grey and white

I have continued to sew for myself this month.  Today was actually the first day that I tried to quilt on the machine.  Right now my separated shoulder is screaming.  I am looking forward to a nice soak in a bit.  But, because I have not been able to finish one of the quilts that is in progress, I made another pinnie.  There have actually be more then a few dresses but many look the same unless you know what to look for.

The white was an apron that was much too heavy to where here except for a few days a year.  It is a hemp linen and the first apron I made with it was actually double layered.  There is a matching piece of green waiting.  Then, I tried another apron design.  Did not work.  So the cut apart apron has been sitting.  But with a bit of stitching and the addition of a tannish green bit of linen, it became a pinnie.

As you can tell, I am very hard on white aprons.  They become so stained so quickly.  I could actually do what I have read one woman does.  White aprons and head covering only for baking.  I am not quite that organized.  I will just enjoy this until I feel it needs to go into the rag pile.  In another words, wearing it to the hardware store is a bad idea.

an adaption of the sour cream green chile enchiladas

I was wanting Mexican food and my sour cream green chile enchiladas sounded like what I wanted.  But after my Beloved did some reading about corn and processed corn, we have been trying to avoid eating so much.  Mexican food, especially in Texas, is corn heavy.

I decided to put all the inners together and used potatoes instead of tortillas.  It became a full meal au gratin.  You could use sweet potatoes too.  Or a combination.  Sweet potatoes would change the flavor.  You may wish to change the spices to your taste because potatoes absorb spices differently then corn tortillas.  I might cut back a bit on the salt next time.  But there is going to be a next time on this one.  I made a small pan (only one layer) and most of it was gone by the end of the night.

sour cream green chile au gratin (enchiladas with no corn)

1 recipe sour cream green chile enchiladas innards (everything but the tortillas)

6 yukon gold potates thinly sliced (any small potato will work)

Follow the recipe for the sour cream green chile enchilada casserole.  Substitute the potatoes for the tortillas.  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the potatoes are the doneness you wish.  My Beloved likes less done then I do so I compromise.

dressy a-line

Today has been a snow day.  The building where I work was closed so I have been home doing things that I never seem to get a chance to do.  I did some cleaning.  I got some letterpress plates ordered and a bit of other computer work.  I mended for a couple hours.  And I finished this dress.

I saw a dress from France in this shape.  They did it in wool with a lot of interesting applique.  It was a bit much for me but I liked the concept in a simpler fashion.  I went into my stash and found a work in progress that has been that way for years.  The shape and curve are straight from the dress from France.  

I added a sparkly button on the back.  It makes me happy.

I lovely dressy dress.  Life is good.

terra cotta heater

We live in a drafty old house.  It was built this way in part due to most of the year it is so hot here.  That was the idea in the 1920's.  I saw this heater built with two terra cotta pots, four tea lights, and a loaf pan.  I figured I would try it.  There is a terra cot pot with the hole covered that sits on top of the loaf pan and then the bigger one sits over it.  There are four tea lights that sit in the loaf pan.

We were told it would raise the temperature in a room ten degrees.  I am not sure it did but I do think it helped my drafty corner not feel quite so chilly.  Since we let the Tall Short Person borrow the space heater that usually sits in my sewing space, I am trying this heater in there with eight candles.  I find I lean over and warm my hands on it.  That alone is lovely!  You could definitely put a mug of tea on top of it to stay warm once the pots are warmed up.  It does take a bit.

We will just have to see how it goes.

sleeved a-line

I am still feeling like crud but I got this dress finished.  I can sit at a sewing machine especially with much tea and rests.

I played with the a-line dress pattern I have been making and added sleeves.  The first muslin I made pulled badly over my chest.  But this one did not.  I added three quarter length sleeves and modified the bodice and arm holes to take the sleeves.

I would have gotten a picture of me in it but my official picture taker has been under the weather.  I just know I like it.  I will have to make myself more.  I have a few dresses that I think we end up in this shape.  It is exciting.