Before we left for Kenya in November, Jeff contacted us and asked Mom if she would mind working on a project while we were visiting. What would be the project? Make some pillows for their front porch furniture. Sure, Mom loves to sew and she would have something to do between scheduled activities.
When we arrived in Kijabe, our luggage contained forms for 6 pillows and 3 bolsters. Some of those forms can be seen at the right. Obviously, they couldn't be packed inside our checked-in bags in their pictured size. Solution? Put them in vacuum bags and suck out all the air. The idea really worked well. In addition to the 9 forms, Louise brought out 60 yards of cording for the pillows and existing seat cushions.
Jeff set up a sewing area in the second floor landing. There was room for the sewing equipment shown at left as well as for a work table, not pictured. The sewing machine and adjacent equipment was already here. Batting for the pillows was purchased in Nairobi. The Maasai blanket material, on the corner of the table, used for the pillow covers was obtained from dukas (stores) in Kijabe and a sewing supply shop located in a mall in Nairobi.
After many hours and days of measuring and cutting material, stuffing in batting, installing zippers, and sewing; not to mention material changes, pattern alterations, and sewing redo's, the project was completed and the pillows in place. The picture at right shows the final outcome including recovered seat cushions. The Maasai blanket material adds a colorful touch to the relaxing front porch area of the Hazard house. Now Grandma can turn her attention to inside pillows and some curtains. A seamstress' work is never done.
As is true for all pictures, there is a story behind this one. When we attended the Christmas Craft Fair at the race track in Nairobi, Jeff saw a pillow similar to the one that Lisa Hovingh is holding. The asking price seemed a bit high to Jeff, so he left the booth with the idea of going back later to hopefully negotiate a lower amount. Upon returning, Jeff attempted to haggle a new price. The proprietor was firm. Jeff then asked if he could buy the covering sans the pillow form. No, sorry, all or nothing. Not to be deterred, Jeff formulated an idea in his mind as we left.
After arriving home, Jeff showed Grandma a mock-up of the pillow design he had seen at the Craft Fair booth. Could Grandma make one similar? Of course, no problem. A snip here, a cut there, a zigzag stitch everywhere and soon Jeff had the pillow he had tried to buy. However, after completing the project, Grandma thought that this would make a wonderful Christmas present for Lisa. So-o-o, at the Hovingh house the Sunday before Christmas, Lisa opened a present from Grandma and Grandpa Hazard. Imagine Jeff's surprise when he saw his pillow! Grandma quietly assured him that she would make him another one.
Jeff soon came up with a new design for not one, but two pillows. Grandma made them and they are now outside on the front porch making a statement to all who visit the Hazard home.
As a finishing touch for the front porch, Jeff rigged up special lighting to create a relaxing ambiance to augment the surroundings of the outside seating area.
Tonight is New Year's Eve. We're attending a Scottish celebration to ring in the New Year. May you and yours have a fun and safe New Year's Eve. Thank God for His blessings and protection for the past year of 2013. As we enter 2014 with all our hopes and plans, remember Proverbs 16:9 - "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."
In 2014 ... there is more to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment