Easter cloches

 

Saying NO, so you can say YES

Every year there are Easter dresses, and before, when there were boys, it was fresh Sunday Khakis, and spring colored Polos. Some years the dresses came from a pretty dress shop, and more recently I smocked them myself. It is tradition. My Mom made dresses for me, and I for mine.

This year, I had them planned. I bought the fabric months ago, lilac cotton with smocked clover for Liza, and eyelet over lilac shift for Haven. But spring came early on this Island, and procrastination won. I lost my glasses, and my ever returning stiff neck makes sewing hard, and all of the sudden, it was Easter week!

I knew I could do it, every afternoon I could smock, stay up late and sew, while Liza repeated math facts and read from her primer I could hem. I new I could make it happen, and in my heart I wanted it. I wanted Easter morning to bring, new dresses on their backs, baskets in their hands,  and smiles on their faces. It was tradition.

So the NO's began. no we can't go to the pool, no we can't go on a bike ride, no we can't have a picnic, no we can't color eggs, read that book, walk the dog together, do a puzzle, play a game, watch a movie, go there, do this, NO NO NO. and I felt myself tighten like a top with the weight of not being able to say yes, and still do the dresses.

They didn't need dresses.

I sat them down, and I said

"look deep into Mamma's eyes",

and four big brown eyes looked up from the step where they sat waiting for the big something momma was going to say.

"I can make your new Easter dresses. I want to make your new Easter dresses, but if I do, I will have to work on them from now until Saturday night, and there will be more NO's, and less YES's until after Easter."

"Or" I continued,

"you can wear last years dresses"

(I had to swallow hard at this point, because a big part of me really wanted to make those dresses happen),

"and we can spend more time saying YES this week".

They didn't even hesitate, they new what they wanted.

I was really sad inside.

It is hard to let go sometimes.

Then Liza said,

"can we color eggs now Momma?",

and I said "YES".

I was really happy inside.

It is nice to let go sometimes.

Happy vintage sheet bunting tutorial

tutorial This project was inspired by THIS picture that I caught on Pinterest. I really loved the idea, and as I mentioned before, I have been squirreling away vintage sheets for some time, and thought this was just the project to start chopping them up for. I didn’t find any directions for how to make the bunting exactly, so this is what I came up with.

The first order of business, was coming up with a pattern, so each scallop would be uniform. I pulled out a 6 inch plate. Obviously the size could fluctuate depending on what size bunting you want. A really big one would be great to decorate your porch, and a mini one would be sweet on a doll house. The possibilities are really endless!

After cutting the circle from paper I folded it in half. The line shows the halfway mark. Then I folded it about three fourths of an inch from that center fold. I wanted my scallops to be slightly bigger than half a circle, and some of that will go into the bias tape used for the string that holds the scallops together.

I used that paper pattern to then cut two of every fabric (sheet in this case) I wanted to include. Most of my vintage sheets have a background of white, and I wanted more color so I included a few other fabrics from my stash. I can picture this project in several other color ways as well, red, white, and blue for July, red and green for Christmas, or any fabric that matches your decor. The possibilities are really endless!You could also use felt and just pink (that's when you use those zigzag scissors or what they call pinking shears) the edges instead of sewing, or burlap would work for all you burlap lovers out there.

When all my pieces were cut, I simple sewed right sides together, sewing only the curved edge, and leaving the straight edge to turn. This raw edge will be covered by the bias tape. After turning each scallop, I ironed them all flat.

I used this fab tutorial to make bias tape out of what quilters call a fat quarter. A fat quarter is a fourth of a yard, but not 9 inches like they would give you at the fabric store if you asked for a fourth of a yard. A fat quarter is a half of a half. In other words it is a piece of fabric measuring 18 inches by 22 inches. I was able to make over 7 yards of 1 and an 1/8 inch bias from my piece using her directions. I made mine narrower because I wanted my finished string narrower. I only used about a half of my bias strip for both the shorter bunting on the window, and the longer bunting draped on the mantle. That means I have a few yards left for another project!

All that was left to do after both the scallops and the bias were finished, was just to sew the two together. Just sandwich each scallop between the fold of the bias leaving about 3/4 between each, and sew together. You are done, and you have a very happy bunting to enjoy for years to come!

The bias was by far the most tedious part of this project. Marking, sewing and cutting it was a breeze. Ironing it in half, and then each half into the center, not so much. You could certainly use store bought double wide bias (it comes in a little pack near the notions), and that would make it much easier, but I wanted to use a printed fabric (in this case a vintage sheet), and I also wanted to try this technique. I also have a gift for making any project I make as complicated as I possibly can. It's a gift, what can I say? I will make bias again, but after I get one of these bias maker thingamajigs. I think the printed bias really adds a special touch.

Happy bunting making ya’ll!

linking up with beneath my heart

2012 spring mantle

Only eighteen days until Easter, so spring decorating is on my mind. I love Easter, and I love spring!
I found this old window in the barn at our last home, so I dragged it out when the movers came to pack us up. When I say I dragged it out, you understand that I really mean that Michael dragged it out, and I said “please may we keep her”, in my sweetest whiney voice, and he said “sure” knowing that it would be one more thing to store in his garage that I would probably never use. But lookey here everyone. I cleaned her up, and she has a real home of honor, for the spring at least.

I painted this canvas too. I was inspired by something I found on pinterest. I’ll show you what, and how in a post real soon.

I found this Happy Easter garland at Home Goods in Atlanta some time ago.She is glitterfied, and sparkles not to much, but not to little.
I made the scalloped bunting out of vintage sheets that I have been hoarding saving up, for just the right project. I’ll show you how on that too, real soon. It was uber easy, and crazy fun, and when I say crazy fun I mean in a kinda tedious, but oh so rewarding kind of way.

Hope you like my mantle, and will leave me a comment, unless your name is anonymous, and you like to leave snarky not very encouraging kind of meanness, then of course you may please refrain from commenting, but know that I love you anyway, cuz I see through that snarky mean exterior, and see the awesome, encouraging, positive person that is trapped inside, just aching to get out!

Happy Easter ya’ll

linking up with Dear Lillie

Kiss me I'm Irish

Apparently, way way back in the day, kissing the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle would give said kisser the ability to never be at a loss for words. That is frankly not something I see many people suffering from, but perhaps in Ireland back then, cat got your tongue was the going delema.

 

This practise now translates in modern day culture that to kiss someone of Irish descent is the next best thing. Easy jump there I guess, from a rock in Ireland, to any pretty red head where ever you happened to be.

 

While I am not a believer in 'LUCK', I am at least a little Irish, so I thought a little shamrock action in the ol' March decor was in order. I painted this little number to celebrate our Irish ancestry, and get ready for the St. Patrick's day festivities. That might include some green pancakes for breakfast, and perhaps green mashed potatoes for dinner.

Do you do anything to celebrate your ethnic heritage?

We call it Candy night

The girls were paper dolls this year, the easiest costumes ever! They were so easy I almost felt guilty for not giving more blood swear and tears into the project. Not only were they super easy, they were a big hit, especially with the older folks. I was a little afraid that people wouldn't know what they were, but it was obvious that paper dolls brought back fond memories for lots of people. Several strangers asked where we got the costumes, "ummmmmm, they're just cardboard??!" The girls were so excited, and they must have thanked me forty times!

This guy really cracked me up, I just had to take his picture. He looked to be a very masculine man, and he was very stern with the children he was with, and so serious. Definitely not the type you would expect to find in a flamingo suit.....so funny. How do you wear a blow up bright pink flamingo suit, and not smile.

This family went all out. The mom is cut out of the pic, but she was the tin man, and the baby was the lion. It was fun to see so many adults dressed up this year, and very few creepy ones here in our "new home town".

 

This man looked to be eight feet tall. He was also very serious, but at least that went with his costume.

Over all we had a terrific Candy night and the girls went to bed exhausted, in spite of being hopped up on twizzlers and Reese peanut butter cups.

Don't panic!

Saw this recently in town, and snapped a pic. I think I might print it poster size, frame it, and hang it on the wall! Kinda like keep calm and carry on, only better, less words, no crown, and more to the point. Whatchathink, could it catch on???

Finally, my spring wreaths!

I wrote quite a while ago, in this post, that I was going to make some new spring wreaths for my front doors. I didn't forget, just took an unplanned hiatus from blogging, and never showed you the outcome.

Here they are, not EXACTLY what I was going for, but they work, and they do say spring, as well as summer, maybe I can even talk myself into them being both fall and winter, and that is a good thing, as I doubt I will be changing them anytime soon.

First I sprayed the grapevine wreaths I found at Hobby Lobby with satin clear coat, to give them some shine. That stuff dries almost instantly, and it's clear so you can spray them right on the grass and no one will ever know. Not that I did that Michael, I'm just sayin. I couldn't find felt in the colors I wanted, so I used real felted wool sweaters (as opposed to imitation felted wool sweaters). They were still not the colors in my head, but they are bright and cheerful. I used faux eucalyptus to fill in a little. I glued it all down safe and secure with LOTS of hot glue!

I found the cute polka dot ribbon at Hobby Lobby, and it all came together in the end.

check out more great projects here



http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-13/
Lettered Cottage">

rainy day fun

Check these puppies out, so very fun!

 The mouse marbles are my personal favorite.

Fancy Nancy is a star

For Halloween the girls were the Nancy Sisters. Haven was Nancy Drew, and ElizaJane was Fancy Nancy. I know some of you may be offended at Halloween, and not agree with our participation. Can I just say, that there are several things about this Autumnal celebration that I hate. I hate the origin, I hate the gory costumes, and I hate the evil decorations, I hate the yucky of October 31st. One thing I do not hate however, is the fun it is for kids to dress up as someone or something, and express their creativity together with several other children, and then go door to door gathering free candy! I think it is a very complicated issue, and I don't look down on those who choose not to participate, I have listened to, and understand both sides of the debate. I can say this however, it has given us a wonderful forum to discuss with first our boys, and now our girls, how we are in the world, but not of the world. We can shine for Jesus, devoid of blood running down our faces, and horrifying masks, in the midst of the worlds evil, without being part of the evil. 

This year we went to our small towns downtown square, and took in all the festivities. ElizaJane begged to be a part of the costume contest, so right there on the spot, I relented. Here she is curtsying to the judges as she was introduced, a born performer.

She made it to the top ten out of 66 entrants in the 4 to 7 year old category. I was amazed. I must have warned her a million times that she probably wouldn't win out of all those children, in hopes of softening the blow of defeat. She would have none of that negative talk, and was convinced that that shiny trophy would soon be hers.

And she was right! One of two winners out of 66!

Most creative costume, 2010. I was very proud of my little Fancy Nancy.

Have you joined in the attitude of gratitude with us yet this month?

Today I am grateful for,

A Halloween to remember with my whole family

A church where I can feel the Holy Spirit moving

The book of Hosea, what a wonderful picture of Gods redemption, read it today!

That thanksgiving is coming, and I couldn't be more thankful for what the Lord is doing.

My washing machine and Dryer, thank you Lord!

What are you grateful for, please do share with us all!

sweet submission

We had more tomatoes than we knew what to do with. Kartwright can only eat so many BLT's, and something had to be done before all that juicy goodness went to waste. What to do, what to do.... I know, I'll google it. What did we do without google? So, I feverishly typed in

How to can tomatoes,

and I found this gem of wisdom and knowledge. So, I got myself to the nearest best buy, and bought some canning jars, and jumped right in with much fear and trembling.

The tomatoes followed right along with me, and decided they too wanted to be saved and later enjoyed by our family, during the cold dark days of winter.

I was so glad they complied, even through all twelve minutes of hanging upside down. Sweet, sweet tomatoes I tell ya, and so very kind to go along with such a novice, in such a risky endeavor.

Aren't they so very beautiful all lined up in a neat long row in such sweet submission?

Thank you Lord for such wonderful bounty!

sewing projects

I thought I might share some of my spring, and early summer sewing projects. I love to sew for the girls, there are so many pretty fabrics out there to choose from.

These were their Easter dresses, It had been a while since I smocked for them, these were both challenging patterns, but I got through them. The fabrics are identical Lily prints, in different color ways.

I am afraid you can't really see that these are orange polka dots on the aqua fabric. We love polka dots around here! Eliza thinks the pocket on the pants is silly because she can't put her hand in it. I think it's cute.

This dress I made for Haven reminds me of one I had as a girl, very 70's ish . She likes the sleeves, and brown is one of her favorite colors.

Haven loves to wear skirts, and I fell in love with all of these pretty flower prints. ElizaJane looks so feminine in this, and it's her favorite lavender color.

I also love rickrack! This tree print caught my eye in the fabric store, and I added the fabric "flower" to the yoke, and ribbons at the ankles. So cool and fun for our recent zoo excursion. I made Haven a little head band experiment to match you can see HERE. My girls both still like to match:)

There you have it. I guess it will soon be time to start some fall pieces.

Have you made anything recently??

I'm linking HERE

In celebration of teens

My contribution to this weeks I heart faces challenge.