Score One for the Cook to Be!

Found my car turning into the parking lot of 1/2 Price Books this week under its own volition - - and man did I score BIG TIME! 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume Two - first published in 1970 by Julia Child and Simone Beck - for $16!!  It's in mint condition.  I'm having visions of mastering the art of braising foods - tasty beef, suculent pork and moist, flavorful chicken.  I've only flipped through a few pages, most notably the meat and the bread section.  Julia is endearingly sweet in her comments of encouragement to keep pressing on if things don't turn out well the first time.....she's exactly the teacher I need since my cooking is abysmal at best-

Also found Ina Garten's book on French Cooking for $7.98!!  Is it just me or are heavenly forces trying to tell me that learning to cook French food will actually manage to teach me to cook well after all these years of avoiding it or doing it poorly.  We'll have to see!  Looking forward to trying recipes from both books.  I LOVE a great book find at a bargain price - THRILL!

Project #1 and I'm on my way!

Had the day off this Monday and after getting caught up on chores - you guessed it - I got out a skirt pattern I knew would work (or was pretty sure it would).  Up to now I have been sewing a size 10 pattern and would be puzzled at why my garments fit so poorly.

After taking a private sewing lesson this summer, I learned how to check the pattern pieces for finished garment sizes.  That information which is printed on most pattern pieces along with the amount of design ease added in helped me know (before cutting out) what size would work best for me and if I needed to alter the pattern first.  Shaunna showed me how to alter patterns to make them more "petitable. This lesson preceeded by a great class I took LAST spring on altering commerical patterns from Austin School of Fashion Design helped me feel a little braver about tackeling alterations.

So...half a month into the new year and I have my first project cut out! I'm using this pattern on a wool fabric I was given by a friend years ago.  I'm so excited to see if I really can turn out at least one sewing project each month.  Of course I have a bag 3/4 done from back before Holiday madness set in - and an apron I need to cut out and sew up for my best friend - it is her VERY tardy Christmas present.  This is where the real challenge is - not can I find inspiriation, or get projects started but can I get them DONE?!  We'll see - for now I'm off and running....

Promise to Myself for 2011

Good morning Kris - this is your heart speaking to you, I've kept quiet for as long as I could, though I thought perhaps my fidgeting would get your attention. I would like to announce to you that 2011 IS my year! The "Year of Your Heart" and I will not be denied.

Your heart has been engaged in meaningful and necessary activities for several decades, and I applaud you for that. I am so proud of the person you are and are continuing to become, I am pleased that you are taking me with you into the next season of your life and not leaving me behind. It makes me so happy seeing you pursue more recently a few things just for you, outside of being a mother and the other roles you play. I want you to know that I soar when you dance and I thrill when you try new things.  Let's keep moving forward together.

2011 is the year that we continue to pursue writing as a calling - sharing the Life we have discovered, it's the year we continue to grow in the skills we want to master, knitting, crocheting, cooking (dear girl you need some serious help here! So engage your friends!) and lastly - SEWING! 

I need you to know that I burn to see myself in you wearing darling dresses and skirts that we worked on together.  So with eleven and a half months in this year - let's get cooking!  Er I mean sewing!

How about a new dress just for salsa dancing? And what about some skirts that would twirl as we Texas 2-Step - maybe a few that look good with a new pair of cowgirl boots? A few sundresses to wear as we walk barefoot around town and shopping for plants to go in the garden and spice up the lawn? My creative juices are flowing and I am bursting with energy and enthusiasm to get started - all I need is for you to make the time and give me the use of your hands and skill sets! 

Goal: 1 completed sewing project each month.  I know I know - perhaps unrealistic with so little spare time but let's make a go of it - you heart is in the desire to make it happen. Meet you in the sewing room!

Love - your heart