A Sewing We Will Go

Hello! Hello! How are you? 

I am not the best blogging buddy lately, so sorry! I hope you are doing good.

My older sister made me the prettiest apron for my birthday. She stitched it all out by hand. She dipped into her vintage stash of fabrics from her dear MIL. Don't you love the pretty purple and yellow pansies! What a wonderfully sweet gift! Thanks, Sis!!

I finally got my new sewing machine... yay! So you want to know what I decided to get? I purchased a Brother Innov-is 2800D.

What does that mean? It means not only can I sew and quilt on it, but it has machine embroidery on it, too! I am sure it will be a lot of fun! 

Oh, Heather, if I could only hand stitch as beautiful as you! But this will be good way for me!!

 

Now for the learning how to use all the whistles and bells!

What will I make first? Well, I signed up for usage classes in November and that should help me learn this particular machine. I did embroider on the front of a t-shirt. I will spare you the pictures!! I am going to make some simple tea towles and stuff to start getting the feel for this machine. 

Quilt Sampler every Wednesday at Donna's Lavender Nest

I will also being doing something very fun..

I will be attempting the Quilt Block Sampler 2013 over at Donna's every Wednesday! This week is number three, but I am sure I can catch up! She is great at her tutorials.

I also have a vintage 70's dress pattern on the way from a sweet friend. I am not sure how hard that will be, but I will give it a try! I will show the picture when I get it :)

Happy blessings, and pray your week is filled with joy.

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The snow has come, am I ready

Good morning my sweet friends. Well, it is looking a lot more like winter in my neck of the woods than autumn!

It was a nice surprise this morning. Earlier than normal. Not all the leaves have even changed colors yet! 

So am I ready for this? I am not usually too thrilled about winter weather. You know, the aches and pains that settle into my bones, etc. .

I feel a bit exhilarated today. I welcome the change. Of course in Colorado, I can expect it to warm up my next week, so that makes it nice to enjoy for now.

So today I will switch out my sandals for boots, shorts for jeans. (I hang on to summer as long as I can,  some call it denial, lol) I will put on a comfy soft sweater and bake lasagna for dinner!

Celebrating a special birthday tonight for Mr Fix-it ♡♥ Lasagna is his favorite. My the years go by fast!

Stay warm and have a blessed day♡♥

Blessings,
Little Susie Home Maker

Depressing Lesson and it is So Cold

Have you ever just had one of those times where you weren't sure if it was meant to be? That is how I felt with my whole sewing machine experience, lately.

My sewing machine was more expensive to repair than it was worth. Perfect time to think about buying a new one, right? Well, I did think I had found a really nice machine and even at a good price. I ordered it and finally got it all set up. Boy was I ever excited!!
I tried to use it, and it would mess up. Then I would retry, check, and try again. I had to use a phone assistance since I bought it online. (Bad plan)

Finally, they agreed that the machine indeed, not functioning correctly. The weeks of going through this, really put a damper on the fun of getting a new sewing machine.

You may have remembered that I was excited to start my first quilt? Still, no quilt, and I decided to return the machine, while I could still get my money back. 

I learned through this process that buying something online or on tv or over the phone, is probably not a very good idea for me. The closest warranty service center was an entire state away. Any support on learning how to use this new machine, which happened to be a sewing, quilting, embroidery combo was, at best, difficult to say the least.

So now I have no sewing machine again and was left feeling a bit depressed over the entire situation. But we have decided to add a little more money in and go shopping locally to find not only a machine that is more reliable and user friendly, but one with a nice helpful support team.

I think I have narrowed down my choice on the machine I want to get. I am waiting for this next week or two for the local dealer to get a new product line in, then I will decide between the older and the newer.

So patience is something I am really having to deal with, but it will be worth it this time!

Then maybe I can start using my creative skills again! I can't wait. Hoping everything goes a lot smoother this time!

Have you had any bad experiences like this? I sure hope not.

But you know, even with all this that has happened, I know my end experience will be much better. So for that I am so truly thankful!

I pray you are all having a great week! We are freezing here in Colorado! High today is 35*F, bhrrrrr!!!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Multi Tasking Today & How Do I Start My Quilt

Hi all!

How are you today? Today I am going to be pretty busy! I have to be able to multi task. And look my best this evening :)

Let's see if I can do it. Going to spend the day with some of my favorite girls.. My baby girl, Momma, and Sissy #2. (My other favorite girls cannot come) Probably lunch and maybe we can fit in either some thrifting or antiquing!!

Have lots of Mommy duties I need to get finished, too. So a busy morning :)

Each roll has 24 strips 2 1/2"x42" I bought these at Big Lots, 100% cotton.

This is the fabric I bought. I like the red strips up front the best. Do you like the fabric choice? The colors are great for fall and I couldn't beat the price for my first quilt at $7.50 each. After I get some practice I will probably try some from Donna's Lavender Nest fabric store. She has so many pretty fabrics to choose from :)

Thank you all so much for your advise on my first quilt. I have some questions before I begin.

• What kind of thread should I choose? Is their a special weight, does it have to be cotton, and how do I choose color?
• I bought three small jelly rolls. I was going to start out big. Should I start out small?
• I was recommended the Jelly Roll Jam and the Jelly Roll Race. Do you prefer one over the other for a larger quilt?
• What else can you tell me? I know basically nothing, lol!

I better get in gear with this, but finding myself a little chicken to start.

 Yup, that is me , haha! Hope I figure it out?

Have a super blessed day!!

Little Susie Home Maker

Hello! Are you there?

Hello!

It's been awhile since I talked to you! How are you? I been pretty good. Summer has been busy and lots of crazy weather. The kids are back in school and it is time for me to start thinking about Fall projects.

What are you doing? Have you had a good summer? Went anywhere fun?

I am thinking about some fun new sewing and embroidery projects. I am so blessed to get an new combo sewing embroidery machine! Yay!! I am even thinking about starting my very own first time quilt!!

I been thrifting. That has brought me a few great finds. I will be back to share some of those with you all real soon.

Have a blessed day. Tell me what you are getting ready to do.

Blessings,
Little Susie Home Maker

Cream Cheese Danish Squares Recipe

Hello everyone! I have a really good recipe to share with you today.

It is one of those pretty easy to put together treats that most everyone will like to eat.

 Cream Cheese Danish Squares

2 cans refrigerated butter crescent rolls
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

---

1/4 cup butter (melted)

---
1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350* F

• Open one can of crescent rolls and spread out evenly into a rectangle pinching seams together with fingers on the bottom of an un-greased baking sheet. 
• Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat until creamy with a hand mixer. (Or you can use a spoon)
• Spread mixture over crescent rolls with a spatula. 
• Unroll and place remaining crescent rolls over mixture. (They don't have to be pinched together)
• Brush melted butter over the top of pastry.
• Mix cinnamon and brown sugar and sprinkle over top.
• Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until done.
• Let cool in pan, then cut into squares.

Yield: 24 squares 

These are a great snack with coffee or tea.

I know I should only eat these on occasions, and then follow my next meal up with a salad only!!

LOL! I wish baking wasn't so much fun to make and to eat!

But this is a good one, so I hope you try it out!

************

I have been pretty happy about our almost daily rain showers, but have also been a little displeased with the lack of outdoor time I can spend with my kids before school starts. My Son will be starting classes next week.

Seems too early to me, but that is how they do it here. At least we still have weekends to try and have a little fun, in between home work. I always wish summer break lasted longer with my children.

Hoping you are doing very good!

I am joining this fun All Summer Dessert Linky Party
with The Checkered Apple
Come visit and maybe join in as well!

 

The Checkered Apple Summer Dessert Link Party

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

Vintage Apron Sewing in Orange

If you are a vintage loving Little Susie Home Maker like me, I would bet that one of the things that you adore is a pretty apron!
 An apron can come in so many styles for different purposes. One of my favorites is a half apron. When I am sewing, an apron is one of my favorite projects. Because I can really get creative and make it with either new fabric styles, or with vintage materials, even linens.The decorating can be pretty minimal to elaborate! It really can be very practical or a work of art!

The apron I am going to show you today is a combination of both new and vintage fabrics.
It is from a vintage style half apron called Bow Tie. I made this cheerful orange with white polka dot half apron for one of my sister's. The waste band has that point in the center of it.
Now all you long waisted gals would look great with the point going in an upward direction, but my short waist feels happier folding it downwards. Either way, I think it is very attractive.

The fabric used for the pocket and the waistband and tie came out of my mom's fabric stash.My guess is from one of the 70's sewing projects she was working on back then. I really like the delicate little orange flower patterns and rows. Now the orange and white polka dots material is a newer fabric, from my stash. Trying to use up what I already have makes me feel good, too!

Ric rac and yellow biased tape was a simple and effective trim. This apron is meant to be pretty and functional both. I mean, I want my sister to use it! It has a good sized front that will cover you up and a large pocket for what ever you may need to stash in there! I love pockets.
This was another fun apron to make and I think I have an idea for my next apron sewing project. Hee hee, I can't wait!!

Do you like aprons? Do you collect them, or use them?
Do you have a family heirloom? Do you make them or buy them?

I hope that you are all doing super great. I know that being thankful in all things is such a good thing to remember every day. So what ever is going on in your life, just remember that God is on your side. Just give Him your problems and know that He is victorious.

Blessings,
Little Susie Home Maker

Matthew 11:28 - 30 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.