Snoodle

The Perfect Little Dress

    My once tiny baby will be making her First Communion this May.  For years, I thought that I would sew the dress for her special day.  Alas, I should have spent those years sewing!  Now, I have a deadline.  I don't like deadlines.  I don't do well with deadlines.  I get panicky, and as I'm told, hard to live with when I have a deadline.  I wanted to sew something lovely, with the finest fabric.  Something like this:

    Wonderful mother, Jennie Chancey, made this dress for her daughter, Olivia.  That's Olivia above.  It was made using Sense and Sensibility's 1780's Portrait Dress.  Oh, the dresses on that site are dreamy!  And, yes, there are patterns for adults as well.  I have a weakness for anything historical, and this is Nora's favorite period.  It would have been perfect...  This site is well placed in my bookmarks to be visited when I'm free of deadlines.

    When I realized it might not be a good plan to sew this special dress, I looked at many dresses on-line.  Most were too expensive or more likely too "princess-y" with their puffy skirts, frills, beading, and even a train!  Some of them aren't even modest.  I'm not sure if people understand this event.  I mean, really!

Aaaaaaaa!

    I was getting nowhere, and I needed a source of beautiful, affordable, timeless dresses for children.  Happily, it occurred to me that right in my own city is the exceptional designer, April Cornell.  I've been wearing her dresses since college.  I've worn them to weddings, garden parties (with matching hat, of course), choir concerts, holidays, and a swanky cocktail party.  I tend to associate important events with the corresponding April Cornell dress.  My selections have included the classic floral dress perfect for Spring events to a Boardwalk Empire worthy beaded gown.  I felt so beautiful in that dress.  It wasn't just the cocktails.

So, off we went, mother and daughter, to April Cornell.  We had a lovely experience of trying on dresses.  Well, she did - though, I was tempted!  It felt as if they were expecting her.  The saleswoman that we first encountered said she was Jewish and therefore wasn't quite sure what was appropriate for this event.   Once I filled her in, she was abundantly helpful.  In fact, a few others joined in helping us choose - along with much "Oooing and Ahhing."  One even put sweet-smelling lotion on Nora as well as a little glitter so that she would feel all the more special. 

After trying on a few dresses:  one was deemed too simple, the other too scratchy, (she'll never wear a slip!) Nora found the very perfect dress.

Antoinette Dress by April Cornell

    The embroidered tulle overlay is absolutely precious and the neckline provides the perfect space for a special necklace.  I never would have thought that we would have chosen a blue dress, but truly, it is perfect.  As blue is a special color for Mary, and May is her month, I thought it was just the right choice. 

    This beautiful young lady is of course a model.  I will wait until May to post photos of Nora in this dress.  At that time, I would like to focus on the special sacrament and not her attire.  As Nora said in the dressing room as I was fussing perhaps too much with a dress, "Mommy, it's not about the dress.  It's about receiving the body and blood of Jesus."  Well stated, my dear.  You are certainly ready.

A Little Bit Country

Nora and I are back from our fabulous weekend in Vermont.  As the old joke goes, "Why do people live in Burlington... to be close to Vermont."  and while my city is technically within state lines, we saw a whole lot of the real Vermont over the course of three days.  In fact, by Sunday evening, we had travelled through 57 towns!  My sister-in-law's farm is just lovely.  Her home is an early 19th century colonial with a "new" addition: new meaning late 1800s-1910s.  Her 10 acre farm is home to horses, chickens, quail, rabbits, turkeys, sheep, goats, and a black labrador.  Nora has been anticipating barn chores for weeks and was thrilled to sweep the aisle of the barn and gather eggs.  She stayed up very late each night, but waking up to hot chocolate made with raw milk from the farm across the road was totally worth it!

On the way to the Wool and Sheep Festival (every thing's a festival in VT), there was a row of cars pulled over.  It took us a moment to figure out what was stopping traffic, and then we saw him!  A moose!!!

Okay, I've never seen a moose before; a fact that my husband, an Alaska native, finds hilarious.  (Don't get me started on the aurora borealis either.  I'm sure it's a myth!)  So, I was snapping away with my camera from the safety of the car.  Some folks were not so cautious, and one woman was bringing her child closer to it.  Then, a trucker laid on the horn of an 18 wheeler -maybe due to the traffic congestion.  Yikes.  It was time to get outta there!

So, we continued on to the Vermont Wool and Sheep Festival.  It was fun to go with people who have sheep as well as angora goats as my sister-in-law (a knitter) and niece (a weaver) asked questions to vendors that I wouldn't have even considered.  So, I wound up learning a lot.   Although I'm pretty sure that the question of owning my own flock of sheep is decided: no, there is a rich amount of to be learned about all of those fabulous natural fibers that will keep my quite busy for a lifetime!

Jacob sheep

Falling in love with angora rabbits.  She had to settle with a Folkmanis puppet.  Though, I think it's just a matter of time...

Weaving at the children's table

Border collie trials: my favorite!

and on the way back, we saw a lovely horse team passing us on the road.  I whipped out my camera fast enough to prove it.  Oh, it is clear that I am a city girl.  I don't want to be, but I am.  I'll give it a year or two before I settle into a life of felting, taking care of the angora rabbit Nora so desires, and I'll be so country, I'll just leave my camera in my bag when a horse team trots by... but I'll still take it out if there's a moose!

Thanks again, Wen and Heather, for another wonderful woolly weekend!

Did You?

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by

good people who don't vote."

                                                                             -William B. Simon

All Hallows

 Today is All Saints' Day.  In the Roman Catholic Church it is officially called the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows... that's why yesterday (Halloween) is also called All Hallows Eve.  Eleanor has been studying the lives of female saints in her Little Flowers Girls Club.  Each saint that they study is accompanied by a virtue which they also study and represented by a flower. 

Since she has asked me, I've taken a moment to reflect on my favorite saint.  My confirmation name is Mary Magdalene.  What an important woman!  Her feast day falls on my birthday... and had the best part in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Well, it's true!

But there have been quite a few years since my confirmation day.  I've had a little more time to contemplate.  Today, I often think of Saint Anne, the mother of Mary and therefore Jesus' grandmother.  I think of her especially- probably because she is the patron saint of so much that pertains to my life today:

• women in childbirth
• mothers
• grandmothers
• equestrians
• Canada
• France
• lost articles
• SEAMSTRESSES
• old clothes dealers (patron saint of upcycling?)
• poverty
• homemakers

 

The lives of the saints are fascinating.  Who is your favorite?

Happy Hallowe'en!

We finished carving our pumpkin just in time for trick-or-treating.  Happily, Nora's costume was done with a couple days to spare.  This is a rare occurrence for me.  Projects are usually done with only seconds before they have to "perform," but I was able to get a few photos before darkness fell tonight. 

I used McCall's 4547 that I found for 99¢ at JoAnn's Fabric - love those sales!  I was considering some other patterns and would have preferred one with a pinafore, but I'm pretty sure that this is not the first little pioneer costume that I will make.  This pattern also has a sweet chemise that has lots of nightgown potential... and pantaloons!  Let's all just say "pantaloon" coz that's fun!  I think Nora will need a pair of those.  So, I'm not done with this pattern yet. 

Eleanor picked out the fabric for the dress which really surprised me.  I was looking for more color, but she insisted on this.  I'm really liking it now, and it was probably the most "historic" choice at ol' Joann's. 

I didn't want the bonnet to be in the same fabric, but had a hard time finding a coordinating fabric until I found this perfect little woven check.  The drape really worked so it's more floppy than stiff allowing it to hang nicely in the back.

These buttons were in my stash- nice and rustic.  The ribbon that I used is that cheap-o ribbon that you get for 50¢ a spool.  Someday, I'll find a fabulous source of high quality ribbon. 

The pattern called for eyelet at the neckline, and on the bonnet's brim, but I obviously left that off.  I like it simple and I don't think the eyelet or lace would have worked well with this fabric.

Amy from Angry Chicken used the same pattern for her daughter's dress.  Her photos are a great example of what the dress would look like with the eyelet and a little more color!  (No, really, Nora, you're choice is great!)  She lengthened the sleeves of her dress, and considering the cold wind and hail that fell while we were trick-or-treating, I'm glad I did, too!

Now, I must rake those leaves!  Maybe I can convince Nora to don her apron and do some chores.

Ten Years

Ten years ago, I married my best friend.

I do not have a mansion, and I haven't any land,
  Not even one dollar to crinkle in my hand.
But I can show you morning on a thousand hills,
  And kiss you and give you seven daffodils.

I do not have a fortune to buy you pretty things,
  But I can weave you moonbeams for necklaces and rings,
And I can show you morning on a thousand hills,
  And kiss you and give you seven daffodils.

Seven golden daffodils, all shining in the sun,
  They light the way of evening, when our day is done.
And I can give you music, and a crust of bread,
     A pillow of piney boughs to rest your head.

Autumn: In verse

The forcast calls for frost
The college students are in town
There's cider in the 'fridge
Leaves are falling to the ground
There's a lip balm in my jacket
and wool socks on my feet
The geese are flying southward
and the apple pie is sweet
Squirrels gather up the acorns
The neighbor's house is getting fixed
Soon kids will want their candy
Or we'll be getting tricked
The quilts come out of storage
and cozy sweaters, too
A new season's in the air now
Happy Fall to all of you!

This is the quilt on my bed, inspired by this.  It's made out of David's and my old jeans (and one pair of Nora's).  Filled with natural cotton batting and backed with flannel, it's so warm, heavy and cozy!

The leaf was found by Nora on her walk home from school today.

 

I love the pretty autumn

Because the leaves flutter all around

It's fun to see the colors swirling

Falling softly to the ground

                    -Nora, age 6

 

 

 

 

Toddler Tuesday: Pie!

One of my goals for this year to learn how to make a delicious pie.  Not being much of a chef or baker, I thought I'd start with what I know.  So, instead of preheating the oven, I headed to my sewing machine to make a few for the Toddlers.  Nora got one, too.  They were super simple to make.  I used the little pans from the dollar store as a size guide.  The lattice is actually woven with a separate crust on the edge.  The heart was cut with an x-acto knife.  All edges were sewn down really well - especially the lattices.  I put some rice in the center to give it some dimension and weight to keep them in the pans.   A machine blanket stitch attaching the top to the bottom crust looks like they were crimped with a fork! I also made some simple aprons.  We opened our bakery adding some tart pans, handled trays, pot holders, and a basket of play breads from around the world.  The dolls are quite happy to be eating copious amount of baked goods in the dramatic play area, and I almost feel ready to attempt mom's tourtiere.

An apple pie without some cheese

Is like a kiss without a the squeeze.

 

 

Toddler Tuesday: The Nature of Autumn

I am a big fan of the nature table.  However, I also think that nature should be hands-on.  We have already explored leaves, milkweed, acorns in closely supervised projects and outside.  I wanted children to be able to explore Autumn on their own.  So, I got a little crafty to 'fake' a little nature.  Here's what I came up with:

 

The pictures on the back of the shelf are from old calendars.  

The pinecones in the basket are easily moved if infants are deciding that they might be delicious!  They are real, but I think I might make some  from ideas that I've already seen.  I'll need to try one and see how easily it can be taken apart... and is it worth it when we really can just use real pinecones?  They can make a little mess on the rug when an inquisitive Toddler starts pulling it apart, but they're great for stacking, putting into trucks, and balancing on the logs.

I like to add a book to go with the nature theme.  We've been particularly interested in:

 

I whipped up a dozen of these leaves.  They are made with 2 pieces of felt -I used different colors for each side.  I used a stencil to trace the leaf shape on the felt.  Then, *before* cutting, I sewed along the drawn edge.  Also, before I cut the shape, I stitched the veins, back and forth starting at the stem.  All of that stitching made the stem really strong.  Then, I cut out the leaf slightly outside the sewn line.  They are really durable -- I anticipate them lasting a few years worth of play.  Real leaves last seconds in the hands of a Toddler!!!

 

My darling husband has a great love for scotch and generously donated the sleeves that the bottles come inside.  I just want it to be clear that we've actually been collecting them for a year or so... and he gets some help with the scotch consumption with some friends!  They are made of super strong cardboard and have light metal caps that are hard to pry off (at least for Toddlers).  I thought about gluing on the caps, but I thought it might be nice to take them off at some point and use them as tubes.

I covered the bottles with wood grain contact paper.  The ends were painted, and I used marker to draw on the rings (an oddly difficult task!)  I wish I had used a brown sharpie because the Crayola smudged a bit.  

These logs have been great for stacking, balancing the felt leaves and pinecones, making pretend campfires, and even for babies to roll on.  They're super sturdy but light-weight.  I'd like to have some real logs, but haven't been able to get my hands on just the right thing.  I think I'm liking them for right now.  

Happy Autumn!

Toddler Tuesday: Yumm, Autumn!

Applesauce

Here in Vermont, apple picking season is over.  All of those apples have made their way into bushels and baskets, pies and crisps.  Applesauce is my favorite cooking project with Toddlers.  It has few steps, you don't need to worry about measuring, it's fun, tactile, smells great, and is perfect to share even with our infants.

I picked up a few of these peeler, corer, slicers at a yard sale.  It's one of my favorite tools!  It uses motor skills, helps with following directions (you have to turn it continually in one direction), and yields some really fun results...

Oooo, a spiral!  It's also fun to check out the long ribbon of peel.  We measure to see if it is longer than we are tall.  It provides a good opportunity to compare and use measurement vocabulary:  longer, shorter, 2 tables long, etc.

Plastic knives are used to cut the spirals into smaller pieces.  Some children like tiny dices, some like big chunks, some break them into bits with their hands.  It's applesauce.  It doesn't matter!  

Everyone gets a turn to add cinnamon!  Add some cider or apple juice and stick it in the crock pot until it is soft.  Lift the lid to stir every once in a while to remind everyone around what's cooking!

Grape Juice

One of the Toddlers in our group has grape vines at her house.  She helped to pick them and brought them in so that we could make grape juice.  Her mother warned that they got very purply in the process so we decided to wear smocks while preparing the juice.

First, the Toddlers picked the grapes off the stems - a great fine motor task.  They also worked on sorting the picked grapes from the unpicked grapes and put the stems in another bowl.  Tricky!

There was talk about letting them squish the grapes with their feet, but the potato mashers were a good alternative!  From the juice splatters on the side of the bowl, you can see they really got into it!  The grapes needed just a little more squishing which I did by pressing them in a strainer.  With a shopping bag of grapes, we had enough juice for everyone to have a cup or two (dixie cup not cup cup!) plus we had about a pint left over.  It was quite a treat!