Grandmama's Stories

Sunday, January 20, 2013

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP

Angel Baby Gown, cap, blanket, pillow

*Angel Baby* Gown from the back

NILMDTS provides the Gift of Remembrance photography for parents suffering the loss of a baby with a FREE gift of professional photography. My Daughter is a Local Area Coordinator and Photographer for our area Hospitals. Her involvement began in some part while my grandson James was in the NICU for almost the entire month of October. James was born on Oct. 7th, 2007 and came home Oct. 31st...Halloween! She became close to the NICU nurses and saw the ongoing need for NILMDTS services of which she had only an abbreviated knowledge of at the time.

James in NICU...4 lbs.

Flash forward 5 yrs and Mary Ellen is now Area NILMDTS Coordinator. In photographing these *Angel Babies* she has the need for clothing that is appropriate and yet easy to get on and off and won't damage the Angel Baby's delicate skin.

In memory of a lost grandchild, one Grandmother hand sews "Angel Baby Layettes" for the Photographers to use. She said finding clothes for stillborn child was most definitely NOT prepared to dress her baby for a funeral. Thus, making *angel baby* gowns became this grandmother's way of paying homage to her grandson.

I became involved out of sheer need. One person can not make the amount of gowns/layettes, needed for a large hospital such as our local hospital. Huntsville Hospital provides the regional neo-natal unit for the entire North Alabama region. Thus, yours truly had to teach herself how to make *Angel Baby* gowns. I wanted to share my latest Labor of Love...and it truly is a labor of love. Just knowing I am a part of helping grieving parents & grandparents is such a comfort to me.

As you preview my *Angel Baby* gowns, I hope you will go to the NILMDTS website and see if services are provided in YOUR area. Perhaps you will feel led to volunteer or to check with your local Hospital to see what the clothing needs are for NICU babies and NILMDTS babies IF services are provided.

micro preemie layette

This gown is made from a pillowcase!

The little caps are made from a simple rectangle.
I also used my decorative stitiches and vintage buttons from "Mama's Button Box"

A sweet little vintage button

Gowns must be open in the back and either tie, button, or velcro together. I enjoyed adding the decorative touches such as lace hem tape to cover edges; knowing grieving parents will take this gown home in remembrance of their son.

Little Girl *Angel Baby*

I got to use my new embroidery machine for this!

This sewing is a true labor of love for me. Perhaps, you can fulfill a need such as this in your own community. You can go to the website, type in your zip code, and names of the nearest photographers will appear as well as the Hospitals they serve. BTW, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep services are worldwide.

Blessings

James's feet

Monday, January 14, 2013

Day 6 of IN YOUR WORDS

Monday, January 14

Gracie Oliver Arts

Clothes and Crafts

Cherrys Prairie Primitives

Simple Sew

Woolie Mammoth

RocknQuilts

Celynn's Sunflower Patch

A Quilting Sheep

Sane and Crazy Quilting

Quiltsmiles

Feathered Nest Studio

Only TWO more days of IN YOUR WORDS. PLease visit all these lovely Ladies.

Come Back for some sneak peeks at my projects for 2013.

Plus, I've got some great STORIES to share this coming year. My daughters have asked me to "tell" more of our stories especially the ones about their Grandmother who passed away in 2003. She is the star of the TACO BELL STORY..if you haven't read it go back and enjoy a chuckle.

Blessings

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

IN MEMORY

JUDSON CARL TATE

1919-2013

One of the Greatest men I ever knew besides my Uncle Lacy., was CARL TATE...Mr. Carl to me.

Here in the south, when we know & love someone at least a generation older we feel a bit uncomfortable calling that person by just their first name. Saying Mr. or Mrs Last Name of choice seems too formal so we've come up with a uniquely southern tradition of saying Mr. Carl or Ms. (pronounced MISS whether married or not)Evelyn. If we attend church together, we will say Bro. (Brother) Carl.

When I moved from West Virginia, this custom took be by surprise and it took some time getting used to it. However, over time the terms became familiar and I realized I was truly "southernized." In fact, I'm so used to the terminology, I am confused at the quizzical looks I get when I go back north!!

Back in 1977, Mr. Carl and Ms. Evelyn saw a lonely homesick young mother of 24 ....this young woman moved 600 miles away from home to a state where everything looked different, spoke differently, ate differently, thought differently, and acted differently. To say I suffered culture shock would be the understatement of the last century. But, Carl Tate, put his long arms around this homesick young woman and told her HE was going to be her Alabama Daddy. Mr. Carl was faithful to his promise and I grew to love him like a father.

Apr. 3, 1919 - Jan. 7, 2013
Judson Carl Tate
Judson Carl Tate, 93, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2013. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Evelyn of 68 years; his son, Ray and daughter Jan and husband Herbert Harvill. He loved and adored his grandchildren, Russ (Virginia), Will and Carrie, Tate and Elizabeth; and great-grandchildren, Whitney, Reid and Grissom; his brother, Homer and wife Jeanette; two sisters, Mildred Phillips and Katie Brown; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and many great friends. He proudly served his country in World War II as a tailgunner on a B-24 Liberator, flying on 51 missions over Europe. His name is in the Madison County Hall of Heroes and he is also a member of the Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame as recognized for his basketball skills. He most enjoyed singing about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He contined to sing until the end of his earthly life.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 9th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Flint River Baptist Church. A celebration of his life will be held at the church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Sammy Gilbreath and Dr. Steve Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Flint River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Flint River Baptist Church Music Department. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mr. Carl lived his faith, walked it, talked it, and sang it! He was the music director at Flint River Baptist Church for 50 yrs. I don't think I ever heard him sing without a tear rolling down those sun weathered cheeks simply because the words to those great Old Hymns of old were a living, breathing promise from God to him personally. I saw in Mr. Carl what it meant to "Abide in Jesus"

He knew how to live life to the fullest from the humblest of beginnings as the son of southern sharecroppers, to one of the premier Basketball players in the State, to a tail-gunner in WWII. He often shared his stories, jokes, daily observations which made you either laugh, cry, or be inspired.

Carl Tate was and IS my Hero. He is singing "I Sing Because..." with the angels and "He Touched Me" with his earthly Father, Mr. Will Tate.

I will miss you for awhile but will see you soon because you showed me how to live as Christ.

GOD SPEED, Mr. Carl

I Love You

Your West Virginia Adopted Daughter

Jane Ellen

Monday, January 7, 2013

IN YOUR WORDS...JEREMIAH 29:11

IN YOUR WORDS

LINK here to see the SCHEDULE at Linda's

Today is MY DAY

Thank you

Cheerleader Linda for superior "Cheers and Organization"

Madame Samm for "Sharing Your Vision"

GOD'S WORDS

are

INERRANT, INSPIRED, APPLICABLE, LIVING, COMFORTING, A TWO-EDGED SWORD

I embroidered Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) on 2 Quilts.

(I lost my new camera so these pics are taken with a borrowed camera...please forgive

Hugs for Kim

This quilt was made as a comfort quilt for my Niece Kim recently diagnosed in 2012

with Uterine Cancer. I still have to quilt and bind ASAP.

Quilt #1

The entire scripture is hand embroidered in the outer sashing

String Quilt/Rail Fence

My Signature

QUILT #2

Made for #1 Husband's childhood friend who was ordained as a

Lutheran Minister in August 2012.

at age 60!

The quilt pattern is the traditional "coin" quilt.

I can't remember the fabric line

PLEASE JOIN ME IN *HOPPING* OVER TO ALL THESE CREATIVE LADIES.

LET'S GO SEE WHAT *WORDS* HAVE INSPIRED THEM!

Tuesday, January 8

Piece Peace (Patricia G.)

A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

krislovesfabric (Kris T.)

Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)

Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.) (me! Gmama Jane)

Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)

Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)

Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)

The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)

Quilting With Terry and the Cats (Terry S.)

Sunday, January 6, 2013

IN YOUR WORDS BLOG HOP...IN MY WORDS ON TUESDAY

New Blog Hop!!

This one is what I call a Free-Wheeling Quilting Mania
Everyone gets to do their OWN THANG
with WORDS! No directions, no guidelines,
just Use Your OWN WORDS
I'm Tuesday, Jan. 8th

Here is the Schedule Beginning Monday:

Here is the full schedule for the In Your Words Blog Hop! Be sure to visit each one and leave your comments. There will be prizes as well as a lot of inspiration! I also notice as I scroll through the names, I've become friends with a large majority of these ladies due to the various blog hops and/or through my personal blog. I LOVE MY BLOG FRIENDS AND I LOVE BLOGGING...Nope, don't intend to stop anytime soon! So, Leave sincere comments and get to know these ladies. You won't be disappointed, I Promise!!

Monday, January 7

Stitch, Stitch, Stitch, Stitch (Cyndi H.)

Kwilty Pleasures (Kathy G.)

Debby Kratovil Quilts (Debby K.))

Sew Darn Quilt (Carolyn R.)

Mary On Lake Pulaski (Mary K.)

Traveling Quilter (Debbie A.)

Just Let Me Quilt (Carol S.)

Vroomans Quilts (Sharon V.)

Cate's Linens (Catherine R.)

Nini and the Sea (Denise)

Sew Much 2 Luv (Karen)

Tuesday, January 8

Piece Peace (Patricia G.)

A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

krislovesfabric (Kris T.)

Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)

Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.) ME!!!

Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)

Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)

Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)

The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)

Quilting With Terry and the Cats (Terry S.)

Wednesday, January 9

Kathy's Quilts (Kathy W.)

Sunshine Quilting (Martina S.)

Sew Incredibly Crazy (Amy)

Quilt Doodle Doodles (Cindy S.)

Doodling in My Mind (Darla R.)

I Like to Quiltblog (Bente)

Michelle's Romantic Tangle (Michelle M.)

Grammie Q's (Charlotte M.)

Dancing Moon (Carla B.)

(Betty V.) at “that other blog”

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter (Laura Ann)

Thursday, January 10

Life in the Scrapatch (Pat B.)

Just Sew Sue (Sue B.)

Nati's Little Things (Nati)

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans (Amy)

Pig Tales and Quilts (Thearica)

Scrappy 'n Happy (Jess R.)

Little Mushroom Cap (Amira A.)

Kwilty Pleasures (Kathy)

Moosestash Quilting (Joan K.)

Sowing Stitches (Beulah aka. Carol)

Just Quilt It (Kathy G.)

Friday, January 11

Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)

Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)

Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio (Cherry G.)

Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)

Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)

Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)

Travel Thru Greece (Mara)

Meadowbrook (Kristen K.)

Count It All Joy! (Denise P.)

Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)

Monday, January 14

Gracie Oliver Arts (Jeanie)

Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)

Cherrys Prairie Primitives (Cherry E.)

Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)

Celynn's Sunflower Patch (Celynn)

A Quilting Sheep (Amy)

Sane and Crazy Quilting (Cathy L.)

Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)

Feathered Nest Studio(Jennet)

Tuesday, January 15

BQuiltin Studio (Beverly K.)

Hill Valley Quilter (Britt-Inger)

Bumbleberry Stitches (Theresa K.)

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

In Stitches and Seams (Annette S.)

Englating (Marica from Sweden)

Stitchin by the Lake (Marlene B.)

Selina Quilts (Selina)

Sheila's Quilt World (Sheila M.)

Words & Stitches (Beth S.)

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? (Pamela A.)

Wednesday, January 16

My Collection of Things (Jeni K.)

Quiltin' Jenny (Jenny)

Shade Tree Quilting (Judy C.)

(Rosemary B.) at “that other blog”

Pat Sloan, The Voice of Quilting (Pat. S.)

Dachsies With Moxie (Agnes B.)

Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)

Tomorrows Treasures Today (Denise D.)

The German Mom (Tina S.)

Christa Quilts (Christa W.)

Read, Quilt, Cook, Pray (Aletta D.)

Sew We Quilt (Mdm. Samm)

Thursday, January 3, 2013

JOY IN THE NORMALCY...HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Joy is in the Normalcy of life. Today as I listened to the background noise of my day I realized my contentment comes from the mundane, the normal, the routine, the everyday sounds of my everyday life. I could hear the distinct whirr of my washing machine, the buzzer on the dryer telling me my bathroom rugs were dry, the *beep beep* of the microwave telling me I had left the coffee I had reheated FOR THE 2ND TIME, the yelp of Copper my 4 yr. old beagle wanting inside to get warm, the Sanitation Truck's big THUNK as it returned the garbage can to my driveway, and the one of a kind sound of #1 Husband's Ford 150 pulling in the long driveway and the Whoosh of hundreds of birds flying away from the feeders as the truck approached the house. Nothing special, nothing earth shattering, nothing out of the ordinary, yet it is the ordinary that gives me comfort. I feel at home here on this farm with all it's ORDINARY sounds, ORDINARY places, ORDINARY people...but MY PEOPLE...MY FAMILY.

WARNING: This Post is Picture Heavy

I've been scrolling through my blog album pictures archived since I began this Blogging Journey. I'm amazed at how much my family has changed and grown....amazed at the changes in my life in a few short years. When I began blogging, my thought was to create a time capsule of sorts for my family. Stories are how we share when we get together as a family. Someone suggested I create a blog as a place to share the stories with not only family but with friends both near and far. Never did I dream of the direction I would go (quilting, quilting, quilting), the people I would meet, the growth of my quilting hobby, and even the growth of my Faith.

So...in 2013 I don't want to lessen my blogging like some are doing. Oh No, I love blogging and I love the discipline of writing down events and thoughts of my life...New Challenges in Quilting, New Blog Hops, New Friends, New Ideas, New Inspirations....Why on earth would I want to stop???

So...without further ado allow me to share some of the pictures of the people who give me joy and meaning in life. Some are current, some are only a few years ago, and others are from WAAAAY back. Truth be told, I'm writing more for myself today. A New Year makes me ponder and reminisce...come along if you like!

My Favorite picture of all

Scott, My Little Gunslinger!

Reminds me of my cousin David back in the 1950's!