Long time no blogging

I was just wondering if I could post to my old blog.  So many years, so many changes, Didn't know if Blogger still had my Blog!  I was hoping they would.  This is just a test post

Oh my, Time does fly....I can't believe Blogger kept all of my posts...

Thank you Blogger. I shall try to be a better girl this year and post more often. I'm rather a bit of a coward to try the Make a Trinket a Day for 365, but I think I shall at least try. It will give me motivation and as Beth Brown says, hopefully will stimulate my creative processes again.

I moan about not being as creative as I once was and if you scroll through my blog here, you will see why I feel that way. I was creating something every day for a very long time and then due to circumstances and family deaths, and moves and well, just plain life....my well starting drying out and I had nothing left.

Over the next year, I too shall try, can't promise, but I shall try, so here goes...gather my will and spirit again and try to do a trinket a day. Perhaps at the end of the year, I shall have some nice gifts to give away? I do hope so.

Wish me luck, I'll make every attempt to post the results here on my Blogger account.

Thanks for joining me on this quest for the return of my muse.
G

Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

So....my daughter's are in a community theater production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and are very excited about it. My husband's aunt is the community theater director, and this is the first time she will have my daughter's in a play...everyone is excited. But when she received the costumes for the play, the Joseph's coat was dry rotted. It has been used so many times that it just fell apart in her hands. She has asked me if I will make a new coat for the play! Heck yes I said, so I am now starting on the odysey of sewing for a community theater production! I think it will be great fun and my Joseph's coat hopefully will shine and make the actor proud of wearing it.

My Joseph is a wonderful singer...I heard him last night at rehersal, and fortunately he is on the small side, so it won't take as much fabric! LOL

Here is a link to one of the coats used in this production. Just click on the word coats in the previous section.

I'll try to keep everyone posted on my blog as to how this is going.
Love and light,
Me...

New Life, New House, New State

My life has changed in the past two years, so fast that I was unable to keep up. Things that survived...My Family, thank goodness, My sanity...just barely, My friends...I'm surprised they can still stand me. Aren't those the only things that really matter in this life?

I'm standing on the other side of menopause. The great grey wall finally fell and I truly almost lost my mind during the journey. As I stand here on the other side, I look back and wonder why we as women have to suffer so. Why didn't I just go and get hormones, a red dress or more chocolate. No dumb head that I am I toughed it out and made myself go through it alone. Much to my non-benefit.

I've come out on the other side with Fibromyalgia, an open third eye and 30 pounds lighter...one major good thing!

Well, I'm finally back to sewing. Took me forever to be able to put needle to fabric, too much of a painful reminder of my mother who passed and took my fragile heart with her. It is finally to a point where I don't feel my emotions hemorrhaging with each thought of her. I don't want my daughters or my son to grieve for me like I grieved for my mother. My sister still goes out with a lawnchair every weekend and sits at Mom's graveside and talks to her or plays cards with Dad...even they are both laid to rest beneath her feet. I wanted to lie down on her grave and never get up, but life does go on. Sometimes it feels grindingly slow, but it is actually just a second and I look and my daughters who were babies are babies no more, so on I go with life, love and happiness.

This is the last time I will pour my negative, but healed emotions onto the page for public view. I hope to once again fill the pages with life, love and positivity...and of course my sewing, crocheting and creative expressions.

Love, light and happiness,

Me

Found a jar of wonderful antique buttons yesterday!

Thought I'd post some photos! I hope you button experts will tell me what I've got. I'm not a button expert, but I think I can sniff out a bargain when I see one! I hope, I hope.

Be sure to click on the photo to see close-ups!

G

We went to the fair today....

To see how we did on our last minute decision to enter a few things. See the photos below!! I am very happy, and so is Dani!!

In the first photo are Dani's blue ribbon earrings. The second one is Dani's Red ribbon photo of a marigold. The next photo is my Mrs. Claus costume (red ribbon) a that I did for Hannah's school play last holiday season and my oriental grocery tote (third place) and the apron...which is going to go to KTKnits....won a blue ribbon in the fancy apron division! I also won a blue ribbon for a girl's pinafore....didn't get a photo of it...oops. And Dani won a blue ribbon for a costume head band made with autumn leaves! It was really fun and very encouraging to prepare for next years county fair. These were last minute entries, so I'm shooting for a "Best of Show" ribbon next year....and by golly, I'm gonna do it!!!!! Anyway, it was fun and a great experience for Dani and myself.

A great giveaway for August...

Be sure to visit Calamity Jane's Closet for a great Autumn bag giveaway! Here is the link!!

We were struck by lightening Friday evening!

I won't be able to be on much until Wednesday night...that is when Verizon is supposed to come and repair our FIOS. We are without TV, Phone and Internet until they repair it.

We were all sitting in the family room Friday evening, enjoying a movie and listening to the gentle pitter-patter of rain on the windows, when all of a sudden there was a huge boom.....super bright light and the house shook.......we all jumped off of the sofas and hit the floor........scared the beegeebers right out of all of us. The house didn't catch fire, but we lost alot of electrical stuff including the FIOS box...it really took the brunt of the charge. It also knocked a curtain rod, screws and all out of the wall...really weird!! After we realized we weren't on fire or injured, I screamed....My machines!! I ran to the basement and checked them, and they survived...they were plugged into a serge protector. Best investment yet!!

Well, I have to jump off of here...I am on a public computer at the library....so more as I can find a computer until next Wednesday night..............

Love to everyone...........................just thankful to be alive today!!

G

New Apron Work in Progress

I found instructions for a vintage pattern, similar to the one Kathie makes. I love the assymetrical cutting of this apron and have been wanting to try one. Well...of course, I cant stop with the simple instructions. I had to go and do patchwork type piecing...the top fabric is printed patchwork, but I put the bottom parts in and added the rick rack and then made it reversible so you could see a pretty ruffle below the pumpkin colored fabric. I'm not done with this one yet...I'm really tired today, didn't sleep much last night. Anyway, here it is. Needs pockets and a waistband and the layers sewn together, but hopefully you can get an idea of my first apron that I've made in a while. I love working with Autumn colors. It is my favorite time of year. I'm thinking of appliqued leaves on the pumpkin colored part...but don't know if I am that ambitious! LOL

G

And the winner is:

KATIE!!!

So Dear Mid-Western Farmgirl, if you could email your address to me in private, I'll get your Wacky Wednesday Surprise box out in the mail to you, ASAP!!!

This is going to be fun today at The Thrifty Quaker!!! Thrift Shopping with a purpose!! I love it.

Oh, here is a pretty picture for ya'll to look at today: This is a small hickory tree outside my back window last fall...I just love the colors!

What I did today....

I was really super busy today. I ran out of white thread and had to put my apron on hold until I can get to the fabric store. I love the darting on the side of the apron. The print is a vintage linen table cloth. I'm going to put a short ruffle on the bottom of the apron too.




Then I finally got brave and kept one of my promises to myself. I finally canned something for the first time in my life and I am really pleased with the results. I used to watch and help my Mom can when I was a little girl, and she gave me her big pressure canner a few years ago, but for my first attempt, I made a zucchini relish...just a small batch, because I didn't want to mess up a huge batch of anything...so here is a photo. I used my husband's grandmother's recipe, and he said it tasted just like she used to make...so he was really happy about that. He even ate some extra I had on his ham steak tonight and said it was delicious. It was such a happy moment when each little jelly jar "popped" and sealed!! I really had a sense of accomplishment with this. I am going to get brave and try strawberry jam tomorrow and apple butter when the fall apples start coming in. Not brave enough to try greenbeans yet...perhaps next year, but who knows.

The second project that I finished up today was a tote bag. It is made with gorgeous cotton/linen fabric samples in a pattern called: Samarkand by Ronald Redding Designs. I had a whole stack of samples given to me, so I made them into 6"x7" squares and am doing patchwork totes out of them. I fully lined it, sewed pockets into the lining and made an unusual closure with a huge beautiful button that came on a package that I ordered from Bev. I really love the way this one turned out. Here is a peek at it! What do you think. It is a great size and will hold a laptop, or books are groceries! I have been making grocery totes like this...trying to make them beautiful and totally unique. This sucker is heavy duty and will stand up to alot of punishment! The handles are padded for extra comfort when carrying it. All of my bags have the padded handles. I really prefer them. Easier to shoulder them.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable day Monday. Tues looks like a winner too...cooler weather only in the 80's again...woo hoo!!!! I can hardly wait to go shopping for the winner on Wednesday. I was in there today and have my eye on a couple of really cute items! LOL...my daughter says I work the word cute into conversation way too much, so it is time to get out my Thesaurus and learn a few more adjectives!!




Oh, and here is what I am calling a French Bread Tote. I made it so it is taller and narrower than most grocery bags. I'm tired of my french bread tumbling out of bags..Oooolala!! Be sure to click ont he photos to get a close up look if you have time!


One last thought today (Tuesday) is the last day to sign up...............be sure to scroll down to: "Vintage Treasure Box Giveaway" and sign up!

Oh, I am so so so tired tonight.

Didn't really do much strenuous work today, but I'm so tired I can't keep my mind from shutting down tonight. I am half way through recreating a vintage apron with a vintage table cloth and thrifted fabric. It is done in lavenders, greens and white bias tape. I'll post a photo later, but it is really in early stages right now.

I'm so out of practice with aprons. I got it a wee bit crooked! YIKES...but it is still really pretty and really, who has totally straight hips? NOT me. Now I just need to find someone with a slightly shorter right leg! LOL

Love and blessings tonight..........................oh, and thanks to everyone for commenting on the entry below............I'm going to have so much fun shopping for someone! Glad to see ya here Lisa!!

Love you all,
G

Vintage Treasure Box Give away....

Next Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday at my favorite thrift shop. Lots and lots of items are only 50 cents. I am going to take $5.00 and fill a box with thrift shop treasures and send it to one lucky farmgirl! All you have to do is sign up here on this posting and I'll draw a name out next Wednesday!! I don't know what will be in the box, but I promise you, you will LOVE it!! So if you want a chance at this box of Wacky Wednesday Goodies.......just sign up by leaving a comment below!

Here is a photo of my favorite thrift shop and a link to its website:
The Thrifty Quaker, Midlothian, VA



Love and blessings and my way of saying thanks for visiting my blog again.

Georgann

Found another vintage apron pattern for 50 cents today

Surely must be a sign. It was in the same thrift shop...my favorite one...I also found some superb flag pattern fabric from 1990 a really cool short batik jacket with chinese coins sewn on all around the bottom. A Daisy Kingdom Dress for my youngest daughter a second dress for my older daughter a gorgeous autumn leaf tray...all for $1 or less. The tray was only a quarter. Here is one of the dresses.

Here is the fabric and pattern:

Well, off to watch a movie with my sweet hubby! Talk to ya'll later.

Love and blessings to all........

Vintage Apron Patterns

I found these patterns at my favorite thrift shop the other day. Someone donated a huge amount of patterns in those manila envelopes...much more anally retentive than I...well when I opened that envelope last night, I found a surprise! There was a fourth vintage apron pattern inside! Woo Hoo!!

I have one of them on my cutting board right now and I am using a gorgeous vintage chocolate brown fabric for it. I'll post photos of it when it is done. Well have a wonderful day, I'll be sewing and loving on my girls and hubbie.

Gene Doll......she is gorgeous!!

I have been wanting a Gene doll for many, many years, but have never been able to really afford one. To me she is the epitome of fashion dolls. She would fit right in that Sear's Catalog from 1939. She was stylized by Mel Odom to be from the late 30's to early 40's. Well on my quick in and out at The Goodwill today.....guess what I found? A gorgeous, mint condition still in all of the original packaging 2001 Love in Bloom Gene doll...................it was $35 and I balked at it and walked around and then finally decided that since this really wasn't a snap decision for me.....I would treat myself to this doll. I don't really collect dolls, but I LOVE the Gene doll. Here is a look at her in the box:
Here is a site off of the internet that shows her out of the box with her train attached....gosh I think she is so, so beautiful!!

This is what the site has to say about this doll:

"

Love In Bloom Gene

Includes doll and fashion. At her best friend's wedding reception, Gene might not have caught the bouquet-but she caught the eye of all the available men! And who can blame them, as Gene enters in this pink silk sheath, emblazoned with embroidered flowers gracing its train. She needs nothing more than her long white gloves and pretty shoes to complete the picture. Limited to 5000 worldwide. Dealer Exculsive.

Our Price $125.00

Gene 2001 Doll
Available and in stock"

For Vintage Buffs....Sears, 1939!!

These are pages from a Fall 1939 Sears catalog. Be sure to click on the photos for a close up view. Check out the prices!!
Just wanted to share them with you! Hope they make you smile as much as I did when browsing through this antique catalog. My mother gave this catalog to me when I was doing research for a book set during this time period.

The fabric behind the catalog is one of my favorite antique fabrics...it is from about the same year.

Enjoy!
G

Today's positive thought...

Grace is a gift. I am fortunate to have been given grace by so many. I have chastised myself for not being a friend to so many for so long, those who have extended grace to me. I never actively campaigned against friendships, I just dropped out to try to heal my broken wings. I am thankful there are so many with such kind hearts. I am humbled and thankful and touched by the grace of many.
G



Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith

Daily positve posting

One way to turn around is to always post something positive at least once per day. I once read a blurb that said: "If you can't something positive, then say nothing at all." Well, it has been a long time since I have said anything. Not that there weren't positive things happening, but, I just didn't have the heart to say anything. That has changed. A major portion of my life is writing. I love to write, I remember when writing was like breathing for me...well, I want to breath again, so here goes:

Breath upon my face
warm, loving like sun above
healing, giving life.





I have always loved Haiku, 5-7-5
Hmmm....perhaps I shall write a Haiku a day. That would be good writing exercise, afterall I started out writing poetry, I can restart by writing poetry.

Been a long time...

Hello friends. Been really busy. Still sewing and designing. My most recent love? Skirts. I have been making skirts. Tiered, paneled, shirred felted, sweatered and most anything I can think of using for skirts. I'll post some photos when I get a chance, but here are a few.