Dirty Laundry

Posted on December 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

I’ve mentioned my good friend Sue Lord and all of her talents before (www.suelord.com).    Her ever -flowing creative ideas and strong influence on my sewing projects require that I give her credit and thanks yet again.

Sue designed the dirty laundry bag project. It was featured in one of the machine embroidery magazines and is included in her embroidery collection Gifts for Women.  This collection has something for everyone and is just fabulous.

Sue, ever the Southern gentlewoman, stitched her dirty laundry bag in feminine pastels. But the text is just suggestive enough to make me think of black lingerie.

The bag is made from ivory polished cotton with black doubleface satin ribbon running through the casing.  I almost always prefer ivory over white.  On this project, it softens the harshness of the black stitching.  Continue reading →

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Posted in accessories, antique/vintage textiles, bags, Disney, Disney projects, Judy Day's creations, machine embroidery, Tutorials

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Tiny Scrap Quilt

Posted on December 12, 2009 | 1 comment

 

This little quilt appears misshapen because it is being held in place by a vine stub and a prong on the wrought iron arch and is poked out of shape.

This little quilt appears misshapen because it is being held in place by a vine stub and a prong on the wrought iron arch and is poked out of shape.

When life throws you scraps, make a quilt.  ~Author Unknown

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I LOVE Liberty of London Tanna Lawn. I buy it greedily, use it sparingly and save every teeny tiny scrap of the precious fabric.

This diminuative single Irish chain quilt, a mere 8 1/4″ x 11 1/2″, is made from ivory Swiss lawn and a bag of Liberty scraps, each measuring 1″ x 3/4″. How you might wonder did I come into possession of such insignificant scraps?

Many years ago, my dear friend Mildred Turner and I held doll schools around the country. Each of the 40 student received an undressed specially made porcelain doll and for 3 or 4 days we sewed the doll’s wardrobe. Continue reading →

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Posted in quilts

Special Angels

Posted on December 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

During the Christmas season, references and images of angels are as pervasive as Santa Claus. They appear on greeting cards, holiday attire, tree ornaments and home decorations. It is not surprising that there are so many embroidery designs and projects that reflect the public’s interest and fascination with these celestial beings.

In literature, angels are equally prevalent. There are Biblical references, such as, “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

And tongue in cheek references, “A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase. ~Author Unknown

We just can’t seem to leave angels alone.

Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, Holiday Projects, home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery, quilts

Alastair’s Temporary Christmas Stocking

Posted on December 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Alastair temp stocking

 

 

Talk about quick and easy!  This is truly a modern project for any kind of Nana. Purchased by my daughter for her son, Alastair, I was asked to personalize it for him, which I did.  But, as it turns out, this stocking is doomed to be a single use item, scheduled for replacement, Christmas 2010.

His name is embroidered in the candy cane true type font, about which I wrote in the Christmas Aprons post a few days ago.  At the intersections of the decorative stitching, novelty Christmas buttons are sewn. The Santa, snowman, gingerbread man, cardinal, Christmas tree and other dimensional buttons delighted Alastair.

Rebecca, too,  was delighted until she caught up with this blog and saw her nephew Robert’s stocking in the Flying Santa post. She had never seen it.   When that stocking was made and hung, Robert was a newborn and his Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Harvey were in Africa, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“You mean you can MAKE Christmas stockings?  I had no idea! Will you please make one for Alastair?  Uh, next year will be fine.” Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Just Plain Glenn

Posted on December 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

In previous posts, I’ve mentioned that Children’s Corner Glenn is one of my favorite patterns for little boys.  It comes with a button-on bib which offers countless opportunities for hand or machine embroidery.

For my 9 month old grandson, Alastair, I have made two Glenns, this one in black check and the other of brown plaid Viyella.   The bibs were for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother Goose Story Time.

One of the best things about this pattern is that if you embroider the suit itself, a soiled, embroidered bib can be removed, leaving the baby looking fresh, clean and well dressed.  This just plain Glenn (suit with no bib) was shown in the Mother Goose post, with a bib of the same name.  With the zebra, embroidered on white fabric and applique’d on to the black check,  Alastair can be Mowgli, playing with zebras in the Jungle Book. Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, infant clothing, machine embroidery

PGM Gingerbread Aprons

Posted on December 7, 2009 | 2 comments

 

Gingerbread houses are truly old fashioned projects for old fashioned Nanas.  It can be one of the most lasting Christmas memories for your children  or grandchildren.

Since my children were old enough to lick the mixer beaters, we’ve made Christmas gingerbread houses.  And all the PlayGroup Mamas made gingerbread houses with their children (see earlier post, PGM-PlayGroup Mamas ifor explanation of PlayGroup Mamas).

 

PGM Arlene made four every year, one for each child.   Striving to make the best house or the best fire station or the best school or whatever,  they were fiercely competitive.  Each child  had a big idea and a big time.

A few Christmases ago, when a few of the PlayGroup Moms started backsliding in this time honored tradition, Arlene gifted each of us with an unadorned but constructed gingerbread house. We gathered together to decorate our cookie houses, each bringing a variety of decorative candies, a box of 10X confectioners sugar and extra electric mixers. Like Arlene’s children, we each had a big idea and a very big time. Continue reading →

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Posted in embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, home dec, linen blanks, machine embroidery, party accessories and ideas

Christmas Aprons with Candy Cane Font

Posted on December 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Josie

 

I’m not sure this guy knows what he is talking about.  These four ready-made aprons were embroidered for another doting grandmother who spends significant blocks of time with her two granddaughters and she seems to be aging not at all!

This ageless Granny and her daughter will be making Christmas cookies with the girls. I’m sure there will be some great photo opportunities for the multi-generational baking crew.   And I doubt either Granny or Mommy will look any older when the kitchen is finally cleaned up.

 

Josiebear1

When I embroidered aprons for my grandchildren, I had a hard time finding any appropriate designs. There is a plethora of chef collections, including those by Loralie, Amazing Designs, Adorable Ideas and Hatched in Africa. But none of these are for children.

Then I found Roberta’s Creations Cookie Cutters. www.robertasreations.com Continue reading →

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Posted in Holiday Projects, linen blanks, machine embroidery, techniques

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Posted on December 6, 2009 | 2 comments

The best babysitters, of course,   are the baby’s grandparents.  You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.”  Dave Barry

Is there anything sweeter than a freshly bathed baby? Is there anything slipperier than a freshly bathed baby? (The word “slipperier” looks all wrong, but trust me, this is correct. I’ve checked.)

Sweet and slippery as they are, after I nearly dropped infant Laurel lifting her from the tub, I decided that a hooded bath towel was a layette requirement, not just a nice accessory. You can “hang” the hood on baby’s head and get a good grip on The Wet One. Since this Aha! experience, it has become one of my favorite shower gifts. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, embroidery blanks, linen blanks, machine embroidery

Flying Santa Stocking

Posted on December 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Before I learned to sew, I knitted Christmas stockings for both my son and newborn daughter. Their names were knitted into the cuffs and Ryan’s featured a choo-choo train, Rebecca’s a doll and wreath. I really dislike those stockings now, but my children hold them dear. Even though they are parents themselves, they think tradition trumps good looks and age appropriate designs. Memories of childhood Christmas magic are precious, I know.

When I was asked to make stockings for my grandchildren, it seems that I would have learned my lesson. But I reverted to my preference for childhood fantasy.   I might regret it years from now if the children prefer something more contemporary.

If that happens, I will not make a Spiderman or Dora the Explorer stocking. I refuse. So all three get traditional juvenile Christmas designs. If they want something else, they can shop at Cracker Barrel. They always have a nice selection. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Mother Goose and Elizabeth Travis Johnson

Posted on December 3, 2009 | 6 comments

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emilie Buchwald

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Alastair and libary Mother Goose

 

My 9 month old grandson is shown here with the library’s Mother Goose storyteller. While she is a familiar figure to him by now, he seems to find it a bit intimidating to be in such close contact with her and her fantastical flying fowl.

NOTE:  This suit looks much better with a shirt, but it was more than 80 degrees when the picture was taken this week!

 

zMotherGoosestorytime

Babylock’s Mother Goose on white baby cord

 

Since Alastair was a few months old, his mother has read to him and taken him to the weekly toddlers’ Mother Goose Story Time at the public library. Not only does it give him enriching opportunities to hear more language and have social interaction with other children, it gives my daughter opportunities to meet other like minded mothers.  They both enjoy it.

I thought it would be fun for him to have a special outfit for library day.  Alastair’s parents are avid readers and will do everything they can to encourage him to share their love of books.    Continue reading →

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Posted in boys, infant clothing

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