I retired from teaching three years ago. During that time, I’ve rediscovered a passion for writing. I joined a local writing forum and published a few stories and poems in their anthologies “Monsoon Madness” and “Desert Muses”. https://www.amazon.com/Debra-VanDeventer/e/B08GZS67GS. I am fortunate to be part of a writer’s critique group as well. This January, I ventured into the art of blogging and Seams Like a Story was born.
Why do I write? I’m not sure really, but it is a creative outlet. It keeps my brain active, and forces me to keep up with technology. Writing also helped me process the complex feelings I was having when I retired from a thirty-seven-year teaching career. I started writing about the challenges I faced as a new retiree and some anecdotes from my teaching past. Sometimes when I’m on a writing roll, I lose track of time and my husband has to drag me away from the computer for meals. Other times, I’m distracted, uninspired, in a creative slump.
My writing life has its ups and downs and my writer’s ego is fragile. Take last week, for example:
MONDAY : Girl dreams of fame and success
After three years, I had finished what I hoped would be the final draft of my “transition from teaching” memoir. Eager to test the waters, it was in the hands of three trusted critique buddies. I opened my morning journal and mapped out my road to success: publishing and marketing strategies, blog posts, Etsy shop? Pinterest? The possibilities were endless.
TUESDAY: Girl’s dreams are dashed
The critiques came in:
“Good job, this part is great, loved this section, so funny here, it’s going to be a great book that many can relate to. But… this part reads slow, move this chapter to the front, watch verb tense here, you have some comma issues, eliminate this part -it doesn’t add to the story.”
WEDNESDAY: Girl struggles with self-doubt
Maybe I don’t want to be a writer. It’s too hard. I don’t want to put in the work. No one would want to read this, anyway. My life is boring. Blah. I’m going to sit on the couch for the rest of my life and binge-watch Netflix.
THURSDAY: Girl receives a glimmer of hope
Text from a friend: “Just saw your story in the Desert Leaf magazine. Loved it!!”
I had submitted my 300 word short story six months ago, and they had accepted it for publication. After being rescheduled once, it was to appear in the September issue. It was in the back of my mind, almost forgotten, until I got the text. The next day, I received my copy in the mail. There it was on page six: Stir Crazy by Debra VanDeventer. A writer’s high, a glimmer of hope arrived just when I needed it most.
FRIDAY: Girl gets back to work
Maybe I’ll take another look at my teacher-retirement manuscript. It has potential. Let me take out this part…. move this to the front… add comma here… work on the flow… add more details to this section…
(to be continued)
Threads of thought
If you live in the Tucson area, check out the September issue of Desert Leaf Magazine.
In a former life, this women’s jacket was a pin-striped, button-down men’s shirt.
Inspiration for this men’s shirt upcycle
How did a men’s shirt upcycle to a woman’s jacket? It had been several months since I’d sewn and the creativity bug was nudging me. Though still blazing hot where I live, cooler days would be coming. I wanted to make a lightweight wrap, cardigan, or jacket to wear over a T-shirt and jeans. My initial inspiration came from the All Well Cardigan Coat pattern https://allwellworkshop.com/cardigan-coat
Materials
The All Well Cardigan can be made in a variety of fabrics. The pattern guide also suggested experimenting with vintage or recycled fabrics for a unique look. I was about to head to the local thrift shop when I remembered I had a sack of clothing recently purged from the closet. Here I found two pin-striped, button down shirts my husband was discarding. They were in good shape and made from a sturdy, wrinkle-resistant oxford cloth. Could I use these? Searching through my sewing closet, I found this unusual print and some antique buttons my sister had sent me. Could I make this work?
Button down shirts, fabric remnant, and antique buttons. Hmm…
The Process:
I decided to upcycle the blue pin-striped shirt into a woman’s jacket. At first I was planning to cut the shirt apart and try to salvage enough fabric for the pattern. On second thought, I decided to keep the existing structure in tact. The sleeves, side seams, and front placket remained unchanged. I removed parts that made it look like a man’s shirt…the chest pocket, collar, and buttons.
This pocket could be used on another project.
I carefully cut off the collar, leaving the band. The attached band was later turned under and stitched to make the neck facing.
Next, I used the All Well Cardigan pattern to mark the cropped hemline on the shirt. This cut off enough fabric from the bottom of the men’s large-tall-sized shirt to turn the short sleeves into long sleeves. I pieced them together, then stitched the pieces onto the existing short sleeves. This took some starts and stops, as I was making it up as I went along. The stripes for the “added on ” part of the sleeve runs opposite to the stripes on the existing sleeve, but I like the effect!
I like the effect of the banded sleeve and directional stripes.
Finishing touches:
Edges and hem
To finish the front edges of the shirt, I folded under the front plackets where the buttons and buttonholes had been and stitched them in place. Remember the collar band that I had NOT cut off of the neck edge of the shirt? That was folded under (after I removed some of the bulk) and stitched down to form the neck edge facing. This resulted in a clean, collarless look in keeping with the All Well Cardigan style. I hemmed the lower edge of the garment with a double-fold-and – stitch.
Pocket and back pleat detail
To add a touch of whimsy, I cut out a panel from the fabric remnant, lined it with a complimentary print from my stash, and sewed it to form a pocket. I cut a small square from the same remnant and stitched it onto the back pleat to make an interesting detail and take away the “men’s shirt” look.
It’s the small details like this pocket that really turn this from a men’s shirt to a unique woman’s jacket.
Coming or going, this jacket makes an impression!
Button and Buttonhole
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to use one of the oversized antique buttons on this project. (Remember, the existing buttonholes had been turned under and no longer visible). The addition of the button was challenging. This one-and-a-half-inch- diameter button needed a buttonhole that was too large for my machine’s buttonhole attachment. I googled “how to make custom buttonholes” and figured out (with a great deal of practice) how to make one using a zig-zag stitch.
I was determined to make this button work even though I needed a custom buttonhole.
The End Result
I’m happy with my new jacket. It was fun to play around with what I already had. I started with a basic idea or plan, but in the end, the materials themselves dictated the final look. I think it looks cute with the gold-linen, wide-legged pants I made this spring.
I think it would be nice with boyfriend jeans as well.
Speaking of boyfriend…my husband walked in as I was cutting off the collar of the shirt. “What are you doing to my shirt?!” he exclaimed. I had to remind him that the shirt had been in the “Goodwill” pile for more than a year. Still he eyed me suspiciously. Now he keeps a close watch on his closet.
Threads of Thought
Upcycling is “creatively repurposing old materials while maintaining some of their original characteristics.”
That perfectly describes this project, but the term doesn’t only apply to sewing. Many things could be upcycled: wood scraps, furniture, jewelry, dishes…the possibilities are endless!
Have you tried your hand at upcycling? I’d love to hear about it!
When I’m not sewing, I’m writing! Look for Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life at amazon.com/author.debravandeventer
Let’s face it…who wants boring houseplants, when you can create these adorable personalities? For this project, I had help from my creative daughter-in-law and imaginative granddaughter.
Inspiration Strikes
Hmmmm …what could I do with these?
I began my Seams Like a Story blog eight months ago to explore my creative life and inspire others. I never know when inspiration will strike or where it will take me. Sometimes I write, sometimes I sew. This time my inspiration came from a trip to the local thrift shop where I found these colorful pots.
Browsing through Pinterest, my idea began to take shape. There are lots of ideas out there:
DIL Becca designed and cut the faces on her Cricut machine then printed them off on permanent vinyl. Granddaughter Lillian decided which face should go with each pot.
Becca and Lillian worked carefully to peel off the backing and attach the faces to the pots.
Do this step carefully because, like the name says, it’s permanent.
We used a plastic kitchen spatula to rub out the air bubbles.
Getting Our Hands Dirty
Next, we potted baby succulent plants into each pot. Since the pots didn’t have drainage holes, we purchased special potting soil that was formulated for succulents. We used four different varieties of plants. Lillian had fun deciding which “hair” went with each face.
Too Cute!
Our potted plants turned out so cute! Lillian thought the orange one with glasses and spikey hair looked like Grandma, and of course the perky pink one with the fancy hair fit her personality perfectly!
These would make great gifts, but I’m keeping them for now. Their smiles remind me of the fun we had together!
One month later…..
Whoa Lillian! Your “hair” is really growing!
Threads of Thought
If you don’t want to “face” your planter, here are some cute sayings I found:
You Grow Girl
I will survive
Let it Grow
Not Dead…yet
You had me at Aloe
(Pick one or make up your own! )
If you don’t have access to a Cricut machine, you could paint your designs and words on.
I’ve spent most of my life in the Midwest where rain is plentiful. In the summertime, it’s hard to keep the lush grass mown in between downpours. I now make my home in the desert Southwest where rain is scarce. If we’re lucky, we get enough rain during our two monsoon seasons (July-Sept and Jan.-Feb) to support the desert and our draught-resistant landscapes. I recently spent a month in Indiana where I camped in dense forests, woke to the sound of lawn mowers, and envied my daughter’s bountiful herb garden. When I returned to my desert home I found…
Angry Plants
My garden needs attention. I drag the green rubber hose over to a sad shrub. Burrowing the nozzle through brittle. branches until I reach its base, the water trickles down to thirsty roots while I turn my attention to a pot of dried flowers. Lantana was so happy before we left a month ago: her dainty yellow and purple blossoms were a welcome burst of color in a beige landscape. Why were you gone so long? they seem to say as I snip off their dead heads. There’s green growth underneath. With some love, attention, and water they may spring back
.
Pitiful Herbs
I move on to my potted herbs in the corner. It’s too late for Chives and Thyme. I dump them out and stash their pots in the plant graveyard at the side of our house. Survival of the fittest, my biology-teacher husband says. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the desert. Still, I grieve. I remember how Jasmine’s spray of fragrant flowers delighted me throughout the spring. She looks like an old sea hag now; her once luxurious foliage has turned to straw. I snip her back to the ground and pour on water, hoping there is still some life left in her. Mint gets the same treatment.
Sturdy Survivors
I applaud the survivors. The two Oreganos look fine, though the more delicately flavored one that my husband doesn’t care for is overachieving just to spite him. Basil is wobbly, but he’s hanging in there. Sage and Rosemary are still vibrant. They taunt their wimpy pot mates.
Please Accept My Apologies
I’m sorry I left you during this critical time in the desert, my Garden. I’ve triaged you back together the best I could. I promise to water you and love you while we wait for the monsoons.
Hope Sprinkles Down
Thunder rumbles, the sky flashes open. Hope sprinkles down giving new life to my garden and the thirsty desert. Monsoons at last.
RV trip day 4: I wake up to the sound of Melanie’s chatter coming from the sleeping loft. For once, I don’t hear rain. It seems dark out, but I discover it’s just the canopy of the forest at McCormick’s Creek. I check the time on my phone…8:30. We slept in this morning. Peeking out from the pop-out sleeping section, I see Melanie coming down the ladder. She’s an old pro at that now. “Good morning! Are you ready for another RV day?”
“Yes!” she says as she helps herself to a bowl of Frosted Flakes and some yogurt.
After breakfast, I help Melanie wash up and put on clean clothes. We’re still not sure how much water is in the tank, so we’re not using the tiny RV shower. So far we’ve been getting by with using the community showers (some are better than others) or just washing up in the sink. We plan to stop by Ed’s mom’s house in Ellettsville for lunch on the way to Versailles. I’ll shower there. I put on yesterday’s clothes (or did I sleep in them?…at this point I’m not sure… after three days in the wild, I fear I’m returning to my natural state.)
On the road again…
The drive from McCormicks Creek to Versailles is our longest drive yet, just shy of 100 miles. After a quick stop at Ed’s mom’s for lunch (and a shower) it takes us about two-and-a-half hours on the road. Riding in the RV is a major part of the fun for Melanie; that’s why we planned to be in a different park each night. She loves to view the world go by from the familiar surrounding in the RV. Sometimes she naps or plays on her iPad, but often she simply enjoys the ride.
Making microwave s’mores
It’s not raining when we pull into our campsite at Versailles, but it’s hot and humid, and the mosquitos are out. We pull together leftovers for dinner and eat in the RV. The playground isn’t close to our campsite. Instead, we take a walk around the campgrounds after dinner, then Melanie helps me make s’mores (in the microwave this time)
Solitaire together
Melanie’s nest
After observing Ed’s solitaire game, she makes herself comfortable in the loft.
At 11:00 we get ready for bed, lights out. All is well… but then, it’s not.
Restless night
Melanie is wound up. From the curtained loft we hear giggling, random noises, and word-for-word reenactments of favorite Disney movie scenes. She’s moving around so much the RV is rocking. Is she tired? Too much sugar from the late-night s’mores? Overstimulated from 4 days on the road? Probably all the above.
We let it go, hoping she’ll calm herself. By 11:30 Poppy’s had enough. “Melanie, be quiet. Go to sleep,” he says in his science teacher voice. For the next half hour we both gave several more “reminders.” Nothing works.
My Sunshine
Out of desperation, I try a different tactic. I find a book in her backpack, climb the ladder and lie down beside her. “Let’s read ‘Rainbow Fish’,” I say. She doesn’t look at me or respond, but scoots over to make room. She pulls her blanket under her chin and I tuck it in around her. Melanie steals glances at the pictures in the book as I read softly and slowly. She settles down.
After the story ends, I ask if she wants me to sing “You Are My Sunshine,” a song her Daddy sings to her. “Sunshine!” she says, and I begin to sing. My voice quavers a little as I choke back tears. Melanie often lives in her own little world. It’s not often that we get to cross over into it. I know this is a rare moment of connection I will always treasure. I kiss her forehead, whisper goodnight, and tiptoe down the ladder, facing out, Melanie style.
Home Day
The next morning, we have breakfast, then Melanie and I go over the chart we have been keeping since our first morning. She repeats after me: Monday, RV-done, Tuesday, RV-done, Wednesday, RV-done, Thursday, RV-done. Friday…what’s happening today?
HOME! she says
The playground isn’t as far as I thought, so we walk up for one last romp, then go back to pack up the RV.
RV Guy
The “Cousin Eddie ” moment. Just missing the robe, boots and hat.
On the way out, we stop by the “dumping” station. This is something we weren’t looking forward to, but it’s necessary to clean out the tank before we return the RV to its owner.
It wasn’t that bad. (Says the lady who doesn’t have to put on rubber gloves and handle the hose that expels the toxic waste.)
As we drive along, I look over at Ed as he makes a subtle nod and wave to a passing RV.
“Hey! Did you just salute that RV driver?” I say.
“Yep. That’s what us RV Guys do.”
“So can we get one?”
“Nope.”
Oh well…
Final Musings
I look back at Melanie buckled in the passenger seat. She’s cocooned herself with her pillow, blanket, and Disney princess dolls and is fast asleep .It’s been an amazing adventure for us all. One that was a decade (plus one) in the making. I plan to make a Shutterfly photo book for her with simple text so she can read it and remember the fun we had. Yet, I wonder what Melanie thinks about her trip? What will she remember? Did we make a connection into her world?
A few days after the RV trip, the family gathered for a Father’s Day lunch. As she was leaving to go home, Melanie came back, reached for Ed’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
Poppy and Melanie share a moment at Spring Mill State Park
Threads of Thought
Thanks to all who have followed us on this Decade trip. My heart has been warmed by your compassion and comments, especially from those who have children or grandchildren with special needs. In writing this 4 part series, I hope I have given some insights into the joys and challenges facing autistic children, their parents, and grandparents.
Many believe it’s time to shift the conversation from Awareness to Acceptance so those with autism can find fulfillment in all areas of their lives. A simple change in our vocabulary can lead us further towards accepting autistic individuals ,and others with special needs, for the unique gifts, perspectives, and personalities they bring to our world.
And if I change Ed’s mind about buying an RV, you may see us at your next camp outing !
Besides being Melanie’s grandmother, I’m a retired teacher, traveler, blogger, and author. Read about my transition from teaching in Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
