The Humble Hanky


The weather in North Texas has been inexplicable this winter.  It has always been variable but it has gone from the ridiculous to the sublime this winter.  It was 70 on Saturday and freezing with ice and snow on Sunday.  I have been sick for over a week.  I thought it was seasonal allergies but I think I was wrong.  I believe I have either had an old fashioned cold or a sinus infection but whatever it is I feel bad enough to not want to leave the house but good enough to be bored out of my mind.  So, what is a sneezy, honking, coughing girl to do?  Well, I decided to sew.  And what did I decide to sew?  Hankies. 

The decision was fueled by a very raw, painful nose and by the plan to use up some fabric scraps that were big enough to do something with but not so big to constitute yardage.  Plus, I had a block of time that I could actually sit down and get involved in something but I didn't feel good enough to have to actually get involved in anything I had to THINK about.  So, being the person I am and always researching ways to be thrifty and green, I had been looking at making handkerchiefs and flannel cosmetic squares.  So, I fished around my fabric stash and found a bunch of flannel left over from making baby blankets, I cut it up, hemmed it down and this was my final product. 

9 flannel hankies

I then decided to take the scraps from making the hankies and make some cosmetic squares.  I don't wear a lot of makeup and all of it washes off with soap and water.  I also don't wear nail polish so I don't have to worry about removing that so these should work really nicely for applying the rosewater I use after I wash my face. 

cosmetic squares

I simply cut the leftover flannel into 2 inch squares, stacked two together and zigzagged around the edges. They are nice and soft and just the right size.

I was planning on using a lingerie bag to store the soiled items waiting for the laundry but I have decided to use a small, plastic trash can in the laundry room and just place the items in there.  It will be small so I can wash it out and spray it down from time to time.  Unless I am sick, which rarely happens, I don't use many tissues so I think this new hanky plan will work for me. I have been using them for a day now and I have to say I have kept up with the one I have in my hand/pocket quite well and am not having to go around and pick up stray tissues all over the floor.

I do have a lovely collection of vintage handkerchiefs that I pulled out before making these but somehow they just didn't look so comfy and besides, they are pretty and I didn't want to use them for actually blowing my nose.  Plus, I think my flannel ones are really absorbent and they feel really good.

So, that is what a half sick, bored person does on a ice and snow day in North Texas.  You might be asking yourself what will she do today?  Well, I am going to finish a set of placemats I started about four years ago and make some matching napkins for them.  I will post photos.

BTW -- in case you are wondering, yes, I did visit my little Dr. man and I did take an antibiotic and I now think the whole thing is breaking up and leaving me so hopefully I will be back to my old self completely in the next couple of days.

Sunday

It is Sunday.  It is early.  I woke to the song of the mockingbird that has taken up residence in the recently planted oak tree on the other side of the fence.  He is definitely a song bird and he has quite a medley.  What a great way to wake up.  The day isn't fully awake yet and the garden is quiet -- except for -- what shall I name him?  Bennett -- for Tony Bennett.  Another great singer.

A wonderful day planned for us.  Church first, then just a light lunch at home and then DD and her husband and our granddaughter -- Bean -- will be over to swim in the paddling pool.  By that time, it will be hot outside and the cool water will feel good -- hope she doesn't mind sharing with my feet!

This evening will be filled with sewing and needlework --  getting a jump start on Christmas and I have a birthday gift to complete for the Sweet Bean who will be turning one soon.

All in all it looks like the day is shaping up nicely -- I wish the same for everyone here! Happy Sunday.

Melissa's Musings

It has been a while since I have mused so I thought this morning seemed like a good time to do so.  I have been awake since 5 a.m. -- not my choice but rather an allergy stricken nose.  I finally had to get up and have a cuppa.  I have been going through some of my pics and realized that I hadn't posted any  of my own endeavors in quite some time so I thought I would do that now.

It seems that each Christmas I end up giving something hand/homemade.  This Christmas was no different.  My mother- in-law made the comment, a while back, that I had made everybody a quilt but her so I was looking through my collection of charm packs and decided to make her a disappearing nine patch  out of a cheery peach and turquoise  pattern.  I took photos of the process but, unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  I will have to take a photo the next time I am over there.  In any event here are the pictures of that project:

Charm squares used in Granny's quilt 

Backing fabric

The quilt turned out really cute -- I will post a photo later, and I am in the process of making another out of a completely different colorway and it is going to be lovely, if I do say so myself.


Seems the new year has found me with a new interest in sewing clothing.  I haven't embarked on anything for myself yet but it will come.  I have a hard time finding things I like so I might have to resort to doing it myself.  But, in an effort to ease back into the construction of actual clothing -- not quilts you just wrap yourself in (although that may be an alternative) -- I began with a little jumper for Beanie.  I had purchased a really cute piece of corduroy a while back with no real purpose for it so, when winter came, I decided to try this little jumper pattern.  I had made a number of these button on the shoulder garments for my children so I know they are versatile so I gave it a whirl.  This is the finished product and I have to say that my machine makes really good buttonholes -- this being the first time I ever tried.

Voila! Baby jumper!

Cute babywale corduroy fabric

So, that is what I have been doing in the sewing world.  Well, all that I have photos of.  I need to take more pics and I need to remember to capture the finished products for all to see!  My cooking efforts will have to be for another blog. 

I am in the process of creating some special Christmas items but that will have to wait for another post, like after Christmas, because it is a surprise! More on that later.  So, have a wonderful Saturday!