Okay Martha, you out did yourself on these outfits! I know your grand babies are going to be the cutest things ever in their matching sunsuits. I just hope Emma and Christian don't see these and want Nana to whip out a set this week! :) The sunsuits turned out fabulous and I love what you did with the fabric and trim.
You can view Martha's blog at http://southernmatriarch.blogspot.com/
Michie'
Amanda has been sewing again, and what a cute outfit she came up with! A sweet sunsuit for her sweet little guy made out of green striped seersucker using pattern #132. The smocked wagons can be found in the "Beginning Smocking Book." Great job Amanda. I know that I am inspired! How about you?
Michie'
We had a wonderful visit, but it is now time for Daniel to head back to South Korea. Not only was it a treat to have the kids in the same are for a few weeks, I also happened to get the 3 boys in the same picture which is kind of like trying to get a photo of Big Foot! There they are, Daniel, Ben with Emma on his shoulders and Tim!
But what we will miss the most is Daniel's baby whisperer abilities. Babies, like dogs always know who really likes them and who is just being polite. They knew. Was it because he is silly and will get down on their level, makes sure that they have the right educational toys, or could they smell the kindergartners that he teaches overseas?
Whatever it was, it worked and it was a tremendous help! Yes, we will miss him and a year is a long time, but this is his 6th year so we have adjusted. Not only is it what makes him happy, he is also going back to someone special. Thank goodness for Internet and Skype!
Michie'
It sounds like the last blog has quite a few of you all ready to sew gingham bishops! And so there were a few pleating questions that have been sent my way. The most frequently asked question about this bishop was, "How on earth did you keep the little gingham checks straight while pleating?" And here is the answer, "I didn't!" I thought about it for a while (about 2 minutes) and chose to let the fabric do it's own thing and embrace the ripply effect that I would end up with. Besides, the blue fabric does represent water and my flamingos were not in the mood for perfectly calm water! :) *The ripply effect is the dark and light uneven patches of color that you see between the flamingos.
And with that being said, I DO care about pleating straight if I am pleating larger checks and plaids. I will try to work that into a blog in the very near future. I know that we have had a shortage of tutorials lately, but as long as Emma is using Nana Shay's office as her bedroom (2 more weeks to go) not only is my time short, I'm also little too distracted for the creative juices to flow! Right now, I am having fantasies of getting to sit and sew for an entire day. I'll let you know if that dream ever comes true! LOL
Michie'
Of course Emma also needed a special dress for the birthday party. Lucky for her I had started a new bishop dress before she moved here! :)
I seem to be having a love affair with turquoise gingham these days. Emma has two dresses out of the same fabric right now. A little weird, but it is a good color on her.
The smocking design is "Babies Ahoy" by Kathy Crisp Designs. I love how the bright pink flamingos show up on the fabric. A great design when you want a little smocking.
Bright pink rickrack brought the pink color down to the sleeves. * A little sewing tip: I picked out the rickrack first then matched the floss color for the flamingos. Think of it this way, there are only a few shades of pink rickrack on the market while there are many shades of pink floss.
Michie'
Rubber Duckies were the theme, and a whole lot of family and friends gathered to celebrate your first birthday including all 3 of Mommy's older brothers, Auntie Tif, and Emma!
The presents were cool, but did not compare to the tissue paper that they were wrapped in. And since you certainly wouldn't want to waste a good audience, you chose your party to let go and take off walking!
And of course there was a birthday outfit made my Nana Shay for the special day. Mommy requested a Jon-Jon made out of Kona cotton that would last all summer long and smocked with Ellen McCarn's "Ducks Ahoy."
I case you are wondering, he did not eat a blue iced cupcake in this outfit. He ate his cupcake in an old tee shirt, then had a bath, then dressed up for opening presents! :)
Michie'
"Let them eat broccoli!" would be an appropriate title for this blog! Yes, we let the babies play outside, eat, and act like normal kids in their smocked outfits! The smocking is durable and washable and I want these clothes worn out with love and memories.
I like to tell a little smocking story for those who are hesitant about the durability of smocking. When Anna was in kindergarten I smocked an insert for a sweatshirt with gingerbread men on it. She LOVED that sweatshirt and wore it at least once a week to school during the winter. The next year it still fit so it was worn over and over once again. The next year the sleeves were short so she slept in it occasionally. She really loved that shirt!!!! I finally handed it down to a friend and although the sweatshirt was looking worn the smocking looked brand new!
Michie'
