It's been a busy week. Mostly because I make it busy, but also because of things that are out of my control. I've been trying to finish up a couple of sewing projects, plus clean, and pack for a big trip we have planned to California. On Monday my Grandma Joanie died. She hasn't been doing well for months, she's suffered several massive strokes and so it was only a matter of time. The funeral will be right before we leave for our trip so things have become a little bit complicated. Even though I knew my grandma was going to pass away soon, I really miss her. I'm grateful that at least J got to know her a little bit because she was the best grandma. She planned the most epic tea parties, and told the best stories. She was really a professional grandma. She could have taught grandma classes at the college level. Grandma Joanie was a great seamstress, as is my own mom, and it is because of them that I've been able to find so much joy in sewing.
Here is a picture of her and my grandpa at my wedding. My mom made my wedding dress, btw. They are both wonderful.
About a year ago my grandma's eyesight really started to deteriorate and she just couldn't sew anymore. So she gave me a ton of her sewing stuff, including her giant stash of buttons. I love that I have a few of her sewing things to remind me of her while I'm making things for my kids. I made this top for J so she could have something to wear with a cute pair of culottes I bought her this last weekend. I felt like the top was a little boring so I looked through that button stash and found these little pink buttons. They almost look like tiny mushrooms. Grandma picked cool buttons.
Thank you Meghan for helping me find these awesome culottes (I never thought I would ever write "awesome" and "culottes" in a sentence). I went on a really fun girls trip last weekend. It was such a blast spending time with some friends I haven't seen in forever.
And now onto the other sewing project that really has taken me weeks to finish. A Frozen Fever Anna dress.
I told J I would make her a princess dress for her to wear to Disneyland and this is what she chose.
It was so fun to make, but kind of labor intensive. I had to make 3 separate pieces. A blouse, a vest, and a dress/dirndl.
I used iron-on jewels for the flower details on the dress and vest. I didn't even know those existed until I happened upon them at hobby lobby.
The dress/dirndl is a heavily modified Oliver + S fairytale dress. I had to lower and widen the neckline and make the bodice come to a point. I also did 4 pleats in the skirt rather than gathering it. The blouse is a modified Oliver + S apple-picking dress that I shortened to a top. Instead of making a wide placket with 2 rows of buttons, I just did a single row. I also altered the collar quite a bit, and lost the tie. I pretty much changed everything haha.
The sunflowers are made out of ribbons and buttons, using this tutorial. It even comes with special flower making music ; )
J told me I could take pictures of her if she could look at pictures of Anna in her frozen fever dress on my phone. Deal.
"Take one of me twirling mom!"
Yeah, this picture where she's angelically looking down and smiling. She's just looking at pictures of Anna. Whatever floats your boat, kid.
Our dog Moose was jealous. I don't know if he's ever been featured on the blog. Congratulations Moose.
And that's that. Now I just need to pack, and clean, and pack and clean some more to get ready for this weekend. Hope you're all having a great Thursday!
