hello world
3…2…1…0
Countdowns,
hee-hee hoooo
the building anticipation,
hee-hee hoooo
the waiting,
hee-hee hoooo
the energy,
hee-hee hoooo
the pain,
hee-hee hoooo
the tears,
hee-hee hoooo
the cheers…
hee-hee hoooo
the cry.
{KHJ}
3.2.10 It’s more than just a countdown, it’s an amazingly cool date and happens to be the day my precious friends, Julie and Danny White, welcomed their newborn daughter into the world.
Elle Alexis White
Time: 6:41 pm PST
Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Length: 21 inches
A couple of months back, with Julie’s due date sneaking up on us, I planned a very special surprise for her and the new baby…a beautiful handmade handkerchief bonnet. Attempting to make this new Mama-to-be swoon, I incorporated some special pieces into the bonnet: lace from her wedding gown, fabric from my maid of honor dress, and ribbon from her mother’s wedding bouquet. Swooning yet?
With some help from my mom and grandmother, I was able to craft my very first bonnet. I just fell in love with its sweet simplicity.
Dearest Peanut,This handkerchief bonnet was handmade especially for you! It carries with it many special pieces of the past:
1. The lace flower was taken from the material used to create your Mommy’s wedding gown bodice. This special wedding gown was hand sewn by your sweet Great-Grandmother, Jo Nix.
2. The ivory satin ribbon was taken from the wedding bouquet of your beautiful Grandmother, Phyllis Johnson.
3. The pale blue flower was made from a piece of the dress that Aunt Krista wore in your Mommy and Daddy’s wedding.
On your special day, many years from now, simply snip a few stitches and can carry with you this very special heirloom. Know that we all love you so much… even before you were born.
All my love,
Aunt Krista
Photos by KHJ
Before I got married, my mom presented me with my very own handkerchief bonnet. This bonnet was given to me by her best friend, Julie Brandaeu, when I was born. Sadly, Julie was murdered in a court house shooting several years ago and I cannot express the new meaning that this little handkerchief now holds and with what honor I had carrying it on my wedding day. Having already been given a vintage hanky from my grandmother, I pinned this handkerchief bonnet under my dress and wore it as my ‘something blue’, as it had a little blue ribbon sewn on it.
Knowing the love and sentiment that accompanied my bonnet, I wanted to give my best friend a special keepsake for her new baby to one day cherish, perhaps a family heirloom in the making.
Jules – sending all my love to you on this very special day.
Comments (6)
Sniff. Sniff. Beautiful post.Beautiful bonnet. So very sweet. What a dear friend Julie has in you. Happy that little Elle is here now. And gosh, Julie looks beautiful (even upside down)! And it's so neat how your Mom's best friend was "Julie", too. Life is good.
I know! I just love the sentiment and the irony. One of my favorite projects by far.
beautiful! thank you for sharing that wonderful story.
What a sweet thing to do for Julie,Danny & Elle Alexis! That is a beautiful bonnet & will be cherished.I know you put a lot of love in it & it made this old man tear up when I saw it. Papa
Such a lovely tribute to your friend. I know Elle will cherish her bonnet as well as her Auntie Krista. You have a dear heart, sweet friend.
This is absolutely beautiful. You are such a sweet, sweet woman. I'm so glad to have met you. I am continually inspired by you. Thanks for that! This is lovely.