Curtain Progress and Christmas Break!

First of all, a big thank you to those of you who gave me tips and links to help with my curtains!  I have one set done and we like them a lot!  Very hard to take pictures of though with the light coming in right there but you can get an idea of how they look.

I put the rod a bit too far outside the doors for the width of the curtain but this way when they're open we can still go out onto the deck easily (not now though as you can see!!)  I don't think the orange is a great fit but we bought the fabric because we liked it.  The wall colour is much cheaper to change.

The two older kids are home for Christmas break...yesterday was there last day of school!  I love holidays and we plan to do lots of fun things like painting:

And hopefully some sledding, skating, baking, playing games, other crafts...  You get the idea :)

I wish you all a blessed Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Rain

Here in the Fraser Valley it's been raining. Alot. Other parts of Canada and the USA are being dumped on with snow but we are still in the rain.

My life has felt a bit rainy lately too. Two weeks ago on this blog I announced that our family was expecting a new life. Last week, at just over 15 weeks pregnancy we found out that our baby no longer had a heartbeat. So, our baby is in heaven with his/her Lord and Maker. We had a difficult week, but we are not without hope or comfort. We know where our baby is and we have the blessing of 5 other children to raise. I get hugs and kisses whenever I need them too and that so helps. Even the big open-mouthed ones from Zachary. :-)

During the last few months and especially this past week I've grown to realize (more) that I am not my own but belong to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I may have plans for my life and think I can control things, but really, I can't.

I am looking forward to having my kids around for Christmas Holidays. Sleeping in, not rushing to get them to bed on time, but savouring the time with them. No homework, no songs to learn and no tests to study for. Maybe some crafting, game playing, baking, visiting, turkey eating and hopefully some snow to play in somewhere in there.

Here's a few photos for those who know me in 'real' life and want to see my children. I noticed that I don't take near enough photos of Benjamin. I will have to remedy that.

Watching Daddy make breakfast.

On Remembrance Day we went to the ranch and the girls got to 'ride' a horse for the first time. They loved it!

I also got to 'ride' the horse and Melissa documented this with about 50 photos! Not one of them looks very good (and many of them don't have either me or the horse on the photo!)

Curtain Making Help...please!!

I'm hoping to glean from anyone who's made their own curtains before.  I'm scared to start!  I have the fabric, lining, header tape, grommets but would love some tips.  Especially about doing the lining.  I'm planning to make flat curtains with grommets so they can be easily opened and closed for privacy and warmth.

This is the fabric I'm using.  The brown is for the bottom 16" or so.

Here are some questions:

Do I hem the top(4") and bottom(6") first and then the sides(1") or the sides first?

How do I attach the lining?  Slip it under the header so the grommets go through it as well and hem the sides in with the curtain leaving the bottom hem separate?

The main fabrics aren't machine washable (I sure hope I don't regret that later!) but the lining is cotton.  Should I prewash that part?

Do I need to serge the edges of the floral/brown seam?

Any more tips before I start?  A good tutorial or website?

Thanks so much!!

Nightgowns for the girls!

It's been a while since I posted anything but I have been sewing a bit - it's just been a bit secretive.  I made all three of our girls nightgowns for Sinterklaas!   

Check out wikipedia if you're curious who Sinterklaas is :)  It's basically the tradition where Santa Claus comes from except that St. Nicholas Day is on Dec. 5th or 6th. 

I bought the fabric for these last year already but didn't get around to making them then.  I used the Miss Madeline pattern for Anneke and Tessa and the Sweet Little Dress pattern for Sophie.  I made them all into long sleeves and lengthed the skirts and left off the waistband for the older two.  If I can scrounge up enough of the left over pieces I'd like to make Sophie some pants to go with hers.

Silly picture but it's the best I could do.  Sophie wanted nothing to do with it but loves to be on the window sill :).

Six, or Why I've Been M.I.A.

By now some of our readers may be wondering what happened to the other sister that used to post on this blog. By the title of the post you can probably guess. Our family is expanding once again! We are, the Lord willing, having another little baby at the end of May 2011. And that will make Gord and I the parents of six (yes, 6!) children.

I thought it would be fun to post a few links of other creative moms that also have six children. If only to assure myself that I will still have some time to sew.

Many of you will know the name Anna Maria Horner. Artist, fabric designer and mother of six. Visit her blog if you want serious inspiration.

I recently discovered Canela, a wife and mom of six and jewelry artist. Her jewelry is beautiful!

I've been following Kerri's blog for quite some time. She has a unique sense of style and colour. She too has six children and even finds time to operate an online fabric store.

I love Bonnie's blog Fishsticks and Fries! She too is a mom of six. She's written quite a few patterns and sews with knits. Her blog has valuable information for those wanting to improve their sewing skills.

This is all I know of for now.

Do you have a large family? Let me know. Do you know of any crafty mamas of six (or five or seven, whatever?) Let me know. Just for fun!