Christmas in California

 

Alzheimer's Drive to Find Home

Raising money for Alzheimer’s research while trying to come to grips with this dreaded and debilitating disease. This disease affects someone every 70 seconds according to the Alzheimer’s Association of America.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Christmas in California

I am coming to the end of my drive, I think, having arrived in Desert Hot Springs, California.  Staying with my friend Sandy, I am finding this place a bit of a mind game. I see the palm trees, feel the warm sun, gaze at the beautiful sky, but the mountains are in the ocean’s space. I have no place to kayak, improve my beach stoop in search of the perfect shell, or a place to watch the pelicans dive for their delectable fish lunch.

Last week I drove to Fallbrook, CA, the avocado Capital of the world, to spend Christmas with my friend, Donna and her husband, Gerry. Dinner was delicious. Thank you, Donna. Where their house is located, flowers blossom all year. The lavender plants are gorgeous, the roses radiant in color and the flowers along the highway sway in the gentle breeze deliciously scenting. Who could not live in such a beautiful place? 

On Saturday, desperately needing to see and feel water, I drove to Oceanside. It shocked and amazed me how smooched together the beach houses are, you could cook in one neighbor’s kitchen while sitting in the living room of the other. But I got what I wanted, I wadded in the FREEZING Pacific Ocean, saw kayaks, people sitting on the beach, and bodies surfing. Now that's California. This desert thing is not my beloved Taos or Santa Fe, New Mexico; there I expect to find dirt, dust and dry relentless winds, here it's suppose to be green and flowers. This place, like I said, is a mind game. Then again Palm Springs, Palm Desert and the other areas are truly beautiful in their landscaping.

Sunday I went to Temecular for wine tasting. Temecula is bordered by Murrieta, home of the Murrieta Hot Springs, and the Pechanga Indian Reservation where the Pechanga Resort and Casino is located. This is largest casino in the Western United States, and one of the largest in the world. For all you golfers, the golf course at Pechnags is a72 Par, 7,219 yard Arthur Hills designed Championship 18-Hole golf course open to the public. There are7 miles of cart paths and the carts are equipped with a GPS system with course tips and narration by U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain Corey Pavin.

The Temecula Valley is a Viticultural Area southern  Riverside County, California where over 200 years ago, winemaking made its debut at Mission San Juan Capistrano where the padres being the first wine makers. Today, the tradition of winemaking still exists 18 miles east in Temecula, where mission vineyards were established in 1820. I tasted wine at the Callaway Vineyard, the Founder, Ely Callaway, gained his fame and fortune in the world of golf with his namesake company, Callaway Golf.

Happy New Year

Sandy

The Baker Institute for Animals, Cornell University

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Dad and Me

sandytravels

Sandy is the daughter of Dr. R. C. Newman, Aroostook County, Maine’s long time veterinarian. She is driving across country raising money for Alzheimer’s Education and Research.

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Contact Sandy

Sandy@ssndesigns.com

sandy@sandrasnewman.com

Photographs of Un-Imagineable Beauty

sandrasnewman.com

graduating from Cornell in 1947, Dad worked a short time for Dr. Sawyer in Windsor, VT where he met and married my mom, Joy (Skinner) Newman, the daughter of Oakley Skinner, Windsor's local druggist and owner of Windsor Drug.

In 1949, Dad was offered a position by the State of Maine and together Mom and Dad moved to Augusta, ME. It was while working as the veterinarian for the State of Maine and traveling north to Aroostook County, that Dad met the farmers in the Island Falls area. It was through these friendships, and his love of the area, he became the areas devoted local veterinarian. For 60 years Dad cared for Aroostook Country's large and small animals, oftentimes traveling 400 miles in one day to doctor a sick cow.

Much loved by all, he was affectionately known as the local "Pet Doc", or lovingly "Doc".

Dad and I thank you so very much for your donations. Yes, animals too get Alzheimer's and Dementia.

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Interesting History of the Button

We sew them on without a second thought, yet these tiny fasteners have stitched their way through thousands of years of history. From ancient ornaments to high fashion statements, buttons have worn many hats — metaphorically, of course.

The button's legacy started over 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley Civilization, where people carved small discs from seashells. Interestingly, these early buttons were not used to fasten anything. They were purely decorative — sewn onto fabric as status symbols or adornments.

It was not until the 13th century in Europe, especially in Germany, that the true magic happened: the buttonhole! This pairing revolutionized clothing. The garments could now be fitted to the body instead of being draped, tied, or belted. Functional fashion had finally met.

The Renaissance and the Button

As Europe marched into the Renaissance and beyond, buttons took a glamorous turn. Nobility wore buttons crafted from gold, silver, ivory, enamel, and gems. Some jackets were more button than fabric. Worn as fashion statement - not just fasteners.

Interestingly, buttons became so associated with status that sumptuary laws in countries like France and England restricted how many or what kinds of buttons commoners could wear.

Our Everyday Button

It is the Industrial Revolution, and suddenly, everyone wants buttons. New materials like bone, horn, wood, and later glass and plastic made mass production possible. Buttons became functional, affordable, and stylish all at once.

Military uniforms helped popularize metal buttons, often engraved with insignias — a trend that stuck around well into the 20th century.

Our Modern Buttons: Creative, Cute and Whimsical

Today, buttons come in every imaginable shape, size, and material — from vintage bakelite to laser-cut wood, from sleek minimalism to whimsical novelties shaped like cats, cupcakes, or cassette tapes.

Even with zippers, snaps, and Velcro exist, there is something deeply satisfying about sewing on a button. Maybe it is a tactile joy. Maybe it is the connection to centuries of makers before us.

The Button/Buttonholes Heritage

Whether you are a sewer, a collector, or someone who just loves the minute details in life, the button has a surprisingly rich story. It is proof that even the smallest things can hold the biggest history.

So next time a button pops off your coat or you are choosing the perfect set for a handmade blouse, give that tiny disk a moment of appreciation. It has been holding things together for millennia — just like you.

 Use the Buttonhole Buster to creat/sew a buttonhole in an impossible place!

Happy Sewing 

Sandy

The inventor of the Original Hump Jumper!!

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Bringing Sanity to Sewing

Please join me on this journey and hope you find joy and inspiration in my blogs! I hope to inspire one's imagination by providing the creative sewer with sewing notions, books, fabric, innovative ideas, and a bit of adventurous travel.

To reintroduce myself. I am Sandra Susann Newman: grew up in the charming northern Maine town of Island Falls. After graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, my wanderlust continued:

•  Traveling to Switzerland during my sophomore/junior summer in college
•  Exploring the United States after graduating

I temporarily paused my travels when I moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where I became a professor of Fashion Art. During my teaching stint, I had a couture bridal shop in Beverly, Massachusetts, designing bridal gowns, Mother-of-the-Bride dresses, Flower Girl dresses, and Christening gowns. 

From 1986 to 1994, I invented several products:

• The Hump Jumper®
• The Puts-It™
• The Buttonhole Buster™

After going through a divorce, which was a life-changing decision, I relocated to Taos, New Mexico, where I taught skiing to little skiers for the Taos Ski Area. It was while in Taos, I rediscovered my passion for photography and began writing children's picture books, including:

• "Scooter the Purple Mogul Mouse"
• "Scooter Meets a Stumbling, Bumbling Bug-Eyed Fly"

After surviving a serious ski accident, I faced another significant life choice and turned to aviation, bringing me back to my love for travel. I am now a Contract Flight Attendant, teaching cabin safety. My life has come full circle, becoming a flight attendant ~ always been my dream!

Now I am retired and looking toward my next adventures.

• Sewing inspiration
• Travel tidbits
• Photographs of the amazing places I have the incredible opportunity to visit

Happy Sewing ~ Happy Travels

Sandy 

Maine Quilt Shop Hop

What is Maine Quilt Shop Hop?

Maine Quilt Shop Hop is an annual event in the State of Maine.   Participating Independent Quilt Shops invite "Shop Hoppers" to pick up a passport at any of the stores to start the hop, then visit as many stores as you can between April 1st and April 30.  You have your Passport stamped at each shop you visit. It's a great way to see beautiful Maine during glorious springtime, and have a chance at winning some of the up to $15,000.00 in prizes!  Bring the family, bring your friends.  Over the years the Shop Hop has grown, and each year we see more and more people, not only from Maine but from states throughout our great country.  It's a really fun event.  We look forward to seeing you in April!

A Charming Idea
Shop Hoppers receive a FREE 5" Charm square of the Shop Hop Theme Fabric.  Collect them all to use for the exclusive Shop Hop project, or a design of your own.  For 2013 each hopper will receive a Charm Square, courtesy of Fabri-Quilt.

Your Exclusive Pattern
A free, downloadable pattern is designed exclusively for Maine Quilt Shop Hop each year, and available for a limited time to shop-hoppers.  In 2013 the pattern has been designed by Portland's own Auntie's Two. 

Fun for All Ages
Children ages 7-17 can hop too, using a Children's Passport.

Not a Quilter? No Problem
Have someone driving you around? "Chauffeurs" can enter their own prize drawing for a Chauffer Prize!

Prizes? How about $15,000.00 worth in 2013!
Lots of prizes with different levels for visiting all shops or some shops!   In 2012, the total prize tally exceeded $14,000.00!

Challenge Quilts & Voting
Every shop makes a quilt using common fabrics from that year's theme.  As you travel to each shop, please take a look at their Challenge Quilt and vote for your favorite (the ballot is on the passport).  All the challenge quilts will be available to view at Maine Quilts 2013 at the Augusta Civic Center.

The Put-it

I just received this fantastic endorsement for my product the Puts-it and want to share. Please share with your sewing/crafting and quilting friends.

Sandy,

I just need to thank you for making the “Puts-it” available to quilters.  I have rheumatoid arthritis and always have such difficulty putting the needle in my sewing machine or serger. A friend gave me the Puts-it the other day after she had found it on the internet!  What a God send!  I just changed my needle with no problem in a couple of minutes!!!!  I think it would be a great idea to advertise your Puts-it in some of the Arthritis Magazine and even let the Arthritis Foundation know about it.  There are many of us, who have such dexterity problems, I’m sure they would be interested!  Thanks again, Linda S

Thank you again and Happy Holidays

Happy Sewing

Sandy

The Hump Jump Lady

www.ssndesigns.com

The Hump Jumper Teaching Video

Please watch my video to learn the various uses of the Hump Jumper. The sewing notion that helps solve such frustrating sewing problems from sewing over bulky seams to keeping delicate fabrics out of the feed dog.

Please send your tips and comments to sandy@ssndesigns.com and visit her website www.ssndesigns.com

Happy Sewing
Sandy

The Puts-itä

 

The Puts-itä referred to by many crafter, quilter, and/or sewer as part of their hand or creatively “their third hand” has become one of the most important sewing notions in their notion box. Once introduced into your notion box, you will discover this multi-use tool helps manipulate seams and fabrics. Shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, arthritic fingers will find it easy and fun to use.

The Puts-itä has two very important features: the squared tapered end, 3/8” in width, fits under the front of the presser foot for controlling run away gathers and pleats, is ideal for controlling corners when machine quilting and appliquéing, easily lifts out bobbins, and the perfect notion for making a quick, easy crease.  For those interested in Heirloom machine stitching, the non-snag tapered end safely holds slippery ribbons, delicate lace, and fabric together while stitching. 

The Puts-itä perfect for Heirloom Stitching 

The opposite end of the Puts-itä has a no-snag tip ideal for turning out collar points and stuffing tiny areas.  There is also a tapered needle hole for inserting a conventional or serger needle into the machine while the needle clamp screw is tightened.

The Puts-itä is the perfect notion for controlling, placing and tracing.  Add it to your notion box, right next to the Hump Jumperâ and Buttonhole Busterä, you will have all the sewing notions that solve such frustrating problems! The Puts-itâ, your multi-use sewing notion!

Happy Sewing,

Sandy

SN Designs Co – the inventor of the essential sewing tools that solve such frustrating problems

http://www.ssndesigns.com/ - sandy@ssndesigns.com – 1.617.803.7868