More fun jumpers :o)

Here are a couple more fun jumpers. HoHoHo.....

and another fun little reindeer one! :O)

I liked the aqua with the red.
I am done sewing for this Christmas......now I am baking! I'll post some pics and recipes of some of my favorite treats soon. I LOVE Christmas baking. I LOVE finger foods and appetizers. If anyone has a favorite, please email me at dandelionavenue@bellsouth.net. I really would love to hear from you!
Thanks!
Angela

fun little jumpers :o)

I made up a few little jumpers for a local boutique. Here are a couple of them. I'll post more later.
Here's a little brown cord reindeer:

Here is a white baby cord "I love Santa" jumper:

I just love how quick and easy these are to create compared to smocking!!!! Smocking takes forever!! lol I'll post more tomorrow.
Angela

All Aboard!!!

Just sharing a matching brother set that I completed last week. It is a hand smocked newborn romper and a matching 2T jon jon. Both are smocked with a train design. I used elements from a couple different smocking plates for it. I used the engine from the amazing Gwen Milner's smocking plate, Timothy's Train and the other cars from AS&E 47. Isn't it amazing how large the 2T looks beside the newborn set? Just another reminder of how quickly all sweet babies grow! (((sigh)))
Have a lovely day!
Angela

Wintertime Fun!

I designed this fun little dress for a customer who wanted a dress that could be worn all winter long, not just Christmas. I love the icy blue baby corduroy. Perfect for the winter months.

I altered some of the smocking designs from Little Memories "northern lights" for two of the characters and made up the snowman design.

A few tips when smocking baby corduroy:
It smocks up really well,so don't be afraid of breaking needles. It smocks up easier than a lot of broadcloths!
I recommend using more than 4 strands of floss when doing picture smocking. I like my pictures to cover the fabric really well and that can be a little harder to do on the thicker fabrics.
For this dress I used a larger needle and the full 6 strands of floss to do the smocking. I still stripped them as usual though, as this helps with the full coverage also.
However, be aware of sore fingers when doing this! I was on a deadline for this dress, so I smocked it for 4 days straight. My poor pointer finger and thumb were SO sore from this. I have never experienced such sore fingers from smocking!
I'm sure the fatter needle, more floss and thicker fabric all contributed to this! :o) Thanks for peeking. More to come soon!
Angela

Nativity blouse

Here is a little blouse with the true meaning of the season on it :o)
It is one of my signature blouses smocked with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, along with some animals.

I used Little Memories Asleep in the Hay for the animals and made up Mary and Joseph.

Off to finish some more Christmas orders. Have a lovely weekend!
Angela

Christmas Present Special!

Here is a little set that I made for a customer. A custom monogrammed night/daygown and matching pillowcase.! I think these make super Christmas presents! This customer wanted her set to be sleeveless, but you can request sleeves, no problem. You can also have a square bodice, as opposed to a round one. This would be super for Christmas morning photos in red/white........however, it can be made in any color combo.
For the next few days only, I will be offering only 3 sets for sale, here on my blog. They are $40 for the set size 6m-8. I will not have time to create any additional sets, so if you want one, buy it now :o) Thanks and have a SUPER day!!

SOLD OUT!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Pure sweetness!

As promised, here is a photo of my sweet friend's baby in the gown :o)

This was taken in the church with horrible lighting, but I thought I would show you it anyway. :o) Have a great day!
Angela

Shadow Embroidered Baby Dedication Gown....

This custom order was for a dear little baby at church that I have the privilege of loving on twice a week :o) It included the gown, bonnet and matching bracelet.

The gown is made of a beautiful silk batiste that I bought from my friend Sara. She does gorgeous work herself! It also included french lace insertion, beading and edging. It was shadow embroidered with a beautiful cross, dove, ribbon and floral design from Martha Pullen's Christening gown pattern.

I added shadow embroidery to the sleeves also.

I hope to get some professional photos taken to show off the true beauty of it. I cannot wait to see it on my little sweetie at church tomorrow! :o) I'll try and post a picture of her in it if I can. :o)
Angela

Christmas nightie!

Here is a sweet little nightie that I just finished for a customer. It has a large, round yoke edged in red whipstitched piping. The yoke is shadow embroidered with a Christmas tree and presents. I added glass beads to the tree for a little extra sparkle :o) Then I hand smocked it with a red and green geometric design.

I think she will look super cute on Christmas morning! :o)
Have a great day!
Angela

teeny tiny.....

I just completed an order for tiny little romper for a preemie/newborn boy. The mom wants to bring him home from the hospital in it. It was fun to make a little boy's outfit for a change. :o)

Have a nice week!
Angela

Another birthday wish....

I have to wish my sweet daughter a happy birthday! She turns 12 today. I was looking at some old pictures where she used to model sets for me. I found this sweet little one :o) I think she was only 3 1/2 here! She was modeling a little Betsy Ross smocked patriotic jumper.

My photography (and camera) has improved a lot since then. lol Here was the last time she modeled for me. It was a dupion silk smocked dress that she helped design.
((sigh)) where does time go?? Have a great weekend everyone!
Angela

A Birthday Wish

It is hard to believe, but my "baby" boy turns 15 today.........(((sigh))) Where did all that time disappear? Some may remember my post earlier in the year about how he insisted I make him some Union Jack golf trousers in honor of his favorite golfer, Ian Poulter. Well, here is the rest of the story..... Because of those trousers, he actually got to MEET his hero at the TPC!! :o) Not only did he get to meet Ian, but he also met his 2nd favorite golfer and fellow European, Lee Westwood. Here they all are together.

They were both so friendly and kind to my son that I will be their fans for life. Congrats to them for winning the Ryder Cup. And a HUGE happy birthday to my sweet son :o)
Angela

Fall Smocked Jumper

I just thought I would share my latest little creation. This is a smocked backwrap jumper. The fabric is Michael Miller's Meadowsweet line in the Pumpkin colorway. The colors are gorgeous in person! Perfect for the Fall season. I am still waiting for some Fall weather to show up here, but this certainly puts me in the mood! :o)
Have a great day!
Angela

Free Dress Photo

I never did post photos of the free dress that I gave away. It was from the drawing of those who posted comments about my new website. The winner wanted a size 3 in pink, so here it is:

It was smocked with pearls and bullion rosebuds and roses:

I hope she likes it! :o) Have a great day!
Angela

Tiny Christmas Bishop

It is hard to believe that Christmas will be upon us once again!! We start practicing our Christmas choir special this evening and I have already made my first Christmas dress this year!!! Where in the world did this year go???
Here is the dress, it doesn't exactly scream Christmas, so it could be worn for Valentines or really anytime.

The smocking plate is Anna by Ellen McCarn, Design I for the neckline and III for the sleeves.
I believe you can click on the image to see the detail better. Thanks for peeking and have a terrific day :o)
Angela

What I've been up to....

I have had several sewing projects lately, but they are all sets that are already on my website, so I didn't post pics of them here. I have also been busy taking pictures of a couple of sweet newborns!! Remember those shower gifts I made earlier? Here are the recipients in some photos I took. A friend from church made the hat and blanket.

And the next little sweetie....

I am so glad they both came into this world safely. Both have such beautiful complexions and heads full of dark hair! What a blessing!
I am still working on my sewing room renovation....I'll post final pics soon. In the mean time, here is another sneak peek! :o)
Now all you fabric folding experts, please do not critique me too harshly :o) I just wanted to get it stashed away! Perhaps one day I'll make some fancy little fabric holders for all it and file it away more neatly. I can't wait to show the rest of the sewing room.........I am still in the process of stashing things! lol
Have a great week!

Vintage Sailor Set!

This was a custom designed set for a very special birthday girl. She is having a New England style lobster boil for her party (lucky girl!) and needed a little lobster themed ensemble to wear. So I designed this little sailor dress and made up a smocking plate to match the sea creatures in the fabric......including a lobster, of course!
Here are the little smocked sea creatures..

A little sailor tam with embroidered lobsters completes the look.
I hope she has a fabulous birthday!!!

Angela

So sorry for going AWOL!!

I have just been staying super busy with Summer activities!!! I try to spend as much time as I can with the kids while they are on summer vacation, so I have neglected my blog :o) Here is a sneak of things to be posted soon!
The free daygown for the winner of the blog posting...

A darling nautical inspired set....

And the BIGGEST of all........

A sewing room MAKEOVER!!!! I can't wait to share the finished product!!! :o) So stay tuned :o)
I hope everyone is having a great summer!!
Angela

Happy 4th of July Weekend!!!

Thank God for our freedom! Have a safe and fun weekend everyone!

Smocked Bishop Gown

I call this style of bishop my cheater bishop.......because only the front section is smocked. I know it isn't as pretty as a full smocked bishop, but when you don't have a lot of time, it certainly is a nice alternative. I needed yet another baby shower gift and with summer here, I just don't have as much time to sew. So I whipped this up yesterday. Sorry for the lousy photos...I just snapped them real quick this morning before I wrapped it up. My focusing isn't very sharp on either one!
It is just used Pink Imperial Broadcloth. You can find it for a great price here. Then a little French lace from my stash. So this sort of design is fairly inexpensive to make and is a great present. I just used a regular bishop pattern and instead of smocking the top of the sleeves and the back pieces, I just gathered them and attached them to the bias neckline as usual.
Have a wonderful weekend! :o) Angela

Shower presents...

I have been gone on vacation this past week. It was great, but it is always good to be home :o) Before I left, I whipped up some baby shower gifts that I thought I would share. I originally was making a smocked gown......but then I found out that the mom-to-be liked more mod or retro items!! lol So I had to do a quick change of gears. :o)
Here are a couple of dress sets with bloomers. The green/blue print is Portabello Pixie's Claire pattern in a 6 mos size. The other is a sundress that I made from a FREE tutorial. You can find the pattern here.

I also made a little covered wipe case. Those are so fun! Mine is not the greatest, but I found an AWESOME FREE tutorial on how to make them here. They make super gifts.

Lastly, I embroidered a little onesie. I added some bum ruffles and matching little shoes to try and up the cuteness factor :o) I'll post my template for the little shoes if anyone wants it.
Well, that's all for me today. Back to laundry from my trip............ugghgh!! lol
Angela

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

I have a random name picking program called the HAT. You put in a list of names, press shuffle, then press the hat button. It will pull out an individual name. The name it pulled was the blogger "db" So if "db" could please contact me, I will get to work on your FREE SUNDRESS!! woohoooo :o) Thank you to all those who left me comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to do that.
(If anyone wants to download the Hat random name program, it is free. You can find it here.)
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Baby Blue Daydress....

I crown Jeannie Baumeister the Queen of Daydresses. I just LOVE "The Old Fashioned Baby" line of patterns that she created. They have such precious vintage detailing and style. This dress is a version from her Baby Daydresses pattern. You can find her patterns here
I had to alter it to a size 18 months, so it really more of a dress, not a daygown. I also had to use the lace I had on hand, so it is also a little different from the pattern. However, the overall look is very much like the original pattern.

The hand embroidery was stitched in all white with white French laces.
It also includes a little hand embroidered slip. You can see the shadow of it in the photo below.

Again, I love the precious little details that she provides.

Don't forget the free sundress giveaway! If you haven't entered the drawing, see the post below. :o) Have a great week!
Angela

A Whole New Look! FREE Sundress!

I have been struggling with the idea of changing the look of my website for a while now. I wanted it to look more professional, but the frilly froo-froo side of me just couldn't bear the thought of it! So in stepped my friend, Michelle. She has been telling me for years to "clean up" my website as she felt that it competed with the photos of my work. She has a super clean, refined style. However, she knows how I long for frills............
So, she took it upon herself to help me redesign it! (God bless her!) She even walked me through the steps of splicing logos with links, etc. so that I could build and maintain the site myself. Here was the logo she came up with
She went against her grain as much as she could and frilled it up a little for me, yet also tried to keep it clean and professional.
If you get the chance, could you please check my website and tell me if it looks ok on your end and if you like the new look? You can find the link on the left. I would appreciate any and all comments and especially constructive criticism!! :o)
As a thank you, to those who leave a comment, I will enter you in a drawing for a FREEEEEE custom smocked sundress up to size 5. :o)
I will have the drawing next weekend, the 12th of June.
Thank you!!!! Angela

Sweet sundress.....

I just love this style of smocked sundresses. So sweet and adjustable. They look darling by themselves as dresses or tops and can be worn with bloomers, pantaloons or even jeans. Here is a rather shabby chic one that I made as a gift. It had bloomers to match.
Here is a closeup of the smocking:

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. God bless all those that made this holiday possible!!

Smocked Lemonade Stand set Finished

Here is the little smocked lemonade stand finished! :o)

You can probably tell that I first designed this back when I designed the lemon fizz dress for AS&E! lol AS&E had sent me a lot of the pink and yellow pique back then and I made up this little set with it too.
However, when I went to try and find pink pique to duplicate the set for my customer, I had a very hard time finding the right color. The piques that I ordered were either too pale or too peachy. So I have to give a shout out to Suzanne at Adriannes Attic. She was so very helpful in finding this true pink pique for me. They are also having a Memorial Day sale. You can find it here. Thanks again!!!