Saturday Adventures

 Yes, we had a little adventure today. Mom and I decided to go to Trader Joe's. We don't have one locally, but there is one about an hour away. Or so we thought. Since we were going in the general direction, I also persuaded Mom we should stop at a small fabric store. I didn't have very specific directions but knew it was around an intersection of two main roads. We found it with out too much difficulty and had to turn around only once.

 

 After we browsed around and I found a few fabrics for my Hexagon quilt, we were on our way once more. Don't you think they will go nicely?

 What should of taken 30-40 minuets to get to our next stop, took an hour and a half! Yes indeed, we made quite a few little detours, turned around three times and finally resorted to calling my sister at home for directions. It all boiled down to this: I accidentally punched in the wrong address when I printed out the directions and we were on the wrong side of town!! We were a very hungry pair by the time we got to our destination. On the way home we decided to try a different route, Not sure why?? And of course we got off to a wrong start and had to turn around and then were not sure which road we wanted to take back......

We finally made it back home, but I think we ended up zig zagging around the entire county! Six hours and a gazillon miles, all for a bit of fabric and a few groceries!! But it was worth it.

For an apron, don't you think? Which one........that is the question!

A Few Small Treasures

Two weeks ago, I was able to go to a local antique fair. Was it fun!! I don't know if all antique fairs are the same way, but the vendors were more then eager to bargain! Something I am not use to. Thankfully I didn't fall in love with anything pricey and was able to stay within my allotted budget.

On to the treasures!!

These little cookie cutters were one of the first things I saw and instantly fell in love with! Just too cute for words. The lady who sold them said now I could make my own animal cookies! I think I have a recipe for them in one of my cookbooks, I will have to try them!

Of course I couldn't pass up a cute apron! Very patriotic! I love the stars cross-stitched on it. It wouldn't be too hard to make using the gingham as a guide. This style was very popular in the late 1950s.

And  few vintage patterns that caught my eye. They were the last ones and the vendor was trying to get rid of them. The pattern in center front is actually a blouse and skirt made from the same fabric. I guess so you can change the look of your dress. From day to evening, viola!

 This little lady was my splurge! Isn't she beautiful? In case you are wondering, she is a pincushion doll. Very popular in the 20s and 30s, one would keep her on the dressing table to put hat pins in. Do you see the holes in the porcelain around her waist? That is where the pincushion attaches, forming her skirt. I am envisioning one out of blue and pink silk.... 

Such a sweet face!

1937 Vogue Pattern Magazine

Gorgeous! I don't remember where I picked this up, but the styles are gorgeous. Late 1930s, one of my favorite eras! Aren't they all?! I love the mixture of slim elegance with a bit of the 40s structure seeping in. And the hats!! I could go on and on about the hats.....

"A maximum of chic.....a minimum of construction."

Snow-Swirl Chocolate Roll-Take 2!

 I finally made a real Snow-Swirl Chocolate Roll! Do you remember my first attempt? I set out to make it and then realized I didn't have enough baking cocoa. This time I made sure I had a good supply of cocoa! As I also had some left over cream I decided to use that as the filling instead of frosting.

The original recipe also states; frost if desired. I thought melted chocolate on the outside was a better idea! Not really, a little too rich. Maybe it was because I used dark chocolate...If I make it again I would just leave it plain.

 Did you notice the pink flowers? My new platter!! A friend was getting rid of it, so I decided to adopt it.

The same day, my sister and I also whipped up a Jelly Roll. I must say, it took the prize!! As wonderful as chocolate and cream are, luscious homemade raspberry-peach jam was no competition.

Jelly rolls have always been kind of mysterious to me. But once you have made one you find out how easy and simple they are to make! A wonderful light summer dessert.

Yum!!

Great Great Grand Aunt Elsa

 This is my Grandmother's Great Aunt Elsa (right). That makes her my Great-great-grand Aunt!! Say that seven times fast! Born in Finland, she followed her sister to America in 1913 when she was 19 and became a successful seamstress. I bet she made her lovely outfit in the picture above!

  In 1923 she married Nilo and they settled on a small farm to raise sheep. Even though she wasn't a seamstress then, my grandmother remembers the lovely things she made and the sheep she raised. Aren't they a dapper couple?

This is one of her sewing books. Years and years ago poking around in Grandma's wonderful closets I came across it.

Published it 1930 by the Women's Institute of Domestic Art and Sciences. The set consists of eight booklets covering just about every subject on sewing. From how to choose the right fabric to basic sewing stitches to making collars and cuffs to fitting and alterations.

One of my favorite sections, how to make a Jabot!!

Another picture of Elsa and Nilo later in life. Love her hat!

Make and Mend

A little patriotic-ness for this week. I love the 40s mindset of "we will get through this" "we will all do our part". Part of which was Make Do and Mend! We can all use a bit of that today in this time of economy.

"Patterns for women's suits have a wide variety of designs, but when choosing a pattern for remodelling, remember that men's suits in general have certain characteristics: a seam down the back, two darts at the waist, a side pocket on the left and frequently flap pockets."

"There is life in the old girl yet!" Suggestions for making Playsuits, Jumpers, Weskits, Boleros and Aprons from old dresses. It is suggested you make a "Pinafore from a dress by cutting out sleeves and underarm sections."

Have a good and safe holiday friends!

and

God Bless America!!

A crowd of New Aprons

Do you remember that little rhyme from your childhood? "Two is company, Three is a crowd, Four on the sidewalk not allowed!" For some reason it came to mind. Anyway on to aprons!

Aren't they cuties?! I am so excited to have found them at the estate sale! What really caught my eye at first was the fabric. Such cheerful prints!

These two are the same. I couldn't resist the pink flowers and the other I am quite certain I have another apron in the exact same fabric! Isn't that something?

When I get a new apron, I like to examine it to see what story it has to tell. How much was it worn? What style and time frame is it from? Was it made at home or commercially produced?

A basic style, two nice size pockets, "H" style back and princess seams. That says mid to late 1940s.

The ties really intrigued me, they have binding on one edge and the ends curve to a point. Looks like a nice tidy way of doing it, I will have to keep it in mind.

A little worn on the edges........

.........And a little mending. These aprons were loved!

Because they are both the same style, but are a made in slightly different ways, it makes me think they were handmade. Of course there is always the possibility the aprons were produced at different factories. But I like to think of someone sewing them up at home.

This one shouts 1940s! From the sweetheart neckline to the flared skirt.

Love the fabric! Who wouldn't like it?! Never mind don't answer......I know a few pink haters...