Spreading the Passion For Sewing

For those blog readers who are fellow quilters or seamstress (or cloth engineers), do you remember the first time you got behind a sewing machine and actually made something yourself? I do, it was an apron. I don't know whatever happened to the apron, but I can remember it exactly and see it perfectly in my head! (Well I see lots of things in my head, but we won't get into that!) Up until that time I had been doing all of my sewing by hand the way my grandmother taught me and I still enjoy handsewing. But I can distinctly remember that first machine made item and the excitement of making it. I got my very first sewing machine of my own for my high school graduation present and although it's retired now (in my attic - it's sentimental) my passion for sewing has only gotten worse through the years.

When my daughter was about 7 years old or so, I signed her up for sewing classes at a local lady's house. She went once a week just like music lessons and learned to sew. She really enjoy making things on her own and was the first in our family to use a serger. Actually when I got my serger for Christmas one year, she had to show me how to use it. She still comes over and sews once and a while, but now it's time to pass on the love of sewing and all things cloth and crafty to my neighbor's daughter.

My neighbor herself doesn't sew, but her daughter just loves the piece goods section of Wal-mart. So now we are beginning our sewing with the same patterns my daughter used when she was first learning. It's with the program, "Kids Can Sew" and it's really a neat program.

The kids sew very useful and fun items such as this bag that she is holding up.


We actually sewed our first item just after Christmas, it was a small pillow. Now she made a bag to carry her things in. Our next project will hopefully be a skirt and matching blouse or embellished t-shirt. Her enthusiasm is wonderful and she seems to be a natural! The food network tells us to cook with our kids. I say "sew with your kids!" It's a valuable skill they'll appreciate one day.

House Guest

Since Mom had her surgery on December 22nd, we've had a little house guest with us. She seems to have adjusted well, and although she is living a little beneath her standards, I think she's enjoying roughing it!

My dog, Holly and Mom's dog, Michou are great pals.
Holly has been given the job of camp counselor her at "Camp Harwell," the name the indoor four legged pampered guest refer to us as because here the dogs stay outside for a good portion of the day when it's not very cold.

Holly's Report:

"I can't believe that you're suppose to let your guest have the best. This is getting a little out of hand don't you think! She's in my bed!"

"Michou is a great toy! She actually plays back! She even squeaks sometimes like my other toys!"

"Listen, it's not my fault she's so dirty. She's the one who dove into the lake after those ducks. I could have told her that was a waste of time! We call her 'Little Brown Booty' here at camp because of the way her feet always stay brown. What fun a dog can have in a little puddle of mud!"

Happy New Year and Decorations Installment #7

Happy New Year - Wow 2007! Time flies when you're having fun and perhaps even when you're not. But either way, it seems as if it were just yesterday that we were welcoming in 2006. We spent last night ringing in the new year with sleeping. That was until our daughter called to wish us Happy New Year, the neighbors shot off very loud fireworks, and the siren on our weather radio went off. I guess that's old people for you as our daughter made clear! 2006 was a big year for our household. Our daughter got married and we welcomed our first grandchild. For me personally, I had set a goal of entering a quilt show and I actually entered two. The experience alone was worth it because as I found out, quilt shows have a culture all their own. The fact that I won two ribbons in our local show was icing on the cake! I also started blogging and though I'm not very regular at creating postings at least I take more pictures with the hopes of getting it posted. I'll certainly try better for this new year, but no resolutions for me! I've tried to come up with a new goal for my quilting/art and with the inspiration of a new friend from the dye class, Sarah Ann Smith I'm going to try journal quilting. That sounded like a do-able goal back in December, but now that January is here, I'm a little afraid I won't complete it, but I'll try. I'm going to be trying to make 8.5x11 small quilts where I try out new ideas or techniques. The goal is to make one new one per month. Sarah assures me that it's a reasonable goal, but she's much more ambitious than I am! I'll give it a shot and see where it goes. Now for the decorations. The tradition around here is to have our tree down at least by January 1st of each year. Don's dad always took their tree down the day after Christmas so I'm fortunate that we get to keep it up until January 1st. The decorations are all packed away, but I'll put up a couple more pictures here to end the season. I do apologize for not getting them all posted, but the pictures are made so it should go smoother next year. Scroll Ornaments - I bought these at Precept Ministries International's Gift shop several years ago when I was there attending some training classes. I love them and found the internet site to order more. There are all types and you can even get names of people or your surname customized onto them. The website is http://www.scrollsunlimited.com/

I especially like the Names of God and the meanings. I have about a half dozen of these now and hope to order more for next year.

And last (for this year) but not least by any means - our newest ornament. An ornament with our granddaughter's picture in it. Of course! No respectable grandparent tree would be without one!