Me and My Gals

A couple months ago my DD called and invited me to meet up with her and her sister in Chicago for St. Patty's Day and a little Mom/Sister bonding time.
I obliged right away and we planned this little getaway........

Riding into the city on the "L" train.

 The first thing we did when we arrived was a night at Riverdance. "Heartbeat" is their new program and it was fabulous. A highlight of the trip and we had barely even began. The musical and dancing talent of the artists was wonderful, and made us want to dance ourselves.
Steph was barely in time and came from the subway toting all her luggage.

 The Oriental Theatre was also quite impressive. Everywhere you turn there is another interesting animal or shape to be seen. Truly a design feast for the eyes.
We walked back to the hotel because it was a balmy 38 degrees out and we knew that the next couple nights were going to be more like 18º without the windchill, so we'd better enjoy this night.

My kind of town

Another notable event was being followed by a very interesting and challenged homeless guy. He walked us through his territory along Wacker (pronounced "Vocker" if you care at all) and the river for a few blocks. Trying to tell him we were having a deep conversation, or saying goodbye, walking faster, slower, ignoring, etc. did nothing to shake him, but a solicitor for money made him mad and as he jabbered with her we were able to lose him. That cab looked pretty good about then.

Next morning we woke up and headed toward the river. We didn't spot Tommy Lee Jones, or Harrison Ford, but it seemed like everyone else was there. The river turns a very bright green. It's pretty cool.

 All dressed up for the Irish celebration.

Cool dog buddy!

 I always like a good library. They tend to be some of the best architecture in any city, so when we saw this one we took a detour inside. Any inside was good today, so we kept finding excuses to get out of the cold. It however, is not the library anymore but my original reason for entrance was not lost on us anyway.

 Look at this amazing stained glass cupola. The ceilings, mosaic floors, marble walls and columns were just beautiful.

 Then we walked with the crowd toward the parade route and past the public art. Cloud Gate or "The Bean" was completely cordoned off from the crowds, but we still got a first good look and pictures.

Many interesting people could be seen.

 And of course bag pipes and drum marching bands. What a great sound.

I always like things that are as old as I am.

After the parade, we met up with some friends for a deep dish Chicago style pizza. Jonathan Walton and his wife are living in Chicago for his doctorate studies and suggested an authentic pizza place. Good company and good food.

The main park is fodder for Steph antics here. Both models have lost their bows.

 No matter what I do, this thing isn't going to budge.

 We woke up early on Monday morning so we could be alone with The Bean.
One of the most popular pieces of public art in the country. Wonder why? It is about me. (Or you.)
Pretty funny really. We came around when the park reopened on Saturday after the parade, this place was PACKED.

 We did find someone to help us take our pictures. Of course we took shots of them too.

 Now we are looking around for more cool public art. These guys were pretty odd.

 And then to the art you have to pay to see. Huge awesome art museum.!

 I liked this Renoir especially - so my DD bought a print of it for me. Thankee!

 I also think Chagall is pretty interesting and so I made the girlies run around to the other side of the museum at closing time to spot it.

 This was just one of our yummy meals. The sweet one. Actually a couple of the others were SWEET too, but not in the same way.

 The Disney display at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Yes..... it is 18º on this fine Sunday afternoon. That is without the windchill factor which put it at about 8º. YIKES!

 Very industrious I think.

 On actual St Patricks Day we went up to the top of Willis Tower and overlooked the big city.

 The glass overlooks are pretty crazy. Makes you have a bit o' weakness in the knees.

 Katz as her dramatic twin.

Don't fall Steph.

I also like store front art. This one of old sewing machines is right up me alley.

I so enjoyed spending 1 on 1 time with my darling daughters for a few days. Truly a treat for me.

Flower Girls Dresses

 These dresses, of course, were the easiest and least stressful of the sewing that I had to do for our recent wedding. I'm more familiar and comfortable making things for little girls than any other demographic.
So ... what should we make and out of what kind of fabric, and what color, and, and, and....???

We decided to basically use this Butterick pattern #5705, although Steph didn't want pleats, but rather just simple gathers at the waist. I modified the sleeves and made my own version of the slip underneath which was much better. I guess the pattern companies don't want to make things too complicated so they don't suggest fabrics like nylon chiffon that are not easy to find, but it makes a far superior full slip.

The bride and I decided on a classic silk taffeta. It was costly and I had to be careful not to water stain it as well as pierce it with pins, because those kinds of abuses to this fabric will show up forever. If you get it wet, you have to get it ALL wet, and if you pin it, you should try to do it where you won't see the marks such as on the inside of the seams.

With this in mind I embarked on this project.

 I took the cut out dresses with me to Kathryn's house so I could get going on these dresses while I was helping her and her family. She was on bedrest the last 6 weeks or so of her pregnancy. Due to have this baby in mid March, I went in February for a week to help them out, then I went back there when the little guy (Ford James) was a week old.

 Kathryn borrowed a sewing machine from a kind neighbor, and so I could get some sewing done while I was visiting. It was extremely helpful to get a jump on these dresses, cause I was a little bit freaking out about the amount of sewing I needed to accomplish before June. My goal was actually to get it all finished by May because I knew that other things with the wedding were going to creep in and steal away my time.

 We decided to put white iridescent sashes and inner sleeves on the dresses and make a full attached pettie-slip in white to go underneath the dresses. This really dressed them up along with the fabric choice.

I made a size 7, 2- size 4's and a smallish size 3.

 Fronts and backs of the dresses all finished.

I also made 2 little bow ties for the little nephews to wear. Did I mention that the 4 little girls are the brides nieces?  (All my cute grandchildren.) 

Giving a nice kiss.

 Our sons' beautiful family.

" Is this what you want me to do?"

 Showing off her "petti" while waiting for the Bride to come out of the temple.

 With Grandma Joycie.

 Big boy being as patient as he can.

 For the ring ceremony at our home later and before the reception, the kids walked out of the house before the bride and groom. They were adorable if I may say so.

 They sat very well on the side of the steps leading up to the lawn, and listened to the 12 minute program.

Seriously?

 Here's a good look at the back of the dresses. Those covered buttons took me a bit of time. But they look great.

Love this!

"Dancin' the Night Away."

There are so many other photos of these cute little people. Thanks for indulging me and looking at 25 pictures of ONE dress.

THE END

You can go back to what you were doing.