A Special Kind Of Love
by: Kirsten Hawkins
My grandmother taught me to crochet the moment my clumsy, chubby fingers could hold a crochet hook. By the time that I was six, she handed me her sewing needles to thread for her because her eyes could no longer see the needle's eye. When I was eight, my mother spent all of her precious off-work night-time hours making me a spring wardrobe that I can still describe in minute detail, right down to the rick-rack that trimmed the red kerchief that matched the tulip sprigged sleeveless dress. I can recall precisely the colors and patterns of the nightgowns my grandmother sewed for me. My brothers will tell you that they've never worn anything so warm and comfortable as Nana's knitted socks. I even remember the weight of the stocking cap my mother knit to match the checkerboard cardigan - that matched the blue one she knit for my brother.
There is a magic in handmade clothing that transcends the colors, the styles, even the quality of the handiwork. It's as if every stitch and every knot was imbued with the love of the hands that crafted them. And so it was only right that when I was carrying my first child, I picked up crochet hook and thread and started making the clothing she'd wear home from the hospital.
I didn't stop there, though. Making clothing for babies is more than a way to save money or create unique clothing styles. It's a way to surround them with love, to weave your wishes into the fabric as you shape and create each piece.
Over the years, I have sewn, knit and crocheted sweaters, sunsuits, dresses, short sets, blankets, quilts, hats and pants for all five of my children. Beginning with their homecoming outfit, each of them had special clothes that I'd designed and created just for them. I would say that it is perhaps a conceit, a fond wish of my own that my feelings about dressing my babies with my own hands would have transferred themselves to my children - except:
A month ago, I dropped by my daughter's apartment. The baby girl I dressed in a strawberry printed romper - each stich carefully placed by hand, each with a whispered wish and a blessing for her good fortune - is 22 now, a college graduate with a home of her own. Tossed over a table in the corner is a blanket I crocheted for her when she was three from odds and ends of yarn. On her walls are pictures of herself wearing a sweater I made for her - the same sweater, at 3, at 5, at 7. The same sweater now clothes the teddy bear sitting on her dresser.
Except:
My 19 year old son, fully grown and living on his own, still owns the knit baby blanket that wrapped him on his trip home from the hospital. He creates and makes his own clothes - imaginative and unusual - and in the patches on his jeans and his jackets, I find bits and pieces of shirts and shorts and sweaters I made for him over the years.
My 15 year old has tucked away the first party dress I made for her - when she was six months old. She never said a word to me about - I found it in her 'treasure memory box'. And the two youngest boys? At 10 and 12, they each have their favorite blanket - ones that I knit for them when they were born.
There is magic in your hands when you create clothing for your baby, the magic of a mother's love that is never, ever completely forgotten.
About The Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a baby and parenting expert specializing new mothers and single parent issues.
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Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
by: Olga Sen
A dog is a man?s best friend. Yes! The affable chap is your best companion. If you own a dog, you definitely love to shower him with affection. Anything you do for your dog, even a little attention, brings him happiness. And you love him like a baby. Don?t you?
You probably spend a lot of money on quality dog food, biscuits and vet bills. But does your dog possess a sufficient variety of clothing? Why it roams stark naked at times. It?s time you get some really cool dog clothes for your favorite friend this season. The clothes your dog wears reflect your personal style statement.
Are you aware of the fact that clothing for dogs is readily available in the market? The range varies from dog coats to dog hats, dog formal wear, dog collars and much more.
One of the essential items of dog clothing includes dog coats. Dog coats are used to protect your dog and enhance its...
Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Hats > Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
by: Olga Sen
A dog is a man?s best friend. Yes! The affable chap is your best companion. If you own a dog, you definitely love to shower him with affection. Anything you do for your dog, even a little attention, brings him happiness. And you love him like a baby. Don?t you?
You probably spend a lot of money on quality dog food, biscuits and vet bills. But does your dog possess a sufficient variety of clothing? Why it roams stark naked at times. It?s time you get some really cool dog clothes for your favorite friend this season. The clothes your dog wears reflect your personal style statement.
Are you aware of the fact that clothing for dogs is readily available in the market? The range varies from dog coats to dog hats, dog formal wear, dog collars and much more.
One of the essential items of dog clothing includes dog coats. Dog coats are used to protect your dog and enhance its...
Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Hats > Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog
Local Businesses and Web Sites
Local Businesses and Web Sites
by: Halstatt Pires
It seems that most successful businesses these days have web sites, even businesses that service only certain geographic areas. On the web, where the market place is global, localized businesses can be at a great disadvantage.
A Local Business Web Site Example
Lets use the example of a car cleaning businesses. The business only cleans cars in a specific city, yet wants to use their web site to create more business. Time and money is invested in marketing the site in the search engines, paying particular attention to marketing the site for the specific geographic region the service provider covers. Nonetheless, many visitors from around the globe are likely to stumble across the site if it is well marketed.
Offer Non-Geographic Specific Products and Services
If a local business does not offer some sort of product or service that is available to the global market, than these...
Local Businesses and Web Sites
Hats > Local Businesses and Web Sites
Local Businesses and Web Sites
Local Businesses and Web Sites
by: Halstatt Pires
It seems that most successful businesses these days have web sites, even businesses that service only certain geographic areas. On the web, where the market place is global, localized businesses can be at a great disadvantage.
A Local Business Web Site Example
Lets use the example of a car cleaning businesses. The business only cleans cars in a specific city, yet wants to use their web site to create more business. Time and money is invested in marketing the site in the search engines, paying particular attention to marketing the site for the specific geographic region the service provider covers. Nonetheless, many visitors from around the globe are likely to stumble across the site if it is well marketed.
Offer Non-Geographic Specific Products and Services
If a local business does not offer some sort of product or service that is available to the global market, than these...
Local Businesses and Web Sites
Hats > Local Businesses and Web Sites
Have a Familiy New Year's Blast!
Have a Familiy New Year's Blast!
by: Norma Schmidt
Believe it or not, you CAN enjoy a New Year?s Eve bash once you have kids ? even if you CAN?T get a sitter!
PRESCHOOLERS AND KIDS IN THE EARLY ELEMENTARY GRADES LOVE GETTING INTO THE NEW YEAR'S SPIRIT.
To build excitement, announce a day or two ahead of time that you?re going to have a night-time New Year?s party with pajamas on.
Then, when you go grocery shopping, you can let your child pick out a party snack.
A trip to a party store for some inexpensive noisemakers will add to the excitement.
Or, create home-made noisemakers and decorations together. Visit familycrafts.about.com/od/newyears or http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/newyear/ for ideas.
On the afternoon or early evening of December 31, sit...
Have a Familiy New Year's Blast!
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Western Theme Party Ideas
Western Theme Party Ideas
by: Dee Schrock
Howdy!
Here are a few ideas for rowdy, rootin-tootin western theme party.
Western theme parties are one of the most popular theme parties- sure to go over well with all your guests.
This popular theme party can be prepared in less than a day, or in only a few hours for those high energy hosts!
Welcome each guest with a bandana and sheriff's badge.
Decorations
Think rustic and hearty!
Here are some great ideas:
* Old lanterns, jugs, and bales of hay
* Kerosene lamps
* Washtubs
* Inflatable cactus
* Saloon sign made out of paper bag or wood-burned
* Red gingham tablecloths
* Luminaries or fiesta lights
Costumes/Attire
A western theme party wouldn't be complete without the standard cowboy hats, vests, and bandanas.
A star badge, lasso, and large belt buckles are great accessories.
Activities
*...
Western Theme Party Ideas
Hats > Western Theme Party Ideas
Debt Consolidation Loans ? How to Locate the Best Deal
Debt Consolidation Loans ? How to Locate the Best Deal
by: James Taylor
According to an old Indian proverb, the best way to cut iron is through iron itself. Therefore, in dealing with debts (the principal component of which is personal loans), the best manner will be to use debt consolidation loans (which too are personal loans). Debt consolidation loans are among the most popular options available to residents of the UK to eliminate their debt load.
Ease...
A Special Kind Of Love Debt Consolidation Loans ? How to Locate the Best Deal
Hats > Debt Consolidation Loans ? How to Locate the Best Deal
A Special Kind Of Love mortgage calculator Hats
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A Special Kind Of Love Hats skirt
Google for Search vs. Flishess for Search
Google for Search vs. Flishess for Search
by: Drew Turnbow
Adding valuable search content to your website will bring in more repeat visitors and more revenue for your business. Everyday business owners try to think of new ways to get their customers coming back to buy from them rather than having to constantly look for new customers. Think about it like this, just as an example let's say that last month your brought in 3000 customers to your business or website....
A Special Kind Of Love
Hats > Google for Search vs. Flishess for Search