I Can't Believe It's May Already.......

Did you all think I'd fallen off the earth this past month?  Sometimes I feel like I have.  It's just been a busy time for us.  Let me fill you in on what we've been doing.  I'll start with a bit of sewing.  

For our Smocking Guild meeting last month I designed this sweet little baby bonnet from a handkerchief.  I made the handkerchief too because I couldn't find one that would work for this project.  I just took a 10.5" x 10.5" piece of cotton batiste and added the lace edging.  Then I folded it in such a way that this bonnet was born.  And if you can see, I added buttons on the sides with bullion roses on them.  I'm trying to figure out if I can add a pdf to blogger yet.  If so, I'll offer the pattern as a freebie.  I'll keep you posted.

We also made a quick decision to head to the beach for a few days last week.  We haven't been to the beach in over 10 years...so it was definitely time.  The kids all had so much fun!!!  Ean was convinced the sand was snow and no matter how much I tried to convince him otherwise...he enjoyed shoveling his "snow".....and he wanted his shoes on all the time too.  So funny!!!

I also finally got our garden planted this past weekend.  I don't know why I waited so long this year...but I am just happy it is finally planted.  Now if I can only remember to water it each and every day.  That is where I have the problem.  I remember to feed my kids every day....but I can't always remember to feed the plants.  I am hoping I can improve in this area.....we'll see how it goes this year.

So I think that fills in a few holes from the past few weeks.  There has also been dental checkups for all the little ones, a search for a new doctor for me (my doctors keep leaving town with no word and if I didn't have a thyroid issue that demands medication I would never visit doctors :o), trying new recipes, weekly library trips, working on school stuff with the kids, reading great books, etc.  I told you it's been busy around here.  I hope to be back soon with a finished project.....wouldn't that be great?!

Springy Skort.....and A Weekend Getaway......

(The sun was bright in her eyes)

A few weeks back I mentioned that I was making Elisabeth a new A-Line Ruffled Skort. I picked up some Sis Boom fabrics that she really liked and I must say they were very pleasant to sew. I didn't think to take a picture of the shorts but they are made out of the coordinating yellow fabric that I also used to make the turn cord bow. So sweet and fresh looking. I love it! And Elisabeth loves it too!!!

And some of you may be wondering what I dressed my little ones in for Easter. Well, interesting story, but we ended up going out of town at the last minute. I did make a simple little dress for Elisabeth that I will show you soon. And Ean's little outfit was still sitting on my sewing table all cut out and not one stitch sewn when we left on Thursday morning. But I am going to finish it and show it to you soon.

The picture above was our view all weekend long. It was such a gorgeous weekend in the Smoky Mountains!!! Although it was a bit chilly....which was interesting on Friday morning when we realized our heater wasn't working. And I hadn't packed any cool-weather clothes for anyone either, including myself. But it was worth it....such a beautiful Easter weekend with my sweet family!!!

Over the next few days I have to finish two quilt blocks for the local quilt store block of the month club I'm in. Plus our local Smocking Guild meets this coming Monday night and I have to get the entire program pulled together (i.e., make the completed sample, make the demo sample, make handouts, send out reminder emails, etc). So it's going to be a busy next few days. Enjoy your weekend and try to fit some stitching in if you can!!!

Make Your Own Size Tags.....

One more thought for you all before I leave these shorts behind and work on something else.

Whenever I make shorts, pants, skirts, skorts, etc. I always make a little tag for the item. The tag is a way for the child to know the back of the garment from the front, as well as to remind me of the size of the garment. You see I always think I am going to remember this stuff....but I don't. I hardly remember what I had for breakfast today!

To make the tag I use a piece of cotton twill tape that I fold in half with raw edges even. Then I slip the raw edges into the casing before I stitch it.

To put the size on the twill tape you can use your sewing machine if it has a basic alphabet option. My machine does have one that I use at times. (Make sure to use a contrasting thread color on the twill tape.) At other times when I am in a hurry, I just use a fine-tip permanent marker to write the size on. Either way works and I do this with all the garments I make.

Little Boy Shorts.....Finished!

As you can tell in the above picture, we had a bunch of glorious sunshine today!!! Love it!! That makes these shorts even more timely for Sweet Ean. All in all it took me three sittings to stitch these four pairs of shorts. I know they are super fast and easy but I only get to stitch in 5 to 10 minute increments these days. Like I mentioned before, this is a simple shorts pattern I drafted last fall for these shorts. They have an elastic waist and no side seams. Since he's only 2 years old these shorts work well for play shorts. He's napping right now so I'll have to get a picture of him in a pair of them another time.

Next up I need to finish a dress I started for Elisabeth. I have it completed except the buttons and buttonholes. I have a 2 part post about buttonholes here and here if you are interested in how I make them.

Enjoy your evening!! Try to work some stitching in if you can!!!

Little Boy Shorts.......

Today I spent a few minutes cutting out some shorts for Sweet Ean. To make the process a bit faster I took the pattern I drafted for the shorts and cut it out of poster board. Then I was able to quickly trace the pattern onto the fabric with a blue marker or chalk, and then cut them out. I personally find this goes so much quicker. I also do this when I cut out Wee Care gowns. Hopefully tonight I will be able to find a few more minutes to stitch these four little pairs of shorts. As an added bonus, I shopped in my stash pile to find these fabrics.....so technically they will be free...with the exception of the elastic for the waist. Bargain!!!! What are you stitching these days???

Wee Care Delivery.....

A few weeks back my local Smocking Guild delivered another batch of sweet little Wee Care gowns. I always enjoy collecting them from various members beforehand so that I can admire them as I iron them in preparation for delivery. I made a good many of the gowns this time because a lot of our older ladies have retired from our Guild this past year. The above gown is my favorite to make. I love white smocking on a white gown. Then I add some sort of bullion rose to finish it. I also like blue on white with a blue bullion bow which is good for a boy.

On this sweet pink one I did pink on pink with a bullion rose.

And my Emily crocheted and donated 14 more preemie hats of various sizes.

I have had a lot of people contact me about Wee Care gowns and how to make them. I am thinking of doing a multi-part tutorial about them. I use my own pattern for the gown so I think it should be fine. I will start working on it and let you know more soon. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask them!

How Do You Store Your Blue Marking Pens?

I got "educated" at our last Smocking Guild meeting. We somehow started talking about blue marking pens during our meeting and then someone mentioned how they are supposed to be stored. I usually store mine in a small canning jar or a cute little mug.....both ways they are standing vertically on one end or the other. The ladies there told me they are supposed to be stored in a horizontal position so that the ink will stay better longer. I had no idea! And now I have no idea of where I will store them because tossing them in a jar or mug is so much easier for me. So I ask....How do you all store your blue marking pens? Flat/Horizontal? Vertical? Or otherwise?