The only things I bought for Beatrix’s birthday were a photo album and a fancy thrift store dress. I still worried that she would receive too many presents! My four other crafting aged children all wanted to make gifts for her. Of course I had a couple things I wanted to make too, so she really made out well, as they say. Everyone got started on their gifts weeks in advance, even me! That didn’t stop me from being up until 3 a.m. the night before her birthday. But I’ll get back to that. First the gifts:
Keats made a kitty cat purse and knit Beatrix a pair of fingerless gloves. Larkspur gave Beatrix a hand sewn pink purse, a book (of stickers?) and a pair of store bought ice skates for Bea’s doll. Larkspur bought the skates with her own money weeks in advance, wrapped them, hid them in a tomato can, and stashed the can in my closet.
I am the queen of taking too many pictures, and not having a single one of them printed. So, my ambitious plan was to print a book of photos from Beatrix’s first four years and present it to her on her birthday. In the end, I decided that a book featuring four years of herself might be too much for both her and for me (to create) and opted for her first year only. Baby pictures are her favorite anyway. I used MyPublisher and was pleased with the quality of the book.
I mentioned to my friend Lori (Bea’s godmother) that I needed a vintage suitcase for Beatrix’s birthday. She provided a perfect one (thank you!)
Inside, Beatrix found her very own ragdoll. Larkspur has one, and Beatrix has been hoping for her own. She can store her doll’s clothes and other little possessions in the suitcase.
(By the way, wasn’t Beatrix having a great hair day? I only point this out, because as you know, my girls rarely have nicely styled hair. I used the curling iron for Beatrix’s big day.)
I made the ragdoll using Amy Karol’s pattern. I spent about a week working on it, a little each night. Making dolls and doll clothes is a little bit fussy, but the results are worth it!
Look at that toadstool! And the little mice peeking out behind it!
Gabriel sewed these for Beatrix! So cute!
And Seth made her a wallet! He needle felted the front cover and then machine sewed wool felt inside to make the pouches. It was his first time to use the sewing machine (he’s never been interested before) and he turned out to be a natural. Straight lines were no problem for him.
I added the button and a little loop of elastic to hold it closed. Seth needle felted the B on the front. I was very proud of Seth’s work. He clearly did this out of love because he doesn’t typically go in for crafts.
Beatrix received a nativity of her very own, also from her godmother who knows her so well! She absolutely loves it! She’s in absolute heaven in possession of her very own Baby Jesus.
At the end of a very long day we finally got around to the cupcakes.
Beatrix barely raised her four fingers when I asked for the traditional (show me how many fingers) birthday photo. She’d had enough birthday festivities at this point and was ready for bed. Some kids thrive on excitement and big days, but Beatrix is very drained by them. Just the excitement of opening gifts and making a trip to the bookstore to spend her birthday money from grandparents was enough to completely wipe her out.
I was wiped out as well, having stayed up until the wee hours of the morning the night before finishing her birthday dress (Jonny faithfully by my side, even ripping out stitches for me.) I’ll share photos of the dress (that was quickly upstaged by the thrift store shimmery one) tomorrow!
Oh, and Keats’ kitty cat purse pattern along with Gabe’s toadstool and mice pattern came from Sewing for Children, my absolute favorite book of sewing projects for kids. My kids always choose projects from this book over any others.
(And now I can confess that I am relieved to take a break from creating on a deadline. For the most part, I don’t make handmade Christmas gifts (recent rule.) The next birthday at our house is mine, and I have no intention of staying up late making myself something the night before!)
feva says
she is beautiful .. love her haircut 🙂
Emma says
What beautiful hand made gifts! you and your children are incredibly creative. Looks like you all had a fantastic day.
lori says
it’s hard to make a comment ginny dear. everything, everything is wonderful times ten. i love your family, you, your photos, and that you share a bit here. and hey! my publisher! i’m so glad you tried them. happy birthday little b.
Wendy says
You know you’ve got a good man when he’ll rip out sewing stitches for you–my hubby has helped me out that way several times. The handmade gifts by the kids are fantastic!
Kim says
Her face when she opened the case and saw the doll…priceless. What lovely day. Happy Birthday!
annita says
I did notice her hair! But, I think it is ADORABLE when it’s messy, too! So many gifts made from the heart… what a fortunate girl. May God bless her always. +JMJ+
Claudia says
I have to say – I’m a bit overwhelmed by the creativity and generosity of your children. I’m lucky enough to have a child who also makes things for gifts even though he’s an adult now; he happens to be a rather talented artist so that’s nice.
One of the other great things is that your children both give and receive handmade items. I can guess why, but as a crafter I rarely get things others have made for me – even from my friends who are knitters, sewists, or crafters themselves, and there’s nothing quite as pleasing as something made from hand and heart.
Happy birthday to a fellow Scorpio!
Nadja says
Such a pretty girl! And such lovingly made presents…
Andee says
You always have the most special birthdays in your house. I love all the handmade gifts. They are all so sweet and thoughtful.
Maria says
Happy birthday to Beatrix. Beautiful presents. Very special. 🙂
Molly Makes Do says
How perfect!
Balisha says
My goodness, what a creative family you are raising. The look on her face tells it all…how delighted she was. I loved sharing her birthday.Happy, happy birthday to you little one.
Balisha
Stephanie says
Such lovely gifts. Your children are awesome crafters.
karen says
I love how meaningful all the gifts were. Her fingerless mitts are cute and go with the fancy dress. I hope you recover from the late night sewing soon. I have ordered from My Publisher and I love them. I like their clean classic look!!
megan says
The look on B’s face when she is holding her new doll is perfect! Happy she had a wonderful day!
Michelle says
What a special, beautiful birthday! I’m sure that sweet girl will cherish these memories always. Great job mama…now go take a nap;-)
Susan says
Your kids are amazing! It’s so awesome they wanted to make gifts for her in the first place, never mind how great they turned out.
Kendra @ A Sonoma Garden says
You have such a lovely family! How great that everyone pulled together to give her a handmade birthday! I’m always done in after a day of festivities too. Is she an introvert like me? Happy Birthday Beatrix!
Jackie says
My daughter loves the ragdoll, is her next project – maybe a more simple one. But what a great idea for Christmas too…I better get busy. I love all the sewn projects but specially the little mice.
Lisa G. says
Oh, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful that your children take so much care over each other.
Sonja says
I am so impressed with the skill of your children, but even more do by their love and thoughtfulness. Truly awesome. A job well done, Mom and Dad! 🙂
Summer says
what lovely and thoughtful gifts! Happy Birthday Beatrix!
Grace says
I gave that book to Elisabeth for her birthday a few years ago and I agree, it’s a great one! She has turned to it for gifts on quite a few occasions. All of Bea’s gifts turned out beautifully (although I’m dying to see the dress!). I thought to myself, I might copy you and make Fiona a similar book for her upcoming (in February) 4th birthday and then remembered that 7 months of photos from her first year were wiped out on our old computer. They were even stored on a separate hard drive, which somehow crashed when the main one did. It was horrible. I get really depressed every time I think about it.
Anyway, Bea’s birthday looked lovely! And, indeed how nice to be off deadline!
Sara says
All of those gifts are wonderful! I have to say I especially love the mice and toadstool…mainly because I adore toadstools. I may have to make some for Christmas. We are trying to have more of a handmade Christmas this year, the pressure is on! Dolls are on the list and wow those clothes are tough to make!
heathermama hawkes says
happy birthday to your baby girl! what a great birthday, so many awesome gifts made by her siblings. <3
Ngo Family Farm says
My goodness how talented your children are (must take after their mama!) Happy birthday, Beatrix! 🙂
-Jaime
Suzy says
Oh my goodness your children are so crafty and talented! Amazing gifts and from the heart! I am so glad you all had fun celebrating the birthday of your precious daughter! Thanks for sharing with us!
Suzy
Tracy says
What a fabulous birthday for sweet Bea! I love that all of her siblings made her gifts and I love how the gifts accumulate ON her, as the day progresses 🙂 Her present from Seth made me a little teary ~ so, so lovingly made! And the look on her face when she saw the doll? priceless!! (and yes, I noticed her hair looked fabulous before you said anything 😉
She has matured so much this past year, hasn’t she?
I’ve looked at that book (online, of course…) a few times, I think you’ve convinced me we need it 🙂
Enjoy your break from deadline sewing 😉 Happy Thanksgiving to your precious family.
Marie-Josée says
I love the suitcase idea!
Creative, useful and eco at the same time!
Stephinie {gypsyforest} says
I love it! Such a wonderful collection of goodies for your girl. And I also love the self imposed Christmas rule. I might need to do something similar around here. Well, at least downscale things a lot. I find that I give myself too much to do and then I don’t enjoy the very special few weeks of holiday….
Barbara says
Such great memories! Both for the givers and receivers!
Amy Caroline says
Oh! her face when she saw the doll, how simply precious!
Knitty Gritty Homestead says
So warm and heartfelt! I’ve been pressuring myself to do some handmades for Christmas, even though I’m due to give birth to our fourth in 2 weeks…this post gave me a good shake…I can do handmades for our March and May birthdays, right? Love the ideas, and know my youngest (for now) would love the same types of things for her fourth birthday. I love the idea of thinking ahead enough to get the older ones to create gifts, too!
Kelly says
I love that they all wanted to make something for her, what lovely gifts!
Happy birthday Bea!
Megan B. says
Oh, her FACE when she sees that rag doll! Priceless.
What a beautiful birthday for Miss Beatrix.
Bixi says
Happy Birthday – so many beautiful gifts and I love the suitcase idea!
By the way: Look, there is a little girl with a kitty purse in Germany, too :o)
http://bixi-and-goxi.blogspot.de/2012/06/groe-madchen-tasche.html
del says
This is so special! I LOVE the look on her face as she’s looking at her very own rag doll. You all were so creative; everything’s just perfect.
Sharron says
Wow! You all did a great job! Happy belated Birthday Beatrix.
Jenny says
Her presents are to be treasured and I bet she will.
That vintage suitcase? I packed for many a trip in an identical one! That brought back so many memories of my own.
Olivia says
Your children’s creations are lovely and so special. The ragdoll is absolutely wonderful. I am going to check out those books you mentioned. My oldest wants to sew so badly, and I want to encourage it too. I have so many things I want to make for Christmas but I will not have deadlines. I will just work and hope it turns out!
meghann says
Oh, Ginny – that ragdoll is just beautiful! Julia is sitting next to me, looking at these pictures, and when we got to the one of the doll in the suitcase, she said, “Oh, I want a doll like that…” (I am also making her a Waldorf doll for her birthday next week, so it’s good to know I’m on the right track!)
Julia says “Happy birthday to Beatrix!” and I can’t wait to see photos of her birthday dress. xo
Joy says
What a lovely set of gifts! Beatrix is a blessed little girl. 🙂 Your older kids did such a fabulous job on their gifts for her!
little macaroon says
Wow, Seth’s straight lines put my efforts at machine sewing to SHAME! What a clever bunch you are 🙂
Debbie says
Lovely, lovely gifts. I think that cute wallet, made by your son, is my favorite! Happy, happy bithday to your daughter!
Gina says
What sweet gifts! I am so impressed with the talent of your children. You’ve taught them well!
Tracey says
It looks like it was a special day Ginny and filled with so much love. The ragdoll you made is just adorable. I still have my rag doll that my aunt made me when I was very young and now Emerson plays with it.
Patraq says
I think this is the sweetest post I’ve ever read! The love you all poured into your gifts . . . well, I am more than just a little touched and inspired. So much beauty and joy.
Happy birthday to Miss Beatrix!
Eileen says
Happy Birthday toBeatrix and what wonderful gifts and a beautiful family.
Kelli Mayhorn says
Happy birthday, Bea! What a lovely celebration. Jenny, I so admire the peace, patience and joy you express in all your posts. Ah, to be a fly on the wall in your home. I feel as if I’m sometimes dangling by a thread and I not have two children with one on the way.
The kids did such a great job on all of her gifts! How special. And I love the rag doll. I’m currently finishing up Waldorf dolls for both my girls for when the baby arrives. I have Christmas deadlines on homemade gifts as well…I think I need to institute a rule like yours. 🙂
Blessings,
Kelli
Jacq says
4 is a great age, such a great year of growth to come! Happy Birthday!
I will check out Sewing for Children, I have no presents planned for Christmas…none!
Cheers
Jacq