Each year our Young Women (ages 12-18) in our church put on a spaghetti dinner and a dessert auction and a bake sale to raise money for camp. Each girl makes one dessert to auction off and each of us leaders help by making desserts and items for the bake sale. Our family has undergone a makeover of sorts, and so I was happy to pull out my kitchen aid mixer and make some of my favorite recipes. I made 80+ chocolate chip cookies (I didn't even eat one!) and one 2-layer chocolate cake. I also made a mini 3-inch, 2-layer cake for my girls and promised them a tea party. It's the little things that often make us the happiest. After supper one day, we all sat around the table and shared our tiny cake. The girls drank milk from their tea cups, Holly poured. And life was jolly.

A while ago, a Calgary friend gave me a whole whack of beautiful hand-me-downs for my girls. I recently pulled out all the "new" spring dresses in Holly's size and pressed them and Holly has had a wonderful time wearing them all. She had been dying to wear this purple dress, especially since I told her it was just for Sundays (it's linen and I don't want it to get trashed with everyday play). When Sunday finally rolled around, Holly was so pleased and couldn't wait to get it on! We had a bit of a stand-off about the braid in her hair, but it turns out I'm more stubborn than she is! Holly has a lot of feelings about clothing and hair and I think we're making some break throughs. Oh happy day!

I've been meaning to make a birthday banner for who knows how long! Finally, I made one in time for Greta's birthday. I love the idea of having something special that comes out for birthday times, which also means I have to put it away inbetween! I plan on making some other holiday banners. I feel like banners are less intrusive than other holiday decor and much more eye-pleasing. 

For this, I sewed the bunting, cut the letters out of felt and used fabric glue to glue them on. Then I used a thing strip of biased tape to connect them all. I really like how it all turned out! It made me happy to have this hanging for Greta's big day and I'm looking forward to pulling it out for my birthday later this month.

Another couple items that were crossed off my sewing list in February were some lightweight spring coats for the girls. I used the Uptown Girl coat pattern which I've had for many years and have finally made! I think if I were to make it again, I might use a solid fabric, or something simpler (like polka dots). When I look at these photos of the girls in their patterned coats and patterned skirts, it's a big of overload! But, I do especially like the fabric I used for Greta's coat. I kind of wish I had used it for Holly's coat because I'm not 100% on the pink flower medallion fabric. I didn't want to be spending a fortune on the materials for the coat so I had to compromise. And it turned out just fine. Holly likes it and is willing to wear it!

February was a surprisingly productive one, considering how sick the entire family has been, and we were in Canada in the beginning of the month. I took advantage of our stay-at-home days and I went through all the girls' clothing, donated/consigned what we didn't want to keep anymore and took inventory of what the girls need for spring/summer. Then I decided what I could (and am willing) to make, and what we need to purchase. Holly loves dresses and skirts and almost never wears pants (shorts she will wear). I made her a couple new skirts, and put a longer elastic into one skirt I had made her at least a year ago - it was always on the snug side. The skirts were quick and easy to make and I lined them. I used a tutorial, which I can't find. It was so easy, I had to look at it only once and I didn't keep a reference to it. Skirts are always so simple and quick. Holly loves the results, especially the matryoshka doll skirt - she chose the fabric back in December. The fact that she was willing to model them for me to take photos is huge. I don't even care that her shirt doesn't match!