Wearin' of the Green

Mommy was taking the babies to the parade today and she wanted something green. I knew I couldn't conquer much but maybe a Children's Corner "Lucy" was achievable. She helped by getting the fabric ironed. I love a heavy iron until it weighs too much to lift, and she helped cut out the pattern. It is reversible and I purposely didn't embroider a shamrock on it, so Princess will get lots of wear out of it. The green pique is left from last year's Mardi Gras dress.  The floral twill was out of the closet. Not sure where or when it was purchased. The applique is one I used on some burp cloths before Princess was born.

The green in the floral and the pique aren't the best match, but it will do for a play dress.

Of course it is piped. I can't not pipe it. 

I also knew that I didn't have the mobility to pull threads to gather a ruffle, so I rough pleated the ruffle. To do that simply prepare your fabric by cutting a length double your desired finished ruffle plus a double seam allowance. So since I wanted a one and a half inch ruffle, the fabric is 3.5 inches long. Two lengths are stitched together for width, folded wrong sides together and pressed. I pinned it to the hem, folded an approximate one inch pleat, pin and repeat. all the way across. Join the ends to make the ruffle into a complete circle. I did not measure or mark the pleats. I was in a hurry and didn't want to over think it. If you look closely you can tell that all of the pleats are not 100% uniform, but to see it as a whole you don't notice it.

 

All dressed for the parade. Our weather in unseasonably warm so a pair of cute sandals and a purchased knit top finish our ensemble.


Happy St. Patrick's Day for all of the honorary Irish today.

It Has Been A While

Yes it has been far too long, faithful reader. Life is crazy for everyone I know, but for those in Southern Matriarch-land, it has been especially so for several weeks.

Last time I checked in most of the offspring were home for wedding prep and Baby Hank's Baptism. Since then, more wedding prep, our son has moved away, my husband has taken an out of town contract and returned to traveling every week, a dear friend became ill and died, our daughter and the babies have moved back into the house for a short while and I have become better friends than I would like with an orthopedic surgeon.

Take it from me, don't take the gift of two good shoulders for granted! What I would give to hook my own bra again. And during all those years of carpooling I never would have believed I would miss driving. "In time" the surgeon says. I'm thankful for family and friends that have been taking good care of me while I mend.

Our chapter had the good fortune of hosting Jeannie Baumeister of "The Old Fashioned Baby" last weekend. I was able to hand stitch some the first day but had to fore go the machine work the next day. I was only one week post op at that point. Since then I have been able to sit at my machine for short periods of time. No marathon sewing sessions for me right now. I even succumbed and bought Easter finery for the babies. Just couldn't get any bunnies or chicks smocked this year. :sigh:

And there has been lots of time with these two cuties. We only have a week left until they move overseas. So forgive me while I spend as much time as possible with my babies. There will be lots and lots of time to stitch as well as tell you about it, once they depart. Plus I will need to keep myself busy to keep from missing them too much.

Thank you to all that emailed asking if I was all right or going to return. You were never forgotten, I just could not make it to the desk to check in. It is good to be missed. I promise to be back soon.

All Because a Girl Loved a Boy...the tale of two gowns

I was struck by the two ends of a spectrum this weekend represented. Both brought about because a girl loved a boy. And he loved her back. I have seen so much evidence of that this weekend.

I had the thrill of seeing my daughter try on wedding gowns. I saw the tears come when she found the gown of her dreams. I felt my own throat tighten at how beautiful she was in that gown. (and no this is not THE gown)

I also had the thrill of seeing another gown, placed on this handsome baby boy. Today he was baptized into the family of faith in a gown just as beautiful. As my daughter said to me this morning, "Now it really is a family gown." The same gown his sister wore when she was baptized. It too brought tears of joy.

The tale of two gowns, each one because a girl loved a boy...

Making Dreams Come True

God is so good to me. Today I have the privilege of taking my baby girl, my youngest child, shopping for the dress of her dreams. How did we get here? Where have the years gone? How did she grow up when I wasn't looking? Where is the little girl who told me she could never be a mommy because she didn't know how to drive? The perfect question for a child whose formative years were spent in the car car-pooling her older siblings to and fro.

What happened to this little girl who was so excited for her "very special day"?

She has grown into this beautiful young woman who is very nervous this morning. And we will begin this journey that every mother dreams of and dreads all at once.

This is how I am feeling today, faithful reader....

Time to Get Started

You could practically sweep the dust bunnies out of here; it has been too quiet in this blog space. I know everyone is busy and life is crazy for many, but................. life around here feels like it is flying by at warp speed. I seem to say that a lot don't I? A friend and I often make snarky remarks about people who post the SAME THING on Facebook every.day.of.their.life! I seem to be of the same ilk, I complain about the busyness around here all the time it seems. Must get a handle on that. Or hush about it. Which ever comes first. I am stitching, I just don't have something to show for it yet.

So on to a new year. As promised, when I posted the kids Christmas outfits here, I will address the piped back yoke on Master Hank's romper.

Have you ever tripped in the parking lot in front of all your friends or co-workers? You quickly look around to see if anyone saw you and then try to nonchalantly stroll to the car. Never mind that your face is burning bright after you tried your Dick Van Dyke trick of tripping over your own feet. Well that is what this is all about.

As I had shared with you, I had reduced the number of smocked rows I used from the original smocking design. This caused a needed change in the depth of the front yoke. I don't know about you, but I stink at math! I am a visual person, so the math part stumps me every time. After much "cipherin" I altered the depth of the front yoke successfully. I KNEW that it meant I would have to change the depth of the back yokes as well. I lined them up several times before I cut it out. Several. I was positive I had it right this time.

WRONG! The back yoke was an inch and a half too short. It couldn't have been too long. That would have been too easy. Add to that, we are talking about $26 a yard fabric, two weeks before Christmas. This couldn't be scrapped and started over. Nor did I have enough fabric to re-do. We won't even discuss the fact that the collar was already on it when I discovered the glitch. I wasn't re-doing that either. What is that saying about necessity and invention? Well it came to my rescue.

I thought there has to be some way to add to this back yoke that would be acceptable. Finally after much swearing and fretting it came to me. Piping!

I decided to pipe the section I added to make it look intentional. And as the angels would have it, it was just the right width to put the button on to make it look like a little faux belt. Whew! Saved from myself.

Here is the inside of the yoke. I just cut a strip on the fold the width of the yoke bottom, piped both the top and bottom edges and then attached the romper bottom as usual.

I have to say, after all was said and done, I really like the way the back looks. It gives more visual interest to the back besides just the red buttons. I may do this again, on purpose this time.

Moral of the story: check your pieces before you try to sew them together and know that there is always a way out of almost every predicament.

2011-The Year in Review

Well faithful reader, it is that time again. Time to assess where you've been so you can see where you are going. This past year has flown by for me as I am sure it has for so many of you. There have been the highest of highs and some low, low, lows. All in all it has been a very good year. So this is what I have done this year:

As always, I say to myself time and time again; "I don't get enough done." I am not sure what the word "enough" is all about. I sure did a whole bunch more than I thought. Sure there are countless projects up in that sewing room that I didn't get to and they are waiting for me with a mocking sneer. At the same time I have more to show for the year than I anticipated. Why do we tend to focus on the negative space of accomplishments instead of the positive?

Here is the rundown:

• 23 pincushions
• 20 snip bags
• 7 Silk Ribbon Embroidered Pencil Holders
• 5 bishops
• 3 Children's Corner Lucy jumpers
• 3 Blouses
• 3 Rompers
• 3 Aprons
• 3 Chef hats
• 2 Daygowns
• 2 Slips
• 2 Wee Care gowns
• 1 Basic Yoke Dress
• 1 Smocked Full Bodice Dress
• 1 Embroidered Summer Dress
• 1 Christening Gown
• 1 Coming Home Gown
• 1 Overalls
• 1 Doll Dress
• 1 Jacket

For a total of 84 items. Not bad. In addition to that

• 1 Sewing School
• 1 SAGA Convention
• 2 Bathroom remodels
• 2 Chapter Programs
• 3 Tutorials
• 1 extra trip to Louisiana
• 3.5 kids of varying ages moving in
• Same kids moving out
• Birthday party of the decade
• 1 Family Portrait with grown children from all over (Try it and see if you don't consider it a big accomplishment)

and

• 1 design being published in Australian Smocking and Embroidery!!!!! Go me!

Once again it doesn't compare to the time spent with this Princess

and just as wonderful

welcoming baby brother right before Thanksgiving. What a gift to be thankful for.

So all of those hours snuggling, tickling, reading or sweet neck kisses from last year, are double this year. The most difficult thing has been finding time to take enough pictures. Thank goodness Oldest Auntie was home at Christmas and made up for my woeful lack of pictures. Even if I did develop a bad case of camera envy. I don't think a new camera will give me more hours in the day.

As if all of that wasn't enough....


He asked

and she said, "Yes!" Their excitement knocked my angel right off the top of the tree evidently.  Exciting day for all, Santa brought dollies, books and BLING! (Say a prayer for me because trust me, I live with George Banks!)

The coming year promises to be just as eventful as the last. My wish for you faithful reader, is that with each day of the new year, a blessing is realized.

Thirty Four Years

Happy Anniversary to my fabulous husband of thirty four years. To a wonderful husband, a great dad and now an awesome grandfather. Here is to thirty four more wonderful years together.

Hurry!

Is Santa chasing you? He is sure chasing me. No gifts are wrapped, groceries aren't bought, some shopping still needs to happen. As of last night, offspring have descended, so time is at even more of a premium.

There have been a few moments like these that make all the rushing around worth it. I hope your holiday preparations are coming together.

Be back soon, faithful reader. And bringing back an all time favorite to remind us all of the peace to had this wondrous season....

Do Not Be Afraid

In today's Gospel, the angel Gabriel appears to a young girl. A young girl engaged to be married. On the threshold of her life, she had it all planned out. Or so she thought. In her quiet solitude, an angel appears with news that would rock anyone to their core. Can you even imagine her confusion? Her fear? Fear of not only the unknown but the known. This was going to uproot all she had thought her life would be, what would her family say? How would she ever explain this to Joseph? Would he love her enough to trust her?  The angel tells her,

"Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor."

After some consideration, she places her trust in God. Wow, I can't even imagine. I would have had a whole lot more questions!

Do not be afraid. It resonates within me. A very timely message for me, for us all. Set your fears aside as we wait for the coming of our Lord, at Christmas and at the end of time.

Do not be afraid.

A Tale of Santa

We decided to try the Santa thing again. Here is how it went.

 

First I met some new friends that were also waiting to meet Santa. They seemed to be much more excited than I.

 

The stage was set. There were lots and lots of other kids there. I was taking it all in; the music, the trees, the kids, the chair, that man.

I am not so sure. Our turn is next, I am getting a little nervous.

 

Nope, I don't like him! Did you know that Mommies go to see Santa too?

I would rather just go to lunch! I think Mommy agrees.

 

That new kid they brought to live at our house is a traitor if you ask me. Not one peep of protest from him. He even seemed to enjoy it.

 

I am pooped! This Christmas thing will wear a girl out. Has anyone seen my shoe? Rumor has it, I was snoring. I think they are mistaken, Princesses don't snore.