Monday Morning Inspiration

I love to wear skirts! They are so versatile. You can mix and match them with blouses, sweaters, or pair them with jackets. They can be worn with tights and flats or tights and boots. You can change the look by simply changing your shoes from flats to stilettos. Because I love skirts, I am always on the look out for an interesting design and I've found a few that I thought you might like too!

I wish I could see a complete front view of this skirt. But regardless, I really like the asymmetrical hem and the side seam welt pocket.

 A wrap skirt is always lovely. I love how they played with the pattern on this skirt.

 I'm sure you've seen this skirt on Pinterest. It's a very popular pin. But it derserves to be looked at again as it is such a lovely and dramatic design.

Okay, we need Bunny of La Sewista for this one, especially since she is a smocking guru. I REALLY want to know how to do this!!! I don't care for the little buttons, but I do love the technique.

 Simple, yet so graceful.

 Here's another interesting wrap.

I think this is so pretty. Look closely and you'll see that inside the center of the drape is a zipper. Sadly the zipper looks a bit off, but it's a great idea nonetheless.

Since this skirt is in white, it's a little difficult to see, but if you look closely, you'll see that it has very interesting lines.

 What a lovely take on a pleated skirt.

 A cute take on a kilt design.

This skirt makes me want to throw my sandals on and head for Bermuda!!! It just screams summer.

I love how the scalloped edge was taken around the hem and then up the center back to accent the vent opening.

Such a comfortable looking skirt. From Eileen Fisher. I believe that Marcy Tilton has a Vogue pattern that is quite similar.

 I love everything about this skirt. Take a striped fabric and add godets. Lovely.

Now for a little comic relief ;) I'll say this, it's interesting!!!

I have some fabulous surprises up my sleeve for you this week, so please be sure to check back. Also, the voting for the Get Your Motors Running Contest ends tonight so be sure to get your vote in if you haven't done so already.

Have a wonderful day and a great week!!!!
Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

I am always doing that which I cannot do, 

in order that I may learn how to do it.

                                                                                                             Pablo Picasso

Eating For Your Future/Sunday's Soup

We are so fortunate to have an array ethnic markets in Chicago and believe me, I take advantage of them!! I love the aromas, the energy and the thrill of finding something that is at least,  new to me. One market that I often shop at is a middle eastern market. They bake fresh pitas and other middle eastern flat breads. Their spices are unbelievable, and as I said, I always find something new to me.
One item that I buy quite often is lentils. I especially love red lentils. They are just so pretty!

And they make the loveliest soup. Today's soup is basically off the package. I made a few changes by adding carrots and celery, but that's it. This is a wonderfully easy soup to whip up and it will last throughout the week for lunch. As you can see below, the lentils in their dried form are a golden orange, but when cooked become a golden yellow. Lentils are high in B vitamins, fiber and protein. When you are following a vegan diet, it's very important to be very aware of your protein intake.

Lentil Soup or "Shorabat Addas"

2 cups red lentils
8 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric or paprika
1 large onion diced
2 large carrots chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
2 bouillon cubes (optional)

1. Wash lentils. Add to water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover for 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally.
2. When lentils are tender, add spices and optional bouillon cubes. I used vegetable based bouillon.

3. Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until golden brown. Add chopped carrots and celery and cook until tender. Add to lentils.
4. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and stir.
5. Garnish with parsley, and or paprika. Serve with extra lemon slices on the side.
Yields 6 servings

As you can see, the soup is very easy to prepare. I really like the addition of the vegetables. A red pepper would also make a nice addition and make the soup a little heartier.

My Daniel Diet is going fairly well, but I must confess, I have made a few slip ups. I'll post more on that later this week.

The Gift Of Having a Sewing Community

Happy Friday Everyone!
Our usual Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post will be back next week. I have a number of projects that I need to work on, so something had to give and it ended up being my usual posts :( So sorry.
Today, I would just like to share a little story.
Back in November, Shams of Communing With Fabric posted a picture of this pattern.

Shams saw a post that Anne-Marie of Le Mani D'Oro had posted asking if anyone had the pattern and if so, would they be willing to sell, rent or trade. Anne-Marie had also posted the pattern on Facebook. I had the pattern and in the correct size!!! Within a few hours, the connection was made, the pattern packed and on its way to Canada. The only caveat, I wanted the pattern back. Anne-Marie offered to pay for using the pattern, but I told her to just reimburse me for the shipping and that would be plenty.
When the pattern made its way back to Chicago, it was not alone. In the package was a lovely card

a beautiful piece of silk,

and the best part......an original Labrecque sketch on the back of the envelope!!!! How lucky am I????

This is getting framed!! 

The power of the internet. Amazing! Isn't it wonderful that we have a way to connect?!! 

So on days when you are alone at your sewing machine, smile and know that you are not really alone. We have the most wonderful community at our finger tips who are not only creative, but so very kind, generous, and supportive. And they can make things happen in a flash!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Rhonda

Get Your Motors Running! And You Get To Vote!!!!

We're deviating a little from our usual Monday Morning Inspiration post, but I think this will be especially inspirational!!!

Last September, Janet Pray of Islander Patterns gifted me a bolt of this wonderful fabric. It's a shirt weight barkcloth. I loved it at first sight! My original intention was to make a ball gown and use the panels to create a full skirt. I had 11 panels, so plenty to create a full skirt and enough left over for the bodice.

But, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to share it. Then an idea popped into my head, so I called Janet and ran my idea past her and she loved it. 

I knew that Janet was coming out with a new Craftsy Class and that it would showcase her new pattern, the Motor City Express Jacket. Since I had 11 panels of the fabric, I thought that I would share 10 and of course keep 1 for myself. So I chose 10 bloggers to participate. Each blogger received 1 panel, approximately 20" wide, by 60" long. They could do anything they liked, but it needed to be made into a garment. They were free to mix the panel with another piece of fabric, or use it all alone. Out of the 10 chosen. 9 completed the project and what an amazing(really amazing!!!) job they did! Please click on their links to read about their inspiration and design process.

Debbie of http://lilysageandco.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-floral-fabric-challenge.html

Shams of  http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/2015/02/challenge-accepted.html

Cennetta of  http://themahoganystylist.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-and-white-contest-and-wardrobe.html

Mari of http://seamsterpatterns.com/get_your_motors_running_sewing_contest/

Lisa of  http://www.poldapop.com/2015/01/get-your-motors-running-va-vvrrooooom.html

Rachel of http://houseofpinheiro.blogspot.com/2015/02/modern-chanel.html

Rosy of http://www.sewingadicta.com/2015/02/the-mysterious-lady-tribute-to-rhonda.html

Stacy of http://stacysews.com/entry/2015/0201_modern-barkcloth/

Andrea of http://www.sewtofit-andrea.blogspot.com/2015/02/project-runway-contestant-or-not-this.html

So, this was a challenge and YOU get to determine the winner!!! I'm so glad it's not me as I just can't choose a favorite. The winner will receive Janet's new Craftsy Class along with the Motor City Express Jacket pattern. It's a great pattern with lots of zippers!!!! 

So now we need your help to choose a winner. Please go to each contestant's blog, read about her process and then come back here and vote for your favorite. Voting will end at midnight on Monday February 9, 2015 and the winner will be announced on Tuesday February 10, 2015. How will you ever be able to pick a favorite??????

**As you can see, the voting issue has been fixed and the voting is well under way. If you would like to vote for your favorite contestant, just click on the HEART in the upper right hand corner of the thumbnail and your vote will be registered. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Night Reflections

Life is a very special coin. 

 You may spend it anyway you wish,

 but you may spend it only once.

                                                                                  Lillian Dickerson

Eating For Your Future

I'm really late today!!! But it is February 1st and I did begin the Daniel Fast. As much as I tried to prepare and cut back on my caffiene intake, I ended  up with a bit of a headache, but thankfully, only a bit. The good news is that tomorrow will be easier!
I do have a recipe to share,but sadly, I somehow deleted all but one of my photos. You may remember me telling you about my acupuncturist and her herbalist partner, who as it turns out is quite the cook! I shared his recipe for Italian White Beans and Kale HERE. As good as that dish was, this one is even better, Saag Chana. The picture below is not mine, but taken from Epoch Times.

Saag Chana

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion
3 to 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
½ teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 large tomato chopped
12 oz of fresh spinach, cleaned and chopped
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
red pepper flakes to taste
1 teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup water
2 15oz cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup cilantro chopped
Juice of one lime

In a large skillet sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds in olive oil until onions are transparent. Stir in spice powers, salt and pepper flakes and cook for another minute. Next add tomato and spinach and cook until vegetables are soft and combined. Add water and chickpeas. Stir to combine and simmer on med-low for 20 to 30 minutes or until most of the liquid evaporates. Turn off heat and mix in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt and cumin-scented basmati rice.

This is the only picture of my dish that I did not mangae to delete!

*I did not serve the dish with yogurt and I used brown rice rather than the white basmati rice. But I did add a teaspoon of cumin to the rice as it cooked and it was delicious. I also served the dish with extra slices of lime. The extra lime was delicious. Also, PLEASE to not delete the cilantro as it really adds a lovely pop to the dish. If by chance you are also following the Daniel Fast this month, this recipe is perfect. Very satisfying and filling.

Now, just for fun. A few pictures that a friend of mine took of me and my 2 dogs while on a recent hike. Gracie and Little Bit in all their beauty and me without a lick of makeup on!!!!

Happy February Everyone!!!
Rhonda