the vintage fabric used for the bodice may just be my favorite part. 
aqua. red. berries. vintage. 
Dress by the talented Rebekah of Sunnybrook Farm Designs.
Photo Credit: nanaCompany
And most importantly with God by our side I pray we'll see many, many more years to come!
If like me, you have an unnatural obsession with oilcloth and buy it by the bolt, then get out your scissors and cut an 18" x 14" rectangle out of both your oilcloth and your chalkcloth. Oilcloth has such a fun vintage feel to it and it doesn't fray. I love that!
Step 3: Put painter's tape to good use
I think the "sewing with oilcloth" recommendations I read (check out Oilcloth Addict - FUN!)called for a roller foot for your sewing machine to help keep the oilcloth from puckering since it has a tendency to crawl and to not want to stay put BUT....I do not have said fancy foot so painter's tape it was. Cut out a tiny piece the same size as your regular all-purpose presser foot and tape it in place with the sticky side to the presser foot so that the smooth side of the tape will help your oilcloth "glide" happily along.
Because we only did each side (live & learn) this is what it looked like when we were done: 
Next, gently tug at the threads from the underside of the chalkcloth (the grid side) until your white threads come through and then tie each set of threads in a knot twice and cut off the excess. 
Step 5: Create your oilcloth / chalkcloth sandwich
That painter's tape sure comes in handy once again to hold your pieces together. 
And in case you're wondering...if say, you accidentally sew over the tape instead of removing it as you would normally do with straight pins holding fabric together, all is not lost. You can easily tear it off afterward by gently holding down the stitches with one finger and pulling downward and away from the stitched edge. Don't ask me how I know this *wink*.
you actually start to sew in the middle of one of your short sides to attach the ribbon at the same time as you sew the oilcloth and chalkcloth together, like this: 
Step 6: Attach the ribbon
Go to one of the short sides of your oilcloth rectangle and line up the center of the ribbon (crease) where you want it on the oilcloth. For mine, I attached the ribbon on the right side even though these pictures make it look like it's on the left. It doesn't really matter. The side you attach the ribbon to will just determine the direction you will roll your mat when closing it. 
If your ribbon has a design, then be sure to tape it in place like this: 
NOT like this picture below! If you have a solid color ribbon with interchangeable sides, then this step won't matter.
So with both the pretty side of the oilcloth and the pretty side of the ribbon staring at you, start sewing right where the ribbon is and then sew around all 4 sides of the oil-chalkcloth sandwich with about a 1/4" seam allowance. You're almost done!
And dab a bit on the ends of the ribbon to keep it from unraveling. 
Take a good look at your chalk mat and see if any sides need a bit of trimming. The wonderful thing about oilcloth and chalkcloth is that it won't fray. You can even out any sides that moved a bit during sewing to make your mat look really good from both sides.
Aren't they cute all lined up in a row? 
They make really cute gifts too! 
I'm making these for party favors for Hudson's birthday next month using the cute red polka dot oilcloth and turquoise ribbon to go with the Dr. Seuss theme. Fun Fun! 
Kids love these fun little mats! The little pumpkin sure enjoyed hers during our flight to Minnesota! 
So watcha waiting for?
Oilcloth Chalk Mat is featured at Tip Junkie and linked up to parties at these fun sites: Sew Much Ado, Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice-733, Creations by Kara, Blue Cricket Design, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Night Owl Crafting, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, and Fingerprints on the Fridge, and I heart Naptime.
Now, if only we could get these silly teeth to hurry up and pop through those swollen gums! 
We may or may not have celebrated with a teeny tiny piece of homemade chocolate cake. I'll let you be the judge. 
By the way...with this hairdo, Einstein has nothing on me!
But not for long...
Of course it was my night to give the chunky monkey a bath ;)
The littles and I usually have lunch with Noonie on Fridays and this past Friday was no exception. We headed out to our lunch spot and everyone was fine. By the time we got there, Hudson's cheeks were bright red and he was HOT.
I think every terminal should have them - great way for the kids to burn off some energy before boarding a plane :) 
Both kids slept a bunch on the flights which made them go by really fast. Before we knew it we were home! 
And so this marks the 18th year - I think - that we've been making this annual trip. It officially got its name, Mother-Daughter weekend, when I left for college but I think it first started around the time I was 15. We always have the best time and it's fun to see how our activities have changed since adding "Granddaughter" to the name and now "Grandkids".
I knew she was making her a dress but I had no idea what it was going to look like. When I first saw it I was speechless. 
Not only does it incorporate 3 of my favorite things:
2. That sweet three little pigs Japanese import fabric. I heart Japanese imports. 
3. Hand embroidery! 
It also has a special sweet something that truly makes it one of a kind. Wanna know what it is???
In spanish no less! Sneaky Sneaky! I think she had a little help from Noonie :)
I can tell you this is one dress that will stay in our family FOREVER!
Every time I see the little pumpkin wearing it I will think of my sweet grandpa, Mi Abuelito.
My mom took some great photos of the girls playing but she can't find her camera cord right now so I'll have to update once she finds it and I can transfer her photos.
And this little guy is such a sweetheart! 
As wild & crazy as they were outside, all the kids were so well behaved once inside - it was amazing! ...or maybe they had run all their energy off by then? ;) 
Hmmm...which pancakes do I want?
Oh, my! I have to tell you - the pumpkin pancakes were DIVINE! The Original Pancake House really puts IHOP to shame.
I don't know why but the little sock monkey-like doll reminds me of "the elf on the shelf" and so I think I'll call him my elf ;) I couldn't believe Angel found that vintage Strawberry Shortcake alarm clock for me - love the pink & red!!
But I think my favorite is this vintage addition box!!! It works too! You just turn the little wooden dowels on the side and voila! I know the little pumpkin and I are going to have fun with it! 
The only good picture I have from our shopping is this one of my mom in front of the "jackpot store" as we nicknamed it. Isn't she beautiful? And even more, she's beautiful inside and out. I love this picture of her! It makes me think of an author's picture in a book so now I think she needs to write something and get it published so she can use this picture! 
Later that day Angel had us over for dinner once again - yummy spaghetti in case you're wondering ;)...told you she was a great hostess! After dinner we had the most wonderful time in the backyard. Gorgeous sunset, amazing setting and beautiful, giggly little children. Ahhh - it was the perfect ending to a fun weekend.
Silly girlies 
Best buddies 
Wait for me, Sam! 
Pure Joy. 
Daddy's Girl. 
I'll always be here for you. 
Weeee! 
Yup! That's my little pumpkin! 
Gentle soul. 
On the go! 
Angel was kind enough to take some photos for us. These are some of my favorites!
Noonie and Grace 
My two little munchkins! 
Mother - Daughter - Grandkids Trip 2010 
Virginia-59, Jessica-32, Grace-3, Hudson-10 mo. - May, 2010.
And she may have felt a Mary & Martha moment, but what I felt when we were there was simply this: Love lives here.
Oh my, the dress! It needs a post all its own - you'll see why. Stay tuned - it's coming soon...
