Sunday Six Birthday and Sewing Smiles

My sweet granddaughter, Emma turned 9 last Monday.

( 2 days after Claire turned 8

and 9 days after E.J. turned 10.)

We have had much to smile about with these dear grandchildren growing up

healthy and strong , learning right from wrong and making good choices.

Emma is a precious girl.

She loves her little brothers (which you can tell from this picture of her with Evan)

and her little sister, Grace.

She is a great example for them.
We love you dear Emma.
I could not be with you on your birthday
but I was smiling as we talked on the phone.
I smile when ever I think of Emma.

You might remember that several of our family gathered together
last year when Emma turned 8 and was baptised.
Emma was my 2nd granddaughter to be baptised and confirmed.
I was happy that I could make her a lovely confirmation dress....

...just as I had done for Lonica two years ago when she turned 8.

I made each of their dresses way in advance.
I had time to enter both of them in local fairs and sewing competitions.
Both won blue ribbons and one got the Best of Show award

which made me smile.
I had time to look at them....and refine them...and enjoy them before I gave them away.
BUT...
the third time was not the charm!
Somehow Claire's 8th birthday slipped up on me.
????
How did that happen????
Maybe it was because I got so sick in Sept. when I had kidney stones...
...or...
Maybe it was because I spent the first 2 weeks of Oct. in Utah for Cal's adoption...
...or...
Maybe I am just getting old...???
...but for what ever the reason I suddenly realized last week that
Claire's 8th birthday was here and she would soon be baptised
and
I hadn't even started on her confirmation dress!!!
I had to make one....after all... I had started a tradition with Loni and Emma.
I couldn't let my Claire Bear down.
So I got busy.

Monday, I was smiling when I finally got it all cut out.
(That is the only part of sewing that I don't like...I always dread the cutting out step. )

I was smiling Wednesday when I got most of it sewn together...including the ruffly petticoat you see in this picture.
(I left town Tues. and went to visit with my friends, Sil and Betsy

but I took the dress with me and got some hand work done while I visited with them. )

I got back Wed. from visiting my friends, which also made me smile...(Sorry I didn't get any pictures...What am I like???)

After returning home, I sewed the bodice and skirts together.

Then I settled down to sewing on sequins and pearls.
I even put pearls on the sleeves this time. If you look closely you can see them.

Do you like them there?

After sewing on over 2000 pearls on Mindy's wedding dress years ago

I said I would never sew on another pearl... but I was wrong.

However, after I finish making Grace's confirmation dress next year when she turns 8,

maybe I will never need to sew on another pearl.

That will make me smile.

Meanwhile I was smiling as I worked on Claire's dress.
I thought it was turning out nicely.

I burnt the midnight oil finishing it up but I was smiling.

This time I added something else new.

I put lace and pearls down by the hem in front. I liked the new touch.
That made me smile.

Seeing Claire's smile when I gave it to her

made me smile most of all.

I am so thankful for my precious granddaughters.

I am thankful that each of them have been raised to love the Lord.

I am glad that they want to be baptised

and confirmed a member of His church.

I can't wait until our family comes together in a couple of weeks
for Claire's baptism and confirmation.

You can bet that I will really be smiling at that special occasion.
I am thankful that I have been given the skill and ability
needed to make my grandgirls special dresses for their confirmations.

That also makes me smile.
...
I send hugs and best wishes to each of you.

I hope you have a week full of smiles.