Congratulations SETexasMama - Please contact me within 48 hours so that I can get your Raggedy Ann and Andy sent to you... Sincerely ♥Rachel
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
And The Winner IS
Congratulations SETexasMama - Please contact me within 48 hours so that I can get your Raggedy Ann and Andy sent to you... Sincerely ♥Rachel
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Valentine's Day Gift
On February 14,1976 I received a 
Special Gift, the birth of my daughter Valery Lea. She was a surprise since I had another 3 months to go before my due date. I went into the hospital very early that morning hoping that it was just the swine flu that was going around that caused me to be having early contractions doctor said no way to stop them that the baby was going to come. I prayed dearly knowing that this was not good hoping that my prayers would be answered for a healthy surviving child. During these years we really did not know for sure what the sex of the child would be so as my daughter was being born I just prayed. She was rushed from me taken straight into intensive care and then without hestitation the decision was that she would go to Children's Hospital, San Diego,CA. I got to see my daughter for a very short time, the name I decided was Valery, because she was born on Valentine's Day. Valery weighed 1 1/2 pounds and 19 inches long. I looked at her this fragile baby girl covered in white fuzz, long gangle legs and arms with no hair. The doctors told me that it was a miracle that she was alive and not to hope for the best. Those doctors did not know my strong belief in God nor my little daughter's will to live. I remember laying in the hospital bed with one visitor, my Dad bringing me a box of Valentine Day candy. This was the only memory I have of that night because that moment on I only concentrated on being with Valery, who now was being transported to Children's Hospital. I traveled everyday about 30 minutes away from my home to go see her in the incubator lying so peaceful. She received feedings every hour and my only contact with her was through the glass. I stroke her bald head, touched her so tiny fingers and spoke to her letting her know that her Mama was there with her praying that she would get stronger to come home. This went on for about 3 months I became close friends with all the nurses and doctors on the floor for Neo-Natal. They always let me sleep on the couch in the waiting room, made sure I ate and just allowed me to be a mother to my child in the best I could be through a glass dome. The doctors never really had much hope but in April they made the decision to let Valery go home. She now weighed over 4 pounds with lots of complications but she was going home with me. I was lucky my mother helped me for the first few months when Valery went home. I stayed with her so that I could have someone to help me with Valery's feedings. I had to feed her every hour 1 to 2 tablespoons of formula. The first ones we tried Valery had a bad reaction to- her stomach had not developed enough finally after several types of formula soy based was the only thing Valery could tolerate. My mother made doll clothes for Valery since nothing at the stores were for premies at this time. Each day she got stronger and stronger. The first year of Valery's life it was a slow process learning what foods she could tolerate, taking care of her hernia in the belly button area, and hoping she would just grow. Valery's one year check up the doctors were amazed at her growth and how she was at normal levels for her age group. I never had a doubt and Valery made sure we succeeded. I want to tell you that my little daughter exceeded all expectations. She was a straight A student, grew to be almost 6 feet and never was anything of a weakling. She did have more than her share of colds, and always seemed to catch anything odd going around but other than that Valery made it. Valery grew up to be a wonderful person and Mom, now married has 4 children of her own not one of them being a premie. We did worry about this since it does run in the family, my uncle on my Dad's side was a premie and one of my sister's was a premie, guess that is why my Mom was so helpful when her first grandchild came into the world a premie. I am just so THANKFUL for my most wonderful Valentine's Day gift who could ask for anything more ♥
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Raggedy Ann and Andy
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner to me these dolls just come to mind as a special symbol for this holiday. Did you know that Johnny Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, she had found an old hand-made rag doll, and he drew a face on it. From his bookshelf, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, and combined the names of two poems, “The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie.” He said, “Why don’t we call her Raggedy Ann.”
Johnny Gruelle, children's book writer and illustrator, inventor the Raggedy Ann doll in 1915. In 1920 Raggedy Andy, her brother was born, and the two starred in many of Gruelle's children's stories. The dolls were very popular during the Depression and World War II. Marcella, Johnny Gruelle’s daughter, died at age 13 with the legend being told that he worked on the stories to keep his daughter’s memory alive.
I have included a picture which is to be the very first Raggedy Ann that can be found in the The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy museum opened to the public in May of 1999, in Arcola,Il. The museum was officially closed 2008 in Arcola. Marcella’s Corner Gift Shop has moved to Rockome. Here is the website http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/exhibits.html to see the works of Johnny Gruelle, which you have to check out truly inspirational and heart warming.
My love for these dolls has inspired me to create all the different versions. I have included them on my web site for sale. The primitive Ann & Andy are sold as a set. At this time, I have made only two different styles but as I researched, I found that the old patterns from McCall’s 1940 may be available- if this is the case, I will be making that one also.
My mother, who just passed away over a year ago, had a wonderful collection herself . She loved to thrift store shop and here she would find “Raggedy Ann and Andy’s” . These sit in the playroom for the grandchildren to play with but soon will be completing for them their very own “Raggedy Ann” with a special message on her chest. – Red wool heart containing the words “nana loves you.”
To celebrate my Mom and her life I am having a giveaway for the pair- Raggedy Ann and Andy.
The instructions are simple to enter. You need to leave one comment for each item you complete per entry.
1) Follow my blog
2) Write a blog post about my giveaway
3) Go to my web site and sign up for my newsletter
4) Like me on Facebook for Our Creative Hands
5) Post my giveaway on your Facebook
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011 the winner will be selected using Random.com.
I wish you all good luck and especially hope that my Raggedy Ann and Andy
Dolls make you smile as they do me.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner to me these dolls just come to mind as a special symbol for this holiday. Did you know that Johnny Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, she had found an old hand-made rag doll, and he drew a face on it. From his bookshelf, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, and combined the names of two poems, “The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie.” He said, “Why don’t we call her Raggedy Ann.”
Johnny Gruelle, children's book writer and illustrator, inventor the Raggedy Ann doll in 1915. In 1920 Raggedy Andy, her brother was born, and the two starred in many of Gruelle's children's stories. The dolls were very popular during the Depression and World War II. Marcella, Johnny Gruelle’s daughter, died at age 13 with the legend being told that he worked on the stories to keep his daughter’s memory alive.
I have included a picture which is to be the very first Raggedy Ann that can be found in the The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy museum opened to the public in May of 1999, in Arcola,Il. The museum was officially closed 2008 in Arcola. Marcella’s Corner Gift Shop has moved to Rockome. Here is the website http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/exhibits.html to see the works of Johnny Gruelle, which you have to check out truly inspirational and heart warming.
My love for these dolls has inspired me to create all the different versions. I have included them on my web site for sale. The primitive Ann & Andy are sold as a set. At this time, I have made only two different styles but as I researched, I found that the old patterns from McCall’s 1940 may be available- if this is the case, I will be making that one also.
My mother, who just passed away over a year ago, had a wonderful collection herself . She loved to thrift store shop and here she would find “Raggedy Ann and Andy’s” . These sit in the playroom for the grandchildren to play with but soon will be completing for them their very own “Raggedy Ann” with a special message on her chest. – Red wool heart containing the words “nana loves you.”
To celebrate my Mom and her life I am having a giveaway for the pair- Raggedy Ann and Andy.
The instructions are simple to enter. You need to leave one comment for each item you complete per entry.
1) Follow my blog
2) Write a blog post about my giveaway
3) Go to my web site and sign up for my newsletter
4) Like me on Facebook for Our Creative Hands
5) Post my giveaway on your Facebook
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011 the winner will be selected using Random.com.
I wish you all good luck and especially hope that my Raggedy Ann and Andy
Dolls make you smile as they do me.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Recycle Bag Lady
Recycle:-to undergo reuse or renewal; be subject to or suitable for further use, activity, etc
Today I wanted to share what I have done with an old pair of my husband's levi jeans. He wears them until they are thread bare usually but thank goodness for me he got a hole in the knee area. I put them in a special pile I keep for clothing not that I am going to mend them just want to make sure I use the fabric, buttons,lace or anything else I can for my dolls. I use discarded clothing for alot of my projects. Denim is a favorite of mine. I actually saved enough pairs of Steve's jeans to create a block quilt for him using a soft flannel for backing. He used to take it when he traveled but decided it was too special to lose so now we use it for picnics and such. It is very heavy so makes a perfect blanket to spread out on the grass or sand. We had some friends see it well next thing I knew I was collecting their old jeans from them. I made each of their grandchildren a blanket created from Grandma and Grandpa's jeans. Cute pink flannel print for the girl and blue flannel covered with trucks for the boy. I included their names so forever they have a piece of their Grandparents with them always.
Fabrics are my passion with me knowing exactly what I can create from a discarded blouse, pants, or jacket. Right now I have collected all the special baby clothes from our grandchildren to make them a lap quilt. This will be more for their mothers to go back and reminisce.
Its just not the fabric I collect but the buttons oh my don't let me show you all the buttons I have. Bottles, jars, canisters,boxes and anything else I can put them in. They come from everywhere just sort of multiply but they never go unused. You will find them in the fabric items I have created or on the wood signs.
Back to my purse that I created over the weekend. Its just not a purse I made this for my recycle bags. Everytime I go to the grocery store I forget to bring in my recycle bags, not good neither I have heard that here in California we will soon have a tax to use plastic bags from the stores, I forget because I have my purse on my shoulder. Who wants to carry in their purse and all these bags? I want to go shopping in style so therefore I have created a bag to carry my bags in. I used one pair of Steve's levi's every bit of it down to the waistband area. Did you notice that was the strap. It still has the loops on it so if I want to carry my keys there no problem to connect them. Got to find a stylish lanyard to hook my keys to so I can put them on the loop. The back pockets were used even have the red levi tag, so that I have a place for my coupons that I will be using that day. Now I can toss my wallet into this bag along side of the shopping recycle bags and I will look FABULOUS.... I stitched "Recyclying Bag Lady" on top with I heart Coupons. Did you notice the big stuffed heart on one pocket and red stitching. The other side of the bag I stitched some stems using three of my favorite buttons for flowers added a final touch -a denim pin from leftover denim and buttons. Pinned it right on top. Inside I used a heavy canvas this way its an easy clean. I thought I could add some special pins or accent jewerly if I want just whatever comes to mind but this will be along the way. Probably by the time the bag comes into full cycle it will be completely adorned with my Favorite things.
So ladies a one weekend project you can all accomplish. The size you see here is one pair of 34x32 levi's. All pieces used up with a few to spare....
I am going to put them out there but not on my web site they will be available for sale but because it will be one of a kind each time I make the bag I don't want to mass produce. Everyone is SPECIAL and should have their own bag designed for just them....
Well thats how I spent my weekend was hoping to post this last night things did not work as I planned but oh well got to make room for the unexpected if I plan to enjoy LIFE....Lots of love
Pin It
Today I wanted to share what I have done with an old pair of my husband's levi jeans. He wears them until they are thread bare usually but thank goodness for me he got a hole in the knee area. I put them in a special pile I keep for clothing not that I am going to mend them just want to make sure I use the fabric, buttons,lace or anything else I can for my dolls. I use discarded clothing for alot of my projects. Denim is a favorite of mine. I actually saved enough pairs of Steve's jeans to create a block quilt for him using a soft flannel for backing. He used to take it when he traveled but decided it was too special to lose so now we use it for picnics and such. It is very heavy so makes a perfect blanket to spread out on the grass or sand. We had some friends see it well next thing I knew I was collecting their old jeans from them. I made each of their grandchildren a blanket created from Grandma and Grandpa's jeans. Cute pink flannel print for the girl and blue flannel covered with trucks for the boy. I included their names so forever they have a piece of their Grandparents with them always.
Fabrics are my passion with me knowing exactly what I can create from a discarded blouse, pants, or jacket. Right now I have collected all the special baby clothes from our grandchildren to make them a lap quilt. This will be more for their mothers to go back and reminisce.
Its just not the fabric I collect but the buttons oh my don't let me show you all the buttons I have. Bottles, jars, canisters,boxes and anything else I can put them in. They come from everywhere just sort of multiply but they never go unused. You will find them in the fabric items I have created or on the wood signs.
Back to my purse that I created over the weekend. Its just not a purse I made this for my recycle bags. Everytime I go to the grocery store I forget to bring in my recycle bags, not good neither I have heard that here in California we will soon have a tax to use plastic bags from the stores, I forget because I have my purse on my shoulder. Who wants to carry in their purse and all these bags? I want to go shopping in style so therefore I have created a bag to carry my bags in. I used one pair of Steve's levi's every bit of it down to the waistband area. Did you notice that was the strap. It still has the loops on it so if I want to carry my keys there no problem to connect them. Got to find a stylish lanyard to hook my keys to so I can put them on the loop. The back pockets were used even have the red levi tag, so that I have a place for my coupons that I will be using that day. Now I can toss my wallet into this bag along side of the shopping recycle bags and I will look FABULOUS.... I stitched "Recyclying Bag Lady" on top with I heart Coupons. Did you notice the big stuffed heart on one pocket and red stitching. The other side of the bag I stitched some stems using three of my favorite buttons for flowers added a final touch -a denim pin from leftover denim and buttons. Pinned it right on top. Inside I used a heavy canvas this way its an easy clean. I thought I could add some special pins or accent jewerly if I want just whatever comes to mind but this will be along the way. Probably by the time the bag comes into full cycle it will be completely adorned with my Favorite things.
So ladies a one weekend project you can all accomplish. The size you see here is one pair of 34x32 levi's. All pieces used up with a few to spare....
I am going to put them out there but not on my web site they will be available for sale but because it will be one of a kind each time I make the bag I don't want to mass produce. Everyone is SPECIAL and should have their own bag designed for just them....
Well thats how I spent my weekend was hoping to post this last night things did not work as I planned but oh well got to make room for the unexpected if I plan to enjoy LIFE....Lots of love
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Reflections
Its Sunday evening already.The day did go by fast but not without sharing a beautiful balmy day here in southern California. I have found Sundays to be more enjoying than ever these past few months. My husband suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on November 15, 2010 life was completely turned upside down. We are a religious family so many prayers were sent from all over these 50 states with these prayers, love, and support from family and friends Steve is on the recovery side of life. We tell him that he won the lottery "Lottery of Life.” Since then I do not give up my Sunday for household chores, bill paying, and working. Sunday is now a ME day. I don't mean to say that its all about "me" nope it is day for just whatever comes along no commitments to anything except church of course otherwise its a free for all. Today Steve and I enjoyed breakfast with some dear friends that we had not seen in awhile. Steve later did what he wanted which was to watch the football playoffs and I enjoyed creating. I had two items that I wanted to finish up in order to take to UPS early next week for a dear friend I am looking forward to her receiving them. Creating makes me so happy and once the order goes out, I wait anxiously to hear if it was exactly what they wanted. Anything I do I do with all my heart. Have to finish some other projects that I had been working on. Cannot wait to get them up on the web site I am excited to show you what I have been doing. To finish off the day Steve and I went down to the park in our area for a walk. A lake actually with campgrounds, water parks for the children, water boats, fishing, and playgrounds everything you could want to spend a peaceful day. We walked watching families enjoying their picnics, people fishing -we did see two fish caught today trout one about two pounds and the other about six pounds- just could not ask for a better way to bring in the nightfall. Monday is just around the corner and it is getting late so am off to dream about new patterns…
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Welcome to Our Creative Hands Blog...
Let me tell you that my love for creating items started at an early age. Elementary school I won an award for a poem titled "Butterfly" then it just went from there. I took all the sewing classes available in school including summer school. I liked it so much had to be there in the summer too. I loved textures, colors, and all mediums. I learned crocheting and knitting from my Grandmother, Rachel-my name sake. She taught me how to make doll blankets sewing them by hand mind you no sewing machine allowed. I made my first knitted poncho at the age of 8.
I just wanted to let you know who I was and why I am going to start blogging. I want to share all the ideas that I have done with my grandchildren for fun. I want to write about my adventures in "Craft Land" and just help others. I hope that you will follow me on my ventures to come.
I have a goal to write a blog a week but my hope is to write everyday even if it just to let you know how to do a baseball stitch or find the best price on supplies.
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