Miniatures Monday--Sewing Machine

In honor of my 5oth year of sewing, a portrait of my first sewing machine!

I have to admit that I have always loved fabric and sewing--I think it's hereditary, as I come from a long line of seamstresses and fabric lovers. My mom started me out with some hand sewing when I was about six, and I started making simple clothes for my dolls about then.

My first sewing machine, my treasured 6" by 6" by 4" red plastic Pfaff, was a gift when I was about 8--my parents saw me drooling over it at the toy store, and surprised me with it on Christmas morning. More doll clothes projects followed--the little machine originally came with patterns and fabric for dolls.

Other sewing machines and many, many projects later, this year will mark 50 years since I took my first official sewing lesson in 4-H, on a delightful black Singer Featherweight. (How I long to have one some day!) Amazing! I can't believe so much time has gone by, accompanied by fabric and projects all along the way.

My 4-H sewing instructor inspired me to go on to study Home Economics, and earn a minor in Clothing and Textiles. I've gone on to sew clothing, quilts, and crafts of every kind, both for fun and for income. My current favorite projects? Miniature sewing--doll clothes, of course!

Other machines have come and gone, but my little red machine remains in a place of honor in my sewing room.

Thrift Thursday--Pink Sewing Box

Love at first sight! This time-travel pink sewing box was on the thrift store shelf for$1.50, and went straight into my shopping basket.

The wicker box measures 11" across and 7" high, and is in amazing condition. The masonite lid opens over to the side on the cord handles. From the decal and the color, I figure it must date from the early 50's.


I'm keeping the box by my chair in the living room, set up with all I need to tempt me to work on my on-going Christmas blanket embroidery project.

You can just see the panel of organizing pockets I made from a matching vintage print fabric, glued to the font inside. I've had this ancient Sucrets tin in my craft stuff since I was a child--now it holds a book of needles and some knitting markers. A couple of the thread holders are missing, so I used one of the holes to anchor my embroidery scissors with a ribbon.

On with the project!

Homemade Bread--Cost Factors Again

Mama Squirrel brought up an interesting point in her comment on an earlier post--how much does the cost of power affect the cost of baking a loaf of bread in the machine?

An internet search told me the cost of power locally--in the winter months, our electrical cost is 8.7 cents a kilowatt hour, and there is a sliding scale for the warmer months here. (I'm wondering how this compares to other areas.)

A calculator on the internet figured that for 600 watt usage, average for breadmakers, our cost is $.07 for an hour--I'm assuming that would be for the baking part of the cycle. (In comparison, the cost to run an electric oven would be about $.26 per hour here.) A good part of the 3.5 hour cycle is inactive, however.

So the answer is: I can't say definitively. Somewhere between 15 and 20 cents for the power cost? Input, anyone?

One plus for the machine is that it just might keep you out of the grocery store to avoid further spending!

Miniatures Monday --A Lazy Day

Since my happy discovery that the LPS Blythes can use my old dollhouse furniture, the tiny girls are living in the lap of luxury!

Agatha is having a lazy afternoon on the couch with snacks, magazines, and the remote.

This little Indonesian carved wooden sofa is one of a set that came with a quantity of darling little colorful, carved animals to sit about on them--a gift from daughter Lol, and of course from the thrift store! The rug, pillow, snacks, cookie platter, and magazine came from my dollhouse collection. Agatha's darling outfit was made by my daughter, Care, and she's wearing Polly Pocket boots. I think the remote was originally Barbie's cell phone.

This is the life!

The Cost of the Loaf. . . More Bread Machine!

In thinking about the bread machine, I began to wonder how the cost of a loaf of bread actually compares between a home-made and a commercial loaf. So we got out the calculator!

I recently re-stocked my flour supply, and paid $7.80 for 25 pounds. (I'm wondering how the price of flour varies in different locations--my price was apparently a pretty good buy, since on the same weekend flour was $10.00 for 25 pounds at the local grocery, on sale.)

Hubby and I calculated the number of 1-1/2 pound loaves the bag of flour could make, by weight, and divided the price of the flour by the number of loaves. Price of flour was about $.30, so with the other ingredients, we figure the cost is between $.40 and $.45 per loaf from this bag of flour.

Just for interest's sake, we figured the cost of a loaf from a $10.00 bag of flour--flour cost was $.50, so the cost of a loaf is $.55 to $.60 per loaf.

The rock-botton price for a 1-1/2 pound loaf of balloon bread this weekend was $.99--looks like there's a considerable savings on a home-made loaf, and the homemade bread actually tastes good!

Note: it hurts me to compare a flavorful, good-textured loaf of fresh homemade bread to a fluffy, washed-out loaf of commercial balloon bread, but since balloon (or Wonder-style) bread is the least expensive option, I'm willing to use it for comparison! Savings on actual bread would be much greater!

Thrift Thursday--Bread Machine, Part 3!

Please allow me to introduce you to my beloved thrift store West Bend bread machine! I do love this bread machine! It's my favorite of the 6 or 7 machines I've tried--one of its big advantages is that it makes a traditional shaped loaf-- a huge plus!

I got my first machine in this model some years ago, when I needed to replace my old worn-out tall-loaf machine. I came across the West Bend at a yard sale, and picked it up for $10.00--with the manual, fortunately--and just loved it. Besides the loaf shape, another favorite feature is that the machine opens in the front rather than at the top--and there's a good window in the door. It's easy to reach in and adjust the dough if needed, and the pan and the paddles (it has two) are easy to clean. The pan releases well.

Homeless bread machines seem to abound at thrift stores, and my girls and I have watched for this model ever since. We've so far found three other machines like it, and we've paid anywhere from $8.00 to $12.00 each--about the going rate for thrift store bread machines around here. This machine come in two versions--the one I'm using now is a little more deluxe, and has a 'quick bread' cycle as well as all the standard cycles the other model has. (FYI--if you don't have the instructions, the manual is available at westbend.com).

I have to say that I think it's hard to utilize the machine well if it's not stored where it can be used--I suppose this is one big reason for the number of homeless bread machines out there. My machine measures 17-1/2"wide by 11-1/2" high by 11" deep--a little bigger than some standard machines, I think. Too much valuable space would be taken up by keeping it on the counter in my small kitchen, but I found a place for it on top of my vintage cookbook shelves, next to an outlet, where I can use it anytime. Poor Kitty lost her favorite viewpoint to the machine--but she's found a new spot!


I'm afraid I'm gushing . . . and I still have much to say! More later.


Another FYI: West Bend also makes conventional tall-loaf machines--while doing an internet search, I was fascinated to learn that some of them have been recalled due to fire danger! I believe these were all older, conventional machines, but it's easy to tell by tell by the machine's date, which is stamped on the back. Info is at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml95/95106.html

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread--Cons?

Since I've praised the bread machine, it's only fair to look at the other side--there must be a few minuses, since thrift stores are always full of rejected machines at bargain prices!

First: the machine may not automatically turn out perfect, tasty loaves.

Second: counter space being valuable real estate, the machine can be a space hogger--especially if it isn't turning out tasty treats.

Third: on the other hand, if the machine isn't easily accessible we are much less likely to drag it out and use it.

Fourth: the usual tall machine loaf is not nearly as satisfactory as the traditional long loaf shape. Slices can be too big, and they're more fragile.

Fifth: the bread machine does only make one loaf, which may not be enough for bigger families.

Difficulties--and I suppose someone really might be tempted to just toss the machine out. That said, I have to admit that in my mind, none of these difficulties outweighs the benefits. I have much more to say!

Miniatures Monday--Ballet Class

Who could resist anything so cute and tiny? I have become enchanted with Littlest Pet Shop Blythe dolls! So far, twelve and counting. . .

L.P.S. Blythes are found in the toy aisle, and come with an outfit, a pet, and a pet accessory--I have to say that the Pet Shop pets do not speak to me, but they are very special to other girls in the family, so everyone is happy! The girls are 4.5 inches high, and also come with the cutest tiny shoes, and a stand.

Here, just a few of the girls are modeling the leotard-and-tutu sets I made for their ballet class, using bits and scraps from my stash. Working out the pattern was a fun challenge!

Too much fun!

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread!

I love my dear bread machine, and use it all the time! My mechanical friend has repaid me many, many times over for the $8.00 I spent on it at the thrift store.

We're all being affected by the continuing rise in the cost of food--I propose that using that dusty bread machine can reduce the cost of food, and in many ways!

First, one of my basic rules for spending less at the grocery store: stay out of there as much as possible! We all know how hard it is to drop into the store for a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread, and not end up buying a few more things--and chances are that we could have got along without those extras just fine. Not to mention the time and gasoline consumed by the errand!

Second, a loaf of homemade bread is less expensive to make than to buy.

Third, the machine's dough setting makes practically foolproof pizza dough, dinner rolls, sweet rolls, coffee cakes, and crusts for main dishes (ideas to come!) .

Fourth, homemade bread is inexpensive, delicious, and satisfying--a plus for filling up teenage boys and hardworking men.

Fourth, homemade bread is wholesome--you know just what's in there because you put it in yourself And with a few tips and some practice, you can make your bread just the way you like it. Tune in later for further info!

Fifth, homemade bread just tastes better, and has great texture.

Last, (and not least) of all: nothing in the world beats the smell of bread baking when you come home. With your machine's timer, you can have fresh bread just when you need it. Or want it.

And so, I embark on a series: In Praise of the Bread Machine!

Avocado Joy!

My sister's family came from California to this cold place over the holidays, bringing
good cheer--a box of avocados from their tree. . .

. . .and oranges, pomegranates, lemons, almonds, and persimmons! What bounty! I'm thinking of making some pomegranate jelly, and freezing cubes of lemon juice for later. I have to admit I have never personally met a persimmon before, and I pureed and froze a couple for smoothies later.

But the avocados! What luxury! I'll eat them on toast, make guacamole, put them in salads and sandwiches, eat them with a spoon. . .

I'm just remembering--years ago I worked at a juice bar where we made an avocado smoothie with orange juice and protein powder with just a little cinnamon--now I'm thinking avocado, orange juice, and yogurt. Yum!

If it comes right down to it and they get ahead of me, I understand avocado pulp freezes quite well. Might just give it a try!

Thanks, Bill!!