In the months before Hazel was born, I spent a lot of time resting. And consequently, a lot of time online. Sometimes being big and pregnant and resting has is benefits. In this case, I made some new bloggy friends that I really admire.
One such friend is Jodi Mockabee. I believe it was actually one of you all that initially sent me a link to her blog – I wish I could remember who it was so I could thank you! Jodi is a Mama to two boys and as of this past January, a gorgeous daughter they call Honey Girl over at The Bee Hive. (Want to read a fantastic VBAC birth story? I don’t want to ruin it by telling you what happened, but it’s totally worth reading either here on her blog or on The Design Mom blog where it was a featured birth story.)
I know it’s selfish, but I actually took pause before sharing the link to Jodi’s blog. I’ve joked to Ryan that she is the interweb’s best kept secret. But, good things are worth sharing and that’s definitely the case here. She’s so cool and all-natural. She’s an attentive, creative, crafty, frugal Mama that loves the Lord and emanates joy. Her blog is her family journal, made all the more beautiful by her rock star photography skills. Do I sound like a stalker yet? Let’s just say I really admire this woman.
So, you can imagine my extreme delight when we arrived home from the hospital this past March after delivering our own bundle of joy to find a package from none other than Miss Jodi Mockabee herself.
Hm, perhaps this would be the moment for a little background on what was in the package…
In the days and weeks that I checked in on Jodi’s family blog and admired all the great nest-y things she was doing in preparation for her own baby girl to be born, there was one thing that I thought was especially great and clever. It was a pair of pink hand-me-down Ralph Lauren overalls with a couple of stains on them. Jodi covered the stains by adding girly ruffles to the neckline and appliqueing a heart on the leg and voila! a sweet pair of pants for the baby on the way.
Aren’t they darling? Hurrah for making old things new again!
Well, 2 1/2 months after Jodi made and shared these pants, we (her blog readers) had the pleasure of seeing little Honey Girl making good use of the pants her mama crafted for her. Jodi took this picture because she realized that Honey Girl was growing so quickly, she may not get another wear out of them.
Again, darling.
Which brings me back to the part where there is a package waiting for us upon our arrival home from the hospital with newborn Hazel.
Are you still with me? Believe it or not, this is going somewhere.
Jodi knew I liked the overalls, and thoughtfully arranged with Ryan to surprise me and hand them down to Miss Hazel. (After all, they were hand-me-downs to her, so she wanted to share the love!)
Well, Hazel rocked them. Or, as far as the photos remember it, she at least cried a lot in them. When I took these pictures I didn’t work at getting a nice shot because I assumed I’d get another better picture another day. But that’s the thing about these pants. Evidently they’re for sharing. This was the only time Hazel wore them before she outgrew them. *sniff* (we could probably blame at least a portion of this on the fact that she came out of the womb weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces!)
Still, look how little she was!
So now, it’s high time that these pants find a new home. I knew when Jodi gave them to me that I’d want to pass them on as well. To someone I didn’t know in person and to someone I’d recently met via bloggy-land. And to someone having their first daughter.
Enter Keight. I mentioned her in my post yesterday – she is due to have a baby girl tomorrow (though only the good Lord knows what day Miss Layla will deign fit to make her appearance.) Keight’s been a reader for a while and I’ve always enjoyed her snarky, hilarious comments. She always has the funniest way of saying things and isn’t afraid to say it. She loves Jesus fiercely. She makes me smile often. She has a generous heart for people in need and isn’t afraid to call people to action. (Are we sensing a theme? She’s one bold girl and her personality is magnetic.) We got to know each other a little better this late summer and fall as we worked through a couple of sewing projects together and before we knew it, we were bloggy sewing buddies.
I’ve chosen to send these now traveling pants on to her new little lady with the hope that this tradition will continue. Now I’ll confess, I’ve never actually read the “Sisterhood” books or seen the movies, but I think I get the gist of what goes on and I think I can be safe to call this a new
“Bloggy Sisterhood of the Hand-me-down Pants”.
Are we cool with that name?
I thought it would be cool for each Mama to add something new to the pants so that they can carry a little bit of each girl with them as they travel. (Actually, I’ll be honest, that was Keight’s idea…)So, to keep things simple and lovely and to leave plenty of room for other “BSHMDP” mamas (because I know this tradition is destined to carry on for decades, nay centuries!) to add things as well, I just added an extra layer of heart to the grey heart on the leg.
I used one of Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane fabrics because I used this fabric line for so many of Hazel’s little clothes.
I think it’s a nice little addition.
So, here’s to the pants! Travel on, little overalls. I can’t believe that my baby girl ever fit into your tinyness! Wishing you many happy hand-me-downs and very few diaper blowouts. :)
And this, baby Layla, would be the part where you decide that now is a good time to be born… :)
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And, one last order of business for y’all before I close for the day. If you have an Etsy store of your own, I’d love it if you would leave a comment in this post with a link to your store. I have a little something I’m working on. :)
Happy Friday!
Enjoy this lovely fall weekend! (it’s 76 degrees here. sheesh!)
>Those are absolutely precious! I love the story!!
My etsy shop is called moxiemandie: http://etsy.com/shop/moxiemandie
>Brilliant idea!
My shop is http://knitpickinchicken.etsy.com
>so cute! Love the addition.
my shop is at http://greenerbeginnings.etsy.com
>This is the most adorable idea and adorable little overalls. I love what you added to the heart!
my etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/listladykatie
>What a great idea, so creative! I dont have an Etsy shop yet, but hopefully within the next year I will have one!
>Oh my goodness, what an awesome idea! And those overalls are CUTE!
My etsy store is:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/meandmadeline
>My etsy shop is chocolatesilver.etsy.com
Love the overalls!
>You are so super duper sweet. I can't believe you did a post all about the Bee Hive…too cool. :-) Thanks, friend, well, uh, bloggy friend?! Good stuff. Love what you did, I think there should be a continued addition to the heart, how cool would that be?!
>What a fun story!!!
I don't have an etsy site, but am just starting up a website of my own with handmade items- does that count?? After I made some of those baby legs from your tutorial and a few other items, I started getting all sorts of requests from people. Here's my link if it doesn't have to be etsy. :-) http://www.pacifinderetc.com
>giddy up! love it. so excited to be a part of this chain. and i am kicking myself for the idea of adding to them because i got nothing. hopefully when the baby leaves my body, the creativity with fill up (some, not all, of) the space she leaves behind.
>I found your blog through a comment you left on Jodi's!! SO fun how the blotch world works! LOVE this idea! I got a little teary-eyed! I can't wait to see how far those pants travel and how loved they will be. They should travel with a notebook…a pic of the baby in them with a little description about where they were worn …etc. :)
>*Blotch=bloggy…thanks to auto spell check ;)
>such a cute idea!
i have an {empty} etsy shop that i just opened…because i'm doing my first craft fair next weekend. the "leftovers" will go into the shop! :)
etsy.com/shop/oliviajune
>Though I'm not a mom yet, I love that idea!!
My etsy shop is
http://www.hazelstreetdesigns.etsy.com
>new etsy shop
http://www.olifantbaby.etsy.com
coming soon….. :)
>Such a sweet idea!
I have two shops:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/adarlingdisplay
http://www.etsy.com/shop/shortandstout
PS- This is Jen Stout, Ryan's cousin (Nate's) wife. :)
>I do not have an etsy shop but this is my favorite one…http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosieposiedesigns.
>What a cute story. I have just started my own little etsy shop, and while I currently have nothing listed right now… I will very soon.. its under construction so to speak but wanted to share anyway…
http://www.pinkjb.etsy.com
>well what a fun mystery you're cooking up. can't wait to see…
http://www.phoebeflock.etsy.com
>Hi Raechel, I have been following your blog for about 2 years now but I am not sure I have ever left a comment. I love reading about your sweet family and all your great crafty ideas. I hope to use a lot of them when I have my own family one day. I have an etsy store which sells customized favor labels for weddings, birthday parties, etc. I am in the process of expanding and will be adding my own wedding invitation designs which should be in the store in the next month or so…
http://www.etsy.com/shop/aprilmcewen
Have a great week!
>What a sweet story! I love the idea of adding a little something before they travel on to the next destination. Always fun to read about what's happening with your precious family :)
Heather
http://playfultable.etsy.com
>so i had so much fun looking at everyone's etsy sites and put together a little treasury. hope this doesn't step on the toes of what you were going to do raechel!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce2933dfacc6d91de1f1f47/finding-my-feet-readers?index=0
>I feel the same way about The Bee Hive! So inspirational in so many different ways. Glad to have found you through her!
>Such a sweet story, thanks for sharing her with us! I am a little late in the game on this, but here is a link to my etsy shop (I make custom photo holiday cards, birth announcements, party invites & more)
My shop is Daylight Designs:
http://www.mlarson17.etsy.com