Partial Kitchen Remodel - Before

Our kitchen is undergoing a big change.  Not a complete remodel; that will be for the future as time and funds allow.  But we needed to re-wallboard the area below our two new windows.  It was a project that was going to be put off for a long time.  But then we decided to try refinancing our mortgage (still waiting on that; the appraisal came back lower than what it should be, and we are appealing it with the bank in an "Appraisal Desk Review"), and we had to have the house in the best shape it could be for that.  Paul and I discussed simply replacing the missing wallboard, but (with "gentle prodding" from me) were convinced it would be better to replace the whole wall.  We could then insulate, add electrical outlets/move to better locations, and most important: get rid of the horrid, knotty pine paneling and upper cabinets. 

The window wall before.  Note aforesaid horrid, knotty pine paneling and cabinets.  The windows were too long to place base cabinets below.  We will get to reconfiguring the dishwasher and sink cabinets in the future.  

This is our old, metal, 1950's base cabinet.  It is not in the best condition, or I might like it more.  This will have to stay in place for now.  You can sort of see the old knotty pines above it (And a hand with a measuring tape - this photo was taken in 2009, when we were contemplating re-doing this same area, but without the trouble and expense of replacing the windows with ones that would suit proper base cabinets.  We were getting measurements and photos to bring to the store.  We vetoed the idea and opted to wait until we could get the new windows).

Stay tuned for more progress pictures!

Vintage Baking - Mom's Sweet Potato Pie

We had a very nice Thanksgiving.  We met with extended family early in the afternoon, then returned home for our own Thanksgiving.  Paul and I made sweet potato pies using my mom's recipe.

The recipe, in mom's handwriting (sniff, dabs eyes)

The filling

Paul forming the piecrust

Stuff

Too much of it, that is.  We are doing a partial remodel on our kitchen (photos to follow in another post).  We had to empty cupboards into boxes.  While packing them up, I realized how much unused stuff there was hiding in the backs of the cabinets.  It will not re-enter the kitchen.  I will have a lot to give away once we begin unpacking.  I tend to be a pack rat sometimes.  I want this to stop!  It is time for a major purge of the whole house.  How tidy everything will be then!

Vintage 1940's Dress - Simplicity 1571

This is a dress I made a few years back.  I am posting it for a friend who asked about scalloped necklines.  This dress is from a vintage Simplicity dress from the 1940's.  I have the belt on it backwards because I need to re-do the buckle!  The dress has a side zipper to ease getting it over the shoulders.

The Pattern (I want to live like these ladies!)

The Dress (honestly, dress forms make one look so big.  Surely I am not that big in real life?!)

A close up of the bodice and scallops

Close up of the buttons

Put on your green floral hat, your sensible 1940's shoes, and your gloves and handbag.  You are ready to conquer the world!

Downton Abbey Dress - Finished!

Here is the finished dress.  I was (as usual) literally sewing minutes before the event.  Paul and my friend helped set up for the event while I finished.  I liked this pattern a lot.  It went together well with only one snafu (something weird with the way the underbodice and overbodice armholes went together, i.e., they didn't, and I had to adjust the seams).  I never did get to doing the armhole seam finishing, and only did a basting of the hem (I will remedy these issues later), but the dress was ready to go, just in the nick of time!  The Musicale went very well.  Four ladies performed, and a lovely tea was enjoyed after the performance.  

Before and After - Home Improvement Style (With Trompe l'oeil)!

Last October I had posted about replacing our kitchen windows here.  We finally have the north side of our house re-sided and painted.  Here are two comparison pictures (with Tyler!):

Before photo, windows installed but not painted.

After, windows painted, siding up and painted!

Paul also need to figure out a way to deal with the crawlspace door below the porch area.  We had tried hinging the door, but the gusty winter winds blew it off the hinges.  So Paul figured out a way to rest the door on the concrete lip of the crawlspace, and used movable clips at the top to hold it against the wall.  Then he did a very creative trompe l'oeil to blend it into the rest of the exterior wall:

Side by side withe the real window

Close up view

Talented, creative man he is!

Cutting and Fitting

I made the toile for the bodice of the Downton Abbey Dress.  The fit is nice, but may need some refinements before I am totally done.  I then started the long, laborious process of cutting out the lining, dress, and overlay yesterday.  We were so busy today with other projects that I did not get to sew.  But here is the bodice fabric with the curtain material laid over it.  I was checking to see how I wanted the overlay pattern to lay on the fabric: