800 and Counting
800 hexagons? Well, no. Read on . . . .Between the getting ready for the accreditation, surviving the accreditation (we're at 2/3 through at this point), miscellaneous small social events and baseball, precious little serious sewing has been done in the past week or two. Sitting in front of the late-night games, I've done a little hand-quilting on my CW baskets (picture available someday). But I've also had a lot of fun with something entirely different!
My great-niece Abby (the one of my sister's grandchildren I feel closest to) asked me if I'd piece a couple of Grandmother Flower Garden blocks for her. Now, I ask you, how could any self-respecting grandmother, particularly one whose next generation is scheduled to double, decline such a sweet request? Apparently Abby has asked several relatives to make these for her and she plans to put them all together into a quilt for herself. I've never made any of these before, and I've completed the two she requested and will be handing them off to her at Thanksgiving time. I've no idea whether I've done it correctly or not -- I didn't have any instructions, so I just sort of plunged in. After one false start, I believe I've got it right. The picture is lifted from the internet and is what I imagine Abby will end up with. Perhaps I'll have a chance to post the pic of my blocks.
I notice that this is my 802nd post! Which would seem to call for a give-away, wouldn't you think? And guess what! I'm heading out to Lancaster this weekend and surely will have ample opportunity to select precisely the right give-away.
If you'd like a chance to win this mystery gift, leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite Hallowe'en costume from your childhood was. Mine was sometime in the 1950s when not everyone had a television. My father helped me make a television out of a brown cardboard box and I had a Howdy Doody false-face to wear inside. With my plaid shirt. I sure wish I had a picture of it.
Comments
My favorite childhood costume was Little Red Riding Hood. My mother dressed up like Little Red's granny since she escorted me. Her best friend dressed as the hunter and her little girl was the wolf. I have pictures and they are adorable (if I do say so myself)!
I remember being an angel one year. I was very shy and trick or treating was very hard for me so not alot of memories. I do remember my older siblings enjoyed the candy I got(I wasn't much of a candy eater back then-wish I could say that now!)
Halloween Hugs!
nancy
My favorite costume from my childhood was the princess costume my mom sewed for me. It was really just a simple pink slip (nothing frilly) with a large, pink, pointy princess hat. We glued little color rhinestones onto the costume and it was perfect. I wore it multiple years too!
I think the best thing about those old Halloweens was putting together a costume -- no store-bought stuff.
802 blog posts? You are, indeed, my hero.
I do remember the neighbor boy dressed up as a girl and he was 13 at the time... So daring back in the 50's...
Laurel/NJ
WHaeser1@aol.com
When I was a Girl Scout, I dressed as a thermometer. I drew the lines and numbers on a sheet and wrapped it under my arms with a red scarf tied around my head. I lost any chance at a prize after a juice spill made the numbers run down my front.
My favorite costume was "cousin it" from the Adams family. I don't know who made it for me but it was a brown sheath from head to toe and had nothing but brown strands of yarn cascading down to cover the whole body.
Favorite costume - the year I was a bat - easy, in my dance school leotard and fishnet tap tights, with wings made from one of my dad's collarless clerical shirts...momma did some creative cutting of seams and scalloping the sleeves, just left a couple of buttons at the top. I swooped all over the house before trotting off to collect candy with the gang. Thanks for encouraging the memories !! ~~Liz
I've never been a big fan of Halloween so the only costume I really remember from childhood is being an Indian. I tied my teddy bear onto my back as a papoose, I think. As I recall, that was my last costume since I was a sixth grader that year and that was the end of trick-or-treating. I didn't mind giving it up as I was shy and it was torture having all the elderly people in my small town attempt to talk to me-"Aren't you L and E's girl? Which one are you?" (I have two sisters very close in age to me).
Enjoy your trip to Lancaster. Are you looking for fabrics for those baby quilts?
That is a great hexagon quilt you are making-
As for your question- hmmm I think it was much later in my life when I dressed up My favorite costume was when I was dressed up as the great pumpkin for Halloween - the year I was pregnant with my son. I still dress up as something- often a witch with a warty nose because I don't have much time to get a costume together. My kindergarten students think its great when I get dress up just like them. I am sure I dressed up as princesses and an old woman but I don't really remember costumes from my childhood.
Have a great time in Lancaster, Nancy-
It sounds like spring will be an exciting time in your household. We will wish easy pregnancies for the moms and the safe arrival for your grand babies.
Warmest regards,
Anna
Thanks for the memories!
We don't celebrate Hallowe'en in Australia, but I can tell you about a favourite costume my Mum made for a fancy dress party when I was about 5 years old. I was a rainbow, complete with a little gold bag in the shape of a pot....there always is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
Mum covered a dress in rows of coloured paper like a rainbow and made a rainbow shaped headpiece as well.
I thought I was gorgeous!
When I was in college in the late 70s, I went as the influenza bug - red tights, pink thermal shirt, blue shorts, deely bobber headband, a big yellow plastic sledgehammer, face and hands painted a lovely shade of putrid green. I carried glitter, and spread my charm all night long.
Best to you and your growing family!
Jacob will be a penguin this year.
Have fun in Lancaster.
Congrats on the TWO babies on the way!!!
I really don't remember many costumes as Halloween just wasn't that big of a deal growing up. Before we even knew of the words politically incorrect I once dressed up as a Mexican! Wearing a big sombrero, poncho and mustache!
I wish I could go to Lancaster with you. Enjoy!
Hope you have a wonderful Halloween, and a great weekend away.
My favorite costume was a punkin.
I dyed a white sheet orange, cut out each section and then stuffed it with newspaper and then made the top for my head out of felt. I wore a green turtle neck and tights....
We always made our own costumes, never bought them at the store..
Peggy
wardo8484@earthlink.net
When Drew was a kid, we carved the occasional pumpkin and made pumpkin pie with the insides, but there was no Trick or Treating.
Drew reminded us that he DID dress up one Halloween, for a party. At the time, there was some kind of superhero thing the boys were into (isn't there always?) and one of the characters was a magician. I made him a cape, etc. and Stan created the essential cane with a crystal as the handle by using a walking stick and the top of the bathroom tap.
Drew said he is reminded of it every time he uses the taps in our bathroom. Isn't it amazing how you create memories without realising you are doing so?
We are all set tonight with our candy in a bowl - hope the local kids come because we go home tomorrow!
:)
Judi
We went out for our final dinner last night, and came back just in time o see a group of children with their parents.
I stopped them from moving on and dashed inside for our candy.
The children were very polite, each taking a piece....but thn I told them they had to have it ALL because we were going home in the morning. There was a bit of a feeding frenzy, which was great fun!
:)
Judi