What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Endless House Chores ~Treat Yourself Now and Then

Who else feels like the house chores are never ending?

They are a good reminder to be thankful for our homes, 

for good food, and for comfortable clothing.

No one wants to see photos of me washing dishes, 

folding laundry, or dusting & vacuuming.

So, please enjoy these photos of my fresh flowers.

I made a mad dash through the supermarket yesterday.

The Clearance Basket of fresh flowers caught my attention.

I’m guessing they were the leftovers 

from the most recent spring dance recital.

I like leftovers...

And for this price, 

they were a good investment.

Somehow, doing my house chores just became more pleasant.

Treat yourself...

You are Worth it!

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy May Day ~What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday

Happy May Day, Everyone.

Have I mentioned that 

we have the best neighbors?

When hubby left for work this morning,

this was on our front porch.

This cute little bucket was filled with sweet treats!

Here’s the latest on my Easter Basket of flowering bulbs.

The daffodils are still looking strong, 

and now the tulips have opened.

Wednesday is a highlight of my week.

My best friend and I have a standing date...

We meet here and enjoy Starbucks Coffee and Shopping.

Today it was chilly and rainy.

Still better that a couple of weeks ago!

Lorie and I have been going out for coffee 

once a week for forty years!

Pretty sure that when people see us they say,

“There’s our old Home Economics teachers.”

This weekend, Hubby and I found a great selection of herbs.

Hopefully, it warms up a bit so they can move outside.

As usual, I have a lot going on...

Stay tuned for details.

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in our House Thursday ~New Furniture in the Family Room

Many of you remember this stained glass window. 

We salvaged it from the old house on our family farmstead. 

It is a precious keepsake.

It hangs above the fireplace in our family room.

Perhaps you have caught glimpses of our new furniture 

in previous blog posts. It is time that you get a closer look.

Hubby really wanted a couch with a built-in recliner.

I really wanted a big comfy chair.

We both got our way.

We have still have some work to do with accessories, 

and wall decor, but these things take time, right?!

However, we do have a small start.

I have plenty of time to ponder it, 

as I spend almost an hour every day on our exercise equipment.

We also found a good home for our used furniture.

We will put the new and improved family room to good use, 

when we watch the Bison play 

in the National Championship Game this weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Countdown to Winterfest ~Ten Days ~Santa Claus is Coming to Town

With Winterfest less than two weeks away, 

it is time for some big finishes...

These Santas have been on my work table for awhile. 

Their arms and legs are constructed of 

Vintage Buttons from my Grandmother’s Button Tin.

  

The Upholstry Bags hold Christmas Greens, 

Pinecones, and Berries.

Perfect shelf sitters for maybe...your mantel.

Hubby and I also finished a couple more of these Santas...

With a bit of snow on the ground here, 

it is starting to feel a little more like the holidays.

See you all at Winterfest.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~Countdown to Winterfest ~12 Days ~Putting Things Together

It is time for a Progress Report. 

With Winterfest less than two weeks away, 

it is time to make finishing touches on my projects

and pack the items for the move downtown.

Our wooden pumpkins are stained and adorned with homespun.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. 

November’s decor needs plenty of pumpkins, pilgrims, and turkeys.

The mitten ornaments are also ready for someone’s tree.

Along with the fleece star Ornies.

This Santa now has a face.

Our helper cat provides good support, 

even out in the noisy woodshop.

Spatter painting the Tins is a very messy job.

It is best done outside...and on a day with little or no breeze.

(Which doesn’t happen very often around here!)

We look forward to Winterfest Weekend.

The lights, music, good food, and creative gift ideas 

will certainly get you in the mood for the holidays.

Stay tuned for more photos of our preparations.

Take care,

~Natalie

Update on the Pillow Project ~And a Little TBT

Now, that is impressive.

Emily and Jake stayed up late to finish their pillow project.

In answer to your question...

Why didn't they just buy some new pillows?

They were making new covers to upcycle some outdated pillows.

They ordered decorative zippers from Etsy. 

Plus, a DIY Project is fun!

Our Christmas gift to Emily in 2013 was this sewing machine.

I am so happy that they use it now and then.

We were there for Christmas that year, 

and we were able to set the machine up together.

It wasn't long before Emily 

put it to good use.

Pillow Project...Well Done!

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Stitching Pillow Covers ~Clothing Construction 101 ~The Centered Zipper Application

I have been sewing for over 50 years.

While majoring in Textiles and Clothing at NDSU

I met this dear friend.

We took every Clothing Construction class together.

Thanks for being an awesome lab partner, Debra.

Our daughter has a project in the works,

she is making pillow covers.

She lives on the east coast, and I live in the Dakotas,

so I was helping her last night on FaceTime.

Since pictures are worth a thousand words,

I decided to construct a zipper sample today...

(Hopefully this helps a little)

Measure your zipper from the pull tab to the zipper stop.

This is a 7" zipper.

Also check the width of your zipper.

If you have an oversized zipper, you will want the seam allowance 

to be wide enough to accomodate your zipper's width.

Reinforce the end of your seam, 

then change the stitch length to baste the zipper opening area. 

Press the seam allowance open and flat.

Postition the zipper face down over the basting,

checking frequently to make sure it is centered over the seam.

Pin in place...

make sure the pull tab is up.

With a contrasting colored thread,

by hand, stitch the zipper in place.

This is an important step.

In the past, I have thought I could save time by skipping this hand sewing, 

but I would always end up taking my zipper out and starting over.

Take long hand stitches on the far outer edge of the zipper tape.

These can be long stitches and don't have to be perfect, 

as they will be removed.

Make sure to sew close to the edge and double check to 

make sure you are also catching the fabric seam allowance.

It should now look like this.

Now, without the pins the zipper is flat and secure.

Plus there is a guide so you can do the topstitching 

from the right side of your fabric.

I am going to topstitch a scant 3/8 inch from the center.

Using my zipper foot, and seam gauge as a guide,

I machine sew, with matching thread around the zipper.

Start at the top of the zipper.

At the bottom, pivot and count the number of stitches to the center.

Then count again, so you know when to pivot to go up the other sice.

Stitch up the other side.

My machine sewing is on or close to the hand stitches.

Those red handstitches allowed me to sew from the outside 

and make sure my sewing was straight.

But, also gave me the confidence that 

I would not sew off the edge of the zipper tape underneath.

With your seam ripper, remove the contrasting hand basting,

and the machine basting in the zipper opening.

The finished centered zipper.

Lucy thinks that this was the most boring blog post...ever!

Take care,

~Natalie