Last-Minute Valentines

Here are two things you could totally make tonight, in time for Valentine's Day tomorrow. I find Valentine's brings me a wealth of creative inspiration. I am  not one who shuns the holiday as one manufactured by the greeting card companies. I think any day that promotes we share and express our love for one another is wonderful. It's not about being single or not- it's about all the people that fill our lives with love. I can always remember my mom giving us Valentine's gifts as children, and she still does. Thus I find that my girls are the ones I find myself most thinking of in terms of Valentine's gifts and projects. Plus, little ones are the perfect recipients for so many things that may otherwise be considered too schmaltzy for adult consumers. Little kids, and girls especially, delight in the overabundance of pink, hearts and other themed motifs. It's wonderful to be able to indulge this, so even if you do not have your own children, think of a little person in your life who would enjoy these. Or even a not-so-little person.

These drawstring bags were adapted from a tutorial at Skip to My Lou. I just adjusted the size to meet my needs and sewed a little red (felt) heart. Of course, with the felt. Double-sided red and pink satin ribbon never hurts either. Fill it with candy, love notes or other trinkets and they'll be thrilled to have this bag to reuse over and over again for all those little things they collect.

For Bella's classmate Valentines, I used Dana's  Heart Breaker printable. So easy- all you need is paper, staples and candy. I used construction paper that I trimmed to fit in my printer, but you could easily print it on regular paper and enlist your kids to color them in. Print, cut-out, staple, fill with candy, staple closed, voila! I used about a tablespoon of an m&m + cinnamon heart mix in each one. Plus, who doesn't appreciate a little N*Sync reference any day of the year? (Charlotte and especially Emily, I'm looking in your direction....)

 

Even the non-craftiest person can put these classmate Valentines together tonight. I have at least 2 more things I want to make tonight for my girls.  I'm so weird. You'd think it was a career or something. Or at least lucrative. But nope, I'm just a stay-at-home-mom who pretends that these things matter and hope that my girls think so too. Since they're only 2 and 5, I have a pretty good chance of that being on my side. Also, we need a little more cause to celebrate in our lives, and the way I do it is with paper and fabric, deconstructed and then reconstructed again to resemble something different.

Special Visit

My mom and dad came down last weekend for almost 4 whole days, which for them is a long visit. Among other treats, we were able to visit Bella at her school for lunch twice. Not having a car, I have not been able to do this so far this year so we surprised her for the two school days they were in town for. Se was appropriately surprised and delighted to find not just one, but 4 unexpected visitors in her cafeteria!

I hate this goofy 'smile' of hers she has concocted.

She has lunch at 10:40(!) and my parents didn't get into town until the middle of the night so I had to force my dad out of the house before he even had a chance to shave, which is very uncharacteristic for him.

(She noticed the camera)

Grandpa's favorite girls. ( I like to think so anyway.)

(As we left her in her classroom)

I've said this before, but I love that mom and dad live close enough to visit often, and I love that they are willing to make the drive a few times a year. We're already lobbying to have them come for Thanksgiving.

Just You And Me Kid

We're finding our rhythm, Fiona and I. Ordinarily we don't have a car, so we just kick it at home like we did today. Today I ironed and hung new (store bought) curtains, caught up on all my laundry, did a bit of ironing, sewed a skirt, cleaned my living room blinds and baseboards and windows. Then we had Little Caesars slutty pizza for dinner because I had done enough for the day. Fish tacos I was going to make- we'll see you tomorrow night.

Fiona did her typical pirate face once, but then refrained. I think it may be because I had the screen turned around so she could see herself and she got a glimpse of what she really looked like.

Yesterday as we walked home from the bus stop, we were followed by a baby squirrel! It was pretty freakin' cute. One of the neighborhood boys had told us about 'Alvin Jr', and lo and behold, there he was. He scampered after us the whole way, about 2 blocks. Fiona was delighted, and while I was as well, I was hesitant to let her touch it. He was obviously after food (as the neighborhood kids have been feeding hinm peanut butter to domesticate him), but I didn't know that he was ready for Fiona's delighted screeching and lurching. You never know what a cornered squirrel is capable of. Baby or not.

(blogger won't let me rotate this **** picture)

It was hard to get a decent picture of it since I was trying to make sure Fiona didn't get too close as she had absolutely no fear. He was really quite tiny and adorable, though brazen. After we came inside he sat on our porch and was actually trying to claw his way through the glass door.He was scratching and scratching away, then climbing the brick wall outside the door. I threw him some cold scrambled eggs from breakfast, but I guess his diet of peanut butter has spoiled him against my peasant food.

So with Bella apparently loving school and everything that goes with it, I am enjoying my days at home with Fiona. She's young enough to be happy playing along side me while I do my housework and sometimes sewing, all with a lurid Lifetime movie to keep me company. She doesn't know what's going on and is happy to have free reign of Bella's toys with no competition for my attention.

Good times.

2nd First day of School

Bella's actual first day of school felt a bit like a dry run since all of the kids weren't there and I was taking her and picking her up. Yesterday was a legitimate first day, with all 25 of the kids, complete with riding the bus. Thus, her 2nd First Day of School outfit:

This is one of my favorite skirts that I've made so far- pattern here. It seems I made it a bit too big, but at least it'll last. I embellished this plain white tee by cutting up some old jersey baby jammies and making it into a corsage tee. Add another floral pin and a button hair clip, and voila!

Bella was quite attached to the heart I made her and insisted that every t-shirt feature a breast pocket to hold it. This not being the case, I whipped her up a little purse made from a pair of thrifted purple corduroys so it could always be near.

(Please ignore all the hot glue spots...)

She's getting used to this routine.

She's loving it.

She loves the bus, and has always had cute girls to sit with. Today when she got off, she hit the ground running and literally ran all the way home. When I asked her how her day was she yelled 'Great!' as she ran away.

Today's outfit. This skirt is my number two favorite so far, pattern here. When I finish them all I am going to do a big roundup with photos of all the skirts, links to all the tutorials, and the embellished tees and accessories as well. Can't wait!

First Day of School- Ever.

Today was the day. Bella's first day of school that set her on an educational road to last for at least the next 13 years. Top on my list of concerns: her ensemble. I was up until 2 am getting everything set for her first day. I know.

(Shoes, t-shirt, skirt, brooch, and bobby pins.)

I made this rosette brooch from broadcloth, felt and vintage buttons. I put it all on a pin to wear as a brooch on her shirts, but it doubles as a hair ornament. I was so psyched that she liked it. I told her I was going to make her a bunch in different colors to wear with her different outfits and she asked if she could wear them on her shirts everyday. Sweet.

I freezer paper-stenciled her shirt with a 'b' in Cezanne font but I was disappointed with it. It wasn't dark enough on the navy shirt, so at 10:30 at night I decided to outline it with embroidery, thinking that if I wasn't happy I could fill it in with satin stitch another time. The cutest fabric for a first day of school skirt, and the most beautiful red leather shoes my mom got her in Paris. They are the softest, most supple calfskin- like shoes in the world. I am already mourning that she will outgrow them soon. They will go with so many of her skirts this year, until then.

(I snapped this right after I reminded Bella to look at the circle.)

Drop off time, today only. She'll be a bus rider from now on.

It went better than I anticipated. I was worried about Bella, who frequently throws a fit about going to Primary after Sacrament meeting. She will wail and cry and cling to me as I struggle to physically extricate her from me while she begs me to teach her class. So possibly you can see why I would be nervous about leaving her in a room full of strangers for an 8 hour day. She did so well. She looked a little bit nervous, but I stayed with her for about 15 or 20 minutes, casually gave her a kiss and a hug, and left her. I watched from the door, reluctant to leave. She seemed good. Engaged, curious.

Pick up time. We went to Baskin Robbins afterwards to celebrate and as we drove back home into the neighborhood we were behind her bus which would have been dropping her off at 3:45!!! Sheesh.

I have two trains of thought going about this whole process.

1. I know I am a mother crow, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a cuter Kindergartner ever. This outfit? Seriously? That little body with those long lean legs thanks to her daddy? Her dimples? A collection of materials including fabric, felt, ribbon and vintage buttons? How could you go wrong?

2. The emotional tumult involved. I was up until 1 am, completing the embroidery on her shirt and making her lunch. As I was saying my prayers I started worrying about her. Would she be lonely? Would she miss me? Would she be scared? What would she do when she felt so alone and lost and without a familiar face? I had to make her something to take with her. Something to remind her of home and love and safety and security. I finished my prayer and jumped up to go back out into the darkened house to begin a new and necessary project at 1 am. I knew just what it would be. I made her a small heart out of pink felt, about 1 1/2- 2" tall. I stitched her name on it, stitched it together and stuffed it. When I left her in her classroom this morning I showed it to her. I told her that it was the perfect size to hold in her hand, or keep in her shirt pocket. Anytime she felt lonely or scared or worried, she could hold it in her hand, give it a little squeeze and remember that mama loved her and missed her. When I picked her up from school she was holding it, looking a little worse for the wear, rubbed soft. I'd like to think that it comforted her to have it, but it comforted me to make it. It's as if by outfitting and adorning her with my creations I could send her armed and prepared to meet the world. Padded by the product of long hours spent in love and preparation and carefully chosen materials she would not be alone. I would go with her.

I think she had a great day. I think she loved it. I think this is going to work out...with a few more sleepless nights until I complete the rest of her wardrobe of skirts, shirts, brooches and hair clips.

I have many more pontifications on this new phase of life for us all, but I'm ready to put this day to rest and save pensive for tomorrow.

Back to School

I took Bella to Back to School night tonight.

She has not adopted Fiona's pirate face- it was just a little sunny.

Bella making the acquaintance of another girl in her class, who happens to sit at her table.

Fiona totally wishes she were going to Kindergarten.

Her day looks so fun! And long.

So weird.

They stagger the Kindergartners entry into school so that she only goes one day this week, then next week she's all in. Thursday is her first day, with Monday being the first day with all 25 of the students in her class.

I am so excited for her. Elementary school is so fun. In fact, it's the only part of my public school education that I have fond memories of. I really don't think I'll be emotional when I drop her off on Thursday, but we'll see. I'm mostly just excited. For her and for me. As long as I don't keep watching Lifetime movies. They'll be my undoing- I swear. I'm watching one tonight while I do a little freezer paper stenciling for some of Bella's school clothes...it's a charming little story about a girl being ostracized, taunted, teased and bullied by her 'friends' at school. How can I possibly turn Bella over to someone else's care for the majority of her time? I can't believe this, but I have actually considered homeschooling over this past summer. Me. Luckily I realized the insanity of that thought process and still enrolled her in public school. Motherhood is so conflicting.