2005: The First Vintage Pattern I Ever Made Up

Unfortunately I do not remember the pattern number for this one.  I know it was a Simplicity from the early 1960's, though!  I had recently bought a huge box of old patterns for $5 (!!!) from an antique store that was going out of business, and this was one of the jewels inside.

I made one for my sister Susanna and one for my sister Skylar.  Susanna is in the plaid dress. :)

(Sorry for posting this one, guys!)

This was before I really knew how to fit and finish well, but they turned out pretty good!  The girls really liked them, anyway!  I do remember having a bit of trouble with the pleats in the front...

Have a fantastic weekend!

~Bessie

More Garden Happenings

Not sure if anyone is really interested in this. ;)  I am, though, so I shall keep posting updates on our lovely homegrown garden. 

First up, my lovely hollyhocks!

They are really in bloom now.  Unfortunately they are still being eaten by bugs, despite my spraying.  Grr.

This is a blossom that was eaten through before it bloomed.  I suppose it still looks...cool.  ;)

This is what the blossoms are supposed to look like.

Dumb bugs.

My marigolds are beginning to bud!  There is something so neat about planting flowers and watching them grow and bloom.  Such a feeling of accomplishment. 

Baby cucumbers are popping up everywhere!

Somehow a couple nasturtiums have popped up with the squash I selvaged from our compost pile.  No earthy idea how--I put fresh soil in these pots, and definitely did not place any nasturtium seeds inside.  Isn't that weird? 

Last but not least, I planted our last tomato plant in a pot filled mostly with compost.  Wanted to see how it grows compared to the tomatoes we planted in garden soil.

That's all! :D  Off to make dinner.  Have a lovely weekend!

~Bessie

Baby Room Inspiration

I ordered this quilt from EmmmyLizzzy on Etsy and it came today! 

My plan is to frame it and put it up on the wall in the nursery.  I'll use the palette as inspiration for colors and such.  I figure it would be easy to decorate boy or girl with such varied patterns and colors.  So excited!

The quilt is from the 40's-50's, but is beautifully preserved.  It looks brand new.  I absolutely love it.

Hope you are all having a lovely week so far!

~Bessie

P.S. You should really check EmmmyLizzzy out.  She has a few more quilts like this one, plus tons of vintage fabrics and textiles at great prices!

Mmmm.

You know what I love right now?

Apple Jolly Ranchers.

They make everything OK. :)

~Bessie

Something's Been Eating My Hollyhocks...

Sigh.  I suppose I need to buckle and get some sort of insecticide.  I can't have some dumb bug eating my hollyhocks!  These hollyhocks have been growing and developing for over a year to get to this point, and now that they are finally blooming the buds are being eaten through!  Not ok.

GRRR.

The blossom is mighty putty, though, isn't it?

In other news...

Doesn't this basil look scrumptious?  This is my first success growing basil from seed, and I am quite pleased. :)  Can't wait to make lots of fresh tomato basil bruschetta this summer. 

Speaking of tomatoes, did I mention that we found a lovely tomato plant growing out of the side of our compost?  It has a couple flower buds on it!

Last, but not least, let me show off my little hydrangea plants.  I planted these last spring, and they have grown a LOT in a year.  One of my blue hydrangeas has decided it wants to be periwinkle, which is cool with me.  Must be a slight difference in the soil where it is rooted.

I love hydrangeas.

How are your gardens growing?

~Bessie

My Very Good Reason.

So I told you that I had a very good reason for being so absent lately.  If you haven't already guessed from the picture above, my very good reason is....

I am pregnant!

Whoopee!

I am currently in my first trimester, and as such have been extremely tired and mildly queasy and simply not motivated to do ANYTHING except lay on the sofa and moan.  I've had a few good days scattered here and there, though, during which I try to catch up on all of the housework that I have not done.  

While the pregnancy was a bit of a surprise, Davis and I are very excited.  Being a mother has always been my number one dream job, and I am ecstatic that I get to begin that journey earlier than planned!

So forgive me if I don't post a whole lot over the next few weeks.  I hear tell that I will start feeling better soon.  We'll see.  Hehe.

Have a lovely Sunday!

~Bessie

Raised Bed--Oooohhh yeah.

Ok, I know I just posted a few hours ago, but I had to share with you what I put together this afternoon:

A raised bed!

I think it turned out nice!  Not perfect, but I like it.  Nestled inside of this raised bed are five tomato plants, two cucumber plants, two zucchini plants, and twelve home-grown marigolds.  :)

(marigolds)

Oh, and one of my hollyhocks is starting to bloom!  My favorite color, too. 

So it's been a good day. :)

Hope yours was good too!

Bessie

Goodness Gracious!

I must apologize to you for not posting in such a long while!  I have a good reason--I promise.  I'll tell you about that soon...

As far as sewing projects go, I have not worked on a single thing.  I really haven't been doing much, period.  Mainly just getting ready for piano recitals (which are this weekend, whoop!).  Today I went outside and worked on our garden a bit--we decided to do a raised bed this year and just replace all of our soil with garden soil.  The soil up here is absolutely horrible, mainly because it is chock full of rocks!  I have never seen so many rocks before.  It's crazy.

I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the first little taste of summer!

~Bessie

Two Months Old...And an Apron!

Dave is two months old today.  The little cutie. :)

(with his daddy)

I am very excited about Dave.  He is a really handsome boy, with nice conformation.  Takes after his father that way--Dean is a beaut!  Dave will be bred with Buttercream this fall, and perhaps with Hana in the spring.  Whoop!


Hana is starting to grow in some fiber!  It is hard to see, but it's there!

Oh, and I made an apron. :) 

~Bessie