End of June til who knows when projects-HA

I have a few projects going on right now that I really have no idea when I will finish. I bought some great Fisherman's Wool yarn at Micheals with my 50% off coupon. I have started a scarf for winter. We will see if that gets finished by the time cold weather gets here.

I am also working on some applique quilt squares for my mom. She has these cute 9 patch squares with yellow flowers and ladybugs. I brought these home from the retreat to work on. I really like applique. I will take these with me on vacation so I don't have to give up all sewing for a week and a half.

I am also working on making some soft books for church kids. I haven't taken any pics yet, but I have made some carrots and tomatoes for the book. I will take some once I get the basic book together.

Colette Sencha Blouse

I made this Saturday and the Colette pattern was really easy to work with. I bought it when they had their summer coupon-30% off. It is my first Colette pattern. I used a very soft, lightweight shirting material in a soft pink that I bought at Hancock. It was very inexpensive and I have never done button holes, so I didn't want to ruin any good material. It is a bit thin to wear alone, but I will wear it under suit coats or with cardigans. The only thing I had trouble with, was the overlap in the back. It showed pics of sewing the side that would have the buttonholes, but not the side for the buttons. I assumed you did the same thing to each side, but I really wasn't sure. It turned out okay. A few of my button holes are a little large, but not too bad. I cut the pattern out on the wrong line (size 6) when I thought I was cutting an 8. It fits, but I would like a little more ease in the hips. The top part is roomy around the neck. I think I will adjust it some when I make it again. Overall this was very easy to make. The pattern pieces match up perfectly and the instructions are pretty thorough. I will definitely make this again and I might make view 3 that has a keyhole neckline and a tie. I used some of the vintage buttons I had from my husband's grandmother. He didn't really like the cream buttons with the pink, but I can always change those.

Happy 16th Birthday Thomas!

My son turned 16 yesterday, so of course today he is going to get his permit. That will make teenage driver #2 in our house. Wow! We gave him tickets to the August-RUSH concert in Ohio. He loves RUSH. He is both a drummer and guitar player and he really likes their music. So dad is taking him at the end of August to see them live in concert. He is pretty excited. Concerts are not something we typically do, but nobody else really likes one particular music group so much. We had a great dinner yesterday and then a little different birthday cake. I made a German chocolate chip bundt cake. I found several recipes, but I ended up modifying it a little. This recipe only has 1/4 cup of oil in it. It is very moist and has great flavor. It looks pretty and it is super easy to make. Try it!

1 German chocolate cake mix- I used Duncan Hines

1 can coconut pecan icing- I used Betty Crocker

3 eggs

1 cup water

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup applesauce

6 ounces chocolate chips-I used minis

Mix together everything but chips and icing. Once combined, add in icing a little at a time until incorporated thoroughly. Add chips and mix well. Spray a bundt pan well. Bake at 350 for 40-60 minutes. My oven cooks fast, so mine baked for 43 minutes and it is so yummy! You can taste the coconut and pecans from the icing, but if you really want more you could use another can of icing as a glaze. Enjoy!

My mom always sends me the Kraft newsletter, but I don't always take time to look through all the recipes.  She sent me one the other day and this yummy little surprise was in it.  I made it this week and it is gone!  It was easy and ssooooo good!  If you want to know how to make this great summer frozen dessert-go here and enjoy! http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/oreo-frozen-peanut-butter-116603.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbe-_-20100608-_-1021&pf=true

Leeya Engel Tea in the Garden Guest Giveaway

Leeya Engel Tea in the Garden Guest Giveaway check out the neat giveaway at Grosgrain!

Simplicity 7655-House Dress Pattern 1968

I finished this Simplicity pattern today, which happened to be printed the year my husband was born-hee hee.  I was going to finish weeding the garden, but we had a lot of rain last night.  So it gave me a little time to sew.  This was a pretty quick pattern, even for me.  It was the first time I had ever done a collar.  Not so bad, but room for improvement. My 20" zipper went in pretty well.  Maybe they get easier the more you do them.  I still really don't like putting in zippers.  I just serged the edges of the pockets and zigzag stitched them on.  This isn't high fashion, it is for practical use. I wanted something to put on in the morning when I walk out to check the garden and the fruit, etc.  I didn't want to be in pajamas even though we live out in the country.  Sometimes you do see a car go by and I am sure they don't want to see me in my jammies.  My son wanted to know why I was making myself a hospital gown????  I showed it to him finished and he still hates it.  Oh well, he doesn't have to wear it!  I think I will enjoy it.  It is made of lightweight salmon pink cotton with tiny white polka dots. A nice breeezy house dress for the summer!

Butterick/New Look Almost Done!

This is the wackiest dress.  It would never fit my youngest, so before trashing both bodices, I let my older daughter try it on.  IT FIT!  So now she will wear the dress.  I switched the bodice of the vintage Butterick for a New Look 6966 size 6 bodice.  This is actually smaller than my youngest by bust size, but it still gapped at the front.  My dress form is really too large for both my girls, but it is closer to my older one's size.  I had to undo some of the back seam that I had already sewed in order to accommodate a 14' zipper instead of the 22" the Butterick called for.  This is all getting way too advanced for me and my piddly sewing skills.  I sewed up the tie belt today from the Butterick pattern and it looks really cute.  Alli wants me to hem it right above the knee and add eyelet trim to the bottom.  Maybe I will get that done tomorrow if she brings home the trim tonight. Here are some pics.