More Memphis

So -- it was a plain little shirt. What I liked about it was that it had a nice neck opening (snaps in the back) -- and it was a quarter at the Goodwill Store. But I knew it would be too short for Memphis. So, I added a pink ruffle...

This purple sweatshirt was hard to pull over her head -- so I cut an opening in the front, and added some tie-dye t-shirt fringe...on the bottom, at the neckline...

Now -- you can see it fits her PERFECTLY...

She likes pockets, too. This red shirt was too short -- so I added a zebra stripe, and a 3" red band at the bottom. Memphis loves HER POCKETS...
Although you can't tell -- those are sparkle corduroy pants she's wearing people...

Yes, this is still amusing me...a lot...

Dr. Phil & Breakfast Club wisdom

This is a picture of my friend Sandy -- one of my breakfast/blook clubbers...


You KNOW how much I enjoy these women...and I just wanted to thank Sandy for recently sending me an email with these words of wisdom:

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you
have started and have never finished."

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates, and a half bottle of scotch.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.
Pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace.

Happiness is not a matter of events; it depends upon the tides of the
mind.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

On my recent fabulous day trip with my friend Anne -- she gave me a driving tour of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Devastated by floods two years ago, there are parts of this beautiful little jewel of a city that will NEVER recover. It was stunning to drive through dozens of neighborhoods and realize that the damage will affect some families for generations to come...

In a typical block -- two houses may be completely and beautifully restored -- but there may be six houses in that block that are boarded up. Empty except for the feral cats, rodents and black mold...

The formerly vibrant downtown -- with all the charming bridges -- is mostly vacant. It felt empty and sad. Of course nobody is talking about the flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa anymore....I mean, there've been earthquakes in Haiti...
I think that, as a general rule, mid-westerners are stoic, non-complaining people. Maybe the hometown boy, Grand Wood, really captured it best with his painting, "American Gothic"..

Cedar Rapids is still working to recover....but, clearly, some things will never be the same.

Here's what I know for sure. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home of Grant Wood, is one of the most beautiful little cities in the country.

And if you want to help Cedar Rapids -- please put it on your short list when you're planning your next family vacation...

Inspired 2 Sew Enters DZGNS Contest

THANKS, LINDA -- for this wonderful picture!! I love, love, love your apron. Mary is very proud...

AND -- we all need to go to the Designs in Machine Embroidery website to see WHO WON THE EMBROIDERY MACHINE.

It will be no surprise to my Expo-fan-blog-readers that both Jan and Bonne -- the Inspired 2 Sew girls -- took up Eileen's challenge. On very short notice, they both designed a gift tag for Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine's chance to win an entry level embroidery machine.

Here's Jan's entry:

She wrote: Oh my gosh, this was fun! My gift card is cotton covered with a greenish gold organza. Then I used some of the hot-fix crystals on the tree and put a red star at the top! I cut the outside with the pinking shears and added a red silk ribbon tie! What a cute idea - I’m surely going to make some more gift tags this year! I would love to win this Brother SE-400 embroidery machine for my dear granddaughter. I had a great opportunity to use some Brother machines at Steve Wilson’s Embroidery Workshop for Anita Goodesigns last spring in Puyallup, WA - I was amazed how user friendly every machine we used was. I started teaching my granddaughter Teagan Barnes, to sew when she was 8 years old, have taken her to classes and she has entered her projects in the local fair. I was the guest quilter at a local quilt show, and she was there with me, as we had made vests of the same fabrics but our own choosing! She uses my embroidery machine but it would be wonderful for her to have her own as she is now 15! I keep encouraging her to design and sew her own garments and this would be a huge step up for her!




And Bonne's entry:

When Rita Farro asked her Blog fans to participate how could we say no? Then to find out it involves Eileen, whose designs I own and love, as well as Brother, whose wonderful machines I’ve had the pleasure of using during hands on classes at the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo I couldn’t wait to participate. To top that off I now have two new sites to add to my Bookmarks!

My tri-fold tag incorporates Eileen’s designs, hot fix crystals, ribbons, and ribbon hinges (that were sewn in with the border satin stitching).

Winning this contest would mean having the opportunity to share this wonderful hobby we all enjoy. It would give me the chance to encourage/promote this pastime that has given me immeasurable pleasure over more years than I care to state, because I would forfeit the prize and request that Brother donate the machine to the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo to be used as a prize (to promote sewing in the next generation if possible).

WOW...These two girls are VERY competitive. And they make us ALL LOOK GOOD.

Great challenge, Eileen -- be sure to let us know who wins the machine!!

VERY special apron!!

At the 2010 Sewing & Stitchery Expo -- at the very special Friday Night LIVE -- Mary and I gave door prize gifts out of our personal "stash"...I got this GREAT PICTURE of Linda Boothman -- winning the embroidered hand towels...


After my recent post about National Tie One On Day -- I received this email from Linda Boothman:

She said:

Hi Rita! Speaking of Aprons.....remember the cute towels you and Mary threw to me at Friday Night Live at Sew Expo this year???? I have been USING them....when it hit me what to do with them! I adapted Mary's Church Ladys' Apron pattern....what do you think???? I love it and it looks great on (-;

Best, Linda in Othello

THANKS, Linda, for sharing!! GREAT, GREAT JOB...

Hey, howzabout instead of getting all caught up in the Black Friday shopping craziness -- use today to do some relaxing SEWING. And start by shopping in your STASH.

Tomorrow I'm going to post a picture of Linda wearing her fab new apron...

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Mostly, I'd like to say this one thing....those warm and fuzzy Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving pictures were complete fiction. There is so much pressure to have the PERFECT DAY...the PERFECT MEAL....set the PERFECT TABLE...

Like most holidays, Thanksgiving remembers better than it lives. Here's the deal. Every family is dealing with something. Economic problems, job loss, foreclosure. Or maybe it's heath issues. Leukemia, cancer, Alzheimer's. It's hard to be joyfilled if your child has been diagnosed with a devastating illness. Hey -- even if everybody is employed and heathy -- EVERY family has those problem members...the loud, argumentative, know-it-all types, the lazy ones, the no-shows, the grudge-keepers. That's all NORMAL.

But the myth is that on Thanksgiving -- you are entitled to ONE PERFECT DAY. It is supposed to be the one day a year everybody PRETENDS they get along. And, hey -- I'm a big fan of pretending. It's reason enough to cook a gigantic turkey.

But it can be sooooo overrated. I just want to remind you -- NORMAN ROCKWELL PAINTED FICTION.

*****************

At the Friday Night LIVE event at Sew Expo last year -- Mary and I brought door prizes out of our "stash". For example -- this beautiful set of vintage embroidered hand towels --

Somewhere in this audience -- Linda from Othello -- was about to win the set of towels...



THEN -- yesterday -- I got this email:

Hi Rita! Speaking of Aprons.....remember the cute towels you and Mary threw to me at Friday Night Live at Sew Expo this year???? I have been USING them....when it hit me what to do with them! I adapted Mary's Church Ladys' Apron pattern....what do you think???? I love it and it looks great on (-;

Best, Linda in Othello

I've asked her to send me a picture of her wearing the apron. WHICH IS FABULOUS...

THANKS, Linda, for sharing!! GREAT, GREAT JOB...

I am thankful for my blog readers!

Cedar Rapids Mystery Man

When my friend Anne asked if I would like a little "day trip" to Cedar Rapids -- I was ALL IN...the timing was perfect...here we are, arriving at Pine Needles, a beautiful quilt shop...this is us with the owner -- Henry Reicks...
It was a very important special occasion....And who do you think is the guest of honor? This sophisticated, handsome mystery man??

That's right -- it's Mr. Ueltschi...

Still don't know??

He is the owner of Bernina!! No kidding -- right here in little ole Cedar Rapids, Iowa!!

This picture was taken by Mr. U's professional photographer...I've gotta say....


The HEY RITA tote has NEVER looked better...!!

Lillian's Baby Zebra Outfit

Yes, I actually found a FABULOUS PAIR OF ZEBRA PANTS for Lillian (Memphis already has a pair). These were WAY too long -- so I took a 2" tuck...but didn't want to mess up the cool hot pink hem facing with the vent on the side.

Then -- I added a zebra ruffle on a plain white t-shirt...
You've gotta admit -- this is a STUNNING OUTFIT...and I can hardly wait to see Lillian wearing it...too bad I don't have the perfect little zebra jacket.....OH, THAT'S RIGHT...
Unbelievable. The jacket was exactly the right size...out of a beautiful little cotton interlock...

Yes, what we are experiencing here is a little dose of "ritaluck"...AND I was so excited about Lilly's little zebra outfit -- I did 2.5 miles on the treadmill that day...

Happy Birthday Amy

Having your birthday near a holiday sucks. Of course, the WORST timing is having a birthday on December 25. That happened to my sister Deena...enough said...

My niece Amy's birthday is November 22...so her birthday is always overshadowed by the looming Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, there's no point in whining about when your birthday falls...Deena has always embraced Christmas -- it's HER holiday in many ways.

And Amy does the same thing with Thanksgiving. She's taken over hosting the family dinner. Here's a picture of Amy and her husband Bill...

Amy does a "turkey tales" scrapbooking project the kids enjoy. Her three boys are all creative. In this picture, the youngest, Cash, is experimenting with one of those chocolate bead straws...

Last spring, I took the two older boys, Cash and Garrett, to the Putnam museum -- and we did a lot of different craft projects. Here, Garrett, checking out a turbo machine...

Cale, trying to make an elevator ride more interesting...
Amy is a busy young Mom -- and she's having a LOT OF GUESTS coming to her house in a few days for Thanksgiving dinner. So her birthday will be a footnote this week, at best...and that's probably par for the course....

I'm just sayin'........HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY. Your family is lucky to have you and the boys are doing great. Take a few moments for yourself today because you deserve it...

Love,
Aunt Rita

National Tie One On Day™

This is a picture of Mary Mulari and her Aurora, Minnesota crew -- enjoying an evening at the play, "The Church Basement Ladies"...and, of course, THEY ARE ALL WEARING APRONS...from some of Mary's various wonderful apron patterns. Her "Church Basement Ladies" apron is her #1 seller.
In this picture (so old, I am fat) -- my book clubbers are all wearing vintage aprons -- we were reading "Growing Up Country" -- and serving a 50's supper for some friends.

Me and Mary, stylin' in our aprons, posing for our publicity shot...

So -- what's my point? Well, I am encouraging you to participate in the "National tie One On Day" this Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. This movement, started by the woman who wrote "The Apron Book" -- is simple. On the day before Thanksgiving, give an apron, maybe wrapped around a loaf of bread or a thoughtful gift -- to a woman who is working to prepare the family Thanksgiving. I'll be giving a vintage apron to my niece Amy, who has invited us to her house. Inside the apron, she'll find a 1944 cookbook that used to belong to her Grandmother, my mother...

It's simply meant to brighten somebody's day...whether you live in a big city or out in the country -- connect with a neighbor, acquaintance or friend who would appreciate such a simple, thoughtful gift.

From the website -- Apron Memories -- with Ellyn Anne Geisel, author of "The Apron Book"

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel

YOU COULD BE THE WINNER

This is yet another charming picture of the beautiful Empress of Embroidery -- Eileen Roche. The Editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine. Yesterday, I posted a link which explained how you could win an entry level embroidery machine...here's more information...

From the Designs in Machine Embroidery website:

Eileen writes:

A few weeks ago, many of you shared what you would do with a new entry-level embroidery machine. Wow – how generous you all are! Almost everyone of you said you knew someone who would just love to have a new machine! Well, here’s your chance to make it happen! Our good friends at Brother have generously donated a Brother SE-400 sewing/embroidery machine for one of our lucky Blog readers. But here’s the deal – you win by ‘creative participation’. And you don’t even have to embroider – you just have to show you are creative. Download our gift tag design and Brother’s winter tree design (both available in digital embroidery and graphic files). Make the tag (stitch, print, color, glue, glitz, cut, crop, weave, sew, bling, tack, beribbon or whatever!), take a photo and email it to us. You’ll be entered to win the machine. Winner will be announced the day before Thanksgiving – how’s that for something to be thankful for? So come on, join in the fun!

And here’s an incentive…EVERY entry received will receive a $5.00 coupon good towards any purchase at www.dzgns.com!

HEY -- you win JUST by entering! And I'm serious -- you have a VERY GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING...

Here's another picture of Eileen -- with Rhonda Pierce, Marketing Director of Schmetz Needles -- and me -- at Quilt Market.

Yes, we do look like we're having too much fun. Eileen has that affect on people...


So -- C'MON -- YOU CAN DO IT. THE DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 22...so c'mon...HURRY...go there RIGHT NOW...you can thank me later...

http://www.dzgns.com/biggestblogevent/

WIN AN EMBROIDERY MACHINE!!

One of the hardest working women in the sewing industry is Eileen Roche -- editor of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine. Here she is -- teaching -- and she is IN HER ELEMENT when she's sitting in front of an embroidery machine..

AND -- I AM SO EXCITED to be a part of the BIGGEST BLOG EVENT OF THE YEAR...

Because -- I'm posting a link for you:

http://www.dzgns.com/biggestblogevent/

SO THAT YOU CAN WIN A BROTHER EMBROIDERY MACHINE....

Here's my theory. Lots of big companies are testing this whole "social marketing" thing -- blogging, Facebook, etc... And to see how many readers they can get -- they are willing to give away some really wonderful prizes...

And -- IT COULD BE YOU!!

SO -- GO NOW -- YOU COULD BE A WINNER -- AND IF THAT HAPPENS -- I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT..!!

But you need to hurry -- it's an embroidery contest -- and you must submit your entry before November 22.

To be eligible -- you need to embroidery a gift tag. C'MON -- HOW HARD CAN IT BE?? YOU CAN DO IT...I WANT ONE OF MY BLOG READERS TO WIN THIS THING...

SERIOUSLY -- GO NOW -- ENTER!!

http://www.dzgns.com/biggestblogevent/

I know this isn't much notice -- but hey -- you have the whole weekend, right? And I'm pretty sure you can't do anything about that turkey for a couple of days...

SO -- GET ON IT...

Be sure to email me pictures of your entry!!

Burger King Crowns

Okay...here's how it started.

This fall, I was on a Delta flight from Detroit to Moline. As we are getting situated in our seats, I notice this well-dressed woman in front of me...and she is wearing a Burger King crown on her head.

I look at my seatmate, and say, "do you think she KNOWS she's wearing a Burger King crown on her head?"

At the same moment -- both she and I got out our cellphones and took pictures...Sadly, Blackberry pictures SUCK...but you get the idea...

This sophisticated looking woman wore that crown during the entire flight...


I thought it was such a funny story -- I told my book clubbers...and, as you know, the next time they came to my house -- they were all wearing Burger King crowns on their heads...I had to stop laughing long enough to find my camera...

They left their crowns HERE -- and the next time Lillian came -- she was a BIG FAN..

She loved putting the crown on her own head -- and she especially loved putting it on Sophie's head. That little dog is sooo tolerant...Lillian would laugh like crazy...and Sophie just sits...

Hey -- this picture is JUST BECAUSE I CAN...could this baby BE MORE DELIGHTED??
Oh, yes, joy is a circle...

When the trouble started...

Anita Zaffuto entered this beautiful quilt in the local quilt show.



When I got close enough to read her "entry information" -- this is what she wrote:

Pieced in 1999. Thought maybe I should learn to hand quilt. Drew half-inch grid. That's when the trouble started. Completed in 2010.


My whole crew completely understood her pain...

Memphis the Fashionista

My great-niece, Memphis, 2, is developing a fine sense of fashion -- and I'm getting a big kick out of her very definite "taste" in clothes.

Her Mom, (my niece Nicole), made the mistake of telling me that Memphis could "use some new shirts" (my whole family knows I'm constantly scouring the local thrift shops, etc.). A few days later -- I called to say it was time for Memphis to TRY ON HER NEW CLOTHES...

The fun part for me is -- well, first of all -- finding the clothes. I never pay more than $1 for anything. THEN I get to remodel them. Because most baby clothes don't fit right. The shirts are too short -- and the pants are too long. So, I add a ruffle or a band...and take a tuck in the pants. IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

This shirt was too short -- so I just cut the bottom off and added a completely different a-line tie dye from my t-shirt pile...

This is a terrible picture of one of Memphis' favorites. She LOVES bling...and this t-shirt says, "My Aunt Loves Me". But it was too short, and the neck opening was way too tight. I cut off the original neck ribbing and added a cowl neckline...and added a second green band on the bottom...

These little jeans were way too long, but I didn't want to lose the applique flower. So, I cut the bottoms off -- lost about 3" of fabric -- and then, added some t-shirt fringe when I reattached the bottoms.

Here's a picture of Memphis, stylin' in her new jeans. This is actually the SECOND picture I took of her...

Because the FIRST time I tried to take her picture -- I pushed the button and she IMMEDIATELY RAN over to see herself on the back of the digital camera -- which is why she is not in the picture at all. (you can just barely see her back on the left side of the pic)...

That little girl is FAST -- I'M TELLING YOU...

I love this kind of sewing. And the bonus benefit for me is that it's my reward for staying on the treadmill. It sounds silly -- but I make myself walk half a mile -- then I get to add a ruffle or shorten some little girl pants. It's fast and easy -- and if things don't turn out -- nobody cares.

And I have TWO LITTLE girls to sew for. Lillian is getting some extremely FABULOUS outfits when she comes for Thanksgiving. But Lilly does NOT enjoy changing clothes -- whereas Memphis LOVES DOING THAT. She cheerfully tried on three pairs of pants and six different shirts.

I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN sewing for these two little girls. You will be seeing many projects in the next coupla weeks...and it'll be interesting to see which ones Memphis actually chooses to wear!