First shpg trip to joann's
 

After reading & laughing at JulieofNM story about not needing JoAnn's anymore I just had to share my experience at JAs with you.

My 5 yr. old granddaughter, Kayla, spent her first overnight stay with me this wk. (another story). Since I'm having an "all grandkids" birthday party Sat. I wanted to make a cpl. of tableclothes for outdoor tables. We went to JAs, grabbed a cart & started going through bolts of fabric. She'd see something she liked so I told her to pull the bolt out & we'd look at it. I'd unfold it a cpl. of folds & ck. it out. She became curious about the wrong sides so we'd ck. that out. Then since she seemed so interested we started cking out the different feel of fabrics so we felt the "smooth" stuff & knew it was cotton. The "fluffy" stuff was flannel & the "cushy" stuff was fleece. So it became a challenge as we traveled through the store to see if she could remember all of that.

That night after getting home, I cut the fabric & folded up the hems. She was very interested in the sew.mach. so I showed her how everything works. She was so interested that my heart just swelled. She's going to be sewing before long.

She & her bro. call me "fishin' Grandma" since their dad has brought them out to my lake to fish since they were in diapers. It's amazing how much we can love our g-kids.

Kayla & Michael's fishin' g-ma.

Pat

What a precious shopping day you had!:thumbup:

What a sweet story!!!! Can't wait til she starts sewing w/ her fishin' g'ma!!

What a wonderful memory you both have of a sweet trip to the fabric store and learning to sew at the magical sewing maching. Fun stuff.

Such a great story!!!!!!

aww, what a nice story! And I can only imagine the feeling....we have a 3 yr old granddaughter.....I hope and pray she will want to sew someday :)

I love this story! I remember BEING that little girl, utterly fascinated by the magic Gramma was creating! I always think of both of my Grandmas as I quilt since they were both quilters, it's one of the reasons I got into it. :thumbup:

We need more fishin grandma's!

That was such a sweet story and I'm so happy for you both that you got to have some quality time together. :thumbup:

That is what creates lasting memories in the young. I learned how to sew and embroider because mom took the time to explain and let me help when I was little.

Too few take the time to explain interesting things to kids. Your visit will stay with her more than any monetary gift ever would. You can even do this at the grocery store.

Such a cute story -- she'll have some wonderful memories and so will you. That's what grandparents are for.

I live in California, and my mother lived in Silverdale, later in Poulsbo. My kids always called her Grandma Snow, because the first time they saw snow was at her house. Your post brought back some happy memories, thanks!

I totally agree. I only had one grandparent (the others had all passed away) & Grandma was very special to me. I remember sleeping with her in her feather bed. Now Michael, 8, & Kayla, 5, both sleep with me in my "hot bed. They call it that since it has an electric blanket.

G-ma had a Singer treadle machine in her bedrm. & I got curious one day & played around with it. I ran the needle through my finger & that was that for my curiousity. I remember it so well though. This is why it's so important for me to be that grandma they remember. My two 22 yr. old g-kids spent so much time with us growing up that they are very close to me (& G-pa even though he is no longer here).

It always makes me sad to see grandmas who rarely see their g-kids. All of mine (plus a cpl. of friends & dogs) will be here this wk. end so it should be fun.

Poulsbo has a wonderful quilt shop. Silverdale is my closest mall so Grandma Snow & I are almost neighbors. LOL

How sweet - she will be sewing before you know it. Bet she will cherish that memory of how fish'n Gma taught her about fabric & sewing all her life.

Wonderful shopping trip, thanks for sharing...

What a sweet story. Enjoy your family, thanks for sharing.

awesome it great when or kids or gk take a interested in what we love

"I never knew how much love my heart could hold til someone called me Grandma." Isn't that the truth? I cherish every moment I spend with my almost 3 year old grandson. It's just so different than when I had my children. I can take time to play with him and do things with him. I notice and appreciate when he does something new and cute. I didn't have the time when my kids were small. I know you are counting the minutes until this weekend. Have a wonderful time! Maybe you'll have some new stories for us on Monday.

Donna

sometimes it just takes a spark to get a child interested in something you are doing .. then to sit down and explain things in their language or even demonstrate it to them and they are hooked ! I have three Grands that are that way !

Wonderful story - - - -

Those are wonderful memories you're making!! one of my sons was taught by a neighbor how to sew buttons on when he was 3 years old!!!! I would never attempted that. Sometimes it's great to let someone else "share" your kids to gain more experiences. Enjoy the time with your grands.

Awwww! I just love stories about grandkids! :)

I can hardly wait until I have Gkids--hopefully a granddaughter! Sounds like so much fun!!

Be sure to include her when you cut the coupons from the sales flyer, and take her along to match the coupon with the item.
Wonderful story!

I loved your story. I loved shopping with my grandma for fabric and "helping" her make clothes out of it. Mostly I watched and threaded the machine needle for her. She instilled in me a lifetime love of sewing. It's great that you can pass this on to your granddaughter.

Thank you, Buzzin---. My feeling is that a g-ma has a very special place in a child's life. While parents have to be
the "bad guys" sometimes, the child knows we are always on their side.
Next wk. brother Michael, 8, will be out of school & he knows it'll be his turn for a sleepover with "fishin' Gma". We may make beanbags for a game I saw online.

Enjoy her as long as you can fishin g-ma, I'm old grandma since all their others are younger than me and I'm great g ma to alot off them. love to pieces.

so sweet, what fun...

What a wonderful experience for both of you and for your fellow shoppers.

That must have been fun!!!

Making memories. Your DGD will remember the time you spend with her.

Precious memories because they grow so fast and then their driving, etc. grandchildren are so special you can't explain that 1st time you see them and realize that it's your child's child it's so amazing. Enjoy these days they are so cute. Sue

What a good story! Maybe she will be sewing and quilting with you soon.

You are so lucky to get to be with you grandchildren. Mine have lived all over the world and the US and therefore we don't get to see each other often. However now that I'm retired, I get to go to the US gks homes three or more times a year. The overseas kids and I keep in touch through letter writing, DVD home movies, and FB. But these only keep us in touch. However as I write this, I'm thinking of how the DVD movies could be used to pass along hobby interests. Long distance grandparenting is more difficult. So I'm so glad you get to be personally involved with your precious ones.

Those bonding trips are such sweet memories. I have three all-boy grandsons. If it doesn't involve a ball, they're not interested.

Some of my most precious memories are of sitting in my grandmother's lap as she treadled away on her old Singer. That machine has a place of honor in my living room today, and even though she's been gone for many years, I can still feel her love around me when I use it. I don't think I'll ever be as efficient as she was on it, but I sure would like to show her how I can use my Janome now because of what she taught me.

Jean, it made me sad to hear how far away your g-kids are from you but isn't technology wonderful in how they can keep us closer. I can understand since I go south to Ariz. for 6 months so it's important to me to do all I can with mine when I am home.
My 22 yr. old g-son is here with me now for awhile. He spotted a quilt I'm using as a table cover right now & said he'd sure like a quilt like that in "manly" colors. He doesn't know it but yest. I picked up fabrics in manly colors for him. I had the start of a Ragtime quilt for him made with G-pa's (his namesake) old paint covered & battery acid stained jeans backed with red flannel. I did not enjoy working on it so I may not finish it.
Fri. my 23 yr. old g-dtr is coming for a cpl. of days. Next wk. my 8 yr. old g-son gets his turn. His dad said Michael would love to learn to sew too. I'm sure glad I don't have 20 g-kids. LOL. I'm sure buying a lot of groceries but it's worth it.

"emlee" I think you could have a blast with 3 g-sons, too. Mine have me out chasing snakes & looking for frogs. Good thing I was a tomboy. How about having them help you make beanbags for a game. I made about 6 bags today & plan to set up a cpl. of boxes & let them see how many ea. child can get the most bags in them. I have no idea how that will go over but I'll try

(I've tried to edit this post but don't know how it's going to show up). Very frustrating.

how precious... and you just wait "fishin gma" she will love to sew and you will love to teach her. smile...