My Favorite Recipe Source

I love to cook. I love to bake even more. Whenever I get the urge to stir up something delicious, I have a formidable pile of recipe-books, some new, some old, some homemade, to choose from. But - sometimes I want to find something new, so I can expand my culinary horizons and surprise the family with a sweet treat.
Several years ago, while searching for new recipes, I stumbled upon Joy of Baking. What a find! It has proven to be an invaluable source for recipes that are reliable, have excellent directions - and best of all scrumptious magazine-worthy pictures of the final product. (I love that. It's so hard to choose something new to make when you can't see what it looks like!) Anyway - I hope you enjoy the fresh recipes and inspirations as much as I do!

Bleak House

I recently watched the 2005 version of Bleak House (thanks, Rebecca!) and loved it. I'm currently reading the book, too. So - I was excited to find a 'Bleak House Week' event at Wickfield.
I just took the personality quiz. Take it and see who you get! I am Esther Summerson.....




You are mature and sensible with a high moral standard, but you tend to lack confidence in your own abilities and worth.

Which Bleak House character are you?

Corded Petticoat

Finished a corded petticoat today! I originally was making it to list on my Etsy shop, but when it was finally done - I just couldn't! I need a new one so badly for reenactment events. So - I'll keep this one, and use the pictures on Etsy for a custom listing.

Corded pettis were a sort of pre-hoop skirt support. 1840-50s mostly. (even so, I do wear mine for 1860s events) I wear one or two plain, full gathered petticoats over the corded. It gives quite a nice bell shape to skirts. Much less bothersome than my cage hoop!

For the material, I use white cotton muslin. Cording is Sugar 'n' Cream cotton cording. The cords are sewn into tiny channels between the fabric and the facing with a zipper foot. Quite tiresome and time consuming, but the results are worth it!

The Little Red Riding Hood.....that isn't red....

I love adding cute accessories to my reenactment wardrobe. This fall I finally finished the "Little Red Riding Hood" Pattern from Peterson's 1862. I didn't do it exactly as the directions specified, for I didn't feel up to doing all those little scalloped edges. Instead, I did a bias binding in matching fabric. The outer fabric is a lightweight tan wool, and the lining/bows/binding are done in a lovely blue/green silk. This is a super simple and easy project!

Return to Cranford

I'm looking forward to seeing the new 'Return to Cranford'. It's available to watch online until Feb. 16!

My New Shawl!

My very dear friend Sarah made me the most wonderful knitted wool shawl recently. She is so talented! And it is one of my all-time favorite colors - a lovely dusty rose red. It's so perfect and I can't wait to wear it to a reenactment! You can read more about on a thread at  The Sewing Academy.
And she is taking orders, if any of you reenactoresses are interested....

Etsy Sewing Projects & Photoshop

Following are some pictures of costumes that I -ahem- have had way too much fun with.  They are all made for my Etsy shop and modeled by my darling littlest sister. I photoshopped each into an appropriate backgound. And if I do say so myself, I think they turned out rather well. I had fun, anyway! I think the Red Riding Hood ones are my favs. Enjoy!

My first post...

Well.....I finally got a blog. Not sure how much I'll be able to post - hopefully every now and then at any rate. Expect alot of pictures of sewing projects and reenactment events - probably with a few book  reviews, recipes, shopping finds, random thoughs, and things like that thrown in. More later.