Laurel loves her new denim skirt and so do I. Â My friend Suzanne Sawko recommended this pattern, telling me that it was a favorite of her granddaughter Alee, who is the same age as Laurel.
You can cut out and serge this skirt in less time than it takes to bake a cake and it made Laurel even happier than her favorite–lemon pound cake. It is such a unique pattern. Continue reading
UPDATE: Robert’s spiral bound book, Football Frenzy, is now available.
Robert wrote every word, did the research and even typed this himself. Finished before his 8th birthday, it includes a 7 year old’s experience and appreciation for the game, as well as interesting quotes and statistics along with Robert’s comments. It’s a bargain for $5 + $2 shipping. Get your copy now before Amazon picks it up and raises the price!!
First time tailGators, Laurel in a new shirt and Robert in one of his VBS tie shirts.
What a great time we had Saturday at the Florida/Arkansas football game in Gainesville! Robert and Laurel’s first tailgating experience was just about perfect. A good win for our beloved Gators, good food, good family time, and good weather. Okay, so it was a sunny 90 degrees, but there was a nice breeze and it didn’t rain. In Florida, that’s considered good weather, but not great.
Sewing always seems to play a role in all the major occasions of my life. I’m sure it’s the same for you, whether it’s party favors or decorations or gifts. Continue reading
Posted in boys, girls, machine embroidery, recipes, serger, sporting gear
Tagged Football Frenzy, Gator football, Gator shirts, tailgating
“I believe in signs….what we need to learn is always there before us, we just have to look around us with respect & attention to discover where God is leading us and which step we should take….”
― Paulo Coelho, The Zahir
There are all kinds of signs–signs of spring, signs of aging, signs of indigestion.  I especially like real, tangible signs that give directions, advice, entertainment or important information. It’s funny how sermons, a box in the garage, and free embroidery designs set me off on a binge of sign-making for our church.
Within two weeks, I (1) heard our pastor preach on the importance of daily scripture reading, ( 2) found a box of picture frames in the garage, and (3) discovered more than 40 FREE scriptural machine embroidery designs at Designs by JuJu . Hmm…..
Always eager to make my husband happy by using up and moving out stuff stored in the garage, I downloaded the free verses from JuJu, gathered up the frames, matched them size-wise to the designs I had in mind, and pulled out neutral colored fabric scraps. I was on a mission. Continue reading
NOTE:Â Several antique baby dresses and other items will be posted for sale Wednesday morning.Â
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.†Leviticus 19:32
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.
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
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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Posted in uncategorized
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
Posted in uncategorized
Tagged foster children, foster mother, heirloom sewing, sewing for foster
The coral rose and passion vine tangle up and cover this bench trellis. It’s a pretty spot to sit—or hang a dress.
Have you ever had a project that made you wonder if you would ever finish it? That’s the story for this summer dress that I started in June. Finally today, Sept. 2, it is ready to wear.
Yes, it’s a little late for summer, but in central Florida, summer lasts until late Oct.  There are still plenty of 90 degree days ahead for Laurel, my 9 year old granddaughter, to wear this cotton sundress. Add to that the fact that it is a little big, so she will be cool and cute next summer.
The pattern is Summer Separates from the Sew Beautiful collection.
Posted in girls, machine embroidery, techniques
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.
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
Posted in embroidery blanks, machine embroidery, Nana fun, uncategorized
hostess gift part 1
Our family has just enjoyed a fabulous week of fun and sun at the beach.
perpetual motion beach babies playing with their new friends
With friends at church we traded a week at their oceanfront condo for a week at our cabin in the mountains. Just 30 miles from home, the condo was conveniently located and the perfect place for a family gathering.
One reason it is so relaxing was that cars are not allowed on this section of the waterfront, unlike most of Daytona Beach.  The children were able to run around and dig anywhere that seemed deserving of a deep hole. Meanwhile, I sat under the beach umbrella with my daughter Rebecca and baby Vivian Rose who was mesmerized by the waves and the pelicans.
The designs are from Dakota Collectibles Shell collection.
As a thank you/hostess gift, I embroidered some kitchen and fingertip towels for the condo. Continue reading
Nat King Cole sang, “Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer…”
I haven’t seen much lazy this summer, and I have never seen hazy Florida humidity as visible as in these photos. It was steamy out at the clothesline today! I have seen plenty of “crazy,” but I’m not even going to start on that.
In earlier posts, there has been discussion about the utility end of sewing. Not everything we stitch is beautiful or creative or unique. Sometimes it is just what is needed. And according to my daughter, her children needed laundry bags. So that’s what I sewed. Continue reading
Posted in baby accessories, bags, machine embroidery, Nana fun
