Dresses for the granddaughters and a beard trim!

I set up the card table, with patterns
and directions on the wall.
Dorah is very tired after all this.

I don't normally post sewing projects, there are so many experts out there, but fellow grandmothers have asked about my girls' dresses and my progress.

I bought two pieces of fabric, just because I thought they were cute designs.  A couple of metres each; I didn't have a plan. I showed them to Isabelle Coccinelle and Josephine Jelly Bean, and they liked them. (Coccinelle is French for Lady beetle and rhymes with Isabelle! It's what Josephine thought Isabelle should be named - it is her nickname!)

I bought two patterns that I liked, and combined the sleeves of the one pattern, since Fall is coming, with the High-Low fancy-dancy hem pattern from the other pattern.

Princess sparkly butterflies for Jos.
Bugs for Isabelle Coccinelle.
(Isabelle & Coccinelle rhyme! It's her nickname.)

Isabelle, who likes to 'do it myself', and her mother (M.Sc.!), likes to be independent, as does Jos. I put Izzy's zipper in the front. Dressing it up a bit, I added some flouncy trim, and pockets, as good scientists need pockets!

The first thing I did was to set up the guest room as a sewing room. That really helps! The cats have been supportive, as is hubby. Buster kept me company one day, Dorah on the first day, but they get bored. Daisy likes the material, too.

I've stuck to a schedule, my morning on the computer, workout, lunch, gardening and then a shower. Then, in the late afternoon, I sit at the sewing machine, a glass of wine, with the radio on, relaxing before I prepare dinner.

I took the bodices to Prince Edward County, putting each dress in a shoebox, where we were visiting the kids who were on holiday. They were happy to see my progress while I fitted them.
It was much fun revealing them.

Fitting of the bodice for Isabelle.
She liked the idea of the zipper in front.
It didn't actually call for a zipper!

Isabelle's insect dress

The iron was NOT on!

Jos' princess dress.
The blue trim is from
my late mother's sewing basket.

Sure helps to have
supervisors, Daisy.

My Dotty Daisy!

Buster Brown helps, too.

Next, with the elastic for Isabelle's dress done, I put on the bottom fancy frills – once I figured out how short or long to make it.

The sewn gathers for Jos' dress makes it lovely and full. I had to put in the zipper next. I did the one side twice, as I heard my Mom's voice in my ear. It wasn't good enough!

Finally, I had to tack the sleeve hems and trim the loose threads.

The consensus was a lacy trim,  and high-low hems. Back to Sew Crafty for more supplies!

The pattern didn't call for a zipper,
but I thought that just dumb!
I put one in front for easy self-dressing.
"Do it MYSELF!"

Jos wanted a high-low hem, too.
I followed the pattern from
Is' dress!

They look pretty good one them, and there is room for growth! At ages 4 and 6, they are growing like mad!

Outdoors, we were preparing for Papa, who was shaving his beard for the first time since before Josephine was born. He looks about 10 years younger! We are hoping he'll be carded!
A grand visit for all!

Happy Belated Birthday!

I am rather late posting this: Jean-Luc's birthday poem. Things have been rather busy of late!

Our Jean-Luc of him we’re proud
Your campaign drew quite a crowd.
On the Tube or in the paper
Exciting times, fabulous caper.

Lotsa fun over the years
Husband and father, we have no fears.
We know you’ll certainly make your mark
At the computer or in the park.
As our son-in-law there is no match
We think you
are such a catch!

2008 video:

JL lost his wedding ring in the lake. We searched for days using snorkel and goggles. He rented a pump, cleared off the debris from the bottom and found it there near the rock. This ring was a unique design created by his friend. What a relief that it was found!

Muskoka lake fun

The thrill of kids visiting is one of the total pleasures of cottaging. Water play on the deck.


The weather has been beautiful, despite the complaints many make!


Cloudy in the morning, we make forts inside, play with post-it notes, but the afternoons clear up and we all go swimming.

So much fun. There is lots to see: planes, birds, boats, trains. I heard a plane, grabbed Josephine and ran outside.

To our great joy, it was a helicopter and it swung in a circle over our heads. I thought I should grab the camera, but decided to just enjoy the moment with her. So often we spend time capturing a photo of video of an event, and lose the joy of the experience itself. As a teacher, I saw so many parents trying to capture their child's 'graduation' from kindergarten, and scramble over each other taking photos.

The lake is so wonderful. We play a game. At swimming lessons, they learned the CHOP, CHOP, CHOP....TIMBER! game.

One person says CHOP three times, then the swimmer pretends to be a tree falling. She loves the water so much! And such trust in us.

Swimming fun & games frolicking in the lake. It doesn't get any better than this! I shall watch these in January, when the lake is frozen and we are locked into winter.



And then there is frog hunting. Jeremiah took a might leap for amphibiankind, to the great delight of all, especially the Green Party candidate, Jean-Luc who enjoys making the green frog jump for joy! His wee girl had such fun.