Rockin' Smockin'

Before I actually became a stay-at-home momma (SAHM) I thought I would have tons of time to do lots of wonderful projects around the house. I love to paint, sew, smock, decorate, read blogs and books, take photos-- basically anything crafty. I assumed that because I would no longer have a "job" that I would have 8 or so extra hours a day to do those things. I know that you other SAHM are laughing at me right now and you working mommas are rolling your eyes-- bear with me. I do have more time to *think* about the things I want to do but I don't have anymore time to do them. I just don't have the added pressure of having to plan and think about work at the same time. I don't know who I thought was taking care of those babies so that all those SAHM's would have time to sew and cook and do all those other lovely things. I guess I just thought they napped all the time?!? Ignorance is bliss sometimes!

I have actually gotten a few sewing projects from my pile completed in the past few weeks. Notice I said weeks! These would normally take me a few uninterrupted hours to do but I have to space the "working" time out throughout Audrey's naps.

First-- Lesa smocked this dress so long ago we can't remember for sure if she actually smocked it. I know it wasn't me because I just learned how to do those lazy-daisy stitches so it must have been her!



When I found it, it was at the bottom of a box of old fabric. It had been smocked but the dress had not been constructed. I REALLY do not like sewing itty-bitty bishops together (I've only done one and it was a nightmare) so I sent it to a lady in Greenville that does heirloom sewing. She constructed it but didn't hem it.



I finished the hem and ta-da! Audrey has a sweet little blue bishop!


Another dress I found in that same pile of fabric is a dress that I started way back in 2002. It was a dress that was supposed to be Meredith Grace's Easter present for her very first Easter. Apparently I gave her something else!! When I found it I remembered why I made it but I couldn't remember what smocking plate I used. Notice how the sleeves are blue, green and pale pink?



Now look at the neckline smocking.



Odd, huh?
I could not figure out why in the world I would have smocked those colors on the sleeves but only smocked white on the neckline. I put that dress back in the pile of fabric and thought about it for a couple of days. It finally dawned on me.


The smocking plate is called "Party Ribbons" and I couldn't find it anywhere around this house!! I am cutting myself some slack about that though because I have moved three times since I actually smocked the dress. I eventually found a new one in Greenville.

This is the front of the dress. I think next time I will use wider ribbons. Maybe polka-dot? Something fun and less fru-fru I think.


The ribbons hang down about half-way down the back of the dress. I am glad they are in the back because Audrey would love to chew on them if she could get her hands on them!






My next project is to finish some curtains for the bathroom in Tennessee. After that, I need to finish the curtains for Audrey's playroom. I started those when I was still pregnant. Isn't that sad?

I then plan to make Audrey some t-shirts that have an "A" on them. I found some precious fat quarters of Amy Butler fabric on ebay. They are the perfect size to make monograms out of. I also found some tee-niney shorts at Target that were on clearance for a dollar. I think that combining a cute little "A" shirt with those shorts will make an adorable play outfit for Audrey this summer.

I read somewhere that if you write things on your blog it will make you more accountable for those things. We'll see......