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.



consider the stars...

 ☆"Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing."
{Isaiah 40:26}☆

"He who counts the stars and calls them by their names,
is in no danger of forgetting His own children."
{Charles Spurgeon}

I'm so excited to show you all one of my latest crochet projects -
this star bunting!
I made the original as a gift for a dear friend's birthday.
I'm now offering them for sale in my Etsy shop as well!
It looks so "4th of July" with our cheery red gingham kitchen curtains.
I want to make myself some in pastels for my bedroom.
Wouldn't they just be the sweetest thing in a nursery though?

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?"

{Psalm 8:3+4}

 

The star theme brought to mind these precious verses as well as this beautiful song from the Getty's newest album.

 



I also just finished this patriotic star shaped doily for my Momma.
It may look like I'm practicing some sort of voodoo, but rest assured,
I am not.
I'm just starching & stretching this doily so it will stay in its crisp shape
& not be all wiggly-woggly.

 

Oh, by the way, if you do bop over to my Etsy shop be sure to check out the cute vintage patterns I've been listing. Perhaps there's something there you just *need*. ;)

 

 

What do you think of my star garland?

 

Have you been working on anything that you're excited about lately?

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

say hello to my little friends...

Here's another sure sign of Spring - little baby chicks!
 



 

Well, once again I didn't get any outfit pics taken this past week.

Kels & I had the best of intentions, but we got distracted...by garage sales...

So in lieu of a 1940s inspired thrifted outfit here are my newest feathered friends. :D

These six little cuties will lay lovely brown eggs in just a few months time!

I bought them Sunday at our local TSC while picking up the feed for my flock.

They had some little baby mallard ducklings as well, which were pretty hard to resist, but I did! ;) I can't remember the name of these lil chickies' breed, but I think the gal there said they are a cross between Rhone Island Reds & White Rocks. She said they'll be brownish - can't wait to see what they look like when they're grown. I need to start thinking of suitable names. Though I may have to wait until their personalities er chickenalities start to develop to give them appropriate names. :) I already have a Philippa, Lillie-white, Freckles, Pepper, Snowy, & Oswald {the rooster}.

That night our electricity went out! Eek! One essential of chick keeping is a heat lamp. When they don't have Momma Hen to keep them warm they need the constant source of warmth that a heat lamp provides. Thankfully we have a generator. Although it runs on gas & only had enough of that stuff to last until about 9:00 PM. I had brought them into the basement {from the outbuilding I had been keeping them in} so they'd be warmer. Praise the Lord the power came back on at about 11 so they only had to go about 2 hours sans heat lamp.

They're all warm & cheerful today!

~*~

Now for some random bits...

The newest blooming beauties around here a lilacs & wild bluebells.

I made this bouquet {a mix of bought & homegrown flowers} to take to church & now I get to enjoy it in my room. I wish I could attach the scent for you all to enjoy!

{Removing all allergens, of course, for those of you who suffer from them.}

{Lovely Lilacs}

 {Beautiful Bluebells}

 

Isn't this dish towel just the cutest? It's from Kohl's. They have some pretty cute home wares.

 

I got this yellow Lu-Ray Pastels platter recently at a garage sale for $1.50! Woo-hoo!

 I like to collect pastel dishes whenever I find them for a super deal. I have some Shenandoah & Moderntone pieces as well. {You can see some in the photo below!} It's so fun how they all mix & match since they were made in similar eras. The few Cath Kidston dishes I have go so well too. 

 

 

The past couple days we've had rather chillier weather than the weeks before.

A nice cuppa {tea} & something sweet to eat is just what the doctor ordered.

{Well, actually there's no need to mention this to the doctor...we'll keep this just between us.} ;)

You can find the recipe for these yummy lemon bars in this post.

 

~*~

 Here is what I've been working on lately!

 

{A recent custom embroidery order. All in mint green!}

I've just the sewing up to do on this knitted gift for my cousin's baby girl.

Isn't that color delicious? It's my very favorite to use for baby girl gifts - such a vintage baby pink. {It's Knit Picks' Flamingo.} This is one of the colors I've picked out for my Summery cotton version of "Your Victory Jumper".  If I ever finish the original one, that is! ;)

~*~

 

 Any suggestions for names for my new baby hens?

What's blooming in your neck of the woods?

What do you collect?

{Photos by this girl!}

1940's feedsack peasant blouse & knit peplum jacket...

 Some outfits I wear feature one or two articles of clothing that I made.
(While some don't feature one stitch of me-made!)
This particular ensemble is completely made by moi!
Well, apart from the shoes.
(Laura Ashley from Bergners, I think.)



 

I think my knit peplum jacket goes quite well with this 1940's look.

The pattern is designed by Debbie Bliss and called the Edwardian Jacket.

I made this a few months back.

I bought the yarn at a local yarn store on my birthday last year!

They were having a super good sale so I got a super deal.

(Happy birthday to me!)

;)

I actually wore this jacket with my Beatrix Potter costume.

You can just see it in the last photo of that post.

 

The yarn is an oh-so-soft Merino wool & cashmere blend.
I just love the color. It's called pale mauve,
but I think of it more as a pale orchid.

 

Under my cuddly jacket I'm wearing this peasant blouse I made from a vintage feedsack.

 

I purchased both the pattern & the feedsack from Lilia at Pantry Door.

 I also bought 3 of this delicious feedsack!

 

Soon to be a 1940's style dress.
(Hopefully this Spring!)

But I digress...

The blouse is quite short, and doesn't really like to stay tucked in.
No directing traffic or assisting a plane in landing in this outfit. No, Sir-ee!
I may eventually add a band of fabric to the bottom just to help it behave itself.
The skirt I made from a remnant of black flannel I bought at Joann Fabrics.
It had the ruffle on there ready made!
There was just enough to fit comfortably around my *ahem* bum with just a 1/4" seam.
It is only very lightly gathered onto a yoke-type waistband.
While it's perhaps not exactly what I had envisioned when planning a skirt to go with this blouse,
I think it goes quite well and is rather flattering, though I say it myself. ;)

***
I haven't placed that yarn order yet to finish up my Victory Jumper.
I just know as soon as I do & receive my "order shipped" email
I'll remember there was something else I needed to order too!
(Does anyone else do that, or is that just me?)
In the meantime here is what I've started.

I need to make a couple baby sweaters for gifts too.
This beautiful light blue tweed yarn was just begging to be made into this lovely sweater.
Isn't that little collar the dearest little thing?

{Photos of me snapped by my sister Kelsey}

this, that, & t'other...

 

Hello Sunshine!

Seems to me Spring is trying to make an appearance.

 

 

 

I call this my "Hello Yellow!" bolero.

My sis gave me this cute birdie dress for Christmas &

 I just had to make a suitable sweater to wear with it!

It's so sunshiny! The yarn is Knitpicks' Shine Sport in 'Dandelion' - very aptly named.

 

Another sure sign of Spring:

Sweet little peeps scampering about in a box.

 

They're already growing out of the "cute baby stage" and onto the "awkward teenager stage"...

if they were people they'd have braces & pimples. ;)

 

 

A new custom embroidery item is in the shop.

I call it the "Your favorite Bible verse here" pillow. :D

A perfect gift for the friend who has everything! ;) 

 

 

This one has Psalm 94:19 on it.

I have an idea in my head for one sporting some lyrics to a favorite hymn also.

 

 

Have a lovely day!

Enjoy the delightful Springish weather.

xo Miss Michelle ^_^

what i've been up to...

Here are a few things that've been keeping me busy:

Call me crazy, but I love ironing. Especially when it's a beautiful vintage sheet. 

 

I recently hit the jackpot on vintage linens at my favorite thrift store!

I recovered a little foot stool which I also found at my favorite thrift store.

Before


Got it for $1! Woo-hoo!

This beautiful fabric was a vintage curtain that I bought at a garage sale.

Here it is in situ. Please pardon the mess! :D

Made for a custom order. All in PINK! :D

My fair isle sweater is coming right along!

What have you been up to?

babies don't keep

I made this embroidery for my friend Sammy Jo.

She is a foster mother & we just had a "Celebration of Motherhood" luncheon for her.

(A baby shower of sorts.)

Instead of giving the normal baby shower gifts of clothing & baby essentials

she requested that we bring certain items to be put in backpacks and donated to their foster care agency.

This was such a neat idea!

***

She wanted nothing for herself.

But she should've known that was out of the question. ;)

The party coordinator had the idea for us to 

 give her a 'token of motherhood' to show our love for her.

***

Some of the suggestions given were: a small gift card for a meal or pampering experience, a note of encouragement, or something handmade.

Well, naturally, she had me at 'handmade'. :) 

I'd recently seen this little poem on Pinterest

and it reminded me that Mom had said she had a little plaque with this sweet quotation.

I thought it would be appropriate for either a birth mom, a foster mom, or adoptive mom.

***

I've already had demands  requests from my sisters for one of their own.

I'm planning on stitching some up for the shop.

Feel free to email me if you want to request one with custom colors.