Sewing Adventure

This spring, a friend asked me to make a couple costumes for a community event in Pella and it sounded like a fun challenge. She bought the patterns and gave me creative license on the fabric choices as I dove in to this project. I want to be clear, I am so glad I agreed to do this and stretch myself in this way. However, the patterns were far more complicated than I had originally thought and there were moments I wasn't sure I could complete them with the level of professionalism I wanted.

I have sewn a variety of projects, but this challenged me...both in my ability to sew and to let go of perfection. These are far from perfect, but I am happy with the final results and my friend said she was happy too! The main piece I need to change is the way I did the buttons. They had a few fall off during the weekend, so I will be researching options and reattaching them for next year.

These Dutch patterns come printed on legal sized paper and must be taped together and cut out (accurately, of course) and then placed on the fabric and cut out.

The front of the pants were a bit scary as the flap is actually cut from the front. It took me a whole week to work up my nerve to take scissors to the fabric. I am very excited with how well they turned out! The button placket on the shirt gave me pause as well. However, YouTube came to my rescue with some great videos that walked me through the process. And I am quite pleased with how that turned out, too!

The dress was not as much of a pattern challenge, as it was a sewing challenge. Mom wanted it made so her now three year old could wear it for many years. This costume has a lot of fabric and fancy handwork to begin with, so to make it function now with room to grow proved harder than it sounded.

I figured out how to work with the skirt and apron, but the top was more than I could manage. I made it fit great this year with room to expand for next year...and then made sure I have the needed supplies to make a second one in two or three years to match the rest of the outfit. Mom seemed satisfied with this compromise. I love how the hand gathers turned out and the blue trim is just too cute! The hat I made based off one they had purchased last year but was now too small. It wasn't perfect, but it finished the outfit nicely.

I took my kids to the festival to see our friends in their costumes "washing the streets."

Of course, now my kids want their own costumes so they can participate next year...oy vey!

Brave

I don't know your story...mine has had some pretty rough patches and pieces I would like to keep buried. Times I have wanted to quite trying to put the pieces together, times I just wanted to keep the pain, hurt, shame, fear hidden. The past calls out and stirs up pain that has not fully healed. Old wounds still sting. Owning my story (being honest with myself and others about who I am and where I come from) has not been easy.

But this week, I witnessed my children owning theirs...and it tore at my heart while at the same time building it up. They faced a major disappointment with a family member. Not one of them took it on personally or blamed themselves. Not one of them placed blame or shame on anyone else. Each of them recognized where responsibility lay, confronted the actually problem, voiced their frustration and pain and moved on with their day. I am still hurting.

I am hurting because this disappointment feeds back to old wounds still not fully healed. I am hurting because I so wish my children didn't have to face hurt like this. I am hurting because somewhere in this mess that is my story...my kids are witnessing truth and health and love. Somewhere in owning my story and loving myself through the process, they are learning to own theirs and love too. Some days I don't feel brave...but they sure did seem strong and courageous and brave...and for today, that is enough to keep me on this journey.

Little Man's Birthday!

My Little Man turned nine this month, no longer little and missing three front teeth, he is full of energy and questions! He requested a "Wild Kratts" themed party with animal habitats and an earth decorated cake. Big sister helped design the habitats and provided interesting facts about each one.

Darling Daughter offered face painting to the party goers!

Gifts included clothes, a "Big Hero 6" toy, binoculars and of course, Legos.

I had so much fun designing and creating this cake. Some of these ventures have been more fun than others. Some have turned out better than others. This one was fun and looked great!

Happy Birthday, my dear son! Mommy loves you!

Easter Celebration...

Our plans were in place of Easter this year...food and music selected for service, outfits purchased in coordinating colors, family time scheduled...then hubby received an invite he felt he needed to attend out of state and requested I go with him. We lined up childcare and other plans for church, got up early to do the girls' hair and headed off to Lincoln to honor a great man.

The kids finished getting ready with family and posed for a few photos for mommy.

 The family helped the kids wash each others' feet before communion and then went on an egg hunt...so precious!

My kids, ladies and gentlemen!

I missed spending this time with the family, but I loved spending the time with hubby and was truly blessed that my kids forged ahead with their weekend and made such wonderful memories.