Pink Capris

Elizabeth requested a pair of Capri's since she outgrew all of the ones she wore last summer. While digging in my stash I found some pink fabric leftover from a poodle skirt I had made two years ago. This fabric was not only heavy enough for the Capri's but it was the perfect color as well.

I really love Capri's because they are modest as well as comfortable.

 Elizabeth has been asking me to add pockets to the clothes I make her and this time I remembered!

 Both the pockets and the hem have been trimmed in machine embroidery.

I really like how these came out and plan to make Elizabeth another pair or two.

Some of my fondest memories are of the clothes my mom made for us kids grown up; it's fun keeping this tradition alive :O)

My Attempt at making a Seat Cover

Growing up I remember my grandma recovering the seats in her car. And I remember my mom recovering our living room couch. So when the cracks in my van seat began growing, and the foam became visible, I decided to take a deep breath and make my own seat cover. If mom and grandma could do it, then so could I.

I decided to quilt the cover so it would be thick and stout. The first layer was denim, then quilt batting and for the top layer I used a soft grey upholstery type fabric. For the actual quilting straight lines were used; this type of quilting feels wonderful and is quit heavy duty.

 The outer overhang was doubled and elastic inserted to help the cover fit snug.

Once the cover was on the seat I was very pleased with how well it fit.

The elastic worked very well keeping the overhang snug against the lower section of the seat.

 I added ties to several areas so the cushion wouldn't shift too much while getting in and out of the van.

Now that the bottom of my seat is finished I plan to make another cover for the top section. It was a little hard to begin this project, since I had never tried making a seat cover, but I'm glad I didn't let my fear and doubt stop me.

A Lovely Sewing Project

 This amazing hand embroidered pillow was made by Elizabeth. It took her a week of sewing in her spare time to get it finished in time for her friend's birthday.

 Once all the handwork was finished Elizabeth proceeded to stitch a brown border around the horses and then she used a horse print fabric for the back of the pillow.

I think the Birthday girl is going to be very surprised!

Sewing for Annie

 Seldom do I make doll clothes just for Elizabeth's American Girl Doll Annie. Most of the time this doll is dressed with clothes that are practice pieces or clothes that are not good enough for my store.

With Elizabeth soon visiting a friend I decided a new dress was in order for her doll. The fabric I used was a two tone pink knit.

The waist of the dress was accented with pink and purple flower buttons. In the photos the purple looks like blue.

 I also made Annie a bracelet of pink and purple beads.

Every new dress needs a pair of fancy panties too.

How fun it was to sew specifically for Elizabeth's doll.

Outdoor Cooking

 I recently had the idea to buy a rolling cart so I could move the toaster oven outside when in use.

Even though the toaster oven makes less heat, during warm summer days it still heats up the kitchen; just not as bad as the regular oven.

This cart, bought used off of Craig's List, has large casters making it easy to roll around.

It was a success, all the heat stayed outdoors and I was even able to leave the oven outside until it fully cooled off.

Saturday Sewing

While Elizabeth was busy working on a Birthday gift for a friend.

 I took a pair of jeans....

 And turned them into a pair of cuffed shorts.

Such a nice way to spend our Saturday :O)

This Years Garden

 This years garden will be in the old chicken yard. By using this yard the fence that kept my chickens in should keep the bunnies out. Plus, all the weeds we pull from the garden will be tossed over the fence into the new chicken yard.

Elizabeth and I have been slowly working the ground.

I saved all my fireplace ashes, this is just a small part of what is stored in the garage, to be used in the garden.

 We have been breaking up the dirt by shovel and hauling compost to mix with the dirt.

 Hopefully the combination of dirt, compost, ashes and fertilizer from the chickens will make for a productive garden.

 In the middle of transplanting tomatoes we had a setback.

Our small garden tractor died! I can't complain since it's over 30-years old. Pat grew up using this small workhorse :O)

 Until we get the garden tractor up and running again, I am stuck hauling with a wheelbarrow.

I really miss the garden tractor, dirt is heavy!