Passing It On

 My mother's hemming skill was non existent.  Buttons were better off lying on the counter rather the humiliation of being on a garment. Her pitiful attempt at trying to convince herself that she knew something about sewing by keeping a 'sewing box', was all a sham.  But my grandmother, her mother, now, there was a seamstress.  The original repurposer, the Depression taught her how to take a coat and redo it to the point that one could not recognize it.  She created clothing for those with figure problems that made it hard to buy off the rack.  Grandma didn't see it as a talent, just a necessity.  A pregnant widow with five other children to care for in the 20's was not an easy thing to bear.  Sewing kept her at home with her children and made a living for them.  My mother remembers the thread filled chaos that ran rampant through their home.  She remembers being the one who had to clean up the aftermath and because of that she developed a disdain for the hobby of sewing.  Grandma viewed it as a hard way to make a living so she didn't promote it with her five daughters.

Genetics as they are, produced in me the desire, nay the drive to create with fabric.  As a child, I would use Kleenex to fashion clothing for my dolls and stuffed animals.  When I could scavenge a cast off piece of fabric, I would delight in the cutting and rudimentary stitches necessary to connect pieces of cloth together to pass as a garment for my toys.  Fortunately for me, my lovely mother in law took the time in her very busy life to instruct me the way of the cloth.

Imagine my absolute delight to find on this earth, at this time in history, a room full of young girls with very similar passions and drive with me being their very eager tutor!

Our most wonderful library http://www.mitchell.lib.in.us/ and it's most fabulous children's librarian, Miss Jacqui, in conjunction with others, designed an opportunity for young girls (and one boy) to find solace and instruction to the skill of sewing by yours truly.  As God would have it, He hooked me up with a former Home Education teacher, so that the students could see that rulers, measuring tapes and templates could be utilized.  Miss Martha kept us all in line but challenged her orderly ways.  God Bless Her.  Plus, she was struggling with a bronchial/throat thing to boot.  What a trooper.  Me, a room full of junior highers, AND a virus!  

Even though I can't remember things too clearly these days, I recognized the looks on their faces when they saw the fabric, the tools and, wonder of wonders, The Machines!

The library had made sure that all of the machines were in spic and span order and thankfully, the girls gave the workhorses a run for their money.

Not waiting for the most perfunctory lessons in machine usage, tool implantation, pattern reading, these budding designers wanted their hands on the scissors and the fabric.  And we let them.

Instruction on machine usage was an as needed basis and off the cuff.  Labels for the thingamajiggy that does this or that was introduced as we went, repeating constantly, 'make sure the needle is in the highest position before removing your fabric!'

Abundant canvas was provided some years ago by Rabbit Rita,http://ritabunny.com/Welcome.html  anticipating her move, which was completed this past August.  I knew she would be proud of the contribution she made to an introduction to expressive art.  Thank you ritabunny!

A couple of kindred spirits used the canvas as an opportunity to create their own illustrations for their Tote Bags, the first craft to be undertaken. I was giddy.

Exactly something I would do.  I took it one step further and took the sketch of the wonky cat and embroidered it's big anime eyes and she proudly placed it on the front of her bag.  I was ecstatic.

The discussions that accompanied this foray in creating and designing, made Miss Martha scratching our collective heads in wonder.  What exactly were they talking about??  What is a nyan cat??  Who watches Black Butler and what about all the references to some disembodied gaming character that they all seemed fakily afraid of?  The two of us oldsters were in more foreign of a land than the girls without names for thread. But it was delightfully fun.

Three days, two hours a day, once a month.  That is the plan to take these young whippersnappers from wildly interested to some semblance of order and pattern reading.

I believe it can happen.  I believe it will be like breaking a stallion but I think with a little cheese, some crackers and apples (a snack that was inhaled each day), I do believe we (I speak for myself, Miss Martha!), these wildly creative newbie designers can quite possibly become the someones you could hear from in the future.

I see myself in each of their adolescent faces and sigh with the hopefulness of it all.

Lord, protect them in their endeavors and in their day to day so that one day they can use their talent for Your glory and honor....

(After all, I did find the Bible hiding away in this tiny nook of a public school!  There is hope!)

Queenies for a Day

 I'm a big birthday fan.  I believe that it is important to celebrate, in a big way, the creation that is you.  I believe that it is not a vain occupation, oh no.  I believe that it is a God Honoring thing to celebrate that your creation was very important to God in the huge, grand scheme of things.
I believe that if we are drawing breath, there is a purpose, an intentional purpose by our awesome Creator for your place on this sod.  And that, my friend, is something to celebrate.

 

So if I think that each one has merit and value in God's eyes, just imagine how silly I can get over my own dear grandgirls.














The days that they were introduced into this world was a big, big deal. 
 My life was changed beyond all reason and how their lives will affect this world is something so exciting to me that I get goosebumps just thinking of the possibilities.




Birthday Days are wonderful to a crafting Grammy.  There are birthday banners to make, birthday outfits to think about and now, the ever popular birthday crown to prepare for the noggin of the little girlies new year.




The tradition started with Miss Viv sharing her birthday week with her Unca Joco.  Unca Joco was very clear that on each year, he would prepare a Birthday chapeau, singling out the two of them from the lessers, birthday wise.  When the first birthday approached, I could see that Unca Joco might need some assistance to accomplish the goal of proper hattage for The Day


I cannot tell you how much fun I have making these crowns.
I love the feel of pearl cotton.
I love the vibrant colors.
I love the gaiety of them.
I love that they make me smile.






So, I thinks, if I get so much entertainment from such a simply made item, wouldn't everyone?  (Or at least a few more outside my inner circle)






As I traveled recently from hither and yon, my felt and my pearl cotton were nearby.  Nothing makes grandchildren miles go faster than making sweet little flowers and vines circling a tiny ring of felt destined to a small tike's head.






Soon, very soon, the Yet To Be Personalized Crowns shall adorn my Etsy site for your enjoyment as well.  I can embroider your most special Birthday Child's name on the front for you to make it a truly one of a kind gift that could last far into their twenties and beyond.  (Notice I said grandchild, because even though I have no male grandchildren, I hear that they are out there.  I intentionally made some crowns with not flowery like embellishment but kingly jewels and suns...)

If you are of the opinion that each life is to be celebrated big and would like to eschew the papery kind of birthday hats, then this crown's for you...




Celebrate each day as a gift.
But celebrate your little ones special day with crown made just for them......

Butter Suede Booties....

 To balance my time remodeling the basement and redecorating the main floor, I find that a good time in the sewing room consists of preparing for several babies...

 I found out when my daughters had their babies, it really didn't matter what you registered for or what you needed, what people really want to give babies is little tiny clothes, especially girly things, AND footwear!!  As mentioned recently, accessories to the teeny footsies are as much fun to pick out and purchase as they are cute on the baby feets....

 So when Rabbit Rita's daughter came to visit her mama, it only seemed logical, that I get my best grandma bootie making skills in practice to make the most comfy booties ever,  for her first grandchild's sweet little tootsies.

 When Heather Bailey offers free patterns, I take advantage of them and download them tout de suite.heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/.  So deliciously simple.  So basic, leaving every opportunity for embellishment and fanciful additions to the most simple of booties.

 Gotta admit, it was pretty hard to stop once the cuteness began.....

 Soft, buttery suede, embroidered edging, cutouts for a lacing, then the finale: soft baby blue flannel lining!
If I could add an orthotic to a nana sized sole, I would venture to make slippers for me out of this material..Very touchable....

Thank you Heather Bailey for the pattern and sharing your idea......

Anymore babies out there needed feet coverings??  I'm on a roll.......!!

Lily Love

For the last 7+ Years, I've had the pleasure of having the sweetest relationship with the most wonderful child.  I've spoken of her before in this place, but as she ages and new aspects of her personality blossom, I find new things to report.

The visit on Tuesday, was another Growth Ring in our relationship tree.  I have gone from changing her diaper and making toast points and eggies for her breakfast once a week, to beginning to teach her how to crochet and sew.

My little heart soared when she mentioned in my sewing room this week that she wants to learn to sew and that she thought that I should teach her.

And I agree.

When Lily comes over, she knows what she wants to do.  When she was younger, we had specific things that had to be covered: Tea Party, Play her song, (Jars of Clay, Sunny Day), play the drums, color, and go through the vintage jewelry in my china cabinet.  Now, she kinda free lances it; going from one event to the other as they happen.  I go on to my events and she hers.  We interact and share our projects but basically she just wants to utilize my crazy house and all it's distractions.  Whether she's playing office, shop or house, she is content to share square footage with me and play with my things.

This week, her other good buddy, Youngest Son, who used to co-babysit with me, was off work and invited us Ladies out to lunch.  He thought that a different park would be nice for a change and we Ladies agreed.  He thought that a trip to the Local Jiffy Treet might be more memorable than just going to McDs for a Blizzard.  It certainly was for me; Chocolate Dipped Cones are not that easy to come by in our small community. Yum.

And so our day went, as all Lily Days do; pleasant, entertaining, conversational and instructive. 

Lily started her time with me by drawing.  She allowed me to choose between a floral interpretation and an ocean scene.  Telling her that I am a flower aficionado, I choose the trio of posies.  She delivered to YS's abode, the Ocean drawing.

Lily has also discovered photography.  She loved sitting on my porch limestone seating, taking a myriad of photos of cars, golf carts and pedestrian's passing by.  And she caught me in a serious embroidery moment, as Adoring Dixie looks on.

One good turn deserves another, so I snapped her as she sewed two pieces of fabric for the first time.  It was exciting for both of us.

Little Brother Grant came with Lily's Mama along with other brother Maddox.  LBG has not come solo to Lily's Debbie's house yet.  But he is nearly ready.  He too, along with his siblings, is intrigued with the house as well as the Owner Occupier.  A mystical woman, not related nor near by or  family involved.  Just this generic grandmotherly sort, too old to be an aunt or parental friend.  Just a kind of unclassified enigma that seems to be a part of their family. LBG climbed up on my porch swing next to me,  reporting the important things to nearly four year olds: Like the time his dog got hurt and had to go to the dog hospital to get better. Pictured here, he found a headband that I was working on and immediately placed it on his Tshirt, and proclaimed that he looked like his daddy, the math teacher. Because I just happened to have safety pins on my porch, (doesn't everyone?), I lickety split affixed it to his little shirt and I know that he felt like a big grown up man with a tie.  Ah, the magic of dress up clothes...Being a thirdsie helps a lot too.....

And this parting shot of My Lily will stay with me a long time.....Her pensive concentration.  Her determination to do that which can still stymie adults....The closeness that her interests galvanize to my heart.....

Pretend Grandchildren....Wondrous Gifts....

Jackpot!!

Estate Sales: Wonder of wonders...Pieces of someones life..The mundane and the glorious..
Here are some of the bounty of someone's life that I feel blessed to be the recipient of:
A hanky with the words, 'your day will come'in French...

A beautifully vibrant towel of Irish Linen in pristine condition.....

A half dozen pillowcases, crochet edged and embroidered......

Dozens of linens, lovingly detailed....One tablecloth had a patch with mend tape on it and I wondered out loud if they still make mend tape....Farther in the box was an opened package of mending tape.....I also loved the Mendets 'pot leak repair'....Do you repair your 'leaky' pots

A wonderful 40ish metal wastebasket......(yes, the sticker does say $1)

Three silver serving pieces. Nearly a dozen percale sheet sets, tablecloths, pot holders, mostly handmade, towels of all sorts, usually embellished and four sweet little jars, perfect for my harvested herbs.....

I am calmed down now but I must admit it did overwhelm me...My heart raced and my pulse quickened and I got a bit shaky.....The 2G's mama could tell an odd spell had come over me when she met up with me.....

Ah. The Grande Estate Sale.....Nothing like it......