Saturday, May 30, 2009

At long last - a post!

Hello world…….I’ve been gone for a bit. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues that have me stressed and I just wasn’t up to blogging. I’ve been reading everyone else’s but just didn’t feel like stitching or trying to be cheerful. Meanwhile, thanks to all of the rest of you for keeping me entertained by reading your blogs and seeing what you’re up to.

DH and I visited my mom and siblings back in Illinois for Mother’s Day last month. It was the first time in quite awhile that all of us kids were together with Mom so that was really nice. Sadly there are no stitching shops in my hometown anymore. I did however visit several cute gift and antique shops with my sister and managed to find a few things I could spend some money on. I picked up 2 nice antique needlecards – they’re in really good shape. I’ve been collecing a few antique sewing accessories when I can find any that are reasonably priced. I hope to make a shadowbox one of these days for my sewing room.


For some reason, I never seem to find much in the metro area where I live so there must be other collectors out there snatching all the good stuff up first! I see so many cute things on some of the French stitchers’ blogs – they must have some fantastic shops and flea markets but we don’t have a lot of that where I live - it's just not fair! Seems like any flea markets here are mostly selling stolen goods and not cutesy antiques. I also found this really cute plate holder below - it's made to hold small 4” decorative plates but I was thinking of stitching some cute items to sit in the available spots - maybe some of the Prairie Schooler Easter eggs or something? For only $10 I couldn’t resist it.

Mom has been cleaning out a storage place she rented and she had some great finds to give me. Here is the only vintage quilt that is in my family. It was made by my grandmother Lyda Virginia and from the fabrics it looks like she made it around the 30’s or 40’s. It’s totally pieced and quilted by hand – the pattern is Grandmother’s Flower Garden – seems like just about everybody made that pattern back then. I didn’t know my father’s mother very well because she was in her mid-70’s when I was born and she died when I was around 8 or 9 I think. I’m the only quilter in my family so I’m happy to be the caretaker of this. Thank you Grandma wherever you are - I will treasure it.

Then Mom turned up with my old Barbie doll trunk! Is this a hoot or what? I’m so excited to have it. The case is from 1968 and still in good condition. I sorted through everything – throwing out some of it that wasn’t worth keeping, then hand-washing the clothes. It’s funny how you don’t think of something for decades until you see it again and then the memories come right back to you. There are outfits my other grandmother crocheted and some that an aunt knitted. There’s even a Buffy and Mrs Beasley doll – does anyone remember them from Family Affair?
Here’s a pic showing a favorite outfit – my mom made matching dresses from this striped fabric for Barbie and me. I plan to have Midge modeling it on a shelf in my sewing room along with another doll in her “After Five” classic 60’s outfit “a la Audrey Hepburn”. :-)

All of this reminds me of many happy hours playing with my 3 childhood girlfriends – we’d pool all our stuff regularly for long play sessions with our Barbie Dream Houses (made of CARDBOARD in those days!). Now and then I’ll walk through the toy dept at Target just to look at all the cool Barbie stuff they have now.

I did manage to get in some stitching this past week. Here’s my progress on Miss Beatrix Potter – I just barely made my progress goal for the month but hey it’s the best I could manage. I used a Watercolors varigated silk called ‘Chili’ as the focal thread then pulled in some coordinating NP silks.

I still don’t have my Peppermint Twist piece finished – it’s almost there so hopefully within the next 2 weeks. I’m trying to get my stitching mojo back but it comes and goes. That's all for now folks!

17 comments:

  1. I had a cloth Mrs. Beasley doll when I was very young. I got in trouble for painting her. I was so bad to my dolls - everyone who knew me as a child was surprised I went on to have four kids. LOL.

    It's great to see a post from you, though I'm sorry to hear there've been unpleasant issues keeping you away. I hope that your upcoming summer will be full of carefree moments. :D

    Your stitching is, as always, gorgeous.

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  2. Your stitching is just beautiful-those colors! And yes, I was in love with Family Affair and I had that doll too! Then I moved down to your Barbie pic and I had that case as well, lol. Boy, funny how seeing those treasures brings back such sweet memories of being a young girl-love it! Thx for sharing!

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  3. Wow -- love that quilt from your grandmother. How lovely! And Mrs. Beasley -- oh yes, I loved that show! I know what you're saying about vintage sewing things too. Pretty sad, huh? And your Beatrix Potter is just gorgeous -- I love the colors you're using! I hope your life is back to normal and your troubles are behind you. :D

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  4. Your Beatrix Potter is beautiful. I really love the colors in this. And loved your post about the old dolls. I still have my Barbies (original 1959 version that my mom bought) and all the clothes that I got afterward. I won't give them up for anything. And that quilt from your grandmother is absolutely beautiful.

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  5. I'm sorry stuff has happened to you. Not look lady stitching isn't supposed to be about a race it's supposed to be fun and relaxing so if you don't feel like doing it then don't. I stopped for quite a while but my mojo is back with a vengeance now and I am enjoying my stitching again. I hope whatever has been bothering you stops and you can enjoy life again. Love Patti xxx

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  6. Glad to see you posting again! I've been reading your blog for awhile now and just became a follower. Love both your Beatrix Potter and Peppermint Twist. Cheering you on to a finish for both!

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  7. Sorry to hear you've had to deal with 'stuff'. Beatrix is looking gorgeous

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  8. Jeanne - I just found your blog and added it to my list. love your BP - she is a beauty! I joined that SAL but have not been able to keep up (as usual) but as someone else said - it is supposed to be fun. I had to laugh when reading about the Buffy doll - my SO is named Jody for Buffy and Jody - his mom thought it was such an unsual name she had never heard it before - of course now that he is 40 something he likes to go by JD but he will always be Jody to me. Hope your troubling times have all blown away - Hugs Mel

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  9. Jeanne, Thanks for sharing. I remember Family Affair, but didn't have the dolls. Altho, I of course did have Barbie, Midge and others...and lots of good memories too playing with friends.

    Hope you are feeling better.

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  10. How great about the quilt! Lucky you! What fun to find all your old Barbie dolls! Your stitching is coming along great too! So glad to see you blogging again!

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  11. Good to see you back blogging Jeanne. Your BP Smapler looks so pretty.

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  12. great fun post! love the quilt and the plate hanger is adorable with that bunny on it.

    I loved Family Affair! I still have my Midge and Ken doll (with the fuzzy hair) and clothes my mom sewed .. such great memories :)

    Love BP too .. it's looking great!

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  13. Your grandmother's quilt looks great. What a nice treasure this must be for you being a quilter yourself.
    I love your progress picture of Beatrix, you are using wonderful colours.

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  14. BUFFY! When I was a kid my hair was perpetually in "Buffy tails".

    Oh, what lovely memories your post brought back!

    Your stitching is just lovely, so I hope that mojo finds its way back to you toot sweet!

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  15. Beautiful treasures! LOVE the quilt:)
    Bea is beautiful in those colors!

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  16. Your grandmother's quilt is absolutely lovely. I'm sorry for all the personal stress you're going through. Here's to hoping the worst is now behind you.

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  17. Ooh, I just stumbled upon your blog and noticed one of your photos that I had to comment on - the Isabel Blooms! My name is Jennifer and I live in the area those are made! :o)

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