So I took a little break...

BUT you can find me posting again over here:

littleredhousedesigns.com 

Stop over and read all about Mary Poppins!

Spring Fever?

I posted about Flower Beds and Patio Furniture today over at my new address! 

Be sure to pop over and take a peek!  

littleredhousedesigns.com

Better yet - when you get there click FOLLOW and hang out for the unfolding of these fun topics!

See you there!!

       -Karen

Don't Forget!

New address, Same blog!

"Hop" over to http://littleredhousedesigns.com/  to continue following along.  

New address, Same blog!

Be sure to follow once you get there!!

-Karen

http://littleredhousedesigns.com/

MOVING DAY! Come Along!!

It is MOVING DAY at 

Little Red House Designs!

PLEASE take a moment to follow me to my NEW web address at Wordpress:

click here:  LittleRedHouseDesigns.com

I am so very excited to be making this change.  I hope to not lose you!

If your Google Friend Connect does not bring you over - be sure to redirect your RSS Feed links!!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!  

Making this move on a wing and a prayer - I hope this works!

Applique T Shirts

This is the FIRST time I have ever tried applique - I am SOLD!

I chose to use Steam-A-Seam 2 because it is what I had.

Letters lined up and ready to be 'appliqued'.

I desperatly wanted to do a tight satin stitch but earlier attempts at this did not go well.  I chose the straight stitch.  I would advise not using a contrasting color on this step if you are not 'experienced'!

but of course!

I hope she likes them!  I have lots of ideas I want to try now!

We Interrupt This Program for a Brief Message

I will be busily planning my Superbowl Sunday menu plan over the next two weeks...

Continue on....

Happy Birthday: Elizabeth!

photo source: Threads

Today is Elizabeth's birthday!  Well, actually it is mine but I do not like to focus on the fact that I am officially in my mid 40s now!

One year ago today I received my sewing machine Elizabeth for my birthday from the Mr.!  You can read about her HERE if you are interested.

So I thought I would share some of the things Elizabeth and I have accomplished together in the past year.

.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth (and to me!) 

We get better with age!!

Mrs. Banks: Rough Draft

Given that I have invested some money into the fabric for Coco's costume for her role as Mrs. Banks in the school play Mary Poppins - I wanted to make sure I did it correctly.  I made a rough draft first!

This is the pattern I selected for a proper Edwardian 1910 London dress.
All of the pieces work together. I struggled terribly with the choice of whether to do to the kimono sleeve or the regular tailored sleeve.  While the kimono would be much easier - it may be too 'evening' wear (or maybe I just watch too much Downton Abbey!!).   I should mention it is an 'older' style pattern. Which made me very nervous with statements like 'the modern sewer may not be familiar with....'.

SO I jumped in with plain white inexpensive fabric.  Sloppy Copy if I may!  Which does not show the detail well in photos.  

I made the skirt first - which had a placket (do you know what a placket is?)  I do, now! (It is used to add the hooks and eyes on the inside of the dress in place of a zipper.)  The hardest part of the skirt was cutting the large pieces. 

Second, I worked on the under-bodice.  Which took several rounds of 'do I need to make this part?' because it was very confusing.  BUT in the end - it was necessary.  It is like the undershirt of the dress.  Clearly the 'bust' part needs to be taken in some!  This involved a lot of piecing.

Lulu modeling this for the camera

Finally the sleeve - kimono style because it was the easiest!  I think it really pulls the dress together.  I love the silhouette.

with the large sash style tie added

the back view

SO, I did not hem, or put any closures or do any final edging on any of the seams.  But I think it will work.... It may still require a high neck ruffle blouse 'dickie' but I will let the art director make that final decision.

Here is a sneak peak of what my plan will be, keeping in mind plans can change!

  

Perspective

This post is really not a typical post for me.  When you start at little crafting blog you begin to e-meet other people out there.  You don't really realize where it will take you or which blogs will pull you in and which ones won't.

I had an 'aha' moment today.

One of those - gee I think I have it so bad - then you e-meet someone who is so amazing they put your thoughts into proper perspective.

I wanted to share a blog of an amazing young woman who is going through a difficult time.  And she does it with grace.

If you have not met Ashley at  Lil Blue Boo let me introduce you.  Her message is 'Choose Joy'.  Something I think we all have the ability to do.

Today - she shared a moment that I wanted to share with you.  I thought it was beautiful.  I also think that I will stop worrying about what color my hair is and accept the blessing that I am healthy.  

Stop by and take a peek around her amazing blog.  Bring a tissue with you!

Slow Start to 2012

I think the photo says most of what I would type!

Mrs. Banks!

Something finally arrived!!!

That's right - FABRIC!!  

For Mrs. Bank's Costume!

Confused?  You can read about it HERE.  I did not have to use yellow but Coco asked me to.  Not to mention the color will look lovely on her.

The yellow is a Shantung Sateen (polyester) as is the white.  

The yellow stripe is cotton but has a nice sheen to it.  

I have a plan for the dress.  I hope to be able to use the stripe.  I will be sure to share once I get my mock version made.

I won't even mention the 10 yards of white broadcloth that I got for 1.74/yard for aprons, ruffles, and so much more!

I really have to get moving on this - once I am done with this I have so much more to do, like a coat, nanny aprons, alterations to clothing, and 'Mary's white dress' that I am working on with another mom.   You may find me humming 'a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...'  to help pass the time!

April will be here in NO TIME!

Photo 101

I value it greatly.  

I have owned my Canon EOS Rebel XT since 2006.  I remember when the girls were little skimping and saving all my birthday money, coupon money and counting through the big jar of saved change to be able to afford it.  I even remember returning Christmas presents so that I would have enough to purchase it.  I remember thinking should I even have this camera.















As an experienced scrap booker I take my photos very seriously.  The quality of my pictures and scrapping improved immediately.  But I never claimed to be a great photographer!!

Over the years I have tried to learn the 'other half of the dial' via internet websites, books from the library and other moms.  I was not successful.

2012 is bringing me a new adventure - I am taking my first classes!  Some mom friends and I recently started.

Currently, we are working on the Tv and Av settings. I prefer the Av for the type of photos I take.  I am sure there is a formal word for that 'fuzzy' background you get with portrait shots but I like fuzzy.

I am getting better photos already - but I am struggling still.  At times, I flip back over the the Portrait Mode to make sure I get the shot. I can see the improvement when I really put effort into the picture I am shooting. Like all things new - practice, practice, practice!

One thing I noticed right off is Nora, my black Flabby (lab mix with flat coated retriever) who is NOT easy to photograph being so dark is starting to show up in my pictures!

I hope to share more things I learn as I go along.  I also hope to not bore you with these very uninteresting pictures!

Learning how to 'fuzz' the background more.  

Better lighting shows off my black dog.  Love the 'fuzzed' background.

Sharper detail

Getting the color right is a challenge. 

The dog is in focus here  -  showing her off nice and crisp. 

LOTS more to learn!!  I plan to get to the dog park and try out the Tv selection this week!

Do you use the AUTO or MANUAL side of your camera???