I baked! It's true, it was an effort but I tore myself away from the cutting mat and design wall, put on an apron and headed into the foreign territory of the kitchen to bake cupcakes, home made sausage rolls and other party treats.
When planning a party for teenagers one can't help but imagine a star filled night that draws them to sitting areas outside. They chat quietly, munching on the carefully prepared culinary treats. However, it rained all day so we put a tarp up around the veranda and moved the ping pong table into the kitchen. Instead of the imagined scene there were kids running around the house, jumping on beds, heaps of giggles/laughter, yelling loudly and the bumping sound track of "kids music" (fortunately, I am a fan of "kids" music and found myself dancing and singing along in the background but only when I couldn't be scene (seen!)!). Oh, and there were a couple of kids in a dark corner at one point, don't know what that was about! The things we do for the ones we love!
In reality, I could have put the tarp on the floor, stuck some cans of drink out with some chips and everyone would have been happy. What I had forgotten to anticipate is the cheer excitement of mixing 15 year old boys and girls together. As they entered there was a quiet sense of "what are we supposed to do?" that quickly gave way to the aforementioned activities. John and I tried to force feed them for about an hour and then, in a moment of genius, we quietly slipped away to my sewing room to listen to the soundtrack of the party. (Actually, the weirdness of John in my sewing room is a whole other story! It is usually a quick head in the door question and a hasty retreat. I caught him playing with my phone, computer and rifling through me desk in an effort not to get girl chips on himself!)
What confuses me is when we stop being someone worthy of conversation with these kids? When did we become the invisible people (ME! INVISIBLE at a party!!!!) ? John and I cocked our heads to one side and wondered what the feeling was we were experiencing as we huddled in my sewing room. I think we were both thinking but not saying, FEAR. There were more of them than us so making eye contact was not allowed.
Anyway, it all ended well with a group of girls taking me aside to say what a great time they had and how much they loved our "comfortable" house. Ah, it was worth it after all. The guest of honor muffled a thanks as he headed off to bed but I knew he was happy. It's good to be a mind reader.
I am in love with this Turkish Delight fabric by Kaffe. It was for sure love at first sight in the many background colors but there are many more uses for this fabric than I could have anticipated. Its a great border due to the large graphics and the variety of colors united in the design.
Fabrics like this tie it all together, they make scrappy projects look planned even if they aren't. As a spacing block, it can be fussy cut or cut so that the shapes come in and out of the block. It has what I like to refer to as graphic energy. 
And it works well cut out for dynamic applique with impact!
It is interesting how fabrics can grow on you with time. I have used this now in three quilts and instead of finding it a "been there done that" option I am still intrigued. Maybe because I have to find new purpose in life now that I know all my kids are teenagers and are looking outside the family for companions. Boo HOO! This new position in life is filled with conflicting emotions: happy they leave me alone to play by myself, lonely that they find their friends more interesting than me, excited to see them growing up into such nice young men and fearful that the next step will be calling me to babysit! Surely, that is a long way off!
We are off to the airport this afternoon to pick up our traveling rugby boy.It has been a long week of holding by breath for a phone call that he has broken something. We have been lucky enough to get a couple of text messages but I am insisting on being at the pick up and in the car to hear the stories the first time! I am excited to see them all getting off the plane in a mass of their school uniforms, weary from battle and fun! Here's hoping life continues to be exciting for everyone. kathy
Sounds like the party was a hit! I know what you mean about becoming invisible. To my 17 year old, I might as well live in Siberia. The good news is that the other day, I had to send my 19 year old on his way. He was actually hanging around in my sewing room chit chatting away at me. Two years earlier...he was the silent teen as well.
Posted by: Jacquie | Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 12:05 PM
Kathy, I love your musings on family life, teenagers in particular. Whilst my kids are a little off teenage years, it made me giggle. I look forward to these years with hesitant optimism! At the end of the day there's always some fabric to love. You've gotta love that!
Posted by: Sarah | Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 01:06 PM
Ah Congrats Kathy on getting through the party of Teens & well done on the Cup Cakes they looky Great, I can understand what you mean about the times with & without kids,the times when it seems they don't need us Mum's, well they think they don't, even when they leave home there is always that phone call to ask how to do stuff, Enjoy them while you can, before you know it you will be joining the Darby & Joan club like many of us, by the way Great fabric.!
Posted by: maree watt | Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 02:04 PM
Any Alexander McQueen jewellery really looks incredibly glamorous and rocker chic!
Posted by: Louboutin Outlet | Monday, 12 March 2012 at 05:48 PM