Tripping down Memory Lane

Lately I've been finding myself looking for things to do, you know, keep my hands busy?  So I've taken up crocheting again.  I know it tears up my wrists but at least it keeps my hands busy and I do turn out some pretty good looking items if a say so myself!  lol 

All this crafting has got me to looking for my yarns and quilt scraps.  Now I know the Hubs wouldn't throw those precious items away now would he?  He better hope he didn't!  Got some real old patterns I sure would like to try out.  On a recent trip with a friend I found a heck of a deal on patterns so I snatched me a few.  Think I might give myself a whirl on mama's old sewing machine.  Nothing like the hum of a Singer sewing machine.  Some of my earliest memories were played out to the tune of a sewing machine humming in the back ground.  I miss those days! 

When I was growing up mama made practically everything I wore and if she didn't make it my grandma did.  There was a time when I was known as the best dressed kid on Catawba Avenue!  Recently I ran into a friend at Wally World.  She was telling about her granddaughter entering the 4-H fashion show.  We reminisced on our own days in 4- H and Girl Scouts.  I told her granddaughter I made my first outfit at age 8 on my mama's sewing machine.  I can see it all so clearly.  A pair of blue bell bottom pants and a sailor top.  I remember crying over it trying to get it right.  My poor mama tried so hard to teach me without losing it!  lol  I know that was hard!  But she did and I finished my outfit.  Can't remember how it turned out or even if I wore it but I know what it was suppose to look like and I know how to sew and that's what's important.

I can remember going to the fabric store downtown with Mama.  Just the smell of the fabric was exciting in those days because you knew you were going to have something nice and special that no one else had.  The smooth feel of the cotton blends and bright colored calico. 

On a recent visit with my Grandma and Aunts I discovered what a dying art sewing has become.  Most of the Wal-Marts have quit selling fabrics and only a few fabric stores remain in the larger cities scattered about the state.  Grandma has to rely on my Aunt to take her up to 30 miles one way just to get supplies she needs to make her famous quilts. 

Mama's sewing machine is the heaviest sewing machine!  I believe it is made out of cast iron!  Back in the day they made things to last and this baby was made to last!  Makes some of the prettiest stitches I've ever seen. So I am really looking forward to my trip to JoAnne's, my trip down memory lane.

On a sad note, my thoughts and prayers this day are with my Aunt Joan and her family.  Uncle Vernon is getting weaker and prognoses is not good.  One of the most talented and gifted men I have ever known!  May the Lord open his arms and take him home soon, bring an end to all his suffering.

 "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."  ~ an Irish Blessing