Sunday, July 29, 2007

A Creative Weekend in Review

It was a busy and enjoyable weekend.

Friday, the children and I sat on the front porch and practiced our painting. Autumn meticulously drew her scene before picking up a paintbrush.

Abigail loves to paint and draw and was thrilled that I gathered flowers as our subject.


Here she is hard at work:
Collin seemed to enjoy the afternoon. He carefully practiced his vase on a separate piece of paper, as he wanted to get his vase "just right". The picture below is his finished product.


Drawing and painting are not my strong suit, but it is fun to play. I can't draw a decent stick figure, and no, I am not just being modest.


I feel little better about my painting. It's something that I would like to practice a little more often.
Have you ever tried the watercolor pencils? They are loads of fun. You draw your picture with them, and then use water to paint over them. The vibrant colors seem to appear out of nowhere!

Saturday morning, we headed to the library for a gem and mineral show. I'm sorry to say that I forgot to bring my camera. We enjoyed looking and asking questions. That is until two of the men started telling us how the rocks were 300-500 million years old. The children just looked at me, and we politely moved along. I didn't want to get into a theological discussion at the library. Perhaps that was wrong. Maybe I should have told these people what I believe, and why. Collin brought along several rocks that he has collected on camping trips, and was happy to have them identified.

Autumn and I spent the afternoon and evening sewing away. Oh, what a lovely time of fellowship! Working side by side, encouraging one another, and feeling good about creating something from a piece of fabric and our hands. I shared with Autumn that I used to sew with the idea of the finished product. Lately, I find myself enjoying the creative process. I love making French seams, so that the garment looks pretty on the inside, as well as the outside. I made Abigail a skirt, and a peasant blouse. I'm thrilled with the way that they turned out. Especially the blouse. I can't wait to make some more. I think I'm going to make myself some of these.


The peasant blouse is from this pattern:McCalls 5050
It's very difficult to find patterns for Abigail that I like. She typically wears a girls store bought 14, though she is only 8 years old. I made her a ladies extra-small, size 4-6 on the pattern. It fits her very well.

I also made a matching skirt for Abigail's doll, Molly. Her blouse is still in the works.

I was given the weekend off of cooking! Since I was busy sewing yesterday, Collin made us supper. He made a wonderful tuna noodle casserole. Today after church, Verne made zucchini and eggs for lunch, and then cabbage, bacon, and noodles for supper. I am blessed.

What did you do this weekend?

23 comments:

weavermom said...

Looks like fun! The watercolors are beautiful!

****** said...

We went to the "rock show" but we didn't encounter anyone who told us the geodes and were 300-500 million years old..too bad really...you know how I just can't keep my mouth shut,and neither can Ashley. Maybe God will present the opportunity again for you!
I love rocks by the way and I have whole bunch of those geode type rocks...some very larges ones in fact. My Dad gave them to me. He found some of them as a boy the others just here and there. I would love to learn to cut them and polish and display them. My Dad tought me how to find them too...next time it rains our familys should go geode hunting in one of the creeks out here.

Heather Anne said...

Hi Tracy - I've enjoyed visiting your blog this afternoon! I would be please to have you post my muffin recipe on your recipe blog! Thank- you for asking!

Your daughter and mine have clothing challenges in common - our 9 year old is wearing ladies 4-6 because girls 14 just doesn't fit properly and she doesn't like the immodesty of the current clothing trends. I will have to look in the pattern books with her for ladies x-small - I never thought of that!

Ruth said...

I love both your art and sewing projects! I'm right there with you with not being able to draw stick people. What did I do this weekend? Well, my dog got sick and I spent quite a bit of Saturday at the vet and watching him. He's fine now. The rest of the weekend was good, though!!

Susan said...

I'm inpressed with your drawings and painting. Had never heard of the watercolor pencils. That sounds great. I have always thought it would be so wonderful to be able to paint.

It is so special that you make the doll clothes to match. You are one great mom!!
Susan

Karen said...

Hi Tracy,
Well, you know what I was doing this week-end. I would have much rather been at YOUR house! ;0)
We love painting, and I'm impressed with all of your artwork! The skirt and blouse are just adorable on a very pretty little lady. You've been sewing a lot, lately. I need to get back to it, myself.
I had to laugh when I read about the rocks being that old. I get the same look from Alaina anytime we hear something along those lines. She waits to see what I will say.;0)! Too often, we just move along, too.
We're going to finalize Christie's housing, so I'll be back the end of the week. Hope you all have a blessed week.
Karen

Randi said...

What a wonderful weekend to share with your girls!

I love being creative with my daughters, and it provides a much needed bond between us in the teen years. It is surprising the things we have talked about while we were sewing together!

Jodi said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend just bursting with creativity! :o)

Loved your flower artwork - very pretty, Tracy. And it really is wonderful working side by side with daughters ~ sweetness from the Hand of God.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely, inspiring and creative weekend enjoyed by your family!

My sewing machine was set up the other day to mend a favorite dress ~ I'm leaving it up in hopes of me finally piecing, cutting and sewing a simple shift.

Most of my weekend was devoted to wedding plans and spending time with family in a very relaxed state ... resting. Needed.

Watercolor pencils. Whoodathunkit? I need to get out more. :o)

Mrs. Anna T said...

Your weekend sounds wonderful, Tracy! I love the blouse you made for Abigail. It's so feminine and beautiful.

Since you visited my blog, you are probably already guessing what I did this weekend: packing, packing and more packing :D

Lori said...

The flowers in the little vases are so pretty.
The painting is very good.
You both are such talented sewers. I wish I was.

Anonymous said...

In response to your quip on my blog: **Funny. That El thought that CZJ's character was so like you... **

El didn't mean it as a compliment. ouch.

Christy said...

I love the paintings!! both of you did a great job.

I love yours and Autumn's relationship-so unique and special!!

I also love the skirt-so feminine and CUTE

Sheri said...

Tracy, what a VERY special weekend! I so pray that my girls and I will have times like you have as they get older... sweet fellowship!

Jennifer said...

I love your paintings, they are beautiful! (what will you do with them now? do they get a special place in your home?)

the skirts are beautiful :o) How precious to make a doll skirt as well! You should sell your peasant shirts, those are so much more classy than the ones you see in stores! I'm sure your girls will enjoy them for a long while to come.

Kelli said...

How fun to draw and paint together! I think your picture is lovely and I really like using watercolor pencils too. The skirt and blouse is very pretty and I love the little doll skirt...too cute!

Let see, this weekend we took up a meal to Phillip's brother and his wife. They just had a new baby and he is so sweet! On Sunday I did some cleaning and organizing and then went to our church service in the evening.

Hope you are having a great Monday!
Kelli

Grafted Branch said...

Bookmarked! I love your painting table and that shirt, but really I had to stop by because of the wonderful grace you showed to the woman with wild children in the doctor's office--you posted the comment in Frog and Toad Are Still Friends, I think.

The Lord bless you...

Tracy said...

Weavermom,
I'm so glad that you have been visiting me regularly!

Tina,
Yea, I know. I was a chicken. Actually, I just had a lot to do that day, and didn't want to be at tthe library for hours, because you KNOW I would have argued my beliefs. ;0)

Heather,
Thanks again for letting me postthe recipe! I hope you can find some cute patterns for your daughter!

Ruth,
I hope that your dog is feeling well now!

Susan,
Thank you for your kind comments about my mothering. It means so much to me!

Karen,
Have a safe trip. I can't wait to see pictures after Chrisite settles in.

Randi,
Your blog has been a great inspiration to get me sewing more. Thanks!

Jodi,
Thanks for your sweet comments. Isn't God good to us?

Sherry,
Oh, you really should make your shift. It's so relaxing!

Anna,
I hope the move goes well.

Lori,
You should try your hand at painting. It's more fun than anything!

Christy,
Thank you!

Sheri,
I know that you will ALWAYS have a great relationship with your girls. I can see your love for them!

Jennifer,
Hmm... I am thinking of opening an Etsy shop!

Kelli,
It sounds like you had a productive weekend! Happy Monday!

Grafted Branch,
Thank you for your gracious comment. You touched my heart, and made my day. The look on the mother's face was more than enough to know how much she appreciated the help!

Abigail said...

I had fun Water color painting mom. It is fun.

Gena said...

You had such a productive weekend! I love the skirts you made and the cute little blouse. I used to wear blouses and dresses made like that when I was younger.

Also, your watercolor was lovely. That is something I'd love to try. I hope you have a wonderful week.

candy said...

Thanks Tracy. Its nice to be back. Your a sweetheart.

Candy

Short Stop said...

YOU are so talented! And, your photography is just gorgeous, Tracy! I'm so enjoying reading your blogs!

BTW, there's a little something for you on my blog today! :)

Rachel said...

What a fabulous weekend!!!! I am very impressed with everyone paintings and with Abigail's new outfit. Great job!!! BTW, where can I find those special pencils???