Saturday Class...

This is the goldwork class I took on Saturday with Clara (Clara Stitching). Its a cross that can be embroidered directly onto fabric, or as a separate patch to place after sewing. These images were shared by Clara and are not my pieces.

She taught this class in conjunction with her new association with a company from Minnesota called Ecclesiatical Sewing. (The name of their business is a link to their online shop.) They provided the bib and tabard fabrics and patterns for the bibs, as well as the original white cross patch used in the class. Clara taught her technique for adding the goldwork to the patch.

Eccliastical Sewing carries many fabrics and supplies to create your own religious vestments, and other religious articles, including some goldwork threads. It's nice for me that they're a next door neighbor to Wisconsin!

Clara's class was to create the gold (gilt) cross, however she also stitched the piece in silver, which I think is equally beautiful.

My plan is to create the gold version on a Christening gown that I'll offer in my Etsy shop when it's completed this spring. Once that one is done, I'll likely stitch the silver version on another gown to sell. My gowns include bonnets, so my plan is to add goldwork touches to that, as well.

I''m feeling well enough to make bread today. It's been three weeks since I did so, and it's about time to restock our supply. I owe Andy a loaf this week, too, for clearing our driveway when we were too sick to help in any way. I'll likely send a dessert up the hill today, too. Don't worry, though. I'm going to take it nice and easy. I absolutely do not want to relapse back to that sick girl who I was one short week ago. Better safe than sorry. 

Tag will be back to see you tomorrow. He's missed sharing his myriad irreverent thoughts with you. I'll see you again on Wednesday!

Elizabeth's Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth's Pillow

The celebration was yesterday, so I can share my completed gift. I made a pillow for the nursery, featuring a machine embroidered monogram, and my great-great niece's name and birth date on the front. I have this beautiful fabric that features nursery rhyme characters used for the borders and back.

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth With Mommy and Daddy

Baby Elizabeth is wearing the Christening gown/coat that I made for her daddy's celebration when he was just a wee boy. I'm so glad that they are carrying on the tradition of using it for their family baptisms.

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth With Pastor Bob

 

This is Pastor Bob, who performed the beautiful ceremony. The entire service was a congregation-wide embrace of Elizabeth entering into their flock, and into the fellowship of God. It was really a perfect way to welcome this new baby into their midst. I especially love this photograph, both for the genuine affection in Pastor Bob's face, and also for the expression on Elizabeth's. 

 

I'm so glad I was able to attend as another witness to the day this child was dedicated by her parents into the loving arms of their church. May she grow in His grace, protected by her parents, her family, her church, and her faith.

 

All Is Right With The World...

 When I got to Stephanie and Jeremiah's home yesterday, I brought along Jace's new cotton baby kimono. He had been a little fidgety when I first arrived, but we put the kimono on him and he settled right down.   It was on and off him throughout the day, and Steph and I both got the distinct impression that this sweet baby really liked wearing it! Photographs cannot convey how soft it is, but Jace liked having it on.

 Next, I had to tackle the alteration of the Christening gown.
Being the devoted blogger I am (giggle), I first had to put it on him
to be able to show you how huge it was to start. This would not be
acceptable for his big day. He was swimming in fabric, to be sure.

This is the full-length impression of his too-big attire.    The beautiful, crocheted afghan under him in these pictures was made by his great-great Grandmother Esther. She passed away in 2011, but her creation  had been given to my Aunty Margaret. She gave it to Stephanie as a baby  shower gift. Esther was my paternal grandmother and a prolific crocheter.   I know she'd be happy knowing that her work will keep another child warm.

We took it off him and reversed it. Then, Steph and I wrangled  him back into it. He was a real sport about the whole process.   I've got arrows pointing to the two pins I placed to take in the "overage" so that it would be smaller but not too snug. This gown was made in a  six month size, but even a newborn size would have been too big for him. (The newborn baby bonnet is still a tad too big, but will be ok.)

 After I hand-sewed the seam to the new size, I had to deal with all the

extra on the inside of the gown. Understand, that I know this is not the

proper way to alter a garment, but I did not want to open seams and re-sew.

I was trying to avoid leaving marks in the fabric when returned to its

original size, so this is how I decided to make the alterations. I just want it

understood that I actually know better...and this is not the accepted method.

 In order to deal with the inside bulk and keep the now-smaller sleeves 

open, I decided that two little tacks on each side would hold the fabric to the inside

 bodice lining and be more comfortable, too. (I used perle cotton for all this sewing...

both for strength, and as a solution to being able to easily "unsew" afterward.)

 This is the altered bodice. I've caught the spacious sleeves in the seams to make

 them smaller, too. All this is less than elegant, but will look so much better for

his baptism - and it will be taken off immediately after the service in favor of

something more comfortable for Jace to wear for the balance of his celebration.

 One more time, little boy. Much better, we think. He's so tiny!   In order to also adjust the buttons on the back, I made hand-sewn button loops that can likewise be easily removed following the ceremony. (I'll be taking my embroidery scissors and a seam ripper with me to do this for Stephi as soon as she changes his clothes for the picnic.)

So, all he needs is his bonnet and matching blanket and he's all set.
(He has crocheted booties to wear, too.) This ensemble also has a
 beautiful, matching coat, but it was decided that he wouldn't wear that.
I'm relieved. It would certainly have required more than a little work.

 As our visit drew to a close, I had to take one more picture of Jace comfortably sleeping in his new baby kimono. What a sweet child. God is good and once again, we are blessed.

Stephi's Garden...

Yesterday, I spent part of the afternoon and evening with my niece, Stephanie.

(I call her "Stephi" or "Stevie".)

I took lots of photos of the lilies bursting with color around the entry to her

home, but I'm only sharing one of these garden pics today. When I refer to

"Stephi's Garden", I have other wonderful, colorful images that spring to mind.

This handsome sprout, my nearly 13-year-old great-nephew, Ethan.

Standing next to him would make me think it's so much longer than

a year since I last saw him. I swear he's at least a foot taller! I can also

say that he's still the sweet, considerate young man I remember. (sigh)

Then, there's Stephi's second son. Her five-week old peanut, Jace. This was

 my first meeting with him and we hit it off like old pals. What a sweet child.

 Daddy wasn't home yesterday, but I'll try to see him while I'm there today.

  His mommy took a picture of me holding him. I'm going to call this our  "Calvin and Hobbs" moment. Aunt Donna's gotta snuggle the boy after all!    I'll be back to see him again this morning. We're having a Christening gown  alteration session. The set I made for his big brother is a little lot too big for  him, but I'll spend however much time it takes to make it right for him. After all, his "big day" is Saturday, and he's the (little) Man of the Hour!

Another Baby Project...

  Our newest great nephew is being Christened in July. His Momma and Daddy  planned the date to coincide with our visit to Wisconsin. We're looking forward to meeting the little guy for the first time, and being there for his special day.
When his older brother was born (nearly thirteen years ago), I made a complete ensemble for his baptism. I made a Christening gown, bonnet, booties and a blanket for the church service. A few weeks ago, my niece brought out the set to try on her second son to gauge the fit. Even though the ceremony is still three  weeks away - and babies grow like weeds - it was obvious that the six-month sized gown and bonnet would never fit the new baby. She sent me photos and we all giggled to see him nearly drowning in fabric. We needed a plan.
I told her that I'll put the gown on him (inside out) when I get there and baste it to fit him. I don't want to alter the original gown so, when the time comes,  the next child to wear it will have space if they were larger than our boy.
The bonnet was another matter, so yesterday I made one in a newborn size from the same fabric I used for the original ensemble. When we get to Wisconsin, I'll  try it on him. If it's still way too big, I have more of the fabric to adjust my  pattern one more time and make it even smaller. I'm hoping it's not necessary.
I've decided that I'll make another kimono in newborn size. If this little boy is as small as I'm told he is, it might take quite a while for him to be able to use the one I just finished. I'll see how big he is when I get there and then choose the best size to give to him so he can wear it through the summer.
It rained again all day yesterday, so sewing and knitting were the perfect  pastimes while Tag and I spent our days inside. I believe I'll knit again today.

Christening Day...

Sunday was baby Liam's Christening day. Some of you asked to read at least some of what I wrote to him. I included a letter in the back pocket of the storage garment bag I made as a keepsake along with the ensemble. I decided to share an excerpt with you today.

Dear Liam:

… My prayers for you are that you live in a world where people are still considerate of one another - especially, a place where elders are respected and children are cherished. My prayers for you are that you grow up to be a happy and healthy person who finds someone to love, marry, and with whom you can share a family and a long, happy life.

I pray that, when you make decisions in your life, you choose to follow a righteous path. Although it’s easy to do the wrong thing, it takes a strong will and determination to decide to do the right things. I know that your parents will do their best to raise you in the church to give you a strong moral foundation, and that they will surround you with people who will support your heart and mind in ways that are honest and good. When you are grown and make your own decisions, the voices of these people will be able to speak to you when you’re unsure of your path, and they will help guide you.

I hope that you are blessed, as I have been, to be able to watch four generations age together, and I’m hoping that I live long enough to see a fifth generation born before I must leave this world. I want you to know that I consider it a blessing and an honor to have been able to create this gown for you to wear as your life is blessed - as your parents ask God to watch and protect your spirit as much as they will endeavor to watch and protect your body.

I claimed a Bible verse to embroider into your slip as you are the first baby to wear it. Psalms 91: 11 reads: “For He hath given His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

This is my prayer for you, Liam. I wish it for all the babies that wear this gown. May God watch over you, bless you and keep you, now and always.

Love, Aunt Donna Liljegren

It's probably just as well that I wasn't in Minnesota yesterday. Watching my niece and her husband, standing beneath the same arbor that sheltered them as they exchanged their wedding vows - now sheltering them as my great-nephew was baptized in the gown I made for him. It would probably have had me bawling my eyes out.

I hope your Sunday was blessed, too.

In case you weren't here for the making of Liam's christening gown, here's the link to the photo album with captions to explain.

My Productive Monday...

Monday began with me deciding to make the heirloom
garment bag to protect Liam's christening ensemble.

I began with the pocket detail on the back of the garment bag.
It will be used to hold the photo and information about
me, Liam, and all the future babies to wear this ensemble.

This is the front of the garment bag.
I've added a special acorn charm to the zipper pull...

and, the pocket is on the back of the finished piece.

The only thing left is to write my letter to Liam
and my descendants to place in the pocket.
I need to put some thought to that, and if
you'd like, I'll share it with you when it's written.

Then, the entire ensemble will be ready to travel
with me to Wisconsin this month.

But that wasn't all I did on Monday.
I also sewed this project...

On Wednesday, I'm going to Sarasota to meet my friend, Marion.

She and I met online through Ravelry a couple of years ago and
really hit it off because we have a lot in common.

She's a lover of all things outdoors; hunts and fishes like me;
and this gal also has her own motorcycle! She's another
creative soul, making the most beautiful glass beads, too!

She's in Sarasota for her niece's graduation now, and we're
going to spend the day together on Wednesday. We've spent
time getting acquainted online and on the telephone, and now
I'm so tickled that we will finally meet one another face-to-face.

Because I don't want to meet her empty-handed,
I decided to make one of my Sweet Treat bags for her.
These make up quickly and are so useful.
It could come in handy for her knitting,
sewing or jewelry projects-in-progress.

I chose a fabric that I hope will remind her of her trip to FL (she
lives in Michigan, so we have the Midwest in common, too),
and I'll be tucking a few surprises inside the bag to fill it out.
I had such fun choosing the sweet, little fish button to adorn it.
Think she'll like it?

Last, but not least, I want to show you the fabrics for my next project.
It's time to make the Williamsburg Consort fund raiser quilt to take
to Virginia in September. I need to finish it with plenty of time for
the long-arm quilt artist to do her magic after I do all the piecing.

Hope you'll follow along on this project, too.
Handsome is going to be in Pennsylvania for ten days
(he was invited to attend Allegheny College School of Adult Music),
so my plan is to make up this quilt and have it ready for the
long-arm by the time he returns. Think I can do it?

Liam's Christening Bonnet...

Can't you almost see a baby wearing this?
I love making baby bonnets for just that reason.
Made to match Liam's christening gown and coat,
I also added the beaded duppioni and handmade
silk roses to the baby bonnet. All the handsewing
was done with vintage silk thread for an extra special touch.

Making baby clothes makes me smile, and
making heirloom baby clothes reminds me that what I'm
creating will be loved and worn again long after I'm gone.

Some great-great-great-great niece will look at this christening set
years from now, and wonder about the hands and heart of the woman
who created this for their baby to wear. Perhaps I should include a
current photograph of me, along with a short biography so
that she will know what I did in 2010 for the love of my family.
I think I will.

You can continue to leave comments on yesterday's post
if you'd like to be entered in my surprise drawing for the
Pin Converter.
I'll be drawing the name of one lucky winner at 10 pm tonight
and will post the winner's name in tomorrow's post.
Good luck everyone!

Please, Let Me Explain...

All photos used with the gracious permission of

Jan Moore, owner of Bessie Mary blog and shop

I feel the need to explain why you haven't seen the

baby bonnet for Liam's christening gown ensemble yet.
Really, I have a good reason.

I laid out all the fabric I had saved for this project before
I started cutting any of the garment pieces from it.
I was sure I'd be able to squeak a matching baby bonnet
from what I had. I was wwr...wwr...wrong.
There, I've said it.
I. Was. Wrong.

I contacted the Tampa shop (Couture Fabric and Designs)
where I purchased the original fabric in the champagne color,
and sweet Sandy asked me to send a sample to her to be sure
we matched it. I sent the sample off that day and she
called me back first thing Tuesday morning to tell me she'd
have the fabric in her shop by Wednesday
and would send it back out to me right away.

I'm still waiting for it.
Tick...Tock...
I have enough fabric from the original project to make
most of the bonnet from what I had, but I need
just a tad more to be able to finish it. I hope it arrives tomorrow.
I'd really like to make the bonnet by the end of the weekend
and share my finished ensemble with you.
I know that you're loving the sweet bonnets I've
shared with you today. They're quite sweet, aren't they?
Click on Jan's header image above to visit her
beautiful and inspirational blog.

This is one talented lady, and if you have a new baby
in your family or your future, please visit her shop,
Bessie Mary
to see more of her lovely offerings.

Thank you, Jan, for allowing me to use your images,
and to crow about your breathtaking talent, too!

Liam's Ensemble, Part III...

Yesterday, I made the "real" heirloom part of Liam's ensemble...

his monogrammed slip to be worn under the christening gown.

Miss Ellie and I embroidered the same initial monogram on the
slip that I embroidered on Mama's wedding train. The only change
I made was on the top right of the monogram. In the original, I
put the bride and groom's initials. On this one, I placed a cross.

The embroidery at the top of the slip is Liam's entire name,
his birthdate, the date of his baptism and a Bible verse I
claimed for him...Psalm 91:11.
For God hath given his angels charge
over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.

This slip becomes the "real" heirloom, in that all future babies
to wear this ensemble will have their names, birthdates, and perhaps
a Bible verse embroidered on the slip for their celebrations, too.

I ran part of the design on a practice fabric first...

and then, I embroidered the design onto 100% Egyptian cotton.
This is what it looks like on the finished slip.

I'll be adding beads just as I did with Mama's monogram,
but I wanted to photograph it before it got too dark yesterday.

I'll be making the bonnet for the ensemble last, but I've got a
few other things I want to share with you tomorrow. You'll see
the bonnet before the weekend, and then I'll show you the entire
ensemble, all ready to head north for Liam's celebration.

Liam's Ensemble, Part II...

Yesterday yielded a nearly completed coat for

the christening gown ensemble.
I put it on the hanger over the gown to show you.

I began the morning by cutting the beaded silk duppioni
for the overlay on the sleeves. I wanted to mimic the mutton
sleeves from Mama's wedding gown on Liam's coat, but
didn't think they needed to be "poufy" like Mama's.
(You can see what I'm talking about in the previous post.
Just look at the wedding gown photo to see the sleeves.
Oh, and a million thanks again to Shell May for my beautiful
pincushion/scissors keep and rabbit scissors. I love them both!)

I then proceeded to hand stitch the overlays onto the sleeve.
You can't do this with a sewing machine without removing
beads that might get in the way, and then sewing the beads back on.
Either way there's going to be hand stitching, so I prefer this way.

After I sewed the rest of the coat, I attached the finished sleeves.
I even put sweet pleats on the top of the sleeves for extra room.

I pleated the front and back of the coat to match the gown.
I tea-dyed the buttons that will go on the back of the gown
and on the front of the coat. My satin buttons are white-white,
but I need them to be champagne-colored,
so into my cuppa tea they went!
This is what they look like "before" and "after" the process.
They're sitting on a piece of the fabric they need to match.
I did this when I made the wedding gown, too!
I'll be hemming sleeves and hemlines while the buttons dry.
Today, I'll be making the monogrammed slip which
little Liam will be wearing under the ensemble.
I've chosen a soft, breathable, Egyptian cotton for the slip.
Baby needs to be comfortable when he's all dressed up!

Finally, thank you so much for your kind comments.
I really appreciate reading what you think!

Don't forget to click on the images if you want to see them better!