Sew practical... sew relaxing!

A new look... a new blog image?
.

.

I have been absent from food blogging for some time .... since January. Although I have definitely eaten everyday since then I have found some new ways to channel my creative energy and gain relaxation as well. Life has been full of changes and transitions.... I think everyone everywhere is going through some hard times. For me transitions include my children deciding to grow up no longer allowing me the privilege of being a full-time, professional home body. I entered the "away from home" workforce and sold my commercial oven equipment. Next my sister got married and is now living in my bakehouse, fixing it up for temporary use her family... although we still call it the bakehouse, perhaps the "back" house is more appropriate since it rests at the back of my home. When she is done with it I may fix it up into an office space or a get away cabin. Then sadly my sister in law who is 48 was diagnosed with a fast growing cancer and two weeks later my father in law was diagnosed with a fast growing cancer. Melissa has been experiencing some medical issues that remain undefined ... next appointment August 25 with a specialist who may help uncover the mystery.

.

.

Relaxation , therapy, creative expression .... whatever I desire to call it I needed a change and even great vegan cooking felt like work with all the change (Obama is not the only in support of this ... I sometimes feel dragged into it at time kicking and screaming and at times pursuing it). I think I may be changing the name of my blog to encompass the new me, to add the new things that interest me, I'm open for suggestions! (Back home Beauty, All Things Family, ....?)

.

.

Since I starting working full-time away from home as Matthew entered college and Melissa entered high school I went through a transition of roles. I was no longer a home school mom and was preparing to enter a whole new stage in life. I haven't been inspired to spend more time on the computer than I needed to and I was challenged to make good food with the new time limitations I has in life, so food exploration and writing together no longer held an appeal for me. I am now a family and consumer science teacher. I teach nutrition and food preparation, family and personal development, textiles and sewing, careers and health / life skills. This opportunity has allowed me to explore textiles and sewing at a whole new level.

.

.

Sewing started with a class I took while getting my teaching license and from there I made a brown jumper along with a matching purse. Unfortunately Lucy was left inside unsupervised one day and ate the strap off the purse. I ended up giving the jumper to a brown loving friend. Next came sewing for the basic projects I teach. Then when stresses started effecting the people I loved I expanded the basics into making a pair of pajama bottoms and a matching smiley face overnight bag for Melissa, and an army skirt with matching bag to express the "war" against stress. Then I found a great buy on some olive color fabric and decided I wanted a dress that I could wear to work, Autumn colors work well for me. Then a shirt that was a little sexy just like the one I am wearing above but with short sleeves and made of ribbed t-shirt tan. Next Matthew requested some renaissance style clothing.... this dude is really into some serious time period play, I tell you more later. After that I found my dress to be to plain so I altered a turtleneck to make a crafty fun outfit that I could wear to work .... no longer boring! Above you see a shirt that I completed yesterday. I purchased the jewelery compliments at a farmer's market from a high school girl who does an awesome job. You can buy this awesome-ness on etsy at http://www.jewelerybyjillonline.etsy.com/ .

.

.

I will post pictures of my sewing excursions soon.

.

.

I devoted a spare room in my home into a sewing / craft room and now spend a great deal of time there. I still have a smaller garden that is beginning to take on aspects of the new roles I play in life.... it is no longer practical and nothing more but it is gaining new colors as I add flowers and gardening decorations. It is still only half dressed so I will save it's modesty. I still cook, but meals are pared down to size since my children are often not eating at home.