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Owen: Puddles in Grammy and Poppy's driveway

Olivia: Lost in a book

Owen: Summer days naps

Olivia: First day of school for the year

Owen: Bedtime stories are one becoming such a precious time with you

Olivia: Your love for maps and geography is amazing

2015 Sewing Review

When I started this blog more than two years ago, I wanted to learn to sew. I had already taught myself crochet, but for some reason sewing seemed more daunting. I owned an old sewing machine bought from an auction, but for more than a year it served as little more than a decoration in our dining room.

I eventually asked a friend to show me how to operate the machine and give me a few sewing tips, and after a two hour lesson we had made a simple dress/top for Olivia - which is still one of my favorites! Yet it wasn't until after Owen's birth in 2014 that I touched a sewing machine again. 

Through YouTube videos and blog tutorials, I taught myself to sew cloth nappies for my baby boy, and I was hooked from then on! I fell in love with sewing as I continued mostly with nappies, even as I wanted to widen my skills and start sewing clothes for my kids. Through Pinterest and various blogs, I was inspired to do so, and in 2015 I endeavored to sew most of my children's wardrobe. I didn't quite succeed at my goal to not buy any clothes for them, but I did sew a lot. I made 35 items, most for Olivia and some for Owen, along with a few for friends and even a perfectly imperfect dress for myself! 

Here are some of the items I made in 2015, each of which taught me a something new about sewing.

There are so many things I love about the art of sewing. It's no secret to my friends and family that I adore beautiful children's clothing, and sewing enables me to dream up and create unique and beautiful garments for my own (and hopefully more for myself this year!). I also love the blogging community, friends from around the world that I have met through this common passion. It's amazing how such shared interests can create a beautiful and generous community of people. I am thankful for all the lessons and inspiration I get through them. In addition I love the challenge of tackling difficult sewing projects and seeing the results of my hard work. And finally there's the precious feeling of making gifts for friends, thinking of them as I sit at my machine and create. 

I worked hard and learned a lot this past year, and now I am looking forward to a new year of sewing filled with new ideas, new challenges and new discoveries, all of which I will delight in sharing with you!

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"A photo of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016"

Owen: Cherishing your sweet baby face. Before long, you will be a big boy.

Olivia: You are full of life! So tender and gentle, yet so fierce and passionate.