Bullion Bunnies

Last year's Easter dress for Journey was made with Simplicity 2392 pattern. It is a reproduction of a vintage pattern. It features A skirt gathered onto a scalloped yoke and a scalloped hem band. The sleeves are puffed, set in and (gasp) elasticized.

I used Spechler Vogel pink sateen for the main body with white for the yoke, sleeves, and hem band.

The yoke features three silk bullion bunnies, one in pink, one in lavender and one in yellow. Their bodies are brown. The pattern came from Sew Cute Couture by Gail Doane (the clothes in this book are adorable!). I had never done this before and couldn't seem to get it right - I tried several times on a practice scrap and was about to give up. Then I went out and bought the CORRECT size needle!! What a difference the correct tools make.

Here's a close up of the bunnies.

On each scallop of the hem band I embroidered a small rosebud, leaves, and french knots. This idea came from a bib featured in Jeannie's embroidery book Jeannie B's Book of Heirloom Embroidery Designs & Stitches.

Instead of simply hemming the edges, etc., I got the brilliant idea that I would LINE the bonnet, which of course made more work. Anyway, it's basically a rectangle with a casing along the back edge to insert the ribbon to gather. Pressed for time (surprise, anyone??) I didn't have any time left for hand work, so I used the machine to embroider scallops and feather stitching along the front edge of the bonnet and made a little ruffle as well. I used the same lace on the ruffle as I did on the dress. I used silk satin ribbons for ties, with little bullion rosebuds holding it in place on the bonnet.

Love Labels

I've always liked these little "Made with love by Grandma" labels. Not only will they serve as a reminder as to who made it, but they serve a practical purpose too. With home sewn pants, it's hard to tell the front from the back (the sewer knows the back is longer than the front, but a 5 year old doesn't), so I sew in a label so it's easy to tell the back from the front.

Happy Halloween

I'll cast spell on you like I did my Grandma!








Lil' Punkin












Stephanie & Journey

Pics of Makenzie

I took some pics of Journey's little cousin Makenzie when they were down for a visit recently. I know her Mommy is anxious to see the pics . . . here are a few:

Where DOES the time go?

It's been six weeks since I posted anything - I've just been SO busy. So what have I been doing?? Well, to start with, Stephanie and I started a business - Journey Baby Boutique - and have been busy with that. We're going to craft shows selling baby items, most of which we make ourselves - burp cloths, bibs, hair bows/barettes, diaper bags & tote bags, diaper wipe cases, nursing covers, diapers, and more! Check out our blog:

http://journeybabyboutique.blogspot.com/

We attended our first craft show last weekend and it went great! Journey went along and was perfect of course! She drew in the crowds! We monogrammed lots of items on the spot and that kept us busy. We'll be at the Scarecrow Festival next weekend. Our booth will be next to Mary's, which is called Beads & Bling. Savanah is wearing one of her necklaces in the picture I posted in August (my last post).

YEARS ago, when Stephanie was a baby, Dana and I made some crafty stuff and went to some craft fairs, including the Scarecrow Festival. I took a "playpen" (that word is no longer fashionable, now they're called Pack & Play) for Stephanie and she went along too. I was into ceramics back in those days. Dana made wreaths and dried arrangements. We sold baked goods too - that was back before you had to worry about getting a commercial food license.

What else has been going on - we turned the back screened porch into a mudroom and SEWING ROOM!!! Well, it's not 100% finished, but getting there. I can't wait to have a dedicated craft room, what a luxury! The mud room is going to be nice too - with cabinets for more storage! I'll post pics soon.

Marc started a new batch of chicks. When the salmonella outbreak was on the news, people were beating a path to our door for eggs. It was crazy. So we decided it was time for more layers. We sold all the ducks - even Daffy - they were just too smelly & nasty - they poop all the time.

In addition to all the fun stuff, my company has been acquired by a bigger competitor and while I thankfully still have a job, I will have to move to another location which means a MUCH longer commute. I think I will start taking the bus again at that point.

I think that about sums up all the highlights for now.

Here are some recent pics of Rylan:

At summer camp - amateur archaeologist.

Here's Rylan and her Daddy, who is also her soccer coach, at practice.

Rylan's FIRST DAY of FIRST GRADE! I can still remember when her Mother went to first grade - she looked so much like Rylan.

Navasota recently had Homecoming and Journey and her Mommy went. Journey's wearing a sundress embroidered (by Grandma of course) with a sparkly diamond with a drill team dancer in the center and "Future Diamonette". You can't see her little bloomers, but her name is embroidered on them, all in Rattler Blue! Stephanie was a Diamonette (so was Liz), so maybe Journey will want to be one someday. She has a matching hair bow. Not shown in this pic is her corsage - too cute! I didn't go to the game (if it involves sports, I'm not interested), but I hear tell that Journey was passed around like a football, so I probably wouldn't have been able to hold her if I had gone.

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Savanah & Beads & Bling

Bathing Beauty

This free digital scrapbooking design created with Smilebox