Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Colonial Re-furbish



Three years ago my eldest daughter attended kindergarten at a small Christian school. At the end of the year they held a program in which the children were to be dressed in colonial type costumes. We didn't have one of those laying about;-) so it gave me the perfect opportunity to pull out my sewing machine and refresh my clothes making skills.

I used Simplicity 5042 view D. My daughter picked out the fabric(red sprays of flowers over a cream background) and we went to it. I also made a mob cap and bloomers from a different pattern. When I was done it was a bit big in the bodice for her, but I was able to take up a very deep hem allowing for her growth.

Well, my has she grown! I realized a few weeks ago while mending some holes where the seams came apart at waste and bodice, that she was too tall for the current length of dress. So I unhemmed the dress and let it all out...I found that I could only take it back up about an inch and a half for it to fit her. There was a good 8 inches of fabric left to use!


You can't even see the bloomers now that the length is out, but the dress should fit her for sometime to come:-) I did have some eyelet trim at the hem originally...but it came up too short when the new length was hemmed..urgh!


She has always loved this dress, so I am glad that I could salvage it a little longer. She now fills the bodice out fairly well and she looks so big in it now! When I originally made it, I made a couple of little mistakes, but thankfully only I notice or those who are snoopy enough to analyze my work;-)

Now that I have this project out of the way, I plan to dive in and make some t-shirt dresses for the girls. Fabric is bought, washed and some ironed...just got to get started:-)

Blessings,

Sommer


Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday Rest

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined."
~Job 23:10-11

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

~John 14:27

I'm just about to head out the door for church, but wanted to post some verses to think on this morning. I thought these were lovely and reassuring, so wanted to share them.

May each of you have a blessed Lord's Day!

Blessings,

Sommer


Monday, September 8, 2008

An Unexpected Break

Apparently, I took a blogging break. I really hadn't intended to, it just kind of happened. As the summer went along, I found myself busy with basic tasks and joys of being a Mom. Then as the summer came to a close I needed to prepare for the new school year and get my lesson plans and school schedule together. That was rather time consuming. I also found that I just didn't have alot to say and thought you'd all be terribly bored by my days, so I just didn't post. I apologize for the few posts and I hope that you wont hold it against me too much;-)
Now that school has been going along for the last two weeks, we are getting into the swing of things. This is our third year homeschooling and now I have two students...Fiona is 3rd grade and Brenna is Kindergarten. I find that it isn't as hard as I thought it would be and I am enjoying watching each of their progress. Perhaps soon I will share a picture of the girls hard at work:-)
Liam of course adds a twist now and then, but he is rather good and I don't have to do much to keep him busy. He likes to color and he has some big wood beads that he strings(or more often strews about the living room). So he is happy and so am I.
Well, that is just a brief update on us and I hope to be at this a little more regularly now. I have some sewing in the works and hope to share soon. Also, as the holidays fast approach...I think it will be fun to share what we do to make life festive and focused in the right place. So, hopefully I will return to you this week with more to chat about!
Blessings,
Sommer

My Daybook

Peggy, over at The Simple Woman is sharing her Daybook and has invited folks to join in. So, I decided I couldn’t pass up the fun :-) Won’t you join us? Just pop on over to Peggy’s blog for the details!

For September 8th


Outside My Window…
A refreshingly cool breeze and gray skies. A relief after the hot temps the last couple of weeks.

I am thinking…
Of many things I need to get done around the house before the holidays come.

I am thankful for…
My family.

From the kitchen…
Uncertain today.

I am creating…
Mending, dresses and knitting as I have time.

I am going…
Run to the grocery store later I think.

I am wearing…
Blue jeans, a grey shirt and sandals. My hair is pulled back in a pony tail.

I am reading…
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

I am hoping…
For more time to sew and also that I can get a head start on Christmas gifts this year. I know, it is only September, but it goes quickly!

I am hearing…
The boiling water in my tea pot and my daughters talking about gift ideas from Hearth Song catalog.

Around the house…
Much reorganizing on my mind…especially in the girls’ room.

One of my favorite things…
The cool kiss of a breeze in Autumn.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
A stop at the library, groceries, and hopefully visit with a old friend that I haven’t seen since I was 16!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…
My precious blessings:-)