Update: Sunday morning 8:45am—Good morning! Our son Sam, just got up and let me know that every, single, pumpkin, in Oma’s Pumpkin Patch has been sold. When I wrote this post yesterday evening, there were eighteen available—six from October’s crop plus the twelve new additions. Wow! Thank you for the response!! I’ll let my mom know this “gobsmacking” news after I change out of my jammies. 🙂 This will boost her spirits and give her some fresh creative energy. And for that, I am deeply grateful. Her holiday harvest is already in the works.
On the morning of Saturday, October 3rd, the first crop of my mom Meta’s, stuffed fabric pumpkins (42 of them) hit the internet via my blog post and her new Etsy store. Within 6 hours, about 3/4 of her stock was spoken for. No one was more surprised than my mom, who clapped her hands to her sweet little face. But then she turned around and got back to work on more pumpkins, all made from repurposed materials—including the stuffing.
The Etsy store was set up by my son Sam, having time at home this year to open the store, post the pumpkins, and follow up with packing and shipping. OmasPumpkinPatch is the name of the store. My mom is otherwise known as Oma—grandmother in German—to her two grandchildren. My mom waited a long time to become an Oma, and she’s been so happy about it for over 23 years, that she’s pleased when anyone calls her Oma.
So a huge thank you to all the lovely comments and stories sent to our Oma. She read every one, and learned how to scroll on my iPhone in the process. Once she figured out not to press too hard on the screen, we were all set.
This weekend, we finished getting a new batch of a dozen Oma’s pumpkins photographed and posted into her Etsy store. My mom has been focusing her efforts on the harvest theme of Thanksgiving.
We realize the holiday is less than two weeks away, but Sam has committed to speed up the shipping process until then, sending out orders on the day received (arriving by 3pm Eastern time would be safest)—which should give him time to pack the shipment and deliver to the post office before they lock the doors at 4:30 pm, weekdays.
Sam can also ship directly to anyone you would like to give a pumpkin to—with tag and hand-written sentiments included—if so desired. As we are encouraged to stay home for Thanksgiving, this may be an attractive option.
Again, even if you’re not interested in purchasing a pumpkin, please consider leaving a note for my mom in the comments section below or on Etsy. Remember, she loves being called Oma. Thanks.
I love this story about Oma’s new pumpkin business!
Congratulations Oma—you’re a new entrepreneur! The pumpkins are lovely!
Dear Oma, I love your pumpkins ! They are just wonderful. I ordered one for my husband to decorate for Autumn and Thanksgiving. I also ordered a pumpkin to be sent to my son and his girlfriend in Staten Island as we cannot be together this year. I think it will bring a smile to both of them!
What a nice way to start my Sunday. Thank you for making these!!
All the best,
Lisa Panaccione ps many years ago I took classes with Susan at Portsmouth Fabrics, and had a terrific time.
Oma, love your pumpkins!
Oma, love your pumpkins!. Keep up the beautiful work!
Dear Oma, Love your beautiful pumpkins and your beautiful smile! Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving. !!!!
Oma, I love your Pumpkins! I have made a few from Wool scraps, but, have never decorated them the way you do. Thanks for the inspiration and beautiful pictures.
Sarah Mikolavich says: You’re as young as you feel….a true inspiration for many!! The quality and longevity of your life surrounded by your loved ones is evident in your gift of artistry of your talented pumpkin production. YOU GO GIRL!! 😉 Heres to many more years of blessings for you to give and others to enjoy from your beautiful work. 🙂
Oma, you are the Queen of the Pumpkin Patch and my friends have enjoyed receiving their pumpkins and hearing your story. I can hardly wait to see what you create next! Thank you for being such a role model of hard work and creativity.
I love this! Congratulations Oma!
Dear Oma,
Congratulations to you!! And I’m so disappointed for me that your pumpkins on Etsy are sold out. I saw some of them in Harpswell a few years ago, and they are beautiful. Keep at it! And kudos to Sam for helping you put this all together online.
Oma,
How wonderful that you are putting a pretty decoration on many Thanksgiving tables this year. Although the tables may be more empty of people, your pumpkins cannot help but add cheer to the holiday.
Suzanne
Dear Susan, Oma, & Sam,
I love this story and of course, the beautiful pumpkins! Might we see any future Christmas-themed items?!! ???? This brightened my morning!
I bought three the first round and gave them to my daughter. Now I want my own, and they are already sold out. They are the most wonderful pumpkins! I hope she keeps making them.
I bought three beautiful pumpkins and the two I gifted were so well received. Told that the were recycled material and a little history about you, Oma. They were so pleased to be recipients of these gorgeous gifts. Gave them your Etsy site info so they could see your current creations. Love my pumpkin, it will be a treasure that will bring smiles for years to come. Thank you Oma
Leslie
Oma,
Wow! So delighted for you to send your beautiful pumpkins out to so many homes! Your work is simply amazing!!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Juliet
I love the pumpkins. This made me remember making cupcakes with my maternal grandmother (passed when i was very young) and fishing with my paternal grandmother. Then I married and adopted his grandmother for my own and what a wonderful Oma she was! She got me interested in quilting and spent many hours while sewing listening to her stories growing up at the turn of the century. Keep making those beautiful pumpkins!
What a wonderful and sweet post to start the day. Well done!
I love my pumpkins, Oma. I purchased with the idea to gift them, but they look nice all together, so I’m keeping them for myself. Your Etsy store is wonderful – love the banner. It’s so nice to see your sweet face with all of your pumpkins. I hope I can purchase more in this next harvest. You are an absolute delight. I’m so glad that your daughter shared you with all of us. Take good care, Happy thanksgiving, kay
Beautiful pumpkins Oma! They are a joy to the eyes and the heart!!!!
Oma’s reply to everyone: “I just finished reading all the beautiful responses. They brought joy to being in my sewing room and working on my pumpkins. I’m working on my ‘holiday line’ now. 😉 I enjoy Christmas and it reminds me of growing up in Germany and how my mom decorated so nice for all seven of us children. She was my inspiration.”