Itty Bitty Baptist

Mary's son-in-law is the youth pastor at a Baptist Church so I made these for Milea & Lincoln.  Since the kids are so cute, I decided these would give someone a smile--'specially Grandma!

A Surprise for a Friend!

I have a dear friend that has grandchildren far away, like mine are.  They should be arriving at her house-with their parents- either this afternoon or tomorrow.  She has a cute, cute granddaughter, Milea (named before the Obama's moved to Washington) and a new grandson, Lincoln.                 I wanted something special for her to wear while they are here.  That way, long after the children are gone, there will be memories of their visit each time she pulls out the apron.    

This cute apron is made of cotton fabric with a delightful collection of children's faces.  The neck strap has 3 button holes to make it adjustable for someone short or tall.  The waist ties are long--92inches from the tip of one tie to the tip of the other--so it can be comfortably tied in back or brought back around and tied in front.  There are 2 pockets on the skirt that are highlighted with red piping. Red piping is also featured around the bodice of the apron. The lined top features custom machine embroidery with an appliqued cupcake.

How fortunate you are if you have grandchildren close by!  My grandchildren have wonderful parents that take full advantage of modern technology to keep us 'plugged in' to our 7 grandchildren's lives.  It seems they've been talking on cell phones since they were babies--and I'm so very grateful.  "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,which dwelt first in thy grandmother, Lois. . . ."  ITimothy 1:5a

A Birthday Surprise!

A young friend called & said her mom's birthday was coming up and she wanted something special. Her parents had recently moved & she wanted hand towels for a powder room. She requested 2 with a simple initial monogram, 1 with their last name & 1 to be from their grandkids. The kids call them GeeMa & Papa. How surprised that Grandma will be!

For Pampered Pets!

I recently had a customer contact me with a request I'd not done before.  She wanted towels customized for each of her children's pets.  When they go outside, many times, they come back with wet or muddy feet and she wanted something that could be kept by the door for a quick clean up.

Something for Auntie Bev

What fun these hand towels were to do!  I was fortunate to have a large family of Aunts & Uncles that loved me dearly and spoiled me--almost rotten!  Auntie Bev was my dad's baby sister--his only sister.  She always had everything perfect and had just the perfect touch to add to a room or gift she'd brought.  Mom told me I was born when she was in the 8th grade and she loved me dearly.  On her Sr. trip rather than buying a souvenier for herself she brought home something for me!

She and Uncle Donnie always gave just the right present for birthdays & Christmas. My favorite had to have been the white soft, bulky knit sweaters I got for Christmas.  I felt like a princess wearing them!  They had no children until I was finishing the 8th grade.  What a delight for them to have Nancy and quickly thereafter, David came along.  I was fortunate to be able to go and 'help' for a week after their children were born.  My 'payment' was a paisley soft side suitcase!  40 years later, I still have it! Today it's filled with the first blankets & special outfits from my  4 children.

In her 40's, Auntie Bev was diagnosed with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.  Even that difficulty didn't slow her down.  She got a scooter when she could no longer walk & worked in the continuing education dept. of her town's school.  Now, though, Uncle Donnie is gone and she needs significant care.  She has her own apartment, but has several care givers that come to help with her various needs.  She asked if I could make some towels to go with their Christmas/New Year bonus.  I was so thankful she asked!  I laughed through the making of them thinking of how she would take on over each one.  I could hear her voice--in my mind--saying "Hand over the chocolate--and no one gets hurt."

I loved  doing these for her and already have it on my caledar to do some more in the spring!  I am so very thankful that God ordered my life in such a way that she was a great part of it. When I read Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones." I think of her example of a merry heart and am so thankful I've had it to have it to enjoy!

Thanksgiving Thoughts--

"Praise ye the Lord.  O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:  for His mercy endureth forever."  Psalm 106:1

Well, it's Dec.1 and the holiday season is here.  Yet, this year, I long to linger a bit in a season of thankfulness to the Lord.  It seems each year neighbors have their lights up earlier; stores have out Christmas displays sooner --and rather than seeming organized and prompt it seems to me that people are in a hurry to get past thanking anyone and let's 'get right on to the feasting and bring me the presents!'

Don't get me wrong--I love the bonding time of family feasts and I love giving presents.  While there's nothing I lack, I enjoy opening surprises as much as anyone.  But this year, I'm keenly aware of the enormity of my need to be grateful to a merciful, holy God because without Him, I would have no being; without His mercy, I would be in a most deplorable state.  I'm kind of a slow thinker sometimes, but it seems that rather than rushing Christmas, I'd like to move Thanksgiving to a place on the calendar that would give us more time to ponder God's goodness to us.  I know, it's a most unpractical idea--it will never happen but perhaps the shortness of the "thankful season" will cause me to extend it into the early days of next year.  I hope so.

Oh, LORD, help me to daily focus on your goodness to me.  Help me to see things, experiences and people that cross my path as from Your Hand trusting that You alone know exactly what I need.  Because of Christ,

amen.

Turtles in the Nursery!

I had a customer email and let me know they needed a baby shower present. The nursery theme is turtles! How fun is that? All of these items are made with soft snuggly flannel. The large changing pad has flannel on the top and bottom with flannel backed rubber sandwiched between to keep everything dry. It is personalized with the baby's name & friendly turtle. The shaped burp cloth is made of 4 layers of that same soft flannel. It is intended to be used with the embroidered design over mom's shoulder and the baby will lay against that soft fabric. A flannel print receiving blanket completes this gift set. It is 36 inches square with a large M appliqued in one corner with the baby's name 'stacked' on top of it. I'm hoping this young family will love them! "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:. . " Psalm 127:3a What a delight for me to be able to be a small part of the joyous time for their family!

Today's Project--Red Pillows!

I recently had someone ask if I could make some pillows & bench cushion for them before Thanksgiving. I told them I thought I could and today they are finished. These pillows turned out so good. The bench cushion was done in a beautiful print with the red pillow fabric for the cording. Then the red pillows were done with the print cording. This gal has great taste and the fabric shows it!

For the cushion I used a product I'd not used before--NuFoam. It was very easy to work with. It comes in a couple of thicknesses, but I used the 2 inch for this project. The finished cushion came out about 1.5 inches which was good for this customer. For a thicker cushion, I think I'd probably layer it to get about half inch deeper than the finished depth.

She's coming to pick them up in a few minutes. Hope she likes them as much as I do! I'm hoping to get some time soon to post a few more of the recent projects, so check back to see them.

What sewing projects are you working on?

Grandma's Sewing Room

"What a name for a business!" I've heard that a few times when I've given my business name. Old fashioned, I know but I have great memories from my Grandma's sewing room. I have 2 grandmothers that were proficient seamstresses. Some of their sewing was of necessity, but they had a love for it that was seen in the things they used fabric for.

My grandma Edythe, died just before I turned 5. I'm the only one of the grandchildren with memories of her. I would walk across our small town each day after she was confined to bed with cancer. We would go through the magazine she had by her bed and I would pick my favorite picture. She then helped me cut it out and we'd glue it in a 'book'. I heard about things she made. I cherish a small white porcelain goose pin cushion and the sewing chair that were hers.

My grandma Elizabeth was a prolific seamstress and had a definite artistic flair. I have wonderful memories of her sewing long flannel nightgowns for each granddaughter every winter--and of course, pajamas for the grandsons. She made wonderful costumes, pep club uniforms, formals, winter coats--anything with fabric. Many times she would lay fabric on the bed in the room connected to her small sewing room. I was to stand still in the middle of the room. On her command, I would raise my arm, put it down, turn around for as long as she needed. She would then turn and begin cutting--many times with no pattern--to make clothes that FILLED my closet. I was just daring enough that I would wear about anything she made. During the late '60's I had the first 'granny' dress in town and the first maxi coat. When there was a new style to her liking, I got an outfit!

When my sewing business began, I thought I'd be sewing mostly baby things. Now that I'm a grandma to 7 of the most wonderful children you'd ever meet, Grandma's Sewing Room seemed an appropriate name. I hoped my grandchildren would have wonderful memories of my sewing room. But my business soon exploded in directions I hadn't dreamed. I do custom machine embroidery and all kinds of sewing: Home Dec, wedding, childrens, alterations and even some mending once in a while! Probably the largest, most unusual thing I've made is an organ and bench cover for our church. Since there was no pattern that had to be designed first!

Through the years I've sewn for all of my immediate family: pajamas, shirts, dresses, costumes, formals. Long ago, I even made a sports coat for my husband! Many of those things I've wished I'd have kept, but life was busy and the house seemed too small to keep all those things, so they are long gone.

I've taught sewing in the Christian school where I taught for 15 years. I taught K4 but during rest time a teacher's aid would stay with the children while they rested and I taught sewing to high school students. I loved it.

I will endeavor to use this blog as a way to show some of the things I am currently working on. As I begin, I will post pictures of some of the things I've made in the past. You can see many--but not all-of these things on my current website: www.grandmassewing.com. Most of the things I do are custom, so if you have an idea for something you'd like, send me an email and I'll be glad to consider it.

Please do come back and visit again. I'm still 'learning the ropes' of blogging, so please have patience. I hope to hear from you!

Marci