Little Dresses and Little Boots

 

My sister was having trouble finding a flower girl dress her daughter Izzy for the wedding, so I made her one. The design is by Cassie, with my touches of the ruffles and the giant pin wheel. She wore boots with the dress and had a flower crown in her hair. 

Engagement Sesh

I almost forgot! We did engagement photos back in August in Amarillo, TX. T.J's family is from Amarillo and I love the quirkiness of it. From a little amusement park called Wonderland, to the Stanley Marsh signs placed in random spots around town. Cassie, my sister in-law again helped us with these photos. We did them right before we hopped on a plane back to Dallas. I had fun but felt sick from all the crazy rides we went on.

Finds

Antique stores are fantastic. Filled with treasures. Hunting for specific objects. Searching for the best price. Me, I've been shopping for the wedding, looking for vintage table clothes, wire baskets, mason jars, and wooden boxes. While doing this I found things for the house too. Every thing I purchased I wondered about of the journey it's been through and the story it tells.

These finds are from downtown McKinney and Plano, and a garage sale. I'm about to go out Amarillo next month to do some more antique shopping with T.J's family. Something about west Texas, they have great antique stores. Can't wait! 

Finds:

1. Old Minnow Bucket :: ideas on use :: hold the skewers for smores at the wedding, at home I use it to hold my placemats.
2. A Green Glass Jar with the words "water" and "juice" going down the sides :: ideas on use :: hold flowers at home and at wedding.
3. Handi Holder :: Use :: makes pouring carton milk or juice easier. 
4.  1970's Re-purposed Sheet Napkins
5. Princess and the Frog Nesting Dolls
6. Old Wire Hand Shopping Basket :: ideas on use :: hold graham crackers and chocolate at the wedding, at home it holds magazines and toilet paper in the bathroom. 
7. 1950's Table Cloth
8. Extra Large Mason Jar
9. Wizard of Oz Nesting Dolls

I started cooking again. T.J. has been busy with work and this has sparked my interest. I made a menu for this week. One of the meals I cooked was Thai Curry Vegetable and Tofu Soup. It was delishious!!! And very easy. Try it! Even though it's summer this is a very light soup, stocked full of veggies. I used fresh basil from my garden to add a little on the top.

And it Begins

The wedding planning is starting to make way. I'm so excited about these save the dates. My sister, Becca designed them for T.J. and I. I wanted something simple and in post card form. I found some inspiration on Oncewed and 100LayerCake and this is what resulted from that. I can't wait to see what she comes up for the invitations!

Memorial Weekend

I've been very busy with my  infant/toddler Montessori certification and have been trying to use my weekends for relaxation. T.J. and I had our engagement party and got to see friends and family on memorial weekend. I also bought some plants and soil and spent the afternoon in the yard on Sunday. I had an old galvanized tub that my childhood dogs got washed in and had a rusted hole on the bottom. T.J. drilled some holes in the bottom as well. I filled it with dirt and planted some flowers. I also planted basil, sweet mint, a succulent, tomato, and a pepper plant. I was inspired by Cassie and Hank who made lemon basil gin tonics at the engagement party. I think it's too late for the tomato plant to produce fruit....but oh well. 

We also had some guests stay with us. Rachel, T.J's sister in-law and his niece, Maggie, came and stayed the night while T.J's brother spent the remaining of the holiday weekend at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Maggie and I made chocolate chip buckwheat pancakes in the morning and she helped stir the mix.....and eat some chocolate chips while doing it...ooops!! Then we walked to the park and Maggie enjoyed being pushed in the swing by T.J. and climbing. We walked home and enjoyed looking at all the pretty gardens, while I showed Rachel examples of annuals and perennials.

Happy Girls

Graduation Gifts for my UNT girls. A mug rug for coffee, clippies, and a reusable snack pack.

A simple skirt by Cassie Cakes

 

Alli with her new skirt and watermelon at her families farm house.

Boxcar Bandits

Two of my friends graduated this past weekend that I'm very happy for. My friend Katie finished up her art education degree, and Alli finished with child development and family studies. They both have an open plate to fill. Katie is looking for a place to set some roots and find a job, and Alli going to grad school in Denver, CO. I wanted to make them gifts but was so busy I never got a chance. This is when having a future sister in-law who's crafty comes in handy. Cassie always has a inventory of handmade goods. I got the mug rug and the clippies for Katie and Cassie whipped up a simple skirt with the really pretty fabric for Alli. I put them both in snack packs for a quick wrapping. I always enjoy handmade gifts and I thought these girls would too. Congrats to them! Alli had a great Sunday afternoon party with lots of friends, food, drink, and music. It's so beautiful out at her families farm.

A Change of Pace

The kids love to discover the masks

Easter with Izzy

Pottsboro, TX Camping

I am now a lead Montessori teacher in Plano, TX. Healthy Beginnings Montessori House is where I've spend all my time now, except on the weekends. Taking on a full time position after working only a very part time job for the past couple months has made me more tired then I can ever believe. I am now responsible for 11 toddlers and twos who are all learning the practical life skills to survive as independents. I love every single one of them, and watching them learn new words, accomplish new works, and discover life. Creating has slowed down in my studio and has moved to my classroom. The weekends have turned into pure relaxation with family and friends. At the moment a messy house is okay as long as I have some time just to watch a movie and or read. Life has taken a change of pace.

Bazaars and Markets

Spring has arrived and that means sewing is in full swing. Bazaars have come and gone and Markets are now ready to be scheduled and booths prepared. Cassie and I have been busy getting ready for these events. My snack packs have re-appeared, and Cassie's apron tops. We will be at the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market on April 16th from 11am to 5pm.

Last Friday we had the Moroch Bazaar at T.J's work. It was a little slow, but we managed to sell some knitted cotton wash cloths and Connie Sues "F" bombs too.  We are ready for the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market and are excited to be joining this vintage/craft community. Trina is joining us with some paper goods that we need desperately. And eventually our friend Paige will be making some ceramics. I'm hopping to sew some this week....but I got a new job and I am preparing myself for the Montessori position. 

 

Little Knits

Elf Hat from Aunt Jiji and Booties from Oma (Grandma)

Hat from me

Little knits are so cute on new babies.....and even off. I love all the knit things Everett has gotten. My sister and I did a little photo shoot of him in the gifts and these photos are my two favorite. He's so tiny that even the infant hats are big on him.