Sewing.... Emily's Military Ball Dress--Simplicity 1195

Emily & Andrew
Military Ball 2017

Emily & Andrew

Emily is graduating in just a few weeks..[Where did the time
go?] She needed a  dress for the military ball, that she
would be attending with her sweet boyfriend, Andrew.
He is such a nice fellow..
We went pattern/fabric shopping and had so much fun!!
She chose Simplicity 1195. We used the bodice from
the hi/low dress, and put the long skirt on it. She
chose the sparkle silver  trim to go around the waist. Such
a pretty accent . We also got lace to go in the shoulder
pieces.

She and Andrew had a wonderful time. So happy I
could make the dress for her.

She will be attending her senior prom next week.. I have
to alter her dress..[ummmmh.. I must get started.☺]

Hope you have a  blessed week..

Plans for Faye's Top Sew A Long- Colette & McCalls

#1- Colette Violet Blouse
NOTE: click on photo to enlarge
I am making this blouse in a pink gingham
check.. It is already cut out, and mostly
sewed together.. I  have to add collar and
make button holes. I will be covering my
buttons too. Love this top pattern, I have
made several of them.

McCalls 7360
 If time permits, I will make this one for Fayes Sew a long
too. [I have revival at church this coming week, so
not sure  if I will finish it? We will see?☺]
 I  will be making it out of a blue white design poplin/cotton
fabric. Very soft and pretty. I will do the  short sleeve version.
[the blue version on the pattern envelope]

Happy sewing to each of you.. 

Faye's Tops That Pop Sew-A-Long..2017

                 I am so excited to by joining Faye in her  top sew
            a long. You can make one top or as many as you
           like..  I hope to  be making a couple new summer
           tops. I will share my pattern and fabric soon.
            

           Check out  Faye's  blog... She sews some really cute
           things. Happy Sewing.

                      http://fayessewingadventure.blogspot.com/2017/04/announcement.html

Easter 2017

Happy Easter to  each of you and  your families.
May God bless .

Today [Saturday ] has been a really busy day.. My
kids /grandkids will be  here for lunch , after church
tomorrow.  I cleaned on Friday. Today has been
making preparations for  our Easter meal. Cooking/
chopping/ baking/ and lots of dish washing.ha

 We will attend Easter sunrise service at 6:30am.
Our  children's churches  will be here after their 
church services.


Menu:
Turkey /dressing [son's request]- 
Giblet gravy---Cranberry sauce
 Candied sweet potatoes 
 Potato salad----Bake beans
Green bean casserole--- Rolls
Ding dong cake---Pineapple/Coconut Cake

Happy Easter... Remember our  blessed Savior today.

Sewing... Emily's Mission.. Dresses for Little Girls-Part 2

               Emily's  Mission... Bring new Dresses to Every 
                 Little Girl in the Children's  Home.. Part 2

            Emily [my soon to be 18 yr old granddaughter] has
            a mission.. She  wanted every  little girl in the 
            Children's Home to have a new dress of their own.
            She ask me to help her..   She took dresses to them
            before Christmas[2016]. They were thrilled with the
            dresses. And very appreciative.

                                  S0----  When Spring time arrived , She 
           wanted to take them another dress. 💕 Emily is a special
           girl.. She has a heart for  people, who are in need. So very
           proud of her .

            I would like to say a special thank you to My and Emily's
            friend, Diane Osborne. She donated most of the fabric for
            these dresses..  We appreciate you . Hugs.

                 I would also like to say thank you to  my daughter in law
           Gina.  She helped sew these dresses, and made this possible.
           Emily and I appreciate you and love you.

Bed Room Changes & DIY wall project

Time to change my  bedspread.. Mine was 5-6 yrs old.
I had this same   paint color in my bedroom , at the
other house, so continued here with the same bedspread.
I decided , since the bedroom is so small/ I would go
with a light bedspread.. White won... I bought the white
tuffed bedspread, added black/white gingham check
curtains. I had this black/white check block quilt, and
added to the  foot of bed. Of course, you know me.. I had
to throw in a little red.
Note- click on photos to enlarge.

The  Bless This House sign, at top of window, was an
old wood sign,that was found in Kenny's old barn. Very
ugly and dirty..  I  brought it in, and removed the gold
metal "Bless this House part"  and painted it white. I
then spray painted the  wood with the hammered black
paint.. [Did I tell you, I love the hammered paint?]
 Now, on to my  Recycled/DIY project.

I bought  3 Valentine wood signs [shown above] after
Valentine's Day. I think they were 50 cents. I went to
Lowes and  got [2] 5 gallon paint sticks . [free, they
gave them to me, when I ask to buy them]. I had the
black wire already. I had the different color paints
already , from previous  projects.. I bought the
black stick on words at the dollar tree for $1

Turned the signs over  to the back side..[required no sanding,
they were smooth and no varnish on them..yea].. Yep.
the valentine stuff is on the back side, but no one is going
to see it but me.ha  I painted each board a different
color.. [white, red, green], I painted the paint stick black
[because , you can see little bits of it between the boards]
I also, took a little black paint and  wiped bits of black in spots
to give that aged look.

After the paint dried,  I glued the paint sticks 
on the back, to hold the  boards together. Kenny 
drilled holes in the top board, I put  black wire
through them to make my hanger.
 I then took my Sticker words, and put on each board.

Note.. sorry I did not get a photo of  the sign it self.
The photo didnt come out clear..[bad photographer, for sure]
CLICK on first photo of bedroom, and you can see it on the left.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. God bless.

Sewing... Dresses for Amy and Ashlee-McCalls 7111

Amy

Ashlee 

Ashlee

These girls are so totally opposite, not only in looks, but
their personalities also.  They are so  funny and sweet..
They keep us laughing. I showed them a dress pattern,
and they each ,chose what they wanted. Ashlee chose
the short version and added her denim vest [that she loves].Amy chose the long maxi version. She added the neck scarf,which she loves.
Hope you have a wonderful week.. and maybe get to
sew some.. I have some more projects to share soon..☺💜💙 

Spring Cleaning - Yearly or Twice a Year? My Tips

Can you feel this ladies pain??

Spring is  getting really close..Day light savings 
time will  be here March 12th. This always signals
that it is time to start spring cleaning.. And our 
Mississippi weather is showing signs of spring.

I have seen lots of different ideas--

1- spring clean early  -doing small jobs through
out the year. thus getting to enjoy the  spring.

2- Spring clean... the entire house and porches..
when the sun comes out and   be through with it?

What is your idea?  Do you spring clean? And when?

I normally spring clean in the spring and again  in the 
fall.  However, I de-clutter  the house year round. Thus,
my spring cleaning,  is not  as hard or  does not take 
as long.

Tips I use for making spring cleaning easier and quicker..

1-  Declutter weekly-   Every week,  I pick one cabinet or
drawer or part of a closet, and  declutter it. Throw away
or donate any thing that we don't need or use or love..

2- I also, do the  "one thing comes in, and some thing
has to go out" rule.. If I buy some thing for the house,
or clothes.. I make sure to go through that area, and
see if I can find something to  "go out'.  It is amazing,
how this keeps clutter at bay.

3-Paper/Mail clutter--- This has always been my worse
enemy..smile.  I really procrastinate with this one.  I 
try to..... when hubby or I  bring the mail in.. Go 
through it right then....... put the junk mail in garbage,
put the bills in my   bill filing folder to pay  or file
as needed. I use to bring it in and pile in a "neat" stack
on the table.ha  With the intentions of  going through it
later.. It never happened. I have found it much easier
to deal with it NOW versus Later.

4- Through out the year [not just spring/fall cleaning
time], I  will  pick a job such as  wiping down all
ceiling fans or lights... or ,  washing down  table and 
chair legs,  or  washing baseboards.  This is not an 
every week job... but rather ... picking a job for the 
week or every two week job.. They change up.. thus,
keeping one job from getting "bad/out of hand".
I don't clean windows or porches until spring is
here, and the sun is out.. TOO    COLD.

These are my extra cleaning/decluttering jobs. It sounds
like lots of work... But,  if you do little bits at a time, after
doing your daily cleaning.. It really maintains the clutter
and makes  less spring or fall work to do.
Note...  I still have the messy days ,as we all do.. The muddy
rainy days and the dirty shoes... The spills ,the  spots on things,
etc.   On these days... I have to tell my self........... Just do it,
Get it back in order............ Life will be easier. smile.
Note-- Sewing... I have been doing a good bit of
sewing,  Just waiting on the  photos to do post.

Pray you have a wonderful week, and  May God bless
you . 

Amy's New Chair-- [ Re-upholstered]

Amy Grace's  "New" make up chair.
Front

Back 

We went to visit our  son and his family for a couple
days. Our son is pastor, And just moved to a new
church.  This antique  chair was left  in the  house,
at the make up table..  Amy [one of our twins] fell
in love with it. There was only one problem????
The chair had a very UGLY  yellow velvet covering
on it. [sorry we forgot to get a before photo.]  Amy
 really disliked it. She had this pink/white fabric.. She
ask me , if we could  cover it.. So off  to work we went.
In an hour or so,  Amy had a new chair.. She was very
happy  with  her new make up chair.. And I was
happy  to  work with her  [and her mama helped us too.😉

                I made both girls a new dress while there.. Will  share
           photos of them wearing them soon.
         

Callie in her Colette Ginger Skirt [hack]

              Callie spent the weekend with us.. She had worn 
               her  ginger skirt to church, so I took  some photos
              of her wearing it.. 
                      NOTE..click on the photos to see a close up.

Callie Noelle- 15 yrs old
Wearing  the Ginger Skirt [Colette]

Sweet  Callie ... 2/19/2017

This skirt was an easy make.. I used the Ginger skirt
pattern. I closed up the back [instead of putting the
zipper in]. I opened the front and added  2 1/2 inches 
to each front piece  for a fold over facing.  I did 
not use the waistband pattern , that came with the
skirt. I used a straight narrow  band. [Callie
had found a RTW skirt on line , and that is how it
was made.]
She loves her new skirt.. And that is what pleases Maw..

Hope you have a blessed day.

Colette Ginger Skirt [Pattern Hack]--for Callie

Ginger  Skirt Pattern by Colette Patterns

My 15 [almost 16 eeeeh] granddaughter found a button up
corduroy skirt on line.. She really liked it, but it was
expensive.. She ask me if I could make it?    I went
through my patterns and had no skirt patterns  that fit her!!!

What is a grandma to do???

Hack a pattern that I already  had.. I love this skirt
pattern.. I have made several of them for myself.. I love
colette patterns.. They are multi-sized. starting at a zero..
PERFECT... all  I needed to do --- open up the front and
close up the back. I added extensions to the fronts to fold
over my facings..  I did make a straight /small waist band ,
instead of the waistband pattern that came with it.

Check out Colette's patterns..  Love them.

I bought her a  t-shirt and some stockings to wear with it.
She is really excited..

Callie will be here this weekend.. I will get a photo of her 
wearing this out fit. And post it  for you to see. 
Note... I finished Emily's Valentine  Dress also.. Will be posting
Her photo wearing it soon..

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

What I am Doing in this New year/New Month.. Sewing & Cleaning Routine

                 January 2017... My  goals [not resolutions- 💗😤] 
                 are to get back to sewing..  The hobby , I love sew 
                 much... And to improve my organizing /cleaning
                 techniques.  I thought I would share whats been
                 done thus far this year..

                             Sewing... for Emily's Mission & Emily

           

3 more Pillowcase Dresses for Emily's Mission
Emily will be taking dresses to the little girls
in the Children's Home.
NOTE: Click on photo to enlarge it ..You
can see it better.
I am also making Emily a valentine vintage 
dress. She picked out the red/white polka dot
fabric [from my stash] . I am working on it
now.. It is a slower process, as she is in school, 
and I have to wait upon her visits, to  get fitted,
etc. Lots of fun.. Hope to share this soon.

Decluttering.. Organizing..  Cleaning

What is your routine? Do you have one? Do you 
wait until  a certain day , and have an "all day"
cleaning, or do you ?-- do a little each day? I don't
think there is a right way or a wrong way?? Just
what ever works for you... For me. I try to keep
things decluttered.. And just maintain a tidy house.
If I do a little each day, it is just about always
presentable.. Here are a few of my  regular 
routines.
1- Making the bed, when I first get out of it.. I use to
not do this.. But, It is so quick and so easy [and a 
habit that I have adjusted to..] It makes the room
appear clean , and for me, it encourages me to  put
everything away [only takes seconds to put things
away..versus laying them on the bed/dresser,etc.]

2-Only  touching  things ONE time.  Found this  hint
on Pintrest. Such a time saver..When coming in, take
coats, purses, bags, etc to the place they go. Do not
leave them on the back of a chair, table ,etc-- to deal
with later/thus having to handle them a second time.
Remember the one touch rule for all things that enter
your house.. and if you don't leave things laying 
around... your house will not look  untidy.. smile

3- Mail/paper items... Oh my.. my mail man brings me
handfuls of junk mail every day.. eeeeh!!!   When it
comes through the front door, I immediately go 
through it, and toss all the junk mail. I put bills 
and stuff that need filing  in a specified place.
Then file and pay bills as needed. This tip, has been
a life saver for  the messy looking paper work everywhere.

4-  Laundry.. This is not as difficult for me now, as 
it was when we had children at home.. I do a load of
laundry as soon as I have one.. Usually, I do  a load every
other day..  Hint... I always fold/hang put away as soon
as I finish.. Remember the one touch rule.. Always
finish.. only touch once. smile

5-I call this hint--- making my footsteps count!!! As I 
walk from one room to another.. I take a quick look
around, If I see any item that belongs to another 
room or area, I take it with me and return to its
location. I have done this so long... it is just habit, and 
I  don't even think about doing it. But, it really helps
to keep the  house tidy ..[with no extra work]

6- Kitchen duties--- No. I don't like to wash dishes or 
clean the kitchen after we eat.. It has to be done.. And 
there is nothing more rewarding than walking into a 
clean kitchen, when you awake in the am.. I  run a dish
pan of soapy water, and clean as I go.. After supper,
I go and put the  dishes in the dishwasher or I hand
wash? I wipe off cabinets.  hint-- set the timer and
see how long it actually takes.. Once you see , how 
quick it is...it motivates you to , just do it. smile

7-  Touch ups...  I love the clorox wipes..  I do a quick
wipe down of bathroom sink, top of tolit and lids. this
keeps the bathroom looking tidy and keeps your
tolit  from getting really BAD... When I do my real
bathroom cleaning.. it is not really bad and disgusting..

8- End of day..5 to10 minute pick up--- Before going 
to bed,  I do a  quick pickup .. Magzines out, blankets,etc.
 I do a quick sweep of the living room , kitchen and hall.
This is the best hint of all... as it ensures you that you
start tomorrow with a tidy house.. and if you have that
unexpected visitor pop in.......... everything is ok..

This sounds like a lot of work.. But, once you get the house cleaned, and  get these habits established, it only
takes minutes to do each.. And your work load is cut
down so much.. When you do your major cleaning,it
is so much easier.

Hope you have a wonderful day.. Hope your enjoying yourFirst month of the New Year.. God bless.

Sewing- Simplicity 5104 and Dresses for Emily's Mission

Simplicity 5104- OOP skirt.
 This was a simple
sew.. Narrow waist band, elastic in back, and side
zipper. I have made this a-line skirt several times.
I wear them to church on Wednesday nights. Really
comfortable and easy to wear.
 I had this fabric in my stash, a friend
at church gifted me with this silk blouse.  The skirt
fabric is a stretch cotton 

Simplicity 5104.. oop

Two pillowcase dresses for Emily's Mission.
Emily is  taking  dresses to a children's home
close to the college, she will be attending
this fall. She wants to take  the dresses in early
spring , so the small girls will have summer
dresses. She really loves this ministry.
I would like to thank  Dianne from

http://rememberingoz.blogspot.com/
for her kindness. She donated lots of fabric for 
Emily's mission, Emily and I both appreciate it
so much.. My daughter in law [Gina], will help
me make dresses/skirts ,etc for the mission.Please
check out Dianne's blog..She sews and makes
beautiful things..

Hope you each have a wonderful week, as we start a
new year.. I am making a new budget, doing lots of 
de-cluttering and organizing.