ROLLLLL TIDE!

WHEW!!! I feel like I'm back from the dead. My Photoshop editing software was on the fritz and I just haven't had time to figure out what was wrong so I couldn't post pictures and I just felt like I was losing it. Well, I sat down tonight and it's really embarrassing how easily the problem was fixed. I feel like a genius, though . We moved this month and things have been a little out of whack but I'M BACK and it feels great. Here's an outfit that I made for Lil to help her show her team spirit at school on Fridays during football season.

A Precious Little Top

I just love the way this top turned out. You can find the pattern here and here. I bought it over at YCMT, as usual. I think I shop there daily. Which means I have WAAAAY more patterns than I can get to in the near and not so near future. This particular top is by that darn kat and it really is simple. She did a great job putting it together. I know that Sandi Henderson is also coming out with a round neck top pattern very soon. I'll be trying it as well. I truly wish that I knew which end was up when it comes to designing patterns but I'm just no good at it. Maybe one day...

I'm Still Here

I mean, seriously, I really am. I've been having a blast this month sewing up eight outfits for the sweetest little kiddos. My only regret is that none of them were for my Lil. Three of the eight were reversible and I'm dying to throw something in the mix for Lillian but there's that whole time thing. Thanks so much to everyone for keeping me busy doing what I love to do. For those of you who do not know me, I work full time during the day and get a few hours of sewing time in at night after the little one is tucked in tight. It's a challenge to find the time to blog, post photos on Flickr, list items on Etsy, create new appliques, sew and be a mommy and wife but hopefully I'm succeeding at each of them. The blog suffers the most, I know.

Anyway, here's a couple of photos of the outfits. Okay, I know you can't really see the dresses in these photos but Lil was hamming it up for the camera and I had to include them. Just click on the photo and it will take you to my Flickr if you want to see more. The green seersucker with applique reverses to the blue seersucker with the octopus. The swing top is a Simplicity pattern and the A-Line dress is from my favorite lady (Carla C) over at YCMT

Smocked

Well, here is my second attempt at smocking. I do love it. Once I learned to smock, I knew that I MUST learn to "picture smock". I found the cutest pattern (they are called "plates" in the smocking world) in the spring issue of Creative Needle. It was a row of chocolate bunnies that just screamed Easter. Lil will certainly wear this through the Spring--not just for one Easter Sunday--considering that a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it. Here's a peak:


Many of you have expressed anxiety over trying to learn to smock. I say GO FOR IT!!! My teacher told me that you will either love it or hate it--You will be over it before you even begin or you won't be able to get enough. Well, I certainly couldn't get enough. My first dress was a "bishop" and I took a class that walked me through each step. This second dress is called a "basic yoke" and I dove into it on my own. I bought a book that is indispensable called the A-Z of Sewing for Smockers. These A-Z books are incredible and this one deals only with construction--not smocking. So it walks you through the steps of how to construct the actual dress--whether it be a bishop, a basic yoke or a full yoke. How to add a sash, collar, sleeves, etc. EVERYTHING. I want several books from this series because there are a kazillion photos in the books with step by step instructions. I could go on and on. Anyway, the point is, don't be scared. Jump right in like I did but be prepared to make time for it. Lillian likes to sit right next to me while I smock. I would love to see your smocked creations! Here are more photos of the bunny dress:

The Song Remains the Same

Well, it's the same song second verse around here. I've been busy busy busy and haven't made the time to blog. I did finish my first smocking project and loved it so much that I learned to "picture smock". So I've completed two dresses at this point as well as some other projects. I've done so much lately that I really don't know where to start so I'll just take it one step at a time and blog about each thing separately....first is my very first attempt at smocking. Which I have to say I am very pleased with.



Oh SHOOT!!! I just remembered that sweet, sweet Tara over at Project Felt gave me a 'You Make My Day Award' exactly ONE MONTH AGO. I have so fallen from grace on this one and I apologize, Tara. I was so honored by this and yet I didn't even show up. Tara is great about blogging several times a week and honestly--She makes MY day. It's all on my list of things to do. And I don't even know HOW to display the badge:( That shows my stupidity with all things related to html. I'll just post another couple of pics of my dress since I DO know how to do that:)

I must stop

I seriously must stop browsing over at You Can Make This. When I told you all that it's my new favorite place--well, I meant it. Anyway, for about a year now I've owned a yard of the coolest material. It's chalk cloth that I ordered from Denver Fabrics but I have since heard that you can get it at Hancock's. About 6 weeks ago, I joined an AWESOME fabric co op. I have since spent my life savings there and, in the mean time, I managed to get hold of some of the Michael Miller Lolli Dot laminated cotton. I've been all giddy trying to figure out what I would do with it. Then I remembered the chalk cloth, then I remembered all the cool stuff over at You Can Make This, then I ordered this. And then I made this:



Mine is a little different than the one over at you can make this. The dimensions are a little more rectangular and I used a different technique to hold the chalk but all in all it's the same deal. I used some oilcloth around the edges--I purchased it when I ordered the chalk cloth. This sweet little placemat/chalk mat is a gift for one of Lillian's best buddies in the whole world. Maybe I'll find the patience to make another one for Lil. I would love to see your oilcloth or laminated cotton or chalk cloth creations!

With Love

I made this outfit for Lil with a lotta love. I did it in one marathon sewing session this past Sunday. It was so much fun! Both the top and bottom are from patterns purchased through You Can Make This--my new favorite site for patterns.

The back of the dress turned out perfectly and is probably my favorite part. It looks as if it is shirred but it is actually four pieces of elastic running parallel to one another.

I promise to update on my smocking soon. It is turning out better than I had imagined and I've even learned to "picture smock" and have chosen the perfect pattern for her Easter dress. More later but for now I need to enjoy this little outfit a little longer.

Working

Well, I'm busy that's for sure. Learning to smock. Oh the fun. It really takes so much concentration that I can't imagine breathing AND smocking at the same time. I find myself holding my breath--working a few stitches--breathing--then working some more. These are just my practice stitches but before long it will be the real thing. On a real dress. On a real girl.

Learning

I feel that I'm all the time learning something. If there's ever a lull in the learning then I seek out something to learn. It could be something simple like learning what a charm pack of fabric is:) Yes, I'm one of the few sewers who still doesn't know what one is(until about 20 minutes ago). Or it could be something BIG like smocking. I've signed myself up for a smocking class that starts Monday. I'm so excited. Even more exciting than that is in February I'm taking a quilting class. I want to learn to quilt so badly. So, in the mean time I have put my little shop on hiatus while I learn some new moves. I'll keep you posted. Here's a few things that we've been up to lately:

We went to the Christmas tree farm to find the perfect tree. Well, I guess, I should say for the experience of finding the perfect tree. I like Frasier Firs and Frasier Firs do not grow in Alabama but lots of Pines do. So we bought a severely overpriced but absolutely beautiful Frasier Fir that had been shipped from North Carolina and kept fresh in it's own little pail of water. My brother and his fiance on the other hand love Pines for Christmas so Lillian got the full experience of riding the Mule drawn carriage through the Pine fields and then walking up and down the isles of trees with our pole to measure and find the perfect Pine. We always went to the tree farm growing up and I'm excited that Lillian will get to experience this year after year.





Afterwards, I stole a few shots on the porch swing.



And between all the baking and potlucks and parties and gift buying, wrapping and giving, I found a little time to sew.

The sweetest little set for a great customer:



The snazziest of collections for a college friend of mine:




And a little something for a sweet little boy.



Of course there was more ~ this being the giving season and all ~ but this post is long enough and there are tornadoes looming in the distance on this scary warm January day, so I'll put it to rest now and go check the weather.

Happy New Year to you all!

Busy in the Little City

Life around here has been hectic and heartwarming all at the same time. September through January is a busy time in the Gamble Household. There's my birthday, then Lillian's birthday, then our anniversary, then Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas. And in the middle of all of that Chad and I scheduled a week long vacation. Lillian didn't come with us and I can honestly say that I will never leave her for 8 days again....not until the back talk starts then we may have a room to rent.

Just Checking In

Just checking in as I'm trying to get better at this blogging thing. I read so many wonderful blogs and I'm so envious of all of the creative talent out there. I was a late bloomer when it came to sewing. I've always had these crafty ideas buzzing around in my head but I could never put my finger on what it was that I wanted to do. In highschool and college it was writing. Soon after marriage it was decorating my spaces. And now that Lillian has been born it is sewing. My mother always had her sewing machine out. Always. I remember being told to never use the THOSE scissors to cut out my paperdolls. I remember always having to stop what I was doing to model her latest creation. She taught me to cross stitch at age five. I still have my first project: a brown owl about the size of my thumb and just about as interesting. I picked up sewing again around age 8 and made a ballet skirt out of a sheer scarf and ribbon and then a denim skirt. And then I stopped. I picked it back up about 5 years ago but was terrified of patterns until very, very recently. Now I can't stop. I want to make everything for Lillian. Anyway, back to the blog envy. Since I have been such a late bloomer, I have no clue how to change patterns up to meet my needs much less create my own patterns. I stumble upon this and I just want to cry. I mean weep for the absolute talent that this woman has. After reading Heather's blog I have to wipe up the drool. She's amazing and such an inspiration. I'll just have to live with sewing by patterns for now. Here's my latest: a sweet little summer outfit for Lil. I couldn't be more pleased...except that I really wanted it to be reversible but the pattern didn't call for that...oh well.

Lounging Around

I am so proud of this little lounge set. I think I am so proud because I designed it all myself and Lillian was so excited to put it on and happily let me take pictures of her on our swing that is desperately in need of a new paint job. I'll add that to the list of things to do...wait! It's already on there. Anyway, take a peek and let me know what you think.

Has It Really Been A Month

Wow! I can't believe it's already been a month since I last blogged. What a slacker. Anyway, life has been busy, busy, busy.

My niece was living with us for a while and she is just 16 months older than my little Lil so time got away from me before I knew it. In the mean time I messed around and designed some new paci clips. My sweet friend, Kerrie, was so excited that she ordered four. Now that's one safe pacifier. Here's a peek:

They are just too cute and I'm making more as we speak. Life is never boring and there's always 5 other things that I should be doing so gotta go for now!

The First Big Try

Why is it that you always enjoy reading others' blogs but never think that yours would be interesting? I have all of these ideas in my head but trying to get them out of there is the problem. Somewhere in the space between this screen and my head, those thoughts get jumbled and well...turn out like this. Anyway, I'm giving this a try.

These booties are my latest project.

I made them to match a dress that I was commissioned to do for a sweet lady in Wales. My Etsy friend, Ginger, of Huckleberry Baby made the most beautiful quilt from this fabric and then asked me to make a matching dress and booties. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be but dresses take me so long that I don't enjoy making them unless they are for my daughter and I can see them day in and day out either hanging in her closet or on her little body. I get attached to my projects and it was hard sending this set off to it's new home across the Atlantic. I've got the pictures though and that keeps me inspired to do more.