My Inuvik Parka

Mary Mulari sent me this wonderful story about a parka this woman bought at the GOODWILL STORE. You know how I perk up when somebody shares a "thrifting" story. And this one was also about SEWING!

The writer, Jean Cole, did some excellent research on her fabulous vintage parka and I really enjoyed the article....

Here's the link to Jean Cole's story...I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2012-02-03/Features/My_Inuvik_parka_tale.html

Thanks, Mary -- for playing my blogging game AND sharing Jean's most excellent thrift adventure!!

Language

Lillian is going to be three years old soon -- and her grasp of language is fascinating.

During a recent visit -- I made eggs and sausage for breakfast. After a few bites, she said, "this sausage is too spicy for me, Grandma."

Wow. That's major. Just a few weeks ago -- she would have NOT eaten something I made -- but I wouldn't have known what she didn't like about it.

Oh -- yes -- here's a completely random picture of her wearing a little A-line dress I made out of a woman's t-shirt...(two shirts, actually -- note the different sleeves)...

That afternoon, John was sitting at the table, minding his own business -- when Lilly went over to him, poked his stomach, and said, "why is your tummy so full, Grandpa?"

He smiled and said, "I'm just old and fat, honey."

I felt bad for John. Out of the mouths of babes and all that...

Later that night, Lilly was sitting in my lap. She can be a sober child at times -- and she was looking at me earnestly...for a long time...

Finally, I asked, "what?"

She said, "why do you have a mustache, Grandma?"

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY...now I know EXACTLY how Grandpa was feeling....Having children in your life can be brutal.

Gheesh...I wonder how long this annoying honesty is going to last?

*********
Fast forward....three days later -- I was trying on CLOTHES FOR SEW EXPO -- and I started whining about how fat I am.

John (trying to make me feel better) said, "You're not fat, Rita. I'M THE FAT MAN, remember?

You're just the bearded lady...."

Maquoketa Flea Market

It's late January, the house is quiet and there isn't a Christmas ornament hanging anywhere. TIME TO GET BACK TO NORMAL...

I only have a nanosecond of "normal" to enjoy -- because soon I'll be ramping up for the Puyallup Sewing & Stitchery Expo. So I want to make the most of this precious time...

With a rare Sunday to enjoy -- Bert & I spent the day in Maquoketa, Iowa. One of those small towns the world has passed over -- many downtown storefronts have been empty for years. Several times a year -- they have a big Flea Market at the fairgrounds -- and on this particular Sunday it was JUST WHAT WE NEEDED...

Bert drives -- I take the pictures...

The weather has been so mild -- there was a surprising number of outdoor vendors this time...


We see the most interesting stuff....I wish I had room for this small wicker desk...
What is this wire thing for??

I am always drawn to the kitchen booths...

Bert is always attracted to the vintage clothing. The label in this jacket was hand-sewn in...


It's a terrible picture -- but all the hand sewing was just spectacular. I hope you get the idea...
There was a HUGE crowd on this day. You really had to go slow and take your time...NEVER a problem for us...

I decided to buy this book for Ross. He is a huge Cubs fan -- and this might get him in the mood for spring training...

My BIG PURCHASE of the day is actually in this picture...and it was pretty major....

But you'll just have to wait for a later post to see what it was...

Because, like all big purchases, it meant doing A LOT OF WORK once I got it home...and the purchase may or may not work out...

Ugh...

Happy Valentine's Day..

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

If things are going right -- I'll spend the day with my Valentine of over 40 years and John and I will be in our respective Lazy Boys by 6:00, watching a Gunsmoke episode...

And believe me -- nothing could make me happier...

But that would be an extremely boring post on this blog...so I decided my Valentine to you would be a little taste of Kelcy's photography. My niece Kelcy is getting better all the time -- and her pictures of children are completely wonderful. I am always impressed...but I've gotta say -- this picture of her own two kiddos really turned out great...

Mason is trying sooo hard to get the lipstick on his little sister...and she could not be more delighted with his efforts...

Kelcy has been trying for several years to get this baby shot...and somebody's adorable little baby girl finally cooperated!!

Please note the yellow crochet blanket. It's that fine attention to detail that makes all the difference, y'know??

And -- hey -- it made my day when Kelcy sent me a text that said "I'm looking for some interesting blankets for my baby pictures"....

That day, I found five in my own home...and the next day -- maybe another five at various thrift stores...

OH YEAH...life is good. And that baby picture is absolutely stunning...

Of course -- Kelcy took my very favorite 2011 picture of Lillian...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY people....take a picture of somebody you love.

Valentine Nightgowns

Apparently -- I'm going through a "kid's robe" phase.

I found this wonderful plush yellow robe in Lilly's size -- so I decided to trim it out with some fabric leftover from her Christmas nightgown...


THEN -- because Lillian and Emily both got such a kick out of their mother-daughter Christmas nightgowns -- I decided to make them nightgowns for Valentine's Day as well.

My inspiration was one beautiful size M Valentine Nick & Nora nightgown at the Salvation Army, (with the tags still on it)...and I just cut out the back and replaced it with some black t-shirt fabric for Emily...

THEN -- I made Lillian's nightgown out of a black t-shirt -- cut up some pink t-shirt fabric for her little back and the sleeves...

I'm telling you -- MY GIRLS LOOKED FABULOUS...

My total investment? $1.99...

Yes, I know. I am the cheapest person in America....And NOBODY is having more fun than me...

Landon's New Robe

Landon came one afternoon after school -- and HE WANTED TO SEW...

I had a little fleece robe...and an Iowa Hawkeyes t-shirt to cut up...

Landon's favorite thing to do is TAKE PICTURES with my camera...he took this pic of his Dad...

He wanted to sew the hawkeye emblem on the side of his robe...


It turned out GREAT...
And he took yet another picture of his favorite thing at my house...the laundry chute. This is the view of it -- looking up from the basement.

For 30 years -- this chute has been an endless source of entertainment for children....Ross and Elliott used to play catch via the laundry chute...every niece or nephew who ever stayed here loved to throw things down....it's the first place I look for Lilly's lost toys...

but Landon is the first kid who ever photographed it from every angle...Good job, bud!!

Project Runway All Stars Episode #6 -- spoiler alert

I am in a state of shock.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

THEY SENT RAMI HOME??

I thought his blue jacket, trimmed with the suede was the most original thing in this episode. Furthermore -- every single week, he BROUGHT IT to that runway. He never had a miss. He was never in the bottom. His garments were original, beautifully made, and always completely finished -- with a "RAMI" point of view.

Here's who should have went home BEFORE Rami...

Kara -- she hasn't done a single piece this season that is memorable. And for this episode, she sent down three lifeless pieces with absolutely no point of view...

Michael Costello -- this week he totally copied Jerrell -- and it reminded me of the first week when his mop dress looked exactly like April's mop dress. WHO ARE YOU, MICHAEL??

Austin -- I'd hate to lose him -- but his bolero pink jacket with the printed ruffle looked like something Jacqueline Smith would be selling in her K-Mart line...in 1986...

Kenley -- her blue polka dot ONE PIECE short-shorts outfit was just silly. The fabric looked cheap and there was not one thing about it that felt fashion forward.

I think Rami was robbed...

And so was the audience....

I'm going to go do a little grieving now....it just isn't going to be the same without those guns...