Do you know that I haven't had a night away from Lilly since she was born?
For over three years now I have been the ever-present mother and this weekend that is going to change.
My sweet man is going to make the three hour train trip to his grandmother's for an overnight - and I get to stay home! Alone. The truth is I am longing for some peace and quiet and not to have to pick up after anyone but myself for a day. I am probably going to miss them like crazy! I spent the morning picking up and then cleaning so I could enjoy not only peace and quiet but also clean and tidy. With the kids around doing their creative things many a mess are made underway and despite my best efforts the place is never clean nor tidy for very long at all.
Now, a huge thank you is in order!
One fine, hot day this delightful package arrived in the mail from Nathalie.
This is what was inside! Lilly isn't wanting to be a model these days so this is the best photo of her with the most beautiful red tutu that I could get. You will have to visit Nathalie's shop to see them, as they are cute as can be! Thank you Nathalie! She is really kind, I have already been so lucky to receive something else from her.
The red in the tutu brings me to the RED and GREEN fabrics that I have put to use on these Christmas babushkas now in my shop! I was debating whether or not to list these now but then I realized that many of my orders have been for more than one doll - often 3 or 4! Then it hit me that Christmas really isn't that far off and I knew that if people might want to order one of these already or in conjunction with another order.
For my Christmas babushkas I have used some festive cotton woven trim that I bought on my outing with Mom. These trims decorate the necks and serve as the ribbon loop that they hang from. The holly I made with felt and sewed on by hand. For the berries I made French knots using alpaca yarn as my crewel wool.
I think I will be making more of these as gifts for many of my friends and family who love to deck the halls for the holidays.
Hope you are having a great weekend. I am signing off now to make the most of my clean and quiet house and start sewing!
Enjoy the quiet time, your little girl is adorable, such a sweet face.
Posted by: Linda | August 16, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Oh, you lucky woman! After three years it is well deserved. Enjoy!! The girl in the close up is so beautiful. What is that dress fabric? It really draws attention - in a good way!
Posted by: Una | August 16, 2008 at 05:53 PM
thank you Linda!
Una, Yes, I do think I deserve a night off! Thanks for encouraging me! The fabric for most of the Christmas babushkas is quilting fabric given to me from my friend Anne Katrine. I have also used some vintage fabric and some Liberty of London!
~Emily xx
Posted by: Ravenhill | August 16, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Oh, I just know you will have a lovely time. There just isn't anything like having the whole house to yourself for a little while. Peace and quiet and serenity. No one to care for but yourself. Breathe deeply and mindfully. Store the moments away in your soul. Another day like this may not come around for another three years!
Posted by: cathleen | August 16, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Sounds like a well deserved break! I hope you can drink in every moment.
Posted by: Tina | August 16, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Those are beautiful Christmas dolls! Perfect! Hope you enjoy your day and night alone. -- Michele
Posted by: Michele C | August 16, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Those Christmas babushkas are adorable as is your own sweet little babushka. Enjoy your weekend of peace and quiet!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | August 16, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Enjoy! That would be amazing! Oh, let me dream of one of that for myself! All night watching tv series and eating junk food!
The glory!
Posted by: Celia | August 16, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Oh, Lily is so lovely. Such a sunny face.
Enjoy hours of peace and quite. Of course you will miss them, but you'll have a great time anyway.
Posted by: Anja | August 16, 2008 at 09:29 PM
I just love the trike, tutu and the new babushkas, you've been very busy. I think you're very wise to plan for Christmas now :D
Oh, don't worry, I also find it very hard to keep a tidy house, the children are like hurricanes behind me, lol. Enjoy your night to yourselfX
Posted by: mbutterfudge | August 16, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Enjoy every moment alone at home! In my opinion it's a nice feeling to be missing someone, when the time nor the distance isn't too long.I was this summer for the first time one night away from Iisa and it was good to see that she was just as happy just being with her dad and sis.
The quilt and matryoskas from your previous posts are simply adorable.
Posted by: Merruli | August 16, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Hope you have a relaxing night off.
Toby sometimes spends the night at his Granny and Grandad's house, but they only live a few houses away!
Fancy taking on a new challenge?
Come and join the camper van swap I'm running on my blog.
I would love to see what you would come up with.
xx
Posted by: jellybelly*jellybrain | August 16, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I know we should be prepared for Christmas but I am amazed you are selling Christmas things quite so early! You are very organised.I must get off this computer and get soem sewing done.
Posted by: Jackie | August 17, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Wow-three years!?! You deserve it! And I am so incredibly impressed that you're prepping for Christmas. How motivating!
Posted by: Rachel | August 17, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Enjoy your "me" time. Love the holiday dolls. It's never too early to start thinking about the holidays.
Cute kid pictures too.
Posted by: Lisa | August 17, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Enjoy time to yourself. It's important! That tutu is adorable. I want one in my size. That would actually look a bit scary on me while pregnant, but ah, it is beautiful.
Posted by: Marisa | August 17, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Enjoy your peaceful time sounds like you deserve it, and those dolls are so sweet!
Posted by: Kylie | August 17, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I hoped you enjoyed your evening for yourself. I love that!
Posted by: Mette | August 17, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy! Your Lilly has the most incredible eyes, she is just adorable! xx
Posted by: Jannelle | August 17, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Lilly has such pretty eyes!
I love the Christmas Babushkas!
Posted by: Tizzalicious | August 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Blessings on your time alone. I find time spent alone at home is one of my favorite Vacations! So little cleaning. Music of my choice (loud, if I want it!). Reading in bed in the morning. Getting to SO many projects with no interruptions!
Enjoy yourself!
XXOO
Iris
Posted by: irisdagmar | August 17, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Love those Christmas dolls and your little girl looks gorgeous. Hope you had some productive time off.
Posted by: Gina | August 17, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Did you know that "babushka" means grandmother in Russian? I think matryoshka is the word you need.
Posted by: Lelah Jones Olender | August 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
I'm glad that I'm not the only mum to not take time away from her children. I was starting to think that I was a bit of an oddity! My little one has just turned four and the only night I have spent away from her was when her brother had his tonsils out and I slept in a chair next to him in the hospital! She is a very lucky little one to have such a wonderful tutu! Jen
Posted by: jenny | August 18, 2008 at 04:19 AM
How nice a night to yourself sounds. I'm another one who hasn't had a night away from the kids. I think the only time my son has stayed the night somewhere without me was when I was in labour with his sister. Wow. 5 years. Hmm, where can I send them?
I hope you enjoyed yourself.
Posted by: Lil' d | August 18, 2008 at 05:32 AM
My sister and I were dreaming about a day all to ourselves with no kids as we were trying to package up Etsy purchases and be creative this morning with grumpy children making things difficult. Hope you enjoy your time alone and don't get too distracted by boring things like housework will you? :)
Posted by: Clare | August 18, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Such a beautiful eyes!
Zepequeña.
Posted by: Zepequeña | August 18, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I've found it's hard to leave the little ones for a night, but even stranger to be all alone in your own house, huh? Enjoy the quiet!
Posted by: Kari | August 19, 2008 at 04:51 AM
I agree with Kari....do enjoy your quiet time! No housework during that time, please!
Posted by: lucy | August 19, 2008 at 10:15 AM
enjoy your alone time, my twin girls are four and a half now and i've not had that luxury yet - but i'm not sure i'd know what to do with myself i think i'd miss them so much!
the picture of your little girl with her tutu is adorable! and i love you christmas dolls - i'm going to check your etsy shop now so maybe i can treat myself a bit nearer the time :)
ps. your blog is lovely and i will add you to my links list on mine :)
Posted by: stripey | August 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM
hooray for some time to yourself - I can't wait to hear all about it!!! I would love to have a night off. Last night astrid went to sleep at 8.30 and that was quite good - I got so much done :)
Posted by: charlotte | August 19, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Everytime I see you with new babushka's I think they are my favorites and then the next line comes out and THOSE are my favorites. Well this time I'm pretty sure THESE are my all time favorites.
Posted by: Nanette | August 19, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I love the Christmas Babushkas. They are so cute and lovely.
Posted by: sewbettie | August 19, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Oh, do enjoy your quiet time!
Your daughter seems SO happy with the tutu... hehe
And your blog is lovely, by the way.
Posted by: Silvia | August 19, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Have a wonderful rest! If you're like me you have a plan involving little bits which otherwise the children would get into, or their Christmas presents.
What a lovely present!
Posted by: Melanie | August 19, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Hope you enjoyed your evening. I am writing again to tell you that your blog is colorful, fresh and very delightful. I added you to my blogs that inspire serenity. Thank you for sharing your life.
Posted by: cathleen | August 19, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Such a beautiful blog! Very inspiring....My daughter is at the stage where she doesn't want her photo taken anymore
Posted by: CateHolst | August 20, 2008 at 12:51 AM
enjoy your break emily. i know how you need a break and how hard it is to be away from these little ones. you feel kind of lost. but it is always so refreshing. i hope lilly will enjoy wearing her tutu! my pretty doll arrived! we love her so much!!! thanks for such a pretty little girl. i love the colors. also thanks fot the extra goodies. you are soo sweet!!!!! i will photograph her soon and post about her. she fits in really well with the other girls.
Posted by: nathalie | August 20, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Ooohhh, a little alone time! Good for you!
Love your x-mas babushkas :)
Posted by: nanouke | August 21, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I'm just catching up on your blog tonight, so excuse me if I stalk a little...
They are beautiful photos of Lilly! Her eyes are amazing!
Posted by: Melanie | August 21, 2008 at 03:55 PM