A Note for Me Today ~~

Dear Mom,

   I just want you to know
   that every year,
   as I understand
   a little more about life,
   and as I learn
   a little more about myself,
   and as I see
   a little more
   of the world around me...
   I realize--
   and am so much more grateful for--
   what a wonderful mother
   I have always had in you.

         Happy Birthday


(This was on the birthday card given to me today for my 72nd birthday, from youngest daughter)

Interesting Ads ~ My! How Times Have Changed!

I had a nice visit by telephone with Auntie L yesterday afternoon.  You might remember that I gave her one of my dolls, Mattie Louise, last year just before she had surgery.  She had cancer on the side of her tongue and I'm so thankful to be able to tell you it has been a year now, and so far everything is o.k.

In our conversation, she told me she had gone to Dollar General on Friday, without her walker, and by leaning on the cart she was able to buy things she needed in the retirement center.  She had first intended to take only $20 but then decided if she took $40 she would get back change to have for unexpected little things.  With her items in the cart, she went to the check-out, and after things were scanned, the bill came to $39 plus; she got back  forty five cents in change.  This worried her a great deal, wondering what she would have done, had the bill gone over the amount she took with her, for you see, she hasn't been out much in the past few years, and doesn't realize just how much prices have gone up. 

I'm afraid I'd be in the same position since the farmer does the grocery shopping here.  The following ads, from a paper published in the 1970s, tell us just how much times have changed:

See anything on there that you buy?  If so, compare the prices, now and then.  Some things that I took notice of were the prices of bananas, toilet tissue, shortening, potato chips...WOW!!  But, there is another thing we have to take into consideration: wages were much less in the 70s too.  

Charlotte

Dessie

This is Dessie, named after my maternal grandma, whose name was either Dessie Charlie, or Charlie Dessie; however she was called Charlie.

 Grandma, at age 17; I couldn't find her date of birth, but she and Grandpa were married in 1906.

I don't remember much about Grandma, but this is the way I do remember her.  We didn't visit with them much; my sister has told me that Grandma didn't like our Daddy, which must have been troubling to Mama.  In 1952 Grandma had cancer and during her last days her children took turns staying with her at home.  I do remember going with Mama one week and being kept awake most of the nights by a clock that chimed every fifteen minutes.  Grandma died in August of 1952.

Charlotte

March Apron

My apron for March is a half apron with a kitchen towel attached at the waistband.  How handy is that!  I'm constantly drying my hands while cooking and cleaning the dishes, and always hunting for a towel. 

The measurements and instruction for the apron are found in the book, Sewing Vintage Aprons, by Denise Clason.  A rusty old wagon wheel had to serve as my model.

Do you have a favorite apron memory?  I'd like to hear it.

Charlotte 

Doll or Dolls?

They say laughter is the best medicine; there's even a Bible verse that says "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..."  Maybe my latest doll (or dolls) will make your heart merry with laughter:

She is (or they are) a topsy turvy doll, one doll with two change about faces.

The doll is made from a tee shirt knit so she's very soft and lovable.  Her hair is made from yarn and her face is painted.

This is the face that made me laugh; her hair brought back memories of a woman I used to see on the streets of the city when I was a little girl.  She had lots of real dark unruly hair and I was afraid of her.

I haven't decided if this girl is asleep or being coy, but I like her better.

Their aprons are made from vintage linens I purchased on eBay a few years ago. 

So -- another "work in progress" is finished.  There are three more dolls waiting to be finished, then I think I'll pack away the stuffing and patterns and stick with something I know how to do - quilting.  And here's a sweet poem for you who love dolls:

THE DEAREST DOLLS  by Hannah G. Fernald

Miss Winifred Evelyn Constance McKee

Invite our dolls to an afternoon tea

But do not bring them all

For my table is small

Just let each little girl bring her dearest said she.

I felt in my heart it would not be polite

To take my poor Rosa she'd grown such a fright

She is blind in one eye

And her wig all awry

For she sleeps in my bed with me all through the night.

I explained to dear Rosa just why she must stay

And I dressed Bonnie Belle in her finest array

And then do you know

When the time came to go

I snatched up my Rosa and ran all the way.

And what do you think of the six dolls that came

There were four that were blind there were two that were lame

And each little mother

Explained to some other

She is old but I love her the best just the same.

Have a wonderful, happy weekend,

Charlotte

New Stitches

I got a new sewing machine in December as an anniversary/Christmas present.  The Singer I have makes nice stitches but it gives me fits coming unthreaded so much of the time, and with my aging eyes and fumbling fingers, threading the machine is a chore.  The new machine is a Brother from Wal Mart, not a fancy expensive machine, but it has a needle threader! and a button for raising and lowering the needle so it doesn't come unthreaded!  And -- it has a buttonhole foot, another great thing for me.

Another of its features is a multitude of decorative stitches, and of course I wanted to see how they look when put to fabric.  So I made some little crazy patch blocks and added some of these stitches to the seam lines of each piece.

Not all the stitches appeal to me, but I especially like the cross stitches, little hearts, flowers, and leaves.

The machine automatically sets the length and width of the stitches, but as I became more familiar with them, I began to make them longer and wider which gave a different look; I like them better this way.

Now I know these are no where near as pretty as hand stitching and I don't plan to use them much, but for a little doll quilt or doll clothes they can add a sparkle of interest.  It's been fun playing with the machine.  Now it's off to feed cattle -- after I clean up the mess; threads everywhere!

Charlotte

February Apron

February's apron is a child's apron, size 7-8.   After all, no one said all the aprons had to be for Grandma or Mommy.  It is made by a Simplicity  "It's So Easy" pattern, number A2319 which was only 97 cents at Wal Mart.  The fabric was purchased online from Connecting Threads.

Teddy just had to sit next to the apron so you can see the size of it.

I don't have any little granddaughters who could wear the apron, but someday there might be a great-granddaughter I could give it to and she could say, "Look, Mommy!  Mama Charlotte gave me an apron!"

Charlotte