Archive for Crafty Nanas
Friday Fun Links – all about Egypt!
Posted by: | CommentsAs has become the Friday routine at NanaHood, it’s Char here, with your Friday Fun Links post…
This morning I sat down at my PC to find “fun links” for you, and I had four different browser windows open on four different King Tut websites. Why King Tut, you ask? Well, because my son is obsessed with King Tut and all things Egyptian. And yesterday he wanted to write a special message in hieroglyphics, but was destraught when he couldn’t find his special “hieroglyphics code” worksheet. Google to the rescue!
We have actually been spending a LOT of time “in Egypt” lately – the Natural History Museum here in Las Vegas opened up a new King Tut exhibit last weekend, and Samuel has been there three times already since they opened it. I wondered briefly, on the third visit, if he would be “bored”… but no. The exhibit has only fueled the fire for his obsession. In fact, we are planning a very special King Tut themed birthday party for later this month… AT the museum!
All THAT to say, today’s fun links are a little different than normal (whatever that is)… and I am going to share some fun “kid-friendly” Egyptian links for you (since I apparently can’t get away from them anyway).
- King Tut Fun Activities – http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/content/fun
- Facts about King Tut – http://www.king-tut.org.uk/life-of-king-tut/facts-about-king-tut.htm
- King Tut costume – http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/mummified-king-tut-662412/
- Write Your Name with Hieroglyphics – http://greatscott.com/down/write.pdf
- King Tut Puzzles – http://www.kingtutone.com/kids/puzzle/
- Pyramid Maze – http://www.kingtutone.com/kids/maze/
- Coloring Pages – http://www.kingtutone.com/kids/color/
- Egyptian Book craft project – http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/bookofthedead.shtml
And since I realize most of the King Tut/Egyptian links will appeal more to your sons and grandsons, here are a few fun “girly” links (with a Valentine’s Day theme) for your daughters and granddaughters:
- Bottle Cap Locket - http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/locket.shtml
- Egg Cup Flowers – http://www.kinderart.com/recycle/eggcupflowers.shtml
- Candy Rings – http://crafts.kaboose.com/candy-rings.html
- I Give You My Heart collage – http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/giveyoumyheart.shtml
- Lollipop Cozies – http://crafts.kaboose.com/lollipop-cozies.html
And just a little P.S. The above list of links were a little sneek peek into something coming soon… we”ll be launching a new series here at NanaHood called “Crafting With Mema”, based on my children’s activities and crafting projects with my mother (their Mema). We’re even hoping to share a video or two! Stay tuned… and HAPPY FRIDAY!
Barbie Mania by Nana Gaye
Posted by: | CommentsMy mother was an excellent seamstress.. With three daughters, she did her share of sewing for us and also making doll clothes. She started making Barbie doll clothes about 1960 when my younger sister and I got our first Barbie dolls. Every Christmas we would get a box of Barbie clothes. My oldest niece was born in 1974 and as soon as she was “Barbie” age, she also got that special box and so on down the line. It seems nearly every Christmas there was a box of homemade Barbie clothes under the tree for some lucky little girl. I started making Barbie doll clothes soon after my third son was born. I first sold them at craft fairs, etc. After all those boys, I loved making pink things with lots of ribbons and lace! My mother died in 1994 and by that time there was a great niece Barbie age at Christmas. I made the box of doll clothes that year and following years for great nieces. In 2006, our family was blessed with 4 baby girls who are now just about Barbie age. This Christmas there will be six boxes of Barbie clothes under the family Christmas tree! Guess who will have the most fun on Christmas Day dressing the dolls……my sisters and I who are all over 50!
This is the first year that I will be making Barbie clothes for my own granddaughter. I hope she will enjoy them as much as I did. She has a new baby sister so the saga will continue for at least a few more years.
The wedding dress is a replica of Princess Diana’s gown. It took me an entire day to make it. I could have made myself 3 or 4 dresses in that length of time. That little bitty sleeve is in three separate parts and that collar is a nightmare to attach. The dress and train takes 1 ½ yards of fabric and that is a lot for a 11 ½ doll! I have only made 2 of the dresses and do not intend to make anymore!
This wedding dress was made by my mother and is on one of my childhood Barbie’s. I treasure that dress. This white lace dress was made by my mother and is shown on my old Midge doll circa about 1964.
I have all of my mother’s old Barbie patterns. One of my favorite is this nightgown and robe. I have ordered several older patterns from eBay.
These are two more of my favorites. I have made that black and white short dress in many different colors but the black and white is so sophisticated!
I love the black velvet evening dress and little girls love to touch it! Notice all my pretty dolls. I have bought these over the years for around $4 or $5 dollars usually just in a swimsuit. You cannot find really pretty Barbies anymore unless you buy the expensive dolls. I absolutely hate the ones with pink hair, etc.
I have an entire closet full of fabric suitable for Barbie clothes, yards upon yards of ribbon and lace, lots of tiny buttons, shoes, hats, and fabric roses. My mother could look at something and make it, but I am not that talented. I can put two or three patterns together for a “new” design but that’s as far as my creativity goes. My least favorite part of Barbie sewing used to be hand sewing on all those tiny snaps. Thank the Lord for Velcro!
New for me this year, will be making American Girl size clothes. A few weeks ago, my sisters and I took a vacation together to the Smoky Mountains. Since we each have a three year old granddaughter . We found a doll store and went wild!
And before anyone asks no, I can’t make Barbie clothes to sell this year……..I have 5 great nieces and a granddaughter to sew for this Christmas. Maybe next year!
Trick or Treat Costumes Made by Nana
Posted by: | CommentsI am a NOT a crafty nana, but I know some who are. Since this is October I thought it would be fun to take a look at kids Trick or Treat costumes made by nanas.
This adorable little guy is Kruz. Sounds like a motorcycle guy, doesn’t it? Proud mom, Jessica says, “My grandmother, Barbara Curry, made the chaps for Kruz’s 2nd Halloween in 2007. When I was a little girl, my grandmother made all my costumes… I was always dressed up as a cheerleader, so each year she used the same pattern, just a little bigger size.”
This cute butterfly is Martha. Martha’s mom, Char, said that the wings were made by Martha’s nana, Cheryl Booth, after Martha picked out the material. Nana also made Martha’s brother some blue wings but he was too busy playing to have his picture made. According to Char, “Life has come full circle, I’m attaching a photo of me and my siblings from 1980. It’s not the best picture, but my sister and I were butterflies… (I’m the one in green, my sis in yellow) and my mom went ALL OUT with making those. I have such good memories of that Halloween – the wings were HUGE and we loved, loved, loved them! They had batting and were quilted and we even had little finger loops, so we could spread the wings wide and FLY! I wish we still had those wings…
Char also says, “I’m attaching some photos of Samuel when he was 2… my mother-in-law (Faye Huskins) made this adorable costume for Samuel. He has a stuffed Tiger named Bob that is his most prized possession in all the world (and his best friend), so she made him a “Bob” costume. We still have it and Martha wears it now for fun.
Aren’t these nanas crafty? And aren’t these little trick or treaters cutie pies? I just love watching kids play dress up!
And kids aren’t the only ones who can play dress up….
This is Elle the dinosaur (aka dog). Mom Ginny made her costume for her. Elle has requested dog biscuits instead of candy in her trick or treat bag.
Nana’s quilts: A Legacy of Love
Posted by: | CommentsEvery winter my mother and grandmother would “piece a quilt.” Years ago my mother bought material and had my childhood clothes made by a neighbor lady. She kept the material scraps to make quilts from. Now that both my mother and my grandmother are gone, those quilts have become some of my most prized possessions. I look at the material from my dresses and the memories warm my heart.
There’s something about wrapping up in a quilt when it’s cold outdoors that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside: especially when the quilt was made by someone you love. In fact, it’s the next best thing to a hug. These aren’t just quilts, they are a representation of how much my mother and grandmother loved me.
Over the years I’ve collected other quilts because I admire the craftsmanship that goes into making one. While I don’t love the newer ones as much as I do the ones that mom and grandma made, I still appreciate them.
I wish I had the patience and talent it takes to make a quilt, but I don’t. This nana runs wide open 24/7 and doesn’t have a crafty gene in her body. I’ve tried being artistic but it doesn’t come easily for me. Before our first child was born I did cross stitch a baby blanket.
There were four more babies born, but none of them got a cross stitched blanket. Wonder why? The baby I made this for will be 28 years old next month. I showed it to him and told him how lucky he was to have it. He looked at me like I was crazy. “I guess I could frame it,” he said. “What else can I do with it?”
“You are supposed to look at it every day and think about how much your mother wanted you and loved you from the moment you were conceived! You are supposed to look at each tiny stitch and remark about it’s delicacy!”
He looked at me as if I’d lost it, shook his head and said, “I’ll save it for Abby.”
Now that’s a good idea. Maybe someday my granddaughter will appreciate how much her nana loved her daddy.
I have tried my hand at other crafts as well. My biggest undertaking and by far the most difficult project I’ve ever tackled was making a stained class piece. My oldest son and I took the class together and I have a deep seated appreciation of the work that goes into making even a small piece of stained glass.
Here’s my stained glass piece (my one and only….there will be no more!)
We were building our house at the time I was making this and I asked our builder if he would help me find a place to put it in our house where we could all enjoy it.
We placed the stained glass piece on the screened in porch that over looks our back yard.
Today I’m giving thanks for the wonderful legacy of love my mother and grandmother left me. I may just go get a quilt, wrap up in it right now and rock on my back porch. Thank you Lord for loving moms and nanas! They are truly one of your greatest blessings!
Cooking with nana
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Remember those Smores bars I mentioned last week? Well they were so popular at my house that we made them again today. This is my assistant, Chef Abby. She cracked the eggs (and I fished out the shells). She stirred the chocolate (a big blob went in the floor but the dog cleaned it up for me). And she put the chocolate kisses on top of the marshmallow creme. Best of all, she helped me eat them. They sure are good!
Grab your grandchild and let them cook with nana. It’s messy but fun!
Fall Decorating
Posted by: | CommentsI am not an organized person. I try, but it just isn’t in my nature. We moved twice last year and I still haven’t found everything. I’m hoping my tree ornaments turn up before Christmas because last year I only had enough ornaments to decorate one small section of the tree. I put it in the corner of the den and it looked okay, but it would be nice to be able to decorate the whole thing.
Anyway, I do well to decorate at Christmas but I have lots of friends and neighbors who decorate all year long. At Easter they hang eggs from their trees. On Groundhogs day they hang groundhogs from their trees (just kidding).
This morning I was admiring one neighbor’s creativity so I called her and asked her if I could make a picture of her yard. She graciously allowed me to do so.
The lady I’m referring to is Johanna Compton and a few weeks ago she was Nana of the Week. When I asked her about her yard she said her grandchildren loved to help and actually get mad at her if they aren’t allowed to get in on the decorating action.
Not only did she do two beautiful displays in her yard, she decorated the grandchildren’s play house! Is that an awesome, nana or what?
Your yard is beautiful. Way to go Nana Johana! (Boy does that have a nice ring to it or what?)
What about you? Do you do fall decorating at your house? Send me some pictures and tell me a little about your project. I’ll share it on NanaHood.
Happy decorating!
