Gift Making - Bag Tag Style

Well, I've made a little something for all the girls in my daughter, Bridgette's family with the exception of Lydia. Bridgette got one of my first projects as I was testing out my machine. I made her a reversible wreath sash. One side was patriotic and one side was floral. I still like it and I hope she does as well. 

Then, I made a couple of pouches for Lillie for her birthday. One was a cute makeup pouch that is lined in a really cute clock fabric and the other was a simple stand up zip pouch with nail polish embroidered on one side and her name on the other. It is lined with a cute nail polish print fabric. 

I used scraps of fabric for the outside of both pouches. I just love how they turned out and I think they will be useful for our aesthetically minded Lillie.

Next came Luci's birthday gifts. I made her just a simple zip pouch using scrap fabrics. Embroidered on one side of the pouch is her name in her current favorite color - purple. On the other side is the name of her school mascot - Tigers. Since she recently earned a spot on the middle school volleyball team, I thought she might use the pouch for things to take to matches or practice. 

This is such a versatile little pouch that it could gather up all sorts of things and be dropped down into a tote of backpack. 

I'd also done some practice work making some cute bag tags. Bridgette got a couple of them.

I even threw in a multi-colored ribbon tassel for her as I was learning to make those at the time as well. Middle school Luci also needed a bag tag, I thought. So, I put a couple together for her as well. 

Again, her volleyball interest became an easy theme for those bag tags. I later added another bag tag for her that I mailed in her birthday card.

The birthday bag tag is one of my favorites that I've made so far. The designs and fabrics just seem to be a perfect fit. Those little tags are really cute. I can see why they are trendy but they also are quite a bit of trouble, especially since I seem to think they should have something on both sides whenever possible.

So, three of the girls in Bridgette's family have gotten treats from my new embroidery machine. However, Lydia was a bit left out. Her birthday is in the spring. So, she didn't get a birthday gift. I didn't use her as a practice project. So, she had no little cute treats from me. I decided I'd better remedy that shortfall this week.

I did a little head scratching to decide what I needed to stitch up for her. As a senior in high school who is taking college classes as well as high school courses, I knew she probably didn't wag a book bag or back pack full of books around. However, she does play in the band. So, she has a saxophone case. Plus, she just recently got her driver's license. So, she would need a keychain. I decided bag tags would be just the thing. 

I adapted one of the designs that I had purchased to use for decorating a zip pouch for her for Christmas and featured the sax on the center of a bag tag.

I tried out a new font I had gotten as a bonus with another purchase and put her first initial on the opposite side. 

On another bag tag, I tried out a music note design that I had purchased. One of the reviews says that the machine stops after stitching the heart and would allow for changing colors. I must not have been paying close enough attention to do that. But I do like it all in one color. It stitched up smoothly and beautifully. 

On the back side I used a scrap of fabric and added a bit of a LaVergne and Shirley touch with the swirly L. I'm sure Lydia won't know about LaVergne and Shirley but I have fond memories of all her monogrammed items.

As I was stitching up those two, I got a brainstorm to create one for her as a senior year sort of thing. I've been wanting to make a long narrow bag tag and this Bengal Tiger design was perfect for it. I got it free with another purchase. So, I decided to give it a whirl. As sometimes happens, the colors did not translate well for this design. The first one I stitched had the tiger body in a brown color. While I know that tigers do look sort of brown, I wanted that true orange look for this tag. So, I stitched it out a second time using a true orange. (That's one thing I wish these sellers would do - tell what thread brand they use. Giving the number of the thread is just not enough for me sometimes.)

Then, on the back side, I combined a couple of fonts to commemorate her graduating class year. One came with my machine and the other is one I purchased. I kind of like the long, narrow bag tag. I strung them on a carabiner and added some ribbon to a key ring to finish them all off.

Now Miss Lydia will be all gaudy with her keys or her instrument case or something and all four girls in the family will have a stitched up something from me!

Today I noticed...Some things are worth having multiples.

A flamingo umbrella is evidently something that I really believe is worth keeping in multiples. I proved it this past year when I noticed them advertised and ordered myself one. Then, when it was delivered, I turned around and ordered almost a dozen more. 

When I learned that one of the youngest grands had an accident and her flamingo umbrella was a fatality, I ordered one to be sent to her so that she would have a replacement. I considered getting myself another one so that I could have one in the house and one in the truck but I decided that I was just being greedy and didn't. Now, I really wish I had stockpiled several more, though.

Last week one of our granddaughters represented her high school at Girls State. It was a leap outside her comfort zone. She is not one who has done a lot of sleepovers with friends. She is not one who has attended a week away at camp. She is not one who walks into a room with a mission to know everybody there before she leaves. You might even say she is a bit introverted in some ways. So, when I learned that she was off to Girls State, I was a bit surprised. 

In chatting with her mother, I learned that she had forgotten to pack a refillable water bottle. While my grandmother heart tugged, I told myself that she would survive. After all, I survived as a young girl without toting around a mug or jug to keep myself hydrated and she could as well. The next day I learned that she had fallen and injured her ankle and my aching ankle and aching heart wanted to go to the college campus and check on her. Later, I learned that she had also forgotten to pack a raincoat or umbrella.  Well, that was the last straw. At that point I was determined to take care of business. 

I dressed that morning and trekked down to the local grocery store. I had one folding umbrella in my truck but I thought I should check to see if there was a disposable poncho available. Nope. So, I went across the street to the drug store and looked. Again, no poncho. They did have a nice pink umbrella. So, I decided that I would deliver my flamingo umbrella that was in the truck to Lydia and keep the pink one in the truck to take its place. Plus, I picked up a small and a large refillable water bottle. I mean, if I am making the trip, I may as well take that as well.

As I waited in line, I searched online for a replacement flamingo umbrella. I was sad to learn that my original source had sold out. However, I did find another and placed an order. After all, one can never have enough cute umbrellas. They are good for dashing in and out of places when running errands. They are good for the softball and baseball parks. They are good for football season to watch the band perform. They are good to provide shade on a hot day and to avoid the raindrops there when a pop up shower erupts. Eventually, I got checked out and was on my merry way to drop off the necessary items for the grand.

I had been instructed by Lydia's mother that I would only be able to drop off the items at her assigned dorm of residence for the week. So, I found a paper bag under the seat and labeled it. When I went into the dorm lobby, I noticed that it could have been a ghost town. Nobody to be found. So, I went back to the truck and got a piece of cardstock and labeled it as well. I tied that to the handle of the umbrella and left the bag and umbrella sitting on the front desk where it would easily be noticed. I'm sure Lydia's high school self smiled all over and proclaimed that she had a wonderful grandmother to all who entered the lobby of the dorm. I guess I think labels for identification are things worth having in multiples as well!

(By the way, I'm on the lookout for more of those inexpensive and cute umbrellas so that I can build up my flock!)

Happy Birthday, Lydia!

Hope it is the very best!

Getting Cultured Up

I attended an event last week that enriched my life in a couple of ways. 

Our granddaughter, Lydia, plays the alto saxophone in the Huntsville Concert Band. They practice once per week for a couple of hours. The musicians are all volunteers and range in age from high school students to retirement age. There are more than eighty members of the band and they were wonderful!

Huntsville is about a two-hour drive from our house. So, I was southbound and down, as they say. When I arrived, I circled the church building's parking lot and found a parking space within sight of the entryway. I climbed down out of my truck and noticed a little white haired lady parked across from me climbing out of her car and steadying herself with her cane. She slung her purse over her shoulder and looked up at me. "Are you here for the band performance?" she queried. I smiled and told her that I certainly was. She wondered where the entry door could be found. I pointed northward and told her that I saw a UHaul truck around the corner and was headed in that direction in anticipation that it had hauled the larger instruments on site. So, we crept across the parking lot together. Me in my boot and her with her cane to steady herself. 

I asked her if she had a relative playing in the day's concert and she told me, "No. I just enjoy music. I went to the symphony across town last night." She asked me if I had a relative playing and I told her that our Lydia is playing. She asked what instrument Lydia played and I told her. "Alto Sax...," she said. "I had a friend when we were middle school age and she played the saxophone. We walked to school together. Most everybody walked to school in those days. We didn't have fancy buses to haul us. My friend was just a little slip of a thing and that sax was a big old instrument. So, she put it in a little red wagon and we stacked our books in there and took turns pulling it down the road. The other kids poked fun at us at first but we didn't care. It was a lot better than toting all that weight and straining our backs." She gave a little giggle. She added, "Sometimes this sort of thing is not well attended. So, I like to support them. I don't have a lot going on these days I like to help fill a seat. It looks like there is a pretty good crowd here today, though."

We hobbled inside and were greeted by my daughter, Bridgette, who had been drafted to look after the donations jar. So, I introduced her as the mother of our musician. The room was quite full and I took a seat in the back row beside where Bridgette had left her bag. The next thing I knew, here was my new friend asking if it was alright for her to sit beside me and I encouraged her to make herself comfortable I noticed that she tapped her foot and bobbed her head from time to time during the concert but she sat silently and took it all in. 

When the last note had sounded and thanks and applause had silenced, I felt a hand on my elbow. My new friend said, "I know that you are proud of your granddaughter. They were wonderful today. I think I enjoyed this even more than the fancy symphony last night. Please give her praise from me and a thanks for brightening my ears and my day. I'm sure you will want to wait and give her a hug, So, I'm going to mosey on out to the parking lot and head home. Thanks for the company!"

I enjoyed having a friendly face and person beside me who seemed to be enjoying the performance as much as I did. The concert featured a variety of selections that appealed to a broad spectrum of patrons. They were a big band and had a Big Band sound and the performance added a sense of cultural relevance to all of our lives that afternoon playing old familiar tunes, adding in a bit of humor, and winding up with a patriotic flare. 

On my trek back north toward home, I thought a lot about my new friend. I gave a little prayer of thanks for her and for the fact that she could still get out and about to soak up something that she enjoys. She made me think of my Great Aunt Mae who lived alone for many years and would often support cultural events in her hometown. I'm sure she was probably a lot like that little lady. I thought about how thankful I am that Lydia has this opportunity to spend time doing something she loves and share it with others. I also lifted a bit of thanks for the folks who performed and shared their gift of music for all of us...especially for my new friend who certainly had something going on last Sunday.

Just Three Things | #7

I had the opportunity to take in a small town dinner theatre experience last weekend. One of our granddaughters, Lydia, was a part of her high school's drama production of "How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party." Lydia played an attorney in the play and her light really did seem to sparkle and shine. (I'm sure it is not in the least because I could be a bit biased.)  

Who would have ever thought that this young lady who once had a crying jag when preparing for a fourth-grade 4-H speech or who had a huge melt-down after a middle school interview competition might take the stage and actually seem calm and ad-lib to the script to keep the performance flowing? Not this grandmother!

Lydia looking lawyerly 

This performance was followed up on Monday with a fall band concert where she dressed as a butterfly and played a couple of instruments during the middle school and high school performance. Luckily it was live-streamed and I got to tap along to every note. The meal was tasty, the service was wonderful, the performance was suspenseful and enjoyable and a good time was had by all. As always, it was truly enjoyable to be able to tag along and see the activities that the grandchildren seem to take in stride.

- What I'm Reading  -

I'm continuing to work my way through the Callahan Garrity Series by Mary Kay Andrews. I am starting on Book #6 in the series, Strange Brew. I sort of feel like I have a set of old friends that I visit with each day and they have interesting adventures! I'm also still enjoying that wonderful southern voice. 

via

I must admit, I've also been reading a lot of the news stories this week. Some of the stories were reassuring and some of them were concerning - like all news, I guess. At this point in the week, though, I feel hopeful.

- What I'm Loving -

When we moved my office to one of the rooms downstairs, I divided the African Violet that was sitting on my desk and brought the parent plant downstairs to sit on my desk as it had upstairs. Now the window in this room faces south and the one upstairs faced east; so, that may have had an impact on this plant as well as the division. At any rate, it has not bloomed since the move. Today, however, it burst forth with some tiny little blooms. So, I think it is on a comeback!

The violet was one in a dish garden that was sent at my Granny's funeral. I loved it because it bloomed her favorite shade of pink. I can remember when I was a young woman, Granny grew loads of African Violets using grow lights, in windows, and all sorts of ways. She gave me some for my college home away from home. She taught me to create a self-feeding system with a sock strip and Miracle Grow if I wasn't going to give it the attention it deserved. So, it really made me smile to see those tiny pink blooms and think of Granny.

- What I'm Working On -

I finally wrapped the chair project up this week. I had put off working on the last three chair seats but finally tackled them and got them done. Then, during a sunshiney day, I set them out on the porch and gave them a good spray down with Scotch Guard to help them repel liquids and dirt (hopefully). 

My hands and forearms were aching again from wrestling with them to get the fabric stretched taught and smooth. Some of them look far better than others, I'm afraid. But I am satisfied and pleased with them all. Below is a sampling of a few of them being lined up for the protective spray.

It makes me smile as I walk around the house during the day and see my handiwork and my beloved chairs. Plus, it feels so good to mark a project off the list

I hope your week has been productive and pleasing and given you something to smile about!

Patriotic Decorating

I've always enjoyed celebrating and decorating for Independence Day. Not only is it a good reminder to me about how fortunate I am (at least for the time being) to be able to live in the country with the most freedom in the world. 

Years ago, one of our granddaughters was spending some time with us and we worked together to craft decorations that I look forward to displaying each and every year in my Patriotic Decorating.

When I hung his little banner of flags so carefully stitched, I was smiling the entire time. Once again I was remembering the sewist.

When she was working so diligently at stitching the flags to the ribbon, she was concentrating and quiet and working hard at stitching.  Then, her stitching got looped around the ribbon and had a bit of a tangle. All of a sudden, she exclaimed, "Grand B, we have a situation here." 

We worked together to get it all straightened out with no "situations" in our finished products. She learned how to stitch and how to take the stitching out and stitch again.

I couldn't help but smile at her little snaggle-toothed exclamation then and I think of it every single time I get that banner out to hang it up for celebrating.

My, how time does fly! When I finished hanging the banner this week, I sent the photo that starts off this post via text to that little sewist, who now looks like this...

What a situation!

Happy Birthday, Lydia!