Category Archives: Nana fun

NEW..Year, Beginnings, & OFB Daygown

Posted on January 2, 2013 | 8 comments

“Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring new opportunities.  ~Michael Josephson

January, 2013,  a time of beginnings.  We awaited the drop of the big ball with a  a fabulous, fun-filled New Year’s Eve with our son and his family.  They brought along Apollo, their 100 lb.  German Shepherd and it was a time of happy chaos here at our house.

We watched football, ate goodies, had a bonfire with s’mores, then fireworks.  Robert and Laurel found a farewell letter from Peter Elf and said their goodbyes to him.  Laurel, the little businesswoman, had bags to embroider so she got that done.  New Year’s Day was more of the same, except for the bonfire and fireworks.

As the above quote states, the new year brings new opportunities.  Our overdue granddaughter has still not made her appearance and I’m seizing this nail biting opportunity to sew more baby clothes.  The challenges he predicts will come in their own good time.

Ready to begin!  Yellow Imperial broadcloth, Vintage Swiss petit point handloom, French lace, entredeux and OFB Baby’s First Daygown pattern.

Thank goodness, I’m finally well and healthy enough to hold a newborn any day now.  I don’t know if it was all hot tea or the fresh-off-the-tree citrus I consumed, or maybe all  the naps.  But thankfully, I’m back in the sewing room. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique/vintage textiles, heirloom sewing, infant clothing, Nana fun

One Last Elf on the Shelf

Posted on December 31, 2012 | 5 comments

Peter’s message reads, “Donut miss church. Muffin but good things happen there.”

Bob and I had so much fun with Peter, our Elf on the Shelf, and our two older grandchildren.  Because we grandparents were sick,  we missed Christmas church and family gatherings.  So we were especially grateful to have shared these magical elf encounters with Robert and Laurel on their overnights with us.

This visitation came on a Sunday morning.  Saturday night, Robert had complained that he didn’t want to go to church.   He was tired and didn’t feel well and wanted us to stay home.  That is not an option at Nana’s house.

When the children came downstairs for breakfast, there sat Peter, perched on the napkin box, with an elf-sized donut in his hand and a box of elf goodies at his feet.  There were Krispy Creme donuts, blueberry and zucchini muffins for non-elves.

Peter’s message reads, “Donut miss church.  Muffin but good  things happen there.  Peter.”  The children are just the right age (7 and 8) to appreciate this corny, juvenile humor.  They loved it.

Elf donuts with a restorative sprinkle of cinnamon.

Fascinated with the miniature donuts, Robert reached out and briefly brushed Peter’s arm.  That is a HUGE elf no-no.  It is said  that elves lose their magic if they are touched by human hands. Continue reading →

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Posted in Nana fun

Bonnet, Monograms and Chicken Soup

Posted on December 28, 2012 | 13 comments

What does this baby bonnet

have in common with chicken soup? Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, heirloom sewing, infant clothing, machine embroidery, Nana fun

Tea Time Linens, Bertha, and Elf Fun

Posted on December 9, 2012 | 4 comments

Scroll down for Elf fun.

one of a set of six hand embroidered mats

It’s a smile a minute around here with all of the Christmas activities.  Of course, most of the festivities focus on our grandchildren.  On a recent visit, 8 year old Laurel pointed out that we hadn’t had tea for sometime,  so how about now?

Laurel and Robert who are not discussing politics, religion or their health

Tea time is a good opportunity to use some of the pretty antique tea linens I have accumulated. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, antique/vintage textiles, Nana fun

Updated…Compromises-Play it again, Sam!

Posted on December 2, 2012 | 14 comments

Though nothing like this was heard at the formal Stetson Christmas Concert which is central to this post, the video below is is too special not to share. Thanks, Shirley, for bringing this to my attention. I promise you all will want to see this to the very hilarious ending.

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I’m being forced to make creative compromises.  It is absolutely impossible to sew all that I want and to regularly dress my grandchildren in the classic clothing I’ve always wanted for them.

Torn between making baby clothes for soon-to-arrive granddaughter #2 and sewing Christmas outfits for the three grandchildren who are already here, I am making compromises I never thought I would accept.

I’m re-doing, recycling, and taking shortcuts with holiday clothes, not to mention cooking and housekeeping!  This year’s Christmas frock for granddaughter Laurel is 2011 all over again.  It’s the same burgundy velveteen collar dress, though he collar has been replaced with one I made for my daughter 24 years ago.

This doesn’t even meet the bridal wardrobe standard of “something old and something new.”  This is just something old and something older!

Seven year old Robert joined us this year for the Stetson University Christmas Concert.   He looked handsome in a nice red sweater (off the rack, not even handknit by Nana), while Laurel, 8, wore this dress.  But they certainly didn’t compliment one another’s outfits.  Oh well.

The concert was absolutely spectacular and incredibly moving.  My scalp prickled and my eyes teared. Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, heirloom sewing, Holiday Projects, Nana fun, Second Time Around

Elf on the Shelf Fun

Posted on November 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

DSC05778

 

 

We are having so much fun with our Elf on the Shelf.  If you are unfamiliar with this new holiday phenomenon, check it out here.  The grandchildren named him Peter because he looks a lot like Peter Pan and is able to fly between our world here in Florida and the world of Santa at the North Pole.

Here’s his story in a nutshell.   Daily, the Elf on the Shelf observes the children’s behavior, both naughty and nice, and reports nightly to Santa.  When he returns from giving his evaluation, he likes to have fun in his assigned home.

 

 

He arrived at our house laslt year just after Christmas when I first heard about him.  With a charming book and a backdrop for photo ops or set ups, this elf languished in the closet under the hall stairs, in conditions much like Harry Potter endured with the Dursleys. Continue reading →

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Grandchildren’s Bedroom Redo

Posted on November 6, 2012 | 2 comments

 

DSC05400

 

My cup runneth over with grandchildren.  Whew!  It has been non-stop fun here at Nana’s house for the past 10 days. Granddad and I have read stories, said prayers and tucked in one, two, or all three grandchildren every  night before and after some exciting events (Halloween, county fair, Gator football game and more).

That’s why there has been no time for blogging.  Of course, I’d rather spend time with these precious children than blog, but I hope to be more regular from now on.

2 beds

I’ll prattle on and on about these fun happenings in the next post.  For now,  in order to get back on track to the topic of sewing, I will show pictures of the big kids’ bedroom redecorating, though it is not yet done.  Because the room is shared by both Robert and Laurel, it couldn’t be too frilly or too masculine.  Another consideration is that we often use it for guests. Continue reading →

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Posted in home dec, Nana fun

Candy Corn & Halloween Fun

Posted on October 19, 2012 | 2 comments

There are sooooo many adorable Halloween applique’ designs for machine embroidery!  For granddaughter Laurel’s outfit, I finally narrowed the field down to this candy corn design, primarily because I had already purchased the spider web/candy corn fabric for fun.  This design just seemed right.  Candy Corn Cutie is from Embroitique.com

The girls A-line jumper in  Applique’, Martha’s Favorites by Martha Pullen’s has always been one of my favorites.  I bemoaned the fact that it went only to size 6 when it occurred to me that I could use the same quick and easy lining technique with any similar pattern.  I found just what I needed with a commercial pattern (on sale at JoAnn’s for $1.99!) and whipped up this piece for Laurel in no time.

It is lined with yellow cotton batiste because 1. I had it on hand and 2. because it is a relatively cool, lightweight fabric.   In Florida, Halloween season can be and usually is very hot.  Top stitching is worked around the hem, neckline and armscyes.  At the them, three rows of ribbon echo the white, yellow, and orange layers on the candy corn.

The leggings with a knit ruffle at the ankle are from Sophie’s Stitches.

NANA FUN—Our daughter, Rebecca, came for a few days with her husband and 3 year-old Alastair.  We had so much Halloween fun with the little guy.  Every year Granddad (Bob) decorates his shed which is the background for the bonfires the children love so much.   Often, they pause from running around or eating s’mores to climb up on his John Deer tractor housed in the shed, or pretend to drive the golf cart which also resides in this man cave.

It was late, so Alastair was in his jammies.

Sadly, cousins Robert and Laurel were tied up with football practice, piano lessons and Girl Scouts so they couldn’t make it over while Alastair was here.  But 4 year-old Alysha, our goddaughter’s child,  came for the bonfire and a day of fun. Continue reading →

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Posted in girls, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery, Nana fun

Fluffy Lambs & Happy Chaos

Posted on September 17, 2012 | 5 comments
bassinette skirt~work in progress

bassinette skirt~work in progress

 

I really haven’t dropped off the face of the earth!  I had hoped to post photos of a finished bassinette skirt several days ago, but instead have only a picture of the work-in-progress project and a synopsis of the last several hectic days.

We’ve had a houseful of grandchildren and their parents.  The happy chaos that ensued has been delightful—-and exhausting! Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, machine embroidery, Nana fun, recipes

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Sewing at Nana Camp

Posted on July 12, 2012 | 9 comments

We’re having a big time with granddaughter Laurel, 8, who is here for the week.  While brother Robert is at basketball day camp, she is here at sleepover Nana Camp, where there’s a lot going on.

This is Laurel’s new sewing area.  She has finished more than half of the 9-patch blocks and 4 oval yo-yo’s.  The blue painter’s tape helps her maintain the required 1/4″ seam allowance.

A new sewing station has been set up for her in my sewing room.  From here, where my cutting table, iron and all my equipment is located, to the dining room where she has sewn before, it’s a  three day trip.   Her new spot is much more convenient. This is a permanent set up so she won’t have to put her sewing away at dinner time.

The antique sewing table where her little Brother machine is perched was a birthday present from my dear husband several years ago.  See the “yard stick” printed on the table top? Continue reading →

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Posted in Kids Sew, Nana fun, quilts, recipes