Celtic Dreams/The Flipping Pleats Skirt

It's the week of Christmas. I'm sure that many of you are like me, feeling as though something is missing. While Christmas is not about the parties, the gifts, and new dresses, it is about celebrating, and I think that  not being able to celebrate as we typically would just leaves us feeling a little lost. Rather than allowing myself to get caught up in what I can't do, I've decided to focus on what I can do. I have started leaving a little earlier when I take Berkley out for his last walk of the evening, and I explore streets where the holiday lights are especially pretty. I love how the glow hits my face, and it makes me smile.

Another thing that I have decided to do is put on a pretty holiday feeling garment. Who cares if I can't go to a party?!! And...why wait for a special occasion that may or may not happen? We should celebrate each and every day as they truly are a gift. 

My husband and I typically take our holiday picture at the American Opera Society's holiday gala. But, of course, this year, no gala. So, we got dressed in something that felt like the holidays, and took pictures on our front porch. I recently made a pair of red plaid tights. I have been wanting a pair of red plaid tights for a very long time. I also decided to go all out and make a matching red plaid turtleneck. I look like I just fell off the Celtic boat, but so what, it makes me happy ;)

I paired the tights and the turtleneck with a red pleated skirt that I made for my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series. The skirt has a hip yoke. I just used my favorite pencil skirt. The pleats are a series of 8 rectangles. The magic is in how they are folded at the hem.

This is a picture that was taken when I originally posted the instructions.

The hem of the skirt is folded at an angle.  

You can find the instructions to the skirt HERE. It's really quite easy to do. As you can see in the video, the pleats swish about making it a truly fun skirt to wear. I can't believe that I made this skirt 10 years ago!!! And, I still have those boots! 

I hope that you are finding ways to celebrate the season. I'm breaking out Berkley's Christmas collar today. He may hate me, but it will make me laugh!!!

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

 

Tea Towel Totes

If you've followed the blog for a while, you may remember the summer bucket list that my husband found in the alley a couple of summers ago. It had been written by a teenage girl. At least the items on her list were things a teenage girl would like to do. The list was fun, and interesting. My husband tried to see if he could find someone and return the list, but no one was to be found, so he brought the list home to me. I was so inspired by her list that it prompted me to create 1 of my own. What really inspired me was the fact that she was so looking forward to summer, with intention, and with goals. As I read through her list, I realized that I allow time to just go by. Yes, I have goals, but the very focused aspect of her list is what inspired me to do 1 of my own.

When I sat down to work on my list, I decided that rather than just write it on paper, I would paint something and make it all the more special. Here is what I did, a bouquet of cone flowers.

               

After I finished the piece, I decided that I would like to see about turning it into fabric. Off to Spoonflower! There I was able to upload my piece and create fabric. I did do a yardage piece that ended up becoming part of a bag;

As well as pillowcases for my bed;

I also had tea towels printed. I took 4 of the tea towels and made them into totes. I've made 2 and I just love how they turned out!  

Forgive the light peeking through the door :) I just love the size. So often when I go to the store and buy a long loaf of bread, I end up carrying it in my hand as it won't stay in the bag. This bag will hold a long loaf of bread without a problem. 

The handles posed a bit of a dilemma, but I had some fabric that worked beautifully.  

I also used the fabric to cover chip board which gives the bag a sturdy bottom. You can purchase chip board from an art supply store. 

I think tea towels make the greatest bags for gifts. You can really tailor something to the likes of the person you are giving the bag to. If you go to Spoonflower, you'll find lots, and lots of tea towel designs. If by chance you like my design, you can find it HERE. I recommend the Linen Cotton Canvas fabric for tea towels and bags.

Now that the bags are made, I can't wait to give them away!!! I know that both recipients are going to love them. Isn't it just the best when you know you're giving something you've made to someone who is going to love it?!!!  

Happy Sewing!

Rhonda

Sunday's Soup/Popeye's Spinach Soup

I can't remember when I first began to post recipes. I guess I could go back and look, but that's really not the point. The reason I began was because of a passion, a passion that families come back together, sit down at the table and share a meal. But, eat not items that are high in fat, and basically not good for us. Now, truth be told, I enjoy sweets, and fried foods just as much as the next guy, but in moderation. I wanted to show that a healthy meal can be easy to cook. I don't know that my goal has been met. I doubt that I ever will. But, I have received notes from some of you that have told me how much you've enjoyed recipes, and that warms my heart :)

I am a big believer in flooding my body with wonderful nutrients and vitamins. My day religiously begins with a drink that my husband calls "green muck." It really isn't that bad. I've started my day with it now for so long that I actually crave it, so it can't be that bad ;) Then throughout the day, I try to pack in as many vegetables as possible. Spinach is one of my favorites. In fact, a funny story...

As a child I absolutely loved the Popeye cartoon. I wanted to be like Popeye(I didn't like Olive Oyl in the least), and I believed that if I ate spinach like Popeye, I too would be strong and mighty. My mother could not give me enough spinach! I hated other vegetables, but I ate my spinach! I don't know if it was just propaganda in order to sell spinach, if so, it worked with me ;) And...I still love spinach. 

I recently had an idea for a creamed spinach soup, with spinach, parsley and mushrooms. To make it a little more robust, I served it with Forbidden Rice. Forbidden Rice is a lovely purple rice that has a wonderful taste, but can be hard to find. So, if you decide to give the recipe a try, use any rice that you have on hand. But, if by chance you come across Forbidden Rice, give it a try, it's wonderful!     

I began with 1 large onion, and sauteed it in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until it was translucent. Two cloves of chopped garlic was added and allowed to cook for about a minute to release the flavor.   

Chopped spinach, parsley, and mushrooms were added to the onion mixture. 

 

4 cups of coconut milk was added, along with 4 cups of vegetable broth. Add 1 tablespoon of dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until mushrooms are tender. Use a handheld blender or a free standing blender to puree the soup.

In a separate pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and remaining mushrooms. Saute until golden brown.

Before serving, add sauteed mushrooms to the soup mixture.

Ladle soup into soup bowls. Add a mound of preferred rice, and drizzle black truffle oil over soup. If you don't have black truffle oil, a little olive oil will be fine.

Popeye's Spinach Soup

downloadable recipe

ingredients;

16 oz. fresh spinach chopped

24 oz. mushrooms sliced

1 large onion chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 bunch parsley chopped

4 cups coconut milk

4 cups vegetable broth

5 tablespoons olive oil

hot cooked rice of choice

black truffle oil

directions;

Divide mushrooms in half.

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a large soup pot. When oil is hot, add chopped onion and saute until translucent. Add 2 cloves of chopped garlic and saute for about a minute longer to release flavor, but not burn. Add chopped spinach, chopped parsley, and sliced mushrooms. Saute until mushrooms are tender. Add 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. 

While soup simmers, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet. When oil is hot, add mushrooms and saute until golden brown. Set aside.

Using a hand held blender, or a free standing blender, puree soup. Before serving, add sauteed mushrooms to soup mixture.

To serve, ladle soup into soup bowls. Add a mound of rice to the center of the soup. Drizzle a little black truffle oil over soup and rice. If you do not have black truffle oil, a little olive oil will be fine. But, not as robust as the black truffle oil. 

Serve and enjoy!

I can still remember the song;

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man. I'm strong to the finish cause I eats me spinach. I'm Popeye the Sailor Man. Toot! Toot! (The toot, toot was his pipe ;)

I hope that you too will be strong to the finish!!!

Eat Well!

Rhonda

It's a Pajama Party!

 A few years ago, I read Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott, and thoroughly enjoyed it. You can find all 3 of her books HERE. I've read them all and enjoyed each of them. 

In her first book she talks about going to France and being an exchange student(something dear to my heart). Not long after she arrived, she had given her clothes to her host mother to wash. Her host mother took 1 look at her pajamas, at least what she was wearing for pajamas, I think they were an old pair of sweat pants that had belonged to her sister, and an old sweatshirt. They were full of holes. Her host mother was horrified as she thought that she may have done something in the wash to cause the holes. Jennifer told her that no, the holes were there. Her host mother just couldn't understand why she would want to wear something like this. The conversation prompted her to go out and purchase a proper pair of pajamas, and she said that she was amazed by how much better she felt, and how much better she slept.  

This prompted me to take a closer look at what I was wearing to bed. Not the best. So, I have been on a mission to revamp my bedtime wardrobe, and find pieces that feel wonderful, that I enjoy wearing, and will keep me warm in the winter. I thought I would share my makes as they are simple, comfortable, and I actually look forward to putting them on at night.

I have found that I REALLY love wearing leggings to bed, at least in the winter. They stay in place, and aren't riding up my leg during the night. The legging pattern that I have used over and over again is the Loveland Legging pattern from Sew News. I can make these in less than an hour. The top that I am wearing below is a free pattern from Fancy Tiger Crafts. It's their One Hour Top pattern, and you can find it HERE. I lengthened the top a bit, and lengthened the sleeves. Love it!     

I recently made a pullover out of a wool fleece blanket that I love wearing. I used an old Great Copy Pattern that is out of print. It's their New York Style Pullover. I looked on Etsy and found a number of Great Copy patterns, but not this one. But, if you are persistent, I'm sure that sooner or later it will pop up. For cold mornings, it's just the perfect pullover to wear with my pajamas.   

This pair of pajamas is exactly the same as the pair above, just in a different fabric. 

I absolutely love the dolman style sleeves.  

The pajama pants that I am wearing below are another free pattern from Martha Stewart. I have used, and used this pattern, for pajama pants to street wear pants. You can find the pattern HERE. I've paired it with another fleece top, the La Megeve Pullover from Naughty Bobbins Patterns.  

Underneath the pullover, I'm wearing my favorite pajama top, the Molly Tee from Pattern Union. 

The next 2 pairs of pajamas are both made with the Loveland Leggings pattern and the Molly Tee. This has become my standard pajama outfit.

My friend Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist makes pajama pants for her family for Christmas. She loves the idea of the leggings and tee shirt. I told her that if she makes these for her family, she is going to create a monster as they are going to want more and more. Leggings and a tee to bed is just the best!!! :)

Happy Sleeping!!!

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

 

Sunday Brunch/Easy Sunday Crepes

A year or so ago, I made pumpkin pancakes for our Sunday breakfast. I had made enough so that there were 3 leftover for my husband's Monday morning breakfast. 

When we had finished our breakfast, I grabbed my cup of tea, and went over to watch a Sunday morning news program. My husband had taken our plates to the sink. All of a sudden I heard him scream, "NOOOO!!!" I looked over to see Berkley standing on the bench with his front legs on the table, eating the pancakes. When my husband screamed, rather than jump down, he began to eat faster! I guess he thought, "I'm in it now, I may as well get it all!" ;) This little dog absolutely LOVES pancakes...of every type.

I have been going through recipes that I've posted in the past, and there are a number that I feel I need to revisit, and have them so that you can easily print them. I originally posted this recipe in 2012...8 years ago :/ Wow! I really wanted to post it now as the holidays are coming, such a wonderful time to do something lovely for your family, and such a wonderful excuse to sit down and really connect.  

Crepes are so easy to make. They are nice and light, so you don't get up from the table feeling as though you need a nap. And, the fillings can be tailored to the likes of everyone who comes to the table. 

The recipe is below.

Once the mix has been made, heat a skillet or crepe pan. If you don't have a crepe pan, you don't need one! A skillet will work just fine. Add a small pat of butter to the pan to season it. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the pan. Swirl the pan to distribute the batter as evenly as possible. Cook until the batter is no longer runny, about a minute.

Flip the pancake and cook on the opposite side for no more than another minute.

Place the crepes on a warm plate, and then continue with the rest of the batter. This recipe makes approximately 10-11 crepes.

 

I made a lovely cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I use ginger, a stick of cinnamon, 1 orange, and the entire orange peel. If you would like the recipe, just let me know, and I'll be happy to post it. Since I had leftovers, I decided to serve the sauce as the filler for the crepes. Soooo delicious!

Just place a little in the center of the crepe, fold over, and then put a little on top, and finish with a dust of powdered sugar. Then, dig in and enjoy!!!

Berkely got a few scraps :)

Easy Sunday Crepes

downloadable recipe

ingredients;

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups Almond Milk(or milk of choice)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 cup flour

directions; 

Place eggs in blender, and blend until smooth. Add milk and vanilla extract. with blender running, add melted butter. Add flour, and blend until smooth.

Heat skillet or crepe pan. Season with a small pat of butter. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe mixture onto hot skillet or crepe pan. Swirl batter to evening distribute around bottom of pan. Cook until batter no longer runs, about a minute. Flip crepe and cook for a minute longer on opposite side. Place on warm plate and repeat with remaining batter. Makes about 10-11 crepes.

Serve with favorite filling and powdered sugar.   

You can see my original post HERE. In that post I made a strawberry/rhubarb sauce. 

As always, if you give the recipe a try, I hope you enjoy it!

Just a quick story to close. A friend of mine visited with me last year along with her 7 year old daughter. While they were with me, her daughter was always by my side, and whatever I was doing, she wanted to participate, including setting the table for our meals. My friend told me that she recently had a day off, and decided to make a lovely meal, set the table, and serve the food in serving bowls. Her daughter came to the table and exclaimed, "it's just like at Rhonda's house! It all looks so pretty." 

Happy Eating :)

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

 

Sunday's Soup/Glazed Maple Carrot Soup

 It's been quite a while since I've posted a soup recipe, but I'm back with a good one, if I say so myself. I've posted a number of carrot soups, but what I especially like about this one is that it is truly perfect for the upcoming holidays. And such a nice change from the traditional pumpkin soups. It's quite easy to make, and will freeze beautifully. And too, it's quite aromatic, so it will make your home smell so inviting. 

Begin with 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot. Add 2 large yellow onions and saute until tender.

  

Add 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic and 3 pounds of chopped carrots. Saute until the carrots glisten, and are glazed with the oil. 

Add 8 cups of vegetable broth, and 3 bay leaves. Cook over medium heat until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, and 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice. Remove bay leaves, and using a blender or hand held blending wand, blend soup to a smooth consistency. 

Ladle soup into your favorite soup bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a drizzle of maple syrup. YUM!!! :)

Glazed Maple Carrot Soup

serves 12

Printable Recipe

ingredients;

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 large yellow onions chopped

3 cloves garlic finely minced

3 pounds carrots chopped

3 bay leaves

8 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

fresh cilantro for garnish

salt and black pepper to taste

directions;

Pour olive oil into large soup pot. Add chopped onions and saute until tender. Add minced garlic and chopped carrots. Saute until carrots are glazed with oil, about 5 minutes.

Add vegetable broth, and bay leaves, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add maple syrup, lime juice, and coriander. Remove bay leaves. Using a blender, or hand held mixing wand, puree soup until smooth. 

Serve soup with freshly chopped cilantro and a drizzle of maple syrup. 

If you give the soup a try, I so hope you enjoy it!

Rhonda

A Little Work, A Little Time, But It's All Worth It

I am almost 5 months into my challenge, and I am loving it more with each passing day. First of all, I am really wearing my clothes, and that's just the best! The challenge has caused me to look very closely at what's in my closet, and to really focus on what's there. Another wonderful aspect of the challenge is that while I do not sew everyday(while many think I must), it has inspired me to sew more, and I love that. I have been pulling pieces out of my collection, and I am so excited about getting new pieces made. I came across a wonderful quilted knit piece that I had completely forgotten that I had. So excited!!!You'll see it made up soon!

With today's post, we are starting with October 17th. I had made the t-shirt from Vogue 9108. To be honest, I wasn't happy with how it turned out. The fit is just a little off. But, it's wearable. I did not make the leggings from the pattern, but used the Sew News Loveland Leggings pattern. Since I had the t-shirt and the leggings made, I wanted to wear them, but didn't have time to get the tunic together, so I whipped up a little rectangle skirt from my Fabulous Free Pattern Friday series. It's just 1 rectangle,and 1 seam. Doesn't get any easier. You can find the instructions HERE. I felt like I was channeling my inner Janice Joplin. All I needed was a feather boa :)

             

This sweater languished in a bag, all knitted and ready to be sewn together, in my closet for I don't know how long. Finally, I got it out, and finished it, and I could not be happier!!!

This is a picture of the original Rowan pattern. I rather like mine better;) I used yarn that I had purchased at a Lorna's Laces warehouse sale. The only problem is that I look a little like Robin Hood, oh well ;)  

You've seen both the top and the leggings before, just not together. That's another wonderful aspect of the challenge, because I am paying more attention, I am seeing pieces that work with other pieces that I may not have paid attention to in the past. The top is the free Monroe Turtleneck pattern from Tessuti Fabrics. The leggings are a fabulous pattern from Helen's Closet, the Avery Leggings.  

I made the top I am wearing last winter using Simplicity 9017. The neckline is especially nice. I had enough of the fabric to squeeze out a skirt using the Naughty Bobbins Equinox skirt pattern. I really like this pattern as it has back darts at the waist that gives a beautiful sleek fit.    

This was a buy the fabric and bring it home and make it immediately ensemble. Some friends had given me a gift certificate to Elfrieda's Fine Fabrics in Boulder, CO. So enjoyed my visit. This is a rayon piece that was actually a remnant. Score!!! I made the Salma Wrap from Style Arc, and had enough for a simple skirt.

I think this is the first time in the history of my life that I have purchased fabric, and made up every piece within a week! I was just so excited by the pieces that I purchased at Elfrieda's. I found a piece of corded knit that I just couldn't resist, and they had a bamboo knit that matched it perfectly. I feel like a broken record, but when a pattern works, it works. Here again I made the Loveland Leggings and the Monroe Turtleneck. The only difference with the turtleneck was that I added a strip to the hem to lengthen it a bit.    

Another pattern that has become a favorite is the Off Shoulder Romper the from Ellie and Mac. 

When I saw the rayon remnant at Elfrieda's, I immediately knew that I wanted a Salma Wrap to wear with the romper. Just a perfect piece for giving you an extra bit of warmth. Sadly, I deleted the video of this piece. 

This outfit brings us up to October 24th. It was Saturday, it was cold, and I wanted something simple, so I pulled out a skirt that I made using the free Tessuti Libby A-line skirt pattern. The pattern comes in 3 lengths. Just a great staple pattern for any wardrobe. I paired it with the La Megeve Pullover from Naughty Bobbins Patterns. Both pieces fit the bill for how I was feeling that day :) 

On Sunday it snowed!!! I was soooo happy. But then, I am one of those crazy people who love snow :/ I'm wearing a stretch velvet dress/tunic that is basically an a-line tee. It has side pockets, and small slits at the hem. I paired it with a pair of tights that I made. Sadly, that pattern is not available. But, I will have a post up soon on tight patterns that I have tried and like. Making tights is a blast!!!   

This outfit brings me up to October 27th. I did skip a day. I look at it like this, it's a little like a diet, if you slip up, what's most important is to just keep going. This piece is another that I purchased at Elfrieda's. Such a lovely artistic piece of fabric. I used Vogue 9305 as I felt that the flowy tunic would really show off the fabric. Sadly, it looks like the pattern is out of print, but you can find them on Etsy/Ebay. I'm wearing a pair of pants that you've seen many times. I used the Martha Stewart free pajama pant pattern. It's just a great, basic elastic waist pant pattern.   

   

 

If by chance you feel motivated, join me in  my little journey. You don't have to post your pictures everyday, or at all, but I would encourage you to take pictures, even if it's just for yourself. It's amazing how much I have learned about myself, and my clothes over the last almost 5 months. Like any challenge, it has taken a little work, and a little time, but it has all been worth it. 

Until next time....

Sew On!!! 

Rhonda

Time Changes Things...But Does It?

This past Sunday, I was able to spend time with a special member of my family. She had said that I could meet her, and sit with her during her hair appointment, and then we could go for lunch. What I thought would be maybe an hour turned out to be a number of hours since she also had color done. I told her that when I saw the foils come out, I thought, "oh no!!!, I'm going to be sitting here for quite some time." I thought too about what I could possibly do for the next 3 hours :/ As it turned out, the salon had a current edition of Vogue magazine which I had not read. And yes, I read it from cover to cover ;)

I so enjoy Vogue magazine. Always have. Not only do they have wonderful fashion editorials, the writers are amazing, and I always learn something new. In this issue, they had a lovely article on an exhibit that is currently at The Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled, About Time: Fashion and Duration. While most of us will not be able to take a trip to New York City to see the exhibit, we can visit it virtually. 

In the video below, the curator, Andrew Bolton explains the thought process behind the exhibition, and he also walks us through the collection. What an incredible opportunity!   

The video below showcases many of the garments that are in the exhibition. It shows how we are so much a part of our past. It's really quite fascinating.

You can see a few of the pieces that have been paired together HERE. Below is an example.

(Left) Timeline:  Cristóbal Balenciaga (Spanish, 1895–1972). Dress, fall/winter 1958–59 haute couture. Gift of Rosamond Bernier, 1973 (1973.58.1a, b)
(Right) Interruption: Nicolas Ghesquière (French, born 1971) for Louis Vuitton (French, founded 1854). Dress, spring/summer 2018. Courtesy of Collection Louis Vuitton 

I have so enjoyed the virtual tour of this exhibit. 

Both videos will only take about a half hour. Time well spent! And think about it this way, no airline ticket, no crowds, and you can enjoy a cup of tea during your tour. And...you may as well add a lovely sweet treat to go with that cup of tea ;) 

Enjoy!

Rhonda