All Things Lovely

Let's talk dolls...

2010-11-11T11:32:00.003-05:00

Now that I've gotten through the business of making costumes, I've turned my thoughts to Christmas. I can't believe it's only about 6 weeks away! Gracious! Where have I been? So, my granddaughters have been pouring over the American Girl catalogs. Looks like I have my marching orders...lol. My older two will have the best time with these dolls...I think they are the perfect ages. My youngest granddaughter is a little young, but there is no way I'm going to make clothes for the older two and leave her out. I'm also not going to make her Bitty Baby clothes, b/c I'd rather assembly-line sew 3 outfits rather than two and one for Bitty. So there it is.
I used to sew the American Girl doll clothes for my youngest daughter about 13 years ago. She sooo loved them. I thought I'd share my little doll clothes collection with y'all...lol.

These are the patterns that Pleasant Company used to put out for the dolls they had at the time. These patterns are for Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Molly, and Josephina. I'm going to have to check if they still offer patterns for the new dolls that have come out since my daughter grew up. My new generation has chosen Kit, Emily, and Felicity (which I already have).

These are some books that I've used. Most of them are written by Joan Hinds and Jean Becker. These books have a HUGE selection of outfits for the decriminating doll.

These patterns are mainly by Susan Payne of Fancy Frocks, Beth Dix of Primrose Lane, and Debbie Glenn of Love and Stitches. These are some talented ladies!

Of course, there are the big 3 patterns.

And last but not least, my Wendy Schoen adn Children's Corner patterns. These probably won't be Christmas presents. They are a little too detailed for me to make 3 of each before Christmas. I'm just going to be shooting for play clothes and sparkly clothes for them. It's going to be fun.

Costumes

2010-10-31T13:37:00.006-04:00

I've had a busy week of sewing. Every year I say that I won't wait til the last moment to get the costumes sewn and every year I do! lol Thank goodness they weren't elaborate ones... Here are pics of the indian squaw and the cowgirl. I'll have some of Dorothy tonight. I still have to hem that one.

Busy Sunday!

2010-10-24T22:30:00.003-04:00

It was a really good day today. I feel like I got alot accomplished. Since Sunday is the only day of the week I have off, I try to catch up with everything that I can. Today was my youngest grandaughter, Taylor's, birthday. She is now a big 4 year old!! She's quite impressed with herself. lol

I've also put together a little Dorothy outfit for her...all I have left to do is add some pinafore buttons, a zipper, and a hem. She is super excited.

I've cut out the Indian outfit for my oldest grandaughter. I'll be sewing on that after work tomorrow. This one is easy-peasy.

We've also been hard at work replacing more studs, walls, and windows...daggum termites! Big sigh...

It's official!

2010-10-17T11:13:00.006-04:00

Yep, it's official. I made it through this looooong, hoooooot summer! Believe me, there were plenty of times I was wondering if I would. We had one day where the heat index was 120 degrees and the route I have is one where I'm standing outside in the sun! Whew! I should be getting a much easier route by the end of the month, so let the sewing commence!

My new sheetrock...yippee!

If you remember, parts of my house was gutted after I had a water leak between the walls where I subsequently found termite damage. I had a guy come in to do the work for me and here I am a year later in just about the same condition. He kept upping his price and doing less and less work, so I had to let him go. My ex and his friend came last weekend and they almost have it all done. I am sooo excited. Not only are they replacing studs and putting up new walls, they are replacing my windows. My house is very old and most of them wouldn't open very easily.

My new window!!

Sewing in my daugther's room.

Unfortunately, it was my sewing room and bathroom that was gutted, so I've had to move all my sewing stuff into my daughter's room. She moved out about 6 months ago so it was just sitting empty. I can't find a thing, let me tell ya.

The never-ending applique block.

I know I have some applique pins in this mess somewhere. I've been looking all over for them. Anyhoo, I'm finally sewing the berries on my basket quilt January block.

I've also got a commission (by my granddaughters) to sew one Dorothy costume, one cow girl costume, and one indian squaw costume...lol. I'll be paid in hugs and kisses.

Costume time!

2010-09-17T20:41:00.001-04:00

Chillin' like a villian...

Mobile blog test...

2010-09-15T22:24:00.003-04:00

I thought I'd test out mobile blogging. My new phone has a terrible camera...will have to do something about that.

Chillin' at MoMo's!

That's what I'm talkin' about!

2010-06-30T22:09:00.001-04:00

Not only do the South Carolina Gamecocks bring it all home! They got to show Clemson how it's done! Congratulations, guys!

Graduation!

2010-05-23T18:59:00.003-04:00

We have a graduate in the house! lol My granddaughter graduated from K5! I used to think kindergarten graduations were silly...til it was MY granddaughter...lol.

She was awarded "best personality" by the kindergarten teachers. (All the children got special awards) I don't doubt this because she is the most friendly, laid-back child I've ever known.

My oldest daughter and her precious family!

Stack N Whack

2010-05-14T18:54:00.005-04:00

Here is a quilt that my aunt and I worked on while she was in town. All the blocks were made out of one fabric. They're cut like a stack n whack and then framed with a solid material. It's amazing how many different blocks it made.

Here is a close-up of one of the blocks.

Another close-up.

I mitred the borders for my aunt...she wants nothing to do with mitering! lol

Here's a shot of the suspension bridge they built in Charleston a few years ago. I'll be back with some quilt pics, soon!

MIA/ Mother's Day

2010-05-10T19:34:00.004-04:00

I know...it's been awhile. Unfortunately, I hurt my shoulder at work last month. Even more unfortunate is that I have to continue working if I don't want to be homeless! lol I think it's feeling a little better even though I use it a LOT during the day. I've been keeping it practically immobile after work. Anyhoo....I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day! We had such gorgeous weather in Charleston after having a mini heat wave the week before. Some of my kiddos and grands went to the waterfront park and messed around.

This is Sadie-licious climbing a wrought iron fence.

This is miss Halyn...isn't she so cute...even with her eyes closed?

Rocky Balboa!!!

This is a very famous landmark in Charleston. Robert E. Lee himself stuck his gum to this telephone pole!

Halyn and Sadie decided to leave their mark in history.

Easter Day

2010-04-04T22:20:00.001-04:00

Easter2010 044
Originally uploaded by Laurable2010

And a good time was had by all...

Good Friday

2010-04-02T17:01:00.002-04:00

Good Friday...I'm so very grateful~!

Things are starting to get back to normal after the birth of Travis. He is such a precious little baby. Momma is doing well and the baby is nursing like there's no tomorrow!

Every year my aunt comes through Charleston on her way back to Michigan. When she's here, we usually make a few quilts. I think this time, she brought some quilts to finish. I'm not sure what the plan is, but I'm heading over there to see what's up. I'm almost finished with Carter, too. That got put on the back burner when Travis came. Anyhoo, I hope everyone has a blessed Easter.

Travis

2010-03-29T09:06:00.001-04:00

Mar2010 165
Originally uploaded by Laurable2010

We've been a little busy around here! My first grandson was born last night. Here's 8lbs 1oz Travis Michael. I'm in love!

Still sewing...

2010-03-21T14:05:00.004-04:00

For anyone who has the Carter pattern by Cyndi & Company, make sure your pattern pieces have *resived 2009 written on it. Things seem to be going along much easier now.

Here is the pleated front skirt with the inverted pleat, although you can't see it here. I've also sewn the contrast bands onto the bodice yoke front and backs. In this pic, the lining is going on. Then I'll be making the skirt placket and sewing the skirt to the bodice. I didn't get revised directions, so I'm making most of it up.

Put on your sunglasses! This is the next thing on my sewing agenda. I think I'll be making View 1 of Bonnie Blue's Shelby Kate.

I was so excited to see Southern Matriach's post about machine embroidery. I've been studying my new-to-me Viking Rose. I also won a good deal for a reader/writer on eBay, so we'll see...maybe I'll play around with that here soon.

Hmm....does everyone know what this is? We're having a cool rainy day, so I thought I'd make some vegetable beef soup with okra! Yum...it's sooo good. It'll be too hot here to have soup before long, so I thought I"d give it one last shot.

Carter

2010-03-15T22:31:00.004-04:00

A Carter update: The designer of the pattern contacted me by email the other day. She told me that she has revised directions to this pattern and she offered to mail them to me. I was pleasantly surprised. She also gave me the skirt measurements, which I cut out. The measurements were the width of 45" fabric by 21.5 inches. Cut both on the fold and then cut the front down the center front line to make two pieces. In fact, I cut out the whole pattern. From what I understand, there may be some revisions to the bodice also. I'm looking forward to checking them out.

I have the two front skirt pieces pleated, but I think I'll wait before I go any farther. This linen sure did pleat nicely.

I delivered about 1200 of these today...not to mention about 1200 pre-census census' last week. Whew!

Lizzie says....MEOW!!

SHE ALSO SAYS...WHY ARE THERE THREE OF ME?

Aggravated!

2010-03-11T21:31:00.005-05:00

I finished another maternity dress for my daughter last week. I love this pattern...KwikSew 3486. She is due in 2.5 more weeks, so maybe she'll be able to wear it a few times. lol...Our winters are usually very mild-mild enough to wear summerish dresses, but not this year! Oh well, we'll just put it up for another time. (That's wishful thinking for you!)

I had the worst time with the invisible zipper. I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but I was using the little plastic invisible zipper foot I bought from Hancocks. I guess it's getting old, because it kept shifting left and right while I was sewing. The invisible zipper turned out being not very invisible. I ended up buying the invisible zipper foot that was made for my machine...it ought to work much better.

This is my next project (Carter- by Cyndi and company)... and this is where the title of my post comes in. I've got everything cut out except for the skirt. I go to do that tonight, but.....no skirt pattern pieces! I have looked high and low for those things...they were right on my dining room table....where could they be?!?!? I am sooo aggravated. Then I was thinking that maybe the directions just give a rectangle measurement to cut out....ummm....nope...don't see 'em. I'm sure that's what I'll end up doing, but hey...I would just rather have the pattern pieces. Maybe I'll run across someone else who has the pattern and they can tell me if there are even skirt pattern pieces in the pattern.

Sooooo....until I figure out what I'm going to do about the skirt...I'll look over some things I got in the mail. I bought the A-Z book of Heirloom Sewing, a Bonnie Blue pattern called Shelby Kate, and an old Creative Needle baby issue that I missed way back when.

Shower!

2010-03-05T20:34:00.006-05:00

Well...never let it be said that my family doesn't know how to throw a baby shower! It was a pretty shower and the mom-to-be was showered with so many nice things. Too bad that 60 percent of the guests caught a horrible noro virus. The mom-to-be even had to be admitted to the hospital for the day for some IV treatment after becoming terribly dehydrated. I'm happy to say that the virus, although VERY powerful, is short-lived. All is well as we not so patiently await the arrival of our first baby grandboy!

The mom-to-be! Doesn't she look thrilled!

Best friends!3 Sisters!!

3 sisters and my mom!

Snow!

2010-02-14T17:39:00.005-05:00

I know there are a million posts out there about the snow, so what the hey? I'll add one more. We had so much snow for Charleston, SC. I had four inches in my yard! woo hoo! Unfortunately, I had to work in it...and I've lost my power for quite a while. I haven't gotten much sewing done. God bless our pioneer women who sewed by candlelight...not fun, at least for me.

This is what snow looks like on a palmetto tree!

Here is a maternity dress that I finished for my daughter. She is due in 5 weeks...hopefully, it'll warm up in enough time for her to wear it. It's a great pattern and the style suits her. (excuse the ripped walls...we're looking for more termites)

I've cut out another dress for her. When my electricity decides to stay on, I'll start sewing it for her. As you can see, my three helpers are at it again.

The best laid plans...

2010-02-06T18:04:00.004-05:00

Looks like my sewing is back on the dining room table for awhile. I had a little, teeny, weeny leak between my bathroom wall and my sewing room wall. Although it was a little, teeny, weeny leak...it made a HUGE, BIG, OL' mess! I had to pull down sheet rock and when I pulled down sheet rock...what did I see? Termites! Jeez Louise!! So, my bathroom is gutted and two of my sewing room walls are down.

I have managed to sew a little bit, though. I'm making some maternity dresses for my daughter. She is expecting a boy in 6 weeks (my first grandson) and she is at the stage where she feels like nothing fits. She picked out Kwik Sew 3486. This is the first Kwik Sew pattern I've sewn and I have to say, I'm impressed. The fit is wonderful...straight out of the envelope. This may be my first review on Pattern Review, too.

This is my little helper...

Flower Garden

2010-01-18T10:28:00.007-05:00

So....I didn't work on my raggy quilt or my Amish DWR. For some odd reason, I pulled out my Flower Garden Pillow kit. This is a little kit I bought off of eBay. The woman who sells them, (sorry I can't remember the seller off-hand) does a good job. She actually has some of the "flower petals" sewn and also sews 2 or 3 of them together. The rest of the kit comes with fabric squared and the english paper pieces.

A new year...

2010-01-03T12:10:00.006-05:00

So... I hope to post to my blog this year. lol Okay...quit laughing. I'm thinking I'll have a little bit more time this year. I switched schools to one that should take less time, hopefully. I'm also not jumping on routes anymore, I get to stay on the same one everyday. That makes things alot easier.

This year, I'd like to get some of my ufo quilts quilted. This Double Wedding Ring is in the middle of being handquilted. The rest I'll probably do on my machine. We'll see. I think the first thing I'll start on is my Christmas raggy quilt. All that's left to do is that the squares have to be sewn together, snipped and laundered.

This is a quilt I pieced for my Aunt Nancy. Every year she comes to stay for a week or so and we piece a quilt. She already had everything cut out and kitted up. She usually lines up the block, I piece it, and she irons. It' s a pretty good set-up. She lives near an Amish community and she'll have them quilt it sometimes. She's also had some machine quilted since there's a lady in her quilt group who does that.

I also plan to make a good bit of American Girl doll clothes. Next year is the year for the granddaughters to get their dolls for Christmas. Although my youngest granddaughter will still be too young (in my opinion) for an American Girl, there's no way I'm gonna make outfits for just two.

Casting Crowns - I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day Live

2009-12-24T22:25:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T11:51:00.002-05:00

I hope each and everyone of you have a blessed day!

Casting Crowns - East to West

2009-02-28T23:46:00.001-05:00

As far as the east is from the west...

Court Reporting Contest - 280 Words Per Minute!

2009-02-17T18:49:00.001-05:00

Now...this is fast...I can't even speak this fast (I'm southern, ya know!) much less write this fast!!

Grace Like Rain

2009-01-11T09:47:00.001-05:00

A new venture...

2009-01-08T22:50:00.004-05:00

Today I opened a new chapter in my life. I've been worried about my job security with the postal service, so I've taken two steps: 1. STOP WORRYING AND TRUST GOD TO MEET MY NEEDS. (Thanks Holly!) 2. Do something about it.
So today, daughter number three and I signed up for court reporting class. We are very excited about this move. We went to a "meet and greet" today and then sat in on a class of students who are four months into the program. The instructor has been doing this for 20 years and has recently opened her own firm and is working on an accredited school. Her prices and schedule are reasonable and her methods and tips from years of experience are outstanding! I'm truly impressed. We're also bound by no long-term contracts, so if either my daughter or I decides it's not for us or we can't afford it, we can just walk away. I got some really good deals on our machines and books on eBay. Yippee!

Resolutions

2009-01-01T13:40:00.003-05:00

I'm not one to make to many resolutions, b/c I never keep them. lol However, this time of year sure does lead to a little introspection. I've narrowed my resolutions down to a few things I think are important enough to warrant change in my life.

1. I really don't like my job, but since Im there, I need to make some changes in my attitude. My plan this year is to "bloom where I am planted" so to speak. Maybe God has me there for a reason and I'm so busy disliking it that I can't see or appreciate the reason. I'll also be open to other options if they become available.

2. I usually make all these diet resolutions. I don't make exercise ones b/c I get enough of that at work. Anyway, the only change I'm shooting for this year is to cut the amount of sugar I consume. I have quite the sweet tooth and I need to cut it out. I'm afraid I'm asking for trouble if I stay on my current path.

3.Finally, I want to do better with my finances. I want to get to the point where I "owe no man nothing except to love him". I'm almost there...I don't owe too much on my house, but my old, old van is on it's last leg. I have to be careful b/c I have no job security (oops...refer to resolution #1). Anyhoo....I want to be completely out of debt.

I think that's about it...attitude, sugar and debt....that'll do it. lol

New Year's Eve

2008-12-31T19:40:00.005-05:00

Here are a few pictures of the Tater Tot doing sparklers for New Year's Eve...

Taylor always likes it when Uncle Brett plays with her...

This child is forever entertained by bubble wrap...she LOVES it! What ever works...

I hope you all have a safe and prosperous new year. God Bless!

Christmas Day

2008-12-28T12:57:00.005-05:00

Well, I made it through Christmas Day. I didn't have to work for too long. I was able to cook before and after, so I got all of my contribution to the dinner done. I've put up pictures of the dress I made for Tater Tot. I never did get a chance to try it on her...I just went by her measurments. Good thing it fit! The few days that I sewed on this dress it was in the 40's and 50's. Our average temps in Dec are ususally in the 60's....soooooo.....I made this corduroy dress to be worn with a white turtleneck shirt and tights. Well, who would have thought it would be near 80 degrees!!! Good grief! lol We had to switch things up a bit. Tater wore the dress with a t-shirt under it instead of the turtleneck. She had to keep the tights b/c we had no light weight little summer socks for her. lol oh well... She was proud of her dress, tho.
We had Christmas at my brother's house. Here he is on the front porch with Taylor. I love my brother...he's a cancer survivor. At 38 he was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. He had three rounds of chemo and finally went through a bone marrow transplant. Those were tough times, but he's doing really well, now.

Tater wants to go cruising on the scooter.

More posing...I love the way they're looking at each other. lol

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T07:10:00.003-05:00

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas today! Before I go to work, I'll leave you all with a few pics... Here I am practicing buttonholes on my new machine. (my new used machine) This is the one I won on ebay. I forgot I hadn't used it yet when I got under my Christmas dress time crunch. lol

Here is the finished dress. I think it's totally cute. I'll definitely make this pattern again. I'm not happy with the twin needle stitching on the spaghetti tubing, but I'll have to deal with that later. I'm also not sure that I lined the front correctly. I've put out a call to Cheryl since I see that she recently made one, too.

I'll finish with Lizzie...guarder of the floor scraps. She's quite a little helper. God Bless!

Cozy day

2008-12-21T19:21:00.003-05:00

I've had such a cozy day today. I've spent the whole day in my sewing room watching Christmas movies and sewing the tater tot's dress. The only thing I was missing is a fire, but since it's 75 degrees here, that would be silly. They say a cold front is coming tomorrow and I say bring it on!

Here is everything laid out on my sewing table. I'm sewing the Lucy pattern, but since there is a pleat added to the front, I have to alter and trace the pattern first.

I'm using some of the Swedish tracing paper I recently bought.

I'm using the striped spaghetti tubing across the front yoke. I can't decide which piping to use around the front and back yokes.

Here is a shot of the back with the lining facing up and of the front with the pleat and the tubing placed across the yoke seam. I hope to make the button holes and sew on the buttons tonight. I'll save the hem for the next few days....

Busy, busy

2008-12-19T11:09:00.002-05:00

Needless to say...this has been a busy week in the postal service....here I am loaded up and ready to go. I really should have taken pictures of all the parcels I had yesterday...my poor LLV could barely hold them all...lol.

We did have a nice little surprise yesterday. A local private school sings several Christmas songs to us every year. A little kindergarten class serenades us a few carols. They are so precious. They really get into it and sing with all their hearts.

They also bring us lots...and lots...and lots of homemade goodies....yummy....

I've been recruited to sew the Tater Tot this little Christmas dress, so I'm off to cut this out. It will have to be done by Monday, cause I'll be swamped next week. I just heard that I'll have to work Christmas day. Word is because I don't have little children at home....

Anyhoo, after I cut the dress, I may take a cue from the kitties.....

Quilty goodness...

2008-12-14T12:00:00.003-05:00

I won these books on ebay last week. I really love these types of books that go through the history of quilting. I also love the quilting folkart and pictures of quilting bees from times gone by. Those are my favorites. Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong era...but them I realize God knows I like a/c. lol

Uh on...I've busted out some baby quilt stash...

December doings...

2008-12-10T23:31:00.006-05:00

Here are my older two granddaughters posing in front of their tree. I sooo wish they lived in SC. They're scheduled for a visit after Christmas, so I'll just have to be patient.

Here is the Tater Tot sporting her very first pig tails. Aren't they the cutest things? lol I just love her. God has been so good to bring her so far after being born at 17 oz. I'm really grateful.

Here is Tater's Christmas tree in her room. She just loves it. I'm surprised at how she hasn't touched it or her living room tree. What a good little girl. Maybe she can teach my cats a thing or two.

I've been soooo busy the past week. Of course, being a mailman, this is my busy time of year at work. Today, I moved my son home from college for the Christmas holidays. It's good to have him home....laundry and all.

Bad cats...

2008-12-04T21:19:00.004-05:00

Well, Koala guessed the cats would tear down my tree in 15 seconds in my last post. I have to delcare her the winner! lol This is what I came home to...

They not only pulled the garland off the tree, they shredded it. They also pulled their little cat toy onto the couch and totally twisted it up in the garland. lol

Lizzie's not finished. She wanted to do some more shredding.

Here's what's left of my tree...it has a branch missing, garland missing, and several ornaments and lights. lol I'm not putting on anymore of my ornaments. I'm gonna have a bare tree unless I decide to hang my cats on it...

Tree

2008-11-30T22:25:00.004-05:00

Here is a little flannel snowman kit I put toether. I love snowmen!

This year I'm having an artificial tree. I really expected my new little kitty to be

knocking the tree over and I don't want water from a real tree to spill out everywhere. Anyway, turns out it's the second kitty, Gizmo who is tree climbing. Sheesh!! She wouldn't even let me get it fluffed out before she started the climbing. lol I had to snap a few pictures.

I might have to run a pool to bet how long my tree will remain upright! lol

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T18:05:00.003-05:00

I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving day. I got up very early to do some cooking. We decided to have dinner at my daughter's house this year. My donation to the dinner was sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, spinach dip, cornbread dressing, gravy, and cranberry mold. Whew! No wonder I'm tired. lol We had a fried turkey. It was wonderful and soooo moist and tender. Here it is all packed up and ready to go. My daughter, Devon, only lives 1/2 mile from me, so it's not like I had a long ordeal.

We found out yesterday, that the Tater Tot has RSV and a little ear infection. Poor thing. She had RSV when she was 3 months old, but she was only 3.5 lbs then. She spent the next three months in the hospital. This time she's much stronger and MUCH bigger, so she ought to be all right. Here she is taking her little breathing treatment.

She still managed to have some fun with Uncle Brett.

eBay and blocking

2008-11-20T21:59:00.006-05:00

Well, I'm tying off and blocking my inserts, yokes and bishops. I'll start on the back-smocking tonight. I'm supposedly off tomorrow, so if no one calls out I'll be able to get a good bit done.

I bought this smocking board. I'm going to try to pin this bishop to it and see if it'll help it block in shape. I've never used one before and I'm not even sure that it's necessary. We'll see...

I bought this fabric mover on eBay a few weeks ago. I saw it in action at a local quilt show and it seems to work pretty well. When I saw it on ebay, I bid and got a REALLY good deal on it. yee haw...lol Then I got his little quilt top. It was advertised as a cutter quilt, so I bid on it, got it for six dollars and will use it to practice my fabric mover. This poor little top isn't put together very well so it'll probably drive me crazy trying to practice quilting on it. See two of my kitties checking it out?

Speaking of kitties. When I took the little kitten, Lizzie, that I found in the mail truck engine to teh vet, she told me it was Maine Coon. She also tol me Lizzie was going to be "large and in charge". lol Well, I googled Maine Coon and this is one of the pictures I got. I'd say this cat is large and in charge...wouldn't you? lol

Pleated

2008-11-12T22:02:00.003-05:00

I finally got my featherwale courderoy pleated. It pleated very well, although I am glad that I didnt' try a bishop first. I can just imagine how hard it would be to get seams through the pleater bars.

This is the first time I used my Dr. Joe Pleater. I'm very happy with it. I can't wait to pleat up a whole bodice...shoulder to waist. I've never had a pleater big enough to do that and I was sooooo not interested in running the bodice through twice.

I'll be blocking it in the next evening or two and then get cranking on it.

Here is a little bishop that I also pleated up. I think I want to do this with some pink boullion roses. We'll see....I might change my mind.

And last but not least...here is a picture of the Tater Tot at her first visit to the dentist. She wasn't too happy about them sticking that thing in her mouth...can you tell? lol

Decided

2008-11-05T21:05:00.002-05:00

When I was going through my smocking stuff, I found a dress that I cut out a few years ago. It may be a little small for Tay, but I'm going to give it a go. I've decided to use the Santa and his sleigh plate on it.

I've cut out the white featherwale. This is Mary De by Children's Corner...

And I've decided to use the smocking plate from the latest issue of Sew Beautiful.
I bought these pink, green, and white beads but I'm not sure which ones.

And finally, I'm going to make a yoke dress out of the green featherwale. I'll probably put a version of these gingerbread men on it.

Soooo....that's my immediate sewing plan. Then I probably ought to get crackin' on the Cat's 'n Mice blanket I want to knit for my mom. Toodles...

Halloween

2008-11-01T17:48:00.003-04:00

All I can say is that a good time was had by all!! Taylor was the cutest little Minnie Mouse you've ever seen.

Halyn and Sadie were both cheerleaders.

PS. Here is the afghan I made for granddaughter number two. I think she likes it! lol

Featherwale

2008-11-01T17:18:00.005-04:00

I think the smocked featherwale dress that Cheryl made is just what I NEED to make for my granddaughter, Taylor. It'll be perfect for our easy winter weather. I don't want to try pleating a bishop because I'm scared of those seams! lol Then I saw a smocked featherwale yoke dress in the latest Sew Beautiful magazine and it started calling my name.

Instead of a yoke dress, I decided to make a Mary De. That way she can either wear a turtle neck or a blouse underneath. Last night I cut out the pattern pieces and tonight I'll cut the material.

I can't decide whether to use the smocking plate out of Sew Beautiful...or maybe the butterflies... or maybe the purses....Hmmmm...all of them may look too "springy"...I don't know.

I'm also going to make Taylor a yoke dress for Christmas...I will probably use an insert, though.

Here are a few plates that I bought from my hierloom shop in town. Maybe I'll use the Halloween plates next year.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-21T18:44:00.003-04:00

Every year the methodist church in our little town sells pumpkins. Of course, I have to take my little granddaughter to pick out her pumpkin. She just loved it! Unfortunately, she thought teh little pumpkins were balls and kept picking them up and throwing them. lol The church also has a scarecrow contest. Here is the entry from ouf post office. The girl who does this stuff is soooo creative. (She's also the one who answers all the Santa letters) Behold! The dead letter mailman.

Bills, bills, bills

2008-10-19T22:39:00.003-04:00

I've come to the conclusion that I have got to do something with all the mail that comes into my house. My first idea was to put it in a basket on my breakfast bar....hmmm....I don't think so. I just seem to pile everything in there with no order, no nothing. It's too easy to overlook important ones and of course, I'm going to put the junk mail there "til I get a minute to look them through". Yeah right.

My next idea was to just put them on my computer desk. I spend a good bit of time there each day checking my blogs so Of COURSE, I'll go through them while I'm surfing the web...right? Wrong!! I just ended up with a pile of junk in my way.

Then I bought one of those bill doo-hickies that has the slots and numbers so you can put the envelope into the slot for the day it needs to be mailed...or whatever. I don't have too many bills, but they all seem to need to go out on the same day...slot is too skinny! lol

So...this is my current and final solution. I've gotten one of those cheap little day planners from walmart. When mail comes into my house, I'm going to open the envelope, write down what I need to do with it in my planner, and put the envelope into the pocket at the back of the book. When I check my planner in the morning (yes I will, too!) I'll deal with whatever is due for that day!! All that junk in my slot thingie above is condensed down into this little book. I'm going to use the slot thingie to organize my birthday cards and such. Yay me!!

Now, as a reward for all my hard organizing...I'll settle into my little cozy corner and stitch on the binding of my quilt.

Immediate projects

2008-10-13T08:21:00.002-04:00

Here is a quilt I finished up a few years ago. My aunt and I made it...I sewed and we used her scrapbag for the fan blades. (yeah, I like that!!) I really like it...it looks like it has an oriental flair to it. I didn't do the quilting, tho. A Mennonite lady if Florida quilted it. Anyhoo, what makes it an immediate project is that it's been sitting around for several YEARS waiting for the binding to be sewn down! I should be ashamed of myself...I am...I am. I named it Auntie's Fannie in honor of my aunt's contribution!! ROFL

On my...

2008-10-05T17:11:00.005-04:00

Did I mention that I like to read?!? I either need more nooks and crannies or I need to do something about these books and magazines. This is the only way my house is cluttered...everything else is neat! (not counting kids' rooms)

Oh my...con't

2008-10-05T17:03:00.005-04:00

more prep

2008-10-01T12:01:00.003-04:00

I've finally cut out some leaf shapes for my applique block. Sheesh! Am I taking forever on this thing, or what?

I also invested in a Sidewinder. It winds bobbins without having to use a sewing machine. The reason I needed this is because of...

...this. I bought a Dr. Joe's pleater from Martha Pullen company. I have a 16 row read pleater, but I wanted a 24 row pleater. I like the set-up with the bobbins so I don't have to buy 24 spools of thread.

Here are some strips I cut for my baby blocks quilt. I know the colors aren't great, but my friend picked it out for me and she died of liver cancer so I WILL make it. I'm actually using this quilt to practice my hand-piecing. I'm using the Jinny Beyer method. I bought her hand-piecing dvd and man, can that lady piece quickly. I'm having a hard time doing it this way, but I'm just going to chalk that up to needing more practice. My thimble finger just seems to be in the way.

Last but not least, I've woven in the ends on the baby afghan. yay! I'm done with it!!! So I leave you with a mass of sleeping kitty.

The Sewing Machine (song)

2008-09-28T10:19:00.001-04:00

Odds & ends...

2008-09-19T20:20:00.005-04:00

I'm digging out some more projects I have in storage. Here is another Jenny Beyer kit I have called Mirage. I stayed up way too late washing, drying, and ironing it. I thought I would never finish the ironing! I really love the colors of this quilt, too. I tell ya, I'm gonna be in deep doo doo if for some reason I don't get start my new job because I have very little time otherwise!

And finally the baby afghan is off the needles!! I'm am very glad to be near the end of this one. As you can see...I have a "few" ends to weave in. lol

Does my new little kitty look totally relaxed or what!? lol She's just chillin'.

99 Balloons

2008-09-16T21:38:00.001-04:00

No words needed...

It's all good...

2008-09-08T20:50:00.003-04:00

Tropical storm Hanna came and went without much of anything happening. We got some much needed rain. Unfortunately, the upstate of South Carolina is in severe drought conditions and they didnt' get much rain at all.

Good news! It seems that I've gotten the job I applied for!! I am so excited. It'll be a good move for me....more pay, better benefits, and a much better schedule. I'm going to have so much more time to sew and read like I love to do! The company hiring the new employees in 4 phases ...every three months. I'm hoping that I'll be in the first phase! It would be heaven to go through Christmas and NOT work for the postal service! LOL

Hannah

2008-09-05T18:27:00.002-04:00

Storm:
Hi everyone! I've been so busy this week. Tropical storm Hannah is heading this way. They say it will hit a little north of Charleston in the wee hours of the morning. The postal service has been slamming us this week trying to get all the bulk mail out before the storm hits. I'll have to go in at about 5 or 6 am tomorrow morning...right when it ought to be very, very windy. We're getting a good soaking at this time, but not much wind. Anyhoo....

BOM:
This is the progress I've made during snatched up moments in time this past week. My poor little bird has a wonky face. lol I know I'll improve at my applique the more I do it....patience, patience, Laura. I ended taking the paper off and back basting the wings on the birds. Then I need to cut out the leaves, sew on the berries, and then I'll be done....with this block! I'm only 5 blocks behind. lol It looks to me like this is the hardest block

The best laid plans....

2008-08-31T20:40:00.005-04:00

Well, so much for all the sewing I was gonna get done these two days...It's not broken or anything like that...my wrist has been hurting the last couple of days. The route I run most has multi-million dollar homes on it and they think they have to have every flat ever printed! lol It makes a body sore... I've made a little progress on my basket quilt. I"ve gotten the parts of my birds ready to cut out...I also have my berries made. I don't know what happened to that picture...it disappeared. Anyway, I have all those made and I'll probably work on the leaves tonight if wrist permits.
Here is a picture I cross stitched over a period of 10 years...lol It's Paula Vaughan's(sp) The Upstairs Sewing Room. I have an old treadle sewing machine that belonged to my great-grandmother. It's wrapped up in a sheet in the garage. One day I'll get that out and fix it up and diplay it. It probably still works.

I'll probably also wash the fabrics for this Jinny Beyer Moonglow kit. I love the colors in it.

2 Days!!

2008-08-30T17:10:00.001-04:00

Well, my friends....I have two days off in a row...something I'm not very used to. What in the world am I going to do??? I have a few ideas! Stay tuned.....

Vines

2008-08-27T17:58:00.005-04:00

Here are my little quilting helpers. The one on the right is a June Taylor quilt caddy thingie and the one on the left is painted to look like a Charleston (sc) row house.

Well...here's my first attempt at applique. I've been reading up on several different techniques, but I'm not sure how I'm going to attack it yet. I've only appliqued the vines so far. I really like doing it...I'm totally a process person. I get totally absorbed in whatever I'm working on at the moment...don't care if it's ugly...don't always care if I finish it quickly...just like doing it. Anyhoo, I'll be working on the berries and leaves next and then I'll tackle the bird. My hands are so sore from WORKING ALL THE TIME WITHOUT A DAY OFF...EVER....TO REST....I had a job interview last Monday...I pray that I get that job...I can't wait around for the postal service anymore. I won't get days off until I become regular and I won't become regular as long as they're contracting out all the new growth in our area. Oh well...

Here's Miss Lizzie...she loves to sleep on her back and read....lol

Moving in day 2008- 2009

2008-08-24T18:07:00.003-04:00

Well...today is the day my son, Brett, had to report to the barracks. I swear, that boy didn't even unpack his duffel back when he got off this summer. Oh well....let him walk around in a wrinkled duty uniform and see what happens! lol Here's the bulldog (our mascot). I've taken a picture with all the grandgirls sitting on him. We'll have to keep up that family tradition.
It's been so rainy this week. We've been getting the very outer edge of Fay and it's been wonderful! Although I've gotten a little wet at work this week, it's been so much better than baking my brains out! I know those knobs at The Citadel should be glad. They've had a relatively easy hell week compared to what it could have been.

Please mom...not another picture....

BOM

2008-08-22T20:39:00.003-04:00

I've decided to start on my applique BOM. I know I'm putting it off because I don't know how in the world to applique, but I'm going to give myself a crash course. I cut out the vines for the first block tonight. I hope to sew them and part of the bird tomorrow after work.

I love this little bag a friend of mine made for me. I use it to keep my quilting notions in.

Here are a few more quilt patterns...

Hmmm.....I wonder what the little terrorist has been up to???? Could it be that she was climbing my mannequin?

Adding to the sewing room...

2008-08-17T22:55:00.002-04:00

Here are some more things I've put in my room today.

I got this kit in the mail a few weeks ago. I want to make the Cats and Mice afghan for my mom. It's an Alice Starmore design that I ordered from Virtual Yarns in the UK. The yarn is absolutely lovely and I know my mom will love the pattern.

I got this several months ago. It is full of Southern Sayings just as the title says. I may make it up into a wall hanging rather than pillows. I think my favorite saying in it is: "The Lord don't like ugly". lol The owner of my local quilt shop, People, Places, and Quilts designed it.

Here is a pre-cut double wedding ring quilt...just because....

Here are some more brights for a project I have in mind...

Here are some jelly rolls that I may make into some grandgirl throws. We actually call them "tv quilts". That's because I keep my house freezing cold and everyone needs to snuggle up under something to keep warm while they're watching tv.

A finish!

2008-08-15T18:16:00.002-04:00

This is a two-tone fuzzy scarf that I finished last night. My son is a pitcher for an NCAA divison 1 college...The Citadel actually. The start of baseball season is usually pretty chilly, so we have to dress warmly...in the school colors, naturally. Also, if you notice the white fabric - it's several yards of felt that I plan to make a "design wall". lol That sounds much too serious for me. Anyway, I heard they're made of felt, so I plan to attach this to 1" by 1" peices of wood, so I can hang it up and then roll it up when I'm not using it. I'm not sure if that will work...maybe it has to be on a hard backing rather than just hanging there?? NOt sure. I'm hoping a 1x1 board on the bottom will help weigh it down a bit so it will hang nicely.

Here's my new little terrorist. Don't let that sweet face fool you. lol She's actually taming down pretty well. Here she is stretched out on my bed with the library books and the clean laundry.

Books

2008-08-13T20:37:00.002-04:00

Here are some books I've gotten off of eBay: Shirtmaking by David Page Coffin; Easy Guide to Sewing Skirts by Marci Tilton; High-Fashion Sewing Secrets and Couture Sewing Techniques both by Claire B. Shaeffer
I also got the the three "Mimi" books. They are all about heirloom sewing by Mildred Turner. I got Beautiful Bishops by the publisher of Australian Smocking & Embroidery.

New Addition

2008-08-11T20:16:00.003-04:00

Look what we found this morning in one of the engines of an LLV(mail truck)....

Isn't she the sweetest thing ever? It took a little while to get her out. When we finally got her out of the engine, we put her inside the llv until animal control could come get her. I went out to check on her b/c it heats up here pretty early and when I opened the back of the truck...no kitty!! She climbed up into the dash! LOL We really had fun getting her out of there. After I finally extracted her from all the wires and such, I just called daughter #2 and told her to take this little kitty to my house. Later on, I called daughter #3 and got her to take the little kitty to the vet. Now that I've spent money on her...she's mine. She's a little banged up and dehydrated, but the vet says she appears to be in good health otherwise. I needed another cat like I need a hole in the head. oh well....

My backyard

2008-08-10T00:32:00.003-04:00

Here are a few critters I saw in my backyard today.

First there is the bee who was drinking from my hummingbird feeder. lol

Then there was the bird who was eyeballing me while I was taking pictures on my deck.

Then there was the grey squirrel who was scratching in the tree.

Finally, there were about 5 of these huge spiders!! I don't think you can tell from the pictures, but they are about 4 inches across! I was so afraid there were gonna jump on my head when I as getting up close and personal with them. lol

More Sewing room

2008-08-08T20:14:00.003-04:00

I've added a few more items to my sewing room. I got this Ott Floor lamp at Wally world for $40!! Go me! I have a desk-top one, but I just couldn't pass up this.

My mom was going to get rid of this cutting table. For months she's been telling me that she has a "sewing" table that I could have...lol....it's really a cutting table and I'm THRILLED to have it. No more spreading my cardboard thingie out on my bed. This table folds down to about 12" wide, but spreads out very large. It'll be great for rotary cutting my quilts with no backache.

I'm thinking about buying this sewing table off of eBay. For now, I'm using a card table. I'm thinking of putting a velcro curtain around it...That would make for some good storage underneath. However, with a sewing table I can store my threads, have drawers, and have the lift thingie to raise or lower my sewing machine. Decisions...decisions...

I have my television set up in the corner. Can you see what I'm watching?

Then I added this shoe bag to the back of the door. I'm just going to be putting some odds and ends into it.

Some goodies came in the mail....

2008-08-06T20:16:00.002-04:00

Well...hopefully third times a charm...that's how many times blogger has eaten my post. Since I'm sick of writing it, this will be the abbreviated version: LOL

This first batch of material is Robert Kaufman..Another Iota.

This second batch is some Jennifer Paganelli, Michael Miller, and Amy Butler.

The third batch is some brights by Kafe Fassett and some type of batiks.

The end.

Try again

2008-08-05T13:14:00.003-04:00

I have a cork bulletin board behind my machine so I can tack up the directions or any other thing I may be using for my project. I also tried to put up some cork tiles on my wall to hold my applique BOM patterns... just so I can see at a glance how far behind I am. lol Anyway, that plan didn't work. I came home from work and found half of the tiles on the floor. I'll come up with something else. I may put up another cork board...just 'cause I can.

Happy Birthday!

2008-08-02T20:10:00.005-04:00

So today was the big 48 for me. My daughter made me a cake and came to my house after I finished work so we could eat it. Thank goodness no other surprises were cooked up. The heat index was over 100 degrees today and it doesn't help that my LLV (mailtruck) blows out heat from under the dash. Can you say hot? I've decided to do a little more in my sewing room and then I'm going to sit in my recliner and finish melting. lol Daughter number two called me b/c she felt bad that daughter number three, son number one, and she were going to hang out tonight and leave me alone! I ASSURED them that I didn't mind one bit being alone! lol Poor things. I'm too whipped to entertain anyone tonight. Anyway, I had my son (we share the same birthday, and I've been ripped off on presents ever since) on my birthday, so they can all hang out and celebrate and not worry about disturbing me while I'm snoring in my chair. lol

Ps...I found out why the tops of my curtains are always wonky...Seems like my kitty, Gizmo, likes to play up there. lol

Uniquely me?

2008-08-01T18:43:00.003-04:00

Well, I've definitely decided to make a sewing room. Good news for me...bad news for my daughter who I moved into a smaller bedroom. Oh well...she's 20 and will be moving out before long. Anyhoo....I've made an addition to my room already! I bought a Uniquely You dress form. I swear...we have laughed and laughed over this thing. The first thing my youngest daughter said was "ski slopes". lol I'm going to work on the shell in the next week or two...I sure hope it "compresses things" because this dog don't hunt as a good southern redneck would say.

My Rose

2008-07-30T23:21:00.004-04:00

Oh boy....I'm so excited! I've been wanting to upgrade my sewing machine for a while now, so I started stalking ebay. I found a Viking Rose that caught my eye. Although I wasn't really in the market for an embroidery machine, this deal was too good to pass up. It'll be fun to experiment with it. I may do some little Christmas embroideries for the grandgirls. Now I think I'm going to make a sewing room for myself. I'm sick of my stuff being out on the dining room table. Yay me!

Fabulously Laura from Project Runway

2008-07-11T19:35:00.001-04:00

It's coming

Some progress

2008-06-15T14:10:00.003-04:00

I got the yarn untangled, finally!!

As you can see, I had some helpers while I was untangling...lol.

Okay, Okay...Another project

2008-05-22T19:12:00.005-04:00

Okay, I admit it...I'm "time-crunched" all the time. I Don't guess I'm going to get too much done while I'm working 6 days a week. My hands get really crampy. That's why I joined a Block of the Month club when I went to the CobblesStone guild quilt show. Surely I will be able to do ONE STINKING BLOCK A MONTH!!! Not so much... Anyhoo....Here is block one and I've only begun piecing the background block.

Another project

2008-03-16T09:09:00.003-04:00

I've gotten started on another project. I can't seem to get motivated to untangle my mess. I will b/c I've had to do it before...I just don't FEEEELLLLL like it. Anyhoo, I've cut out and sewn together a little dress I want to smock for my youngest granddaughter.

Uh Oh

2008-03-09T22:12:00.002-04:00

Houston, we have a problem! I actually knit another row on the afgahn with this mess. I had to give it up, though. It's too tangled to go any farther...I'll HAVE to untangle it! lol

Hmmm.....

2008-02-17T08:37:00.001-05:00

Okay....so I didn't get any needlework done this week.....

Picking up again

2008-02-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try to pick up my blogging again. I kind of let everything go after becoming suddenly single after a 30 year marriage. I also had to find a job (mail carrier) which keeps me busy and tired. Soooooooooooo, I've taken a partial inventory of some projects which have been put to the side which I'd like to finish. Over the next few posts, I'm going to try to share which ones I'm going to finish and which ones I'm going to donate to Goodwill. The first project I plan to finish up is the baby afgahn that I started a few years ago. My poor little Sadie is attached to a Walmart flannel blanket and she probably won't even want the afgahn from maw-maw.

Cuties

2008-02-09T16:56:00.000-05:00

Let me try again with the picture!!

test

2008-02-09T16:48:00.000-05:00

This is the only picture I have of my three granddaughters together. They are cutie patooties, I'm thinkin'

Plugging away

2007-02-25T08:54:00.000-05:00

This is a little afghan I'm knitting for granddaughter #2. It's from a Leisure Arts booklet using acrylic yarn. My granddaughter #1 loves the blankie I crocheted her a few years ago; she absolutely won't sleep without it! I'm making this one with double strands throughout which is making it much sturdier than it's predecessor. Hopefully, it'll be dragged around just as much. Then I have a third blankie to make for granddaughter #3. I think I'll be crocheting that one, also. I seem to move a little faster crocheting than knitting.

ps ignore the date on the picture...it's 4 years behind the times.

Pink and White striped hat

2006-12-10T18:59:00.000-05:00

Here is the pink and white striped hats...The patterns for these two hats were found on Bevscountrycottage.com. It contains a lot of free patterns for charitable knitting for hospital nurseries.

New grandaughter

2006-12-10T18:54:00.000-05:00

I messed up...here is the picture of my grandaughter when she was1 day old.

Christmas hat

2006-12-10T18:50:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my newest grandaughter. She was born about 16 weeks early weighing 1 lbs 1 oz. She is really prospering, tho. Now she's up to 2 lbs. 9 0z....it's quite a miracle and I'm really grateful to God for helping her thrive. The little ones in the NICCU have to wear hats to keep the body heat in. Here are a few hats I've knitted: one is a striped pink and white and the other is a Christmas tree hat! It's so cute!!

All Things Lovely

2006-10-14T21:27:00.000-04:00

All Things Lovely

Another test...getting ready to start back up...hopefully.

All Things Lovely

2005-12-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

test

Test...

2005-11-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

test

Not lost...

2005-11-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

My computer bit the dust, so I'm setting everything up on my new one. HOpe to be able to post soon. (I can't believe how much technology has changed in the 4 1/2 years since I've had a new computer)

Ironing and more piecing

2005-09-09T19:12:00.000-04:00

I've been doing lots of ironing....

I've pieced together a partial row and I've also made some more blocks...some pressed...some not. It ought to be interesting piecing the rows together. This is as far as I've ever gotten with hand piecing. I'm finding it the perfect thing to go along with my Braves games. :-)

Hand piecing

2005-09-05T16:44:00.000-04:00

I picked up this Jinny Beyer book at the library. It's really detailed with great pictures about the hand-piecing process. This little baby quilt is one I started about 7 years ago, so I decided to work on it at night while watching tv. Jinny Beyer prefers cutting the pieces with the 1/4" seam allowance included, and I've come to agree with her. Too bad I've cut all these pieces without the seam allowance. Now I have to keep checking the front and back to make sure I'm matching the drawn sewing lines. ||

Socks

2004-09-21T05:47:00.000-04:00

I've been working just about everyday. That's unusual for a new carrier, but the poor hardworking carrier I sub for needed a break. He took a two week vacation, so I'm it!! My arms and hands are so sore, but other than that, I'm catching the hang of it...even memorizing the 700 names and addresses.

I've been playing around with knitting some socks, because I can do it while sitting (collapsing, dying) on the couch. I used Wendy's toe up sock pattern. This particular yarn is Opal...duh...I've forgotten the number. I'll have to look it up.

Costume!

2004-09-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

Just one glance at orange, yellow, and white material makes me think...Candy Corn! That is exactly the costume I'm making for my granddaughter. I just love that little cone head looking top...lol I can picture her going around saying "give me mass quantitites."

Change of plans

2004-09-16T08:25:00.000-04:00

I decided not to make the Ottobre design next. I saw the cutest little costume that I'm going to make for the baby. In fact, as soon as Hancocks opens this morning, I'm there. I hope to get some pics up later today. I'm working tomorrow and Saturday, so I'll probably be too whipped to sew again. lol

My son-in-law is being pinned (navy chief)this morning at 9am. I can't wait to hear how it went. My daughter has to go on the stage and then pin the anchors to his ?collar? I think she said. Her feet are waaay swollen and she can barely fit into shoes, so she's afraid she's gonna trip on her way up. lol Hope not.

Ottobre Designs

2004-09-14T08:25:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of my next project. It's found in the Summer 2/2004 issue of Ottobre Designs. I'll probably make the sleeveless version with contrasting godets (which you can't see in the picture). I hope to trace the pattern off sometime today.

Whipped!!

2004-09-13T06:05:00.000-04:00

I guess y'all thought I fell off the face of the planet. I almost did! lol My job is whipping my butt. It's alot more physical than I'm used to...especially in the heat and humidity. I have a tip for y'all. Please don't park your cars in front of or near to your mailbox!! Why you ask? Okay, I'll tell you. Because anytime a mailman's butt leaves the seat, the truck has to be turned off and the key in hand and if I can't reach your box, then I have to turn off the truck, get out of the truck, deliver your mail, get back in the truck, turn the truck back on...then proceed to the next moron who blocks their box. lol Can ya tell I had to do this about 50 times Saturday??? huh? huh?

Well, the bubble is complete. I finally finished all the little details that needed doing. Overall, I think it's a cute little pattern and I'll probably make the dress version in the future.

I tried to get a closeup of the button detail. I embroidered a little yellow rosebud with leaves into the button holes. My youngest daughter says it looks like an ear of corn. lol Oh well, so it goes.

Home stretch!

2004-09-07T07:58:00.000-04:00

I've lined the bubble, put in the sleeves and have the first step of the french seams finished. I'm going to get my daughter to measure my DGD's upper arm before I put the band on the lower sleeves. All I have left to do is: 1.add the cuffs 2.finish the french seams by sewing right sides together 3. put in two buttonholes and buttons, and put in crotch snaps and leg casings...then I'm finished!

Smocking and placket

2004-09-06T10:10:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to show the front and back at the same time here. On the left, youcan see that I've done some smocking on the bubble front. I chose floss the same color as the yellow material b/c I don't really want the smocking to be the dominant feature of the bubble. On the right, you'll see that I've made the placket for the back of the bubble. I'm nearing the homestretch on this outfit. Seems like it's taking forever now that I'm working. Welcome to the real world. lol I should get alot done today. Hubby's home and we'll be getting rain all day from the outer band of Frances.

Internet woes

2004-09-03T15:42:00.000-04:00

I lost my internet for a few days. This is the second time in the past few weeks. Comcast had better tighten up.
On the sewing front, I attached the overlay to the yoke and then I attached the yoke to the pleated front. I don't like how there is a space between the bottom of the overlay and the top of the pleats. The picture leads one to believe that the smocking peeks out from underneath the overlay. I like that idea better than there being a space with no smocking. Oh well, I'm not gonna undo this one, but on the next one I'll be moving the pleating threads up higher.
I graduated RCA (mailman) school today. My first day on my route will be next Wednesday at 6:30am. It'll be hard work the first few weeks. Or maybe I should day it'll be slow-going. I have to memorize where 700 addresses go (in particular order)in my case. Then I have to remember the vast amounts of paperwork involved with mailhandling and special services. Wish me luck!

Gathers

2004-09-01T06:03:00.000-04:00

Here I have the front of the body gathered and pinned to the front yoke. Also, here's a good view of the gathering threads used to make the pleats for the smocking.

I've also sewn the overlay pieces together with the trim attached. I think this trim will do nicely for this bubble.

Just duckie!

2004-08-31T06:12:00.000-04:00

I've finished the little duckie and it's soooo cute. Next I have to sew the overlay together and then baste to the yoke. I decided to use a different lace on the bottom, I think the little points are cute. (it's still pointing up in this picture in case you're wondering) I have 4 days of mailman school this week, so I'll try to do alittle on this bubble each day after I come home.

Survived!

2004-08-30T07:37:00.000-04:00

Well, we survived the tropical storm. The kiddos are off from school today b/c it's too flooded and there are too many branches down. We're kinda worried about that next hurricane. It's already a category 4--you don't play with a category 4 storm.
I bought myself a small hoop and I've embroidered the feet, beak, and eyes on the chicken. I decided not to shadow embroider them because I like the effect of having part of the design on the "outside". Sorry for the dark picture. I have the hardest time photographing white and black objects.