In which I don't tackle a simple question, or even tell you what it is.
Yet.
Let's talk about other things, like…sewing.
Rosie's birthday comes a few days before Christmas. This year I made her a pillow like the ones I made Natasha.
My California girls need something to remember their state by. I kept this hanky of Grandma's for Rosie for the simple reason that it commemorates a place that is important to her.
I think the design of these hankies is just so darned cute.
I am not even sure what those guys are doing there with that…cable car? But they are awfully lively, aren't they?
Here is the brainstorming I did in the summer:
Suddenly, it was Advent and time to get to work. I knew I wanted to use that vintage trim as well as an old linen pillowcase for the body of the pillow.
I know that you are supposed to put the linen part of the trim within the seam, but I hate that fiddly work, when the allowance is so small and you get the thing wrong-side-out, try to sew, turn it the right way, and find that you've goofed. And this way, you can see just what this delicate fanciness is, stains and all!
And today's update on the storm is that water is seeping in from under the sliding door (as opposed to dripping from above, which the ever-resourceful duct-tape wielding Chief seems to have fixed as of the weekend). (And also the reason we now have fewer paper snowflakes on the glass. They have done their work, I'd say!)
There isn't a drip; the bucket is for carrying wet towels in.
Yes, I realize all too keenly that this is entirely due to an unaccountable oversight on my part. Usually I make sure the stuff on the deck is moved way back away from the house, and that the area near the door is kept free of snow.
I know that the corner is fraught with all sorts of icicling, melting peril. I usually nag young ‘uns to get on the job. This year I failed. And now I'm lugging wet towels…
Oh well. At least we are warm.
This is a tunnel under the trampoline.
Note the height of the snow as guaged by the blue-bird houses, there on the left:
Here you see the bird houses with a big buck walking in front of them last October! Can you see his antlers? I wish I had gotten a better shot, but in any case, that's a lot of snow!
Let's look at flowers instead.
Karen says
The men with the cable car are turning it in preparation for its next trip.
kathryn says
The hankie makes a lovely pillow, how lucky your daughter is to receive it!
We moved from Virginia last year but not before a record breaking snow storm that looked much like what you've received. It would have been fun had we kept power. We are in Texas now and still get winter, but not near that amount of snow – and I miss it, but not the loss of power!
Eva says
Wonderful pictures! Can I ask, the statue of our lady, is it a statue of our lady with the grapes? It looks remarkably similar to one I have!
_Leila says
Hi Eva, it's not the one with grapes!
Kimberly says
That is so much snow! You sort of answered a question I had, which is, does the melting snow leak into the house? I was thinking more about your gutter area, that's too bad about the door area. I pray that it melts slowly though, you guys might be in for some serious flooding.
Mamalion says
Karen mentioned it, but I thought I'd chime in too- the cable cars in San Francisco attach themselves to a cable running under the streets. They have a huge hook underneath that grabs the cable when they want to go, and releases it when they want to stop. At the end of the line, there's a turntable, and the cars are rotated around by hand, so they're facing the right direction to head back on the line. Can you tell we did a field trip there a couple of years ago? ;-P
Laura Jeanne says
That pillow will make a wonderful gift! So cute. And I have to say, those flowers are incredibly beautiful.
Sis says
Where did you get the sweet CA hankies? We are a CA family and I'd love to do a pillow like yours. Thanks.
Camille says
I remember back in 1980 (or 79 or 81) in Michigan when the snow got high enough that we could go right on top of our garage. We never intended to end up in a place without snow, but I must say I enjoy the lack of the white stuff! Stay warm!
Katherine says
Now I know what to do with all those antique linens and doilies I've been saving – make pillows!
Did you ever post the pattern/instructions for the Antique Brick Quilt you made? I can't seem to find it on an internet search. Is there another name for that pattern? Thanks!
Mrs. Pickles says
Holy cow, that's a lot of snow.
I love the California pillow! I want one! I love the fact that Knott's is on there too! It was my very favorite amusement park when I was a kid.
TN_MOM says
Oh, your pillow makes me homesick! I've lived in TN more than half my life but I still miss “home”. I can see right where my parents live and where my sister lives and where we used to vacation by the beach… What a lovely idea.
Lisa G. says
You have a lovely blog – Kathryn told me about it. Thank you for the pillow idea.
Joy says
Lovely, lovely flowers! What are they?
That pillow is such a great idea. I have piles of antique linens lying in my linen closet doing absolutely nothing. You are giving me ideas….. 🙂
Deirdre says
Oh my word… all that snow!! I want to go play in the tunnel – that looks awesome! DC is just looking wet and gray right now.
jenletts says
My! That is a ton of snow! Is that a Persian Violet? They smell lovely.
Dawn@OneFaithfulMom says
Living in lower SC, I can't even imagine all that snow, but I am positive my kids would love to have at least half of it!!!
Sue says
Lovely work! We decided to put our youngest into our church's kindergarten to get his Japanese going better before we bring him home for first grade. The list of necessary “stuff” is dizzying. There are no sandwiches in paper bags here. Oh, no! We have the lunch box, which needs a cloth bag to put it in, and a cup with it's own bag, and chopsticks with their own bag, indoor shoes with their own bag, a change of clothes with it's own bag – you get the idea. It's not required that these things be hand made, but most moms do make them. I admit that I'm feeling the pressure.
I'm having crazy, rash thoughts of buying a used machine and teaching myself – between now, and the start of school in early April. Am I insane? I do have a friend that would probably be willing to give me a lesson or two, schedules allowing. Do you think I can do this?!!
And, can I say again that I am jealous of your snow? I love that icicle photo!
_Leila says
Sue, you should get a machine. Just a little simple small one that goes forwards, backwards, and zigzags. Read the manual. You can do it! And your little bags will be so easy and the perfect projects for learning!
Read the manual! I'm convinced that the problems people have with their sewing machines come from not realizing how to thread it and also not keeping it oiled and not blowing the dust out. If you master those things (and how hard can that be, really? There are pictures!), you will have no trouble.
Sue says
Sue, you should get a machine. Just a little simple small one that goes forwards, backwards, and zigzags. Read the manual. You can do it! And your little bags will be so easy and the perfect projects for learning!
Read the manual! I'm convinced that the problems people have with their sewing machines come from not realizing how to thread it and also not keeping it oiled and not blowing the dust out. If you master those things (and how hard can that be, really? There are pictures!), you will have no trouble.
TessaDiane says
Love that CA pillow!! I'm thinking I live a few hours from your daughter….
All that snow, and we've been running around in shorts and tank tops.
Heidi S says
Love your winter photos! There is so much beauty in winter, how our whole world is changed to our senses,yet we believe and have hints of what lies underneath…by the way, I am also enjoying your currently browsing section. It is good to have some awareness of the world around me, even when all I want to do is bundle up with coffee and a book or projects, or sometimes a project book!
Amydelle says
Tackle the simple question! Please!