You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Eleanor Roosevelt



Tuesday, March 19, 2013

PILLOW TALK


When I was a young girl of 6 or 7 I guess, my grandmother made my sisters and me darling pillowcases for our beds. They had beautiful hand embroidered faces of  "Southern Belles" holding parasols. They wore long, crocheted gowns that were stitched into the pillowcase. I remember loving those pillowcases and thinking they were the most beautiful things I had ever seen. I guess even back then I had an appreciation for hand crafted items and fancy stitching. These pillowcases were popular for their time, so you know me, loving all things vintage; when I got older and had a family and home of my own I set out to recreate these little gems from the 50s era. Over the years I've seen similar pillowcases at flea markets and antique shops; I even bought one on EBAY.  I've yet to see one as beautiful as the ones made by my grandmother though. In 2002 I found the coveted pattern in a needlework catalog and sent away for it with plans of making them for my guest room.  The pattern is postmarked exactly 11 years ago today.  Unfortunately I never got around to making them as the delicate crochet and intricate stitchery intimidated me and I put it away for another day. A few weeks ago I pulled out the package and once again unearthed  another treasure. Im happy to report that it is
Finally Finished.


Original Package Postmarked March 19, 2002

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Better Late Than Never.....I guess......right?


Well sure, I’m more than a little embarrassed about this one…here goes. My mother gave me the book Knitting for Peace for my birthday in 2007 (so the inscription says). I had expressed a desire to make a hat for Caps For Kids, a deserving organization that sends hats to underprivileged children.  There was a darling if somewhat challenging cap that I wanted to make BUT once again I got busy and the book got displaced a few times until it got packed away and forgotten. Finally unearthed last week I was again reminded of the wonderful work this committed group does for disadvantaged children.  I pulled out a skein of soft, washable wool from my stash and went to work. Here it is!! BUT HERE IS THE RUB. I HATE, HATE, HAT THE YARN AND THE HAT!  (Sigh) Never the less I will pack it up and send it off to Caps For Kids. I ask you loyal readers, does  it make me a bad person to send an ugly hat to charity?
I asked my mom and she said  NO IT DOES NOT  and reminded me that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 Thanks MOM
PEACE!