jane's apron

pretty jewelry

I'm not a great photographer but I think this is the best picture I've taken.  I had the jewelry layed out on a piece of fabric...snapped a few pics...and tossed them back in the milk glass bowl that I had them in.  They looked so pretty that I took another pic.  I think I have now proven that everything looks better in milk glass.

The city just north of us had a city-wide garage sale last weekend.  The woman selling the costume jewelry said $5 for the whole box.  I don't know why (umm...I'm an idiot?) but I never go that route and always prefer to hand-pick whatever I want out of the box.  I bought these to add a little sparkle to my train case projects.

I also found a pretty milk glass compote (and a real vintage jadite bowl!).  I wish I saved the stickers from the milk glass...it was marked $4, crossed off with $2, and finally a new sticker with $0.25...and it was only like 10:30 a.m...everything was probably marked free by noon.

oliver + s

I was a little kid in the 60s and have distinct memories of the clothes my Mom sewed for me and my sisters.  I know she made all of my dresses...even my First Communion dress.  Times changed pretty quickly after that and sewing clothes was no longer a money saver.  Fast forward nearly 40 years and I have a daughter of my own.  It has never been that easy to find really, truly cute clothes for her.  When my husband told me about a book he read about in the Wall Street Journal called "Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank", I laughed...but then told him it's not that easy (especially since she has jumped to the 7-14 size).   

It will probably never ever be a money saver to sew your own children's clothes, but it is a chance to dress your child how you want to and to be creative.  I was so happy to see a new line of children's sewing patterns from Oliver + S in the latest issue of Home Companion.  Oliver + S offers sewing patterns for items like "swingset tunic + skirt" and "tea party sundress + bloomer". I'm slightly dizzy from the cuteness of it all.  And, to top it off, each pattern comes with a 5 inch paper doll and outfit.  Could it get any better than that?  Yes.  They also offer a Boutique Sewers Program...an industry first and one I'm sure will make lots of Moms really, really happy. 

My daughter is a little too big for the Oliver + S patterns but I do have several vintage sewing patterns that I have set aside that would be cute for her.  I might even make a dress for her First Communion next year...with a little help from my Mom.

new books

I recently purchased two books that I just have to share...

I requested that the library buy "Crafting a Business" from Country Living but became impatient waiting for it.   I  LOVE this book.  It profiles several different types of businesses and artists and, since I am so amazed at the process of creating things, I really enjoyed learning something from each of the featured business owners.  I learned that I am not the only one that likes designing something.  But making it over and over again?  Not so much.  The second part of the book presents business related items like marketing and sales.  While some of this is beyond my very small business, most of it was very, very helpful to me...and I highly recommend it...even if you are just thinking about selling your ideas or creations. 

I spotted the "Pippi Longstocking" book on the shelf at the library...the artwork is cute, colorful, and full of personality.  And the story is classic so the purchase is justified...don't you think so?

tiny dresses

I've been wanting to get back to some small-scale projects and to use my favorite stamps to make some cards.  My injury on Mother's Day gave me a chance to do it...I sat and cut lots of tiny dresses.   I have a stamp with a row of four dresses so I just stamped (in brown ink) on some paper scraps and then cut out all of the dresses.  I stamped the image again on a scalloped note flat and added one of the paper dresses to each.

I also made a few note card sets using another favorite stamp (the one that started the whole sewing pattern idea).

So now I have a few things to add to the empty "handstamped notes" section of my etsy shop.

My house is a complete mess but I'm using the broken toe excuse...and making pretty stuff is so much more fun.   

the rules are posted

I'm not chatty...like to get to the point quickly.  This is why I love succinct phrases like "seriously" and "dude"...comes in handy with two boys that are constantly doing something gross.  I also hate repeating myself...which is nearly impossible to avoid when you have kids.  I found this "Brush Your Teeth" plaque at the thrift store and thought it might help.  Instead of saying "Did you brush your teeth?" I would say "Did you do what the bunny told you?" and then "bunny?" and finally I just pointed at the sign.  I don't think it worked but the font alone is cute enough for me to keep it hanging in the bathroom.

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day yesterday.  My son made waffles for me...at 6:15.  My daughter left the letters M - O - M spelled out in crayons on the counter for me (cute!).  My husband got my new MacBook hooked to the external drive with all of my stuff.  I don't remember running to the printer but I must have been moving fast enough because I broke my toe on the chair...and spent the rest of the day trying to keep my feet up.

tea with jane

Anyone that reads my blog has probably seen that I'm a simple girl...no frills, no bling.  But every once in a while  something completely fabulous catches my eye. 

This beautiful apron is called "Tea with Jane" and was created by Calamity Kim (talk about mad sewing skills).  This isn't just an apron...it's art...the mix of colors, textures, and vintage embellishments is simply perfect.   

Something this beautifully and skillfully handmade is a sight to see. Stop over at Kim's flickr photos for more pretty details...and then on to her etsy shop to make it your own.    

McCall's Patterns

I've worked with enough sewing pattern envelopes and drawings to say that I have a definite favorite.  McCall's patterns have the cutest most vivid illustrations...the best fonts, colors, and graphics (love the spool of thread).  I also love the Park Ave. New York, NY address on the back of the envelopes.  I can just imagine the graphic designers drawing illustrations...probably really quickly, probably lots of them, probably very old school.   

Most of the McCall's patterns I have are slightly wider than other patterns and I didn't think they would work on a small clipboard.  I changed my mind.  Now, these are my new favorite clipboards.

wedding present

After a weekend of 4 soccer games and 3 baseball games, I came home late Sunday afternoon and told my daughter we would plant the flower she bought at the garden club sale.  One thing led to another and I ended up getting everything planted...not stopping to change my good shoes or to even put garden gloves on.   After dinner I came out to sit on the swing  and ran back inside to get my camera to take a picture of our beautiful dogwood tree.  The dogwood tree is pretty but it also has a cute story...

The original owner of our house moved in when he was a teenager.  He married for the first time when he was 80 years old...and planted the dogwood tree as a wedding present to his bride. 

idiot margaritas

This recipe is not "easy bake" but it is easy.  The "idiot margarita" is a recipe from my brother-in-law and we've been making them his way for a long time now.   Easy, easy, easy and WAY better than any margarita mix, this is one of those recipes that everyone will request as in "...and bring those margaritas".   It is all based on one measure of a frozen limeade...more cans of limeade makes more margaritas.

Idiot Margaritas

frozen limeade
beer
tequila
water/club soda/ice

Empty one can of frozen limeade into a pitcher or mixer.   Fill the can with tequila and add to mix.  Fill the can with beer and add to the mix.  Mix or stir and serve over ice.

The secret to this recipe is the beer...it makes the margaritas nice and foamy.  Adjust the tequila amount by adding less than a can but be sure to fill the partially full can with water or club soda.  Of course, garnish with fresh limes and margarita salt. 

As always, I'd love to hear from anybody that makes these...let me know!  And happy Cinco de Mayo.