A Letter From the Past

Eighty-three years ago, this letter was written to The American Needlewoman Magazine by Mrs. T.A.D. of Puyallup, Washington. Her message is one we wives need to give good heed to.

"I am reminded of a little circumstance which came under my observation not long ago. One bride was telling another of how hard she was trying to break her husband of a fault, and deploring the fact that she had thus far failed. And, sisters, listen! His "fault" was dipping his toast in his coffee! The other bride was undergoing a similar trial, but with a different fault - of quite as little consequence, however. The incident set me thinking, seriously, too. I fear more that these young wives are beginning wrong. Men, as well as women, have peculiarities; they are not faults, and should not be so considered and treated. A man has his home, his food, his wife. Let him enjoy them; it is his privilege. Oh, these "little foxes that spoil the vines! Why, I know a man who frequently leaves his shoes in the dining-room. Next morning, his wife quietly but smilingly removes them. She knows he forgot; and, anyway, it does not hurt her to put them in their place - so she wisely reasons. He does many things for her. And these husbands of ours are "our men" - our companions and comrades. We would not intentionally do or say anything that would cause friction or make them lose enjoyment in their homes, if we would but stop and think. Let us remember that time is fleeting. Let us try to lead truer lives, and make life in every way worthwhile."

An Unusual Flower Sprang From A Woodland Garden

I've checked in the wildflower book and can not find it. What is it? Wouldn't you expect to find something like this in the spring? But late August, in the sweltering heat?
This little beauty has NO leaves and is a mere 2-3 inches high. It is in a woodland area in the garden around the house. The little head is no more that 1/2 inch in height. There is another one just like it about 18 inches away. I wonder what it could be?

Another Clothes Pin Bag!

Here's another one! These are a lot of fun to make! I liked this fabric when I saw it! It reminded me of wallpaper you might have found in Grandmother's attic room. It is a lovely aqua. It, too, is found in the Shoppe!

All "Hung Up" on Clothes Pin Bags!

I grew up on Dick, Jane, and Spot! The pictures in that series are nice to look at because they depict a time when life was simple and wholesome. They remind you that childhood is a time of protected innocence. It is a time when children should be developing into good, honest, hardworking adults through their play; they play at what they see Daddy and Mama doing every day.



I remember that my Mother had a clothes line when I was small. On wash day, she would hang her clothes out on the line and dry them. Probably the next day, she would lay them all out flat in layers on the kitchen table. She would then take a basin of water in one hand and dip the other hand into it and carefully sprinkle the water all over an article of clothing. She wasn't trying to get them wet~just damp. She would do this with several items, put the basin down, and roll each piece up into a roll. The rolls of clothing would be carefully and neatly placed into a plastic bag in order to moisten them. Remember, the steam iron was not in use yet! That same afternoon, she would remove each piece and iron it. She was so neat and careful about everything. I really admired her work.
This clothes pin bag is for sale in our Shoppe!

"Peter Potter" Laundry Bag for Baby

Recently, Ashley and I went up to Mary-Joes cloth store in Gastonia, NC and brought back some lovely fabrics for new projects to put in the shoppe. I love all things Beatrix Potter; of course I had to come home with this fabric! This is going to be a Baby-Laundry Bag.
The name "Peter-Potter" was coined by one of my children several years ago!

I love the "old" look of this natural waxed paper for drawing patterns onto. I drew this one based on the hanger I'm going to use. The large hole is to be cut only on one piece of the fabric.
Marmee Dear tells how to make your own clothes pin bags in her Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping.

Cut the contrasting fabric wide enough to be viewed through the hole with a little extra width so you only see the lining. Press the top and bottom edge under and top stitch.

Stay-stitch around the hole to keep it from stretching.

I'll show you how I make bias tape. You may have a better way.
1. Fold the fabric with the selvage meeting the straight of grain. This gives you the true bias and the greatest amound of stretch.

2. From the fold, measure over 1" and make a little mark. Make marks the whole length. This forms the line you will cut along. Now cut along this line.

3. In order to make the remainder of strips, simply fold the cut edge up 1" and press. Cut along the raw edge.
4. Do this as many times as you need.

5. Now lay the ends of the strips, right sides together like this. The points should NOT be going in the same direction! The go opposite each other. If you insert a pin through both thicknesses right at the fold line, your bias tape will have a perfectly straight edge when you are finished. Perfect!

Sew the bias tape, to the back-side of the hole, trim and clip. Turn and press. Top-stitch.

This is for sale in the Shoppe!

A project In The Wings

I'm hoping to do something wonderful with this blouse. I would like to give it a more "vintage" look by changing the collar. I am not fond of the tailored collar on this type of blouse. Perhaps I could straighten the bottom to wear it outside a skirt.



The reason I like it so well is the detail on the front. It is all hand done.



If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them!

The Nurturing Heart

The challenge for the home maker is to create a home whose purpose is to bless those who live within it's walls and to be a shelter and solace to those who come under it's roof. This goes beyond providing a place to hang one's hat. True home making involves a heart to nurture and will manifest itself through the many deeds of service that are required in the care of people. The distinguishing characteristic of the nurturing heart is the love and selflessness with which these deeds are performed and the sense of security others feel by their ministrations.
It is not a way of being that one can acquire from within one's own self. It is a heart that can only be given by The One who designed the role of Woman.
My desire is to encourage the many women who are home makers, whether you bless your husband, children, parents, siblings, or others. Your home can be the place of comfort and cheer because you are there.