introducing… tessa bloomers by marie-madeline studio!

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tessa bloomers & bag

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becky~~~~~~~faith~~~~~~~jane 

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Our newest design is here!  Meet tessa.  The practicality of pants– the look of a skirt– and all 'round cute as a button!  After years of searching for modest alternatives to pants (for days when wearing a skirt isn't the best idea… you know, climbing trees, amusement parks, kick ball), we came up with these little bloomers.  Comfortable, stylish, and unbelievably adorable.  Of course we had to throw in the matching bag!

Now, the question is… what do you think?

More pictures soon!  xoxo~ the Long ladies

P.S. Don't we have the cutest models ever?!

Sheridan~

"Have I got news for you!"

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"It looks like a skirt, but it's split in the middle.  That means I can run and play."

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"So I'm excited about the newest design from marie-madeline studio!"

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"Hooray!"

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Special thanks go to our friend Meredith, for these lovely pictures of her adorable little sister!  Formal introduction yet to come… 

Old-fashioned curls with a modern twist (no pun intended!)

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So, you wonder how we manage to curl our hair using pantyhose.  Well– now you'll know.  It's very easy… with a little practice, you'll be rolling your hair like a pro! 

The traditional roll-on-rags-or-strips-of-cloth method never worked for us.  Our hair is way too silky.  When Mom was a teenager, after her grandmother taught her how to roll her hair (in exchange for cooking supper for the family), she got the bright idea to use pantyhose instead of cloth.  They are stretchy and soft… they make lovely tight curls that last all day!  And you can sleep on them, too.  So grab a few old pairs of pantyhose and lets get rolling…

1. Cut off the leg of your hose at the very top.  Tie a knot in the end.

2. Shampoo your hair.  Let dry almost all the way.  Your hair should feel dry, with a little cool-damp feel.  Don't roll your hair when it's too damp, or the curl won't hold!

3. Part off about a 7th of your hair in the front (depending on how much hair you have). Comb.  Holding one end of your hose tightly, begin wrapping your hair around the other end.  (It will look like you're starting in the middle of the hose, and working your way to the bottom.)

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4. Now, start wrapping the rest of your hose (the end you've been holding) back over the rolled hair, going the opposite direction.  It should look like this:

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5. Secure with a knot at the end.  Separate another piece of hair, and begin again!

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Here is how your hair will look once it's all been rolled…

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Cute, huh?  Just go to bed, and you'll have lovely curls in the morning!

Day two~

1. Carefully unwrap each lock.  Use your fingers to separate the ringlets.

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Ta-da!

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Now add a pretty barrette, pin it up, or ponytail it, and you're all set!

Springin’ into Step

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Mom's first flower of the year

 

We have really wanted to give y'all a blow-for-blow account of life around here, but have found the time issue rather trying.  You sympathize, right?  Here we are getting ready for vacation (it technically isn't that far away!), filling orders, sewing, sewing, sewing.  Ah yes, did we mention sewing?

We're working on another clothing collection— fun!  We really will try and post pictures once it's all done.  The colors are nice and summery.

And with summer comes some more exciting things… we're working on finishing up two more patterns to be released in the very near future and one for (probably) the beginning of  summer.  We'll see where all that leads…  I'm just itching to have a fun photo shoot with four of the most adorable girls you've ever seen!  (Did that give you a little hint?)

Last, but definately not least, we are filling several sewing orders and trying to get some personal spring/summer sewing done.  Lord willing there will be more on that later too.  Maybe we can talk some more about that wonderful thing called color, and how it applies to sewing our own clothes!

On to more sewing~ good bye for now! 

Mexican Soup (please read disclaimer!)

There are three kinds of cooks in our family.  The Mild cook: everything turns out the same every time, but is never very warm.  The Willy-Nilly cook: nothing tastes the same twice.  And the Spicy cook: good for fire-breathing dragons only.  We won't mention any names.  This soup comes from the recipe box of the Spicy cook.  So if you're brave enough to try this deliciously satisfying Mexican Soup, you can't say we didn't warn you!

xo, the Long ladies

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Mexican Soup

This recipe serves 9.

–1 1/2 to 2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained

Add:

–3 TBSP taco seasoning (we make our own)

–2 cans Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies

–2 cans ranch style beans

–2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

–1 can red beans

–1 can cream of mushroom soup

–1 can water (from soup can)

–a couple tablespoons of your favorite super-hot Mexican sauce (our favorite variety is pureed jalapenos)

Heat through, stirring occasionally.  Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.  Serve in individual bowls topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  

This soup goes well with flour tortillas on the side, too.  Or you can spoon it over corn chips.  Oh yes!– please make sure there is an extra pitcher or two of a cold beverage on the table.  Because in spite of what Miss Spicy cook has to say about it, this soup'll set your mouth on fire! 

Rag-eddy Rug-eddy

We are so glad you all liked our bathroom re-do!  That rag rug is the recipient of so many comments… and it's such an easy peasy project.  But we're warning you– making only one is virtually impossible. 

Find instructions here!

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Oh yes, and we'll add a link to the tutorial list in our sidebar!