Warm and Cosy Winter Smocked Dress

Pretty in Pink

 Another baby to sew for, this little girl will need to stay warm in the coming winter months.

 I found that dressing Miss 5BN in her featherwale cord dresses, I was ensured she stayed so much warmer than if I had her in pants and jumpers.
The lined bodice of the dress added another layer, the warm stockings pulled up to Harry High Pants height --added another warming layer as well.  No bare midriff or mutton top was ever visible in the midst of winter on little Miss 5BN.
 Button through singlets/ onesies were wonderful --until the toilet training began, and then singlets made an appearance on our children.

 The tucked hem added weight to the dress itself, and together with gravity - ensured the hem stayed in a southerly direction --not blown up about the ears!

Self covered buttons add detail to this smocked dress.

Below are some photos of Miss 5BN in her warm winter dresses; or some of her well worn warm winter dresses!

Miss 5BN in a warm winter twill smocked dress, posing aptly for her kinder photos.  A lefty way back when!  That lefty preference was quite evident at her 1st birthday!

 Little Bo Peep,  Issue 74, Australian Smocking & Embroidery; Page  42

 

Below is a smocked dress  I have made countless times

AS&E  Issue 54, P 46  Madeline
the collar, cuffs and piping were made from a  Liberty of London Berries fabric

Madeline  below in a summer soft chambray blue just gorgeous. This blue suited our russet haired Miss 5BN so well, this has been sewn often for the princess in our house!

 

 

 

 

 

A variation of  Sunday Best; AS&E   Issue  53,  page 6

Another smocked dress that Miss 5BN wore often, made from a very warm heavy flannel fabric.
No bare midriffs for Miss 5BN in this household!

Embacing all that is Aqua

Miss 5BN celebrated a birthday in recent months, she had been hoping, requesting and desiring to have the ears pierced --oh for at least the last 12 months. This was agreed upon, - BUT the request being --Aqua earrings to be used for the initial ear piercing. 

 This required a change of venue at the 11th hour, as the initial salon I had booked - did not have a large choice of earrings. My decision was cemented, when the staff member commented--"Oh we do not pierce many ears at all".  Time for me to look elsewhere. All went well, no tears, and the piercings were performed by two super fast staff who do this on a regular basis.

 

triple layered birthday cake

delicious, but heavy handed with the Aqua colouring!



Nail polish + skinny jeans

Aqua jelly slice

 The aqua jelly slice was a hit at home with the birthday girl, in fact I have taken it to different work Morning Tea's since, with the aqua jelly --whoosh it disappears quickly.  I must have some aqua loving work colleagues!  - it makes a fresh change from red jelly, I seem to use often.

Aqua and red stitched scarf

The above stitching will be made into Aneela's Wash Day Zip Pouch, featured below in a display with Aneela at a recent Quilt Market.

Just prior to the birthday, we headed north for a winter sojourn .It was lovely to warm the bones - we all had a wonderful time.

More aqua colours and opportunities were presented to us.

Clear blue sky and fluffy clouds

Aqua bathers

All home, back to life and reality, the holiday a distant reminder of warmth, water and the wow factor.

  All that will come our way again once Summer is here with us shortly.

Polaroid Blocks

Reading Sharon's blog recently, I admired her blog post requesting Polaroid blocks for a special boy.

I was inspired by the strength that young Blake has, and the ongoing care that is provided so well by his family, community and the nursing / medical team.

Let's hope that Blake is able to have some time home with his family and enjoy this special quilt that Sharon will piece together --Polaroid Blocks provided with love and large hearts by the crafting community.

It was fun finding some fabrics with interesting detail to be framed by these blocks.

 

cutting detail

making the frame for the block



Washi tape as a guide
Miss 5BN using the Rotary Cutter for the first time, under careful surveillance.

wrapped and posted

Those who sent blocks, were requested to include a postcard from where they live - to pass onto Blake's parents. Sharon has posted more pictures to Instagram of Polaroid Blocks she has received, there is a lovely and mixed variety.

Lush Uptown fabric

I have enjoyed viewing all the new  fabric range releases in recent weeks. None more so than the rerelease of the Lush and Uptown  fabric range by  Erin Michael for Moda  - a mixture of two previous popular ranges. I did not buy any of this fabric in previous years, but decided I would this time round --before it all sells out!

Love the paint by number prints

Some retail therapy in my pyjamas, enabled me to purchase the above FQ bundle of this luscious range. Jennifer was quick with the emails, and together we were able to choose and fill the prepaid satchel, with some extra fabrics for the sashing and backing.  I now await the delivery of this special parcel!

 Scrolling through Camille's  latest book, I found the perfect quilt pattern, that will show off the large scale prints well.

The quilt pattern is "Sweet Life" on page 74 of Camille's latest book.

'Sweet Life'

Looking forward to utilising the fabric into a quilt, and hoping that younger children should not feel the need to complete the 'colour by number' spaces on the fabric. I best hide the colouring pencils and textas!

New Appliance

It was only 12 months ago, that the element went kaput in the old oven for what seemed the millionth time.  "Chasing good money after bad" - was soon to be heard being muttered in our house.  We "bit the bullet", and ordered a new oven and cooktop.  The local electrician was very busy, but after being enticed with the promise of an evening meal, he was able to arrive very late in the evening, work his magic; and install the new oven.

 

Pumpkin soup for dinner --courtesy of the slow cooker!

 

Ready to be utilized!

New cutting board

The 5BN children love their pears, so were pleased with these two new recent purchases for the kitchen.

 Miss 5BN and myself have been busy utilizing the new oven, first up for Miss 5BN was choc chip muffins. Delicious.  All are fascinated to visualize the food being cooked -- a clear oven door is a marvel!

Yum Yum

Back on board

Where has the time flown by, we have been busy traisping the countryside  with the children's sporting events, today is my first Saturday home in many months.  What a lovely relaxing pyjama day myself and Miss 5BN have had.

Mr 5BN and the two male 5BN children left at 5.30am to go to Melbourne this morning--to watch AFL Footy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.  Even better, their beloved team won today. 


Winners are Grinners

Luckily for them, the day stayed dry in Melbourne, whilst we endured bitterly cold weather and so much rain here at home.

A new baby in our community ensured I turned on the sewing machine today to make another Initial Book bag

Miss M has a new baby brother, Master P.  Yet again, I try to add a book with the name of the child.

Pete the Sheep was a favourite of our children, as I hope it will be this new baby. Welcome to the world Master P!



P is for  Peter, pear, perfection!

Nothing is more irritating than fabric cut off the grain.  So frustrating!



Another favourite book will be included with the gift as well.

Master P  will soon be over the paddock with his Dad, on the farm equipment, and savouring the seasons.