Confessions of a Remodelaholic: Etta

Showing posts with label Etta. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Saturday, October 3, 2009

When my mom visited us back in early August right after Etta was born, she did a lot of sewing for me. She fixed pant hems, re-sized a few of Justin's work shirts, finished a little pinafore dress I had begun and much more! Thanks again Mom!

On top of all that, we devised the plan for Etta's blessing dress, shopped for supplies and patterns and began the actual dress.

We had no real idea of what we were looking for when we went. And, to be honest, our ideas were sketchy at best when we left. But we were armed and dangerous, with a bag full of beautiful eyelet fabric, some sheer pink ribbon, a Butterick Pattern #B4964, an Australian Smocking Magazine, some delicate tiny lace, blush pink embroidery floss, and tiny pearlescent buttons, Whew!

(the smocking article I used is on page 42,

the little denim jacket)

We ended up taking elements from the different patterns and things we liked. My mom is a sewing genius, and can really manipulate patterns, she also sized it to fit Etta perfectly.

The truth is my mom did all the hard work! She made the bodice, it was her idea to put the eyelet fabric on its side there, which was a really nice detail. The sleeves are exquisite. She cut the last inch of the Eyelet lacy bottom off, and sewed it on as lace, to match the bottom of the skirt. That way she was able to use the portion of the fabric that had the lace put in it, on the sleeve and it all worked more cohesively. Then she gathered the lace we had bought, (I would never had thought of this), but it really made it that much more rich. Then she hand sewed the lace to the neck. She made the little skirt placket and did the button holes, and made the lining. Basically the truth is she made the dress. I love it!!!! I had her sign the lining skirt and date it, and I am going to embroider that into the dress for Etta.

Okay, so if she did all that what the heck did I do? Good question, I watched and held the baby mostly! Then after she went home, I had a finished bodice and the skirt fabric. I took the skirt to a fabric store and had them pleat it for me so that I could hand smock it. (That is the embroidery over fabric pleats. It was the old fashioned way to create stretch in fabric before they had elastic. It is also very beautiful.)

It was so fun to do, I plan on doing it again soon. (In fact, that version of the magazine had a dress that would be prefect for Etta's first birthday) We decided to fly out to Utah and chose to have the blessing there with our family. It was perfect cuz my Mom was able to help me finish putting it all together, then I strung the ribbon through the skirt and tacked it in place. Here is the finished product:

I also went out and purchased that funny little bonnet. It was already smocked in white. So, I smocked over it in the same colors as the dress, so it would match. And replaced the existing ribbon with the same ribbon we had on the dress.

I also made a special white blessing blanket. For those crocheters out there it was so easy and is really quite pretty. I got the idea from my friend Jennifer J.'s grandmother. Here is the basic pattern. Slip stitch the length of the finished product. The second line and all following rows: all you do is single crochet, triple crochet, repeat all the way to the end. I started and finished each row with a single crochet. That is it. Technically I ran out of time. The blanket is not quite finished. But I plan on binding it of with a light pinkyarn, in a little scallop!

Technically these are Etta's 2nd month birth anniversary pictures. We had a lot of technical difficulties. Crying babies, crying, crying, bad light and I tryed three seperate times. I have decided that they are good enough. All I really need is one good picture and I have pics of her in the dress, and she'll have the actual dress, good enough right? (Okay, so I may try one more time...later) Anyway, here are the pics.

P.S. I have decided that for each child I plan on making a special blessing outfit for each of them to keep and have as a special childhood memento.

Cute little chubby fingers!

Here are some of the details, I just love her little arm in it,

especially that little dimple by her elbow!

This is what tummy time looks like when we don't use the boppy pillow.

It sounds like a very MAD screaming baby! I just think the picture is funny!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Nursery Confessionals

I have a confession.

My nursery is still not done!

I have excuses, you want to hear them? Okay good, cuz I've been going over them in my head trying to make them sound really good.

The dog ate it, what dog you ask? Clifford, the big red one.
Aliens abducted me.
I've been watching Lost re-runs.
I got too prego to stand on a chair and not fall off, it's a balance thing. (true)
I was too cheap to turn on the AC and couldn't face the heat upstairs. (true)

Okay, so the real reason is more like I just wasn't exactly inspired. I am still not. I am trying to get into the "Nursery design groove", but I have had a hard time and too many ideas that aren't exactly coming together and no budget which is harder not impossible.

Also, Etta is still downstairs with us. Which is easiest for me. She hasn't even slept in her crib, she is still in her bassinet. (it's okay, she has been sleeping through the night since about 5 weeks). and yes, I was just bragging, even though I mostly just got lucky...

To make my design dilemma more dilemma-y, I was given something else I would like to use. While we were in Utah, Justin's mom gave me a book from the 50's-60's or so(it was her mothers), of darling pictures of nursery rhymes images. So, I decided I need to work that in, so things have once again changed, and moved. Here are two little pictures from the book there are 11 in perfect condition and one sorta ruined one, I may try to salvage.

BUT! I did do one thing, just the other week, and I want your opinion. I hung up the lanterns. This was a LOT harder than it seemed, trying to get them to hang evenly and feel balanced. To be honest I am not sure if I succeeded, but after getting up and down on a chair about 3,097 times, it isn't changing anytime soon.

Here are the pictures. (the rest of the room isn't really done yet, but here are the pictures. I'll come back to it soon, I need to make a quick trip to Ikea, Walmart and/or Family Dollar for frames! Shoppin' around is fun!)

Light on, Light off!

Just opposite the crib-

The two unfinished walls.

One will have the nursery rhymes. The one with the picture of the Savior will have a book shelf.

Monday, September 28, 2009

The stats: 2nd month

(there will be more pictures of Etta in her blessing dress coming this week)

She hasn't changed much in terms of percentages:

90% for weight 12 lbs 8 oz

97% for height 24 1/4"

75% head circumference (I guess she didn't get my BIG head!)

We got shots too(this on the same morning the cat almost died, thank you very much). This was a really hard thing for both of us! (notice I said we got shots, technically it was only Etta, but it was a nightmare for Mommy) The nurse was like I'm real fast, she was. So fast the alcohol hadn't dried the band aids didn't stick and she left the room before Etta had finished her huge shocked in tack of breath.

It was the saddest most hurt, painful cry and face you have ever seen. Her eyes filled with tears, I grabbed her up in my arms, and got blood all over my shirt, trying to help calm her down. I was decided to nurse her, and it was like here world hers my boob, cuz we were on ground level with the blind fully pulled up, facing an apartment complex- Oh well my poor screaming baby won the most important vote for me.

We've had some weird days since then. I have been sick a bit and I am pretty sure so has she.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home...

Glad as I can be;
Clap my hand and shout for joy, Then climb upon his knee.
Put my hands upon his cheek, hug him tight like this.
Pat his cheeks then give him what? A great big kiss!

I love that song!

Etta also loves it when Daddy come home from work. But then, she realized I was taking pictures. She looked around for me, and immediately stopped smiling. Check out the progression: