Needlework Challenge

I know.  It's definitely NOT summer.  It was 10 degrees here yesterday, though we're back up in the 30s today. 

The reason I'm posting this is that it sort of inspired me.  This article came from my August 1951 Family Circle magazine.  This is so NOT what you would find in today's magazines.  Oprah would not feature needlework projects for all that summer spare time! 

What struck me was the assumption that needlework was just done.  Since it was already being done, the magazine thought they would suggest something that would be lightweight yet useful.  I guarantee you that doing needlework of any sort has never crossed my mind when it came to thinking about what to do on a summer day!  Yet, the clip above claims that these types of projects would be the perfect "hot-weather hobby.  Only small pieces to hold and handle."

BUT, it has crossed my mind on these 10 degree, snowy winter days.  I always think of the big things I could do.  For example, Anna at Pleasant View Schoolhouse recently featured a coverlet made from recycled cashmere sweaters.  I totally want to do that.  It would be so soft and luxurious and perfect for a quick cover up while doing homeschooling reading or watching a video with the family. (Click on the source link below her picture to go to the post.)



Source

 I would love to do that blanket, but I was overwhelmed just thinking about even starting it.  I have so many UFOs in my sewing area from years ago, that I'm embarrassed.  The Family Circle article, however, got me thinking about finding a SMALL project to do this winter.  I'm going to look around and see if I can find something that calls to me.  If I do, I'll post about it.

Do you enjoy doing small projects here and there?  Any suggestions?  I can sew and crochet.  I'm not a fan of embroidery, but perhaps I could revisit that and see if the decades that have gone by since my last project might have softened my view!  I'm intrigued and ready to create something!

The Craft of Hand-Sewing

My husband came down with "the flu" on Monday. By Wednesday, we were all down with it --fever, chills, coughing, sinus, body aches--you name it. As you can imagine, my inability to breathe and walk at the same time wreaked havoc with my regularly scheduled life. No housework, no homeschooling, hardly any eating.

Both dh and son are considerably better now, but my bout is hanging on a bit. I actually dragged myself up to do a load of laundry as we were getting mighty low in that department. I don't know why since I've worn pajamas all week, but I digress.

I am actually going somewhere with this Haven of Home Health Newsflash. Due to the lack of moving around, I've had a LOT of time to spend on the computer. I was wandering around at a site called Open Library and came across a fun book from 1910 written as a five-year course of study for girls in the 3rd - 7th grades. (Click on the book cover to go to the online version.)

Idabelle knew her stuff. She was a stickler about details and about doing things CORRECTLY. I was so impressed by her "explanatory note" in which she says:

"Every exercise in handicraft should train the judgment, the eye or the memory and tend to develop skill, patience, accuracy, perseverance, dexterity or artistic appreciation."

That's a pretty tall order! Those words are like a battle cry, aren't they? I was hooked. Below is the general table of contents (click to enlarge):

Take a look at what is to be taught (once a week for 38 weeks) in the fourth grade:

I'm (almost) moved to do some hand-sewing! In this day of short-cuts and gadgets, there's something to be said for mastering something like this.

Just wanted to share. (About the book, not the flu...)

I'm in a vintage crafting mood!

This is what happens when you find a new blog. One thing leads to another and you find things that shout at you to test your creativity. For me, if they have a vintage look to them, the shouting turns into some pretty ear-splitting demands.

Now, I know there are SO many vintage crafts all over the Internet that I could do and that if I did even one-tenth of them, I'd never get to the unimportant things in life like family, laundry, and sleeping.

BUT, I clicked on a link at Down With Clutter and discovered this particular post (and blog) and now I want one of these! A COVER for your planning notebook that is made from an old book! She has a very thorough tutorial and it looks like something I could accomplish. Even if you don't do one of these, go look at hers and also click on her link at the bottom showing other examples.

Isn't this awesome? If I follow through and create one, I'll post about it. If you do one, let me know.