Dreaming or not

We are planning on going to Texas for Thanksgiving and I think someone posted either here or on Facebook, which I’ve posted there, about a gas station they stopped at and on the inside was also a fabric shop. It was a cute shop and they also posted photos. We thought since we were going down to the southeast coastal part of Texas we would see where it was. Have you found unusual or unique shops, or even a shop that you just love. We aren’t sure if we will go from KC, MO thru Kansas, Oklahoma, then Dallas/Fort Worth on down or thru So. MO, Arkansas to Texas and on down. Going a little out of the way could even hit the tip of Louisiana.

Usually when we go on a road trip I check out the Row By Row and plan stops from that. We go to Texas about every other year and have gotten where we tend to take the scenery for granted or would travel at night because traveling with kids is best at night.

What do you like to do to plan your trips to break them up some? I have already gotten my hand sewing done for this.

Have a fun day and do something fun.

Sending a few fall photos from MO.

Monday Gift idea

I hate to throw things away if I can help it. So when Hubby’s jeans would wear out it was time for me to cut them up. I used the legs for bags, granddaughter’s pants when she was smaller, or cut in squares for quilting.

For this apron I chose to use the front of the jeans. I cut them off just above the crotch seam and then serged around the sides and bottom. I then added a ruffle, with the same fabric as the ruffle I made ties.

Yes I also used the back of the jeans for an apron also.

Here is what you will need:

1 pair of old jeans.

1 yd of fabric for ruffle, ties, and rag.

Cut the jeans down the side seams and just above the crotch seam on the front and back.

Cut 4 3 inch strips the WOF. Ruffle

Cut 2 3 inch strips the WOF for tie(may need more or less your choice)

Cut 2 squares from the left over fabric the size you chose.

Sew the ruffle pieces together to make on long strip. Sew a roll hem on the bottom of the ruffle then gather the top for the ruffle.

Serge or zigzag around the jeans to limit the raveling of the fabric.

Sew the ruffle onto the jeans

Sew a rolled hem on the top and bottom of the ties and put it thru the loops on the jeans so it ties in the back.

Sew a rolled hem around the edges of the square.

Put the square in a pocket to wipe your hands if you want.

I hope this makes sense and enjoy.

I love aprons and use them all the time.

Don’t forget the Giveaway. Ends Nov 2nd. Leave a comment for a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Happy 4 yrs of Blogging

Today celebrates 4 yrs of Blogging. You have either been bored with us, interested with us, or laughed with us. We thank you so much for that. You have been such a wonderful addition to our lives. As a celebration we are having a give away. It is open to everyone. It is a $25 gift card to Amazon. I thought about a set or 2 of charm packs, but we do have some followers who don’t enjoy sewing like I do(My kids don’t) so this way you can choose what you like. This will be announced on November 3rd. All you have to do is leave a comment on the bottom of our posts. Enter as many days as you choose. Your name will be added to the jar and Destiny will draw a name on on Saturday, Nov. 2nd.

Today is a foggy fall day and I will be spending my day finishing up the machine sewing of my A Walk Along The Beach. Then I will add hand work to it.

What will you be working on?

Don’t forget to enter our Give A Way.

Christmas Gifts in the Making

I am sorry I didn’t post this on Monday, but here I am with it. Christmas at our house starts early. I make something for each person in the family at least 1 gift. Then add to things as I go. On Monday I started making Cinnamon Apple Rings, These are canned in a syrup and we eat them with meals like pickles.

I had never heard of them till I Married Hubby and his Grandmother would have them for dinners on special occasions. I finally talked her out of her recipe. She has been gone for about 20 yrs, she passed away at the age of 103. She had her own garden and canned until she had a stroke at 99. She would make them with Cucumbers, Zucchini , and Apples. They all have the texture and similar tastes.

Here is the Recipe as she wrote it, if you are interested.

Cucumber Rings( Zucchini , or Apple)

Peel and slice enough apples to make 2 gallons. Clean out the center. Mix 2 cups lime with 8 1/2 quarts of water. Pour over apples and soak 24 hours. Drain and rinse them good then simmer in a mixture of 1 cup vinegar 1 small bottle of red food coloring 1 tsp alum and enough water to cover for 2 hours. Drain and place in large container. Make a syrup of 2 cups vinegar and 10 cups sugar, 8 broken cinnamon sticks, and a 6 oz bag of red hot candy and bring to a boil . Pour over apples and let stand over night. Next day put apples in jars. Reheat syrup and pour over apples. put lids on jars, and seal. Put in a large pot of water till the water reaches 3/4 of the way to the top of the jars. Boil for 10 min and set aside till lids seal making a popping sound. Let sit for about a week to allow apples to absorb the flavors.

I used 10 lbs of apples and got 8 quarts of apple rings. I will be working on more this week. Takes several days, but not all at once. It took me a total of about 4 hours total over 3 days.

AS far as the sewing going, I am working on quilting this table topper for Christmas. I started out cutting the strips and triangles for a table runner and it wasn’t what I thought it would be and so started playing and came up with this.

Enjoy what you are doing and do it often. Til tomorrow.

Day 2 with Jethro

Good morning, today is picture perfect(just don’t open the door. feels like 32 degrees). Up at 6:30am with Jethro’s trip outside and then breakfast. Sounds good huh? It was. Then after my shower, we had issues keeping him out of the tub. He would go in and lick the inside of the tub, try and eat the soap, and if we close the door, he sits in front of it crying. Finally got him redirected. Now sleeping on the floor outside the sewing room and enjoying the day.

Yesterday evening I let him out and he sat on the patio barking at our neighbors. I went out to stop him and then he had to meet the neighbors. He won their hearts.

We learned that Jethro is a “people puppy”. It doesn’t matter who or what they are doing he just likes being in the room with you. He is happy laying on the floor where he can see you. I have learned that I keep a towel in every room to clean up the drool.

As bedtime came on he started getting his bed ready. He decided that last night his bed would be on the couch. Now our couch is a Queen size hide a bed. This unopened is just his size.

Dinner for him consisted of his dog food, 1/2 shredded chicken breast(boiled) and some broth. His bedtime snack was Greek yogurt with peanut butter. Then bedtime. I think Grandma and Grandpa will have him good and spoiled by time Jim and Ashley get home. We will see what today will bring.

In the sewing room I started on a table runner and didn’t like how the pattern was working so I am making changes and will see how it turns out. Will show it tomorrow.

Stay turned.

Day 1 with Jethro

My 3 days of puppy sitting has started out well. We went for a short walk this morning and it is a lot like walking a Shetland Pony with a mind of it’s own, but one that minds. We have been spending time in the sewing room resting.

Now then after his rest he decided to play.

Now let me set this up… I am 5’1″ and hubby is 5’11”, Jethro is 130 lbs about 3-3.5′ standing. He took off down the hall and headbutted hubby as he came out of the computer room, turned around and ran straight at me and like an idiot I stood there till I wasn’t standing anymore. Knocked me over. I fell onto the couch and he sat down next to me giving me all kinds of attention. With playtime over for a while he started bringing his bone that you put peanut butter in and dropping it in my lap. I get the hint and fill it. Now I am listing to him whine because he wants more. I think we may need some more playing.

I am posting the finished Christening gown. It leaves here Friday.

Jethro and I will be back tomorrow so stay tuned. I’m putting the sewing machine away and get a pull toy for a while.

Good Morning from the Gross Sewing Room

Not only is my last name Gross, but my sewing room is a mess. I have been working all weekend on reconstructing a wedding dress into a Christening gown. I still have a day to go and it will be finished. Hopefully by tonite. Here is a peek at the room and the gown.

Had to pull out the surger for seams.

I have been cutting lace down for this,

Have lots more work to do. It is not on the hanger straight. Lace is tacked down. I need to sew it down better, put a hook and eye and ribbon on the robe and a zipper in the dress and then a good pressing. I will be posting a finished photo.

Then it will be CLEANING TIME. We have no pets as we like to travel, so we are not really Puppy Friendly. Wednesday we will be puppy sitting our granddog(is that a word?) Jethro is about months old and not little.

Jethro not wanting his dinner, but what I’m fixing. Since he is still a puppy (130 lbs, 4ft tall on all 4 legs) he thinks everything and everyone is a toy. Imagine a sewing room, living room with Halloween items (spiders, pumpkins, etc) so I will have to puppy proof it today and tomorrow.

This week we will be posting lots about Granddaughter day and puppy week. Stay tuned, we will also have a finished Christening gown for you.