RUFFLEBUNNIES

My blog has moved!!!

2009-12-30T18:56:00.000-06:00

Hope you'll come over and check out my new blog!!
Sara Norris Ltd.

Happy birthday to my sister!!!

2009-09-17T07:42:00.000-05:00

Today is my sister's birthday and I just want to tell how very special she is!! I am sure many people who have a sister thinks their sister is special. She is older than me and has always looked after me and taken care of me.

When she and my brother in law were dating, they would take me along to the movies. Or if not, they would come home from a date and read me a bedtime story. I always called her Sissy. Then when they got married (I was in the wedding) , I recall that when the wedding party walked back down the aisle after the ceremony, even at my age, I instinctively knew that something had changed forever and I was overcome with emotion. I flew to her and grabbed her around the waist and sobbed. I think it was about that time that I ceased calling her Sissy, as that seemed to me to be babyish!!! So things did change a lot. After they married, they moved away to go to college. Their first Christmas, my sister had taken my mother's sewing machine home with her and she created a fabulous wardrobe for my Barbie doll. She had it all packed in a black patent hat box with a handle. I still remember some of the outfits she made. Sadley, it all burned years later in a house fire.

My "Sissy" and I have been through a lot together. We have that special relationship that only sisters understand. We think alike about a lot of things, almost can read each other's mind on occaison, know what the other is thinking with just a look, and for years have shown up wearing the same outfit more times than I can count!!! My sister is many things: creative, passionate, inventive, thrifty, industrious, loyal, FUN, and not least of all, she is a Christian. I thank God every day for making us sisters in this life.

Happy Birthday Sissy!!!!!! I love you!!!!!

Holiday entertaining

2009-09-11T16:42:00.000-05:00

For your holiday table, consider these lovely monogrammed dinner napkins. These are offered on my website Sara Norris Ltd. Don't you love the Turkey napkin ring??? My mother and sister made these several years ago and since Thanksgiving Dinner is almost always at our house nowadays, I was the happy recipient of them!!!

Rebecca's Beautiful Blog

2009-09-11T15:07:00.001-05:00

If you are a lover of beautiful things, you will absolutely fall in love with Rebecca’s blog “A Gathering of Thoughts”.
Go over and check it out here

A new blog for me!!

2009-09-06T18:35:00.000-05:00

I hope you will take a look at a new blog I have created this afternoon. It is primarily for showcasing my work.
You may find me here

Fall sewing

2009-08-26T23:51:00.004-05:00

At this time of year, when I am in my fall sewing, I remember something my mother used to say. My mother had a ladies dress shop for over 30 years and she would say that the end of August was the time to bring out your "dark cottons" for early fall wearing!!! So this time of year finds me rummaging through my fabric stash looking for dark cottons. Old habits don't die easy!!

Three years old, he is now. At that age in a sewing person's life when the choices become harder and harder as to what to make for him. As a sewist with an heirloom persuasion, I have long had to forego any illusions of dressing him in any lace. I must say that his dad indulged me longer than I ever thought possible!!! But now, trying my best to keep him from looking like a "little man", I have had to turn to my creative instincts to design clothing that bridges the gap, somewhere between little boy and those grown up clothes that are going to come all too soon, clothes that in all the major brands look "just like daddy".
At the same time, we are urging this child to grow up and be a "big boy". Of course, part of this means no longer wearing a diaper. Now, there are any number of cute patterns out there for younger boys, jon-jons and button-on pants and shirts, but all those buttons make life difficult for a little fella who is now a "big boy".
I have a whole sketch book full of designs that I plan to publish as patterns. That is another story. I have learned that pattern publishing is no easy task.
Anyway, I probably have one more year, at best, to dress him in Sadie-made clothes.

Bias binding tutorial

2009-07-23T10:55:00.003-05:00

I was playing with this vintage ladies blouse and had cut it down to fit a size 2 toddler. I had to remake the neckline in order for it to fit a child. I decided to do a bias binding around the neck, but came up with a different take on the traditional finish.
Here's how I did it:
Make your bias as you would usually do. I did this one 1" x the length needed plus an extra inch, 1/2" for each end to fold in. Press each long side of the bias to the center, then fold and press again. Unfold the bias and pin the raw edge to the neckline and stitch, making a 1/4" seam. Fold the bias over the seam. Instead of hand stitching the edge to the inside , as you would normally do, use the shell tuck function of your machine stitches to sew it down.
That stitch will look like a ladder with the right side missing:
l_
l_
l_
or something like that!!!
The settings I use on my Babylock Ellageo is w=4.0, L-2.5 and tension 8.0
You should play with your settings to get the one you like.
Stitch all around the neckline , making sure the folded edge of the bias is staying even on the inside of the garment. I didn't have to pin the bias to do this, just held it with my hand, and stitch slowly.
It makes a pretty , decorative finish for something a little bit different.

Today's lesson. . . Dressing Baby in the hot, sultry South!!!

2009-07-12T09:40:00.006-05:00

With the days becoming so hot and humid and the heat index rising, I was reminded of an occasion when one of my granddaughters, who was about 6 months old at the time, was stripped down to her diaper , by her daddy, "because she was hot". (I believe she was wearing a smocked bubble at the time,made of 100% cotton Swiss batiste, which I might say is one of the lightest fabrics made). Now, being in the business of CLOTHING babies, this somehow , just did not seem right to me!!!

So, in giving this some thought, I realized that I had not educated this particular child of mine, a man, about the proper way to dress a baby for hot weather. There are just some things that you take for granted!!!

So , let me explain this , for the uninformed!!

It would seem logical that to remove most or all of baby's clothes, would indeed make the baby cooler. This might stand to reason, if the baby is indoors. But if the baby is outdoors, say at a picnic, and being held, think about the skin of the baby and the baby-holder, when the baby is passed on to,oh, let's say, grandmother. The baby's back and the arm of the holder are both wet!!!! From sweating!!!!! This cannot be, in any way, comfortable to the baby!!! Skin against skin is going to get hot and sweaty when the thermometer approaches the 100 mark!!!This is why the Southern staple of a baby's wardrobe, the diaper shirt, was created!!!!!

Now, these diaper shirts, or some other light-weight article of clothing, need to be made of 100% cotton or linen, to be effective. Polyester fabrics simply won't have the same wicking qualities or any degree of comfort. They are , in fact, quite hot to wear.

It would also behoove me to interject, at this point, that one should never leave the house without a lightweight cotton blanket for baby!!! They have a multitude of uses, even in the hot summer time. You can spread it out to lay the baby on, it is a light cover if you are in a very cool restaurant or other building, you can throw it over the stoller to shield the baby from the sun, or mosquitos, and of course, it can be the barrier for the moisture, when holding the baby. Much more comfortable than a hot, sweaty arm!!!! It also gives off a certain degree of charm, and we all know how important THAT is!!!!!

Here is a good example of the perfect (in my opinion) outfit for a hot summer day: Here you have your 100% cotton sateen fabric composing a set that includes a crisp and cool sunsuit, a burpie, and the requisite blanket, all coordinated with red gingham trim and monogrammed. How cute!!! Other good choices for fabrics would be seersucker, plisse', or pique. All very cool fabrics!!

So, on behalf of babies everywhere, let's keep them cool!!!!!

Sewing at the Lake

2009-06-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

My sewing friends and I gathered this past weekend for our second annual retreat. We met each other several years ago on a sewing chat forum. These women are from all over the country and oddly, one lives only about 3 miles from me!!! Since my husband and I have a little cabin on the lake, we decided it would be great fun to have a weekend to come together and share all things sewing!!! Our common sewing thread (pun intended!!) is that we all sew for small children. Some of the girls sew for their children that are as young as 2, while others of us sew for our grandchildren.

We share about our daily lives, stay up late talking, eat a lot and exchange ideas. Most of us do not have anyone who really speaks our language on a daily basis so the idea and information exchange is amazing!!!

This year, our weekend project was organized by the amazing Laurie Anderson. Laurie is an extremely talented designer who regularly contributes to Sew Beautiful magazine. She has also started a sewing ministry in her town called Threads of Love (you may click here for more infohttp://www.threadsoflove.org/ ) Threads of Love is an outreach sewing ministry that strives to provide for some of the physical needs of tiny infants, while showing God's love to the babies' parents and families. Practically speaking, they are groups of woman who sew tiny garments and take them to hospitals for preemie babies and babies who don't survive. I have been praying about this same type of ministry at my own church for some time and Laurie has encouraged me along the way.

Laurie brought all the fabric, patterns and trims for us to use for the garments we made. Here are some of the girls cutting out the patterns sitting out on the deck. It was glorious weather!!!

This is a life-like baby doll who modeled for us all weekend. She was so life like, that several of the girls could hardly put her down!!!

We had several sewing machine and sergers set up inside.

Here is Laurie and me showing off the babies!!!

These are the final products, each set packaged and labeled.

This is the group, minus 2, on Sunday morning before we all departed.

One more reason I love living in a small town. . . .

2009-05-23T20:35:00.000-05:00

There's just something about a small town parade that makes me burst with civic pride, makes me want to go join something, and makes me think about Mom, baseball and apple pie!!! Wonder why that is??

In most towns that have a parade on Memorial Day weekend, it is usually in honor of the holiday, but in our little town (and i do mean little) it is to kick off the festivities for a festival we have been having for 20 years: The Buford Pusser Festival, always held on Memorial Day weekend. In case you haven't heard, Mr. Pusser was a very famous sheriff around these parts. So famous in fact that he has had scores of books written about him and four movies made of his life and times.

Our town boasts a museum that is housed in the sheriff's former residence and throngs of visitors flock here each year to tour the museum and to participate in the festival. Now, let me get back to the parade.

Along with the dignitaries (and Elvis) riding in converibles, we have a brigade of law enforcement and emergency vehicles.

The children, as well as the adult onlookers, get a kick out of seeing who they know that might be riding in the parade.

After the parade, we all go to the city park, where a carnival with rides, games and lots of food is set up. All kids of activities have been going on throughout the week leading up to
Saturday's events.

The reason all this makes me love living in a small town (among other reasons to numerous to post) is simply because I love the down-homeness of it all, the fact that I know nearly everybody in town and that they all turn out for and support this type of event. I love it that simple events are still a very BIG DEAL!!!

I love vines!!!

2009-05-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

I love many flowers that grow on a vine. While this first one is not really considered a vine (I don't think), it sure grows like one. This is an old rose that blooms by Mother's Day. It started as a cutting from my sister and I planted it to grow over my old potting shed. When we remodeled the shed a few years ago, we transplanted on this arbor, which is the entrance to the garden spot (if you look through the opening, you will see the garden spot has nothing but weeds growing there this spring!!!) I love this rose. It is filled with small but beautiful pale pink fragrant buds.
Next is my Confederate Jasmine. We are located a bit north for this vine to thrive, however, thriving it is and has never let me down. Two years ago, we suffered a hard freeze just before Easter and it got severely bitten. This vine forms a bower over the walkway to the garage and every time I walk by it, I feel like Scarlett at the barbeque, because the fragrance is enchanting!!

This is my Clematis. I don't know the correct name for it. I have had a thing for them for years and have never been successful growing them until I got this one. It is located right by the Jasmine.

This is the old Southern favorite Wisteria. Mine is just now blooming but I have been seeing them bloom all over our area for weeks. Everything blooms later than most in our yard, for some reason. I think it has something to do with "micro-climates".

Last is a new vine. My husband bought this one to hopefully cover up some unslightly electical meters (those things the power company uses to send you a bill!!!) And again, the tag has been removed and I don't know the name of it either

Our granddaughter has arrived!!!!

2009-05-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Our granddaughter arrived last night!!! she was born at 7:44, weighing in at 9 lbs 13.5 oz. , has been named Amelia Renai, and will be called "Millie". Mother, Daddy and Millie are all doing great!! She is just precious!!!

Sewing for a cause

2009-05-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

I have been asked to participate in a silent auction to raise money for a local cancer center in Savannah, Tennessee. This little sundress, handmade by me, is my contribution. I hope that if you are in the area, you will make it to this worthy event.

Living Service & Lifetime Awards

The Hardin County Community and Healthcare Foundation, Inc. and Hardin Medical Center are proud to present the 5th Annual Hardin County Healthcare Living Service & Lifetime Awards honoring Helen Garner, R.N., and Randy Rinks, Former State Representative, and remembering Rev. R. W. Moore and Dr. Otis M. Whitlow for their commitment to improving healthcare in Hardin County.Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at the Pickwick Inn.Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a silent auction.Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m., with Entertainment by Cosmin Majors and John Simmons, followed by a Live Auction of Very Special Items and the Awards Presentation.All proceeds will benefit The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center.Seating is limited. For tickets please contact Hardin Medical Center Administration at 731-926-8121.
5/12/2009 6:00:00 PM

Skillet Cake

2009-05-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

To go along with the fresh strawberries, our family has always enjoyed Skillet cake. No store-bought sponge cake cups for us!!!! We grew up on this and other homemade goodies from my mother's kitchen.

This little delicacy looks surprisingly like cornbread, in part because it is made in a black skillet, but don't be fooled!!!! It is sweet and very light. And when just out of the oven, it is delightful all by itself, with no other adornment.

But when you add fresh strawberries, it is heavenly. Now about the strawberries, I never slice mine. Rather, to get the best effect, meaning JUICE, they have to be smooshed. This can be accomplished with a potato masher or even with your clean hands. Add some real sugar and let them sit and the sugar will draw out even more of the juice. You want all that juice so that the cake can soak it up. MMMM-MMM!!!

Skillet Cake

1 stick butter--softened

1.5 cups sugar

3 eggs

1.5 cups self-rising flour

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp real vanilla

Grease and flour a black skillet. Cream the butter and sugar, add eggs, beat well. Add the flour, milk and vanilla and pour into the skillet. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes until golden on top and firm to the touch.

Berry time in West Tennessee!!!

2009-05-03T15:07:00.000-05:00

For a little fellow who adores strawberries more than just about anything, what could be better than a trip to the "Pick-UR-Own" patch? Maybe it is picking and eating all you want, right off the vine and Mr. Farmer not minding one bit and not charging your aunt and uncle for all those you ate, because he is so enamored of your cuteness!!!!
Our whole family loves the juicy red berries grown so abundantly here in West Tennessee but none more so than my grandson Holt. I try to keep a carton here at my house, year 'round, when I know he will be coming. Anyway, the trip to the patch was a tradition we started last year and one we hope to keep for years to come, or as long as he will go with us!!!!
These are last years pictures and my sister and her husband took him Saturday, but I have no pictures of that trip. Guess we'll just have to make another run in a few days!!!
I feel a shortcake coming on!!!!

Hand Embroidery

2009-04-27T08:16:00.001-05:00

I read recently that it was thought that hand embroidery was a dying art form. NAY!!!! say it isn't so!!! In my little realm of heirloom sewing there are still a multitude of hand stitchers who are indeed masters of the art!!!! Most of them I have come to know through the internet and some I have come to know personally. I have the utmost respect for these women who create beautiful works of art with a needle

I thought about my own journey of learning this beautiful means of stitching. I took some classes many years ago and was so dissatisfied with my attempts that I only dabbled with it in the ensuing years. Then one day I made the decision to attend the MarthaPullenCo School of Art Fashion in an attempt to improve my skills. I took the class offered by Wendy Schoen , which just happened to be a class for infant clothing, her specialty and my first love!!! I should add at this point that I consider Ms. Schoen one of the masters of hand embroidery and I can only dream of stitching as beautifully as she!!!!

I will never forget my intimidation by the ladies in that class who were much more accomplished than me. I was so embarrassed by my inability to execute those tiny stitches, which are the hallmark of beautiful embroidery. I learned a great deal in that class. First and foremost that good lighting and good magnification are essential. Then the biggest revelation that the proper needle is crucial to the desired stitch!!! WHO KNEW!!!! Who would have thought that something as tiny as a needle could make that much difference??? But a difference it makes indeed!!! Not only that, but some BRANDS are better than others!!! Fast forward a few years and all those projects from the school remained tucked away unfinished in my "Grandmother's Hope Chest" with the promise to myself that when one of my children had me a grandchild, I would finish them. And finish them I did.

Along the way, I have rediscovered my love for hand embroidery and have taken the opportunity to work on more projects and attempt to perfect my skill. I am still not at the level I want to be, but hey, it takes practice, practice, practice!! I would like to pay tribute to some of my other friends , who's skill I so admire. First , there is my dear friend Laurie, who is an amazing designer and regular contributor to SewBeautiful magazine, the hand book to heirloom sewists everywhere!!

Then there is a new friend

Martha, whom I first discovered on a sewing forum and then have followed her on her delightful blog.

Here, I am revisiting some of my work with hand embroidery, crude as it is!!! The initial below was worked on a baby blanket for my granddaughter (whom we are still awaiting to arrive). The stitches used are a combination of shadow embroidery, lazy daisy, granito, and bullion rose.

The bonnet below is for my granddaughter Lacey Claire, who arrived on Valentine's Day this year. The stitches on it are also bullion rose, lazy daisy and running stitch.

I am honored. . . .

2009-04-23T07:08:00.000-05:00

Attitude of Gratitude Award

I have been away from blogland for a few days, due to a hectic lifestyle lately!!! Much to my surprise, I received the Attitude of Gratitude award for my blog from my new friend Cathy over

at TheStylishHouse

Cathy is not only very talented and creative, but also very gracious . Cathy has one of the loveliest blogs I have seen and I am so inspired when I go there!!!

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.

5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude:

I am so blessed in this life. I have a wonderful, close-knit family, who are all healthy. It doesn't take long to look around yourself and see the things that others are going through, to make you stop and count your blessings. Like anyone else, I have been through the valleys and the mountaintops. I am so thankful that I have my faith to sustain me through the difficult times. I am also thankful to have found my new blogging friends. The creativity that is displayed amongst the bloggers that I follow is astounding!! Have a wonderful and blessed day!!!

Here are a few of the blogs that inspire me!!

Laurie SewnSo

MarthaSouthernMatriarch

AprilHatchieRiverNights

TheBabyGardner

KristenGocksFrocks

NancySouthernLady

JeannineKinderKouture

SusanBetweenNapsOnThePorch

LibbyTwirlandTaste

Inside the house!!!

2009-04-10T15:36:00.001-05:00

This is the centerpiece of my dining table. Pictured in this rusty little wheelbarrow are some Easter eggs made by my mother several years ago (we have Christmas ornaments like this as well!!)

On my other dining table is an arrangement of fresh flowers from my sister's garden. She gave me this darling Fitz and Floyd container because I'm a seamstress!!!

Here's Mr. Rabbit getting caught in the cabbage patch!!!!

A Garden Wedding Reception

2009-04-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

My cousin is getting married tomorrow night and early last fall, when she announced her plans, I immediately raised my hand and said "You can have the reception in our yard"!!!!! Lazily I waltzed into the holidays and then the winter. After all, Easter is a lifetime away, isn't it???? Well, of course, it got here a lot quicker than I thought it would!! However, we all have been busily preparing the yard and the house for the big day. We have worked like Trojans all week to put the final touches on everything. Here is a quick view of the yard:

My potting bench got a facelift!!!!!

Never has a rabbit smelled so lovely!!!

Don't you just love this lamb???? And the preparations would not be complete without a hitch or two. I am so thankful that we got everything done by yesterday, as all morning today we were under a tornado warning. Fortunately, we did not have one and there was no wind damage, but what's a party without a little hail!!!!!!

Showers in the South

2009-04-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

and coffees and teas!! Although April showers bring May flowers, the springtime also brings a bevy of the gift-giving ritual called a "shower", a "coffee" or that favorite in my part of the country called "THE TEA".
Now, why it is called a tea, I don't know, for in the many years that I have attended such events, I don't recall there being tea served at any of them. Ususally, coffee and punch are the norm for the required beverage. With the rising popularity of tea over the past few years, you would think someone would embrace this lovely and genteel art of serving tea at a bridal or baby "Tea". But on further thought, there is usually a large number of attendees, and I guess no one has that many matching cups!!
But back to the subject at hand, which is a baby tea for my daughter-in-law, who is expecting our 9th grandchild on the 9th of May. This lovely event was held last Sunday afternoon by friends from our church. Here are some of the things I made for the layette.

Easter Sewing!!!

2009-02-27T16:17:00.000-06:00

What fun to begin thinking about sewing for Easter!! I have wonderful memories of my mother sewing for me, my sister and herself. She would make us complete outfits, well, that is, a dress and a coat of some kind. Back then, they were called "dusters", these Easter coats. I don't remember anything about the planning process of mother's sewing but probably she and my sister planned out what we would have.

In addition to these outfits, we also always got new shoes, gloves , a hat and a purse. I have a great picture of the three of us, somewhere, modeling our outfits , just as we were to go out the door to church on Easter morning, and we were some kind of "stylin'".

Nowadays, my Easter sewing plans involve sewing for my grandchildren, those that will let me!!!
I already have the outfit for the new baby to wear and next will be the outfit for her big brother. In addition, I will also be making big brother an outfit to wear in a wedding the evening before Easter, where he will be the ring bearer. I will also be making the flower girl's dress. At this point, I might also mention that said wedding will be having the reception here at my home, in the yard, weather permitting!!!!

So now, I am contemplating just how to make the ring bearer's outfit, which I have already sketched. I have found no pattern available for the shirt I am proposing, so it will be up to me to draft my own, a skill in which I am lacking. This should prove interesting, but at the same time, challenging too and I look forward to it.

Lacey Claire Waggoner

2009-02-18T21:17:00.000-06:00

Our newest member of the family, Lacey Claire, arrived on Valentine's Day at 1:18 in the afternoon!!!

We are so blessed to have yet another healthy, beautiful granddaughter. Baby Lacey, Mom, Dad and big brother Holt are all doing just fine!!!

Baby on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-02T08:50:00.000-06:00

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival our granddaughter, Lacey Claire, due February 21, but I have a feeling she will appear sooner than that. I am predicting February 6, which is the birthday of our daughter in law and the day after her mother's birthday. I have made several things for her layette, which I can happily add to the vast collection handed down to her that was her mother's clothing. I had searched the house over for these things and finally found them Saturday. There were so many things I had made that I had forgotten about and it was such a pleasure to wash and iron them and reflect on the days when my daughter wore them. It was also amusing to look back on my sewing skills from 25 years ago!!! Oh, the things I did and didn't do when I was learning to smock back in those days. But, they held up well and actually look as good as new.
Here are a few of the things I have made.

This is a matinee jacket, diaper cover and cap, made by the pattern from Collars, Etc. I used seafoam satin batiste and dotted Swiss.

This baby quilt was made from a quilt top I discovered at my mother's. She and my grandmother had quilted it and I added the ruffle and backing.

This bib is a design from Sew Beautiful Issue #121. I used white Sheen Sateen and embroidered by machine with designs from Martha Pullen's "Vintage Baby" .

A diaper set, also from Sew Beautiful issue #121, made from pink linen, given to me by Ruthann Jagge, when she came to the wedding of the baby's mother.

A bubble made by the pattern by Martha Pullen Company, "Dainty Designs" made of White Sheen Sateen.

A smocked Grace Knott "Nighty"

Remembering. . . . .

2008-12-18T07:24:00.000-06:00

Lora Lynn
November 5, 1965 - December 18, 1984

aside from sewing. . . .

2008-11-09T16:22:00.000-06:00

Along about this time of year, when the leaves are boasting their most vibrant hues, and the sun cast long, long shadows late in the afternoon, I get a little melancholy and a lot reflective.

At this moment, I am taking a really long hard look at my life over the past year. So much has changed, so many things have happened, and as I look back, I can see God's hand in all of it. I can see how He has used events to shape me, mold me, and strengthen me so that I could handle what was ahead of me. For these lessons, I am thankful. Glad they are over, glad they are behind me, but again, thankful!!

This time of year is rich with memories for me. Even though autumn was never my dad's favorite time of year, I find myself thinking of him these days more than usual. A farmer by trade and by nature, he was. He always said in autumn everything is dying. The autumn is, of course, the time of harvest. So vivid in my mind are the images, the sounds and the smells of harvest surrounding my homeplace. There was always a hub of activity at each day's end with the harvesting equipment coming home from the fields, the grain bins humming and producing that distinctive smell of soybeans drying. Added to that was the cool nip in the air and the acrid smell of someone stoking up a wood burning stove. In the middle of the community sat a tiny general store straight out of a storybook.

As the days got shorter, the golden glow of home came earlier and earlier. At my parents home, there was a fresh-brewed pot of coffee each day, around about five o'clock, when my mom and dad would gather to reflect on the day and get caught up on each other's goings on.

My dad has been gone 14 years now. My mother is getting on in years and her general health has begun to decline. The community itself, where she has lived for over 60 years, has changed as well. No longer is there the hub of activity at the homeplace. The grain bins, long ago, swept away by a tornado's mighty winds, the farming equipment vanished, and even the wood buring stoves replaced by modern conveniences. The general store, gone as well.

All of these things I noticed one afternoon recently as I dropped my mother home after a doctor's visit. As I backed out of her driveway, I was struck by the lonliness of it all and will have to keep all of this clearly in mind, when the time comes for us to move her to her new home. As much as I am a sentimentalist and a traditionalist , this is one change that I am accepting readily now. I never thought I would.

One last thought for the day, on a lighter note!!! This year has been an abundant one in terms of harvest at the Norris household., and, well, actually the surrounding area. We have three apple trees that have never in their 20 years, produced more than a handful of fruit. Like wise, our ages-old pecan tree, only once in memory produced enough to make a pie. Not so , this year. Take a look at this bountiful harvest!!! (I have to confess, the pears are from my mother's tree)

2008-10-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

For fine fabrics, I hope you will visit my website!!

http://www.saranorrisltd.com

Finally some pictures!!!

2008-10-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

You have heard the expressions:

"Who could tell on a galloping horse"

and

"It's hard to stop a train"

Those expressions are what came to mind as I was attempting to photograph my grandson yesterday afternoon. The child was all over the place!!! But I did manage to get a few good shots!!

Isn't he an angel??

Sew Beautiful #121

2008-10-06T13:35:00.000-05:00

I am so very honored to have been featured on the cover of the latest Sew Beautiful. This issue is the Baby issue and it is filled with gorgeous projects.

I want to make each one for our babies that are on the way!!!

Many thanks to Kathy Barnard for her lovely work on this!!

More completed projects

2008-10-06T12:06:00.000-05:00

In the meantime, I have made Holt an outfit for church. This is the new pattern I came across and I love how it turned out. The shorts are a cotton blend of unknown content but the fabric is in shades of navy and tan. The shirt is made of ecru Swiss Batiste. I think the outfit has a vintage quality about it.

Sewing for the grandbabies. . . .

2008-10-05T18:01:00.000-05:00

I know that I can now sew for a baby girl!!! It will be about another month before we know if the next baby will be a boy or a girl. But I am so anxious to start this sweet baby sewing that I dearly love, that I got out the project box from Martha Pullen School in 2002 that I had never finished!!!

I had taken the Wendy Schoen class of baby items and learned to improve my hand embroidery skills. After viewing Wendy's work, I was not sure that I could ever be able to embroider well enough to make my work acceptable!! Her work is beyond perfection!!

I have managed to complete 3 of the garments

Here is the first one. This is a daygown for a baby girl. It features shadow embroidered flowers and pink ribbon, feather stitching and granitos. The kit included blue lace tape, which I chose not to use but also the sweetest tiny Swiss embroidery trim, which is on the edge of the sleeve. This is my new favorite trim and I plan to order a bolt of this to use on some of the garments I will make for the new grandbabies.

Fashion show

2008-09-13T16:35:00.000-05:00

Today was the fashion show and my two little models couldn't have been better!!! Holt entered his coloring page into the coloring contest and won first place!!!

The older little girl is the daughter of a friend of mine. Her grandmother had made that gorgeous dress (Emily Sew Beautiful #74)for this child's older sister, several years ago.
I thought she looked so beautiful in it and wanted to show it off!!!

Speaking of sewing for little boys. . . .

2008-09-13T08:02:00.001-05:00

As I said in the previous post, sewing for little boys is so much more limited than sewing for little girls .I have worn out the appliqued/monogrammed Jon-Jon romper style, even though, being the classic that it is, I DO still love them.
I am constantly on the hunt for cute ideas for sewing for boys. So much so, that I have been sketching my own designs. I think that I have some "Great Ideas" (Holt's favorite expression!!) that would be the makings for a book. Of which, I would include patterns for these designs. However, I am not adept at pattern making, so this is wherein my struggles lie.
I am looking for advice, help and a point in the right direction for pattern drafting.

Fall sewing for Holt

2008-09-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

I just discovered this adorable pattern and had to order it for Holt. If you have ever sewn for little boys, you know how limited the options are in styles, patterns and designs. This pattern is a little bit different than anything I have seen in a while, almost has a Euro look to it.
Anyway, I have the short pants made and I chose to line them as the fabric I used was rather flimsy. As it turns out, I think it would have made up fine without the lining. the short pants look black in my picture, but they are actually navy with ecru undertones.
About this pattern. Now, I always read through the directions before I make something and usually, I do it my way because I am somewhat a rebel in these matters. However, this time I did follow the directions to the letter, except for the lining. There were a couple of things I wish I had done my way. There is a dart right beside the button on the pants waist. The pattern calls for you to slash the dart open and gives no directions for finishing the the edges of the dart. I hate unfinished edges. I don't see the point of slashing the dart open. Maybe someone can enlighten me on that one!!!
I am working on the smocked shirt, which is white with ecru smocking.

Winner of the giveaway!!!!

2008-09-10T16:07:00.001-05:00

The winner of the giveaway of the Christmas dress is:

Angie "sewingforall" on the Everything Sewing forum!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated!!!

To see a picture of this dress, Angie will have to make us a photo of her little one modeling it!!!!

Sewing for a Cause

2008-09-06T08:33:00.000-05:00

I was invited to participate in an event to raise money in our county for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The event will be a Tea Party and Fashion Show and I always love a chance to promote my business while doing my part for a worthy cause.

If you are unfamiliar with this project, Ms. Parton has developed a reading program for preschoolers , from birth until age 5, for residents of the state of Tennessee. When you sign your child up for this program, he or she will receive a book each month for no cost. They are absolutely free! This program is designed to encourage parents to begin reading to their child as early as possible in order to boost their education possibilities.

My own grandson, who is 2, is enrolled in this program and is delighted when his book arrives in his mailbox each month!! He already has a great love of being read to and loves to look at the books by himself!!

Here is a dress that I made especially for the Fashion show.

A lovely piece of fabric. . . .

2008-08-20T17:58:00.001-05:00

I was blessed to receive this gorgeous piece of fabric from a new friend I met this summer at a sewing retreat. I knew that it was a very nice piece of goods, but later discovered that it is by Rose and Hubble!!!

I have pleated it up to make a little sundress. I have begun smocking it but it will be a while before it is worn. Maybe it will be for the new grandbaby on the way!!!

Details of my giveaway!!!!

2008-08-20T17:07:00.000-05:00

If you have made your way here, you are eligible for the give away of this dress!

Above is a sneak peak!! This dress is a size 4 "Lydia" pattern from Bonnie Blue patterns, with a few modifications.

The contest won't "officially" begin until next Wednesday (that is when I expect my other inventory to be in) but you can begin anytime.

So, here are the rules:

This will be based on points and here is how you can get points.

1. One point when you post a comment to this topic.(one point per comment)

2. One point when you mention this giveaway on another blog (send me a link, one point per

link).

3. One point for every dollar spent in my online store (http://www.saranorrisltd.com/) .

If you are needing to order fabric, you might want to wait until next week, and order

from me!!!

4. One point for any referral who places an order from my website. (send me the name of the

referral).

Also, please identify yourself if you use other names on the various forums and blogs, e.g., I might not know that Jane Doe, who placed an order on the website, is also "sewinsista" from a forum or blog.

The contest will end September 10 at 10pm, CST.

The one with the most points, wins!!!!

More later!!!

Christening gowns. . .

2008-08-19T19:38:00.000-05:00

A favorite client of mine brought her grandchildren's christening gown by last week for me to add another name to the slip. This makes five names I have embroidered on that slip!!! It was hard to believe that five little babies have now (or, about to have) worn that gown for their special day.
It is always such a joy to get a gown back to do that special task. I always check it over carefully for any rips or tears that might need to be repaired. I want my gowns to be able to stand the test of time, so that they can be handed down to future generations of babies.
I love looking at the gown and thinking about the sewing I did on it. Then I just love to hold and play with the beautiful fabric and lace!!!
I really need a photo of this one!!!

Another great giveaway from a fabulous designer!

2008-08-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Bridget, from my ebay days, is a fabulous designer of adorable children's clothes!!! Now get this: she is GIVING AWAY one of her stunning creations!!! This is a GREAT IDEA!!! and I want to win!!!!!
Unfortunately, in order to get more entries into the drawing for myself, I've got to tell everyone about it on this blog!!!!! But, I guess that makes it fair for everyone, doesn't it!!!
So, head on over there and sign up for yourself!!!
Click here
Bridget to sign up.

blogging. . .

2008-07-31T13:28:00.000-05:00

I really, really, really meant to spend the day sewing up an outfit for my grandson. But, as I got started this morning , I found myself surfing around all sorts of blog spots and redisovered some of my old friends from my ebay days. What a ton of fun this has been!!
I have added several of them to my list of favs, so I hope you will take a look through the list and see what a genious and creative ilk of friends I have!!!!
One in particular is rebecca http://tinyurl.com/5d74fe , who is doing the celebation dance , as I speak!!! Check her out for a great givaway contest for a simply adorable totebag!! She makes precious things and you will enjoy her blog!!!!

back again!!!!

2008-07-31T12:47:00.000-05:00

hello !!!
I have been away for awhile as I worked on getting my new online shop ready to go. A new look to the old one and a shopping cart to boot!!! I feel so "high tech".
Now that I have gotten down the basics of all this techy stuff ( oh yeah, sure) I have so much more to do, scouting new finds to sell and laying out the basics of some classes I am hoping to start.
Hope you will check out the new and improved site!!!!

www.saranorrisltd.com

A story about this pattern. . . .

2008-06-27T08:13:00.000-05:00

I had this pattern out, looking at it and thinking about making the matinee jacket and cap, for the new baby that is on the way.

In my mother's day, she told me those little jackets were called "saques" or I have even heard them called "nightingales". I love those names, they all denote preciousness to me.

Anyway, I came to have this pattern, through a long drawn-out process.

One of my very good friends was going to be a first time grandmother, and she asked me to make the christening gown. She wanted me to copy the gown that her husband and then all her children had worn. I was amazed that she didn't want to use this lovely gown for the new baby, but she explained that she wanted her daughter to have her own gown for this child and any other children she might have.

I didn't want to attempt to re-create this gown on my own, so I set out looking for a pattern to use. I posted a picture on one of my chat forums and got a very swift reply from a lady in California. She told me she had made that gown many times and gave me the pattern number.

With that, I set about searching ebay for it. I found it on the frist search!!! I placed my bid, and allowed the bidding to end, not realizing it had gone quite high in the final amount!!! (this pattern is considered vintage, as it was printed in the 1960's) So, I lost the bid. I contacted the lady in California to see if she would sell me hers. She declined but said if I found another one, I could use it and she would buy it back from me, as the embroidery transfers that came with her pattern, were now used up.

So, I began the search again. Fortunately, I found it again soon after!!! I couldn't believe my good fortune!!! I ended up paying close to $30 for this pattern, which was OK with my California friend. I used it, she paid me and I shipped it on to her. End of story.

Well, not quite. When my friend/customer picked up her gown, she was very pleased and then told me she wanted me to make two more of these eventually, for her other two children, when the time came!!!!

Uh-oh!!!! so the search began again!!! The sewing angel was with me, apparently, as I found another again and this time got it for around $6-7!!!!! So, now this precious little pattern is safely in my stash.

Yet another wonderful blessing!!!!!

2008-06-23T09:11:00.000-05:00

Last week, we found out that we are to be grandparents again!!! A baby is a blessing from God and we praise and thank Him for this. Our grandson Holt will be the big brother!!!
Now, my mind is beginning to spin and get all cluttered up with ideas for sewing for this highly anticipated little one, who will make an appearence in February.
I have already started one project, which is pink; however, I can change back to blue with no problems!!!!
My favorite thing to sew is infant layette clothing. When we went to the retreat, I carried my unfinished box of projects left over from my trip to Martha Pullens school six years ago. It just so happens, all those little garments are for a girl!!! Wonder if that is a sign??
Anyway, my tastes in infants clothing tends to run to the vintage design. I love all those styles that came out of the 20's and 30's , the eras that my parents were born. I have amassed a variety of patterns, both vintage and reproductions, that could keep me busy sewing for years, and I don't think I would ever tire of it. My fabric stash is almost as extensive and I revel in luxurious fabrics that are a sensual delight to the eyes and to the hands. My favorites are Swiss batiste, pure Irish linen (I have a fabulous, generous friend who gifted me with a huge stash of it) Italian Sheen Sateen, and Swiss flannel. Preparing these fabrics for construction is almost as rewarding as seeing the finished garment. I love every aspect of it, from laundering the fabric, to the ironing of it. Perverse? maybe, but there is such a satisfaction to me in feeling that iron glide over an exquisite piece, seeing the change in the fabric and then feeling the "hand" of it. And then, once the garment is finished, imagining the tiny baby who will grace my efforts!!!
After having been with my sewing friends a few weeks ago, all of whom love to smock, I am desiring to smock more myself. I had gotten away from it for awhile, but they have inpired to get the pleater back out and pleat up some projects. I am finding so much joy in "just sewing" these days. Even though we DO have a little one on the way, it is too early to know the gender just yet, so I am just sewing for the sheer joy of sewing and creating!!!!
I hope you have a GREAT day!!!

Sew many blessings. . .

2008-06-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting several of my cyber sewing friends at a sewing retreat held at the beautiful setting of Pickwick Lake in southwest Tennessee.
When I think how the internet has made this possible, it amazes me. I have made so many friends over the last few years that otherwise, I would never have known.
It fulfilled part of my dream of having a sewing buddie, and hopefully, we will be able to do this again soon.
Brought together by our love of sewing, we also shared the joys, sorrows and triumphs of our daily lives. It was indeed a great experience to be around women who not only love God, but also speak the same language of sewing, mostly for our children and grandchildren. We even had two very young women there and it amazed me that they would want to spend time with someone as old as me!!!
We worked on several techniques, shared by some very talented women and each of us made a pillowcase dress for someone special.
I took them to a special fabric shop in our area, a place where you never know what will be found and we loaded the cars with lots of fun finds!!!
I feel so blessed to have made these wonderful friends, who are loving, caring and generous to a fault. They came bearing all sorts of gifts, food and knowledge!!!
I sincerely hope that this will be the start of a gathering on a regular basis!!

I wish I had a sewing buddy. . . . .

2008-04-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

I mean one who lives just down the street. I am sure you can imagine that I have dozens upon dozens of cyber-sewing buddies that I have come to know and love, first, through ebay and later through several forums that I frequent. And I do love these friends and have learned so much from them. One even travelled 1000 miles to come help me with my daughter's wedding and we had never even talked on the phone before. Now that is a friend!!!!
I want also the kind that my mother had: She lived nearby, they went to church together, they were both farmer's wives, they shopped together, and they sewed together!!! My mother tells me "sewing stories" and I love to hear them.
One that I particularly love, is about the time they went to the "city" to buy fabric for my much older sister's prom dress. My sister spotted a design she liked in a store window, and Mother and her sidekick promptly, with sketchpad in hand, (or it might have been the back of a checkbook) began to draw out (I just can't bring myself to say "copy") all the details of said dress.
Next, they went to the fabric store and bought the luscious sheer pink organdy and matching lace to make this dream confection of a prom dress!!!! It looked just like the one in the store window, and at, I'm sure a fraction of the price.
Another time, my mother redecorated mine and my sister's bedroom. Red and pink was all the rage at that time. So mother and friend set out to make the spreads, dust ruffles amd curtains. It was beautiful beyond my 5 year old belief!!! The spreads for our twin beds were fitted, scalloped and bias bound around the edges and made of quilted fabric that had small pink and red roses. The dust ruffles were solid pink, there were some kind of matching pillow shams and some kind of curtains. I can't remember those. Then we each had a red and pink fuzzy throw rug.
The prom dress, the pink and red room, and countless other creations that my mother made were magnificent. but the thing that keeps sticking out in my mind was that she had a buddy who worked alongside her. I wonder what they talked about!!!!

He's here!!!!

2008-04-28T15:39:00.000-05:00

My best friend became a grandmother Sunday morning, April 27. John Canton, already quite the gentleman, arrived about 1 am on his due date!!!!! How's that for not keeping the ladies waiting???? I have not had the pleasure of meeting this little fellow yet, but he should be home in a day or two and I so look forward to seeing him.
His grandmother is positively giddy, as you would expect, and already "head over heels" in love!!!

Spring. . . .

2008-04-08T08:23:00.000-05:00

I love the Spring. I remember my dad saying how much he loved the Spring. He didn't like autumn, said that everything was dying in the Autumn, but in the spring, everything is coming alive, that it is a time of rebirth. That, of course, came from his being a farmer, a caretaker of the earth, the soil. It was exciting for him to see the things he had planted bursting up out of the ground.
When the early mornings become warm, I love to get my cup of coffee and walk around in my yard, to see what is pushing forth out of the earth, to see what is budding, or blooming.
I have several things that are my favorites. I love to garden, but I certainly don't consider myself a "real" gardener, just a wannabe. My favorites are old fashioned lilacs, of which, over the years, I have had several. Most of them I inherited from the lady who was the former owner of this homeplace. There was never more than a bloom or two, despite my moving them to locations all over my yard. This year, I have a new little bush that is in full bloom!!!

The countdown is on. . .

2008-04-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

My best friend is about to become a grandmother. She is due for some happiness and a reason to rejoice. Yes, she has a lot to be thankful for, a wonderful daughter and son in law, who are so good and attentive to her, and, she still has her mother. But, two years ago, she lost her husband, then 2 months ago, she lost her dad. Now, her little dog and constant companion, is in failing health. But soon, she will have a new man in her life!!!
There is no way I can fully describe to her how this new little man is going to turn her life upside down. They are busy getting the nursery ready, the house in tip top shape, and all the things that go along with welcoming a new baby into the home. I know her so well, and I know that no detail will go un-noticed, nor undone!!!
I am envious of her getting to experience that first breathless moment when the sweet new bundle is placed into her arms. My own grandson is now two, and that moment seems so long ago, even though I will never forget it. I don't envy that feeling of knowing your baby girl is in labor, and that there is nothing that mother can do.
So, we are at three weeks or so and counting!!! I guess she may be to the point where she could go any day!!
Here is some little outfits I made for them:

It must be my "age". . . .the cleansing

2008-04-01T20:34:00.000-05:00

No, no, not THAT kind of cleansing!!! The OTHER kind of cleansing!!! It's spring, after all!!! And for the last few years, every spring, I start getting into it!!!
Over the years, I have collected all sorts of things. Hallmark ornaments, angels, all sorts of dishes, glassware, trinkets, sit around stuff, clothes, and every thing my children ever made, did, won, read, wrote, drew, played with, wore, slept on, you know the drill!!! And then, there is my sewing related treasures.
Why have I hung on to all this junk???? I saved it for posterity, I guess. I think that my children are going to want this stuff, one day, like when they have kids of their own. Well, maybe they do, but they want ME to keep it for them!!!! And then, I only have myself to blame, for some of it. Or maybe, my sister, as it's worse at her house than mine. And she keeps giving me stuff!!!!!

A sampling of some of my , herumph, "logic" :
"This dress is a classic. It'll never go out of style"
"I've collected these ornaments since they were first born"
"Oh, this was was his first picture he colored in kindergarten"
"And this was her bedspread from college"
"Well, can't throw this thing away, it might be worth something someday"
And, the classic: (drumroll, here) "I should sell THESE on ebay!!!!!"

And why, may I ask, is it the same in the garage storage room!!!!

Actually, the clothes are in a category all their own. You see, I grew up in a ladies dress shop, my mother's business. I got hooked on all that selecting my wardrobe at market. "She who dies with the most overstuffed closet, wins". The amount of clothes I have accumulated over the years, then given away, handed down, sold and trashed would. . . well, I can't even go there!!!!

Every year, I go through the same scenario with myself: Look in the closets and the attic and see piles of all kinds of forgotten "treasures".
Then it begins, sorting into piles, keep this, throw this away, give this to someone, and calling the kids with "are you SURE you don't want this"?

Slowly but surely, I have reduced the piles over the years, and in the process, found a few things I thought lost forever and thrilled to have again. I have even changed my clothes-buying habit into a much more practical mode. Fewer but better clothes. Well, I AM working on that one.

And my sister??? Well, she started calling again this week with "You really, really need these little chairs"!!!!
Ohhhhh, I am doomed!!!!

A bit of vintage. . .

2008-03-26T21:22:00.000-05:00

Once in a while, I learn a new craft, technique or trick and get totally hooked on it. To the point that I buy all of the supplies and instruction manuels (yikes, there's that word again!!)
Anyway, about a year ago, I was searching the net for a great idea to make for myself a needlecase. Attempting to be more organized in sewing matters (something I have been trying hard to learn from my friend, the domestic diva) I thought it would behoove me to have an exquisitely beautiful needlecase. My wanderings, and hunting and pecking, led me to several sites with the most gorgeous silk ribbon embroidery I have ever seen and some of the most magnificently hand made needlecases, or "hussifs" that you could imagine!!
So, I bought the books, the supplies and anything else I thought I would need to craft up this little confection. In the meantime, it was my good fortune to inherit a lovely sewing stash, complete with a treadle machine in the cabinet. So, I was all set!!
Here is what I came up with, some for myself and a few for ebay and some friends!!

After I got over this, all these lovely vintage findings languished in the closet of my sewing room for a year.

Until last week, when inspiration struck again!!!

I have made about 6 or 7 of these sweet little bracelets with this same stash of vintage velvet ribbons, buttons, belt buckles and many other things.

I thought they would be darling for prom, which is coming up, but then, wouldn't it seem that the guy would need to give this to the girl????

My little Picasso. . .

2008-03-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

When I retrieved my darling daughter's old Little Tykes artist easel/blackboard out of storage for her 2 year old little boy , my grandson, little did I know what impact it would have on the child's imagination!!! I cleaned it up and set it in the den, along with a new box of chalk, just awaiting his visit that afternoon.

When he walked into the house and spotted it, he ran to it and stood in front of the thing for over two hours, drawing his heart out!!! I secretly thought to myself, "I think we're onto something here"!!

Ever since, it has remained the same; it is still the first thing he runs to whenever he comes over for a visit. Of course, we all think he is totally brilliant, and have encouraged his artistic pursuits at Christmas and his birthday by inundating him with every imaginable art set, special art papers, and every kind of writing and drawing implement.

I guess this has paid off, however I still think he would have eventually found a way to express himself without all this help!!

Here's his latest:

Who says you never quit learning??

2008-03-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

I find myself at a point in life where all the wonderful inovations in technology that are supposed to make life easier, better, fuller and so on, are to the point where I need a 3rd grader to show me how to work it all!!!
Just when I had learned my computer, then the accounting software, my sewing/embroidery machines (well, I still haven't mastered the embroidery digitizing software my husband bought me about 8 years ago), then here comes a new camera, which is amazing. I must say, I have improved the quality of my family photos but , of course, I am still working on that.
Then , right after Christmas, we bought a new car. I can tell it to "Take me to the office" or "Call home". It's wonderful!!! However, this car doesn't understand basic Southern rural dialect English!!! Needless to say, I am still working on speech lessons for the car!!
Because of the car, I was forced to upgrade my cell phone AND get an iPod.
Ok, that's three more instruction books to read up on.
But on the bright side, they say keeping the brain stimulated helps to ward off a host of problems related to the aging process.
I feel younger already!!!!

countdown to Christmas

2007-12-07T09:29:00.000-06:00

I have my Christmas trees, 4 of them, up and most all of my decorations finished. Most of the shopping and gift is done, still have to make another trip , will do that today.