand quilting to do on Flora's quilt and then trim up the edges and sew on the binding. 

 

 

I am rather spoiled and have an amazing sewing machine. I did something a little different with the binding and LOVE it! 

You can see the way I did the binding. I used a decorative stitch. I love how it turned out!

Today we are attaching the back entry way and pantry, then I will sew this evening. Such a pleasant week here at home. Needing to be gone last week made me realize even more how blessed I am to be home. I get to serve my husband and make a home. God is good!

 

Sewing

Clara wants to learn to sew. So I got out my scraps and we set to work. For the first time, with a bit of help from me, she did VERY well. We tried hand sewing first, but it was just a little hard and she was persistent about making a blanket for her little green bear. Out came the machine. Other then cutting the threads and pushing the foot pedal , Clara made this. She is right in the middle of saying "look Nana!"

It was a wonderful way to spend a little one on one time with my oldest girl, who by the way is growing up TO fast!

More Dress Pictures

Clara let me take her picture this morning, just because Nana asked her to last night.
Enjoy! :)

No Apron and standing a little funny.

Apron

And some Artsy fartsy photos below.

Sewing

I am in a mood to sew some dresses for me. This might sound silly to some, but I love old clothing, civil war, regency (Jane Austen) era, Victorian. Anything old, its wonderful. In a world where people are taking off clothing, I am drawn to wonderful, old, feminine clothing. Call me crazy, but floor length skirts and dresses give me thrills!

The last two days, as I can, I have been org. Andrew's/the sewing/the guest room. I found a couple dresses I cut out years ago that, after I make my self tidy the living room, I am going to work on them!

As for the girls: I love jumpers, full under-dresses with lace and pinafores!

I found a couple really cute patterns for Andrew, 1900 pants, vest and jackets. I cant wait to sew for my men. I also have a pattern like it for Aaron. :)

For the next while, while its wet and rainy. I am sewing!

Finished!!!!!!!

Above are my projects I started and finish tonight. The small dresser used to be bright colors, blue body, yellow, green and orange drawers...bright and yuck. But I liked the shape and size. I saw this idea, using fabric on the drawers in a mag and fell in love with it. I am quite please with how it turned out. Cost: Maybe $3

The pot holders were SO easy and is a good way to use up scraps. I didn't have any bias tape so I just zigzaged around the edges and trimmed. Love them. I used scrap fabric and scraps Warm Window and Batting from past projects. Cost: Maybe $1 each. :)

Pot holders

I am in need of some new pot holders, so I am going to whip up some of these tonight!

Photos of the cutest things around (aka the kidos) coming tomorrow! :)

Civil War Quilt

For my birthday and an anniversary gift put together, Aaron got me a Quilt Block Of The Month Club. I chose a quilt designed and made from Civil War reproduction fabrics.You can check it out here. I LOVE Regency ear and Civil War era fabrics! So, once a month, after I get the blocks sewn, I will post pictures.

Each block or set of blocks is for a battle. This month was Fort Sumter. Two blocks. One at 18in and on at 12in.

Aren't the fabrics just wonderful! I have them tacked to the wall, so I can see them all the time. I can't wait for my next blocks!