Sewing Sisters

While on vacation this summer, my sister-in-law and I decided we wanted to learn how to sew and make our own baby clothes. (I'm going to pause now so those of you who know me well can reread that sentence, catch your breath, and prepare yourselves for the rest of this post.)

Oh good! You managed to pick yourselves up off of the floor, found your way back to the computer, and are now ready to continue.

For those of you are aren't so familiar with my sewing abilities, let me provide some background info. I kind of know how to sew on a button. I can actually thread a needle and get it through the holes and the button stays on, but it certainly doesn't look like it did when I originally purchased the article of clothing from the store. I have been known to hot glue the hem of my pants because, lets face it, if my button sewing skills are questionable, why would I attempt something as complicated as the entire hem of a pair of pants? (Hot glueing works just fine, by the way.) Once, in college, I got the urge to learn how to sew a sundress. "How hard could it be," I thought. I borrowed a sewing machine from a friend, picked out a pattern and material, and was on my way. Until I actually took the sewing machine out of the box. I couldn't figure out where the thread was supposed to go. I gave up on the sewing machine and decided to do it by hand. Until I unfolded the pattern and couldn't figure out which piece was the top and which was the bottom. Nor could I figure out how to measure myself and translate that into a size for the dress. The whole event lasted about 20 minutes. I returned the sewing machine the next day and decided that my store bought dresses were well worth the price. I mean, out there somewhere was a genius who not only knew how to thread the sewing machine, but also came up with a design without a pattern to follow.

Fast forward 5 years, add a husband and a kid and you can find me on the couch in a fabulous penthouse suite looking at a Facebook page for a friend of Lindsay's who has started a business making precious children's clothes. I believe our exact words were, "We could so make that!" (Kelsey, this has brought back so many memories for me!) Right when we got home, I began researching sewing machines and asking around for potential brave women to take on the challenge of a lifetime and teach my sister-in-law and me how to sew. Perhaps the Lord has blessed me with a gift that has yet to be unlocked because soon after deciding to embark on this new adventure, Lindsay's church announced that they would be sponsoring a quilting class for beginnings (for FREE!!!). We signed up with hopes that this class will give us some sewing basics and perhaps something semi-resembling a quilt by the end.

We began our class 2 weeks ago. (I know, I'm a blogging slacker.) We arrived happy to find that we are not surrounded by 100 year old ladies who have been quilting for years and just need something to do on a Thursday night. Actually, we aren't even the youngest in the class nor are we the only ones without experience. However, I think we kind of scared the teacher when we not-so-sutlely described just how clueless we are. When she informed us that we would not be bringing our sewing machines to class since she will simply be demonstrating what we will be doing for homework each week, I think Lindsay and I had a moment of slight panic. We left her speechless when we asked, "But who will show us how to turn the machine on?" I think she had a moment of slight panic when she asked, "Well, what kind of machine do you have?" and we responded, "Well, it depends on what kind you tell us to get tonight." Everyone in the class gave their input on machines, we said a polite "good-bye," and left the poor lady to rethink her description of the class as "beginner".

I completed the first homework assignment, purchasing supplies (for me, that included a sewing machine) with only a little assistance from Jeff. (I'm glad one of us knows what batting is.)

Yes, that is a sewing machine you see back there, thanks to all of the family members who contributed to my wonderful birthday present. And, after reading the manuel, I now know how to turn it on! (My mom is going to show me how to thread it this Thursday.)

Class number 2 taught us how to cut our fabric into the blocks that will eventually be sewn together in our quilt. The teacher demonstrated it and then gave us a turn to practice. I think I shocked everyone when I cut it perfectly on the first try. However, the lady did call my fabric "interesting" and when I asked if I could use satin ribbon for the binding she responded with "Well, I've never seen a quilt with a satin binding, but if you can figure out how to make it work then go ahead." I don't think I need to attempt anything new and exciting on my first masterpiece so I will return the satin ribbon and choose some fabric. (Remember Lucy, Mommy doesn't always make the rules; she just follows them.)

I'm happy to report that I successfully completed homework assignment #2 with no problems (and I didn't need any help from Jeff).

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I am a natural-born shopper. It's a trait that has been passed down from generation to generation in my family. As far as I know, it all began with my Nana (I never knew my great-grandparents, but my Nana was a master shopper (among other things) so I have to believe that she learned it from her mother who learned it from her mother and so on but I have no proof so I'll begin with Nana). Nana could smell a deal from 2 states and 3 outlet malls away. I think she enjoyed her trips to South Carolina partly because of all of the outlet malls on I95 between here and Florida (the other part was getting to see her precious grandchildren and getting to take them shopping). Many of my fondest childhood memories involve shopping with Nana. We even have shopping traditions in our family. For example, every Christmas Eve Nana would give all of the grandkids $75 and brave the last minute crowds with 2 to 4 children so that we could pick out pre-Christmas presents. (Somehow we never ended up buying what Santa had already gotten us.) Every summer, at our annual beach trip, the rainy day that never failed to come was spent at the mall buying back-to-school clothes. Nana always let us get the not-so-practical, but absolutely-necessary-to-be-cool things that our mom's just couldn't see the need for. She even had a shopping rule: You can't shop and cook on the same day. (I've always wondered if this rule should apply to grocery shopping?)

My mom and I created "Girl Days". Of course there are hundreds of things girls can do and call them a girl day, but when we say, "we need a girl day" we mean, "we need a shopping trip". (My dad caught on to this a little too quickly.) We have bonded over many a dress, shoe, and sale rack. I know that men don't understand or see the need for so much shopping, but I believe that the Good Lord created shopping to help mothers and daughters (and grandmothers and granddaughters and aunts and nieces... you get the idea) build and strengthen relationships. Think about it... could there be a better way to bond with someone than shopping for prom dresses, homecoming outfits, the wedding dress (only the most important dress of your life), the dreaded maternity clothes, the outfit you will bring you precious bundle of joy home from the hospital in, and your first "just lost all of my baby weight" outfit? Sitting on the beach comes close, but there is just something about searching for that coveted new item you must add to your wardrobe that can bring two women/girls together like a fly hitting one of those bug zapper things.

I say all of this to tell you about one shopping trip in particular. This year for my birthday, my mom gave me a much needed birthday present... a shopping trip to South Park Mall in Charlotte, NC. I say much needed because the last time I have put time and effort toward updating the contents of my closet, I had a 4 week old Lucy growing inside my belly. Sure I have purchased clothes for myself here and there and I did have a couple days of shopping dedicated to buying maternity clothes, but that was out of shear necessity rather than desire. Last Saturday it was as though I was putting on a new pair of glasses (cute, designer ones of course) and seeing the shopping world for the first time. I had forgotten about the shopping process. The "there are a few things I am looking for and would like to find, but just want to look and try on everything" feeling. At first it was a little strange to walk into a store and not have smocking and applique rompers and dresses staring me in the face. Instead, I was greeted with big people clothes. Real mannequins modeling pieces that I needed to take home with me. It was delightful! Oh my good friend, shopping, how I've missed you! The day was very successful; I not only came home with a renewed passion for shopping, but also 2 dresses, 3 pairs of pants, a sweater, and jeggings (although I haven't the slightest idea where I am going to wear the things). (I also bought an outfit and jacket for Lucy. What can I say? I'm a sucker for Lucy clothes!) Watch out Jeff; this could be dangerous! What a fabulous birthday present, Mom! When can we go back?

"First day of school, first day of school! Wake up, Dad! We have to go to school!"

The first day of preschool has to be the saddest day ever! You go to this big place with all these new kids and say good-bye to your favorite person in the whole wide world and you're just supposed to be ok with it! Well, this Mommy was not ok with it. Lucy bounced into the room with a big smile on her face, gave Mommy and Daddy a hug, then put those sweet baby fingers up and said, "bye-bye" like it was nothing. Mommy, on the other hand, walked out crying. Thankfully Daddy will be dropping Lucy off at preschool from now on and I don't ever have to do that again! (Well, until next year.) Lucy had a great day. She was all smiles when Memaw picked her up and blew lots of kisses before telling everyone and everything in the building "bye". Unfortunately her "First Day of School Picture" is on Jeff's phone that got left at work. I'll post the pictures soon. In the meantime-she wore pink floral capris with a spaghetti strap, pink top with floral ruffles at the neckline and bows on the shoulders. She looked like such a big girl carrying her book bag (she calls it her purse) down the hall.

Jeff and I decided to start a new "First Day of School Tradition"...

Going for a special dessert after dinner to talk about her favorite part of the day. (We went to the Nestles Tollhouse Cafe.) I'm not sure what she would say her favorite part was, but I imagine it was getting to play outside. She always goes straight for the playground when we get to church and we've been telling her for weeks that when she comes to preschool, she will get to play on it 2 times a week.

I'll keep everyone posted on all of the preschool fun!

Playing Catch-Up!!!

Oh, it's been a busy couple of weeks. Here are some updates...

Lucy Goose is getting smarter and smarter by the minute. Her latest display of geniousness includes counting and imitating the ABC's. If you say, "1" Lucy says, "2". If she has an item in each hand (ex. a brush in each hand), she says, "2 ______" (ex. 2 brushes). Not only does Lucy imitated letters when you say them, but she also says the sound that they make. I'm telling you, she will be off to Harvard by the time she's 10. She has also discovered who the Gamecocks really are. Of course I blogged a few weeks ago about how she says, "Geecocks" when she sees a picture or image of the Gamecock mascot, but she was formally introduced to the Gamecock football players last Thursday night. We allowed her to stay up an extra few minutes to watch kickoff and now any time she passes he Memaw and Pepaw's TV, she says, "Geecocks" and does a precious little dance. (She doesn't do that when she sees anyone else's TV so I guess she thinks they only play on Memaw and Pepaw's TV.) I will do my best to get some video of our little Cocky doing her dance in her cheerleading uniform this weekend.

Today she proved herself to be a true southern belle by insisting on wearing her Memaw's pearls after nap time. (Sorry no pics of the Princess in her pearls; I've gotten very slack with the picture taking.) Not only is she a brilliant, athletic, beautifully fashionable girl, but she is also growing spiritually. While I was reading her Bible story tonight, she looked at the picture and said, "Jesus". (Very clearly, I might add.) That is just music to a Mommy's ears!

We have also begun redecorating/repainting the living room, hallway, Lucy's bathroom and surprisingly, the kitchen. The painting in the living room is done. We just have a few more things to hang and we're good to go. All that is left in the hallway and kitchen is the trim, touch-ups and, of course, hanging things. I haven't started on Lucy's bathroom, but I have found the decor. We're going for a sophisticated ocean theme...

http://www.amazon.com/Tiddliwinks-Seahorse-Bath-Coordinates/dp/B003FPVHAO

(I couldn't get the pictures to come up so follow this link for the complete collection.) We are going to throw some pink in there as well (of course). And, I'm looking at bubble wall decals and vinyl letters to say "Life is the Bubbles... Under the Sea". I'll be sure to post pics when everything is complete.