Missionary Bookends

I've been spending time this week with my nephew, Jason, and his mother and my sister, Lynette.  Elder Jason Bunker just returned with honor from the Canada Vancouver Mission and will start classes at BYU next week.

We also got to go to Heaps Brick Oven Pizza for lunch with my nephew, Matthew, and his parents before they dropped him off at the MTC to begin his mission.  Elder Matthew Palmer will be going to the Portland Oregon Mission.  He completed his first year at BYU last April.  He is flanked by his father, Monty, and his mother and my sister, Janis.

Glen and I were honored to be invited to lunch with Elder Palmer and his parents.  We all shared missionary stories and advice and good wishes.  Seeing these two great young men coming and going from their missions has brought back memories and  feelings I had when my sons served as Mormon missionaries.  Missionary service really does change lives - both ways.

A BIG birthday celebration

It was my goal to finish this biography of Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before attending his 85th birthday celebration at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City this weekend.  I did it!  It's a big book and I have been reading it in bits and pieces for the last few months when in Utah.  Most of us live good lives but some, especially President Monson, live extraordinary lives which bless millions.  It was a pleasure to read about his walk through time and history and the impact of that walk especially as is occurred throughout the world.

The birthday celebration was a wonderful experience.  It can be viewed here.  Tickets for big events in the Conference Center are free but awarded in a random way over the Internet.  We felt lucky to have tickets even if they were in the balcony.  It may have been way up there in the stratosphere, but we were seated dead center directly behind President Monson and his family in their front row seats.  We enjoyed every moment. This is yet another one of the perks of living life in two different places.

Flying geese, lots of flying geese

So this is what I've been up to lately.  I making another Schnibble just because I like them so much and I get some practice on skills while finishing a project rather quickly.  This time it is Summer Day and it calls for 148 flying geese, so that's the skill.

See that tiny Olfa cutter and double stick tape in the background.  I had just started this project when Thelma over at Cupcakes 'n' Daisies talked about how she likes to use a smaller rotary cutter to trim up blocks and double stick tape to keep the smaller template or ruler in place.  I was soon out the door to buy both and it really has made my geese trimming easier.  So glad Thelma posted this on the day I needed it!

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.