Thanks, everyone, for being patient with me as I try and get back to things in my sewing room. My hand is better, but not the way I want it to be. It is still very sore when I do the littlest things, but I was determined to have a DAY TWO of sewing for Ten Ping.
She has been standing in those frilly ruffled knee socks and today was the day to change that. I cut out a new pair for her from just a solid white stretchy knit and then I added 2 black buttons to the sides of them. (I looked up “Preppy knee socks” and buttons and bows were used to decorate them.)
Nope….
Yeeesssss…
While I’m debating about what kind of white top to make her, I decided she needed a book bag… a RED leather book bag! I had some very pretty and soft genuine red leather so I cut out my purse pattern, making it straight up on the sides; more like a book bag would be.
BUT… it’s wet right now. The leather needs to be wet molded and it really absorbed the water, so it’s only dry on part of the front, but I decided to show it to you anyway. It’s a bright red leather that will match her skirt very nicely… when it’s dry. So ignore how parts of it look so drab…
Ten Ping thinks she might need some school supplies for it… :o)
I used a hole punch in the next bigger size than I normally do when making my holes. That way, when I stitched it, I didn’t have to push and pull my needle as much. It was easy to sew together and will look much better the next time you see it.
Now, about that white top or blouse… hmmm…
I haven’t forgotten about all of you who sent me pictures in the mail, or questions in an email. I have them written down and will use them very soon…Thank YOU!
I will see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ten Ping’s preppy knee socks are just as cute as can be! And I love her red book bag. I had a red bookbag when I was a little girl, too–although it was cloth, of course (or maybe plastic-backed cloth, something kind of stiff), and I think trimmed in brown. I think I had it in 1st or 2nd grade, so I was still pretty young.
Thanks, all, for well wishes and prayers. Linda, to answer your questions, I think I’m adjusting okay to being alone. I have had an evening or two when I’ve felt kind of lonesome, but I do have plenty of “projects” (both of the creative kind and of the less fun cleaning kind!!) to keep me busy. It seems odd cooking just for myself; I’m used to cooking “big”–in fact, last week I made chicken tortilla soup, and more than half of it went in the freezer! Otherwise I’d be eating it forever!! And, yes, we do have a friend who helps with some of the heavy projects, and either he or a neighbor kid does the mowing. Yesterday our friend was over and mowed and trimmed the yard; I have some other project for him coming up. I asked him if he knew how to clean an oven, or if he ever had done one, and the answer was yes, so that’s one of the projects. My oven is in terrible shape at the moment, but with all my back problems, and then breaking my arm last November, trying to clean the oven just sounds positively daunting!! I even have the kind of oven that you can lift the door completely off, which makes it easier to get to the back of the oven, but still….He’s a freelance handyman, so we do pay him for his work, but he’s become a good friend. I refer to him as our “second son”, in fact–he’s only a year older than our son.
Glad you have help doing the more heavier and involved chores. I hope you can get in a routine you’re content with. It’s nice that you and Ron can still do certain things together. Thst must be really nice for you both.
Thank you, Paula; it is. For a number of months Ron just wasn’t able to get to church, for instance; he’d get ready to go, and run out of steam. Now he’s been three Sundays in a row!! And he does enjoy going out to eat, so we do that sometimes, too. It’s been really nice because he has help getting between house and car, and just uses his walker to go wherever we are going. Saves on his energy.
Dear Charlotte, you remain in my prayers. This change creates an adjustment for both of you. Your husband is getting the best care and you have a bit of time for self renewal. I am so happy that you found a location that you both like.
Thank you so much for the prayers, Dorothy; we appreciate them!! YEs, I’ve been doing more reading the past couple of weeks, and have spent a little time in the sewing room, too.
I love the new socks, Jeanne, and thought the ruffled ones were “too much” for the outfit, but the new ones hit the spot, just right! The bookbag is darling and just the thing to give her on her first day of school. I too, had a bookbag, since back packs were unheard of back when i went to school in the mid 40’s! I also remember pencil boxes, and how much fun we had arranging and rearranging them! I’m glad your hand is getting better, little by little. Of course, it isn’t going as fast as you want, but you’ll get there!
Charlotte, it’s nice to hear that you have help, and such nice help at that! Most ovens now clean themselves, and I am so glad I have one of those! Our oven that we had for 30 or so years was replaced with a new one a year ago, and is so easy to keep looking nice! I can understand how having a bad back can complicate things that we used to do so easily.
Thanks, Linda; I almost wasn’t sure I should ask, but I figured, Jon washed dishes for me when I had a broken arm, so maybe….! We are fortunate to have his friendship.
Our stove is a gas stove, original to this house (built in 1968). Unfortunately it is brown. 😣 I am so Not a brown person!! But…it wasn’t my choice. It’s redeeming feature is that the cooking surface is about 1-1/2″ lower than countertop height, which for me, as short as I am, makes all the difference in being able to cook in anything taller than a frying pan!! Also, if it were countertop height, I would have a hard time lifting a pot of boiling pasta/water, to drain it!
Ten Ping’s outfit is spot on. The book bag is perfect. You’ve really expanded your skills over the past few years. However, is there a possibility that Ten Ping’s shoes are on the wrong foot in the picture, or am I imagining things? Ten Ping is so small compared to the RRFF dolls, let alone the American Girl dolls. The pleats must be so difficult to get to lie in place on a skirt that’s so tiny.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing other contributors’ dolls, houses and gardens. It’s almost like meeting them in person. I’m glad Charlotte and Ron are adjusting so well to their new living situations. An inspiration to us all.
Thank you, Susette.
Ten Ping’s school outfit is so cute. I like her matching shoes and purse.
Hope you’re hand gets better soon. I imagine there are many things you have to be careful doing. Little by little you’ll know what you can do and not do yet.
Dear Jeanne, I am sure that Ten Ping will get an “A” for outfit when she attends school wearing her new ensemble. She looks adorable.
I am glad that your hand is doing a bit better.
Honestly Ten Pings outfit is a top ten. I wouldn’t have questioned the knee highs but you are exactly right the new ones are better. Could you duplicate the whole outfit for a RRFF? It would be fine for several months yet. Love the hat, the shoes and the pleated skirt couldn’t be cuter. Can’t wait to see the blouse.
Maybe the sewing you are able to do is like doing PT. It may help your hand 🖐️ get stronger?
We are having a stretch of really nice weather…if it wasn’t for Ragweed it would be perfect😉
Meeting with a “Elder Specialist” lawyer with my son tomorrow. As a financial advisor he meets with families when there is a death in the family. He has gained so much knowledge as to how to have all the right paperwork in order. He also has an impressive sense of humor and can tell when something is about to be an issue and deals with it with ☺️ I had to have all our paperwork ready so that was a chore. Mike used to do all that and when going thru his “ drawer” it was eye opening. Lots of laughs and memories. Hopefully it won’t be too bad 🫣
So cute! With the tam and the socks she looks like a little Scotsman! Can you make bagpipes?🤣🤣
I love the homemade bagpipes idea. The whole outfit is wonderful and perfect for now. Maybe the RRFFs need one. and an AG one would be nice too.