Smocked Bishop

In the last couple of months I have found time to smock this bishop dress. I have no idea why but at the end of my pregnancy I found this dress cut out and pleated and I decided that it had to be finished even though I was having a boy. Well, I just finished it last week. I can't even tell you what size it is. I also think that it is long sleeve which I don't know why I would have made a long sleeve bishop dress. Now, that it is finished I'm actually torn on who I should give it too.

Smocking

I decided since I was just going to watch the Olympics this weekend I should probably do something productive. So I decided to smock. This is as far as I've gotten. It is an insert for a stocking I'm making this for my niece who should be here in a couple of months. I just have to have this done by Thanksgiving. My parents still hang stockings at their house for my brother's family and for Bo and I. After I learned to smock I made new stockings for everyone. And as our family grows I have to make a new stocking.

Favorite Dress

I think this has to be my favorite dress I have ever smocked. It was a simple pattern, but turned out so cute. I have enough fabric left over to either make a bonnet or party panties one day. I think this dress is a size 6 or 12 months. I can't remember.

Angel Sleeves

I smocked this dress on the way to my Grandmaw's funeral. She died in Alabama, but was buried in Pennsylvania. I think that it helped me deal with pain and grief of her sudden death. It kept me buzy while I rode that 1,000 miles. My brother and I drove one car and my mother, dad, and Maw rode in the other car.

This is a size two soft pink with small flowers fabric bishop dress with angel sleeves. It has to be one of my favorite dresses, and even I never have a girl to wear it I plan to keep it. It hold to many memories.

Mary Dee

Today, I have a Children's Corner, Mary Dee, jumper that I made several years ago. I believe it is a size six, and I can't remember what smocking plate I used.

This is the back of the dress. I love that the back crosses. The Scottie Dog buttons are just the finishing touch.
The smocking plate was one of my first picture smocking plate that I have done. I found it pretty easy.

What I learned from this project was when smocking in a dark color for picture smocking. But if you forget you can always color in the white fabric on the plate with a Sharpie that matches the stitching. I'm not kidding you - Sharpies are wonderful sewing tools.

Twins

I fell asleep on Wednesday night early so I decided that I would post two smocked outfits tonight to make up for it. They are boy and girl matching day gowns. I love the fabric, it is just so sweet.

The back of the boys day gown.

Back of the girls day gown. The day gowns together.

Adorable

Adorable is the only word that I can think of to describe this diaper shirt. It is a sweet and feminine with small pink flowers and little white smocking at the top. I think I made this about 7 years ago. This has never been tired on by a person, but when my brother and sister-in-laws dog was a puppy she tried it on. I wish I could find that picture.

Happy Presidents Day

Since today is President's Day, I thought that I would share with you my favorite president, Ronald Reagan. I think I like President Reagan mostly because I was a child in the 1980s. I guess I should have some better reason, but I just don't. I find other Presidents very fascinating, and the office totally intrigues me. Who is your favorite president and why?

Since, we have taken everything out of the closet in my sewing room to lay flooring in it, this week I will be sharing smocking projects I have made in the past. This pillow is the first picture smocking I did. I'm hoping the one day I will have a child to use this pillow in their room until then it will stay in the closet.

Weekend Smocking

I found these unfinished diaper shirts in my sewing closet. So I decided I would work on them this weekend. My only problem is I have no clue what red DMC floss I used on the green one. This fabric was also used for some Christmas tree skirts. I know what your thinking Christmas diaper shirts, but we live in Alabama and it can be hot at Christmas.

I wanted to share this picture of Hello Kitty with you. I loved Hello Kitty so much when I was a kid. This year I waited a while to buy a calendar, and Books-A-Million had a Hello Kitty one left when they went on sale for $3.00. When I saw that Hello Kitty sews, I had to buy it. Now I'm missing the last week in May in my calendar, but the picture will look great in my sewing room.

Is it already Sunday?

I can't believe the week is already over. Bo and I both took off work on Friday to paint our living room. We had to prime the walls along with putting on two coats of paint. We did finish, but not until 1 am.
We still need to paint the trim, but I did put the first coat of paint on the mantel. I wanted to paint the brass around the fireplace, but I haven't found an option that I liked. I guess I will have to live with the brass.
Saturday I finished my bishop dress. Sorry for the horrible picture, but we were leaving and for the baby shower I was going to was two hours away and I still had to finish the button holes. Luckily, I had time to do those in the car. The future mother is a friend of my from high school and she seems to really appreciate it. She actually received many hand made gifts which I was glad to see.
I also got to eat dinner with my nephew. Boy is he growing so much and his hair is so blond and tan. He is full of spunk and determination.
I have off work tomorrow for a holiday. I know what you are thinking... what holiday is on June 2? Well the state of Alabama celebrates Jefferson Davis' Birthday. I'll take the day. I don't care what they call it. I hope to use the day to get more things done around the house and maybe work in some time to sew.

Almost Finished and Never Started

Never Started
I had a goal last night of making a set of Roller Coasters by Juliette Lavnvers, but I didn't. I was tired. I feel asleep around 9, if not earlier, and slept until 7 this morning. I do hope to make a set of Roller Coasters soon.


Almost Finished
I am working on a smocking a bishop dress using the Ellen McCarn pattern Heather. I have a few more hearts to do and then I just have to construct it. That shouldn't take me to long.