Fond memories and handmade items are true treasures

I must miss the Idaho home of my youth, as this is the second time recently I have shared memories from my childhood there. Hope you don't mind my strolls down memory lane. When I was young I remember that church bazaars were a big thing. All the churches had them. It is one way they raised extra funds. The bazaars' were put on by their women's groups. I can recall those bazaars having the best food and every kind of craft you can imagination. They had quilts, toys, pot holders, baby clothes, and more… you name it they made it and sold it. A few weeks ago the mother of one of my sewing students brought in the cutest stitched toys which were handmade by her grandmother. She had originally intended these toys for sale in the bazaars, but of course these toys often ended up in the arms of her grandchildren. 

[caption id="attachment_538" align="alignleft" width="1024" caption="Grandma's homemade toy treasures"][/caption]

I think they are so cute – won't you agree? They are the Three Little Bears, a Bear and Mouse. These are such treasures!!! I think we are all of the same opinion that handmade gifts from the heart and hands of loved ones and friends, like these, are the very best of treasures. A few years ago I made the decision that I would only make homemade gifts as presents. I hope they become treasures like the toys made by this wonderful dear grandmother.  Do you have treasured gifts from someone special? Will you share with us the story behind your treasured gift?  As always, Happy Sewing, from JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

16 Hands + 4 Sewing Machines + 2 Hours = A Baby Quilt Stitched with Love

Recently I had eight teenage girls from the youth group of the church I attend over to my house. They were there because they wanted to make a baby quilt for an expecting and slightly older friend.  Although most of them had never sewn before they were up to the challenge. I gave them pointers and they were off and stitching. What fun we had as they built the quilt.  As they only had 2 hours in which to complete this project I cut the fabric squares out ahead of time. They put their heads together and decided on a pattern and how they wanted the finished quilt to look. Having just four sewing machines on site these eight girls took turns sewing and ironing, and we the finished quilt in the time allotted.  The current trend quilting is to line the finished piece with 'Minkee', a very soft and luxurious fabric, which is perfect for baby blankets and quilts. After the girls left I put the 'Minkee' on the back, turned it, then sewed around the edges and… tah dah!... a baby quilt made by friends with love. The project was relatively quick and easy. [caption id="attachment_533" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The baby quilt love built."][/caption] What do you think? Cute Huh!!! Happy Sewing, JoLene.

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/

A stroll down memory lane for sewing inspiration…

I recall the joy I discovered as a child in going to the Twin Falls County Fair. Growing up in southern Idaho this fair was a highlight at the of the summer season. It was always held on the first the week of September. It was a popular event and a big attraction – so much so, that the schools closed for a day.             My mom, my sister and myself always went to the Fair together. The carnival rides were the big draw for us. We loved the food… elephant ears, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, and corn dogs. You might find this funny, but we all loved the exhibits as well. Mom said the rule was to go the exhibits first (sounds like a mom). Our favorite exhibits were the animals and the handcrafted items. Since my mom grew up on a farm she had a special love for the animals and horses. After we had seen all of the exhibits and gone on the rides we would then end up at the rodeo.             Today, what I want to talk about are those handcrafted exhibit items. The exhibit hall was just huge and packed with all kinds of things from quilts, to clothing, knitting, crocheting, canning, cookies, and pies – you name it someone had made it. I loved the quilts the most. They were hung high up on the walls of the building and they looked so big. I was so amazed that someone had sewn those all by hand.             When I started Jolenes Sewing School one of the things I really wanted to do was to have my students enter and experience a County Fair – to have the opportunity to see what other people have created, and to encourage and inspire them to stretch themselves as sewers. Well, we'll have the opportunity to do just that. This year the Multnomah County Fair will be held on May 29^th, 30 ^th, and 31^st from 12 noon to 7 pm daily at Oaks Park in southeast Portland. I'm encouraging my sewing students to enter the items they have sewn into the Fair. Four of my students have been sewing since September 2009, and the rest have started since then – with three newer students attending and sewing for only a few weeks. If you live around here I would invite you to come and support all the people that enter this fair. The Multnomah County Fair may be small as fairs go… but it is wonderful. Like the Twin Falls County Fair of my youth the Multnomah County Fair has carnival rides, crafts, exhibits, and much more. Here is a link to the Fair's web site so you can see all the fun stuff happening over the three days it is open. www.multnomahcountyfair.org             One of the things the Fair does to raise money during the event is to hold a silent auction. They have businesses and people donate items for baskets that visitors then bid on during the Fair. I have created and donated a Sewing Basket filled with sewing supplies and a $130.00 sewing camp certificate. The total value of my baskets contents is $190.00.  The Fair's silent auction will usually have around 60 baskets filled with all kinds of things. Toward the end of the final Fair day (about 5 or 6 pm) the baskets get awarded to the highest bidders. I bet there will be a basket of something you just can't live without.             So plan to attend the Multnomah County Fair to support local crafters, and experience the fun and festivities – all for free as there is no admission fee! Don't you have something that you can enter? See you there! And as always, Happy Sewing, JoLene

Be sure to visit my website: http://jolenesews.com/