Congratulations to Sheila of Magnolia's Boutique as this month's featured artist! Read below for the interview to learn more about this very talented artist!
Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Sheila. I'm the Mississippi half of a Mississippi/Louisiana marriage. I've lived just about 80 miles north of the Mississippi/Louisiana state line all my life. After meeting my husband in 2004 I started spending a good bit of time in Louisiana and fell in love with the area. I have 2 daughters age 28 and 30. We currently live in Hattiesburg.
How did you get started making handmade items?
I've been sewing off and on most of my life. Some of my best memories are sewing on my grandmother's old treadle machine. I sewed most of the dresses my children wore when they were little. A few years ago I had to leave my nursing career due to health issues. I picked up sewing again as a hobby to fill the empy hours. Since I enjoyed making the dresses for my daughters that was what I started sewing. I had been collecting vintage chenille spreads for years. I decided to combine the vintage chenille and the sewing and came up with some really cute items. It was not long after that I ventured into cotton fabrics and Etsy.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Since I'm retired and my children are grown I live a more relaxed lifestyle. The sewing is more of a hobby for me than a job. Most days you will find me out every morning on the front porch with a cup of coffee and in my rocking chair. I read how young moms balance jobs, children, marriage, and their crafting and I'm amazed that they have the energy to keep up. I raise my cup of coffee to you and say........enjoy it! Those days will be over in a blink of the eye. First thing you know you will be looking back and wondering where all the days went. I help care for my 96 year old grandmother. She is the inspiration for the name of my clothing line, Zella P. Due to her poor health and advanced age she spends all of her time now confined to bed. Her mind takes her back in time to people and places of long ago. She still imagines herself sewing.
If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
Louisiana is like a little country within a country. It's entirely different than anywhere else I've been. The people are over the top friendly. The food is amazing. If you're from outside Louisiana forget the stuff you've heard about boudin. It's delicious!
What is your favorite item to make?
My favorite items to make are little girls dresses. It's easy to let your creativity run wild with them. I'm often asked about making little boys clothing. Sorry, it's just not as much fun as sewing dresses. I enjoy crafting with vintage chenille. Most people see the chenille and it's like an instant flashback to childhood. I often hear people say my mom or grandmother had one of these when I was a child.
What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
That's easy.....fried shrimp, fried shrimp, and more fried shrimp.
