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Sunday, July 21, 2019

News from the Teeny Tiny Sewing Room


Well, yesterday was the "Pork, Pickles, and Peanuts" festival at the Duke Homestead in Durham, but Shelby and I were missing from the line up of vendors.



As the weekend drew near, we fully expected the event to be cancelled because of the extreme heat. So, since Duke did not cancel, we did. With a hot humid 98 degrees and heat index of 110 to 115 forecast, we decided to not risk having a heat stroke.

Oh we were prepared to be there and so looking forward to it. As mama used to say, I have worked my fingers to the bone", sitting at that sewing machine every night. :)


Oh, it hasn't been work. In fact, I wouldn't  have had it any other way. The teeny tiny sewing room is my cozy little nest...after all, it is way too hot to spend time in the playhouse. 

"Oh, another winter is coming on and I do so need a  little pot belly stove! I simply must begin my search again soon". 

Anyhow, the bonnets, aprons, and dolls have been taken from the chest and added to my much neglected "Henny's Bonnet Shop"...


It's the fabric that makes this such a cute little apron. It has lilacs, and sweet words, a little gathered pocket, and a pink ruffle...


have stitched up a few bright new sunbonnets too...



oh, and a new type bonnet for a toddler...

My first try at this one.  Sometimes I really struggle with a new pattern and the wording makes no sense at all to me, but DARN IT! a pattern marked "easy" will not get the best of me! I want to make more of these.

and have added a few new dolls...



That's about all the news from here...

except, I can tell you the next big event at Duke Homestead will be the "Harvest and Hornworm" festival on August 24th. Shelby says we have been invited to be there. Hopefully, we can be.

Sure appreciate your visiting. Hope to be back real soon.

Love,
Henny

Oops! Didn't mean to disturb you. 

59 comments:

  1. I'm glad that you decided to cancel, the extreme heat is much too dangerous in taking a chance.
    What beautiful work you create Henny, Your talent is endless.
    Cooler weather on the horizon, hang in there !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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    1. Thank you Jo. We are sure looking forward to that cooler weather too. High in the 80's will be wonderful!

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  2. Smart decision for you both! That is dangerous heat. Just look at it this way - you are all ready for the next festival! I love those new dolls with the long hair, how cute! I bet that baby bonnet will sell fast. It is so cute and these days the little ones especially need their heads covered. I understand what you mean about sewing. I can sew reasonably well but when I try to decipher pattern instructions it makes me feel stupid! They really should improve their instructions.

    I'm glad you two stayed in and out of the heat - I was thinking of you and concerned. Give Eli and all the rest of the animal family my love. I bet this heat is hard on him with that thick fur coat!
    Hugs from Missouri!

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    1. Thank you Bonnie. Yes, it was just too hot to be outside all day, with no place to go and cool off. Glad we stayed home.

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  3. I'm right there with you! I would have cancelled, too! Such pretty fabric! Where do you find such cute material? All we have around here are the big chain stores like Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's and their fabric is not interesting at all! By the way...I'm still waiting on your address to send your gift! LoL Email it to pmrader55@gmail.com

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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    1. Thank you Pam. You know, most all this pretty fabric was sent to me from one of the nicest blogging friends, Diane, in Kentucky. I am still amazed at receiving such a gift. I must have done something wrong when I sent you my address...at least I thought I sent it. :) Just emailed it again. Thank you Pam. Oh, sometimes I order fabric from Marshalls Dry Goods on line. They have some really pretty and unusual fabrics and at a good price.

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  4. Most dogs can never sleep if they know the human is looking.

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    1. Hey Adam. That's right. They seem to know when you're looking at them.

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  5. I think you were wise to skip this one. It isn't worth getting sick! And now you are well stocked for the next show. So many cute things!

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  6. Your dog is adorable, I can't get enough of the big white fluff!!! :)
    The heat index is insane, we've been dealing with it too and staying indoors. Your sewing is wonderful, you do such nice work! I haven't taken out the sewing machine in ages, mainly because I don't have any patterns. A long time ago, I had 2 pug dogs and one of them decided that my 100+ sewing patterns would be his afternoon snack...I never really replaced that collection but hope to a little at a time over the next few decades!!! :)

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    1. Hey Rain. Thank you. That was a lot of sewing patterns to lose. Bet those doggies had fun. Our cat Bickett, who passed away last year, used to love chewing up my patterns. I had to make sure anything paper was covered up at night. He chewed the corners off most of our magazines too. :) We sure loved him though.

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  7. What a sweet looking dog. I don't know what I would do without my Chloe. She's my constant companion. Your bonnets, aprons and dolls are wonderful. I don't blame you for cancelling. Better safe than sorry. That heat index is terrible. We've had unusually cool days but starting today are going to be in the 90's for a few days. We're very spoiled. Friday evening we were wrapped in blankets around a campfire and it got down to 43F in the mountains where we were! I like that better than hot, Hot, HOT!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Thank you Betsy. Eli is a very sweet dog. What would we do without them! We are so looking forward to this cold front coming through tomorrow. We have had at least two weeks of very hot weather.

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  8. What talent you have Henny! I love all the new things you have made! So glad you and Shelby did not venture out into the heat!

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    1. Hey Diane. Thank you. It is so good to hear from you...been thinking about you. I'm glad too that we didn't try doing that craft event. It was a terribly hot day.

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  9. Everything is so cute! It's a shame you had to cancel, but I think it was truly the best decision. There will always be another show.

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  10. The little polka dotted dress and hat are just lovely. I love those little puffed sleeves. Are they sized for a baby or for a doll? So sweet!

    Good thinking to skip that festival. The heat here has been awful too but the front is coming through right now and there is grumbling thunder and lightening but only just one short downpour so far.

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    1. Thank you Vic. The little dress and bonnet fit the 18" dolls. It is made from an old doll clothes pattern. You know me, I like the old better than the new. Oh, I will be glad when that front reaches us.

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  11. Love the little dress and bonnet. I hope that you are doing great. I love you bunches

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  12. I love seeing your bonnets and aprons . . . a those dolls, is there anything that you can't do. Sorry you missed out on the festival but I think you were wise to stay out of the heat.

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  13. I just love that toddler's bonnet with the pink rickrack. It's darling. All your sewing is so lovely. I should have learned how to sew 60 years ago. Too late now.
    You are having such extreme heat. I thought our temperatures were high but sure not as bad as yours. Everything is frizzling in the heat including me! Stay cool if you can.

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    1. Thank you Granny Marigold. I struggle lots with sewing and still can't sew good enough to make myself clothes. This heat has been hard on the plants.

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  14. All your sweet sewing will be ready for the next one for sure!

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    1. That is true. I won't have to rush getting stuff made at the last minute.

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  15. Hi Henny...wow- 98 Deg and above is awfully hot- can understand you cancelling the outing. Overnight here has been 3 Deg Celcius with a top of 16 Degrees to-day...been warm today for Winter. Our Summers are pretty hot - and I'm looking forward to it as Winter isn't at all fun. All the Best. KEV.

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    1. Hey Kev. It is hard to imagine how 16 degree would feel right now. I really do like summer better than winter, but that front that is coming tomorrow to cool us down surely will feel good.

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  16. History of Bonnets...
    What are bonnets used for?
    Sleeping with a satin cap means no more split ends.
    It protects your hair from the dryness caused by
    friction between your hair and moisture-absorbing
    materials such as cotton. This also helps to greatly
    reduce breakage, tangles and thinning...

    Why do we make Easter bonnets?
    According to Christian tradition, the fashion for new
    bonnets came thanks to Easter being known as a time for
    renewal.
    With the fasting of Lent over and people keen to mark the
    religious occasion, female churchgoers were eager to make
    and show off their new clothes, including hats...
    So this started the tradition of wearing Easter bonnets...
    (There..well..l had to say summat)...) 😼 🐾🐾

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    1. Thank you Willie. Sounds like I need to sleep in a satin cap. I love bonnet, but never had the nerve to wear one. I did have a pretty Gigi Perreau hat when I was young. It had a turned up brim and ribbon in the back.

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    2. Goodness! I had to Google Gigi Perreau...
      And the Gigi Perreau hat...

      https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/713305661/1940s-samuel-goldwyns-gigi-perreau-straw?ref=sold_out-5

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  17. I'm such a fan of aprons, no matter the style. I love seeing your handiwork.

    Hoping the heat breaks soon. Stay cool.

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  18. Henny, You are a good seamstress. I have never seen anyone wear bonnets such as you made. Amish ladies seem to wear those little whispy sheer hats . But I truly love the idea of a child wearing hats. All babies need some type of hat in the sunshine. Blessings to you. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Oops. I hit the wrong thing. Susie your reply is below. :)

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  19. Thank you Susie. My mother's oldest sister wore a sunbonnet. The brim on her bonnet was not as stiff as those I make, in fact, I remember her's looking very worn and faded and it hung on a nail by the back door.

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  20. You are a smart lady to cancel due to the heat. But oh my...what a bunch of darling bonnets and aprons you have been stitching up! These festivals sound like something I would really enjoy...except maybe for the "hornworm" part. Two of those little buggers were eating on my tomatoes last week! Have a great week and it looks like we may be getting a break in the weather this week....YAY!

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    1. Hey Debby. Thank you. Oh we had those tomato horn worms too...big ones! Are you as happy as I am that today, supposedly, is the last of this terrible heat wave. I am so looking forward to a few cooler days.

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  21. Its a shame you had to cancel but you were smart to do so. It has been so hot here too! Temperatures in the upper 90's with heat indexes over 100. Molly hasn't been to the park in days. :( All of the things you made are so pretty! I especially love the child's bonnet! And the little dress is adorable. Is that for a baby or a doll? Oh, and I got your nice note, Thank you!

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    1. Hey Diane. Thank you! Bet you recognized most of the fabric. You have made sewing and spending time in my little sewing room so much more enjoyable. The little dress and bonnet fits an 18" doll. Hope Molly gets to enjoy the park soon. It has been too hot to even go out lately, but we still walk Eli and Weetie twice a day. Eli eats a bowl of ice after his walk.

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  22. Henny your aprons and bonnets are so beautiful as well as your dolls. I am sorry it was too hot for your trip to Dukes - hopefully August will be much more pleasant. Stay cool friend and have a delightful day. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you Debbie. Sure hope August will be more pleasant. Hope you are having a good week.

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  23. I'm a visitor from Susie's She Junks. Love discovering your beautiful creations. Not quite as hot in NYC, but too hot to gad about very much. Keep cool!

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    1. Buttercup, thank you! What a cute name. I appreciate your visiting and leaving a comment. We've been hearing that this heat wave goes up your way too. Wow! NYC. I will be around to visit. Thank you!

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  24. I think you made the right call with this heat. You'll be ahead of the game for the Harvest and Hornworm. Cute names for those festivals and even cuter bonnets, aprons and dolls you have created in your sewing room. Sounds like a good idea to hang out in there until the temps drop.

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  25. Oh wow, Henny! Talk about busy! You really must have spent some late hours in your sewing room! I think each apron and bonnet gets better than the last. I love them all! All the folks at the festival surely missed out when you had to cancel, but, of course, that was the right decision. We are in for a cooler week here. Hopefully it will be there as well.

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  26. Probably a wise decision to cancel!
    So many beautiful things you have been busy making.

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  27. It was a smart decision, it hit 110 here and the news was filled with people having heat stroke, collapsing. We are hoping the storm tonight brings cooler temps and less humidity

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  28. All of your creations are so delightful.

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  29. I don't blame you for canceling- the heat has been ridiculous. The bonnets are so pretty. You are quite a talented seamstress.

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  30. Such a shame you had to cancel, but those temperatures my goodness. Your makes are so pretty, those bonnets and dolls are a real delight.

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  31. these are so lovely, I wish they would come back into style, I could see me where that magenta/burgundy one. Wouldn't that be a hoot? Beautiful work.

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  32. I love that Toddler bonnet! The apron is cute...Eli even cuter!

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  33. Hello, dear Eli! He's so handsome.
    Well, I think you were wise to cancel that festival. Sad, but the heat is truly dangerous. I'm glad the weather is finally breaking today. I want rain! Sure is blowy out there.
    The bonnets and aprons are delightful. That one fabric - the one with the words on it -- isn't that Susan Branch's work? Sure looks like her lettering and such. She is a fabulous illustrator. So pretty!

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