Easy no knead bread recipe

As you know from my last post, I LOVE homemade bread. But, I have fibromyalgia in my hands and shoulders so kneading bread is the last thing I want to do. When I discovered this no knead recipe, I was off and running. This blog gives great step by step instructions....and if a 4 year old can do it, SO CAN I!

Give it a try and let me know how your bread turns out!

Happy Friday

Cable Road Lace Baby Bonnet Free French Images

Here is my latest bonnet pattern. It is based on an Edwardian edging that I found.

It is available at ETSY and you can use this coupon for 10% off: ILUVBUYER10

...and if you don't already follow the Graphics Fairy blog, check out today's post. There are some great 18th c French lady images.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday-Free vintage crochet pattern from 1911

Happy Friday!

Here is a lovely Irish crochet pattern for a dress embellishment. It is from a 1911 Weldon's magazine. I think I am going to make one to put on the shoulder of a black jacket that needs some jazzing up.

 Click here for the Free PDF pattern

Here are a few samples of more patterns from this 1911 magazine for sale on ETSY

Enjoy and have a safe weekend.

Happy Friday-2 free Victorian knitting patterns from 1892

Here are two knitting patterns from magazine clippings that date from 1892.


The first one is for a pretty knitted lace edging.

The second is for an early version of a round potholder.

Hope you have a happy and safe weekend. The colors are beautiful here in Virginia. I will be taking lots of photos this weekend!

Happy Friday Freebie-Free 1944 pattern

Happy Friday! Here is a simple pattern for covering lamp shades for a new look. This pattern is from Ruth Wyeth Spears. Enjoy and have a safe weekend.

Happy Friday-Free vintage hat crochet pattern

Here is a freebie for today:  A fun pill box from 1952. Enjoy.

Free pattern on Berroco site- Sawtelle Jacket

Check out this basic jacket pattern that you can jazz up or play down. The pattern is free on the Berroco Yarn website. I have some large vintage buttons that I think need to be on a sweater like this! It is only 59 here in Virginia today so I am thinking WOOL!

Have a safe weekend!

Happy Friday: Yarn and Thread selection for Vintage patterns and a Freebie

The hardest thing for me when working with vintage or antique patterns is figuring out which yarn or thread to use. I know that it is all part of the creative process but it would be nice to have some background on mentioned materials.

I found this interesting article that gives some explanations of typical materials that we see mentioned in older patterns. Here is an example:

• Andalusian: In between fingering and sport weight (try a four-ply Shetland wool, also
  called “jumper weight” by Jamieson and Smith, a modern firm that produces
  wool for retail sale.)

This article also explains archaic terms and needle sizes. 

So check out this site...there are lots of interesting things here for reenactment fans as well.

Have a safe weekend...Irene is coming.


Freebie: Make a silk lamp shade-Ruth Wyeth Spears pattern from 1937

Happy Friday-Lace Lamp Idea

Wow....how did we get to another Friday so fast? Well, on Thursdays I get the TIPNUT digest and here is a great idea for using old doilies that you just don't know what to do with....make a lamp!


Here is a link to the instructions


If you haven't seen it before, check out TIPNUT. I have gotten TONS of great ideas and info from this site.

Have a safe weekend.

Happy Friday...freebie instructions

We made it to another Friday but it is going to be a hot one...triple digits. In the mean time, here is something you can make while you are in the air conditioning: pomander balls.

From Wiki:
Pomanders came from the Arab world to Europe and were first mentioned in literature in the mid-thirteenth century.  They were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century.

A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e. apple of amber, is a ball made of perfumes, such as ambergris (whence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a neck-chain or belt, or attached to the girdle, and were usually perforated and made of gold or silver. Sometimes they contained several partitions, in each of which was placed a different perfume.

The term “pomander” can be for the actual scented material itself or for the container that contains the scented material.The container could have been made of gold or silver. Pomander can be a bag containing fragrant herbs. Pomanders were an early form of aromatherapy.

Click on the pictures to download your copy of the instructions from 1959

Have a happy and safe weekend.

Happy Friday...freebie pattern

Stay cool and try out this antique knitted lace pattern. In 1885 it was called a "rare old lace".

Click here or on image to download a PDF of this pattern.

Happy Knitting

Happy Friday...new vintage pattern

Happy Friday....and it is a hot one with more triple digit weather. I am so thankful for air conditioning!
I found this really cute crochet pattern for covering clothes hangers and have it now in my ETSY shop. Yeah, I know there are tons out there but this one is a bit different. There are little bumps on each end of the hanger to keep your garment from slipping off.

I need to make a few of these for some chronicly slipping dresses in my closet!

If you are inspired by this patttern, here are some more free ideas:

A lovely shell crochet hanger pattern from DOTTIEANGEL

and Flower trimmed crocheted hangers from FIONA on MARMALADEROSE

And Finally, I love these clothes pin bag patterns on TIPNUT.

Have a happy and safe weekend.

Freebie Friday-Ear of Corn Potholder from 1891

I love vintage potholder patterns but this one is ANTIQUE. I have seen the ear of corn potholder in booklets from the 1940s and 50s but this one is in a magazine from 1891! Click the link or photo to download your free pattern.

Enjoy!

Ear of Corn Potholder pattern

Happy Friday-Historic Cooking

While you are heating a snack or dinner in the microwave, have a look at some fun cookbooks on GOOGLE BOOKS. This is a peek into Victorian kitchens....boy I do love my modern appliances!

The Illustrated London Cookery Book-1852

The English cookery book, receipts collected by a committee of ladies-1859

Happy Friday...yummy vintage recipes from 1950

I found some yummy sounding recipes in a Workbasket magazine from 1950. Get ready for some GOOD EATIN'.

• Baked Eggs
• Pork Chop Casserole
• Salad Dressing Cake
• Baked Apples with Crumble Topping
• Stuffed Potatoes with Vienna Sausages

Try them out this weekend. I will be cooking the pork chop casserole for supper Saturday and taking the Salad Dressing Cake to a graduation party on Sunday.

Download here.

Vintage Recipes from 1953-Happy Friday Freebie

Before there were microwaves and web access to Papa John's, there was your broiler. Here are some great vintage recipes from 1953 that prepare the entire meal in the broiler pan of your oven. I can't wait to try some of these. Should I put on my pearls and fancy apron???

Bon appetit and Happy Friday.

Happy Friday...what is a rain garden?

In light of the gully washer rain storms we have had lately, I was very interested in this article that came to my INBOX today in a newsletter from Mother Earth News....yeah, I am an OLD hippie.

The article is about Rain Gardens:

• What are they
• Why they are needed
• How to make one

This Wisconsin rain garden ends at a stormwater culvert. Photo by Jim Lorman  

Here is a further article from Natural Home and Garden:
　To get you started...from the article:

Booming urban growth, and the concrete that comes with it, has pushed storm drainage to its limits. Most cities channel rain overflow to holding ponds via drains and culverts, which then empty into fresh-water supplies. These manmade systems are designed to move water quickly, but several factors make all this drainage a problem. First...
Read more:

Though this has nothing to do with needlecrafts, I think we would all like to see any improvement to our surroundings and environment and this sounds doable on a personal level.

Enjoy and have a Happy Friday.
http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/Health/2007-03-01/singing-in-the-runoff.aspx#ixzz1ODZPdrQG

Fashion Plate from 1837

Just for fun, I thought I would post this image from 1837. I have been working on some of these for a new set of screensavers and note cards. What beautiful dresses and hats!

Happy Friday.