Phoebe’s Blessing: A Note on Handmade Heirlooms

I’m admittedly pretty sentimental over things. For a long time I’ve felt that things made by hand are more than the sum of their parts. I remember in art school, one of the teachers telling me about a blanket his wife had sewn for his brother. It was made out of all the clothes the family had worn that year, and she gave it to his brother at Christmas time when he was alone in a new city. I can’t say for sure, but I would bet that when his brother wrapped up in that blanket every night, he felt a little less lonely thinking of all the people who loved him represented in that quilt.

When Colin’s Grandpa died, we went into his house after the funeral and saw this beautiful handcrafted name chain sitting out on his basement worktable. He made them for each of his children and grandchildren when they got married. It was still unfinished with he passed away. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but my heart was instantly endeared to this kind man who would think so much of us on our wedding day. Those kind of objects seem to take on  power all their own, some part of their maker, something extra or beyond what they physically are. They are more than just stuff.  I think it’s that something extra that attracts us to heirlooms and artifacts. That’s part of why I choose to be a thing-maker, and why so many others do too.

The chain made by Colin’s Grandpa

Phoebe is lucky to be born into a family with two grandma’s who are some of the most loving makers I’ve ever met. For her blessing, my mom made me this family tree blanket. The idea is that we can add names onto the branches as we continue to have children.

This is Phoebe’s beautiful blessing dress made by her Grandma LaRee from her own wedding dress. It came out just perfectly.

I made the bow. It was about all I wanted to commit to with a newborn baby in my arms.

My mom crocheted Phoebe these adorable ribbon booties. She’s almost as obsessed with booties as I am with bows.

Many thanks for the helping hands and the people who showed their love through them.

What’s new

We haven’t updated this in a while since we’ve been busy with the baby, preparing to move, and getting ready for our trip to Virginia.  Here’s a few updates:
We had our families in town for Phoebe’s blessing on Sept 1st and went on a picnic in the canyon.  We invented a new game with the knitted frisbee Katie made, we call it “Frisberet”.  The object is to catch the frisbee on your head (like a beret—get it ).  It was tons of fun and hilarious to watch.  Here are some photos:









Kevin wanted to see what Phoebe likes so much about being swaddled.  Kevin decided he didn't like it.

Our house is almost done, but the cabinet company installed the wrong color cabinets and promptly went out of business.  After some wrangling with the builder, we finally came to an agreement about what to do.  Unfortunately, we had problems getting a form filled out by the HOA in time, so we ended up later than we anticipated and won’t be able to move until we get back from Virginia in a week.  In the meantime, our house is full of boxes.  Such fun.
 

Phoebe at 2 Months

New This Month:

• She Laughs!
• Loves to take baths
• Wants to be in her carrier all the time 
• Loves Sinatra and "Would you like to Swing on a Star:
• 10 lbs at her two month check up (50th for weight and 75th for height)