Time to catch up

I think about adding to this blog all the time.  Then I think about how far behind I am and don't know where to begin. Then I see all these 'Pins' about how to do your blog 'right.'  So it just never happens.  Maybe sometime soon I'll get in a routine and add some entries.  And I guess it's just best to start where I am.

Elizabeth and Julia turned three this month.  A friend taught me how to work with fondant and I made some pretty cute cakes.  The girls seem to have gotten amazingly easier/older so suddenly.  I now have time during the day to get a few things done while they play.  They play house most of the day, taking turns at being mommy.  Then they whine at whomever is mom.  That makes me laugh!  Their babies finally have names.  Usually it's cousin Wyatt, occasionally his new baby sister Charolotte and sometimes Savannah (because we told Rachael we almost named her that).  Rachael is fascinated with when she was born and asks a lot of questions about it.  And they love playing dress up.  This week during a dress up session Rachael wanted to try on my wedding dress so I let her.  These pictures might be fun on her wedding day!  

We just got Rachael registered for kindergarten next year!  Hard to believe she will be that old.  I'm nervous and excited for her to go.  She does pretty well in preschool this year, as long as you let her do things on her own time frame.  And she is getting better at staying focused at dance.  So I think she's ready.

In my newly acquired spare time I have been really enjoying smocking and sewing.  First I finished the red rose bishop's dress that was my inspiration in the very beginning to want to learn smocking.  I still love the dress.  Ellie is wearing it.  The other one I made when Rachael was this size.

And I love the red sweaters my friend Kathy made to go with the dresses.

The pink and brown smocked dresses Camille made for them fit now too.  Aren't they the best dressed girls in town?  And doesn't Ellie have curls to die for?  All natural!

Then  I made a bunch of baby gifts including a cute bonnet for baby Charlotte.

And now I'm working on the girls Easter dresses.  The dresses will be early 1900 Downton Abby inspired dresses I'm very excited about.  I love doing the embroidery and I'm learning a lot about heirloom sewing techniques so it's been a lot of fun.  I can't wait to get them finished and see them on the girls. Here is Ellie's dress in progress.

And here's the progress on Rachael's.  Camille smocked a skirt for this one so it should go together quickly once I finish the embroidery.

They all way more than a little girls needs.  But I really enjoy the work.