Changes

I've made a few changes to this poor neglected blog.  As much as I want to have a blog devoted just to sewing, my life is busy with so much more.

I hope the few who read this blog (or have been looking at the same old posts since I haven't been keeping this thing updated) will like the name change and the new look.  Knowing myself, I'm sure there will be a few more tweaks here and there.

We've been keeping busy here on the farm and my days are filled with homemaking and homeschooling the boys.  I am able to get to the sewing machine every so often and have had a few custom sewing jobs over the past several months.  My BIG project in the fall was making sixteen corded box cushions for a couple from our church that have a cabin in the hills.  The husband made log furniture for the cabin and asked me to make the cushions for two couches and a love seat.  It was a challenge, but I enjoyed the process and learned a few new tricks along the way.  Enjoy!

Reading through the Bible in 90 days?

Oh boy... I've decided to attempt to read through the entire Bible in just 90 days.  Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 . . . 90 Days . . . *gulp*

Amy over at Mom's Toolbox is once again hosting the Bible in 90 Days read-along.  I attempted this twice before, once in January and again in July, but I allowed life to get in the way and never made it through either time.  

I'm really looking forward to the daily discipline and extended reading time in God's Word.  Why don't you go on over to Mom's Toolbox and join us?  Any time spent in God's Word, is time well spent!  

Visiting

My Dad came up to visit us last week.  He rode the "Amish Bus"  from warm and sunny Sarisota, Florida up to our cold and rainy Indiana.  The bus stops only two times - once for fuel in the middle of the night and then a second time for breakfast.

Dad brought along two boxes of citrus fruit for us.  The grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines are amazing - you can't get anything from the grocery store that tastes as good as fresh from Florida!

Andrew took this picture while Dad was reading his Bible.  The boys sure enjoyed having Grandpa here, I just hope they didn't wear him out too much!  (Have you recovered yet, Dad?)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Hubby told me they were "Just because."
*dreamy sigh*

Sew-Vivor

Well, I got my nerve up and decided to join the Sew-Vivor competition being held at Family Ever After.  Sew-Vivor is a sewing competition that is a spin-off of the TV reality show, Survivor.  The judges will pick the top 10 sewists who will then compete in elimination-style challenges throughout April.  

There are many talented entries so far, I have enjoyed seeing the variety of sewing projects.  I wish everyone well and look forward to the competition, whether or not I advance past the first round.  :o)

Stacey's Dress

I had several sewing projects in 2011, but one dress in particular took most of the year to create.  About a year and a half ago my brother's (then) fiance, Stacey, sent me a message that she would like me to make her wedding dress and asked if I would I think about it.  I didn't have to think about it, of course I was honored to be asked to make her dress!  :o)  

Stacey had tried on a few dresses and had found "The Dress".  However, she didn't want the puffiness of the gathered tulle over-skirt.  She wanted something more streamlined, but with the same floaty effect.  I searched bridal sewing patterns until I found one with the right silhouette.  View A of Butterick 6926 was  a perfect base for this dress. I added a chapel-length train to the skirt and changed the bodice to a sweetheart neckline.

After searching for months for affordable (cough, cough) beaded lace, I found the perfect trim at our local thrift store.  I made a full length toile out of muslin for the first fitting.  Other than a small length adjustment, the only other fit alteration that I needed to make was for a sway back. 

I referred to Susan Khalje's book, Bridal Couture, quite a bit while constructing Stacey's dress.  Using Susan's suggestions, I used a total of 15 pieces of boning and added a grosgrain ribbon waist-stay to the bodice.  The bodice seams were catch-stitched by hand to the flannel underlining to keep the seams smooth on the outside. Once the bodice and the skirt were constructed and double-checked for fit, I started to hand stitch the beaded lace trim onto the bodice and the chiffon over-skirt.  

This is about the time when things got very interesting as I ended up with a viral eye infection, in *both* eyes, that lasted for almost six weeks.  I spent a lot of time resting with my eyes closed and a cool cloth laying across my eyes.  Hand stitching was slow-going as I could only focus on the fabric and lace for about 20 minutes until I had to go rest my eyes for the rest of the hour.  I felt like I was stitching blind!  I never realized how much I sew by instinct until I realized I could thread a needle when I couldn't even focus on the eye of the needle.  :o)  I was able to get all the beaded lace onto the bodice and on the chiffon over-skirt.  There are almost 10 yards of beaded scalloped lace trim that was hand stitched onto the hem of the skirt.  Thankfully, my eyes were mostly healed before the wedding so I could enjoy the celebration.

Stacey's dress is one of my favorite sewing projects that I've made so far.  I really stretched my sewing skills by adding several couture techniques that I will want to use in future sewing projects.  I'm looking forward to my next formal dress project - it might be soon as one of my daughter's friends has asked me to make her prom dress.  

In the meantime, I have some seat cushions to make for my husband's CASE 930 Comfort King tractor.  Here on the farm, you never know what will show up next on my sewing queue!  

To whet your appetite...

I had a major project that I worked on for most of 2011. Here are a few small hints. More details to come!

*peeking in*

Wow, talk about taking a break!  It's been just over two years since my last post.  Bad blogger, I know.


I think I have most of the settings the way I want them, but I don't promise anything.  :o)  I am working on a few posts and hope to be up and running soon.

Wordless Wednesday

"That" Woman... my inspiration

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life

she seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

she stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

she is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

No one said it would be easy . . .

Wow, talking about the Lord giving me what I need when I need it - here is today's devotional from the book, Streams in the Desert compiled by Mrs. Charles E Cowman.

 

December 21

 

To him I give the land he hath trodden upon . . . because he hath wholly followed the Lord (Deut. 1:36).

 

Every hard duty that lies in your path, that you would rather not do, that it will cost you pain and struggle or sore effort to do, has a blessing in it.  Not to do it, at whatever cost, is to miss the blessing.

 

Every hard piece of road on which you see the Master's shoe-prints and along which He bids you follow Him, surely leads to blessing, which you cannot get if you cannot go over the steep, thorny path.

 

Every point of battle to which you come, where you must draw your sword and fight the enemy, has a possible victory which will prove a rich blessing to your life.  Every heavy load that you are called to lift hides in itself some strange secret of strength.  ~J. R. Miller

 

I cannot do it alone;

The waves run fast and high,

And the fogs close all around,

The light goes out in the sky;

But I know that we two

Shall win in the end,

Jesus and I.

 

Coward and wayward and weak,

I change with the changing sky;

Today so eager and bright,

Tomorrow too weak to try;

But He never gives in,

So we two shall win,

Jesus and I.

 

I could not guide it myself,

My boat on life's wild sea;

There's One who sits by my side,

Who pulls and steers with me.

And I know that we two

Shall safe enter port,

Jesus and I.

Thread the Needle Thursday

This week Mom is working on costumes for the Christmas play at church.  She making vests for the workers in the play and jingle bell costumes.  In between she has finished the gray socks and another pair of socks and started on a new pair.  There is no pictures this week.   Go ahead and post your links so we can see what you're up to. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
  Psalm 100:4

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am truly blessed and have much to be thankful for, not only today, but every day.

May we all remember to praise the Lord for all the blessings He has given to us.

 

Rainbow Jello

Pretty 12 Layer Salad

• Jello (3 oz) pkgs, Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Berry Blue, Grape


• 16 oz Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt
  

If making jello in a tube pan to flip out onto a serving plate, lightly grease tube pan.

Add 1 C. boiling water to Strawberry Jello, stir until dissolved.  Pour 1/2 of the jello into a small bowl and set aside.  Add 3 Tbs. cold water to remaining jello and pour into greased pan.  Chill 15 - 20 minutes or until firm.  Whisk 1/3 C. sour cream or plain yogurt into reserved jello, pour on top of first jello layer.  Chill until firm.  Repeat the same with each jello in order given.  This is always a winner with children.

If desired, you can just make it in a 9 x 9 pan and not flip it out onto a serving plate.  In this case, do the layers in reverse order, starting with the Grape Jello sour cream layer and end with the plain Strawberry layer.

Edit 03/03/2012 - to link up with Family Ever After's Once Upon a Weekend Link Party

Thread the Needle Thursday 11/19/09

Ok, I failed to post last Thursday.  I'm so glad Esther went ahead and posted it on her blog last week.  Thanks, Esther!    I'm trying to figure out how to add a Mister Linky so we can all go see what you are creating each week.  I'd love to hear what you are making!

I still haven't made my dress out of the black and pink rose corduroy.  I do want to get it made this week yet so I can wear it on Sunday to church.  I'm in a ladies quartet and we have special music this Sunday, a new dress would be nice to wear for that.

I'm still working on the black & gray socks.  The first sock is finished and the second sock is 2 rows away from starting on the heel flap.  Obviously, I've gotten a bit more done on the sock since this picture was taken.    Esther has Andrew's socks just about finished and then I will see if she will knit Isaiah's socks since I'm going to be up to my eyeballs with sewing the next few weeks.

As soon as my dress is finished I need to start on costumes for the children's Christmas play at church.  I have 11 metallic gold jingle bell costumes to make and 22 plain cotton worker vests.  I've already bought about 1/2 of the metallic gold fabric for the bell costumes and I need to go stash diving to see what color and how many yards of plain fabric I have for the worker vests.  The play is December 13th, so I need to get busy and start sewing like crazy.  *whew*

So, what are you making this week?  Are you working on any Christmas presents?  Are you sewing? knitting? quilting? any other needlework?  Please come share what creative endeavor is going on at your home!

 

Thread the Needle Thursday

I've decided to spend Thursdays sharing about what needlework I'm currently working on.  I have many needlecraft interests, so there may be a variety of current projects.  More than likely there will be at least one sewing project, plus some knitting and/or cross-stitch or whatever other item has my current attention. 

This week I'm knitting some Christmas socks.  I can't say who they are for, but I think he will like them. 

I'm currently caught up with my custom sewing for clients, so it's time to get some sewing done for the family.  I've been losing weight and it's time for some new clothes for Momma.  I've had this piece of featherweight corduroy for a year or two.  I fell in love with it when I saw it and have had it in my stash just crying out to become a dress for me.  I have my pattern pieces just about ready to lay them out and cut out my new dress.  Yay!

Isn't it pretty?

What are you working on this week?  If there is enough interest, I'm thinking of making a button and adding a Mr. Linky so we can all see what everyone is making.  What do you think?   

Wordless Wednesday - Hummingbird Moth

Esther's Favorite Boiled Tater Tot Soup

Ok, this isn't really a recipe, but more of a method of how I make Cheddar Broccoli soup. The Tater Tots came about the last time I made the soup. I wanted the soup to have a bit more "oomph" to it and remembered I had a partial bag of Tater Tots in the freezer. I was trying to surprise Esther by making her favorite soup and when she saw the Tater Tots floating in the water she got a strange look on her face. I told her I was making Boiled Tater Tot Soup and to trust me. And now Cheddar Broccoli Soup is known as Boiled Tater Tot Soup here at the Bair Homestead, because we are just weird like that. LOL

• 1 lb bag frozen chopped broccoli



• Tater Tots - frozen - several large handfuls (watch ingredient list if needing to be gluten free)



• Onion (fresh, dried minced, powder - whatever you have on hand)



• Garlic (again - fresh, minced in a jar, powder - whatever is convenient)



• 2 Carrots, peeled and diced

(Veggies in the pot, ready to cook)

Put all the veggies into your soup pot and add:

• Water to cover (I used 6 cups)



• Chicken Soup Base* (add per instruction on jar, you can also use bouillon cubes)

(This is the point where Esther looked in the soup pot and gave me a strange look!) 

Cook until veggies are softened and then mash with potato masher for chunky soup or use a blender if you want it less chunky. :o)


(Soup cooking away - can you smell the yummy goodness yet?)


Add:

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese



• Milk, 1/2 & 1/2, cream - whatever is on hand, I add just enough to make it creamy



• Salt and Pepper to taste

(Pile of diced cheese waiting to be added to the soup)

Heat enough to melt the cheese but don't bring to a boil or the milk will break down.

*I really do think the chicken broth makes all the difference here. It definitely adds another depth to the flavor versus using just water.

Ladle into soup bowls and enjoy the warmth and savor the creamy flavor.  Be prepared for your family to beg for seconds!




Come see what gluten free soup everyone else is making this week at The Gluten-Free Homemaker.

My First HSBA Swap - What Fun!

I joined the HSBA Swap for the first time in October.  When you join the swap you are sent a list of questions to answer then you are paired up with another homeschool mom.  During the next few weeks you e-mail back and forth to get to know one another.  After about three weeks you send a package of goodies to your partner.  Oh, what fun I had looking for goodies to send to my Swap Sister, Kris .   My youngest son even got in on the fun as he made her a potholder. 

You should really go check out Kris' blog - Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers - she is a wealth of information and has lots of good tutorials for a variety of projects.  And check out her drawing skills - she has a real talent!

My daughter and I had taken a quick trip to Ohio to visit family, I was exhausted by the time we pulled into our driveway.  When I went to check the mail I found a large package from Kris waiting for me - what a great welcome home!   She had given me a teaser that she had included something kind of "different" but she thought I would find it very useful.  Can you pick out which gift she was talking about? 



My goodies included 2 books that I'm really looking forward to reading - The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian and Becoming a Woman of Faith by Cynthia Heald.  The Gummie Bears met an early demise - we'll just pretend they are still in the bag.  *ahem*  Esther will be using the index cards for Spanish vocab words, she goes through a whole package for each PACE so I can always use more index cards!  Somehow, Kris seemed to know that I'm always needing paper to write my grocery list on and those pencils???  They are just for me. . . they are *PINK*!!! 

In a couple weeks I'll be switching my candle scents from Pumpkin Spice to Apple Cinnamon, the tealights came at just the right time. 

And of course, the mini screwdrivers were the "different" item she made sure to send to me.  I used to have a set years ago but they have long since been lost and I kept forgetting to pick up a new set.  Now hubby and the boys better leave mine alone, especially since they are in a purple case!  I even had a chance to use them already to replace my watch battery this afternoon.

Thank you, Kris, for making my first HSBA Swap so much fun.  I'm looking forward to putting all my gifts to good use, especially my new screwdrivers. 

I had a lot of fun doing this swap and look forward to joining again in the future.  You should join us!  Just keep watch at The Homeschool Post for the next call for sign-ups and be prepared to be blessed getting to know another homeschool mom.

Simple Maidens Daybook #19

Want to Join?  Click here.
Today… Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Outside my window… Finally sunny and 80!

I am thinking… Winter is going to be here before we know it :(

I am thankful for… fabric

I am wearing… Cornerstone shirt and blue tiered skirt

I am reading…  So Much More, and the Bible, Promise Me Tomorrow by Lori Wick, and A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

I am creating… something for my Mom : )

From the kitchen... Having tomato soup for lunch

One of my favorite things… playing classical music

For education this week… Piano, Algebra II, Proverbs, English, Science, and Social Studies, and Spanish

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …  Cooking

A spiritual lesson I’m learning… Trusting

A godly character trait I plan to work on… Patience

Scripture I am memorizing… Whatever my pace tells me to memorize

I am praying for...  Taya and Galen and my youth pastor's son Micah  Here is a blog for Micah so you can know what exactly is going on. 

For the rest of the week… Laundry and help at school on Monday,

A picture I’d like to share…




A truck that Dad brought home from work last year.  He took it to the school so the could climb up into it.  Pretty sharp looking.