I am the wife to an amazing man, homeschooling mama of six (24, 19, 12, 10, 4 and 1) and grandmother of one. This blog is the expression of who I am, what I love to do, and other small tid-bits of my life. I am a sewing enthusiast of vintage and modern clothing, thrifting and refashioning. I love (and sell) Premiere Designs Jewelry, hula hooping for exercise, and nutrition. And first and foremost, I am a Bible loving, Jesus following, happy home making girl.
weekend
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Was *really* not feeling it today, and I think it shows. Did not give a
toss if I looked nice today or not. Really. Did. Not. Scraping
motivation fr...
men's t-shirt to onsie PJs
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Continuing in the rash of children's PJs, now that the weather in
Australia is colder, here is a onsie made from 2 of daddy's old t-shirts.
You can see h...
A Pair of Sundresses
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This isn't really sewing... it's cheating. But after seeing the always
stylish Mimi G's version, I knew I had to have one... or two.
I have to admit, ...
Winter Lace Dress - Laurel by Colette Patterns
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So I'm another year older now. When did that happen?!! I remember I
couldn't WAIT to turn 18; boy did that backfire ... now I break into sobs
of gratitude ...
Open Casting Call for First Ever Refashion Runway!
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I’m excited to announce the first ever, Refashion Runway competition hosted
by The Renegade Seamstress. Here’s how it’ll work: Much like Project Runway
and...
Simplicity 2907 - Aqua lace toddler dress
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After using stretch polyester lace a few months ago, I decided to try some
cotton lace for a summer dress for Rachel. This fabric is from Mood and has
a ...
A Sinner Saved By Grace
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Many Christians live by the phrase*, "I am a sinner saved by grace."* Do
you know that phrase is not even in the Bible? Yes, before you believe in
Jesu...
Secret Redo on my Daughter's Room
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I wrote this post last summer, but, at the time, couldn't decide whether
or not to post it. I just found it, and thought you might enjoy a peak
into my l...
Sew & Tell Saturday 5/18/13
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Welcome to Sew & Tell Saturday!
Thanks for dropping by to post your sewing projects and to check out some
new talent!
Here are the featured sewing artis...
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly #4
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Yes, today had all three and you said before we left you wanted to know.
*The Good:*
* Emily got her DRIVER'S LICENSE! Way to go Em! And got to spend ...
Prairie Dresses - McCall's 9424
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Just look at these pretty girls and their big smiles! They loved their new
dresses and the matching doll outfits, and that made me happy. It was a
joy to...
Vogue 1250
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Vogue 1250....What an awesome pattern. So fast to whip up, only 3 pattern
pieces, and such great results! Many bloggers and sewists alike have raved
abo...
Back to the Regularly scheduled program.....
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Things have been bonkers as of late!!!! And I have DESPERATELY MISSED you
guys!!!! I've got to catch up on my blog reading and posts. I've got so
much to s...
Little Threads: Long-Sleeved Summer
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Romper: vintage -- Sweater: Target -- Shoes: thrifted
You know what I hate? Eczema.
Hate is such a strong word...
You know what I hate, hate, super-hate...
Friday Night Sew In - Signup!
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I'm late... AGAIN!!
I totally spaced getting the signups posted. It's been a hectic week. I'm
gearing up for a job interview on Monday. Wish me luck!
I w...
Joy Venturini Bianchi: Fashion For A Cause
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During this past week, I have been roaming around the Bay Area visiting
friends and family. While in San Francisco, I knew I had to track down one
of...
Retro Butterick ’46 B5281
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First posting! Proud of how my retro ’46 came out. Only my third dress ever
to make and the first with a lining. Used gabardine as recommended on the
patte...
Me Made May ’13 – Week 3 Round-Up
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Well, we’ve made it through another week of Me-Made-May! If we’re being
honest here… I’m kind of struggling a little :\ The weather has been SO
awkward and...
Blowing kisses & other kid tricks
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Leon is blowing kisses now. Quite sporatic when he wants to, but they are
definitely there. He's replaced his open mouth kiss on his hand to a true
smack...
Kwik Sew 3968, Slipper Socks
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[image: KS 3968 Thumbnail]
I have very cold feet and have one particular pair of fleece socks that I
like to wear to bed in the winter. I haven't found an...
Lucky Me
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Happy Summer Everyone! Ok, well maybe not all of you are experiencing
summer like I am (its already hot and tottie here!) but Happy Summer
anyway. I know i...
New Pattern Announcement Coming Monday!
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It’s back from printing! The newest pattern from Sewaholic Patterns is back
from the printers and nearly ready to announce. Here’s a shot of the
pattern en...
Breakwater pattern tester round up: part one
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We have a special treat for you all today! All of these lovely ladies were
kind of enough to serve as pattern testers for the new Breakwater
collection whi...
What's On My Sewing Table...
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This is the kind of project I *know* I'm going to get a lot of wear out of
this Spring/Summer - I'm making a Ginger skirt in a dark navy denim with a...
Taking Time for Yourself
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Taking Time for Yourself
Its always important to take time for yourself so read a book, do a little
painting or simply just be still and listen to the bir...
Gorgeous fashion illustration prints
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I’m so enthralled with these fashion illustration prints from hprints.com.
There are prints from so many of my favorite mid-century French dressmakers
and ...
An Interesting Day
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I was reminded today how grateful I am to be the creator of my own clothing
destiny!
Instead of sitting in the waiting room on an uncomfortable chair ...
On Loan
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My mom used to listen to Rush Limbaugh quite regularly when I was growing
up. And, my sister and I were often a captive audience, as we rode in the
car, o...
HOW TO: WEAR VINTAGE
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Vintage clothing has long been a passion of mine, the perfect option for
when you want to feel unique and stand out from the crowd. But wearing
vintage in ...
Opening our hearts.....
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As you can see Mother's Day was a hard one for us as I had forecast. On a day where we had always gathered together as a family, we were fragmented....Other ...
Beginner Sewing Questions?
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Share your beginner sewing questions! eBook author Tasha Miller Griffith
will select some questions to answer in an upcoming post...
5 Things YOU Should Be an Expert At
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“Everything has been figured out, except how to live.” ―Jean-Paul Sartre
“Promise me that you will live and love to the point of tears. That you
will do s...
The Essence of Childhood, Found
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How a cat's tail helped me to better understand my daughter and bring some
of the magic of childhood back into my own life.
Black & White Peter Pan Collar Dress
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[image: IMG_7159]I have yet another finished project from my unfinished
object pile to share with you. I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing
that, but y...
New Disney Story App
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*This post is sponsored by **Disney Story**. To find out more about this
brand-new story-creation app - and how it puts the power of storytelling in
your h...
Photo Bombshell: 8 New Plus Size Sewing Patterns
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This plus size pattern collection is showcased in the June 2013 issue of *burda
style* magazine. These styles will make you shine in front of the camera,
a...
Simple Wedding
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A reader asked for tips to simplify a wedding so they can plan quicker to
have the wedding before family has to go back overseas. Since my simple
wedding w...
British Interior Design with Rebecca Leigh
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My lovely sister-in-law, Rebecca Leigh, works as an interior stylist in the
United Kingdom and is just now branching out her services to New York. Her
styl...
Dresses for Nursing Moms (and everyone else)
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I've had this dress for a few years, and while it's not necessarily hip or
trendy, it's *really *comfortable and figure-flattering, and therefore
it ...
4 Moms Share Vegetarian Recipes {Link-Up}
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When you’re feeding a crowd vegetarian options are a wonderful way to pinch
some of those pennies. My husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so
findin...
Purchased: A lovely new Iron
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I would have died if someone said that in three years’ time that I’d want
an iron for my birthday. I would have thought them crazy and chastised
them on t...
Where I Have Been....Where I Am Going and a Sale!
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Over the past few months, you may have noticed that the pace of new vintage
dresses coming to Couture Allure has slowed down considerably and that my
posts...
McCall 3908: The 'First Crepe of Summer' Dress
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I feel like I say this about every 1940 McCall make..but I'm REALLY excited
to show you my latest project!! I adore this dress to bits! It's McCall
390...
Ballerina on fire
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This must be the most embarrassing photo shoot ever (just picture cars
driving by, my neighbors possibly peeking through the windows)…and my
publishing it ...
Trend of the Month: Yellow!
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Ah, yellow. One of my favorite colors to brighten up a grey Seattle day.
Sometimes you find that blondes are scared to wear yellow, but not this
one! Happy...
Mother's day and ...
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If you haven't entered in for a chance to win the cruise voucher for a
family of 4, make sure to go to the the post and do so!
Hello! I have been scatter m...
Winsome Wednesday - Profound!
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Today I'm going to share with you a simple, but profound statement I saw
this week. I'm sure many of you have seen this before but don't you find
it amazi...
Burda 04/2011 #118 - Slouchy Knit Top
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Man, this is bad Burda graphic. Here’s a link to the actual page. It looks
better online.
This here is BurdaStyle 04/2011 #118. I’ve really gotten into ...
Once Upon a Freezer
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So, who does a blog post on a freezer? me
And who actually has a story behind their freezer? me
And who gets teary eyed when the freezer is taken away by a f...
May 14, 2013
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[image: After recovering from "I hate that hat," I was told I was wearing
"clown shoes." I guess no one is listening: I dress to express my "get over
yours...
A Week in Instagram
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[image: When you love your fruit trees and snow is due...] [image: He
served me homemade Kouign Amann with my coffee, which is pretty much the
best #mother...
The Summer of Color 3: Artist's Choice . . .
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(Web source)
*"The world is a carousel of color." -- Anon*
*
*
*
*
We're just *three little weeks away* from The Summer of Color 3: Artist's
Choice!
Ju...
Brown Bread and more..............
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My guy and I were having a discussion about food. We actually do this a
lot, because he is a real foodie, and a great cook. I mentioned to him
about brow...
She's Pregnant!!!
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Hello Hello Hello!!!
I have missed all of you! What have I been up to? I will tell you what I
have been up too....in photos! A big surprise at the end! ...
Truly Vintage and Made for You
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Hello All! First of all – HELLO to all new visitors who I met yesterday at
Truly Vintage. My apologies for not having a card and not having a voice!
Being ...
Gathers
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Gathers might be my favorite sort of shaping. They’re easy to get right –
much more forgiving than darts – and they add an interesting little detail.
Someo...
Progress in the midst of chaos
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It’s been quite the month around here. I have not been able to sew for the
past couple of weeks because we’ve had a few rounds of snow that melted the
nex...
The Real Homeschool Story
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If only I knew how this story was going to end…. Then I think I could do
this, I agonized while snuggling into my husband one night. And it’s not
even that...
To each follower and friend...... :-)
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*Hello. Been on the mend for the past several days. In case I don't check
back in over the weekend, just want to send an early greeting wishing each
of you...
DIY maternity clothes for all four seasons
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2 weeks left! That is until the D date (my due date), though it can happen
any day now (I hear second babies are more eager to encounter the world so
they ...
E-Patterns Now Available! 1940s Overalls Pattern
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The e-Pattern for the new 1940′s Overalls pattern is live on my website!
This is available in three different size packs. You can purchase your
size pack ...
Printed pattern update
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[image: Pattern-stack.jpg]
Thank you all for waiting so patiently. I didn't anticipate that it would
take so long to be able to release the printed patte...
Nature's Fire Extinguisher
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Our town has made the news locally and worldwide this week with a brush
fire. We are located in a narrow valley with hills surrounding us on both
sides. ...
James 3 – The Value of Wisdom, Part Two
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Preached at Straightway Bible Church on May 5th, 2013. Below you will find
the study notes I handed out. We continue our look at WISDOM, in particular
“Go...
Edwardian Fashion Exhibit at the DAR Museum, Part 2
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Hello, Ladies! A few weeks ago I shared some initial pictures of
the Edwardian gowns I viewed at the Daughters of the American Revolution
Museum, so now he...
25 Before 26
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So last week was by birthday, I am officially a quarter of a century old.
Crazy, when people ask me how old I am I usually start to say 23 oh wait no
I’m 2...
An Epic Fail, or why I need a walking foot
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I got that big piece of velvet in seafoam green color with all of that free
fabric from Alicia. My original thought was "om nom nom" and I knew I would
mak...
Baby blue gingham set
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A new set of bra and two panties made with ‘Vichy’ kit from ELingeria. I
bought the kit sometime ago and unfortunately all the kit is now not
available bec...
One Lotus Painting
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After doing the front of my art journal with a lotus (in previous post), I
HAD to do more like it, so I did two 8"x10" paintings inspired by it. This
i...
Peace in Simplicity
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Simplicity is the key to womanhood.
If it takes up too much time, takes too much effort, and doesn't involve
the family...maybe it should be scraped from ...
Urban Art Show Piece
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We're having an 'Urban Art' show soon and I was casting around for what
I've got that looks urban. Put this one together this weekend, and I'm
calling it ...
New, New, New
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There are a few new things in my life right now that I am pretty excited about: a new color and look in my dining room a new scrapbook nook upstairs and... a...
Let the Hollyburns begin!
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I finally cracked open my Sewaholic Hollyburn pattern, and it is another
winner. I think it has kind of a 40s-meets-70s vibe, while being a classic
shape ...
Our Plan, God’s Plan, My Plan
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TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE! OUR PLAN, GOD’S PLAN, MY
PLAN To God be the glory! What He has done for me, He can do for you. While
we fo...
Hippie Colors
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I had a little time today for blogging...
please know that I love you all, and will come to visit soon!
So this last week I took my fake nails off and I'm...
Keep Me in Your Prayers
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Remember the best job ever? Yeah, me too. Except it ended unexpectedly
April 4, two days after returning from my staycation. I'm in severe
emotional distre...
Enjoying Spring's Beauty at our Country Home
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As you can see, spring has certainly sprung around our place! I thought
you might like a peek at what's been blooming around here. :)
These daf...
audrey leigh
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SH and I were very excited to welcome miss Audrey Leigh into the world in
the wee hours of Tuesday morning (March 26)! She weighed a petite 6lbs.
10oz., an...
What We Have Been Up To
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We have been absent for a while and I wanted to give an update on some of
the things we have been doing.
1. Reading these wonderful Biscuit books almost ...
What to Say When you Praise your Kids
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Parents always want to praise their children. However, some positive
remarks might actually be harmful to children’s emotional and leadership
development...
Another sewing machine...
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Who knew that hitting the enter key in the title window would automatically
publish the post?
SEW, I bought *ano**ther* sewing machine, a Singer Stylist 45...
{ Sriracha: What is This Stuff Anyways? }
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With all the recent "buzz" surrounding the Frito Lay: Do Us a Flavor Contest and
one of the contenders named *Sriracha*, I took it upon myself to do a
l...
VIDEO Anderson signs “milk” 8 months old
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Anderson is following in his big brother Julian’s footsteps by learning
some signs. Here he is signing milk just a few days before his 8 month
birthday (wh...
Kate Spade Knock Off: New Look 6910
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If there is one designer whose clothing I love to knock off, it is
Kate Spade. See here, here, here, here and here. I love her pieces of
clothin...
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Happy happy Saint Valentine's Day to y'all!!!!
My friend Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages makes these lovely cards
and more! I asked if she would ma...
Till We Meet Again…
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I have been richly blessed by all the feedback and encouragement I have
received since I wrote my announcement early in January about how God has
been lead...
Alaska Snowshoeing
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No sewing at all here in Alaska (yet). All my sewing gear is packed and
still in Pennsylvania, where Nick is working at selling our home. My
arrival in ...
Great Reads
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Many people have the tv on when they sew - something about the drone keeps
us company when we're doing the work.
Through the years when I've been sewing, ...
LAST DAY of the year...
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Hello friends!
Here we are finally... the last day of the year.
We sewn a lot of things this year, spent all our spare time to sew
dresses,tshirts,skirts an...
Modeling
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Sometimes I think that our kids learn more from what we do that what we
say. What has been interesting me lately is what things each of my children
have mo...
A New Adventure
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A new adventure! I will be closing my blog at the end of the week, but if
you enjoy reading my writings, please DO stop by Freedom Outpost, as I am a
new c...
Revival and an update...
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Sorry, I know I've been absent here. I've been at home, and on Facebook
doing daily testimonies of what God is doing in my life. That's where He
has me kno...
No longer updated
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In May 2011 I wrote a message in the sidebar that I wished there was more
time in a day as I had not enough time to regularly update this site.
Since then ...
Perfection
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There is an interesting thread running on Artisan's Square right now that
piqued my interest. Here is an excerpt of jem's original post:
*"...After seeing...
Sewing and Running
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On January 3 this year I decided to start running again and bought some new
running shoes - this is me after my first run lol!
It is a total 'set-up' phot...
Summer Of Colour...Week 6
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Well...yes I am running very late in putting this up, and I probably
wouldn't have done one had I not gotten up just before 5 to make this
painting for a f...
The finished Casey swap!
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Wow, this has been fun. If you remember from last month's post, Casey and I
exchanged patterns by mail and decided to sew them up. Well, we are all
done ...
Taking What Isn’t Mine
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My secretary pays more in taxes than I do…because she makes more than I
do. In fact, she not only pays more in taxes than I do, she pays more in
taxes tha...
After the Heart Attack
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Hello, Everyone. I'm sorry it's been so long. It has been so hard to write
for several reasons. For one, I have been so very busy taking care of my
husban...
where I sew ...
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A couple months back, one of our big windows shattered. It didn't crash
down to the floor but there was a loud cracking noise & it was the biggest
window...
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*Bits and Pieces*
I realize I haven't posted in a while, and thank you to those who kindly
inquired about me! I have been extremely busy with costumes for...
Butterick 5602 - the shapely shift!
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As my last two makes were useful wardrobe basics I gave myself permission
to indulge myself with another dress – I just love to make dresses! Since
finishi...
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