Painted letters and a bonus collage

Middle (who is in college and turning 20 shortly) is VERY good at sending pictures to me, without my even asking, as she works on projects throughout the year.




This is how it started -

To be honest, she sent me a picture at this point, asking for ideas. This happened to be for a guy, so she was asking for masculine ideas. I looked back through my archives, using my labels (below this post), and responded stripes always are a good idea for guys.





This is how it finished -

Middle was in a secret santa exchange (RA's in her dorm). The rule was that it could not cost any $, had to be made with free/on hand things.

The letters middle normally paints are wood. This one was cut from a piece of cardboard -

This is what middle's secret santa gave her -

These are other letters middle made for another xmas exchange -

This set is for a family -

Holiday Framed Needle Work

If you remember, I have two huge rails/shelves in my kitchen where we change pictures with the seasons. If want to find pictures of my kitchen, there are lots of them, link is on my side bar. I have several holiday pieces. This post contains three, all made by me, which I love.

This first one (above) is cross stitch. It is a small count, which means big weave, so it went very fast. It is a simple pattern. Yes, that is a ceramic button for the heart. The frame is wooden and off the rack, so the frame was inexpensive. However it was stretched and framed at a regular shop, expensive, so it was done well. I really like the frame because it is "carved". This piece is 18" x 22".  I always put glass on things so they stay nice. My kids WILL want all the framed stuff at our house. So each piece feels like a good investment.




This next piece (below) is all done by machine. I think I pieced the background (curved seam sewing the woods to the night sky) and then the rest of the pieces are layered on top of each other and machine appliquéd. Notice I trimmed behind the snowman bottoms so there are no shadows.  This was also professionally framed and is behind glass.  This piece is 18" x 36".

This next piece (below) is also appliquéd, but was all done by hand. I started with the blue background and each piece was placed on top and sewn. The porch rails and window panes were embroidered. The candles and lightening rods are beads. The wreath and tiny showman are ceramic buttons. There is a button cardinal in the top of the tree. The larger snowman and his hat are some type of felt. The rest of the fabrics are traditional woven cotton.  This piece is 16" x 20" and is also behind glass.

Clothes that children with autism would consider friendly or fun

It is never Autistic Children.

It is children with autism.

You might remember middle plans to work in a specialized clinic/school, one on one, with preschool children with autism.

I watch for clothing these children will appreciate.

We call this first one the Dr. Seuss sweater. Can you see why?

(actually Put Me in the Zoo was not written by Dr Seuss, instead it was written by Robert Lopshire).





Children with autism tend to have favorite things.



Sometimes these are numbers -

Sometimes these are dinosaurs -

She has both the numbers and dinosaur sweaters from Target. Don't get your heart set on them, they are mostly gone now.


We are on the look out for a great solar system shirt or sweater. So far, those we have seen have been too arty or abstract. The kids will be happier with something in more of a classroom poster format.



She also has a collection of (actual) costumes including cowgirl, witch, gypsy.