Somebody forgot to tell this little booger not to grown up. Sniff sniff. She started ballet last week and the next day we got a call saying that an opening at pre-school had finally opened up. She started yesterday. Five days a week, 3 hours a day.
She has been on the waiting list for 2 places for about 6 months and the Montessori called first. Hooray! I researched several places in town and was sad to see that so many of them are really just day-care incognito. I'm really impressed with the way Montessori is run, it will be perfect for Eliza. She has always been our child that needs to be coaxed, not pushed. That's really how the system is set up, letting them learn at their own pace in a still structured environment. Hopefully it all goes as well as I hope. Hopefully I can get used to the empty space that is there when she is gone. Hopefully I will be wise enough to spend that time giving Ethan some special attention. He misses her when she's gone. "Wares Ewiza?"
So anyway, a child's first day of school requires a new article of clothing, doesn't it? She's spreading her wings, so a butterfly was necessary. Meet Mariposa, my little butterfly applique pattern. You can find it over on the side bar.
The pattern is just for one set of wings. If you want the look that I created here, cut 2 sets of the wings and arrange them staggered. The body is a leaf I had lying around, you could give your butterfly a ric-rac body or just buttons in a row..lots of options! I'd like to do a Monarch butterfly with buttons around the edges of the wings. They've always been my favorite for some reason.
Enjoy!
(Speaking of my side-bars you might notice I changed around my flickr badges. I won't bother going on about how that is all I accomplished the other day. I fiddled with them all day, playing with the coding to make them pretty. So feel free to add your pictures into the Shir Madness group and join the Ginger Blossom group for when you get your hands on the fabric!)
Gorgeous Mariposa Girlie!!!!!!!
Posted by: Laurie | February 08, 2008 at 12:48 PM
oh yay for Montessori, I am hoping to send my little one there when he's old enough! Have you checked out montessori by hand? blog and yahoo group, great stuff. PS the blog looks great!
Posted by: Helena B | February 08, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I Love the butterfly! So fitting for her first day! I also adore making Gina simple applique tops :) I have to post my owl creation... she loves it! I still have to figure out how to add pics to my posts? So new to this whole blog thing LOL! Oh and congrats on getting in to Montessori! G has been on lists forever... no openings and she is 4 now :(. Oh well, what will you do with all of your new found time?
Posted by: Gail | February 08, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I love the butterfly applique shirt! The fabric choices for the butterfly really make it stand out and it looks so cute and girly!
I love the embroidered jeans too! Did you make those? And what are the things on the sides of the shirt?
Posted by: Marie | February 08, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Oh I added some ruffle rac from Michael Miller on the sides! The pants are just from the store. :)
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | February 08, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Your little one will love Montessori. I put my 3 year old boy in Montessori last fall and he has thrived beyond belief. He's always been a tad of a nonchalant overachiever but they really let him "spread his wings" there. He'll probably stay in Montessori too for as long as I can keep him there since I don't believe in today's public school system...sad but true. I can't wait to get your fabric!
Posted by: Amii | February 08, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Your little one will love Montessori. I put my 3 year old boy in Montessori last fall and he has thrived beyond belief. He's always been a tad of a nonchalant overachiever but they really let him "spread his wings" there. He'll probably stay in Montessori too for as long as I can keep him there since I don't believe in today's public school system...sad but true. I can't wait to get your fabric!
Posted by: Amii | February 08, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Cute top. I feel ya on our babies getting big! Hannah only goes to preschool 2x/wk, I don't know how I'd do with her gone 5x's. Luke misses her when she's gone too, but it's fun to focus on him and I feel good that he's getting extra attention that he doesn't get when she's home.
Posted by: Melissa | February 08, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I don't know if it's just me or not, but I am unable to open the butterfly applique pattern, the pdf file is coming up blank.
Thanks!
Posted by: Marie | February 08, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Thanks for the pattern Sandi. My little Darcy started at Pre School this year - and I too used it as a great excuse for making some handmade goodness! I see a little mariposa shirt being modelled next week...
Posted by: Louise | February 08, 2008 at 02:51 PM
This one takes a while to load up! It's a big file, try waiting a little bit longer for it to appear.
:)
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | February 08, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Gorgeous applique!
Posted by: AJ | February 08, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Congrats on Montessori! I wanted to put Liv in there, but it was too expensive, it was 5000.00/year for 1/2 day Kindergarten, yikes! Love her outfit, she is spreading her wings now...
Posted by: Lisa | February 08, 2008 at 04:43 PM
What a cute shirt. I have my kids in Montessori, and we love it. We have a private one, and a public one. My kids go to the public one, because yeah..3 kids in private school is a little much. :)
Posted by: Lindsey Grice | February 08, 2008 at 05:25 PM
They grow up WAY too fast, don't they? *sniff* And I love that she's eating toast and jam in the pics. It's a favorite at our house too. :)
Posted by: Kim | February 08, 2008 at 09:04 PM
My older three have all been in Montessori and Claire is currently in Montessori 2 days a week. It has been wonderful! In fact my 7 year old keeps asking me if he can go back and "work" in his old class.
I have never been more amazed than when I walk into the classroom and there are 12 3-6 year olds all working quietly. They are all busy with their own thing and nothing is crazy or chaotic. They love it and they learn a lot!
Posted by: Lizzie | February 09, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Beautiful butterfly shirt. That is so adorable.
Posted by: Lisa | February 09, 2008 at 08:32 PM
SWEET! They do grow up so quickly! What a perfect little t-shirt as she starts to use those wings. :-)
Posted by: Pam | February 10, 2008 at 02:19 PM
I am going to make a "bow" tumbler baby quilt out of Ginger Blossom when I can get my hands on it. I posted a baby quilt and I'll use that same idea for the baby Ginger Blossom quilt. I just think its got enough versatility in color and pattern that it will look really cute made up in this design.
It will be fun.
Posted by: Freda's Hive | February 11, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Isn't she beautiful? I sympathise with you, when both of mine went to nursery I found it a real wrench- almost as if they had grown and flown the nest. I did have to fight myself, as my instinct was to say no, you are staying at home with me as long as possible. But with retrospect I can see how strong and independant they have both become because they have their own little worlds outside the home. You are giving your daughter strength - and for that, and your heartache, you deserve chocolate! (And lots of it) From a practical note, I read years ago how strong it makes their immune system, mixing with other children like this. So well done you!
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | February 11, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I love the embroidery on her jeans... adorable!!
Joni
Posted by: jonipossin | February 11, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Oh, this outfit is just adorable! I will be so excited when we get to adopt (or have) a little girl, and I can sew for her. What fun it will be!
Posted by: Angie | February 12, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Her eyes are wonderful.
Posted by: Beth | February 15, 2008 at 02:23 PM
You will love montessori - it is a wonderful, wonderful thing!!
Missy
Posted by: Missy | February 20, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I came here from TCB. Your fabrics are so yummy. I am wanting to make new sofa pillows and your line might be exactly what i am looking for. I have three daughters and your clothing is fabulous.
Susan
Posted by: Susan D | February 25, 2008 at 09:28 PM