Some women become ‘stressed out’ sewing on a button! As a small
child, I recall sitting on my mother’s lap while she sat at her sewing machine, making garments for one of her nine children. And now 50
plus years later, I sometimes put a grandchild on my lap while sewing. Sewing is my creative outlet, and sometimes my ‘sanity’ break! Sewing for me is a rewarding, fulfilling and challenging artistic endeavor.

To earn money while the children were small, I sewed for a local
dry-cleaner, doing alterations and repairs. The sewing business for alterations was my ‘bread and butter’, but the dolls and stuffed animals were my ‘dessert’! All three of my daughters were involved in 4-H and were taught sewing. Now if you are looking for a rewarding challenge, become a 4-H project leader!  I still get a warm fuzzy feeling when I recall one youngster that I taught to sew. She came dancing across the floor with a smile as big as Texas waving her Blue Ribbon and Best
of Show Award! Five years later, she invited me to her graduation,
and her mother commented about how that sewing project had been
the turn-around in her daughter’s self-image and confidence.

Our three girls are all grown up and on their own. When they were toddlers, they loved to sort through my button box. You may see photos of some
of the grandchildren with items I have made…uh, the children are not for sale! I love them all to pieces!  Now, my most vocal critic is my shihtzu-poo Charlie: if he barks and growls at a finished doll or animal, it’s a winner! (See the beagle on my Stuffed Animals page for proof! Charlie wanted the beagle to play ball, and kept pushing it closer to the stuffed dog! Funny!!! And he sniffed and growled at the Rhino too!)

I have battled breast cancer twice in the last three years, and for now, all reports are good. I drive school bus as a sub; like to do office work as a ‘temp’; crochet doilies, Christmas ornaments, and afghans; love to cook and bake; enjoy flower and vegetable gardening and canning; and love to spend time with my girls and the grandchildren. I think the most fun I have is sewing something new! I think what I’m working on now (it’s a surprise!) will be perfect for you! Please come back and visit soon! Susan