July 31, 2008

200 down

100 more to go!!!

I am almost there...

July 30, 2008

100 down





200 left to go...

*** Thanks Lin for all your help (she is now a professional dough ball shaper)!!!

July 29, 2008

a bit of handmade

I had to share some of the presents that Brave received on her birthday. We are grateful to everyone for their outpour of love in different forms (from the clothes to diapers) and each one had so much thought put into it...

But I wanted to share a bit of the handmade goodies that she received. Here is a special blankie (I have been waiting for this) made by Auntie Heather (who I am waiting to start blogging again, but she got married and is a newlywed, so what do you expect)...
One of the reasons it is special is because True has a blankie that she is especially attached to (i.e. Linus), so it is nice that Brave has something that can be the same to her from the same giver.


Then, we (I say we because she made some for me and True too!) got some handmade hair pins from my littlest seester's friend Jenny...


And then last, but certainly not least, an artist collaboration from Ho (the illustrator) & Jean (the writer)...




It was quite a creative book and Andrew (and my seester) has such a great talent. He really has a gift that I am sure will encourage and inspire other people. I really can't wait to see what he will share with the rest of us (once he learns how to use blogger)...

We appreciate everything that was given (handmade and not) and it really was such a beautiful day for my Brave! Benny, True and I also have some special things for our Brave, but we will give that to her on her birthday (they are handmade, but not by me)... I can't wait!

Also, tomorrow I start making the 300 Red Velvet Balls for my friend's wedding this weekend... yikes!!! Pray for me...

July 27, 2008

my little Brave

Every birthday calls for a special (mama-made) birthday dress...


I think she was quite satisfied with the finished product...


And an occasion to finally wear her vintage, patent leather, white maryjanes...


We had such a grand time celebrating my B is for Brave's Birthday...


We had little dotted B-things everywhere. The meal was B is for Bowls, so everyone had to make their own kind of bowl. You picked your type of rice, then meat, then veggies, then they were a couple different sauces... so a Mexican Bowl or Teriyaki Bowl could have been made. Of course they were eaten in Bowls...

There was B is for Brownies...


The B cookies...


B is for Balloons everywhere...

So I quickly learned I couldn't make my dream Balloon party come true because wind is a big factor. So we strung them up above us, where they weren't waving in anyone's face and I think it still proved to be a nice little touch.


It was a beautiful party thanks to my Mom, who is the ultimate party thrower. Everything was absolutely wonderful and we are so grateful for God blessing Brave with her first birthday.

We love our little Brave (but her real birthday is not for another week)...

***Thanks to Ele for taking the initiative to take some great pictures (and my Benny too!) with my camera. To Heather- see you need to get him a camera!!!

July 25, 2008

almost ready

The party is tomorrow...

- Most groceries have been bought, but Ben has to make one last run to get more beans.

- I am almost done with the little slideshow (thank God for a MAC and iMovie).

- Cookies are done (thanks to Grandmama for coming just in time to ice the cookies) and much thanks to Martha for her lovely sugar cookie and royal icing recipe.

I can only imagine how much more crazy things are at my mom's where the party is going to be at... yikes! My mom is the best!!!


Here is a glimpse of what I want Brave's party to look like...
This lovely party was from 1970's House & Garden and was posted by Black Eiffel. I love the classic and yet whimsical look of all the balloons. Though I am not particularly a fan of balloons, this look is so classy and fun. I have never seen balloons look so wonderful! Let's see if we can re-create this...

B is for Balloons and B is for Blue, so this will be absoulutely perfect with our theme!

Have a happy weekend everyone... I know ours will be very happy!!!

July 23, 2008

little treats

We got a special treat in the mail and it was a little unexpected present from True's penpal, Kennedy, but not only did she get something, but Kennedy's mama, Nathalie, sent me something too!!!


Once True opened it (don't mind the unmatching onesie, she was feeling under the weather), she recognized it right away, seeing she has a couple from another famed tutu designer, Bellasymphony, but a girl can never have too many tutus...
Plus, Kennedy sent her first penpal letter with this sweet gift, so this makes it even more special.


And my gift couldn't have been more perfect... some Heather Ross (who doesn't love her) and some linen fabric, which makes me especially giddy since I just made Brave's birthday dress with some linen and I just love its feel and quality...
I can't wait to make something with these fabrics... I love it!

Dear Kennedy,

Thank you for the gift and letter. I love my new red tutu!!! I already started dancing with it and it twirls very nicely. I am so excited to have you as my penpal and I can't wait until we really know how to write, so our mommy's don't have to write our words for us.

Please tell your mommy that my mommy loves the fabric and she says thanks times a million. Also, tell your mommy that she needs a break cause she works so hard sewing, taking care of you, and going to school... or maybe she just needs to buy the shoes she wants (the hot mama ones). My mommy also said one day we can have tea together... someway, somehow and plus you have to visit California, so that you can see Disneyland!

So, thank you so much and I can't wait to send you my letter.

love,
true

July 22, 2008

Dear Anthropologie,

I am in love with your store. I love everything from your paint colors, to the most creative way you display pieces of paper, to your furniture (new & found), your clothes, and oh my... your shoes!

Well, I am a stay home mama, so I can't really go shopping at your store all the time (well, not for clothes at least). My Benny does let me visit you to make purchases for our house or things that are needed (and are on sale), but that is about it! I love your store so much, that I rave and rant about you all the time and we even go on dates just to visit your store because it exudes so much creativity (it is really dangerous that I live between two Anthropologies).

With that said, I absolutely love this shoe...

The price tag on it is a bit much for me, but maybe you will find it in your kind heart to donate to this hard working mom of two little girls! Hey... maybe we can even make a trade?!! What do you say?!! Maybe you need a ton of Cakies clippies or maybe even crowns... well, it doesn't hurt to ask now, does it?!!

So Mr. or is it Ms. Anthropologie, if you are out there and find this... I will work for shoes (or trade)!!!

Most fondly,
Ruby Bratcher

P.S. I'm a size 6.

July 21, 2008

coming up

This Saturday is the party for my little Brave's 1st birthday! I can't believe she is already one... she seems to be so much more baby-ish than True did and maybe cause True was already walking before she turned 1.

I couldn't decide on a "theme," so we decided to go with something similar to what we did for True. Hence, it is B is for Brave...


Now, I wanted her to wear blue (you know it starts with a B) and so I tried making this dress...
I wasn't feeling the first one I made (it isn't done, but I didn't like it) and this is what happens sometimes because frankly, I don't know how to follow patterns all too well. So I try to make my own and sometimes it is just a bust! Like this time... I really liked the fabric though cause it is a vintage, linen napkin and I added some white linen ruffles. Maybe I will figure out something to do with it.


Then, I took out this vintage reproduction fabric I had (it too is blue) and started cutting out my pattern for a dress...
But once it was all cut, I decided I didn't like it anymore! Well, at least not for her birthday dress. So then I moved on...

I started another and by this time it is already 10:30 PM, but thankfully a little past midnight, I had the makings of what I wanted... and finally it is finished! Now, my little Bravey has her birthday dress (and it is blue)!

Next on the list:
-Make birthday cookies
-Make a slideshow
-Go grocery shopping

Really I am blessed that my mom is doing a lot, mostly everything, cause she is really good at throwing parties... she makes everything grand!

July 20, 2008

lovely gloom and the ocean

So after the antique-y sort of convention (I did walk away with a small load of goodies), we headed off to the beach. Santa Monica to be exact...


I think the gloom and ocean make a lovely combination and we had a fantastic time together frolicking on the beach. True and her Papi were running in and out of the water catching bubbles, while Brave and I laughed and played together on the sand...


lovely gloom + ocean + both babycakies + my Benny = a marvelous day (and can't forget the old, French goodies I picked up in the morning)

July 17, 2008

just for you

Something to satisfy a sweet craving you may be having today...

Okay... maybe it isn't just for you, but in preparation for a friend's wedding.

I may not have realized what I was getting myself into when I volunteered to make 300 favors for a friends wedding. In my mind, I was imagining a truffle looking piece of chocolate all nicely boxed up in a clear plastic cube tied with a ribbon. I had seen a recipe on Bakerella and thought it would be fairly simple, so I would give it a shot. Plus, I like learning new things, so this challenge would be fun. So here is my version...

I used Bakerella's Red Velvet Cake Balls and dipped it in milk chocolate. I think it turned out pretty good, but then again, I think anything sweet is pretty good!

Now, my Benny on the other hand looked at the ingredients and started freaking out with the amount of Trans Fat per serving, but hey... each guest will only get 1!

So now, I feel more comfortable making 300 and I may attempt to put the couple's initial's at the top in white chocolate or just drizzle lines of white chocolate, but we will see about that. The wedding is not for a few weeks, so I still have time to experiment and get mentally prepared for the large number. It can't be that bad, right?!!

Also, today the bride is coming over, so it will be the real test to make sure she likes it! Cause if she doesn't... it will be back to the drawing board!
But for now, I will conquer this task one bite at a time!

***Thank you to Bethany for the award. I feel I don't deserve it with so many, many much more creative people out there, but thank you... thank you! Those I think who are quite deserving are the girls over at Sugar City Journal, Bethany (I think you have gotten this award more than once), Nathalie, Sam, Kathleen, my little-est seester, and to everyone else who just enjoys creating!

***Oh and much thanks to artsy Kathleen from Grosgrain because her hand was magnetized to my name and so we won the dress... you know, the one I wanted so so bad!!! Much thanks to everyone who put in a entry on my behalf. It worked!

July 15, 2008

a little rockstar

So something did come forth from yesterday's mess and after my horrible, ginormous headache that made me heave and ho all afternoon long...

Well, so lately, True has ditched her High School Musical music for some Dave Matthews and she has begun to play air guitar quite heavily these days.

I saw this on etsy and I saw this too (but this was a ukulele and had only 4 strings), plus with my wide array of fabric (that shouldn't go to waste), I probably could just make it.

So off I was to make some sort of 6 string guitar...



One of her non-traditional guitar playing positions...
Now, she loves it and I think she is quite the rockstar... so watch out Dave! It may become the True Bratcher Band!!!

July 14, 2008

oh boy

This is my mess when I have a million things I want to do at the same time, but I can't decide which project to do and what fabrics to use (maybe tomorrow I will have something to show forth from this mess!)...
Oh happy Monday!

Oh and I am so excited about Friday. We are going to an antique convention. Yes, I know... I am so an antique-y nerd!

July 11, 2008

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

I love this and must have this!!! Kathleen is quite the sewing diva and I love all her stuff!

Check out Grosgrain Fabulous... she really is fabulous!!!

I am really hoping I win and my fingers will be crossed until it happens!

Happy weekend everyone!

July 10, 2008

together

There were flowers, the most delicious food, candlelight, and a little story book to celebrate us being "together"...




And my little book thanks to the How to Make Books Book...


There were a couple of funny pages, especially one where I spelled my name wrong (1st grade all over again!), but here are just a few snippets of what we like to do together...


I guess you can say I am a little protective of my food...

I love being married, I highly recommend it!

Thank you to everyone for the very happy wishes! It was happy indeed...

July 9, 2008

down in dixieland

Ben and I love Dave Matthews and Dave has been an integral part of our relationship. Particularly, the live version of DMB's "Crash" has great meaning to us. There is a portion Dave will ad-lib and say, "I will be your Dixie chicken, if you'll be my Tennessee lamb, we will walk together down in Dixieland." So with this line, I was asked to be his girlfriend, this song was played in the background as I was asked to be his wife and all sorts of "chicken and lamb-ish" things were exchange as we were dating. It was only appropriate that when we got married, our cake topper was...
I fashioned it from clay and it mimicked a "Chicken and Lamb" painting Ben purchased from an art gallery as a gift for our first Valentine's Day.

So in Dixieland we have been for 3 years now and it has been completely wonderful. God made Ben perfectly fit for me and me perfectly fit for Ben...
Happy Anniversary Benny! I love you and love walking in Dixieland together with our little lambs (we don't have a boy yet, so there are no baby chickens.)... maybe next year (and no I am not pregnant!).
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