Hollyhocks

Let's Hear it for the Girls

   

The school where I work has very few girls...7 in the senior high...and I teach a high school sewing class (in addition to my OT duties)...which means...

Denim projects...skull fabric...skateboard fabric...flame fabric and fabric with fake money printed on it. In 3 classes I have ONE GIRL. I beg her to make pink projects so I can see girly things sewn in class.

I have been hoping to do an all-girl sewing class and I just may get my wish.

 You have to understand that since we are an alternative school, most of our girls have been unceremoniously moved out of their old schools after, shall we say...some unpleasantness. Our girls can be a bit high maintenance.

Lately, the boys have taken to trying to pit the girls against each other.

So, I was brainstorming with my principal and I asked for an all-girl sewing class this summer as a way of bringing the girls together...a sort of team building exercise. Then, I was thinking that if I co-led the group with a counselor we could write therapy goals from an OT and counseling standpoint and let the girls talk as they work on their projects.

I am getting really excited about the prospect of spending quality time with our girls. It is hard to be a girl these days. The pressure from all directions seems excruciating. They are forced to grow up too fast and so much of their self worth is based upon physical attractiveness to peers. 

I want them to know that, as they go through life, there will be times when the company of a good female buddy will save their sanity, will let them know that others have tread their path and survived and thrived.

When I had my 18 week sonogram and knew that one of the babies was likely a girl, I cried happy tears.

 Then, a few days later I got scared.

Raising a strong, confident, kind and sunny girl is a huge responsibility. There will be so many outside pressures on my tiny Rory-Pie as she goes out into the world. I want to weave a web of support around her so that no matter what, she never feels alone.

Maybe helping our girls at school will attract some good karma for me to transfer to Rory when she needs it. What would you teach them?

 

Let's hear it for the girls! Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks! 

Seven Months

 

 

These little miracles have been an utter joy to care  for. They smile all of the time and laugh hysterically at our silly sounds and faces. They sleep and eat like champs and despite a cough that they keep trading back and forth, have been remarkably healthy. Maybe all of the worry was so that we would truly appreciate every little thing. They love reconstituted dried apricots from the co-op, made into a puree and stirred into their oatmeal. They love avocados and bananas, mashed together (!) and they love it when you make a buzzing sound like a bee.

 

 

They are a little behind in their unsupported sitting, for which their dad and I take most of the credit. It's difficult to learn when you are being scooped up all of the time and stared at in complete wonder and adoration. The day care ladies are at fault too. Every time I go to pick them up, they are being squeezed and cuddled by these lovely, warm women. As long as they can sit up reliably by the time they take their SATs, I'm not going to stress out over it. We shall not pass this way again...and we're enjoying it. (The sweet pea and blueberry hats are from Etsy)

 

So here we are, almost a year after I was placed on bedrest...guardians of these perfect souls. The only thing that surpasses the love for these angels is the sense of wonder that they are really here.

 I'll be in touch soon with some easy Easter eggs that I made for their first baskets. We are all anxious for Spring here. Now I am off to the Mothers of Twins Club sale. I joined recently and met a lot of really fun twin and triplet (!) moms.

Thank you for visiting Hollyhocks!

Sew Busy

 

I have been making class samples and gifts for family. Sewing is like most things in my life...done in short spurts when the bug strikes. I sewed my head off for this organizer. It is backed in denim. The fabrics are from (top to bottom) Etsy, Superbuzzy and the local Amvets. The gingham lived it's former life as a blouse. I found pink gingham there this weekend...a thick cotton curtain. The seams are reinforced and it holds a ton of stuff. My students will be making a guy version with the front done in denim. Email if you'd like the directions...or at least general dimensions. It's simple sewing.

 

 

...and a couple of recent estate sale finds. I underestimated how doggone busy we'd be with twins. We sing, we dance, we make up songs and make funny faces and most of the time we avoid this...

 

Not always though...Even when they're displeased, we think they're pretty darn cute. Seven month photos...coming soon.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks!

Thank You

 

(Aunt Kathi with Joe and my stepdad)  

(Paraphrased from a eulogy for my friend's husband at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 8 years ago) What do you say to a God who would allow an 81 year old man to be taken from his family just after his newest grandchildren were born?

You say thank you.

Thank you for the 27 years we had and thank you for letting us see him with the twins the day after they were born and at their first Halloween, first Christmas and their baptism. Thank you for the memories, the photos and the love. My stepdad died last Sunday. We are very sad but very grateful for our many years with this man who taught us devotion to family, community and God. Who taught us a work ethic and fulfillment of one's duties.  He will be greatly missed and  remembered daily

Oh, I Have Plans

 

I finally figured it out. I have an obsessive-compulsive thing about fabric. I don't want to waste awesome fabric on less-than-awesome projects. But, I have ideas for some of my favorites... These will be part of an organizer with pockets...

 

These will trim natural linen tea towels...mmmm

 

...and these are selvedges that I have been saving...any ideas? So, I'll be back soon I hope with the finished projects. I drank a cup of coffee today and I seem to have boundless energy. Now I see why people like it so much. I can't switch though because I just love the ritual of tea...Earl Grey with a touch of honey...

Happy almost Spring from Hollyhocks...Things I am loving right now...Rory's 2 TEETH, Kitten's sunny smile, Cadbury's cuddles, pretty fabric, The TV show "Medium", Country Living British Edition, mini daffodils, chili with beer in it and Secret Obsession perfume...