The Start of Something Fabulous!

Well we are finally moved into our new house...sans most of the furniture, so we are sitting on an air mattress that deflates constantly.  But we do have beds and a dining room table and chairs soooo i do have an area to sew. Even if its somewhat makeshift.

I have been think into the throes of remodeling, stripping wallpaper, patching holes, and painting and even though that is an on going process, I am feeling the need to sew for some fun.  Yup thats me, adding yet another thing to do onto my big list...LOL!

Before we moved, I wanted to make a 1890's bustle dress, just to see if I could do it.  Along the way it has changed into a 1770's or so polonaise.  I am almost finished sewing the bustle crinoline which can be modified based on the different shapes of the bustle. Since we lived in a place with no fabric stores and little access to sewing supplies I had to improvise and found that plastic zip ties are the best alternative to boning.  You can get lengths of 1 to 4 feet at 1/4 inch wide in packages of 10 for only about 6 bucks at the hardware store.  Fabulous and economical alternative.

I have also started on a ruffled petticoat to go over the crinoline because ti drives me absolutely insane when I see someone else's costume and you can see the bones of the crinoline showing through.  To me that is tacky and ugly.  You spent all that time making a beautiful re-creation dress and didn't make a petticoat to hide the bones.  Why? So  I am making one out of cotton sheeting, (remember lack of fabric stores), and its turning out fabulous.  It gives my bustle a soft feel to it. 

I have also finally  drafted and after multiple fittings and muslin mock ups have made the stays for the polonaise.  I just have to make it to the fabric store and pick out my lining fabric.  I was going to be using a cotton but have since changed my mind and am gonna be using a vintage cream colored duchess satin silk that I had leftover from an obi I took apart.

My goal is to have this completed by the summertime 2011 and I'm hoping that by blogging the progress you guys will keep me on track and working at it.  I will gather my supplies and start taking pictures of what I have already done and post them in the next few days. 

The Cake Project Part 3....

WOW!  So have I ever been lazy at writing in my blog! 

Well I did finially get the Louis Vuitton cake finished and it turned out fantastic!  It took a couple of hours to hand paint the pattern and form the accessories, but it turned out better than I expected!  I have another commission for the same cake for another lady for the end of the month.

Busy Busy Busy...the life of Super MOM

WOW!!!

So these past couple of weeks have been crazy hectic busy! I feel like I haven't been able to relax at all.

I'm very excited to announce that I will have some of my paintings in an art show at MacDonald Island for the Winter PLAY festival February 26th to 28th! YAH!!!! Now the hard part starts...I have to construct easels to display my work as there is no hanging system in place yet and there may not be by the time the show opens. Mmmmm, Maybe I'll get the hubby to make those. I'll have to post pictures of the show for all you wonderful followers.

I have been cooking up a storm too. I tried this new recipe from my ALL time FAVORITE recipe website of all time.... http://www.allrecipes.com/

This is my version of the recipe

Hunan Kung Pao

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into thin strips
4 tsp soy sauce
4 tsp rice wine vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and let the chicken marinate for 20 minutes.

vegitable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced

16 dried red chili peppers

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 green bell peppers, cut into chunks
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, cut into pieces
1/8 c soy sauce
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/8 c water or chicken broth
3 tsp white sugar
1 pkg chowmein noodles

In a large sauce pan on medium, heat oil and stirfry the chicken until no longer pink. Remove from the pan and drain off any liquid.

In the same pan heat some more oil and stirfry the vegitables till tender crisp. Add the chicken back in and then add the wet stuff cook until the sauce cooks down a little bit.

Meanwhile cook the noodles as per package directions. Serve the meat mixture over top of noodles and garnish with roasted peanuts, sliced scallions, and a dash of sesame oil (optional)

I hope you enjoy...because I sure did...I couldn't stop eating it as it tastes awesome cold later that night and for breakfast the next morning! LOL

If you want split the meat and vegitables in half and do one with the chili peppers and one without. That's what I did since the kids don't like spicy food.