December 02, 2008
Photos
We're coming up to dance concert time, and Emily has her Year 10 formal this Friday (Like the US Junior Prom, I think), so there's been a bunch of running around happening. And a bunch of social knitting, too!
Last Friday Ailsa and I went to Fox Studios at Moore Park for a knitting meetup arranged on Ravelry. It was originally going to be at Centennial Park, but bad weather interfered, and an alternate venue had to be found. It wasn't a huge turnout, but it was a great morning! Zena and her twins were in attendance, as was Corrie, Claudine, Sheridan and Jacqueline. Emily had a ball with so many little kids and babies, and I'm looking forward to the next one, hopefully the weather will be better!
Then on Saturday I went off to Wollongong SnB, and the Christmas Party after. More great knitting company, and a seafood platter for dinner. Nothing to complain about there! Well, except for the fact that I forgot my camera.
But I have pictures of other stuff. Emily picked out her dress for the formal a couple of months ago, but she wasn't entirely happy with it, and as we'd bought it locally, she was a little worried that someone else might have the same dress. So she asked for some alterations. Of course, I left it until the last minute to do something about the alterations!
Here's how the dress looked to start with.
She wanted it puffier in the skirt, and she didn't like the lace at the waist, but she still wanted some lace.
Voila!
Pictures of her all glammed up will be taken on Friday!
And amongst all that, I have knit a row or two. In fact, I have finished the body of the Tangled Yoke cardi, and I"m doing the sleeves.
And as you can see, I'm using my least favourite method, two at once on two needles. Well, I should say my second least favourite. Least would be one at a time! I have got into a few tangles along the way, but nothing too dramatic. Yet.
Last week my cousin called me up to say that they'd cleaned out my Aunty's house, and found a few things that my sister and I might like to have. A little back story here, our mother was killed in a car accident when I was 8, and my sister was almost 5. Between us we have only 5 pictures of our mother, and very few of her things, so we are always pleased to get anything we can. There was a personal possession or two, and he had a few old photos. Only one was of my mother, but it made me ridiculously happy. It's a picture of my mother and I.
Not a big deal, really, and not a wonderful picture, but after I got home I just looked at it for a long time. I have one other picture of myself and my mother, but in that one I'm just a baby.
Sometimes, a photo is the most wonderful gift you can give a person. This little jpg file has jumped up almost to the very top of my most valued possessions. I'm ridiculously proud of that little picture, and I've been showing it to anyone and everyone I know!
And in other wonderful pictures that you've all been waiting for.
Twinkie, washing her hands before dinner.
Posted by Donna at December 2, 2008 03:27 PMComments
That story took my breath away. What a sad loss so young. My mother lost her mother young and I know the impact that had.
That's a wonderful gift to be given, that photo. It's so casual and touching.
Gorgeous dress too! So clever!
Posted by: bells at December 2, 2008 07:27 PMThat story took my breath away. What a sad loss so young. My mother lost her mother young and I know the impact that had.
That's a wonderful gift to be given, that photo. It's so casual and touching.
Gorgeous dress too! So clever!
Posted by: bells at December 2, 2008 07:27 PMI totally get you on being ecstatic about gaining a family picture.
I have very few, but I am becoming more stubborn about snaffling a copy as they make their existence known.
I so understand you treasuring the photo, no matter how casual or understated it is. It shows you and your mum together, and that's so very important in keeping memories alive.
Em's dress looks amazing, but of course I expected that from you! And clever Twinkie - such a hygenic rabbit.
Posted by: Michelle at December 2, 2008 10:52 PMI think the photo is wonderful! A true treasure! You did a great job on changing up the dress. I bet Em is thrilled.
Posted by: Wool Winder at December 2, 2008 11:47 PMHow wonderful that you have another photo of you and your mum!
I'm just constantly amazed at how you're just able to whip together the most lovely clothes and costumes. I'm still a bit scared of my sewing machine, so seeing what you're able to do - it just seems like magic to me!
Posted by: CraftyGryphon at December 3, 2008 12:32 AMI can relate to treasuring photos. I lived with one torn and crumpled image of my father sitting on a horse for years. Could barely make out his face, but it was the most important thing I owned. I'm lucky to now have more photos of him and gaze at them, like you.
I love the alterations of Em's dress. Incredible!
Posted by: Michelle at December 3, 2008 12:43 AMI can relate to treasuring photos. I lived with one torn and crumpled image of my father sitting on a horse for years. Could barely make out his face, but it was the most important thing I owned. I'm lucky to now have more photos of him and gaze at them, like you.
I love the alterations you made to Em's dress. Incredible!
Posted by: Michelle at December 3, 2008 12:44 AMWhat a wonderful gift for your cousin to give you! I know my dad treasures the photo album my grandmother made for him before she died. It's one of his most prized possessions.
Posted by: sprite at December 3, 2008 02:23 AMThe dress looks fabulous! I like much more than the original.
That's great you got another picture of your mother! Pictures are wonderful things!
Posted by: Karen at December 3, 2008 02:31 AMEm's dress looks beautiful and I am sure she will look stunning in it. I can relate to your photo with your mum. My mum lost her mother on her 10th birthday and hasnt many photos of her either. Her older sister only has a few too, and there are no baby photos of my mum when she was little. Apparently after she died my grandfather burnt nearly everything (stupid) so a lot of her past was lost. It must be very hard to grow up without her influence in your life, but I can see where you get your slim figure from.
Posted by: Sue at December 3, 2008 07:56 AMI think that's the wonderful thing about photos. They contains so many memories :) Hugz!!
BTW, you did a fantastic job on Em's dress!! You are so clever!!!
Posted by: Michelle at December 3, 2008 09:40 AMI can understand about the picture.
Em's dress looks great.
Twinkie looks like she's having fun in the water. One of my kittens practically climbs into the dogs water dish.
Posted by: Suzanne at December 3, 2008 11:16 AMYou did a fantastic job on Em's dress & I am aure she will look so good in it. It's so wonderful to have that picture of your mum. I also treasure the few pictures of my late sister.
Posted by: Ann at December 4, 2008 09:08 AMThat's a great photo ... how wonderful you get to have it.
Posted by: Samantha at December 4, 2008 11:24 AMThere's no need to apologise about loving that photo so much. It's a real treasure and if it were me, I'd probably have slept with it under my pillow for a week.
Posted by: SallyO at December 4, 2008 12:44 PMHow wonderful to get the picture of your Mom and you. I see where you (and Em) got your slim figures. My Mom & Dad divorced when I was too young to remember and she destroyed all of the pictures of him. Then a few years ago my Aunt sent me all the pictures my Mom had sent her. It was interesting to see him with me as a baby and toddler and at Christmas. She does not know I have them.
Can't wait to see Em in her dress.
Makes sense to do the sleeves two at a time at least you know they are exactly the same length.
Twinkie washing her hands or asking for more water. Tricky Twinkie.
I cried when I read this post. I am so glad you got this photo. It's a little thing, but it's a big thing.
Oh Donna I didn't know about your mum - I'm really sorry. I can totally understand how you treasure that photo. Even though my dad only died fairly recently, I don't have that many pictures of us together, and I do treasure the few I have, for what they represent.
Nice job on the dress - Em will look great in it.
Posted by: Rose Red at December 2, 2008 06:01 PM