A poem, a turtle and some sleeves… (how’s that for random???)

Before today’s post, I have to go back to something from yesterday. That post was called “Like father, like daughter” and you can see if HERE if you missed it. I posted my comments all in one later in the evening and didn’t do individual comments…

Later on in the evening Anne, one of my readers, penned a poem about the post and it was just too cute not to share. I thought many of you might miss it and I just loved it!

Anne Johnson says:

Like Father, Like Daughter

A smart young woman (and a bright, rising star)
Had a promising job, but needed a new car

She wanted something bigger, and more reliable, too
Maybe a sporty SUV — she had looked at a few

So she did all her homework and found one online
It was just what she wanted and looked quite fine

She said, “Dad, would you take me and help me inspect it?”
And of course he agreed, feeling honored and respected!

They lived in Illinois where there’d been lots of rain
But they headed on out through some flooded terrain

Momma went along, too, tho’ recovering from “the crud,”
And they made several detours around the water and mud

When they arrived at the dealership, a test drive they took
But the girl was still cautious, and she gave Dad a look

So down on their backs they slid under the car
With flashlights they looked for what might be “subpar”

Dad had trained the girl well, she knew just what to look for
And she checked the parts thoroughly with her dad as her mentor

Finding nothing at all that could cause them distress
The girl was quite close to her new car success

She had researched her price and knew just what she’d pay
She made a good offer, and her parents began to pray

He checked with his boss, then the salesman said, “Yes!”
The girl purchased her car with the utmost finesse

Congratulations, Rebecca, on your new Chevy Blazer
And congratulations as well to the parents who raised her!

Wasn’t that clever? Thank you so much Anne!

In other news, taking Reuben for a walk, my hubby noticed a big turtle in our yard. He called me outside and I could see where it had dug a hole with its tail and my hubby said she was probably getting ready (if she hadn’t already) to lay eggs. We can’t have eggs right where we walk so my hubby picked her up and took her to the back of our property… This picture is just thrown in for fun and has nothing whatsoever to do with today’s real post! :o)

If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.

I worked quite a while today on Addy’s dress and even though it won’t look like hours of work it was! Handwork takes the longest time… Wanting to make the neckline area pretty and flouncy, I gathered up a strip of the fabric and added some of my vintage lace to it. I used pins to help distribute my gathers evenly.

Very carefully, I hand stitched the “loopy” trim to the edge and cut a bias strip of the fabric to make the neck edge neat. I’m debating about adding that teeny tiny tatted lace to the edge of it, but I’ll have to wait and see…

Next came the sleeves. I added a length of one of my vintage laces to the edge. Then I took a narrow piece of elastic and stitched a large zig zag stitch over it, but didn’t pull up my elastic…just left it loose. Adding another piece of lace that overlapped the first piece, I stitched that one on. After I had set the sleeve in place, I pulled up the elastic and this is what happened with my sleeves.

Here is a close up of the sleeves stretched apart with my fingers…

Here’s a close up of the sleeve… set in place…

They aren’t stitched on the underarm seam yet, so they’ll fit better when that happens. I think you’ll be able to scrunch them up high if you like, or leave them a bit longer if you like that look…

Left side is scrunched up and the right side isn’t. 

It’s starting to come together, isn’t it?

Today (Wednesday) is my hubby’s last day of Chemo and I’ll take the skirt with me and hand hem it I suppose. Other than that, I don’t have anything else finished enough to work on it there.

So I guess we’ll see what happens tomorrow and what I get accomplished…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

27 thoughts on “A poem, a turtle and some sleeves… (how’s that for random???)”

  1. I loved the poem. I hope Rebecca has enjoyed our contributions to her new car buying experience.
    The new dress is going to be beautiful. I love the sleeves and we were all right about the loopy lace. It really works.
    I hope the chemo went well and that it does the work it’s supposed to. Your family deserves the best.

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      I loved Anne’s poem too. It was pretty clever, wasn’t it?
      I sent a picture of that loopy lace on Addy’s dress to Cindy, and she told me they had lots more…maybe I should put in an order for more…
      Actually I was mixed up on my days…we are at our last treatment right now.
      Thanks so much, Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Love the poem, too cute. Addy’s dress is looking very nice. I hope hubby does well with his last chemo treatment and I will keep him in my prayers.

    1. Hi Christine,
      Thank you for prayers most of all. Glad you like Addy’s dress…I just finished the hems on it as I was sitting here…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. After reading the wonderfully clever poem, I was reading the rest of the post as if it was in rhyme! Thanks, Anne, for a real treat that honors father and daughter. I thought the rest of her abilities were amazing, but changing the brakes . . . Wow! That’s hundreds more saved and you know it’s done right.
    This dress is just wonderful already. Love the lace layers on the sleeves, the Basque waist and the layered skirt. I agree with adding tiny lace at the neckline. Can’t wait to see it finished. It will be great with the AG lace umbrella that I’m sure most of us have who love the accessories.
    So glad the treatments will be over and that George did so well. Thanks for keeping us posted. We all care so much.

    1. Thank you Susette.
      I just knew everyone should have a chance to read Anne’s poem. It’s so great and I just love it.
      I just finished hemming the skirt hems and wish I had gotten the underarm seams sewn so I could have finished the handwork on the bodice.
      I can’t believe we’ve been coming here for 5 1/2 months and now this is the last one…
      Thanks Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. What a clever clever poem, Anne. It really had good rhythm and told the story of Rebecca and her dad checking out a car perfectly!! You are so talented with poems!!
    Love the turtle story and it’s wonderful George is protecting her despite her first not-to-good choice of a nest. By the way, our Barnswallows are back attempting to make a nest on the front porch. As much as my husband and I love these little birds, the floor of the porch gets very messy near the front door. We also have a cute little bunny who lives somewhere in the front of the house. He/she is always hopping back and forth among the bushes out front. I was watching her out the window and she started nibbling on a plant my husband planted last year…I’m terrible because I didn’t chase her off…I also haven’t told my husband yet. Personally, I’d grow a garden just for the bunnies so it’s fine with me if she eats the plant. Yipes!
    Addy’s dress is just divine!! I think this one is just gorgeous. Addy could be the belle of a ball.
    So glad for George that this is his last chemo therapy session. I’m sure he will be relieved. Like Susette, we appreciate you keeping us posted as we do all care very much.

    1. Hi Paula,
      You have barnswallows, how sweet. The porch seems to be a favorite nesting place for birds. We had a robin who built her nest in the middle of the daisy wreath on the brick wall next to the front door. It was a challenge going outside without frightening her, but she did get used to it and eventually didn’t leave. I got lots of great pictures of the babies before then flew. We also had a wren that chose the hanging basket on the porch and cardinal that chose the back porch before the sunroom was built.
      Aww, bunnies. I LOVE bunnies. We plant things for the bunnies after the year the peas got planted out and the bunny ate them all overnight. I’d rather have bunnies and they really don’t do much damage and they are so precious. I’ll take wildlife over some plants any day.

    2. Thank you Paula,
      I’m glad you, like everyone else enjoyed Annes poem too. It really was cleverly written.

      George and I have been watching a pair of Martins outside the window here at the treatment center. The male was just glistening in the sunlight and we enjoyed seeing them…
      Birds always pick the most inconvenient places to nest, don’t they?
      I’m glad you’re liking the looks of Addy’s dress…there is still lots to be done but I think the hardest part be done. I’m still trying to figure out the attaching of the 2 parts to the dress…we’ll see…
      Thanks Paula,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Great rhyme, Anne! You’ve definitely got a gift for this type of expression and I agree with the ladies above, it just captured perfectly all that transpired.

    Addy’s dress is yummy, Jeanne. If anyone has more than one of your dresses, or even just one, it’s such a stellar example of what beautiful dresses these dolls can wear. It really is a banquet to come read your posts and see your work.

    Blessings on you and George as you step out of chemo after today. May the path shine brightly as you continue to journey onwards.

    Take care.

    1. Thank you Becky,
      I’m so glad we have “other” poets around here besides me…I loved Anne’s poem….

      Thank you for your kind words about my dresses, Becky. It means so much…and to be compared to a “banquet”….wow…how sweet!

      Yes, now Chemo over and we move onto something else…I really appreciate your prayers for wisdom in what we do next…
      Thanks Becky,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. The poem is great fun! I read it last night and again this morning. You’re a talented poet, Anne!
    The bodice is so pretty! Handwork may be slower to complete but the impact is strong. Your attention to detail and the precision of your handwork makes your work stand out. I love the loopy lace and the double layer lace on the sleeves makes them special.
    Best of luck to you and George as his chemo ends. You’re in my thoughts.

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      Yes, that Anne is quite talented isn’t she?
      Addy’s dress is coming along pretty quickly now and I hope to get more done on it and get it listed fairly soon. I think everyone liked that loopy trim so I’m glad I used it.
      Thank you Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Yahoo, last treatment day!
    Loved Anne’s poem.
    Turtles and bunnies at Paula’s, such fun wildlife abounds.
    Great sewing lesson on the elastic and sleeves. They are just lovely as is the rest of this dress. I also like how you have just the right amount of fullness around the neck. I’m considering doing something with the lace sewn down as yours, but cutting the fabric away from the back so you can see through the lace. Just not sure how that inside edge would be finished after though. Heirloom sewing I believe.
    Be thinking of you and family today.

    1. Hi Joy,
      I think Anne’s poem was a hit…and I’m so glad I shared it…
      Susette asked me about the particulars on rhe sleeves so I might share how I did it.yes, if you plan to cut the fabric away from behind the lace, that would be heirloom sewing techniques involved. You can trim the fabric away with a pair of applique scissors and then finish the raw edges and the lace with a tiny zig zag stitch to finish it off.
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Last treatment day, how wonderful!! I’m sure George is grateful.
    What a sweet poem Anne wrote. It really sums up the new car buying experience.
    OH, Addy’s dress is coming along beautifully and that fabric really does look very pretty on her, much more than I originally thought it would. The pale linen look background goes beautifully with her skin tone. Love, love, love the sleeves and the collar with the lace edging. Addy does look as if she’s heading to a ball or perhaps a church social. She does look as if she needs a parasol. I want to find a lace parasol with a wooden handle for my Civil War girls. I wish the NOLA one had a wooden handle instead of plastic.

    1. Hi Laura,
      Thank you for your kind compliments on Addy’s dress. I have some of the harder and time consuming aspects of it done so hopefully after I do a little more attaching, it will be smooth sailing!
      I’m going to have to check on those parasols…it sounds like what I need…
      Thank you Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Whar a wonderful poem, Jeanne, but WHAT? You came to Missouri and didn’t tell me? Did you go to St. Louis, since we are two hours away when you go the way you go. Well, it would have been nice to meet all three of you, but oh yes, you had things to do, and yay, Rebecca got her SUV!
    Love those turtles! We have had a few too, but haven’t seen any this year, unless they drowned! What a horrible thought! Oh Laura, bunnies—well, I love them too, but last year they about did in my petunias! That I don’t like!
    Oh, I love the fabric of Addy’s dress with her dark skin! That lace collar is just gorgeous, and I especially love the sleeves longer, rather than pushed up. What about a row of tiny pearl buttons down the center front all the way to the point? Maybe not, but pearl something, necklace maybe, would be pretty! I can’t wait to see what you do!

    1. Hi Linda,
      The car dealership was in BonTerre MO. The Cheater bridge was closed so we had to go all the way around and go through Cape…then up. I wasn’t reading a map…I was just along for the ride, so I have no idea where we were in relation to you…

      Hancocks…the fabric store I usually went to has closed up so there was no fabric shopping. The little quilt shop I go to sometimes was closed by the time we drove by it.

      I am hoping to get Rebecca to make Addy a necklace for this dress. I was considering adding some pearls to the lace on her collar…
      I’ll have to see when I get a little more done on the dress.
      Thanks for your compliments. ..
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Oh Jeanne, you were only 50 or 60 miles away from me if you were in Bonne Terre! Another missed opportunity! Well, there is always tomorrow!

    I forgot to add a word of congratulations to George, on completing his chemo! He weathered the storm, and made it through without a lot of complications like some people do. He even has all his hair, from what I could see in the pictures!! He is as good looking as ever, and lucky you!!!
    Love to you and George!

  11. Anne is a gifted poet–and story teller too! Thank you sharing other readers’ talents with us.
    That’s a big turtle. I’m glad you and George moved her to a better location. We have had a fair amount of rain the past few weeks, and yesterday I saw a man pulled over on the side of the road to move a turtle out of the traffic and into the ditch it was headed for. It makes me smile when I see people’s kindness toward all God’s creatures.
    I’m happy George had the last chemo treatment. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed. I’m still praying for a full recovery.
    I almost forgot to mention Addy’s new dress. It’s gorgeous and I love the neckline with the ruffle and bias binding. This one is looking like a homerun!

    1. HI Carolyn,
      Yes, Anne is very gifted at her poems… I think she’s done a few before, but this one was superb!
      I’m glad everyone, including you, is liking Addy’s newest dress. I only got the skirts hemmed today, but that’s more toward getting the dress completely done… :o)
      Yes, we are very glad that the chemo is finished… it’s actually been a long 5 1/2 months, but he made it!
      Thank you Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. Blushing now! Thank you to everyone for the kind words about my poem. I only hope it did justice to Rebecca’s milestone event and the sweet honor she paid to George.

    Addy’s gown is coming along beautifully. The pale stripe with roses is very flattering against her skin. The double lace sleeves, basque waist and layered skirt are so charming, and Cindy’s lace is the perfect embellishment on the deep ruffled collar. Looking forward to the final touches!

    Highest admiration to George for completing his treatments in such good form. Saluting you, too, Jeanne, for your constant support and abiding love. Many blessings to you both as you take the next step on your journey. So many prayers of comfort and healing go with you!

    1. HI Anne,
      You are the STAR for today… I’m so glad you wrote that poem and I just knew everyone would love it! I think it was a big hit…
      I’m liking Addy’s dress very much too… oh no…what if it becomes my new favorite??? I hope it becomes someone else’s new favorite!
      Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts Anne. It’s been wonderful having ladies like you support us along the way…
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. HI designdreamer,
      Thanks for your compliments on Addy’s dress.
      Rebecca hasn’t had a day off since she got her Blazer and she doesn’t have another day off until Saturday. I think she’s going nuts wanting to get out there and fix up her Nissan to get it ready to sell and check out her Blazer as well. She gets home too late at night to do anything to it… But Saturday’s coming and soon she’ll be able to check it out …
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. Charlotte Trayer

    What a fun post this was today!! Hopefully George moved the turtle before she laid any eggs!

    I do the wide zigzag over narrow elastic for sleeves, too, but never thought to hold off pulling it up and then adding the second row of lace, the way you did. Great idea!!

    So glad to hear that George has had his last chemo treatment!! I trust they did some kind of celebration at the treatment center? Or at least the two of you celebrated in some way. It’s a milestone, for sure!!

Comments are closed.