Fabric love

Since November is the lovely month where we celebrate both thankfulness and indulgence, I thought I would share one of my loves that falls nicely into both of those categories: Fabric.

As I have moved from place to place over the years I have always had a small stash of fabric from my college days when we would make simple hair wraps.  There was never a real reason to keep it, but I felt extra crafty if I kept it. 

Every crafter should own fabric :)

 I slowly accumulated more cute fabric when I was pregnant to inspire me to make something for my child-to-be.  Well, I finally had to make sense of these purchases.  Honestly, I love making things, but I also love just seeing my bin of fabric.  As I have made small gifts this past year, each piece of fabric reminds me of the beautiful child who now wears it.  

I am incredibly intimidated by my sewing machine, though each project reaffirms that they often seem more difficult in a book than when I am actually doing it.  I look at projects like I look at recipes: if I've never heard of an ingredient, I move on.  If I don't know how do figure out a sewing technique, I usually choose to do something else.  Each piece reminds me of that and I am slowly expanding my horizons.  Here is my latest, VERY SIMPLE, elementary level, project.  It was inspired by a Saturday of digging through Julia's closet to put away her clothes and set out her current size (something that I feel like I do too often!)  In the midst of her newest clothes I found this sweatshirt.  I realized that she is currently at a great size where sweatshirts will now be very useful, but I was a bit disappointed that this sweatshirt promoted a college doesn't mean much to us (I will not name it so as not to offend any Big Ten college fans).  I decided to make it into a project...

Here is the result:

(I have a great model!)

For the hood I used long strips and folded them inch by ince and pinned them down then sewed to secure it.  It adds a bit of character.

A sweatshirt destined for the "never to be worn" pile is now one of my very favorites!  It helps that each time Julia wears it she insists on wearing her hood up as she marches through the house yelling "APPLE!"

Wedding snapshots.

I have changed my perspective about weddings since I have gone through my own.  Before getting married, I took for granted the symbols of love, the preparation, the vows and wanted to fastforward straight to the party.  Now I get chills each time I watch a bride down the aisle - just knowing the anticipation that led to that moment.  I experience the deep love as the minister speaks of what this day is all about.  I squeeze my husband's hand a little bit harder at that moment as we reconfirm our own commitment.  I know that we're both thinking the same thing.  

I love when the couple seals it all with a kiss, but I especially love it when they are introduced for the very first time.  I think I can categorize it the same arena of my love for monogrammed things.  It pulls it all together.  It is their moment of entering into a new identity. 

So, my sister is now Kirstan M. Cazzola.  I am having a harder time with it than when I changed my own last name. 

Kirstan and Greg's wedding song was "This Year's Love", by David Gray, which was beyond fitting for the two of them. In one full year, they met, fell in love, and planned their wedding.  Wedding planning is a bumpy and blissful journey for any couple.  To watch them dance at their wedding and see what God has done in one year was truly a beautiful moment.  As a former bride and someone who knows my sister very well, I also knew that at that moment they could finally relax together and enjoy the rest of the ride. 

The following pictures are the top 10 moments leading to the wedding:

10. Awaiting the big trip

9. Bear bummed beach time

8. Pulling it all togther (with a glass of wine)

7. Meeting new family (from Canada none-the-less!)

6. Precious moments with Babci

5. The sheer fact that Julia was willing to cooperate...for the most part.

4 My sister finding great joy in getting a teddy bear from the spa...this is so her!

3 The flower details - beautifully done!

2 Some great moments with Julia

1. The dance.



Sisterhood (and wedding details)

I only have one sister.  One great sister that I got to look up to, snuggle up to. copy, and annoy.  As we've grown I have learned how valuable this relationship is.  It is set apart from any other relationship I've ever encountered.  First of all, Kirstan didn't have a choice when I came along.  I was forced upon her (and I believe that it took her a long time to embrace this reality).  Second, she paved the way for me.  She did the difficult things so that it would be easier for me when it was my turn.  Despite my efforts to maintain my own identity throughtout my life, I always wanted to be just like my sister.  And my favorite part of sisterhood...the innate connection that doesn't need words.  Just being together is enough.  I get her. 

Going through the wedding planning process with Kirstan has been a challenge and a gift.  It's reinforced the fact that we are hundreds of miles away from one another.  I felt the perpetual guilt of being far away when things were stressful for her or she needed a simple opinion about color.  At the same time, it is pretty neat to see her so happy and be part of this process for her.  The wedding went off without a hitch (ok, maybe just a few..but despite the fact that they forgot the rings, they are still legally married). 

My favorite part of the whole thing were the personal touches that pulled it all together.  I was so honored to be part of it.  When you see your sister happy, nothing else matters.

Here is a small glimpse of some of the handmade details.

My first attempt at a ruffle butt onesie.  They are pretty addictive.  And they are pretty darn cute!

Proud to be a flower girl.  But not proud enough to stay clean for more than 2 minutes.

The "pretty" version to come when I upload more pictures...including Kate Morgner's beautiful flowers, the big event, and Julia's flower girl debut!