Monday, November 28, 2022

UGLY Fabric Challenge

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I found this post sitting in the "Drafts" & realized I had never published it.
The wild colored "UGLY" fabric was given to each member of my quilt guild.

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Instructions were to make anything we wanted, using the fabric.
I cut apart a honey colored sweatshirt, laid it on my longarm & quilted the front, back & sleeves.

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I then added the machine embroidered leaves as well as the turned up cuffs & pocket.



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Final touch was to bind the cut edges with bias cuts of the ugly fabric.

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Above is a peek at the inside of the jacket lining.

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I used a hair elastic for a loop & found a really cool button to sew onto a triangle tap for closure.

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Below are the other entries into the contest.

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Thanks for stopping by.  
I've been in a sewing slump after the pandemic/mask marathon sewing but am now happy to be back in my sewing room again. 

fondly, 
Rett

Thursday, August 18, 2022

"Fashionista Garment Bag" from Sara Norris' new pattern!

Blogger has been taking down posts that have hot links in them, saying they violate their standards against
Malware & Viruses.  
They required the link to be removed before they would republish the post.
That is why you are seeing this today.  They reposted it, not me!
I was recently honored to be asked to be a tester of Sara Norris'
new pattern for a child's little garment bag. It is a wonderfully written pattern & one that will work for children of many ages. The single pattern gives directions for making two sizes: Small- 12 months-3 years Or Medium-4 years -6 years Due to being hit with an attack of diverticulitis as well as a computer virus, I was not able to complete my project in time to get photos of it to Sara before the debut of the pattern. I'm sharing it with you today.
The pockets have little pleats on each side. I altered the pockets a wee bit by embellishing them with fabric yo-yos & buttons & changing them to a Velcro closure, rather than ribbon ties because Ms. C. can't tie things yet! All the kids wear Velcro strap shoes these days. I'm going to work on helping her learn that skill this weekend when she visits.
You may purchase this pattern at Sara's website, where you can see all the other tester's cute versions.
Thank you, Sara, for having faith in my sewing skills to be able to test stitch this for you. Thanks to everyone who visits the Gazebo House, too. fondly,
Photobucket

Friday, June 26, 2020

Hot Cinnamon Sunset Tea


I'm enjoying a little midday nosh
while looking out the sunroom windows
towards the gazebo & the fountains in the lake.

It is a little too warm to go outside at this hour, 
especially if I'm drinking hot tea!



My current favorite is this "Hot Cinnamon Sunset" tea by Henney & Sons.
I order it via Amazon, as I can't find it locally.
It reminds me of red hot cinnamon candy hearts! 
♥♥♥


My Weight Watcher friendly treat today is a cupcake made with
sugar free yellow cake mix & 1 can of sugar free orange soda.
That's it...no other ingredients!
I used my smallest cupcake tins & baked them for about 20 minutes @ 350ºF.
They work out to about 1 WW point each on the plan.



The lovely Phalaenopsis orchid was given to me by my daughter.
There is one more bud yet to open on its single stem but I just couldn't wait
any longer to share its beauty with you.
They tolerate low light which is perfect for winters in Ohio!



My choice of tea cup today is by Royal Albert Crown China made in England.

I often float a piece of citrus rind in my flavored teas,
just for a little additional zip.
Truthfully, this wonderful tea needs no embellishment!
It is delicious just with a little sweetener.

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House for a visit.
Maybe next time, we can get together inside the gazebo.


fondly,





Saturday, June 20, 2020

Ms. C's Favorite Tea Cup


The peonies & iris have all bloomed for this year.
I cut as many as I could before the rains came again.



When my granddaughter, Ms. C, comes to visit, 
I always allow her to pick which tea cup she would like to use.


This flower petal shaped one is always her favorite!
 It had an FTD floral arrangement in it at one time.


The dainty Towel spoon with a crown is one of a set of 4.
I wish I had bought more!


My daughter gave me this gorgeous "Black Tie" Bath & Body Works candle.
It has the most lovely floral scent & elegant silver cover!





Ms. C. prefers sugar cubes in her tea
while I use artificial sweeteners, Stevia being the current favorite.


Her choice of tea is usually Lady Grey...mine too!


The teapot I'm using today is shaped like a bird house.
It was made by Adams Antiques in Steubenville, OH,
which is less than 2 hours south of where I live now.





If you look closely, you can see another little
blue bird inside the teapot.


Thanks for stopping by for a visit & allowing me to share my teacup collection!
I have lots more to come! 


fondly,





Saturday, May 30, 2020

Siberian Iris, Pink Peonies & Pink Tea Set








My Siberian iris & pink peonies have finally bloomed & I hurriedly picked some before the rain ruined them.
The peony plants originally came from my maternal grandmother's garden. 
My mother then divided the corms & had them planted all along our side yard. 
Before that childhood home was sold, 
my sisters dug up some of those plants for their own gardens.
When I moved back home to Ohio, my sweet sisters dug up some & shared them with me.
♥♥♥ Thanks Weezie & Fritz! ♥♥♥



I set up a little tea table vignette for four, using my BTaT (Brewed to a Tea) china.
I just love this darling set with its pale pink & white polka-dot background & beautiful roses.

The set has 2 different patterns of cups. 

I considered mixing & matching the saucers, but in the end, paired them to their corresponding teacups.









I wish the little sugar bowl lid had an opening for the
Oneida "Americana" sugar spoon to poke out of.
I used my pressed glass shamrock for a spoon rest instead.



I have sugar free mini cupcakes, sans icing ( 1 pt on  WW) on a vintage "Treat Tree". 
I found it online & have used it for many, many events.
 I like to display Hershey kisses, in their proper holiday colors for each month. 
Red in Feb.,Green in March, Gold towards Autumn. 
It is fun to change it out for the occasion &
it is the little things that make a difference!



The white sandwich plates, beneath the cups & saucers
are ironstone by Johnson Brothers, made in England.



The table topper is one that I bought in Milan, Italy.
I'm so very glad we traveled when my husband was alive.
I have no desire to leave my country ever again!




My tea of choice is Lady Grey (decaffeinated).
 When I was working in the hospital (RN) 
I could drink strong caffeinated tea all day
 (or night shift) long, without effect. 
Now, if I have anything with caffeine after 4 pm,
 I toss & turn all night long! 
Even chocolate ice cream keeps me awake!














Thanks for stopping by "The Gazebo House"
I'm really enjoying playing with my dishes again &
love to share information about their origins.

fondly,
Rett