for the mouthy one

I made this wee patchwork blanket for Elizabeth yesterday. The child loves to suck on fabric--a girl after my own heart. She's not picky-- she'll yank a piece of her onesie into those gums or gnaw the dishtowel over my shoulder or the tag hanging off the playmat where she spends some serious time. If she spits up, she gets the purest pleasure if I mop out the insides of her mouth instead of just dabbing up the stuff making a mad dash out of the corner of her mouth, down her cheek and behind her ear lobe.

It's all made with things I had on hand--including some of Kristen's fabric and a perfectly worn piece of flannel from my grandmother's old sheets for the back. It is something I'm really trying to stay committed to lately--the ideas of economy and getting as much life out of an item as possible. Of course, you had to know I'd have a Wendell Berry quote for this one, too:

“Granny was sitting by one of the windows with her sewing basket and button box and a heap of Graddaddy’s and Uncle Ernest’s work shirts beside her on the table. She was patching torn places and replacing buttons, making the shirts last. She too was not making a sound. She was under the spell of her own quietness in the quiet house, and was enjoying being alone”. 

I love that. And if Elizabeth decides that this just might be a favorite thing --(Elizabeth, I so won't mind if you decide that), then I hope it gets full of patches and extra stitches. I'm sure I can find lots of life in it.

Comments

[bigbucketgirl]

Awww! You made me go all goosebumpy! That is such a gorgeous blanket. The colours and the fabrics. The owls.
My mission for today is to find out more about Wendell Berry....when I read that quote out loud..my DD said "That's like you Mumma. You go into a trance" !
Thank you for this post...beautiful. xxx

[shay]

I love this sentiment too, and even though I've never sewn a thing in my life, I want to learn, just so I can extend the life of wonderful things. You may already be familiar with this book, but if not it is great for introducing the concept to kids -- I use it with my students, usually around Earth Day -- Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, by Simms Taback
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780670878550&itm=1

[Missy K]

Lovely post, and thanks to you, I have requested Wendell Berry from our library-- I've read some of his poetry before, but never his prose.

What a wonderful patchwork-- the owls are delightful-- reminding me I want to embroider something owly for my librarian sister.

[erin]

it's so cute, molly. so is that sweet baby!

[jen]

I have enjoyed reading your blog for a while, but have never left a comment. Your Elizabeth is just a little bit older than my Lily (April 19). I had to laugh when I read this post- Lily is a serious fabric sucker. Although she has a homemade taggy blanket, I think she prefers the front of those little onsie dresses she often wears. And nothing brings he rmore joy than getting her spitty mouth wiped out! I love the cutting boards- they are beautiful!

[likely]

You make me think I CAN get projects done with mom craziness going on. Inspiring. Darling blanket. Love the color choices.

[shandy]

wonderful project and wonderful aim. I still like to mumble under my breath from time to time, "a stitch in time saves nine"...

[Lynne]

What a lovely blanket (for a lovely baby)! And I love that quote. That is exactly the type of scene I am striving for in my head as I do my little work. I also loved, loved the quote about aiming the day. I'm going to check me out some Wendell Berry. Thank you for the inspiration.

[stephanie Sicore]

That's too sweet! And I think she DOES look a little crazy about fabric! Lucky you :)

[Ahna]

That's just gorgeous! The blanket isn't bad either.;-) I have been reading your blog for a while, and it seems to me that you have mastered the art of the peaceful family - amazing. I have little 3 girls, and I have not yet mastered that art... sometimes on a Sunday...not often. Thank you for the good words and poetry!

[Heather]

Such a cutie, and a darling blanket. I'm almost done with my book "divisidero" and then am eager to start Andy Catlett. I'm looking forward to the calmness I am thinking it will make me feel.

[denice]

I love the new lovey... very pretty. And as for the Wendell Berry quotes, ah, he is one of our very favorites. So much so, our 3yo son is named Wendell.

[Sonya]

What a wonderful, lulling passage. And I love those colors.

[blair]

I love it so much, the colors are so pretty together, and your feelings around it are so so good. Chew away Elizabeth!

[Chara Michele]

It looks lovely and Elizabeth is such a cutie! :)

[jen b]

that is the sweetest little blanket i have ever seen. love the colors you used.

[Carrie]

Such a nice little blanket for your baby girl! I'm sure it will be well loved since you made it with such love. I like the idea of using what you have and recycling and getting the most use out of fabrics. I recently have been saving some of my old clothes for fabric. I used to throw some away or donate most (which is really great too) but I think keeping some quality things that have nice fabric and/or sentimental value and repurposing them is such a good idea. I have to check out that book you keep quoting!

[joy]

so lovely

this makes me smile!

[Grace]

oh my gosh, that picture of her just made me grin from ear to ear. so cute.

[Kristen]

Hurray! You cut into the fabric. I feel like a proud Mum. The mix of fabrics is lovely.

[kristin]

very sweet - both the tag b lanket and the sentiment from your book. that quote was very nice to read...

[Marie]

I have made a Taggie before, but this is beautiful. I guess I don't think that I can design one that is pleasing to my eye too. Not just blue or pink, as I always turn to.

[Georgia]

Lovely little blanket that I'm sure will become a treasure because you made it. I'm amazed with all the failed things I've made the kids...they still love it because I made it for them. And that's the way it should be.

[Melissa]

I love the fabric and color choices you made. Yummy to baby!

[Cassi]

Oh my, she is so cute! "The spell of her own quietness." Berry's words capture the moment perfectly.