Friday, February 25, 2011

Simple Nursing Cover


One of my last projects before Little Man arrived was a nursing cover. My only problem was deciding which fabric to use -- with so much in my stash I couldn't justify purchasing new fabric, but I didn't really have anything that seemed *right*.

And that's where my kind bloggy friend, Serena, saved the day! Her sweet little package (which included the darling booties I blogged about) arrived wrapped up in a half yard of a lovely black-and-white floral print. Hmm, maybe that's a good way to use up some of my stash... but I digress.

After combining the black floral with a pale blue cotton sateen (a destash gift from another friend) and adding a bit of ric-rac, I had my nursing cover!



My search led me to a tutorial from the Freshly Picked blog. Really, a nursing cover is just a rectangle of fabric with a bit of boning and a strap around the neck! But it was helpful to have some dimensions for reference, and I liked her construction methods better than some of the other tutorials I looked at.





I did end up shortening the neck straps big time -- the long side was way too long, and the nearly-5-inches on the D-ring side went halfway 'round my neck (not too handy for adjustment purposes!). That could just be the way I wear mine, though. I also only used 12" of boning, which I had heard from several people is plenty -- and it is. My boning is a bit weak, though, so I might get something a bit stiffer.





Using one of these certainly involves a learning curve, but it's so handy to have and so easy to make! I have some of the cotton sateen left over, and I'm thinking a matching baby sling is in order...

Friday, February 18, 2011

Tea Time


A friend and I have been indulging our love for tea by getting together for little luncheons now and then. It's delightful to have an excuse to experiment with new recipes (and old favorites, too), and it's even more delightful to share the results with a kindred spirit.



I did discover that it is *ridiculous* to make meringues without an electric mixer. Who knew that it could take an hour to beat egg whites to stiff peaks with a whisk? Actually, I settled for mostly stiff peaks, since both arms were ready to fall off by that point. I'm not very talented at mixing with my left hand...




I had made a tomato tart years ago, and decided to try it again for one of our teas. It's so simple -- tart crust, shredded mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, olive oil, and a sprinkle of herbs. Sweet but savory!




My friend makes the best cucumber sandwiches you can imagine. I'm shamelessly greedy every time she serves them! And I wish you could try her pumpkin bread (except that you'd be as hopelessly addicted to it as I am *wink*).



I love that tea can be an excuse for fellowship, encouragement -- and good eats!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

This is Love





The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

~ Jeremiah 31:3 ~