Pillowcases Challenge 2014 Sewing for Jessica's Joy

Every year I read about sewing challenges and projects. There are so many that my poor easily-distracted brain can't keep up. They all sound worthy and good but for whatever reason I come up with I can't seem to do it.....that is, until now. 

Recently a friend posted a cry for help on Facebook...a sewing cry for help. She runs a ministry called Jessica's Joy. It is a legitimate charity and best of all, it's local. The charity provides food at the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville, gifts for nursing home patients in Cross City, Fl, and pillowcases for the children at the UF at Shands Oncology unit. When she told me about the pillowcases I knew I finally found the right thing for me...the perfect fit. Something with a needle and thread that I can do at my pace and fit into my crazy schedule.  

I had a pile of holiday fabric I was planning to make scrub tops with but, hey, I'd rather make a pillowcase to comfort someone with, ya know? Much better.

2 yards makes 2 pillowcases plus trim for 3 more. Mix and match. Good to use odds and ends of lace and ribbons, too. 

I love the pink striped fabric! Girly girl stuff. 

So, with a tutorial from the Missouri Star Quilt Company (I love their roll-up pillowcase tutorial), I made a few pillowcases. Eleven to be exact.  Next project will be neck pillows and walker caddies.  

If anyone wants to help, add a comment....or if anyone is doing a challenge or sewing for a cause, give it a shout. It's good stuff.

The frog fabric is too cute. 

Pillowcases from new and old holiday fabric. 

A pile of them!

Post by Eileen Patterson aka GoofingOff

Waiting for the Caring Moment

Last night the hubby and I had a Saturday night date....pizza and a movie. We finally got to watch Captain Phillips...the movie about the tanker that was captured by Somalian pirates and its captain who was held hostage. Not a bad movie, pretty good, in fact. I did my usual, watching with one eye while the other eye kept track of my handiwork (which was crocheting a kippah for my Pomegranate Guild chapter).
I half followed along until the captain was rescued by the US Navy and safe aboard ship. He was in the sick bay and being examined by the nurse. The nurse's actions stopped me in mid-stitch. She was efficient, very smart, doing what she should do....except she was too efficient. The captain was just rescued and shaken up splattered with blood and brains from his captors. Every time she touched him he jumped. She very efficiently asked him if he was in pain, told him she was putting a sensor on his finger to measure his oxygenation....all the right things, but it was without caring. It wasn't until he asked her if the blood on him was his that she had any comfort or caring to her voice. She was well into the exam before she reached her caring moment.
It made me wonder if during the course of the day if I get so caught up in "getting it right" or being efficient that I delay the caring moment a patient needs. It also made me promise to myself to be sure to get into the caring moment as soon as possible. A soft voice and a kind word goes far, especially if the patient experienced a traumatic event....

"New" Vogue Listings

These wonderful Vogue patterns arrived recently. Some are designer patterns, others are Easy and Very Easy to Sew.

Vogue 1848 Geoffrey Beene Designer, UNCUT

Vogue 1895 Tom and Linda Platt Designer, UNCUT

Vogue 1960 Donna Karan Designer, UNCUT

Rare Military Style Jacket and Skirt, State of Claude Montana Designer, size 20-24 UNCUT

Vogue 9460, UNCUT

Vogue 9496, UNCUT

Vogue 9629 UNCUT

Vogue 9721 UNCUT

Vogue 9669 UNCUT

Vogue 9431 in size 6-8-10

Vogue 9546 UNCUT Sizes 12-16 and 18-22 available

Vogue 9296 Maternity Uncut Sizes 6-10, 12-16, and 18-22 available

Post by Eileen Patterson aka GoofingOff.

Winnie the Pooh in the Nursery Plastic Canvas Pattern Books

Here's a cool find I came into recently. Winnie the Pooh and his friends in Plastic Canvas needlepoint books. Perfect for the nursery, a baby gift, day care wall.

Pooh Wall Decor Plastic Canvas Pattern Book

Winnie the Pooh Tissue Box Covers in Plastic Canvas

Tissue Box Covers in Plastic Canvas

Pooh So-Quick Long Stitch Pattern Book for Plastic Canvas

Post by Eileen Patterson...Miss Eileen Vintage and GoofingOff Sewing

New in Stock Counted Cross Stitch Patterns At Miss Eileen's Vintage

Merry Mug counted cross stitch pattern with Amaretto Cocoa Mix Adapt this pattern  and make napkin rings,  kitchen towel tops, coffee mug sleeves.

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection The Strawberry Sampler

With My Needle by Just Nan....includes beads and silver thread, Counted Cross Stitch

Ivory Hearts Sampler Pattern by JBW Designs

Fruitful Mugs for Counted Cross Stitch

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection The Lily Sampler

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection Alphabet Garden 

Alphabet Garden

New Plastic Canvas Listings

Here's a few new plastic canvas books and leaflets. Some are for spring and Easter crafts. All are in very good condition.

Quick Count Plastic Canvas Wind Chimes 

Cute 'N' Clever Coaster Sets by MizFitz

Boutique Bouquet in Plastic Canvas by Ann Townsend Leisure Arts Leaflet 1514

back cover of Boutique Bouquet

Plastic Canvas Magazine May, 2002

Plastic Canvas Magazine, March 2003. Lots of Easter and spring projects.

Smyrna Cross, Plastic Canvas Magazine, March 2003

Spring project, Plastic Canvas Magazine, 2003

Quick Count Kitchen Brights 

Post by Eileen Patterson....Miss Eileen Vintage aka GoofingOff

The Gift of Make Believe

When I was a little girl, one of the best gifts I received for Hanukkah was a pair of high heels and a little purse. They weren't real high heels; they had elastic straps that would keep them on my feet as I tried to walk with them. With my little purse on my arm and my heels on I would sashay around the house like a grown woman (or so I thought). The money spent on the gift wasn't important, the gift of make believe was.
Costumes are so often left to Halloween yet a cape (Simplicity 0701 and Simplicity 0702) are easy to sew and fun to wear gift.

Simplicity 0701...Batman or a beauty queen...

Simplicity 0702. Little Red Riding Hood or a wizard...there's magic in a cape.

Simplicity 0700. A fancy dress and a little girl is a princess....an easy to sew vest and hood and someone becomes a knight.

Simplicity 0695. A little girl in a tutu is a ballerina twirling and dancing, the living room her stage.

Simplicity 0703

Ahoy, matey! Easy to sew shirts, vests, and pants and watch out, Pirates!

Sew Quick Holiday Gifts

The holidays are quickly approaching and the rush is on to create something meaningful for loved ones. Here's a few ideas that can help get the creative juices flowing.....fast.

Simplicity 1735 Misses' Cape and purse...Misses and Child's Hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves.
Yes, those oh-so-popular fingerless gloves. The pattern has the gloves in 3 sizes, even a size for the forever texting teen. Sew them in fleece or a soft knit. They'll work up quick.

McCall's 7311. Who doesn't love a Teddy? Don't like fake fur? No problem. How about a soft, luscious flannel or a minky knit? Maybe an old shirt  beautiful colors to honor someone who passed.  Precious memories.

Simplicity 2198 A cute animal pillow for a little one! My daughter had a favorite pillow when she was little. It was a big floor pillow that when she was tired I'd find her there, comfy and cozy.  No nap time fussing.

Vogue 9073...Little ornaments to sew and dress up a gift...or give as a gift. Maybe the little thing needed for a co-worker. 

McCall's 0012 Quick Picks...things to make and give. This pattern even includes a doggie bed and neckties. Sew up fast and give them out. 

McCall''s P389 Bunch of Bunnies...including an angel bunny and Santa bunny!

Post by Eileen Patterson....aka GoofingOff