The Turning of the Elephants

Just for fun, I thought that I would give you a peak at my mantle. When we downsized a couple of years ago (by half) I really had to give some serious thought to what to keep. Our home reflects family and travels, and I tried to only keep things that make me smile.


One of the first things that visitors ask about are the 12 elephants lined up on the mantel. Daniel brought them back from South Africa a couple of years ago and they function as a calendar. They are each hand carved and I like to line them up from smallest to largest, facing in the same direction. On the first of each month, starting with the smallest elephant, an elephant is turned to face the other directions, so that by the end of the year they are all facing back to the right. We refer to this as ,"The Turning of the Elephants." Sometimes we make an elephant noise for special effect! :)

When I was unpacking the elephants after the move I discovered that Mr. October Elephant, as I like to refer to him, had lost a trunk! You wouldn't believe how much time I spent digging through packaging materials until I found it!

I enjoy the first of the year when we have a whole lot of elephants stretched out before us. The words, "Oh my, it is only 2 more elephants until Christmas!" have been heard here before.

Michie'

Smocked Hearts for Valentines Day

Yes, it is possible to smock a bishop in one evening, if you are only smocking the front of the bishop and and there are only 6 rows of smocking! I wanted something with hearts for Valentines Day and something a little different from the traditions bishop style. With a few alterations, pattern #135 worked just right.

I started by cutting out and pleating the front. It was then pinned and sized on my lace shaping board and tied off. The smocking was completed in less than 2 hours! For the sleeves and back, I eliminated some of the fullness by about 1" by folding the pattern pieces down the center before cutting out the fabric. Next the sleeves were attached to the back pieces and I stitched two rows of gathering rows at the top that were drawn up to fit the neck band when needed. The front was then stitched to the sleeves and the neck band stitched in place.

After smocking for 2 hours, my eyes no longer were focusing, so the sleeves were saved for another day.

Click here if you would like a free copy of the "Baby Hearts" smocking design. There is still plenty of time to do something special for Valentines Day.

Michie'

Baby Dresses for Emma

Baby Emma is growing so quickly now and since Arizona is having an unusually warm winter, I almost overlooked sending a couple of little dresses that she should be able to wear right now!

Both dresses are made by pattern #127, and are sweet and simple with a touch of lace and embroidery. The pale blue dress is View C in the pattern and the pale yellow dress is View B.

Because the techniques for applying the lace are so simple for these dresses, this is the pattern that I use most often when teaching Heirloom Sewing.

The Heirloom instructions and the embroidery designs are both included in the pattern.

Another reason that I enjoy this pattern is that very little lace is needed. I often trim these dresses with lace left over from other projects. That also brings up the question, "Do the laces need to match?" It is okay to use different laces on the hem and sleeves. Many antique outfits that I have run across appear to have been made with laces that they had on hand.

As you look at these photos, I know many of you are thinking, "Wow, I wish I had the time to sew like Michie' does!" I must confess that both dresses have been part of my Trunk Show for years and I have not touched my sewing machine in at least a week! I hope that the lack of sewing time is about to change!

Michie'

Birthday Time Again?

It's hard to believe that it is birthday time again, and what an interesting year it has been! We are looking back on this past year and calling it the year of "Grand babies and travel." Not only were we blessed with our first granddaughter, we are now preparing for the first grandson!

Tim returned safely from Iraq this year.

And we finally made the big trip to South Korea to visit Daniel. Having never been to Asia, it was a unique experience for me and I was extremely pleased that by the end of the 10 days I had not only master the subway system but could eat with chop sticks!


I had a good friend mention the other day that Rex and I are at an exceptionally good time in our lives right now. Yes we are, and we are truly thankful.

Michie'

Is Smocking Still in Style?

I am often asked if smocking is going out of style. If we go by these pictures that my sister-in-law took in Paris a couple of months ago, and by the number of students that are signed up for my smocking classes, and the number of Anna's friends who are wanting to dress their babies in smocked outfits, the answer is...........NO!

If we go by all of these signs, smocking is going to be around for quite awhile! We often refer to smocking as "classic" which according to the dictionary means, "something of enduring interest, quality, or style."

An now I think I will go back to my smocking and cup of hot coco. :)


Michie'

Completed Outfits for Martha Pullen School

The best part about the snow last week, was that I had a chance to sew the buttons on all the outfits! These are the outfits that the students will be making in my "Smocking Construction" Classes at Martha Pullen School in February. In the class we will cover three basic construction techniques for smocking.

The first technique is constructing a classic white bubble or dress which has smocking attached to the yoke. Pattern #104 was used for the bubble and the dress.

Our second technique will be sewing a smocked insert into a garment.

Pattern #123 was used for the sundress and the sunsuit. Once again, the students will be able to choose whether they want to make a boy or girl outfit.

And our final technique will be a smocked bishop made from pattern #135, with a Madeira hem. All of the smocking designs, except for the bisop, are in the new "Beginner Smocking Book."

I know that you are probably wondering how we get that much sewing done in 4 days of classes! I never promise that you will complete your garments in class, but that you will learn the techniques, learn new sewing tips, and have a wonderful time!

Michie'

Baby Emma Update

Although she was theirs from the moment she was placed in their arms, she is now theirs according to the courts. The adoption is now complete! We give thanks to God for this beautiful addition to our family.

Emma Lee Mooney, 2 months old