It has been a while since i've sewn...my machine collecting dust in a corner of my studio. I tend to "create in spurts" when it comes to what medium I'm in the mood to work with. This past week-end, my sewing machine was calling my name...begging to be dusted.... and inspiring me to create.
And so...inspired by these.....
two vintage "pin-keeps" that i've had forever....
...and covered....
...and added my own pins in with the previous seamstress who once used them...
...I made these....
...my own version of a "pin-keep"...
...what i call "French Prayer Keeps"...
...each felted page sewn with my beloved prayer card images....
...and tied with vintage bobbins and metal crucifixes...
...pages adorned with vintage bits and French prayers...
...a place for a French Seamstress to keep her pins...
...her thoughts...
...her prayers...
My own grandmother was a "French Seamstress."
She was my "Memere DeRome"...a petite woman...a hard-working woman... a quiet influence on my early years.
Her strength and fortitude did not escape my attention.
I recall many fond days spent in her small apartment where the largest room was her sewing room....
her black Singer sewing machine with it's foot petal always at the ready for her next project...
...bolts and bolts of fabrics spilling off the work table and spools of multi-colored threads in baskets on a shelf...
It was a magical place for me.
I wish i had asked her to teach me how to sew.
I wish i spent more time with her in that room.
I wish I "had" more time with her.
I am a self-taught "sewer." I don't say "seamstress" because i have not earned that title.
But sewing is in my blood and I'd like to think that "Memere" is looking down on me and smiling as I put my own foot to the petal and watch as each stitch creates beauty.
~*~"My Scapulars"~*~
"The term scapular (from Latin scapulae, "shoulders") as used today refers to two specific, yet related, Christian Sacramentals, namely the monastic and devotional scapulars, although both forms may simply be referred to as "scapular".[1][2]"
"The devotional scapular typically consists of two small (usually rectangular) pieces of cloth, wood or laminated paper, a few inches in size which may bear religious images or text."
...a lace piece from an old curtain sewn onto the back of each scapular...
it reminds me of "Le Sacre Coeur" ("The Sacred Heart")...
"The scapulars come with a set of promises for the faithful who wear them." 
"The promises are rooted in tradition." 
In honor of tradition...in honor of my Memere....
Happy White Wednesday mes amies.
Avec Amour,
~*~Michelle~*~
