Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Dear Readers!

We are still tucked away in a cozy cabin. Snow softly falling. It is absolutely picturesque. The photo above is the perfect little shed seen from the back window. I haven't encountered a moose yet, but have a feeling that today's the day.

How will you be celebrating tonight? Will you let the kids stay up? Will there be kissing at midnight? Do you remember the crazy Y2K fears of a decade ago? Will you bang pots and pans on the front porch to ring in the New Year? (My parents would let us do this, and I loved it!)

Whatever your plans are, I hope you have a wonderful time. Thank you for making my 2009 gorgeous. Gorgeous!

Yellowstone National Park

We're on a roadtrip to Yellowstone to do some snowmobiling. I love visiting Yellowstone. And making middle of the night visits to Old Faithful. (Did you know Ben Blair and I honeymooned there when we were university students? Can you believe how long we've been married? Isn't Ben Blair just the best?) This will be my first visit in the snowy snow and I'm really looking forward to it.

How about you? How was your Christmas? Doing anything fun during this "in-between" week? Do you have a favorite National Park? How about that vintage photo of the Yellowstone Hotel lounge? Do you share my crush on the green sofas?

Merry Christmas!

Unto you a child is born!

I hope you're all enjoying a day full of family and friends and cookies and presents and twinkle lights and good music. Because it's Christmastime!

P.S. — Remember our Christmas card photos from a couple of years ago. They still make me happy.

IVF-ish Story from Ashley Morrissey

My son Max's birth was almost four years in the making, three years to conceive him and then another nine months until his timer went off. Those three years were long, grueling, and exhausting. After twelve months of trying to get pregnant, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and told that I would not be able to conceive children without the help of a fertility specialist. I was devastated. My husband, Brandon, was my rock during this time. He comforted me after our many miscarriages and had faith that we would have a child of our own.

After our fourth miscarriage, we were out of town visiting family and I was put on birth control pills and told that we needed to "take a break" for three months. I did my best to enjoy myself, but the thoughts of babies that we didn't have were never far from my mind. When we returned home, I had to do a routine blood test and received a frantic message from my fertility doctor's nurse. I was pregnant again. I was not surprised. I had dreamed several nights in a row of receiving that message on my voice mail. I knew that this baby would be healthy and that I would carry him full term.

My pregnancy was perfect. I had the usual complaints, but loved every second of it. I didn't, however, appreciate being overdue. As my due date approached, I became more and more anxious that my body wouldn't do everything it was supposed to do and that I would not go into labor on my own. I was already so used to having to use medicine to make my body work properly that I had absolutely no faith in my self. When I was one week late, I did everything I could to convince my midwife to just induce me. She said that they couldn't for another week because they had been slammed with births and literally had no room for me.

There were many a tears shed that night and the next day.



On April 4th, the first nice day of the year, I went into labor nine days late. I couldn't believe it. With every contraction, I was so relieved that this baby was coming and that I went into labor all on my own. Brandon and I started crying when my midwife said it was time to push. After everything we had been through, we were about to meet our son. He held my leg as I pushed for about forty minutes. When he came out, they saw meconium in my amniotic fluid and rushed him over to a table to suction his mouth and nose out. I had wanted them to place him on my chest, but his health and safety took center stage.

We hugged and kissed and cried as we heard our little boy cry for the first time. Brandon went over to cut the cord as the midwife took care of everything on my business end. The look on my husbands face as Max was placed in his arms is something that I recall every day. It is one of my happiest memories. I have never seen that much love and joy on another persons face.



When it was finally my turn to hold him, I couldn't hold back my emotions. At that moment, I was grateful for the trials we had to go through to get our son. I wouldn't be the same person or mother with out them. I know that he came into our lives exactly when he was supposed to.

From Ashley Morrissey

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Note from Design Mom: for the duration of my pregnancy, I'll be posting advice, memories and stories about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption and growing a family on Wednesdays. You can find them all by clicking here. I'd love to hear your story or memory or advice, feel free to submit it to gabrielle@designmom.com.

A Letter to My Son from Lucinda Snyder

I wrote this to my son Cooper on what would of been his first birthday, 11.27.2009. He was born with a congenital heart defect that required open heart surgery when he was 3 weeks old. He made it through surgery, but died the following morning. You can read more about Cooper, his journey and our story at my blog. I am happy to say that Cooper will have a little brother in February. A boy whose heart is perfectly normal.


My Dear Sweet Precious Cooper,

A year ago today you entered the world, stole our hearts and forever changed our lives. Oh, how i wish we were celebrating your first birthday and making new memories, instead of holding on to the memories of your short time with us.

The night before you were born, your dad and I were about to fall asleep and we told you that it would be perfectly fine with us if you wanted arrive early. I had this gut feeling that you would be born on Thanksgiving day and it would get us out of Thanksgiving dinner. You must have heard us talking and decided to indulge our wish, or maybe you somehow knew you would only be here a short while. Whatever the reason, your early arrival gave us a full 3 weeks with you and for that I am grateful.

I slept fairly well that night and woke up at 5:30 because I was uncomfortable and had to go to the bathroom. It was then that my water broke and I just smiled to myself. I woke up your dad to tell him I thought it was time and went downstairs to call the doctor. He said to make our way to the hospital. I wasn't having contractions and wasn't in any pain, so I knew we had some time. your dad made coffee and I headed upstairs to pack our bag. We had been talking about how we should pack the hospital bag, but just never got around to it. I grabbed a diet coke on the way out the door and we arrived at the hospital around 6:30.

And then we waited, and waited and waited. Since it was thanksgiving, the nurses worked shorter shifts, so we had three different ones by the time you were born. We watched a lot of football games and waited. Finally at 10 pm, after 16 hours of waiting your heart rate started to elevate and the doctor decided that it was best if he delivered you via c-section.

You were born at 10:51 pm on Thursday, November 27th, 2008. when the nurses showed you to me, I immediately noticed your blond hair and that your hairline was the same as mine, a family trait without a doubt. You reached out and touched my face, as if you knew what lie ahead and were telling me it would be ok. The nurses then took you, cleaned you up and you met your dad. I love how you held on to his finger for strength and courage. After they finished sewing me up they let me hold you while they wheeled us to recovery. I remember thinking, "I cant believe they are letting me hold my baby, I am so drugged, aren't they afraid I will drop him?"

Once we got to the recovery room, the nurse was about to hand you to me when she noticed that you looked a little blue. So they took you away and started doing tests. It seemed like an eternity before they told us that you needed to go to the NICU at strong and that you would be transported by ambulance. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out, I just met you and they were taking you away. Little did I know how my heart would shatter in the coming weeks.

All I wanted to do was get out of the hospital and get to you. When we finally were able to see you, love you and hold you, I knew that my heart was no longer mine, it belonged to you and I would do whatever necessary to keep you safe.

Cooper, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss you, that my heart doesn't ache to hold you, or wonder what you would be like on your first birthday. But I know this: by having you, knowing you and loving you, I am a better person and will be a better mother to your little brother. You changed me and for that I am grateful.

Happy Birthday Cooper Austin!

loving and missing you always. Mom

From Lucinda Snyder of Luc Ends.

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Note from Design Mom: for the duration of my pregnancy, I'll be posting advice, memories and stories about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption and growing a family on Wednesdays. You can find them all by clicking here. I'd love to hear your story or memory or advice, feel free to submit it to gabrielle@designmom.com.

Christmas Circa 1974

Monday night, we joined friends for a family night of caroling and visiting a couple of uber-lit houses in the area — our friends call them the Crazy Light houses. The houses are both very modest, but their holiday light displays are out-of-control-fantastic. (Doesn't every town in America have a couple of Crazy Light houses?)

Santa came by for a visit and dropped off slinkys and cans of silly string. Four-year-old Oscar has no Santa fear and likes to have long conversations with him. Three-year-old Betty is simultaneously fascinated and terrified of Santa.

This photo is 4 of the Stanley siblings — Rachel, Sara, Josh & me. I'm the baby. Oscar saw the picture and said I look "very much like a boy."

How great is this idea (that I heard about at our ultrasound on Friday)?

Every year, Kim (the ultrasound technician) and her husband and two kids, spend a night camping out under their Christmas tree. She said it typically happens early-to-mid December — the night the tree goes up. Extra fun: while the kids take their nightly bath, Santa leaves new holiday pj's on their bed with a short note (Sleep tight! love, Santa)

I am so in love with this tradition. It's the exact sort of thing that makes Christmas magical. You just know if you managed this even a few years in a row it would be THE thing your kids remember about the holidays — how the whole family slept under the twinkly Christmas lights and Santa came early to leave some cozy pajamas. So great! I'm saving this idea for next year.

What about you Dear Readers? Any favorite traditions that your kids especially adore?

image from SMN's flickr stream

Potato Print Clothing

Olive made potato print clothes for her siblings this year. We bought supplies on Friday and Saturday (clothing items and fabric paint) and on Sunday afternoon we carved our potatoes and got to printing.





We put pink and gold hearts on a little corduroy dress for Betty (these pics are before the gold hearts were added). They curve around the side of the dress.



We put red and silver smiley faces on a navy tee for Oscar.




We put brown and black skulls on the back of a grey t-shirt for Ralph.





We knew Maude really wanted a hoodie, and we found a lovely cable-knit, pullover, hooded sweater in grey that we thought she would love. But. We knew we wouldn't be able to print directly on it very well. So we printed on a washed piece of canvas instead (bird, stars and dots), then used big stitches to attach the canvas to the grey sweater. I think it's my favorite.

As long as we were printing, Olive wanted something for herself as well. So we put pink and purple hearts on a turquoise sweatshirt just for her. (For those who are curious, we bought all 5 items of clothing at Old Navy on Friday night and the total cost was about $30.)

Want more ideas? Here are some links to other sibling gifts we've made:
- Decoupaged nightlight
- Embellished gloves
- Jumpropes
- Ribbon flowers (as belts, clips and hairpins)
- Glitter Initials
- Decoupaged Sketchbook
- Tutu, decoupaged bucket for matchbox cars, after-school bags, tiedye tees
- Flower headbands
- Wool mittens from recycled sweaters, embellished dragon mittens, sculpey bracelets, bibs, snowglobes and romper stompers made from cans - Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
- Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
- Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover

Embellished Gloves

This was Betty's first year making gifts and I really wasn't sure what she should make. But we were in the checkout line at JoAnn's on Saturday and saw these "one-size" gloves for $1 each. We bought 4 pairs and figured we would come up with something to do with them when we got home. This is what we did:





1) For Olive, we used a green pair and applied purple glitter with mod podge on the cuffs. I can't imagine the glitter will stay permanently affixed, but Betty really wanted to do something with glitter and I figured why not. At least they'll be cute coming out of the box.



2) For Maude, we used a grey pair and sewed on a small bow with a black button. 3-year-old Betty can't sew — but she could pull the needle when I pushed it through the button. And she thought that was delightful.



3) For Ralph, we used a black pair. We cut circles out of felt and hot glued them to the cuff. Betty could trace the circles using a stencil and a marker.



4) For Oscar, we used a navy pair and letter stencils and fabric paint to write his name across the gloves.

Since we already had all the supplies (except the gloves) in the craft cupboard, this was definitely our least expensive sibling gift project at $4. Whenever the kids ask Betty what she made, she answers, "Ssssshhh. I can't tell you it's gloves. It's a surprise."

Want more ideas? Here are some links to other sibling gifts we've made:
- Jumpropes
- Ribbon flowers (as belts, clips and hairpins)
- Glitter Initials
- Decoupaged Sketchbook
- Tutu, decoupaged bucket for matchbox cars, after-school bags, tiedye tees
- Flower headbands
- Wool mittens from recycled sweaters, embellished dragon mittens, sculpey bracelets, bibs, snowglobes and romper stompers made from cans

- Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
- Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
- Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover

HP Touchsmart Printer

Want to see me and all my kids try out the new HP Touchsmart Printer? Check it out. The video is short and it shows my (darling) children, so it's been on pretty much constant replay at my house since Friday. (You may remember my post about our filming day last month.)



Know what else happened on Friday? We had an ultrasound. The baby is doing very well — all fingers and toes intact. Thank you for asking. We wrapped up the ultrasound photos in a little box and put it under the tree. We're going to have the kids open it up for Christmas.

It's killing me not to disclose the gender, but won't it be fun for them to find out that way?

DIY Bath Salts

Oh! Girl con Queso made pretty bath salts for Christmas gifts this year. And she has lots of pictures and directions on her site. I'm filing this away for next year...

Tiny Gingerbread Houses

A fantastic day all around on the interwebs. Did you see NotMartha's tiny gingerbread houses? Seriously. How happy are these? (Click through for lots more photos.)

Sub-Studio

One of my new favorite internet spots is the Sub-Studio Design Blog. When I stopped there today, I found this "Dirt Poster" by Roland Tiengco. Go to Sub-Studio to see photos of how it is made. It's brilliant. And made me smile. (Plus, I like the message. I can't imagine the American obsession with work is always healthy, but as a life-long citizen, it's true that I love the sense of accomplishment when I work hard and get something done. Shall I stand and deliver the pledge of allegiance now?)

If you have time, you should also check out the gorgeous, color-coded Sub-Studio Gift Guide. It will blow your mind. And your head. And your brain.

Thanks for introducing me to Sub-Studio, Molly!

A Peek at the Alt Summit Panel Topics

We (the Kirtsy girls) have been working furiously on the Altitude Design Summit panels and programming for the last couple of weeks. It is going to be amazing. If you are into design or social media at all, you will love this conference. I'm sure of it. (Did you see that Heather Armstrong — Dooce — will be joining the keynote panel? Woot!)

"Lead Type" image by jm3

The full program — with panels topics and descriptions — will be posted soon. In the meantime, here's a hint of what you could learn/discuss if you come to Alt Summit:

-Why everyone and their cousin is talking about design more now then ever.
-How ad networks work, how they're changing and which networks cater especially to design and lifestyle sites.
-The realities of online design — hear from a web designer, programmer and online-type expert to learn what you need to know about online design now and what to know going forward.
-Blog Etiquette and how to appropriately (and legally!) credit the content sources and sponsors you're referencing on your site.
-Creative ways site owners are generating revenue outside of ad networks.
-Being a designer vs. being a design blogger — if you're both, what should the time balance be between the two?
-Designing your community and smart ways to grow your audience.
-How design will save social media. (It needs saving you ask? Come to Alt and find out.)

And that's just a taste. It keeps getting better and better. And better.

Also. You can check out the illustrious list of speakers here (we're still waiting on a dozen or so bios, but the list as it is now will impress you all the same), and you can check the schedule for timing here.

One last thing: be aware that the registration discount ends on December 31st. It's the final discount being offered — don't miss! I hope you're coming. I will love to see you there.

Sweet Story

I wish I could read stories like this one on Inchmark all day every day during December. Hooray for good people like Ben Gray. And hooray for Brooke who took the time to record and remember it.

Image here.

Pretty Holiday Packaging

Baking cookies for the neighbors this year? Check out this pretty packaging tutorial.

Jump Ropes

One item on my girls' Christmas list is 2 long jump ropes — long enough to try double-dutch, to jump in back doors and front doors (remember how awesome jump roping is?). So that's what Ralph made. One for Maude and one for Olive.

I had pretty much nothing to do with this. The project was handed off to Ben Blair with the following explanation: Ralph is thinking about making jump ropes for Maude and Olive. But I have no idea how to make the handles. Will you please work with Ralph and figure something out?

They pow-wowed and came up with the idea of bike handles. Which worked perfectly.

Nice work, Ralph! Nice work Ben Blair!

Want more ideas? Here are some links to other sibling gifts we've made:
- Ribbon flowers (as belts, clips and hairpins)
- Glitter Initials
- Decoupaged Sketchbook
- Tutu, decoupaged bucket for matchbox cars, after-school bags, tiedye tees
- Flower headbands
- Wool mittens from recycled sweaters, embellished dragon mittens, sculpey bracelets, bibs, snowglobes and romper stompers made from cans

- Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
- Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
- Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover

IVF Story from Angela Noelle Cook

I am the kind of person who always wanted parenthood, and early. I married my dream-boat husband who felt the same way, and we felt certain we would have at least four children by the time we were thirty.

Flash-forward 5 years — to us, the couple still waiting and gritting our teeth as well-meaning folk enquire after our lack of offspring. We discovered we weren't conceiving quite as easily as those frisky teenagers would have you believe it is to do so, and so paid an awkward visit to our doc.

After some tests, we were thrilled to learn we qualified for free IVF treatment, because yup, the tests confirmed it wasn't going to be as easy for us as it is for some. There were also of course the inevitable accompanying feelings of disappointment that came with this revelation - which often resulted from comparing the new proposed method of conception to the usual and more common alternative. While IVF is very sexy, (ahem)...there's a lot to be said for the way things have been done since Adam "knew" Eve. For starters, you can be in the room when your baby is made.

We got past that. Emphasizing the positives went a very long way. For starters, we weren't going to have to pay for this miraculous aid - incredible. My heart goes out to hopeful parents who have to save money to go through what we did. Further, what a blessing to learn so early we would benefit from a fertility clinic's help! I was 24 when we turned up at their door — how many women have had 5 years marriage by then to establish what we had? Yes, I married young. Yes, I think my LDS upbringing has a lot to do with me being the youngest muchacha at the clinic. As I read through trends and statistics relating to the procedures I was about to dive into, it was reassuring to know that I belonged to the age group with the highest success rate on every table and graph.

We then took our place on a waiting list, and counted the months until it was our turn to be a part of the wonderful world of science labs, and our DNA hangin' out in them.

I made friends and enemies with a wide variety of pills, needles, and waiting rooms. I prayed a lot. I learned to believe in miracles at the same time as preparing for the possibility that I might not be the person being served one just now. That balance between having faith things will work and preparing yourself for reality is IVF's tight-rope. I believe in doing both, over and over; repeat the statistics to each other, and the possibilities (we did it out loud together), but always believing you can beat all odds anyway, and saying so.

My body did more than its part in response to the treatment. In fact, my ovaries hyper-stimulated — which, in simple terms, means the drugs worked too well; I produced too many eggs, and my body spread itself too thin; instead of 10 or so follicles coming to the party, 80+ of the fellas stood up tall and gate-crashed my reproductive system. Collection was delayed until it was deemed safe. And after the painstaking waiting and that colourful collection day in hospital, I was advised implantation would also have to be delayed until my over-enthusiastic ovaries settled back down. A few eggs had survived the overcrowded bash inside my grapefruit-sized ovaries and were successfully fertilized – becoming embryos, that were frozen until I was given another green light.

My next cycle the doctors did their best to thaw and salvage just one of those embryos. They got one. I returned to the hospital, had the implantation procedure, and resumed the waiting game.

I still remember the day one of the clinic nurses called with my pregnancy test results. A small group of my students were still hanging out in the classroom, and I was making visuals, chatting, and doing a pretty fantastic job of distracting myself until that climactic call came. I went outside, clutching my cell-phone to my ear on the stoop outside the door. I stared out at traffic as the nurse offered a flat “I’m sorry” before and after reporting my test results were negative. Attempting to focus on the future and the up ‘n’ up, she said we could always try again. I was to let them know when the current embryo made its exit (as it hadn’t yet - so I had been hopeful until that very moment), and advise them upon the arrival of my next cycle so that we could begin manufacturing a “hospitable environment” in my womb once more.

My eyes glazed over while I mimed out acceptance. I went and straightened papers on my desk until the room was empty. Then I sat fairly stationery until my husband picked me up.

We did our best to lose ourselves in each other’s company that night. It worked pretty well — the disappointment didn’t hit me until the first time I was alone. And then again when the reminder of the procedure’s failure came in the form of a late and heavy period.

And so the waiting continued for the next “time of the month”, so we could start again. We waited.

And waited.

But a “next cycle” never came.

And so it came time to pee on a stick. Which was when we discovered after 6 years waiting - including 1 year of poking, prodding, jabbing and whatnot — we had conceived naturally.



Our baby girl, nicknamed “Esky”, has just passed the 6 month mark. I know we’re not the only parents that gaze upon our little one and think, “What a miracle you are”, but I would like to think I drink in her smell and mentally record her smile and laughter with a little more fervour than I might have. And boy does she smell, look and sound delicious. I’m grateful like I’ve never been before.

From Angela Noelle of Striking Keys (See more of the story here.)

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Note from Design Mom: for the duration of my pregnancy, I'll be posting advice, memories and stories about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption and growing a family on Wednesdays. You can find them all by clicking here. I'd love to hear your story or memory or advice, feel free to submit it to gabrielle@designmom.com.

Memory of Becoming a Mom from Veeda Bybee

My little photojournalist, at age 2. All photos by Jonathan Canlas.

Oh, So My Life Makes a Difference
Former journalist becomes stay-at-home mom

Once upon a time I wrote newspaper headlines. I worked late hours in a newsroom with other copy editors, laying out pages and editing the day’s stories. We picked apart the news with a vengeance – fix a forgotten comma here, reword a sentence there. I felt fulfilled, my work made a difference, I contributed to society.

After my first child was born, I stopped working at the paper. I found my sudden introduction into motherhood completely baffling. Despite all the baby books I read, I was unprepared for the realities of parenthood. No book, or amount of formal training could tell me how terrifying it is to nurse a newborn. I never took Enduring Endless Crying 101 in college. And how could I edit out the numbers of poopy diapers I changed?

My daughter Mei, gave her dad and me a hard time when she came home from the hospital. She was a beautiful baby, but she sure liked to scream. A lot. I had this strange, 8-pound creature in my house that did nothing but eat, sleep, and cry. Exhausted by my inabilities to care for her – I wanted nothing else but to do the same. I fed my child. Held my child. Changed my child. This was my routine now, no breaking news here.

I began to wonder if my journalism degree was worth it. My full-time career was now my baby. I couldn’t see the fruits of my labor and I wondered if I was fulfilled. How could these mundane robotic motions I call motherhood change the world?

One afternoon, little Mei decided to be pleasant. There was no loud, ear-shattering siren blaring from her mouth. She was calm and quiet, and lay completely motionless on my queen-sized bed. Her big brown eyes were fixated at some non-existent object on the wall. I watched my baby’s chest rise up and down with each tiny breath. Mei was so tranquil, so silent. Not wanting to destroy the peaceful moment in the room, I slowly lowered myself next to her. She remained quiet, still captivated by the nothingness in front of her.

I relaxed next to my daughter and marveled at her perfect fingers. All 10 of her teeny-tiny toes, long and slender just like mine. She had long eyelashes, like her dad. Newborn, Mei looked very Chinese, just like my mom.

I knew my daughter would not have the ability to understand my words, but I was suddenly so anxious to talk to her. To tell her about the grandmother she would never meet. All the good food we would someday cook together. How happy I was to have her with me.

At the sound of my voice, my little baby stopped her staring contest with the wall and her face turned toward me. I continued to speak, and this four-day-old baby shifted her body towards mine. She couldn’t completely turn on her side, but she attempted to roll herself towards me. As if she was reaching, understanding.

I was shocked. She could not comprehend the conversation I was having with her, but I could tell she recognized me. And I began to recognize her. This is my baby girl. I am her mom. She is my contribution.

My journalism professors would be so proud. All my training in the newsroom and at the copy desk led to my reporting on my experiences as a mom. No coverage in any national syndication, just highlights in my personal family publications. Now today’s top headlines read, “Mei Finishes Squash at Lunch” or “Veeda Finds Recipe Success With Pad Thai!” It might not be world changing news, but it defines the events in my life. And to me, this makes all the difference.


My family, present day. My number one story.

From Veeda Bybee of White Lotus Cooks.

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Note from Design Mom: for the duration of my pregnancy, I'll be posting advice, memories and stories about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption and growing a family on Wednesdays. You can find them all by clicking here. I'd love to hear your story or memory or advice, feel free to submit it to gabrielle@designmom.com.

Nie Nie

Have you read the fantastic article about Nie Nie? It's by Jaimee Rose of the Arizona Republic. It's so good. (I'm linking to the intro, but there are 10 parts — you don't want to miss any one them.)

I know there are people everywhere who endure ridiculously hard things every single day. But sometimes I forget. I'm thankful for the good reporters who give us glimpses into the lives of our fellow human beings. So that we can find inspiration when we see what people can overcome. So we can see how and where to help. So we can live more compassionately.

Photo by Justin Hackworth. Don't miss his beautiful photo essay of a day in the Nielson home here.

Ribbon Flowers

Once the sketchbook and initials were finished, Maude got to work on her gifts for Olive and Betty. Originally, she was thinking legwarmers. But when I showed her the ribbon flower idea I posted last week, she changed her mind.



Maude made 3 flowers. One she attached to a ribbon to be worn as a belt.




One she attached to a bobby pin to be worn in hair.




One she attached to a large clip to be flexible — it can be worn on clothes or in hair or on a purse or backpack.

Some of the photos are really dark and it's hard to tell, but these all turned out gorgeous. We worked with 1-yard lengths of 2.5 inch and 1.25 inch ribbon. And the size of the flower changed dramatically depending on what kind of combination we used.



By the way, the quality of the ribbon makes a big difference. The cheaper stuff we used for our first experimental flower (not shown) was not as pretty. Not even close. The silk ribbon we bought by the yard at Michaels was much better.

More DIY sibling gift ideas here.