Category Archives: uncategorized

New 4 Sale~Bunnykins, Jack and Jill, and more

 

$4~~silk violet heart ivory, lg. fabric 6-3/4" x 5-3/4", image 3-3/4" x 4-3/4" .... $3 small . fabric 3-7/8" x 4-3/8", image 2-7/8" x 2-5/8"

A few days ago, while I was deep in my sewing room clean up, a friend on Facebook posted her status as “Day 4 of Occupy Sewing Room.”  As it happens, we both labor at the same time with the same goal in mind.  Somehow, it is comforting to knowing that I am not the only one unable to sew because of this necessary maintenance.

At any rate, I keep coming up with more duplicates of books and patterns that I liked so much that they were purchased twice.  I’ve also unearthed some long-lost and/or forgotten treasures.  They are being posted for sale before I lose my resolve.  Already I’m tempted to and pack them away in that overflowing old steamer trunk labeled  “WORK ON THESE NEXT” projects.  I am a weak woman.

So for now, they are available.  It’s the same drill.  Post your shopping list as a comment or drop me an e-mail at NCcabin@aol.com.  I will get back to you with a total, then you pay (check, money order or Paypal) and I ship.  Simple enough?  Just let me know if you have any questions.  I am real “customer support,” not “Peggy” as seen in those entertaining ads on tv.

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$5~~silk lattice heart $5, signed by Jenny Haskins..on ecru satin fabric 6 3/4" x 5-7/8", Â image 4-1/2" x 4-1/4"

After taking a class from Jenny Haskins at Martha Pullen’s Orlando Market many years ago, I fully intended to make up one of her gorgeous quilts.  I bought several of these silks at her booth and a few more at Susan York’s.  Actually none are really silk.  Some are on satin and others are on a silky fabric.

$3~~silk violet girl, ivory~~fabric 4-3/8" x 6-1/4"...image 3-5/8" x 2-1/8"..on silky fabric~~ 2 available,Â

How sweet is this? Continue reading

Today only!! FREE Mary Frances book

My dear DIL just sent this link to me.  The classic Mary Frances Sewing Book~Adventures among the Thimble People book is available as a FREE download today only.  Get it while you can!

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THE MARY FRANCES SEWING BOOK – Adventures Among the Thimble People (PDF ebook)

She’s BACK! One of the most beloved & popular children’s book characters from the early 1900s returns in another CLASSIC story. And while all the Mary Frances books are excellent, many folks say this sewing book is the best of the bunch!

In this part “fairy tale” and part “instruction book” various sewing implements come to life for Mary Frances, and they teach her how to sew – beginning with outfitting a sewing basket, then learning 10 or so basic stitches, then progressing to a sampler, and then on to doll clothes. The wonderful illustrations sprinkled throughout the book are very reminiscent of the L. Frank Baum Oz series.

This fun book can be enjoyed just as a delightful fairy story, or you can use it as the basis of a hand-sewing curriculum. Don’t miss it!

http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

Funeral Humor


Aunt Aileen, 1921-2011

Today we laid my dear Aunt Aileen  to rest.  Her passing was peaceful and welcome–she was more than ready to relocate to heaven.

A few weeks ago, looking back on almost 90 years of life, this four-times married (thrice widowed) delight told me, “I moved from my mother’s house in Danville to Mike’s house in South Bend, to Jim’s house back in Danville to Cliff’s house Sarasota, to Leo’s condo in Bradenton.   I moved to assisted living in DeLand then moved to this nursing home. I’M TIRED OF MOVING. My next and last move will be to the House of the Lord—AND I HOPE IT’S SOON!”

She had a habit of talking in CAPS. Continue reading

Back-in-Time Clothesline

 clotheslineS 10-15-2011 1-22-51 PM

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that I now have a clothesline and I love it.  I love the wicker basket, the canvas pin bag and the wooden spring clothespins.  I love spending  extra time outdoors.  I love the smell of sunshine on my sheets. I love listening to the birds as I pin the laundry to the line.

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I do not love fighting the mosquitoes. But that everyday nuisance is a fact of life in Florida.

The appearance of this old-timey appliance is the result of my dear husband’s  reluctant cooperation and my huge effort toward getting the essential pieces/parts. I had to be assertive with the “associate” who “helped” me at the local home improvement store.   He seemed unable to understand the ancient term “clothes line.”

Elin Kleopatra Danielson-Gambogi (Finnish painter, 1861-1919) A Sunny Day.  Yes, clotheslines have been around for a long time.

 

First, I was shown a pricey, boxed, umbrella style contraption that likely required two burly, certified installers.  Next up was a high tech  mechanically engineered retractable cord.  When I finally made myself clear–“I NEED A ROPE!”—the perplexed young man asked, ” Why? Would you like to see our dryers?”  grrrrrr……. Continue reading

Children’s Hankies

UPDATE–see update at the end of this post.childrens hankies L all 10-14-2011 12-32-00 AM
“He had no little handkerchief to wipe his little nose.”  Rev. R.H. Barham

And I surely don’t want that to be said of my granddaughter, Laurel.  The poor child has allergies and without warning, her  little freckled nose can run amuk. Having a handkerchief in her pocket gives a measure of confidence, now that she is, in fact, seven years old.  She does NOT like to be embarrassed.

This week, Laurel sang the national anthem with the Orlando Symphony, along with several other children.  Each represented a school or group and was invited to sing at a special performance for children.

And what does this have to do with handkerchiefs? Continue reading

Therapy Thoughts: A Second Look

Susan, my miracle worker therapist, waving goodbye.

Just before we went to North Carolina last week,  I had jury duty. When I went through security, as I expected, the alarms went off.  After explaining that I have two artificial knees, the guard “wanded” me and asked if I were happy with the way they worked.

“Well, not entirely” I replied.  “They have ruined my kick boxing career!”  We laughed and I went to the courtroom to perform my civic duty.  But it brought to mind the whole knee replacement experience, so I looked up this old post. It addresses my thoughts and raised awareness that resulted from my time in rehab after knee replacement 15 months ago.

Re-reading it did me a lot of good. Comparing the drug-dealing trial defendant with the hard working staff and others I  met at the facility, helped reaffirm my conviction that most people are basically good.  In this post, I hope you find some tidbit worthy of your time, whether or not you read it when it first appeared.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June, 2010–After 3 days in the hospital and 14 days in rehab, I am finally going home.  I can’t wait.

It’s not so much that I’m eager to leave this place as I am simply eager to go home.  Rehab has been a very positive, educational and meaningful experience. I’ll come away from this place with more than a new knee.

This Latin charmer waxed eloquently on the joys of American citizenship and the hardship of spending most of his life in Cuba.

I’ve met incredible working women, seen patients with more challenges and courage than I hope to ever have need of, and watched residents in the final chapters of their lives, facing the end with a wide array of grace.  They have enriched my life and given me a new appreciation for the blessings God has showered upon me.  Here are a few of their stories. Continue reading

Blogs~ Inspiration and Information

This vintage linen guest towel has been identified as Lefkara embroidery, thanks to Cynthia at California Stitching.      P.S. Just what do you think that figure in the inserted medallion is? A long-legged bunny? A sea gull? I’m pretty sure it’s something. What?

I could easily spend a good part of every day reading blogs about sewing.  How amazing is it that I can sit in front of the computer in my snug study, look out beyond the front porch to my roses and a second later  peer into the sewing rooms and minds of others around the country who share my passion for needlework?

These blogs are so well done!  If I spent the time to glean all  the valuable inspiration and information, I would never get to sewing!  This is exactly what Beckie was talking about in her recent blog Habits at Ponderings of Life, Memories, Sewing and More.  It was as if she were speaking directly to me, sort of like when the minister preaches to the entire congregation, but YOU KNOW he wrote that sermon just for you…….gulp.  Uh, thanks, Beckie!

 Thanks, Lisa, for the inspiration for Alastair’s first day of preschool shirt!

When I saw the shirt Lisa made for her 1st grader’s first day of school, I immediately purchased the design and have made grade level shirts for each of my three grandchildren.  I love it!  I would never have found the design Continue reading

Little Dresses for Africa

If you haven’t already heard about  Little Dresses for Africa, you will feel an ache in your heart that will likely drive you to your sewing machine.  Please click on this link to find out how you can help the needy children of the world from the comfort of your home with the supplies you have on hand.

This is a non-profit Christian organization whose mission it is to provide relief to the children of central Africa.  And they do it one dress at a time.

A pattern for a simple pillowcase dress in a wide range of sizes is offered as a free download.  Finished dresses are sent to this organization which arranges for distribution to the precious, needy little girls through mission groups and other charitable organizations.

A scrap of gingham was serged with red wooly nylon and tied around the bias ties.

Those of us who sew often bemoan the size of our stash/collection/resource center, all the while wishing we could wisely whittle it down to make room for more.  This is the perfect outlet for that surplus fabric.  Your precious fabric and precious time will be worn on the backs of these precious needy children. Continue reading

Come See~~2nd Annual AG Tea Party

Granddaughter Laurel’s Second Annual American Girls Tea Party is history. After all the preparations, as expected, it was a huge success. Last year the guest list was much smaller, but the past school year has brought a lot of new friends into my seven year-old granddaughter’s social circle.

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All the girls are enthusiastic owners of one or more American Girls dolls, all of whom were, of course, also invited to the festivities. As is so often the case, sewing projects played a part in this special event. Continue reading

Sewing on Bulletin Boards

Robert's 2nd grade bulletin board

Robert’s 2nd grade bulletin board

Some days it seems that sewing influences or impacts every aspect of my life.  Given the intense passion so many of us feel for textile arts, this influence should not surprise us.  Yet, it does, especially when sewing solves problems that seem to be unrelated to “needlearts.”

Laurel's 3rd grade bulletin board

Laurel’s 3rd grade bulletin board

Case in point–these bulletin boards for my homeschool classroom.  For the past week I have been tied up with my elderly aunt who broke her hip and had replacement surgery.  In spite of a medley of health problems and almost 90 years wear and tear on her fragile body, she has managed the bumps in the road and is recovering satisfactorily.  But in the meantime, the clock was tick tocking away the time and I fell further and further behind in my preparations for the upcoming school year.

My immediate problem was that the annual homeschool evaluation for  my grandchildren, 7 year-old Laurel and 6 year-old (today is his birthday!) Robert, was scheduled for today.  It was also our first day of Nana School.  My little classroom had to be ready, including new bulletin boards, lesson plans and cupcakes for the birthday boy. So how did sewing help me with the bulletin boards? Continue reading