Christmas to New Year's

The week between Christmas and New Year's is such a deliciously different week.  I feel like there is so much prep and anticipation for Christmas.  Then it ARRIVES, and everyone is allowed to take a bit of a breath, relax, and enjoy.  There was a lot of sickness for us, but we made it through.  In some ways it forced us to slow down even more.  We did a lot of reading, crafting (Hello, Rainbow Loom!!  Where have you been all my life?), and board game playing.  New Year's Day is our anniversary.  It was a simple day- recovering from staying up too late the night before. ;0)  But we got to mass, took the kids out for a special lunch, and made some yummy Cornish game hens for dinner.  We will have a more elaborate celebration next week, I think.  2013 was a challenging year.  However, I am becoming more aware that challenges are not necessarily bad.  That through the difficulties one can change and grow in ways you never thought you could through the grace of God.  The God part is essential though.  I see Him working on me- on all of us- and I see hope, and I hold on ever tighter. 

I am not ready for this Christmas break to be over.  I could use one more week.  Only a couple more days until the routine and school and everything else starts all over again.  So, I am going to go sew while my kids play with neighbor kids outside and enjoy and dream  about all the blessings I have been given.

   

-Christmas Bunny-

I finished up Samantha's Christmas bunny.  I have been working on this project on and off for several weeks, and it was really enjoyable.  I ordered the kit because I wanted the felt colors to be just right, and I love the Liberty print for the dress.  Doesn't she look like such a respectable and well groomed bunny?

There are such lovely little details- like the cute little knitted cape.

The boots were the most fiddly part to put together.  I have to be careful with hand sewing because I seem to get tendonitis in my thumb of all places if I do too much.  I made one boot and had to wait a week to make the other since my thumb started bugging me again!  Who knew crafting could be so dangerous? ;0)

I dipped the whiskers in liquid starch to help them stand up better, and I put a little bit of creamy blush on her cheeks.

Now, of course, my older girls are asking for their own bunny.  Maybe for Easter...

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and have finished your own Christmas crafting! xoxo

-little bits-

My Felicity turned five this week.  She has been waiting for this day ever since her big sister's birthday, and finally it came!  She was so happy and pleased as punch with all her gifts.

  One of the best things about having a number of kids is getting to see how different they all are.  She is a very sweet and easy going child (most of the time).  This is so nice since *cough* I have two other children who are not so easy going.  Klutz is her middle name though.  She trips and falls all the time.  She has broken one of our kitchen chairs trying to smell muffins.  The band aid box is needed weekly if not daily.  However, she has such a kind, gentle heart, and I am so proud of my big girl.

She received the coveted American Girl doll who looks like her.  She named her Isabella.

I am also starting to plan for my Christmas crafting.  I bought some Cherry Christmas and some red polka dots to make some Christmas dresses for the girls.

I have also started my first knitting project!  I am making Millwater (per Angela's recommendation!).  I am having so much fun making it! It is guaranteed that this time of year I start craving some yarn projects, but this time I am learning to knit!  This has opened up all sorts of possibilities, and I have become obsessed with Ravelry!  If you knit or crochet, come be friends with me over there!!

Also, I finished my Winterwoods Sampler!  I love it!  I want to get it framed before sharing it with you all first though!

-crazy-

That is what life has felt like the past week or so.  So much happened, and then I got sick, so rottenly sick.  Pregnancy always seems to make me so much more susceptible to catching things no matter how much I wash my hands and how careful I am.  

- My husband and I decided to get each other a new camera for our anniversary. Our first DSLR!  I love it so much.  Our anniversary isn't until New Year's but there are always great deals this time of the year, so we got it a little early.  I have no idea what I am doing, but I am excited to learn!  If you have any photography tips, books, websites, etc...please share!

I have been playing around quite a bit with it though and taking lots of  picture of the kiddos.

Josiah

Juliana

Felicity

-We also received some sad news.  A friend from college passed away last week.  He had been in the ICU for 47 days and although we knew he was horribly ill, there was so much hope that he would pull through.  Thousands of people were praying for him.  Matt was a great guy.  He will be greatly missed.  May he rest in peace.

-Juliana got to be in our town's local parade through her Little Flowers Club.  She *loves* parades and was so excited.  She had a great time, but as we were driving home it was clear all of the waving and saying "Merry Christmas!" over and over had been a bigger responsibility than she anticipated. ;0p

-Somebody turned 32 last week (and it wasn't me!)  I found this recipe for a Chocolate Stout Cake, and it was amazing.  Perfect cake for the men in your life!  

- Late last week I got a call from my OB saying he wanted to refer us to a specialist because of different things that had shown up on the baby's ultrasound.  We knew about these things, but were told not to worry.  My OB was out of town at the time, so I really didn't worry too much.  However, when we got that call, I admit I felt scared.  We got to see the perinatologist the next day though.  He was very reassuring, and he thinks that everything has a good chance of turning out fine. I will be monitored more closely though, especially in the third trimester.  Please keep our little one in your prayers.

- We got our Christmas tree and finished off most of our decorating!

  I finished the table runner I started last week.  It is called the Simple Table Runner.  I had made it before, and I like the size and simplicity!

Instead of using ric rac though.  I used this cute little red pom pom trim in my stash.

Thanks for reading this rambling post!  Hope all your Christmas sewing is going well!!

First Dance Recital

Juliana had her first dance recital last week. She has only been in the class for a couple of months. She did so well, and I was so proud of her. I decided last minute to make her a Christmas-y skirt instead of having her wear a red one she already owned. She loved it. I made a matching one for Felicity too, and they have both worn them a few times this past week.

After the recital the girls got to meet Santa Claus. It went infinitely better than last year, when Felicity screamed and Juliana was too shy to look at Santa. This year Juliana hopped onto his lap and told him immediately what she wanted before he could even say hello. Felicity, on the other hand, refused to move her head from that position. She did not want to look at Santa.

Here is an up close shot of the skirt. I used some red and white Casey Scroll fabric that I have had forever that I originally intended for something else. I used this pattern from Zozo Bug Baby. I have made this skirt several times, and I love how easy it is. Everyone loves the apron, and I made this apron with green on one side and red on the other. That way when Christmas is over it won't look so much like a Christmas skirt as a red and white skirt.

I have been working on the girls' Christmas dresses using this pattern. I am mostly finished with one, and hopefully will get the other started today. I am also making some pettiskirts for the girls for Christmas. Wowza. Those take more time than I thought. I have to borrow my mom's machine as she has a ruffler foot, and it makes it go by so much faster. I don't think I would attempt one of these without one. I also have made some Jane Market Bags as some gifts and have a few more to go. Nothing like waiting to the last minute! Hope you all have your Christmas sewing under way and wrapped up soon!