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. 

Happy New Years...2017

                   Happy new Years to each of you. I pray you 
                   had a wonderful Christmas.

              It seems that 2016, just went by way too fast..  Lots
              of good times.. Lots of sadness, [We lost Kenny's
              mom and Daughter in law's mom]..

             I am not going to do any  New Years Resolutions.. you
             know the , 'gonna diet" etc.. eeech.  I am going to say,
             My goals and hopes for 2017 is  to be able to  do more
             sewing....   To take the time to do things that we enjoy,
             And for me , that is.... sewing, crafting, organizing, 
             gardening, working in my yard, spending time with  
             those grandkids that  have almost grown up on me.
             SMILE...

            Thank you for coming by my little blog..  I enjoy your
            friendship so much. May God bless you this new year 
            2017.

Making Christmas Ornaments & A Confession

Paint Stick ornaments.. These were so fun and easy
to make. Last year, I found these on this blog.
http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2010/11/printable-paintstick-ornaments-tutorial.html?m=1
She  made these free printables to use. And her instructions
are  so easy to follow..  
Keep reading my confession will follow in the end. smile

 I love the  truck/car and Christmas tree stuff. Carolyn at :
http://ourgildedabode.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-christmas-decor.html

Carolyn, made some of these  mason jar ring ornaments , 
using  paper  from Hobby Lobby.. They were so cute.. I am
not finished with these..[waiting on it to warm up, so 
I can paint my jar rings. eeeeeh]. I also decided to  do
a paint stick one too. Fun and Cute.
ps. Thank you Carolyn for  reminding me  where to find
the  instructions for the paint stick ornaments..  You are 
where I first saw the ornaments.. They were so pretty on
your tree.

Confession time...
In Early December- 2015, I saw these adorable paint stick
ornaments.. I rushed out to Lowes to  buy the sticks and paint
to make them. Came home , was oh so sweet to hubby.. 
and got him to cut the sticks and drill holes in them.. He
got them done really quick [see, he knew I was in a hurry.
 So, I could get them on the tree...Welllllllll.. I procrastinated.
 I painted them. [the first step for me, Kenny had done the
other steps.]  I put them in a basket, out of sight and out
of mind.. Forgot them......... oh no. 
 I pulled them out , determined to  finish them up in 2017..
I couldn't find the blog  of the lady  who gave the 
instructions.. [I had forgotten that Carolyn made them? --
old age for sure].   Then Carolyn emailed me with the blog
sight... [she is so sweet].
And i finally finished them... [A little too late for Christmas
2016...--- But you be looking for them to be shining
on my 2017 Christmas tree..

My prayer is that you all have a very blessed and Merry
Christmas..

My Baby Graduates with his Doctorate Today

Graduation Day...2016

My Baby [40 yrs old] graduated from Seminary with
his second Doctorate  today.. We are so very proud of
him. He has worked very hard for the last 2 years for
this second doctorate.He has spent alot of years
in school. 
God has really blessed us and him. He  just moved
to a new church.. We are praying that God continue
to bless him ,his family, and there new church family.This has been an exciting day. Kenny and I  could not
travel to be there today [10 hr trip].  Gina [his wife] 
video while he walked the isle and  accepted his
diploma. So we got to see it soon after it happened.
We were excited,  watching it on the computer.

Where did the years go??? I remember the morning
he was born.. We were so excited to add a  son
to our family of 3. I remember his growing up..
I  remember him graduating from high school [He really
hated school.. if you would have ask me, would he have
spent years in college, I would never have  believed it.ha]
God had plans for this little boy.!!! I remember when he
surrendered to the ministry . I remember his first little
church. I remember each ministry he accepted over the
years..I remember the tears , hard times,and joys he would
have.  I remember all the blessings . He has been in
the ministry for 22 years.

Where did the time go??

Christmas Porches & Making Ornaments

Outside ...Candy canes , lights, wreaths..

Side porch

Porch...Plaids and greenery ...oh Christmas time
is coming ...really soon..

Stockings have been hung on the candy cane stocking
holder, since this photo was taken.. The porch is really
pretty at night, when its all lit up.

Making ornaments.. having fun.
 I found these adorable mason jar lid ornaments
on the Every day Home blog.. So.. today is
making ornament day. I am also doing the paint
stick ornaments [ I think I found them on pintrest??
Can't remember...
http://everydayhomeblog.com/2016/10/diy-mason-jar-lid-christmas-ornament.html


Will post my finished product soon.
Merry Christmas..

Christmas Decor 2016

           It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our
                     Little House.... Thought I would share a few
                      snapshots with you.
              NOTE: Click on photo, to see larger view of photos.
    

Red cabinet in Dining Room/Kitchen

Little bench with pillow and Christmas reading
materials.  See the cute  little train set under
the bench..Kenny bought this for me at a flea
market years ago.. Even though, it is mostly 
blue, it  hangs with all the red.. ha

Kitchen Table
I had this wooden box, [picked up at Dirt Cheap,
for 25 cents]. I added some small ornaments and
pine cones. The place mats and candles were all
from last year.

Can you tell , I  REALLY like  the  red truck or car
with the Christmas tree atop it..  Can't resist buying
them, when I see it , in whatever form. The scent
warmer was a wal mart find this year.

Christmas tree...not a good photo, the light
was not right.. Will try to get a better one later.

Kitchen--  the little wall cut out shelving
unit.... All decked for Christmas.

Red cabinet in hallway..

Arched entry way in living room!
Old world santa is sitting on the post, just
a watching to see if your naughty or nice?

You GOTTA  believe in Santa...

I will share the outside decorating soon.
Hope you and your family are enjoying  the
pre-Christmas  fun.. Lots of  goodies [don't
worry about the calories...that will come in
January.smile], Hot Chocolate,  Christmas movies.
and
I know , you want to know? Is Judy using her
early Christmas present [the mixer]. Yes!!!
it is wonderful and TOO many sweets are entering
our  little kitchen..

Santa Claus Made an Early Visit

              Santa Claus  [aka  Kenny]  Came Early

 I have been using a  cheap hand mixer for years... [had a cheap 
stand mixer years ago, but when it died, I never replaced it. Just
used the cheap hand mixer..

 I have been admiring the  Kitchen aid Artisian mixer , for awhile..
  All the pretty colors they come in.. OH my!!!   And of course, 
 the red one .. caught my eye for sure.

Santa decided it was time to  visit... He reasoned that , with all the
Christmas baking I was planning on doing.... He would visit early
and help me out.. now......... wasn't that a sweet Santa..

My new mixer.. I love it.. Cooking and Preparations
for Christmas are under way!!!

PS... Christmas decorations are done.. Will be sharing soon.
Hope you and your family have a blessed and wonderful
Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

Happy Thanksgiving
 Hope each of you and your friends have had
a lovely day with your families. May God bless
each of you..
I am very thankful to have you as my blog friends.

This is my  grandkids.. So happy they spent the day
with us. They are [from left to right],  Amy, Ashlee, 
 Callie,  Emily, and Kenny.

Things I am thankful for:

 My Heavenly Father and  the love  and care He shows
each of us daily.

My family.. another blessing from God.

A very special husband..   So thankful for the little
things he does to help make these holidays special..


Have a  blessed day...

Fall Cleaning Finished-- Just in time For Thanksgiving

 I have never done fall cleaning [always spring 
cleaning].  I decided to give it a try  , after reading
on Pintrest  that It would make the  Thanksgiving
and Christmas busy schedule , so much better??
Now... all I have to do is "Maintain". 

How Do You Maintain Your Home? And Upkeep
the  Work You Have Already Done??
This is some of my routine tips.

1- Always make my bed as soon as I get up.
    Before  I leave the room..It takes 2-3 minutes.
   This is  the best  tip I have ever done.. If you 
don't get to go back in that room to tidy, it
still looks clean.

2- Empty the dishwasher first thing in the am.
This allows  you to put your dirty dishes in
it, during the day.[If you handwash dishes
during the day,, which I do ,on most days].
Be sure  to  put the dishes away. It keeps
your kitchen looking neat all day. Wipe
your counters and  applainces off when you
do the dishes.

3- Sweep or damp mop the floors each morning.

4- Laundry-  Wash  and dry  your laundry each day.
Or every other day . Never let the loads pile
up..Much easier to do 1-2 loads  than letting them
build up.

5-Dust  every other day [and daily if possible]

6-Menus -- Make a menu each week. Even if it
has to change some what.. This way, you know
what to take out of the freezer,  and what 
preparations are needed for the day.. NOTHING 
worse than supper time comes up, and you
have nothing planned, nothing thawed.. Eeeeh.

7-Nighttime routine--
When  I take a bath, before leaving the bath
room, I take lysol wipes and wipe off the
bathroom counter, commode, cabinets,etc.This
keeps the 
bathroom looking clean  , until I do the big
cleaning.. and honestly if you do this every day,
there is no big build up to clean. And it only
takes a  couple minutes.


Last but not Least... 10 minutes before going to bed, I do a quick pick up  and put everything in its place.
I do a quick sweep of the main living area [living
room and kitchen].

Thanksgiving is almost here.. I have made my menu.
I have  shopped and bought all the ingrediants, I will
need.  I have cornbread cooked for the stuffing, I am 
going to chop onions/celery ,etc and have in baggies.
I will bake the sweet potatoes for the casserole and
the sweet potato pie .[my son called today, to request
that. smile. All the little things we do ahead of time,
makes the  day go smoother.. And allows the  "Cook"
to enjoy some time with her visitors..

 I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday
and  your plans go well..

Small House Living...Finding a small Coat Closet ---Plus- Apple Pie

One of the things, I miss about my other
house--- coat closet.. My other one , was
small.. But, it  held our winter coats, and
several pairs of shoes, gloves, hats,etc.
SO.....
I found a little solution.  Behind the front door,
I hung two coat hooks. I found a  small closet
shelf at Lowes. It fit exactly in the small spot.
I added some red baskets in the shelves. This
will hold the gloves/hats,etc. And we each have
a place to  hang one jacket. We have a place to
for each of us to put one pair of shoes..  I also
have a place to put my purse. Works
great..

The front door stays open  all day , every day.
So most of the time, it won't be seen. smile.
I have  several rods in the bedroom closet,
and one was reserved for coats. Even though
we had  this coat rack, I wanted something
for  our every day jacket.. To throw on and
off quickly..  so. I am happy with my
make shift coat closet!!

Apple pie for  Hubby...  since he offered
to make a coat closet in the living room..
I declined his sweet offer,  The living room is
so small, we need every inch of space  we have.