36OldsGal

And the Stockings were hung.....Merry Christmas to All

2009-12-20T15:41:00.007-05:00

Well, I certainly have neglected this little blog for the past six months and will try to do better but I've had a good time making things and getting ready for Christmas. Just a note to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

She Likes it!

2009-06-18T09:08:00.003-04:00

Delivered the twirly skirt last night, 4 days before her birthday and I think she likes it!

We're off to see Bourbon, Corvettes, Caves, Daniel Boone, Abe Lincoln, Louisville Sluggers, and Mary Hadley Pottery, just to name a few.

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

Kid's Birthday Gifts

2009-06-16T16:36:00.011-04:00

My girlfriend has two adorable young children and they're birthdays both fall close to the May and June holidays.

She threw a wonderful party for the 3 year boy on the Monday Memorial Day holiday, and made the best burgers in the world. Really.

For this cute boy, I made him a set of cowboy jammies. Plain white tee with the cowboy scene appliqued on, and the cutest cowboy pants made out of cowboy flannel. At the last minute, I added a little leather fringe down the last 5 inches of the sides. It sure made a difference in looking like a real cowboy!

Now the cutest daughter is turning 7 on Father's day, and another great BBQ is planned, but we won't be able to attend. We'll have to deliver her presents before her birthday, but I'm sure she won't mind getting them a little early.

This my version of the twirly skirt. I sewed six different floral and paisley fabrics together, and then cut them in 7 inch lengths. The top has one set, the middle has two, and the bottom has three. Elastic in the wasitband as well as some vintage purple floral ribbon to tighten it up and add a little flair.

I just love the way it turned out and I hope she does too.

Rather than putting a hem all around the bottom of this, I took some vintage lace and attached it with a nice zigzag stitch to keep it and any possible fraying in check. So much easier.

We headed out for a much needed vacation. Up to Tennessee to see some friends, and then further up to Kentucky to do the Bourbon Trail, and visit some wineries.
Cheers! Salute! Bottoms up! Mazeltov!

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

Little Sewing Corner

2009-05-09T15:17:00.007-04:00

Just wanted to take a minute so show you my little sewing corner. It looks out a second floor window to my wooded backyard. The new machine sits on an old Best-Built sewing machine from 1941 that folds up from its wooden cabinet with the 4 slender drawers down the one side. I've covered my machine, the cabinet, and the original bench with a wonderful duvet cover that I found while out thrifting. Love the blue and roses. The regular lamp shade is covered with a vintage crochet shade.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

What a Beautiful Day!

2009-04-18T17:48:00.011-04:00

It was such a beautiful day today! My DH was out raking the freshly mowed grass, and my terrific next door neighbor came over to visit with her wonderful dog Sadie. My littlest neighbor across the cul de sac also came over. She had just returned from her gymnastics class and was decked out in her pink outfit with her pink flashing lights hula hoop and Disney princess bike with pink training wheels.

So neighbor, littlest neighbor and I tried to teach Sadie the wonder dog how to jump through the flashing hula hoop. What fun we had. We were mostly successful when a treat was visible on the other side of the hoop! Although sometimes Sadie the wonder dog would run around us, rather than through the flashy pink hoop!

I asked littlest neighbor if she would like me to make her a cape with Disney princess fabric like her bike and she was so excited. The four of us, the three girls and the wonder dog, all trouped upstairs to the sewing room, and proceeded to pick out the fabric for her cape. She natually was drawn to and selected the purple princess fabric, and also a pink flannel with polar bears.

Once I got started on the project I realized that you really can't fly with flannel! So I went with the pink flowers and had to add a lacy trim on the bottom! A simple velcro fastener and it's done. What fairy princess can be without a reversible pink, purple and lace cape?? I hope she loves it - I know I want one too! Can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

It was a dark and dreary Wednesday....

2009-03-28T09:33:00.006-04:00

But I knew that there was some sunshine of a kind that would fill my day with happiness. My DH and I were headed 1 1/2 hours north to the adorable quaint little town of Dahlonega to have lunch with two dear friends. We agreed to meet at the Smith House for wonderful southern food and it certainly did not dissapoint. Fried chicken, a ton of vegatables, corn bread, and great company. Life is good!

Talk about two classy sassy southern belles, (pun intended) they are very special to me and I feel so fortunate to have these smart, gracious women in my life. Email is just not the same as a face to face talk and great hugs too. I always learn from these wonderful gals and this was no exception. We talked, laughed and caught up with our lives until the restaurant started dimming the lights and locking the doors, closing up for the afternoon.

After spending time with them I was feeling renewed and now have new goals and insights. They just do that for me. I'm so lucky to have these friends!!

Here's hoping we get together again soon and not wait so long between visits!

Three of my all time favorite people, Glenda, DH and Elaine!

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

Love Vintage Fabric

2009-03-24T20:54:00.015-04:00

A few years ago, while searching through a church thrift sale, I met a wonderful old woman that was there selling with her daughter. It was apparent that she was selling her things to thin out and either move in with her daughter or to an assisted living facility. In a plastic bag, she had some old quilt strips that I just fell in love with and had to have. I assured her and promised her that they were going to a good home, and I believe that made her quite happy. She smiled and told me she was looking for just the right person who would appreciate these. I have lived up to that promise. Every time I'm in my sewing room, and come across this package, I must bring it out and feel, touch, caress, and just plain adore this lovely woman's scrappy quilt handiwork. And I always think of her knowing smile and her lovely face and white hair. Here are some pictures of that wonderful old fabric remnants. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do every time I see them. It's always a feast for the eyes.

Thanks for listening, Leslie J

Buttons, Buttons, Everywhere - What's a girl to do??

2009-03-21T19:39:00.008-04:00

My button collection and been strewn all over my sewing room in various containers. Some are stored in an old vintage glass holder with jelly jars holding them in some semblance of color coordination. Some have been stored in a huge Campball Soup Cracker jar. Some have been stored in a square stout vase, and another pile in a plastic food storage container. All over the place, moved about everytime I wanted to find something in this organized mess of a room.

Today while visiting Hobby Lobby, I chanced upon a blue plastic box with 16 drawers and a light bulb went off in my head. Ok, ok, a very dim spark went off and there really wasn't much light. Anyhoo, I brought it home to house all the buttons and be my new button box.

This was a task that I was looking forward to, however, after two hours of sorting there's only one empty drawer and a whole pile of left over buttons. It looks like I may need another one of these wonderful set of drawers. Hopefully I can get better at taking photos too!!

Thanks for listening, Leslie