And We're Live!

The new blog is up at: The Path Less Raveled  Hopefully soon I will get a redirect up but I am having trouble with the code. This stuff is for the birds!

Elephant Dress With Heart Cut-out

My kids are back in the farm program and that means I've got time to make up for. This dress was originally intended for Etsy but I wasn't satisfied with the fabric I used. It is still fine and no one will notice but it still bothers me. (The fabric is on the thin side)

Note the rick rack at the waist! I just can't quit.

Finished with a twirly, swirly circle skirt! I also used a different bodice this time and it is a little too wide for my liking. Live and learn!

Peacock Embroidered Journal

Despite the fact that I have been pretty radio silent lately, I have managed to churn out some projects. This journal will be making its appearance in our up-and-coming Etsy shop! This design started out in my sketchbook and I decided it would transfer well to felt. 

There are little bugle beads sewn on the feathers. It is made with wool blend felt. 

The edges are finished with a blanket stitch, adding a bead to every stitch. I really like the look of this edging even though it takes a bit longer.

P.S. Keep your eyes on Friday as we will be making the move to our new blog! We will continue to keep this blog active for the time being, but will not be adding new posts. It should redirect to the new site, where we have transferred all our existing posts. If that sounds confusing, imagine me trying to figure out how to do it all! I haven't had a computer class since high school, where we learned DOS commands and how to save onto a floppy disc and played with our pet dinosaurs. 

Itty Bitty Baby Dress - The Stars at Night Edition

 

I posted last week about the first version of this dress that I made for my cousin (see here). This is the other Texas themed one that completes the set!

The stars at night are big and bright

Deep in the heart of Texas!

Closet Flashback: Kitchen Attire

I admit it...I hoard aprons. I sew them up then forget about them in the back of my kitchen closet. It's sad because they are so fun to wear! I decided to dig one of my favorites out and put it to good use for Halloween cookie making. It's a pattern by Amy Butler from one of her books (I think it's in "In Stitches") and sews up beautifully every time.

 

Here's an action shot :) 

 

 

I like how you can tie this half apron high on your waist or low on your hips depending on how you like to roll...(bad baking pun intended)

 



 

The waist is accented with little pleats.

 

I don't think the mini pocket really serves a purpose but it's cute anyway!

Foodie Friday: Get Your Turkey On!

 Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I have a binder that is specifically for this day and houses, recipes, tips, seating charts, furniture layouts and even my annual turkey day pre-meal running mileage log. I start fantasizing about my menu 6 months in advance and literally (every year) start dreaming at night about cooking my turkey a month or so before the big day. 

 

Anyway, in honor of my favorite day, here is the turkey recipe that I've used for the last 3 years! It has been adapted from Bon Appetit magazine (Nov. 2009 edition).

 

Sage Butter Roasted Turkey

 

16-18 lb turkey - rinsed and patted dry with all the goodies removed from the inside (I've used smaller and larger birds and adjust the ingredients as necessary)

 

3 TBS course kosher salt

 

1 TBS dried sage (I used dried from my dad's garden)

 

1/2 stick butter (don't skimp on the butter...after all, this day only comes once a year)

 

1/4 C fresh, chopped sage (I pick it from my dad's garden the day of)

 

3/4 C fresh apple cider or apple juice

 

*****Do this the night before*****
Mix salt and dry sage together and sprinkle evenly all of the turkey (make sure the bird is already in the roasting pan). Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

*****The day of*****
Preheat the oven to 375 and while it's getting to the proper temperature, take your beautiful birdie out of the fridge and tuck those delicate little wing tips under and tie the legs loosely together. Then either mix the chopped fresh sage with the cold butter and rub UNDER the skin or melt the butter and mix with fresh sage then brush all over the turkey. (I've tried both ways. I happen to like the cold butter under the skin method best but both work.)

Once you've slathered a year's worth of butter calories onto your fowl (seriously, remember this is a special occasion...it's all about moderation ya'll) nip it into the oven, basting after an hour.

Now, turn the heat down to 350 and roast for another 45 minutes. At this point pour 3/4 c. apple cider and turn the pan around in the oven. Continue to roast until the meat registers 165 turning and basting periodically for even cooking. It pays to have a thermapen for this part!

Once it reaches the appropriate temperature, loosely tent (there is some debate about the effectiveness of this method...I'm not here to quarrel about it) and allow to rest 30-45 minutes. Now carve and devour with your favorite gravy and fixin's!

(Here is an action shot of me prepping the bird. It's a nice pre-coffee, pre-run and pre-fancied up picture. All I can say is that game day means bird before beauty!)
 

 

 Perfectly crisped skin, MOIST meat...as Hank Hill would say while pretending not to cry, "It's so daggum beautiful".
 



 

This is a sneak peak at my Tday binder...I read it like a book throughout the year. I don't know if that's normal.

 

 

...And now having written the longest Foodie Friday post ever, let me leave you with a funny story.

 

I used to work with some Austrians when I lived in Jersey. At Thanksgiving the American team sent around an email that said "Happy Thanksgiving...Gobble Gobble!" One of the Native Austrians popped out of his office and asked..."Vat ess gooble gooble?" Someone replied, "that's the sound a turkey makes." The Austrian shook his head and said, "that's not the sound a turkey makes in Austria!!"

Yellow Rose Baby Dress

This is the first time I've made the Itty Bitty Baby dress by Made by Rae (see pattern here). My cousin is having a baby girl in a couple of months and since the little miss will be born a Texan I thought it would be fun to go with a handmade Texas themed gift. This is the "Yellow Rose of Texas" dress and I'll be finishing the "Stars at Night" dress soon to go along with it.

 

 

I don't know if I can go an entire project without adding piping!

 



Instead of using bias tape to finish the edge, I did a really narrow hem.

 



I used princes seams and hand stitched the bodice lining down.

This is the finished dress...The pattern doesn't take very long to sew up and is ridiculously cute when it's done. I just hope it fits!