Last days of summer

The summer has whizzed by.  All these little sweeties are back in school and one grade older.

We managed to get in a sleepover before they had a school schedule to keep. This included ebelskivers for breakfast, a trip to the public pool with it's water slides and high dives, and grandpa's latest gadget.

We also watched us some Olympics.  I thought the 2012 London Olympics were grand.  It was something to look forward to during the hot days of summer.

Mae's summer dress

I also made Mae a birthday dress this summer.  It is a simple summer dress found in AS&E issue 97.  When I saw this dress, I thought of sweet Mae and all her cuteness.  I also had a length of Ruby fabric line print which would work well.

The embroidery thread was the same as used for Ruby's baptism dress.

On the print the threads kind of blend in which I like.  The front piece for the skirt is folded down at the top before pleating which gives a nice finished edge.  I loved the construction of this dress with the yoke pieces attaching beneath the front smocked skirt.

Very simple lines both front and back.

Cute diamond shape buttons and I used left over piping from Ruby's dress.

I love the butterfly sleeves.  They were attached to the completed body of the garment and then finished off with self bias trim.

 

Isn't she just the sweetest little thing?  She was sooooo excited about her new dress.

Ruby's Baptism Day

Saturday morning at 9 we met Ruby and Daddy Dave at the Stake Center near her home.

They were early because they would both change into special white clothing for Ruby's baptism.  My son, David, as a priesthood holder would perform this special ordinance.

After her baptism in the font, family and friends met in another room.  Here she is shown with her mother, Sally.

In this room Ruby was surrounded by Priesthood holders who laid their hands upon her head while her father confirmed her and blessed her with the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was a very joyful time.

Afterwards, more pictures were taken in the foyer.  There were lots of girls in the form of friends, neighbors, sisters, and cousins.

Ruby with her sweet little family who love her so much.

Sisters, all wearing present or past birthday dresses.

Ruby is also loved dearly by her cousins.

Afterward, Ruby's mom had prepared a luscious brunch.  Don't you just love her newly redecorated dining room.  She designs for others as well.

Ruby graciously agreed to the required posed shots of her in her new dress.  She is so lovely.

Obliging shot of the back.

And another smile.  I love you sweet girl!  I can't believe you are really this old, but I am so happy to be your grandma and I'm so happy for you on this special day in your life.

Dress for a very special occasion

I spent time this summer working on a special dress for a very special girl.  Ruby will wear this dress before and after her baptism on Saturday.  In our church, children are baptized at the age of eight.  Learn more here.

Some months ago my sweet Ruby called and asked if I would make her a dress for this very special day.  Of course I said "yes."  I went to my Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazines and pulled out several with dresses which worked size wise and were for special occasions.  Then I let Ruby select the one that she liked best.

She selected "Aine" from issue number 89 .  I must tell you that I am very sad that this magazine will end with issue 100 due out in a few weeks.  It has been my inspiration.  Thank goodness there are many previous issues on my shelf.

Ruby wanted a bit of color on her white dress and these are the colors that she selected for the smocking.

I ordered the matching peach piping and lace trim from Farmhouse Fabrics.  The lace trim came 5 inches wide and I trimmed and gathered it for the neck ruffle and also cut the cap sleeves from it.  I thought that the cap sleeves looked a bit tight in the magazine pictures so I cut it a tad bigger than the pattern.

This is the bottom of the skirt.  I already had this Swiss cotton border fabric which was used for the bodice and skirt of the dress.

The dress is completely lined with white Swiss voile also ordered from Farmhouse Fabrics.

I love the back neckline which I raised just a bit from the pattern in the magazine.

It has lovely flower shaped buttons also purchased from Farmhouse Fabrics.  I honestly don't know what I would do about fabrics and notions for special dresses without online fabric stores like Farmhouse.

I think it is the perfect dress for a beautiful eight year old to wear on her baptism day in hot Arizona during August.

A little rehab

A part of renting to students is the decision of what to do with what is left behind.  Most often it is sent on to the DI, but occasionally there is a keeper.  I must admit that I checked out bloggers who paint furniture and then post before and after pictures as well as painting tips before tackling this rehab project.  And now I give you my before. . .

. . . and after.  I knew it was a keeper because of the good construction, dove tail joints, dust covers for each drawer, and good proportions.  I was out about $50 for really good paint, sanding block, brush, and new door pulls.  I think it was worth it and the dresser looks great in the "brown" bedroom in Provo.

I did a major clean out of the townhouse this summer.  Items first went to the Ranes family garage sale and then those leftovers went to DI.  I now have two refurbished guest rooms available for visitors.

Downton Abbey for Dummies

You've seen the series of books with yellow covers telling us dummies how to do things, right?  I just read The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes which is a fast read with beautiful illustrations for all us fans (dummies.)  I was on the library wait list for a really long time before it was my turn for this book.  Luckily my turn around time was only a day or two.

I really did find it interesting to learn how the series came to be, about the selection of the characters and setting, and fascinating tidbits about the actual production.  There was also a good bit about the history and characteristics of the time that was the end of the 1800's and the beginning of the 1900's.  Not only was there a World War with industrialized weaponry but also a shifting of attitudes concerning the rights of women, the working class, and the landed gentry.  Taxes on the titled and their estates really did necessitate marriages to wealthy American heiresses with fathers anxious for titles.  Thus we have Winston Churchill born of an American mother as were many others.

Shortly after finishing this book, Glen and I watched a program on PBS called Secrets of the Manor House.  I think all Downton Dummies would enjoy this program as well as it historically fleshes out the Downton Abbey story.

Dream fulfilled

We have found ourselves spending more and more time at our "other" home as Glen's Utah business clients have increased in number.  We made a decision earlier this year to retire the townhouse as a student rental during the BYU school year.  That means that I have been working this summer on changing the look from student apartment to comfortable home.  One thing I have always wanted but never had the space for is a great big round dining table.  I just think the conversation flows better when people dine in the round.  My long time dream has been fulfilled!  The pub table and bar stools have been relegated to the kitchen area (did you know that pub tables make wonderful cutting tables?) and a beautiful round table and comfy chairs have taken its place.

I've also always wanted a turn table on the dining table.  Once again dream fulfilled.  We broke it in at a Sunday family dinner with the Ranes family.  I wanted to make maximum use of that turntable so I made Hawaiian haystacks and lined the multiple ingredients  up around it.

That way, everyone could build their own haystack.

That Henry kept building and building.  Thank goodness  his dad wanted a second helping!