The Next Generation of Stitchers - And Help Needed

Rewind to Thanksgiving....our youngest daughter is here...and I was jumping for joy when I heard what she wanted for Christmas....a Sewing Machine!!!!!


Over Thanksgiving weekend Maddy asked could I help her make a Christmas Stocking for Abby, her significant others daughter.  My reply, "Well of course...when do you want to start?"

I did the big time Happy Dance :)


I've never made a stocking so we just decided to build it from the ground up.  We traced the shape of a stocking onto paper and started interviewing fabrics.  Maddy's initial idea was to make a crazy patch stocking, sort of traditional, with Abby's name across the top.  Much to her surprise, I introduced my new embroidery machine to her and the ideas didn't stop...LOL.

The stocking quickly went from traditional to wild and fun.  Here are a few photos of the process (not necessarily in order) :

After completing the ME design of her choice and embellishing it....we bagan interviewing fabric and trim combinations.....

 So very far from traditional.

When I told Maddy she could use anything she wanted and it could look like anything she could think of....well...traditional quickly went out the door.  She was absolutely thrilled when I told her that it was only a Christmas Stocking and if she doesn't like it when it's done...ya just make another one next year...no big deal!  Maddy was beaming....oh the freedom that gave her....Let the Fun Begin!!

 I think we went through every bin and drawer looking for fun combinations.  My advise to Maddy was...you'll know it when you see it and don't stop until you see it.  I also suggested we take photos of the different arrangements as the photos provide a different perspective somehow.

After going through all my fabrics I got frustrated and called Waldo and asked could we come over and search her stash.

Success!  Waldo had this plaid that Maddy loved and some cute hot pink trim too.  She was so excited to show off her first creation.

Maddy quilted the fabric and did all the sewing.  I operated the Embroidery Machine and she choose all the colors. 

 

And then she added some bling. 

I was tired and called it a night when Maddy ran back to the sewing machine and made her two children a little holiday bling:

Annie, Maddy's youngest "child" is now sporting a holiday collar sleeve.

Naturally, she couldn't leave out her son...LOL

Maddy was so excited and proud of herself.  What a joy it is to see the next generation embrace stitching :)

Oh yes...I almost forgot....the Flamingo's also celebrated Thanksgiving:

One more thing before I close- HELP NEEDED!  Our oldest daughter, Krista,  has sent me an e-mail requesting help with her Disertation.  She is working on her PHD and needs some folks to fill out a survey.  Here is her e-mail:

Could you forward this survey to some of your friends (and ask them to pass it on as well)?
I need married couples living with their spouse who have NOT had a head injury.....it would be even better if they were married to someone who has had a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury...including concussion) at some point in their lifetime....but not necessary as I need control subjects too. Realistically it takes about 15-20 minutes.

I need at least 20 more participants or I risk not being able to move on to internship!! eek!!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MarriageResearch

If you would take the time to fill out her survey....we would all greatly appreciate it!  Thanks to all of you who have already filled it out :)

 

Smiles,

Kelly