These ornaments were part of an attempt to fill our tree and to have extra gifts for people. I wish I'd brought more foam balls back from the US this summer!
Joel and I had the most perfect first Christmas, and a lovely afternoon with my family and my sister's new three legged hamster.

Christmas day was also three months to the day since our wedding.
Look at my sister's blog for a peek :)

Love,
Cait

some things I've been working on

But mostly wedding favors, with a sweet bunch of girls helping us.

Aaaaand, my dress is in the works! We knew I would be getting it made, since it's impossible to find a modest one in a style I like. I'd decided on a tailor in Satwa, and almost refused to meet with another seamstress because 'I already knew I wanted that guy to do it.' I am so thankful we met with her! Three hours later and we'd decided to go fabric hunting the next day. A week later, and fabric is bought and we've given her the initial payment, and a mock-up is being made! She is a fun, young, Indian designer who studied fashion in London, and herself got married a year ago. We both love vintage styles and classic gowns, and she is wonderful to work with, confident and honest. And most importantly (and amazingly) she'll work with my budget.
Because I know you'll be curious, here are some clues (which Joel knows about, but more than this you won't be hearing because he reads this blog!).

. it's white :)
. it has sleeves (shock horror!)
. it is exactly what I had in mind (you should have seen her sketch out my ideas in her fancy designer freehand)
. it is very classic, with my own twist.

But just as much as wedding details, we've been thinking and talking about our family and our home. I am so excited to see how and where God leads Joel, now and throughout our lives. He is purposeful in all things and is thinking hard and learning about our direction, and filled with God's Spirit. I'm so thankful to be marrying a man like him - especially because it's him!

love,
Cait

Pretty Camera

Thank you so much for all of your sweet notes and congratulations!! As if this could be any happier, all of the shared rejoicing by our friends here and far away is an added blessing.

Before this little blog gets inundated with wedding ideas and plans (or completely neglected), I'll share a few finished projects from over the past few weeks.

This one, a cover for my canon camera strap, was on my list for a long time and finally got stitched up - it was a really easy craft, using the strap itself as a pattern and cute fabric from Katie. It was a little hard to take pictures of though, being attached to the camera! This also meant I got to check off something on my '18 before 19' list - 'Make stationery case and camera strap cover.' Something else on the list also got checked off recently - can you guess what it was?

love,
Cait

hundreds of squares

I did work on the quilt quite a bit this week, and have done all that is possible before more memorable fabric crosses my path :) I can recognize each little square in this, from something I or my grandmother made, vintage and antique fabric from her house, or gifts. But because it isn't made with just any fabric and because the squares are so small, it will take forever to finish! The sight of the brightly mismatched rows haphazardly stitched and pressed together is worth it.

I love this photo below - the perfectly pressed underside of the small-squared quilt on top of the larger one. Here you can see how small the squares really are! With seams they are an inch wide; a tiny mosaic.

Do you have a special quilt that has been passed down, or made by someone you know?
love,

Cait
P.S. Joel took me to see Alice in Wonderland yesterday! I loved it (but mostly being with him).

P.P.S. Thank you for your lovely comments lately! (Just to clarify, I don't make my own stationery - just the travel case! Stationery making does sound fun though - we should all try it :) I'm thrilled that some of this is giving you ideas though - that's exactly why I share because I've gotten so many project ideas from other blogs!

write you a letter

I've been meaning to make a stationery case for a long time (it's been on my list ever since seeing them on etsy and thinking 'no way am I paying that, I could make it!'), and finally sat down to business. It was a one-evening project, with a rough sketch and no pattern. It's imperfect but I love all the fabrics and it will work beautifully for traveling. Much better than envelopes and papers getting lost and bent in suitcase pockets!
Some of the fabrics were a gift from Katie, and one is from Joel and one from his mom. I love them all; the purples and warm florals. There is a main pocket for stationery, with a smaller for envelopes. On the other side there are spaces for pens and another little pocket. It fastens with a snap and there is a bit of cardboard sewn into the back cover for stiffness and a possible writing surface. We're traveling to Lebanon next week to visit friends, so this will get some use =)

october2009-march2010

This dear journal was scribbled up to the last page, and a new one had to be found. I wanted another spiral bound (so it could be folded back), preferably without lines. I came across a Kraft notebook, in Hyper Panda of all places (our local supermarket - is that a creative name or what?). The cover looks like a brown paper bag so I won't even have to decorate it much. Not only was it Kraft, but it is natural recycled paper, and it is graph paper.

Did you hear that? Natural graph paper ladies. I am such a nerd when it comes to pretty paper! Unfortunately, my favorite pens bleed through said natural brownish paper, so I'll have to figure something out. The cover has finally been fixed up with part of my favorite sonnet set ever (The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke) typed out in Dymo tape, and a little birdcage sticker from Joel, because I love birdcages and wanted to put it where I'd see it often. The last line of the verse especially is my favorite.


love,
Cait
p.s. I've been quilting and crafting a bunch in the past week, so artsy posts are returning! My goal is to work on the quilts every day this week.

Ink

I looked at old sketches and drawings today, wishing my good pens weren't clogged (that's no excuse not to draw though.). One was a collaboration with my friend Krystal (who is probably now living in a trailer under a waterfall and photographing street hippies), which I still really love because somehow pictures of anatomic hearts are intriguing. The last drawing used copious amounts of the special spidery-tipped ink pens.


Ink lately has been more used for writing letters, or journaling, or studying.
I like it better that way, even if it's unartistic.
(The pens dried up because of lack of use, after all.)

I never want creativity to dry up, but life happens (and life is more important).
I like it.
It just has to be woven together better.
And I'll draw today, I promise.

love, cait

pretty paper

A new-ish scrapbook page, of a favorite picture from my autumn trip to Texas.
It's my lovely friend Elena playing her beautiful family piano.
I think this is my current favorite page ever.

in front of me there is:

surprise flowers

an empty coffee cup

an envelope

and Dahlia Oz Vanderbilt the Blythe.
her plastic face charms me from across the room.
(she needs new portraits, that spoiled doll)

love,
Cait

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

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

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

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.

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

Owly

The promised homemade candles - but only the pretty one. We made a bunch poured in waxed paper cups to make simple votives, but my favorite is this one made in a mold that was my mother's when she was little. You know I love owls (see the little porcelain phone charm on my pink phone? Silly me ;) and this goes perfectly by the vintage-looking pencil sharpener a friend gave me. It sits on 'the classy shelf,' beside my great grandmother's sewing box and the Venetian mask from Daddy.

Here are a few more recent unspectacular scrapbook pages. Snow Mountain cousins, beloved Pike Place market, and friends from Puyallup.


You have all been so encouraging lately - thank you :) It makes me so glad to know that you enjoy reading these little crafty postings and are maybe inspired to try things. Definitely the goal!

with love,
Cait

Headbands in Action

Here's the pink rosette headband I made, which is a little larger than the others. I was very pleased with the outcome and have already worn it loads. The best thing about making things is that I can choose to keep and give the best ones and then just sell the rest (and maybe wear them first). These headbands I think are a step in the direction of bringing back fascinators - which many many etsy sellers are already doing! But I think they should be a more everyday sight. And maybe fancy hats next!


It was a pleasant, busy weekend, and Sunday was full, but today I had some treasured time for quiet study and reading.
'in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.' [Ps. 16]

love,
Cait

rosettes & swimming pools

A few weeks ago I made all these rosettes from online tutorials, and stitched them together on felt while watching a movie. The next step was to find plain headbands and sew them on, which was prompted by the desire to wear one on Friday (a pink one, not pictured). These two will probably be gifts, and I'd like to make more. We don't have any more chiffon or silky fabric left, so we need to make a run to Satwa soon! I'd also like some velvet ribbon - it's so pretty and you can do numerous useful and inspiring things with it.

Since it was eid week, on Tuesday the well group girls went swimming and played games. They are all so much fun to be around, and so unique and interesting in their developing personalities. I made them all line up for a few pictures, and then was begged to take jumping picture after jumping picture. We're all about jumping in photos here.

Is your autumn cooling off yet? It's no longer too hot to go swimming here, so that's a nice change!
love,
Cait

'delight in life'

I'm hoping to get a table at another Expat Woman fair this November. It's the Christmas one and people are looking for gifts, so it's great. I haven't made much lately so I'll need to get working, though without letting it become a consuming task for the next month. What I was really excited about though, is that a photo of my table from the last fair was in the announcement email!

and just because I think mushrooms are beautiful.

A few old pages of the inspiration journal -


What do your weeks look like?
love,
Cait

honest 80's

Here's the fabric I'm using for the new bedcover. It's a lovely deep plum, paired with a muted turqoise pattern. Now I just need to research the actual stitching method - it's all ready, 'organic cotton bonded' batting included.

This is such a sad, sad, beautiful song. I love the dancing and old-world musical quality about it. And Bjork performs exquisitely as always. I like the line, 'all walls are great if the roof doesn't fall.'

The talented Natalie has tagged me to write ten honest things about myself (Is honesty not expected in these?).

- I love candles and burn a lot of them in my room (and recycle the wax to make more). I consider unscented candles a waste of oxygen ;)
- Four of five best friends live in other countries.
- I love to be out but over time I'm becoming more and more of a homebody.
- My style is also getting quieter, though this is largely unintentional. I need to get more colorful clothes since it's still what I like.
- Cirque du Soleil has come to Dubai multiple times in our residence here and I've never been able to justify the money it would take to go. But I'd be so thrilled.
- I'm working on my first quilted blanket (as opposed to a quilt - though I'm working on one of those too).
- For Christmas I gave my little brother 'Time.' An hour each week set aside for him. Even though we're...months? behind, it's still priceless when we do it. He explains football to me, or tries to teach me how to play his computer games, or makes macarons with me. Basically whatever he wants to do. It makes him so happy and is always always worth it. It needs to be more regular.
- I've always liked coffee but we're increasingly developing into a coffee-every-morning family. Maybe that's not good.
- A goal for this year is to experiment with many of the diverse cafes and restaurants in Dubai. It's tragic that there's such a variety and yet I meet friends at Starbucks every time. (Maybe it's the Seattleite in me)
- I didn't buy a stapler for ages because I was waiting to find a pink one that wasn't mini-sized. But I kept stealing my dad's so he bought me one. It isn't pink, but after some searching, my new phone is.

Last night Jamaila (the dear friend that doesn't live in another country) celebrated her 19th birthday with an 80's night. One guy decided to creatively interpret this dressed as an actual 80-year old man. I'd never met him so I thought it might be a real elderly person coming to the party. Here he is doing some dancing and rockin' out with one of the other best dressed guests.

with love,
Cait