I Think I'm A Little Behind On My Posting...

...because I've been building up quite a collection of pictures in my camera. We have been doing a number of Christmas activities.

Like carousel riding...

...and gift making.

The girl's decorated gingerbread houses.

Emma received a little help from a friend.

Georgia Beth wanted to help too.

Well, I don't suppose I'll be posting again until after Christmas. See you all then!

Have a blessed holiday!

First Blog Award

Clare of I Have Loved the Rain has nominated me for the Silver Linings blog award. This award is for making the best of every situation (making lemonade when life gives you lemons). Thanks so much Clare, I was really surprised! I am now required to nominate a few more people. So...

Lauren Christine of with humility, thankfulness, and rejoicing

and

Kaitlyn Michelle of I Stand Redeemed

See you all later!

Christmas Party

I had meant to post this days ago (that's why the date is off) but just never got around to it. I've been so busy trying to finish up all the Christmas gifts I'm making. Anyway, last Sunday night was the annual School of Sewing Christmas Party. It was lots of cooking, lots of baking, lots of cleaning and lots of fun in the end.

The tree is up...

The decorations are out...

Of course everyone had to wear their Christmas best...

The table is set...

Waiting for the guests...

Myself (in the black dress) and all of my students.

For any of you (my students) who might be reading this... I can't tell you much I've enjoyed teaching you all. You have all become great friends and have accomplished much this year. I hope next year is even more fruitful.

For everyone who is reading... I'm planning a great big Christmas gift post for next weekend. See you later!

Another Birthday Apron

I must confess, I thought about keeping this one because it looked really good on our dress form!

New Stays

I love the costumes of the Regency Era. I have made several Regency outfits in the past and greatly enjoyed wearing them.

Stays are the foundation for the dresses of this Era. The pair I had was looking pretty bad so I made a new set back over Thanksgiving weekend.

I used Sense and Sensibility's Regency Underthings Pattern. They are made in three layers: two of cotton twill and one of cotton twill interfaced with heavy weight interfacing. They are quilted on both sides, boned with plastic boning from Hancock Fabrics, finished with bias tape and laced with twill tape. I *a-hem!* took the quick way out used metal eyelets rather than doing hand sewn eyelets which is what my last pair had.

For more information on the clothing of the Regency Era you can visit Jessamyn's Regency Costume Companion. For pictures of real Regency garments see Sense and Sensibility or Tidens Toj. For Regency costumes in movies go to Jane Austen Movie Gowns, Eras of Elegance or The Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes.

Birthday Gift for a Cat Lover

Fabric is 100% cotton from Jo-ann's.

Pattern is Simplicity 3949.

And The Winner Is...

This is my brother Cole. He is holding a basket. Inside the basket are twelve names. One of those names will be drawn by Cole from the basket. The person who belongs to the name he draws will receive the pink handbag from my previous post.

And the winner is........

Ashley!

Congratulations Ashley! I will be in touch with you very soon. Thank you to everyone who commented for their kind words. They were much appreciated.

A Little Giveaway

I made this little bag and decided to have a giveaway!

The fabrics are cottons from Jo-Ann's. The pattern is Grab Bag. There are pockets on the inside. Machine wash and line dry.

If you would like to be entered in the drawing just leave me a comment. I will choose a winner on Saturday. See you then!

As a Follow Up From My Last Post...

How well do you know Pride and Prejudice? Here are a few of the trivia questions from the game. Answers at the bottom.

1. Which two men does Elizabeth Bennet describe with the comment, "One has got all goodness and the other all the appearance of it"?

2. Who simply must have her share in the conversation?

3. Mr. Darcy shares the guardianship of his younger sister with...

a. Mr.Bingley

b. Colonel Fitzwilliam

c. Lady Catherine de Bourgh

4. Compared to the pleasures "that would doubtless be congenial with the generality of the female minds," which Bennet sister would infinitely prefer a book?

5. "The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it." Who said this?

a. Elizabeth Bennet

b. Mr. Hurst

c. Charlotte Lucas

6. What relationship is Mr. Hurst to Mr. Bingley?

1. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham

2. Lady Catherine de Bourgh

3. b. Colonel Fitzwilliam

4. Mary

5. a. Elizabeth Bennet

6. Brother-in-law

Playing "P&P"

I received the Pride and Prejudice board game for my birthday but, unfortunately, it hardly ever gets played. We recently had friends over and four of us had a good game after dinner.

It looks like I was wrong, there were five players.

Note on the title:

My brother insists on calling movies by their initials instead of their names. So Pride and Prejudice is "P and P", Emma is "E" and The Return of the King is pronounced "rot-ik". But my personal favorite is Our Mutual Friend ... "omph".

The game is available from http://www.ashgrovepress.com/