Can You Spell L-O-V-E?

Our daughter is learning to read. Sounding out the letters to form little words - it's nothing short of amazing.

I think this recent craft is quite poignant - made by an online Stitchery Friend at Everyday Chaos (yes, Bridget, even though I mostly lurk, I still consider you a Stitchery Friend) which she posted on her blog. Her title alone today made me think we would certainly be friends IRL (in real life) because my IRL friends use the term 'Calgon moments' all the time (not that we get them all the time, mind you).

If you've not read Everyday Chaos before - Bridget is certainly Blessed in craftiness, mommyness and wittyness, and not necessarily in that order. I crack-up everytime I read her posts - in a crafty-mommy-witty sort-of-way.

So, amidst all the Holiday happenings and Christmas gatherings, remember that children, even those learning to read... really do spell LOVE this way:

T - I - M - E

Lily Kitty or Lily Cat

This is our Lily Cat or Lily Kitty - whatever suits my fancy as I lovingly talk to her throughout the day. She is the sweetest little kitty ever. No, really - EVER. She loves to lay on her back legs completely outstretched so we will rub her belly. When she desires to be petted she'll come up to our leg, sit and then gently tap us with her paw.

She was my mama's kitty until we inherited her about a month ago. (My brother moved home, horrible allergies, yada, yada, yada, we now have Lily.)

Her favorite place to sit and perch is here, atop the old Singer Treadle Sewing Machine, and look out the window.


Lily is a purebred Persian and was found in a ditch when she was just a kitten. All mangled and matted - one could hardly tell that she would end up being so lovely, nor so sweet! Who knows how a purebred Persian ended up in a ditch, but we are very grateful she was found. We love our Lily.

...and the Survey Says....!!

Hi! So, I'm looking at expanding the April 1930's website just a teensy bit, but wondered if you wouldn't mind giving me an idea (or solidifying my own thoughts) as to what you would like to see or would be interested in purchasing in the future.

It's a quick survey, I promise!

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Little Girls (or Boys!) Sewing Machine

I am often asked, 'What child's sewing machine would you recommend for my 4-5 year-old?'...

Well, each child is different, of course, and while some may actually be ready to go straight to a regular sewing machine (which I would without-a-doubt recommend the Singer Featherweight 221 for any child's first regular sewing machine!) some little ones need a baby step to get them used to the concept and mechanics of actually sewing. In that case, then I highly recommend the Singer Sewhandy model 20. It is a small table-mount handcrank sewing machine that creates a lovely chainstitch. You will only need to top thread it as there is no bobbin.

If you want to take that suggestion one step further, then the Singer Sewhandy 20-2 is the creme de la creme. It is the electric version to the handcrank and can be operated either way... by hand, or by the touch of a button electrically. And will, no doubt, last a couple more years as your child begins to find the handcrank a bit elementary.

I was asked this morning if the motor was 'original' and indeed it is. Singer really did make a child's little electric machine! Singer advertising was second-to-none when marketing their ingenuity! (Singer had an advertisting budget surpassed a $1,000,000 in the 1920's!) They designed a perfect way to combine the original handcrank design with an electric allowing the child to grow into more experienced (and motorized) sewing.

On that note, did you know the Singer SewHandy No. 20 Sewing Machine was just another way to market 'SINGER' for a life of sewing? Yes... 'tis true. Whenever a little girl would come into a Singer Shop either alone or accompanied by her mother, the Saleswoman would always draw the attention of the girl to the No. 20 Machine, showing samples of the work that could be done on the little machine and ease and simpleness of operation.... and the interest of young people developed in every way as they were all potential users of Singer Machines. Mothers appreciate any attention given their children. (taken directly from an old Singer Employee handbook!)

Where can you find these lovely old little machines? Well, eBay is a great venue but you have to be very careful because as with most vintage and antique things, if not properly cared for they can be irreparable. Make sure you purchase one from a reputable seller who has taken the time to clean, service, test, sample and *guarantee* that the machine will sew properly.

We usually have one about once each year and are currently offering this year's pick on eBay right now. You will also see that we have added a video as proof of a properly working little machine for your child.

My Christmas "Wish" List

My Christmas Wish List is not a list of presents for me, mind you, it is a list of things I "wish" to make..... I've made the list so many times now and seemingly misplace the list, so I thought it best to post it on my blog so I know where I can hold myself accountable. Plus, I love crossing things off a list, don't you?

Christmas Eve Jammies for Kids

1. Nightgown for SweetPea
2. Knit Top for Cowboy
3. PJ pants for Cowboy
4. Matching Nighty for Dollies (2)
5. Matching Set for Corduroy Bear
   

Christmas Jammies for Kids to wear during the season (only because I had some bona fide vintage Christmas fabric that I've been waiting a year to use).

1. Nightgown for SweetPea
2. Pajama Set for Cowboy

Gifts

1. Garment for young cousin #1 (their mama might read my blog and I don't want them to know what I've got under my needle!)
2. Garment for young cousin #2
3. Garment for young cousin #3
4. Garment for young cousin #4
5. Garment for young cousin #5
6. Garment for young cousin #6

Christmas Dress for SweetPea

Matching Tie for Cowboy

Special Pajamas

1. Person #1
2. Person #2
3. Person #3
4. Person #4

Dolly Sleeping Bags (2)

Outfit for Corduroy Bear

I know this is ridiculous... which is why I'm starting early. I have promised myself to not feel the guilties if I don't get it done.... no big deal. I'm not going to knock myself out or slave myself over enjoying the season. I *will* enjoy the Christmas Spirit with my husband and children as a family.

Here is one item I can show you that I finished - but of course it won't be modeled because it will be a gift for SweetPea on Christmas Eve.

Vintage Simplicity 3503 size 4 increased in width to size 5-6.

Alexander Henry Christmas fabric with accents of brown polka dot. I also used vintage pink cotton rick rack and vintage pink buttons.

I don't care for flannel sewing because of how much flannel fabric pills after a couple of washings - it's like the prettiness goes away. I solved my idiosyncrasy by lining a cotton woven instead. You'd think this snuggly flannel was a true coordinate made for the print. I love the little "Especially Handmade by Mommy" tag.

The belt tie was a fun feature!

Bicycle Irritation

Soooooo, I'm not a characters-on-clothing type person as a general rule... and that carries over to most other things. It was a huge sacrifice for me knowing how much SweetPea would love a Disney Princess character bicycle with training wheels when she was 4-years-old. She rode it, loved it, and has since learned to ride it without training wheels.

However, she is now too tall for it and needs a larger bike. I seriously thought I could handle the characters-on-bicycle for the first one knowing that the next one could be plainly colored... pink, of course (or other fun color), but nonetheless PLAIN.

You know, like this pretty white one with pink trimmed wheels....

.... or this lovely jade-ite green one with the darling banana seat.

But, NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo OOOOOO.... there is not ONE. SINGLE. PLAINLY. COLORED 16-inch bicycle to be found. None.

I either digress to Disney Princess AGAIN! or Bratz (which we will not do), or some other sparkly multi-colored BLAST-ME-WITH-FLUORESCENCE!!! I'll probably feel this way till we graduate to a 20-incher so my rant will not be over until then...

...that is unless one of you in internet-land can direct me to my wishes of a 16-inch plainly painted bicycle for my little girl. That's not a hint or anything.

***Update*** I'm not necessarily opposed to flowers - I just wish I could find something that isn't so loud.

First Embroidery

This past year I found a vintage embroidery transfer pattern which featured baby animals. SweetPea immediately liked the little kitten and together we talked about how she would be able to do this all by herself. When I told her that my first embroidery was a little lamb (which I still have in my keepsake box out in the garage somewhere) she was so excited to make the little kitten for her best friend for her up and coming birthday.

I knew this was going to take awhile so I tried to encourage her a little at a time. She started with the all the grey stitches and then the 'fun' part was doing the colors at the end. I must say she was quite delighted when she was finally able to stitch the red tongue and pink nose. Her little 5-year-old-ness accomplished it beautifully, don't you think? It actually makes me get a bit weepy thinking about this being her first real embroidery! Granted, all of her stitches were basically running stitches that she did one at a time, but still... her very first one!

I am so proud of her. I love that she completed the task and had something special to give away that was handmade... that wonderful feeling of giving something she actually created herself.

When she was all finished I had her write (with disappearing ink) who it was for, who it was from and the year completed. Then I followed her handwriting by free-motion machine embroidering in a light purple. I meant to get close-ups of the finished project, but will have to do that when I stop by Karen's for our next coffee talk.

You are amazing, SweetPea, amazing.