Sunday Night Reflections

Sewbussted's Material Witness, Episode 4/ Ellen March Editor of Sew News

When I was in Denver, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Ellen March, editor of Sew News magazine and as you'll find out...so much more! 

Her story is one of determination and perseverance. I think you are going to love meeting her! And...she has a VERY funny story to share ;)

  

In the video, Ellen shared that they are looking for contributors for Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery. If you would like to be considered for an article, send your ideas to;
sewingeditorial@gmail.com

In the subject line, "Add Me To Editorial Calls."

Send:
*Your Full Name
*Email Address 

If you have a project idea or query, you will use the same address. Just keep in mind that they work 6 months in advance, so it's not a great idea to send Christmas project ideas around Christmas time. In December, the team is working on the summer issues. 

Now, if you've stayed to this point, I have another exciting bit of news...Ellen has agreed to give 1 lucky winner a year's subscription to Sew News magazine!!!!! WooHoo!!!

If you would like a chance to win, you must have a U.S. mailing address. Leave a message on this post by midnight March 9, 2017, and I will draw the name of the lucky winner next Friday, March 10, 2017. 

If you would like to go ahead and subscribe to the magazine, you can so so HERE.

Good Luck, and I hope you've enjoyed this edition of Sewbussted's Material Witness :)
Rhonda 

Perfect Pant Retreat and An Opportunity Not To Be Missed!

One of my absolute all time favorite movies is "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." It's a story about a rather uptight business man (Steve Martin), and a shower curtain ring salesman (John Candy). Both are trying to get to Chicago, but due to flight delays and bad weather, they end up on quite an adventure that involves planes, trains, and automobiles. It's a silly, but hilarious movie. I have probably watched the movie at least 10 or more times. It' s a movie that makes me laugh each and every time I see it. If you have not seen it, you can watch it for FREE HERE. 

Yesterday was a planes, trains, and automobiles day for me. I was traveling back to Chicago from Denver. The day began early with a van service to the airport, then a bit of a wait. Thankfully, my flight was not canceled or delayed. Made it to Chicago where I jumped on the elevated train which takes me just a short 3 block walk to my home. As it turned out, we were having a horrible storm in Illinois as well as Chicago, thunderstorms, tornadoes, pouring down rain. Of course, I had no umbrella, or raincoat, so rather than walking home and being soaking wet by the time I arrived, I decided to get off at a stop where I had a good chance of getting a taxi. I didn't have to wait too long, but by the time I finally arrived home, I was exhausted! Still am ;)

In our last Sewbussted's Material Witness video, I introduced you to Karen Bengtson who is a master pant fitting instructor. She will be having a pant fitting retreat and all of the info is below.

Perfect Pant Retreat 

June 6 - June 9, 2017  With Karen’s Sew Unique  
Workshop Cost: Early registration $275 until April 1, 2017. 
After April 1st, $300. Max 10 students. 
Lodging and Food at Peaceful Valley Resort, Lyons CO 
Private Room: $533, Double Room: $333
Fitting will begin at 2:30 on Tuesday June 6, 45 minutes with each student, Dinner at 6PM, finish up fitting, and go over sewing schedule for the workshop. 
Supplies to bring: Sewing machine, all of your feet, general sewing tools, wool fabric and lining, thread to match. Instructor will have Pendleton wool and lining available for purchase. Machine rentals: $50.
You will go home with a custom pant pattern, finished pair of lined pants, knowledge to make another pair, and instructor’s instruction manual. 
Instructor: Karen Bengtson 
Phone: 303-746-0978 
Email: karenssewunique@gmail.com 
Full payment due May 1, 2017 
Make checks out to;
Karen Bengtson
1525 Ervine Ave.
Longmont, CO 80501

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Karen directly.

Coming Up On The Blog...

This Friday, a new episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness will be up and you DO NOT want to miss this one!!! 

There will be a GREAT giveaway attached to this video that I know you will want to have an opportunity to win.

Have you dreamed of having one of your sewing ideas or a creation published? Then be sure to come back by on Friday. There will be a VERY exciting announcement made!!!

I just LOVE being able to bring great opportunities your way!
Kinda feels like being a fairy godmother :)

Maybe The Third Time's The Charm/Londa's Terrific 'T'

I have never had such a difficult time with trying to give something away! 

A few weeks ago, I announced the giveaway for Londa Rohlfing's Terrific 'T' pattern. So many left their name to enter. I announced the winner...and no response. I drew a second name...no response. So this morning, I drew a third name, and the winner is...

Congratulations Ginger!!!

Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing info so I can pass it along to Londa.

I will be back a little later today with some great opportunities that you are not going to want to miss out on. Can't wait to share the news!!!

Have a wonderful day :)

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

Sunday Brunch/Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries

If you like pancakes...and strawberries, 

YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS RECIPE!!!

In last week's post, I told you about Kevin of A Garden For The House and a lovely Carrot-Ginger-Orange Soup recipe that he had posted on his website. I found his website because I was looking for some info on how to save my amaryllis bulbs and hopefully have them bloom again next year. Fingers crossed anyway :)

As I looked around, I absolutely loved Kevin's blog, great information and lots of inspiration, so I decided to jump on and follow his posts, and I am SO happy that I did. Now, the soup I shared last week was lovely, but his recipe for Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries is to die for!!!

The pancakes are a cross between a pancake and a crepe, heavier than a crepe, but still quite light. Roasting the strawberries allows them to retain their shape, and the liquid that is expressed turns into a lovely syrup. 

The recipe call for a pound of fresh strawberries, I used a pound and a half , but did not increase the sugar. They were perfectly sweet.

The strawberries are roasted in a very hot oven, 450 degrees for 20 minutes. I lined my pan with foil for less of a clean-up. 

For the pancakes, I used fat-free cottage cheese. While my berries were roasting, I made the pancakes and both were finished at the same time.

The pancakes cook quickly and have the loveliest color. 

There is no need for butter or any type of  syrup. The berries are all you'll need, so all in all quite light, but extremely satisfying.

The pancakes are not at all sweet. They would be great for an evening supper with a mushroom sauce, or, if you like, a chicken and mushroom sauce. Even creamed spinach would make a lovely topping.

You can find a printable recipe for the roasted strawberries HERE, and a printable recipe for the pancakes HERE.

A word of warning...
I thought I would have leftovers for another breakfast or snack...my husband finished them off!!! He left the table with a "PLEASE make these again!"  

Enjoy!
Rhonda 

Sewbussted's Material Witness Episode 3/Pant Fitting and Custom Sewing

We're far more connected than most of us will ever know.  

Just a little over a month ago, I introduced you to Tomasa of Sew Much Fashion and her incredibly well fitted pair of pants. As it turns out, she had taken a class with Karen Bengtson, today's guest on Sewbussted's Material Witness. 

After I did the post on Tomasa, a number of you contacted Karen and begged for a class, of which I had no idea. Amazing!!! Karen then contacted Joyce Simons Murphy, the master mind and creator of the most ingenious pant fitting system I have ever experienced. This prompted Joyce to contact me. I then contacted Karen and asked if she would like to be featured on my new video series. She replied with an ecstatic, "YES!!!" 

In the video, you'll see that my eyes are extremely swollen, a residual effect of the sinus infection that landed me in emergency care. Each day is better :) Please forgive my appearance.

I've purposely designed the videos so that you can watch if you like, or just put it on, listen and enjoy!



If you've always dreamed of a pair of great fitting pants, Karen will be hosting a workshop some time in June. You may contact her at karenssewunique@gmail.com

I am currently taking Joyce Simons Murphy's Building The Custom Pants Block class. Karen did the fitting on my pants block and in 1 fitting, I had a perfect fitting pair of pants. I have never been so amazed. 

I hope you enjoyed the video and that you are leaving inspired.
Rhonda