Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts

Saturday, June 14, 2014

A Gift that will last...

Today, I am going to be a touch mushy and real. I want to share about a gift I was given by my late Grandmama, one that is very dear to my heart.
She is the reason I know how to create, anything. She taught my Mom and my Mom taught me. But I was always heading to her "feet" to learn more. She was a sassy women who didn't put up with much guff. I miss her dearly. Before her death, among the days of me sitting at her feet learning sewing or joining her for afternoon coffee, she handed me a bin of "baby" supplies. I remember excepting the bin thinking, "What am I suppose to do with this?" I didn't speak that thought but a genuine "Thank you." She smiled and patted my hand, "I'm done making babies, it's your turn." Little did I know the treasure she handed me at the time. 
Shortly after her death, I dug into that bin, knowing the "baby" making was now my responsibility. In that bin she had all of her paper patterns for all of her doll creations. Grandmama was a very talented seamstress. She sewed slip covers for furniture, clothing, fashion re-makes, curtains, quilts, and every kind of doll you could imagine. From big and long to itty bitty. Her talents were limitless. And she supported her eight children by staying home and sewing.
The pattern above is her main doll pattern. The pieces are hand drawn and labeled in her own script. People do not know how to write anymore. Look at how beautiful the cursive writing is. Priceless. I, now, have the privilege to work with this pattern. I was not taught her doll making secrets, drat. She could have given me a few pointers at least. (hahaha ☺) But I am going to put forth my best effort to learn doll making. And do what I can to create lovable "babies".
Here is the second one I made from her pattern. I changed the way the doll was put together to make the pattern "my own". I can't cannot copy my Grandmama, I am not her, but I can continue to make the dolls she so loved to create.
This pattern was among the patterns and wasn't even cut out. But I cut it out and decided that this pattern would become one of my main dolls I hope to create.
Above is my second attempt, and I am very pleased with how she turned out. Little Miss is so excited for me to make one of her own. Which I will be doing. This pattern was enjoyable to make, I will be making more of this style. ☺
I miss Grandmama every day. But in that 'gift', within that bin, contains the connection I never realized I would need. I pull out the pattern lay it on fabric to pin and cut out pieces and I feel her beside me. I sit at my sewing machine to sew the 'baby' together to feel her watching over my shoulder. In today's world, we are so busy that we can miss out on the greatest gifts. They may be small or large. My greatest gift is the love of sewing that was instilled in me by my Mom and Grandmama and hand-drawn pattern pieces. What is your greatest gift that you have been given? Leave me a comment! I'd love to know! ☺

Kelly
p.s. The new Kiser Krafts Doll line will be added to kiserkrafts.storenvy.com soon! 


Thursday, June 13, 2013

"Daddy", one of my favorite words



Father’s Day is a holiday once a year where we focus our praise and thanks upon the “main man” in our lives, Dad. We should praise and honor him year round but once a year is good to make sure he knows how important he really is. Fathers are important to every family unit. God made man first then made women from man’s rib. Dads provide for the family by working super hard, protect the family, and teach the family. It is not always a DNA connection but one of choice and love.  

one of my favorite pictures of me and my Daddy

 My Dad, trust me, I share his DNA! I look like him, act like him, and totally take after some of his goofy character traits. Daddy is always the one this “Daddy’s girl” runs too when the world seems off balance or scary. I appreciate his opinions, insight, and biblical directions.  He works really hard, plays hard when he gets the chance, and knows when to sit back and enjoy the moments of this great life. While life tosses storms at him, he stand firm and wades through holding onto the fact the God has him in His mighty hands. Daddy is human and does make mistakes but I choose to forgive him and move forward, after all, if God can forgive him, so can I. Daddy has many talents: drawing, business intellect, clowning, computer-know-how, advertising, money management, and rides a unicycle. The best thing about Dad, is he takes time to listen. Truly listen. He looks directly at you, opens his ears, and hears your words, then thinks before responding. In today’s world, that is a rare trait. We are all in such a hurry we fail to really listen. I love you Daddy! Thank you for being the support I always needed growing up. 

Rabbit, Little Miss, and Little Mister
 
My husband, Rabbit, is now a Dad. Not to me but to our two children. I am so thankful that he is stepping into the “Daddy-shoes” our children need. It hasn’t been easy for him, I know. He struggled with the awesome responsibility with Little Miss but when Little Mister came, Rabbit was more confident that he could do this “Daddy” thing. As a wife, I see the struggle, as a Mother, I so thankful to come through the struggle and be the Daddy our children need. Little Miss is most certainly a “Daddy’s girl” and Little Mister is all about “Da-da-da-da”. You can see the love our children have for their Father and to me that is a wonderful blessing. Rabbit, I love you, and you are a wonderful Daddy! Keep up the good work!!


So every “DAD” deserves a card at least on Father’s Day if not a gift or two. So I’d like to share a card tutorial. And a list of great shop that have amazing gifts for Dad!!

Here are some of my favorite gift items for Dads from some of my favorite shops!

- Mystic Eye Creations, Inc. has many amazing handmade items with a man in mind. Their Razors are one of my favorites!!
- The Gnarly Whale has homemade body sprays and shampoos. They have an amazing Manly Body spray which every Dad could use.
- Krmbal Clothing has organic t-shirts that are comfortable and designed to be fun. Any Dad would LOVE to relax in one of these great tees.
- Christian Made Crafts has a wonderful selection of handmade items with Dad's in mind. My favorite is this cute "Daddy" key chain.
- MommaRae's Custom Designs makes hand stamped items. This fisherman key chain is one of my favorites for the "best fisherman", Dad! 
It is not a huge list but it is a few little things I think Dad would love as a Father's Day gift! 

Here is the card I made, I do apologize for the poor quality. I took it in a spare moment with my cell phone.
front of card

 

































































This card is inspired by this tutorial found at All things Paper: here
It was really easy to make and the tutorial is really easy to follow!


 Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there!!!


 
inside the card