Tuesday, December 31, 2013

LEISURE SUIT REVISITED...

NEW YEARS, PART 1 -  I decided to make my New Years outfit from my vintage recyclable collection.  This 100% Wool Pendleton Mills men's leisure suit jacket was just in line for a makeover.
First, I removed the sleeves and cut the bottom and pockets off.  The collar was also removed and bias tape put on the seams.  With my electric pinking shears I made 2" black velvet  trim for the hem, sleeves and collar.  I finished off by putting the original leather buttons back on. 




Sunday, November 24, 2013

EVENING CLUTCH IN MINKY

An evening clutch handbag in  sweetheart satin, pink and ivory, interior in white minky, quartz and rhinestone fastener.

Sunday, November 17, 2013



OLD TENNENT CHURCH  MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD - We used to have our 4-H dinners at this historic Presbyterian church, but never attended a church service here.   Today, we had breakfast in Farmingdale and then walked the foggy Monmouth Battlefield.  We wanted to see the new location of Molly Pitcher's Well, which is supposed to be near the last important campaign of The Battle of Monmouth, near Perrine Hill.  We decided to search for the well on another day, but did not want to miss the 11:00 service at this beautiful church.    It was built by Scottish Dissenters (Calvinists) in 1697.  Its Georgian architecture is simple and beautiful, no lavish interior adornments, so the parishioners could focus on God's word.  The family box pews have doors to keep the heat in during the cold winters, as the church is not heated.  The church was used as a field hospital during the Revolutionary War, some of the woodwork is still scarred by the battle markings and the  blood of Patriots, many of which are buried in the Church's cemetery. 

Monday, October 28, 2013

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

Our Little Kitty, age 20, had been missing for over a week.  We had looked everywhere for him, thinking the worst had happened.  Little Kitty was completely blind and deaf and was totally reliant on us to feed and carry him around.  One day he got out and disappeared-- we assumed he was somewhere  around the outside or in the barn, but no trace of him was found.  Until yesterday, when
my husband, Fred was sitting outside the pharmacy and noticed a large "Lost Cat" sign in the window, which looked exactly like our cat!  He called the telephone number on the poster and drove over to the home and there he was, Little Kitty!  He had been found by a kind neighborhood family, they had fed him, cared for him, and even taken him to the vet (who clipped his nails).  They said that they had found him in the woods and he seemed like he was trying to find his way home.  Thank you to this kind family who took such good care of our cat and showed true  animal compassion. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

FRESH FROM THE VINEYARD

These beautiful,  blue Concord grapes are the best for jelly making.  They must be picked when fully ripe,  (for the best flavor and aroma) just before the birds discover them.

Wash, and gently pick the ripest ones.

Mash the grapes with a potato masher, careful not to press too hard to avoid the bitterness of broken grapeseeds.

Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly, until the rich purple color comes out.
Layer cheesecloth into colander or sieve, tie, and let juice drip into large canning jar or bowl.

Take the strained grape juice, add one cup of water and 1 box of pectin, bring to a full rolling boil over high heat.  Boil for one minute.  Quickly add 7 cups of white granulated sugar to the juice, bring to a second boil, stirring constantly and until it cannot be boiled down, about one minute.  Ladle into clean canning jars, lid and then band.  Turn upside down for 30 seconds to make sure there are no leaks. 




Put jars into a large water bath, and boil for 20 minutes.  Lift out of bath and cool on towel.












Thursday, October 17, 2013

Sunday, September 8, 2013

COZY WINTER HANDBAG

Cosy Winter Handbag in Toscano Black Velvet, lined with Red Slipper Satin and Red Wool, one button closure
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Thursday, August 15, 2013

FROM THE GARDEN

Concord Grapes and Mile-High Heirloom Tomatoes

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

SEWING

Duvet Cover made from Vintage sheets, Percale over 600 thread count, hand screened, button closure

Monday, May 20, 2013

SEWING

Summer Pocketbook - Original silkscreen print in Kona cotton, velveteen lined, button closure.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

SEWING

SUMMER POCKETBOOK Original Silkscreen Print in Kona Cotton with Sheep Button Closure

Sunday, April 28, 2013

SHENANDOAH Custom Fabric, Kona Cottonshenandoah-ed-ed

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Anna Sewell's Birthplace on Church Plain, Great Yarmouth, England. This tiny house has been restored and is now a Tea House, close to St. Nicholas Church. Anna Sewell was a Quaker and is the author of the beloved, BLACK BEAUTY

Sunday, March 3, 2013

FEBRUARY FAIRIES, Custom Fabric, Kona CottonFebruary_fairies

Saturday, March 2, 2013

red_bank
RED BANK I, Custom fabric in Kona Cotton
SPRING III Custom fabric in Kona Cotton

Sunday, February 24, 2013

SPRING III 100% Kona Cotton FabricSpring_III