Random Wednesday

This isn't a very good picture of Charlotte wearing her new little pants, but I just love her chubby little arms and feet . . . and her chubby little cheeks and smile.  She is such a happy baby!

I like these jars that I saw in an antiques store . . . I think if the jars would have been for sale - I would have bought them - especially the one with the turquoise lid.  This booth had lots of vintage sewing items that reminded me of Mom and Grandma. 

I love walking into greenhouses.  I love all the colors and smells . . . and always go home inspired.  I have so much that I want to do in our yard . . . always more ideas than time.  :)

Charlotte's Big Red Ball!

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."  ~Anaïs Nin

Czech it out . . . more bandanna pants

More bandanna pants.  Abbie picked out these bandannas . . . not the typical bandanna print, but they make for cute little cotton capris for Charlotte.  She is very tired tonight - so I will see how they look on her later.  $2.00 for the bandannas . . . and about 15 minutes of sewing. 

Summer . . .

We were actually quite busy and productive today, but as the temperature climbed to over 100 . . . (I believe it reached 109 today.)

. . . it was time to cool down and relax.

Love Summer!!!!!

Last Day of School . . .

Our wonderful crossing guards on the last day of school.  Horns were honking, children were crossing . . . safety first, but a little fun never hurts.  Love these amazing ladies.

They even decorated the bushes.

Here's to another great school year!  This one went by so fast, I guess what they say is true . . . Time flies when you are having fun!

The last day of school is always a little combination of relief, excitement,  and sadness.  Some of our kids and staff will not be returning . . . The youngest of our students are absolutely priceless performing at their end of the year assemblies . . . there are field trips, read & feeds, parties, and sprinkler runs . . . summer vacation is finally here!

 

"Hey! It's summer! Be free and happy and danceful and uninhibited and now-y!"

                                              ~Terri Guillemets

B is for . . .

Another Little Miss Bandanna Pants.  I finally had a chance to try the first pair of pants I made on Lily.  They fit her perfect . . . and look so cute on.  I have more bandannas to play with and just a few more busy days at work and then I will have time to do something with them.

This one traded in her bandanna pants for a polka dotted dress and a rosebud.  I am simply in awe of these two little girls . . . not a day goes by that they do not make me smile and make the day better.

Tonight we had bubbles . . . a gift that Papa picked up for Lily.  Nothing like a summer night with bubbles.

B is for baby . . . bubbles . . . bandannas!

Lunch with Lily

We picked up Lily for lunch today.  I think it is as much of a treat for us as it is for her.  She sees me every day . . . she was so excited to see Papa.

We let her choose where she wanted to eat . . . so it was Chicken McNuggets and chocolate milk at McDonalds.  Not our first choice, but it was Lily's day.   She had on a t-shirt that read "Papa Makes Me Smile".  It was a fun lunch . . . followed by an ice cream sundae.  Spoiling grand babies is just way too easy. 

Playing with french fries . . .

 Lily's letters - (I guess she was writing in Japanese)

For Lily . . . a "Happy" meal of course.

Papa really does make her smile.  :)  

 By this time she was laughing at him . . . and asking what kind of ice cream he was going to get.  I hated to go back to work.

 

The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family.  ~Lee Iacocca

lace and inspiration . . .

Another stop at an antique store before my hair appointment . . . my hairdresser moving to this shop is either a blessing or a curse.  I love the antique stores so close, but I end up spending more money than just on my hair . . . no worries.  :) 

This time what I found actually didn't cost all that much - some wonderful vintage lace to use on my dolls . . .

. . . and this wonderful little rhinestone dragonfly pin.

I have another special order for a Disney doll.  The lady that I am making it for brought me some items that I can possibly use for her doll.  I have a picture in my head what I want this doll to look like - with these items being the inspiration. 

  It is the last week of school - so work is CRAZY busy . . . I am having a little trouble finding time to sew or do much of anything other than work.  I hate that . . . but with the last week of school comes summer vacation and finally some extra time to do the things I like to do. 

Bailey . . .

Finally another Shabby Charlotte doll completed (and sold).

This doll was a special order for a very special little girl who graduates from kindergarten tomorrow.

This little tablet and colored pencils are my favorite thing about her.

Meet Bailey . . .

Bailey is a very special little doll.  She is sweet, kind, and loves to make people happy.  She likes pretty flowers and even more she loves giving them to the people she cares about.   She has a special little butterfly named Nat that helps her find the best flowers.  Bailey is very creative and  likes to draw.  She always carries some pencils in her bag just in case she gets in the mood to create a pretty picture.  Bailey can be a little shy, but once you get to know her she will be your best friend always.  Keep her close by in a special place and anytime you need a smile – she will give you one.

Happy Monday!

Busy weekend . . . but also lots of parties and fun.  I snapped this picture leaving a graduation party.  This is in our neighbors yard . . . her father bought this for them when they moved in.  When they asked him why, he responded, "It will make people think that you own a big dog."   ?????

So they laugh about how it looks - and decorate him according to holidays.  This month he is a high school graduate . . .

I was able to drop a couple of cranes this weekend.  My 1000 Paper Crane Project is moving forward slowly . . . but it is moving forward.  I am hoping to not be quite so busy this summer - so I can give it a little more attention.

The week is off and running.  This is the last week of school - which means work will be hectic . . . but I tend to function very well in that sort of chaos . . . . and Summer vacation is right around the corner!!!!!!

 

"Sometimes the shortest distance between two points is a winding path walked arm in arm."   ~Robert Brault

Little Miss Bandanna Pants . . .

Charlotte doesn't want to sit still long enough to have her picture taken . . . this is the best I could get of her in her bandanna pants.  Her t-shirt reads . . . GET THE SILLIES OUT . . . love that!

 Bandanna pants are the best for getting your sillies out!

This and That

I have a good friend that had a baby last week.  Baby Aleena was born at 25 weeks . . . and is doing great.  The nurses describe her as strong and feisty . . . prayers for Aleena Marie.  I keep looking at the size of her little footprints in awe.  I am hoping to get to go see her tomorrow.

Richard and I went to dinner last night and happened upon a new little vintage shop next to the restaurant we went to.  What a great little place - definitely going back when I have more time.  I found this little heart charm that I thought I could use on a Shabby Charlotte doll.

This little wood ornament is only about an inch tall - also will probably use for one of my dolls.

For some reason these vintage appetizer skewers had to come home with me too. . . . I loved the colors and also think I can use them with my dolls.  I think the lady wondered why I would want them . . . sold them to me for next to nothing. 

I am picturing a very festive, summery Shabby Charlotte . . .

I guess this was the top spike on an iron fence.  It is quite heavy.  I am not sure exactly how I will use this . . . but loved the worn rusty look and the combination of rust and the pink on it. 

I did get around to cutting down another pair of bandannas that I had to make some smaller pants for Charlotte.  I am anxious to see how they fit and how they look on her. 

Happy Saturday!

Bandanna Pants!

I saw little pants made out a bandanas some time back and have always wanted to make some.  Tonight the mood hit me.  I have to finish my doll, but decided to give the pants a try first.  I just cut a pattern from looking at a pair of shorts.  I think they turned out cute.  To get the best look out of the full bandanna - you are limited to making them sort of one size.  These are too big for Charlotte and maybe too small for Lily.  I may have to try cutting some bandannas down to make some pants that fit Charlotte right now.  Different patterned bandannas would probably look okay cut smaller.  

These Charlotte will have to grow into.

So easy . . . it took about 20 minutes to make them.  I love the pattern of the bandannas around the waist and legs. 

turn that frown . . . upside down

I started dressing a new doll tonight.  She is sitting here with her feet in the air - letting her shoes dry . . . tomorrow she gets accessories, a name, and a story. 

Sunday Games . . .

Richard and I started the day off playing tennis.  I think we were both a little beat up for some reason . . . but it is always good to go out and run.  It was a beautiful day to play!  I am hoping we can get out again tomorrow since we have the day off . . . or maybe go for a bike ride. 

Jake and Kasey came over early so I could make Jake some new bean bags for his corn hole yard game.  I sewed them up - he filled them . . .

 . . . and eight bean bags (although they are actually filled with feed corn) - to play Corn Hole.

Jake and Brent built the corn hole toss game a couple of weeks ago.  Jake had a Cleveland Indians set that Kasey had given him, but they had wore it out . . . it wasn't built all that sturdy to begin with.

They did a wonderful job.  I especially like the stripes that Jake painted on the boards.  We had a great time with the game today.  The boards fold up so they can be carried and stored easily.  Great day with family . . . it doesn't get any better than that! 

love weekends!

 

It has been a wonderful weekend so far . . . walking, tennis, lunch with Brent & Ashley (and Owen), staying up late watching movies . . . and working on some dolls.  I have orders for 3 more dolls - I better get busy.  I also want to fit a bike ride in today.  Long weekends are the best!!!!!