Creation Elation

Victoria' Cotton Smocked Dress

2011-12-11T10:20:00.001-08:00

I am out of town and thought I would post a photo of a dress I made about 10 years ago. This is Victoria's dress. Eliana has worn it with brown leggings this fall since it kinda has autumn colors.

I think because of the color combination I get lots of compliments. The smocking design was from an Australian Smocking book that belonged to my mother. I added the green ribbon bow with embroidered center. The fabric was a quilting fabric and the pattern for the dress was a Children's Corner Bishop dress pattern.The sleeves are called, "angel wings" because they are open and resemble wings. Sometimes the angel wing bishop is featured with a basic yoke dress and the bishop angel wing is the apron over the dress. I love that. Maybe I should do that for Easter. In case you don't know, a "bishop" smocked dress has smocking all the way around the neck. It incorporates the sleeves and both front and back yokes. So, when pleating it, you leave the side seams unsewn. After pleating, the side seams are sewn together. I usually sew french seams on the side. If you own a pleater, you roll the fabric onto a wooden dowel and slowly turn the fabric through the pleater. Successful pleating takes practice. There are some basic instructions on the net, like this one, Here.

I made embroidery thread button loops and embroidered a flower over the button. This dress has seem numerous washings and active kid wear & tear. Suprisingly, it has held up well. My favorite smocking stitch is the feather stitch. I like the look and I enjoy the actual embroidering part. Like crochet, I find it relaxing.

If you are wondering whether or not to invest in a pleater, I would consider how much you actually intend to smock. Some specialty fabric stores that sell smocking supplies will pleat fabric for you at a cost. Something to think about. If cost isn't a problem, then a pleater is wonderful. I happen to have one my mom purchased but never used. It is a small pleater with only about 14 rows. I would love to have a large pleater but it probably isn't worth the investment for me right now.

Christmas Tea Time Advent Calendar

2011-12-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

As you can see on the blog, I make a lot of tea pot stuff because I am a Tea Lover. So, I had to come up with an idea to incorporate that with an Advent calendar. So, here it is. My Christmas decor is silver and turquoise but I am sure that any color combinaiton will look fantastic with this design idea. What I think is so cool is that each "teabag" is a mini goody bag to insert candy, idea, or tiny toy. Another idea is to put actual tea bags in the mesh baggy. Each day having a different holiday tea to try. The teapot is open on top to either stuff the empty tea bags in each day, or to place a special Christmas day goodie inside.

Supplies:

Sari Fabric (35x24)background

Wool Felt (approx. 1/2 yard) teapot and tea cups

31x20 ( heavy interfacing)

broadcloth 5"x 45"

mosquito netting approx. 18"

embroidery thread ( for blanket stitch by machine )

basting thread

96" of gold cording

glitter and glitter fabric adhesive

paintbrush

Fray Check

sequins, pearl strands, genmstone

Glue Gun

Fusible 1" stitch witchery

Patterns:

I started with the Tea bags ( the most detailed part of the project)

Cut a strip p5"x 45"

serge along the 45" length on both edges (or zig zag)

fold & press lengthwise

Serge along the folded edge (or zig zag)

You will have a nice folded edge to guide through the serger or to zig zag. The other side will have two finished edges. That will be a little pocket to insert the gold cord.

Cut 24 1 6/8" peices. Serge(or zig zag) the edge of each peice.

Cut the tails off at the ends or the serged edge

apply Fray Check to prevent unraveling

(stack of tags before cutting)

After snipping, fray checking, paint the daily number 1-24 on each tag with

acrylic paint mixed with fabric glue for the glitter.

Add decorative items with hot glue

cut 4" peices of cording

cut 3 6" strips with rotary cutter and then cut those strips into 3" wide peices for the "tea bag"

fold and zig zag the 3" ends of all 24 "bags"

Straight stitch down cord on netting, then back stitch with a zig zag.

Inset the other end of the cord into the "pocket" end of the number tag and straight stitch across the top, over the gold cord.

Fold and sew the moquito net with wtong sides together, then turn right side out

It should look like this

Now, for the tea cups. Cut 24 handles and 24 cups out of wood felt. I used a disappearing ink on to trace the handles.

Cut the Tea Pot parts out of felt. The Pot is a pocket when the top is left unstitched to the back. I made a snowflake design with fabric glue and glitter before I hot glued the pearl strands to it in a pretty pattern, sewing a gemstone in the middle.

Place the tea pot on the top of the calendar and center it by "eye". Placing the spout and handle in the place you desire and then hand basting like the tea cups and machine stitching in place.

Place the tea cups onto background fabric, evenly spaced. Or you could tilt stack like crazy cups.

Then, baste the teacups in place before machine stitching onto the background.

Machine stitch to the background with whatever stitch you choose. I used a blanket stitch, making sure I used a mirror image depending on which direction I was sewing from.

I used a fusible "stitch witchery" to adhere the background fabric to the stiff interfacing. Turning over the extra 2" around the edge and using a pressing cloth and a water spray bottle to dampen the cloth so that the fusible material would adhere without damaging the sari fabric.

Have fun pulling out your candy, tea bag, toy or whatever goodie you choose.

Please send me pics of what you have done, I would love to see your own Christmas TeaTime Calendar. ---Amy Liz

Super Cape and Mask

2011-12-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

This super cape was created from an online pattern. Just google blogs and super cape pattern and there are a lot of simple patterns to choose from. I could have made my own, I didn't feel like thinking hard that day. I created a simple felt applique and sewed sequins around the star. Pretty simple idea. This is a project I created a good while ago. The mask was created from a pattern from a blog that I love, Ikat Bag. Lier's cardboard stuff is incredibly fun and what an inspiration it is to see her creative ideas.

( I am super busy creating an advent calendar. Its way past the time it should be ready. Next fall, I think I will release my advent calendar as a pattern for purchase. I am learning from my mistakes, meaning I am cursing and ripping stitches. Also, the general planning and design has taken a lot of time. If I had just created a paper/ magnet or some other simple advent thing it would be done already. I had to create something that is detailed and time consuming, of course. )

Anyway, the cape uses velcro and was super easy to make. Just sew, and turn inside out. I could have top stitched it, but I didn't. It wasn't out of satin, either. Just used some cotton broadcloth that I had on hand. She loves this costume, still. It is a time worthy project for any seamstress with small kids.
Especially it they are leaping off of furniture like mine. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways she comes up with to jump off of chairs, tables, and stacked items. Once, at Barnes and Noble, she took a step stool and chair and leaped from the chair over to the step stool. Of course, I was clutching my chest. The cross expression on my face with the disgust tone in my voice said it all. I don't win any "permissive Mommy" awards, that's for sure. I think she likes to watch me spill my coffee from the nervous shake in my hand as I watch her barely catch the edge of the Evil Kineval stunts she pulls.

My very favorite is the, " lets run in the parking lot and see if we can get mommy to catch me before the car hits me" stunt. I now have a death grip on her hand in a parking lot.

Christmas decorating, baking, and the general duties around here inhibit my creative tasks. Oh well. I sure wish I didn't require sleep, that would be fantastic! I would be like a project genie, a production guru with projects being whipped together overnight and during the day. I can dream....

Repurposed table cloth into curtains

2011-11-22T06:52:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to eat is Miso soup and sushi. An asian salad and soup is great, too. Sometimes I choose cashews, madarin oranges, sesame seeds, green onion and ginger dressing. This time I used wasabi soy beans, sesame seeds, crunchy noodles, red onion and green onion, and ginger dressing. Green tea alongside, mmmmmm. I just love it. I could eat asian food every day. My brother's wife is Korean and I love to eat at their house. When her mother visits from Korea I am at their door so fast, its rediculous. Watching her mom cook, I make mental notes so I can make her dishes at my house. "Kim", the sushi wrappers that are in little squares, I love to eat those with rice. My neice and daughter both love it. Kinda funny that our kids will eat seaweed but push away other food.
Anyway, notice the blue square bowl? I am in love with that deep, dark blue.

While shopping in Target, I had found this blue and white table cloth on clearance. Probem is, when I moved, it didn't look right in the room. So, I repurposed it into kitchen curtains. I have always loved cobalt blue and white. There's something about those colors that is so soothing to me.

Watercolor

2011-11-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

I enjoy watercolor painting. When a man I dated left for Afghanistan, I sent him goodies in the mail. I painted this for his postage label and copied it on the printer. I inserted it into a plastic sleeve page and taped it to the top of the box. When he returned, he had the box top with him. He absolutely loved it. It showed my thoughtfulness. ( Along with his favorite 60% cocoa chocolate chip & walnut cookies I sent in a tin among other food items I mailed. )

I haven't had time to paint since I have been working on clothing designs and an idea for a Christmas craft. My daughter's preshool is only 3 hours 4 days a week and that isn't very condusive to creativity. I try to cook meals that will last a few days so that I can have more time to make things. I spent yesterday creating that blog title thing but it's so big. I can't change the size, frustrating. If it is annoying, please let me know.
Advent calendars are great and I have an idea for a shabby chic one. I just need to hurry. I also need to make 18" doll clothes and baby doll clothes for gifts. We have the "Molly" American girl doll. It caused crying and squeeling with delight when my daughter tore the paper and saw the red box and the doll's face last Christmas. So, I have 2 patterns for doll clothes. I do not want to come up with my own pattern for that. It's simply too much work. The construction will take enough time. I may make a bag for the doll. Not sure.

Putting in Grommets

2011-11-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Pandas are the favorite of the 4 year old dress up queen that lives here. So, with cold weather here I have been creating a pattern for a knit tunic dress or top. The velvety spandex leggings I made about a week ago. I created a pattern for those, too. This dress is a mock up of what the final dress garment will be. Its a little too wide in the shoulder area but my daughter's chest is narrower than most 4 year olds.

The panda ears are kind of crooked. I noticed that after. You see, while I sew, my crafting room gets torn apart. My child invades all my drawers, shelves, etc... She climbs on my back while I am at the machine. Its amazing that I even am able to construct a garment. Pheww.....
So forgive the crooked panda ears, please. Anyway, I found this houndstooth knit and I had to have it. The hot pink had to be added in order to convince her to put it on. I love all colors. I really don't have a favorite. In her mind, though, pink and purple are fantastic. The panda had to have rhinestone eye balls, too.

Putting in the grommets was super easy. Bought a kit from Hancock fabrics here in town.

1. I spaced the grommets by "eye" and then traced the inside of the hole with washable pen. The instructions say to cut a hole.

2. I didn't I used an awl and pushed it through the knit. I snipped tiny cuts around the hole made with the awl.

3.The fabric was then stretched around the grommet. I used the tip of the awl to guide the fabric over the edge of the grommet.

4. The bottom grommet fits into a black ring under the fabric.

5. The top grommet fits inside of the bottom one. The top grommet is the longer and wider ring. The long silver tool fits over the top grommet and you just hammer that until the top grommet pushed through and wraps around the bottom grommet.

Voila! Easy and I love all the possible ways I may be using grommets.

The bottom grommet pushing through the fabric hole made with the awl and tiny cuts

Punching the awl through the fabric

Simple Dritz kit I purchased

Bottom black ring and the top peice for the hammer comes with the kit.

Placing the grommets by sight

sofa table sewing

Then, this painful event occured while serging.... I use a sofa table for my machines. I like that it is sturdy and doesn't vibrate. I scooted my chair under the serger and rammed the sharp point of the wood into the soft part of my knee. It hurt so bad I had to lie on the couch. Of course that wasn't enough to deter me from my mission. I sat down, throbbing knee, and continued serging.
I need to write a post on accidents in the sewing room. You know, like burning yourself with the glue gun or the iron, stepping on a needle, cutting your fingers with scissors. My favorite is the rotary blade accident with my son when he was three. He reached up onto my counter top and pulled it down. Holding my hand out, I said, " give mommy the cutter, please" He replied with a rebellious, "no" while pulling his arm back to show his posession of it. That action caused the blade to slice through his face, right next to his lips. I had a plastic surgeon stitch it up. I have never forgotten that moment. He is now 17 and has dated the entire cheering squad at his high school. It obviously hasn't affected his looks.

I try to always leave the rotary cutter on lockdown now. My female Dennis the Menace that I live with could, however, figure a way to unlock it, I am sure.

I flatlocked the top peices together on my serger. To make sure that the top didn't stretch too far at the opening. I put a 3" satin stitch across the bottom before putting in the grommets. A peice of the tearable embroidery paper was used to sew over the two adjoining peices easily. Then, you simply tear it away. Love that stuff.

Painting

2011-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

I bought a plastic knife set from Walmart and this was my first attempt at palette knife painting.
Regretably, I haven't had any formal artistic training in painting. The public school I went to had art classes but we were only allowed one elective. I chose chorus and drama and only one year of art. In that class we never went over any techniques for painting. About 10 years ago, I picked up some cheap acrylic paints and just started painting. I painted a picture of Berkley Plantation in Virginia. Which is actually the sight of the first Thanksgiving in 1619. The long winding dirt road that leads to the grand entrance is beautiful and feels like traveling back in time. Berkley is the home of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

I lived in Suffolk, Va and I used to take a drive to the ferry in Surry, VA to Williamsburg. Then, I would drive route 5 to visit the plantations. My favorite plantation was Westover, William Byrd's estate. After reading his diaries that provide insight into the daily life of a colonial plantion owner in Virginia, I would sit under the trees along the James River and I could actually picture the people who lived there. There was a church on the property that Maria Byrd had dismantled and moved up river because there was too much partying after church on the property. That story made me smile.

Westover Plantation in acrylics
I think I improved from the first painting to this one.

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

Anyone ever tried painting with acrylics? watercolors? any insight? advice?

Making a Corset

2011-11-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

I love this book by Susan Khale and Claire Shaeffer. Actually, any book by Claire Shaeffer is a favorite of mine. What a wealth of knowledge she has packed into her books. I highly recommend any of her books. Another one is below, "Couture Sewing Techniques". I have even taken this book with me while I soak in the tub.

And, I must say, I am a fan of Project Runway. I just wish I could see more of their sewing techniques. I like to watch the construction of the garments. I have a formal occasion to go to and I had this antique reproduction pattern that I purchased about a year ago. I can't find the pattern now, but it is a Simplicity pattern, I think. I made a muslin. The fabric is not very expensive. Its a faux silk outiside and broadcloth interlining and then duck cloth on the inside. After basting by hand and sewing the peices together by machine, I have been spending hours handsewing the raw edges under. I do need to make a modesty peice so that my skin isn't showing under the lacing. I want to use a different fabric, I think. I am thinking about covering the corset with machine embroidery, lace, and beads. I will make a skirt to wear with it. Just need to surf the net for some lace.

This is time consuming. I hope it turns out to be great.

My daily activity is full of breakfast, lunch, and dinner making. Although, I did make a huge pot of chicken and dumplings to eat off of for a week. I had to break down last night and eat steak with a red onion sherry sauce and horseradish on the side, sweet baked potato, and a salad with artichokes. This morning the pancakes I made were so filling I couldnt finish them. I used a quick biscuit mix instead of making them from scratch with buttermilk. Now its time to think about lunch and then back to stitching.

Christening Gown (smocked & embroidered)

2011-11-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

slip with scallop edge stitch done on my Bernina

Shadow Embroidery on the bottom

lace and tucks created with crochet thread and a special grooved foot for pleats

hand embroidery on the bodice and the hemline

tiny seed beads sewn throughout

Australian Smocking Magazine had this gown feautured on the front cover of one of their issues. I fell in love with it. The materials were about $200. It was tedious, but loving work. Something that I hope she can look at later and see how much effort I put into this garment for her. A tangible object that when she touches the places I embroidered with my hands she will hopefully think about the hopes I have for her life.

I have been working on a pink fur coat and hat that has taken some time and design effort. In between I have baked pumpkin cheesecake muffins & shepherds's pie. Running back and forth to preschool and dance lessons has cut into my creative time.

An idea for an advent calendar of some sort is being drafted in my head. Hopefully, I will be able to actually produce it. My sewing area looks like a small animal was run over in there. pink fur rolls all over the floor. Faux fur is a mess to work with. My clothes were covered in hair. Not a great idea when you're wearing black pants. Knocking over a container of beads that were organized was a frustration. Luckily, my daughter decided to help me organize them again. It gave her something to do. She loves going through the buttons and ribbons.

Yesterday I cut dress shapes out of that foam stuff and she colored them with markers. I tried to show her how to sew with felt but she isn't ready for that yet.

There is never enough time in the day for me to do all I have planned for the day. Its a shame I require sleep.

Strawberry Shortcake Smocked Bishop Gown

2011-11-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

smocking design is by Ellen McCarn

Two 1/2" tucks above the ruffle hem. I thought maybe I will take these out as she grows.

I hand crocheted an edging to match the angel sleeves

This dress was made a couple of years ago. It is still her favorite dress. The large ruffle hem at the bottom gives it a major twirl factor. She happens to adore Strawberry shortcake and she has the doll. The fabric, voile, in a pale yellow with strawberries, I found at Hancocks on clearance at the end of summer. Its very thin, and easy to see through.

Problem: the crochet thread ended up bleeding onto the fabric after a washing. I was not happy about that, needless to say. I recommend Ellen McCarn's beginner smocking booklet. I have one that belonged to my mother. After my initial smocking lesson, I referred back to it from time to time. I also am a "Sew Beautiful" magazine fan.

Hope you are inspired...

Fall Corduroy Skirt and Blouse

2011-10-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

Back of the blouse. I used an older pattern about 2 years old. McCalls 5693.

Front of blouse. The fabric is a good quality batiste. Elastic gathers in the front and back.

Welted button holes. I made purple piping out of some scrap corduroy, so I decided welted button holes would be a good fit.

Back of the skirt. An Amy Liz original design. gathered with elastic in the back.

The front kind of has a German feel to it. The plaid reminds me of Celtic dress. The buttons are celtic knots. It was time consuming making the piping and button holes. She wears white tights with orange pumpkins on them. I have scraps of corduroy leftover from other projects I have made in the past. I am debating making something with them. Not sure what I would make.

I really do like the look of welted buttonholes. They add a quality to the garment that looks well made.

When I was a child, my mother used to say, "I am not buying that, I could make it, quickly". She never did make the item I was looking at but I get that she was noticing the quality and the price didn't match in her opinion.

On the other hand, I have seen garments priced so cheap sometimes that I purchase them because I know I could not make it for that low price.

Ignorance really is bliss. It makes shopping a little more challenging in some ways. Except the fabric store. It is a destination that I could stay in for hours on end. I mean, I could hire a babysitter just for the express purpose of hanging out in the fabric store. Meandering through the decorator fabrics, imagining curtains, upholstery, etc... Then, onto the pattern books and every kind of sewing, crochet, craft book on the shelves. Seriously, I have been so much that the staff knows my kid. They comment on how much she has grown. We have holiday greetings and smiles when I walk through the door.

The button wall holds me mesmorized. Tiny little plastic replicas of toys, flowers, trucks, fruit, and beautiful vintage reproductions...I just have to stand there and stare. The notion section, well, I adore anything that makes producing a project easier.

I am not a prolific quilter. I have made 2 quilts. They were crib quilts. Maybe I should post those if anyone is interested. Quilting is not an activity that holds my undivided attention. I sure admire anyone who has the dedication to create such a time consuming project.

Tulle and a Rose Girls Tunic

2011-10-30T09:45:00.001-07:00

We love the Fancy Nancy books. She has a fantastic vocabulary already for 4, but reading really has added to it. Pretty much if it doesn't have sparkles or some show stopping appeal to it, my daughter won't wear it. She changes shoes several times a day. Sneakers have to have sparkle also.

In my adventures with knit fabric I am discovering its limits. After construction and washing, I look to see how well it holds up. She loves the tutu aspect of the skirt. The rick rack at the top I had leftover from a vacation bible school project years ago. I save lots of scraps like that. I experimented with the "lettuce leaf" edging with varigated serger thread, which I love. This was an original design, also. The knitwear rose was pretty easy, but sewn by hand. Sparkly seed beads added the final touch. It has held up to washing pretty well and is roomier than the tea time dress I featured yesterday.

There are some things I would like to change on the design if I make it again. I have been skimming over Don McCunn's book, " How to make sewing patterns". It is a great resource. Also, "Sewing with knits" by Connie Long. That book is fantastic. Great pictures, graphic illustrations of techniques, and a great source of tips and ideas. The beginning explains the different types of knits. Some of the knits fearured on ballerinas are so beautiful. It's a Taunton Press book and I love their sewing books. I will be doing a give away soon.... some books, I think.

Knitwear Tea Party Outfit

2011-10-29T12:40:00.001-07:00

Knit is a wonderful, soft, easy care fabric. You don't need a serger to sew with knit. Although, I did use mine. I grabbed a small amount of a couple of cotton prints and designed an outfit without a commercial pattern. The knit I purchased was $12.99 a yard at Hancocks and I was informed it rarely ever goes on sale. There is a small percentage of spandex in this knit. I have skimmed over several pattern making books recently. I took measurements and set about coming up with a unique design. I am not thrilled with the leggings. they were too tight and I had to add extra fabric on the sides. Freezer paper appliques, glitter fabric paint, and hot fix crystals added some glitz to this girly outfit. Hot fix crystals are super easy but a little pricey in my opinion.

Lately I have been reading on serging techniques. I purchased a pile of books from a woman emptying her mother's sewing room. What a treasury of knowledge I bought for $50! She was really happy to see her mother's books in the hands of another sewing enthusiast.

Gingham Flower

2011-07-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

I am completely shocked at the number of people who view my blog. Heartbroken and devastated, I have been through a personal hell that left me unable to comment or create. My friends and family all encouraged me to blog again. I just couldn't do it. Every so often I would check my blog to find I had so many visitors. So, just in case you are reading this because you like my blog, I will try to post again.

Feeling the creative itch, I rambled through scraps and decided to create a floral peice from scratch. Starting with the leaves, I made them from scrap decorator fabric, glued them to floral wire, and wrapped the 3 leaves together. Adding beads to floral wire, I put them in the center of the flower I hand sewed after serging the edges. The lace peices I glued to wire and glued tiny seed beads on top. What am I going to do with this? Not sure. A head band? Attach to a hair comb? or just pin to a top? Hmmmm....

Unusual Valance

2010-04-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

I made a valance for my dining room, I ended up switching the curtain to the front "parlor" which meant I had to cut it in half and add 5" to each side. The fabrics were remnants on the decorator fabric table at Hancock's. The print was Asian, so I decide to create a shape that matched the print. I put a penny in the corners for a weight to hold the curtains shape better. I put tassels on fabric covered buttons for a little added decoration. I hand sewed the lining to the curtain, (not fun).
It was a fairly cheap project and sure beats the department store price. For the most part I'd say that it is more economical to sew decorative items. Not always, though. My best friend is a fan of hot glue. That girl can take rubber bands and fabrics and make a terrific valance. Thank God for creativity, you need some when you don't have an abundance of money.

Pillow case dress

2010-04-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

A pillow case dress of course is nothing new. Folded, unused sat two antique pillow cases that I made into dresses. I encased the front and back in elastic. I made bias tape with the pieces cut off of one end of the pillow case. It was very easy. Since I had two, I also made one for my niece, Leia.

By the way, there are some really beautiful antique pillow cases on ebay. I love that they were trimmed in crochet and hand embroidered. What a lovely way to recycle someone else's hard work. I wonder who the person was who made these pillow cases and what she would think of this dress.

I have always loved wandering through antique shops and thinking about who owned a certain item and what their life was like. Some beds so grand with gorgeous linen bedding, I wonder what the estates were like. Beautiful handkerchiefs in the hands of young or old and did they cry into them or were they used as a southern lady's statement of class. Golden perfume bottles etched with flowers sitting upon a mirrored dresser, on whose neck did the traces of scent fall? Was their no family who desired the possessions or was it too "old-fashioned" for their taste? Funny how the eye of one person catches an item that becomes an object of desire and anothers eye passes quickly by noticing nothing.

Wall Mural

2010-04-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy. I haven't had time to sew the past few weeks. So I thought I'd post a picture of a mural I painted at my house in Suffolk, Virginia. I fell in love with the wisteria that laid so beautifully on the trees in Spring. Their smell can be overwhelming, but the colors are absolutely stunning. I love lavender anyway.

I had been dreaming of some beautiful southern estate on the water where two people share a magnificent view of the sun sparkling across the water. Two lovers share a warm evening together. Pushing her in the swing that is under the willow, she bites her bottom lip. He slides his hands around her waist and kisses her on the cheek. The ducks and ducklings waddling around the lake edge, draw the eye to the blooming daffodils. Warm light, and music calls from the inside the home. Food, laughter, and dancing creates an atmosphere of familiarity. Crickets are busy sending their evening message. Two girls are running across the bridge chasing the neighbors dog. AHHHH, the imagination is a spectacular place to live.

Pincushion

2010-03-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Love those fancy pincushions on the net. I made this one with a crochet trim I was working on. I found these little blue buckets at Michaels. There's room under the pincushion to store some snips, thread, wax, my mini bottle cap pincushion, etc. When I was in New Bern, NC I found some long glass head straight pins. (glass heads don't melt under an iron)

Check out these felt pincushions here. If you have a beautiful pincushion you've made, send me a pic, I'd love to see it.

I am still working on the microcheck dress. Concentrating on embroidery is intense but relaxing at the same time. There's just nothing like being climbed on, hair pulled, and trying to maintain a decent stitch while my toddler jumps on the bed I'm sitting on. She even managed to grab a hold of the organdy collar last night along with my mini pin cushion and stuck pins in the collar. I was stricken with horror, thinking she had snagged the organdy. Thankfully, it was fine. I'll post the collar when it's done.

Simple Blouse

2010-03-23T20:51:00.002-07:00

Very Easy Vogue, 8392

Extremely easy blouse, except for the french seams ( not necessary). Last fall, I purchased some fabric that was left over from the summer. It was very cheap. I liked that it was partly sheer. I whipped this up quick, too quick. I have 3 colors. I really like the ruffle sleeves, just don't know what I would look like in it? Chiquita Banana? I adore romantic blouses sewn with laces and embroidery. One day, I will make the time to make a romantic blouse for myself. Maybe soon.

I have plenty of fabric left and I may make Eliana a "fairy" play skirt. She keeps asking me for a "tinkerbell" outfit.

Smocked Bubble in Varigated DMC Thread

2010-03-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Taking care of a sick child today. Since I don't have anything ready that's current to post, I thought I'd post her coming home from the hospital pic. I crocheted this blanket and smocked bubble for her. The thread for the bubble was a DMC thread that was varigated in lavender. The dark to light of the thread added another dimension to the basic smocking stitches. I had crocheted baby booties but her feet were too tiny for them. The pattern for the bubble is a Children's Corner pattern. After she was born, it took me months before she would give me enough time to sew anything again.

Tea Pot Jacket

2010-03-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Vintage 80's pattern jacket, butterick 6806

I enjoyed screen printing. I will do it again. I added

little rhinestones to the jacket. I don't think I really

liked the effect of serging all of the edges and then

zig-zagging it together. She really likes it, she says she

is going to have tea with the Mad Hatter.

I am still embroidering a collar for her microcheck

dress.

I am not happy with a few stitches and may have to

pull some out.

I tried to embroider while talking during

ballet class. That didn't work too well. I have to

concentrate.

I have learned a few things about my serger.

When a thread breaks in the loopers, you have to

pull the needle threads out of the switch plate and

to the back , behind the foot. If anyone has any

tips on serging, please send me an email, or

comment.

Screen Printing and Hand Carved Stamps

2010-03-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Missing sleeve, still under construction

First time Screen Printer

I am screen printing on a denim jacket I had cut out in the Fall. Yes, it took me that long to finally construct it. We are tea party crazy over here. I did a freezer paper stencil ( tutorials all over the net) , then screen printed in multi colors,then covered it in fabric glitter.

Serging the edges with "rainbow" thread gave me a different way to look at constructing because I didn't want to hide the seams. I am not sure if I will like the finished product, but it is giving me practice in screen printing and serging.

Making mistakes Serging

I am serging on knit, I needed to adjust, but found I liked the loopy, ruffly edging. So, I left it.

Another look at my shadow work in progress

Some Hand Carved Stamps I've Made

So much fun to carve out these stamps! I could do this all day. I ordered them from Dicks Art supply and also a carving tool.

Simplicity 3856 & Children's Corner patterns

2010-03-09T09:35:00.001-08:00

I turned 38 yesterday. My Best friend sent me this birthday card, isn't it sweet? That's me and her, the brunette and the blonde.

Lots to blog about today

Update:

The smocking is coming along, slowly but surely. Now I am working on the organdy collar. I decided not to go with the collar on the pattern, but to create my own. I drew a design on

tracing paper after tracing the dress yoke.

Next, I made a denim skirt using Simplicity 3856

I made the gores larger (1") for added fullness. I left the edges raw. I like the look of denim after washing and it frays. This denim has tiny multi colored sequins all over it.

The blouse is a Children's Corner pattern. I made a Hello Kitty bow to match. Of course, I had to put the crinoline I made from a vintage pattern (see older post) under it.

Leprechaun Catcher

2010-03-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

Here, little leprechaun.......

O.k., here's my idea. Leave a leprechaun trap out with a tiny pot o' gold. He pays the vacation rental fee (money or money candy, etc..) placed in side the little house on St. Patty's Day for my 2 year old to find. Maybe he took the pot o' gold with him.

Wanna make your own Leprechaun trap? Here's how.....

(send me pics of your leprechaun vacation rental :microscope@ec.rr.com)

Coffee creamer with a pipe cleaner handle, glued foam squares (for filler) topped with some gold beads glued down. Another idea: You could make the pot o' gold into a little necklace, loop ribbon around the handle.

Please excuse the blurry photos.

She likes it as a necklace for fairies also...

Beach Pillow

2010-03-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

It's cold and rainy today and I have the sniffles. (still smocking) I miss the warmer weather and the beach. Don't get me wrong, I am not a summer gal. I don't like it when the Carolina heat is more humid than the inside of a dog's mouth. It's just that a few weeks back we had some nice days. I went to the beach to collect shells the other day. It was a little chilly, which was great because hardly anyone was there. I said a prayer to the Lord that I would find a sand dollar. Then, there was a perfect sand dollar lying there in the sand for me. I love it when He answers quickly.

I wanted a decorative pillow for my slipcovered couch. So, I cut out stamps of ocean animals and shells. The idea came from Genine's Art Blog (check it out on the right side, "blogs I like", she has a tutorial). I mixed acrylics with a fabric paint medium and painted it on the stamps. I used some fabrics from shirts and jeans and cut out circles to stamp. Then, I sprayed a fabric adhesive onto the back of the circles so they would stay in place when sewn. My machine has decorative stitches but a regular zig zag or would work, just switch thread colors to add interest. A watercolor I had done became central to a collage that I scanned and printed onto fabric. An old hymn, "Sail On", is in the lower left corner. The little blue net under the crab I crocheted.

There are several ways to print onto fabric and there are tutorials on line for making your own transfer medium. I just used sheets of printer fabric I bought from Hancock's at 50% off. I stitched the fabric print on the canvas and placed the fabric circles randomly around.

The collage is here for you to use. you can print it onto fabric, or paper

to use as you like. (An apron, table runner, seaside bag are some other ideas). Please, do not post it on your site, without my permission. Links, though are welcome.

Still Smocking

2010-03-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

After sewing frantically by machine, smocking seems slow. It goes even slower when I make a mistake and have to pull out stitches! My little girl is so excited. She wants to wear it now, I can't smock fast enough for her. The boring task of back smocking is a necessity that I dont look forward to doing. (back sm0cking ... that is when you smock the back of the smocked piece so that the pleats stay in place.) BUT, I do find it relaxing about as much I find crocheting to be. I"ll take a breath and try not to feel hurried.

My smocking teacher was Charlotte Butler, of ,"The Ghent Needlecrafter" in Hampton Virginia. The year was 1997, and she closed shop that same year. She had a beautiful shop and I used to drool over her creations. One dress in particular had little cherries shadow embroidered on a white batiste dress. She said all 4 daughters whore it, if my memory serves me correctly. My 2nd daughter was just a tiny baby. My first project was a christening gown for her. I use a pleater my mom bought years ago, a small Pullen pleater. I would love to have a large pleater to create larger smocked yokes.

Who gives a HOOT?

2010-02-26T13:54:00.000-08:00

Owl flannel nightgown, whooooo cares

I have been practicing a rolled hem on my serger. Flannel creates a lot of lint, dirtied up my new machine. I did not have my heart in making the 2 nightgowns (at 1 a.m.) I made. It doesn't excite me. But, I have had a hard time finding a long, warm nightgown for Eliana. The plastic gemstones I had to add for the "bling-bling" obsessed.

Today, I am pleating some microcheck fabric using "Mindy" from Children's Corner. I am not sure what the yoke is going to look like. I may do some shadow work embroidery. Right now, I am smocking in peach. Love the green and peach together! I had to rush to pleat today because we may take a car trip to the RV show in Raleigh tomorrow. Hopefully I can knock out some stitches on the drive.

Flannel Nightgowns

2010-02-25T07:37:00.000-08:00

Sometime in the fall, I had purchased flannel fabric on sale. I also bought a pattern for a nightgown that said "EASY" on the envelope. I had put off making them so that I could make other things. 2 days ago, I decided to make them because it's still winter and it would give me practice on my new serger. I ended up rethreading my serger about 6 times. So, I have that down pat. After 2 days of working on these nightgowns ( when I get the chance), I am sick of them. I cut the fabric while she was asleep at nap time, so I didn't measure. I just selected the size 3 and started construction.

The top was too wide and was sliding off of her shoulders. So, I ended up making a tuck in the back yoke, sewing with long stitches. That way, when she grows into the top I can just pick the stitches out and she will get more wear out of it. Now, if I can complete the other one.

Petticoat

2010-02-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

In a previous post, I showed the petticoat I was working on ( vintage pattern) , it is finished. I do not recommend sewing at 3a.m. I used upholstery thread to gather the ruffles. I forgot to switch threads, oops. The ruffle attached to the 2nd row was sewn with upholstery thread (cream). I was so upset!! I had to remind myself that this is worn under a garment and wont be seen except along the hem of a garment where the lace may peak out. Although, my little tutu tot loves it to twirl in, by itself.

Knitted Gift Thank You

2010-02-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

My brother's sweet wife shipped a vest and hat her mother made for Eliana. So cute!! She also sent a little pink drawstring bag and and necklace. Her mom knitted this vest after my neice broke her grandmother's glasses. I love handmade gifts. Eliana loves it. Thought I'd share it.

Other things I've been doing besides sewing... (rather be sewing) After searching through many blogs for activities with kids, I have seen many muffin tin uses. She enjoyed sorting and counting small objects.

Brushed Twill Sofa Slipcover

2010-02-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

I do not enjoy making slipcovers. This is my second one for a couch.

This sofa is GIGANTIC! It is probably bigger than a twin size bed. A much needed redo of my living area began with a palette of neutral colors. I ordered brushed canvas from House of Fabric on line, "natural canvas". It was just under $200. Sure beats Pottery Barns slipcovered couches for $1500-$2500.

I had to cut huge peices and prewash them. UGH! There were strings of fabric in front of the dryer and all over my carpet. Before the fabric arrived I made a muslin pattern. The cushions were a pain, but it's the body of the couch that is so heavy and hard to maneuver on the machine. The front corners are not right because it is too thick for the machine. I am scared I will break my machine. I will go back with tapestry needles and hand sew.

Now you know why slipcovers are so expensive.

Recommendations:

1. Make a muslin pattern of the couch. I did this, and it was much easier than pinning and cutting the canvas which is much heavier.

2. Make sure your machine can handle heavy duty fabrics. Try stacking 2-3 layers and running it through your machine.

3. I made a grid of my pattern with measurements to figure out how much yardage I needed. Don't forget to calculate how much cording you will need.

4. Save your cushion covers and pluck out the stitches to use as a pattern. I even reused the original zippers.

The knit pillows are from Pottery Barn.

Ode to Playdough & Recipe

2010-02-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

Ode to playdough

Not on my carpet, or in the mouth,

Just give me a few moments of peace in this house.

Cut out some cookies, bake some bread too.

Roll out a ball, make dumplings for stew.

Little fingers mold and press

while mommy sits down to rest.

by Amy Kissinger

My mom had a recipe she gave me on an old index card when my teenagers were toddlers. I don't remember playing with it at home, it was made for preschool Sunday School.

Here's the recipe if anyone needs it:

1 cup flour

1cup water

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tbsp. oil

food coloring

Combine dry ingredients, add others. Cook 3 minutes at medium heat. Stir until it starts to come away from the pan. Knead 5 times. Store in air tight container.

Still working on the petticoat. I have changed a few things from the

vintage McCall's pattern 2389.

I am attaching netting that I gathered under the taffeta layers.

I found some pink tacky tulle with sparkles for my little fashionista. I think I am going to put it it over the white tulle on the red lady bug dress that she loves so much.

I found this fabric at Hancocks the other day. It's prewashed but not pressed, obviously. We like the doggies. The pink bandana fabric is going to go with a little cowgirl outift I want to create. Using leftovers from my camper redo, I have a cow print that I will make into a vest.

Mad Hatter hat

2010-02-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

A snow day spontaneous crochet project that turned out kinda weird. So, I call it the "mad hatter" hat. After all, she is in love with that story.

To give her something else to do, I cut out copies of Richard Scarry's, "Busy Town" book pages and glued them to a cardboard box to make our own busy town play thing. Some things turn out to be not as amazing as I imagine them.

The overall jumper is an older pattern and the fabric is a remnant of decorator fabric that I have had for about 18 years.

I am currently working on a petticoat from a 60's pattern that was my great Aunt Margie's. Having a stash of 60s kids patterns, my grandmother decided I should be the recipient of Aunt Margie's sewing stuff. It's a treasure to me to see the design details of that era.

The pettitcoat is cut out and is sitting on my sewing table waiting for me to finish this post. The petticoat is a necessary item for another idea in my head, a clover leaf dress for St. Patrick's Day. I want to do shadow work embroidery on a collar. The crinoline or petticoat I'm making will help the dress to "puff out". I love frilly, puffy, girly dresses and luckily, so does my little girl.

Lady Bug Dress (Upcycle a nightie)

2010-02-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

Matching head band for my Lady Bug

Using a rotary cutter, and a few measurements, I quickly set to upcycling a cute dress up costume.

Tip: I hand stitched the tulle onto the dress so the netting would stay in place without moving under the presser foot.

This idea conceived on Valentine's Day, came to me when my baby entered my closet and grabbed a red nightie I had hanging in my closet. I never wear it, I bought it on clearance for about $5 but it didn't fit well. As I've said, she dresses up ALL day, she wears dress shoes to sleep in. I can't go near a shoe store without her insisting on putting on heels and finding a matching bag. I have to remover her, screaming. I have to come up with all kinds of incentives to get her to take her necklaces and hats off to take a nap.

So, I decided to make a play dress out of the nightie that she has repeatedly brought to me saying, "mommy this is sooooo pretty". I used a rotary cutter and cut the top of the gown off. It was a short nightie (right above the knee). That's not a lot of fabric to work with. I noticed that the fabric was already on the bias, so I was able to follow the seam lines and cut pieces for bias strips around the yoke. It was already hemmed and cut in a circular fashion which made construction quicker. She had picked out lady bug ribbon at Michael's for $3.99 and I had some netting sitting in my stash. I had to sew the bias strips by hand on the inside so the seams wouldn't show. I kept telling myself not to fuss over a play costume, but I couldn't help it. I put elastic in the back and hand sewed the ribbon to the top. The only problem is, it's not stiff satin or taffeta. It was a nightie, so it can be "staticky" (if that is even a word). It turned out cute, she loves it, and it only cost me around $11.

Easy Upcycled Leg Warmers

2010-02-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

It's snowing! We have abut 5" of snow in eastern Carolina. Not wanting to spend
money on boots, because it rarely snows here I set out to make leg warmers for Eliana. I had to make them fast because she was standing at the window begging to go outside. I took an old sweater of my son's and cut the sleeves off. I turned them under on the cut end, leaving enough room to run a piece of elastic through. Then I attached a bow and a button. They were made super fast, and a little sloppy but they work to keep her legs warm around the ankles.

Panda Dress

2010-02-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

This panda dress was made for my baby as a tribute to our visit to the National Zoo. She loved the pandas and so did I. Funny thing is, Gymboree came out with panda clothes at the same time and when I saw them I was so excited. I bought her panda socks and a shirt to go under the dress. New Look pattern 6768 is what I used. I changed the buttons to snaps and put metal overall hooks on the front bib. I also added pockets trimmed with rick rack. The applique is a photo that I found on the net. I traced it onto freezer paper, ironed it on the felt and cut it out. I used that cheap craft felt, I probably should have used nicewool felt. Oh, well.

Toddler Sewing Project

2010-02-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

I pretty much am getting nothing done around the house with my toddler at my heels, climbing on the kitchen counter, or with potty training. So, I wanted to just sit with a cup of hot tea and read a magazine, but that was just too much to ask from Miss Busybutt. I had some cardboard that was sitting by the trash, I decided to cut into a "sewing" project. I have seen lacing cards on the net and in stores. I already had the cording from a project my older daughter never completed. I just had to cut out shapes with a knife. I use a "tester" knife from a model building kit I had. I tied one end cord around one of the holes and wrapped duck tape around the other end so that she can easily stick them through the holes. Just as easily, someone could use a shoeshtring. She loves it!! She told me, "mommy don't touch my sewing stuff, o.k.". Funny, she's only repeating what she's heard from me over and over again.

Fire Sale Pants

2010-02-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

I made pants last week. I love the way they fit. I will be making several with this pattern. My best friend's mom says when you wear the same style in various colors, you look like you went to a fire sale. So, I have named these "fire sale" pants because I will make a lot of these. I love how easy they are to make, and how well they fit. I tapered the leg a bit at the knee, I wanted a straight leg.

Small, Felt Teapot bags

2010-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

I am working on ideas for gifts for my 2 year old's dance class tomorrow. Feeling ill isn't very condusive to producing anything fantastic. So, my creative efforts were minimal. I cut out ballet slippers from scrap fabric with pinking shears. I straight stitched 2 layers of craft felt together all the way around the teapot, except for the top where I left that open for a pocket. Then, I cut out around the teapot. She enjoyed painting the teapot shape cut out for a pattern. Then, she covered it with some stickers. The littl card tag says, "Valentine, you're my cup of tea." with a tiny watercolored tea cup.

Mini Battery Powered Paper Lanterns

2010-02-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

Little paper lanterns hang on small sticks and are made with battery powered flicker lights bought in the candle section. They are hot glued to the bottom of small plastic bathroom cups. They are fun anytime of the year. Without the sticks, the mini lantern would be cute on a little tree or to give as a Valentine's gift with a note attached.

Supplies:

Dowel sticks (multi packs available from Walmart for a little over a dollar)

Acrylic paint (for sticks)

Ribbon, punches, stickers, beads, or other decorations

Scissors

Paper (I used cardstock)

Bathroom cups (2 1/4" height) make sure the tea light will fit inside

Battery powered tea lights ( I bought a 6 pack from Michaels)

Hot glue

All purpose glue

Exacto knife

Cut cardstock 2 1/4" x 10" long with fancy edge scissors of choice

Glue ribbon, place punches, add stickers,

Fold cardstock accordian style (see above)

Cut a square hole in the bottom of the cup for the tea light on/off switch

Make 2 slits near the top on the sides for the ribbon to go through

Glue the ribbon to the inside bottom of cup.

Put two holes or slits for ribbon near the rim of the cup

Put hot glue (or other glue) on the bottom of the cup

Place tea light in the cup, making sure the switch lines up with the hole on bottom

Put ribbon through holes near the rim and pull through.

I ran both ends of ribbon through beads and glued hearts, paper keys, or tied in a knot or bow.

Glue the folded cardstock to the outside of the cup.

On the top of the lantern (where you can see the switch) , glue hearts or stickers, without covering the switch.

Attach the mini lantern to a stick by hot gluing a ribbon before tying it down.

Wrap it several times around the stick while the glue is still hot, before tying in a bow.

2010-02-05T09:44:00.001-08:00

As a kid, I was constantly creating things. I remember my grammy having a huge Victoran dresser that had drawers full of sequins, paper, glue, pens, markers, colored pencils,etc.. an I would feel excitement over the possibilities of what I could create with those tools of creation. I didn't start to sew until I was pregnant with my first child. I attempted sewing in high school but the only machine I had wouldn't work and so I gave up. I often wonder if I had started sewing earlier and having a sewing instructor would have accelerated my sewing abilities beyond what they are now.

Self taught sewing meant a lot of mistakes. I have sewn many items over the years..some good some not so great. Many sleepless nights and dark-circled, weary-eyed coffee laden mornings, I have had to create things without the disturbance of young children. Some things were necessary church outfits that cost me little in funds, but a lot in time and effort. Other things, I just wanted to make for the sake of the beauty of the creation.

Ripping seams, crying over a pattern that didn't make sense, or having to throw away something that took hours to make is something most people who see the final product don't know about . I am never bored. I stalk the day, waiting to pounce on the one moment I have alone to indulge in creating something unique or fun. It is a distraction from stress and from constant children's books, cartoons, and potty training. It reminds me of who I am and delivers proof of a need for improving my skills. There is never enough time in the day or night to bring to fruition the ideas stirring about in my craft- crazed mind.

Fairy Costumes

2010-02-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

One of my 2 year old's favorite things to do is to play "dress up". Last Fall, I made fairy costumes for two. My beautiful neice is about the same ge as my daughter. So, I went crazy and I made 4 matching outfits. A question of sanity for some, I'm sure. This is one of the outfits, (costume). The design of the tutu is nothing new. There are plenty of tutorials on tutus of tulle tied around an elastic band. I chose three different fall colors. I placed flowers & glittered leaves around the tutu (stapled them to the tulle because I was too tired to sew them all on). The head peice is made of craft foam that was painted and then covered with tulle and leaves. Both ends of the "crown" have satin ribbon sewn on the ends and then tied into a bow. The leotard is a copy of one I purchased from a dance store. This is my first time making a leotard. I wish I had a serger. The wings are made of the usual coat hanger/pantyhose combination that is painted and glittered. The wands are painted dowels with foam stars, felt and ribbon.