Author: Debra VanDeventer

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My First Class

3 Things I Learned in My First Year of Teaching

It was the summer of 1975.  My first job interview:

“Do you think you can teach kindergarten?  We’ve got a half-day opening.” 

“I have a kindergarten endorsement and I did student teaching in kindergarten this spring…” I began as I inched my credentials towards the principal.

“Can you start next week?”

No one asked to see my  grade point average, my transcripts, or my letters of recommendation. School was to start in two weeks and a last-minute swell in kindergarten enrollment had opened up an additional half-day position. They offered me a job on the spot. The contract confirmed my annual salary for the half-day position would be $3,500. I was elated.

And so my teaching career began. 

Here are three things I learned from that wiggly group of 28 Kindergarteners:

Continue reading “My First Class” …

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Apron Strings

Blest be the ties…

This is me portraying someone who cooks.

No longer the Chief Chef

I’ll have to admit, I don’t cook much anymore. I used to. When my kids were living at home, my repertoire was Kraft Mac and Cheese, meatloaf, chili, spaghetti, fish sticks, and some sort of gray concoction that involved minute rice, ground beef, and cream of mushroom soup. In my defense, this is what I learned from my mother. Besides, as a full-time teacher, I was always in a hurry and on a budget. I enjoyed baking cookies, cakes, and pies. I still bake occasionally, but after the kids left home, my husband Ed took over the cooking and elevated our dining experience to a whole new level.

Ed learns to make pasta on our Italian vacation. (pre COVID)

Apron Obsession

So, I don’t cook, but after I retired from teaching, I rekindled an interest in sewing. For a while I was obsessed with aprons. They are fun and easy to make, and I love giving them as gifts. A few weeks ago my aunt asked if I would make one for her daughter (my cousin). When I asked about colors and patterns, she said Rebecca liked bright colors and butterflies. Part of the fun for me is selecting the fabric. I enjoy putting together different colors and patterns, and with aprons, you can let your imagination run wild.

Rebecca’s Flutter-by Apron See &Sew pattern B5274

Blest be the ties

While I’m sewing, I like to think about the person who will wear the apron. Then I christen it with a name and bless it, hoping it will bring amazing food and happy times. 

The Cupcake Karma Apron
The Flora and Fauna Apron
My teacher friends model their aprons at a dinner party to celebrate the end of the 2019 school year.

So blest be the ties that bind us together in friendship and love.

Threads of thought icon

Threads of thought:

Who does the cooking at your house?

How many aprons do you own? Come on now, I’m sure you have at least one stashed in drawer somewhere 🙂

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Sew Vintage

Vintage patterns are a blast from the past.

1950s McCall’s Pattern 5369

The Search for Vintage Patterns

“Do you have any vintage sewing patterns?” I asked the man working on a display case in an antique shop in Bisbee. I was searching for 1970s patterns; the era of my Kenmore sewing machine. I had a half-baked idea to redo its yellowed, plastic carrying case using the artwork from the envelope covers.

I love my vintage Kenmore. No bells and whistles, but It’s heavy metal and runs like a champ.
I don’t love my Kenmore’s dingy, yellowed cover.

Continue reading “Sew Vintage” …

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How Dare I

…wear wide-leg pants and a hat named Audrey

(Just like my new pants, this post is cropped, comfortable, and fun!)

Glam shot me with my Audrey hat . ( Emerson crop pant pattern by True/Bias, washable linen from JoAnn Fabrics)

I recently blogged about finding the courage to begin a new project or try something different. I was nervous about making a pair of gold linen, wide-leg pants. They’ll be too bold, too wide, too wrinkly I thought. http://seamslikeastory.com/the-courage-to-bloom I received a comment from a reader who wanted to see the pants when they were finished. (coincidently, this person has the same name as my sister) Here is the finished product. I’m still fiddling with the waistband, but overall I’m happy with the way they turned out. They’re comfortable and the wrinkles in the fabric don’t bother me. Besides, they’re roomy enough for slouching.

The real me slouching on a lounge chair.

Now if I just had somewhere fun to wear them!

Audrey the hat

P. S. Yes, I have a hat named Audrey. You may see her again sometime, but that seams like a story for another day!

Threads of thought icon

Threads of thought:

Take a chance!

Be bold!

Have fun!

Go for it!

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Melanie’s Tutu

Autism Awareness Month

Meet Melanie

Melanie is enchanted by her princess themed room on a (pre-COVID) trip to Disney World.
Melanie explores the great outdoors while RVing

Meet Melanie, a bright, beautiful, energetic eleven-year-old whose smile lights up the room. She loves Disney princesses and has developed a passion for RV-ing. Melanie has autism. Each individual with autism is unique. Though Melanie can communicate through short, repeated phrases or words, she is mostly non verbal. Meeting her specific emotional, behavioral, and educational needs requires a team comprised of her family and a network of dedicated professionals. I am proud to play a supporting role as one of her grandmas.

How to tutu

When Melanie outgrew her Disney Princess dresses, my daughter Kelli asked if I could make a “grown-up girl” sized tutu. Though I’d never made a tutu before, I was willing to try.

Continue reading “Melanie’s Tutu” …

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