Mother's Day With My Little Loves

Mother's Day is one of those holidays that seems entirely unnecessary and beautiful all at the same time.  HOPEFULLY someone is showing moms a lot of love every, single day, but it's still nice to have a day to be celebrated.  My sweet little Hope is passing on her handmade thoughtfulness to Poesy, and I was a ball of tears opening their gifts.  Look at this perfect portrait Poesy drew me:


Yep.  I'm dead.  She told me we're holding hands because we're best friends and the heart coming out of my head is all the love I have for her.  I am definitely NOT crying as I type this.  NOT. CRYING.


My people took me for brunch and shopping and sushi and it was pretty much the most wonderful day.  In typical Hope fashion, there were numerous handmade gifts and notes, and she even assembled a basket full of my favorite candies, flowers, lip gloss, and an aches & pains bath soak (hey, those dancing feet get sore).  I so badly want to share the note inside of this blue envelope, but it was so heartfelt and personal I think it needs to stay between the two of us.  These girls make me proud everyday and I'm so thankful to have a hand in raising them.

Mother's Day 2015 was nothing short of magical.  xo.

**Gif made with the PHHHOTO app.  You can find me there under "Skunkboy".

**My dress is vintage and my bag is from ModCloth.

Handmade Gifts

I really didn't make the time for a lot of handmade gifts this holiday season.  I gave out some solid perfume and custom scented soaps, and of course I HAD to make the time to stitch up a little piggie ornament for Elsie's birthday (it's a birthday tradition- I make her an ornament every year).  One giftie I was really proud of was this ornament I made for my dear friend, Chris.  I tried a different sort of technique and was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  I mean, not to pat myself on the back (pat, pat, pat), but IT LOOKS JUST LIKE HIM.  I used my sewing machine to "draw" the lines of his beard, hair, and eyebrows, which is something I hadn't tried much.  Anyway, making people is a lot of fun.  I may need to do a tutorial for it next year.

Well, we're gearing up for a big New Years Eve show tonight, so it's time to brush up on songs and get myself ready.  Happy last day of 2014!  I hope you have an amazing night!

Homemade/Handmade Thoughtfulness

We got Johnny an iPad mini for Christmas.  I'm usually not very excited about giving hi-tech gifts, but I knew this was something he would REALLY use, especially in the band (chords, lyrics, etc).  Hope's thing is handmade special gifts because, as you probably already know, Hope is ALL ABOUT holidays and the specialness of it all.  After some brainstorming we decided it would be totally possible for her to sew him a little case (with some help) for his new gift.

She's not super confident on the machine, so I set it to the slowest speed.  That way she couldn't accidentally stomp on the pedal and lose control.  We used fleece for the inside so it would be soft, and Hope picked the plaid fabric for the outside.

The part she had the hardest time with was sewing the button on, so we'll have to work on that.  ;)  She picked the letters for the back and I ironed them on.  She wrapped the gift up and had to wait until very last to give it to him... otherwise he would have figured out the iPad!

I know we are well past Christmas now, but I thought I'd share her little handmade sweetness anyway.  I love seeing him pull this "Daddy" case out whenever we're out-- it's over the top adorable.

Favorites

Just for fun... a little grouping of my most favorite gifts this year.  Black Hunter boots, pink faux fur collar, vintage dress and little vintage brooch, Datter hand necklace, and a little homemade pottery piece.  :)

Christmas With the Sheltons

We had such a wonderful Christmas!  We do every year, though, so it's no surprise to us.  Gift giving is a big deal in this house, and we all spend hours and hours picking the perfect gifts for each other.  Seeing the excitement and love on my sweet family members' faces just makes it for me.  Here's a peek at our Christmas (and baby Poe's very first Christmas):

Poesy was NOT ready to wake up.  Sister said it was time, though!  ;)

Favorite stocking prize?  Banana.  Hands down.

Santa loved the cookies so much he had to leave a note!

Hope made her daddy a very special present this year.  He was absolutely touched.

Mommy was sneaky and got a few EXTRA presents this year!  Socker Boppers for Johnny and Hope:

And matching vintage Izod sweaters because I just couldn't help myself:

For being such a good boy, Johnny got a special book of our family:

Katie got the vintage hat she was wishing for:

And Hope got:

A TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

Poesy got lots of fun things, but was only interested in Sister's new 

Lalaloopy baby.

After presents we had Christmas pancakes, and then Poe and mama both had a long nap.  That night we dressed in our Christmas pretties.  This is the only picture that exists as proof that we were ever dressed that day:

As you can see, Poesy had already shed her pretty dress.  ;)

Annnndddddd, even though you didn't ask, here are a few more tidbits from our day:

(Hope and I made all new stockings for our family this year.)

The only not-so-great thing that happened on Christmas was that my brother smashed into my car while backing up.  I know he felt horrible, but I hope he at least learned a lesson-- don't stomp on the gas pedal while you are backing up, little brother!

I hope your holiday was perfection (minus one or two things) as well!  ;)  

xoxo Katie

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for gift-giving!  I seriously LOVE giving gifts, but there are definitely certain people in my life that are harder to buy for.  Here are a few suggestions-- maybe there's something in here for one of the tricky people on your list!

Best friend:

This beauty.

Or a sweet bag...

For your sister:

This skirt.  (I actually have one of my own on the way. ;))

Maybe even with these shoes...

(Shelly's is getting ready to launch a new site which will make it even easier to shop!  AND they ship internationally.)

For your little sister or daughter:

Finger puppets.

Maybe even with a homemade theater!

For your mother:

These amazing pendants. (<--on my list every year)

Or maybe a surprise package! 

**I recently received one of these packages, and I have to say, all of the items were so lovely.  Plus, how fun is it to open a package totally full of surprises?!

I hope some of these were helpful to you!  If you're stuck on a dad, husband, or brother, I can't help ya.  If you have any suggestions on that front, I'm all ears!

Happy Friday!!  xoxo Katie