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After yesterday's post, I thought you might like to see those bright blue eyes and beautiful red hair.

Her momma took this picture.

She's being a Princess, wearing the dress and white lace pinafore I sewed for her for Christmas.

She likes to twirl in it.

I remember my daughter's grandmother, sewing dresses and pinafores for her when she was this age.

When she started school, I had her wear those dresses for her annual picture.

So she would always remember them, even after she'd grown out of them.

I hope my granddaughter will remember me sewing for her, too.

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Cooler Weather Is Welcome

Fall has begun! Even though the clock hasn't "fallen back" yet, I really feel the change of the seasons.

The days are getting shorter, the darkness falls before I'm ready to go indoors.

The cooler temperatures make me want to sit out on the porch, watching the sun set over the firehouse down the street.

I've been busy lately, sewing for the grandchildren.

I've also taken my crochet hook back up.

I'm making gifts for the holiday season, so some things I can't show or I'll spoil the surprise.

But some I can, and those I will photograph and show you.

I'm trying out some ways to combine fiber and pewter charms.

And just playing with crochet thread, having fun with making lacy, delicate things out of it.

Hope all of you are enjoying cooler weather, too!

Baby Blue Birdcages

Last weekend, I sewed up this little outfit for my granddaughter.

It's a halter top and little skirt, for the warmer weather that's coming.

The fabric is a soft blue color, with silhouettes of birds and birdcages on it.

Here's a picture of the halter back. I used a purple plaid for the lining, and it has straps that go behind the neck. So the size can be adjusted as she grows.

The halter back has elastic in it, so it's stretchy and will hug her as she gets bigger. Maybe she can wear it all summer during the hot weather. Her third birthday is coming at the end of August.

The fabric for the straps, pocket and lacy frill on the bottom reminds me of the old style vintage tablecloths you used to see. I wanted just a touch of nostalgia, to go with the quaint birds and flowers in the blue fabric.

Along with the halter top, I made a little straight skirt she can wear under it. As she grows, she will need something to cover her legs while she runs at the playground.

Elastic is a wonderful thing in kid's clothes! Makes them easier to fit and sew.

Next, I want to make some summer dresses for myself.

And maybe some maternity tops for my daughter, too. 

"I Beautiful" She Says and She's So Right

When her mama asked if she wanted to try on the little shirred peasant top I made her, she nodded. When she slipped it on, the first thing she said was -- get this ---
 "I beautiful!" ...

Of course my heart popped with joy.

She wore her ruffle pants and peasant top to school today. 

I've been sewing a lot this week.

I will get back to showing jewelry and faux-tique components here on the blog.

But for today, I had to show a little beauty girl!

Red Plaid Jacks Spring

I went to the fabric store and dug around in the SALE bin, to find fabrics that were less than $2 a yard.

I didn't notice that the price of cotton fabrics had gone up so much, but I guess they did. I found some florals and plaids, and a little red gingham. And a fun little cotton that looks like the ball and jacks I used to play with when I was a little girl. I wasn't sure all the colors and designs were going to match well together, but I'm pleased with the combinations that came out of the fabrics.

I made up these pants yesterday evening. They have an elastic waist, and a double ruffle at the bottom. 

And I made the the little skirt this morning. The front of the skirt has a ruffled apron built into it, and the back is just plain with two ruffles on it.

They can be worn with the skirt over the pants, too, in case there's a slide to go down or swings to play on, keeping little legs protected. The pants are a capri length, they should be cute with sandals or tennis shoes.

Children's clothes are quick to sew. I need to make the little peasant shirt and the pinafore apron out of these fabrics also, to wear all together as an outfit. 

But right now, I need to go over to the studio and cast some pewter.

I have orders to fill.

Kitty in Redwork

Maybe you have to be a certain age to remember this.

Going to the five-and-dime store to get muslin cloth, embroidery floss, needles, a wooden hoop, and a package of iron-on transfers.

On long summer days, one way to stay occupied was to sit and embroider pillowcases and hand towels.

When the floss is all one color, like red or blue, it's called "redwork" or "bluework."

I couldn't find the iron-on transfer patterns in a cute design, I had to locate them online. There are some great designs available for free, if you search for them. And here's another location for patterns, if you're getting an itch to stitch, too.

Here is my old wooden hoop, with the transfer drawn on plain cream muslin cloth in washable blue marker stretched in it, and I've started stitching a second kitten. 

These old patterns are very quaint and child-like. I'm not sure I remembered exactly the right technique for stitching. I decided to use two colors of floss, a tomato red and a darker crimson, to give the design some depth. I think this needs to be put onto apron pockets in a child's size.

Do you remember doing these when you were a child? Maybe you never stopped.

When I finish the red kitty blocks, next I'm going to do some "Farmer Joe" blocks in bluework.

There's another grandbaby coming in July, a little boy.

Have to finish the quilt I'm making now for the granddaughter, and start one for the next little one.

It takes a while to make one, and I want it to be ready.

When he comes along!

To the Nines and Then What

I think I mentioned that I moved my sewing machine and fabric over to the house, and I've been looking through my sewing magazines. For ideas and inspiration.

I made up this nine-patch block over the weekend.

I used fabric that I've had saved for a long, long time.

Some of it was purchased to make little dresses for my daughter, when she was the age the grandbaby is now. (yes, I did keep it that long - hey, fabric is useful anytime, right?)

Now that I've made the block, I can't decide what I want to do with it.

I thought about making a pillow.

Or a tote bag.

Or I could keep making squares like this, make a set of four or six with borders around each square, and make a little quilt for the grandbaby.

I know it's silly, to start sewing something without having plans for it.

I just wanted to see if I could remember how to do the patchwork.

I was concerned I might have forgotten.

But I guess I remembered enough to get this far.

But what next???

Sewing It Up In Time

It's difficult to get a photo of her when she's not in motion.

My daughter snapped this for me.

Of my grandbaby wearing an outfit I sewed for her.

I have another one all cut out. I just need to finish sewing it.

So I set up a sewing spot in the house, with a typing table on rollers.

So it can be rolled out of the way when it's time for company.

Or when it's my weekend for a sleepover with the owner of the dress.

Like this weekend. Fun!

The strappy dress I'm working on reminds me of a gypsy dancer.

Bright colors and ruffles.

With pantaloons underneath. Better for sliding down slides.

I want to finish it, the weather is warming up quickly.

She'll be able to wear it soon.

Until she outgrows it. 

And that happens quickly, too.