Sometimes when I am working on a project, I am flooded with
childhood memories which leave me both smiling and a little
sad at the same time.
Growing up on a farm, some things were expected and
even considered normal. A large garden and canning vegetables.
Fresh loaves of baked bread to go with fresh eggs from the chickens.
Coming home from school and having 6-10 ladies around a large
quilting frame. I was always invited to sit with them.
Sometimes I would, but most of the time – because of my
seemingly “busy schedule” as a teenager , I didn’t have time.
Now, how I wish I had spent more time at that quilting frame
with my Mama and Grandmama and Aunt and elderly neighborhood
ladies from the like Mrs. Lula.
I wish I had listened to their stories about their childhood,
and the things they loved to do and make. I wish I had paid more
attention to the advice they tried to give me. Advice which at the time,
seemed so ancient and useless to me. I don’t regret so much
the quilting lessons. Honestly, I have never had the patience.
But, I wish I had sat down and listened to the life lessons they
wanted to share.
The same goes for when my Mama tried to teach me how to knit.
Knit? Me?
How could I possibly want or need to learn how to knit.
There was cheer practice and dance lessons and friends to visit
and places to go. Cool things. Why would I ever want to waste my
time doing something so old-fashioned as knitting?
My sweet Mama just turned 79 on Friday.
She doesn’t knit or crochet or quilt any longer,
her eyes won’t let her.
But, what wouldn’t I give to have that chance again.
Again, not for the education of learning these skills.
I could teach myself now if I wanted to.
But, to have that memory of spending time with my Mama
and allowing her to pass down
homemaking skills she had learned from her Mama.
Time I can never, ever get back again.
As I was gathering the supplies needed to make this project,
I laughed that if I had actually paid attention and learned to
knit, I could have whipped out my needles and yard and made
these Coffee Cozy’s lickety-split.
But, since my knitting experience consists of maybe 10 stitches
total in my life,
I decided to use a leftover sleeve of a Goodwill sweater project,
My Sweater-Covered Lamp Shade.
BooBoo Bunny wasn’t quite sure what I was doing…
although he secretly hoped I was making him a soft bed to lay on?
I cut a width of the cuff which would fit one of my favorite coffee mugs.
Then, I made a small slit on one side, leaving about a 1/2″ at the top.
Next, I used some matching yarn and a large plastic needle to “hem”
both sides of the slit, as well as, all around the bottom of the cozy.
I placed the stitches as close as possible.
I used the same yarn to create button “loops.”
Pretty, heart buttons were sewn on with regular thread…
Finally, some Irish Coffee topped with whipped cream and mini
heart sprinkles was the finishing touch.
I have to share what my sweet friend, Pat, sent me. She knew I had
been down in the dumps for the past few weeks. She has the most
giving heart and caring soul I’ve ever known.
Love.
She ordered this from a cute etsy shop called “jessica numbers designs.”
She has several different designs and I adore them.
Perfect for stirring my coffee…while reading my new book
“How to Knit for Dummies”
(…and teenagers who were too stubborn to learn from their Mama’s)
Supplies Needed:
(1) Sweater Sleeve or Cuff
Matching Yard
(1) Plastic Needle
*large enough to thread the yard
Standard Needle & Matching Thread
Buttons
My Cost:
Sweater Cuff –
*I already had from a leftover project
Yard –
$2.50 from Michael’s
Buttons –
$1.99 from Michael’s with 40% off coupon
Oh yea, by the way… BooBoo Bunny decided he was not much help
since he didn’t know how to knit, and didn’t drink much
coffee anyway. So, he took a nap instead. On the leftover sleeve.
Happy Birthday to my sweet, smart, beautiful, Southern Mama.
Sharing With:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Angie Lawson says
Oh I LOVE these! They just completely feel cozy to me, just looking at them☺ Thanks for the great tutorial. I have to say that i agree with you about wishing that i would’ve listened a little more and taken a little more time to enjoy my grandparents while they were here! But the sweet memories that come each holiday, or when I make something that takes me back just fills me with bitter-sweet nostalgia☺ Thank you for your sweet post!—♥Angie
View CommentGinger @dwellinginthehouse says
I love this idea! What a neat gift idea. BTW, I feel the same way about neglecting all those sewing lessons. I’m trying to pick up a few things now, but do I ever wish I’d been more willing as a teen!
View Commentsonny says
loved reading the post and all I can say to iit is- Me Too~! why didnt I listen and learn more when I could have and my reasons are about the same as yours Baton practise, music lessons and boyfriends.
love the coffee cozy and might have to copy you.. I’ll make sure you get credit for this sweet idea:)\
big southern hugs
View CommentSonny
Dee says
Sweet post! I love the spoon and your adorable coffee sweater.
View CommentLaure @ Mom Home Guide says
Your coffee cup cozy is adorable. I wish I had some sweaters lying around that I could use for this project! But I did get a circle loom from my daugthers as a birthday gift, so maybe some cup cozies can be my first project!
View CommentKathleen G says
This post really resonated with me. My mother is turning 80 in a couple of weeks. I’ll be visiting during her birthday. You are so right about life lessons and the opportunity to learn the crafts. My mother too, cannot sew because of her eyes. I still have a afghan she made me when I was in High School. Your writing is like a story. Kathleen in Az
View CommentMarty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Love the coffee cozy and Happy Birthday to your mom. Hugs, Marty
View CommentBarbara from 21 Rosemary Lane says
I love love love this idea!!! Hey if men can have cozies for their beer cans why not a sweater cozy for a coffee mug! It is such a charming idea Barbara…thank you so much for sharing. Have a great week!!
View CommentXO Barbara
PS Happy birthday to your mother!
Kimberly Conover Dickerson says
Barb: I don’t comment often but I read each and every post of yours. Your stories always make me smile and your projects are always adorable. I’m sorry you’ve been feeling blue lately—-I hope it passes soon. Hugs to you and your sweet mama <3
View CommentJenna says
This is so cute! Loved your story too 🙂
View CommentNancy says
Your story brought tears to my eyes Barb. I do understand those ‘wishes’. My mom taught me and my sister how to sew and I am so glad that she did! I too wish she had of showed me how to crochet and knit. She was good at it, but didn’t seem like something I wanted to learn….well – THEN anyway!
View CommentYour mom would be proud of your idea of making these cozies….they are so cute and creative!
Blessings to your mom on her birthday.
My mom would have been 87 on January 18th.
Nancy