Have a peek at the life of a farmer's visually impaired wife and learn a little about self-sufficiency and saving a few bucks in the process. Let's face it, the economy is challenging all of us to be frugal, so we need to help one another as much as we can.
Close up image of purple, pink & blue fat quarter fabrics and unopened packs of sewing machine needles and bobbins.
Before I could really start getting busy on my 1st quilt project, I needed and/or wanted a few tools of the trade. I made poor hubby take me to JoAnn Fabrics since they were having a pretty good sale at the time. He wasn't the only hubby that got dragged along either. Thank you hubbies everywhere! :-D
Once there, I was really surprised at the number of customers in the store. I don't know if it was JoAnn's best sale of the year or if it was the height of "sewing season" or both, but the weak economy doesn't seem to be having an affect on their business. An unstable economy might even be beneficial for them since a lot of folks find it more frugal to repair or make their own clothing.
There are a few stores that have an affect on me like a kid in a candy store and a sewing shop is one of them. (Computer & hobby stores are also on this list.) Since I had a budget I needed to stick to, I had a mental shopping list of necessities and pretty much stuck to it. If I ever hit the lottery, look out!
Image of my sewing work station which includes a bright blue cutting mat, several fabric swatches and a rotary cutter tool.
I'm FINALLY going to do it. I've been promising myself for years that I was going to make a quilt before I kick the bucket and I'm finally going to fulfill that promise.
A Little Background: About 8 or 9 years ago, my bestest buddy Natalie and I paid for a beginners sewing machine class. If memory serves, the class was 1 day per week for six weeks and there was about 6 of us participating. We all figured we'd learn how various functions were performed on a sewing machine and possibly come away each week with a nifty craft item such as buttons sewn on a dish towel or a pillow case made from two bandanas. We couldn't have been more wrong! After making sure each student knew how to thread their machine and needle, our instructor announced that we would be making an outfit from a pattern we had to buy from the local Jo-Ann Fabrics store. WHAT?!?
To make a long story short, by the end of the class I had a so-so sleeveless blouse that I would never wear in public and a sorry pair of shorts that didn't come anywhere near fitting me. I did learn how to make button holes and sew buttons on with the machine, but that's about it. I did attempt making a nightgown on my own and to this day, that nightgown, sans sleeves, is still tucked away in my sewing paraphernalia.
Fast forward to November, 2012: Just before Thanksgiving I decided I wanted to get back into sewing. Past experience has taught me the dining room table just wasn't going to cut it for a work area. Sure as God made little green apples, as soon as I really got into a sewing project I'd have to clear it all away for a family meal. (Do they really have to eat EVERY day?) The drudgery of setting up and tearing down a temporary sewing area is enough to discourage anyone. Since I couldn't find a sewing "roadie" I had my son help me re-arrange my bedroom and I started planning my sewing nook.
Turns out I had picked a great time of year to get back into sewing. Since Christmas was approaching, I made a wish list of items I absolutely and desperately had to have, (ok, wanted) and presented it to Santa Hubby and Santa Son. I'm happy to say, I had a very merry Christmas!
I'm planning on making a hand-tied quilt using 6 inch blocks that are made up of three 2" x 6" strips (plus seam allowance). I only have a few fat quarters that I bought over the years just because I thought they were "pretty". I figured I'd use them for something someday. If you're wondering what a fat quarter is, it's a piece of fabric 18" x 22" typically for making quilt squares. They also make good liners for gift baskets, but that's a whole different topic isn't it? ;-)
Image of cast iron skillet with beef & broccoli stir fry, a stainless steel pot with white rice and a serving bowl with the two ingredients combined ready to eat.
I'm a lover of Chinese cuisine; the hubby - not so much. After re-reading that intro, I think I better clarify that I AM a fan of the hubby, he's just not a fan of Chinese food. Whew! lol If I want an oriental dish more often than DH is willing to endure at a restaurant, I have to make it myself. For some reason (probably love) he doesn't mind eating Asian dishes when I make them at home.
I didn't quite have every ingredient I would have liked in my stir fry, however I made do with everyday ingredients we all should have in our pantry's.
I screwed up and left a burner on my glass top stove going while we went to the store. Luckily, it was on the lowest possible setting. First & foremost, I'm very fortunate there wasn't a fire or any damage whatsoever; howsoever, I had a mess to deal with because a plastic bag was set on the burner. Check out the video for all the details and how I remedied melted plastic on my stove top.
I was invited to a party being held on Saturday and it was suggested that I bring some of my home made goodies as a gift if I was so inclined. I was very inclined as a matter of fact. I grabbed a quilting fat quarter and lined a cute basket, gathered up a few home canned items, thinly sliced some venison & put in a marinade to make jerky and mixed dough to make spelt rolls. Before the dough was done rising, I found out I have no way to get to the party tomorrow. Boo-hiss!
If anyone is having a party tomorrow and is willing to pick me up (and bring me home) I have a great gift to bring!
In the picture
In the basket are: Quart of tomato juice, pint of salsa and a half-pint of peach jelly - all made with my own two hands from what we grew on our little farm.
On the cooling rack are: Spelt rolls (Spelt is an ancient form of wheat and the bread is dark like unbleached whole wheat.)
The beef jerky is still in the dehydrator and won't be ready until about noon Saturday, so any party invitations will have to be for after that. ;-)
A wire cooling rack with spelt rolls sitting in front of a cloth lined basket filled with home canned items
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