Peaceful Colors Induce Dreams of Le Jardin Provencale

The pillowcases continue to come in! This batch of 7 is from Jane who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. The colors are so peaceful and inviting, oh how I wish I could go take a nap!!

 The colors and the bamboo make me want to put my hands together and say Namaste.

Among the dreamy colors is this lovely piece with wispy vignettes of gardens anyone would want to visit, even if only in a dream.

When I opened the box, I was so surprised to see a little bag. Nestled inside was a jar of homemade goodness and look at the note Jane wrote. The pad is in the shape of a dress. How cute!! So what could that jar be?

Red Pepper Jelly!!!!Oh my goodness...I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Thanks so much Jane. This is going to be great on a piece of Asiago cheese bread. My mouth is watering as I type :)

Thank you Jane for your lovely contribution. We are now at 823 donated pillowcases for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Only 77 more are needed to reach the goal of 900.
I know that there are more pillowcases coming in, but I am more of a "bird in the hand" rather than a "bird in the bush" kinda gal, so we aren't there yet. If you would like to donate, there is still plenty of time. As I said a few days ago, I would like to do the hanging of the 900 pillowcases over Thanksgiving weekend. So if you have some time to spare and you would like to join in, here is a link to the simplified instructions that I did, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-simplified-pillowcase-instructions.html. If you do participate, email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and let me know. If you would like to read more about the project, here is a link to all of the previous posts that I have done, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge
Saying "Namaste" is part of an old tradition and it is a way of showing respect and gratitude. So I close simply today with
Namaste,
Rhonda

Fabric Mart Challenge

Have you been following the Fabric Mart Challenge? If not, you need to go here and check it out. Each week, the contestants are given a challenge to execute and then they are judged on number of votes received as well as the criteria of the challenge. The last challenge was a Little Black Dress challenge. This is the piece that Shams of http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/ created. I REALLY thought she would win as I felt that she truly knocked it out of the park. It's black and edgy and styled perfectly. You can see her post on the project here. Well, she didn't win and I was ticked. Not that the others didn't do a great job, but I felt that Shams truly thought outside the box.

This week's challenge is a vintage challenge. Here's the pattern that she chose for the challenge.

And here's her creation. Again, the dress is edgy and it ain't your Mama's prim and proper 1950's dress!!!

I think she did a wonderful job. You can read her post about the creation of this dress here.
So, let's all go over to the Fabric Mart blog and vote our little hearts out. In the words of our first Mayor Daley, "if you can't help out your own, who can you help?" Let's help Shams move on to the next challenge and win this thing!!! You can find the voting site here, http://blog.fabricmartfabrics.com/2013/10/fifth-challenge-timeless-classic.html. Now go...VOTE...and vote often ;)

Steee-rike On A Psychedelic Beach

I am having the best time of thinking up titles for the pillowcase posts!!
This batch of eight came from Patty of  http://sewmuchknitting.blogspot.com/ and they are such fun!

 I must be crazy, but I REALLY want some of this fabric. Wouldn't this be a fun skirt?!!

Most of the cases are sports themed and they are cute. Not that I don't like other sports, but I'm in love with those pins! Yup, I'm bowling pin crazy!

 And finally, our psychedelic beach. I can feel the warm sand between my toes now :)

It's fairly windy today and cold. I always laugh each year when the weather begins to change. On this side of winter, we all think it is cold. Once we are on the other side, we'll think this is quite warm and people will be running around in shorts. Thanks so much Patty for your contribution to the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital pillowcase drive. Your 8 brings us to a total of 816 pillowcases. We keep moving closer and closer to the goal of 900. I'm hoping to do the final hanging over Thanksgiving weekend. Rather appropriate don't you think? :) If I am able to hang 900 pillowcases that weekend, it doesn't mean that you can't still contribute to the project. The pillowcases will not go to Washington until February. In my heart I hope we'll reach 1000. Not necessary,just hoping :)

We're still 84 cases away from reaching the 900 mark, so if you would like to contribute to the project, here is a link to the simplified pillowcase instructions, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-simplified-pillowcase-instructions.html. If you would like to read more about the project, here is a link to all of the posts I've done, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge and here is a link to the Pinterest board that I created,  http://www.pinterest.com/sewbussted/pillowcases-for-mary-bridge-childrens-hospital/
When the project first started, it felt a little like the beginning of winter here in Chicago. 100 pillowcases seemed so monumental. Now that we are approaching 900, 84 seems like nothing. Maybe I'll go put some shorts on :)
Thanks so much for all so many of you have done to make this project happen.
Rhonda.

Sunday Night Reflections

Four years ago today, I wrote my very first blog post. I've shared with you in the past that it was my acupuncturist who encouraged me to start the blog. She felt that what I do should not be kept for just a few to see. So, I opened a blog account and jumped in with no idea of where it would take me.
Opening the blog was quite an adventure in and of itself. I didn't realize that I had to give it a title!! Naming the blog, "Rhonda's Creative Life" was really more of a declaration than a title. For the first time in my life I was standing up and saying, yes I am creative and yes it fills my life.
Why I chose to write what I wrote that very first day, I really don't know. I felt so vulnerable, so exposed. It took me almost five months to the day before I was able to talk myself into sitting down and writing another post. It's funny to read that post now and to see the words that I wrote, "with whatever it is that you would like to do, don't allow the pitfalls of learning keep you from your ultimate goal. It's always worth the hard work that it takes to achieve any goal." Interesting. 
The blog has been like taking a walk on a winding path. You have no idea of where it will take you, but where you are at the moment is okay, so you keep going. I have found writing a blog to be one of the most frustrating experiences and at the same time one of the most rewarding. Rather than focusing on the frustrating, I would rather focus on the rewarding. I have met so many wonderful people. I hate to even try and name anyone as the list is long and I'm afraid that I would leave someone out. Needless to say, you have enriched my life in so many ways. You've encouraged and cheered me on when I have felt like quitting and for this I am very grateful. Somewhere there is a post where I talk about giving up and closing my blog. At the time I had very few followers but it was as if you magically appeared just when I needed you the most....and I'm still here. 
From time to time, I receive the loveliest letters. Just this week I received one and since this is my anniversary day, I'll share some of it with you.

I am so excited to start sewing.  See my mom bought me a sewing machine when I got married 10 years ago (took me long enough, right!) she wanted to get something for me that I could have for ever.  I was always so interested and impressed because she sewed mine and my brothers clothes when we were babies, my dolls clothes...lots of things!

Now I have 2 little ones, a full time job, lots of interests and reading your blog made me feel like I can do it, why not! I am not sure why but people tend to say 'you don't have the time' or it will take to long to learn (now that I am 37) :)  but creating/making things makes me happy!

I am hoping I can create something I can wear that doesn't look 'home made' if you know what I mean :)

This is a rather long email to say, thank you for blogging, thank you for sharing, and thank you for inspiring me!

Wow, talk about an "It's A Wonderful Life" moment. What a gift! 
I would rather not talk about how many blog posts I've written, how many followers I have or what my stats are like, because in the end, it really doesn't matter. What matters is that you have enriched and inspired me and in turn, I am so happy that in some small way I have been able to add a little something to your life as well.

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people 
     and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
     and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave this world a better place whether by a
     healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.
                                                 Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Sunday's Soup

I'm a little early with my soup post today as I actually made the soup Friday night. My husband's brother and his wife host a fall get together for the siblings. She usually likes to offer a soup to start the meal, so I volunteered to make the soup. I made the cheater Chicken and Dumpling soup that I posted here and I tried out another Panera Bread recipe

Minestrone with Pesto 

The soup is quite good. Everyone who had a bowl finished every bite, so I think that's a pretty good recommendation. 

 The ingredients are quite simple.

The recipe calls for ditalini or a small shaped pasta. I could not find ditalini so I chose the cavatelli. It's a nice pasta that will hold its shape in soup. Just be aware that the pasta may soak up the liquid and you will need to use more liquid than the recipe calls for.

The one thing that I did not add to the soup was any hot pepper. Remember, I really like hot peppers, so this is my own personal choice, not one of the listed ingredients, but it would be a welcome addition. You can find the recipe on the Panera Bread website here. This recipe is for only 4 servings, so you may want to double it as it will freeze and be great for a quick supper or a nice welcome addition to a lunch bag. If you would prefer to make your own pesto, and I would recommend that you do as homemade is always so much better, you can find a good recipe here. 

The Ingredients;

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup finely chopped onions 1 cup finely chopped carrots 1 cup finely chopped celery 1 cup peeled and chopped Yukon Gold potatoes (about 8 ounces) 1 quart low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 can (15 ounces) petite-diced tomatoes with juice 1 can (15 ounces) small white beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup ditalini, small shells, or other very small shape pasta 1 cup finely chopped zucchini (optional) 1/3 cup refrigerated or jarred pesto

Directions

Step 1.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 2.

Add the potatoes, 4 cups of broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Add additional broth if the soup is too thick.

Step 3.

Stir in the beans, pasta, and zucchini (if using), and simmer until pasta is tender, 8 to 9 minutes. Stir in the pesto.

The soup is hearty without being too rich and it makes up so quickly. I will be making this one again!
Hope you're having a lovely Sunday. My new Vogue magazine arrived yesterday. I think I'm headed for a hot bath where I can soak away some stress and get ready for the upcoming week!
Rhonda

Fabulous Free Pattern Friday

When I was a little girl, my grandmother gave me a bracelet which had a beautiful prism shaped crystal pendant. I loved how it caught the light. Although this top is not a true prism, the shape reminds me of that little bracelet, so I am calling this the
Prism Top

 The shape of this top is nothing more than a modified triangle. Very easy to draft.

 It drapes on the sides.

 The back and the front are exactly the same.

Here it is laying flat and you can see the triangular shape that has been boxed off for the hips.
The measurements that you will need are;
1. Measure across your shoulders with arms outstretched from one elbow to the other. If you would like a little less drape, you can shorten this measurement to approximately the middle of your upper arm.
2. Desired length of top. Measure from shoulder to desired length.
3. Hip measurement.
Begin by drawing a rectangle that is the shoulder measurement by the desired length of the top.

 Find the center of the rectangle, place a mark and then draw in the triangle as shown below.

Divide the hip measurement in half. If your hips measure 40", half of this measurement is 20". Divide this number in half and place a mark on either side of center on the bottom line of the rectangle.

 Draw a straight line up from those marks approximately 6".

 Follow the line of the triangle and blend the triangle line into the the straight lines which were just drawn in.

Find the center of the top line of the rectangle. Measure over 3" from the center and measure down the desired depth of the neckline.

 My contrasting neckline piece is 2" wide.

Draw in the lines for spreading the pattern as you see below. Be sure to number them just in case they come apart. Cut the contrasting neckband away from the pattern piece. I've only drawn in the spread lines on half of my pattern because the pattern is the same on both sides and it will be easier to spread just half of the pattern.

Cut on the spread lines to the side seam being careful to cut to and not through. Spread 2" between each slashed line.

Once the pattern has been spread apart, draw in a nice smooth line as you see below. Also mark in notches. These notches will tell you where the gathering will begin and end.
The point on the end of the side seam is rather severe, so I rounded it just a bit.

The final pattern.
You will cut 4 of the neckband on the fold and 2 of the main body of the top.

It's a little difficult to see, but I added a 4" band to the bottom of my top. This is just 1 long rectangle.

If the band were made wider, this could also be a great dress. If your drape is as deep as mine, you might want to wear a camisole or tank underneath the top. I like to wear a t-shirt under mine.

A very easy to draft top or dress that is lots of fun to wear. Good luck if you decide to give it a try.

Rhonda 

Can Love Be Measured?

When I initially thought of participating in the pillowcase Project for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and asking for your help to reach a goal of 900, I had no idea of just how generous and kind all of you would be to me. You have sent incredible notes of encouragement as well as gifts. Every piece of ribbon has been saved, even the tissue paper as I'll make flowers and decorate gifts with them. 

Yesterday I received a package from Patti. She had written and said that she would like to make 6 pillowcases in honor of her grandchildren. So I knew the package was coming, I just had no idea that a gift for me was included. What a perfect wrapping for a gift to someone who sews! And the card is so cute too!

 Inside was a little box that went perfectly with the paper.

And the theme continued with the lovely porcelain mug. What a treasure! Thank you Patti!!!!! I will truly enjoy drinking my morning tea out of this cup :)

 She included this note to explain her fabric choices.

 And here are the lovely cases on this bright and crisp Chicago fall morning.

 Read the note and I'm sure you'll be able to match the fabric to the child.

 Can't you just smell the bacon?!!!

So very special. Thank you Patti for your contribution and for honoring your grandchildren in such a lovely and heartfelt way.
All of you have put so much love and care into your pillowcases. I am sure that the children who receive them will feel your spirit. Love can't be measured, but it can be felt.
Patti's 6 brings us to a total of 808, 92 more are all we need to reach the 900 mark. Isn't this just incredible?!! Getting to the first 100 seemed like such a milestone, now on this end, it seems so easily done. If you would like to help us reach the 900 mark, here is a link to the simplified pillowcase instructions that I did, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-simplified-pillowcase-instructions.html. If you do participate, just send me a note and let me know, sewbussted@yahoo.com. If you would like to read more about the project, Here is a link to all of the posts, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge
Again, thank you