Jersey Skirt

I had a recent hankering for a soft, knit skirt. One that was stretchy, comfy... that you could throw on around the house for lounging, but still be unashamed to answer the door in- should someone come to visit :)

I was terrified to sew with a new fabric (I always am) so I set out to find one in a store. The most decent, modest, non clingy one I could find was 88$. Lets just say that *inspired* me to try my hand at making one :)

Here is my attempt. I do like it alot- but its a bit big. So then I put an old Jersey skirt, one that is much too small to be decent anymore, underneath it... as a petticoat, if you will. That solved the clingy problem, and the too big problem--- although I think I will wear a long shirt underneath in case it creeps down. Well this is a terrible self portrait, but you get the idea!



I couldn't find a pattern for one I liked- so I just winged it! It has a foldover waistband, and I think would be just perfect for maternity. If anyone desires it, I'll put up a more comprehensive tutorial!


And now just for fun... look what I picked up at the store!



She crawled into the bag while I was unpacking groceries. Only she didn't seem to like it when I picked the bag up. Tee hee.

Doug Phillips and Vision Forum are sponsoring a giveaway at inashoe.com to help get word out about the FREE SHIPPING Vision Forum is offering until Midnight tonight

Help spread the word on your website or blog then leave a comment at Life in a Shoe by 8pm today to enter!

Sewing Projects!

I've been working hard on cutting out new projects- I can't wait to share what I've done so far! :) After almost a whole day of snipping away... I look forward to start sewing... maybe tomorrow...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

From our home to yours.

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

"Old Fashioned" Cleaning

Since we are having visitors tonight (Yay!) I spent the afternoon doing some good old fashioned scrubbing. I spilled milk last night all over the floor, and learned yet again, never ever swiffer something sticky. It only spreads it out...
Unhappy with walking around barefoot in a kitchen that felt like double stick tape, and yet not owning a good old mop, I decided to clean like Cinderella does. I got a kitchen towel sopping wet, and scrubbed the floor. I dried it with another towel, and repeated. I got a sparkly clean floor- with really not too much elbow grease at all.
Inspired by this, I took to the carpet with baking soda... and the same towel, rinsed out of course :) I got out some old spots, and some newer spots too! I then swept the bathroom instead of vacumming, and well, it was a great workout- and gave me a real sense of accomplishment, and was chemical free. It was all strangely fun... :-D

Ah, 24...

What a great birthday! I had so much fun... from my sweet hubby making me breakfast in the morning to eating dinner on the riverwalk with my parents- turning 24 was great! :) Colin even put a pink bow on the kitty... Tee hee. Wish I had a picture of that.


Here we are on a bridge over the river- a wonderful friend made me the skirt I'm wearing as a gift. And... I am now the proud owner of Pride and Prejudice. Yay!!
I felt so loved by family and friends- the Lord has blessed us very much.

Kindness

First of all, I can't tell you how much everyone's kind words have encouraged me. You have all blessed me so much. My spirit has truly been lifted. Words cannot express.

Here are a few pictures to make up for my blogging break...

She loves her "kitty condo" my grandparents gave us!


Crochet is fun for kitties, too. Here you can see my wrap in the works is also useful as a pillow :)


And finally, what fun I had at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's today!


Christmas projects, here I come!

I apologize for the lack of posts this week- I had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week. We thought I was pregnant- and then it turned out not to be. As such, I was definitely not in the mood for any crafting, or posting really. I was quite sad, but the Lord is faithful, and I take comfort in His Word and promises.
I was very happy to help hold a new baby after church today, and honestly that is the best "balm for the soul" in the world to me.
On a happier note- I think I'll be starting on.... *drum roll* Christmas projects! Needless to say, tomorrow will involve a visit to Hobby Lobby :)

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b

Mmmmm... lime pie!

Tonight I made us a special treat..... Lime pie. Mmmm, this is certainly a favorite of mine and my husband. The recipe is very simple, and if you had an electric juicer, would take you no time at all. For those of us without though... a spoon works just fine! And there is something to be said for doing things the old fashioned way. I had a lovely time squeezing my limes with my baby kitty curled up at my feet, purring away.

Crust:
1 1/4 cups crushed graham cracker (or buy the crumbs)
1/3 cup butter
3 hearty tablespoons sugar

Melt the butter, mix, and line your pie pan. Cook at 350 for 8 minutes.

1 cup lime juice (Don't buy the already juiced kind. Trust me, its no where near as good)
This usually takes approximately from 8 to 13 limes, depending on how juicy they are. I pound mine a bit and roll them first to make them easier to squeeze.
2 cans sweetened condensed milk

Let the crust cool, and pour in the very well mixed filling. Chill for at least 5 to 6 hours in the fridge (or if your in a hurry- a bit of time in the freezer speeds things up)

I usually dye mine green... That's what my momma always did :)
In my period of teenage rebellion (haw haw) I dyed mine pink and blue for a while. For some reason though, its very odd eating blue lime pie... :)

why we WON'T be seeing the Golden Compass

Some friends from church sent out a link to this site.