{bestow}
I make. I think it's just in my bones to do so. I can't really recall the origination of this passion exactly. With little girl eyes, I watched as my Mom sewed and painted. I'm certain that had something to do with it. Then there's my Dad who quite possibly might be the most resourceful and intelligent person I know. He builds. He thinks. He fixes. He sees past trouble and into just the right solution. And I can't neglect to note the left hand of me. The brain connections and built-in presets to who I so southpaw am. So I kinda like to think that God gifted me a life of making. He stuck it deep into my heart. Yeah, the more I think on it, the more I feel certain of His great bestowment to me.
Bestow is a word kinda fancy, don't you think? I do. It sounds official & regal. Like some big presentation is involved complete with a ceremony and those tiny petit four cakes placed just so on shiny silver serving platters. And really all the word means is to give. To gift something with the notion of honor.
Honored. That's exactly how I feel when I get to make for my nieces. This fall my sister-in-law, Kim, asked that I make handmade Christmas outfits for Mollye & Mallory. Being the owner and sole custom designer of a rapidly growing business, the time to step away from paid projects to invest in the creative for the ones I love is very hard to wedge into my work schedule. And I want to so much. I absolutely adore making for the girls. I can remember when Mollye was just a tiny tot & how I would work just as fast as I could to have her in fun Aunt Meg handmades. I also think back to almost 3 years ago when I could hardly wait for the chance to make for 2 sisters. In my anticipation for Mallory's arrival, I made the girls a surprise heart package delivered to their door.
So when Kim sent a text message with this Christmas request, I knew just how much fun I would have making for 2 little Macs. Kim's only request was that the outfits were long sleeved and that Mallory have pants. Upon asking Mollye's request for her ensemble, the answer came back quick: DRESS!
I had an absolute blast compiling the color palette for their designs. My hope was to produce a vintage yet funky vibe for their ensembles. The poppy teal & silver polka dot print was so fun to bring out the hints of cedar in the ole world candy cane fabric. It also worked nicely against the bits of green in the newer spirited Christmas tree print. Miss Mallory's pantaloons were complete with a 3 tiered ruffle hem line.
I absolutely loved the pattern of the longer top with the reverse ruffle cuffs.
I added a few extras with the monogrammed collar, covered snap buttons and the petit ruffle trim too.
I drew these designs out and placed the fabrics on the drawing plan in the initial stage of the design work. I wanted the girls to coordinate, but not completely be one replication of the other.
Infusing the gray leopard print was such a delight. I absolutely loved the quirkyness it added to the classic-ness of these designs.
Mollye's dress was so beautiful once complete. I want to remember sitting wee into the morning hours as I finished sewing on her covered button snaps. I don't want to forget looking at how big & grown this frock in my lap lay. I want to remember that her cousin, Casey, served as a quick size reference for the dress length. Casey and Mollye are just 17 months apart in age.
It was as if it was just yesterday we were celebrating the first arrival of a new little Mac.
And now there are two. A double dose of Macs to love so very much. What am I bringing to Christmas this year? Well, the honor & privilege it is to be Aunt Meg. To serve all my nieces & nephews in the capacity that only an Aunt Meg can. For their presence in my life is most certainly on of the most beautiful gifts that has been bestowed upon me.
I make. And I'm so grateful that I do.
To read all of this {bringing to Christmas} series, please visit here.