Scrappy Skirt and Bag

My sister-in-law gave me some fabric last week, and I couldn't help messing around with it. I'm a sucker for Mary Engelbreit. The skirt is just two rectangles sewn together, with an elastic waistband. I'm not a big fan of elastic on skirt waistbands because they pouf out so much. But when your munchkins grow into a new size every few months, it works.

The little bag is a miniature version of a tote from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules sewing book. I think I've mentioned in a previous post that I love this book, but there is always some essential detail left out in the directions. So even though it is a brilliantly simple tote pattern, I had to rip it out so that the straps didn't end up INSIDE the bag. Oops! I forgive you Amy.

There IS life without butter

I mentioned awhile back that my husband and I embarked on 28-day vegan diet (with no processed sugar, white flour or white rice). Mostly I was curious about how I would feel. I wasn't at all nervous about giving up meat or cheese, and I don't drink cow's milk. I just really love to cook with butter. I couldn't imagine life without it.

The first week or so was an adjustment, with about half of what I made going to the chickens. Every time I tasted something, my first thought would be, "needs a little butter". But slowly, and with the help of some good vegan cookbooks, I started thinking differently about cooking, and how I could make things taste good without butter. Within two weeks, I learned a lot about seasoning combinations that worked for me, and we both remarked on how much BETTER food tasted as our taste buds became more sensitive.

The 28 days has passed and I've decided to continue, with the addition small amounts of eggs and fish. I DO feel good, with nice even blood sugar and almost no cravings for sugary foods (which used to be a big problem).

For my brother's 50th birthday, I made three kinds of cupcakes. The chocolate ones on the left are vegan, and were generally determined to be the BEST, by those of us who sampled all three (uh hem).

By the way, if you do feel inspired to buy the book in the first link that outlines the diet, my personal recommendation is that you skip the recipes in his book. They really aren't very good.

If your curious about veganism, click on over to my cousin's excellent blog. You may need to sign up to be a member of the Culinate website, but it's one worth reading if you're interested in cooking whole, healthy food. Tell her I said hi!

1968 Mod Dress

I found this darling pattern from 1968 at a thrift store. Don't you love these ladies? Apparently they didn't have hips in 1968.

Even though I DO have hips and I should know better, I couldn't resist making the dress with the belt and the little pleated pockets.

I've never made anything with so many details. The pattern has darts in the front, back and the shoulders, which gives it a nice shape.

Here's the finished dress, made with some of Heather Bailey's "Fresh Cut" fabric that found on sale for $3.00 a yard. I had a zipper in my stash, so the total cost of the dress was $9.69. It's a little big - I'm always afraid of making things too small. If I make another one, I'll cut it down a size.

One of favorite things are the buttons on the belt. They were from my grandma's stash.

A New Desktop and THE Bag

I have to tell you that I am typing this post, with great pleasure, on a brand-spanking new iMac with a 24-inch screen.  My other computer was dead beyond revival.  As I gave my old laptop to the young dude at the Mac store for recycling, I felt a great pang of sadness.  Don't judge me for getting attached to a piece of electronics.  That Mac and me went a lot of places together.

Here's a bag that I designed and sewed a few weeks ago.  I wanted a sturdy shopper, with lots of pockets and straps that attached to the outside.  It's made out of home decor weight fabric and has interfacing on the outside panels, so it's very substantial.  The seam ripper got a workout on this one - I had a lot to work out with the straps.  I cut up a grocery bag for a pattern, and made it just a few inches shorter.  My favorite part of the bag are outside pockets set into the side seams - so easy to keep track of keys and the cell phone.  I'm happy with the end product, and am planning to make a few and start an ETSY store.

I have three different prints of orange fabric from this line that coordinate, so I'd like to make a series of orange bags.
I would love ideas for a catchy name If you have an inspiration.

I'll Be Back!

I'm having computer problems - my laptop literally started and smoking and I smelled burning wires. Now, our second computer won't let us download pictures. Sign..... I have to resolve these issues before continuing with the blog.

I have been sewing a lot lately, though. I designed and sewed a new bag and refashioned a skirt that had a blueberry stain on it. We're also cooking like crazy in my house, trying to keep up with a prolific garden and testing new recipes for our 28 day vegan diet.

I'll see ya in awhile!