National Sewing Month

Hey, Sewists across the nation and around the world! What an exciting month we have before us! September is National Sewing Month! Did you know? Back in 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed September as National Sewing Month stating in part:

In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.

I’ve written a blog post each day during September for the past few years. Last year I cheated as I invited folks I know to share their love for sewing! Several family members, friends I know personally, and friends I’ve met through Facebook helped me with the articles. I believe it was a fabulous way to cheat because others – who didn’t have a blog of their own – had a venue to share their inspiration and love for sewing with me and my readers!

Check out the archives when you get a chance. And, maybe, hopefully, they will leave a comment letting us know what they’ve been up to in this past year!

I’m away from the Lanetta’s Creations studio this September but have created a make-shift space within my mother’s family room. In between serving as primary caregiver while she recovers from a broken femur, I’m working on a few things, and playing with some new toys I’ll tell you about later!

My ArtFire Studio, Lanetta’sCreations, is temporarily closed (I just couldn’t bring my inventory here), but will reopen once momma returns to living independently - and I'm back home! A few special orders are in the works because folks have seen pictures on my Facebook page and have asked questions!

I love folks asking questions, like can you / will you make this or that for me in this or that color?!!?

Thank goodness, when I arrived in Dallas back in July, I did bring with me – my favorite of all time sewing machine: my Pfaff 1475CD. I absolutely love this machine!

September is a special month, one I hold dear to my heart – because it’s National Sewing Month! Although, this year, I doubt I’ll post an article every day! I hope you find them informative, fun, and worthwhile to read!

Stay tuned!

Momma vs Mother

Since I can remember, I always called my daddy, Daddy. I don’t know why, but since I can remember, I would call the woman who gave birth to me, Mother.

This changed a few years ago.

One day while eating at a restaurant, “Mother” asked me why I didn’t call her “Momma” and I didn’t have a clue. After listening to her, I realized she thought I didn’t feel as close to her as I did Daddy, not with the same loving tenderness as I had for my daddy.

WRONG!

I grew up calling both paternal and maternal grandparents: Papo and Grandmother, not “Granny” or “Mee Maw” or “Oma” or whatever. The “mother” always had a bit more formality than the men. I don’t know why.

Until that day, it had never occurred to me she felt that way. I’m glad she opened up and asked me, and I listened. I’m thankful and blessed for the time since then to call her Momma.

Now and forever, my momma she will be!

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!