Sister, Sister

Back in the fall, I went to Hancock Fabrics and saw a wonderful corduroy fabric that I knew Madisyn would love. It was brown with pink horses all over it. Being the tightwad I am, I waited for it to go on sale. And waited and waited. Finally a sales flyer came with 40% off coupon. So I headed to Searcy. They were sold out. I wasn't deterred, I could go to Jonesboro. They were sold out. There's always Memphis, I thought. Sold out! I couldn't believe it. I ended up ordering on-line and paying regular price. :-( Madisyn wanted one for her little sister as well, so I made matching outfits. Mary Claire actually has two. The one pictured and one a little bigger so she could match Madisyn all winter.

Madisyn loves her horse jumper and Mary Claire love her big sister so everyone is happy. :-)

Holy Sews Work Day

I'm behind on my blogging. :)


About a month ago I was privileged to be able to attend a Holy Sews Work Day. I had no idea what to expect so I loaded up a bag with scissors, a rotary cutter, and plenty of snacks for Henry. Henry and I travelled to Little Rock and prepared to get to work.

Normally the work days are on Sunday afternoons. Since I have a 2+ hour drive, I would get there in time to say hi and bye before heading back out the door to make it to church on time. I was thrilled when I learned there was a scheduling conflict and the May work day would be moved.

Because it was just before Mother's Day, it was a special meeting. Several ladies told their stories of why they are involved in Holy Sews.

Some were recipients of the layettes and wanted to give something back because it meant so much to have something to put their babies in.

Others hadn't experienced loss themselves but had witnessed family members and friends go through the grieving process. They were so affected by the suffering of others that they wanted to help.

Some had children/grandchildren who were preemies or almost didn't make it and wanted to aid others in their time of hurt.

Then there were several like me. Our precious babies went home sooner than we planned and we don't want someone else to have the same experience we did.

The thing we all had in common was that we want to help. We want the grieving parents to know that someone cares. Someone somewhere believes in the sanctity of life. Someone wants to help ease their pain by giving a bit of their time.

Throughout the meeting, there was lots of cutting, measuring, folding, sewing and of course, talking. I had such a great time meeting these ladies and finally being able to put a name with a face.

Walker and Henry provided entertainment. :) Walker is a major mover and shaker in his walker. I think that boy pushed himself for miles and miles. Surely he slept well that night!


I was using a sewing machine and Henry bug sat very contently in his stroller for almost the whole 3 hours. It wasn't until I was finishing my last set for the night that he decided this wasn't the party he planned.

Stephanie's niece, Abby, and Regina's daughter, Torrie, cut ribbons and talked the whole night. I really enjoyed being a fly on the wall for some of their conversations. I think how many days of school are left was the dominating theme. :)

A few of the finished sets. When packaged together, the blankets, layette, teddy bear and card make a wonderful ensemble. Some very talented ladies lend their skills (I just sew but they create) to design beautiful one of a kind set for the smallest of babies.

Thursday Tips - April 1st

Today I have another two for one tip, but you can't have one without the other. :)

Most of the time I love to sew. I think I was conditioned from classes in school to cut threads after the project was completed so someone else could use the machine quicker. Then I learned this tip from Cathe (and I can't find her blog - if I find it later, I'll add a link). CUT YOUR THREADS AS YOU GO!!!!!! I can't even begin to describe how much easier it is to cut as you go. At the end of each seam, I clip and close as I can with the cutter on the machine and then I pick up the scissors and spend approximately 1.34879 seconds cutting the threads at the beginning of the seam. Then when I sew the last stitch - my garment is done. Oh, what a glorious feeling!

The second part of the tip is get a trash can of some sort and keep it handy. I use this pink tote. It folds flat and fits in my sewing cabinet drawer when not in use. It has a metal frame that crosses on each end and keeps it open. I can fit lots of excess stabilizer and backing, thread, broken needles, etc in this little jewel. I think I purchased it at Hobby Lobby for a couple of dollars (when containers were half price of course!).

Here's a bonus tip - Check out Melissa's blog at Coffee With Me for even more great tips!

Holy Sews

As many of you know, we had a still birth at 20 weeks over 3 years ago. We were totally unprepared for what to expect during Mallory's delivery and due to excessive bleeding (I had emergency surgery) we never had the opportunity to hold our precious little girl. We did get to see her and she was perfectly formed, yet incredibly tiny. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of and miss her.

sample Jodie included - the tiny boy's cap would fit on a golf ball if that gives you an idea of perspective

A friend from high school, Jodie, told me about an organization that meets in Little Rock who creates clothing for these tiny little ones. Holy Sews is a volunteer group that meets once a month. The members of the group cut out the smocks and blankets. Volunteers then take them home to sew them. They also have talented people that make hats to compliment the outfits.



Our experience with Mallory was less than idea. No one wants to lose a child but there are ways to help ease the pain. When I heard about this group I wanted to be part of it to in a small way comfort those families experiencing a loss. My desire would be that no one else is ever shown their child as though they were a specimen. No matter how small, a person is still a person.

supplies included in a kit

At a recent meeting, Jodie collected supplies so that I could become one of those people reaching out to a grieving family. She sent me a sample and two sets to complete. As I sewed the fabrics I was first taken away by how tiny they were. Most of the babies the clothing is created for are between 7 and 10 inches and weigh only a few ounces. Having been one of those families, I found myself praying for the future recipients (as I'm sure lots of volunteers do). It's one of those gifts you don't ever want to receive.

completed girl's layette and blanket

As I thought back to our own experiences I couldn't help but remember how perfectly formed Mallory was. Right from the beginning, God creates our children as just that - children. They aren't little pieces of tissue that eventually become human. They are human.

In the sample that Jodie sent, was a tiny pink bonnet. It measures only a couple of inches across. The ribbon ties are only 1/8 of an inch wide, yet it contains every detail that you would find on a normal sized baby bonnet. When I packaged everything up to be sent to the organization, I kept the bonnet. I'm not really sure how long I'll keep it.

completed boy's layette and blanket

There's something about it. I can't quite put my finger on it. It definitely reinforces the reason I'm involved with the group. It provides reassurance that other people believe that life is precious and sacred no matter how small the person is but most of all it reminds me that people care. That there really are people who care about others. I have no idea who made that bonnet. I may never met her. But, I know she cares. She cares about people like me. She gave some of her own precious time to attempt to comfort someone she doesn't even know. I also realize she will probably never read my blog, but I want to thank her. I want to thank her and everyone involved with this group and others like it. While I know that volunteers don't do this for the thank you's or praise,but I want them to know they are making a difference - even for someone whose baby went to be with the Lord over 3 years ago.

Sew Darlin' Holiday Edition

I was a busy girl for Christmas this year. The two burp clothes are older things that I never blogged about but all the creations below (plus matching pjs and more!) were Christmas gifts.

I heart pillowcase dresses! If we have another baby and she's a girl, I can't imagine she'll wear anything else. :D I love how it's a dress this year and a top next. There are so many things you can do to dress them up or down. I have seen a picture of Izzy in the gingerbread dress
(and she was adorable of course!) but I can hardly wait to see the tractor dress on.

I purchased the quilt top and patchwork backing and put them together as part of Henry's gifts this year. I was really pleased with how it turned out but gathering the border was HARD. I don't think I'll attempt another any time soon.

Madisyn's hair bow to go with her Gingerbread dress.

A bag for Madisyn's piano teacher Mrs. Sue.

Sew Cute

I have been wanting to make Madisyn and I a mother/daughter outfit. Madisyn was over the moon at the idea. I saw an overall jumper and thought it would be perfect. I didn't expect it to take so long to find overalls in the correct sizes and then face the job of finding the perfect material for the skirt. I finally assembled the materials and my jumper looks terrible!!!! It is too big and makes me appear to be at least 50 lbs (if not more!) heavier than I am so back to the drawing board. I'm thinking of turning mine into a skirt.

Madisyn really likes hers and we got a lot of compliments on it when she wore it to church. I plan to be on the look out for more overalls for future projects.

Spinning Sisters Creation

Robin and I decided to start a little business. We are going to call it Spinning Sisters. We plan to make all kinds of baby items and hope to participate in a couple of craft fairs this fall.

I made a few burp cloths for dad to give as a gift to a teacher who just welcomed a new granddaughter. The Grandmother is a business teacher.

John Deere Diapering Supplies

I made a new wet bag (for storing dirty diapers) and wipe box for the diaper bag.

Ty and Griffin like it even if Ben isn't old enough to appreciate it. :D

The 2nd picture shows the wipe box with the wonderful wipes I got from Dana at http://www.lewisfamilymercantile.com/ . Dana is a great lady and she did a fantastic job. Thanks, Dana!

A few projects

I have started my own cloth diaper cult being a good leader I made my first recruit a wet bag for dirty diapers while traveling.




Robin put the zipper in the bag but the embroidery was done on my machine.





Robin made these. The burp cloth on the left was made with the machine at her school and the other two were made at my house.

Sew fun!

Today Aunt Robin and Raegen came over for some sewing fun. Aunt Robin is making some burp clothes for a new niece due any day.

Madisyn took to opportunity to get out her sewing and make a duck. This was her first experience with a "real" needle. We are working through the My First Sewing Book - Hand Sewing by Winky Cherry. It's an adorable book with rhymes to teach techniques.

Of course, the boys couldn't be left out of the action. I think the little cousins are plotting to take over the world.

Griffin wanted his picture made just so he could see it on the back of the camera. Such a little ham.

Could it be . . . FIVE kids all looking at the camera!

Just hanging out.

Why are there so many people here!?!?!?! My house is so much quieter.

Maybe it's not so bad. :D