Ch-Ch-Changes

The only constant in life is change. Life around here is in a constant state of flux it seems. The question is; why does it always come at you at warp speed? 

Just yesterday I am sure, this sweet little imp stood on my bed and declared this day, her kindergarten graduation, her "very special day."  I have always said we should view the world through Amy's eyes. If we did, we would know the world was created just for us!

A mom knows within herself that her job is to work herself out of a job. I think I have almost done that. Baby girl moved away yesterday, probably for the last time. She heads for the Big Easy to start a new job, a new home, a new life.

Not sure where that little imp went but she has grown into a beautiful young woman. She makes this momma proud.

I sure hope he knows what he has gotten himself into and that the road to home is never too far. She is known to suffer from epic homesickness. He is good to her and makes her laugh, what more can a momma ask for?

We love you Aim and this one is for you.

Happy Blogoversary

Happy Blogoversary to Southern Matriarch.

She is THREE years old!!! Who would have thought it? I certainly would not have. It has been a wonderful ride.

In three years time, I have posted 236 garments, and ~100 non sewn items. Wow! I was blown away when I got to adding it up. Now the number is pretty accurate I am sure, but if you want to go through and recount for me, feel free. The next time I am feeling like I haven't accomplished much, I am going to refer back to this post.

Granted some of those items have been small, quick or down and dirty. Still, 236. Blows my mind.

And one of the things that makes it so fun, is the blogging friends you make. I have met a few in person and many through emails, Facebook and Flickr. Thank you each and every one of you for your following, commenting as well as telling others about this tiny place in the cybersphere.

Happy, Happy Blogoversary to me!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, faithful reader. Being a mom is my most treasured role. I can't think of anything I would have rather done in life. I thank God every day for the gift of the greatest kids on earth. They are my pride and joy. As well as frustration and trial! I never said they were perfect. Just perfectly mine. I hope you get to spend Mother's Day with those you love most.

The hooligans that call me mom, except for the gray headed guy in the collar, he calls me "babe". I love all of you.

“You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.” - William D. Tammeus

Ramblings of an Empty Mind

I got nothing. I am currently working on a christening gown from a vintage wedding gown. Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out of my comfort zone, but it is coming together. I will have pictures soon. You know those projects that take way longer to ruminate over than they do to stitch? That has been this one. So in the meantime some treasures I found while avoiding the task at hand.

This is a BRAVE woman. Never in a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 years would I post a picture of my rear end with a bow over it! Besides, I would need one of those bows they show on new cars at Christmas time to be even remotely proportional to my rear end. Hers on the other hand is quite attractive in her new apron.

I have been known to spend time on less than useful projects. Next time I am accused of that I am going to send this picture to the offender. I mean it is cute, and a GREAT rendition of the real thing in felt. Just not sure what the purpose is, besides you can.

 

 

 

No comment. You can't make me.

 

These little birds made me smile.

What four year old wouldn't love these wings?

And because we know I love a christening gown, ran across this on google images. A portrait of a baby in her gown. Gorgeous.

Registration Time Again and Thank You

It is time to register for SAGA convention. I debated back and forth about going this year. In the end, the 7 year old in me won. I was afraid I would miss something. So I registered for this year's convention. If you have never been, it is a fun, fun time. This will be my 15th consecutive year to go. It is a highlight in my year. It is a wonderful gift to yourself. This year I am taking classes from Jeannie Baumeister of the Old Fashioned Baby, Susie Gay of Berryhill Heirlooms and Debbie Glenn of Love and Stitches. I hope to see you there.

And I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who came out in droves, both here and in email to sooth my ruffled feathers. Thank you for indulging my temper tantrum. I do enjoy blogging and I love my followers and blog friends that I have made. I am over my little hissy fit. Thanks so much for being there.

FYI, if you want to up your readership for a day, throw a tantrum. Kind of like the toddler in the mall screaming their brains out, everyone stops to watch even though they don't want to. :) Just kidding. Truly, thanks for the support. It means the world to me.

Really?

I don't usually give credence to "hate mail" but I felt compelled to this time. I have received a number of emails regarding my last two posts. I have been criticized for posting about the royal wedding and the beatification of Blessed Pope John Paul II. I have been accused of not caring about the people in Alabama. Plug your ears, I am going to holler now.

ARE YOU FOR REAL???????? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!! 

You can unplug your ears now.  I am an Alabamian by birth. I have friends and family in Alabama and all across the South. I know people who live in those hard hit areas. Of course I care, and care deeply. This is a blog people, not Fox News! This is one tiny piece of my life. There are so many areas of my life that never make it to this page. There are many triumphs, struggles, joys and heartaches I never write about. That doesn't make them less real to me. Or less important. I am insulted and offended by these emails. This is a sewing etc. focused blog. Yes, I write about things other than sewing at times but what is written here is not my life in total. Nor my heart. I am not the type of person to comment on every single thing going on in my life here or on Facebook. Do not assume what I am thinking by the tiny blips on the radar recorded here.

My heart breaks for the loss of life and property across the Southeast. They all remain in my prayers. I have spent many an hour sending emails, making phone calls, etc. checking on my friends and family. Thank you for your collective concern for those people as well. I just ask that you not assume that you know how I feel about something based on what is written here.

So we return to our regularly scheduled life of.....

Another "Did You Watch"

Blessed John Paul II

18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005

Perhaps today's events don't have the same romantic appeal, but an electric one none the less. Today marks the beatification of Pope John Paul II. An event of the same pageantry and awe as the events of Friday.

There weren't gowns to see or flower girls to delight but millions of people lined the streets of Rome as well as watched around the world. The day marked the recognition of a life lived in heroic faith and service to others.

Beatification and the further process of being named to sainthood, does not "make a saint." It is the Church's way of naming what already is. An official way to declare what has already been done through faith and the grace of God. What all those of faith hope to do, to live in union with God in this life so that we too may live with Him in eternity.

In his first Mass of Thanksgiving upon being elected Pope, John Paul II spoke these words to the faithful that would become a treatise of his pontificate. "Do not be afraid! Open, open wide the doors to Christ!"

 

He was a very charismatic man, a media savvy pontiff, a forgiving man, playful, prayerful, as well as a faithful man. He was not perfect as none of us are perfect. That is one of the greatest gifts of the saints. They teach us that even in our humanity, in our frailty, in our imperfections; we are redeemed and how to live a life that speaks to that redemption. They teach us how to stay the course. 

 "Blessed are you, beloved Pope John Paul II, because you believed! Continue, we implore you, to sustain from heaven the faith of God’s people. Amen."

                      Pope Benedict XVI
                      During the Beatification of Blessed John Paul II

                                  

Did You Watch?

Were you up in the wee hours of the morning like I was? It was enchanting. The bride was breathtakingly beautiful. And who wouldn't like this kind of revelry on their big day?

 

The dress!! It couldn't have been more perfect for her. I love the bodice and sleeves. You still get the look of strapless that many brides today prefer with the elegance of the neckline and sleeves. Lacy but airy.

I loved so many of the details but I adore her sweet, symbolic bouquet.  Here is the copy from People.com

Symbolism was key in the small bouquet Catherine carried, designed for her by Shane Connolly. In addition to the flower sweet William, the bouquet included lily-of-the-valley (for return of happiness), hyacinth (constancy of love) and ivy (for fidelity, marriage and affection). Also key to the arrangement were stems from plants grown from sprigs of the bridal bouquets of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

You already know I love lily-of-the-valley.

How adorable are these? Can I order about a half dozen? Love, love, love the flower girls. Or bridesmaids as they are called in royal circles. Her sister's gown was gorgeous as well. You would never see an attendant in white in this country.

This was one of my favorite moments. This footman had no idea what to do with that 8-foot train. He finally unceremoniously dumped it on the ground! Don't you know the "Royal Protocol Officer" about stroked when he saw that!

No matter how royal, no matter how planned; children will be children. How cute is that? And the fairy tale Prince and his Princess really are regular folks who get caught up in the moment.

Finally the second most anticipated moment after the dress. The kiss. How sweet and I love the expressions on the children's faces. The little one couldn't care less and the older girl is excited to be a part of the very romantic day. A sweet yet grande celebration. How wonderful that with today's technology over 2 billion people could celebrate with them.

What did you do this morning while you watched? I brewed my favorite tea, bought on my own London trip, a year ago this week. I only have a few pots left. I love it. The same brand available in this country doesn't taste the same. Not sure why, it just doesn't. I also made these wonderful scones. I substituted chopped dried cherries instead of cranberries. Yummy!! Good thing, since I was in the kitchen baking at THREE THIRTY, AM!

After I enjoyed the festivities right up to the kiss, I took a nap. Hey a girl has to keep up her energy. Especially since she is Mimi all weekend while Mommy and Daddy have taken a quick teeny vacation. No I didn't wear a tiara or a hat. Speaking of hats.....

What was she thinking? On what level does any of this work? I could say that the openwork of her dress was intriguing, but that is the nicest thing I could say. So the only hat I wore, was a bedhead.

Enjoy the rest of this royal day and let's all

EAT CAKE!

A "Kewpie" Doll

I loved this outfit when it first appeared on AS&E's cover of issue #93. Imagine my delight when one of baby's stitching "village" let me know that she was working on it for princess. I could hardly wait to get it. I love Dawn's interpretation and it is darling on princess. Thank you again Dawn.

The many faces of Evamarie.

The back is just as sweet as the front.

This is her studier face, seconds before she grabs for the camera. She weighs 22# and is 29" tall.

I always want to know how a pattern fits a real baby/child. That is the reason I always tell you the size made and how much my particular model weighs. To help you determine what size to make for your model.  Dawn made the AS&E 12 months which is probably the same as an 18 months in US sizing. In ready to wear she wears an 18 months in most things, 24 months in others. I hope that information is valuable to you when you make this darling outfit for your "Kewpie" doll.

As adorable as she is awake, who can resist this.....

tired, tired baby. FYI, if you need a baby shower gift- that little glow in the dark seahorse is the ticket. We call it baby crack. Don't even think about putting her to bed without it.

Easter Blessings

Well wishes at Easter. First, thank you, to all who emailed, facebooked, texted or called to see if we were all right. Yes, we are fine. We are soggy, but fine. Many did not fare as well due to the Good Friday tornadoes in our area. So please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they try to rebuild their homes, business and lives after some devastating storms.

In the face of distress, Easter arrives with its tidings of joy and renewal. We will take it. I hope you and those you hold dear are rejoicing in Easter blessings.

As promised, here are pictures of princess' Easter dress. Nothing fancy. A simple cute little bishop. I had planned an additional dressy dress, but that didn't happen. There is just too much going on around here. It is Children's Corner bishop pattern made with an aqua gingham from Bessie Mary.  Smocked with "Somebunny Loves Me" from Creative Needle January/February 2008 I believe.

It has been a while since I have done any picture smocking. My skill is a bit rusty, but the results are cute bunny faces peeking out across the yoke.

The buttons are not really the right size. Don't anyone tell Cindy Foose that I neglected to obtain the correct sized buttons before I started. They were the only ones that were the right color when I went to finish the dress last week. I piped the neckline as usual. I doubt I will ever do a bias binding without piping again. It is so much easier than without the piping. Believe me.

Best of all is seeing it on our precious model. Is that Easter Bunny large and in charge or what? She is busy looking at her mommy instead of the camera but as you see, she is unfazed by the large, scary rabbit with a bad fashion sense. She knows it is all about her.

Rejoice in Easter faithful reader, life is good.

 

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. 

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.

                                                          Pope John Paul II