Lemons.....

....into Lemonade!!!!

The sad news is that one of my favorite shops is closing its doors,

but that meant that they had marked everything to 50% off.

So I got in my last shopping fix at Maisonnette,

and got to say my final goodbyes.

I got some cute patterns for my girl and boy....

Some wonderful knits and lots of trims....

....and enough Riley Blake to keep me happy for a long time

( thanks Linda for the Layer Cake)!!!!

It is always sad to see a fun shop close, but they are onto a new venture that I am sure

will be equally joyous for them.

I will miss the creativity, but I am happy to have a very large stash of goodies

to remember them by!!!!

A Day to Celebrate....

We attended the most lovely wedding this weekend.

The cake was gorgeous and so yummy!!!

The flowers were incredible....

The Bride was a vision....joyful and serene.

It was a day that was abundant in smiles and happiness.

And I have to admit I was very focussed on one very cute flower girl!!!

Mommy and Daddy looked beautiful and so happy.

Little cousins shared a kiss...

....all of the girls ( and one cute bitty boy) had such a great time!!!

Bitty Clare finally needed some rest and cuddled in the arms of her Grammie.

But soon enough ( in true party fashion)

she kicked off her shoes and hit the dance floor!!!!

Every picture after was like this....a blur.

Due to a very happy little girl who twirled,

danced and clapped her hands in pure joy.

It was THAT kind of a wedding

....and we thank Jake and Stephanie for including us

in such a meaningful and joyous celebration!!!

Whoooo loves you......

My favorite kind of sewing continues to be creating children's clothing.

The projects make up quickly, take little fabric

and I love seeing my creations on a certain bitty model that I adore!!!!

I could make this coat again and again. In fact I have!!!!

This time it was all about Polka Dots...the more the merrier.

More polkas for the lining,

and of course matching buttons and a flower pin too!!!!

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There was enough fabric left over to make this sweet jumper.

I had to add an owl appliqué.

Clare is OBSESSED with Owls

....mostly because her Grampy has one as his IPAD screen saver.

She pushes the button to turn the IPAD on.

How do they know how to do this when they are so little????

She then says OWL ( which she makes into a two syllable word) and then follows with a WHOOO WHOO.

Makes me smile each and every time!!!

Yep.....it continues to be such fun to be Grandparents.

I never knew life could be THIS sweet!!!!

So very fine at 89 !!!!

This weekend was my Mom's 89th birthday party.

We gathered the youngest to the oldest,

to honor my Mom who we all hold close to our hearts.

There were many flowers and lots of gifts.

She was surrounded by her Greatgrandchildren....

Her Grandchildren.....

....and her children.

We were honored to share this celebration.

My Mom is my dear friend, my inspiration

and for all who know her a delight and a joy.

Happy Birthday Oma....we love you so much.

Time off....

The kids told us they would be out of town, and we didn't need to babysit this week.

It took us about a moment and a half to plan a road trip!!!!

We met our dear friends for a wonderful brunch....on the sand in Malibu!!!

What fun.

We continued to travel the coast and arrived in Santa Barbara.

This touching tribute to the fallen of 9 /11

was placed by the pier for all to see and remember.

We spent time at the Mission Santa Barbara rose garden

....where I knitted and we had the most relaxing and delicious picnic.

There was some fun shopping too.

This is Oprah's favorite garden shop

....mostly because only Oprah could afford the prices!!!

I enjoyed seeing lots of antique quilts....

....and farm stands full of garden goodness.

We found this waiting for us in our room

....a gift from Donovan thanking us for all of our babysitting duties.

You are VERY welcome!!!

A final stop for breakfast in Solvang and we were on the road again.

Two grandparents came home refreshed

and ready to babysit with joyous and relaxed hearts!!!

Just when I thought....

Just when I thought summer had come to an end.....

I got this box in the mail!!!

A blog contest I won from "Crazy Old Ladies"

and I couldn' t have been MORE excited.

Full of scraps from their "Coastal Collection".

How perfect is that for this beach lover????

They even added a few of their patterns.

I am one LUCKY girl!!!!

The scraps are ironed and organized,

and I am pretty sure I know what I am going to make.

It will be SEW perfect!!!!

Thanks Crazy Ladies.....

my favorite collection and I can't wait to get sewing!!!!

My New Life.....

My Blog posts are not as frequent.

I am BUSIER than ever, but loving each moment.

What is keeping me so busy????

We babysit Clare on the one day Mommy has to go to the office.

Does she have the most kissable cheeks or what???

We are lucky enough to babysit Donovan too!!!

Don't you just melt when you see that smile???

....and I fit in sewing when I can.

I have finished one flower girl dress and am starting the next.

So you can see things are hectic, but joyous. I wouldn't want it any other way!!!