I have shared with you many stories of my sewing stash that had been archived until Amelia was born. When grandchildren are born, it does something to totally sane women. I was one of those women. When the sonogram showed we would be adding a lovely granddaughter to our family, my heart skipped many beats. When I finally came to …
I have always admired—actually adored—all things British. When Lady Diana became a household name and her wardrobe shaped the apparel business worldwide, I just loved it. My friend Barbara Cockerham and I actually studied her wardrobe and would buy every book we could find that had Diana as the subject. One of the things we really loved and decided to …
When we started our business in the needlework industry in the 1980s, one of the most popular magazines we launched was Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly. Inside those pages were patterns for sampler reproductions, historical information about needlework through the centuries, and fabulous collections of needlework and tools. I have a few pieces left from my once large sewing tool …
I just got an e-mail that my football tickets have shipped for the forthcoming college football season. I can hardly believe it. It is time to pull out the old tailgating recipes and start planning. I look forward to this time of year with great anticipation, but football season is also a time of reflection on special times in the …
I have had the pleasure of attending baby showers for new moms and now grandmothers—yes, grandmothers. We grandmothers need our nursery stash as well. And what better excuse for a party than a grandmother shower for a friend? When your gift giving calls for something unique for a new mom, give a gift that is special and sentimental. Here are …
I don’t know if you have ever been to Portobello Road Market outside of London, but if you ever have a chance to go, you will not be disappointed. When I turned 40, my dream of seeing London came true. I have always been enchanted with England. I have shared with you my love of sewing and needlework, but coupled …
When my mom gave me a little cardboard box and told me that I would love it, I had no idea that the contents would delight me as they did. Inside was a small collection of hand-embroidered postcards that my granddad sent home from France when he was stationed there during WWI. My dad’s father, Oliver Street Norton, bought these …
When we began Southern Lady magazine in 1999, we tapped into a wonderful world of women who love to put their personal touch on just about every aspect of their daily lives. I, being one of them, love to set a beautiful table, cook wonderful meals, celebrate entrepreneur women who have launched wonderful businesses, and collect blue and white china. …
I was sitting in my sewing room the other day and looked around at the keepsakes I have kept through the years. I have wonderful artwork from my boys when they were young, quilts from grandmothers, embroideries and crochet from the women in our family, paintings from my mom, and many other things that have special meaning for me. There …
When Vanessa James got married and I was searching for a special gift for her, I decided that I would sit down and write all my favorite recipes in a three-ring-binder cookbook for her. Since all new brides struggle with dishes to cook for two, this just might be something to consider. Vanessa said this was one of the greatest …
