Custom Dress Form

When I was in college several years ago, I took a course in making my very own dress form. The instructor, LaVina Scott, developed this particular method and wrote the book on it--SEW CLOTHES TO YOU, How to make a Custom Dress Form.

Of couse after 3 babies and lack of the active life of my youth this is no longer my body size. But it is close to my 18 year old daughter's size. I used it to do some minor adjustments on her prom dress recently.

Making "Bubbies" (Rice Rolls)

During the cold winter months we use rice rolls heated up in the microwave for a little extra warmth. We put them on our laps when at the computer or watching tv on the couch and especially at bedtime. We each take one to bed to warm up our chilly beds before we jump in and put them down at our feet for toasty comfort.

Also during the hot season you can pop them in the freezer for a cool refreshing compress.

Our youngest daughter gave the rice rolls the name "Bubbie Bubbie" so for short we call them Bubbies.

Below are how I make them:

1. Pick out some cute flannel prints. Here are 1/2 yard pieces.

2. Fold each into thirds as shown, with the fold on one end, the selvage on the other.

3. Cut down the lengths. Now you have 3 separate pieces.

4. Sew up the edges and fill about 2/3 full of uncooked rice. Sew up end. And there you have your Bubbie!

They're a big hit at our shop. They also make a great hot or cold compress for ailments.

Christmas Dress

This year I made Sarah's dress for her school's Christmas concert. She's right in between the girl and teen sizes, so we decided it would be better to make a dress to fit her. She picked a Butterick pattern #4385 and red taffeta fabric with black flocked flowers. Also a shear black fabric for the jacket. Luckily most of the fabric was at 40% off and the pattern was only $1. Turns out I bought way too much fabric so I have enough left over for some other future project. Anyway, everything turn out nicely. She got lots of compliments on her outfit.

My Version of Paella

Tonight I made a simple dish that I call "Poor Man's Paella." It only has a few ingredients and no seafood.

Recipe:
1/2 pkg of pork chorizzo (6 oz)
1/2 can Spam diced (or other cooked meat)
1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
1/8 cup diced onion
2 T cooked bacon bits
4-5 cups Cooked Rice
2 eggs
oil
water

Brown chorrizo in a large frying pan with enough oil to coat bottom of pan.
Add diced Spam and onion. Brown for a few minutes.
Mix in bacon bits.
Then add corn. If it's frozen, let it warm up stirring well.
Add rice breaking up lumps and mix well. You may want to add a little water if it gets too dry.
When rice has absorbed the flavors and juices, add eggs and stir well into the mixture. Cook until egg is done.
Season to taste.

been busy...

I haven't posted much lately here on my blog, been pretty busy this summer and haven't had any time to do any of my hobbies. But soon we will be moving and I'll be able to set up a new workspace and have more free time to do what I love...sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch, painting, crafting, etc. And then I can post pics of what I've been up to.

Until then....

Here's tote bag I bought when I was in Beliz a few years ago. I just love the colors. I only use it occasionaly, don't want it to get all roughed up.

Here's a mexican blanket I bought in Cotzumel, Mexico on that same vacation. Just love those bright colors! I intend to make this blanket into a tote bag or two, but haven't found the perfect pattern yet.

Happy 233rd Birthday America!

Gathered Flower - Silk Ribbon Emboidery

Here's a demo video of how to stitch a Gathered Flower with silk ribbon. This person also has other videos and they are very well done. You can clearly see how it's done, nice close-ups.

Memorial Day

In rememberance to all those who gave their lives to protect our country.....

...we honor you.

Vintage Items pt. 2

I wanted to share some more pics of furniture that we've had in our store in the past. Vintage and retro stuff!

Slap Chop Remix

Saw this on someone else's blog. AWE YEEUH! CHECK IT!

Oh Happy Day!

My sister, the kids and I went to WinCo the other day to pick up a few things. Our WinCo is still fairly new here (it opened back in February). So we went in the evening. It's less crowded that way. While shopping around my daughter comes up to me with a bottle of Iced Java, the one I mentioned in an earlier post. She was beaming, "Look what Auntie Terri and I found!"

Yep, they had Nescafe's Ice Java! So we bought all they had on the shelf. Well, I think we left one bottle for someone else. Brought it home and surprised my husband. You should have seen his face when he looked in the bag. It was like opening up a wonderful Christmas present. I guess miracles do happen!

An Old Farmer's Advice

(photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ackerman_farmer.jpg)

~ Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
~ Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
~ A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
~ Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
~ Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
~ Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
~ Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
~ It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
~ You cannot unsay a cruel word.
~ Every path has a few puddles.
~ When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
~ The best sermons are lived, not preached.
~ Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
~ Don't judge folks by their relatives.
~ Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
~ Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
~ Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
~ If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
~ Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
~ The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
~ Always drink upstream from the herd.
~ Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
~ Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
~ If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Ode to Ice Java

Living in the Northwest mochas, lattes, frappacinoes, whatever you want to call them are very popular here. There are drive up espresso stands every mile or so on your way to work. They're scattered throughout the city. In the cold of winter you can get a hot steamy drink. In the heat of summer it's frosty granitas--something for anytime of the year. If you enjoy these drinks on a regular basis it can add up so we try to find alternatives and make them ourselves. A few years ago we came across this new product, Ice Java from Nescafe in the chocolate mocha flavor. It was the perfect forumla for a quick and inexpensive mocha flavored drink--hot or cold. Just add milk! But like all good things there comes a time when we must say good-bye. They've discontinued distribution for this item in the America due to lack of demand.

Where's Spring?

Well, it's the last day of March and guess what happened while I was at a dentist appointment with the kids? I look out their window and it's hailing and sleeting or whatever it's called. Will Spring ever come? And there's more snow, albiet just 30 and 40 percent, in the forecast this week, but still ---gee wiz! This is supposed to be Spring Break for the kids! Maybe Spring Break should be moved closer to Easter like back in the day. Then families could make plans to spend the holiday with relatives out of town/state. (Global warming?...yeah, right!)

Irish Step Dance from JibJab

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Crocheted Shamrock

Here's a crocheted shamrock with a pin-back my mom made. Happy St Patrick's Day!

Shamrocks

Since it's March and St Patrick's Day is comming soon here's a couple of pics of our shamrock plant we keep at our store. We get a lot of comments from our customers that come in and see it. This is how it looked when it has it's full growth.

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

I've done a little bit of silk ribbon embroidery, but I'd like to do a lot more of it. Unfortunately, fabric/craft stores don't really carry the silk embroidery anymore. I guess it's not as common as it used to be a few years ago. I have to find the ribbons on the internet.

Here's some video examples of silk ribbon embroidery:

Cross-Stitch Projects

Well, now that the holidays are over I wanted to work on another project. I've done a lot of sewing lately and it's not as portable as I'd like my current project to be, so I decided something in cross-stitch. The last thing I cross-stitched was my youngest's baby sampler. I finally finished it when she was 8 years old! But that's okay, she'll have it as keepsake for later. I still need to frame it. She'll be 10 soon, if that tells you how long it's been.

So I went through my box of cross-stitch supplies and kits and found a project I started years ago. I think it was back in the 80's. Here's a pic of what I had done then. I'm surprised I had done this much. I don't really remember much about it. It was ages ago. I think I'd like to finish it finally. I'm back in the cross-stitch mood!

YUM!

Whenever I go to the local grocery store here near my home I always get from the deli their oriental chicken salad. It's my favorite and no other store has it. I even asked if I could have the recipe. He jotted down the ingredients but didn't put the amounts for each one. I tried making it at home but it just wasn't the same. I guess he still has a customer! :)

It consists of ramen noodles, cabbage, chunks of chicken, onions, cilantro (the kicker) and seasonings. YUM YUM!