{"id":13155,"date":"2011-05-11T03:14:38","date_gmt":"2011-05-11T07:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/?p=13155"},"modified":"2013-02-01T21:51:43","modified_gmt":"2013-02-02T02:51:43","slug":"connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/2011\/05\/11\/connections\/","title":{"rendered":"Connections"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Irby” by Ruffle Bunnies, made by Suzanne Sawko<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you have a really good sewing friend?\u00c2\u00a0 Someone who knows what you are all about?\u00c2\u00a0 If sewing is your passion and not just an occasional hobby activity, you need someone who understands that part of you, like few husbands or neighbors can.<\/p>\n

If you don’t have a sewing pal, I urge you to find one—and be one.\u00c2\u00a0 SAGA guilds, EGA, sewing groups and even workshops are fertile ground for developing meaningful friendships with like minded sewists.<\/p>\n

I have been blessed with\u00c2\u00a0several\u00c2\u00a0needlework soul mates, each one a\u00c2\u00a0true treasure of the heart.\u00c2\u00a0These past few days, I\u00c2\u00a0have been\u00c2\u00a0reminded in so many ways just how\u00c2\u00a0vital these connections are.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Terri Click is a new and wonderful connection.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Her blog, www.www.thethriftyneedle.wordpress.com<\/a>, is rich with information and inspiration, though\u00c2\u00a0Terri calls it a baby blog because it is new. How do you like the new Janice Ferguson Sews blog look?\u00c2\u00a0 I was able to upgrade because of my friendship and connection with Terri.<\/p>\n

From\u00c2\u00a0my very first post, back in August, 2009, I wanted bigger pictures, a pretty header and a background pattern.\u00c2\u00a0 Thanks to phone consultations and tips from\u00c2\u00a0my South Carolina pal, I got it!!!!\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I’ve spent untold hours in the past two days selecting a header image (that’s the narrow strip of Laurel’s Easter dress), choosing a background image (behind the text, the antique bassinet skirt I made into a nursery window valance) and updating the old posts with larger photos.\u00c2\u00a0 Thanks Terri!<\/p>\n

Today, for the first time in almost 7 weeks,\u00c2\u00a0I got together with\u00c2\u00a0another treasure,\u00c2\u00a0Suzanne Sawko (digitizer of all three Fil Tire’ Fancywork<\/em> embroidery collections) for a late lunch at Panera–from 1:30 until 6:45 p.m!!\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0That’s when my patient but hungry\u00c2\u00a0husband called to ask if I were coming home for\/or with dinner anytime soon?\u00c2\u00a0 Ooops–time got away from us.<\/p>\n

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Matching crocheted hats were made by Suzanne Sawko for her 6 year old granddaughter and doll.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s grandson Luke at the dining room table, doing his homework.<\/p><\/div>\n

For at least 18 years, almost without exception, we met every single Monday for lunch and to swap fabric, patterns sewing sagas, tips, finds, etc.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0However, the needs of grandchildren and\u00c2\u00a0elderly parents have pushed us into the so-called “sandwich generation.”\u00c2\u00a0 Now our get-togethers are irregular and not even always on Monday.\u00c2\u00a0 We catch up when we can.<\/p>\n

Suzanne shared some tips about crochet edges on baby blankets after\u00c2\u00a0I introduced her to Jeannie Baumeister’s blog http:\/\/oldfashionedbaby.blogspot.com\/<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 I was inspired and excited about the sweet flannel baby blankets Jeannie had posted and had some crochet questions for master crochet-er (?)\u00c2\u00a0Suzanne.\u00c2\u00a0 She\u00c2\u00a0also shared photos that gave me more ideas for projects.\u00c2\u00a0 I surely didn’t need that!<\/p>\n

But everything Suzanne makes has her own special twist and I love\u00c2\u00a0to see them.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0A\u00c2\u00a0 scrabble\u00c2\u00a0board quilt, which I will share later when we get better photos,\u00c2\u00a0was a gift to her son, with whom she plays scrabble on line.\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00c2\u00a0will love it.<\/p>\n

Suzanne made the dress at the top of this post from Ruffle Bunnies Irby<\/em> pattern by Sara Norris http:\/\/www.saranorrisltd.com\/<\/a> This photo is from\u00c2\u00a0Suzanne’s\u00c2\u00a0phone and not very clear, but imagine\u00c2\u00a0this confection\u00c2\u00a0on\u00c2\u00a0her 19 month old red headed granddaughter.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 She was\u00c2\u00a0adorable.<\/p>\n

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As I began writing a post for tonight, I pulled up several of Judy Day’s projects, all drop-dead gorgeous.\u00c2\u00a0 Her help, inspiration and expertise just a phone call away, even though she lives more than 1000 miles away.\u00c2\u00a0 Wait until you see the 1st communion dress she has made for her granddaughter for this coming weekend.\u00c2\u00a0 The above\u00c2\u00a0photo is just a preview.<\/p>\n

I think of\u00c2\u00a0the readers of this blog as sewing friends.\u00c2\u00a0 Donna and I smocked together when our children were small and have reconnected through sewing for grandchildren. Hopefully she will allow me to share\u00c2\u00a0with you the sweet Dainty Designs Easter dresses she made for her twin granddaughters.<\/p>\n

Jenny Jo is a friend I’ve never met, but I loved seeing her smocked Easter dresses, posted earlier, and hearing about teaching her 7 year old to sew.\u00c2\u00a0 Shirley and I swap thoughts and information about our beloved Brother sewing machines.<\/p>\n

Betty shares button machine creations and more, Haydee sends photos of her applique projects and Mildred is always there for consultation and consolation when I need it.<\/p>\n

Other new friends have shared their thoughts and passion for sewing through their comments and their blogs. Cynthia at http:\/\/mommysapronstrings.blogspot.com\u00c2\u00a0and Jan M. http:\/\/bessiemary.blogspot.com\/<\/a> have commiserated with me about sewing on easy care fabrics rather than heirloom quality goods.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Karen at http:\/\/butterfliesandfaeries.blogspot.com\/<\/a>, Elisabeth Rose at http:\/\/mommysapronstrings.blogspot.com<\/a> and Beckie http:\/\/sewconsult-ponderings.blogspot.com\/<\/a> have brought me inspiration\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0information\u00c2\u00a0through their comments and blogs.<\/p>\n

There are more, many more, each of whom make me thankful.<\/p>\n

To have good sewing friends, you must be one and I try to do my part.\u00c2\u00a0 Today, I\u00c2\u00a0mailed out special buttons to one and\u00c2\u00a0Battenburg patterns to another–it’s not much, but it’s something.<\/p>\n

Let’s stay connected, through e-mail, blogs and\u00c2\u00a0comments.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0We’re all better and happier for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you have a really good sewing friend?\u00c2\u00a0 Someone who knows what you are all about?\u00c2\u00a0 If sewing is your passion and not just an occasional hobby activity, you need someone who understands that part of you, like few husbands … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30,24,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13155"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13155"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25818,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13155\/revisions\/25818"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}