Mostly Pre-Christmas with More Traditions

Well, it's 2009 and the Cousin Cookie Tradition continues . . . wow! the kids sure have grown since I blogged about it in 2006. Surely, it hasn't been that long... ??

Little SweetBoy looking up to our Cowboy - I think this is SweetBoy's first time at the Christmas Cookie Tradition.

SweetPea gave me Snowflake Cookie Cutters for my birthday, but I think she was thinking ahead... you know, for when she made Christmas cookies.

Lovely did a truly lovely and meticulous job at decorating. She was so proud of her little cookies and saved her best-decorated one for her Daddy.

Spiderman at his individual-cookie creativity.

... and SweetBoy being as sweetly cute as can be.

My mom hosted the event this time and had everything all prepared for when we arrived. Dough was made, frosting was made and colored, cookie cutters out, plastic tablecloth on the table, parchment paper for each child, cookie sheets ready and two ovens pre-heated. Even with all that prepared, it still wore us all out by the end of the night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My Family's Christmas Gathering . . .

I made SweetBoy a little backpack (which he calls a "pack-pack") using a vintage pattern I got from Karen. McCall's 2461 Pyjama Pillow Pack or some such title... regardless, I added back straps and redid the ears for more of a Cocker Spaniel look. Brown corduroy for the outer portion with a camping print for the lining... oh, and the ears are sueded twill.

I even stuffed it (with bamboo batting!) between the lining and the outer fabric so it could second as a pillow for the car or camper-trailer. The mouth stitching was done using a vintage Singer Single-Thread Embroidery Attachment #26538.

SweetBoy totally loved it! He gasped with glee and opened the back pocket to find his "own chicwitts!!!" (Chiclets - you know, Chiclet gum)

SweetPea received a little Strawberry ceramic tea set from my youngest brother and his lovely girl, K. (I totally adore her and I do hope she becomes an official sis someday, but I won't say that too loud.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our Christmas Eve ~ the Pyjama Tradition

The kids didn't think they were going to receive "Christmas Eve" pyjamas this year because I had made them Christmas-themed pyjamas a few weeks prior. Much less did they expect to have matching sets for their little cuddly friends! They were beyond joyful at their new mama-mades.

SweetPea hugged her new jammies tight and squealed, "Mommy, it's just the fabric that I wanted!!!" (Remember, the pattern and details here?)

The little dolly pattern is a Simplicity Pattern 4347 I had for a little robe. I modified it by reversing the back and front and splitting the collar into two sections versus just the one so that it would be styled after SweetPea's nightgown.

Cowboy's pyjamas included an Ottobre 06/2009 #37 knit top combined with the Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajama Pants. Both SweetPea's nightgown and Cowboy's Pajama Pants are fully lined with flannel for added warmth. The pants fabric is a retro-styled Santa Claus print I've had in my stash for a couple of years. The knit is a cotton lycra I bought at Spandexworld.com.

Even being 10-years-old doesn't prevent a grin from ear to ear and pure happiness about getting his little Teddy Bear dressed. (He's had Corduroy since age two!)

I used Simplicity Pattern #2761 for the Teddy Bear's knit top (but substituted with a rib knit on the coverstitcher for the neckline) and made the Bear's pyjama pants by just using the pants piece from the same pattern.

A Christmas Stitch . . .

Merry Christmas & Happy 2010 New Year!

*Graphic Designed by Wende Tindall for April 1930's

Our Christmas Has Begun

Our family Christmas Eve was tonight (because we'll be with extended family for the 25th) with the tradition of coordinating pyjama sets with little outfits for the cuddly friends. I will post more photos later of their outfits but for now I'll leave you with this short story sent to me today by my mom.... Merry Christmas!

Adventure With Grandma*

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I replied shyly. "It's .... for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) and wrote on the package, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" -- Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.

More Christmas Sewing

Cowboy's 10th birthday was this month and I managed to score a yard of some really hard-to-find Lego novelty printed fabric. I bought it secondhand and I don't even know who makes it. I'll be honest with you, though - it has to be the worst for quality and feels like cardboard. However, Lego fabric is Lego fabric... so I did the next best thing and lined these Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajama Pants with flannel. Have I mentioned that this is the best pyjama pants pattern ever? It is. I'm begging Liesl to design it into at least size 10, and then next year I'll beg for up to size 12 and the following for 14, but you get the idea.

These are officially his favorite pyjamas ever. EVER.

Next up we have a matching set. I'm making two coordinating pyjama sets for the kids this year because after a once-in-a-lifetime barter last year for some fresh-off-the-bolt bona fide vintage Christmas fabric (in exchange for ric rac, of course) I knew I had to make pyjamas to wear during the Christmas Season this year (and not just the ones for giving on Christmas Eve like our normal tradition. (I'm saving this set for that purpose.)

This is the same vintage nightgown pattern I used before, and the same young boys pajama set pattern I have used in years past as well.

This is the first time I've been able to try this style on her because, as you know, the Christmas Eve pyjamas with the gingerbread fabric are a surprise. I am LOVING this pattern and the way it fits - the tie in the back... it makes me swoon. It was a size 4 that I lengthened to be a size 6.

This is actually a picture of SweetPea telling her brother, "don't you dare shoot me with that nerf gun!!!" but we'll pretend it is a lovely side angle of the nightgown.

The green buttons as well as the green cotton ric rac are vintage.

I was a bit worried that Cowboy would think this novelty print a bit too juvenile, but to my surprise he actually gravitated towards it in my stash one day when I was sorting for Christmas projects. He is actually quite pleased with wearing his mama-made jammies! Second, of course, to the Lego pajama pants.

That said, I think this will officially be the last year for novelty prints on my young boy. Next year I will graduate him to some handsome solids or stripes.

I made the green piping using my zipper foot attachment.

OH! I nearly forgot to mention that I fully-lined both garments with flannel. The flannel adds a nice weight to a lightweight woven and much-needed warmth for this time of year. SweetPea's was lined with white flannel and Cowboy's was lined with green flannel.

My little boy is growing up. Look how mature he looks right here walking across the room... sniff, sniff.

More Christmas Preparations 2009

Every year we each get an ornament somewhat representative to what's going on in each of our lives, our personal tastes, collections, etc... If I plan well enough in advance, a lot of times I can get the following year's ornaments at the after-Christmas sales. It has only been the last couple of years that Hubby and I have exchanged ornaments to each other. I put in quite a few hints as to which ornament I've been eying for a couple years - the Saddle Shoes. I did completely surprise him with the Sushi Roll this year - he totally loved it! Cowboy is so much into Indiana Jones that I was grateful to have found the very last brown hat. Thankfully, I planned several years in advance for the little schoolhouse. I think SweetPea was not even 2-years-old when I purchased it at half-price knowing that someday she would venture into Kindergarten for the first time.

We are traditionalists with lots and lots of traditions. Christmas is a big deal at our house and not necessarily by way of gifts, but just with the uniqueness of sharing certain special memories together... For example, most years we trek into the woods to get our annual Christmas tree. We make a weekend of it in the snow and return to Hubby's hometown and find our special tree in God's natural Christmas Tree farm (i.e. wading through snow to find the most imperfect tree). We spend time with old friends and share laughs and stories together.

Last year, our children were in the annual Living Christmas Tree performance at our church. As a result, it was really getting down to crunch time with the tradition of chopping down a tree in the woods so we succumbed to the artificial tree. This year the scenario repeated itself, but the kids were understanding - probably because of how tired they were from all the singing performances.

I don't really do a lot of seasonal decorating, but at Christmas-time, the house is generally transformed. Both children are getting old enough now that it was actually nice to have them help for real!

As you can see Cowboy is learning from his Dad how to properly string the lights. Which, by the way, we like the old-fashioned style lights. Yes, the ones that get warm to the touch, but illuminate the prettiest of glows. Bubble lights are my favorite and I'm excited that Shiny-Brite has made them popular again.

Just like his Daddy... Cowboy under the tree proportionately distributing the light colors.

Lily has found her place as well, I see.

Merry Christmas Greetings From Our House...

41 years ago my in-laws sent out their family Christmas card. This last year when going through some old files, my mother-in-law found an extra one. She asked if I wanted it and I said, "yes!" with the full intention of incorporating it as our Christmas card this year. For nearly a year it has been thumb-tacked to my bulletin board so that I wouldn't forget. Because, well, that's how long I need something to continually remind me... or I end up buying gifts twice if I don't constantly remind myself of what I have in store for the following season. By the way, Hubby wasn't born for another five years according to the old photograph, but nonetheless, I still liked the theme.

Well, I still have sooooooo much to get done, even before today is over with and it's already 9pm.
I'll be back later to post more - I have so many finished sewing projects to share!

Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Outfits

First, I'll start out with the necktie. I am beside myself with the fact that I made a necktie. A NECK. TIE. Seriously - who would have thought?!... that a necktie could even be made! I decided to use the red fine-wale corduroy fabric that I used to make SweetPea's Christmas dress so the children would coordinate.

It's almost entirely handsewn, but I promise it's not as intimidating as it sounds. Really - I finished nearly all of it within an evening from cut to finish.

My husband, who is the master at necktie tying (he prefers the Double Windsor actually), gave me the best compliment by asking if I would be making him ties from now on. Hmmmmm, will have to think on that one - especially because I only have a pattern for a Little Boy's Necktie, and besides church, where would he wear it? To the office?! Hubby also said that he does not recommend corduroy fabric in the future because the tie doesn't want to slide easily up and down for adjustment around the neck. As long as it looks good in the end, that's all that matters, right!?

Cowboy was quite proud and asked if I would make him more neckties....
and "could he pick out the fabric?" ("Sure. Just sit still and quit acting goofy, please, so I can take your picture!")

Obviously this is the dress rehearsal for the Christmas outfits - look how much Cowboy has grown out of that shirt!

SweetPea's Christmas Dress is from a vintage Hollywood Pattern and has a Coat Dress style. While I don't think there will be a "next time" for constructing with this particular pattern, I would *highly* recommend a muslin first should the opportunity present itself again. Thankfully, I was very careful with the modifications so the corduroy wale was not affected.

Pattern calls for *optional* shoulder pads which I was not planning on sewing. However, after the first fitting, the dress just did not hang quite right. When I added the shoulder pads the drape was much, much nicer.

Buttons are vintage and the white ones reminded me of little snowflakes.
The white ric rac trim was an afterthought, but proved right away to be just the right touch. The little green button was a loner I had in my stash - a most perfect shade of jade-ite green. Now if I could only convince my son that he needs a vintage jade-ite green button tie tack!

We still need to get Cowboy a white dress shirt and SweetPea some black patent dress shoes, and their hair combed all handsome & pretty, but I couldn't wait to post these pictures because it helps keep me motivated to cross stuff off my Christmas Wish List.

Singer Featherweight 221 - Golden Gate San Francisco

This particular Featherweight is definitely in the category of Rare. Economists know there is a distinctive difference between Rare and Scarce. One is limited quantities and the other is limited available resources with which to obtain ... so in all honesty, this machine falls into both categories!

At the 1940 World's Fair held in San Francisco very few Singer Featherweight machines were promotionally badged with the Golden Gate emblem. As you'll see at first glance it looks very, very similar to the Centennial badge frequently seen but has the engraved title "Golden Gate Exposition San Francisco 1940".

A customer sent this machine to me on consignment a couple of weeks ago. I just finished taking photographs for an interested client but thought I would share the love by showing this unique Featherweight 221 for everyone to see.

Being Content

Whoa - two posts in one day!

This article is directly from Dave Ramsey.... and goes right along with how I've been feeling. Especially after hearing that some relatives will be able to pay off the balance on their mortgage in a year - amazing thought, isn't it... no mortgage?!! What a Blessing! I envision sitting down with our kids and telling them the kind of sacrifice it will take to do it and do it quickly. I've been feeling this conviction for quite some time, actually, but wow - to hear that someone you know in real life is actually DOING IT?, it feels graspable. Am I really willing to sacrifice 'stuff' to work hard to pay off our mortgage? What would I have to sacrifice? Fabric? Patterns? Toys? What would it look like? It's a question I am still asking internally. Would our children understand? Does it matter to be mortgage-free? Debt-free, yes, but wow... mortgage-free? I know two generations before me worked hard, very hard to get out from under any and all debt... what does that look like, I wonder. If I do decide I'm willing to sacrifice - how long will it take? realistically?

What are your thoughts?

No matter what your budget is this Christmas, remember to be thankful. Take a deep breath in the middle of all this craziness.

You might have a lot. You might have a little. If you are driving a beater, be thankful for that beater. You would rather drive that than walk, wouldn't you? There is always something to be thankful for.

That's what contentment is all about. When you understand and really grasp contentment, it becomes easier to save money and invest. Stress slowly disappears. Budgeting is easier. Relationships improve.

Be happy with what you have. More than three billion people, almost half the world, live on $2.50 a day. Sometimes we need a little perspective to become content with our current situation.

Without contentment, it's easy to be bitter and apathetic. Happiness is sold to us, especially during this time of year. We think if we can just get one more piece of stuff that "true" happiness will be right around the corner.

We say things like, "I'll be happy when I get that house!" or "I'll be happy when I get that new car!" But happiness cannot be bought. Sure fun—in the form of a house, a car, a new LCD television—can be bought, but fun is temporary. True happiness, or contentment, is lasting.

You can get out of debt, save money, and get on a budget, but until you realize that stuff doesn’t bring contentment, you will always feel stressed and unhappy. Contentment brings peace. And isn’t this time of year about bringing "peace on earth and good will toward men"?

Remember what this deal is all about. It's not about trees, lights, gifts, baked hams, and shopping malls. It’s about a little child who was born in a manger and grew up to die on a cross. It’s about peace on earth and good will toward men.

So if the Christmas frenzy is wearing you out, you've missed the point of Christmas. Make a plan with your money, and make a plan to get back in touch with the true meaning of this special day.

(again, this article is from Dave Ramsey's e-mail newsletter)

Our Spaniard "Family"

Twenty-three years ago my husband's family had a foreign exhange student from Spain. Juande and his family came for a visit for the first time since that time and it was one of the best Thanksgiving gatherings we have ever had. (It was their first experience with our traditional Turkey dinner, too!) They arrived on a Wednesday night and left on a Sunday morning. We did nothing except be together the entire weekend. We didn't go anywhere, we didn't watch any T.V. - just played games, talked, listened to their lovely language communications and visited. I love, love, love visiting with foreigners. I love to just hear them talk and ask them lots of questions about their culture and differences from ours. Juande moved his family from Spain to Miami in August where they will be living for a few years during his job transfer at an International Bank - the perfect opportunity for their children to learn English. By the end of the weekend, one would never know they weren't fluent - brilliant, brilliant children. The youngest (age 3) didn't speak any English, however, I could tell his little mind was absorbing every word like a sponge - even when he just seemed oblivious and absorbed in his Spanish little world. He was darling! The amazing thing? Their mother, Elena, has French heritage so she speaks French to her children while Juande speaks Spanish to them. So, arriving to America the children already were fluent in two languages! Amazing, isn't it!?! That just fascinates me. And, I admit, it was fun to brush up and use a few of the French vocabulary words I could remember from high school French... like cochon (pig), Orangina (orange soda), Je Taime (I love you), avec (with) and a few others.

Here we are playing ping pong - Juande playing with Cowboy so he could get the feel of the game... I love this picture.

The eldest likes to wear headscarfs on a daily basis and loves, loves, loves cats. Unfortunately, she is highly allergic to them so she couldn't come over to our house to see Lily, so I made her the next best thing... a Christmas Kitty headscarf. She loved it and wore it on the plane ride home.

I love our Spaniard family. They were all so special and it was very hard to say goodbye.

Thanksgiving Greetings

May you have a great plenty on this Thanksgiving Day
and be very thankful in all your work and play... and sewing!