My LOWCW contribution

I know today is the last day for "Legends of Western Cinema Week" (hosted at "Meanwhile in Rivendell" and "A lantern in her hand") I really meant to do this earlier:) ok no excuses lets get into it. I haven't watched many westerns, I can only think of "The Lone Ranger" 2013 (here is the link to the review I did on "The Lone Ranger 2013") But I have posted so many reviews lately, so I thought I would just share the western costume that I recently made for my brother (still need to make the spurs) but here it is.

He wasn't the most willing model but I dragged him into it. 

We got a big roll of cloth that looked leathery (but was really soft)

I always use what we have on hand, I found a cowboy straw hat but that didn't look quite authentic enough, so I sewed the cloth on it.

I cut three strips of cream colored cloth and braided them to decorate the hat.

The chaps are strung on to the belt to keep them up (and we found a belt that says "pioneer" on it so that fits the theme)

I also made a vest (but you can't button it up)

And of course a bandana, It was interesting to read about all the uses a bandana had (yes I research when making costumes:) a bandana kept dust out of a cowboy's mouth and nose, it was tied over the hat to keep his ears warm when it was cold, it filtered water and was used as a bandage, really quite essential.

We had found a pair of boots at our local thrift store that looked like this.

I covered those in faux leather too.

Then all that was needed was a shirt and a pair of Levis to complete the look. The spurs will be a strip of cloth tied around the base of the boot with washers hanging off the edge to make a clicking sound when he walks.

My sister and I went to a western themed mystery dinner in May, here is the link to the post I did on our costumes.

And I have another tutorial coming soon!

Colonial Silver

(I am bringing over posts from my closed craft blog to Sweet N Salty for you to view)

Something different today, a few years ago (when I was about 12) my Mom was teaching us (my siblings and I are home schooled) about Paul Revere, and we started looking at the silver he made, as well as other silver from the colonial era. Feeling inspired I made a set of dishes myself (using mostly cardboard and plastic bottles, whatever I have on hand at the time).  I also made some salt dough and made food to go with the dishes. It is not doll sized, its the size of a little girl's play kitchen set.

First off, a big silver platter and a loaf of sourdough bread (all dishes are covered in aluminum foil to make them look silver) and a bread knife.

To go with the bread, some cheese and butter

Pot of soup

(popcorn kernels for soup)

And of course, a silver ladle,

And a woven pot holder

On to dishes...

Footed cups (like goblets) the bottom is the top part of a bottle and the top is the bottom part of a water bottle.

Two deep silver dishes that can hold soup or bread

There are two knives, two spoons and two forks

A milk pitcher and a cider pitcher

The candle sticks are the top parts of a water bottle

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Let's start dessert off with some cake...

... and a cherry pie with lattice crust

where there's cake, there's cream

A pie lifter

Peanut butter cookies (not very colonial, but the dish is)

Napkin holder and cloth napkins

To complete the set, a silver vase and a bouquet of flowers.

So that is my Paul Revere inspired colonial dish set, I hope you enjoyed it!

Salt dough recipe

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 cup flour

Mix the ingredients carefully, I suggest adding the water last so you know when enough is enough. When sticky enough (not too sticky) start kneading (like bread), and then make whatever you want!