Rhonda's Creative Life: January 2017

Monday, January 30, 2017

Monday Morning Inspiration/Stella McCartney Resort 2017

Terri of Virginia's Daughter posted some pictures on Instagram that caught my attention. The pieces that she posted were from the Stella McCartney 2017 resort collection. Since I liked them, I thought you might too :)

Love the lines of this dress.

Another sweet dress.

This is over-sized, but the it still looks fun to wear.

Nice mix of stripes and polka dots.

Love the shape of this skirt.

I like the jacket, but I really want some of that dog fabric!

Another soft and easy piece. The neckline is so interesting.

I like the jacket and even the sleeves, but thought the pants were a little...well, I'm not so sure.

Then I saw this suit, and thought, well, maybe. I doubt that I will do it, but the look has grown on me.

All of the images were found at Vogue. There are a number of lace pieces as well as some gauze pieces that seem lighter than air. I tried to find a fashion show, but no luck this time. So check out the link. I think it's a fun collection, one of my favorites from Stella McCartney.

Hope you enjoy the pieces as much as I did!

Maybe the motto for this week should be to give something that initially seems a little strange a try :)
Have a wonderful week!
Rhonda

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Sunday Night Reflections

Making The Indulgent A Little Healthier/Gloriously Green Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine. Truth be told, I usually dreaded dinner as a child. There was always some vegetable that I was going to have to choke down. Believe it or not, I hated vegetables!!! Funny how life can take a complete 180 degree turn :) But, I could take just about anything if I saw that macaroni and cheese was on the table.

A few years ago, I started making a macaroni and cheese dish with roasted cauliflower. I have friends who always request it if they are coming for dinner. Well, I think I have a new favorite! This one is made with spinach and it's REALLY, REALLY good.

Gloriously Green Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients;

1 12 oz. pkg elbow macaroni, whole grain if possible
16 oz. spinach chopped fine
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons corn starch
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk beverage
2 cups white sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 cup Romano Cheese shredded
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence
1 cup bread crumbs for topping
salt and pepper to taste

1. Begin by boiling a large pot of water and cooking elbow macaroni per directions on box.
2. Heat olive oil in pan and saute spinach with garlic until spinach has wilted. Set aside.
3.Melt butter in heavy sauce pan. Slowly stir in corn starch with a wire whisk. Add milk. I used a coconut milk beverage. If you would like, you may always use regular milk. Stir milk into butter/corn starch mixture. Stirring continuously, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.
4. Add sauteed spinach and garlic to the sauce and stir well.
5. Add shredded sharp white cheddar to sauce/spinach mixture and stir until all cheese has melted.
6. Add dry mustard and Herbs de Provence.

7. Once elbow macaroni has cooked, drain and rinse in cool water to stop the cooking.
8. Pour spinach sauce over macaroni and stir well. Pour into a greased baking dish.
9. For a crispy topping, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and combine with 1 cup of fresh bread crumbs. I added 1/2 cup of shredded Romano cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper.
10. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until topping has browned.

Serve and enjoy!!!

This makes a wonderful main course dish, just add a side salad. Leftovers keep well...if you have any ;)

A quick note on the cheese that I like to use...
There's a wonderful creamery in Wisconsin called Union Star whose cheese I love.

They do have a mail order business and you can find the cheese HERE. You may think that one cheese is just as good as another. You'll change your mind if you ever try the Union Star cheese!

Hope you enjoy the macaroni and cheese as much as we did. I'm at a point now that I don't think I'll ever eat macaroni and cheese the old fashion way again!

Friday, January 27, 2017

Sewbussted's Material Witness Episode 2/The Fabric Nook

I just could not be more excited!!! The second episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness is up and it was so much fun to do. I think...I hope...you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

In the preliminary video, I shared that I wanted to combine flying and interviews. I did not fly to this location. Granby, Colorado is nestled in the Rocky Mountains. I have had a little mountain flying instruction, but only a little. Flying in the mountains, especially the Rocky Mountains, is quite different from flying at lower altitudes in a small airplane.

The Fabric Nook is owned by a lovely lady, Tina Holley. In my opinion, her store is truly the gem of not only the town, but the entire county.

The store has a very interesting history, which you'll hear in the video, and I think you'll enjoy meeting a sewist with a rich history all her own.

What I love most about Tina's story is that she stepped out, and took a chance at her dream. Once she made that step, she has not looked back, and her excitement is contagious!

We mentioned the original wood floors. As you walk through the store, you can't help but feel the history.

The Fabric Nook is the ONLY place where you can find a zipper in the entire county.

We also mentioned that Tina participated in the Row By Row Quilting Experience. Below is a picture of "Through The Aspen." A few kits are still available and if by chance you would like to order one, you can find the Fabric Nook HERE. Just scroll down and you'll find the kit!

Thanks so much for stopping by. With each video, I've learned a little more. I'm excited for the next!!!

If you ever find yourself in Colorado, by all means, stop by and see Tina. She'll be so happy to meet you, and she'll make you feel right at home :)

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

The Wednesday Showcase

It's been a fairly mild winter in Chicago. I have a feeling that the

bottom is going to fall out of the weather bucket come February and we're going to be shocked! Gotta love Chicago :)

Regardless of the weather outside, thanks to my nephew, it's always springtime in my home. For a number of years, he has been giving me amaryllis bulbs for Christmas. They arrive potted. This year he chose a fun knitted pot with 3 big bulbs. When they arrive, I immediately unpack them, give them a good watering and wait for the magic to begin. This year's amaryllis arrived quite close to Christmas, so no growth before the holidays, but I think this is going to be my best blooming to date. One has just started to open and I'm beyond excited. Once it's in full bloom, I'll share the beauty. Nothing better than a blooming amaryllis in winter, at least in my book :)

I thought I would share a picture that I received from a pilot that I tagged with on a rescue. Had no idea that the picture was taken. My sister-in-law sent a note and asked if I had gotten a new puppy. I responded, "I wish!!!" I still miss Little Bit terribly, but my heart is healing. A new puppy is in my future. When it will be, I have no idea. I wasn't looking for Little Bit, or Gracie when they came to me, so when it's right, a new little friend will make its way into my life :)

I failed to share a new recipe with you this past Sunday. Truth be told, I was lazy, so I'll share it next Sunday. But, I thought I would share a smoothie recipe that I tried...and loved! Makes for a great lunch or breakfast. I found it on the Fleet Feet website. The ingredients are simple, just a banana, carrot, a little peanut butter(or nut butter of your choice, I like sunflower butter), rice milk(I used unsweetened almond milk), and frozen chopped kale. For the frozen kale, the author says to just buy a bag of chopped kale, bring it home and throw it in the freezer. No food processor is needed for this smoothie, just put the sliced carrots, banana, and milk in a blender. Once it's smooth, add the nut butter and kale.

You'll end up with a fabulous smoothie that will make you think you're cheating. The frozen kale gives it somewhat of an ice cream type of a feel. It's not sweet, so if you would like a sweeter taste, add a little stevia or honey.

Okay, enough about me ;)

I had 2 bloggers to share with you today, but it seems that one is revamping her blog, so I'll keep a look out for when her site is up once again. Although we only have 1 new blogger to meet, she's fabulous and I know you are going to love meeting her if you haven't already.

Meet Eli Cat of Cat In A Wardrobe. EVERYTHING she makes is beautiful!!!

I absolutely fell in love with the jacket she made using Butterick 5958. The Butterick website says that the pattern is out of print, but it also looks like you might be able to still order it. It's a great pattern that also includes a vest. Love, love the vest that Eli Cat did!

So inventive, she took the 2 Vogue patterns pictured below and created this sensational jumpsuit.

What a fun little dress. It all came about because she had leftover grommets from another project and wanted to use them up.

The cape below is Vogue 8776. I couldn't find the pattern on the Vogue website, but it is similar to the Islander Cape Super Express. This cape features a hidden button placket, which I really like, and of course the lining is after my own heart :)

Eli Cat has been a Member In Focus on Pattern Review. You can see that article HERE.

Besides beautiful pictures, and lovely garments, an aspect of her posts that I REALLY like is that she keeps account of how long it takes her to make a garment. Great resource. So, check out her blog, I know that you'll be so happy that you did!

Be sure to come back on Friday as a new Sewbussted's Material Witness episode will be up. I think it's a fun one :)

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

Monday, January 23, 2017

Monday Morning Inspiration/The First Ladies

The events of this past weekend prompted me to take a look back at past inaugurations. What began as simple curiosity, turned into admiration as I looked back at the gowns, and more so, the wives of past presidents. I looked at their smiling faces, wearing their beautiful gowns, and realized that they had no idea what was ahead of them.

History has not been so kind to Mary Todd Lincoln, but how many of us could endure the loss of 2 children and having her husband assassinated while sitting next to her? What many do not know is that it was she who encouraged her husband to run for the presidency. After reading. "Lincoln The Unknown," written by Dale Carnegie, I have a profound respect for President Lincoln, and sincere gratitude for Mrs. Lincoln.

While their gowns are beautiful, it's only a very small portion of their stories. These women endured assassinations, attempted assassinations, a civil war, world wars, a great depression, a resignation and leaving the White House in disgrace, a scandal that would end most marriages, and the list goes on.

So many turned their position as First Lady into a platform. The second Mrs. Bush tackled literacy. Mrs. Obama worked to end childhood obesity and give our children a better future. Mrs. Johnson beautified our roads, and Mrs. Kennedy took on the monumental task of preserving the history of the White House.

Mrs. Roosevelt is the only First Lady to go through 4 elections, and was truly an exemplary First Lady in so many ways. Below is one of my favorite pictures of her, taken when she visited Tuskegee University and flew with Charles Anderson, head of the flight program.

This is not about whether we like the politics of their husbands, just a look back. Of course the story of Mrs. Trump has yet to be written. But, I'm sure she too will have issues to deal with that she could never have imagined.

I hope that as you scroll through, think about the stories of these ladies, and that you too will be able to find respect for them.

I only pulled out the pictures of the most recent first ladies. If you would like to see earlier gowns, beginning with Dolly Madison, you can find them HERE.

You'll see that their gowns depict the styles of the time. Enjoy :)

Mrs. Lincoln Circa 1861