All Things Beautiful

For starters, a big thanks to Oma for the birthday gift!

This box of sticker tiaras has been sitting up in the cupboard since October.  Every once in a while my daughter remembers that it's there and asks if we can pull it down and create some for ourselves. I'll admit, it hasn't been high on my list of projects to do.

First there was the Christmas rush that ran from October to the End of December...then there was the Christmas burnout which has lasted for all of January so far( I haven't even touched the sewing machine since Pickle's birthday party).

But today when those big green eyes implored me to please, please make sticker tiaras today... I was out of excuses.

Still, I came up with one anyway.

"Honey, I'm about to start making supper...how about we do it after supper tonight?"

"As soon as we're done?"

"Sure. As soon as we're done".

An hour and a half later I put my fork down and she was at attention, standing next to shoulder.

"It's after supper now...you promised, let's make Tiaras!!!!!"

I finished chewing, swallowed, and went to get the box. To her credit she helped clear the table.

And then we actually had a ton of fun. The stickers were all numbered and coincided with numbers that were printed in patterns all over the little foam tiaras so I figured it was actually a pretty educational activity for number recognition and patterns and sequences, not to mention fine motor control.(those stickers were tiny!)

But more importantly every thing was bright and sparkly and glittery and colored like rainbows...it was wonderful.

While we were plodding away at this time consuming feat (another plus in my book, because it kept my girl absorbed for almost an entire hour) we got to chat and sing and laugh together and that was really the best part of the whole exercise.

At one point my little girl began singing aloud along with me, old camp songs and ditties she's learning at school. She began improvising her own creations all songs about chocolate chips, putting on rain jackets and riding horses through golden skies....I didn't want it to end to be honest, and apparently neither did she.

" I just love chatting with you mom." she said. "Me too honey, me too."

"Isn't this just the best thing ever? I don't ever want to be done."


                                                                             Yes, it sure is.

What is this cake stuff, and where has it been all my life?

My lovely little niece Pickles turned one just before Christmas and we all had a party to celebrate on the weekend. It was one of the loveliest parties I'd been to, all low key and intimate and not too long for the little ones in attendance to get over tired or go into hysterics.

The gifts were all lovely too. Wooden dolls for a playhouse, a vintage sourced doll cradle and highchair from the birthday girl's mommy, a tutu from one auntie and a quilted quiet time book from this auntie.

It was probably the most difficult and time consuming project I have ever attempted but also one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever endeavored as well.

When we were little girls my sister and I had one Auntie in particular (who is a reader of mine too, I love you Auntie Shirley) who made us the most beautiful handmade dresses, pillows and yes, a quiet book for my older sister. For reasons, not divulged here, she doesn't have that quiet book today, so I decided months ago, that I would be the Auntie to fix that situation and make sure Pickles got a quiet book from an Auntie too.

Here are some of the pages I created.






Please take into account that I am very much a beginner sewer and I made more mistakes than even I have the humility to point out.

The book is based on the changing of the seasons and has the classic fine motor activities of weaving, zipping a zipper, tying a bow, lacing a shoe, doing up buttons etc.

Wouldn't you know it was such a hit with all the other guests that there have already been inquiries that perhaps I will try my hand at it again for them too? That's an exciting prospect, considering it will give me the chance to use all the knowledge I've learned the hard way and try out some new ideas.

if anyone wants to see the rest of the pages, let me know and I'll post them too!