Happy Fall! For those of you who are from Nevada County or have visited here you know that fall is a most special season. While we may not boast the intense colors of the northeast we do have our brand of fall flavor. It seemed to turn just last week, that crispness in the air, the pink in the sunset....you know what I'm talking about. The trees are slowly getting ready for their splendor, which I expect is still a week or two away. Time to set up the firepit and get the s'mores supplies together! Ahh, fall, my favorite season. In the few moments I have had lately I was inspired by this fall colored fabric to put a couple of blouses together. For those of you with boys I apologize.....I have the beginnings of an explorer vest but really, the blouses are pretty quick and easy to put together so, I keep putting the vests off! It weighs on me, it does, I just can't seem to get to it~ 2013 is quickly winding down. We began it in Boise where you joined me on this Robyns Baby (https://www.etsy.com/your/listings?ref=si_your_shop) journey. How grateful we are for you and to you. Through the busy wedding season you hung in there. Several of you graciously waited months for special orders to be completed and others have mentioned things they'd like in the future. Now the holidays loom in the immediate future. So thank you for your support, thank you for your patience and thank you for your prayers. I have been "thanked" more than once by a grateful son in law, it is quite touching, let me tell you. So, though you may not see Jimmy & Robyn please know they are thankful for your support. The afternoon is still young enough that I can cut out a couple more items. Must get to it. Please check out my Etsy store for a couple of new offerings. Gratefully Yours~ Karen

Chocolate & Fabric

My good friend Laura has long accused me of being a snob. I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it comes to the important things in life like chocolate or fabric. Admit it, given the choice you'd rather eat a yummy artisan made chocolate over a standard grocery store variety....wouldn't you? Now onto the really important stuff.....fabric! I love fabric, always have, always will. When purchasing ready made clothes I am as drawn to the quality of the materials as much as to style. If I can't have both, I don't want it! So, when people offer to give me things I usually take it and then decide if it is up to my usual snobbery, er, standard. My dear friend Heidi Emmett recently told me she had a bag of fabric to donate to the cause and it was like Christmas...the anticipation I mean. When I did get the bag it held up to Heidi's usual standards, exquisite. There are several pieces I am anxious to get sewing with...thank you Heidi. About sewing.....I am sewing, at every opportunity but for now it is on 4 flower girl dresses. Once those are done I can rest easy as my main task for the May 25 wedding will be completed. I have 5 special orders on my sewing desk as well as several gifts so I am getting to them in order (Melanie, your special order is 1st). I appreciate your patience and support more than I can say~

A Very Special Project

A month ago or so I began a very special project. It's deeply personal, sometimes painful but full of the "good" that comes along with painful circumstances. Our family is walking the very sad road of infertility with one of our children. So, since fertility is an expensive medical condition I have had the privilege of opening an Etsy store dedicated helping in that process. It is called RobynsBaby and on it I have a small offering, quite literally as I can get things made, of classically constructed children's clothing. Here is a sneak peek of things that either are or have been listed in my shop. Also, please take a moment to read my bio to learn more about our family's journey~

Baby Grace

It's done, it's cute and I made adjustments with 1 more to go.

The gingham looks good, not as "mottled" as I thought it would. The adjustment made were:
cleaner finish on armholes- I just could not stand it so I covered the armholes with lace tape.

The pattern calls for the back to be closed with ribbon ties......I did a french seam and placket closure. I also finished the neck edge with a bias band rather than the folded over ruffle.

Finally, I think the armhole openings are too generous for a tiny girl so I plan to make a more snug fit with elastic. The classic smocking pattern is Baby Carriage by Mollie Jane Taylor and I used vintage buttons, a little over sized, for the carriage wheels. I think our little southwestern Grace will look sweet in it this spring and summer.

On Julie & Julia

I loved that movie, would love to read the book. On thinking of it I was reminded that not only do I have stacks of recipes to try, I also have patterns that have never seen daylight. While I doubt I will ever get through the entire stack I am inspired to at least try something new. So, while searching for something small and sweet for a newborn baby girl I came across the "Sussex Round Frock" bishop dress by Evelyn Ewing Glass circa 1982.

I used a 1/8" pink gingham pima cotton that is lovely, feels like silk and has a great drape. However, gingham does not lend itself well to machine pleating. Let's be real here......if I hand pleat she will grow out of it before the pleating is done so I'll have to use a smocking design with good coverage. I'm already seeing that I need to finish the sleeves nicer than the pattern calls for but I'll address that when I get there.

I'll keep you posted......

New and Upcoming

I just checked in, as I regularly do, to one of my favorite blogs...Parisienne Farmgirl. I have long admired not only Angela's style but her passion to pursue the kind of lifestyle that is simple and yet so full. Since my only visit to France in 2004 I have been a firm admirer of the french Joie d'vivre.....the joy of life. I am hoping Angela's new on-line magazine interprets all there is to love about the french lifestyle. Check it out-

http://www.parisiennefarmgirl.com/2012/01/parisienne-farmgirls-big-announcement.html


Au Revoir!

Karen

Thanksgiving Eve

We aren't having the traditional dinner at home this year. We are headed out to serve at our local Hospitality House. It is good, we have done this before. With just my husband and youngest son home it makes sense to share the day with others, some less fortunate than us. Still, I love to cook so I am in the kitchen prepping for the weekend. When my daughter was in high school she took a cooking class and she shared with us that your taste "evolves" about every 7 years. That explains why I grew an affinity for avocados in my early 40's! Late to the palette is pears. Yeah, I never had much use for them before 2010, then it hit...Pears!!! what had I been missing? I began the search for a pear sauce recipe and found it, made it, loved it and have since changed it. My goal today is actually to sew but the pears were calling. I thought you might enjoy trying this out on your family.

Vanilla Bean Pear Sauce
4 large pears, any variety
1/4 C water
1 vanilla bean

Peel the pears and cut into 1" or smaller pieces.
Add water to large saucepan and add pears. Cook on med-low heat until pears are soft enough to mash, approx. 10 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 mins. Transfer cooked pears to food processor fitted with blade attachment (or use a potato masher to manually process pears).

Split 1 vanilla bean down center and with the blade of a small paring knife scrape out the seeds. Transfer the seeds to the bowl with the pears and process with pears until you achieve a smooth sauce...unless you want it chunky, it's your preference. Serve warm or cool, it's yummy either way. Don't throw that vanilla bean pod away! Place it in an airtight container with 2 cups granulated sugar and seal. Do not open for 2 weeks at which time you will have a vanilla sugar to sweeten your tea or coffee or add to a recipe. It also makes a great gift packaged in a pretty jar and given along with a couple of tea bags(may I suggest Harney & Sons Vanilla Comoro).

Enjoy your pear sauce in a bowl of vanilla yogurt for a quick snack. Or top pancakes with it but don't forget it is great just by itself. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall has Arrived

Our 5 Acre Wood is littered with black oak trees. Scattered among the abundant black oaks & pines are a few live oaks. As we were doing some fall clean-up last weekend I noticed beautiful velvet capped acorns. I had to capture this one hanging from the tree in our front yard. Gorgeous! Several years ago I was inpired by this natural beauty to create an acorn and oak leaf smocking design, think I'll make a tea cozy using this pattern.

In September I had the thrill of visiting the French General store in Los Angeles. If you have not heard of Kaari Meng and her lovely projects check out her website www.frenchgeneral.com. My daughter was with me and we were able to meet Kaari, have her sign our Home Sewn books and purchase a collection of glass flower beads to create a very sweet bracelet. If you're ever in LA on a Monday (the only day the shop is open) swing in and get inspired.

Inspiration

Well, almost 6 months later again! I cannot tell you where the time has gone or what, of any significance, I have accomplished. I guess it's just life.

My husband and I were recently with family and my sister-in-law and I were talking about??? She is very perceptive and she said "you're not inspired". Those 3 words have hung heavy in my mind for the past week and she is right. Oh, I have sewn and baked but my heart is not in it. The results may be beautiful but it was pure determination to get them done.

It seems that inspiration may have arrived this morning wrapped in a precious bundle of pink. My third granddaugther took her first breath just before 7 a.m. PST and her first call was to anxious Noni waiting many miles away. I am reeling with the possiblities of wrapping her in handmade love. And so...we'll see if inspiration has truly returned. I have only about 4 weeks to accomplish something great to welcome our baby Princess, tho I'm sure just a visit from Noni & Boppa will thrill her more than anything.

In the meantime here are a couple of recent projects.

Snickerdoodles lovely blue eyes will shine even brighter in her gorgeous new winter coat. This vintage Vogue went together beautifully using Pendleton wool and black velvet I had in my "stash". The cut plastic buttons are from LaMode and were found on a sale table. I love the overall, classic feel. "Sunbonnet Jane" is an original smocking and dress pattern I have been working on. I love it, what do you think?

Happy smocking!

6 months later........

October, November, December, January, February and now, here we are at March! Nearly time to be thinking ahead to the summer months. We have a new grandbaby due in August, that's always fun. For now, tho, I will take a look back at last summer and my little ladies who love to dress up-

Happy Spring dreaming to you all-

Our Princess....Cupcake!

Cupcake turned 5! Has it really been 5 years since I looked deep into her brown eyes for the first time? Since I first held her? Hard to believe, she is such a big girl now. Big enough to have a 5 Year Old Trip with her Noni & Boppa. Where else to take a princess-in-training than to visit the REAL Princesses at Disneyland! And..what fun for Noni & Boppa to be the ones to introduce her to Disneyland. We could not have her looking like a commoner so I made her a pink princess dress.

I used Simplicity 2563 and found the scoop of the neckline too deep and wide. I was able to adjust it in the shoulders so that it was o.k. but will make better adjustments when cutting out next time. The best part was when she tried it on for the first time (along with her sparkling pink princess shoes). She twirled in front of the full length mirror in our motel room and sweetly said "I feel special".....just how we had hoped she would feel!

On the table now.....I am actually making something for Huck Finn! Should go get to it now-

French Macarons!

I am THRILLED! I can hardly believe that these little beauties came from MY kitchen! Any of my friends in my town can attest to the fact that I have been trying to re-create the macarons I first tasted in Paris in 2004. I have tried many recipes, following them to the T to have the result be a yummy but ugly cookie. Obviously I have some work to do on the fillings. My ganache is a little runny and my buttercream, while lovely, does not taste great....learn from my mistake and do not substitute salted butter for unsalted. Still, I am one happy baker.

I was able to acheive this feat through the help of a wonderful little cookbook called "I Love Macarons" by Hisako Ogita. Let me back up a bit....notice the picture from Ashland, Oregon and my recent Oregon Shakespeare Festival adventure. I take this trip every other year with my dear friend Jacque (far right). Jacque and I often try to find a unique cookbook to buy. This year my usual haunt did not turn up any great cookbook. While shopping the town we wondered into another favorite spot "Prize". This sweet little emporium is a french themed general store. I like to go slow and take in all the delights from french penny candies to lovely diamond necklaces and everything in between. Tucked just under a batch of Laduree shopping bags was this book.....I Love Macarons. How could I not pick it up? Making perfect macarons is on my list of things to master before I die. I was enthralled but what I did not know is that Jodi (2nd from the left, just left of me) already had it in hand for a late birthday gift to me. Jodi....thank you! I love it and I hope you will love it, too!

Our Cupcake is turning 5! Hard to believe that we are grandparents, let alone grandparents to a 5 year old. Many years ago a friend of mine told me about what her in-laws did for their grandchildren....a 5 year old trip. We have been looking forward to this since she was born and in late August Cupcake gets 2 days alone with her Noni & Boppa doing Disneyland. Not sure who is more excited...Cupcake or Noni & Boppa. I did get her birthday dress done and shipped but not photographed. Up next is a princess dress for her to wear to the princess breakfast....oh how we love being grandparents!

OSF Here We Come!!!!

with my daughter in law Kristine, my daughters mother in law Robyn and my daughter, Robyn

It's here, finally here and less than 1 week away. My daughter is flying home on Thursday with her mother in law and almost as soon as the sun is up we will head north on Friday morning. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has become an every other year event for myself and my dear friend Jacque. Ashland, Oregon is nestled against the Siskiyous and is enchanting in every way. The theater productions are first class events. On my first visit it rained during one of the shows. The theater is an outdoor theater and many seasoned event goers were prepared with rain ponchos. We were situated just under the eves of the roof, on the first row of the balcony and so we were protected. The stage was quite wet but the show went on and the rain was even worked into the play (she weeps.....and so do the heavens). We were hooked from that point on and the next year, when Jacque came with us, she too was hooked. If you read Shakespeare word for word you might get lost but taking it in as a whole I find it very easy to track with and so have enjoyed each and every show we have seen. Every trip has had a different vibe since we invite different guests to join us, one year with our husbands and another with the 2 of us. Mainly it is a girlfriends event and this year is a full crowd. I expect it to be just as magical as every other time and yet, unique in it's own way. Shakespeare.....I recommend it!

We eat (roadside picnic with Jacque, her daughter in law Ashley and my Robyn)

We shop ....Prize, with it's Parisienne flair is our favorite store

We take photos in Lithia Park, we peruse The Tudor Guild gift shop, we buy bread at Ashland Bakery, we eat dinner over looking Lithia Creek, we stay up late and talk.....can you see why we love it so?

A June Bride..

My how time flies. I kept thinking I would get to this...and now it has been 6 weeks since I last wrote! I went to visit Snickerdoodle and her big sister and baby brother but did not get a better picture so the trampoline shot will have to do. Besides....we have so moved on!

Here is a beauty. I have known this lovely creature all her life. She has been one of my youngest sons best friends and we have shared so many experiences. She is a hair sytlist and I like to tell people that she got her start at my house, cutting hair off  of my daughters Barbies, before turning the scissors on her own hair. She wore my smocked clothes as a little girl and I was honored when she asked me to create her veil. What fun I had trying to figure this out and when the actual sewing came along it went together like a breeze. For her veil she chose a "mantilla" style and it worked perfectly with her classic dress. Thank you Gracie, for allowing me to share in your special day...actual all of your special days. You are dear to me.

Wedding clothes are some of my favorite sewing projects. In 2009 I created a silk confection in red & white for my friends daughter to wear in her aunts wedding. We copied a dress she already had, using the wedding colors and adding some more formal details like a lovely, puffy bow and a sparkly button (not shown, dress still has pins in it at the time of the photo).

The summer prior to that I made a "little girl" dress for a 2 year old to prance down the aisle in. It was made of batiste so it quickly got that old fashioned, wrinkled look. I  made a self-fabric ruffled trim to outline the neck, armholes & hem, and attached ribbon bows under the arms.  So sweet, so pretty and so festive!

The wedding season is winding down around here, we have attended the majority of those we have been invited to this year. I always love attending weddings and seeing the personalities of the couple and families come through. Hope you enjoy a summer of celebrating!

My Favorite 3 year old

Here she is. When I asked Boppa to get a good picture of her in her dress this is the best he could do. Happily, it is charming. I will try to get something a little better for my records when I hug her in person next week.

On a more personal note, I have been slowly working my way through 2 certifications. One is the SAGA Artisan program- Smocking. After 10-15 years (I've lost count) I am getting ever closer to turning in my first submission. I decided to wait until 2011 so I could hopefully, receive recognition at the SAGA conference in Anaheim. The other is the EGA Master Craftsman program. I am happy to report I have only been working on this for about 4 years and just completed level 2- picture smocking. I found this to be a particular challenge because of the stipulations of the program. However, it is done and judged and I was thrilled with an "exhibition quality" rating. Can you tell what the design is? Both of these programs are a lot more work than they appear to be and I have great admiration for anyone who has completed all levels....as I wonder if I will ever be at the end. Of course, others may be more committed to the process than I have been!

Spring is slowly showing its face here in northern California. With a cooler than average season everything has been slower to bloom. Just last week the spanish lavender opened up and is giving us quite a show. The bees have been very active and we found ourselves mesmerized for quite some time on Saturday enjoying the show. More overcast and rain today...we'll enjoy the sunshine when we see it.

Snickerdoodle is turning 3!

One of life's great joys is being a grandmother. For me it is bittersweet since my granchildren live so far away. I am sad that I won't be able to see her twirl in her dress for the first time but with her Boppa will. He arrives late in the evening on her 3rd birthday. I will make sure the camera batteries are charged and ready so he can snap the moment for me! I mentioned this little sweetie in an earlier post. This dress completely fits her personality.

I used Summer Blooms from Australian Smocking & Embroidery issue #87 as my basis. The sleeves on the original dress did not fit my vision so I just added a puff sleeve. I also made the cuff about 1/2 the size of the original. This lovely cotton print is as light as a spring breeze. All smocking was done using DMC stranded cotton and the bullion petals on the flowers as well.

 Recently, I acquired this vintage rick rack and the color was perfect!. Happy birthday little one.....Noni loves you!

An Adoption Story

No pictures with this one, as of yet, but I wanted to share a blog with you. My dear friend Brenda is becoming a grandmother again thanks to the generosity of an Ethiopian mother. Brenda's daughter Anna, whom I have known all her life and I smocked something for her as a baby, is in Ethiopia right now meeting her new daughter. Anna & Kelly already have a charming 4 year old boy who is at home, anxiously awaiting his new baby sister. I invite you to read their sweet story and to follow as it unfolds- and, as you read, to be praying for this family. Thanks- blessings- Karen
http://larsonadoption.blogspot.com/

Finally...twins

Thought I would get to this post quicker than I have. Life was extra busy for a couple of weeks. My daughter came home and we had a wonderful couple of days just hanging out. We made cookies for the twins shower. We stripped wallpaper and painted our kitchen. We hung out with dad. It was wonderful.

For the twins I made my favorite design for 1 year olds. I love the way a diapered bottom makes a bishop dress pouf...chubby little legs extended. The girls are fraternal twins so I made each size 1 shoulder button bishop using the same smocking design but smocking one in pink and one in white. Alternately, they had white and pink flowers. The sweet and very simple smocking design was Isabella from Robin Piccone (see previous post for close up) in an older Creative Needle magazine. I have been wanting to use it and I was very pleased with the results. Looks like I needed to hit them a little better with the iron!

Up next......Snickerdoodle turns 3!  My second granddaughter is sugar and spice and everything nice with a hint of snips and snails and puppy dog tails. She loves her pretty dresses, and she loves to play and explore in them. She looks so charming riding her bike or tromping through the bushes in her smocked dresses with her wellies on. What a cutie! I am grateful thier mother allows the girls to wear their dresses from Noni for everyday play, childhood passes all too quickly and I want them to use what I make. So, smocking is done and hopefully a good deal of the construction will be completed today. My little Snickerdoodle will be visiting next week, I'll snap a photo for you!

Did I mention Twins?

I have had to rethink my idea of introducing the garments for the twin girls. The shower is weeks away and momma may look on here. I'd like for her to be surprised. Still...I wanted to give you a "sneak peak".

These twins are a complete surprise as twins do not run in the family. Momma has been my daughters friend since they were born.  She was born on my 4th anniversary and I distinctly remember holding my 2 month old girl while I talked on the phone with the new mom (soon to be grandma). Can it really be that 26 years have passed already? I'll post a photo of the completed garments after the shower.

Here is a fun project......for almost 2 years I have been priveleged to have a "Young Homemakers" sewing group with young women from my church. We meet at a wonderful home that has donated a space for us to work and store materials. Last week I was not sure how many were coming so I moved our time to my house as we were going to be focusing on a project that was mostly handwork. It is a pair of fleece fingerless gloves. Only 2 seams and you are done! My idea was that we would draw the shape onto the fleece and hand decorate them before sewing so I told the girls to leave sewing machines at home. The little gal above was a guest of one of my regulars and she had never sat at a sewing machine before. It was so fun to see her delight with her finished gloves! The rest of my girls sat around my dining room table drinking tea, talking and stitching. Much like the quilting bees of the past these girls share parenting tips, recipes and love. I know they pray for one another and share life in so many ways. I am blessed to be among them.

That's Princess #3's momma

Home deco gimp made an elegant trim

Red dingle ball trim with feather stitched rick rack on black!

And this is one of mine. I hand stitched on wool felt polka dots and then centered on top of them some vintage sequins in hot colors....from my grandmothers collection.

We meet once a month....join us!