holiday & bathrobe nostalgia

Shhhhh, don't tell her, but this is a little Solstice present for my babe. (I figure she's the only one who can't read the blog. The rest of the gift-making will have to remain hush-hush!). We have a little tradition of mama-made pajamas each year, and this year - hers will come with a bathrobe. She highly covets the boys', made by their Nana last year. I might have to send this one with Steve to work until gift-giving time though, because I know I am going to be oh-so-tempted to give her the bathrobe every single morning and every single after-bath moment for the next two weeks. The temptation to put her in it NOW and squeeze up the adorableness is very, very difficult to ignore. Sigh. I shall try my best. This is not my strength - I nearly always give presents away too early because I'm terrible at waiting to give them.

I remember tucking this pattern away when she was just a little tiny thing. I'm so glad to have found it in time to fit this year. The fabric is a flannel by Michael Miller. I used rickrack instead of the called-for lace, because, well, it was 11pm and there was no lace to be found in my studio. Rick-rack - yes. Always plenty of that around. The fox print under the pattern -  an old Munki Munki print - will be the pajamas.

Growing up, we always had the tradition of new (usually matching) pajamas on Christmas Eve. I remember getting a new bathrobe to be a pretty big deal. I adored the one above - it was quilted and likely polyester, with tiny flower prints all over. Funny the tactile memories we have, isn't it?

While looking for the one above, I found this one too, which makes me so happy. There are so many photos of all of us in our matching clothes posed in front of the tree. But these seemingly random ones are my favorites and I'm so grateful to whoever decided to keep them. So much for me to love in here - my grandmother's apron (oh, what I wouldn't give to walk into her house to see her in that - I can still smell it), the matching red velvet clothes, my dad's crazy pants, and me - being the bossy little one that I was. We put on a Christmas pageant every year at my grandmothers big holiday party, and I was the director. Every. year. My cousins and sisters are just about now forgiving me.

Continuing my little trip down holiday memory lane, I'm very honored to be included in the Winter '07 issue of Small Magazine - the beautiful and inspiring online children's design magazine. In this issue, you'll find my Mama's recipe for the not-super-healthy, but oh-so-yummy ambrosia. Canned fruit and marshmallows? Good stuff. Like polyester bathrobes and plaid pants.

Comments

[Laurel]

O/T, but I just noticed you put up Sufjan Stevens Christmas album! I <3 this album! (But I pretty much love everything he comes out with, so....)

It's funny how many people have some sort of pajama/holiday association. We always do new P.J.'s on Christmas Eve. I love the robe! A will look as sweet as can be all snuggled up in it! I'd have a hard time waiting too. Be strong Mama!!!;)

[Laurel]

O/T, but I just noticed you put up Sufjan Stevens Christmas album! I <3 this album! (But I pretty much love everything he comes out with, so....)

It's funny how many people have some sort of pajama/holiday association. We always do new P.J.'s on Christmas Eve. I love the robe! A will look as sweet as can be all snuggled up in it! I'd have a hard time waiting too. Be strong Mama!!!;)

[Nikki]

The old photos are great. It is such a blessing to have wonderful memories of childhood. I think thats why I like your blog so much, its about making the most of the time with those who we hold precious. Thanks again.
Also such a wonderful bathrobe, in fact I thought is was a holiday dress (:

[Sarah]

Beautiful bath robe! I just love it. I was also a bossy little one who directed my cousins in singing along to The Sound of Music soundtrack. I still don't think they have forgiven me . . .

[Andrea]

I'm such a lurker, but I just identified with this post so much...namely that we used to have a green braided rug just like the one in your picture!!
I love how you have these small memories, esp. the one you shared about your grandmother and her apron. I know that feeling so well.
Thanks for sharing.

[elizabooth]

I love the bathrobe. When I was a kid we had neighbours who got to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was always jammies. And they were always so excited about it. So, we've continued the tradition with our babe, but she's not getting anything as jazzy as that amazing bathrobe.

And I too couldn't figure out why you were wearing that awesome pink '70s dress in the first Christmas photo. Thanks for sharing such amazing pictures.

[jennie]

My mommy made us new pajamas for christmas every year also. We would always wear them Christmas morning for our waiting-for-santa-at-the-top-of-the-stairs photo. One year (when I was five or six) my mom made me a robe with an applique bunny on the bottom. I'll never forget stroking the soft bunny fur (I think it was felt with silky ears). I've tucked it away for the day when I have little ones.

[Amy]

Amanda,

I can identify with nearly everything you said about that last old photo. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to make my own albums with childhood pictures and so I started going through the boxes at my parents' and grandparents' homes. Most of these were rejects from the original family albums, but I loved them even more than the one's I had memorized. So many small details in the backgrounds that brought back such vivid memories. I feel the imperfect pictures convey such a more truthful story and they bring me right back to the moment they were taken.

[Veronica TM]

such beautiful memories you have and are creating with your little ones.
happy thursday, amanda!

[Lovie]

Is there anyway to get a copy of that pattern? Love it!

[lindsey clare]

ambrosia!! i always thought that ambrosia was something unique to my husband's family. noone here in Australia has heard of it! (he's a New Zealander).
he makes it with cream, fresh berries, yoghurt, marshmallows and grated chocolate. YUM.

[Freefalling]

Loving your Dad's slacks.
And awesome job on the dressing-gown (that's what we call bathrobes down here) - I'd kill for one like that!

[helen]

Oh Amanda, the dressing gown is beautiful. Mine was exactly the same style, blue and this incredibly soft soft material. I remember feeling so cosy and soft inside. I love all your homemade gifts, it's really inspiring me to do that with my daughter too. thanks for sharing your memories and bringing some of mine back in the process. yes my dad also had some beautiful checked flares!!!

[Christina Hedrick]

That bathrobe is so cute!!

[nichola]

OH i have this pattern!!! It looks so fabulous i think i may have to find the time to make one for each of my girls. I'm not sure they'll be needing them for xmas though since it's soooooo HOT here :)

[Kelly]

that bathrobe is crazy adorable!
love the old photos too - my dad totally had pants like that :)

[erin]

that bathrobe is the sweetest thing! i don't think i could keep it a secret, either. good luck there, amanda.

[Carla]

I'm just starting to sew and it's stories like this that really inspire me to really give it a go. My family had a similar tradition. New PJs every Christmas as gifts. We'd open them Christmas Eve along with one other stocking stuffer. The PJs were also served as our uniforms for New Year's Day! She will surely love her gift, it's beautiful!

[Christina]

I love the bathrobe/pajamas - such a great tradition to start! Just out of curiosity - what led you to celebrating Solstice rather than Christmas?

[SOULEMAMA]

Kristy -
I do, actually, read every single one! ;)

Lovie -
It's a vintage Simplicity 9043, from 1970, if that is helpful to you! I wouldn't have a way to share it.

peanut and Christina -
Yes, we celebrate on both Solstice and Christmas.

[Visty]

Oh, gotta love those 70's plaid pants...with velour shirts to match!

[karen]

that robe is TOO flippin' cute! thanks for the crafty inspiration. happy winter!

[SierraMoon]

I have started this tradition last year, as I started sewing -- and I even match the PJs to the current Christmas decorations ! ;)
(see, we have similar fun ideas overseas !)
The little robe is lovely, love it !

[Nicole]

What a great robe! So sweet.

Thanks for sharing your holiday memories! I love hearing about them!! I hope I can make my little ones memories just as beautiful as yours.

[MiraclesHappen]

I wanted to do the same thing for our girls and this robe pattern is so adorable! I am going to have to try and makeshift a pattern of my own based on your photo. Beautiful!

[Grace]

The Winter Solstice by John & Caitlin Matthews (in your sidebar) has been a favorite of mine for at least 5 years. Great book. So very inspiring.

[Paige]

Wow - love that robe! So funny because last night before falling asleep I put "make winter flannel nightgown for daughter" on my list of to-do projects. I love your blog - thanks for sharing all that you do!

[clara]

hello,

your christmas-tree yarn reminds me of my auntie trish's yarn... are you familiar with tanglewood fiber creations? i think you'd love it! she designs her own dye-ways, does all the dyeing, then handspins and plies it.

here's her blog if you're interested: http://www.spinningmom.blogspot.com/

her actual website is still under construction, but here it is, too: http://www.tanglewoodfiber.com/

[My Inspired Heart - Sandra]

I'm just in love with this little robe...the fabric is perfect and I like the ric rack better than lace ;) Sweet, sweet, sweet!

[Christine]

That is the perfect Christmas robe!

[beki]

Oh Amanda, the bathrobe is perfect!

[mimi]

I just love that red and white jammie, I am starting my first tradition also by sewing christmas jammies for my family :)

Thanks for sharing.

[Carla]

Hi there!

I usually just lurk around without commenting but this post wouldn't allow me to do that. I just want to tell you that your blog is a daily enjoyment for me, I always look forward to your posts which are a source of inspiration and motivation for me! I am always so moved by how you share your family traditions and Holiday memories. So thank you! I needed this today :)

And of course that bathrobe is so cute! I want one like that too now ;)

[Lisa]

What a great idea to have a mama-made pajama tradition. Cute pictures.

[donaB]

Oh my goodness, my mother had exactly that same pattern in her sewing trunk when I was little. I recognize the picture. I'm sure I had a hand-made bathrobe or two made from it.

[Trish from Tanglewood Fiber Creations]

Thanks for the pictures of a "normal" Christmas! I love the pictures and makes me long for something that I never had but wanted. How lucky that you had a Grandmother to go to and snuggle her apron! Thanks for the insight Trish

[M&Co]

What a wonderful bathrobe! I looked trough an old Sears catalogue recently, and saw all these cute and elegant bath robes. And I caught myself thinking about how unflattering most of them are today. What a great idea to sew one for your little girl :-)

[tantehilde]

Oh my god, I was thinking: what is she doing in that oldfashioned dress: I thought it was you on the picture with the red dress, but it seems to be your mother! You two are just like twins, amazing!!

[sapatinhos de verniz]

Take a look at
http://www.avidaportuguesa.com/

[Melissa]

what an amazing photograph! And I LOVE the bathrobe!

[Leta]

LOVE the bathrobe. So, so sweet!!

[amy k.]

oh so good! I love this post so much!!!

[joy]

I just made my baby her first Christmas pj pants with flannel. She looks so cute in them. I'd like to start a tradition like so many of your readers have had. I love the robe. She will look great in it! Thanks for sharing your family's Christmas traditions with us.

[Betty]

Great robe. The photo is wonderful with the blue green paint behind it.