Rosy Red Ruffles

Mid-December it came to my attention that Zizza would be needing a new winter dress. I was trying to steer clear of the typical "Christmas dress" feel because I wanted something that would feel seasonally appropriate once Christmas had come and gone.
I asked Ziz what color dress she'd like and she said red. I thought on that, and pitched her my idea: A red knit dress with three quarter length sleeves, a generously flared a-line skirt and fearlessly looping monochromatic ruffles.

She agreed whole heartedly, on the condition that I make the ruffles white like Mrs. Clause.

Apparently we weren't on the same page with the whole "not a typical Christmas dress" thing.

I made up the little dress and she adored it as it was for her first fitting; entirely void of ruffles.

It was rather cute that way with the jewel neck and the generously draped raglan sleeves, but it was cute in a decidedly adult and 1980's way, so I went ahead and put the ruffles on the way I wanted them.

She wasn't pleased with my disregarding her opinion. She nearly reused to wear the dress. But then I introduced her to the little pants I made as a modesty accompaniment to the finished dress and she changed her mind.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Why no, my little girl doesn't enjoy posing for the camera at all. Why do you ask?

I do love the ruffles. You'll have to excuse the flashy glare on the next photo, also the schmutz on the dress. They handed out valentine candy at church last week, and I didn't think to re-take the close up-neck ruffle shot after I realized my flash was on and causing a glaring ruckus.

Finally, here are the little pants that saved the day.

I can't tell you how pleased I am with how this dress came out. It worked just the way I planned it. And on the first try too!
I made it out of cotton knit but I teated the knit as a woven, with facings an invisible zipper in the back and a blind hem. So it has ease of wear like a knit with the clean finish of a woven.
The down side is, I didn't properly pre-shrink my fabric.

I made the dress to fall just above her knee, but as you see in the pictures it now barley reaches mid-thigh.

The little pants save the day again.

Cure

I took a little nap this afternoon. An ill-conceived little nap. The kind where your eyes get so droopy that you just flop down wherever you may be and succumb even knowing you'll regret it.
My arm was not a good pillow.
I woke up scowling.
We had to go outside to combat the sourness of the bad nap. I pulled weeds and they did this.

Zizza's oil slick hair-do is thanks to the liberal dose of hair serum that was part of her self coiffure this morning while I was still abed.

Enzo's bow tie is thanks to this excellent Valentine's day project. They're gearing up for Easter now so don't let the bow tie envy eat you up, just go get one of your own!

Peek-a-boo crazy hair!

My the time my front walk was weeded my forehead had smoothed considerably. There was a slight set back in the de-gumping when Zizza rammed me square in the back with her bike as she attempted to ride it down the narrow side walk where I was sitting surrounded by condemned greens.

There were 2 inches of passing room to my right, which to a five year old new to the art of two wheeling must have seemed ample. She seemed nearly as surprised as I was when her front tire charged full speed into my spine. (she hasn't so much got the steering part down yet)

She saved herself from spending the rest of the day with an angry mother by setting up the tricycle-pool with her little brother, effectively melting my heart, and then holding the adorable scene together while I ran inside for the camera.

She's a good girl even if the tire treaded bruise on my back says otherwise.

The Winner!

Is Heather, who was the only person to answer.
You might think that the low number of participants would lead me to give up this annual contest, but you would be wrong. I already have plans for next year.
Congratulations Heather! I'm so glad you've had the pleasure of watching "Thoroughly Modern Millie" I'll be in touch to get you your prize.

The rest of you; I'll be adding a list of reasons why you should watch this movie to this post tomorrow. See you then.

Eight years

We celebrated our wedding anniversary today with a twelve hour date...in the car...with the kids.
It was super duper romantic. Especially the part where we were all piling out of the car at Village Inn in St George UT and Zizza, who had been looking for Holly, suddenly stopped and started whimpering in a too familiar way.
"Does your tummy hurt? Are you going to throw up?" I asked her. When she nodded I seized her, pulling her from the car and lying her face down over my leg as I assumed a Sumo squat to keep both her feet and mine out of the splash zone.
As she finished up the unpleasantness I took stock of my position, wide stance, knees at ninety degree angles, and was impressed with myself for holding that squat as long as I did. I was supporting an extra thirty five pounds of little girl too!
Once I noticed what I was doing it suddenly became very difficult and I had to stand up immediately. It was kind of like those stories where someone is pinned beneath a burning car and a lone rescuer suddenly has the strength to lift the car and drag the person to safety. Only in this case I was saving myself from cleaning puke out of my car or off my shoes...Again.
We can't seem to make that drive without vomit. Enz was the culprit on our way north. Poor boy had to spend ten hours strapped into his pukey car seat. We cleaned it as best we could with what we had, but baby wipes really are not the most effective product for such a job.
Anyway, we're home, the vomit happened in the parking lot where neither Becky, Holly or my unnamed running shoes were splattered thanks to my super human strength, and The Mr and I have spent nearly our entire anniversary no more than two feet from one another. If that's not romance, I don't know what is.

Happy Valentines Day!

I love Valentines Day, I really really do. I discussed it here.
Anyway, I may not have kept things together well enough while preparing for this wedding to post properly about my valentine endeavors, but I did manage a craft or two. Here are some quick photos.

Happy hearts day to you!

Cookie contest the third

I really love this little tradition of mine.
Read over the inscriptions on the holiday cookies pictured below and and guess my cookie decor inspiration. Leave your answer in the form of a comment. The contest will close Monday night. A winner will be selected from among those with the correct answer and will receive a copy of the movie I took the quotes from as a prize!
The top photo is all of the cookies in one shot. The three following photos are closer views to make the deciphering a bit easier

I did some extra research this time and checked to see if the quotes I had in mind popped the answer right up on Google, so it should be a bit trickier to figure this one out if you don't know right off.
Still, don't let that discourage you. I didn't pre-google everything, I got a bit carried away piping sugared syllables and added a few extra quotes last minute.
In the case that no one has guessed right by the time the contest closes, I have one more cookie quote, a dead giveaway, held in reserve. If necessary I'll post that photo and the first person to guess right will win the day.
Good Luck!

I'll be back

I really thought I was going to be able to keep up posting during this trip.
I was wrong.
I sewed 2 dresses today and cut 3 skirts.
I have eight dresses to outfit with buttons and holes, one little Moo dress to sew (my sister cut it today) and 3 organza skirts to hem.
The wedding is Thursday.

I carted my giant serger over 2 states just so we could use it to hem these monsters. Today when I set out the thread her up I found that I's failed to pack the power cable/pedal.
Awesome.

I'll see you on the other side of the wedding.