January 30, 2011 - Baby Names

My daughter just delivered a baby blanket, cap and nightgown that I made for a customer for a new baby boy's shower. I embroidered his name and a basketball on the blanket. He will be a Junior and evidently his Dad is enthralled with basketball. The nightgown and cap have his nickname, M.J.. I can remember when my children were being born, the big excitement was finding out if they were a boy or girl at the time of their birth. Then came deciding on a name. My first child, a son, didn't get his name until day 4 because I just wasn't sure who he looked like or what name seemed right for him. His name is Matthew as he is the first chapter of my husband's and my life as parents. A strong name, so much so that he did not receive a middle name. I do think over the 38 years of his life that I have heard nicknames for him but to me he is Matthew. Jonathan and Mary Elizabeth followed behind Matthew in the naming of our children. It is interesting what names we choose and why. I am not sure if I prefer knowing before the birth or after. What about you? I love to hear your comments.

January 22, 2011 - Where do the days go?

I can't believe that Christmas was a month ago and yet my home is still decorated for the holiday. I have begun the task of packing away the decorations and promising myself that I will be so much more organized next year. This, by the way, is a yearly promise, some years I make it and others....well not so much. I must confess that I do leave the family room tree up until sometime in late winter. It is not in the way and gives my husband and I such pleasure as this is the room that we tend to watch television in and let's face it, winter is blah. Unless of course there is snow. Speaking of which, we are due to get a storm on Tuesday. We shall see how this turns out as yesterday's storm resulted in a dusting. My friend's in Alabama have seen more snow this year than we have here in Delaware.
Today is the day to cut and pleat some smocking things. I will be having surgery at the end of February and want to have several items ready to go. I specialize in children's heirloom and classic clothing. I also do special occasion clothing for proms, weddings and have had year's where I do massive amounts of home dec (curtains, spreads, dust ruffles, drapes, tablecloths).
Now to figure out how to put a picture with this and day 1 of being a blogger will be a success.