Snoodle

Bloom Where You Are Planted

    I want a garden.  Not just that, I want to be a gardener.  I want to step barefoot into the backyard to harvest a salad.  I want to heal using herbs that wind into the depths of our property.  I want to fill dye-pots with hues plucked from a medieval-style plot.  I want to send Eleanor out to pick favorite blooms to decorate our dinner table.  I want a wide brimmed hat and dirt under my fingernails. Then, I remember that this is a rented home and close the door.

    This has been a sabotaging obstacle for me: this pesky renting, this tiny apartment.  I keep myself from doing projects because I'm waiting for a bigger bedroom, an attic sewing room, a pantry, and that garden I truly can call my own.  For years, I've been shying away from tending a garden because of the ever-present hope that we might move. 

    A little while ago I went to a garage sale with my sister-in-law in a very poor rural area.  The house wasn't much to look at, but the garden was sensational.  It was brilliantly covered with beautiful flowers and herbs.  She had small gardens with decorations and vignettes scattered throughout.  She spoke with great fondness about her plants.  It was clear that she was devoted to them and in turn, they gave her great joy.  My sister said, "she's really bloomed where she's planted."  I agreed but was internally thinking it a bit of a cliche- one of those phrases you see on stepping stones or fence plaques.  But after we got into the car, I though more about it.  She really did bloom, very literally, where she was.  She created an oasis of beauty spread out before her double-wide. Maybe I could, too.

    Indeed, it's expensive and a lot of work to start a proper garden when we might just leave it.  But little things have been creeping into the yard- the determined mint, the strawberries that might actually produce if the woodchucks don't get to them first, and a scattering of cheery violets and other little flowers and greenery fill the gaps between the blades of grass.  If these plants aren't speaking to me, my seven year-old certainly is!  I need to succumb to the fact that I surely have years -plural!- to continue living here and make it bloom. 

    It might be nice for the next tenants to have a little beauty left behind.

    This gardening idea, along with our farm fantasy, is not new.  Nora and I have been dreaming about our future garden filled with lilacs, apple trees, daffodils, herbs, and favorite veggies. We already have strawberries as berries of all kinds are high on the list.   Lately, she's been sure to comment on the bleeding hearts that we see as we walk through the neighborhood.  Knowing the generosity of our neighbors, I sent a plea to our neighborhood forum and asked if anyone had this particular plant to share.  I got many responses and immediately pounced!  We loaded up the wagon and a shovel and made our way to a hidden garden down the street.  We dug up the plant and replanted it under the dappled light of our (neighbor's) tree.  Its close to Sweet Pea's grave where, indeed, Eleanor keeps a piece of her heart.  The delight I have gotten in its presence makes me think that I might just be getting my hands dirty more often... right here where I'm planted.

The Perfect Little Dress

    My once tiny baby will be making her First Communion this May.  For years, I thought that I would sew the dress for her special day.  Alas, I should have spent those years sewing!  Now, I have a deadline.  I don't like deadlines.  I don't do well with deadlines.  I get panicky, and as I'm told, hard to live with when I have a deadline.  I wanted to sew something lovely, with the finest fabric.  Something like this:

    Wonderful mother, Jennie Chancey, made this dress for her daughter, Olivia.  That's Olivia above.  It was made using Sense and Sensibility's 1780's Portrait Dress.  Oh, the dresses on that site are dreamy!  And, yes, there are patterns for adults as well.  I have a weakness for anything historical, and this is Nora's favorite period.  It would have been perfect...  This site is well placed in my bookmarks to be visited when I'm free of deadlines.

    When I realized it might not be a good plan to sew this special dress, I looked at many dresses on-line.  Most were too expensive or more likely too "princess-y" with their puffy skirts, frills, beading, and even a train!  Some of them aren't even modest.  I'm not sure if people understand this event.  I mean, really!

Aaaaaaaa!

    I was getting nowhere, and I needed a source of beautiful, affordable, timeless dresses for children.  Happily, it occurred to me that right in my own city is the exceptional designer, April Cornell.  I've been wearing her dresses since college.  I've worn them to weddings, garden parties (with matching hat, of course), choir concerts, holidays, and a swanky cocktail party.  I tend to associate important events with the corresponding April Cornell dress.  My selections have included the classic floral dress perfect for Spring events to a Boardwalk Empire worthy beaded gown.  I felt so beautiful in that dress.  It wasn't just the cocktails.

So, off we went, mother and daughter, to April Cornell.  We had a lovely experience of trying on dresses.  Well, she did - though, I was tempted!  It felt as if they were expecting her.  The saleswoman that we first encountered said she was Jewish and therefore wasn't quite sure what was appropriate for this event.   Once I filled her in, she was abundantly helpful.  In fact, a few others joined in helping us choose - along with much "Oooing and Ahhing."  One even put sweet-smelling lotion on Nora as well as a little glitter so that she would feel all the more special. 

After trying on a few dresses:  one was deemed too simple, the other too scratchy, (she'll never wear a slip!) Nora found the very perfect dress.

Antoinette Dress by April Cornell

    The embroidered tulle overlay is absolutely precious and the neckline provides the perfect space for a special necklace.  I never would have thought that we would have chosen a blue dress, but truly, it is perfect.  As blue is a special color for Mary, and May is her month, I thought it was just the right choice. 

    This beautiful young lady is of course a model.  I will wait until May to post photos of Nora in this dress.  At that time, I would like to focus on the special sacrament and not her attire.  As Nora said in the dressing room as I was fussing perhaps too much with a dress, "Mommy, it's not about the dress.  It's about receiving the body and blood of Jesus."  Well stated, my dear.  You are certainly ready.

Remembering Rachel

Rachel Bissex and Emma Goldberg

    Rachel Bissex had been a staple of the Burlington folk scene since before I was aware there was a Burlington folk scene.  My big sister used to take me to Rachel's shows at Trinity College where she was booking gigs for her dorm.  Knowing with certainty that anything she liked was sure to be cool, I became a fan.  My love for folk music was born which was a good thing because my friends were listening to a lot of New Kids on the Block and Tiffany at the time.  I discovered how much I love live music, and folk music was really accessible, and Rachel’s was the best.
    Rachel had an active philosophy of being completely attentive to the person she was with.  She took time to talk after her shows, and I grew to love her personality as much as her music.  I became babysitter to her daughter, Emma, often when Rachel was touring.  Emma tirelessly listened to the Aladdin soundtrack and eventually brought home a violin and would play Hot Cross Buns which I politely listened to...over and over and over.  I remember Rachel's joy that her daughter was developing her own passion for music.
    Eventually, Rachel took to driving me along to some of her instate gigs.  I’d play the chicken-shake and sing along to her songs while she warmed up on the way there, and she’d ask me about her stage presence on the way back.  What the heck did I know about stage presence?!  But she was attentive; treating me as an equal at a time when I was to so many others “just a kid”.  This attitude led me to believe that I could have an opinion not just on folk music, but so much more.  I became empowered in her passenger seat.
    It was in that seat that she told me about an exciting camp that had just started for families called Camp Common Ground.  She suggested that I might be a good fit for the children’s morning program.  She sold the idea by dreamily describing late-night campfire singalongs along with details about the camp’s workshops from sailing, to singing, to massage.  I worked at that camp for a few summers during a time when I needed to explore a different world.  It was a great opportunity to try out pottery, sunrise yoga, reiki, pastel drawing at night, and kayaking.  She was right, though.  Singing along at the late-night campfires was my favorite part.
    David and I often went to Rachel’s shows at local coffee shops or in the park.  After the CD release concert of Don’t Look Down, we went to David’s apartment where he proposed.  I don’t know what the date was.  I only remember it from this event.  Was it really 1995?  I guess we were engaged for a long time!
    I was pregnant with Nora when I found out that Rachel had breast cancer.  Wrapped up in new-motherhood, I didn’t get much of a chance to see her.  The last time I did was at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival where she passionatly sang new songs from her latest album In White Light.  She sang that album's title song; one for her son who she knew she may soon leave and her signature song, Dancing With My Mother, which tells of the generational love that mother's have for their daughters.  Each song, new and old, continued to convey the love that Rachel showed for family, friends, and music.

 

     Seven years have passed since we lost Rachel.  Her daughter, Emma, is now a beautiful woman teaching violin in Brooklyn (I can only hope it’s Hot Cross Buns).  Knowing the struggles and joys of the life of an artist, she continues to radiate Rachel’s light in her passion and adventure with her own musical projects.  Gathering those artists touched by Rachel, Emma organized a tribute concert to benefit cancer victims called Dancing with Rachel Saturday night. 
    Some of the artists, including the 2011 recipient of the White Light Fund scholarship, Giovanina Bucci, never met Rachel.  However, listening to her sing one of Rachel’s songs made it clear that her music lives on. 

 

Carol Abair

    The most emotional performance for me was Carol Abair’s Whistle Me Dixie.  This song, poplularized by Rachel's recording, was written by the imensely talented Abair.  The beauty with which she sang it brought forth the love that Carol has for Rachel.  Sitting next to my sweet daughter, who I used to rock to sleep singing that song, made clear the strength that music has in connecting those touched by it.

 

Linda Bassick and Emma Sky

    Linda Bassick showed the passion that Rachel had for music by singing Rachel's Passion.  That's Linda, on guitar, who I met as a collegue and was Nora's Infant teacher. She is passionate about everything from quality early education to music.  She showed her range by skipping the children's music to sing Passion.  The f-bomb is tossed in there, and I remember one of those drives with Rachel when she was wondering what to call the un-named album that included this track.  She was talking about how her older stuff was so sweet, and that "she used to be nice."  I stopped her and said that that would be a great title for her CD.

 

Mitch Barron, Rik Palieri, Rebecca Padula, and Emma Sky

    I was thrilled to hear my friend, Rebecca Padula, sing one of my favorite Bissex tunes, Eve of Construction, a witty song about spring driving in Vermont.  It reminded me of all the miles I traveled with Rachel.  Rebecca’s own Campfire Light with Rik Palieri’s banjo, Mitch Barron’s bass, and of course, Emma Sky’s violin was exactly the kind of moment that would have had Rachel harmonizing along. 

Sewing Holiday

It was 68 degrees here yesterday.  A treat for November in Vermont.  In some ways I'm glad that it was a more typically cool, gray, and drizzly day today because I had no intention of playing outside.  With a rare showing of some forethought, I took the day off to start sewing Christmas gifts. 

On my last trip to Nido, Phiona introduced me to Growing Up Sew Liberated.  All I needed was the suggestion.  It's a fabulous addition on my quickly growing collection of sewing books.  I especially like the "big kid" projects.  I was starting to get a little nostalgic for my baby looking at diaper bags, bibs, and booties in my other books.  While I'm rather smitten with the Little Amigo doll in this book, I'm being realistic that it's not going to happen by the end of December.  I opted instead, to make the naturalist's messenger bag. 

I've been holding on to this lovely red Japanese fabric with little houses for a few years after getting it at the Vermont Quilt Festival.  The info on the selvage is "D's Selection Tip-top DT11227s produced by Junkl Matsuda Made in Japan http://www.daiwabo-tex.co.jp  It really like the scale of this fabric for this cute little bag.

The green is a soft, heavy twill from the now closed fabric store where I used to work.  I don't know the manufacturer, but when I worked there we always called it the "Kermit" fabric! 

The directions in this book are quite easy to follow.  The strap was a bit more complicated in its sewing as it is adjustable, but if you're sewing for a child, being able to change the length of the strap is important. 

I made a couple of alterations to the pattern.  First, I made the pocket a little bit larger and made it slightly more square on the bottom.  After the bag was sewn, I discovered that the larger pocket isn't as well hidden under the front flap.  I really should have placed it closer to the top/ opening of the bag.   I also found that the bag wasn't closing as securely as I wished, so I added a hair tie into the seam of the flap and a button to secure the flap down.  This solved both of those problems.

My grandmother told me that you should never gift a wallet or purse without money in it.  Inspired by this, anytime I make a bag or pouch or wallet-like thingie, I've got to put something in it for the recipient.  In this case, I made a little zipper pouch/ change purse.  I made one that turned out a little smaller than I intended.  I was going to toss it, but decided to make a second larger one instead.  She can organize her money, library card, band aids, etc. however she wishes.  Not to leave an empty pouch, I tucked a dollar and some coins into on pouch and a free Ben and Jerry's ice cream coupon into the other.  I also made a little tissue pouch for the inevitable drippy nose!

I finished the last of these accessories just in time to tune into Sari's internet workshop this afternoon.  (the real reason I took the day off)  It was a well-done,  informative talk on fabric.  I was pleased to realize that I already knew most of what she discussed, but there were some ideas about drape and heaviness that was helpful to remember.  It also solidified my thinking that using natural fiber fabrics is totally worth the expense over synthetics.  Though I'm often miserly, if you spend 10+ hours perfecting a garment from sewing a muslin to adding details, a few dollars per yard shouldn't keep you from buying the fabric that will best suit the project.  And now, would someone go and explain this all to my husband...

The fun-filled day of sewing was bound to come to an end, and I did have to step out into the post daylight savings time wet gloom to pick up Nora.  She's been fighting a cold and didn't greet me as heartily as she usually does.  I thought it best that we spend a little more time chatting and walking.  So, we headed for the thrift shop.  Her attitude can change quickly with a twenty-five cent book.  (Today, it was Meet Kaya).

It was as if there were some theme going on for me today because there were four great sewing books waiting for me when I got there.  The first was Nancy Zieman's The Best of Sewing with Nancy.   I didn't even look inside when I picked it up.  If it's by Nancy, I get it.  She pretty much has all of the answers!

There was also this fabulous book of interior decorating from 1950.  Irresistible!

Chapter thirty-three  How to Make Use of Attics, Basements

Attractive Studio-Bedroom takes advantage of wasted attic space:

I have no idea how "easily installed wood paneling may solve your space problem."  Clearly, I have some reading to do.

A groovy Coats and Clark's Sewing Book from 1967:

But this is my favorite!  (1949!)

I'm totally ready for the next color palette sewing challenge!

Fabulous edge treatments:

Topstitching:

So much shirring!

I also picked up a couple of sewing patterns.  One for me and one for Nora.  Those are some fierce green pants! 

 

The Night of the Gypsy Princess

If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I would have guessed that my evening tonight would have been spent with a Revolutionary War Era lass or even a large rabbit, but this wasn't the case.  Instead we spent the night with a gypsy princess.  Now, I'm not sure where the gypsy idea came from.  I don't actually know if my darling daughter knows much about gypsies other than their fabulous skirts made for twirling and a knack for the tambourine.  So, I drew my inspiration from where most of my inspiration seems to be flowing:  Mad Men! 

I thought I would buy a vintage pattern, but it wasn't necessary for this project.  I had my eye on the one below from New Vintage Lady on Etsy- which is still available. 

Instead, I took inspiration from it and set to make do with what I had.

The top is white quilting fabric from my stash.  It could serve as a future underdress layer this Fall/ Winter.  I used the same pattern that I used for her Easter ensemble and beloved green dress that I wrote about here. 

I just gathered four tiers of colorful fabric to make the skirt- fast and easy!  The bottom tier is over 200 inches and the others decrease to the top tier which was the 45" width of that fabric.

The head scarf is folded in a half triangle and tied in the back.  The striped waist scarf is just tied at the hip.  We borrowed both of these as well as numerous other options from our local Front Porch Forum.  Thanks, neighbor!

Grandma loaned the shawl which was essential as it's dang cold on Halloween in Vermont!  She's also wearing a leotard and a long sleeve tee and fleece pants under there!

The necklace and clip on hoop earrings were the only items that I purchased.  I got them at Claire's on a rare mall trip.

Thanks to my friends in music and theater, we borrowed the perfect gypsy tambourine from a local high school theater department.  I tied ribbon streamers into a jingle-less slot.

 

Overall, it was deemed a very successful costume.

Happy Birthday, Jim Henson

 

Few people have left a legacy like Jim Henson.   I wonder if I would have been a teacher without knowing at a young age that it was possible to have fun while learning.  At every age, there was a special fondness for Muppets.  When my parents bought a color console tv, I was thrilled that I would get to see Big Bird - BIG and in color!  I attribute much of my early learning to catchy Sesame Street tunes.  

 

 

 

 While "too old" to see Follow That Bird  I recall the excitement of my big sister taking me to the movie theater and I'm pretty sure I was her excuse to go.  The Labyrinth was by far the coolest movie I watched as a teenager.  While dating my now husband (who taught me that the Goblin king actually had other material), there was a lot of Fraggle Rock watching. I think I fell in love discussing the finer points of the Minstrels.  

Then, we got married and had a baby who had this poster in her room since before she was born.

and her first plate was mine as a child.  She used to point to the letters of her name in the alphabet around the rim.  I thought it was funny that I could find it in this old photo.

When Nora was a young child, there was always an internal struggle with my desire to keep her media-free and my desire to share the Muppets with her.  Ultimately, the Muppets won and the first television that she ever watched was The Muppet Family Christmas just after we had decorated our tree. 

She didn't watch Sesame Street until the Old School DVDs came out and we've nearly wore a hole in them.  She still doesn't watch much television... lately, there's been only The Andy Griffith Show and The Muppet Show.  She loves Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Orchestra.  Just this afternoon, she was  rocking out to Can You Picture That?  Oh Yeahhhhhhh!

 

..and mama has a blog *Snoodle*  A word I learned from Jim Henson's The Storyteller (Hans My Hedgehog).

The mother  in the tale says,

"I want a baby to wrap in a bundle and sing to and snoodle with and hug to bits"

Later Hans says,

"I want you for my princess of sweetness and cherry pie.  I want to catch you up and sing to you and snoodle you and hug you to bits."

Here's the whole episode:

 

As Nora describes it:  "A snoodle is an important kind of cuddle."

It's important and cuddly to those who need it - from a baby to an adult.  We all could use a little snoodle now and again.  Thanks, Jim, for inspiring so many snoodles, so many happy memories, so many lives from the young to the old.

Happy 75th Birthday, Jim.

From,

The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

 

I Heart Colette!

 

My heart always does a little flip when I find a vintage sewing notion on my thrifting adventures.  On more than one occasion, I've found boxes (sometimes actual sewing boxes -Yea!) full of notions.  Some of them I keep in the package because the sweet buttons on the card are so dear or the packaging is so vintage-cool.  A lot of it, like the binding, elastic, and snaps just get used.

One day, I was rifling through my newest box of treasures, wondering if I got my $3 worth, when I found a little metal... thingie.  It had the name Dritz embossed on it so I knew it was indeed a sewing notion, but I hadn't any other clue as to what it could be used for.  Also embossed was the patent number which I searched on the interwebs. 

...and I found that it is a bound buttonhole attachment.  How exciting!  A bound buttonhole provides such a finished, professional look.  It's not one of those details that you see in ready to wear clothing; at least not in my price range!  It's one of those things that makes vintage clothing so desirable.  It's these kind of details that makes sewing your own clothes special.  So, I thought I would try to find out how to actually use this little device.  Granted, I do have a lot of vintage sewing books, but I was on the internet anyway.  I came across a blog that had the answer:   The Coletterie!

Not only did I find the perfect answer, but also the perfect blog.  Okay, now click on the link, but come back eventually because I must warn you:  There is A LOT to look at.  The blog is filled with the history of fashion, tutorials, sew-alongs, and oh, the patterns!  Colette is actually the name of Sarai Mitnick's pattern company- the finest patterns I've ever seen.  I've just found the perfect fabric for the Violet top and can't wait to plunge in.  There's a whole sewing lesson in there, and if you do follow the blog, you'll discover lovely little details to add to your patterns.  Today there was even multiple styling options for one of their dresses.  

Reading the Colette blog and forum is blissfully inspirational and also provides the means to make that inspiration become reality and see how others have been inspired ... which is inspirational!  *Sigh*  If I can't go fabric shopping with Sarai herself, at least I have the Coletterie.

And then there's this:

Yes!  What I imagine to be a sewing course between two covers!  I'm so excited about the release of this book in November and available for pre-order now.  I'm feeling confident that it will be not only informative but also beautiful!  This, along with the new Fall patterns that have just been released (Hello, Peony!)  I think I'll be quite busy until Spring... when I might actually complete my Colette Spring Palette Challenge!  Does it really matter what year?!

*************************

So, I picked a name out of a hat and the winner of  

Singer Sewing for the Home is:

Aimee!

Please email me your address and I'll ship it off to you soon!