{New}

Some don't like change.  It can seem overwhelming.  and scary.  

but also very exciting and full of possibilities.  

 New Year's Eve 2009

- thought I'd add pics from the year to break up the text ;)

I like change.  I like going new places, learning new things, and meeting new people.  There are so many interesting people who know lots of things I don't.  I love to learn from them.

  

So I am happy it's a new year.  This past year has been wonderful.  

FULL of changes.  

and this year too will be FULL of changes. 

So in the spirit of looking at the years past and years ahead,

I wanted to talk about resolutions.  

My sister came up with a great alternative to the ever-elusive and rarely-attainable resolution.  

She started coming up with a motto for the year.  

A general attitude that can be applied 

to any situation in which you might find yourself. 

Last year my motto was Go With The Flow. 

I knew we would have lots of changes and unexpected situations to face, 

and I wanted to remind myself to adapt gracefully.  

Last year my sister's motto was No Excuses.  

I think it helped her through many stressful situations. 

So here we are at the beginning of 2011.  Time for a new motto.  

I think this year it will be Balance. 

I tend to get a "bee in my bonnet" about things and can become a bit obsessive.  In the meantime, other things go by the wayside. 

Example:  Obviously I love to sew and create - sometimes those become more important to me than cooking good meals, paying the bills, or doing the laundry.  

On the other hand, you can't cook and clean ALL DAY LONG because you will loose your mind.  

Enter: Balance.  

I want to be a more balanced woman. 

How about you?  Resolution?  Motto?  Goals?

Happy NEW Year,

jessica

From Sweater to Sweet Shrug

Well, it's only been a week, but I miss you!  AND my mom and I made this sweet shrug for my sister so I thought I would share. 

My mom had made her a dress using the AMH zigzag pattern, but she wanted a short little shrug to go with it.  Well we searched high and low and couldn't find anything.  Finally, two days before Christmas, we found this little sweater at TJMaxx for $10.00. 

It was the perfect color!  Here's how we turned it into the shrug:
step1:  We measured down from the shoulder seam about 14 inches - we used a shrug that I had as a guide.  Then cut across the sweater.

step2:  Next we found the center and put a few marks down the front of the sweater.  Cut this open - only cutting the front of the sweater.

step3:  We wanted the front panels to be rounded a bit, so I found a circular calculator to use as a rounded edge - you could use a bowl or plate too.

 

step4:  Once you have traced it, trim along the curve.  Now make (or use store bought) bias binding.

If you are making it, cut it at about 2", then fold each edge toward the center and press.

 

step5:  Starting at the neckline, sew the bias to the sweater.  If you have a knit setting on your machine that will work best with a sweater.  Here is how to stitch it on:  Open the binding and lay it right side down on the sweater, lining up the edge of the binding with the edge of the sweater.  Stitch along the fold line closest to the edge ( it will be about a half inch in).

 

step6:  Once you have sewed all along that edge, fold the binding over to the back and either handwhip it on or topstitch it.  Add a little hook and eye at the top of the sweater if you desire.

p.s. I know that is not a very good tutorial for sewing bias binding, I was really writing it for people who already know how to make it - if you are really confused you can email me.  Maybe I will do a more in-depth tutorial on that soon (although there are plenty around the web).  Hope you're having a lovely holiday!

jessica

May your days be merry and bright...

A note of thanks to you. Thanks for reading this little blog-you have inspired me to do more and create more than I knew I could. Your comments are always so encouraging and it is so nice to be a part of a community of crafters, seamstresses, chefs, homemakers, artists. One last thing to share with you in this year -our Christmas dinner menu! A bit untraditional, but SOOO yummy!

Many of those recipes you can probably find online, but here are two of my favorites:

Pink Arctic Frozen Salad: This is kind of like pink ice cream in a little cupcake liner.
Ingredients:
1 8oz package of cream cheese
2 T Mayonnaise
2 T sugar
1 8oz can of whole cranberry sauce
1 cup of crushed pineapple
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1 cup of Heavy whipping cream - whipped (you can use coolwhip in a pinch)

Soften the cream cheese.  Blend with the mayo, sugar, cranberry sauce, pineapple, and nuts.  Fold in whipped cream.  Place paper or foil cupcake liners in cupcake pan.  Fill with the salad mixture.  Freeze.  Serve frozen - serves 8-10.

Beef Tenderloin:
Ingredients:
1 beef tenderloin (we get ours from a local gourmet food store)
Garlic
Melted Butter
Salt & Pepper
Beef or vegetable broth (1 cup or more)

Preheat oven to 425.  Rub the meat with the garlic and then brush with melted butter.  Place meat on the rack and bake for 30 minutes.  Add stock to the pan, reduce the temperature to 300 and cook 15 minutes per pound (for rare) 20 minutes per pound (for medium).  Baste every 15 minutes with baster.  Use the juices to make a yummy gravy to go over your potatoes.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday filled with laughter and family and friends!  I will see you  in the new year!
love always,
jessica

Christmas Card Recycle

Don't you love getting holiday cards? So many pretty ones arrive in your mailbox.I hate to throw them away, and so does my Aunt Pat - so she had a great idea about how to recycle them!  Check it out:

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings.

 If you are like me, I love getting Christmas cards in my mail box and we receive beautiful ones every year

I always have trouble knowing what to do with them when the holidays are over and I can't bear to throw them away.   

Here is an idea that is fun to do after the holidays and the long winter days have set in.

Make gift tags from your Christmas cards.

 

Cut out the shape that you like (see the white shape below)

 

Make a hole at the top.  I use a sewing machine needle and push it all the way through.

Take a piece of thin ribbon or string, fold it in half and thread it through the hole.

Take the two ends of the ribbon and thread it through the loop.

Then take the two ends of ribbon and pull it tight going in the opposite direction.

Tie it to your package and you are done.  OH!  Don't forget to address it on the other side.

 

Isn't that cute?!  Hope you are all having fun preparing for the holidays!

jessica

*Merry Monday* Last Minute Gift - note cards

Everyone needs notecards - especially generic ones that can be sent for any occasion.  You could personalize these anyway that suits you. I chose to use the initial of their first name on some, and then little salutations such as thanks, hello, hi.

Simple is better for this project. I found a box of 50 note cards with envelopes at Michaels for $5.00, and you know felt is super cheap.

All I did was cut the letters out of felt, and then stitched it onto the card using the machine.

Don't forget to open the card while you are sewing. I sewed two cards together accidentally :)

These are pretty simple, but a nice way to give something personal.  Something you can whip up an hour before the party as a hostess gift, or on Christmas eve as a stocking stuffer.  Enjoy!
jessica

The weather is beautiful...

wish you were here...Well I know some of you are...but for any of my northern readers, I really do wish I could transport you to the beautifulness that is Orlando.  Thursday we left this...

and this...

and were greeted by this...

and this...

Mmmmmm it's lovely!  

Saturday we went to my cousin's wedding in Jacksonville.

Charlotte wore this dress my momma made -

I wore my AMH dress -

All in all it was a busy, but great weekend (except I miss my hubby).

Hope yours was great too!

jessica

Sew Homegrown Success Stories

You all have been so wonderfully busy making projects I thought I would do a roundup so everyone can see!!  If you too have been successful at a Sew Homegrown project upload it to the Flickr pool so we can all admire your work!

1.Deer pillow by asmusacres
2.Starbucks Mocha in your microwave by mom4reading
3.Warm Heart rice pillow by asmusacres
4.Deer pillow by cswhite
5.Deer pillow by bagfashonista8
6.Sugar scrub by asmusacres
7.Warm Heart rice pillow by asmusacres
8.Ruffle Scarf by Ladybug J
Great job ladies!! Happy weekend!
jessica

*Inspired Homemaking* - Dress your family in style

I realized that I have never posted about inspiring clothing.  Often when I gaze into my closet and I can't seem to put an outfit together, I will browse online catalogs and find a look I like -and then copy it using items I already have.  So lots of parties and gatherings are coming up - pictures will be taken - here's some inspiration for you and your family.

For the momma:

For the kids and dad:

This inspiration comes from Anthropologie, Free People, Janie and Jack, Banana Republic, Gap, and J.Jill.
Hope this helps with your outfit delimmas - I'm headed to FL tonight so the next time you hear from me I'll be in warm Orlando!!! yeah!!!!
jessica

You'll have to indulge me...

...and ooooo and ahhhh over my gorgeous little snowbaby.  I love that sweet girl!

around the yard...

Pouncey the wondercat :)

 

have a happy day

jessica and charlotte