taking flight

flowers for the teachers...

Well, we survived the first full day of school, today! Actually, it was fabulous! My son was happy to see all of his old buddies and to start up a routine again. He's such a sweet Virgo and really appreciates an organized rhythm to the week. My daughter is in love with all of her teachers (me, too!) and can't wait for tomorrow to come so she can go again! What else could I want? She walked into her classroom and didn't even look back. This was a little bittersweet for me, but I feel very proud of her confidence. She didn't even want to wear her heart! Yes, folks... after all of that. So I wore it... all day! I think I must have needed it more. She did wear a new skirt and accessories... all made in the wee hours of the night before. I had planned to make an entire wardrobe for school. I had big, big plans and lots of gorgeous designs. Somehow, I forgot that sewing time is very limited in the summer. NOW, I might have more time to whip up some new frocks and such. I never know if she will wear something I make (her lovely heart necklace is a perfect example... although that was more about her wanting to let me know how brave she was) . So, I chose a special piece of fabric that my daughter had picked out from our local fabric store, Homespun. At midnight, the symbol of the butterflies taking flight really had me teary eyed at my sewing machine. Luckily it was the quickest skirt I've ever made. I folded a piece from one selvedge end to another and serged it. Quick hem. Elastic waistband. Done.

Here it is after a long day. Simple and comfortable. Our favorite style and very important if you're a country girl. I felt I had enough time to make some fast accessories, too. She had already planned her hair-do: two braids. I covered buttons with some of the same butterfly fabric. A large one became a necklace. The two smalls were perfect braid holders.

After working and playing all day, she gave them rave reviews... although the necklace "needs lots of beads" before she'll wear it to school, I was informed.
So, now I can breathe. And begin all of the projects that I put on hold over the summer.
Let's start right away. At some point tomorrow (Thursday), I will have the second in the barn kitchen diy series. I hadn't meant to take so long, but you all know how preoccupied I've been with these new beginnings. I also am working on photographing all of the things I did make over the summer, that have been carefully tucked away until I had time... to do a shop update! Yay! My plan is for Friday afternoon, with a little sneak peek right here in that morning. There will be a couple of old favorites, some familiar things like these, and this... and even some sweet little surprises. See you soon!