Pattern Rescue

I got my patterns from Pattern Rescue!


This circa one is circa 1975 & looks like a newar copy of this spring top from The Gap! Change the sleeves a little & add some buttons down the from seam & some pin tucks, Ta Da!



This one is one is also circa 1975, but it looks a lot like this current top from the Gap spring line. The gap top is knit but I think that with just a little tweeking it could be pretty darn close.




This Vogue I have no idea what year it is from, but I just thought that it was cute! It didn't come with the envelope, but did have the page from the pattern book. I have no plans at the moment for this one but I think that it would be super cute for fall? I can't get my head around what to make it up in for spring or summer for some reason.

Anyway I thought that I would share the fab finds I received from Pattern Rescue & urge more vintage pattern lovers to check them out. I think that they are doing a great job & hope that with our support that they can continue on!

A new addition!

Of the four legged kind! One of the mares that we take care of had her baby last Sat. between 1:30 am & 10:00 am. She is so cute & sweet!



There was some complications with Mama. She was able to pass all of the after birth. The vet has had to come out everyday to work on her to keep the infection down & help her pass it. We think that she finally has & today should be the last vet visit for a while. Let me tell you that this has been quite the learning experience for us! I have never been that up close & personal with the business end of a horse before! But I now know how to take a horses temperature! Eeeek!

I need to take some more picture as she is almost a week old already! The first day it was so fun to watch her try to figure out how to lay down & then how to get back up on those long legs. Now she has started running around in the small paddock area. She can even jump & buck some! Also she might be a baby but don't let that fool you. She is strong!!!!When the vet is treating Mama you have to take baby with her or she will go nuts. Well baby has of course never had a halter on her & isn't too thrilled with the feeling, but we havemanaged fairly well. Other than bashing me in the right elbrow with her hard little head we haven't had any major accidents. Oh other than the water trough incedent. On Tues. morning John was out cleaning the paddocks & baby was running around. She jump right into the tough & all that was sticking out was her little head! These troughs are big & probably weigh 200 lb or better not including the 105 lb baby in it! He was able to dump the tough over & baby washed out like a goldfish! Other than being wet & a little scared she is fine. Needless to say the have a much smaller water bucket now! It coudl have been really bad if JOhn hadn't been there to get her out.

So if you would like to see some more baby pictures you can see them here.

More New Patterns

Yup more new patterns.

This seems to be the only thing that I have time to post about as of late. So without further delay......

Hot patterns:


Deco Vibe Delano Twinset
We love a slick Twinset-so comfy, so versatile, so stylish! Try this groovy 2-piece, designed for sweater knits, or 2-way stretch knits with rib trim.
Slim-fit Twinset features a neat, sleeveless tank with racer back, and neckline, armhole and hem rib finish. Cardigan has a neatly curved front, a center back pleat and slim 3/4 length sleeves with turn-back cuffs. Deep rib trim finishes the cuffs, neckline & hem. Fasten this chic Cardigan with a button if you wish, but we prefer it worn with this super-stylin’ hand-beaded brooch (which is outrageously easy to make!).
Wear this flattering 2-piece over our Plain & Simple 24/7 A-Line & Pencil Skirts or Everyday Pants for a fabulous office-casual look, or use it to dress up your Weekender Jean Jeanius Trouser Jeans or Bootcut Chinos, Capris & Shorts for a great casual outfit.

Plain & Simple Boy-Short Body
Yes, the 80’s are back, back back! Celebrate the Design Decade with our version of the iconic Body, brought right up to date and designed for 2-way stretch knits, with optional rib trim.
Fitted body has a wide back neckline and either a scoop-neck or cross-over V-neck front. Short or long 2-piece raglan sleeves give a superior fit and the boy-short leg-line gives a smooth line and a pert & perky derriere! Neckline & cuffs are trimmed with rib or self fabric; Body simply pulls on over the head and closes with snaps.
Wear this fabulously sleek piece for a trim, uncluttered look. Avoid the dreaded ‘muffin top’ with a sleek, smooth line when you wear your favorite jeans, pants or skirts. Or use this versatile style as an indispensable layering piece under a cardigan, vest, shirt, dress or jacket.



Plain & Simple 24/7 A-Line & Pencil Skirts
Loving these groovy, stylish skirts, designed for any and all skirt fabrics, from denim to broderie anglais, from suede to cotton, from tweed to crepe.
Fitted Skirts finish *just* below the knee and have front & back darts, a center back invisible zipper, optional lining and a contoured waistband that sits right at the natural waist. A-Line skirt has a gentle, controlled flare and a bias-faced hem; Pencil skirt is ever-so-slightly tapered with a deep hem and a concealed back slit.
Try these hard-working pieces with a matching jacket as part of a chic suit and as indispensable co-ordinates for your everyday wardrobe. These great skirt styles will showcase a gorgeous fabric, or act as an inspirational blank canvas for all your favorite trim and embellishment ideas and techniques.


Plain & Simple Iconic Shirtdress
How hot is this fantastic dress style? Smokin’ hot! We love this modern-classic Shirtdress, designed for luxe knits like silk, cashmere or merino wool jersey, or even rayon or viscose knits.
Slim-fit Shirtdress has a gentle A-line flare, long sleeves with plackets & cuffs, and a classic shirt collar with stand. Shirtdress has a shoulder yoke, center back seam and front placket closure, and an optional tie belt.
The ultimate in understated luxury, this classic Halston-inspired Shirtdress makes for an elegant daywear staple in any solid hue. The self-tie can be worn belted at the waist or fastened cravat-style at the neck. Try this fashionista favorite as your perfect LBD, or dress it down for daytime over a polo neck with boots and a messenger bag.

Pattern Rescue

Sharon posted the other day about this pattern website that I hadn’t heard of before, Pattern Rescue.

What a fabulous idea!!!! Pattern Rescue is dedicated to restoring and preserving vintage sewing patterns. You can order patterns from them for free with a donation for the shipping (very reasonable I think). I requested three from them & gave them a shipping donation the other day. I quickly received a friendly e-mail telling that all my patterns were available, would be shipped this weekend & thanking me for my donation.

I LOVE vintage patterns & often rescue them from thrift stores. I have ended up with a grab bags of patterns when I was really only interested in a couple of them. How can you pass up a bag of patterns for only a couple bucks???? When I get the chance I plan to send Pattern Rescue some of my rescues that I will probably never find a use for. Share the love you know. Also now I won’t feel so bad about picking up those little gems that I just couldn’t to pass up for .49 but then realize I will never use. I can just donate them to be recycled to someone who will. Great!!!

New patterns for 2008

Well so far the new year is starting off with some eh pattern offerings. Nothing earth shaking, gotta have it from what I have seen so far.

Hot Patterns has two new ones that are probably 2 of the best that I have seen so far.

First up is the Wong-Singh-Jones Kimono Wrap Dress:

An exotic twist on the classic wrap dress, this deliciously flattering style is designed for drapey, fluid knits like silk(y) jersey, rayon or lightweight cotton knits.
Fitted wrap Dress has a shoulder-princess seamed bodice with V-neck front wrap and an optional button fastening, neatly hidden by the waist ties. Dress has 3/4 length sleeves and a below-knee length quarter-circle wrap skirt, and features contrast neckband and wide, extra-long waist ties. This great Dress is sure to become a staple of your HotPatterns wardrobe-it’s your go-to style for dressy daywear, or a low-key evening outfit. Try it with knee-high boots, a slouchy bag and a pashmina for a daytime diva look, or add your favorite heels and an exotic clutch for an easy after-5 ensemble.

This I really like, but I am not ready to spend $15.95 to buy the pattern yet. I would like to see it made up first.

The other Hot Patterns offering is the Classix Nouveau Fit To Be Tied Shirt:



You’re going to adore this stunningly stylish Shirt, designed for classic shirting fabrics like crisp linen, cotton poplin, lawn or silk twill, but just as glorious in crisp taffeta, single-ply Thai silk, silk dupioni or chambray denim.
Fitted Shirt has a shaped hem, slightly cut-in armholes, shoulder yoke, front button band and shirt collar with stand. Shirt back is pleated onto the yoke, and features shoulder princess seams. Shirt front is gathered onto the button band and has an optional tie. Long sleeves have an inverted pleat at the sleeve head, finishing with French cuffs-perfect for cufflinks!
How many ways to wear this fabulous shirt ? Team it with a sober Jacket and Pants or Skirt for a beautiful office look; wear it with your favorite evening Pants; or try it to dress up some artfully distressed vintage jeans

Another nice looking pattern but this looks very much like a blouse that was in a Burda WOF issue last fall. So I don't think that I will be buying this one either.

Now on to the Big 4. First up McCalls:


These are not really my favorite pants, but they reflect the rising waitline that seems to be the trend for Spring. I personally have a short waist & rise so they do nothing for me, but someone taller might like them.
McCall’s 5592 - MISSES’ PANTS IN TWO LENGTHS: Slightly flared pants in two lengths has contour waistband with carriers, button and buttonhole closure or hook and eye closure, fly closure, side front pockets and back patch pockets, yoke back and stitched hems; pants A, B have right inside patch pocket.


McCall’s 5588 - MISSES’ TOPS AND TUNIC: Pullover, loose fitting top or tunic has contrast yoke, gathered front and back with sleeve variations; tops A, C, D have stitched hems; tunic B has contrast hem band.


I like the neckline on view C. I think that it would be a really cute work top made from knit & by adding some ¾ sleeves with a gathered cuff. I am not sure how “Crafty” this pattern is but I would pick it put at a $.99 sale.

McCall’s 5586 - MISSES’ TOPS: Loose fitting tops have self-faced yoke, gathered front and purchased bias tape finished armhole; tops A, B have gathered back; purchased metallic, plastic or acrylic jewel stones, flat sequins or beads to creatively embellish yokes


This jacket reminds me a little of this Gap jacket that I saw in the store the other day.

Now I could buy the Gap jacket at 1/2 off as I work in the Corp office but I have the perfect striped fabric to make it.....So I might have to make it instead of taking the easy way.
McCall’s 5593 - MISSES’ LINED JACKETS: Jackets A, B, C have raglan sleeve, gathered front and back into self-faced yoke, topstitching detail, optional covered buttons, collar and sleeve variations; jacket A has two-piece gathered sleeves; jacket B has two-piece gathered sleeves with self-cuffs and concealed pockets; jacket C has wide sleeves.


McCall’s 5594 - MISSES’ LINED JACKETS: Jackets A, B, C have front and back darts, gathered lower section, collar and sleeve variations; jacket A has gathered sleeve with sleeveband; jacket B has three-quarter length sleeve with gathered ruffle; jacket C has long sleeves.

First off I am not a fan of leggings for me. I got to experience them in all their glory the first time around, along with peg rolled jeans & layers of slouch sock. Second off um this is a little low cut don’t cha think, Miss Duff????

McCall’s 5575 - MISSES’ TUNIC AND DRESS: Fitted across bust, raised waistline bodice with band at neck edge and sleeves, pleated skirt front; tunic A has hem band; dress B is above mid-knee length.

On to Vogue. First let me say that there are many Vogue patterns that I will look at & say "Oh I like that" but me life style doesn't require gowns or dress suites, so I don't often include them in my picks.


I really like the details of these pants, like the bound back pockets. I can totally seeing making these for work. Maybe in linen for summer?
Vogue #8479: MISSES’/MISSES’ PETITE PANTS: Unlined, semi-fitted, slightly flared pants have fly zipper, front darts, yoke back, bound pockets and waistline, carriers and cuffed hem.



Another wrap/crossover top but a little differnt with the gathers. Nothing earth shattering but it seems you can't have too many wrap top patterns.
Vogue #8477: MISSES’ TOP: Semi-fitted, pullover tops have mock wrap fronts and banded neckline. A, B: short, banded sleeves. B: contrast neck and sleeve bands. C: three-quarter length sleeves.

Up & running!

Oh geez! Well here are the last couple weeks in a nut shell. First off our internet has been down for a while & there was all of this…..

We went to the SASS Convention in Las Vegas, it was fabulous, John got terribly sick Fri-Sat. I had to go to the Ball all by my lonesome. Poor man he was horribly sick, but it seemed to be going around. Then on the way home on Mon. I started getting a head cold. Which is still kind of hanging around weeks later. I have some fabulous pictures here on flickr.

I have to tell you the story about this dress.

Isn’t it gorgeous????? My wonderful friend Gina, gave me this dress!!! Did you hear that people G-A-V-E it to me???? I cried! I was in shock!!!! It is so beautiful & I am soooooo made that I did not get a picture if her & I that day!!!! I hope that someone out there got one! Also the back is fabulous! I will have to try to find a picture of that too.
Here's Gina & I at the Ball.


Then the next weekend we went to the Rio Grande Renegade Christmas Party. John was finally able to wear the vest that I had made him to match my reception dress.


Let see we went to Sue & Fred’s for Christmas day. What a great time we had & oh the food!!!!!
Here is Fred & Sue at the Renegade's party.


I have been working extra hours, oh & John got laid off the day after we got back from Vegas! Another great Merry Christmas employment problem for the Muras. Sigh…. What can you do? He got a couple of things in the works so we are just plugging along.

To leave things on a positive note here are some Thrifty finds. Thrift Town was having a sale on everything the other day & I got some groovy 1975 Stretch & Sew patterns.

I was really excited about this one:

Because I really like the looks of this Garnet Hill skirt.
I think that I should be able to modify it pretty easily to be a non-wrap for a very similar look.

Stay tuned for some Christmas gift picture to come soon.

Some soldering Iron help? Please!!!!

Ok so I have been trying in vain to find out what kind of soldering iron is good for making the soldered glass pendants. There are several sites out there on how to make them but hardly any of them tells you what kind of soldering iron is a good one for this kind of work!!! I have read that you want one that keeps a constant temp but I am used to using a torch for soldering jewelry not a soldering iron.

SO I am totally clueless as to what I am looking for!!!! UGH!!!! I did read on one lady's site that she recommends the Temptrol by Inland, but I was hoping to see what kinds others like. I have seen LOTS of bad reviews but very few good. If there is anyone that can point me in the right direction I would be sooooo grateful!

How cool is this??!!!!!!

I was quickly going through my feed this morning (I am going to work early this am & really need to get a move on but.....) & on Funky Find I say this!!!!

Chara Michele is as sweet & kind as she is talented. And that's saying a lot! I found Chara's blog through another blogger's post about the fall swap she recently hosted. I have been a loyal reader of her blog since (and I had a ball participating in her swap!). Chara's Etsy shop has a problem all designers dream of...she continually updates her stock, but her items sell quickly before anyone can report on them! Her beautiful scarves sell like hot cakes, and it's no wonder. She also creates fun tags that can be used in a variety of ways. Check back often for updates you surely do not want to miss!

That's my friend Chara!!!! Yeah!!! To be totally un-hip, You go Girl!!!!!! Just had to give you some blog love!