A Cheesy Adventure.

So I had my first experience with cheesemaking tonight, and I have to tell you, it turned out GREAT!

I first got the idea of making my own cheese after watching an episode of "America's Test Kitchen" in which they simply boiled the milk and added vinegar. I had always thought it was expensive and complicated.

Well I went in search of a recipe and it turns out that yes it does take some odd ingredients to make for example a normal everyday cheddar.

But we'll go into that another time.

I did in fact find a recipe for a cheese called "Paneer" an Indian cheese which, like the above, uses heat and acid instead of aforementioned odd ingredients.

My "Recipe Book" (Never mind the fact that it currently says "Pandora")

The Process? Simple,

1. Put a liter of milk in a stainless steel pan.

2. Bring milk to a foamy boil

3. Add either lemon juice or vinegar

4. Watch it curdle!

5. Strain and press

6. EAT!!

 

I plan on making much, much more of this!

Etsy Official!

Well all it's official!

I have an Etsy store!!

etsy.com/shop/TheHomespunTreadler


And for the first time I can say, "New in the shop today"

All four dresses were made on my antique Mason Rotary treadle sewing machine. and are now available in my store!!



1900's Red Dress

1900's Purple Ruffle Dress

                                  



Mid Century Vintage Style Romper



Pink Mid Century Play Suit
 

Winter Wonderland.

I just thought I'd show off these photos my mom and I took today. We have about two inches of snow right now and still coming down! I know that may not sound like much, but we've not had much more than a dusting here in Tennessee for years.

 I found the coat in an antique store this fall, before even a hint of cold weather had shown it's face. I just couldn't pass up this luxurious morsel, especially with a price tag of only $30. That's probably less than what the good lady would have paid for it originally!

It's a thick felted cherry red wool, with what appears to be a real fur collar! I'm guessing that it's from the 50's- 60's. (probably 60's as long and straight as it is) It's satin lined and extremely warm!

The hat was a gift from my sister, and I have absolutely no idea what era it's from! It's wild enough to be from almost any part of the 20th century... Made of black velvet, lined with a tulle netting, and has a large rhinestone jewel on the side.

I took the long walk to the mailbox and didn't get cold in the slightest, though you can see the results below.

 

Before the walk, having only been outside for a minute or so.

 

 

After, I believe I was beginning to turn into some kind of snow fairy!

 

If you look close in the above picture, you can see the individual snowflakes, each little masterpiece whole and perfect.

 

 

 Shoe shot. (I do not recommend this choice of footwear for snow...)

 

And my signature "Oldify It" photo

 



Just a Note

Just a little post to let you know that there are projects in the works.

It might take me a bit to get pictures taken of them, but I'll get there.

Till then!

A Medieval Baby

A few weeks ago we set out to go to our local SCA's Christmas event, "Holly and Ivy." Up until the very last minute we didn't think Brianna would be going with us, but two days before the event we realized we'd be unable to get a sitter.

So away I went to Joann's to see what I could muster up... in a 48 hour period... Yikes!

I picked out a nice olivey green Linen-Rayon and got plenty of it, knowing I would have to scale my pattern with no time to order one.

Ages ago I was recommended THIS pattern for basic garments. I had made it once before and completely messed up my mathematics to the point that with lots of cutting and spacing it barely fit. And you could tell that the poor girl was dreadfully uncomfortable...

This one was much better, though possibly too big, but that's a good thing when it comes to children's clothes, she'll grow.

I won't even begin to go into the mathematics, as I don't quite understand what I did myself!

 

The seams are sewn by hand with regular thread and flat felled (if it's still called that when it's done with both sides and not just one) with a darker large embroidery thread.

The cap and apron were a last minute idea, as I had a little time left the evening before the event, not to mention a little leftover white linen. I couldn't believe it, but she kept them on most of the day!

She was such a ham for the camera! She would step back for me to take the picture, then she had to come see it. She even had to send one of them to my mom. (with her own message...)

 
 
 

 

 

Despite worries that toting a two year old to this event would be hectic and tiring, we all had a wonderful time, and I'll never again worry about taking her with us. She was a perfect angel, and was the toast of the town in her little outfit.

 

 

I can't wait to venture into this new world of Medieval sewing, my Pinterest boards are full to bursting with ideas. :D 

 

 



Accordion to Kellie Giveaway!

Hooray for giveaways!

Accordian to Kellie is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Ceraminic a love little (you guessed it) ceramic shop on Etsy.  So hop on over to Kellie's and enter!

Giveaway link

Portland Tractor Show

Most of what I learned during this week in Portland, Indiana, was not about antique equipment. No, it was about crazy Northern Weather...

We woke up the first morning to temps in the low 60's. So Wool skirt and sweater were in order, but by the time we were through with breakfast and ready to troll the shops, it was quickly escalating toward the 80's.

Then that night it was back in the 50's.

In essence that meant lots of wardrobe changes and very little time for pictures. So here are the few that were taken of my vintage attire.

Our vista as we drove in to Portland. Sum it up in one word, flat! It was gorgeous though, all those corn fields!

 

 

My station most of the time was right here! Ok so I stole a moment in the driver's seat, I was usually on the back... facing backwards...

A man had built this from scratch! Based on a Model! How cool is that!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Now the above photos are of the aforementioned hours after breakfast... Poly shirt and wool skirt... Of course you couldn't beat the deals, I had bought the shirt the day before for $.50! (note the decimal there)

Trying out a new 50's hat, not sure about it...

 

Later on that same day, trying to beat the heat. (We were told we couldn't use our air conditioners...)

 

Now for the best bit, I was all glammed up when we went to the Post office, so pictures were in order!

Post card shot under their name and zip code

 

 

The only thing that disappointed me about this pic was the car in the background, so for Instagram I fixed it up a bit.

 



 What do you think? Look real?

 A selfie later on in the golf cart, boiling over, but it sure got lots of compliments on facebook!

 

Ps, anyone who wants to follow me on Instagram, my username is "MegAnne1914"