Category Archives: uncategorized

Down the Mountain~Sewing Store

At the last minute, I decided to join my darling daughter Rebecca on her trip to our family cabin in the mountains of North Carolina.   We loaded the car with her  four year-old Alastair, 9 month old Vivian Rose and the children’s  great Auntie Jeannette who is younger-than- springtime even though she is almost my age.   We  drove through the night while the children slept.

Amid the glorious fall colors, we are enjoying fabulous fun and quality family time.

When we arrived, I was pleased to see this  fall pumpkin pillow nestled on the couch,  announcing the season.

fall pumpkin pillowLW

I’ve managed to get a little smocking done but will share that project with you later.  Meanwhile,  I came across this post draft  written earlier in the summer and want to share it with you.  This shop might have something you’ve been looking for.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After several days of quiet at the cabin, we drove down the mountain and into Boone, about 10 miles away.  I always like to stop at the only sewing spot in the area, a great shop called   Sew Original.

Quilting seems to be their main focus, but they also have have lovely heirloom fabrics and smocking supplies.  There were racks of new patterns but also some old classics that I rarely see in other stores, like Sarah Hoard Stone’s Basic Yoke in every size.  This is one which I have used very frequently, for Rebecca years ago and recently for granddaughter Laurel Cade.

Sew Original also has the optional pattern packages for her second book, French Handsewing for Infants.

I treasure these patterns.

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Celebration

NOTE:  Several antique baby dresses and other items will be posted for sale Wednesday morning. 

“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” Leviticus 19:32

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All set up and waiting for the 11:00 service to be over (faces obscured because I for got to ask permission to post).  Gold  table toppers and table numbers were left over from our daughter’s wedding.

Today at our church there was a gala luncheon celebration for members of our congregation who are over 90 years old.  Sponsored by the deacons, this was an especially lovely event!  Twenty-two of the 46 eligible members were in attendance with their family and friends as guests. Almost 125 dinners were served.

Bob and I were both busy serving, so this is the only photo that we took.   After our church photographer posts photos, I will include more.  Fellowship Hall really did look very festive.  The theme was “fall,” though I thought for an event with so many elderly guests, “Don’t fall” would have been a better choice.

As each honoree entered Fellowship Hall, a boutonniere or corsage was pinned on and a photo taken.

The lady on the left, above, decided the honorees should have a goody bag as a sort of party favor.  On her own and with the help of her 11 yo granddaughter, she filled gaily wrapped bags with a word search booklet, a Bible scripture bookmark, a picture frame for the photo that was taken today, some hard candy, and a daily devotional booklet.  Each honoree was also give a souvenir booklet with a bio of each of the over 90 members.

I was in charge of decorations and was pleased to be able to reuse many things made for our daughter’s wedding and– much to my dear husband’s dismay– still stored in our garage.   Twenty gold table toppers, some sheer and some tapestry weight, were placed over the green cloths and the embroidered table numbers were once again put into use.

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at Rebecca’s wedding— same tapestry table cloth, same gold chargers, same embroidered table numbers, same linen napkins

When the table numbers were made, I knew it was a lot of time spent on a small detail, but Rebecca and I both liked the idea.  Since the wedding, these same numbers were used for four Mother’s Day teas at the church of my daughter’s mother-in-law and then for the wedding of a sweet family friend.  And in the next year, they will be used again for the wedding of another family friend.  So the numbers have been put to good use. Continue reading

More Creative Needle Mags

It’s been quite a while since I have posted but that’s because once again I have been plagued with computer problems and a nasty virus. If I have passed it on to any of you, I am so sorry.
Meanwhile, between tearing out my hair, whining and wailing, I have gone through my lace boxes and will soon post bits and pieces of antique laces, along with some antique baby dresses Vivian Rose has worn a time or two and since outgrown.
This Creative Needle update is all I have now.  I hope this is helpful to some of you.
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Creative Needle Magazine
Single issues $5 each.
A new assortment of Creative Needle magazines is now available for sale.  Each issue is $5 + $3.00 shipping.  The updated list is below.
Browse “A STORE” categories for items that interest you. Payment can be made with personal check, postal money order or Paypal. Send an e-mail to NCcabin@aol.com with your order, your shipping address and your method of payment. I will respond with a total, including shipping and sales tax for Florida addresses. If you choose Paypal, I will send you an invoice.
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Sept./Oct. 1985:  Interview with Elizabeth Travis Johnson, Teaching Children to Smock (by yours truly, Janice) with smocked barrette project, Children's Coats, Teddy Bear smock plate by Gwen Milner, Handkerchief Collars, Sewing for Dolls.

Sept./Oct. 1985: Interview with Elizabeth Travis Johnson, Teaching Children to Smock (by yours truly, Janice) with smocked barrette project, Children’s Coats, Teddy Bear smock plate by Gwen Milner, Handkerchief Collars, Sewing for Dolls.

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Sewing up Foster Love

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NOTE:  Some readers have requested advance warning of an upcoming Nursery Closet Sale, so here it is.  Coming soon, probably Monday morning,  Nursery Closet Sale #8 which includes a linen shadow work burp cloth, pique hand embroidered sunsuit, pink bubble smocked with Scotties, sweet flannel wide brimmed bonnet, and more.~~~

Recently, a reader of this blog sent a heartwarming e-mail which is posted below.  It details the thoughtful efforts of Jennifer, a foster mother, and her husband who have opened their home to foster children.  This couple goes far beyond providing food, clothing and shelter and Jennifer’s sewing contributes mightily to the children’s loving care.

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . .  But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” -Forest E. Witcraft

Charity sewing is not a new topic and many of you readers are actively involved in a multitude of worthy, meaningful causes.  But Jennifer takes an entirely different approach than I have ever read or heard about.  She stitches love into garments and goes even further to make permanent photo memories for the children in her temporary care.  Her expression of love for foster children has been a powerful inspiration to me.

“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” ~ Matthew 18:5 Continue reading

A Sweet Story about a Child, Kindness and Hope

Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the blossoms,
Kind deeds are the fruits.
~19th century rhyme used in primary schools

Robert finishing up a dishtowel for his mother.

Robert finishing up a dishtowel for his mother.

Like every grandchild, our 8 year old grandson Robert is beautiful, brilliant and extraordinary in every way. Let me share a story about this little guy, his kindness and his hope.  Never fear, as you can see from  this photo, there is a sewing connection.

Some time ago in Sunday School the children filled clay pots with paper flowers made with their own little hands.  Additionally, each child made a card to accompany his floral arrangement. The next Sunday, these were delivered next door to residents of the senior apartment complex, which is a mission of our church.  Robert and his sister Laurel were not in town with us that weekend, so they did not participate in the delivery or meet the recipients.

A week later, a thank you note for Robert was received at the church office.  An office volunteer reported that “a little old lady shuffled all the way over here with her walker” to deliver the note.  The carefully printed card expressed thanks for the flowers and especially for the message which Robert had chosen,  “God is always with you.”  Each child had selected his own greeting without suggestion. Most said “Have a nice day,” or “God bless you,”  but Robert had another thought.

He was absolutely delighted with the note which was signed “Miss Charleine, #752.”

The next week he decided to bring Miss Charleine a bouquet of real flowers after church. He was excited about meeting his new friend.  I did not call ahead for fear Miss Charleine would feel obliged to offer cookies or whatever.  We would just stop briefly. Continue reading

Aunt Rheeta~My Heroine

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Aunt Rheeta at our Rebecca’s wedding

 

Yes, she is my heroine and she would be yours too if you knew her.  I want to be just like her when I grow up—oops,  too late for that!  Well then, I want to be just like her when I am her age–78.

This post is only remotely related to sewing, but we all need inspiration and Aunt Rheeta is mine.

Her most recent activity spurred me to write this post.  She is one amazing woman.  Her friend Laura, the 88 years old  catcher (!!!!), is one of the few who can keep up with her.  Yes, Aunt Rheeta hangs with a tough crowd.

 

R swings

I think she said Mickey Mantle was her coach.

At the age when so many people are winding down, or have long since finished  that process, my  fit, fun Aunt Rheeta lives her life full steam ahead.  Now she is a medalist in the Senior Olympics where she competed in baseball, bowling (averaging 126!) and horseshoes. Continue reading

Smocked Nighties for 2 American Girls

L M stand

 

For Laurel’s 9th birthday I finally finished smocking this nightie.   The matching gown for her American Girl Molly had long since been done.   But when little Vivian Rose was born I was wrapped up making baby girl things, so this project was pushed to the back burner.  I was so glad to have both pink things out of my sewing room.

 

L close smocking

 

Like the Molly’s nightgown, Laurel’s has a machine embroidered heart in the unsmocked area at center front.  The designs are from Martha Pullen’s Little Pleasures collection which includes two nearly identical hearts in two sizes.  A little editing made them match almost perfectly.  Laurel notices and appreciates details like that.

 

L M sit cr

 

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Cherry Bubble

"Isabella" for granddaughter Vivian Rose

“Isabella” for granddaughter Vivian Rose

 

 

Isabella is a sweet, simple little bubble pattern from My Childhood  Treasures.  When Judy Day saw this pattern on-line, she immediately e-mailed me with the link.  She knew I would love it for our granddaughter Vivian Rose.  It is a for sale downloadable PDF pattern so I had it in my hands moments after buying it.  Don’t you love these downloadable patterns?

 

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My daughter Rebecca loved it exactly as shown on the pattern cover and wanted Vivian’s to look just like that.

 

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But you know how that goes…..even though in my fabric stash I had apples, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries and most fruits grown in the continental US, there were no cherries. Continue reading

Train up a child….

“Train up a child in the way he should go:  even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

 

Karoline sewing on her grandmother's Featherweight

Karoline sewing on her grandmother’s Featherweight

 

This Scripture applies to more than spiritual guidance.  Now a successful nurse practitioner, Karoline began sewing here at our home when she was 7 and has never stopped.  She was one of my daughter’s dearest friends from toddler days.  Karoline went to church with us and joined us for family vacations.  She was like one of the family.

After she graduated from high school, I didn’t see Karoline for many years. Recently, she moved back to the area with Benji, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Mr. Whiskers, an orange marmalade cat.   Yesterday, we had a joyous reunion and a fabulous day sewing on a special project for Benji.

 

K holding Bcr

 

Now can’t help strolling down memory lane, recalling Karoline’s enthusiasm and projects she had through the years.  And  the fun.  She was a really fun child to be around. Continue reading

Easter Outfits by Judy Day~~Going with the Flow

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Many of you have been there—that place in time where your idea of what your child or grandchild should wear differs from that child’s opinion.  Selecting fabric, pattern, smocking design, etc. is so easy when  they are little, but as they develop their own personal taste you have to go with the flow.

 

Kennedy

 

Judy Day has done just that with fabulous results for her 9 year old granddaughters. Judy has always made holiday outfits in groups of 4, one for each girl and one for  each girl’s doll.   But this year, she recognized and acknowledged her girls’ growing sense of individual style.  Well, at least their different color choices.

Here is Judy’s story about the Easter outfits.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Continue reading