A Big Day

On Friday, the little guy turned one!

Happy 19th Birthday!!!

Here they are at 3 years old, talking to Santa!

Kaitlyn in on the left and Meredith is on the right.

I made both dresses and will give information on another post.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Boy did the year go by quickly!  My birthday celebration will be Sunday when all my daughters and son-in-laws and my parents can be there but still I am celebrating my birthday all day, even with a dentist appointment.  I get all the fun.

 I did get to open one present this morning, from the little guy.  I tell you he is one smart baby, he gave me a new presser foot for my sewing machine.  He knows his Nana so well.

When I was a little girl, and was asked when is you birthday, I would say "October 3"  no 3rd - just 3.  My dad still say Happy Birthday October 3.

So I hope you have a great October 3!

Birthday Girl

or I should say birthday young woman!

Paige's birthday was Friday and we celebrated on Saturday.

AND

If it is your birthday celebration, you get to hold the baby first!  This is such a great picture and she is so in love with her new nephew (that goes for everyone here).  Doesn't seem that long ago and it was me holding her, time goes quickly.

While Paige was here, we did a fitting of the bodice of her lace dress.  I made the adjustments I needed and inserted the invisible zipper last night

Heading to the sewing room to line the dress and hem it.  I am hoping to head over to her place on Friday for the pictures.

Early Birthday Present

You have probably noticed, I have not been sewing much lately.  There is a very good reason, I have been scrapbooking.  

Three years ago, after Paige and Jesse were married, I made her a scrapbook of all the events leading up to and including the wedding.  This was part of her birthday present.

Erin reminded me of this fact and her birthday is January 1st.  About the first of November, I got busy on this project.  Paige had one album and Erin ended up with three.  I kept wondering why it was so different and then I remembered.  Paige's wedding photographer supplied us with over 700 photographs.  Erin's photographer took many photos but gave us just over 300.  For Paige's album, I ordered the best photos and the ones I wanted for the album.  For Erin's, I ordered all 300 pictures.

So here are the 3 albums

• the first is events leading up to the wedding (showers, dress fitting, decorating, bachelorette party, etc.
• the second album includes the pictures before the wedding, during and right after
• the third album is the reception and opening of presents the following day.  There are leftover pages for Erin to include the honeymoon pictures.

I could not wait to give Erin these scrapbooks, so today after Christmas brunch, I had her open these three presents early.

This afternoon I started on crib sheets for grandson, I just need to get some 1/4" elastic to finish.  I need to make a pillow and these cute hanging book displays

Merry Christmas.

Happy 18th Birthday!

It seems like only yesterday, they were 5 years old and I was smocking them cute little jumpers.  Today they are 18, still beautiful and sweet but no cute smocked jumpers!

Happy birthday, girls!

It is my birthday!

And it is a big one, ending in a 0!
So instead of old Lori you will get a picture of 4-year old Lori! 

I think part of my day will involve some sewing, which I think is a great way to celebrate my birthday.

Happy Birthday!

To Paige, you make a mom so very happy and proud!

Paige and her dad at last year's birthday celebration

She's 22

Erin's birthday today and time to celebrate.

Kaitlyn and Meredith made the cake, tinted a white cake and made it marbled with Erin's favorite colors - orange and aqua


Sewing note:

Working on  a jacket for me, Simplicity 2728, only one problem, I majorly cleaned my sewing room on December 23rd.  Guess what I threw away?  Yes, the pattern envelope, instructions and collar pattern pieces.  Tomorrow heading to Joann's to buy another pattern.

Happy 17th Birthday!

Wasn't it just yesterday you turned 16?  This year has flown by but has been filled with many happy and wonderful moments.

Happy Birthday, Meredith and Kaitlyn!

Meredith on left, Kaitlyn on right.

Sweet Sixteen

Yes, they are. Happy Birthday to my youngest two

Kaitlyn in yellow and Meredith in the green.  They are 2-1/2 in these pictures and yes, I made their dresses.  Aren't they just darling? 

Another Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday, won't say the number but it wasn't a big birthday, at least for a couple of years. 

It was a wonderful day, Paige and her husband came for the day, Erin came home, too.  My parents came out for dinner and yes, I cooked my birthday dinner but to have 8 people I love around the table sharing my birthday, it was worth it.

I had Jesse (Paige's husband) take a picture of me with all my girls.

Other good news.....the fire department was not called to extinguish this fire:

I did it in one breath, I hope my wish comes true.

Happy 15th Birthday!

My twins are 15 today and I am taking them to get their driver's permit. They are so excited and thrilled. Me? It seems like yesterday they were born, 5-1/2 weeks early, 4 pounds and beautiful. We were so blessed, they stayed in the hospital 4 days and we were able to bring them home.



I made those coats they are wearing. Ordered two kits from the Australian Smocking magazine, and it was quite the splurge. I have to say these might be my most favorite garments ever made, so well worth the cost. Don't they look darling? Kaitlyn is on the left and Meredith is on the right.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Here I am celebrating my 4th birtday, add a seven to the end and you have my age today.

Paige and Jesse are on their way, Erin will be here from college, too. Tonight all my daughters, son-in-law, hubby and my parents will be here for dinner, cake and of course, presents! It will be a wonderful day.

We Have a Winner!!

Thanks to Random.org number 25 (26 people entered) is the winner. So, Lisa H, you are the winner of the purse, congratulations. Please email me you address and the purse will be on the way to you lori_michael@hughes.net



Thanks all for entering and sorry I didn't post the winner until today. I was just too tired on Sunday. My oldest daughter (the birthday girl) became a homeowner on February 28th, exciting. Hubby, the twins and myself went to her home and worked for two days. Along with her fiance and his dad and then his mom on Sunday. We painted 4 rooms inside the house and the huge entryway and upstairs hallway (all two coats), caulked and painted the front door, put up a new outside light by the front door, installed a new mailbox post, installed laminate flooring in the kitchen and laundry room (the guys did that), cleaned the bathrooms and taped more rooms for painting. Makes me want to paint some rooms in my house but my muscles have to feel better first!



Sewing.... I finished a pair of BWOF pants from 2/2009 and started a blouse from the same issue. Hopefully pictures soon.

Doll Clothes and Cakes

First, I am going to start out with some yummy goodness. Kaitlyn, youngest daughter loves to bake and decorate cakes. We have tried at home to work on this but it isnt' something I have done. Well, the young woman who will be making the wedding cake was so kind and had Kaitlyn over this morning for cake decorating lessons. Kaitlyn had an incredible time, learned so much and is going to decorate another one tomorrow. We also had to make a dash to Wal-Mart for a special knife, more tips and other goodies.

Doesn't it look beautiful?


How about this view? It tastes just as incredible, too. More time on the treadmill in my future.



I finished the American Doll Wardrobe for my friend's daughter. I used the book "Sew Today's Fashions for 18-inch dolls" by Joan Hinds. You can check out this book and others at this site

Lots of pictures and I will hit the high points, I started taking the pictures but dd#3 took over, so bear that in mind while checking out the clothing.

Wool coat, added decorative stitching on the collar and cuffs. I might need to add another row of snaps, this needs the double-breasted look of 2 rows of buttons. The pattern is designed for that.


Here is the stitching.



Then to go under the coat, a pleated wool skirt from the same fabric, a sweater vest and a knit shirt. I might have to make another shirt, this doesn't look the best. I think it might look better on the doll.



This fancy dress came from a Big 4 pattern, I think Simplicity and it was all the Disney Princesses. I didn't want to make this but the girls insisited, I am so happy I did, the dress is darling and the doll will be ready for a Valentine's dance. I used some flannel backed satin (the only formal type fabric I had) added ribbon for the straps and lace on the bottom. I had a small rose to add to the bodice.



This might be my favorite, quilting cotton in pretty blues and pinks, rick-rack at the hems, pink fabric sash and bow.

Summer outfit, capris with rick-rack at hem. Gathered blouse with lace trim and ribbon.

Close up of the trim, I added decorative stitching to the ribbon.


Pleated denim skirt with knit top

Another top

A nightgown and then I made a matching one for the little girl.

Low-rise jeans, with tag in seam (you can see it just a bit on the left). The jeans have belt loops and I used ribbon to make 3 different belts. She can mix-and-match with all the tops.

Another top for the capris.

Another top

I am so pleased with all these cute clothes and like how they will be a SWAP. Also, I didn't purchase anything to make all these clothes, I had the fabric, trims and notions in my stash.

One more thing that made this fun, I cut out all the pieces on New Year's Day and my daughters all helped. They would pick out the outfits, find the patterns and picked the fabric. A nice way to spend the afternoon.

Thanks to all for the kind comments on my last post. It is a new transition in life but a happy one for her and I am starting to see the changes in our relationship. She has called each night to chat, talk about insurance, wedding plans, etc. Life is good!

First Project of 2009

Now truth be told, I only sewed the buttons on in 2009. It is New Look 6704 and hereis the first one I made.
I used the sleeves from New Look 6407 The fabric is from my friend, Virginia, she brought it when she visited. Thank you, Virginia, the fabric was a dream to sew.






Here is a cake full of 19 candles.




Vicki commented on my last post about my print tops and how she likes them (thanks, Vicki). I do like them too, but I have a closet full of them and feel the need to have some solids for layering and just to calm my closet down!

Tried and True

Okay, here is one picture of Simplicity 4076 made last week. It was made before my New Year's Resolution from last night, it is a print fabric. I purchased this fabric at ASG Convention from Needle Nook Fabric's booth, this is my last fabric purchase from conference to sew up.

Here is a quick picture.






I finished a New Look blouse tonight but my wonderful satellite internet connection is giving me an accelartion error repeatedly, so pictures tomorrow.

Happy birthday to my wonderful, talented second born daughter, 19 years old today. I have a picture of her cake loaded with candles but alas, that will have to wait for tomorrow, too.

Vests and Surprises and Birthdays and Christmas Decorations

Okay, the surprise first. Meredith (dd #3) made this quilt for Erin's (her sister and dd#2) Christmas and Birthday (New Year's Day). It is a surprise and I have been sneaking around trying to finish the binding. Erin came home for semester break on Tuesday, which was the same day the we picked up the quilt from the machine quilter. Orange is Erin's favorite color and Meredith worked hard on this quilt. It is a Take Five pattern. I will get better pictures after Christmas and in the daylight.




Next a sweater vest for Meredith from the leftover bits from my tunic. The pattern is on old Lizzie McGuire pattern and it was a tank top. I just cut one size larger, turned under the edges and coverstitched. Meredith is thrilled with her vest and received many compliments today.

Speaking of Meredith, I need to add Kaitlyn's name and wish them a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY, they are 14 today!! Last night I asked them to stay 13 for one more year but they wouldn't agree.

Finally, a bit of Christmas decorations. I only had the white tree in my kitchen and it needed some company. I added a jar with some balls and greenery. Hung the JOY ornament on the white tree, sat Santa on the cake stand and added the table runner. Yea, my kitchen looks much more festive.

Off to spend some quality time with my birthday girls.

The Weekend

First, thanks for all the birthday wishes, it was a wonderful birthday. The town gave me a parade, just take a look:

No, not really it was homecoming for the high school. My best friend and I joked they were giving me a parade. They could of asked me to be the Grand Marshall, right?

Saturday, the twins played in our conference middle school softball tournament. There was a 3 hour break between their first and second games. My mom, a friend and I headed to a nearby town to check out the antique and artist stores. I took a picture of this chair, it is bent willow with all these sticks poking out of the back. I asked permission to take the picture:

Now read the sign for the chair:

I thought is was too funny, especially considering I am going to be a mother-in-law. I told my son-in-law to-be that I didn't want to find this in their home!!

I made a purse tonight. I purchased 2 charm packs to make some pillows for the family room, this is what I had left over. Thought I would make a purse from the few left.

I have started sewing on a dress tonight, hurray, back to garment sewing.

Lindsay has asked for pictures of your wedding dress. I bought my dress but knew the minute I put it on, it was the one. I posted this picture in August for our 25th anniversary but thought I would share again.