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Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. The rush of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s festivities is past, giving us time to stitch a little love for dear ones.
Note: I don’t know why the images are all elongated. That’s another thing I’ll have to figure out.
These candy filled felt bags were such fun to make. As I thought of all those I wanted to shower with affection and confections, I just kept making more. With the many Valentine colors of felt in my stash, I couldn’t seem to stop!
In-the-hoop designs for both 4×4 and 5×7 frames are available as free downloads here in my post at Brother’s blog, Stitching Sewcial.
Without an embroidery machine this can be created by drawing or importing a heart design with a second smaller heart. Simply follow the basic directions in the post linked above, but sew your heart rather than embroider it in the hoop. Decorative stitches on your sewing machine could be used on the edge of the heart.
All that is needed to create your own candy filled heart:
Supplies:
• embroidery machine • (2) 5” felt squares for 4×4 frame • Or (2) 6” squares for 5×7 frame • 3-4” circle of clear vinyl TIP: The plastic/vinyl from a zippered bag in which new linen or garments arrive is a good substitute. • Tearaway stabilizer • small, colorful, individually wrapped candies • Notions: 18” ribbon or embroidery floss, large tapestry needle, painters masking tape, OPTIONAL: tissue paper • Thread: embroidery thread • Downloads: MAShearttreatbag4x4.pes, MAShearttreatbag5x7.pes
You don’t have to wait for the next Valentine’s Day to show your affection for friends and family. Stitch up a candy heart any time of the year!
Required disclosure: I am a paid Ambassador for Brother. Not required: I genuinely love my Brother machines.
fil tire’ oval surrounded by pinwheel roses and greenery ~~situated above serpentine entredeux woven with threads used for leaves…5.12″ x 7.9″
The Fil Tire’ and Fancywork machine embroidery collections created by Suzanne Sawko and me have been mentioned in several posts.
There are three sets, Elements,Combinations and Frames and Phrases. The stitched samples make the post very image intensive, so each collection will be posted separately. They will appear in succession,as quickly as I can scan sew outs and write the descriptions.
A few of the free designs offered here have been from one of the three sets.I am sorry this is more tedious than the one click purchase option on other upscale sites. This is more like yard sale bargain prices, changing inventory, and limited quantities. You might be surprised at some of the unique items I have in my stash/hoard/collection!
These designs are from the Fil Tire’ and Fancywork Combinations Collection.The cost is $25 if delivered electronically or $30 + postage if delivered on a cd.
3.85″ x 2.07″ Another useful design for monograms is this design called monogram swag.The flowers look very much like hand embroidery.
For sale: Fil Tire’ and Fancywork Combinations machine embroidery collection. $25 downloaded or $30 + postage on CD. Designs require hoop sizes from 4 x 4 to 6 x 10″. This is the second of three Fil Tire’ and Fancywork collections.
6.63″ x 2.02″ ~~very sweet on a baby blanket with a monogram or name above the swag.
She was the first to digitize fil tire’ and, in my opinion, no one has ever duplicated the crisp, light, hand stitched look of her machine embroidered version of this classic hand stitching technique.
2.59″ x 0.63″~~I’ve used this on either side of a button front yoked daygown.
There are 3 collections, Elements, Combinations and Frames and Phrases. Elements has individual designs that can be combined as you choose. Many of those “elements” are included in the Combinations designs. The other two collections will be offered and displayed in another post.
3.94″ x 3.94″~~Replicated from a 1930’s boudoir pillow.
There are also designs that look very much like hand embroidery. Some were copies from antique embroideries, like this one which was featured on a ’30’s boudoir pillow. There is a single coordinating flower in the collection.
When she first told me many years ago that she was digitzing fil tire’, I might have been skeptical had I not known her. Suzanne had already digitized so many hand look stitches like chain stitch for redwork, machine embroidered French knots, lazy daisy, pinwheel rose and more that I expected she would do it and do it well.
1.69″ x 1.34″
See this design on a little quilt, “If apples were pears….”
There are 35 different designs, but 54 design files. Many identical designs are offered in two versions, like the two below. The first features web roses (shown unfinished–see the 5 legged cross at the very center of the fil tire’ and along the sides) which need some hand work, explained in the information file.
8.54″ x 5.54″ This would be pretty on a round collar or yoke.The collection includes another version of this design which includes web roses, requiring some handwork.
Other design are offered with slight variations, such as a row of entredeux with three pinwheel roses at right. It can be stitched vertically with what might be ribbons or, if stitched in green, tendrils. This same entredeux design with pinwheel roses is also offered horizontally.
1.2″ x 0.48″ The dainty, wide V design is sweet on collars or as brackets around a tiny monogram. See this design on zig zag bonnet.
3.26″ x 1.55″ If rotated, the corner below also works for a monogram or name. It was also used on the sides of a Swiss flannel baby shawl. A handkerchief corner is another place for this small design.
3.94 x 3.94″ As is, it looks sweet on a handkerchief corner or on either side of a yoke. This design was used on a set of child’s tea party linens.
3.94″ x 3.94″ I use this little floral spray frequently on baby blankets, to break up a line of feather stitching around the perimeter.
.54″ x 6.9″ floral serpentine This can be stitched continuously with a border hoop. One of my favorites in this collection is the floral serpentine. It can be connected to a continuous line around a skirt or down a blouse front.
1.56″ x 1.33″ fil tire’ oval See this on a doll dress bodice.For those of you patient enough to read through all this and still eager to sample a design, please leave your request as a comment. I will e-mail the fil tire’ oval, one of the most frequently used designs in the collection, to you.
Joanne Banko hosted me on her live YouTube show December 9 for a fun and informative tutorial on Madeira applique’. This is one of my favorite heirloom techniques.
You can watch the replay here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Dw119fJJg&t=455s
Joanne is a dear friend of mine, who was described by another sweet friend who has never met her in person as “a genuinely warm, nice person.”
Her Friday live “Tea and Tutorials” are always a treat with various guests. Each show offers a unique sewing talent and special technique. Tune in to Joanne’s YouTube channel for entertaining and fun learning.
Getting back to Madeira applique, the video shows many of my finished projects that feature this technique and then goes on to show how-to step by step. Here are some of the projects shown, but the real meat of the video is the instructional story boards.
This little baby pillowcase was not shown, as there were time constraints. But I love this project.
I would rather have used a softer blue for the Madeira hem but for tv, I knew a darker color would show up better. The fil tire’ hearts and the swag are designs by extremely talented designer and my good friend Suanne Sawko.
This pillowcase is another project that was not included in the video. It was a birthday gift for my daughter a few years ago.
Details are included in this earlier bloghttp://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/2009/10/05/madeira-monogram-pillowcases/
This little bishop dress was included in the video.
It shows a traditional Madeira hem as well as a Madeira treatment on the sleeve. The sleeve didn’t show up very well on the video as with that Ipad camera I am as clumsy as a gorilla with a tatting shuttle. So prease be forgiving. Here is a close up.
That tiny rosebud at the peak of the Madeira is a free download here. It is so very useful. Just ask for it in the comment section and it will be sent to your email.
It’s time to get back to Christmas preparations. It love this joyous season. The house and tree are almost decorated (I know it’s late but I’ve been crazy busy), the staircase is lovely and my favorite holiday ornament is hanging on the front door wreath. It is an antique sleigh bell I purchased at the church bazaar 50 years ago.
With a houseful of family arriving from New Jersey, Nebraska and Lakeland, Florida, it will be a chaotic, wonderful time of love and laughter. Above all, it will be a time of celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. More on Christmas sewing later. Happy last minute holiday stitching to you!
This is from a post at Brother’s blog Stitching Sewcial https://www.brother-usa.com/blogs/stitching-sewcial/a-pumpkin-patch-of-pumpkin-goodies. All instructions with detailed photos are located there. The links for the machine embroidered peekaboo pumpkins 4×4.pes and 5×7.pes are no longer active, so if you would like them, just email me at janicegferg0616@gmail.com and I will send them. I love this project and think you will too.
It’s a pumpkin patch of goodies and so much fun to make! With your Brother Embroidery machine, you can quickly stitch enough to fill a basket of these cuties. Delight visiting children or any young friends at church or community gatherings. Mail a few to your grandchildren or deliver some to nursing home friends or children at a homeless shelter. Because pumpkin season runs long, from fall to Thanksgiving, a wagon load would not be too many. You will have a good time making and giving these away. The possible variations are unlimited. You will have a hard time stopping with one. I could not! Individual pumpkins are mixed in with the directions. WARNING: These can be addictive.
Here are a few variations.
orange felt, green stripe ribbon
There are so many interesting printed burlaps that would make cute pumpkins. I like to cut a wider distance from the stitching to create fringe. Adding curly ribbon makes it more festive. like the way the burlap fringes.
polka dot burlap with curly ribbon
This would have looked nice with gold metallic thread. I always get these ideas too late. Maybe I’ll make another one!
This project was designed for Brother machines some time ago, but I am certain you clever readers with other machines can adapt the relatively simple directions and have fun with this. I apologize for the late posting so close to Halloween, but my home in central Florida was in the path of Hurricane Ian. This caused a significant delay. We were blessed to have suffered very minimal damage-a great deal of debris and a downed 60′ palm tree. This graceful palm had Confederate jasmine climbing to its very top before it fell in a convenient direction away from our pool. We continue to pray for those less fortunate whose losses were devastating.
For the fortunate ones, life goes on. Children helped to pick up the fallen branches and asked about their Halloween costumes. Did you know that Halloween is the most popular secular holiday? Celebrate with this kid-pleasing Halloween wallhanging and learn a quick and easy technique. This can be used with other themes and holidays.
With some burlap, Brother’s wholesome Disney Halloween machine embroidery collection from ibroidery.com and some seasonal fabric you will be on your way. Discover and master a unique, easy and fun faux quilting technique. Children will be delighted when they see Goofy’s skeleton glow in the dark.
Requirements
Fabric:
*Halloween print—four 4” squares, eight 2 x 4” rectangles, eight 2” squares, 19 x 3 ½” for sleeve
burlap 19 1/2” square for front, 25” square for backing. This is extra large to account for the many ravels as the piece is handled. Later it will be trimmed to size.
*orange scraps for yo-yo’s
Cotton batting 22” square
Ibroidery.com Disney Halloween designs: DMHLW01–Mickey with pumpkin, DMHLW02–Minnie with broom
DMHLW03—Goofy skeleton costume, DMHLW04—Best Ghoul friends, DMHLW05—Oh boy what fun
Notions: tearaway stabilizer, spray adhesive, chalk marker, glow-in-the-dark thread, embroidery threads, black cotton sewing thread for decorative stitching, bits of green ribbon for pumpkin stems OPTIONAL: glow-in-the-dark thread, chalk marker, spray adhesive
TIP: While any burlap can be used, a better quality makes it much easier to create the necessarily accurate grid. Note the difference in the two qualities of burlap.
The burlap on the left has threads or strands of varying widths. The one on the right has strands of a more regular size.
PREPARATION
Pull threads on burlap creating a 6” grid with ¾” border.
2. Starch and press the Halloween print until very stiff and crisp.
3. Press four 4” squares as shown, with diagonally opposite corners folded to center.
4. Press four 2 x 4” rectangles with one corner folded up as shown.
5. Press four 4” x 2” rectangles with one corner folded down as shown.
6. Press four 2” squares in half diagonally.
7. Press four 2” squares flat.
By combining the shapes into larger pieces, then stitching over where seams would have been, it gives the illusion of many pieces being joined quite perfectly to create this pattern. Folding many of the edges under, particularly the bias edges, gives a very neat appearance. The decorative stitching covers the raw edges and makes short work of what could be a very time consuming project.
8. Press under ½” on each short end of sleeve piece and stitch in place. Fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Set aside.
9. Baste Halloween pieces in place on burlap. Use of the knee lift leaves both hands free for frequent pivoting.
10. Spray batting with adhesive. Place burlap on top of batting.
11. Select stitch # 108 in the utility menu. Baste through all three layers.
TIP: The Muvit dual feed foot makes quick work of this process. The walking foot is also effective.
ANOTHER TIP: Use thread color to match Halloween fabric. If basting threads become trapped in the embroidery, they will not show.
AND ONE MORE—CAUTION: Be alert when embroidery foot approaches the lengthy basting stitches. It helps to remove nearby basting threads when embroidering.
12. Mark centers of ”snowballs” for placement of embroidery designs.
TIP: A chalk device works best. A small crosshair can be brushed away if the embroidery does not cover .the mark.
13. Hoop tearaway stabilizer in 4×4 frame.
14. Open “Oh Boy” design and edit to add basting frame. This will secure the quilt top to the frame without leaving hoop burn (an imprint of the hoop on the burlap and batting).
Boy oh Boy baste frame key
NOTE: Remember that the basting frame option does not appear until the Embroidery screen appears, after SET and EDIT screens.
15. Position the center square over the frame.
16. Engage the needle placement laser feature.
17. A red dot will appear in the middle of the frame. Move the burlap so the red dot sits precisely on the crosshairs.
red dot centered
18. Hold the burlap in place securely with tweezers or your stylus. Advance to the first stitch in the basting frame. When you are certain that the burlap is still in its proper place continue with basting.
use of tweezers
19. Embrooider “Oh Boy Fun.”
20. Remove stabilizer and remove burlap from frame. Repeat this process for the remaining 4 snowballs.
TIP: Stitch Goofy’s skeleton with glow-in-the-dark thread for extra fun.
Goofy by day
Goofy by night
Spooky!!! Children will love it!
TIP: When stitching with glow-in-the-dark-thread, use a #90 needle and reduce speed.
21. Center embroidered burlap and batting on second piece of burlap, creating a true “quit sandwich.” This backing is extra large to account for the inevitable ravels which result from handling. Later it will be trimmed to its proper size.
22. Baste through all three layers. Again, use the Muvit dual feed foot to baste with stitch #108 on the utility menu.
23. Keep Muvit foot attached. Select a decorative stitch with a width of no less than 6. The stitch shown is #211 on The Dream Machine, Quattro and Duetta, W 7, L 3. 5.
#108 basting stitch
laser guide screen with decorative stitch
25. Engage the laser guide, shown in the orange rectangle above.
laser guide in use
26. Work decorative stitching in whatever sequence you prefer, but this route is efficient. NOTE: This is shown on the back of the quilt top for clarity. Stitching is actually done on the right side.
suggested stitch routes
NOTE: The purple sleeve at the top is to be sewn in place AFTER all the decorative stitching is done except the white along the top. Somehow, the photo without the sleeve was corrupted, so just imagine the sleeve is not yet there.
a.Green (grid which creates 6” squares)
b.Dark blue (trapezoid shapes at center of each side)
c.Red (center shape-I should have paid more attention in high school geometry. There must be a name for this.)
d.Yellow (whatever)
e.Purple (corner triangles)
f .Blue (perimeter on three sides)
g.Purple (corner triangles)
h.Light blue (perimeter on three sides)
i.White—top edge stitched AFTER sleeve is sewn in place.
This stitch will enclose the raw edges of the pieces. Its design prevents loose threads breaking free to create an untidy appearance.
It is best to start each run of decorative stitching at the beginning of the pattern. Save the stitch and its settings in memory. After finishing a section of stitching, tie off thread tails. Then select #211 again and it will come up with your saved settings. Stitching will start at the beginning of the pattern.
27.Remove all basting threads.
28. Position sleeve with raw edge toward bottom of quilt piece. Place ¼” below the top of the snowballs. Baste in place.
sleeve basted in place
29. Work decorative stitch along top edge of quilt on right side. This will secure the top of the sleeve.
30. Remove basting threads on sleeve and press down. Hand whip folded edge to burlap.
FINISHING
31. Remove burlap threads up to stitching line to create fringe.
32. Trim away any fringe that exceeds ½” beyond the center of the decorative stitching.
trim fringe
33. Trim batting to 1” beyond the fringe. Measure from center of decorative stitching.
trim batting
34. Pull batting to create the ragged look shown. Use of tweezers works well.
make batting fringe
35. Remove burlap threads to create fringe.
36. Insert a 22 x 1” flat wooden piece into the sleeve.
37. Braid three threads (pull from full width of burlap) to create a 26” cord. As the threads become frayed simply add another in its place and continue braiding. After approximately ½”, simply cut away the frayed piece and continue with the new thread.
38.Tie braided cord to each end of the wood rod.
39. Make 6 orange yo-yo’s. Instructions for easy creation of these faux pumpkins are included in the Finding Dory blog post.
40. Tuck a piece of green ribbon in the center of each yo-yo and hand stitch in place.
41. Retrieve six 18” threads removed from the burlap. Tie to the wood rod.
42. Attach a yo-yo to each thread in staggering lengths.
yo-yo pumpkins on right side
yo-yo pumpkins on left side
43. Hang this little quilt, call the children and turn out the lights. Happy Halloween!
Required disclosure: I am a paid Brother Ambassador. Not required: I LOVE my Brother sewing machines!
Note: The name of the host couple has been blurred so you all don’t try to wrangle a dinner invitation. This was such a delicious meal! And I’m sorry if perhaps the gloriosa lilies are just too much, but the colors look so festive and Mexican-like to me. They are blooming so profusely in my garden and I wanted to show them off.
Quickie Hostess Gift
For our Bible Study group, we always have dinner, with the host and hostess providing the main course with others bringing the remainder of the meal. But for some unknown reason, dear Jackie graciously decided to offer a complete Mexican dinner to our entire group. No one else had to cook and that was certainly a treat.
Truth be told, a terrible storm took out my power for quite some time that afternoon, so I did not finish the embroidery before time to go. When I returned home, I was so impressed with the meal that I added the text to the design. It is Embroidery Library’s Mariachi Clothesline.
I’ve always felt that situations like this require a gift which does not leave the recipient feeling beholden.
When I gave the towel to Jackie at church she was so very pleased. Of course, she is the kind of lady who would have been tickled with a decorative pocket package of tissues. At the fellowship hour after the worship service, she was showing it off and all the non-sewers, which makes up most of the congregation, seemed so amazed at not just the Mariachi Clothesline embroidery, but the personalization. It certainly takes a just a little stitching to make some people happy. And it makes me happy to see them happy.
So the next time you need a quick gift for someone you don’t want to feel beholden, go embroider or stitch a dishtowel. That’s my advice. Happy sewing!
And read on…….
This earlier post explains my feelings and opinion about dishtowels very well.
“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” • Ben Carson
Ben, that’s just one reason for my happiness. However, it’s true that for any occasion– large, small or no occasion at all– I love giving gifts. But it can be tricky.
Goldilocks said, “This gift is too big!”
Too large or too expensive a gift like this jewel encrusted package or a trip to Paris for lunch would make a friend feel beholden and I don’t want that. (Let me be perfectly clear, I would not give a trip to Paris for lunch.Or a jewel encrusted package. So don’t ask.)
Goldilocks said, “This gift is too small!”
Too small a gift, like a coat hanger, is just tacky. Getting it just right takes some thought.
Goldilocks said, “This gift is just right.”
The design is OESD/ Embroidery On-line’s Happy Birthday Frog. My design library includes the Bernina collection Fanciful Frogs. I have used those designs here and again and again.
As you can see, dishtowels are my go-to “little” gift. They can be personalized with machine embroidery (do you think my sorority sister Danilee ever got one of those bicycle license name plates or wall plaques?)
A novelty fabric turn tube hem or hand embroidery embellishment makes a towel special.
Yo-yo flowers with button centers, rick rack and a turn tube hem transform a plain white dishtowel to something more interesting. This towel was a project I taught at Sewing at the Beach, Myrtle Beach. Would you like this design to be offered as a freebie?
Dishtowels are always the right size, the right price. Even if the color is wrong they still dry the dishes.
These were for the hostess of a fabulous family Thanksgiving dinner. The leaf spray is from Autumn Wreaths, Kreations by Kara. I added the pumpkin from some other set. They made a perfect hostess gift.
This was a thank you for the gracious owners of the beach condo my daughter rented. These designs are from Dakota Collectibles Shell Collection and matched the wallpaper in the kitchen.
In groups they make a substantial birthday gift.
This DOW set was embroidered for my sweet, enthusiastic quilting friend Catherine.
The embroidery design set was done by Tracy Burkart of Needleart Studio. They seem to be unavailable now. It helps a quilter schedule a perfect week.
A recipe towel paired with a jar of jam was just the right size for each of my treasured PGM friends at our Christmas gift exchange.
I haven’t canned in years, but these jams from the Mast Store had more down-home appeal than Smuckers. The recipe designs are from Embroidery Library. They come as simple redwork. I added the fruit.
When a very dear but far away friend was experiencing some serious difficulties, these towels offered daily inspiration and a reminder that I cared. Coordinated with a turn tube hem, the dishtowels were bright and cheerful. Designs are from Amazing Designs Inspirational Concepts. A dishtowel can give a very personal message for little more than the cost of a greeting card. It lasts longer and is useful.
The embroidery is a compilation of elements from various designs. The house, tree, and “road” were combined with text to express a heartfelt message.
For another group gift exchange, Christmas dishtowels filled the bill.
The Christmas tree design is from Kreations by Kara, Christmas in Motion collection. “All is calm, all is bright” is in Amazing Designs Christmas IV collection which seems to be discontinued.
The “Tilted Tree,” “Jingle,” and Gingerbread House are all from Applique Corner.
Well, there are more dishtowels, but I seem to have beat this horse to death. I get all wrapped up in remembering the occasion and the recipients. Can you tell I love dishtowel gifts?
Not exactly a Griswold house, but it was enough to please us. And there is more in the back around the pool. Bob really wanted to please the children with all the lights. Lighted reindeer are perched on the garage roof, 4 snowflakes hang in front of the breakfast porch, candles are in the windows and my sewing room on the right is lighted up like an airport runway. Should have turned that off before Bob snapped this shot.
This is our 46th Christmas in this house and it seems each one gets better as all of our dreams have come true.
Well, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year has come and gone and it was a glorious time. For at least a few days of the week both of our children and their families were with us and the house was filled with laughter, music, good food, dogs, and chaos.
Since our son was about 10, the Noel proclamation has been mysteriously rearranged on the mantel with our boy neither pleading nor looking guilty, offering only an innocent smile. Now his son Robert has taken up the gauntlet and another Noel has fallen victim to the prank.
We never know what the mantel or the mirror will proclaim. Some days it’s NOLE or OLEO, though LEON seems to be favored–you just never know. Some speculate that it’s the work of the Elf on the Shelf.
Meanwhile, the piano seems to be playing non-stop, whether it be Ryan, Laurel or Robert at the keyboard, with only cookie breaks in the music. When Ryan was a child, his job was to play after dinner as Rebecca and I cleaned the kitchen. It made her want piano lessons.
My boy loves music as do his children.
Sweet, sweet memories.
It was to be a great puzzle. 11 yo Alastair grins at his success, while mama Rebecca holds well-behaved Mendel and Robert FINALLY gave in to have his picture taken.
We worked on a Christmas puzzle on the back porch in 80 degree weather. Then in one brief, unsupervised moment, Sebastian, our 1 year old Pyrenees pup, nicknamed The White Devil, pulled the unfinished puzzle off the table and chewed up several pieces. Oh well.
Gingerbread houses were built and decorated, basketball was played in the driveway, football games were watched, driving lessons were given to 15 yo Robert, eggnog was chugged, stories were told, cats and dogs were played with and loved on, church was zoomed and life was merry at the Ferguson home.
Our dinner table was festive, set with the traditional Christmas menu. Along with pumpkin pie, Laurel made a divine cranberry cake, with cream cheese frosting sprinkled with chopped walnuts, decorated with candied cranberries.
As expected, Vivian’s white lace Christmas dress was too big, so she wore cousin Laurel’s 10 yo black velveteen Sugar Plum Fairy Christmas dress which had been hanging in the nursery closet waiting for her to grow into it. Finally she did. Brother Alastair was dashing, as usual, in his holiday finery.
I wish I had taken more pictures, but I got so wrapped up in the wonder of it all. My wish is that you all had a joyous Christmas and celebrated the reason of the season.
From our house to yours, I wish you a happy and healthy 2021.
Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life. Anon.
I just came across this old post and thought it bears repeating. My life is great, rich and full of joy, and I hope yours is as well.But laughter is good for everyone. I hope this gives you a good chuckle.
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This post has only the most tenuous link to sewing. But some days tenuous is all I’ve got.
There has been a lot of illness among my elderly relatives. Sadly, since this was first posted, we have lost both Aunt Aileen and Uncle Richard. But life goes on. We accept as God’s blessing the merciful death of one and peaceful death of the other.
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When my Uncle Richard, 92, healthy and fit, stopped by my home after visiting his hospitalized sister, my sweet Aunt Aileen, his sadness and depression were palpable. I steered the conversation to the past, leading him to talk about his career as a restaurateur. He and his long-departed wife spent many years as owners, managers and sometimes cooks for this restaurant.
Ahhhhhhh, I thought. A true, funny restaurant story should give him some distraction and a good laugh.
So I told Uncle Richard……..
After teaching for seven full days at Martha Pullen’s school in Huntsville, Alabama, I was tired and eager to get home to Florida. I’m like a long distance trucker on these road trips. With 650 miles to travel alone, I make every infrequent stop count–1) gas, 2) bathroom and 3) food —then back on the road.
Somewhere near the Florida state line, I stopped at one of those huge truck stops that could pass as a mini-mall. On one side was a sub shop and a sit down restaurant. A turkey sub sounded good to me.
Directly inside the door was a sub sandwich counter and a few small tables. To the left was the large dining room of the restaurant. I waited at the unattended sub counter for a few minutes then went into the restaurant to see if I could get some help. Two or three tables were occupied with diners, but no wait staff or attendants were visible.
Tick tock tick tock…….I don’t wait well. But I called up all my patience and gave it a little longer, a total of 6 minutes from my arrival. I had my gas and bathroom break but no lunch. I needed to get on the road!
So stepped behind the counter, washed my hands, put on a pair of plastic gloves and started on my sandwich. I had the roll sliced, the condiments slathered on and had just plopped the meat, cheese and veggies on the bread when a lady came out of the restaurant shrieking, “What do you think you are doing?!?!?!”
Very calmly, I replied, “I’m making a sandwich, of course. Since no one was here to do it for me, I assumed this was a self-service shop.” Continue reading →
You can’t beat bug hunting for kids’ summer fun. Make this bag with or without embroidery and they will be kept busy prowling the bushes and grass. Whether the prey be creepy crawlies or fireflies, the adventure is a child’s version of an African jungle safari.
But where to put the catch? This fiberglass screen wire teepee bag (the name is suggested by its shape) is a perfect accessory and holding pen. Use insect designs from iBroidery.com and your personal design library to embellish the outside.
Most machines handle the screen wire effortlessly. The stand-alone butterfly swaying inside the bag will intrigue the children and send them racing out the door away from their screens and into nature. Without embroidery, print a butterfly on cardstock and dangle it with monofilament, just like the embroidered one. You could even include a few plastic bugs in the bag, as shown in the photo, to get the children in the mood.
This was my latest project featured on Brother’s blog at Stitching Sewcial. It includes detailed instructions for the basic bag as well as a downloadable template. This template shows the sections and sides of the bag, making embroidery placement easy.
The basic bag is my standard, favorite teepee bag, used dozens of times. But the zipper insertion varies and frankly is easier with less opportunity for error.
See that the zipper is simply placed on top of the screenwire and held in place with a decorative stitch that mimics grass.The embroidered ladybugs could easily be replaced with ladybug buttons.
There is still plenty of summer left. Why not give the children a last adventure before the start of school with this fun bag and activity? Check out the Stitching Sewcial blog post for particulars. Enjoy these last lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer with your kids.
