In dedication to the woman who taught me how to sew

I honestly had no intention in writing about this experience, but realized that I couldn't not write about how my life changed over night. If we are facebook friends you already know, my mom died. She went to the hospital on Monday afternoon (Memorial Day) because she was dehydrated with a very high fever, and by the next morning was completely unresponsive and brain dead. The doctors waited until all of her family could be there, I was last one, before letting her go. We don't exactly know what happened, no autopsy report back yet, but it doesn't really matter, does it? The result is the same, she's gone and it sucks.

Well, since this a sewing blog, I suppose that is what we should talk about. Sewing. I'm not really ready to start talking about dresses and beach bags and all the other things I had planned to blog about (and seem to not really matter anymore). All I want to talk about is my mom, and how wonderful and talented she was. So, that's what I'm going to do, share the lovely things she sewed. 

Blankets: This is the most famous thing my mom is known for. Everyone she knew, and many, many people she didn't know, received a baby blanket. They were simple double sided flannel baby blankets, hand stitched around the outside. All grandchildren received several when they were born. Every baby in their ward (congregation) received one. All her friends' grandchildren got one or two. Then there were all the other random people who were lucky enough to get one, like the pharmacist and the girl who worked where she got her pedicures and the Clinique lady's nephew, the bread store lady, people at my Dad's work, and don't forget my sister's friends and my friends. I know there are many more that I don't even know about. She made hundreds of them. She loved making them and she loved seeing those sweet babies wrapped up in one of her blankets. She was kind and selfless.

Costumes: She was seriously the bomb-dot-com of costumes. I don't have any pictures (with me) of my childhood costumes. But the one I remember the best was the octopus costume. It had a huge head that was stuffed with grocery bags to give it structure and a cut out in the front for my face and of course it had eight legs. The legs in the front had little handles on the inside, so I could move them up and down. It was for my first grade play, and I remember all the other parents being so impressed, but it was just normal for me. I had no concept that other parents couldn't just make anything.

Stuffed Animals: I remember the first doll she made me, her name is Apple and I was seven. I saw her in a store when we went on a day trip to Lake Arrowhead. My mom's famous words were "I could make that," and she did. We went home and she made me that doll, she was lovely and I loved her. All the grandbabies, in addition to blankets, also received a bunny. Each one was different and made especially for them. I had a conversation with my mom about a month ago about the bunnies, she told me she didn't have a pattern. I couldn't believe it, the lady has made at least a dozen of these things and she makes it up completely each time. I laughed and told her she should probably make a pattern, and she said something like "yeah, I know..." That was the kind of seamstress she was, a make up as you go, and make up again if you want to make another one. 

Towels: I'm not exactly sure why she loved bunnies so much, maybe just because they are perfect for little babies? But she also made hooded bunny towels. These are a favorite among the grandkids. Even the older ones still use them. One of my nieces even requested a new one for her seventh birthday last year. 

There were so many other things she sewed and made. Did I mention she also painted? A woman of many talents. She was the original DIY. I could write and talk about my mom forever. She was beautiful, loving, smart and obviously creative. Really, she was one of the very best and brought so much light and goodness to all who knew her.