A Month of Classes at Just Sew! Studio

Things are getting busy at Just Sew! Studio.  I am really enjoying sharing the art of sewing with some awesome young women.  Some I've known since they were in elementary or middle school, and others I've only known as adults.  Some are moms, and some aren't.  Some are married, and others are single.  I love hearing them say "this is stressing me out", and then see their faces light up when they realize they just accomplished what they thought they couldn't do.  

We have a variety of classes on the calendar for April.  All of them are perfect for a beginning sewer or someone who wants to freshen up those sewing skills they learned a few several years ago in home ec class.  

The first class is an Accessories class on Saturday, April 14.  We'll do a little machine sewing, some hand stitching, and use the glue gun!  A variety of fabrics and ribbons will be available so you can use your design skills and make two original hair bows, a headband with fabric flower, and a hair clip. 

I'm so excited that we are using some of this great designer fabric by Jennifer Paganelli & Riley Blake for the Tank Top Dress class on Friday, April 20.  This was one of the most popular classes offered last year.  We start with a ready made tank top, shirr up one of these cute prints and stitch them together for a super easy, comfy & stylish dress.  Perfect for spring & summer!

 

Aren't they great?  Can't decide which is my favorite!

Moms & Grandmas, there's another opportunity for you to sew a sweet spring dress for your special girl.  On Saturday, April 21 we'll be making peasant dresses.  This is another easy dress that goes together without any trouble; almost as easy as a pillowcase dress!

And on Saturday, April 28 we will learn how to applique.  I'm coming up with a few designs for boys in this class too, so come stitch up something for your little man.  

If you're interested in any of these classes, please check our Facebook page for the links to sign up for any of these classes.

Sweet Stitches,

Mary

 

Well, it's Wednesday again so that means I'm linking up with LittleDaisyMay for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving the beautiful weather we are having this week.  Is it really the middle of March?   I love the way the world is turning green, and having the windows open and listening to the froggy chorus coming from our pond.

Aren't these some of the prettiest eggs you've ever seen?  I'm loving them and the sweet "egg lady" who sells me a dozen of these every week.

Want to learn how to sew? Then I would highly recommend this book to you.  It explains everything there is to know about a sewing machine.  I found it at my local library and am definitely ordering my own copy.

I am loving my new 31 bag.  It is BIG & has lots of pockets to keep things organized!!  Love, love love!

And finally, I'm loving this picture of my babies when they were little.

 

What are you loving this Wednesday?

It's Wednesday so I'm going to link up with What I'm Loving Wednesday over at LittleDaisyMae.blogspot.com.  

I'm loving that I found a recipe that I had misplaced for Zucchini Muffins and I have some time to do some baking tonight.  This is a recipe from my sweet Mom.  I'm loving that she taught me how to cook!

Nannie's Zucchini Muffins
2 eggs              
1 cup sugar      
1/2 cup oil      
1 Tbsp vanilla  
2 cups unpeeled shredded zucchini
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine first 4 ingredients and mix well.  Stir in shredded zucchini.  Set aside. Combine next 5 ingredients.  Reserve 1/4 cup flour mixture and toss with raisins and pecans.
Make a well in center of flour mixture.  Add zucchini mixture to dry ingredients, stirring just until mixed.  Stir in raisins and pecans.  Spoon mixture into greased or paper lined muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.






I'm loving that we will soon have a few more hours of daylight in the evenings when I get home from work.  Remember to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night!

I'm loving a new recipe I tried out for Oven Baked Fries.  So easy and yummy!!  Of course, I found it on Pinterest.

I'm loving that I have 4 new students coming to my sewing class this Saturday.  They will be making a pillowcase dress out of these pretty fabrics.

And I'm loving this quote by Kay Warren, found on Pinterest of course!


What are you loving Wednesday?

Sponsor an Orphan

On my drive to work yesterday morning, I was semi listening to the local Christian radio station and making a list in my head of everything I needed to do at work throughout the day - you know, multi-tasking - driving, listening, thinking!    Slowly it dawned on me that the conversation on the radio was a little more serious than normal, so I began to focus more on what they were saying.  The DJ's were talking about needing a certain number of people to call in before 8 a.m. to meet their goal of the hour.  As I listened, my heart started to break. 

 In Mozambique, there are almost half a million children who are orphans - no parents, no safe place to live, no food, no medical care, and no way to attend school.  Many of them are also taking care of younger brothers and sisters.  They became orphans because of AIDS and other terrible things that happen in Mozambique.  Story after story was told about these precious orphans.  And about the odds they face. 

As I worked, I continued to listen to the broadcast and learned more about the goals that the radio station and Cross International were trying to meet in one day.  I also began to think about how blessed I am - living in a comfortable house with a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, plenty of food, clean water, and the list could go on and on.  I have a husband who loves me and provides for our family by working hard;  3 beautiful, healthy grown up children who make me proud every day; a wonderful son-in-law who makes my daughter happy; and then I thought, "What can I do about these children who need someone to help them?".    

While I am not as brave as a friend of mine from college - she and her husband have two grown daughters, and they recently adopted 3 precious children from Guyana.  I enjoy hearing about things that are so special to these little ones that we sometimes take as a given.  I'm not sure who is more blessed in this special family - the parents/sisters who opened their hearts and lives, or the three beautiful children.  The smiles light up their faces!  So I took a baby step and sponsored one child.  That child will now be placed in a home with 2 parents who will welcome them into their home, love them, and care for them.  If you want to learn more about some of the missions of Cross International, you can find them at www.crossinternational.org.

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:40

A New Look for an Old Stool

A few Several weeks ago I told you to check back and see what I did to this cute little stool I purchased for $10 at Mud Puppy Antiques in Winder.  Well, I did my part that same weekend, but it took quite a few weekends before my better half took care of his part!  Actually, once I paid for the purchase the lady at the store pointed out why the price tag said "as is".  I thought it was because it was a little wobbly.  Obviously there is a bit of history behind this sturdy little stool.  One of it's legs must have been broken because it had 3 identical legs and one that did not match - it had a bit more "details" than the other 3 did.  I decided that was fine; it gave it character and I could always turn it so that "different" leg didn't show.  It could be my little secret.

The hubs sanded all the wood down really well for me and then I got busy painting and crackling!  I picked up the awesome fabric at Hob Lob of course - 30% off that week - and made quick work of covering the cushion for a new look.  Once it was done, I needed the legs evened up because that "different" leg was a little bit shorter and the stool was actually a bit tall.  So finally this past Sunday my sweet husband finished his part of the project and cut the legs off so they were all even.  No more rocking!   I added some felt pads to the bottom of each leg and now for the unveiling of my new stool . . . . .

What do you think?  I love it.  Especially when I put my feet up to watch Castle, One Tree Hill or Revenge!!

Just Sew Studio - Pillowcase Dress Class

Ladies, if you've ever wanted to learn how to sew for a special little girl in your life this has to be one of the easiest projects to try.  Once you have this mastered, you can even use it to make a cute summer top for yourself.  

Pillowcase style Dress Class
Saturday, March 10, 2012
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cost:  $35 - includes pattern, fabric, thread, and 3 hours of instruction.
Sewing machines available or you can bring your own.  Please sign up by Friday, March 2 to allow time for me to purchase the fabric and wash it prior to class.










Fabric choices are below and the link to sign up is here - http://acsg.wufoo.com/forms/m7x3p9/


A.                                              B.                                                     C.

     
(Blue)                                             (Pink)                                              (Brown)

 If you have any questions you can contact me at mary.vannus@yahoo.com.  Hope to see you at class!

Sweet Stitching,
Mary

There's a New Store in Town

Now I realize a new grocery in town might not be something to write home about, but when you love to cook and love to save money, it's a pretty big deal.  An Aldi store recently opened in a nearby town and I stopped by today to pick up a few things.

If you've never shopped at Aldi before, you will notice it's a little different from your usual grocery store.  You have to pay a quarter to use a shopping cart.  But, when you return your cart to the area at the front of the store, you get your quarter back.  No loose shopping carts rolling around in the parking lot bumping into your car!  Nice.  The store itself is not large. Things are neatly displayed on shelves, with prices clearly marked overhead.  Every so often you'll see a national brand, but most everything there is a store brand.  Make sure to bring your own shopping bags, or purchase paper, plastic or reusable bags there.  As the cashier rings your purchases up, she will place them in a shopping cart.  After you pay for your purchases, you push your cart over to the bagging area and put your purchases in your own bags - so no more complaining about the baggers who don't know how to put groceries in your bags the right way.

On my first visit there last week, Carla was my cashier.  She was very friendly and after she rang up my purchases, she took a few minutes to explain a little about how Aldi works.  She has been an employee of the company for 5 years.  She pointed out the money back guarantee on their products - if you aren't satisfied, return the product and they will refund the purchase price.  And she also said you can cut your grocery bill in half!

Since I really planned on just getting milk and broccoli, I decided not to spend a quarter for a cart.  By the time I made it around to the produce sections and saw the "deals", I realized I should have spent that quarter.  Just as I had everything precariously balanced in my arms, I saw that milk was $1.99 and remembered we were getting low.  As I very carefully and slowly opened the cooler, and then started to bend down to get the milk, I realized another shopper was watching me.  She asked if I needed help.  I told her thank you, but I thought I had it under control.  She turned to her daughter and said, "She looks like Rachel Ray gathering food in her kitchen".  If only I could throw a meal together in 30 minutes like her . . . and get paid for it!!

Today my purchases totaled $13.91!  Here's what I got -
8 oz pack of baby bella mushrooms.....  .79
sliced bacon...................................... 2.99
1 pack of 3 romaine hearts..................  .99
8 roma tomatoes................................  .79
6 pk individual applesauce cups........... 1.29
avocado............................................   .89
cucumber.........................................   .59
9 oz spinach...................................... 1.69
16 oz broccoli crowns........................ 1.39
1 gallon skim milk.............................. 1.99
1 reusable plastic grocery bag..............  .10

I'll definitely be shopping at Aldi from time to time if they continue to have prices like this.  Now I've got to get in the kitchen and use some of my purchases to get supper ready.