Sew, Slow and Green

I was inspired by a project in Green Craft magazine, a t-shirt turned apron.  The sample was finished with a serger.  Instead, I decided to take a page out of the Alabama Stitch Book.  I stitched my apron by hand and added a pocket with reverse applique, very Natalie Chanin!  I really love this old t-shirt makeover.  Sewing, slow and green!  Jessica Pearl

Friday Finishes

Last Friday I started piecing 2 small I Spy quilts for some Summer Fun.  As I was piecing, the Lord brought my sister in law to my heart while I was sewing at my featherweight.  I prayed for her as I stitched.  Later that day, I learned that she had chemo and a very excellent report from her MD as I had been sewing.  I finished them last night and needless to say, one of these quilts belongs to my sister in law, she rocks!  Praise God!  Jessica Pearl

I Spy, a WIP

I spy with my little eye a quilt that needs binding...

Monday Blues

I lingered at the breakfast table a little longer than I should have yesterday morn.  I was on track- Bible devotion, coffee with the Mister, egg white spinach omelet, checked e-mails, time to get dressed for work.  Only there was one e-mail that was tripping me from getting ready for work.  It was from our good friends @ Pinterest.  Do you get those?  Yeah!  They had sent me all of this yummy stuff in an e-mail 'cause those folks just know what I like/pin. And as you know, you can't just glance, you gotta pin!  And pin, I did.  One Japanese blogger/sewer had added lace to her jeans.  Thanks to a friend from church who gifted me some of her Mother's sewing notions and lace, I am now wearing this pin.  The jeans, Bill Blass 50 cents from thrift  store needed a hem anyway.  Monday was blue, denim blue!  Jessica Pearl

Dressed and Done

Finished sewing this dress last night.  Even though it was the tied 3/4 sleeves that drew me to this pattern (style F in The Stylish Dress Book),   I decided to lose the sleeves in the final editing.  I felt this fabric ( Denyse Schmidt' s 2011 quilt collection) was so classic, it did not require a fussy sleeve and neither did I!  I mean its July in sunny Florida!   Sleeveless it is!  I will pair it with this thrifted cardigan ($1) if the a/c is blasting in my office like it was today.  I am really pleased with the result.  The seams are my neatest ever!  The sides have French seams and I used vintage thrifted seam binding on all of the hems.  I had never before used seam binding but I am mad for the stuff now! Dressed!  Jessica Pearl

The Thrill of the Thrift

I do love the thrill of thrifting!  My favorite finds over the past week include a vintage Gator purse ($1.50).   I have been told its a bag only a Gator could love.  Luckily, I am a 1987 graduate of the UF College of  Nursing and I LOVE this bag.  I also found 3 summer blouses @ 50 cents each.  'Mini Pearl' is modeling a cotton number originally from Old Navy.   Now you know why I hoard change that I find in the laundry and why, in my opinion cleaning the family's clothes is still profitable labor!  Washing to thrift!  Jessica Pearl

Dressmaking

I want to make this dress from the lovely Stylish Dress Book (Yoshiko Tsukiori).  I was thinking this vintage fabric from the thrift store would be an interesting choice.  However, there is not enough yardage.  Mmm... The sample in the book was sewn with Liberty of London.  This mom of 3 college students does not have the budget for Liberty, sigh!  I do have some Denyse Schmidt yardage that I purchased at Joann's on clearance + an additional coupon.  This could be nice, very nice.  Sewing!  Jessica Pearl

Quilt Journaling

This quilt in progress is a journey of my weight loss thus far,2 & 1/2 years in the making. 25 blocks, 1 block represents 1 pound. I don't really know but I think that I am about halfway into this weight loss journey. Of all the quilts that I have started, this one means the most to me. In it I see scraps of quilt and sewing projects I have made along the way. As well as bits of cross stitch that have little memories attached. So much has happened in the time span since this little picnic quilt began. My eldest has moved to Jacksonville for university and most recently,my twins have graduated from high school. So much change behind me and so much ahead. It is bittersweet. I think that is what quilting is all about, the scraps that make up our lives tell the story. These scraps tell so much of mine, I laugh and I cry at all of the recollections. It is not made for show or the approval of quilt experts, it is simply a journal. And if there is any beauty in it, it is mine to know and cherish. Quilting Life! Jessica Pearl

New

This is my new blog. New. Everyday brings change. Everyday is new and I find myself new in each dawn. Seeking God and a place to write all that's new and different and creating who I am today. No wonder an old rusty stool discovered at a thrift store holds such promise for me. My intial investment of 4 dollars + paint + fabric and the promise is realized-NEW! The new stool can lift my 4'11" frame to new heights and hold my current reads and provide a restful perch in my sewing room. Also new this morning is the reading on my home scales, 1pound lighter! In the past 2 years +, I have lost 25 pounds. 20 with Weight Watchers and some incredible friends! The last 5 pounds I lost at the Lord's Table. GOD is faithful to make ALL things new! Praise be! Jessica Pearl