Hand embroidered apron dress, flower pin and matching pants.
Size 3T.
Ready to ship!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Bella Turns One!
We celebrated my niece's first birthday at our house last night. Since Faryn had just had a c-section I planned, decorated, baked and hosted the party for them. It was so much fun to put it all together. Turned out to be a bit of a dry run for my girls' Strawberry Shortcake party coming up in September. Win win! I did run out of time on a couple of the details but hopefully you won't even miss them (and I'm not telling what they are!). I wish I could have found my good camera lens (still!) too. What I did find though is that it's difficult to run the show and be the photographer. I'm exhausted!
Now, on to her beautiful party...
This was my first time making a fun chalkboard for a party. My {living room} has been looking a little sad without it lately. I actually made three for the party but forgot to get photos of the other two. I stumbled upon these {two} {signs} and melded them into this one. So thankful that the first one already said "Bella". The key is to keep dipping your chalk in water so they act more like pastels, they feel more creamy when writing. It also stays on better when you do that. Bella touched this many times and it never smudged. {Here} is my chalk art board on Pinterest for more inspiration.
I made three of the table clothes from fabric in my stash, adding a hole for the umbrella table. It's patchwork and later if I fold it right can double as a dresser scarf for the girls' room. These will of course come out again for their party. Oh, hey! You can see one of the other chalkboards hanging from the light on the house. The third was propped on a chair in the front yard with balloons and a TaDollie and said "join us in the back yard". Thankfully we didn't have any extras joining us since I left it out there all night. ;)
The square table is actually covering the fire pit. Sneaky, eh?
I spent most every morning this past week, refinishing those aqua chairs. I picked them up off the side of the road in Amy's neighborhood last summer. I remember asking if she'd mind me embarrassing her by picking up her neighbors trash. Hehe... I'm glad I did. Though they are pretty much rotting (you can stick a screwdriver right into the bottom of the legs), they will hopefully last a couple of years. I sanded, primed and painted them (aqua spray paint) and then sanded again since the wood grain stood up after the painting. They were now looking pretty distressed. I brushed on and rubbed in past wax for a waterproof and soft finish. I love them now!
Chairs: free
Sandpaper: $5
Paint: $30
Gorgeous aqua chairs just in time for Bella's party: priceless
Earlier, I had David scoop the ice cream into cupcake papers and put the trays in the freezer until we needed them. That was a huge time-saver. I'll be using that tip for every party going forward, even indoor ones. It was hard getting the food all outside at the right time and later setting up the dessert table. I need a tray to carry things! It's not quite picture perfect because at the last minute I was upstairs washing out my oatmeal glass jar (I now have old fashioned and quick cooking oats mixed together in one oatmeal tub...oops!) and making the punch to put in it. The punch, I almost forgot the punch! Oh and re-writing the chalk tag on the jar, which ran due to the condensation from the punch. Next time I must remember to do that well in advance. Boy, that was a whirlwind! And I'm forcing myself not to even mention everything else I forgot. Oh my! ;) But it still looks great, right? Well, maybe that white ceramic owl could be moved left or just left out? David would vote for left out, he thought I was silly for dragging that thing outside.
Faryn requested a cake covered in sprinkles. This was the {inspiration}. I think it turned out perty cute with the pink bow around it (3 pics above^). I made {this buttercream frosting} and it is THE. best. I. have. ever. tasted. Seriously! I also added fresh raspberries between the layers and I do believe I will forever do that each and every birthday cake I make from here on out. Forever and ever amen! Please do that just once and you'll be saying the same thing. Strawberries won't work, it has to be raspberries. Their tartness compliments the sweetness of the frosting.
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! You are so very loved. We look forward to watching you and your brothers grow up and are so glad to be a part of your lives.
Father, please bless this little girl. May she grow up to be a gracious, fun-loving girl that knows and trusts you.
Monday, July 16, 2012
I Spy Two TaDa! Creations Resells
One of my all time favorite dresses (and headscarf) is available, in mint condition, size 3/4/5 over on {Jessica's resale blog}. Just $45!!!
Be still my heart, that's a 2-1/2 year old Emily up there ^. Where did the last 4 years go?
Be still my heart, that's a 2-1/2 year old Emily up there ^. Where did the last 4 years go?
It can be worn 8 ways because of the removable straps. I had a lot of fun designing this one and the applique was quite labor intense.
She's also got a one-of-a-kind, made just for Grace, Little Red Riding Hood decoupage jean set too. Same size and a steal at just $30. Eeeek! Go take a peek {here}.
I believe these are the first of Jessica's TaDa! pieces she is parting with. *sniff*sniff*
You can see all of her resales {here}.
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Pirate and the Pardon
Here is what's been consuming my time for the past month.
I was the Costume Coordinator for my church's VBS play this year. It was an amzing experience. I loved being in the thick of it and seeing it all come togther. I was especially touched by all the 6th grade and up kids that put so much time and effort into their roles (whether it was in the classrooms, on the praise team or as part of the drama production) so the little kids would have a meaningful week.
Here is the dress I made from scratch. My first "adult" piece. It was perfect for "Lark" with a vecro closure up the back for her quick change. Her brother "Jimmy" found his own wardrobe and I just tea-stained the shirt and spray painted the pants to look dirty. He was a pirate wannabe which got him in a little trouble and soon they both found themselves on a pirate ship called the Sea Wolf.
One of my favorite pictures after having read the comments on facebook is now this one. Specifically the young man praying over the nearly drowned Butterknife Bill. Luke said that he wasn't just acting here, he took this time to actually pray for the kids in the audience, that they would get the message. I'm so proud of the young people in our church. They really get it and do everything for the glory of God.
I have to give a hand to our director, set designers and techs. This picture is just all kinds of awesome because of their hard work. Josh did a good job too. ;)
There was singing and dancing...
and a very clear message about God's Grace.
We show about 20 minutes of the play each of the 5 days and then the play in it's entirety Friday night. Seeing it all as one production was very moving. I found myself wiping away tears when Lark tells Butterknife about God's act of Grace and at the end when her father (Commodore Bunting) extends grace to him as well.
I snapped 1200 pictures throughout the week and here are just a few more of my favorites.
Aboard the Sea Wolf. Mr. Pigeon, in the middle, his costume came completely from the women's section at a thrift store. I added buttons and some bands around his cuffs to make it more nautical looking. His sash is a sari that I shorted down the middle and spray painted. I added elastic to his cuffs so they could be hiked up to his knees and bloused out.
Nelly NoBeard, our MC for the week and captain of the J.Crew praise team.
Our fearless leader, Dara, the writer and director of the play. She is crazy talented. Growing up I always thought of her as a Julie Andrews and that still holds true today.
Dara found all the pieces for the sailor's outfits. I just shortened and tapered the pants with buttons, made vests from basic tees, kerchief and sash from pillow cases and dirtied it all with black spray paint and tea-stained the shirts I cut the collar and sleeves off of. Dara made all the tri-corn hats from simple ladies felt hats she found at Penny's. The buttons down the vests aren't actually buttons, they are flatbacks and I used a sharpie to draw the button-holes on the other side. For this sewing perfectionist, it was a departure for me to make everything "costume" quality. ;)
I think all but two of these kids go to the same school my girls do. Love that they have so many good role models to look up to. Ahem...when they aren't being pirates that is.
I was blessed to be at every dress-rehearsal the whole week so I could move about the sanctuary freely and capture all the shots I wanted. This is definitely a fave.
Poor Jimmy got a little seasick. And yes, that's a butternife instead of a hook. There were so many clever touches to this play. Like all the character names were from birds giving homage to Jack Sparrow (Finch, the Longspur, Lark, Bunting, Mr, Pigeon, Shearwater, Thrush, Plover, Sixpense, Junco, Crowe, I'm missing 3 more I think).
The crew of the Sea Wolf
A little fun with dry ice after the performance.
Praying over Pastor Josh before he gave his message that day.
Pastor Mac announced how much the kids raised each day for their missions project. He's wearing a rented costume. All of the colonial period outfits you see were rented. They were a ton of fun to pick out. If you ever get a chance to hang out in a serious costume rental place do it. It's a hoot!
Every year, the kids have a special project that they raise money for throughout the week. Though VBS is free, kids are encouraged to bring an offering. They usually raise about $4000. This year our church partnered with a ministry in the Philippines. It's an orphanage for older children. The kids their make friendship bracelets to sell which makes them enough money to keep them off the streets and from being sold into the sex trade. We then sold the bracelets here and our profits went to an orphanage in India that was started by a man that grew up in an orphanage there. He will be coming to our church this year to speak. I can't wait to meet him. Our kids raised $22,000 last week!!! We also had an anonymous donor who gave $10,000 once we hit $20,000. It was quite amazing to hear about! I especially loved that kids in the Philippines, by way of kids in America, helped kids in India. Don't you just love how God works?
My kiddos held a lemonade/cookie/bracelet stand and personally raised $90 for the effort.
Their Auntie Julie stopped by on her way home from work to support their efforts. Love that!
My sister in law had her baby boy two weeks early so we'll be watching Bella for the next week or so to help her recover. I'm off to take some newborn photos right now.
I was the Costume Coordinator for my church's VBS play this year. It was an amzing experience. I loved being in the thick of it and seeing it all come togther. I was especially touched by all the 6th grade and up kids that put so much time and effort into their roles (whether it was in the classrooms, on the praise team or as part of the drama production) so the little kids would have a meaningful week.
Here is the dress I made from scratch. My first "adult" piece. It was perfect for "Lark" with a vecro closure up the back for her quick change. Her brother "Jimmy" found his own wardrobe and I just tea-stained the shirt and spray painted the pants to look dirty. He was a pirate wannabe which got him in a little trouble and soon they both found themselves on a pirate ship called the Sea Wolf.
One of my favorite pictures after having read the comments on facebook is now this one. Specifically the young man praying over the nearly drowned Butterknife Bill. Luke said that he wasn't just acting here, he took this time to actually pray for the kids in the audience, that they would get the message. I'm so proud of the young people in our church. They really get it and do everything for the glory of God.
I have to give a hand to our director, set designers and techs. This picture is just all kinds of awesome because of their hard work. Josh did a good job too. ;)
There was singing and dancing...
(I didn't know pirates had such perfect teeth)
and a very clear message about God's Grace.
We show about 20 minutes of the play each of the 5 days and then the play in it's entirety Friday night. Seeing it all as one production was very moving. I found myself wiping away tears when Lark tells Butterknife about God's act of Grace and at the end when her father (Commodore Bunting) extends grace to him as well.
I snapped 1200 pictures throughout the week and here are just a few more of my favorites.
Aboard the Sea Wolf. Mr. Pigeon, in the middle, his costume came completely from the women's section at a thrift store. I added buttons and some bands around his cuffs to make it more nautical looking. His sash is a sari that I shorted down the middle and spray painted. I added elastic to his cuffs so they could be hiked up to his knees and bloused out.
Nelly NoBeard, our MC for the week and captain of the J.Crew praise team.
Our fearless leader, Dara, the writer and director of the play. She is crazy talented. Growing up I always thought of her as a Julie Andrews and that still holds true today.
Dara found all the pieces for the sailor's outfits. I just shortened and tapered the pants with buttons, made vests from basic tees, kerchief and sash from pillow cases and dirtied it all with black spray paint and tea-stained the shirts I cut the collar and sleeves off of. Dara made all the tri-corn hats from simple ladies felt hats she found at Penny's. The buttons down the vests aren't actually buttons, they are flatbacks and I used a sharpie to draw the button-holes on the other side. For this sewing perfectionist, it was a departure for me to make everything "costume" quality. ;)
I think all but two of these kids go to the same school my girls do. Love that they have so many good role models to look up to. Ahem...when they aren't being pirates that is.
I was blessed to be at every dress-rehearsal the whole week so I could move about the sanctuary freely and capture all the shots I wanted. This is definitely a fave.
Poor Jimmy got a little seasick. And yes, that's a butternife instead of a hook. There were so many clever touches to this play. Like all the character names were from birds giving homage to Jack Sparrow (Finch, the Longspur, Lark, Bunting, Mr, Pigeon, Shearwater, Thrush, Plover, Sixpense, Junco, Crowe, I'm missing 3 more I think).
The crew of the Sea Wolf
A little fun with dry ice after the performance.
Praying over Pastor Josh before he gave his message that day.
Pastor Mac announced how much the kids raised each day for their missions project. He's wearing a rented costume. All of the colonial period outfits you see were rented. They were a ton of fun to pick out. If you ever get a chance to hang out in a serious costume rental place do it. It's a hoot!
Every year, the kids have a special project that they raise money for throughout the week. Though VBS is free, kids are encouraged to bring an offering. They usually raise about $4000. This year our church partnered with a ministry in the Philippines. It's an orphanage for older children. The kids their make friendship bracelets to sell which makes them enough money to keep them off the streets and from being sold into the sex trade. We then sold the bracelets here and our profits went to an orphanage in India that was started by a man that grew up in an orphanage there. He will be coming to our church this year to speak. I can't wait to meet him. Our kids raised $22,000 last week!!! We also had an anonymous donor who gave $10,000 once we hit $20,000. It was quite amazing to hear about! I especially loved that kids in the Philippines, by way of kids in America, helped kids in India. Don't you just love how God works?
My kiddos held a lemonade/cookie/bracelet stand and personally raised $90 for the effort.
Their Auntie Julie stopped by on her way home from work to support their efforts. Love that!
My sister in law had her baby boy two weeks early so we'll be watching Bella for the next week or so to help her recover. I'm off to take some newborn photos right now.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Our First Dance Recital
They had lots of fun, learned a few things and now have some pretty fancy dress up clothes. We'll be taking just ballet (no tap) next year at a different studio (closer to home and faith based). I tell ya what, watching the other classes (especially competition) was eye-opening. I'm not ready for the skimpy outfits or 9 year olds shaking it to Mambo #5. Know what I mean? I'd say we were lucky that our dresses and music were appropriate. Another thing we learned was that, at least at this studio, the level of teaching and what's expected of the kids (consequently what you get out of the kids) was greatly different between recreational and competitive dance. That may be the way it is everywhere, but now we know and we understand better what questions to ask. All in all it was a good learning experience on many levels.
This is how you get to the car after rehearsal when mom forgets to bring your regular shoes and you can't walk in the parking lot in just your ballet slippers. Sam has no excuse except for not wanting to be left out. Good thing he's got a strong Daddy!
It was fun to see what they were capable of and what parts came a little more naturally to them. Right now they feel equally at home on the stage, the soccer field or the softball diamond. Next school year we hope to add in piano lessons.
This is how you get to the car after rehearsal when mom forgets to bring your regular shoes and you can't walk in the parking lot in just your ballet slippers. Sam has no excuse except for not wanting to be left out. Good thing he's got a strong Daddy!
It was fun to see what they were capable of and what parts came a little more naturally to them. Right now they feel equally at home on the stage, the soccer field or the softball diamond. Next school year we hope to add in piano lessons.
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