More vintage love and easy peasy

After of weeks of it sitting folded on my nightstand, I finally sewed the last two buttons on the little A line dress I made from one of the patterns I got from Susan. It's actually a really simple and ingenious pattern, it's a simple aline dress that buttons at the shoulder and then a half circle collar that is separate and attaches using buttonholes. So you could actually do several collars and change up the look. I just did one. The fabric is from my stash, Robert Kauffmann (kitchy kitchen is the print name) and the green and white twill pindots from Patsy Aikens. Very nice together and I should be able to throw a turtleneck under there and some tights and make it through the winter with this dress. The other dress is super easy. I picked up a bunch of cute t-shirts dirt cheap at Walmart for O., cut them off for bodices and attached various skirts in knits and wovens for "Hanna style" playdress. So far I think I've made four...you know you can't ever have enough playdresses. Here's one of my favorites, I used Heather Ross pink and yellow dots for the skirts and I think it gave it a fun and funky look. I still need to hem it, I'm debating if I'll just do a rolled edge in the darker pink color to give it a bit of pop or just a regular old hem. There's no modeling shot, my model is on strike. She told me she no longer likes polk a dots and promptly hid the dress (she did return it to me when I asked for it). Interestingly enough she must have more faith in my knitting skills since she told me she didn't want a dress she wanted a sweater...hmmm...demanding little cuss isn't she! Ah well, tomorrow polk a dot will be her favorite, so no worries here.

You knew what I meant to say....

Right? I need a proofreader. Although this is tongue in cheek, I have to laugh at myself sometimes when I go back and read old post and see the glaring typos and grammatical errors. Were my hands typing faster than my minds eye could proof? Indeed! Ah well, I'm among friends aren't I? You knew what I was trying to say didn't you, lol.

Monday's Meal

Continuing my love affair with casseroles, I thought I'd share another favorite of mine, chicken spaghetti. This deliciously easy recipe lends it self to lots of individuality so you can make it your own just by changing up some of the ingredients. This recipe is freezer friendly making enough for you to make 2 casseroles, one for now and one to freeze for later. If you just want to make one, adjust the amount of your ingredients accordingly. Anyway, eat up and enjoy!

Chicken Spaghetti


4 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound velvetta, cubed
1 package (12 ounces) spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 can of sliced mushrooms
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives ( optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large dutch oven, combine the first ten ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Add the spaghetti and olives if desired.
Transfer the mixture to two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the second casserole at 325° for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer.
when you're ready to use the frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Bake as directed.

Lunch for Liv

My girl loves herself some pink and knowing she needed a lunch bag for school I thought I would whip up something much to her liking. She picked out the fabric herself from my stash, it's Patsy Aiken's from her Carnival Line. I have to say it's not my favorite line of her's, but it makes an adorable bag. Someone on sewforum was generous enough to digitize the stacked names and flower embroidery for me so I added it to the bag too. I'm still tweaking the pattern, but it's not bad. I made the handles longer and I like them much better than the other one I made for a friend at work. I also scored 2 1/2 yds of nylon at the thrift store that I used to line the bag so it's spill friendly and you can wipe it clean or toss it in the wash. I have plans to make at least 3 more (two people at work have asked me to make one for them)

Can you have too many?

Well the Olympics are over and I've had to return to regular life. Which means back to cooking, cleaning...oh and crafting too. I'm hard at work on my socks for O. I finished my sock class last night, it was helpful to learn to use dpn...but honestly I think I could have figured the same stuff out with some good internet searches. Ah well...now that I'm beyond the classes that my LYS offers, I'm going to just have to dive in and learn new skills on my own with the help of my friend Net (you get it? interNET?). And sewing...I have quite a bit on my "to sew" list. S. wants a tshirt and some lounge pants. I have to do a few things for O. including her lunch box and I'd like to do some things for me too. But, back to the question...can you have too many? I'm referring to patterns. I have a lot of sewing patterns...last I counted I had over 300, but that was months ago and I've added many more. Some have been gifted to me, but the vast majority I purchased. I'm an equal opportunity pattern lover too. I love the Big 4 companies just as well as the more exclusive (and need I add expensive) boutique lines. In fact I think I love the Big 4 more. I like that they bring sewing to the masses, they have their finger on the pulse of fashion and let's face it, they're affordable and easily obtained. I love that! My friend D. calls me a patternwhore. I have to admit I actually love patterns more than fabric and I do love some fabric. And yet...I wonder, do I have too many...when is enough, enough? I mean there's really only so many designs out there, right? Well...I haven't been able to answer that question for myself yet, but I'll let you know when I figure it out In the mean time I think someone is having a sale on patterns.

Monday's meal

Well...more of a dessert really, but who doesn't love a good dessert and chocolate even so you can't resist.

Flourless Chocolate Torte

4 oz of fine quality 100% dark and semi-sweet chocolate
1 stick of unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
r
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 inch round baking pan around the edges and line the bottom with buttered wax paper.
Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Use a double boiler or a metal boil over a saucepan. Gently melt the chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth. Remove from double boiler. Whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs and whisk well. Sift 1/2 cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until well combined. Pour batter into pan, place in the middle of your oven and bake for 25 minutes or until top has formed a firm crust. Cool and sprinkle with a dusting of cocoa powder. Serve topped with fresh whipped cream and berries. Delish!

Time on my hands

My friend and I were talking about what our plans were now that all our children would be in school. What to do...what to do. Write the next great American novel, sing, dance...sleep? I've been thinking a lot about my house. I go through phases and right now I'm in a "let's get this place in shape" phase.
So I was thinking that I needed a list. List are good, list keep you focused and on track.
So what projects do I want to do you ask? Well starting on the inside
1. Purge the closets...too many clothes is the cross I bare and an ongoing battle, but it must be done.
2. Paint the 1/2 bath. I have the perfect color in mind
3. Finish organizing all my recipe notebooks. I have 3, but would like there to be one neat and comprehensive one.
4. The garage... This might take a long while...but I am determined.
5. Make curtains and slipcovers for the living room. I know I'm back to the slipcovers, but I'm not completely happy with the surefit ones...custom really is the way to go.

Outside...
1. Landscaping the yard.
2. Redoing the patio...it's just sad I tell you.

That should keep me busy for the year don't you think? Wow, now I'm starting to think I won't have enough time,lol.