DIY ~ A Vintage Quilted Ornament

Lately I have been seriously in love with the idea of having a completely retro Christmas.

I am talking, ornaments that belong in the 50's, garlands that are delicate and reminiscent of that time and classic red green and white color schemes done with a modern twist. Of course this led me to a new project. I wanted to see if I could create a vintage style quilted ornament. You may have seen one of these floating around at your parents house or maybe even your grandparents. I will let you in on a little secret... they are easy to make and easy to customize!

The Necessities:

~ 3" Styrofoam Ball

~ 2.5" Squares of Fabric 

          - 2 for under neath your center stars

          - 8 in your center star color

          - 16 in a color for the second star (I actually used 2 colors for my second star)

          - 16 in your final color

~ Small dressmaker pins

~ A long scrap of fabric for a center band

The Process:

~ Cut all of your fabric into 2.5" squares as listed above

~ Using the color of your center star, fold one of the squares in half and then half again

~ Press the seams with your fingers to that you will be able to see the fold marks once you open the square again

~ Place one of the needles in the center of the square using your fold marks as a guideline

~ Fold the square back in half

~ Place one of the end squares on the styrofoam ball and find the approximate center

~ Pin the piece of folded fabric in place

~ Fold one corner down and pin into place

~ Repeat with the other corner

~ Create four pinned down triangles to make your first star

~ Be careful to line up all of your points

~ To start then next row, measure approximately 3/4" down the center of one or your original triangles

~ Pin your next colored triangle into place

~ Repeat for the other triangles

~ The rest is fairly easy to figure out

~ Your next set of triangles will overlap the others within that row and your final row of triangles will start another 3/4" down

~ Repeat all of the above steps for the other side of the ornament

~ Next you must create the piece of fabric that will cover up the exposed raw edges in the center of the ornament

~ Cut a piece of fabric 1.5" wide and long enough to go around the circumference of the ornament and still leave you with about 2" of extra length

~ Press the edges into the middle to hide the raw edges

~ Pin one end into place covering the exposed edges and pins

~ Continue wrapping around the ornament

~ Fold the raw edge under and pin into place

~ To make a loop for hanging the ornament, simply create a loop with some pretty ribbon and hot glue into place

Here is the final product. What do you think? Doesn't it bring forth some of those incredible childhood Christmas memories you have?

Mrs. E

Little Pink Cheeks

Remember when you were a kid and playing in the snow was the most fun you had ever had... I do.

The weather has been so beautiful here lately. We have had a bit of snow and a lot of warmth so it has been perfect playing outside weather. Once we managed to get Sydney a new winter coat (we had been putting it off for a really long time) it was straight outside for her. She made snow angels, flew down the slide and ate a small mountain of snow. 

When she was  all done playing in the cold stuff, we warmed up her pink cheeks with some hot chocolate and a blanket. Winter is so much fun.

Mrs. E

Henry's Day at the Hospital

Disclaimer: I wrote this while exhausted last night so it may not all make sense.... and all of the pictures are from my cell phone. 

Today was exhausting and very emotional. 

Our little man went in for his hernia repair surgery. David and I really had to lean on each other for support. Although this type of surgery is super common it was still hard to see Henry go through so much. We arrived early and checked in. After a short wait we were taken back where Henry was changed and prepped for surgery. Another short wait and we were ushered into the OR waiting room. We were seen by the anesthetist and then we waited again. He was so patient and cuddled in David's arms the entire time. 

When the OR nurse came in to get him, it was really hard not to get emotional. He gave me an extra long snuggle and then I passed him over. When they rounded the corner I could hear him getting upset. It was everything I could do to not lose it right there. David was so great with me and helped keep me in check. We had been given a pager so we went to have some lunch and wait for the surgery to be done. 

After an hour or so of waiting we were called back to the room. Henry was really upset and they were just finishing his vitals. They carefully picked him up (he had so many tubes and wires attached to him) and I fed him. He slept in my arms forever before moving to David's. It was so hard seeing him like that but we knew it was for the better. 

Once we were cleared to leave we put Henry in his pajamas (which he hated) and we were on our way. He has been super exhausted and is still hurting quite a bit, but he's home and safe. I am looking forward to having the old Henry back and starting some sleep training. I am happy this is all behind us. 

Tiny heart rate cuffs.

Flashing some bum.

Waiting to go in.

First post surgery meal.

Lots of cuddles.

Tiny IV

Mrs. E

My Two Littles

Oh these two. 

Lately being with the kids all the time has been hard. I love them to no end but having to coddle Henry has been exhausting. As the result of the hernia, I can't let him cry it out at all. He is spoiled and is demanding most of my time. This is taking away from my time with Sydney. She is so smart and busy and creative, but all she wants is to play with me. I am feeling a little bit stretched thin and extremely exhausted by the whole thing. 

But the last month has been so much more than just dealing with cranky kids. We have had some incredible moments that remind me how much I love these two littles. All of the end of day hugs and kisses make it all worth it. Hearing Sydney squeal with glee when she finishes something she is proud of makes it worth it. Watching Henry learn something new makes it worth it. I would do anything for my family and even though I don't always feel like they know how much work I put into making our family work, I know that they appreciate everything I do. 

Being a mom is the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever had and I would not change it for the world. 

Mrs. E

Savoring the First Snow

I love the first snow fall of the year.

We watch from our big bay window as the snow slowly falls on the street in front of our house. It is peaceful and quiet. There is something truly romantic about the first snowfall. As soon as there was enough snow on the ground to enjoy, I shoved Sydney out the door. I showed here how to catch snowflakes on her tongue and make footprints. Watching her enjoy such a simple moment made my heart swell. It was sweet and blissful and everything that I want for her childhood. 

Mrs. E