Everything’s coming up roses

I wanted to share with you a few photos of my roses.  They are in full bloom right now, and their scent is wonderful.  I love roses!

 

 

We have lived here for three years, and in that time, this bush has nearly doubled in size.  Each year the blooms are more and more prolific.  A few times each growing season, I bury some banana peelings around its’ roots – an old wive’s tale I heard about many years ago.   At any rate, they seem to like it!

 

Remember the oliver + s dress I was making for my niece?  I finished it, and now I need to send it off in the mail.

I am mostly pleased with it.  Although, I will make some changes the next time around.  I used the 18-24 month size which was the smallest size in the package.  The sizing looks to be good, and I like that the loose fit is such that it will be able to be worn with leggings or pants as it gets to be too short for a dress.  I didn’t add the pockets, but for an older child/size, I probably would.  Next time I will not make the  notched “v” neckline quite as deep.  I had difficulty manipulating the fabric around the “v” when attaching the yoke to the dress.  This might not be an issue, however, when using a larger size.  The only exposed seams in this dress are the side seams of the dress.  The pattern suggested using french seams – which I did – and this makes the inside of the dress nicely finished.  All in all, I do like this pattern and will be making it again.  However, the real review will come from my sister-in-law after it gets worn and washed a few times!

I also finished another baby quilt top.  The colors turned out to be somewhat Easter-ish, but I think it will make a sweet baby girl’s quilt.   The lavender and green floral fabric is from a vintage, smock-style apron I found at the thrift store awhile back.  I was able to get twelve six-inch squares out of the back and upper front.  The lower front was not in usable condition, but I do have a little left over for some smaller piecing.  I have another apron, same style, in a different color-way, purchased at the same time, and I believe probably made by the same person. 

Here is a full shot of the quilt top, but the colors are not right.  I had trouble getting good lighting.   The photo above is a much more true representation.   As you can see below, Mrs. Whiskers feels the need to be in the middle of things!

Now I need to pick a backing!  And get some more batting – I’m all out.  Oh darn, looks like I’ll need to go to the fabric store again!   Well, maybe for the sake of peace and harmony in the Morning Glory Lane household, I better check my stash one last time!  ;)

-Elizabeth

Fun Fleamarket Finds

A few weeks ago, I was excited to be able to attend the  famous Brimfield Antique Show.  The vastness of this show/fleamarket is unbelievable.  These are a few of my purchases…

 

Some sewing and needlework books…

 

 

 

Some kitchen wisdom…

And an old sugar bag!  I am going to try and frame this for my kitchen.  It has a few stains, but I like it anyway.

Nothing big, nothing fancy, but a wonderful day all the same.

-Elizabeth

Memorial Day 2010

With peace to you and yours,

-Elizabeth

Another baby shower!

It seems that babies come in groups!  We have another baby shower coming up.  The parents-to-be are friends of ours and live in the midwest, so while we won’t be able to attend, our gift will arrive by mail.  I made up another set of burp cloths, washies, a bib, and "the bunny" from Wee Wonderfuls.  We are also including a cd of The Johnny Cash Children’s Album, as they are Johnny Cash fans. 

This time I made the burp cloths out of two layers of stretch terry with two layers of cotton flannel sandwiched inside.  The bib is from the same stretch terry, a layer of cotton flannel, and then backed with waffle weave.  The bib pattern is one I made up when my youngest was a baby, and I still turn to it most often.  I always preferred the absorbency of fabric versus the vinyl bibs, even when they were on to solid food.

I’ve been sewing for my niece, too.  I just purchased this Oliver + S dress pattern, and have been making up the 18-24 month size.  This is the first time I have used their patterns, and I am excited to see how it turns out.  I will keep you posted!

The “Intro to Sew” sewing class that I have been teaching has been wonderful!  I love being able to share with others the joy of creating with fabric.  It is amazing how sewing with a group of people can be so inspiring for everyone.  After helping the students with their individual projects, I come home excited and re-energized to work on my own!

Happy Friday!

-Elizabeth

Sweet Morning Treat

My baking has slowed down with the busyness of the spring, and when I started to hear grumbling from the hubby and kids, I knew I needed to  squeeze in some kitchen time somehow. Buttermilk doughnuts to the rescue!  The dough needs to chill, so I mixed them up the night before, and cut them out the next day.  If you haven’t ever made your own doughnuts before, give it a try – there’s nothing like ‘em!

Buttermilk Doughnuts

3 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 eggs, beaten

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1/4 cup melted butter

oil for frying (I use canola)

Cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or plain sugar for rolling warm doughnuts in

In mixing bowl, stir together 2 1/4 cup flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.  In large mixing bowl, combine egg, sugar, and vanilla; using mixer, beat until thick.  Combine milk, and melted butter.  Add flour mixture and milk mixture alternately to egg mixture.  Stir in remaining flour.  Cover dough and chill for at least 2 hours.

On lightly floured surface, toll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut with doughnut cutter.  Fry two or three doughnuts at a time in hot oil (375 degrees) about 1 minute per side or until golden.  Drain on paper towels.  Once cooled, roll in desired sugar.  Enjoy!

*recipe from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book

-Elizabeth

Vintage summer reading

I thought I would share a few titles from my collection of vintage,young adult books.  Some of these are very well-worn.  I hope that means they were well-read and treasured.

There were many summers I spent with my nose in either a Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew mystery.

Summer reading…summer memories…sweet indeed.

_Elizabeth

Buttons!

My grandmother recently gave me a large tin full of vintage buttons and other notions she had gotten from my great-aunt.  I have had a lot of fun sorting and sifting through everything.   I need to find a good project to use some of them in – any suggestions?

Happy May Day!

-Elizabeth