Party: Decorations

Here's something I made to decorate for the party. I was going to make it out of fabric, but 1) I was running low on fabric scraps; and 2) scrapbook paper was half price at Hobby Lobby this week. So scrapbook paper it was. I cut the triangles out with a straight edge and a utility knife, then stitched them on to some old seam binding and bias tape I knew I would never use otherwise. I was very pleased with how it turned out, and it was very quick to make. I spent $2.50 total on it, and I have about 10 yards of this stuff!

The other decorations will be helium balloons, gingham fabric tablecloths, and maybe some wildflowers in Mason jars.

This is a label from a package of bias tape I used. I just love looking at these things. Especially where they always say something like "Does Your Child Sew?" This one says to send three labels and a dime to cover postage, and they will send "a generous package of clippings" suitable for trimming doll clothes and small projects. The newer packages still have a similar offer, but obviously the postage is a lot more, and they no longer ask if your child sews. How sad.

Party: clothes

Here are Lizi and Lydia's outfits for the party. Lizi is being a good sport about matching her little sister - I told her she could have a "mini me." This is the first time and probably the last time ever I will be able to shop for them in the same department. Yes, I cheated and didn't make the whole thing - I found the Tshirts and shorts at Target. I did make the cupcakes on the Tshirts, though, by Julie's free pattern from the Little Cotton Rabbits blog.

Party: Goody bags

As promised, here are some more party things we've been working on.

These are our fabric goody bags. They will be tied with a ribbon at the top. My hope is that these will be reused in ways only children can find to use them. The babies get the Mother Goose print, and the older kids get the variety of fabrics. I got the idea from the Martha Stewart website.

These are our tic-tac-toe sets to go in the goody bags. They are little drawstring bags with the grid drawn on the front, and the pieces are those flat marble things in two different colors.

This litter of kittens will go in the baby goody bags, with a few extra for moms who don't want their kids to have the marbles.

Also in the bags will be a box of Cracker Jacks and a Yummy Earth lollipop.

Brenda McGarity

There are good pastor's wives. The ones who teach classes, play piano, cook and clean and do whatever needs to be done. The ones who stand by their husbands through hurtful things done by people who desperately need God. The ones who work and sacrifice for both the thankful and thankless. And then there are the ones who sunbathe in a bikini on the front lawn of the parsonage, but that's another post.

My friend Bren was the best of the best. Through years of chronic illness and pain, she taught children's church and VBS. She and her husband were a great team and worked six days a week, every week. They stood together through thick and thin, church remodeling, false accusations, and just life in general.

But Bren went on home this morning, after a short but terminal bout of cancer. And I know she was welcomed with rewards and "atta girls" that I can't even fathom.

See you later, Bren. I hope you'll get some rest now.

Garden update

We will return to our regularly scheduled party programming after this quick garden update.
Looks like I need to buy more canning jars.

It seems that the seeds I threw out there just as experiments have been the most fun. This is ornamental corn, and it's so petite and colorful compared to the yellow corn.

The one sunflower that did well.

How about this guy? I don't think I've ever weeded a mushroom before.

Buried treasure

Busy buzzy garden helpers! Given the plight of honey bees, I was so happy to see these guys! They showed up when the corn put out tassels, and it seems there are more every day.