Ashley's Nativity Tablecloth

I've had four yards of this Nativity fabric for years. 

Since my fabric storage is becoming cramped, I decided to pull it out and make a tablecloth for Ashley.

Kyle was happy to secretly measure the table while Ashley was in the shower. The table was not a standard size - it measured 46 x 100. This was going to be a tricky project.

I did some sketches, trying to plan out the best way to cut the fabric. Hoping that Craig would see a different way that that could be done, I had him take a look at my drawings.

He sketched out some diagrams himself but didn't realize that three seams on a tablecloth would not look good. Neither would having the tablecloth hang over the sides by only an inch. (Post-hemming would make that about a half inch.)

I went ahead and cut it as my second diagram showed and stitched it together. It won't completely cover their table, but I still think it will look nice.

The first (sewn) gift of Christmas 2020!

Quiet Book Repair - Kyle's Family

I have made eighteen quiet books. EIGHTEEN!! Good thing I like to make them because that's well over 700 hours of sewing. And I still have two to make during 2019 - Lukas' book in March and Kate's in August! Guess what project I am starting after the holidays are over?

I make them as sturdy as possible, but when they are used by little ones there is going to be something that tears or gets lost. Recently I did some repairs for Kyle's family (including his own book!)

 I brought some earrings for the Zeus puppy.

 Made a couple of more monkeys to replace those that had been lost.

 Made a new flower (orange again, of course!)

 Replaced the two missing flowers.

 I forgot to buy a new car for Braden's garage and still need to do that.

Kyle needs a new car for his own quiet book, too!

I am still trying to figure out how to replace the lamb's nose and mouth.

 I made a new yellow flower for the vase.

 And I need to replace one of the eyes on the turtle.

Another from Kyle's own book - I have an orange ring to sew on it.

 As I went through the kids' books, I saw my mother's initials on some of the pages.

She had protested when I asked her to put her initials on any page that she helped me make.

I explained that it would hold great meaning for her grandchildren and great grandchildren to see that she had worked on their books.

 I was right - it makes those books all the more special to us all.

 She even drew some of the pages, like this palm tree.

I used to bring her over to my house, and we would come upstairs and sew all day, chatting, figuring out the best colors for each page, and so on. Many, many happy memories for me.

I still have some things to do for Kyle's family's books, but I will get that done my next visit.

Kyle's Mario Pillowcase

When she was here for my retirement party, Addie asked me to make her dad a pillowcase for his birthday as a surprise. She wanted a Nintendo one for him.

She gave me instructions to mail it to her and then she will give it to him on his birthday.

I finished it today and will pop it into the mail next week. I hope Kyle enjoys this surprise from his daughter and his mother!

Kyle's Quiet Book - 1982

While visiting Kyle over spring break (having delivered Cambria's and Whitney's quiet books) Kyle pulled out the one I made him in July, 1982 for his first birthday. Talk about a trip down memory lane!!

The cover fabric was from my Grandma Martin. She worked in the fabric department of a store in Terre Haute and used to buy remnants. She gave me many of those years ago (I used some of it to make my maternity clothes for Sarah's pregnancy.)

 My writing is so much better (although many of the letters are traced.)

 Like the one in Cambria's book, one eye peeps out.

 The collar and coat are just colored, not fabric and fur.

 I hardly ever do this one - usually it's Katy Caterpillar instead.

 Now I use fabric, felt, and googly eyes when I make this page.

Vanessa wants this one for Ian's book. Kyle told me to put white stripes on each end for a more realistic football.

Another page I rarely use. Maybe again? The felt house tore, but I think I can reinforce it well enough next time to prevent that from happening.

 No orange felt - this was before Kyle became an Illini fan!

 I like the job I did on the zipper. Will see if I can install the next zipper like that.

The flowers are only single layers of felt - no reinforcing fabric behind or double layer of felt. I am surprised at how well they have held up.

 I think this is the only time I have made this page.

 Aunt Leslie had made a beaded ring for this page but it came off.

 Another page I have rarely used. And I use velcro now, not snaps.

Fabric that I loved but could not afford when Sarah was a baby. Finally it went on sale, and I bought enough to make her overalls.

The back cover.

I offered to fix a few things in this book, but Kyle liked the way they were and the memories they held. I was glad to see how much meaning the quiet book still holds for Kyle.