A touch of the old-fashioned

This fall I have been trying to use fabrics and notions that I have already collected in my sewing stash -- with moderate succss. This project was salvaged from a dress that I had made but had worn infrequently:

Using the skirt pieces, I cut out the top part of a princess-seamed pattern for the top section (adding extra to the bodice front so that I could gather it). The bottom half of the shirt was simple two rectangles with a little shaping in the sides. I didn't gather them at the bodice, since I did not want a "maternity" shirt! I had enough fabric to cut bias strips to bind the neckline.




I cannot believe how perfectly this project worked out -- I had saved about five inches of the blue velvet ribbon "just in case," and as it turns out I needed it so that I could extend the blue velvet all around the empire waistline. I inserted an invisible zipper in the side side so that I wouldn't have to button it up the back.

I had designed the sleeves and was overjoyed to find that I could keep them in tact. I love the floaty bias ruffle for an extra feminine touch.


The dress had a ruffle, which I was able to pair with a khaki-colored gored skirt made from a sheet (which had been a trial "mock-up" for the navy blue skirt that I'm wearing in the pictures). I simply applied the ruffle a little above the hem of the khaki skirt and voila! A petticoat! You can't see unless I lift the skirt, but it adds an extra "swish" to my step:

It's getting a bit cold to wear this outfit now, but I look forward to wearing it again next fall. Having a failed project is disappointing, but it is certainly thrilling to create something else out of it!

The Occupational Hazards of...Housekeeping?

Two days ago the realization came to me -- rather forcibly -- that keeping house can be a very dangerous occupation. "What," some may ask, "could possibly happen to you in the safety of your own home?" What an excellent question!

Christmas decorations happen to be very hazardous, especially if one slips off the last three steps of the attic ladder while bringing down a heavy box of them. The results of such a mishap may include: landing in a heap next to the ladder and banging one's head against a nearby doorway. I must plead guilty to just such an accident -- and the Band-Aid on my pinky is proof.

I jokingly told my sister that I should go to bed and start the day over again. Perhaps I should have.

When I sew buttonholes on my machine (which I do manually using a zig-zag stitch), I am so concentrated that I tend to lean close to the machine. I lean closer, and closer, and...

WHAM!

There's a little metal arm that goes up and down in a rotating motion on the front of the machine, and it hit me plunk in the middle of the forehead. This has happened to me before, so I merely rubbed my forehead ruefully and continued. Ten minutes later, WHAM! I hit it again. Two days later, I still have a sore, swollen spot on my head.

Perhaps that injury was caused by my own stupidity. But how could I help getting my finger pinched in a cabinet while looking for a spice? Fortunately, the amount of skin on my body was only reduced by a cubic millimeter.

So if anyone ever scoffs at the dangers of housekeeping, I will now be able to enlighten them. But I think I've learned my lesson; I will try not to lean over my machine (it's bad for my posture, anyway), and I will be extremely careful when ascending or descending the attic stairs with a box.

Or maybe I could just buy a helmet.

Praise and Thanksgiving from "The Valley of Vision"

I have recently begun reading through The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers arranged by Arthur Bennett. Each prayer that I read is my favorite -- they are exquisite expressions of devotion to God that read like poetry. It is a little late for Thanksgiving, but gratitude should be a year-round feeling!

Praise and Thanksgiving

O my God,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves Thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before Thee in ceaseless flow.

When I think upon and converse with Thee
     ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
     ten thousand sources of pleasure are unseal,
     ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
     crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
     for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
     for the body thou hast given me,
     for preserving its strength and vigour,
     for providing sense to enjoy delights,
     for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
     for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
     for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
     for a full table and overflowing cup,
     for appetite, taste, sweetness,
     for social joys of relatives and friends,
     for ability to serve others,
     for a heart that feels sorrow and necessities,
     for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
     for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
     for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
     for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express,
     for what thou are to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

Snippets of beauty

While taking photos of my recent sewing projects (see my last post), I could not resist capturing some of the beauty of our local nature preserve. The evening was quiet and cool, and the sun was setting in all of its glory by the time we left.






We started out in the woods...











We continued down to the beach...










The beauty of the woods at this time of year is breathtaking in its subtle colors and tones. The Lord is so good to give us such beauty in the world around us!

Autumn inspired creations from my thimble

The coming of fall has allowed me to make a foray into the world of muted colors and warmers patterns. During several recent excursions to the fabric store, I noticed a dark green fabric embroidered with a pattern of leaves and flowers. When it finally was reduced to 60% off, I snatched it up. I chose a pattern that I was rather skeptical about (based on the outlandish jackets featured on the front of the pattern!): McCall's 5477, but which I decided to give a try. I am glad to say that my initial hesitation proved quite unfounded.

Amazingly, I made only one change to the pattern: the sleeves, which are represented as being long-sleeved, were nowhere near long enough! I lengthened them, but they still were too short. Hence, I added a ruffle around the bottom edge of the sleeve. They are still not as long as normal jacket sleeves, but I like having my shirt cuffs show.


The Council of Elrond Skirt

I have recently taken to naming my projects after the dominant impression I had while they were in progress. In the case of my new wrap skirt, my sister and I were listening to the rather lengthy chapter concerning the Council of Elrond on the audio CD of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Hence, this skirt has been dubbed "The Council of Elrond" skirt. I think the embroidered leaf design on linen works well with this name! I obtained the tutorial on the Internet, but unfortunately it's no longer available. I purchased the fabric on clearance, and the entire skirt cost only $7.50 (plus tax!). I added buttons for the closure rather than making ties.


And now, pictures of the completed projects:

This pattern was quite unique -- and quite complicated! The fact that I had never made a jacket before didn't help matters, but I didn't encounter any real problems. It was certainly time consuming, though! The side panels are cut on the bias, which I found unusual. My favorite design aspect was the gathering on the front and back of the jacket.

This pattern is now a permanent fixture in my stash.

Time for hot chocolate!

Fall has finally arrived, accompanied by leaves blowing in the breeze, acorns falling from the live oak trees, and cooler temperatures. I have been reveling in all of the sights and sounds of one of my favorite seasons. One of my favorite pastimes is changing out my summer and winter wardrobe (a little premature, perhaps, but I still have some warm weather clothing in my closet!).

While stopping by our church on Friday afternoon, I snapped a few pictures as I experimented with my camera's different shooting modes:

The little acorn cap looks exactly like what I could see a little gnome or a flower fairy donning for the cooler months!

While I was fiddling with my camera, a group of squirrels in the oak trees above me were scurrying about furiously. They might have been chasing each other, but I think I was the unlucky offender that they were shaking their tails at threateningly! And I'm still not entirely sure that the showers of acorns that landed nearby were not aimed at me...

Words of Wisdom from Writers

The pen is mightier than the sword, but no one is worthy to pull it from the stone.

~James Bauerle

Psalm 148

Praise ye the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.

Praise ye the LORD.