Stitched Presents

For cousin Jessica -- who loves Nativities. A couple months ago I got to visit a town called Glasgow, Montana. Not much going on there but did get to spend a little time with some cousins and get to know them really for the first time. My husband and son were supposed to take a guided fishing boat day out on Fort Peck Lake but the weather proved non-cooperative so they will return in the Spring. It is amazing how you can be related and yet not have the opportunity to get to know each other. Family has always meant a lot to me as I grew up in a foster home. As a child you are told in the foster home that you are part of the family, but the last name is never the same, and then when it really comes down to introductions to new people -- you are called the "foster child". I, however, was fortunate to get to know and love Aunt Marie. She found out about me when I was 15. She came to visit in Tennessee and then we started a correspondence through mail and phone for many years. When I turned 21, she was my anchor to moving on with my life and helped get me to Montana. Many years later I can see how she helped so many in the family get from one place to another to where they need to be. I am glad to say she is now where she needs to be and hope that she continues to be happy and feel love from all the family -- near and far. Still trying to figure out the 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousin order of family and wondering where the "twice removed" parts come in when people are talking. Guess I need to do a little research. Did manage to stitch a few presents for the Glasgow area cousins and hope they have a wonderful holiday season. Here is thinking of you -- McKenzie, Malani, Nicole, and Christian (he got a knitted cap)!!

Pillow Talk

I have been working on a few small projects -- some with new twists for me. I made this owl pillow for my daughter. She is into this character some now as we seem to find different fabrics with owls on them lately. This is done with fusible web and then machine stitching around every edge of different fabric used, even the eyelashes and nose as pictured. The next pillow was made as a surprise for an old schoolmate that I am friends with on Facebook. He drew this center as a tattoo he would like to get in the future and then put it for friends to see his artwork concept. I printed the black and white picture on the printer and then used my light box to hand copy it onto fabric. I then embroidered it and used colored pencils in some places. Quilted the front and back pieces and stuffed it. My friend Rolo (Danny) was very pleased. He has health disabilities and feels down at times. He told me that no one (not related to him) has ever done something this nice for him. It made me happy as well!!

The Stitches Are Flying

A staff at the group home told me last night that she could not believe coming into work the Saturday before how she found the kids up doing their needlework and craft projects could make them so calm and quiet. Then she told me that she would pay money to see our newest resident (a hyper teenage male) sitting doing needlework. This may be my newest challenge, but I think it will have to wait until a certain girl departs the home in a couple of weeks as she is keeping drama alive and well.



The 13 year old boy created the above embroidery piece and I turned it into a tote bag for his 10 year old sister. She is very pleased with it. Now I have to finish her 12 year old sister's project, but I am undecided as to whether a tote bag or a pillow will be the finished product. Tote bags take a little bit longer and more planning to finish.



I made my very first apron for a staff member that was moving to California. The 17 year old girl resident did the giraffe because Shannon loves them and then asked her what she wanted it turned into. An apron was the reply and me being a "Mary Poppins" type person had to rise to the occasion and try to fulfill the request. All in all, I was pleased and will probably do some more exploring on aprons in the future. One thing I did not included on this piece was pockets as time just didn't allow it.



The 13 year old boy resident said his youngest sister liked fairies and princess things. I found this picture online and made it into a pattern for him to embroidery. Wanting to do something different, she was made a draw string purse with a rounded bottom. There are things I would like to do different if I ever attempt another similar design.



This last piece is from the 17 year old girl resident. She has a very up and down relationship with her mother. I did find it very interesting though that when she wanted to start stitching to make something, her mother was the first person on her mind. A big smile came on her face the morning she got up and found her mom's pillow sitting on the table for her to have.

They are wearing me out. Forcing projects to come faster and faster for them. I ended up doing 4 patterns on fabric for each of them with an under the sea theme. This is giving me a break, but I was shown last night that these are mostly completed and today is a new week. Now one wants jungle theme animals to stitch and the other I have talked into making something really pretty for his grandmother as a peace offering to get him back in her good graces and maybe back home sooner.

I also made a smaller floral door knob hanger out of felt for a girl in the home that has a much lower cognition level but wants to be doing projects like the others. I had her work on stitching some on the little item just for decorations. Wish I had remembered to take a picture -- maybe another time. I also was able to purchase her some $1 items that required double sided sticky dots with sequins and plastics gems to be put on preprinted colorful pictures. She was spell bound and determined to keep on working.

These kids are thriving on a sense of accomplishment and on the communication they are getting that is positive while working on their projects and then when finished. I hope it will last long enough for them to remember that feeling and use it to their advantage in the future.

PS: We do get them out of the house on a daily basis with weather permitting -- yesterday we went to a local park and flew my huge frisbee, played with my big bouncy ball and let them climb on the play equipment. Plus, they got to play on a slip and slide the home purchased for them. -- Got to keep them active and busy!!!

Pillow Talk

Today I worked on completing two pillows to deliver to some girls at a group home I have been working at for the past few months.

I had the girls draw or write their favorite sayings or "motto" on a piece of paper and then I turned it into an embroidery pattern and stitched it together.

After asking them their favorite colors, I then selected the fabrics for the pillows.



I hope these little crafted gifts will let them know they are thought of and that someone took some time to make something special for them.

Unfortunately, one of the girls had gone "on run" when I got there. She is making some bad decisions right now in her life. I am glad to hear the home is willing to take her back once she is located. The other girl I made the pillow for is headed to a drug treatment rehab facility for a couple of months and then returning. I am only thinking good thoughts for her and hope she will come back with strengths to help her "live her life to the fullest".

Pillow Design Inspiration

I ran across this lovely pillow from a friend on flickr.com. (Can you tell I love checking out new things found on there daily?)

I like the layout of the embroidery and the strips and squares found in this. I am going to have to do some playing of my own for some pieces that are not symmetrical and have variation in them. I like to look at something and then look again only to spot something new and different each time.

Also, I want to get out of my comfort zone of using the same colors and try something that grows on me.

PS: I found my "lot" of T-Towels on Ebay today and ordered them for my embroidery projects.