April 2023 Blog

 a wonderful talented lady
Veronica "Ronnie"  Perrone

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Ronnie and her fur baby, Augie!

When I think about how we can become passionate about what we do, I can't help but think about my sister Ronnie. When we were growing up, Ronnie was the "fun loving" kid.  She had tons of friends and was always the life of the party. My beloved twin sister, Yolande, and I always loved being introduced to her friends because they were one year older then we were and we felt like "big shots" knowing these older kids! I'd love to tell you the fun stories about Ronnie as we were growing up, but that's for another blog. This blog is going to introduce you to my extremely talented sister...Ronnie. I decided to interview Ronnie for this Blog...I wanted to get all of the details correct. After all, she is my "big" sister. 

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Ronnie is a prolific sewer, knitter and crocheter.  Creating almost all of her life, Ronnie has always loved to share what she created and takes pride in her work.  I remember when she sewed shirts and tops when we were just teenagers. When she married, Joe, her husband of 53 years, she continued sewing for their four children. Creating their halloween costumes and many other things, Ronnie always had a way with a sewing machine, knitting needles and crochet hooks.😊
In 2000, she became serious about her craft and started her own business named after her formal first name..."Veronica." www.Veronica-sews.com  When her husband purchased her first new technologically advanced sewing machine as a gift, Ronnie told me that she was "overwhelmed." She was not sure if she was able to learn all of the new features of the machine. But she soon mastered that machine and was creating gorgeous pillows and towels. Then her husband gave her another new and improved sewing machine with even more intricate tools and design capabilities. Once again, Ronnie mastered it like a pro and soon she was creating stunning pillows and towels. Learning how to operate these intricate sewing machines was, as Ronnie so articulately put it, "at first overwhelming" to her, but once she mastered them she was creating beautiful personalized pillows and holiday themed towels. 

Cotton Guest Towels (These were made "from scratch") Cotton fabric cut to size, raw edges finished with Ronnie's serger machine, hooped and embroidered and finished with a sewn cotton lace trim.

Velveteen little girls lined shoulder cape with a double faced satin bow and a hand sewn pearl embellishment.

An Embroidered Pillow of a Morning Prayer, Butterflies, Flower Design and Cross. The ruffle and pillow fabric are silk dupioni.

In addition to her sewing talent, for over 50 years now, Ronnie has been excelling in knitting and crocheting. When she started her business in 2000, she began to knit and crochet items for her grandchildren and family members. She was very often creating scarves, blankets and hats etc. for various Craft Fairs. Purchasing her yarn primarily from Plymouth Yarn Company's distributor in Bristol, PA., Ronnie was curious to learn who created the website sample items for the company. Ronnie was refered to Plymouth's Design Director, JoAnne Turcotte. JoAnne told Ronnie that she would first need to see what Ronnie's work looked like. Shortly, thereafter, Ronnie received a pattern and yarn in the mail and was well on her way to being a Sample Maker for the Plymouth Yarn Company. They loved Ronnie's work! Ronnie told me that her creations were shown on various human models and used on their website to show shoppers how the finished pattern looked. Overtime, Ronnie's curiosity was sparked yet again...She wondered if she could create her own designs from the knowledge she had about knitting and crocheting and send her own patterns to Plymouth. Inquiring about this, she was welcomed with open arms to become a designer for Plymouth Yarn Company. To this day, she has many of her own patterns on Plymouth's website.  In addition to her creations on Plymouth Yarn Company's web site, Ronnie also has some items on a website for knitters and crocheters, www.ravelry.com Take a look!!

Basket Weave Afghan hand knit in a wool blend yarn, featured in a Plymouth Yarn Co booklet.

A Mohair Moss Stitch Scarf.

A beautiful Lavender Cable knit shoulder poncho in a soft wool blend yarn by Miss Baby Yarns.

Currently, Ronnie is working on a design Plymouth sent to her. (see below) She continues to create everyday. She is truly an inspiration to me. 

Work in Progress for the Plymouth Yarn Company

In closing, I asked Ronnie what message she would like to convey
to all of Dagger's fans and family.  
​She said so eloquently that,
"God gives every human being talent. Whether that talent is in music, crafts, painting, writing, teaching and on and on.
​The key is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP.
To always look for something better!  
Continuing, she said,
​"We are like sponges soaking up all that we can.
​I always look at the glass half full.
I can pick up my knitting needles and feel good about myself.
​It's important to be grateful...always."

Do you wish to share your talent with me?
Let me know what it is.
Write to me. I'd love to hear about it!!
Happy Tales to you,
AND To all who celebrate...
Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
​xoxo Yvonne