Chipmunk's Corner

Midwinter | Vintage Etsy Style

2012-01-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

Not long ago women used to snuggle up in fashionable style during the winter - here are some vintage takes on winter wear from Etsy. Simply click on the picture to be taken to the Etsy listing.

A lovely winter ski sweater in colorful Nordic inspired style. I love the colors in this one.

What better than a snuggly, feminine, winter cap?

I love this idea! It is a velvet muff for warming your
hands with a purse built in! So clever.

A lovely vintage inspired ladies coat. I love the cut and style.

What a sweet little jacket - with a lovely design and collar detail.

Long plaid skirts are always great for winter!

When you need to dress up for an evening event, try blue velvet - always stylish.

Hope you enjoyed a bit of vintage winter style.

Warmly,

When Organization Goes AWOL

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

I've been looking for ideas and ways to organize both my room (due to a horrible disease called creativity, I have so many crafting supplies it's ridiculous!) and my life. Recently, I ran across this post from the blog A Beautiful Mess that has inspired me to organize blog ideas.

Click on the photo to be taken to the article!

I love how she has sections in her notebook and uses sticky notes - it's great. I have added a binder and sticky notes to my shopping list, so hopefully soon I can be a more efficient blogger. . . because I know I have a ton of ideas, but they are always slipping away from me, either they slip my memory, or the little piece of paper I wrote them on goes AWOL.

So, I was wondering, do any of you have some practical tips for organization? I would love to hear them!

Practically,

Embracing the Challenge

2012-01-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

"By Embracing the Challenge, By Refusing to Fail." -Captain Hayward from the film 'Narrow Escape' (formerly known as A Thousand Men and a Baby.)

These words are my current inspiration. They urge me to go further, to never give up. Especially now as I feel overwhelmed by so many things in life - including my music.

Currently, I have almost 20 songs that I have to learn and memorize for competition and performances with the Portatos. That doesn't include all the songs I need to learn to teach with Simply Music - on the accordion and the piano.

As I was looking at my list of music the other evening and was wondering how I would ever be able to handle getting them learned and memorized. That was the moment the quote popped into my mind.

"By accepting the challenge, by refusing to fail."

Incidentally, that quote is from a movie that I highly recommend. It was known as 'A Thousand Men and a Baby' but you can find it on DVD under the name 'Narrow Escape'.

Wishing you all the courage to embrace the challenge and refuse to fail!

Blessings,

Recipe Delight - Brussel Sprouts!

2012-01-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, chances are that some of you are thinking 'did she really say Brussel Sprouts? Gross!" Well, I did say it and I want to share a recipe that I had the happy accident of stumbling into this past week.

I have never been a fan of brussel sprouts. I tried fixing them once and the only person who really liked them was my Mom - but then she likes things the rest of us don't. . . i.e. clams. *Shudders*

So, when she handed me a bag of brussel sprouts and told me to make them the way I had made them before, I didn't know exactly what to do (as I had tossed that recipe. :D).

I didn't have much time, so I tossed them together with a couple ingredients and stuck them in the oven. The result was astounding - and everyone loves them!!! Including me.

So, without further ado, the recipe:

Ingredients:1 bag brussel sprouts
Olive Oil
Italian Seasoning Mix (I used store-bought, but you can find a recipe here.)
Pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly oil a shallow glass baking dish. Wash and quarter the brussel sprouts into the baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian Seasoning and pepper. Cover the dish with foil and pop your lovely veggies into the oven and wait about an hour, stirring once. Jealously guard your serving when it comes out of the oven, you may not get anymore.

I really love the way these turn out, they're so creamy when you bit into them, yet there are those lovely crispy parts that are somewhat black and delicious - as they are roasted. Sorry I don't have a picture, I was too busy eating them!

So, there is one problem with my recipe, it doesn't have a name. I was in favor of calling them simply "Roasted Brussel Sprouts", but Missy, my sister, insists it must be called the "Dollhouse Cabbage Casserole"!

This is where I appeal to you, my dear followers. I need your vote on the name. Should it be one of the above, or something completely different?

Happy in the kitchen,

Spanish Flair - First Video Blog!

2012-01-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

Spanish Outfit Inspiration

(Note that I have long ago misplaced the sources for these images, so if anyone knows where they came from, I would love to give proper credit!)

The following are a couple pictures that I consider inspiration for the costume I am putting together for the performance.

Rita Hayworth

Love the blouse (but up on the shoulders instead of off), and the brightly colored belt!

Jean Simmons

Brightly colored floral skirt and flower in hair!

I hope to be sharing pictures sometime in the next couple months of what I come up with!

Creatively yours,

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Everyone! May yours be filled with all kinds of new and wonderful adventures.

I am looking forward to seeing where I can take Chipmunk's Corner this year - and hope you will join me in the adventure.

Blessings,

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Here's wishing you and yours the very best this Christmas. May it be filled with friends, family, and things that truly matter.

The Portatos also send Christmas wishes:

Blessings,

Musically Yours

2011-12-06T12:02:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone!
Sorry I've been AWOL. I am hoping to get back to blogging at least two times a week in January - as I am swamped currently. But I miss blogging so much! I have so many plans for costume studies and features rolling around in my head that it's driving me up the wall because I don't have time to do them at the moment!

Anyway, a little update. I have started teaching accordion now at Able To Play Studio and will also be teaching Piano sometime in the near future. We are set to start filming the Simply Music student and teacher materials for accordion starting in January. I am honored to be assisting with that venture.

Also, I have been very busy with The Portatos. We performed at the Spokane Fall Folk Festival last month and also had the honor of appearing live the same day on the KPBX Public Radio. That was so much fun!
The Portatos now have a Facebook Page where you can see the videos of those performances. I plan on uploading those videos to our YouTube Chanel soon, but so far have not gotten there.

Here is a photo snapped that day:

Hope to be back soon!

Wednesday Wisdom

2011-10-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

I came across the following quote today and simply had to share it. So much truth.

"The Christian life can be explained only in terms of Jesus, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you - your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything - then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it! ... True Godliness leaves the world convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only explanation for you, is Jesus Christ." - Ian Thomas

May it so be with me,

Inspiration for the Day

2011-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted to drop by and share a song that has touched me from the first time I heard it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the song on YouTube to share with you all, but the lyrics are below.

'Candle In The Rain' by 4Him.

Heartbreak comes, steals the color from my sky
Blue and white, fade to black and gray
Clouds collide, and tears fill up my eyes
Storm winds steal the words I want to pray
But deep inside of me
There is a flame called faith
And though tear drops fall
There is a choice I have made

I will dare to dream about tomorrow
I will hold to hope through all of the pain
I will never surrender to the sorrow
No I will be a candle in the rain

So I'll go on a light that's burning in the dark
Reaching out to others all around
And though lightning strikes
And the thunder rolls
I have no doubt God is still in control

I will trust that life is more
Than just what I see before me
And a bright new day is up ahead
Another chapter in the story

I hope those words encourage and uplift you today.

With faith,

Givaway Winner!

2011-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!
I wanted to announce the winner of the Vintage Vogue Pattern. . . I received very few entries for this - and I do apologize for my lack of blogging. My laptop ended up in the repair shop for a week and my Mom's health relapsed again. It's been a difficult week.

Anyway. . . on to the fun!!

Using random.org. . .I generated number 2. . . . this makes the winner:

KELLIE!!!!

Congrats, Kellie! I can't wait to see what you do with this pattern!

Forever,

Vintage Vogue Pattern Givaway!

2011-09-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

As a special thank you to my followers, I am giving away this lovely 1941 reproduction dress pattern.

Vintage Vogue 2371 is in sizes 6-10.

The rules of this givaway are simple:

Each of the below constitutes as one entry -- so for each one you accomplish, leave me a separate comment. Also, please make sure I have a way to contact you should you win.

Leave a comment!
Follow Chipmunk's Corner. (If you are already a follower, leave me a comment. . . it counts!)
Let someone else know about this givaway, either by posting it on Twitter, Facebook, or your own blog.

That's it. The winner will be selected by random drawing. This givaway ends at 12:00 am (Pacific Standard Time) October 1, 2011.

Best wishes,

Teaching Music and a Future Givaway!

2011-09-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my wonderful (if somewhat neglected) followers,

I appreciate you all sticking with me through my absence! Sacramento was fantastic, a lot of work, but fantastic. I'm sorry to say that I have no pictures as I completely forgot to take any. :D What a difference between myself and my wonderful photographer sister. . . :)

Anyway, I received something last week that I am too excited about to not share with you all. . .

YES! I am a licensed Simply Music Teacher and will be starting with my first students next week. . . it's a wonderful, terrifying, exciting event and I am looking forward to it.

I'll be working under my accordion teacher, Patricia Bartell, and will be one of several teachers at Able To Play Studio. We're putting out the following informational flyer:

Giveaway Alert!

Keep an eye out, my followers, as I will be posting a special giveaway later this week. . . What is it? Hint: a reproduction 1941 Sewing pattern!

Happily Plotting,

Such is Life

2011-08-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Sorry that I've been gone for pretty much all of August . . . and I'm afraid that the rest of August is going to be the same. I have been crazy busy with many, many things.

One of them has been the band I'm involved with: The Portatos. Whom you can also find on Facebook now.
We recently played our first paid gig. Check out the pictures:

Hopefully I'll be able to get some of the video from that evening up sometime as well.

In the meantime, I am traveling to Sacramento CA at the end of the month to work with my accordion teacher and Simply Music in the development of Simply Music for the accordion. I'm mostly a tag-a-long who will help wherever I can. You can imagine this has left me busy - in addition for preparing to teach myself. . . possibly sometime this fall. Yep. . . it's been crazy. I'm really hoping to get back to blogging after the end of this month - as I really can't see having the time to do it before. But don't give up on me. . . I shall return!

Busily happy,

The Other Website . . .

2011-07-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been so scarce around here lately. Life tends to rush on at a crazy pace. . . and honestly, I'm afraid I've been spending more time working on a different website and slightly neglecting this blog.

Want to see what I've been up to?

And for kicks - the song we had the most fun with in Leavenworth last month:

Anyway, I've been trying to compile all I can to build our website - using blogger as a platform. Right now the layout is just simple - I plan on completely remaking the layout and graphic design of the sight this next month after our photoshoot. . . done by my AWESOME sister. :D Yes, I am prejudiced - but that's okay.

You can check out the Portatos at www.portatos.com.

Musically Yours,

Etsy - Garden Party

2011-07-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Imagine for a moment that you decide to throw a lovely garden party some summer evening. . . You plan the menu: lemonade, tasty treats, and so forth. You need to decorate, what do you do?

(Click on any of the pictures to be taken to the Etsy listing for that item)

How about some lovely fabric bunting?

Some lovely mason jar lights!

An old reclaimed table. . . which you decorate with vintage lace and dishes - buffet style.

Toss a few cozy sleeping bags or cute blankets onto some cushions on the grass. . .

Add some cute pillows!

Now you have the makings for a party! But what are you going to wear? Oh dear. . . how about this?

Uh. Oh. . . Not quite modest enough - too much shoulder. . . until you add this:

Now for the hair. . .

And jewelry . . .

Now you're all set!

Oh dear . . . now I want to host one!

Enjoying summer,

The Wall Garden - Current Inspiration

2011-07-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

I ran across some pictures of wall gardens today and have found myself suddenly, extremely fascinated. I vaguely remember seeing them before - but now I think I want one! Maybe just a little one . . . on my bedroom wall!

So, I thought that since life has been breezing by and not letting me have a chance to plan some more interesting posts for Chipmunks Corner . . . I thought I would share what I am looking at now. My current inspirations, you might say.

{source}

A Desk Garden!!! {Source}

Wonderful! Now I want to find an old crate! {source}

Do any of you garden? If so, have you tried vertical gardening of any kind? I'd love to hear your thoughts and see your inspirations!

Aspiring to have a green thumb,

The Trouble with Tecnology

2011-07-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I am sorry to say that I have been delayed in my blogging plans . . . you see, last Wednesday my laptop died. I can't say it surprises me. I have had trouble with that particular laptop since I bought it and as I bought it second-hand, there was no returning it and no warranty to cover my troubles.

I've had the poor thing in and out of the repair shop numerous times. So when it wouldn't start up (despite many varying means of trying to resuscitate it) I decided to let it rest in peace. It lasted just over a year.

The good thing about that is that I'm getting a new - much better - laptop. I hadn't wanted to buy one this soon - but sometimes you don't have much choice and I do too much with my laptop to go without one. I'm expecting my new one to arrive tomorrow . . . and then begins the process of setting everything up again. :D

So, for now, the costume study, etc. has been delayed - it's hard to do a costume study when all your pictures are in the form of computer files. :D

Thankfully,

Friday Fashion Feature - WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

2011-07-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

I was looking into a little bit of World War II fashion yesterday and found this dress. . . the story behind it makes it amazing!

{source}

Parachute Wedding Dress, 1947
Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
This wedding dress was made from a nylon parachute that saved Maj. Claude Hensinger during World War II.
In August 1944, Hensinger, a B-29 pilot, and his crew were returning from a bombing raid over Yowata, Japan, when their engine caught fire. The crew was forced to bail out. Suffering from only minor injuries, Hensinger used the parachute as a pillow and blanket as he waited to be rescued. He kept the parachute that had saved his life. He later proposed to his girlfriend Ruth in 1947, offering her the material for a gown.
Ruth wanted to create a dress similar to one in the movie Gone with the Wind. She hired a local seamstress, Hilda Buck, to make the bodice and veil. Ruth made the skirt herself; she pulled up the strings on the parachute so that the dress would be shorter in the front and have a train in the back. The couple married July 19, 1947. The dress was also worn by the their daughter and by their son’s bride before being gifted to the Smithsonian.
This item is one of 137 million artifacts, works of art and specimens in the Smithsonian’s collection. It is not on display.

Additional info can be found here.

I just had to share it! I think it would have been really neat to make a wedding dress out of a parachute that had saved your fiance's life. :D

Happily yours,

Help Me Rescue Nancy!

2011-07-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Do any of you remember the short story I was working my way through for Nancy Drew Fashion Week?

If so. . . you might remember that I left Nancy in a tough place. . . and never rescued her!

Alas, I seem to be suffering from a severe case of writers block . . . and I need you!

Email me your suggestions, ideas, etc. for the story at chipmunkscorner (at) gmail (dot) com and let's see if we can't help Nancy with the mystery!

For a refresher of what happened to Nancy, you can find the first few parts of the story here.

Thankfully Yours,

Made Excellent for Marriage

2011-07-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

So, this may seem like a strange post for Independance Day - but I first listened to this sermon yesterday and had to share it. It has so many practical applications.

Eric Ludy - Made Excellent For Marriage from Ellerslie Mission Society on Vimeo.

The thing is, if you are single and never do get married - all these qualities, habits, and skills will still benefit yourself and those around you. What you do now has the power to profoundly affect those you come in contact with both now and in the future. So many times we live for now - for what pleases us the most and completely ignore the fact that our choices today affect our children or the next generation tomorrow and twenty years down the road.

If I remember right - Eric does mention independence and freedom in this sermon - so maybe it isn't such a strange thing to share on the 4th after all!

Aiming higher,

You Never Know Who's Watching

2011-06-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago I was in town doing some errands. I stopped at Ross to see if they had something I needed (I don't remember exactly what) and wandered through the store for a while just looking.

As I was standing in the checkout line, someone behind me said, "It's so rare to see a smile these days."

I didn't realize she was talking to me until she repeated the comment. We fell into a short conversation and I learned that she had been watching me the entire time I had been in the store. Each time she saw me, I had a smile on my face. That smile made her day.

This is just to say, you never know who's watching - let the love of God shine through you every moment. A smile can be a bigger blessing to someone than you know . . . and it doesn't cost a thing.

Smile! {Source}

Cultivating a joyful heart,

Upcoming Costume Study

2011-06-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

A sneak peek at what the next One Night with the King Costume Study will be:

Now to see how long it takes me. :D The only problem with this dress is that the film simply doesn't show enough of it!

Off to bury herself in costume details,

Leavenworth!

2011-06-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

HA! I found that by using 'Blogger in Draft' I can upload pictures. Otherwise, I am not the only one having this problem - no matter what I tried, it just wasn't working any other way. . . so now I present: Leavenworth!

A view of Icicle Ridge above Leavenworth

A view of the town in the Gazebo area.

Icicle Ridge in the evening.

The Portatos! 3rd place winners in the Band Category. Yes, we had FUN!

The Portatos with the judges.

I'll have to see if I can get some more pictures from some of the others - and maybe even a video to share with y'all!

Musically yours,

Leavenworth! (And future Costume Study)

2011-06-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Life continues to move at a crazy fast pace for me. Last weekend, I attended the Leavenworth Accordion Celebration & Competitions.

Anyway, I was going to share some pictures with you, but for some reason Blogger isn't allowing me to add them to this post. I can upload them fine - but nothing else. So I will post some pictures as soon as I can.

In other news, I have begun work on the next costume study for One Night with the King. I have had two requests for the gown that Esther is wearing when she learns of the plot to kill Xerxes. Thank you everyone for your amazing comments on my costume studies! I have learned a lot from you and love you comments and your requests!

Keep an eye out for that next costume study!

Happily yours,

Swimsuit Sneak Peek

2011-06-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

It's not quite done yet (I have to figure out how to rip a couple seams out of nylon lycra . . . ugh. :D ) but here are a couple pictures.

Please forgive the mirror that hasn't been cleaned in ages, any clutter you see, and the. . . yellow . . . walls. I really want to paint them white as whoever lived in the house prior actually stained the walls yellow.

Though you can't really see them in the picture above, the swimsuit has blue leggings that hit just above my knee.

A better view of the bodice. My photographer sister is away on an adventure to a distant land (i.e. Alaska) and so I am forced back to self-portraits.

The swimsuit was actually inspired by the dress worn in this picture of Lana Turner - though I desired it to be more modest, thus the wider shoulder straps and the higher neckline.

{source}

I had never seen a picture of the full dress until this morning when I was searching for the picture above to share with you all . . . but here it is:

{source}

So, that's a sneak peek into one of my current projects. Hope you all are having a wonderful June so far and I really hope to get some more costume studies done soon!

Cheerfully Yours,

Bike Dreaming

2011-06-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Ah. . . summer was here this weekend. . . and it disappeared again. That doesn't stop me from dreaming of summer days and activities.

Currently on the sewing table is a swimsuit . . . of my own design. I have created a modest swimsuit once before, but it seriously lacked style . . . so I am trying again. Alas, I currently don't have any pictures. Don't worry, I'll get some.

However, I have been dreaming about getting one of these:

Huffy Panama Jack Ladies Cruiser

I absolutely love these vintage styled bikes . . . and the Panama Jack is my favorites so far.

Here are some others I like:

Love the style and color of this one.

I like this one because it has multiple speeds but still has the vintage styling.

My biggest problem with wanting one of these bikes is the price - I'm used to yard sale pricing. :D I paid $25.00 for my last bike. . . which has somehow vanished into thin air. I can't figure out if one of the family moved it somewhere very clever or if someone stole it right out of our shed. Either way, I miss my bike . . . thus this post and the dreaming.

Happy Summer,

Froggy Day

2011-05-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I hope you don't mind me just sharing bits of the sunny side of life this week. . . as I don't currently have time to really prepare anything interesting.

I was puttering in my garden yesterday and thought I would share some pictures with you.

This is my garden - or part of it. . . the only part I've gotten to do anything with (due to mass flooding as you will soon see). I'm a terribly novice gardner. The type who has panic attacks at the thought of planting something and then not having it grow.

The net offers protection from birds, cats, etc. It's based on the system in a book titled "Jeff Balls' 60 Minute Garden" which has a lot of really neat ideas in it. . . as I am a complete novice, I can't really tell you if the system works or not.

This is the little friend I made yesterday . . . I think I shall dub him 'Prince Charming'.

Frogs/toads are great in gardens, so I thought I would encourage him to stay by building him a condo.

I think he likes it!

I haven't been able to do much with my garden this year because of this. . .

I don't know if you can see it, but from Froggy View (the reptilian version of Google Maps Street View) it would look about like the flooding I shared on Tuesday. This is because our garden area is in a low spot right next to our 20' wide creek . . . which I really should have taken a picture of for you. It wasn't near this wet last year, but then again, Chewelah didn't flood last year either.

I can't walk in between the beds of our garden without sinking ankle deep in water. . . and the garden beds themselves are practically mud. Looking forward to sunshine!

So, if you remember yesterday. . .you remember donuts. . . I do.

It was nice walking into the office this morning knowing they were all gone. Until I saw this . . .

No. . . you aren't seeing things. Yes, that is a whole milk crate of candy. What have I done to deserve these calories?!

Thankfully, I found out that the neighboring office brought them over to keep them out of the heat (due to a crazy heating/cooling situation in our building) and he reclaimed them this morning. I was happy to see them depart - though there is a package of rollos now residing in my purse. . . I didn't tell you that. :D

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! to everyone who has been praying for my Mom. I really appreciate it. She has improved, but it will be a long haul to get her all the way back. But we will make it and GOD IS GOOD! Thank you again. . . SO MUCH!

Enjoying today's sunshine and ignoring tomorrow's showers,

Deep-Fat-Fried Wednesday

2011-05-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday I end up facing the bane of my morning in my little office space. . .

Every Wednesday this sweet Mennonite woman brings her homemade donuts to sell to people in our building. Every Wednesday my boss buys a plate, if he doesn't, the gentleman next door buys two and brings us one.

I am left staring at these lovelies and trying to convince myself not to eat one. Because I really don't like donuts. I realize that may be hard to believe, but it's true. You'd think it would be easy to stay away from them if you didn't like them. . .right? Wrong. For some reason I always eat one thinking that this week I'll like it. I never do!

This week . . . I will not eat a donut.

Wait. . . you didn't see that. . .you really didn't!

Deep-Fat-Fried and Sugared,

It's a WET Spring. . .

2011-05-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

I work an office job in the little town of Chewelah, Washington. . . it's a quiet little town. Except yesterday the mayor declared a state of emergency because of this:

You can imagine that I was a little shocked when I got to work this morning and discovered that people were sandbagging homes and businesses to try and keep the floodwaters back. . .

No one will be going through the Zip's Drive-Thru for a while.

"Mommy, can we swim in the park?"

"There was a road here. . .I know there was! When did the lake resort move in?"

The Museum has added a 'water feature'. :D

I thought the bridge was supposed to go 'over' the creek. . . not under it.

Sorry for the pictures taken from my car. . . I had to do some 'drive by shooting'. :D As you can see. . . it is gorgeously sunny out!

Hopefully life will settle a little and then I will be able to get back to blogging more.

Blessings,

When Life Hits Hard

2011-05-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord! Even when it is not what you feel like doing at the time.

The past month has been . . . hard. The first two weeks I was in bed a lot - the first because of an ankle injury, the second because of a severe cold or something. I don't go down easily - or stay down easily. Though I didn't mind that too much.

The hard part has been seeing my Mom's health crash severely. My family has rallied round her and is working to pull her back - naturally. It works, but it takes some time and is exhausting for all of us.

All through this, the one verse that I have really held tight to is in Psalms.

"I will extol the Lord at all times: his praise will always be on my lips." Psalm 34:1

Time after time, at the hardest moments, I would remember that verse. Though it might have been the last thing I wanted to do at the time - I repeated it, and followed its advice. I praised God. Though I did tell Him more than once that I didn't really feel like doing it, I did it. I know He understands that. The funny thing is this: while praising God when I felt more like crying or being depressed was really hard, it somehow became easier each time I did it - and my spirits would lift and I would have that beautiful thing called hope bloom in my heart. Somehow, it brought my attention off my troubles to the realization that God is bigger. No matter what may happen God is good! Even when life hits hard and is absolutely terrible. God IS good!!!

Dear Followers: I need your help!
We have Mom on a diet that consists of fish, chicken, and vegetables. The only fruits she is allowed are pears and apples. You may imagine this poses quite a challenge when cooking meals.

Do any of you have any recipes that might work? I am seriously in need of some more ideas. Even if a recipe isn't quite right, if it's close, it might at least inspire me to make it work.
Thank you in advance for your help!

P.S.: I promise to get back to blogging as soon as I can, but it has truly been the last thing on my mind in light of Mom's illness.

Blessings,

Pure Femininity - Grand Beginnings and a Givaway!

2011-04-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I just wanted to share something exciting with you today. Several years ago I was inspired to build a website entitled 'Pure Femininity'. Unfortunately, I began it but was never able to keep it up. Now, two dear friends, Lisa and my own sister, Missy, have stepped in. I have happily handed the reins over to them and have been amazed at how they have taken the blog and run with it.

Hooray girls! Thank you Missy and Lisa!

So, as they wanted to build up content before actually opening it to the public, I am now happy to announce the grand re-opening of 'Pure Femininity'!

In celebration of this occasion, Pure Femininity is hosting three givaways!

Hand Crocheted Dishcloths

Pearl Bracelet & Earrings

Handcrafted Wire Ring

Hurry! The deadline for entry is May 9! While you're over entering to win these lovely prizes at Pure Femininity, check out everything else that Missy and Lisa have done. It's pretty amazing!

Ever and always,

What do you know - you can sing a polka!

2011-04-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this -- it's SO neat! Who know that polkas can be sung?

In other news - sorry that I haven't blogged this week. I had planned to, but that was before a sprained Achilles Tendon, Crutches, and coming down sick . . . all of which has conspired to keep me sleeping in bed almost all day every day.

Enjoy the polka!

The Secret of Loch Ness - Part Three

2011-04-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

The continuing story. If you missed the first installments, check them out: Part One, Part Two.

PART THREE

Nancy allowed Mr. Mansfield a moment to regain his composure.
“Sir, I’m sorry to have to ask this, but was your daughter involved in anything illegal?”
“Never,” he protested. “If you knew Jane at all, you wouldn’t even ask. She is the best, the sweetest girl on the face of this earth.”
“You were close to her, I can tell,” Nancy said.
“Yes, she has been my world since my dear wife passed away seven years ago. Not many teen girls are that close to their parents, but Jane and I have that special relationship born of hard times.”
“I have a confession to make, Mr. Mansfield. I don’t really know your daughter . . . we’ve never met, but our paths seem to have crossed in a strange way.” Briefly Nancy explained the situation, using only the essential facts. “I am a part time investigator of sorts,” she added modestly. “and have solved a few cases for my father.”
“Hypers, Nancy,” George interrupted as she joined the conversation. “Only a few?”
“Yeah,” Bess added. “I didn’t think you ever do anything but solve mysteries.”
Nancy smiled at her two friends and introductions were passed around.
“If anyone can find your daughter, Nancy can!” Bess declared confidently.
“I wonder,” Nancy ventured. “Mr. Mansfield, would it be possible for me to see Jane’s room? Maybe I can find something that will help with my search.”
“The police have already been over it a dozen times,” Mr. Mansfield admitted. “But you’re welcome to try.”
Though Nancy thoroughly searched Jane’s hotel suite, the only thing she found helpful was a small wallet-size photo of the missing woman with her father. Mr. Mansfield graciously allowed her to borrow it.
As the young sleuth and her friends left the Highland Hotel, none of them noticed the figure watching them from the shadows.

“Soon,” Bess said with a yawn from the backseat of their rented car. “Soon, I’ll soak in a nice long bath and then curl up in a cozy bed for the night.”
The three drove in contented silence for a few minutes. It was now well after dark, and with the exception of Nancy, the friends were tired from the long day.
“Hey, Nancy. . . you just passed our turn!” Bess exclaimed.
“I want to take a look at the place I saw those men,” Nancy said.
“I might have known,” George laughed. “Relax, Bess. You’ll get your nice soft bed sometime. . . like next week maybe.”
The friends rode in silence until they pulled into the parking lot above Urquhart Castle. The night was dark, and a mist had descended on the Loch, preventing them from seeing the castle from where they were.
As the three eighteen-year olds stole down the path in the dark, Nancy issued whispered orders.
“George, I want you and Bess to keep an eye on the front of the castle - if anything suspicious happens, yell.”
“What about you, Nancy?” Bess asked.
“I’m going to investigate the water’s edge.” As they reached the bridge across what had once been the moat, Nancy gave each of her friends a reassuring squeeze. “If I’m not back in fifteen minutes, get out of here and call the police.”

The lights that were installed around Urquhart Castle were meant to highlight the majesty of the ruins at night, but in the thickening fog, they merely let off an eerie glow.
Nancy passed through the front gate and made her way silently to the tower house. She aimed the beam of her flashlight low, wanting to keep a low profile if possible.
“I was standing right about here when that stone fell,” Nancy thought as she passed through the door that provided an outlet from the tower to the outside. The incline to the water’s edge was steep, but Nancy wasn’t deterred. She snapped her flashlight off and slid it into her belt. She would need both of her hands free for the descent. Once Nancy’s eyes adjusted to the dark, she could see well enough to feel her way down the bank.
“This was about where I saw that boat,” she thought as she stood with the water lapping the shore at her feet. Nancy took her flashlight and played it across the bank and the underbrush. A glint of metal caught her eye and she went to investigate. Pulling back some brush revealed a door in the steepest part of the bank. Fiddling with the latch, Nancy pulled it open.
“They sure keep those hinges well oiled,” Nancy thought. “I wonder who they are and what they’re up to.” She shined her light inside at the passageway hewn in the rock underneath Urquhart Castle.
At that moment something surfaced in the water behind her. Nancy whirled around and snapped her light off at the same moment.
A dark form rose from the water, its long neck glistening in the light of the moon. Its head turned slowly toward Nancy! As it came closer to the shore, Nancy ducked behind the heavy door. Finally the creature came to a stop.
“Funny,” she thought. “Nessie’s not quite as big as I imagined her.”
Suddenly the figure of a man emerged from ‘Nessie’s’ back and jumped into the shallow water. Nessie was a fake!
There was no time for further observation . . . the strange man was walking straight toward Nancy!

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Sleuthing for Part Four,

Nancy Drew Fashion Week- - - Really? It's over?

2011-04-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Nancy Drew Fashion Week ends today. . . I really don't want to see it go, especially since I had planned on having "The Secret of Loch Ness" finished.

Alas, on Wednesday, Nancy had to leave off the sleuthing and change the tires on her car, which was followed by waiting for two hours for the oil in said car to be changed as well (She hit rush hour on the lube shop in the Big City). Then, Thursday, Nancy had to travel to the Big City again for accordion practice - and no sleuthing got done then either.

Needless to say, you can't keep Nancy away from a mystery for very long - so thank you for your patience and the rest of the story will reveal itself. (Note: if Nancy doesn't get her act together and solve this case by the end of next week, the author is going to have some very serious words with her. :D)

Anyway, check out the other entries on Bramblewood Fashion and Natasha's Blog.

Always and ever,

Nancy Drew - Etsy Style

2011-04-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

What would Nancy buy on Etsy? Perhaps, just perhaps, these are some of her shopping choices. Obviously vintage styling. :D

Click on the picture to be taken to that Etsy listing.

A Sherlock Holmes hiding place!

Every Girl Sleuth needs a mirror!

Headed for Town

Classy. . .don't you think?

Can't go without a flashlight!

A secret hiding place.

Ranch Nancy

Everyday Casual/School

I know that the outfits aren't for sale - just the skirts - but I think the outfits look Nancyish. :D

Thinking Vintage Detective,

P.S. - If you tried to follow some of the links and found they didn't work, I have fixed that. :D

The Secret of Loch Ness - Part Two

2011-04-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

I now bring you Part Two of The Secret of Loch Ness. If you missed the first installment, you can find it here.

PART TWO

Nancy hurled herself out of the path of the falling stone block just in time. As she rolled over in the grass, she caught sight of a flash of clothing at the top of the tower. Someone had been up there!

“Nancy!” George exclaimed as she helped her back to her feet. “Are you all right?”

Nancy quickly assured her friend that she wasn’t hurt and then turned to look down the bank of Loch Ness. The boat and the men had disappeared! Determined, Nancy headed for the entrance of the tower house.

“Where are you going?” George asked, puzzled.

“I want to see where that stone fell from,” Nancy called as she started up the steps. In minutes, Nancy was at the top of the tower with George close beside her. She carefully scanned the stone wall in front of her before bending down and running her fingers along one particular area.

“Look, George,” she said, motioning to her dark-haired companion. “There are fresh marks here, as if someone used a crowbar or other tool to pry at the wall. That falling stone was no accident!”

“But why would someone do that?”

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” Nancy had been examining the area as she spoke. A small slip of paper caught her eye and she pulled it out of the crevice it had fallen in. She held it lightly on the edges as she examined it. It was a business card for a hotel in Inverness, which was a mere 16 miles away from Urquhart Castle. She turned it over. Scribbled on the back was the following:

Jane Mansfield - Rm. 229

“Well if this isn’t a clue, I don’t know what is,” Nancy thought with a smile. Suddenly she looked up at George. “Where’s Bess?”

At that moment, a high piercing scream rang out over the relative calm of Urquart Castle. George and Nancy exchanged quick glances before scurrying down the stairs to find their friend. As they reached the bottom and started toward the lower bailey, Bess came flying toward them.

“Nancy! George!” she gasped as she flung herself between the two girls. “It was horrible. . . terrible. . . ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Let’s get out of here before it eats all of us!”

The two girls spent some time calming Bess down and trying to make sense of her babbled words. Finally the blonde made a disgusted noise and exclaimed, “I’m telling you, that was the Loch Ness Monster that tried to eat me!”

“Why don’t you show us where you saw this ‘monster’?” George asked.

Bess sent a droll look toward her cousin. “Well, if you don’t believe me, take a look over there!” She waved toward the gate that provided an outlet to the shore.

The group of friends made their way through the opening and to the edge of Loch Ness. Once Bess reached the castle wall, she refused to go any further.

“Where did you see it, Bess?” Nancy called.

“It came right up on the shore!” she replied from her place of safety.

Nancy began examining the water‘s edge. “Something did come out of the water,” she thought as she noted a place where the rocks seemed to have a wet trail leading toward the castle. Nancy followed the water until it ended, and deduced that the monster must have retreated at that point. As she continued her examination, she caught sight of black marks on some of the larger stones.

“George, look!” she exclaimed after a moment. “There are rubber skid marks on these stones.”

“’Nessie’ wouldn’t leave skid marks!” George protested.

Nancy smiled. “Exactly.”

As the girls drove into Inverness later that day, Bess began quizzing Nancy about the purpose of their trip.

“She’s following a clue, Bess,” George said with a toss of her dark hair and a grin. “You know Nancy.”

“Boy, don’t I?” Bess sighed. “What exactly are we investigating this time?”

Nancy quickly brought Bess up to date on the men she had seen, the fallen castle stone, and the business card.

“We’re going to the Highland Inn,” Nancy said. “I want to find out who this Jane Mansfield is.”

“Nancy, can’t we just once have a normal vacation? Why is it that no matter where we go, you have to get tangled up in mystery and danger?” Bess asked from the back seat of the car.

It wasn’t long before the three friends were traipsing into the lobby of the very posh Highland Inn.

George whistled admiration. “They sure know how to decorate.”

Nancy’s attention was on more important things than the hotel’s appearance.

“Excuse me, sir,” she addressed an older gentleman at the front desk. “Could you tell me if Jane Mansfield is still staying in room 229?”

“Are you a friend of Jane’s?” he asked anxiously.

Nancy weighed her options, and her answer. “Something like that. Can you tell me if she is here?”

“Jane. . . Jane disappeared about a week ago. There’s been no word of her,” the old man whispered.

“How do you know this?” Nancy asked.

“Jane Mansfield is my daughter.”

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Through mystery and intrigue,

The Secret of Loch Ness - See where Nancy is!

2011-04-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am still working on Part Two of 'The Secret of Loch Ness'. Hopefully I'll be able to post it tonight. It's a new experience to not have a whole story finished before I share it, and I find myself wondering where the story will go.

As I was doing some research on Urquhart Castle, it occurred to me that perhaps you all would enjoy seeing exactly 'where Nancy is'. :D

For a Google Maps Street View of Urquhart Castle: Click Here.
I was seriously excited when I saw this - as I currently have access to a faster internet for a few days and could actually look at it. My only disappointment is that you can't see inside the castle.

Pictures of the Castle:

Source

From Wikipedia Article about Urquhart Castle here.

A handy, dandy map of the castle layout. {Source}

So, now that you've seen where Nancy is. . . I'd better get back to writing.
(So many things crept up on me today that I really have no idea if I'll get the second installment up or not. But it will come, sooner, or later. :D)

Busily yours,

Mysterious Afternoon

2011-04-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Finally! My fashion entry for the Nancy Drew Fashion Week hosted by Bramblewood Fashion & A Modest Fashion Blog. I would almost call this a vintage/modern look, but I'm not entirely sure what category it would fall under.
I want to thank my AMAZING sister for the photo shoot yesterday afternoon -- in case you can't tell. . . we had FUN!Yes, I know I don't fit the description of strawberry blonde sleuth - but I can pretend! :D

I wonder what's up here?

Checking to see that the coast is clear before examining the contents of the strange chest.

Could there be something hidden in here?

Someone's coming!

Relaxing after a long day of sleuthing.

Nancy approves!

Special, special thanks to my dear sister for both the photo shoot and the lovely collage she made! If you like her photography, check out Missy's Photography!

Happy sleuthing,

The Secret of Loch Ness - A Nancy Drew Mini-Mystery

2011-04-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

Whew - I barely missed day two of the Nancy Drew Fashion Week. It's been absolutely crazy trying to get things finished and ready. I have so many ideas - not all of them having to do with fashion - and I'm afraid I meant to get something up sooner than this. . . but sometimes things just don't work out the way you originally plan. Anyway, keep your eye out, because if I can squeeze in the time to do some of the things I want to, it should be a fun week! For me at least. :D Hopefully for you as well!
Enjoy!

PART ONE

“Can you believe this, Nancy?” Dark haired, athletic George Fayne held a newspaper out to eighteen-year-old Nancy Drew. The three friends, Nancy, George, and Bess Marvin were in Scotland for the summer.
The titan haired sleuth scanned the headlines.

LOCH NESS MONSTER A KILLER!

EYEWITNESS CLAIMS ‘NESSIE’ ATTACKED HER SISTER.

Reading quickly through the article, Nancy was surprised to see that this wasn’t the only incident attributed to the legendary beast of Loch Ness Scotland. Apparently in the past few months, Nessie had obtained quite the reputation.
“I thought the Loch Ness Monster was a myth,” blonde, slightly plump Bess piped in.
“There have been many ‘sightings’ of a supposed creature in Loch Ness,” Nancy said as she thoughtfully tapped the newspaper on the café table. “They’ve even run sonar scans of the bottom of Loch Ness looking for some concrete evidence that ‘Nessie’ exists or not. So far, they haven’t been able to prove it one way or another.”
“Great,” George joked with a grin. “We’ve only been in Scotland for two days and Nancy is already thinking about trying to solve a mystery.”
“She’s hopeless,” Bess added while rolling her eyes.

“Wait for me!” Bess called as she lagged behind Nancy and George.
The impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle rose before them. Set on a rocky peninsula at the very edge of Loch Ness, the castle had once been a great fortress that was later destroyed. Now a popular tourist stop, it was a place Nancy had been wanting to see - even more now that she had seen the newspaper clippings that morning. It was said that most sightings of the Loch Ness Monster occurred around or near Urqhart Castle.
“Nancy! Surely you don’t mean to see all of Scotland in one day!”
The young detective stopped on the wooden bridge that spanned what had once been the castle moat.
“Sorry, Bess, George,” she said with a smile. “I’m just so interested in this place.”
The three moved on, this time together. Consulting their brochures, they identified the small prison cell near the front gate as well as other aspects of the castle. As George and Bess meandered over to the south side of the castle, Nancy was drawn in the opposite direction; to the imposing remains of the tower house. As she circled to the side, her attention was caught by movement in the foliage below. Her curiosity aroused, Nancy leaned up against the remains of an old wall below the tower and peered down at the edge of Loch Ness. Below, at the water’s edge, three men furtively moved some boxes out of a small boat.
“They surely aren’t doing anything legal,” Nancy thought as she observed how they kept glancing over their shoulders. “I wonder what’s in those boxes.”
Before she had a chance for further observation, a shrill scream pierced the air.
“Nancy! Look out!” George yelled.
Glancing up, the young sleuth saw a large stone from the tower above slipping. It balanced uneasily on edge a moment before plunging toward her!

(TO BE CONTINUED. . .)

Mysteriously Yours,

It's Almost Here! Nancy Drew Fashion Week!

2011-03-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as I was recovering from my week of nonstop travel to from home to work, from work to Spokane, from Spokane to home (repeat every day thereafter), it finally hit me that the Nancy Drew Fashion Week at Bramblewood Fashion is starting this Friday!

My brain went to work - naturally trying to figure out how I would be participating. :D So, I'll be rounding up some misc. outfits and will have my awesome photographer sister take some pictures. . . but I want to do more than just fashion. So, keep an eye out - because that week will be totally Nancy Drew themed for me - if I can manage it. . . and I may just have a surprise givaway as well. :D

Plotting mysterious things,

Ah! Serious Accordion Busyness!

2011-03-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

So, this week I barely have a spare moment because I am working and sitting in on some all-day accordion sessions taught by Frederic Deschamps - a foremost accordion teacher from France. He is my teacher's teacher. :D

It's been really awesome - I learn so much from watching.

Here's a small taste of his work: (in the form of two of his students)

Busily, musically yours,

Japan - Are we callused?

2011-03-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much news on the devastation that his Japan - as we don't have TV and occasionally have radio.

My heart goes out to those dealing with the situation over there - and it especially breaks for the children . . . as they've found a lot of them wandering around without knowing where their parents are. If I could adopt them all at this very moment, I would. As it is, my hands are tied and almost all I can do is pray.

As I was looking over online news reports about Japan, this one caught my eye:

{Source}

I was shocked at the lack of response to the devastation. Have we seen so much tragedy that we are unaffected by another one? Sometimes I feel that is how the world is - we're so connected to the news that we've grown hardened to terrible events. I pray this would change. I pray that people would remain compassionate even when it seems the world has gone crazy.

Thoughtfully yours,

Note: If you do want to donate, make sure you are giving to a real cause - as I have heard several reports of fake organizations popping up to take advantage of the terrible situation in Japan.

A Brush with Carbon Monoxide

2011-03-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ah, yesterday was an amazingly rainy day. For the past couple weeks, I've known that I needed to have some work done on the exhaust system of my car - I didn't realize how serious it could be.

Apparently I have a hole in the muffler that is about 4" across. I haven't had any problem with the exhaust getting in my car . . . until yesterday.

Like I said, yesterday was very rainy . . . and that caused the carbon monoxide to build up inside my car more than it may have previously.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu because the deadly gas goes undetected in a home. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and even death. {Source}

And that is exactly what I experienced yesterday. I drove into the "Big City" to have the car checked out and get some pricing. . . all the while I was suffering from a headache and fatigue (not uncommon for me). Thinking that my neck had gone out of alignment, I stopped and had my chiropractor realign it -- it didn't help this time. Then it occurred to me that I might just be experiencing a crash from not having lunch. That wasn't it either. By the time I left the "Big City" I was getting worried about my driving abilities (having felt more like passing out at Fred Meyer's than anything else).

As soon as I got home, I crashed in my bed and tried to sleep - hoping I could sleep it off. I thought that maybe I was coming down with the flu that my sister had just recovered from, so I took the appropriate remedies. By the time I woke up again that evening, I was feeling better. Not completely well (and I'm still feeling some of the effects today), but much better than I had been.

In the meantime, Mom had been talking with Grandma on the phone and told her that I wasn't feeling well. Gran put two and two together and figured it was the carbon monoxide from my car. When I learned that after I woke up - it made sense. The more I've looked it up today, the more I realize how right she must have been. All the symptoms match - and with the rain keeping pollution closer, I figure that I must have experienced some Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

I praise the Lord that I didn't get it worse than I did -- and I definitely don't want to repeat that experience.

Today I am returning to the "Big City", and I will have my little car all fixed up proper. I am thankful for so many things - including the fact that it is sunny out. :D

Alive and kicking,

Best Friends and a Vintage Train Case

2011-03-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

So, this weekend, I dug a treasure out of a junk pile. . .

By the way - I mean the train case and not the cat. :D The train case is a blue Samsonite - I'm not sure of the date. All the interior is missing - but I think I've seen a tray for it somewhere and can pick that up as well. It has a lovely mirror that is as large as the lid. Basically the exterior needs a little face-lift and the interior needs redone. Also, when I open it, I have to lean it against something so it doesn't fall over - I have the solution for that already - in the form of some scrap wood flooring I have squirreled away.

Does anyone have suggestions for updating this neat little travel case? I would LOVE to hear them!

I want to introduce y'all to two of my best friends. The little guy above who is being such a sweetheart and sleeping like a good little child is Luigi. He's last year's kitten and the one I have emphatically labeled as 'mine'. The rest of my family didn't have a chance. :D

And this is Mouse . .. or Mousie . . . or any other number of endearments that I call her.

Yes, she's wearing a sweater. :D It's for her own good. Sometime ago she got in a scrap with a stray cat which we have now deported and ended up with a wound on her chest. I treated it, but it wouldn't heal up because she kept scratching it. So, I cut the sleeves off of an old sweatshirt I had and made her a couple sweaters. The wound has improved drastically since she has been unable to bother it as much.

I think I shall miss seeing her in a sweater when she's all healed - she tends to look pathetically adorable. :D

Wishing for sunshine,

Vintage Picture of the Day

2011-03-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

{Source}

So I've been on a kick lately where I like browsing the internet for vintage pictures -- and I'm afraid that in this picture it wasn't the hair I fell for, nor the outfit --- it was the kittens! I love the little things so and seeing such a cute picture makes me want some. :D

Dreaming of little bundles of fluff,

Thought for the Day

2011-03-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

I ran across this quote in a book (on cutting your own hair) and had to share it.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” - Dr. Seuss

Yes, I know - here I am spouting a Dr. Seuss quote - but it's a good one! :D Just be who God made you.

Following that up:

"It's better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate version of someone else." - Judy Garland

Meer than me,

Friday Favorites: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

2011-03-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

"March comes in like a lion, what else? Still the snow never melts!"

I think I shall never grow tired of these dresses. . . how I would love to have one . . . or two. . . or three! :D

Paperback Swap!

2011-02-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

Have any of you seen PaperbackSwap.com? It's super! I only just joined, but I am so looking forward to trading books. They also have two sister sites: SwapaCD.com and SwapaDVD.com.

Basically, when you join, you list your books - I have to tell you this is the easiest thing in the world. . . requiring only that you put in the ISBN number of the book and then verify that the information is correct. So fast!

Then, when one of your books is requested, you mail it out. You pay for shipping, but when you request a book - the shipping is payed by the sender! There are so many books on this site that I hardly know where to begin. :D

Thank you Atlanta for letting me know about this!

I'm on PaperbackSwap.com as 'chipmunkscorner'.

If any of you join, I would consider it an honor if you mentioned that you were referred by 'chipmunkscorner'.

Enjoying life and books,

Frosty Friday -- Brrrr!

2011-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hi All!
I wouldn't say that I have anything smashing to say this morning. . . except maybe "Where's Spring?"
This sure isn't it:

Picture of the lake along my morning commute.

Though I do praise the Lord that it's a beautiful day. :D

In other news -- do you remember my post on Pin Curls last Monday?

Well . . . I tried them. :D It took me forever last night to put them in -- though it probably wouldn't have taken so long if I hadn't been in such an easy going, get-things-done-whenever kinda mood. One side turned out better than the other -- because I was finally starting to get the hang of them on that side.

The results:

I'm pretty happy with the outcome. . . and it definitely makes me want to try them again. I have this theory, that if I do them often enough and get to where I actually understand how they are supposed to be curled, I will eventually be able to put the pin curls in fairly fast. Practice makes perfect, ya know. :)

Oh. . . Don't forget the Literary Heroine's Blog Party over at A Maiden's Musings.

She's giving away these lovely items:

Be sure and check it out -- it's great fun and it ends this Monday - Feb 28!

Dreaming of warm weather,

Literary Heroine Blog Party -- Questions Answered

2011-02-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

This post is a part of the Literary Heroine Blog Party -- Sponsored by Kellie of A Maiden's Musings!

To learn more and enter for a chance to win some items from her LOVELY shop, check it out here.

Now for the questions Kellie asked:

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

What a great question! I would have to say that a true heroine is a woman who is wholly devoted to God and willing to lay down self so that His love and grace shine through in her life. Some qualities I believe a heroine needs are: compassion, strength through trials, perseverance, patience, and devotion to doing her tasks well no matter how mundane they may be.

Share (up to four) heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

It's so hard to choose favorites! Especially since it has truly been a while since I've done a lot of reading.

Esther - Ben-Hur

(I may be getting the book character mixed up with the movie -- forgive me if so -- as I said, it has been a LONG time since I've done any reading 'for fun'.)

I really admire Esther's steady, calm character in Ben-Hur. (no, she wasn't always calm . . but that's normal for women. :D) Her unwavering faith in Christ and her lack of fear when it comes to helping out Judah's mother and sister (Lepers) is huge to me. What an example of reaching out to those in need -- yes, she knew them before they became lepers . . .but leprosy was not something that people hung around and lent a helping hand to -- no, usually they'd run the other way. Seriously, who want to be struck with a disease that literally rots the flesh from you?

I call Esther's actions nothing short of courageous and consider her compassion something to be emulated.

Elizabeth Bennet - Pride & Prejudice

Greer Garson as Lizzie

I admire dear Lizzie because of her adventuresome spirit and enjoyment of life. She and I are nothing alike -- my sister say's I'm just like Jane Bennet -- but I admire Lizzie's spunk and energy. One thing we do share -- The sentiment that nothing shall induce us into matrimony but the very deepest love.

Jo March - Little Women

I must say that Jo falls in the same category as Lizzie. I have always enjoyed her outgoing personality, her creativity, her passion for writing. I always fancied that I was like her -- until my dear sister emphatically dispelled that notion and said I was more a Meg than anything. Alas . . that's the hard truth. I confess that I didn't believe it for a long time, and went on dreaming of playing Jo in a play or drama. However, I can see it now. I will always admire her spunk and fun-loving ways.

Much Afraid - Hind's Feet on High Places

If you have never seen the children's illustrated version -- you're missing out.
It's absolutely wonderful!

I admire Much Afraid a tremendously. She was disfigured, she was crippled, but she dreamed of going to the High Places and serving the Shepherd. Though the trip wasn't easy - she made the choice to take it instead of remaining in the valley. I admire her for that choice and for her journey. She made it. That first step, deciding to take the harder path instead of remaining in an area that is familliar to you is a very hard one to make. I also really admire her in the second book, 'Mountains of Spices'.

Elinor Dashwood - Sense & Sensibility

I would add Elinor. . . but then it occurred to me that I have never read the book. . . and since this is a Literary Heroine Blog Party -- a movie character doesn't count. :D Therefore, I have added Sense & Sensibility to my list of books that I simply must read sooner than later!

Five of your favorite historical novels?

Ahh! I hate choosing favorites! :D

Okay, here goes:

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
Anything by G.A. Henty (Don't even ask me to name one!)
The Centurion's Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke (And the rest of the series -- at least, all that's come out thus far.)
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Out of those five books, who is your favorite character, and why?

That is a very difficult question! I would have to again say Esther from Ben-Hur. As for why, my reasons are listed above.

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

I have to confess that I'm currently thinking of something like this:

What would I be doing? See the hammock? Yep . . . curled up with a good book, taking a nap, or writing a story. As long as it was perfectly warm, I would be happy! Especially since the only ocean I have ever seen is in pictures. I would love to remedy that. Other activities would include snorkeling, playing in the water, and spending quality time with my family.

Some other places I've wanted to go include; Scotland, Ireland, & Italy (for the Coffee & Accordions. :D)

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

That's a seriously hard question to answer - as I tend to bounce between favorites.

Early AD -- the growth of the Church and the spreading of the Word of God.

The Medieval Era - knights, castles, fair maidens, and all that.

The Western Expansion of the United States - cowboys, Indians, covered wagons.

Currently? I'm on a 40's - 50's - early 60's kick. Yep -- Music by Ricky Nelson, the Beach Boys. Circle Skirts, vintage hair, and cute dresses. :D

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

I would have to say that I would do a mix of singing and comedy - perhaps a drama skit as well.

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

I would have to say that out of the heroines I listed, I would (at the moment) want to go as Esther from Ben-Hur. Because out of those I listed, I am most like her in personality (I think). Also, personally, I liked her costumes in the movie and wouldn't mind having an excuse to make one!

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

Only dark. . . love that Dark Chocolate!

Favorite author(s)?

I have always enjoyed everything I've read by G.A. Henty. I appreciate the writings of Eric & Leslie Ludy as well.

As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good? Why?

My word, that is a hard question. That is -- it's a hard choice between dazzlingly clever and angelically good. Why? Because being angelically good would be such an amazing thing -- not having trouble with sin in your life etc. Being dazzlingly clever could come in mighty handy -- because you'd be so smart! However, being angelically good without the smarts from being dazzlingly clever doesn't sound that enticing . . . and being dazzlingly clever without any goodness could just be plain bad. . . How about just a nice mix of all three? :D

In which century were most of the books you read written?

I would probably say the 20th century - due to the fact that I'm not reading much fiction at the moment. Most of what I'm currently reading is non-fiction, how-to, etc.

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

There are so many! How can you even ask for the ultimate one?

I really admire Sir Percy Blakney -- the Scarlet Pimpernel. I admire Mr. Knightly in 'Emma'. But, for the sake of something different, I will highlight a Western hero.

Idaho

In a little western book by Paul Evan Lehman and published in the year 1950, is a man named Idaho. The book bears the same name as he. I first met him in an old movie by the same name and starring Rex Bell. That storyline stayed with me for years until I finally looked the book up on Ebay and bought it.

I admire Idaho greatly for his personality. He takes a young would-be theif under his wing, drawing him back into an honest life and cleaning up his language. He consistantly tries to reach out to his father - a bitter old man who does not recognize the boy who had run away from home but grew into a man and returned. When challenged to a duel by his own father, he struggles, but decides that he would rather be branded a coward by the townspeople than be killed, or kill his dad. Then, when he learns that the man who had been like a father to him is taking his place in the duel, Idaho rushes back to town, and comes near to sacrificing his own life to save his adopted dad -- and in this, he acts without hesitation.

I treasure my copy of "Idaho" -- but if any of you look it up, you should probably be warned that it does have some mild language skattered through it. My copy doesn't anymore . . . ballpoint pens are wonderful at cleaning up a literary character's language. :D

Describe your ideal dwelling place.

Currently, my ideal dwelling place is a vintage Airstream trailer- refurbished and customized into a cozy home for myself and two cats. I would call it . . . . The Silver Twinkie

I'm not sure how practical the idea is -- I need to do a lot more research into it. But you can do some really neat things with the interior. . . check it out: (click on the photo to find out more)

Now, neither of those is what I'd want to do with mine. . . but it just shows what you can do!

Oh. . . and there's a hotel in Cape Town, Africa that has seven refurbished Airstream trailers on it's roof. . . check out the Grand Daddy Hotel.

A really great Airstream diner!

So, other than an Airstream, I think I would very much like a little farmhouse style home in the country. I really don't know exactly what it would look like, but I'm thinking someplace with plenty of room for a passel of kids -- should I ever get married.

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

I don't think I have.

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

Funny. . . I went totally blank at this question -- but after thinking it over for a moment I would have to say that some of the most dastardly villains I've met in any book would be Sir Daniel in 'The Black Arrow'.

Why would this man earn that title? Because he murdered young Richard Shelton's father when Richard was a wee lad - then he took the small boy under his wing and raised him as his ward . . . all for his own gain. I get my dander up when I hear of a child being used this way -- in real life or a book.

Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Okay, that's a hard one too. (The Bible is always first on my list. I just thought I'd give you my three favorites after that!)

Joy of Cooking -- a book every woman should have in her kitchen. It is invaluable!
Fascinating Womanhood by Helen B. Andelin - Though I'm not sure I agree with everything in this book - I find it consistantly intriquing and worth reading.
The Encyclopedia of Rawhide & Leather Braiding - Though I haven't used it as much lately, I have seriously enjoyed the help it has offered in doing braided appliques, especially.

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer

What about that hammock? :D

Or maybe a sewing project, a book, a walk with my sister, writing a story. They all sound good!

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

That's a hard one because I'm not really a hat person. . . I really prefer flowers in my hair! I have always admired hats on other ladies, but have never really found any that suit me.

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

So much happened in the past year, not all of it good or easy. There were times last year when I was down to working four hours a day, three days a week because of the economy. Funny, I almost didn't remember that. I've been told I'm easygoing, and I'm consitantly finding that true in that I just can't help but happily trust God to take care of me, even if I may not have a job.

One significant event was being pulled into the youth branch of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble after almost a year of not playing my accordion. I really appreciate being back and playing with a group. It's so much fun!

Tied in with that is beginning teacher training. Teaching accordion is something I truly never thought I would do -- but after learning more about Simply Music, I can't help but be excited -- and I know I will learn so much through it!

Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

The Bible passage that has most been on my heart for the past month is found in Psalms.

"I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." - Psalms 34:1

This is a verse I have been trying to put into practice. . . I will extol the Lord at all times -- even when those times are bad. His praise will always be on my lips, no matter what I'm going through.

And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons? 1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style? 2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

Love them! You did a great job, Kellie. They have class. I think my favorites are the mirror back buttons.

I think I would put a button badge on my laptop bag or maybe my library tote.

Hmm. . . I think a good sentiment would be 'Persevere', or 'Adventure'. . . You've done a great job on your shops, Kellie!

And to anyone reading this, definitely check out Kellie's blog, her Etsy shop, and her online store.

Dreaming of summer and tropical places,

Vintage Magazine Extract - Pin Curls

2011-02-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

I have a stack of old magazines hidden away in my bedroom -- and I wanted to share a piece of one with you all today!

This article comes from the August 1950 issue of McCall's Magazine. Click on the image for a larger version.

Have any of you ever tried pin curls before? I've tried them a couple times, but never really doing it well. I suppose it may take a little practice.
If any of you try this, I would love to see pictures and hear about the results!

By the way, the line near the top where it says "For waves, brush dry hair flat, push forward . . . Brush up for curls." took me a bit to figure out -- then I realized that I have heard many times that the way a pin curl style looks after it's finished is directly related to how you brush out the curls. Interesting, huh?

Ever truly,

Currently Inspired: Mid-Century Peasant Style

2011-02-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it -- I see BLUE sky out there . . . well, a little bit of it at least. :D Love that blue sky.

Anyway, I hope y'all had a really wonderful Valentines day this year and I wanted to share some vintage fashions that are currently inspiring me (though, personally, I am inspired by WAY to many things and don't have time to do all of them.)

Yvonne DeCarlo

I really like the combination of this style blouse with the skirts. I think they're lovely. Isn't Yvonne's hair pretty?

Olivia DeHavilland

Olivia is wearing a little more of a ruffly version -- paired with a ruffly skirt. I would call this a country square dance version.

Olivia DeHavilland

I wouldn't wear the sheer version, or have it showing my shoulders like the blouse Olivia's wearing above, but I love how the sleeves of this one are longer and so flowy.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr (I've only seen pictures of her and from that, I don't think I'd really want to see her in any films), is wearing a slightly different version -- I like the lace around the neckline (though it does go too low) and I love her hair!

Rita Hayworth

I really like the version of this blouse that Rita Hayworth is wearing (though I prefer to keep my shoulders covered) -- look at the handkerchief edge on the sleeves -- I also like how they use darts to fit it.

I *borrowed* this from Casey's Elegant Musings
The outfit in the top lefthand corner is my favorite. :D

Oh, I just have to share this lovely blouse that Casey made.

I would love to make something like that! It's so pretty, summery, and feminine! To see more pictures of this lovely blouse, click on the picture above.

What's inspiring you today?

Overambitious with too little time,

Wishing you a Vintage Valentines!

2011-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

So, I have been on a slightly vintage kick -- actually, I think it's something I won't soon recover from as I absolutely love looking at vintage dresses (50's, etc.)

So, I wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day with a vintage twist!

Naturally, I couldn't resist the accordion one. :D
(If you want to see more like the two above, check here)

Isn't the artwork adorable?

Something a little more refined and lovely.

Wishing you the best,

One Night with the King - Reading for Xerxes

2011-02-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

“His arms will hold the bow, his arrows tipped with love.” - Xerxes

“Some archer’s arrows are tipped with poison, my lord.” - Esther
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference, the symptoms are the same.” - Xerxes

This is the gown that Esther wears while she is reading for Xerxes. It has some hidden details that I find fascinating.

This gown doesn't have a separate bodice/skirt like many of those in the past studies. It actually has a surprisingly modern style - with the faux wrap front. Take a look at my 'sketch' to see what I mean.

Whee! I keep trying different illustrating methods. I really like the way this one turned out.

I would guess this to be made of a chiffon type fabric, as it's flowy and somewhat sheer. The dress has several layers of fabric and flows down into a lovely skirt -- I really can't tell much about the skirt portion of the dress, as it's not well shown. I can tell that it is somewhat full - it may be an 'A-line' style, possibly with a little more fullness in the back. The top 'wrap' layer flows free to the floor.

There is a sort of green/metallic gold trim along the neckline, wrap layer edges, and sleeves. They don't use it on any of the hems.

As you can see in the picture below, the neckline in the back scoops quite low.

The sleeves are just a single layer of fabric - they're open along the top of the arm and are tacked together in two places - see pictures for a better description. :D Some things are just harder to put into words. The sleeves are also trumpet/bell shaped as most of her other sleeves have been - quite wide and flowy.

The edges are unfinished and frayed - I would guess the hem of the skirt is the same.

Now, my favorite detail about this dress? The decorative darts! If you look at my illustration, you can see that I've got some decorative stitching on the shoulders and at the waist -- now take a look at the photos below:

Isn't that neat! Those darts definitely play a part in the shaping of the garment, as well as adding a decorative touch. I love details like that! The only problem with this outfit is that her lovely, lovely long hair gets in the way of being able to see it . . . but I won't complain about that. :P

I love hearing from you guys! So if y'all have any input or comments about this dress, let me know.

Greatly inspired,

Simply Lovely! - Fashion Feature

2011-02-07T12:34:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

I just had to share these lovely Regency Gowns -- as they've some gorgeous detailing!

You can check out the details here at the Met Museum

I just love how the gowns are just a simple white fabric with such detailed embellishments.

I have almost completed another "One Night With The King" Costume Study -- keep an eye out for that this week!

Happily yours,

Friday Favorites: Beauty Secrets!

2011-01-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

If you're a girl, chances are pretty good that the title of this post attracted you where others might not.

So, here's where I'm going to say something controversial -- at least, possibly so.

What you look like on the outside is not important. Seriously. This culture puts so much emphasis on exterior beauty that even the music artists are consistently airbrushed so they look perfect. This isn't just a hollywood disease. Just over a hundred years ago, it was high fashion for a woman to be deathly pale -- now it's so "in" to be tan that we even spray the color on! In America, we idolize perfect teeth -- while there is a tribe in Africa that thinks beauty means not having their two front teeth; they even knock their own front teeth out just to be beautiful. This, to me, just illustrated the instability, the fickleness of 'beauty and fashion'.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" - Proverbs 31:30 NIV

Real, true, lasting beauty comes from the heart. I mentioned an elderly woman last month who's captured my attention because of the joy she radiated. Though she was not physically beautiful, her character made her very lovely -- in fact, she glowed with beauty!

So, even though it is very easy to fall into the trap of trying to look like this culture's version of beauty: don't. It's not worth it. I have consistently found that the times when I feel the most beautiful are when I am closest to my Savior -- and it has nothing to do with physical looks.

Anyway, now that I've said that, I also want to say that it's all right to look nice, to look your best, as long as you don't make appearances an idol in your life. I also believe that it's important to take care of your health, and that happens to include your skin.

Your skin is the largest organ you have -- I know. . . I don't think of it as an organ. I tend to reserve that for kidney's, the liver, etc. But, it is. Our skin plays a vital role in protecting us.

Because it interfaces with the environment, skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens^[3] and excessive water loss.^[4] Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. - Wikipedia

Pretty important, eh?

So, to cut to the chase, I want to share a book that I have long loved and been fascinated by:

Beauty Secrets of the Bible was written by a lady named Ginger Garret. She was writing a work of fiction about Queen Esther and found herself curious as to what beauty treatments would have been used in preparing the young Hebrew girl for the king.

While this is not a big, thick book. . . it is a very good one. For instance, did you know that the tradition of weight loss and dieting in America was actually begun as a rebellion against God? This subject is covered in one of the early chapters. There is a healthy weight for each of us, and it is not usually what the world portrays.

What I like about this book is that it constantly points back to God, and uses natural ingredients for skincare, haircare, etc.

Secondly, I have absolutely fallen in love (Ok. . . slight exaggeration, but you get the point. :D) with this:

I have been using it as a moisturizer. It liquefies so nicely in my hands and smooths out so well on my skin. . . but I'm afraid the main reason I like it is because of the scent. . . that lovely coconut scent. I've been rubbing it into my notoriously dry elbows and knees and have never had them softer. . . I really like using it at night, and having candles lit in my room -- ahh. . . I feel spoiled. :D Gotta love that smell.

Anyway, I could probably write a ton more about beauty and the like, as it's a serious subject. But, in the meantime, just remember that what really matters is your heart. Because it will be that heart that lights up a face with the joy of the Lord!

Happily Yours,

Accordions -- The making of

2011-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

So, no, this is definitely not a costume study, nor anything crafty, but it is a subject that is fairly large in my life at the moment. :D So, without further ado, I thought I would share a couple videos on how accordions are made.

Obviously both types of accordions are very different. I happen to own both kinds.

While I yet don't know what will happen with training to become an accordion repair tech, I have decided to learn all I can on my own. The main problem is that accordion repair schools don't happen to be as common as colleges. :D But hopefully something will come about.

Wishing you all the best!

Updates

2011-01-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

Sorry I have been non-blogging lately. I find myself very busy with life.

So, I thought I would give you all an update, sort of a peek into what I've been doing lately.

Last fall, I got involved with a youth accordion ensemble. What fun that was! We had several concerts in December, and then the director backed it off from a full ensemble to just a quartet/quintet with the more advanced players. She'll be bringing the full ensemble back next fall. It's too hard for the parents of the very young students to do everything involved year round.

A side note, the director is Patricia Bartell -- my former accordion teacher. I had to step back from the accordion for a while due to some health problems I was having (They're not gone, but are improving) for about a year. I was happy to be back helping with the youth. They're such a blast.

Anyway, about a week before Christmas, Patricia called be and presented a question to me -- giving me an hour to make my decision. So, as of that day, I find myself very unexpectedly training to become an accordion teacher.

We will be working with a lovely program called Simply Music -- look it up. It's quite amazing. The program is piano based, so we will be working with the company to develop it for the accordion as well. I really am excited about this!

In addition to that, I'm trying to find some means of becoming a certified accordion repair tech -- this would allow me to teach part time and do repair the rest of the time. I like a little variety.

So, hang in there, because I really have not deserted you. :D

Busily yours,

One Night with the King - Past, Present, Future Gown

2011-01-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

"This is my most valuable possession in the world. It is my past, my present, and my future.

And all of it is yours."

This gown differs from all the others in uniqueness. It appears twice in the movie; once wen Esther offers her heart to Xerxes, the other when she prepares and approaches the King unsummoned.

As always, click on the picture for a larger version.

General

This dress is constructed of a pale pink fabric. As I am unfamiliar with many fabrics, I can't tell you what kind it is, but I can tell you that it has a slight transparency as seen here:

It also has a very slight sheen to it.

Bodice

The bodice is made up of fabric 'petals'. I don't think I've ever seen another like it.

I lightened this picture up quite a bit so you could see the bodice better.

From what I can gather, there are seven petals in the front. . . and I would guess the same number in the back. Her hair, lovely as it is, is too often in the way for me to be absolutely sure.

Petals in the back as well.

Each petal looks like it would have been made from two pieces of fabric, sewn together, then turned right side out. I see no signs of stiching along the edges.

The tips of each petal fold over the neckline. (Please see sketches, as I really am not sure how to describe this in words.) The tips of the petals are each anchored with a 'jewel'.

The waistline of this dress is at 'Empire' height -- or just below the bust.

The dress is sleeveless, but has a large bow on each shoulder. The bows are made of the same fabric of the dress and the tails fall down about knee length.

You can see how long the bow's 'tails' are in this picture.

They're a little wilted, but you can clearly see the knot where the bow ties to the shoulder.
I'm not sure if it ties directly to the shoulder strap or if it is tied and sewn on.

Skirt

The skirt appears to be quite full at the hemline, while being fitted at the bust and waist. The midriff area is covered in embellishment, so I can't really tell how it was constructed.

I do notice a distinct fullness in the center back, as you can see here.

The embellishment on the midriff and the skirt appear to be scattered flowers and stars -- made of some kind of metallic something and beads/gems.

I'm fairly certain that the skirt is comprised of several layers of fabric.

More Pictures

Side Note: Personally, I would deem this particular dress one that I would reserve for just myself to see, as it shows too much skin below the neckline for me to classify it as modest.

Hope you enjoyed this study. It feels like I should have had more to say about this costume, but it's really not as complicated as some of the others. I'd love to hear any input from you guys! I am human, so chances are I missed some detail. :D

Enjoying life,

Quick Update

2010-12-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
I'm sure some of you are wondering if I just dropped off the face of the earth. . . the answer is no -- unfortunately I've been too busy for the past couple weeks to get any blogging done. Hopefully that won't last much longer. I'm planning my next costume study -- so keep an eye out!

In the meantime, do any of you have anything you'd like to see me blog about?

Thankfully yours,

Fashion Feature Friday -- I mean . . . FOOD FRIDAY!

2010-12-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

Tuesday is my Mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she'll be. :D But, because my Dad is a trucker, he has to leave tomorrow afternoon. So, we're setting the birthday breakfast for tomorrow!

Browsing around the internet, I found several recipes that look good -- and I wanted to share them with you. I like cooking, and I know some of you do too!

Breakfast Dishes:

Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Frittata

This looks delicious! I've never tried a frittata before. The only thing I see wrong with this recipe is the goat cheese, as I have never found a store-bought goat cheese that tasted good.

Chicken-Apple Sausage

I never thought of making my own chicken/turkey sausage before. Now I will definitely have to try it!

Mini Mushroom & Sausage Quiches

I really like Quiche. . . it's just delicious. Knowing me, I would cut the mushrooms up really small, it's the only way I'll eat them cooked. :P

Crispy Potatoes with Green Beans & Eggs

Oh yeah. . . I love skillet dishes!

I should probably explain that our family is trying to stick to a diet at the moment -- for our health. Thus, the dishes you see above instead of lovely stuffed french toast and pancakes. sigh

Now onto a few recipes that I don't really think fit into our diet at the moment, but which I am DEFINITELY saving for future use. :D

Deserts:

Chocolate Coconut Meringues

I've never really been a fan of meringues. . . but looking at this has made me decide that maybe I've never had a good recipe!

Dark Chocolate Florentines

These just look good! Besides, I love dark chocolate!

Chai Chocolate Pots de Creme

I have never heard of this particular dessert, but it sounds amazing!

Ah! I just realized that all those desserts are chocolate focused. . . I like other things too. . . honest. . . like pumpkin pie! I guess I was just subconsciously thinking 'chocolate'!

Happy cooking,

A Lovely Smile

2010-12-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

I'm involved with a youth Accordion Ensemble, and we had a performance last Saturday afternoon at a retirement community. It was not perfect, but it was fun.

One of the elderly ladies grabbed my attention from the moment she hobbled into the room. I wouldn't call her beautiful, but I couldn't stop watching her through the whole concert.

She exuded . . . JOY! I found that quality irresistible about her and found myself telling her after the concert that she had a lovely smile. Now, you have to understand, she was missing several teeth and those she had left were yellowed with age -- but her smile was truly lovely. In fact, she was lovely because of the joy that so filled her.

I have thought much about that lovely elderly lady since the concert, and I have decided that I want to be like her when I grow old. Because, as much as I hate to think of it, I will be old someday (If I don't die young) . . . it's inevitable. But I want to be a joy filled old lady.

This world tells us young women so many things -- so many different messages about beauty are flaunted before us every day. But let me tell you something, those messages are wrong. Because true beauty originates from the heart, and a joyful heart brings beauty to the face and makes a smile truly stunning.

That joyful heart is what I want, and that joyful heart is found through time spent with my Lord and Savior.

Wishing you all a JOY filled day, and a JOY filled life,

Friday Fashion Feature: 1884 Velvet Gown

2010-12-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

I must confess that this particular dress brought 'Christmastime' to mind (as if I needed to remember it with all the lovely snow around).

I would really love to make one similar to it someday, but perhaps in a dark green.

You can find the detail page for this gown over at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Isn't this bodice simply lovely? I would definitely say it's boned. I love the elegance of it. If I were to make one like it, I would choose to use a wider ribbon or binding to lace up the back -- much like they do on many modern wedding dresses.

I actually like the pleats at the bottom of this skirt, and from all the fullness at the back, I would guess that you would wear it with a bustle pad. I do actually like the color -- can you imagine what it would cost to make a dress like this with velvet?

Dreamingly yours,

One Night With The King - Blue Chess Gown

2010-11-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

It's funny. . . I started out studying this costume and thinking I wouldn't be able to tell you much about it. I've surprised myself. It's not the first time.

The two really hard parts of this gown to figure out were the sleeves and the skirt. I know, I know, what could be so confusing about a skirt? And why in the world are the sleeves difficult to interpret? You'll see.

Because of the surprising complexity of this gown, I have done more detail sketches than I normally do. Though they didn't quite turn out the way I wanted them to.

Bodice

You can clearly see the princess seaming on the bodice.

The bodice is princess seamed with embroidered trim around the neckline. There is an embroidered motif in the center front that the neckline follows. The trim goes all the way around the neckline (what I can see of it). The neckline dips quite low in the back. How low I can't tell, as we are never treated to a good view of the back of the dress.

Side/Back View of bodice shoulder. I would say the neckline a bit below her shoulder-blades.

Sleeves

The sleeves took me quite a while to figure out, and I'm still not sure I quite understand them. However, I present you with my theory. They lap over at the top in the same way a couple of Hadassah's other gowns do. By the way, I absolutely love that style of sleeve. I think these lap further over than the sleeves on her orange gown. They are also quite, quite long.

The tricky part? The sleeves double over on themselves at the bottom at come back up to a point that is attached just behind her shoulder. Don't worry, I didn't get it at first either. It's crazy, and would require a ridiculous amount of fabric, but they look lovely.

The sleeves are unadorned.

Midriff (Corset)

The midriff is fashioned like a corset, and it wouldn't surprise me to find out it was a separate piece that went over the dress and closed in the back. (Can you just imagine it done with some wide lacing up the back?) The corset begins just under the bust and continues down over the hips. It is definitely boned, as you can see in the picture below.

It looks to be made of some lovely printed satinish fabric. (I know, but I'm terrible at knowing what fabric is what. . . ) It is embellished with embroidered trim at the top (matching the bodice) and looks to have some beads, sequins, etc. decorating the lower edge.

Skirt

The skirt took a ridiculous amount of pondering as well. At first I thought there was simply an ordinary overskirt with a plain blue underskirt. But no, why would the plain blue underskirt be sticking out in other places than the obvious one in front. Then I thought the skirt had plain blue godets sewn into it. But that wasn't right either, godets are generally the same length as the skirt and the pictures kept telling me the lengths didn't match up.

Finally, I have landed on the determination that there are two skirts. The overskirt of embroidered and embellished satiny fabric, and the underskirt of the plain blue.

This is the picture that made me determine that the light blue was a different skirt. You can see how different the length is from the overskirt.

Underskirt

The underskirt is just plain blue and crafted of the same fabric as the sleeves and bodice. Honestly, I think it likely that this more like an underdress, and is one piece with the bodice and sleeves.

Overskirt

This is slightly harder to define. The overskirt is made of a lovely flower patterned satiny material. It may be a sari fabric -- that would make sense.

The overskirt is split in the front, with trim running down each side of that split. It is also split in several other places, I'm going to take a wild guess and say four or five more. It's just slightly longer than the underskirt.

Sorry about the quality of that. I should have just left it a sketch, instead
my paints decided to wreak their revenge on me for neglecting them so. :D
Croquis (fashion figure) designed by Sally. C. Fink.

I'd love to hear any comments you all have on this! What's your take on the skirt? The sleeves?

Curiously Yours,

Mannerly Blogging

2010-11-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

Morning All,
I didn't have any posts that were ready to share, but I did stumble across this very good article on Blogging Etiquette by Beth of The Stories of A2Z:

Blog Unto Others as You Would Have Them Blog Unto You

If you blog, or follow any bloggers, I encourage you to take a moment and read it. While you're at it, explore her blog . . .I've only just discovered Beth, but I have found a lot of loveliness on her blog.

Gratefully Yours,

One Week Until Thanksgiving!

2010-11-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

I can hardly believe that one week from today is Thanksgiving. Though I don't know what we're doing yet (as it always hinges on my Dad's trucking schedule), I must confess that I wouldn't mind having thanksgiving at home -- because I have this terrible desire to decorate and set up the table!

So, I wondered what you all would be doing for Thanksgiving. Do you have any projects to share? A favorite recipe? I would LOVE to see them!

For myself, this little recipe is tempting me something terrible. :D

Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee

If you have a Thanksgiving or Fall themed project you would like to share, just link up below! The same goes for recipes. I can hardly wait to see what y'all come up with!

(Linky will be open until midnight on Thanksgiving Day)

Creatively Yours,

Friday Fashion Feature: 1949 Sewing Pattern

2010-11-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

Hi All! Oh, if only I had a good internet connection at home. There's so much I want to blog about -- so many interesting things, sewing techniques, costumes, etc. It's just really hard to be consistent about blogging when you have to drive distances and work to find a good internet connection.

Anyway, I wanted to share my find of the week with you all . . .

I found this lovely 1949 Blouse pattern in a thrift store on Wednesday. You can bet I didn't leave it behind! I really like how the attached belt wraps around and ties in the front or the back. That feature is the one reason I bought the pattern, and I think I can incorporate it into other designs as well.

The pattern is cut, but it's in surprisingly good condition for being 61 years old. :D Want to know what this beauty cost me? $0.25

Don't you love thrift stores?

One Night With The King -- Haman Confrontation Gown

2010-11-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

To start out the week, I would like to present the next costume study for One Night With The King. This was a special request -- though it was on my list to do next. :D Thanks Bethany for getting me back to this. :)

Though you only see this in one brief scene, this gown is one of my favorites. I truly would have loved to see more of this outfit, as it's so beautiful and unusual. (Click on the pictures to see a larger image)

Bodice

The bodice of this gown consists of basically two parts: midriff and bodice. At least, I'm lumping them together for ease.

The bodice is a hazy pink and the midriff a light green. Quite the colors for a Persian Queen. (I highly doubt the historical quality of this gown . . . but that doesn't stop me from liking it. :D )

These pieces are both highly embellished with both cording and beadwork, which includes a lot of pearls. I believe they were embellished before being sewn together, for if you look closely, many of the gridwork lines do not meet up correctly.

The bodice and midriff are constructed with princess seams. The thing that strikes me as strange is that they first stitched a the midriff pieces to the bodice pieces and then princess seamed them together. This makes the trim at the waist and under the bust not match up correctly. I think, that if I ever wanted to make a reproduction of this dress, that I would first sew the midriff pieces to each other as well as the bodice pieces. I would then sew the midriff to the bodice. I also think that the fabric should be embellished either before the midriff is attached to the bodice or just after -- as that would allow the designs to match up.

This bodice has trim under the bust as well as forming a slightly dropped waistline.

The shoulder straps seem to be merely an embellished trim.

I really can't tell you that much about the back of the bodice, as it's almost not even shown, and when it is shown, you can't see much. I have drawn a rough sketch of the gown below (Though the drape is not as long as it should be and the lower waistline not as curved as the actual dress).

Note: I always have to use a croquis when I draw these, and I wish I could credit the original designer of this croquis, however, I don't remember where I got this one or who designed it. If you know, I'd love to be able to credit them. Hopefully someday I will be able to draw people all on my own without tracing them!

Skirt

The skirt appears to be very full and also very embellished. It is definitely pleated at the waist and the pleats pressed all the way to the hem. It is floor length. I can't tell you much more about it, except that it seems to be the same color as the midriff and the embellishment covers most of the skirt until it forms a wide border at the bottom.

Attached Cape

I really have no idea what to call this.. I'm sure there's a word for it, but I just don't know it. If any of you know, I'd love to learn!

I really like this aspect of this outfit. It's a bright pink sheer fabric with embellished trim around all the edges. There seem to be little jeweled flowers scattered all over it as well.

It wraps around Hadassah's upper arms and attaches to the front of the bodice with two large gold filigree broaches. It attaches in the same place in the back, but without the broaches. The cape also is draped and attached at one place to the very center back of her gown. (Dare I guess that it's hiding a zipper?)

The cape is also very long, as you can see it trailing along the ground in this picture:

I didn't realize it was that long when I did my sketches of the dress.

I would guess that this piece is simply a large half-circle. See my drawing below for how I believe it would be constructed.

Accessories

With this outfit, Queen Esther wears a beaded choker necklace, a couple bracelets, a ring, and a circlet that seems to be merely a fine chain (hidden mostly under her hair) with a gold and pearl drop in her forehead.

Ever curious and willing to learn,

Fashiony Treasures

2010-11-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

I wanted to drop in and share a couple other blog entries today -- both having to do with historical costume.

Period Fashion Over The Years

A blog entry over at Enchanted Serenity of Period Films lined out a few resources for costumes through the ages. Quite interesting, I found the link to the following treasure trove there.

Nineteenth Century Fashions - A Compendium

This website goes through many, many different outfits from the different decades of the Nineteenth Century. Way too inspiring, I'm having a hard time not adding more projects to my already long list. The only thing I have to complain about is that many of the pictures aren't large enough to satisfy my interest in the outfits. :D But I could say that about many websites.

1915 Clothing And Links

over at Elegant Musings

Though I'm not a huge fan of this particular decade and the 20's. . . I like some of the details on the dresses displayed and could see incorporating them in different places.

So, I've been thinking a lot about my little blog and my followers. . . and I'm hoping to get some more costume studies up soon!

Caught between too little time and too much fabric,

Tagged

2010-10-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

I was tagged for the first time this last week. . . by KatySue Pillsbury.

The rules to this tag are as follows:

You are given 8 questions from the person who tagged you before, your job is to answer them, write 8 questions of your own, then tag people with your questions.

1. Whats' your favorite article of clothing and why?

Oh, hard one. I would have to say skirts are my favorite because they are so feminine. Oh yes, but it has to be a long skirt, always below my knees.

Simple, but lovely.

2. What's a silly habit that you just can't break?

Do I really have to answer that? I think not. :P

3. Green nail polish, yea or nay?

Absolutely nay. . .

4. What would you consider the perfect afternoon?

Spending time with my wonderful sister.

5. Is there a picture that takes your breath away?

That's a hard one too. . . There are so many wonderful pictures that inspire me.

6. Whats' the worst thing you've ever had to smell?

I have no idea. . . there are so many terrible smells to choose from. :D

7. Quick it's a matter of extreme importance and you must decide right now ....... Cherry Coke, or Cherry Pepsi??

Cherry Pepsi!!! Though, really, I never drink the stuff.

8. And lastly, do you like getting tagged? ;-)

Don't know, as I haven't ever been tagged before and I tend not to make up my mind quickly as to whether I like something or not.

Now. . . who do to tag?

Kellie at A Maiden's Musings

Celene at Iradessa

Atlanta at The Story of a Seamstress

(Don't feel obligated to do this. . . but by all means, if you want to. . . do!)

My Questions:

1. When you were little, what did you dream about being when you grew up?

2. What is your favorite song, currently?

3. What is your favorite time period?

4. What is one goal you have that you hope to accomplish in the next ten years?

5. Dark chocolate, or milk chocolate?

6. What do you like to read?

7. Favorite flower?

8. Is it just me, or is it a little more difficult inventing questions than answering them?

All in fun,

On a Writing Spree

2010-10-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow friends!

I just wanted to drop in for a moment to apologize that I didn't get very much blogging done last week -- alas, it looks as though I may not get very much done this week. . . you see. . .after two years of writer's block (due to serious discouragement in the fiction realm) I have hit a major writing spree!

So, to preserve this and to aim at actually finishing this great epic adventure I have begun, my blog may have to suffer some slight neglect. I hope not, but I wanted to forwarn you that it may.

Anyway, and go figure, I designed a costume for my main character. . . figures, doesn't it? I like costumes and I'm writing a novel (I hope) and I would have to go design a costume. :D

Yes, I know. . . he's badly sunburnt in one sketch and deathly pale in the other. . . my watercolors don't always like me. :D

With pen firmly stuck in hand and sheets of paper flying everywhere,

We Have a Winner!

2010-10-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

A special thank you to everyone who entered to win the Lady Adventurer Bracelet.

And now -- thanks to random.org, I would like to announce the winner . . . .Drum roll.....

Grace

of Grace's Garden Walk

Grace, please contact me to let me know your address so I can get this off to you. . . feel free to leave it in a comment if you wish, as I mod them before posting and can simply delete it from there. :D

Being my first givaway, for some reason I thought that Random.org really should be playing some kind of dramatic music while processing the number. . . alas, they did not. :D

Thanks again for entering and for following me! I hope to have another givaway in the future, as I have really enjoyed this one. Let me know if you have an idea for a future givaway. . . I don't know if you can tell, but I seem to like having a 'theme' to my jewelry - so if you have a 'theme' idea . . . let me know!

Joyfully yours,

Last Day to Enter!

2010-10-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say that this is the last day to enter the drawing for the 'Lady Adventurer' Bracelet!

If you haven't entered already, just follow the button on the sidebar.

Encouraging Masculinity and Femininity

2010-10-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have found that a man will usually be as much of a gentleman as a lady requires and probably no more. -Elisabeth Elliot

How very true. How often do we ladies look at the current state of masculinity and shake our heads -- taking one look and deciding that there's no gentlemen left. I find that especially true of my age group (20's) and younger. There just seem to be no gentlemen left.

So, I challenge you to look for a gentlemanly qualities in even the most ungentlemanly men. Surely if we look hard enough we can find them . . . and if we find those traits, we can encourage them. This isn't an easy task, I know that. But it is a worthy one.

Though the following quote doesn't have to do specifically with the issue of gentlemen, it does fit what I just spoke of.

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. - Chinese Proverb

I also encourage you, as you strive to bring out the gentlemen in the men around you, to work on the lady in you. Do not be one of those women who dress in a manner that is ungracious or act so, but be a lady who reflects the beauty of the Lord. True beauty begins with the heart, in your walk with God. Become more concerned with what pleases Him than what pleases the world.

Ever thoughtful,

Friday Fashion Feature: Southwest Styled 1885 Ensemble

2010-10-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Once again, I have another find from the Metropolitan Museum of Art . . . I think that may be the case for a while, as I can't stop finding things I like there!

Today, I want to share this unique dress from ca. 1885. I've always loved the shape of this time period, and the creative design of this ensemble really catches my attention.

Part of the dress description is as follows:

This dress belonged to Amelia Beard Hollenback (1844-1918), wife of the prominent financier and philanthropist John Welles Hollenback (1835-1927). . .Like many of the garments in Hollenback gift, this dress was most likely custom-made by a Brooklyn-based dressmaker. The unusual color and intriguing use of solid and striped wool fabric in this day dress has a folkloric aesthetic, which may have been inspired by an Amelia Hollenback's travels through the Southwest. The inventive asymmetrical draping shows a high level of sophistication and design sensibility that was atypical for a day dress.

Gotta love the way the skirt is draped. . . and the way the fabric is laid out on the bodice!

Take a look at all those little knife pleats at the bottom of the skirt. Wow.

The detail and design of this dress really catch my attention. I like the colors too. You can visit the page for this dress here.

What do you like about this dress? What do you not like?

Creatively Yours,

Historical Costume Inspiration Festival -- Finalists Announced!

2010-10-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

The finalists have been announced for the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival!! I can't even imagine how hard it was for Atlanta to choose the finalists. All of the entries were so amazing. Great job everyone!

Head on over to vote for your favorites!

Here are a couple finalists that inspire me:

The Bella Wilfur Dress

I wouldn't mind making one like this someday. :D Click on the picture to go to Aurora's lovely blog and see more pictures.

1878 Evening Gown

I just love the skirt on this one. I have no idea how she did it, but it's inspiring just to look at it!

Honestly, I think I could list pretty much every single entry as a favorite. There was so much talent entered into this event.

I placed in the finalists too! How exciting!!! But I ask that you not vote for me if you know me. . .but sincerely vote for your favorites. :D

Best wishes,