Home from seeing the Nutcracker.  It's been years since I have seen it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. First, there is something charming about seeing ballet performed in a small space. I feel like I was better able to appreciate the intricacies of movement.  The choreography was lovely, the children playing the mice were just about the cutest things you ever saw, and couple playing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier were beautiful dancers.  Also, the guys had really nice butts.  Well, I mean, really...I know you all expect me to notice these sorts of things.  Also, I had forgotten how much I really like the music.  Not surprisingly perhaps, I find the Trepak/Russian dance particularly appealing and will likely be humming that to myself for a bit, which may make it difficult to go to sleep tonight.

I can take a hint

A few weeks ago, I got a text message from my niece which said something to the effect of, "I just bought this dress for the baby. It looks like it would be easy to make. Don't you think it would look cute in candy cane stripes for Christmas?"

HINT HINT HINT

I couldn't find a pattern that I liked, and after playing around for a little while, I eventually came up with this:



New skill learned: pleats.  I couldn't find any patterns for making pleats on a top down garment, so I figured it out myself.  I think I will make them more pronounced next time, but I am still proud of myself.  Overall, I like the way this came out and can't wait to see my great-niece in it.