I'll love you forever...

Mother’s Day is going to be upon us this Sunday.  Every year since Naomi was born, my mom has called to tell me she is thinking of me and wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day.  This year, however, that call isn’t going to come.  I will not be hearing my mother’s voice with the familiar, “Hey, girl” that she always opens our conversations with.  My mom is still fighting to get her voice back.  I have purposefully not shared what happened in August 2014 that just devastated my heart to its core and continues to break me nine months later.

I had just walked in the door from an afternoon out with the kids, and Josh was home…middle of the day...standing in the living room waiting for me.  He stared at me, and I knew.  The next words he said just took my breath right out of me.

“Your mom has had a stroke.  It’s bad.”

She had called me two or three days before this happened. The morning of, I had told the two littles that we were going to call her.  Now, I couldn’t.  I didn’t even know if she was going to live through the night.  Would she be in a vegetative state?  Would she ever walk again? Would she ever talk again?  WHY DIDN’T I CALL HER BACK???  That last question has haunted me for nine months.  Nine very long months.

Progress has been slow as far as recovery.  She can walk with a cane or a walker, but she has no use of her right arm.  Speech is coming back slowly, but not enough that she can form sentences…yet.  She’s in there.  Completely in there.  She smiles and laughs when we joke.  She rejoices when her grandchildren talk to her and show her the things they’ve made her.  She can express dissatisfaction and frustration…but not very many words.  The physical disability.  That we can adapt to.  The worst part is the silence.  I can’t pick up the phone and call her just to hear her voice.  I’m so broken that I didn’t call her back right away because now, there is no voice on the other end of the line, and it might be a good long wait until there is again. 

My mother is the strength in our family.  She keeps everything and everyone together.  She is the peacemaker, the home builder, and the thread that keeps us connected.  She is the one that fought for us, taught us to fight for ourselves, and showed us what it means to have grace toward others.  Her strength is what continues to keep me strong when I’m not.  I’ve cried an ocean of tears and prayed my hardest prayers that God’s plan includes them moving to where we are.  I’ve celebrated her new milestones and fought back anger and heartbreak over what used to be.

My mom was there to hold my hand when I needed her support, and now, it’s my turn.  I’ve heard a few people lamenting at “having to” call their mothers this weekend or “having to” go to dinner at their parents’ houses this weekend.  Hold onto the times that you can do that and cherish what time you have while it’s here.  My mother was my first fan.  She was my first champion and my first supporter.  She celebrated my victories with me and comforted me through my falls.  She mended my broken heart and kissed away my boo boo’s.  She corrected my “wrongs” and bragged on my “rights”.   She was my advice giver and my complaint sounding board.  I miss her, I love her, and my heart hurts because this year, her voice will not be on the other end of the line telling me “Happy Mother’s Day.” 

If you’re not celebrating your own mother, celebrate the mothers you know this weekend especially.  Love on them just a little longer this weekend.  Don’t let yourself regret that you didn’t make that call.  I love you, Mom.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

–excerpt from Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Stepping out in style...with the Downtown Tunic

I recently had the opportunity to test the new Downtown Tunic from Sew Caroline, and this top is just about perfect for what I know is warmer days ahead!  Winter cannot possibly stick around for much longer, right? 

This little number is so perfect for pairing with a pair of slacks or leggings for an evening out or with jeans for running around town!  It’s a knit woven combo and the best part? No set in sleeves!!!  I loved that it was all one piece on the top with cuffs at the sleeves.  The hi-lo skirt has two options: a solid skirt or a button front skirt.  I couldn’t resist, and I made one of each.  For the test, I let my kids pick the fabrics.  I admit I was a little terrified of what they would pick but they did alright!  Not what I would have picked for myself, but they did alright nevertheless! 

So, a little bit about the pattern!  It comes in sizes XS to XXXL, and as I said, it’s such a quick and easy sew!  It took longer for me to glue the pattern pieces together than to sew the shirt!  There is a front piece and a back piece, the cuffs, the neckband, and the skirt pieces.  Voila, that’s it!  The pattern is rated for the confident beginner, and it really is a great pattern for beginners.  Don’t let the knit part of this scare you!  There is nothing scary about this shirt at all!  There are pictures to help you out along the way, and you can email Caroline if you have any questions!  She’s super sweet and so helpful at answering questions you might have!  

As I said, the top has a hi-lo skirt on it so it’s a little longer in the back, which I love because I have—ahem—some baggage back there…and the shirt fits a little loose so I can move around in it which makes this great for chasing after my 4 and 5 year little’s.  I already have fabric picked out for at least 3 or 4 more of these tops! 

If you’re thinking you might need this pattern in your life, and I know you are, you can get it here:

Downtown Tunic from Sew Caroline

AND, if you use the code DTTRELEASE15, you can get the Downtown Tunic for 15% off the purchase price.  This code is good until midnight CST 03/01/15!!

I love the Love Bird (dress, that is)!

I recently had the opportunity to test the new Love Bird Dress from MCM Studio Designs, and I do believe that it is definitely one of my favorites.  This dress has so many options from being tea length to just below knee length, ruffled, non ruffled, petal sleeved, cap sleeved, sleeveless, with an apron, without an apron, with a sash, without a sash...the possibilities are crazy endless!  The back has a sweet little heart shape that made me think Valentine's at first, but my daughter saw that and that was all she wrote.  She wants hearts on all of her dresses now!

Front view with sash

So, anyway, this was the first pattern that I had worked with from MCM Studio Design, and it really was such an easy pattern to work with.  Once I got in the groove, this dress came together quickly with no fuss and no muss.  I made both the longer length and the shorter length. While I love the longer length for more formal occasions, the shorter length is perfect for casual gatherings or everyday wear.

Below the knee, 3 tier length

I did make the ruffled version for both of these dresses because well, I love me some ruffles...AND this dress made me love them even more!  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is possible!  Linda introduced me to a ruffling method that requires NO GATHERING!  Say what?  Yeah, you heard me, no gathering.  That's a song I can definitely sing!  Her instructions walked me step by step with illustrations on each step.  They were very clear and concise, and I had no problem following the steps as I was going through the pattern.  

Ruffled shorter version

Ruffled formal version

The pattern itself ranges from sizes 2 to 14 so there's plenty of opportunity for me to get some serious mileage from this pattern.  I will say ahead of time that there are a lot of pattern piece pages, but let me tell you, it was so worth it when I got the dress done!  Both of my models are "very particular" (okay, picky) about their clothing, and both young ladies were over the moon with their new fancy dresses.  I made both a sash and an apron for the longer version so that the fabulous Miss K would have some options when it's finally warm enough for her to wear this dress.  So far, every weekend has been cruddy so she's not had the opportunity to wear it, but we're praying the groundhog was wrong and winter is going to be head out early this year.  My own mini me has already piled up the fabrics she wants for hers, and she's got a pretty good "Mommy do" list going on.  Now for more hours in the day...

Tea length with apron

Seriously, though, this dress is packed full of different options and really is so very versatile.  If you don't have this one, you NEED it!  You can pick the pattern up in Linda's Craftsy store or her Etsy store.

Visit Linda's Craftsy store here: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/the-love-bird-dress/131421

Or her Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222174872/pdf-sewing-pattern-for-girls-love-bird?ref=shop_home_feat_3

If you head over there between now and Monday (16 February), she has a discount code: RELEASE25 that you can use so the pattern will be $8 instead of the usual $12!

And if you get stuck for some reason, there is a Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/MCMStudioDesigns) you can join where you can ask questions!  Linda is so sweet and is so great at walking through things with you to help you get back on track!

Happy sewing and I really hope you love this dress as much as I do!!

Blessings!

Kim

E+M Patterns: Girls Skirt No. 18

I have to admit, I was kind of jealous when I saw this skirt knowing that I would be making this for my five year old.  I wanted one of these for me, but I was so excited that was I was lucky enough to test the Girls Skirt Pattern No. 18 for Allison at E+M Patterns.  Now, the skirt did look a little daunting at first glance with the scallops and bow, but never fear!! That is not the case!!  This sweet little skirt is such an easy sew.  It does take a hot minute to get around the scallops, but let me tell ya, it is so worth the few extra minutes that you take.  I have a little girl who is suspicious of anything that looks even close to girly.  Lace, ruffles...BOWS...and she's already picked out fabrics for her third skirt. This first one is pink and full of all hearts and girly stuff.  I was a little nervous to show it to her at first, but when she put it on, she told me, "this is exactly what I wanted, Momb!" Who knew?

The pattern comes with both measurements and pattern pieces which I loved because there are some days when I love the my rotary cutter and ruler and there are some days when I just want it done for me so I can trace the pieces and cut.  With this pattern, I get the best of both worlds!

The front of the skirt is flat, and there are two elastic casings in the back to help with fit and easy donning.  My daughter hates zippers and buttons so she was over the moon that she could put this one on all by herself.  The best part for me?  No zippers or buttonholes.  As a bonus, I also don't have to pull out the serger or worry about zigzag stitches because Allison has directions on how to finish off the seams without either.  

I ended up making a second skirt.  This time, I did a denim overskirt with a cotton underskirt no bow.  My daughter turned five right in the middle of the week I was sewing up these skirts, and we were making cupcakes for her kindie class one night.  She rolled through with my dough hook in her hand and her denim skirt on and told me she was Little Muffin the Pirate who was coming to steal the cupcakes from the family treasure chest...and well, pirates don't wear bows.  I do think that I want to make a bow that I can pin to it later if she changes her mind.  On the pink one, I attached the bow to the skirt, and I will warn you to make sure that you sew that sucker on there really well or it will come apart in the wash.  

Little Muffin laughing at Mom

Little Muffin celebrating the spoils of her raid

Both skirts have already been worn and washed.  I didn't topstitch the scallops on either, and they came out of the wash ready to wear.  I am a topstitching fanatic so I decided to push the test and not topstitch these skirts.  There is a possibility that I might push the test on a few other things that I sew...we'll see...Little Muffin even wore her pirate skirt to church the other day which never happens. ever.  AND, she let me get some pictures of her checking out the tree in the lobby.  Something else that she almost never lets me do.  ever.  I'm loving this skirt more and more. :)!

As for the pattern, I found it to be very well written.  Each step is extremely concise and detailed with clear pictures to help you visualize what the skirt should look like as you put construct it.  The pattern was easy to follow along, and I learned a new way to do bows!  I do love this pattern, and it will probably become my go to skirt pattern when I need something quick and cute.  It's pretty versatile in that it can be made for everyday wear or dressed up in a fancier fabric and used as special occasion skirt.  All in all, I would say another winner from Allison!   

This skirt is currently on sale for $4 until Thursday at midnight.  After that it will be full price at $8.  You can pick up your copy at www.empatterns.com or www.etsy.com/shop/empatterns.  

There are also a couple of ways you can keep up with Allison and E+M Patterns if you like what you see at her shop!  You can follow her Facebook page or join her Facebook group at the links below:

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/empatternspage
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/EMPatterns/

Blessings and Happy Sewing!
Kim

I am a feminist...

I was at the store the other day, and there was a young lady standing at the deli counter waiting.  I looked over at her and flashed a quick half smile.  Then, I glanced at her little button that said “Girl Power”.  I’m guessing she noticed that I glanced at it because she said, “Yeah, I’m a feminist.”

Later, I was thinking about what exactly that means…to be a feminist.  I have a different take on feminism, I think.  Or rather, I see it differently than some people do.  Before you start getting indignant, hear me out.  We, as women, were created to be extraordinary.  We have the heart of a lioness for the people we love.  We fight for them when they cannot.  Women are strong and powerful, yet gentle and soft.  We cry for grief, happiness, loneliness, joy, pride, and every other emotion that we feel.  We fight for what we believe in, and we fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.  Women nurture and love even when they are hurting inside, and we have a strength in us that moves us forward to continue when we are broken.  We care for others even when we are sick ourselves, and we lift others up when we are crumbling inside.  Often we forget our own self worth, and we forget that even when we feel most alone, we are surrounded by people who rely on us to help them see there is a tomorrow.  Women are powerful, strong, and independent. 

However, I think that embracing what is feminine about us also means approaching life with gentleness and grace. Women should have modesty and be ladylike.  We shouldn’t revel in the fact that we can curse like sailors or drink any man under the table.  We shouldn’t strive to be “one of the guys”.  We aren’t one of the guys!  We’re women.  We’re beautiful and nurturing, loving and strong, powerful and capable, gentle and encouraging.  We are heiresses of God’s kingdom.  Women are one of His most special creations, and for me, being a feminist means embracing all that it means to be a woman.

Time for an attitude change

We recently had a family emergency that rocked my world.  My mother suffered a stroke and is currently in a rehab unit.  She's making great strides toward recovery and in just 3 weeks, she's now able to move her right leg and is starting to transition back to solid foods instead of having to puree everything.  Shes's still fighting hard, and her spirits are up.  Needless to say, I'm not handling things well at all.  That, in turn, caused me to be not handle stressors and minor annoyances in my life very well.  There are times when I am sure that I will come apart at the seams and just end up a pile on the floor.  

Today, the verse of the day (Matthew 7:1-2  Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and  with the measure you use it will be measured to you) popped up on my computer and reminded me that sometimes the most unhappy, mean-spirited people in the world are just that way.  They don't know how to be any other way, and that means that I need to have a little more patience, compassion, and understanding with them.  It isn't for me to decide that they need to be better people, and it isn't for me to decide that they aren't worth my time.  Rather, I need to have MORE patience and compassion for them because they need that from me more than they need my bitterness and anger. It's hard, and I am pretty sure that I won't always succeed...but I've decided that I need to work more on loving the unlovable.  Even when I just. don't. want. to. 

My husband and I decided when our children were born that we wanted to provide them with role models that they can look up to.  We want to do as we say, and in order for me to do that, I need to worry less about perceived offenses against me and spend more time meeting people where they are and loving them regardless.  Today's verse reminded me of a quote I saw not too long ago, "Judging a person does not define who they are.  It defines who you are." Unfortunately, I don't know who to attribute that quote to as there was no name attached to it when I saw it.  I don't want that to define who I am.  I have a new goal, and today starts a new attitude for me.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Well, we hit a milestone at Nini and Ash, so we had a giveaway!!  THANK YOU so much everyone for your continuing support!  We're so excited about everything that we've been up to so far this year, and we are looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings!!!

Okay, so the part that everyone really cares about...the WINNERS!!!

So, the winner of the top and bottom set is Kim Ramsey O'Dell!!!   Congratulations, Kim!

However, we had such an awesome response to the giveaway that we decided to give prizes to a handful of other folks as well!!  SOOO, the following individuals were randomly selected to receive a coupon for 20% any item you order from Nini and Ash!!!  If you order multiple items, this discount will apply to the highest priced item you order!  We just picked names based on how many overall entries we had.  In no particular order, here you go!!!

Faith Garrison
Melissa Anders
Annette Eldridge
Ryan R Origon
Doris L. Welch
Linda Vertin
Kyla Mowery
Sarah Coenen
Nicole Hubbard
Terri Dudey
Tee Anderson
Tina Jenkins
Barbara K. Colson
Crissy Brown
Maci Maer
Donna Frazier Davis
Gabby Grostefon
Destiny Groleau
Susan Blackman Sharp
Krystal Medina
Carrie Demas