It’s been a while since I had a guest blogger … turns out people are busy out there! What???? Seriously, y’all – you’re not obsessed with posting on my blog??? Shuh!
Well, I was thrilled thrilled thrilled to see my dear friend Jeana’s blog-containing email today. I love her to pieces, and I know you will, too.
I first met Jeana in the hallway of a downtown coffee shop where our church was meeting. She had three beautiful children in tow and had just discovered a fourth baby brewing in her belly! I was crazy overwhelmed with my two children, so hearing of a fourth baby for her really made my eyes big. Turns out – SHE WAS EXCITED! Furthermore – even that early in her pregnancy, she was clear that #4 was not the final 4…they were planning on FIVE!
I say all this to give you a little glimpse into what I love about Jeana. Yes, she’s one of the most beautiful women I know. Yes, she’s the most naturally “cool” person I know. Yes, she’s got a ridiculous eye for fabulous secondhand vintage style. But what I most admire about my dear friend is her love of and for family. In fact, when I found out I was pregnant with my surprise #3…I called Jeana first (yes, before my husband!) because I knew she would give me the proper perspective …”Children are always a gift from the Lord.”
So what does ANY of this have to do with celebrating sewing??? Shuh…everything!
Jeana is the epitome of creative…it manifests in tons of different ways…but, of course…very evidently in how she raises her children. Which is why I was SO hoping would have time to submit a guest-blog post for me … and she did… here is what she said about why she celebrates sewing. Meet the lovely Jeana Hansen:
Elle, Ben, Mae, Jeana, Christian and Ava ... and...Baby #5 due this Spring!
So Celebrate Sewn Cards!
I have always been intimidated by sewing. My mom is an expert seamstress. I remember her staying up late into the night sewing for a wedding. She would frequently sew not just the bride’s gown but all of the bridesmaid’s and the flower girl’s dresses as well. Her mother taught her to sew. My grandmother’s teaching method was that if it wasn’t done perfectly, then you needed to rip out all of the stitches and begin again. I know that’s how my mom did such beautiful work. My sister followed in their footsteps sewing her own clothes, curtains and pillows for her house. I looked at the things she created in amazement, thinking there was no way I could do it.
Then I met Robie, whose creativity and skill amazed me as well. I attended one of her sewing classes worrying I was going to be a waste of her time and lovely fabric. But to my surprise, I made a little dress that night for my daughter, and it fit her and it didn’t fall apart, and most surprising of all, it was fun! Robie showed me how it doesn’t have to be perfect (especially if sewing for oneself). I went home and got the machine that my mom had given me out of the depths of the closet and started practicing. I made that same simple dress pattern over and over again, I even gave some away as gifts (to close friends who were okay with imperfection).
I don’t devote near enough time to sewing to become a Robie or a Tiffany, although they do inspire me, but I get the machine out whenever I am feeling the need to create.
Today I wanted to share an unconventional way to use sewing. It is so simple, even a pre-beginner can do it. I have always loved making my own cards and recently started playing around with sewing paper.
You can either buy blank cards or cut your own from card stock. For these cards I did the latter. You can use paper or fabric, I used a glue stick on both just so they would stay put while I was sewing.
For the bunting I cut bits of a roll of wallpaper I thrifted, glued them on, and then sewed a basic stitch with pink thread. I went over it twice so that it would show up well.
On this one, I stitched all the way to the end of the card and left some thread so that I could tie the ends to keep it from unravelling.
And on this one I left the threads long so that they would hang down on either side.
I like to get my kids involved in the process as well. Instead of having my four-year-old use the machine, I made a lacing card by punching some holes in a pattern and then I had her thread the chevron design with embroidery floss. She loved it!
You can keep the fronts blank or write in a message if you like. I have found it is really hard to sew words, but I bet some of you are up for that challenge!
This is one of the ways I celebrate sewing and I hope you will try it as well!
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I do love it, I do love it, I do love it!!!
And YES- I will try it!!! (Probably even tonight!!!!)
I really wish for your sake that you could know Jeana. I am so blessed to know her and call her friend. She is a crazy good wife, wicked good mother, and insanely loyal friend. Knowing that she celebrates sewing is just too good to be true!
~Jeana is a Minnesotan living in Austin, Tx, with her husband and almost 5 children. When she’s not wearing her super mom/wife/friend cape, she raises chickens, makes amazing chocolate cake and cupcakes, and sneaks hot dogs into vegan restaurants!
Thanks Jeana. Please don’t ever move!
