Sunday Night Reflections

You don't have to win

to be a champion.

In 1988, a young man went to Calgary, Canada with no funding, substandard equipment, finished last, and became a hero.

Micheal Edwards dreamed of going to the Olympics, the impossible dream for most. But, he made the impossible happen. What's interesting is that few remember who won the medals, but we remember the man who finished last. We remember "Eddie The Eagle," the heroic failure. 

Sunday's Supper/Mushroom, Kale and Wild Rice Casserole

I love going through Pinterest and finding dishes that look so good that I can almost taste them right through the screen. In fact, if I'm hungry, I'll pin recipe after recipe. Sometimes I look back and wonder what I was thinking ;) 

When I saw the recipe that I'm sharing today, I was hungry, but I didn't have time to make it at that point. Well, my wait was rewarded as this is a delicious meal. It's a little rich, as it includes butter, cream, and cheese. Oh well, a little butter, cream, and cheese is a good thing, every once in a  while :)

The picture below is from The Kitchen Paper website. Doesn't this look good?!!

And here's mine.

Full of mushrooms and kale!

I made just a few small changes. 
The recipe says to cut your onions into thin rings. I chopped my onions. 
I used a smoked Gruyere cheese. I really like the smoked flavor. If by chance you can't get Gruyere, mozzarella would be a fine substitute.
The recipe calls for fresh oregano. I forgot to buy fresh oregano, and I didn't have any dried oregano, so I substituted Herbs de Provence.  I think I might like the flavor better.
The recipe is fairly large, so rather than putting the entire amount into 1 large casserole dish, I divided into 2 and put 1 in the freezer for another time. I love cooking once and having multiple meals :)  

This is a dish you can make as a main course, or a side dish. If you are having someone come for dinner who is a vegetarian, this dish coupled with a salad will make them quite happy. And then serve it to the rest of your guests as a side dish. 

You can find a printable version of the recipe HERE. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Rhonda

Thrifty Thursday/Tites Mains Japanese Inspired Twisted T-Shirt

Yep, it's Saturday, and yep, I'm behind, but I wanted to share a new pattern that's super easy to make and lots of fun to wear.

A while back, I introduced you to Tites Mains, a talented young woman who lives in France. She posted a brand new pattern this week. I love asymmetrical tops that drape, so I decided to download the free pattern and give it a try.

Here's a picture of her in her top. 

Other than the fact that I like draped, asymmetrical tops, I also liked the fact that it was designed to be made out of a woven fabric. The top goes together in a snap as there are only 3 seams. 

Below is the taped together PDF pattern. 

I made a couple of changes to the pattern. If you'll notice, there's a V-neck, I rounded mine,

Also notice that there is a point at the top of the pattern. You can see a line running from the point to the hem. This is a fold line and becomes the side of the top once the piece is folded. 

The point will be under the arm once the arm has been put through the opening that will basically be the sleeve. The problem with the point is that it is difficult to turn and finish. 

I simply folded the fabric in half on the fold line and then trimmed the point away. Now the edge will be easy to finish. 

Here's the top folded on the fold line prior to be sewn together. You can see that there is only 1 side seam and 2 shoulder seams. One side has more of a traditional sleeve and the other side has notches that indicate where the stitching should stop for the arm opening.  

Since the pattern was designed for a woven fabric, I decided to use a suede cloth. I wish there was touch-o-vision as this is the most wonderful to touch fabric. It can be steamed, but not pressed, so I topstitched the seams in place.  

The shoulder seam was topstitched and then I ran the stitching into the and around the armhole opening. 

 My finished top.

The back.

Rather than turn and stitch the neckline as she suggested, I did a bias binding. I think it makes a nicer finish.

And because we all like to look on the inside :)

The pattern is labeled as a medium to large. I feel that it is more of a small to medium. If you make it out of a knit fabric, then it could fit a large. So PLEASE measure the pattern prior to cutting to determine if the pattern as it is will fit you.
You can find the pattern for free HERE on the Craftsy website. I will be making more as it's super easy to make and easy to wear. 

The Pepernoot Coat from Waffle Patterns/Downloading The Layered Pattern

As I'm sure you all know, the Pepernoot Coat Sew Along will begin March 7, 2016. I think you are going to be amazed at how easy the coat is to make, and how well it goes together. The zippers may seem a little intimidating, but we'll take them step by step, and if need be, I'll do a video tutorial to walk you through the process. I absolutely love my coat, and every time I wear it. I get so many compliments. So of course, I want the same for you :)
I wanted to show you this picture from the Waffle Patterns blog. We'll talk more about fabric choices, but I thought this was so cute. Take note that the zippers are red and the yokes are piped in red. The yokes are also quilted in a contrasting, but coordinating fabric. Just something to think about as you start planning your coat. 

To help get you started, I did a little video on how to use the layered aspect of the pattern. This is such a great option. I opted to download the copy shop version of the pattern, but even if you decide to print at home, you can still use the layered option. With the layered option, you are able to get just the size you want, so no going blind trying to cut on the correct size line. 
   
Once again,my apologies for the shaky video and poor quality, but hopefully it will help.
If you haven't purchased your pattern, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.
Let me know if you have any questions about using the layered aspect of the pattern.
Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase

I just listened to a TedTalk given by Robert Waldinger. The title of the talk is what caught my attention. But then, I'm a real sucker for Ted Talks, absolutely love them. Quite often, if you come into my studio, you'll hear one in the background. The title of this talk was, "Happiness Comes From One Thing..." Not to spoil the talk in case you might like to listen, but as it turns out, what's most important is our relationships and a feeling of being needed and wanted. Not really a surprise. The talk is short and something you can listen to while you do other things. You can find it HERE, if you would like, it's only a little over 12 minutes long. He also talks about the benefit of relationships on our health as we grow older. I found it fascinating. 

The Wednesday Showcase is all about building connections and sharing what we do, so it really coincides with the talk I just heard. 

First up is a very delightful lady from Sydney, Australia. She has quite the sense of humor as on her about page, she said that her husband enjoys foot acupuncture. I thought she was serious until I read that he walks around her studio in his bare feet. Too funny!!! Her name is Lesley and you can find here blog here, http://sewniptuck.com/ 

Now check out what this amazing woman can do.

Her daughter found this top...super cute, and wanted one for herself.

 Isn't this amazing?!!!

The jacket that Lesley is wearing is a self drafted piece. Be sure to pop over to her blog and check out the post. This picture really doesn't do the jacket justice.

She is also a knitter. 

Another adorable piece. She actually took the Anna dress pattern from By Hand London and made a top and skirt. Check out the frayed hems. She said they actually took more time than had she just hemmed the whole thing.

Be sure to check out her blog. There's a lot more inspiration to be had.

Now I thought we would make a stop in Chicago. I've known Wendy for a number of years. She is an energetic sewist, and always in pursuit of a great fit. A lawyer by day and a sewist by night, always ready to take on a challenge. You can find her blog here, https://couturecounsellor.com/

Wendy had always felt that she couldn't wear a shift dress. She took a class with Sarah Veblen and she suggested adding the belt at the waist that goes from the front princess line to the back. Wendy was ecstatic! Finally, a shift dress that she loves. I've seen this dress in person, and it really does look so lovely on her. 

I loved the matching on this top. Only us sewists notice things like this :) 

Wendy decided to put a few patterns together to create a design idea.

And made this lovely ensemble. Notice the scallop detail at the hem. Great use of both patterns.

And finally, I thought I would share this with you. She said that this was the first time she ever had a piece fit her right out of the pattern. In the picture below, she is pointing to the seaming detail. It's a little lost with the pattern of the fabric.

The line drawings show the details. Wendy feels that it's the seaming that gives the excellent fit. If you would like to check the pattern out for yourself, you can find it HERE.

Not to disagree with Mr. Waldinger, but I think that sewing and having good sewing friends is the secret to happiness :)  

Thank you for the richness that so many of you add to my life.

Happy Wednesday!

Rhonda  

Monday Morning Inspiration/Free Museum Books!

This is just too good to be kept a secret! 

We all love inspiration, and I think that most of us enjoy seeing the beautiful clothes that have been created by some of the most amazing designers. Well, how about being able to get the books for free???

I'm fortunate to have been invited to be on a Facebook page where lots of sewing inspiration is shared. One of the ladies is an avid reader, so she has a great thirst for knowledge. A few years ago I was so impressed when she decided to take a very analytical course at one of the major universities here in Chicago...just for the fun of learning, amazing. She recently shared the site I'm sharing with you, and I think you are going to love it just as much as I have. 

As it turns out, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has made a number of books available as a free download. FREE!!!! It's true, I've downloaded a number of the books.

This was one of my favorites. Glorious pictures and great text.

I had the opportunity to see this exhibit and of course I purchased the book. This book is a must see. You'll love the exhibit pieces that were chosen.

I also downloaded the Madame Gres book. Beautiful.

There are so many more. Here's just a sampling,

You can find all that I have listed and more HERE.

I think that's enough to inspire you on a Monday morning!!!
Have fun :)
Rhonda
P.S. Thanks Miss P! 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Spiritual Samaritan lives knowing that if we were to leave this world tomorrow, 

we were the best humans we could be

 and we touched the lives of as many souls as possible. 

We are not asked to be perfect.
 We are asked to make a difference.

                                                                                                                               Molly Friedenfeld