Celebrations

The $7 dress

Oh, the angst this dress caused me!! I wanted to make my own dress to wear to my sister’s wedding. I spent a good deal of time pouring over patterns before deciding on Simplicity 3503. Then I agonised over fabrics for about a week. I haven’t made many garments for myself and I’m not good with knowing what colours and style suit me.

So… after carefully measuring I started the dress and finished fairly quickly. I tried it on a lot before finishing, but somehow it ended up with problems. Like it was way too big. The neckline was too low and gaping. It was extremely long. And the waistband was completely wrong. Then the worst part – the style made me look about 6 months pregnant!!!

I was determined not to give up. So I did something that really surprised me. I put the instructions and pattern away. I said a prayer. I took the dress apart and started again. Don’t ask me what I did – I cut, sewed, gathered, put in darts and somehow it all came together for a perfect fit!

Now here is the cool part. The fabric was off the Spotlight clearance table. At $2 a metre the dress worked out to roughly $7! (Not including the pattern cost)

I received many, many positive and flattering comments at the wedding. My husband gazed at me all night long. He is still gazing at me 4 days later. It was great to feel “pretty” again, it’s been a long time!

I couldn’t mention the wedding without showing my gorgeous sister being presented by Dad. She was so happy and beautiful. Marriage is a truly beautiful gift.

Disclaimer: The shots of me were taken by my 10 year old “photographer”. He needs practice!

Pretty little wedding dresses

by Kelly 5 Comments

I finished the girl’s dresses for my sister’s wedding in a few weeks.

Note the pained “I don’t feel like having my photo taken” expression.

I used some pretty quilting fabrics and satin to make the waistbands that tie at the back.

I used my trusty Miss Madeline pattern.

This pale blue fabric has pretty white patterns on it that you can’t really see here.

I’ve almost finished my dress too.

An amusing tale. In my last letter to my Grandmother I mentioned I was making our dresses for the wedding. A couple of days later I received a letter back with a gift voucher for $50. She thought it was such a pity that I “had” to make our dresses she wanted me to go out and buy some for the girls. When she had young children she made all of their clothes out of necessity.

Haven’t times changed? I don’t think she’d be convinced that I sew for pleasure.

Oops! Role reversal

by Kelly 2 Comments

Traditionally it’s the male in a relationship who forgets important days and dates.

This morning my husband came into the dining room grinning and wished me a very happy anniversary.
Gasp! How could I forget our 11th wedding anniversary?!! Unfortunately he has headed off to work and won’t be home until late this evening so no time for celebrations – instead I’ll leave a little tribute here.

Marriage. I love the beautiful sacrament of marriage. I love being married and I especially love the fact that I got to marry my best friend and truly the man of my dreams!

Here are a few inspirational quotes on marriage:

“Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family – a domestic church.”

Pope John Paul II

It was God who brought Eve to Adam and gave her to him as his wife, and it is God, my friends, who with his invisible hand bound the know which united you and gave you to one another; therefore give good heed that you cherish a love which is holy, sacred and divine.

– Francis de Sales, the Devout Life

“Marriage is an adventure, like going to war.”

G.K. Chesterton

Enjoy your weekend!
God bless.

Happy Birthday to you

by Kelly 4 Comments

We had a Happy 5th birthday here yesterday with lots of presents, games and party food. (and bubble blowing!)

It’s meant to be a treasure chest. Cake decorating is not my forte!

Busy, busy, busy!!

by Kelly 6 Comments

I’ve managed to fit in a lot of sewing and crafting time this week. I’m showing glimpses of something I’ve been working on to try and impress someone. More about that later I hope.

I love the colour combinations.

I’m so pleased with the finished product.

This being my 399th post can only mean one thing.

So.. to celebrate my 400th post (and today – my 34th birthday!) I’m running a giveaway.

Stay tuned, it’s a good one!

Who says direct marketing doesn’t work?

by Kelly 6 Comments

I had already decided not to go to the Craft & Quilt Fair – that is until this colourful little piece of promotional material turned up in my mailbox. My resolve weakened, then gave way completely as I leafed through the pages and saw what and who will be there. By the end of the brochure I felt it would be a crime against craftiness to not attend!

In other news, I have one newly arrived nephew with another shortly making his way into the world, so some very warm and fleecy baby blankets were in order. Thanks to Spotlight’s stocktake sale they were very economical to make too!

And Mim made her way out from under her blanket (see previous post) to celebrate her 3rd birthday. It was also my husband’s birthday so we had a lovely small party for them both.

Baby’s first waldorf softie

by Kelly 8 Comments

Well, she isn’t such a baby anymore, her first birthday is next month! Although she won’t be playing with dolls for a little while yet I think it is a beautiful first birthday gift.

I made this 12 inch doll’s body from soft flannel. I tried out a new hair technique and am very satisfied with the results, it’s very secure and lifelike with no long strands for busy little fingers to pull out. I can also add a pony tail later if it’s wanted.