meet Astrid the aqua sewing machine! {+ what I've been up to lately}...

 

 Isn't she a beaut?

She's actually a bit darker colored in person.

(It's so hard to get a good pic indoors.)

My sweet parents made my day year by buying me this retro chic sewing machine in my favorite color.

She'll be perfect for stitching up more bedsheet dresses such as...

 

 

this one that I made this past week.

 

 

 ~*~

I've also been doing a bit of decorating.

 

 

These pink wall pocket baskets were a steal of a deal for 70 cents from a favorite antique mall that was {sadly} closing. The faux strawberry plants were dissected from a thrift store find for $3.50.
{Isn't faux such a much nicer way to say fake? *wink*}

 

 

This sweet planter from Target, reminiscent of a vintage head vase, was originally intended to have a succulent atop her head, but I think that this pink yarn bun fits my style even better! Doesn't she look like a giant egg cup though? *giggles*

 

 

This wire wastebasket was from the dollar section of Target for $3!

It makes such fun & cute storage for extra yarn leftover from previous projects.

 

 

The colors of this baby blankie I made for a friend's baby girl make me think of yummy saltwater taffy.

 

 

Though it may be in the 90s still outside in my neck of the woods,

inside our house it is decidedly Autumnal,

September 1st being our un-official first day of Fall.
Lovely 70s are forecast for next week though.
I can hardly wait for crisp air, colorful crunchy leaves, snuggly sweaters, & sturdy boots.

 

What have you been up to?

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

the almost lost art of thank you notes...

Do you still write thank you notes?



 I try to as often as possible.

 

It seems to me it's not as commonplace as it used to be.

I think in our greedy, more is more society any opportunity to show gratitude is a wonderful thing.

And who doesn't like receiving happy mail, I ask you?!

One of the first thank you notes I remember receiving was from the leader of Junior Choir at church, I was probably 7 or 8. I can't even remember what the note was thanking me for, but I do recall being so excited about receiving my very own piece of mail that I asked Mom if I could send a "You're Welcome" note in return. I was quite disappointed to find out that wasn't a thing. In my child's mind it was the only appropriate response since it was instilled in me to tell someone you're welcome if they told me thank you. haha!

A little while back I heard that they are no longer going to be teaching cursive handwriting in school. I think that is a shame. I read an article once that said something about how important handwriting really is. They made a point that when you hand write something you use more of the old noodle than you do when you type. Isn't that interesting? I couldn't find a link to the article, but here is a post that talks about the article to which I'm referring.

I can speak from experience that pieces of handwriting from loved ones now gone is something I treasure. For years I cleaned house for my great grandma, Grandma Lou, and did a little shopping for her too. I saved one of the notes she left me with the grocery list. She would have me do little mending jobs for her as well since she, an excellent seamstress herself, was no longer able. The note read: "Michelle, Could you put in a new zipper? This one is nuts. Gram" hahaha! She was such a hoot.

So, I sat out on the deck on an unseasonable mild afternoon
& started writing.
{Making a photo worthy display beforehand of course. *wink*}
Then I got to thinking about being thankful.

Being thankful is so important.
We are told to be thankful to God for everything in all circumstances.
{In each & every case it's always far better than what we truly deserve.}





"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

to which indeed you were called in one body;

and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

 singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

{Colossians 3:15-17}



"Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}



"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

 Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

{Philippians 4:4-7}



Did you notice how often the words 'rejoice' & 'grateful' or 'thankful' are in the same passage?

Ah, nothing cultivates the joy of the Lord quite like giving thanks to Him.

It puts things into the right perspective.

We remember that He is in control.

All things are filtered through His loving hands.

How can you help but have joy when this is the case?

 

When we thank someone for some kind thing that they have done for us we ultimately thank God as well because He is the One Who put these givers in our lives.

 

Let us always be thankful to Him for the innumerable gifts He gives us every day. ^_^

{But especially that greatest gift of all: His beloved Son, Who gave His life a ransom for those who will believe in Him & His sufficient sacrifice to reconcile wretched sinners to Himself.}

 

So, next time you're penning thank you notes

to those who are a blessing to you,

remember the ultimate Giver.

 

{And be sure to take a coffee & cake break
when your hand starts to get a bit tired.}

~*~

Do you have any treasured memories connected with hand writing?

How often do you hand write things?
 

^_^

Much Love,

Michelle
{Yep, I took the piccies & I ate that cake. It was good.}

it's my 30th birthday I can cry if I want to... {+ my birthday gift to you!}

Just kidding.

I don't feel like crying at all. ;)

But my 60s dress & hair-do made me think of that 60s song
 "It's my Party" & I couldn't help but giggle.


 

Everyone keeps telling me that turning 30 isn't bad at all.

In fact, they enjoyed their 30s so much more than their 20s,

but they'd probably be the type to tell you that colonoscopies aren't all that bad either,

so I'm not sure if I'm gonna fully take their word for it. ;P

 

But this I do know:

Hitherto my Lord has helped me
& I know He will still for as many days as He gives me.

I'm not fretting about getting older.

Every day I learn more about Jesus,
& it's one day closer to heaven,

and hopefully with every day & every year I become more like my Savior.
What more could anyone want than that?

 

{Plus my niece insists that I'm only 21 *wink*}

 

 

Now as to this dress.
 

Vintage 1961 McCall's Pattern #6120.

Vintage rose bed sheet for the fabric.

{Picked up at my favorite thrift store a few years back.}

Vintage notions: old metal zipper from a bag of goodies
my friend Ang gave me,

and thread that came with an old treadle sewing machine my Uncle Bill salvaged for me out of an old house slated for demolition.
{His only price was one of my apple pies. What a guy!}



 It was my first time making this pattern & it was about a size too big.

I made some adjustments after cutting it out that I should've done before cutting it out.

I skipped the sleeves because they looked wonky because of the adjustments.

(I now know what I'd do differently if I make this pattern again, which I plan to do.)

I love the pleats of the skirt. They make it lay so nicely.

I think my favorite detail is the matching bow belt.

I had never really cared much for the styles of the 1960s until just recently.

{And I still don't care for all of it, mind you, this is what I consider to be good 60s.}

I felt very Call the Midwife or Andy Griffith Show in this sweet frock.

 Mom did my bouffant for me.
She can recall watching her mom do a similar pouf to her own hair.
 



 

I recently brought my sewing machine & dress form {Donna Sue} upstairs to my room.

I'm so enjoying having them up here & not down in the icky basement.

It's such a cozy little corner of my room now.

 





 {Who wore it better: me or Donna Sue?} ;)
 

As a special treat for you dear friends I'd like to offer you a coupon code for 30% off in my etsy shop.
(Get it?! Get it?! 30%)

It's good all day today {August 15th, 2016}.

Just in case there's something in there you've had your eye on.

The code is: ADELIGHTFUL30TH

 

This week's post is a day early so that I could offer you all this deal.

{And maybe to make up for last week's being a bit late.} ;P

 

My family had a party for me yesterday afternoon & it was such a wonderful time.

 

 Momma & Dad

 

 My sisters

 

This is probably my favorite pic & my favorite part -

surrounded by my six wee leetle rabbits. <3
{Though if you'd been there your ears would most likely still be ringing from the deafening shout of "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese" that came forth from these wee ones.} ^_~

 

Today I'll be out shopping anywhere my heart desires.

{Mostly craft stores & thrift shops.}

 

I am so blessed.

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

{the old fart}

Photos by Momma, Dad, Aims & Me.



the heart of the home...

Would you like to take a step inside my sister's kitchen & look around?

 

 

You'll love it here, it's one of the coziest places I know.

I love to sit and chat over a cup of tea or coffee by the big picture window that looks over her patio where the kids are playing, and her flower garden where bees are buzzing & butterflies are fluttering.

 

When a kitchen sink is as gorgeous as this it makes washing dishes a joy!

 {And how perfectly does this vintage tablecloth that's doing duty as a skirt apron match the cabinet?! I just can't get over it.}
 

 

 Some of those flowers usually find their way indoors, bringing their freshness & sunshine with them.

 

 

 Kitschy kitchen goodness is in every nook and cranny.

 

 

Of my three sisters, Beth & I probably have the most similar decorating style.

We both love anything cheerful, farmy, kitschy, & vintage.

Which can make garage sale-ing together a little tense.

Just kidding. We share pretty well. ^_^

 

 

In Beth's country kitchen there's always sure to be some fresh veggies about the place this time of year.

That's bound to be when your husband is a landscaper & expert gardener with about 4 or 5 vegetable patches.

{I've lost count how many actually...there seem to be more every year!}

 

 

Even her ceiling fan is cute for cryin' out loud!

We affectionately call it a fandelier.



 

I helped her paint her cabinets this beautiful shade of Annie Sloan chalk paint, Henrietta, a couple years back. The insides are painted with Antoinette & have Hello Kitty liner on the shelves. I neglected to take a piccy of that, but I'm sure you can picture it.

There's nothing like climbing around on the counter tops with the Beatles playing in the background whilst sipping endless cuppas with your sister.



 Speaking of cuppas...

here is the all important coffee counter.

*angelic choir music plays*

{I'm irritated with myself for accidentally cutting off the head of the cute crocheted chick-i-poo on top of her lil Keurig. Bah. Didn't realize I'd done it till I got these piccies on the 'puter. You can see it un-decapitated in the previous photo though!}

 

{A refrigerator isn't complete without some artwork!}

Even the fridge got a makeover!

She glued a pretty wood decal thingy on & then painted over it.

That chalk paint really does stick to anything.

I gave her this old metal garbage can & gave it a coat of Antoinette.

{Oscar the Grouch simply couldn't make his mortgage payments anymore & had to move to a smaller can. ^_~ You know, the economy & stuff.}

 

 

Everywhere you look there's something cute to make you smile...
this corner cabinet which belonged to our great grandma is a home to all sorts of cute tchotchkes...
vintage hanky bunting adorns the window...
and some adorable vintage wicker umbrellas hang jauntily from a hook.



 

Possibly one of my favorite things about Beth's kitchen is that she always has something yummy baked. {And she's always willing to cut you a slice} It was yummy zucchini bread this time with zukes from {one of} their garden{s}.  ;)

If you're interested in the recipe she said she uses Better Homes & Gardens' Recipe, but without the nuts cuz eww. ;P

I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Bethie's kitchen!

Much love,
Miss Michelle ^_^
{Photos by yours truly}