What Stays and What Goes

When we built this house, we didn't know how important the small bedroom on the first floor would become.  It is the only room in the house that has the ability to change or morph into what we need at that moment in time.  When we brought Elliott home from the hospital -- the  little room across the hall from our bedroom was his nursery...

Every other room in this house has one specific job. The kitchen is the kitchen...the living room is the living room...but this little room is the one room that has morphed. When Elliott moved upstairs to share a room with Ross -- the little room became my sewing room.  After I opened my fabric store, it became a den for John, with some deer heads hanging on the walls.  When I started to write my book -- it became a home office for me -- with a computer desk and an embroidery machine.  After Lillian was born -- it went back to being a nursery for a baby.

There are two elements that have stayed through many morphs...

One is this wall. I covered garage sale frames with pieces of fabric.  I created this during the sewing studio phase -- so I could pin projects up. When the room became Lillian's room -- I hung a collection of clocks and some pictures of her "people".  She loves it..and the colors still work...(duh)....

The second element is the black and white tile "floor". It's actually a 4x8 sheet of masonite, covered with cheap stick-on tiles. My cousin Jackie helped me do this floor so I could move my rolling chair from my computer to the embroidery machine. We just layed it on top of the brown carpeting and it worked great. I always loved it.

As Lillian's room, there has been a morph within the morph. During her first year, it held her crib, a changing table and a few Curious George stuffed animals. When she was a year old, I moved in a toddler bed and decorated with dinosaurs. Dino curtains, Dino pillows and sheets. Just when I thought it was perfect -- Lilly declared she was "not into dinosaurs" anymore.

Now she's the all-Princess-all-the-time girly girl... The twin bed we used for a sofa is now her actual bed...and my cousin Linda helped me establish a new theme last week....it is really awesome....

Goodbye Dinosaurs...

This is my best picture of the "fabric wall" in Lilly's room. Remember when I went through my fabric stash and used starch to put it up on the wall?  She was content in the pack and play crib for a long time.

Remember when I found a toddler bed at a garage sale...


I made a special dinosaur sheet --

AND a fabulous dino-pillow that was bigger than Lillian! On the opposite wall -- the twin bed was redone to match the new motif. With it's own dinosaur sheets, and a zebra throw wrapped around the long cushion.


Because I still really liked the t-shirt fringe valance -- so I just scrunched it up and added dinosaur curtains on each side...

I loved the Dino room. But by the time she was two, Lillian was already "over it". So the T-Rex has been replaced with Cinderella...and I decided it was time for a REALLY BIG CHANGE.... Morphing photos to follow...

Mary Gets Around

This is a picture of me and Mary Mulari at the Cleveland Original Sewing & Quilt Expo last month. We were delighted when Gail and Pam came to our Ya Ya show...because we knew we could trick them into giving us a ride back to our hotel...lol...

Since that trip -- I've been minding my own business here in Iowa.  But Mary has been to LOTS OF OTHER PLACES. And I was delighted to receive this picture from her smart phone to my smart phone. Recognize anybody??

That's Mary with Kaye Wood and her "other friend Mary" -- in Phoenix, Arizona.

Modeling the apron featured on Nancy Zieman's blog (click on the link for more info)

 

In Beaver Dam last year, checking out the GREAT Goody Bags!!


Last week, she was in Madison, Wisconsin to tape some new episodes for "Sewing With Nancy" -- this weekend she's off to Richmond, Virginia...(I think).  If you want to go to one of Mary's workshops -- or see where she is "appearing" -- you'll have to do what Doug (her husband)...and I do...

CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE...

Habits? Traditions? Or Lessons?

If you read this blog, you know Monday is my absolute favorite day of the week. Carrie comes on Monday. We clean the house. (By that, I mean Carrie cleans the house). I make my bed with fresh line-dried sheets...every Monday. And when I get into bed on Monday night, I take a deep whiff of my fresh pillowcases..and it is a moment of complete contentment.

I don't know why I enjoy it so much. And I'm pretty sure the other people in my family don't even know when they are sleeping on fresh line-dried sheets. I do it because it's something I care about and something I learned from my Mother...I do it because it matters to me. But I can't tell you exactly WHEN I started to do it or WHEN it started to matter.

Growing up -- laundry and making the bed were chores I hated. I didn't do it when we were first married, living in an apartment. And we didn't have a clothesline at the first three places we lived in...

We all do things that matter to us...and if you're really lucky, these things become gifts we give to the people we love...even though they may not realize it until years down the road.

During the summer -- I love eating on the porch. A big element of those summer meals is the Hummingbird Show. Because John has worked for many years to feed thousands of hummies who come here on their way to South America (or wherever...) -- they make even the simplest lunch a special occasion. But because the hummies have been there since the day Lillian was born -- she has no idea how special
 these little birds really are...

One day, she'll look back and realize what she took for granted...and maybe we all do that. We don't see the gift until many years later...and it comes back to us in our daily habits. Things we don't even think about. Ordinary things like embroidered bed linens -- or special things like cream puffs for Easter...you do them because they matter to YOU...and you cannot worry about how they are received.

But you should know that one day -- they will be remembered and recognized as a special gift...

I think my Mom would be very pleased with my line-dried sheet fetish....

Yes, I know this blog sucks...

Yes, I know this blog looks strange.  I've decided that until I can get the graphics right -- I'll just CHANGE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.  So be prepared -- it's gonna be a bumpy ride...

Here's a great picture of Rhonda Pierce, in the Schmetz Needle booth, in Kansas City, Mo -- with Marlene Ingraham of the "Original Sewing & Quilt Expo". Rhonda is one of the hardest-working people in the sewing industry -- and SHE KNOWS EVERYBODY. Yikes. She approaches every day with such great energy --it it's contagious.
This year, she took on the brand new job of being Sew Expo's "official Facebook hostess". Which turned out to be a VERY BIG JOB, INDEED!! As it turned out -- it was trial by fire! She bonded with her I-Pad AND Facebook -- and now -- she is a big fan of social media... HEY -- WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NEEDLE??  If you mosey over to the Schmetz Facebook page -- (be sure to "like" them) -- and post a comment about your favorite needle -- you COULD WIN A PRIZE.  Really.  I'm not kidding...how easy is that??

In Her Easter Bonnet...

On Easter morning, Lillian was in her best dress...

She is developing her own sense of style.  She picked the shoes and hat all by herself...

Yes, that's right.  Brown cowboy boots...you've got to love it...

My sister Ronda has a very complicated formula for her big "Easter Egg Hunt"...there are rules....the big kids hunt in one area -- the little kids are in another.  Only one silver egg apiece, etc.....can you see the egg hiding up in the branch?

Memphis and Lillian are comparing their loot...

Where do you suppose that little girl got zebra striped hot pink sunglasses...??

Nicole is bragging about her elaborate outdoor Easter decorations...

And the boys all came running when they heard it was TIME FOR CREAMPUFFS...Ronda's annual traditional Easter dessert.  I saved up my Weight Watcher points for one delicious, perfect cream puff!  The filling is made with cream cheese and instant pudding....AMAZING...

Thanks for inviting us to share your Easter celebration, Nicole & Bill....Good job, team!!

Seven Times Blessed

My sister Deena -- who has been tremendously blessed with SEVEN grandchildren -- could not resist sending more pictures of baby Nora...

WELL -- I GUESS NOT. I'm not quite sure who is the bigger star here. The perfectly adorable newborn baby girl....or the talented young photographer who LIVES to take pictures of babies!!






Big sisters Madeline and Avery are delighted their baby sister is home.

Welcome to our world, Nora!! I can hardly wait to get my hands on you...

I hate Blogger

Just when I think I've figured something out -- they CHANGE IT.  I remember when we got our first VCR.  I thought it was magical....we could actually watch one television show and tape another one.  I read the instruction manual -- and, after a few tries, I figured out how to actually set it to record a show when I was GONE.  That was a blissful time for me.  Really.  Despite the New Kids on the Block -- I absolutely loved the 80's...

As far as I'm concerned -- technology could have stopped at that moment in time.  Once they figured out color television and spell check -- I was good.

Really.

It feels like the harder I try, the more behinder I get...

I'm trying to explain why THIS BLOG LOOKS SO DIFFERENT....

One day I'm plugging along just fine -- and the next day -- everything I knew how to do is out the window.  Down the drain.  Completely worthless information. All that learning -- all that time spent figuring out how to write a blog, then post it and schedule it, and upload pictures.  All that knowledge is good for nothing. Because Blogger decided to "change the interface".

I knew something was wrong when my Saturday blog didn't post like it was supposed to. Ugh.  After a very frustrating day -- .I finally gave up and called my genius niece, Kelcy.

I was experimenting with a new "design"...and when the ugly gold background went into affect -- I decided to quit while I was behind...

Although Kelcy got me this far -- I'm sorry -- pictures are completely out of the question.

Blogging sucks.

Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing

As we move forward with the planning for next year's show -- I have been looking back on my very limited supply of pictures from this year's show. One of my favorites was of Gretchen Hirsch....one of the most famous sewing bloggers in the entire world. She writes Gertie's blog for better sewing -- and the girl HAS SOME GAME....

She is a way better seamstress than I ever thought of being. And you will love her fresh point of view -- I'm sure next year she'll be teaching at Sew Expo. This year, she was planning on teaching out of the Burdastyle booth -- but they had a change of management at the last minute...

Anyway -- Coats & Clark brought her to Puyallup to walk the show. And it was OUR COMPLETE PLEASURE to have her visit.

Here's Rhonda Pierce, our official Facebook hostess -- Gretchen -- and me...backstage just before the Sunday morning Coats & Clark Charity Event...

As it turns out -- Gretchen was called on at the last minute to help walk one of our rookies down the runway...

THANKS for coming, Gretchen!! And we look forward to seeing you at next year's show...

Because most of my pictures really, really suck -- I picked one off your blog....GREAT JOB, GIRL...

And I am encouraging everybody to go to Gretchen's blog to see the FABULOUS NEW FLOOR in her sewing room. It's unique. Lace.

I cannot believe I didn't think of it myself....

One Kid at a Time...

Here's one of the sweetest little boys I know...my great-nephew Landon. I love having these children in my life. I like my kids one at a time, one day a week..

Landon LOVES to play with my camera. And I LOVE that with a digital camera -- he can take all the pictures he wants.....and I really get to see what he finds interesting. Thanks to a great "luggage tag" from Ann Sagawa -- I am ALWAYS able to find my camera. These things are just too darn small to keep track of -- so having a long colorful fabric TAG attached to it is a very good tip.
When I have a kid at my house, I like to do ordinary things with them. The boys all enjoy cooking...they especially like refrigerator biscuits (the kind in the little tube). Sometimes we sit on the porch and talk...
Here are some of the things that Landon found picture-worthy...the arrangement of clocks in Lilly's bedroom...
The dinosaur curtains with the t-shirt fringe....

Landon loves taking pictures of Uncle John's chickens...

I love this view of Landon's world.
Do you remember when you were six years old?

You were always looking UP...

Welcome Home, Baby Nora!!!

It's always great when I can start a blog post off with a picture of me and a gigantic platter full of CREAMPUFFS...

This was a baby shower for my niece Kelcy -- in this picture, Emily is in the center -- with baby Lillian on her lap (way back in 2010??)...

We were celebrating Kelcy's first baby -- Mason...

Kelcy's sister-in-law, Becky -- holding Mason and cousin Clayton (they're one day apart). Becky was at the shower with her two little girls...Madeline and Avery...

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED....let's see...Mason has a little sister, Myla. Clayton has a little brother, Oliver. AND, most recently -- Chad & Becky just had their THIRD GIRL -- Nora. My sister Deena has SEVEN grand-babies.

Nora was born with pneumonia...and then had to fight off a virus...After ten nail-biting days in the hospital -- SHE IS FINALLY HOME...

Her two sisters are delighted to have their baby sister home where she belongs...

Also -- Kelcy has turned into a fabulous baby photographer...and Aunt Kelcy could hardly wait to get her hands on adorable newborn Nora....I think you'll agree she's getting better with these pictures all the time....



Congratulations, Chad & Becky!! She is a little stunner. Deena -- I am green with envy! You are a wonderful grandma and these seven kids are lucky to have you. And, hey -- Kelcy -- your baby pictures are getting better all the time!!

GOOD JOB, TEAM....

More Auction Pictures

Yes, Laura -- this table and chairs would look great on your patio....But there's something I forgot to tell you...

It's a little toddler size set!! (Bert paid $90) And the brass rack is also a small size -- perfect for a towel rack for our small bahtroom. (I paid $5)

You really can't tell what size they are unless you have some persepctive. Like -- maybe -- put a giant size woman in the picture....

Bert buys the strangest things.... This is a little boy toy indian headdress that's probably from the 50's...she paid $5.00

When I bought this old sewing machine -- Bert said, "you buy the strangest things"...
I could hardly believe my luck! I opened the bidding with a $5 bid...

and, as it turned out, nobody bid against me...hummm...shocking, eh?

Darnit. I probably could've had it for $1.

Don't anybody tell Mary Mulari about this very special "Minnesota" sewing machine from 1912. It's going to be a special birthday surprise next year.

What can I turn it into??

GREAT Auction Day

Bert and I have it down pat. Nobody in America does a good old fashioned girlfriends-hanging-out-treasure-hunting Saturday than we do.

I'm going to start off by sharing two different purchases. One is Bert's and one is mine....more about this picture later...

NEXT -- I'm going to show you the BEST THING I DID NOT BUY picture. Can you believe this fabulous, enormous doll house? Somebody spent a lot of time building this...there were little panes in the windows...it had two stories...the sides open up -- there's a latch any little girl could figure out. I was soooo picturing Lillian playing with this doll house. I was painting it, and putting fabric on the walls for wallpaper...
The roof has a hinge, too!! I could just imagine all the hours she'd spend....and then it hit me...

That's right. The darn thing won't fit in my car. And it also won't fit in her room. Come to think of it -- IT IS HUGE -- it won't fit anywhere in my house. So I did not bid. But can you guess what it sold for?? Guess again.

$7.50.

That's right. A heartbreaking, pitiful Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents.

NOT bidding on the dollhouse took every bit of self-control I had....

It's best that I stick to something more practical. Like these two velvet orange striped chairs. You have to admit -- it's not every day you run into such a fabulous treasure....
Yes, I have the perfect life and I know it. THANKS Bert for being the best auction buddy any girl ever had....

In a future post, I'll show you what I bought and what Bert bought...