Use Your Words May 2020: A Few Buttons

Hey-O friends!

Today's post is a writing challenge created by Karen@Baking In A Tornado. 10 participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words for someone else to use in a post. All words must be used at least once. All posts will be different as each writer has received their own original set of words. No blogger knows who received their words or in what direction the writer will take them. Until today.  

My words are:

wooden ~ cotton ~ covered ~ magnolia ~ green ~ cardinal

They were submitted by: the very sweet Minette @ https://www.southernbellecharm.com 
                   
I have always called my mother's mother, "Grams"

***

When I was young, one of my favorite things to do at my grandmother's house, was to go through her "button box." It was a round, wooden box not unlike the popcorn tins you get at Christmas time. It always sat on the floor next to Gram's favorite chair.

I'd sit down next to my grandmother's feet and listen as she'd string together magnificent stories from her chair. I'd quietly twist the lid on her button box and slowly pour the contents out; listening to the tiny clinks clanks of glass, metal, and plastic buttons as they piled upon one another onto the floor. 

Gram's collection wasn't huge. It was made up of  buttons that she'd used or those that were passed down to her. After several visits to her home, I had memorized each button and could recall it just by closing my eyes and twisting it between my fingers. The long, cylindrical leather button used to be toggled to my uncle's boots. The oval button that was heavy and cold to the touch was her turquoise button set in silver. The large, smooth one with two holes that took up most of my little-kid palm was a forest green button that grandma said went to an old wool coat she wore before her children were born. Tens of tiny cotton-covered buttons had sharp shanks. Those belonged to Gram's own grandmother's boots. Each button felt different; each had it's history. My grandmother never minded sharing with me each button's story.

It's no surprise that I hold on to those memories and use them in my world today. I started saving buttons that came  as "extras" with my own clothing and then those of other family members. The buttons were held in a jewelry box until that became too small of a vessel. When I started sewing, I collected many more buttons; checking out their hues and textures.  Later, if I saw jars of old buttons in a vintage store, I'd pick them up and wonder, 'How many stories were in those jars?' I've even purchased them on eBay and asked for soon-to-be-thrown-away buttons from my friends. I've used them in my classroom and with my children to teach colors, patterns, and other classifications. I've sorted and divided them up myself.

My favorite thing is to put my hands in a large bowl of buttons, swirl them around until they fill the spaces between my fingers, slide over the tops of my hands and begin to reach my wrists. Then, I close my eyes and choose one button. I twirl it around with my fingers feeling for the familiar, and finally, try to guess which one I've picked. Over and over again. If I close my eyes in just the right way, listening only to the sounds of the buttons clashing with one another in that bowl, I can imagine myself sitting
on the floor; listening to one more story from my Grams.

***

Here's a game. Look at the buttons below and try to find:
1. A male cardinal
2. A wooden butterfly
3. A magnolia
4. A green skateboard

5. A cotton-covered button the same color as the cardinal.
6. A crab
7. A grey cat
8. A die

answers at the end of this post

***

Finally, here are a few photos of my "ahem," small button collection:

Color Coordinated, by size, by color, by metal, shanks, 2 holes, 4 holes.

Because: quarantine.

Extra buttons that live in this box

My husband: "Honey, can you fix a missing button on my shirt?"

Me: "Sorry, I don't think I have that one."

Happy "button-up-and-stay-safe", friends,

-Michele

Check out the other cool kids participating this month:

    Baking In A Tornado

    Spatulas on Parade

    Wandering Web Designer

    On the Border

    Sparkly Poetic Weirdo      

    Climaxed  

    My Life After

    Southern Belle Charm       

    Part-Time Working Hockey Mom 

Answers  

      

Use Your Words October 2019 : I hate tomatoes.

Hey-O friends!
Today’s post is a writing challenge created by Karen @ Baking in A Tornado.  6 participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words for someone else to use in a post. All words must be used at least once. All posts will be different as each writer has received their own original set of words. No blogger knows who received their words or in what direction the writer will take them. Until today.   

My words are from the very sweet Tamara @ Part-Time Working Hockey Mom  Thanks, Tamara! Those were challenging words, but I loved them!

My words: advocate ~ innate ~ fortify ~ entity ~ toys ~ shrieking

Pattern Story #11 I hate tomatoes.

I'm not talking about the tomatoes that fortify your body with lycopene and potassium (although I'm not crazy about those either.) I'm talking about the little cushions one uses in sewing to hold pins. (View A in the pattern photo below.)

Pattern Property of McCall Pattern Company 2016

When I was in sixth grade, our class participated in various skills units, like wood-shop, cooking, and sewing. There probably were others, but the sewing class definitely sticks in my mind, because I was TERRIBLE at it. I'm not kidding. For our first project, we were taught how to make our very own pin cushion in the shape of yes, a tomato. 

The teacher, Mrs. Hill, carefully showed us each step in creating the project, then held up her own blue ribbon-worthy, perfectly round tomato pin cushion. There may have been oohs and ahhs, I can't recall everything. Finally, we were off to make our own. I thought I followed every direction. I cut, stuffed, and wrapped the fabric and string just like the teacher did in her directions. Looking around the class, I saw other students holding up their red entities with pride. Me? I held up a mess of stuffed, stretched fabric and thread cut into too many pieces. I slowly walked up to Mrs. Hill and watched as she put her hands to her cheeks and shook her head in disgust dismay. 

By now, my classmates were finished shrieking in delight at their creations. They had succeeded with their ripe, perfect, probably-soon-to-be-thrown-in-the-trash-after-class projects and were ready to move on. I was cursing my innate inability to reproduce a fabric, sawdust-filled piece of fake fruit from perfectly given directions.  I must admit, my tomato resembled a red egg. Or, as Mrs. Hill put it, my pin cushion looked "like a flat, pet rock". Thanks for that, "Teach."

Mrs. Hill may not have been her correct name, It's been almost 40 years since I sat in that class. But today, I can close my eyes and see her disappointment in that squishy mess. In the days that followed, while the other children were off on their next projects (probably sewing life-like toys or 17th century costumes; I don't know,) Mrs. Hill, whose job was to be an advocate of both home-made goods and children, (thank goodness!) spent a chunk of her time helping me turn my "pet rock" into a somewhat familiar-looking red orb. Where is it now? I have no idea. Funny what you choose to remember. (and forget.)

I'd like to tell you that as a seamstress or as a teacher who gives directions to little ones that I've overcome the disdain I hold for those tomatoes, but I'd be lying. I've never made one since. My pins are kept in bowls where I can easily grab them. The cushions I've accumulated over the years have been tag-a-longs from eBay sewing-kits, antique stores, or Joann's.  The middle one in the photo above belonged to my husband's grandmother. (Okay, I actually love THAT one.)

So you might ask me, "Why/When/How in the world did you even start to sew after such a disastrous experience? You know the kind, Michele. The experiences where you can still remember small details 40 years later? The kind when you recall a particular failure, you feel the shame of it late at night?"

My only answer is that I learned to master it like anything else in my life. 
Out of spite.
:)

My REAL sewing buddy/pet rock, Tom. Tom-ato. Never forget.

Have a "fruitful" weekend friends,

Michele

Check out the other cool kids playing "Use Your Words" this month!

       Baking In a Tornado

       Wandering Web Designer

       Spatulas on Parade

       On the Border

       Climaxed     

       Part-Time Working Hockey Mom    

       

Tailgate With Us: Reversible Busy Bags

Hello friends!

Have you ever been to a tailgating party? They're usually celebrated before, during or after a sports game (either outside your home or in). Have you ever been to one where you didn't need to bring anything? Well, THIS is that kind of party. All you need to do is pull up a comfy chair, grab a little something warm to drink, and start reading. Karen@ Baking in a Tornado came up with a way for a group of bloggers to throw a new kind of "Virtual Tailgating" celebration and it's all for you!

Each blogger up in that beautiful Brady Bunch-looking collage (9 of us all together) has prepared a 'lil "Tailgating Awesomeness" for you. It may be delicious, adorable, informative or comfortable. You'll find each of the links to these great projects at the end of this post.

First up, though, is my tutorial for Reversible Busy Bags. These are small carry-alls that your little one can bring to a game or any event. You can fill them with art supplies, treats, or books. Make them smaller for tots or bigger for you. Once you get the hang of making them, you may even want to create some for gifts (think Halloween treat bags!) They are my design. So please, don't sell them without my written permission.

Want to learn to make one? Follow my photo tutorial! It's a bit lengthy, but easy to follow.
Need to come back when you have more time? Bookmark the link up there in your address bar.
Want to order one instead? Leave me a message in the shellybean shop!

Any questions? Leave a comment at the end of this post! I'm happy to help.

Here we go!

Finished measurements of the blue bag (not handles) are 9" by 8.5"by 2"

green bag is 11.5" by 8.5"by 2.5"

The following directions are for the green bag.

You will need:

1/2 yard fabric for outside of the bag, pockets and handles

1/2 yard fabric for lining and lining pockets

1 yard iron-on interfacing. I use Pellon #808 (read directions on pkg.)

2.5 inches of 1/8" elastic

2 buttons (Mine are 7/8")

Thread (I use all-purpose)

Pattern Paper (I use the back of wrapping paper. Look for the kind that measures in 1" square increments; it saves time, peeps!)

Sewing Tools:

Sewing machine, sewing needle, scissors, pins, chalk, iron (set to fabric you're using).

Warnings: Pins are sharp, as are scissors. Use caution. Irons (especially the steam setting) can burn. Remove pins before sewing over them. Don't run with scissors...all that jazz...

From experience: Do NOT fill bags with crayons if they are going to spend ANY time in a warm car. Little ones need to be careful of marker caps. Don't run with suckers in your mouth. You get it.

 Click on each picture to enlarge. Some photos contain detailed instructions/tips.

1. Pattern Pieces (3)

 2. Cut out main fabric, lining and interfacing according to pattern pieces.

 3. Press fabric and lining.

4. Iron on interfacing. You only need to interface TWO of the lining pockets; not all four.

5. Iron and sew handles. 

 6. Transfer handle and elastic markings.

 7. Sew pockets. I used one main fabric and one lining fabric for each pocket.

Two finished pockets will have interfacing. Two will not.

 8. Pin/sew interfaced pockets following directions in the photo.

9. Pin and sew on non-interfaced pockets according to photo.

 10. Measure, mark and top stitch divider pocket.

 11. Pin handles and elastic at markings to main fabric. Baste or stitch close to edge.

 12. Using a 1/2 seam allowance, stitch sides. Press seams open.

 13. Repeat with lining, but leave bottom open at markings.

Leave about 4" open at bottom.

 14. Box corners. You're matching the bottom of the open side seam to the base of the bag seam. Pin. 1/2" seam allowance.

 15. Put main bag into lining. Right sides of both bags will be facing each other. Match side seams and markings of tucked-in handles. Pin along the top. Stitch all the way around.

 16. Remember that 4" opening you left in the bottom of the lining? Open that up and carefully pull the whole bag out. This will eventually pull the lining right side out too. You will tuck that into the bag so it becomes the "lining". You can slip-stitch the 4"hole closed. Now you can top-stitch the finished bag along the bag top.

 17. After you sew on buttons, you can decide which side you like best. Shown here is the bag right side out.

  Here is the bag "Lining" side out. Press bag if needed and load that baby up. I use markers on the inside and colored pencils on the outside. There's construction paper and stickers inside also.

 Here's the back view.

 Here's one for my family's home team(s).

And there you have it. Whew!! 

Don't forget to stop by the other sites participating in this virtual party. Remember, winners NEVER quit, so keep on reading! Each blog is really excited to have you visit! 

The hostess of this rocking tailgate party is none other than Karen, from "Baking in a Tornado". Pop over to see her fantastic recipe for an amazing Glazed Kielbasa Sandwich.

Stacy, from "Stacy Sews and Schools" teaches us how to make her very cute Team Color Headband and Earmuffs.

Robin, from "Someone Else’s Genius" gives us an analysis of college football in her Review of the book "The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football"

Diane, from "Canning and Cooking at Home" is showing us how to make a delicious Spicy Mustard Relish.

Eileen, from "Eileen’s Perpetually Busy" shows us how to make a tailgating Team Colors Seat Cushion With a built-in handle for carrying ease. Sweet!

Lydia, from "Cluttered Genius", has an Easy DIY Upcycled Team Garland that shows you how to make a garland for your tailgating party out of products you already have in your house.

Shawn, from "Literary Litter" provides a tutorial on how to make an adorable Snapcap. It's a crocheted hat that will keep you warm AND let everyone know what's on your mind.

Melissa, from "Home on Deranged" brings technology to tailgating, showing us how to use technology and cool gadgets to ensure you are master of tailgating time!

Cheers to a "FAN"tastic week, my friends :)

-Michele

Use Your Words!

Hello, friends!

Today’s post is a writing challenge created by Karen @ Baking in A Tornado. This is how it works: 12 participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, but there's a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who received their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featured in this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they used them. 

My words are: 

tiny ~ gigantic ~ beautiful ~ disaster ~ court

They were submitted by: Baking In A Tornado  

"Pattern Stories #2"

"Can you dig it?" 1972

In the early Seventies, the Cascade brothers were all the rage in the modeling circuits. Sears, J.C. Penney and Montgomery Ward offered the three boys GIGANTIC contracts for posing together in their catalogs. Their BEAUTIFUL faces graced the covers of 16 Magazine and Teen Beat. Young girls everywhere would wait hours outside of photo shoots for a peek or (if they were lucky,) an autograph. These boys were destined for greatness. Andy, Sam and Mickey were ready to rule the world runway.

                                    "White Slacks are Okay after Labor Day" campaign, 1987

Super model stardom for the trio, however, was not meant to be. Fifteen years later, Andy, Sam and Mickey sat down to "tell all" on an episode of Phil Donahue. It seems that the brothers had moved on to different things after the modeling gigs thinned out.  There were plenty of new boys (some who could sing, some who could act, some who could do both) who were ready to take the places of the former teenage crushes. 
After posing for their last cover together, the three talked about what they'd been up to.

Andy (now Drew) 29, dropped out of modeling at the age of 17, when his hair prematurely turned grey. A ghost writer for more than a dozen "Charlie's Angels" novels, Drew splits his days between professional jogging in Connecticut and representing himself in COURT. He's currently fighting an AARP magazine that used his grey-hair image without consent.

Sam, 31, was the brother most likely to succeed in the modeling world. After dropping out of school at the ripe age of 10, Sam was unable to read the contracts he was signing. His illiteracy and constant need for frosted highlights left him broke. He is married to Angelica, age 89, whom he says, "gets him." She is the only living heir to the Maxwell House Coffee dynasty.

Mickey, (now Michael) 25, was often labeled the "cutest of the bunch." His coy looks and TINY man-body mesmerized crowds everywhere. At the awkward age of 13, people were no longer interested in the not-so-little boy. Depressed, Michael found himself at the bottom of many bottles of Scotch. When a family secret finally came out that his father was not his real dad, Michael turned his DISASTER-of-a-life around and got clean. He searched for years looking for his alleged half-brother and dad. When David (the brother) was found, he was ecstatic about the family news and introduced Michael to their father, Edward Hasselhoff. Michael keeps contact with both of his families.  He's currently living out his true passion, doing stunt work on his brother's new show, "Knight Rider". 

Check out the other participants in today's Use Your Words Challenge!

Baking In A Tornado                   

Juicebox Confessions        

Confessions of a Part-time Working Mom          

Battered Hope           

Spatulas on Parade          

Evil Joy Speaks               

Stacy Sews and Schools          

Searching for Sanity            

Just A Little Nutty                         

The Bergham's Life Chronicles               

Follow Me Home                   

Dates 2 Diapers 2   

Photos:

1. Simplicity Pattern Co. #5160 1972

2.Kwik Sew Pattern Co. #997  197?                    

Happy Friday, friends :)

-Michele