Persevere

Do you ever need to be reminded?
My dear #2 son called me this morning on his way to work.  He was thinking about canning and his mom came to mind.  He was comparing our relationship with Christ to canning.

We keep our canning environment clean so that we don't introduce impurities that would spoil our food at best or poison us at worst.  We preserve the food for use.  My comment was that Christ preserves us - which #2 son added we need to persevere. (James 1)

I needed this reminder this morning.  I have been talking to God all morning about the requirements placed on my time daily.  Sometimes there are so many requirements that I feel like that is all I accomplish.  I find that I get selfish with the bit of free time I do have. Or grumpy if additional requests/requirements arise... I need to preserver in the daily requirements on my time.  I need to not only preserver but I need to smile as I go about those tasks.  (there are a lot of I's in that paragraph)

My son is a deep thinker but he is so right!!!   Thanks Buba for the reminder.
love,
Mom

Persevere
per·se·vere
 1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
 2. to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist. verb (used with object) 3. to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

May you too be 'preserved' by Christ and may we also persevere.
a little bird

The Truth

Sunday blessings to you.

Still Sewing

I have completed two bras now.  The first one in tricot as the pattern suggested.  It went together very well and  looks very nice.  I used the hook and eye closure on that one as stated by the pattern recommendations.

I am Picky person, picky with a capital 'P', just ask my mother.   As a little baby I was given a beautiful chiffon dress.  Mom would put it on me and I would scream.  She would take it off and put a cotton dress on me and I was fine.  That says it all.  I like cotton and guess I always have.

So my second bra I made of cotton.  Yes bras need a bit of stretch so I cut the pattern out on the bias.  I also did an extension so I could do the button closure instead of the hook and eye.  The materiel they use for hook and eye is SO stiff and scratchy!  I like soft.  Support yes but soft.

Cutting on the bias worked wonderfully!!!!  I really like love the button closure.  I did three buttons so there is plenty of support.  It is like slipping into your favorite soft shirt not a harness, nuff' said.

 I just don't know about posting pictures of my underwear online though... so the above are snippets.

I found some beautiful satin at the thrift store so I may attempt that next.  I'm not sure what I will line it with - any suggestions??

this is a deep salmon color

hot pink

this is a deep sage green

I don't know if the camera caught the colors well but there are very nice pieces.  

Anyway happy sewing.  If you haven't tried making your own bras but have wanted to I would highly recommend this pattern.

Sewing

I have been doing some sewing.   I purchased this pattern, Kwik Sew 3594..  I'm tired of paying $50.00 for a bra so it's time to  make my own.

This pattern only has four pieces.  It sews up very nicely!!!  

 I also would like to try a button closure in back instead of the hook and eye.

photo from we sew retro

So that's what's happening here.  Hope all is well at your house.  Now I'm headed back to the sewing room.

a little bird

In for a penny, in for a pound...

If you give a mouse a cookie... And that's how it all began.  Oh my am I the only one out there?

I have been pondering, 'Do I want to spend the money on the new Janome?',  'Should I look for a nice used older machine that would fit my needs instead?',  etc...

So began my search of Craigslist.  I actually found three that I thought might fit my needs.  Then a girlfriend  heard I was looking for a sewing machine said.  "I have two in my basement.  We will never use them come and look and if you like them you can have them both."

And there you have it I brought home both of her sewing machines.  One was her grandmother's, the others her husbands grandmother's.

I now have six sewing machines in the house (well only five if we don't count the serger so lets not count the serger I'll feel better that way).

But how could I say no to these beautiful machines - they were not being used and  they were thinking about taking them to the dump.

Yesterday I took the elna all apart to clean, oil, and lube her up.  She sews like a DREAM!!

I haven't cleaned the Singer yet but will.  I have to order a foot peddle for her as her's got lost in one of the moves.  My friend said they have just been moved from basement to basement as they have moved around.

The Singer is gear driven instead of belt driven and it is one of the very first models that did a reverse stitch.  

All that to say I am not going to buy another machine to put into the recently redone treadle case.

I am in the process of taking my old Kenmore apart to use it with the treadle.  This model wasn't the most conducive to the process.  It had two belts (why in the world would a sewing machine have two belts?)

The power switch would have rubbed on the treadle belt so that had to be removed  moved.  I am taking the motor out and will cap the wire ends.  

I think I will leave the light usable because that will just be handy.  

Long story short, one thing certainly leads to another.

My mom said I could hire a few people and start a dress shop.

:-)

My dear husband - I choose the best man in the world.

When I told him in one long fast sentence.

Ibroughthometwomoresewingmachinestoday.

( I brought home two more sewing machines today.)

His remark, "You can just tell me."

Mine, "I know but I thought you'd think it was nuts."

DH "It is nuts, but I don't care."

So that's my sewing machine story.  I think I will need to sew, sew, sew to justify so many machines.

hugs,

a little bird

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees has a rare wisdom about life--about mothers and daughters and the women in our lives who become our true mothers. A remarkable story about the divine power of women and the transforming power of love, this is a stunning debut whose rich, assured, irresistible voice gathers us up and doesn't let go, not for a moment. It is the kind of novel that women share with each other and that mothers will hand down to their daughters for years to come.

A friend shared this book with me and I read it today during my day of rest.  A bit of language but a wonderful story.

My DH made dinner tonight.  He made grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.  He unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher while I napped.

I married a wonderful man!

A day of R and R

I am being lazy today...  I went in to work and worked two hours and then decided a day of R and R was in order.  I have some hours of 'flex' built up and thought today's the day.

All of my jobs are done, I'm not leaving anyone hanging - so why do I feel guilty?  I don't know... but I'm home where there is a fire in the wood stove.  I have some lemon ginger tea brewing.  A loaned book "The Secret Life of Bees", by Sue Monk Kidd  and a sofa calling my name so today I'm checking out to rest and recoup.
a little bird

Everyone's a critic!

Lousy movie alert.  

I wish someone had told me before I bought the movie so I'm sharing with you.

Although the book is darling - the movie Where the Wild Things Are (2009) is NOT.

The little boy in the movie is totally out of control.  Why would I want my grandchildren to see this boys awful behavior.  He screams, fights, hits, stands on counters and bites.  These are not behaviors I would want anyone to emulate so in my opinion this is zero stars out of 10.  Although I just bought this Friday it's going in the trash.

The trailers make it look cute but is is lousy.

a little bird

Kimono Baby Shoes

Second pair made

These are so cute and easy to make.

Below is my trial pair - I like to make a 'test' version to check the pattern out etc.

I used scrap material just to see how they would go together.  They are fast, fun and frugal.

If you too would like to try these sweet baby shoes there is a free pattern and tutorial.

TUTORIAL HERE

Words of Wisdom

Thomas Jefferson

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe ."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
-- Thomas Jefferson


Thomas Jefferson died 187 years ago - he had great insight.
a little bird

Luscious Lotion

I don't know if this picture does justice to this wonderful lotion.

This is the time of year that our skin seems to be dry from the cold winter winds.  I'm always on the lookout for a rich lotion that moisturizes but isn't greasy.

Well I found it!!

My Mother-in-Law shared this recipe with me.

7 ounces petroleum jelly

7 ounces vitamin E cream 

14 ounces baby lotion

I add a tablespoon or 2 of raw honey too (it has so many antioxidants).

Whip well with your mixer. 

Be sure to wash your beaters and bowl well when you're done so your next batch of cookies  doesn't taste like lotion... :-)

It smells very light - the baby lotion is all that has scent.  You do NOT need to buy name brands.  You can go to the dollar store for these items so for $3.00 you have a wonderfully rich and skin quenching moisturizer.

Easy healthy breakfast

This just looks yummy and healthy.

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

Protein Power Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie 

I start work at 7:00 AM so sometimes a quick breakfast is just right!

And the winner is...

...no decoupage.

The next part of the process is to replace the sewing machine.  As you read the original was unusable so the replacement plan is:

"The Janome 712T treadle sewing machine allows you to sew with no electrical power. The Janome 712T sewing machine has 10 utility stitches plus a built-in buttonhole stitch, and a flatbed design to fit existing sewing cabinetry. The top-loading bobbin system and the handy threading guide make changing top and bottom thread easy. And legendary Janome stitch quality helps make learning to sew frustration-free for students and teachers alike."

I haven't ordered it yet but and hoping to soon.  I saved my Christmas money to go toward the purchase.

:-)

a little bird

The Free

Before

After

Well here it is to date.  

The drawer pulls are the originals.  They were in one of the drawers - amazing that they weren't lost!

She isn't perfect but not bad for her age.  

I think from my research that this was built between 1897 and 1919.

Now the question is...

To decoupage or not to decoupage.

I have this really pretty paper.  I cut it out last night but haven't decided what I want to do just yet.  I haven't put the clear coat on the sewing machine cabinet yet and will wait until I decide if I want to decoupage or not???

If you have input I would love to hear it.

Project

I brought home a 'project' from Michigan...  

This back piece will be trashed.  

As I am painting anyway my DH will cut a replacement board.

I'm so glad he is talented!!!

Needless to say this poor dear has seen better days...

She spent the last 40+ years in the barn so unfortunately has some damage that is beyond repair. 

But her treadle is just as smooth as glass.

So begins the project.

Yesterday I took her apart.  The wood has received some water damage and chipping to the veneer so I am going to sand and paint it.  The iron treadle will be cleaned and repainted as well.

I labeled all the screws etc. in hopes that I can put this all together again, eek...

Clamps and glue

first coat of off white

Three coats of off white and a light green edge

This went to the dump - it was just rusted past hope.

Tomorrow I will apply the glaze that will antique the paint a bit.

After the wood is done I will start on the treadle base.  I'm hoping that when I'm done this sweet machine will be not only functional but a nice addition to my  house as well.

I will post a picture when I'm all done.  Although that could be awhile.

:-)

a little bird

Stop the Craziness

Hi, I am a wife, mom, mimi, and follower of Christ. There are other parts of me, I work out of the home, etc., but the above is who I am and what is most important to me. My blog is what's going on at our house, my thoughts and/or concerns about current events, and, oh dear, my opinions... I love to sew, bake and can so sometimes I share that as well. But today I am sharing a concern and an opinion. So I state freely that this could be controversial. We just experienced a tax increase for Americans. But the government doesn't seem to be cutting back on spending. Now maybe at your house it's different but at our house we have to live within our budget. So I think it's time to take a look at some of the OUTRAGEOUS spending that is going on and STOP the craziness of it all. a little bird

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!  

We closed out 2012 in the best possible way.

Papa and I took the little girls for a sled ride.  

Then home to make tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on the wood stove.  

We watched the Princess Diary and  Polar Express.  

What a wonderful way to ring out the old year.

A new year awaits us.  

We can look at all the negatives.

Fiscal Cliff

Tax increases

Food prices on the rise, etc...

Those things are real and are happening but we can also look at the positives.

Time with family and friends

simple pleasures

(sled rides, walks in the snow, a cup of tea with a friend)

reading a good book, etc

There are so many simple activities that are fun as well as free.

I pray God's richest blessings on you and yours through this new year.

a little bird