The Seventh Day of Christmas: Kid Approved
December 07, 2013
We are half way The 12 Days of Christmas series and the creations so far have been fantastic. Don't forget, if you feel like adding your festive creation to our flickr group, we would love to see them. We will do a round up on our blogs on the 19th December.
Today's guest is the lovely and funny Olga from Kid Approved. Olga is a busy Mum of four children who lives in the US. She is a trained high school teacher and has lived over half her life in the Ukraine before moving to America. Olga sews for all of her children - two boys and two girls. I just love this Norah dress she made her eldest daughter, Ania. She has some great tutorials on her blog too. Olga is one of the contributors to Willow and Co and I can't wait to see what she contributes. Over to you Olga....
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I am so excited to be part of such a fun series. I am Ukrainian, born and raised in the former Soviet Union. Most Ukrainians belong to the Russian Orthodox denomination (Ukrainian Orthodox church is not formally recognized) and we celebrate Christmas on January 7th. I wish I could talk about all the wonderful Christmas celebrations I had as a child, however religion was strictly forbidden in the Soviet Union. "Religion is Opium for Masses," and, "Don't place your faith in God, place your faith in agricultural engineering," were some of the popular slogans.
But traditions are hard to obliterate completely and people still celebrated. On Christmas Eve, people gathered for a special meal of 12 vegan dishes. The symbolism of 12 dishes was completely lost on me. On Christmas day, children went caroling before going to school. I was a painfully shy child and no amount of candy could entice me to carol. In the evening, children brought traditional Ukrainian bread, kalach, to Godparents and received small gifts in return. My Godparents lived in a different city and I never met them.
I just realized that my story sounds a bit depressing. Don't worry, we were not deprived. We did have a big celebration similar to Christmas in the West, with Christmas trees, gifts, parties and all the decorations, except all that happened on New Year's Eve. Growing up, I loved New Year celebrations. There were huge parties in schools and community centers. All the girls were dressed as snowflakes, all the boys dressed as...well, I actually didn't ever pay attention to what the boys wore. :) Santa Claus never came to our part of the world. Instead, we had Father Frost and his daughter Snegurochka (literally meaning "made of snow"). Don't ask what happened to the Mrs.; nobody knows.
On New Year's Eve I was allowed to wear make up and to look glamorous. My mom would let me play with her make up and wear her super expensive French perfume. I was in heaven. One year, I think I was in fifth grade, I wore a dress made of the shiniest polyester with lurex thread in it. It sparkled and shone with every move and I felt like a movie star. It also generated enough voltage to shock anyone who approached me within a meter. By the end of the night, I was seriously concerned that it would ignite and set me on fire. The adults would party into the morning, drinking and singing and dancing. And the kids would stay up until we would collapse and fall asleep in the middle of a dance move and would need to be carried to bed. Father Frost always left small gifts under the tree to open in the morning.
When I thought of what to make for my children, I wanted to recreate the fun outfits I wore as a child. Something sparkly and glamorous, something adults could wear. For Ania's dress, I cut up an adult dress. Ania doesn't like to wear dresses, but I knew she would love anything that sparkles and makes her feel like a little Princess.
For Maksim's outfit I wanted to make a vintage looking shirt. The pattern came from this book. When I saw the book, I instantly fell in love with classic vintage designs for boys and girls. I really wish I could recommend the book, but, alas, I can't. In my opinion the book has one of the worst drafted patterns I have encountered. There were just too many errors to list, which is too bad because I love the designs. The pants were another refashion. I just loved the wool fabric. I used one of the Ottobre patterns to make them. I was able to save the awesome pockets in the front. He loves his whole outfit, and refused to take them off.
Thank you so much for inviting me, Laura and Suz! I am honored to be in such great company.
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This was such an interesting post to read Olga! Can you believe we have two other bloggers (both appearing on my blog in days to come) who are of similar heritage to you!! Your kids looks so sweet. Maksim's shirt especially is beautifully made and Ania sure looks like a princess! Thanks so much for taking part and sharing your stories!!
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Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House is guest posting at Craftstorming today. Click on the pic below to take you there!
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On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
15 comments
Ohhhh LOOK at those two - so cute and funny. And I can't t stop laughing at you in your polyester dress as a child omg so funny!!
ReplyDeleteMaxim's outfit is amazing and I bet Ania loves her dress - which girl would not!!
Adorable, Olga - and I know my Wilma would loooooove that maxi dress!!
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful, Olga! Thanks for sharing your past and present holidays..... I love reading about how this time of year is celebrated around the world!
ReplyDeleteboth are such great outfits- i would have killed for a dress like that when I was young!
ReplyDeleteOlga, beautiful outfits for your prince and princess and your story is interesting especially when I read about your 5th grade dress, you make me laugh! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me, Suzan and Laura! I had so much fun making the outfits and getting inspired by everybody! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you everybody for your lovely comments, I appreciate you all!
ReplyDeleteOlya, those two are such cuties :) I think you totally succeeded with the vintage look for Maksimka, he reminds me of Gavrosh (only missing an oversized cap to look like the French little revolutionist ;)) I love the woolen pants a lot, no wonder he didn’t want to take them off. And Anya, of course, is a little princess, this dress is worth to be on this year’s Christmas card!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love these outfits Olga, especially Maksim's. Those trousers are so cool with such lovely details and the shirt is perfect for a special occasion. Ania looks beautiful in the dress.
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting to hear a little about your celebrations in the Ukraine too. Thank you so much for taking part today!
Wonderful sewing. Such interesting traditions you had growing up, thank you for sharing. And you were one smart mother not to take photos of your children outside in the -9 degree F weather!
ReplyDeleteOlga, the outfits are super! I bet Anya's dress didn't produce electricity ;) просто суперски :)
ReplyDeleteI love Maksim's shirt...such lovely detailing. Like a little tuxedo shirt. I loved reading your Christmas story, it sounds like you had so much fun as a kid. I remember sneaking squirts of my Mum's perfume too!
ReplyDeleteGreat festive outfits!
ReplyDeleteYour kids seem to be having a great time in this photo session!
Oh I LOVED to read your story- how interesting. I love New Years too. I think your kids look quite sophisticated and lovely. That Tuxedo shirt is just perfect and the your daughter will love you for that dress like forever. It's all very sweet.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day☼