Snow Day

The light in my house isn't very good for taking pictures today, but I wanted to show these ornaments. I made the mitten and polar bear a few weeks ago, and finished the red coat on Christmas Eve. They turned out pretty cute and if you like them too, the pattern can be found here.

Today really is a snow day. We just had a big storm and Abby has already built a snowman in the backyard. Her coat and mittens are hanging by the door to dry, although we've yet to spot a polar bear walking around.

And we had a great Christmas full of surprises. Santa brought me something new (and slightly intimidating) for my sewing room, and my parents gave Abby a new doll who needs some clothes. I also got a few fun sewing books full of projects and patterns that I can't wait to start once this new year settles in. But until then, we'll just finish out 2010 by watching movies and drinking hot chocolate and staying warm.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night

Julie isn't here to model her new nightgown. She and Abby are at Grandma's for a Christmas sleepover. I've made so many doll dresses from this pattern, that I don't need to read the instructions any more. So this nightgown came together pretty fast. It's simple, but I think Abby will like it.

So we are all set for Christmas Eve. And all of Julie's new doll clothes are wrapped and under the tree. I've put away my sewing machine for a long winter's nap and turned my sewing room into a wrapping station. And since I'm done with needles and thread for awhile, I now have time for some sugar and sprinkles.

Merry Christmas!

Clara

Abby's nightgown is finished. It was very easy to sew--the pattern is awesome. I was going to make a pair of bloomers for her to wear underneath for extra warmth, but the flannel is pretty cozy. The nightgown is so full, she'll feel like she's wrapped in a blanket. So I don't think the bloomers are necessary (and thank goodness, because I am running out of top-secret sewing time . . .)

But I am planning on making Julie a white nightgown too. It won't take long at all. I have this vision in my head of Abby in her nightgown on Christmas Eve, but instead of holding a Nutcracker, she'll be holding Julie as I tuck her into bed all giggly and excited.

More Plaid Flannel

I finished our Christmas Eve pajama pants! I've never made pajama pants before, but I think I'm on to something here. I took extra care to cut mine long enough. Cody always teases me about how all my pajama pants are floods, but not this year! And it's a good thing Cody is on the slim side, because I cut his pants a tad tight--I don't know why. I didn't follow the "measure twice, cut once" rule. The pants fit, they're just not as baggy as he likes. Oh well.

At least Cameron's little pants will not only fit well and match his dad's, but he will look pretty cute in them. All this busy sewing and thoughts of Christmas Eve have me pretty excited. Late last night I cut out (very carefully) Abby's nightgown. The white flannel is soft and fluffy and white as snow. She will look just like Clara from The Nutcracker.

So I'm off to put Cameron down for his morning nap so I can stash these pants away and start sewing again. Busy, busy, busy.

Little Elf

The other day I pretended I was a photographer and took some pictures of some of our Christmas decorations around the house. This picture ended up being my favorite. This little elf dressed in felt belonged to Cody's grandma. She used to trim her Christmas tree with these elves--I also have a another one, who is a little bit bigger. When Cody's grandma died years before I met him, his mom took some of the elves for keepsakes. She gave me two of them the first Christmas we were married.

I used to put them on the tree, but this year I sat them on a snowflake mobile that dangles in our kitchen. They're awfully cute and Cameron loves to point at them. And I've decided that I really like elves. The other day Abby said that elves can change shapes and sizes--they can be really little to spy on us, or they can be big enough to help Santa load his sleigh. I think she's right.

I feel like an elf as I gather stocking stuffers and secretly work on Christmas Eve pajamas. I just finished the most perfect pair of cozy pajama pants for myself--more on that later.

Wintergreen

Although it's hard to tell, this skirt is the prettiest dark green velvet. I found it in my scraps the other day and it was just enough to make a skirt for Julie. I also had some awesome ribbon that is embroidered with bright green and blue flowers for trim. I wish the black turtleneck didn't look so washed out next to the velvet, but it does. If I were really cool, I'd make a deeper, blacker shirt for Julie to wear with this skirt, but Julie is just a doll and there are other things that I want to sew for Christmas.

I just bought some plaid flannel for pajama pants for me, Cody, and Cameron. Abby is getting a white flannel nightgown. Once I have those made, it will be time to give the sewing machine a holiday break.

Little Miss Norway

I originally wanted to make Julie a denim dress with red rick rack, but the denim I had was too heavy. So I used some navy blue knit instead. When it was almost finished, I thought it needed a little something extra, so I added some ribbon from my stash along the waistline. It looked kind of folksy when it was done--like a little Scandinavian dress. Out went my plans of buying a pair of matching red Mary Janes. A dress like this needed red tights and a pair of sherpa boots. That way Little Miss Norway can stomp through the snow and keep her feet warm.

I could have had our Kirsten doll model this dress, since she is the true Scandinavian around here. But she is Swedish and probably wouldn't want to wear a dress that matches the Norwegian flag. Also, she is all dressed up for Christmas right now, and sitting prettily on the book shelf.