The Wearable Napkin

They are in the mail!

My sweet 84 year young mother is in a rehabilitation facility recuperating from a fall she took on July 9th. After surgery the following day to repair her left femur, and a few days in the hospital, she’s now discovering muscles she’s not used in years while maneuvering the wheelchair and walker! Every day she is a bit better and stronger. Praise the Lord!

She's wearing the Hawaiian Artist Smock/Apron I created for her before her fabulous
trip to Hawaii a couple of weeks before the fall!

During the interim, sitting up straight in her wheelchair while eating meals has been a challenge due to other physical issues she has unrelated yet aggravated by this fall. While sharing a meal with her last week, she dripped and spilled food down her blouse.

Dabbing up the trail of syrup here and there, and laughing at herself, she said, “I guess I’m going to need a bib like Wouida wears.”

Well, my momma will never wear a “bib”!

Wheels began turning in my head to create something else with the same purpose, but not to look like a "bib" in any form or fashion!

Drum roll, please! Announcing the

“Wearable Napkin”!!!

 

Pocket for cell phone is behind the black dress with white dots -
see the cell phone barely sticking out? It does slip all the way down, but I pulled it up some to show!
I used a terry cloth towel for the bottom "skirt" 

Besides being a "so momma print" - I kept in mind what others across the table will look at and read!
Wish I could be a fly on the wall when she wears this for the first time!

Reversible!  Only difference between the 2 sides is the pocket size/placement.
Just like wearing a "real" apron, the neck tie only needs to be tied once!

I came up with two similar styles and have ideas for a bit different ones in the future.

Keeping in mind busy prints makes for hiding spills and drops!

            Like a camo print for men?

Also, she likes to keep her cell phone close. I applied a pocket (matched within the print) on the upper left side sized especially for her phone.

They are in the mail to her! She should get them tomorrow at the latest!

I can hardly wait to hear what she thinks! I've told her they won't be a thing like Wouida's!

How much longer?

Are you wondering how much longer it is until National Doll Day?



Join the celebration! National Doll Day on facebook!

Fresh Cedar

It is Wednesday. This I know because my laptop told me so. It’s a screwed-up-days sort of week going on in my head. I’m always thinking it’s some other day than it actually is. When working from home, it’s difficult to keep the days straight.

Since it’s the twelve day of the month this means only ten more days before the annual slumber party at a dear friend’s house! Lots of girlie stuff goes on and it’s like Vegas – what happens or what is said at her house – stays at her house. I’m so looking forward to the fun of it all. Just chilling with the girls, some I know, some I’ll met for the first time – even though I went to high school with the majority! But that’s been decades ago!

In addition, since it’s the twelve of June means I have one month and one day to get everything finished for the Spring Ho Grand Parade in Lampasas, Texas – to celebrate and promote National Doll Day. I completed a few outfits over the past week and planned others in my head … until I can get back to the studio–

I’ve been on “hold” since January 2011 to get something done on the refinishing and the finishing of this house. Yesterday that changed. The 16’ trailer is loaded with wood & siding… we started back on it this morning! I love the smell of fresh cut cedar…

Time and Order

Near the end of May, I began posting quotes on my Facebook wall, and on Lanetta’s Creations page, from a couple of books I’ve had for years. It’s been a long time since I’ve read either of them. I need a refresher.

One of the quotes I shared yesterday meant the world to me, more so than the others so far–

Time is the greatest gift of all. –Anonymous

How true is this!?!

“The Gift of Time” article, written by Delores Elaine Bius, found within God’s Abundance – 365 Days to a Simpler Life, edited by Kathy Collard Miller, hit home to my heart. She wrote about the “privilege” she experienced being with and taking care of her mother the last three months of her mother’s life.

Then today’s quote:

Order is the shape upon which beauty depends. –Pearl Buck

In the other book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, Sarah Ban Breathnach writes:

There is an immediate emotional and psychological payoff to getting our houses in order. We might not be able to control what’s happening externally in our lives but we can learn to look to our own inner resources for a sense of comfort that nurtures and sustains. I have even noticed that there is a direct correlation between the days when I’m feeling depressed and the days when the house is in disarray.

I ask, what happens when you physically are unable to get things in order?

It was my “privilege” to have given Momma the gift of time last week. Her garage has been in such disarray for years. She’s yearned for help, for organization since she cannot do it herself. She’s wanted it in order, especially her supplies so she could return to doing a bit of artwork.

My sister & I had planned for several years to get out there and get it done, together. Time schedules and travel (I live 3 hours away), however, has never coordinated for us. During my last visit – while my sister was out of town visiting her daughters and grandsons, I made the time.

Momma came first – before running the roads, visiting friends, cleaning my own house! I’d put her off too long. There is still quite a bit to do, but at least now there is room to do it! At least now, she can get to her art supplies!

Will you give the gift of time to someone you love?

Sound of a Sweet Voice

A while back I wrote the article “Before it’s too late” to encourage others to record their voice for their children/grandchildren. What a priceless gift it would be in years to come, after the voice only resonates in heaven.

I don’t know how, but through my only cousin on my daddy’s side, there is a sweet recording of his voice when he left her a message – when, how long ago, I haven’t a clue. It doesn’t matter. It’s my daddy’s voice, just like I remember hearing five months ago.

My oldest niece sent the file to me last night via email.

I didn’t hear it until this morning.

I’m still crying.

I’m grateful my cousin was able to retrieve it and share it with my niece.

I’m so grateful for Leasa, for sharing this sweet sweet message with me. She said she played it for Momma last night (because Momma couldn't open the file sent to her) and reports that hearing his voice again made her very very happy!

Once I stop crying, I know I’ll be happy, too!

"Okie Dokie" - as my Daddy would say!

Mesolthelioma Awareness

Yesterday I received an email from someone I don’t know personally. She reached out to me and asked if I would consider sharing her story – to help others. Because this is a powerful story of inspiration and hope, I’m certain she’s contacted others and asked them to share as well.

In part, she wrote:

The reason I have reached out to you is because of your blog! I am 44 and a mother to a quirky little 7 year old, Lily. She is my only child, and my whole world. When Lily was just 3 1/2 months old, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a type of cancer that kills most people within 2 years. As I’m sure you can imagine, the first thing that came to mind when I was diagnosed was my baby girl and how I wasn’t going to be able to watch her grow up.

After intense treatment and recovery, I’m still here 7 years later and cancer free! My journey with cancer was a terrifying one and I'd like to turn my pain into purpose and become someone that other people can look to for guidance, inspiration, and hope in situations like my own. My husband and I recently participated in a short video about my experience with cancer and I contacted you because I feel that your blog would be an excellent place to share. I’m hoping to use this video as a tool to raise awareness of this horrible little known cancer that is such a deadly killer (and sadly, 100% preventable).

I hope you take a few minutes to watch her message, see her lovely daughter, and hear from her husband.

Back to Work!

I hope everyone had a blessed Memorial Day/weekend filled with heartfelt gratitude and remembrances of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. For me – like so many of you – it was a weekend also filled creating new memories with family.

Lots of fishing (catch/release), hunting the newly spotted nutria on the tank, target practicing, playing games, watching movies, painting pictures, eating/sleeping, and a little wine drinking and cigar smoking filled the weekend here.

Once company left yesterday afternoon, I did get a short “to-do” list started before taking a very very long nap!

Now, today, like so many of you, it’s time to get back to work!

First order of business: turn “guest bedroom” back into Lanetta’s Creations studio!

How did you celebrate Memorial Day?

Embroidery Mental Block

Two years ago this past February, I sold my Grace Quilting Frame (that had been with me for years without completing one quilt)

(Picture from their website)

and bought an embroidery machine a few months later.

I ended up getting the Brother SE-400 Combination Sewing and Embroidery machine

(Picture from their website)

rather than my dream – the Ruby Viking.

(Picture from their website)

Oh, My, Goodness! I could by a used car for that price! Maybe someday, after I win the lottery!

The process of learning how to machine embroidery came slowly, then abruptly stopped. It was July of 2011, when I had to go to Dallas to be with my parents as Daddy ended up having two major surgeries in less than a month. His healing process was slow going and Momma needed help taking care of him. Once the crisis was over and I returned home, to the studio, it’s like I’ve had a mental block, lack of desire, or any interest in using the machine.

Of late, I’m grateful the desire/interest has rekindled itself. I’ve brought out the machine and placed where I can easily use it, to learn and discover its true value. A “study” of sorts begins today!

Happy Embroidering!

Sudoku Mini Quilt Wall Hanging

Somewhere, several months ago, I ran across a Sudoku quilt someone had created putting several puzzles together to make a full size quilt. I thought I had pinned it, but can’t find it now! Suffice it to say, it was lovely and inspired me to create a simple wall hanging based on the Sudoku pattern.

What is Sudoku?

Wikipedia describes it as a “logic-based, combinational number-placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 9x9 gird with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 sub-grids that compose the grid (also called “boxes”, “blocks”, “regions”, or “sub-squares”) contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.”

When creating this simple Sudoku Mini Quilt Wall Hanging, I encountered a few challenges: 

• Selecting nine coordinating colors for the actual puzzle! Fortunately, I had my mother with me, an artist with a keen sense of color! The “tenth” color – I used a dark brown print - for the dark bold line separating the “sub-squares”.
• I purchased 1/4 yard each. I decided to use one of the colors as the backing, so that color I purchased a full yard. (I’m thinking with this size wall hanging, fat quarters would have worked just as well – but don’t forget about the binding, too!)
• Finding small prints to show up within the finished 1.5” square (the size I wanted)
• Keeping the “number” color separate/identified

I began by drawing out the puzzle on a piece of paper, then color coding the squares to represent numbers 1 – 9.

Using “snack” size baggies, I marked a number on each baggie, to keep the individual nine cut squares – per color - separate. Then I began cutting out my squares!

What size individual squares do you want finished?

Whatever that is, add a half inch (for your quarter inch seam allowance!)

Following the diagram closely, I positioned each “sub-square” together,

then stitched the pieces together.

The three rows then went to the ironing board.

On each sub-square, I pressed the center row toward the center square. The two outside rows, press away from the center square.

Two sub-squares received the strip of dark brown, the “bold” line, on the bottom.

I learned quickly to immediately sew the strip on the appropriate line.

Always, always, always, as you go, check the placement before sewing the sub-squares together… I had to rip out twice when I placed a row up-side-down, which invalidated the puzzle!

Press Press Press (DO NOT IRON) - What's the difference? Read about it here!  

Clip away all dangling threads

Once the “top” is stitched together, and the puzzle complete/accurate, sandwich the batting between the top (right side up) and backing (facing down). 

I started out machine quilting (3.5 stitch length) simply around the sub-square. It didn’t quilt it enough for me, so I continued with a “stitch in the ditch” technique within each nine square.

I never can remember how to miter corners when binding. I now have saved the .pdf document HeatherBailey so generously provided showing/explaining the amazing directions!

Then I went in search how to prepare the quilt for hanging and found this delightful tutorial at PatchworkPottery. I did make my corners larger (7”) than what she suggested.

Ta-Da!

Happy Creating!

A Trashy Purpose

English Lavender

On January 21st of this year, I decided I wanted a new “flower bed” in a location basically worthless growing anything - even grass. The packed, hard ground was only conducive to growing Texas Size Stickers!

Unacceptable.

I envisioned an area outlined in English Lavender, with only one natural entry into this “space” then filled with rows of herbs and flowering plants to bring in the butterflies. I wanted the area is as far away from the house as I could muster – within the fenced in yard – away from the cows! Oh, and I also want a chair out there, one heavy enough to withstand the south winds, a place to sit and read during the quiet early mornings.

The concept of building a Keyhole Garden, layers of recycled materials to break down over time, is what I was going for when raking leaves, pecans/shells, and collecting cardboard boxes and newspapers. This slow “filling” process began. The plan to work on it a little bit at a time over the next month changed when –

my daddy died a week later.

I spent the entire month of February, and part of March, and some of April already, in Dallas with Momma.

Back home for a bit, while sitting on the front porch with hubby the other day, I mentioned I wanted to start working on the new area again. He looked down there and said something like, “Good. It is trashy looking.” I agree. I know, however, it’s a work in progress.

I got back to it yesterday! And, Oh, My, Goodness! It’s amazing how nice the dirt was underneath the trashy mess! It’s a good thing I left it alone for weeks, to let it “work” and do its magic. I wish now I hadn’t stopped covering & trashing it out back in January. I wish I had made the time to get the space totally covered, so all the area could start the “cooking” process.

It wasn’t meant to be. And, that’s okay. I’ll get it done. Maybe not this year, not like I have it envisioned, but I do have two Lavender plants planted, a chair (although I never know where it will be in the yard the next time I go out), and I do have a book!

Happy Gardening! Happy Reading!

How is your gardening/landscaping going?