Feltband

This new headband/fascinator was inspired by Ruby's beautiful new stocking for one of her girls. I love everything she does, and everything having to do with felt, mixed up colors, and that perfect, mauve-ish shade of purple. So with layered circles, gathered leaves, and embroidery floss, this was put together (and the first time I wore it the flowers were safety pinned on to the headband!). It's my new favorite thing and I'm in serious danger of wearing it every day for the next month. Try something like it and show me what you come up with! You can do anything with felt.

love,
Cait

a merry little Christmas

How was your Christmas? What was your favorite gift given?

Half of mine were planned far in advance and half were finished at the last minute.
We had our traditional cinnamon rolls for brunch and fondu for dinner.
On Christmas evening we drove out to the desert for a bonfire and carols, an annual Dubai gathering.
I received some beautiful pastry rings which I'm very excited to use. Perhaps tiramisu first - I want to make it pretty and finely stacked but not dry like the ones you buy in cafes.

In the evening as we had family worship and then read a chapter of A Christmas Carol, I was overwhelmed and awed by the blessings this year has brought. Maybe I'll write more about that later ;) God is so good.

For our parents this year, my sister had the idea to take photographs and frame them. We did the pictures on Tuesday, printed them on Wednesday, and then I framed and wrapped them before we celebrated on Thursday. They went in black frames backed with patterned cardstock, with a few lines of stitching to make the photo stand out more. These are the two we used -
And here are some of the (pretty and not so pretty) rejects. I love my brother.


with love,
Cait

'you see the outside first'

After taking part in Oh Hello Friend's 'lovely package' exchange, I was persuaded to put much more effort into wrapping gifts and trying to make them look creative and pretty, as well as the contents. Here are some of the most recent results. As you can see I love brown paper bags and doilies and string.

Do you enjoy wrapping gifts? Do you like to watch people open them or do you get embarrassed? I love watching and seeing their (hopefully) happiness, but I also get nervous!

Back to wrapping -
love,
Cait

Birds

After seeing some birdcage inspired handmade ornaments, I was itching to try free-handing some birdcages on the sewing machine, much like Ruby (Cakies) does with her crowns and dollhouses. I had to come up with some final, nice gifts for one of the girls in my well group, so I jumped at the chance and made her a birdcage pillow, with a felted sparrow to match. Thankfully I think she liked it, and I was happy with how it turned out and want to experiment more.

The Christmas tea was this afternoon, and went reasonably well despite miscommunication and miscounting. We just hurriedly arranged a third pretty little table and fit all 25 in. Hospitality is about spontaneity too, right? In all the rush I didn't photograph the table beforehand, but I might write more about it later.
What are your last few days before Christmas filled with?

love,
Cait

The Christmas tea is Tuesday. The paper bunting is made, Kyleigh is crocheting 23 wreath ornaments, extra people have been invited, and I am considering chocolate macarons dipped in crushed peppermint. A good experiment? I think so. We hope the tea will be fun and a blessing to all the girlies that come.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And in fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly minded
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand

this outfit

makes me happy.

The perfect shoes were found at Spring last week and I wore them all weekend. I've been in love with ruffled T-straps since February, and finally snatched them. (and you need ruffled flannel for good measure, don't you?)

Christmas is in one week. Dear me! Are you ready? I'm not. There are gifts to finish and a tea to put on and make decorations and presents for. But I'm ready for the cinnamon rolls, and fondu, and wassail, and family time, and watching White Christmas, and special times of worship.

Mary was probably younger than me - isn't that amazing? She is such a role model for me. Humble, willing, wise, strong, reverent.

with love;
Cait

He answers prayers faster than I can pray them.

Eph. 3:20

what a faithful God have I

A few Christmas gifts have gone in the mail, but I'm feeling a bit rushed for time by now! Particularly when hoping to make most of my gifts, less than two weeks isn't much time. Do you prefer to make gifts? Or do you try to buy handmade? It's difficult to buy handmade here, but I would like that.
The adorable wreath below is Rachel Denbow's, which I'd love to make. There are no wreath forms to be found here so perhaps I'll wrangle a wire hanger into shape.

love,
Cait

17 -- 50

I made a scrapbook page last year that has carried on into this year. It's 50 things I love, at the age of 17. Of course there is a new one for 18, but I'm being careful of what goes on it because the year isn't even half over yet ;) It's like a thankful list, and ranges from the heart to the silly, in no meaningful order whatsoever.


Do you make lists? Do you write down your own inspiration?

Stay thankful.
Love, Cait

1. owls
2. red shoes
3. painting
4. the book of Hebrews
5. scented candles
6. iced tea from Seattle's Best
7. thunderstorms
8. Sunny
9. bright red lipstick
10. 'Wives and Daughters'
11. Haggai 2:9
12. arab cafeteria juice
13. Alice in Wonderland
14. Spurgeon, Piper, & Washer
15. MAC
16. Vanessa Valencia - A Fanciful Twist
17. clouds
18. macarons
19. little Leif
20. the Fleet Foxes
21. Robert E. Lee & Jefferson Davis
22. The Desperate Battle of the Birds
23. graduating
24. Politically incorrect history
25. Faith, John, & Hope Neal
26. pretty textured paper
27. Rupert Brooke
28. Flying Emirates!
29. sandals
30. Being Alive - Bernadette Peters
31. embroidering flowers
32. writing letters
33. giving gifts
34. hairbows
35. hope chest things
36. driving =)
37. little girl cousin hugs
38. Arizona iced tea
39. sending (real) letters
40. OSAS
41. family reunions
42. heritage
43. soy candles
44. cousins.
45. carmel macchiato
46. Washington rain
47. Pike Place buskers
48. dresses
49. being content.
50. Zechariah 3:7

Soul

Welcome to sweet, pretty little Soul.
May she be a creative, motherly, godly woman like her mother Ruby.
Brave, True, and Soul. What a blessed family!

love,
Cait

P.S. #8 is checked off! Ice cream cake successfully made and devoured.

December

November's goals were -

Paint ideas that have been floating

Prepare majority of Christmas gifts.

Bake and cook for Thanksgiving

Plan Christmas tea and give out invitations

Prepare Christmas packages (well, I did do this...but it was in the first few days of December!)

Read the pile of articles in my room

Paint my hallway turquoise.

Work on quilts

Make autumn fabric bunting

Practice pipes. a lot.

Design, make and give out tea invitations (and I did make them...but I did that only yesterday!)
Get hair trimmed (in desperate need)
Have individual time with one of the well group girls

So the majority of things did get done. Still not ideal!

For December we'll say -

- Have Christmas tea
- Complete all gifts in timely manner
- Have time with out of town guests
- Cook for out of town guests
- Scrapbook with Candace
- Practice pipes more again.
- Memorize my new song; Care Selve
- Successfully make ice cream cake
- At least buy paint for my room (This keeps getting pushed back!)
- Finish '18 before 19' list.
- Finish current book
- Find new cute, practical shoes since mine are all falling apart

We'll see if that's too ambitious. I don't think so. But I must emphasize (should you think I'm terribly lazy and underachieving) that even though I'm a horrible list writer (even though I write them every day) much more than this actually gets done each day and month! I know you're all forgiving ;)

With love,
Cait

Nie Does it Again

I've often told you about Nie.

Well, amidst her motherly, funny, honest-to-goodness writings, she's just posted another of her 'letters', this time to National Geographic, which I think deserves reading and cheering.

(Here to see.)

My little Boy Scout brother had a court of honor this week that was quite exceptional. Firstly because it was an Eagle Court of Honor (one of his troop members becoming an eagle, a very auspicious occasion) and secondly because it was aboard an aircraft carrier. The USS Nimitz was in the Jebel Ali Dubai harbor, and allowed the Dubai troop onto the Navy ship for the event. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we were able to explore the ship and were given a presentation by two of the squadron lieutenants. (Nate had them sign his cast ;) It was unnerving and sobering, however, to see the women working on the carrier. A noble Navy can hardly function with honor in such a time.

We've put the tree up and are listening to Christmas music by now =)

with love,

Cait

Seeing Family

Recently I scanned these weathered photos so I could get copies printed for myself. They are old prints and antique plates; photographs of generations on my father's side. The majority (and these three) are likely of Rose Theresa Muldoon, who emigrated from Ireland a century ago. She is the great grandmother whose cross I was given. It's so precious to have pictures like these - I'd like to know exactly who everyone is. Look at that bird on her hat! And the beautiful finger-waves in the above photo. The man could be my grandfather, Joseph, but could be her husband, Ira. They look exactly alike! He's quite young there though.

Are there old photos or other treasures you cherish?

Love,
Cait

Cheery Bunting

This was made exactly how it looks - triangles of fabric, sewed along the edges, and then lined up on a folded strip of lace or bias tape. And hung wherever it pleases you ;) Super easy and colorful. I love mixing patterns and colors like this; don't you? It's very homey.

So, I stinkin love my life; just so you know. God is gloriously kind. There's nothing to complain about with the joy, purpose, and contentment given at home, and He keeps heaping blessing upon blessing on top of that. So thankful.
Tell me what is blessing you today.

love,
Cait

Pretty Pumpkin

These are some of the cutest autumn decorations or projects I've ever seen - especially since we can't really get pumpkins in Dubai. Danielle Thompson has made a tutorial for fabric pumpkins, and they look incredibly easy (my favorite are the velvet ones she's made in the past).
One thing was crossed off the little November list last week - the fall bunting was a quick and fun experiment, though now it's simply above my desk as we aren't having any gatherings at which to hang it. Pictures soon ;)

How has your autumn been so far? Mine has been marvelous. God is so good =)

love,
Cait

summer, Brooke, and geisha

Forgive my absence around here ladies; it's been busy (in the best of ways) and I haven't had much time for making things. Here are a few more old pages from the scrap journal.

love, Cait

November

Here are the things I finished from October's list. My excuse at the small number is traveling, but of course more than these actually got done ;)

1. Make headbands for fair

2. Finish new set of herb girl paintings for fair

6. Memorize Isaiah 58:10-12

9. Try making Tartelette chocolate tarts or pear cakes, or something from my French cookbook.

10. Have some special time with one of my well group girls

13. Finish 'note-stitches' for fair.

And November's goals.

1. Paint ideas that have been floating.

2. Prepare majority of Christmas gifts.

3. Bake and cook for Thanksgiving

4. Plan Christmas tea

5. Send Christmas packages

6. Read the pile of articles in my room

7. Paint my hallway turquoise.

8. Work on quilts

9. Make autumn fabric bunting

10. Practice pipes. a lot.
11. Design, make and give out tea invitations
12. Get hair trimmed (in desperate need)
13. Have individual time with one of the well group girls

What are some of your priorities?
love,
Cait

glasses and their houses

These pictures have been inspiring me so much lately. Not that I have a kitchen to decorate or anything, but I love open shelving. I know the second one is from a store, but still! Can you get any more prettily cluttered? I'm no pack-rat but I love artful clutter. The last one is more simplistic and streamlined but still cute.

Here are some of the last things made in November. Another headband and my first try at a necklace, again prompted by some etsy or anthropologie examples.

Is anything influencing your creativity or plans lately?
For me, it's also this.

Love,
Cait

of fairs and frames

The Expat Woman fair yesterday made for a very long day. It went rather poorly; I had an out-of-the-way table and was unable to set up the way I wanted to. Though there were crowds of people, there was little interest. Quite a few women took a card and said they wanted to call about some custom things (but in the past I've never received follow-up on those!). I'm thinking about the two other November fairs, though I'd decided against them before. We'll see!

The current herb ladies - Rosemary, Ginger, Sage, and Coriander.
You'll be introduced to Ginger and Rosemary shortly :)

I used this antique painted frame (found at a thrift store for 1dhs!) to display the headbands. They are quite top-heavy so were constantly knocked over, but it looked nice. Only one sold but they were priced very reasonably (the same or less than mass produced ones from Accessorize) so I was a little surprised. More for gifts now =)

How was your weekend?

love,
Cait

Listen.

6.11.9

I arrived home to a lovely parcel and letters from Katie. She knows me so well :)
The flight to Texas was uneventful and traveling with our family friends was a joy. I was thoroughly amused by the children, especially when Faith told a stewardess that she was from Italy (I couldn't stop laughing, even to tell her to stop giving Faith chocolate). Having time before the flight home, I'll have you know that I walked through two terminals to find a Starbucks and get a peppermint mocha. We don't get the holiday drinks in Dubai! Thanks to lovely Mrs. Marques I had a pumpkin spice latte a few days earlier, on a long afternoon outing to the cafe :)

The week was so full in every way. In fact it was very laid back, but it was full of people and talking and new friendships. There were also surprises, and I got to spend some precious time with a dear friend I hadn't met it person yet. That was such an unexpected blessing (Like all of this)! At church some very old friends were also there and it was the most extreme kind of crazy happening that is only providence.
I was encouraged to see that there is no 'formula' for what young ladies at home do or should do, but there are still things I learned from them. Simply being with other girls was the most meaningful thing, having never had that total sense of complete fellowship.

What stood out to me at church was that very little did stand out. It was exceptional, rare, family integrated, but though I hadn't had the chance to see it before it felt so right that it wasn't unusual. The differences were not so radical, not so strange or difficult to see; it was simply Scriptural. Why does a literal understanding seem so hard to accept or apply? Even we are blinded.
I'm so thankful for this trip. Its encouragement, new fast friends, new challenges for myself.

It's lovely to be home though, and tomorrow is the fair!

with love,
Cait

with a real report to follow when sleep is found.

Lots of conversation, holding babies, and making food.

Fresh Sri Lankan curry cooking and family hospitality.

French press and Pumpkin Spice, with a lovely fall afternoon of friendship.

Vivaldi demonstrations and sweet Elena playing the weathered piano.

I am thankful.

love,
Cait

With A Pleasing Theme

As you read this (scheduled post ;) I am on a plane to Houston, Texas. I am traveling with a beloved family, and the occasion for the trip is this conference on family integrated churches. My motivation for the trip, however, and primary excitement, is meeting other girls who have made the purposeful decision to stay home after graduation. This was a relatively sudden plan, and I was incredulous when I realized I was actually going. It is such an unexpected, amazing blessing. He is able to do far more abundantly than we ask or think! (Eph. 3:20) This has been seen in the traveling, new friendships, who I will stay with, and even more events in the past few weeks. I am stunned!

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme
I address my verses to the King.
Psalm 45:1

There is a pile of headbands made for the craft show, and several herb girls completed (Rosemary and Ginger). Everything else will be leftovers from the last fair, or last minute frenzies of preparation when I get home. After some thought, I think I have a cute way to display the headbands even though I sadly don't own a mannequin of any sort! You know what I was tempted to pack? My stapler! Of all things - but I am wanting to art journal again. And after all, office supplies are suddenly chic. I don't know where that came from, but ever since summer, masking tape and staples are going alongside lace and roses in my inspiration!

Love,
Cait

Lovely Package : On the recieving end

You can only imagine my delight upon seeing this pretty bundle under my dad's arm, knowing it could only be the 'lovely package' from Christine. Long-awaited and resent from Germany, this was the culmination of the package exchange as Christine received mine a few weeks ago. Everything in pink and orange, the colours and wrapping were of course beautiful, and everything was styled with Christine's clear, natural photography. The box opened to an accordion-style card with tiny polaroids.

There was a fun mix CD with a gorgeous cover, antique stationary, a handmade notebook, and decorated mini moleskins. A parcel of autumn flower pictures offered to substitute for fall in the desert.

French biscuits, homemade organic German cookies, boxes of matches decorated with vibrant pictures (because she knows I burn a lot of candles), all tightly packed together, and pungent incense fragranced the entire box. A necklace found in her term in the Canary Islands completed an international selection.

To crown it all, a block of four mounted flower portraits stood solidly in the bottom. Chris had made wall hangings of her photos, and they are stunning.
Everything was tastefully chosen and arranged, handmade, or designed. It was a cheerful theme and such a fun gift to open; like a little Christmas! This was a perfect artistic endeavor and seems to have been a blessing to both of us. If you have the chance to do a package exchange (particularly with other art bloggers), seize the chance!

Love,

Cait

P.S. Sunny enjoyed the paper.