Sophia's baptism gown

When my friend Melissa asked me to make the gown for her newborn daughter's baptism this coming March, I was honored. I didn't know much about heirloom sewing back when my own girls were little, so I sadly did not make such precious things for them... therefore I consider it a truly special task to create these things for others close to me.

Melissa had a few special requests - box pleats, clean lines, and white silk. I took her desire for simplicity, and hopefully created a treasure for this special day for both the beautiful baby girl, Sophia, and her family.





Designs for hand-embroidered crosses were practically non-existent on the internet and in my many back issues of Sew Beautiful magazine, so I designed this one myself.




Five rows of pintucks... three delicate hand embroidered arcs and french knot trios to symbolize the Trinity... I also added baby's initials & year of baptism...




I greatly modified the ideas behind an Ayrshire bonnet pattern from Sew Beautiful magazine Issue #79 for this bonnet - just a bit of flat lace, pintucks, and delicate crocheted edging...




I decided on the use of pleats to gather the crown, which kept with the design of the dress... I found this was actually easier than gathering, and the results are, in my opinion, quite lovely.

:: radio tour ::

Thursday took us on a group field trip to our local Christian radio station, KLTY.

The kids met several staff, toured the facility, learned how commercials are made, and even got to be on the air with Bonnie Curry (the daytime DJ)!

When asked about what it takes to have a career on the radio, Bonnie told the kids that they should read a LOT, because it is continued learning that keeps her current and good at what she does.

Self Portrait Challenge - { pet peeves 4 }

This week, I decided to look at a pet peeve I have with myself...

"I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time."
Romans 7:18-20 (The Message Bible)





I should be doing laundry or sewing work or paperwork or something generally productive, but instead here I am doing nothing but eating right out of the box of Thin Mints...

worked up about something?

Two days ago, my girls were fighting. More like, one girl was screaming, and the other was being stubbornly quiet and aloof.

I stepped in as Referee since Screamer would not stop, she was so worked up and upset, her volatile mood suggesting physical retribution would soon follow if things didn't change.


Me, to Aloof: Did you do what she is accusing you of?

Aloof: No. (with shoulder shrugs and hair tosses included for emphasis)

Screamer interjects: She DID!

Me, to Screamer: I'm taking care of it, please be quiet.

Screamer: But she DID!

Me, to Screamer: OK, I'm talking to her about it, you need to let me take care of it.

Me, to Aloof: So, did you do this? If not, what's your side of the story?

Aloof: No, I didn't. (then tightly seals lips as if there's nothing left to say)

Screamer has now calmed down to being more of a Loud Whiner...: Yes she DIIIIDDDD...

Aloof: No I didn't, harrumph.

Loud Whiner: Yes you DIIIDDDD...

Me, to Loud Whiner: Stop! I heard you the first time, I know there is a problem, and I'm here taking care of it! You need to stop whining and be quiet - let me take care of it!







This was one of those profound moments when God says "Ahem!" in my head, and I hear His heart through the words I've just spoken to my child.


I've had those times when I'm so frustrated, so upset, so wrapped up in a problem - so I do the right thing by taking it to God, but then even after giving it to Him, I keep going. Every time I talk to God about it again, I get worked up and upset again. And if I talk to someone else, I know I sound whiney, even though I don't want to, really, it's just such an issue, you know.

And He's sitting there waiting.

Waiting for me to give it up entirely.

And even though I know He's the most perfectly patient Father, He's gently saying:

You know, I heard you the first time, my child. I know there is a problem, and I AM here taking care of it. Will you stop whining... and let me take care of it?

freebies for you!

I'm not a scrapbooker, but because I enjoy other hobbies that involve paper and such, I have ended up with a bunch of products that are directly related to scrapbooking.

I just cleared out my hobby box, and came up with a little stash of things that I have never used for my hobbies, but surely could be put to good use by a scrapbooker out there...

Creative Memories fall stickers, CM precut paper pieces in 6 colors, rub-on transfers, Coluzzle knife & replacement blade, puffy heart alphabet lettered stickers, a sheet of CM ivory alphabet stickers, a package of CM photo backing papers for up to 4x6 photos.




So if you are a scrapbooker, you are welcome to this little package of goodies - just be the first commenter saying you want them, and they're yours! Consider it my "thank you" for helping me clear out some things I don't need. Oh, be sure to leave your email in your comment so I can get you mailing address from you.

Self Portrait Challenge - { pet peeves 3 }

This week for Self Portrait Challenge's "Pet Peeves" theme:

"Press (or Pull or Tear) Here to Open"






Who designs these "easy open" features?

Have they ever tried it out themselves once they've created the prototype?

Do they realize that I always end up needing a sharp instrument to get the job done after I (again) fell for the opening feature's promise of ease??

surprise cookies

Surprise Cookies

Peanut Butter cookie dough (my favorite recipe for this is below)

24 miniature Snickers candys (the tiny mini square size, not the "fun" size rectangles)... mini Milky Way or other minis will work as well!

a 24-count mini-muffin pan

Spray the muffin pan with non-stick spray. Place a spoonful of the cookie dough in each muffin cup, filling the cup about halfway. Press down a candy in the center of each mound of dough. Place another spoonful of dough on top of the candy, press the edges of the dough down to meet the dough that was under the candy piece, completely covering the candy all the way around.

Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, until the cookie dough is set and golden. Wait to remove from the pan until completely cool.




Rebekah's Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies

3/4 c. butter
1 c. peanut butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda


Cream butter, peanut butter and brown sugar. Add eggs. Gradually add the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Dough will be very soft.

Drop by generous spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Press down with a fork for a criss cross pattern, or the back of a spoon dipped in flour.

Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

***** we love snow *****

Snow!

Again!

We are so excited!

Last winter we didn't have any snow at all, it was sorely disappointing. But we've had 4 snowfalls this winter and today's was so much fun... we traipsed all over, built snowmen, threw snowballs, and of course we had to taste test. And it's still snowing!





and finally, for Self Portrait Challenge's "Pet Peeves" theme, this week I give you...

The Red Nose.





There's no such thing as a nose warmer (and if there was, it certainly would look ridiculous and impractical), while scarves and ski masks just don't cut it.

And not going out in the snow to stay warm? Not even an option!

recent projects

I've been keeping busy through this wet winter weather with various projects... I even painted a few walls today, but pictures of that will have to wait until later.


another Itty Bitty Baby Dress, this time for Leslie's girl due 2/11...




I am working on a baptism gown for Sophia - this will be the front bodice piece. I designed this cross because I could not find a hand embroidery design anything like this.




And finally, this little top is newly listed in my etsy shop:

Self Portrait Challenge - { pet peeves }

The Self Portrait Challenge theme this month is Pet Peeves.





You don't mind if I text a couple of friends during our visit, do you? I mean, it's not like I'm answering a phone call while you and I are talking, now that would be rude.

don't believe them

If anyone ever tells you that you should try a beta fish because it's is a cheap and easy pet to care for, run the other way.





Why is this beta fish in a measuring bowl, you ask?

Good question.

Easy answer. Chad dropped the fishbowl while cleaning it last night.

Right after he had refilled it to the top with clean water. And yes, the fish was in the water.

So he grabbed for the fish to rescue it, sliced his knuckle on the broken bowl, and ended up with four stitches and prescription pain meds at 11pm.

That left me at home, with the mess. Do you know how hard it is to clean up a gallon of water as it pours all over the counter and onto the floor, when it's mixed with gravel and shards of glass, and the counter is still covered with dinner dishes?

So after the copays for the ER and the meds, I now have to go buy the darn thing a new bowl and gravel... this fish is no longer a cheap pet, let me tell you.

But the fish is ok. And Chad will be fine.

Thank goodness.

sparkly blues

Today for Nicole's 10th birthday, she chose to have her ears pierced as one of her presents from her dad & I. For years she has been saying she'd never get it done, but recently she changed her mind. With one of her friends there for support, after picking sparkly studs in her favorite color, she bravely did it!

Self Portrait Challenge { flashback 4 }

I know I'm squeaking this one in at the last minute for January's Self Portrait Challenge...

I literally got all set up to do this shot when I came down with a very yucky stomach bug three days ago... it's still hanging on today, but I decided to go for it, and see if doing something "normal" would help me feel a little better. I'm happy to report that, at least mentally, it has helped a lot to do something creative today.

So here it is... my last "Flashback" submission, utilizing the final three themes that I had yet to use this month.




Album Covers
This theme was my favorite from last year, but the hardest to think about going back to do again, probably because we had so many amazing album cover replications last January! It may not be a completely faithful recreation (I just don't have Nancy's bouncy golden curls, or red leather skirt), but I tried to stay true to the original feel.

Shoes

Introduction
As if I didn't share TMI thus far...
You will never see me walking down the street like this. I don't wear this much eye makeup or skirts this short... I'm a more simple kind of girl... but it sure was fun to do for this! Oh, and the dress was actually my mother's, from the 1970's.


the original: