The Janelle Wind Collection

A very special day for our family...

This past Saturday afternoon was a VERY special day for our family, and particularly for our gorgeous girl, Emily.

After several years of Bible studies at school the MUCH anticipated day had arrived. Emily's Baptism. We were all so very excited and extremely proud of Emily and her decision to make a public stand and say that she wants to follow Jesus and be baptised.

Emily decided early on that she wanted to be baptised either at the Lake or the Beach. As the day drew closer we all decided that the Lake would be the perfect place. The weather was wonderful and we found the perfect spot between two magnificent big trees for family and friends to gather and witness this special event.

Our little family of four arrived first, and set some quilts on the ground ready for our very close family and friends to sit and watch as Emily was baptised.

Emily has been very blessed to have lovely, caring teachers and Chaplains throughout her schooling and it was Pr Brian who most recently studied with Emily, who got to know our girl and who baptised her as well. We feel very blessed that Emily can have such amazing role models and influences in her life too. Pr Brian Reed did the most amazing job of Emily's baptism. It was very personal and beautiful service.

Also as part of the service, Emily's favourite teacher spoke to Emily, giving her lovely, kind words of encouragement. To have the three chaplains and her favourite teacher attend meant so much to Emily and to her Father and I as well.

It came time for the baptism, so Emily and Pr Brian headed out into the water. Pr Brian at his 6 foot 3 height, made our girl look even tinier, but we could see from the huge smile on her face, that she was proud and excited for the decision she was making too.

As soon as the baptism was over, we shared a lovely prayer with both Pr Brian and Pr Mel, two of the school chaplains who have studied with Emily. Their geniune care for our girl means so much to our family. We will forever be grateful for their positive influence in her life.

Then, it was hugs all round. From her brother who was beaming with price and her cousins.

We were thrilled that Emily's Oma (Michael's Mother) could be here to celebrate this special day, all the way from Western Australia. She was thrilled to be here too.

Granny and Grandad (my Parents) were also in attendance, also with huge smiles on their faces too.

Of course, her Father and I were beaming with pride as well. We are so proud of Emily for being true to herself, being brave and making such a public stand too.

We gathered everyone in attendance together for a group shot at the end of the baptism. We were so delighted that so many of our family could attend. I think this photo will be very special to Emily throughout her life, knowing that each person there loves and cares for her, and are all proud of her and her life decision to be baptised too.

Afterwards, we headed back to my parents big home to share a yummy afternoon tea together, to chat and spend time with family and close friends. It really was the perfect day and one that will live in my heart forever. xx Janelle

A special day...

I can't quite believe it but I am the mother of a teenager! Yes, that's right. My gorgeous girl had a birthday last week and turned 13. There was lots of excitement in the air on the lead up to Emily's special day and some mixed emotions too. She was excited about having a birthday but wasn't quite sure if she wanted to be a teenager just yet. I can relate, I wasn't quite ready for my girl to take this next step either (just quietly).

The night before her big day arrived and as per tradition in our little family, I got busy decorating her room for her special day. To make things easier for me we popped her into our bed and got busy decorating her room. There was no way she would have been able to sleep through my noise!

We started by putting in some hooks and lengths of white rope across her ceiling. To this I added some paper lanterns and lots of balloons. It was fun and I think her room looked great.

After hanging all the balloons and lanterns, I made some large number 13's from different coloured cardboard and hung them around her room as well.

Here is one on her bed head. Our cat Bella made himself at home. He didn't mind the fuss at all!

After the decorations were complete, I popped her wrapped presents at the end of her bed. It was then time to bring sleeping beauty back into her room so that she could wake in her newly decorated room on her birthday.

We all woke bright and early on the morning of Emily's birthday! We were all excited to share her day and watch her open her presents. After a quick squishy Daddy/brother hug, we all headed to her room to watch her open her gifts.

It was also Emily's blythe doll Gypsy's birthday as well, so she celebrated with us too!

The present opening began, and the smile on Emily's face made her day so special for us too! She loved everything we chose for her which is wonderful. 

Here she is with some of her gifts...

This is not a headless doll, in case you were wondering! It is a Licca body which can replace a Blythe doll body. It is more bendable and lots of Blythe collectors pop Licca bodies onto their Blythe dolls. Emily was VERY excited to receive a Licca body from her brother.

We also bought Emily a gorgeous outfit from a lovely business called Sweet Birdie Blue. Emily LOVED the skirt so much, she said it was her most favourite skirt EVER. Yay!!

We also made the BIG decision that this would be the year we give Emily her very own mobile. She is a very responsible and honest girl and we knew she would love one of her own. She didn't have any idea we were giving her one, so was VERY excited. 

Here is Emily's Blythe doll, Gypsy, all dressed up in some of Emily's presents. I think she looks gorgeous!

I let my kiddies have a day at home with me for Emily's birthday and even though I had to teach my ladies, we had a lovely day together. We did some Op shopping in the afternoon and were very excited to find a great dolls house for Emily. You can read about it on my last Thrifty Thursday post here.

Here is Emily outside the Op shop spinning around in her new outfit. I think she likes it!!

Emily then requested Carrot Cake for her birthday cake, so I quickly whipped one together to share after dinner. We sang happy birthday and shared cake together. It was a lovely way to end her day.

At the end of the day we tucked a tired but very happy 13 year old into bed. She happily proclaimed that she had a wonderful birthday - and I was one happy Mummy. I am looking forward to what the future holds for our girl too.

Emily has blogged all about her birthday on her blog, if you would like to read about her birthday in her words, pop over here... Back soon to share LOTS more. I have a lot to blog about. x Janelle

She {hearts} high school...

What a difference a few days can make. Emily's words in the car on the way to school this morning were music to my ears - 'I love high school' she said. I am beyond relieved to hear these words and know that when I drop my girl off at school she is happy! Makes this mumma happy too.

For my friends in the US, I thought I would quickly explain how our schooling works here in Australia, and in my home state New South Wales. At age 5, our kids enter Primary School in the grade we call Kindy (some other states in Aust call it Prep). Primary School continues through to Grade 6 - which is the last year in Primary School in NSW (other states vary). So our kids finish Primary School at age 11 - 12.

High School is what comes next where the kids start at age 12 - 13 and enter at Grade 7. High School continues through until year 12 which is the last year of High School.

So my Emily has another 5 years of High School to go after this year! I know that will go SUPER quickly.

I thought I would share another photo from her first day, a happier one. Emily saved all of her Christmas money and we added to it as a grade 6 graduation gift and she purchased a much longed for Blythe doll called V-Smash and renamed Poppy by Emily. Poppy has the most beautiful red hair and cut freckles too. Poppy did help greatly in the lead up to the start of High School.

It is set to be a HOT one here in Australia today and we have cyclone warnings up in QLD too, so wherever you are, please stay safe and drink lots of water... And if you are in the colder parts of the world, I hope you stay warm... Have a wonderful day xx Janelle

We (just) survived...

Friday was a BIG day in our little family. Friday, my little tiny girl started High School. I know, I can hardly believe it myself. It wasn't all that long ago that I was driving these little two off to school - and Jasper was only starting Kindy. Friday he started grade 4.

Friday morning Jasper woke bright eyed and excited for his new year to begin, Emily woke sick in the tummy, teary, nervous and thinking she might faint - such a contrast to her brother but totally understandable considering the BIG thing she was about to do - start High School.

After getting dressed and ready SUPER early, we headed outside for some traditional 'first day' photos.

What started out as happy faces...

Soon turned into one worried face and the closer we got to leaving, more tears came.

By the time we headed off in the car, we had one very scared and worried little girl. (And one sad Mummy too)

We stayed at the school with Emily until Assembly when she was lost in a sea of BIG people (she is the smallest girl in High School) and left hoping that she would have a good day.

I spent the day wandering around my house, not able to do too much, wondering how my little girl was going. I was very relieved to pick up my kiddies at the end of the school day, and was hugely relieved to see two happy smiling faces and hear all about the adventures of the day.

So we survived day one of High School. Emily was happy to go back again today, and as we begin this new chapter in our lives I am thankful that Emily has some lovely friends who are happy to take care of her when she is worried or scared. I still can't believe my little girl is in High School and almost a teenager!!

Back to work for me. If you have been following my facebook page or have noticed something extra in the sidebar of my blog, you will know my little secret. If not, I will be back soon to reveal all. xx Janelle

Farewell 2010...

As we reach the end of the very last day of 2010, I thought I would take a glimpse back at our year. I must confess, 2010 was a tough year, lots of things happened that were beyond our control, it was a year of highs, and a year of lows. It was a year of change and a year of growth too and although each of these trials have made us stronger, I am ready to embrace 2011 with open arms!

2010 saw us - 

* homeschool the kids for a while and then decide school was where they needed to be

* celebrate my father's 80th birthday

* visit with Cousins from interstate

* me designing and releasing lots of patterns and my very first book (a highlilght of my year)

* Blythe dolls entered our lives and our hearts

* shifting house and moving back to our old home

* Jasper doing really well with his organ playing with lots of performances

* Emily's Alice in Wonderland 12th birthday party

* lots and lots of stitching, and some more stitching!!

* a trip to Nowra for two special pen pals to meet

* lots of decorating of our old home

* trips to hospital in ambulances, lots of trips to orthodontists

* visits from special friends

* lots of tears, lots of hugs, lots of laughter and lots of memories being made too...

2010 was a tough year, and a year I am happy to say goodbye to but one filled with memories I will cherish forever too...

For those who have been a part of my life throughout 2010, thank you for the part you have played in making my life that much richer. To my friends, thank you for your friendship and support, I wouldn't have survived this year without you x. To those who visit my blog and facebook page who offer support and friendship, thank you to you. To the stores throughout the world who stock and sell my patterns and book, thank you so very much for supporting me and my business. To the Creative Abundance family, a special thank you for helping me achieve so many dreams and for your continued support. And to my wonderful family, thank you for accepting me and loving me - for me.

I can't WAIT to see all that 2011 has in store for me and my little family. I have already listed my own personal goals for 2011 and can't WAIT to share more of my love of stitching and more with you too.

From my family to yours - Happy New Year. See you next year!! xx Janelle

Our Christmas Eve...

We have quite a few traditions in our family, and each year we all look forward to them. This year was no exception and as Christmas Eve arrived, we were all very excited. As well as our normal traditions, we had a few new things added this year.

On Christmas Eve (evening) we headed off to our Church for 'Carols by Glowlight'.

Together we sang Christmas Carols and enjoyed lots of Christmas items by very talented locals. We were SUPER excited because Jasper had been invited to play the organ and for this performance, he was joined on the piano by Granny (my Mother) so it was a very special night indeed. Together they played a beautiful rendition of 'Silent Night'.

When we arrived home, we started some of our own little family traditions. We made some warm cuppas, shared some delicious gingerbread cookies and gave the kids their Christmas Eve presents. Even though the kids know that we give them a new pair of pyjamas each Christmas Eve, they still look forward to receiving them.

This year, Emily had worked VERY hard making special hand made gifts for all of our family, and she wanted to give Jasper a Christmas Eve gift too. Jasper was SUPER excited about this and loved the handmade bear that his big sister made for him too.

I also surprised the kids with an extra present too. This year I made Blythe doll pyjamas for the Blythe dolls in our family. The kids were SO very excited as they love surprises.

Here are the Blythe dolls modelling their new pyjamas.

Once the Santa letters were written, some cookies and milk all placed ready, santa sacks hung on bedroom doors and kids tucked up in bed, I started my gift wrapping. I was a little late in wrapping this year as I was super busy making gifts right up until Christmas Eve. After a few hours of wrapping, I was finally ready for Christmas... And secretly, I couldn't wait!!!

I hope your Christmas Eve was very special too. Do you have any special traditions? If so, I would love to hear about them. Back soon to share about our Christmas day and look for a few posts about all of the handmade gifts I made this year... x Janelle

It's Jasper's turn...

Today is my gorgeous boys' 9th birthday...

As is the tradition in our family, last night saw me wrapping presents and decorating Jasper's bedroom in preparation for the BIG day today. I just love how exciting birthdays are to my kids and I am happy to get totally caught up in that excitement too. I love decorating their rooms and seeing their excited faces when they wake up on their birthday morning.

To decorate Jasper's room, I decided he could have some pom poms just for him too, so I got busy and made some 'boy' coloured ones to hang from his ceiling. I also made him a fabric bunting - you can see that in photos further down.

This year there were two main things that Jasper wanted as gifts for his birthday, the main one being a pair of black converse shoes. He rewarded me with HUGE excitement upon opening the box that contained just the very thing he was hoping for. I love how expressive my boy is!

We also gave Jasper some other gifts - a new outfit, a DS game and headphones for his DS, some slip on shoes and some Spongebob DVD's.

I let Jasper have a day at home today to celebrate his birthday and we have enjoyed chatting and hanging out together. It has been a very special day for me too - just a day with my boy and me.

I can't believe that my baby boy is 9 years old already. I can't believe that in one year's time he will be double digits. Time sure flies by when you are the Mum of small children. I really hope we can make this next year go REALLY slowly...

Jasper has asked for a pool party for his birthday, so we will work towards that for a few weeks time once the weather is a little warmer...

Happy Birthday gorgeous boy, I hope your birthday is really special. Lots of love forever xx Mummy

Our little 'Alice in Wonderland'...

Yesterday we hosted an Alice in Wonderland themed party to celebrate Emily's 12th birthday. She was SO super excited and was bursting by the time Sunday arrived. It was party day!

We had been doing some planning behind the scenes and worked on some little special touches to try and make the day just that bit more special.

On Saturday afternoon, Emily and two of her friends collected the most gorgeous bunches of flowers to the birthday table. These little mixed bouquets would have to be my most FAVOURITE bunches of flowers, I just LOVE them. To make the cutlery feel special, I wrapped each trio in a serviette, then paper doily and finished it off with a blue ribbon...

For the prize bags for the games, I filled some little blue bags with mixed lollies and treats and finished them off my wrapping a 1/4 of a lace doily over the top and machine stitching them closed.

I also printed and made place cards for each girl at the party - to keep is simple, I added some alphabet stickers with their initials.

To add to the afternoon tea party theme, we put together a little crazy dinner setting for each girl - all with different plates, saucers and tea cup. (I am thinking we might keep these mixes sets to use every day at home - they make me smile BIG time)

For the gift bags to send home with the girls at the end of the party, I really wanted to do something just that little bit special. When a friend told me about these teapots that she had in her store that weren't selling, my mind got to thinking and our special 'gift bags' came together. I filled each teapot with mixed lollies, and tied a tag and heart playing card to each teapot. The girls loved them!!

About lunch time, we began to construct our 'little wonderland' in our front yard. I am SO thankful to Michael for all of his help - he did a fabulous job bringing my 'vision' into a reality.

To make our little wonderland, we (insert Michael) put five very tall star pickets into the lawn, carefully measured to have it work with our curtain. We then threaded some white rope through a sheer curtain to become a back drop for the party. Then across the two front star pickets, we tied fishing line and hung some more (yes I made more) tissue paper pom poms. We added two tables, crisp white table cloths and our china dinner sets and we were ready for an afternoon of Alice in Wonderland tea party fun.

  

We hired a costume for Emily this year, I just didn't have it in me to make something (I know, terrible!) She was thrilled with what she wore and felt extra special being able to dress up too. Thank goodness for costume hire stores...

 Once all of the girls arrived, we headed inside to open the presents. It was so lovely to see Emily's friends being so kind and supportive. She is one blessed little girl to have such lovely friends.

After the presents, it was time for the party to begin. The girls headed out to our little wonderland in the front yard and found their place to sit. They were happy to begin eating - who doesn't love party food!! We made 'eat me' and 'drink me' tags to add to the food too - just a little bit more Alice in Wonderland fun.

After the food, it was time for some games. We played lots of good old fashioned games like musical chairs, three legged races, egg and spoon races, musical statues and even some crochet (our version of it anyway). The girls all laughed hard and had a great time.

 

After the games had worn everyone out, it was time for the cake. This year Emily requested butterfly cupcakes. So I happily obliged and made some butter cake butterfly cupcakes.

 

 

During the party, I also set up a little area for some group shots and fun photos. I let the girls choose the combinations of friends they wanted and I happily snapped away. Here is Emily with one of her best friends Erin - as the Mad Hatter. What a fun pair they are.

 

Here is Emily and Jasper with our lovely neighbour friends - who were both a wonderful help with planning and running the party. Jasper and Claira were wonderful waiter staff too. Thanks guys x

And I couldn't resist a group shot of all of these lovelies together too...

To finish, the girls headed indoors to watch 'Alice in Wonderland' on DVD and head home, with their own teapot to remember their time at Emily's party. And my darling husband spent ages bringing our little wonderland down, and returning our front yard to normal while I rested my sore back with an ice pack - bless him for being SO helpful.

And that was the end of the party...

Would you believe it is Jasper's birthday on Friday, so we will be doing this all again - just for Jasper (a different theme). I can't wait!! Thanks for sharing Emily's party with us xx Janelle

 

My girl turned 12 (insert shocked face here)...

I can't quite believe that my girl is 12 already. It seems only a few years ago that I was giving birth to my little baby girl. The years sure have flown and I am now the mother of a 'tween'. Oh dear - only one more year until the teenage years begin...

I have LOTS to share about Emily's birthday, so this is PART ONE of her birthday celebrations. Here are a few photos to share how we celebrated her actual birthday. I will be back later to share all about her 'Alice in Wonderland' party from yesterday.

The day before her birthday, I took some time to individually wrap her presents. Yellow for her favourite colour with some wool for decoration. It looks like lots of pressies, but I collected lots of little gifts for her for months, and it was such fun to wrap them all separately.

One of the traditions in our family is for me to decorate my kids bedroom the night before their birthday, while they sleep. This year I wanted to do something different, not the same streamers and balloons that I usually use. So this year, I made a fabric bunting and a lot of tissue paper pom poms. The night before Emily's birthday I was creeping around her room trying to tie fishing line and pom poms all around her room. I tell you, some gymnastics or acrobatic training would have come in handy LOL and I am sure Emily woke a little bit too but kindly 'pretended' to be asleep without peeking cause I am sure she loves the surprise too.

So on the morning of her birthday, Emily woke to pom poms hanging from her ceiling with a bunting across the top of the blinds too.

(I made the pom poms using this great online tutorial)

Thankfully Emily LOVED her room decorations and said it felt like waking up in a Wonderful - phew, mission accomplished!

She quickly ran, woke us all up and we sat together in the lounge as she opened each present - something we all enjoy. This year I was a little sneaky and left one special present in the closet. When she had finished opening all (so she thought) of her presents, I said 'hang on, I think I might have forgotten one'. So I came back with a box - and she knew straight away what could be inside. After the initialy SCREAM of delight. She took a minute to catch her breath - too much excitement for one little girl LOL.

Inside, Emily soon discovered we had bought her another Blythe doll (the last we plan on buying for a LONG time I might add).

Thi Blythe doll is called (by the manufacturers) Bohemian Peace but Emily soon renamed her Gypsy. We think it suits her and she is now a much loved member of our family.

Being the Mum that I am, it didn't take much convincing for me to let Emily (and Jasper) stay home to play with Emily's new presents and celebrate her birthday together. So Emily was SUPER excited when a package arrived from her gorgeous friend Bella on her birthday.

This was Emily's reaction when she opened her gift - we were ALL  blown away by Bella's generosity and gorgeous gift.

 

Bella had so generously crochet this beautiful snow beanie for Emily, all by herself - AND she is only 9 years old. Emily just LOVES it and happily wore it for the rest of her birthday...

 

There was lots of playing with Blythe dolls, some monopoly and generally being a happy girl for the rest of the day. Daddy brought home a yummy cake and we shared a meal of spaghetti pasta and cake for dinner. I think my girl went to bed with a happy smile on her face - and so did I...

Happy Birthday gorgeous girl... xx Mummy

Today...

We hosted an Alice in Wonderland party for Emily and nine of her special friends. We all had a wonderful time - but are plum tuckered out. So as I head off to pop my feet up for a rest, I just wanted to share a photo of 'our' Alice. We love you Emily and happy 12th birthday xx

Back soon to share all about her birthday and party too... x Janelle