Friday, October 22, 2010

Recent Trip, Down Home, and A Sneak Peek

Even though we knew that my mother probably only had a short time left, we went ahead and left for our trip up to the NE, knowing that we might have to turn around and come home.  But, Mother hung on until we got home.  We got home on Wednesday.  She died on Saturday morning.  It's almost like she knew she needed to wait. I'm so glad that I was here.  I'm also glad we got to go on this trip.  We had so much fun!                                                            
We recently went to the NE to celebrate Miss J's birthday.  Here she is with big sis watching her blow out her candles.  My daughter makes the most beautiful cakes.  She made the flowers from colored chocolate, but she had me make the iciing.  Don't ask what I did wrong, but obviously something, because it was way too runny.  The color is pretty, though.
Little sis ran around playing in her "pretty princess dress"  that I made for her birthday last year.  She played as hard as any of the other kids, climbing the ladder, sliding down the slide, playing on the see-saw, etc.....
I took the Halloween costumes to them.  Here I am with the three big girls.  I can't believe I am posting a photo of myself!
My husband and me at Newport Beach, RI.  Again, I'm posting my photo!  What is up with that!?!
Papaw, my father-in-law, went with us.  Here he is with the three big girls at Newport.  This was a great trip for him. We really enjoyed his company and the grands were thrilled to have him there.
We went to a Shaker Village in MA.  This is the unique round barn.  How interesting it was!


We also went to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.  That was fun!!!!  There were several displays about Pat Summitt, Tennessee's women's basketball coach!!!
Grandaddy and Little Man painting flower pots to plant with wheat seeds.  This was my husband's birthday present from our daughter and her little family.  What fun they had, and how proud my husband is that the wheat is already growing.
While the family was here for my mother's funeral this past weekend, Papaw got the tractor out for rides.  This is Lil'E, who seemed a little nervous.
Here's one of my cousins holding Lil'B in her Halloween outfit.  Aren't those leg warmers cute?!  I didn't ask for my cousin's permission to post this.  Hope he doesn't mind.  He probably won't ever know.
These four pictures show a sneak peek at the Christening gown I'm making.  The top photo shows the smocking.  The next shows what I've done on the bottom of the skirt.  I did a madeira appliqued hem line.  I hand stitched around the scallops to hold them to the dress.  Then, I embroidered a simple little design with a flower and French knots across the top of the scallops.  The bottom two pictures show how I painted liquid starch across the top of each scallop and then ironed them down.  This makes a really smooth, even fold around these curves.  The starch washes out.  I used a pen with wash out ink to draw the scallops.  I used an embroidery hoop as a guide.  It was exactly the right size!!!

13 comments:

KID, MD said...

It looks like you had a great time!! The costumes look wonderful and I can't wait to see how this christening gown comes out. It's lovely already!!

Kim said...

Julia!!! How wonderful it is to see your smiling face- now I will have a picture of my dear friend in my mind when I read my messages from you ♥ I love these pictures- how wonderful the grands look in their costumes- what a fabulous pic of you and your hubby and the round barn is gorgeous! What a cool dollhouse that would make! (sorry- first thing that popped into my head upon seeing the pic) I am so glad you were able to take this trip- and glad you posted the pics! Have a good weekend ♥

Jocelyn said...

What a wonderful time. So glad you were able to get away. Love the gown. Can't wait to see it finished.

Unknown said...

Julia, your picture is lovely & I am so glad to have a face with the name now ... TY. Sorry the loss of your Mother, RIP. What a lovely family & your pictures are just precious ...

The gown is going to be delicate & gorgeous knowing how beautifully you create & sew ... a treasure to behold.

Have a BOO-TEA-FUL weekend!
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

MushyWear said...

Julia, I can't tell you how nice it is to finally put a face to your name! You have a beautiful family! Your grands look perfectly festive for Halloween. Amazing how those costumes just come to life with the girls wearing them. The christening gown is going to be gorgeous. I can't wait to see it all finished. So much warmth and love shine through in your pictures. Thanks for sharing them!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Thank you posting a pic of the grands in their costumes! They are beautiful kids and the costumes look even more amazing being worn. The christening gown is just gorgeous too. You have a beautiful family.

I have to tell you I enlarged the picture of you. You are gorgeous!

Ellen said...

So glad to see a picture of you! Now, the next time we meet, I'll know who I'm really meeting, lol! And gorgeous grandkids.

I don't think I've left a comment recently, as I've had some crazy things happening, but I was so sorry to hear about your mom. How blessed you were that you made it back from your trip.

ShirleyC said...

I'm so glad to see your face. It makes all of this blogging stuff more real.
The pics are great, and I can tell you enjoyed your trip.

Anna said...

You make me cry. First I got teary because of you losing your sweet mother. I've been thinking of you and praying for you. Secondly, seeing Papaw R. with the girls is just wonderful! I'm so happy he got to go with you. It is also great to see a terrfic pic of you and A at the beach. Third, seeing little E on the tractor with Papaw is so sweet and those striped leggings on B are adorable! All those girls are so lucky! Then of course you had to sneak peak my baby girl's gown and that was it. I was done for. It brings me such joy to know that her very special gown is in your loving and gifted hands. Love you! Hugs to you, Anna

Zep said...

You're walking a beautiful path for yourself. Loving husband, daughters and grands. What a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. You are such a special person with all your talents but most of all you have so much love inside to give to all those around you.. and that's a great path to walk for yourself.
I have so much to say to you and have to find the time to type it all out.. soon! :)
You're such a beautiful woman!!!

Jan M said...

Thank you for sharing such wonderful photographs! It is obvious that the time was filled with family fun. Those moments are priceless.

Rettabug said...

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your Mother, Julia. No matter when, it is so hard.

I'm glad you were able to make your trip & got to spend some quality time with your grands. Their costumes are all wonderful!
I just finished Ariel for my Ms. C. Whew!

The Christening gown is going to be Gorgeous! Love your smocking & the Madeira appliqued scallops. I use that Best Press, too. LOVE IT!

Unknown said...

wonderful children,You look great.I smile when I see you.I was happy to see your face at me

Favorite Posts

big list of sewing blogs

Big list of Sewing blogs - I'm in, are you?
I'm listed in the big list of sewing blogs Sponsors Advertise on sewing-blogs.com
Julias Sew Sweet
How to Sew
Place your vote for Julias Sew Sweet and find more How to Sew at Seamingly.com.










Attitude of Gratitude Award