"Partners In Crime"

Christmas shopping needing to be completed, my mother and her closest friend Mrs. R decided they would combine their efforts with a trip to the Mall.  Mrs. R had a slight "My children are better than your children." attitude. She hesitantly left her son with his Partner in Crime, my brother John as they had been banned from Montgomery Wards for life the previous Christmas. They were only eight!

Not ones to miss an opportunity to eye spy their gifts, the boys hid themselves in the trunk of the car, a screwdriver handy to let themselves out once at the Mall.  It worked like a charm; but the mothers were very slow shoppers, and the boys were bored and hungry. Money for the food court soon gone, the boys returned to the car only to discover their mothers had already left!

With not a dime between them they had no choice but to make a collect call from the payphone in the Mall. "Hi, Mom. Can you come and get us?" "Get you? Where are you??? At the Mall!!!!"

Partners in Crime, brothers at heart, the two boys could not be kept apart.

"Dash-Away All" Penny Rug

  I love holiday baking and thought a penny rug would be the perfect way to capture these memories. Can you see my cookie jar is waiting for my Reindeer Sugar Cookies? He is traced from a cookie cutter I have used for years!



Supplies: 1/2yd white felt, 1/4yd red felt, 1 piece tan felt, 1 piece aqua felt, 2 skeins white floss, 1 skein red, 1 skein aqua, black. Large scissors, small pointed, pinking sheers. Button hole stitch, outline stitch, basting stitches. Print pattern to fit standard copy paper size.

STEP 1. Using circle pattern or 15" plate, trace on back of white felt. Place scallop pieces ABUTTING traced line, trace 19 scallops around circle. Repeat on second half of felt for back piece. Cut out.


STEP 2. Trace rooftops flipping pattern over at fold line. Cut out. With small pointed scissors snip windows and doorways if desired. (Snow on roofs uses pinking sheers, one long piece cut to size)
STEP 3. Using long running stitch, baste rooftops 1/2 inch above scallops allowing room for snowflake circles. Use 2 strands red floss, button hole stitch to attach. (Don't be afraid to gather felt in hand. Turn piece in hand as needed to stitch. Go slow, don't become frustrated!) Snow is attached with tiny single stitches, 1 thread, white)


STEP 4. Following natural curve of rooftops, lightly pencil mark same 1/2" from scallops to create complete circle. Use 3 strands red, outline stitch.


STEP 5. Use one strand white floss, long running stitch to create curve to write "dash-away all" about 1" from red circle edge. Use pencil to write words. Two strands red floss, outline stitch. NOTE: DON'T worry if your letters or spacing aren't perfect. This is why there is a "dash" and little blue snowflakes to "even things out". I call this "CHARM"!!!


STEP 6. Cut 1 tan, 1 white reindeer same size. Slightly trim white reindeer to create icing appearance. Button hole stitch icing to cookie 2 strand white. Apply nose with small tacking stitches, eye can be a bead or black satin stitch. Baste reindeer in place with LONG running stitches 1 strand white floss. SMALL running stitch cookie to background with 1 strand white very close to white felt edge.
STEP 7. Button stitch blue snowflakes where needed to please your eye (or cover any mistakes!) Snowflakes, 2 strands white through all layers.


Step 8. Sew snowflakes on each circle, 3 strands white.
Step 9. Button stitch circles in place, 2 strands aqua. ALMOST DONE!!!
Step 10. Baste finished top to bottom piece matching scallops. Baste together using long running stitches, 2 strands white. Button stitch around all edges, 3 strands white. NOTE:( I also used 2 strands white small running stitches just next to rooftops and red outline of circle to give stability. Optional) Remove all basting stitches. Iron lightly on back of penny rug.

E and Bluebirds

Another heart in the mail! This one is so extra special to me because it is from a most talented and lovey woman, Dee of Lulu at Home. I had a most difficult time opening her beautifully presented bundles.


It is because of Dee as well as Jenny B. of Allsorts that I came to be aware of vintage childrens book illustrations. Both have generously shared their images with all of us. Dee transforms images into the most charming keepsake art that I have ever seen! This button card is calling for a frame and a special place to hang.


Dee hopes to have a blog to share with us in the new year. I hope it will feature her exquisite sewing skills. This heart tells such a sweet story, I just love it!


Dee is also very special to me because, like myself, she became overwhelmed with the social obligations we place upon ourselves in the Flickr community. Worry about not responding to every kind comment, worry about offending others, it all becomes too much. My hope for Dee is that she will find a way to share her remarkable talent with us while finding the right balance for herself. This has been my journey, and I am so thankful to still be here.

Yellow Woods

Today as I was driving home on a familiar road, a glint of yellow caught my eye. I kept driving; but by the time I arrived home, I knew I had to get Charlie and return to investigate.
Making my way through surrounding greenery, Charlie and I both stopped at the same moment stunned by what lay before us. A yellow carpet of untouched leaves.
I had to coax him into the stillness of the woods. The black trunks against the yellow brought to mind my favorite poem learned in fifth grade by Robert Frost.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... long I stood and looked down one as far as I could until it bent in the undergrowth..."
This unexpected beauty was just what was needed today.

Murder In The Dark

 I believe sleepovers in childhood take on the character of the month. I know this was true of October and the Bobwhites. Meeting time 6 o'clock sharp. Belongings of worth tucked inside my pillow case, music albums and games clenched under my arms, a final goodbye to my mother as I left the warm glow of my own home. The rustling of leaves across blacktop, unseen dogs howling, supposed movement behind every tree. A sigh of relief at the welcomed sight of our Only Child's porch light. All present, we were safe from the darkness of the night.

Friday night sleepovers were a ritual with the Bobwhites. Popcorn and brownies, boy talk and board games, quieting threats from upstairs, Charlie Chan on the Late, Late Movie. We loved Charlie Chan and Number One son! At the conclusion of the movie there were always calls to play "Murder In The Dark". Names drawn from a hat. The murderer and the victim. Everyone in place, lights off, bumbling and laughing, a whisper in the ear, "Your Dead!" A dying sigh, a collapsing clump, "Murder In the Dark!" We never could figure out how to deduce who had done the killing since the murdered victim wasn't allowed to talk, but this never deterred us from playing this game over and over assuming the characters of Charlie Chan and his wonderful movies.

$40.00 a Minute Wedding

For thirteen years my brother and his childhood friend Greg lived at the Oxon Hill Manor House. Free room and board through their college years and career beginning jobs in exchange for setting up for the grand weddings that would take place in the beautiful ballroom.

On the day of weddings, John and Greg were required to wear brown one piece shiny jumpsuits that had embroidered oval name tags. They were required to wear these as directed by a woman with a tight bun and click clacky heels. 

Parquet floors reflecting the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, grand piano in place, the lead soprano of the Washington Opera awaiting her accompanist to begin her warm up. My brother notices her distress and approaches her. "I can accompany you if you have your music."

The strands of La Bohemia reaching the event director's office were soon followed by the click clacking of her heels across the marble foyer. "How many times have I directed that you are NEVER EVER to touch this piano! This is a $40.00 a minute wedding! It is specially tuned. Your job here is done for now, wait in your room until I call you."

Click clacking again across the marble foyer just in time to catch my brother as he ascended the beautiful staircase to his room. "Do you have a tuxedo?" "Yes, I have a tuxedo." replied my brother. "Then put it on quickly and meet me back here in ten minutes."

My brother did as he was told. "The accompanist is unable to be here. Can you play for the soloist?" My brother, tall and handsome in his tuxedo politely replied, "No I can't. I'm worth more than $40.00 a minute." With that he calmly returned to his room.

The Block Party

The end of a party is always the best. Tired from milling about the guests will settle themselves comfortably, quietness settling about them. Lamps are turned on, shoes are kicked off, legs are tucked underneath. The day's events are recalled, moments of observation shared.

A circle of women making room for someone new. A compliment here, an exclamation there, shared values drawing them close.

Shared laughter letting them know they are not alone.

I am not a Giver of Parties content to be an invited guest. Fearful of being the center of attention, fearful of saying the wrong word, fearful of disappointing.

Hosting my first tag swap is such a milestone in my journey. I continue to struggle with the acceptance of friendship; but as  I gaze at the art of the women who shared themselves with me, I am surrounded by friends. Elizabeth