A Sneak Peak At Kathrine's Dress...

My friend's wedding (who I was making the wedding dress for in a previous post) is just around the corner, so I thought I would show you a sneak peak before the big day...

These two photos show the lining, crinoline and bustier (with boning).

Here's the bridal satin layer on top of the lining/crinoline/bustier layers. More layers to follow :)

Stay tuned to see the final wedding dress...

Bridesmaid Dress Alterations...

A couple weeks ago I was working on some bridal alterations for an old co-worker of my husbands. She was a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding and in her sister's wedding. Here is the dress for her friend's wedding. With this particular dress I hemmed what was once a calf length dress to make it a tea length dress, and needed to be taken in on the side seams.

For these kind of alterations I would typically charge between $25-$35 to hem the dress depending on the type of fabric, and $20-$40 to make any other minor alterations to the dress.

This particular dress had boning in the side seams, so it required a little bit extra work. In the end, this dress cost about $60 to alter.

This is the third referral from my friend at church who used to do this kind of thing, but is now too busy with school and work.

Aprons make the perfect gifts...

Over the summer I gave my friend one of the children's aprons I made earlier this year for her bridal shower. Her friends liked them so much that they requested them too.

These 100% upcycled women's full length aprons are values at $30 each or $50 each for full length reversible.


Aprons make the perfect gifts for those family members or friends who enjoy baking. Check out my etsy store www.jnsweeney.etsy.com for more aprons. (Childrens full length aprons (for $20) and Mommy and me sets (for $40-$50) are also available.)

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Mixes in a Jar...

Publish Post

This year my husband and I have decided to make cookie mixes in a jar to give as gifts. We were able to find inexpensive or free quart sized wide-mouth mason jars as yard sales (in about August or September) and asking some of the women at our church who don't do canning any more if we could have their jars. One of the recipes we decided to go with was a basic Chcocolate Chip Cookie Mix. You will need a tamper for each layer to achieve maximum results. Here is the Recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
2 1/4 cup flour (cut in half)
1 Tbls Baking Soda
1 Tbls Salt
3/4 Cup brown Sugar (Cut in half)
3/4 Cup Sugar (Cut in half)
1 Cup of Chocolate Chips (Toll house) (Cut in half)

(Picture shows up to layer 7 with tamper)

Layer 1 - Scoop half of the flour in the bottom of the jar with the baking soda and salt, tamp with tamper.
Layer 2 - Pour in half of the chocolate chips, tamp with tamper.
Layer 3 - Scoop half of the brown sugar, tamp with tamper.
Layer 4 - Scoop half of the white sugar, tamp with tamper.
Layer 5 - Chocolate Chips, tamp.
Layer 6 - Brown sugar, tamp.
Layer 7 - Sugar, tamp.
Layer 8 - flour, tamp and put the lid on and secure tightly.

Then you can either write by hand or print the recipe card that will be attached. Recipe card:

Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 Jar of Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Cup Butter (softened)
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs (Makes 1.5 dozen cookies)

Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Beat butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl, add eggs one at a time.
Gradually mix in cookie mixture with a wooden spoon.
Drop by round tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 min on wire rack.

Enjoy!