heart-felt and handmade

When I was wee my parents ran an antique store that sold, in addition to farmhouse finds, the creations of a woman named Chicky.  I don't ever recall meeting this woman, but I knew she lived behind the stable on the slow and windy road to town.  Thinking back to the small community we lived in, I must have seen her with regularity, but I can't conjure up her face.  I'm certain it's because, for me, the image of her as a hen sitting on her eggs with a needle and thread, stitching away is the one that is rooted deepest.  Chicky made what folks today would call softies.

One year - it must have been for Christmas -- my sister and I both received our very own stuffed dolls made my Chicky.  These mice quickly became our mousies.  We have since both loved these little velveteen dolls literally to pieces.  My mousie is now blind, without whiskers, has a tattered ear and hand and is tail-less.  Her knickers, bonnet, apron with the cross-stitched 'S' on the pocket, as well as the little hankie that went in said pocket are long gone.  My sister's mousie still has a tail, but otherwise wears the time and the love much the same. 

These stuffed mice mean much to me and to my sister (pictured above with her shawled mousie sometime in the late 70s).  They also mean much to my mom, who gave us these handmade and thought-filled gifts, all while passing on an appreciation for that which is well crafted, that which is unique. I know this to be true as often in my hopes to impart similar appreciations on my daughter, I find myself thinking of my mom and my childhood.  I also know this to be true because of something my mom - now nana - made for her grand-daughter last year:  her very own mousie.

Chicky's days of sewing have passed, so my mom took it upon herself to figure out how to make one on her own.  My sister's mousie was borrowed and studied.  Fabrics were carefully selected.  Countless hours were put into assembling and sewing clothing for this doll.  My mom isn't a seamstress, and I'm not sure that she's ever made a three-dimensional sewn object before this adventure, but that didn't stop her.  These types of details never do, as she's always jumping in and figuring out, and also always seems to be wildly successful in these endeavors.  Of course, the mousie is amazing. 

The new mousie has become fast friends with my floppy-necked, dog-nibbled mousie.  Both are truly loved by the little one.  She likes to point out and kiss all of the old mousie's owies.  And she likes to take the clothes on and off the new mousie and admire her belly -- where there's a special embroidered message from nana.  The new mousie and everything about her story make her one of the most heartfelt gifts that we have been graced with.

I've thought about sharing the story of the mice since I started cloth.paper.string.  Somehow it is fitting that here on the 365th day of entering the world of blogging, the story finally comes together. 

I want to give a big thanks to each of you who have stopped by, looked at my pictures, read my words, felt the urge to leave a comment.  You are all so appreciated.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what this next year's inspiration brings, the heart-felt and handmade that it becomes and the sharing of it with you here.

Comments

[emily]

happy 365 days! and what a wonderful story to celebrate. i think i'd be carrying mousie around, too. what a cutie.

[Ali]

What a lovely story to share. Here's to another year of blogging filled with other wonders to enjoy.

[Sarah Jackson]

what a sweet and lovely gift. Happy 1 year of blogging!

[Mom]

It is a dark, crystal clear and windy night on our little Island. I have just come in from outside looking at the sky. I always find comfort in seeing a sky full of stars or a bright and shiny moon. I know those same stars and moon follow my three children where ever they venture about. I now sit here in the kitchen with my laptop and after ending the day, about to close down my computer, I do as I always do....go to your blog.... Tonight I see photos and read words that make my heart melt. The mousies loved you and your sister well. It was my hope that another generation of mousie would do the same for your little one. May this new mousie grow to be as thread worn, weak in the neck and tailless as those of the generation before her, Good Night....Sleep Tight.....See you in the Morning Bright. Thank you for being my daughter. Happy day 365! Love Mom

[Karen]

Ahh - I love that story and after reading your Mom's post there were tears my eyes.
Mousie (new and old) are beautiful! The love they capture makes them all the more special.
I'm a new reader of your blog and it is one of my new favourites.
Happy blog anniversary
Karen

[asti]

ooohhhh.............tears in my eyes too!
My little girl (2yrs) has a mousie too and calls it 'mousie'...She recieved it as a pressie from my sister when she was a few months old and they've been inseperable since. It looks so similar to Chickys mouse. In fact we bought another one too in the end,just in case one got lost. Of course she now has to have both with her at all times so that idea backfired! Hers is the 'nini' mouse by Moulin Roty. Have a look and you'll see what I mean. Sooo expensive though. Wish hers were handmade. Your Mum did an excellent job, truly lovely. It will be well loved for many, many years. x

[Stacey]

What a great tale of the mice. The idea of your mom taking the time to reconstruct the mouse for your daughter makes it so much more special (excuse the bad english)

[traci]

such a great story. i love the last photo with their little wee sweet faces peeping out on the way to adventure.

[Ahna]

What a tremendous gift, both to your daughter and to you. That is such a special memory that you and your daughter will share.
Thank you for the great photos.

[erin]

congrats sarah! love your old and new mice. what a wonderful thing for your mom to do.

[Ella]

Awesome post. Thank you so much for sharing. i would love to have lollygagged around there. The mice and their story are so inspiring. When i am old(er) i wonder if any of my own dolls will be worn with so much love. Your mom is sweet to have come up with another mouse for her grand daughter.

[Alison]

What a beautiful story, and completely appropriate and fitting for a celebration of your first year blogging!

[Marnie]

thanks Sarah for sharing that story. what perfect mice! your mom is lovely. congratulations on 365 days!

[Jade]

Your first paragraph sounds like something out of a movie. Love that shot too!

How sweet Miss. Chicky was! Love all of the mice.

[Grace]

Congratulations on one year! Such a perfect story to share. Lovely. I'm a tad speechless when looking at those mice, and your little one loving them both. xoxox

[Tracy]

Wow, this made me all weepy, in that really good sort of way. Thanks for sharing this awesome story! Your mum sounds like a gem.

[sabrina hirsch]

My sister and I used to have (I still have) 'bun-buns' which were bunnies, similar to your mousies, we sewed clothes for them, brought them everywhere, I love those memories...