The Girly Curtain

When my best friend was building their new house, she sent me this picture of the first room painted - the older girls' room.  I decided I wanted to make some cute curtains for them and her reply was, "Of course, I haven't thought about window treatments!" 

They were planning on having mini-blinds, so I decided on a valance for the top of the window.  I searched for the perfect fabric for a couple of months and when I saw this, I was smitten!!!  It's pink, it's purple, it's princessy, it's fairyish, it's got a frog prince and Elizabeth was pleased to see that it also had ponies and puppies!

 As if that's not girlie enough, I used pink sparkly tulle to make a tu-tu-type ruffle along the bottom of the curtain.  I am in love with this curtain!  I wish my room was pink & purple!

I had an extra curtain rod, so I had to see how it would look all bunched up & it was even cuter than when it's flat.  Elizabeth & Rebekah gave their hearty approval and played limbo under the curtain while I was photographing it.

My BFF & I play Santa for each other, filling each other's stockings.  This will be going into her stocking box this week.  I wish I could see them open it & I hope they love it as much as we do!!!

Why I'm thinking about stockings...

For four years now I have wanted to make some new stockings for Christmas.  We had 3 plush stockings that matched that I loved, then I couldn't find any more that I loved.  They weren't the right plush, they looked cheap, or they were not the right color.

That meant when Elizabeth came along, we were one short.  Her first Christmas was in my parents house, so we used their stockings.  Since then, we have used the cat's stocking for a kids stocking, and last year I just gave the 3 stockings to the 3 kids and Mom & Dad went without.

For the last 2 years, I have had the stocking pages from a Pottery Barn catalog hanging up above my sewing machine to inspire me.  Finally, I realize that now I have to make 6 - SIX - yes 6! stockings to be all caught up!  So... I'd better get started...

Last Christmas, I left one of the stockings out by my sewing machine as another inspiration for me to get them made.  So I traced the stocking onto newsprint to make a pattern.  I love these plush stockings because they're so roomy.  Plenty of room for an orange down in the toe.

Then I took some fabric and let the kids pick soft red minky or sparkly red.  David & Rebekah preferred the minky and of course, Elizabeth gasped with excitement when she saw the shimmery fabric.  (Side note: The shimmery fabric is actually an old shirt of Great's!)

I knew I wanted to do some ribbon on them, kinda like what I'd seen in the Pottery Barn catalog, so I got David to help pick out his ribbons from my ribbon stash.  I wanted to do one set of 3 ribbons either running down the side or across the toe, but he insisted on both.

I could deal with that and it made him happy.  And yes, that is camouflage ribbon!  Manly, huh?

They'll all have a white chenille cuff on top and coordinating ribbon loops for hanging.  Of course David's will be a camo loop.  I'll post pictures as I work on them between now & Christmas.

Now that I've gone public, I'll have to get them finished for Christmas this year!

Welcome to Christmas Week!

For the first time ever, I have dressed 2 little girls in matching dresses with matching bows. They were sooooo adorable!

We've been getting ready since Thanksgiving! The tree is decorated,


the wreath and lights are up outside,


the porch is decorated and ready to welcome guests,


the bathrooms are decorated,

(my toothbrush tree)

presents are almost done.

The Dress...

Belly Shot, 33 Weeks

When we went to find bridesmaids' dresses for Curt & Suzanne's wedding, we found out that we were running short on time to order them... and they had no maternity bridesmaids' dresses!

So we decided to make them. Grana made one bridesmaid's dress and the flower girl dress (Rachel & Sidney). MawMaw made another bridesmaid's dress (Aunt Jana). And I guess I was feeling like I could tackle the world when I said I could make my own... I've never sewn clothing before.

After 3 or 4 weeks of sewing (I lost track of time... and sleep), I finally finished the dress. And if I do say so myself, I think it turned out pretty well!

It's a little wrinkled in this photo because we had to drive from the church to the reception.

I now think making some little dresses for Elizabeth will be a piece of cake! Maybe I'll even make some matching dresses for her & Rebekah!

Oh, and the wedding was beautiful!

Anybody know anyone who needs a size large maternity formal? I've got one I'd like to sell...