As the end of February draws ever closer there is a growing feeling of optimism here at Flutterby Patch.
The weather is steadily growing warmer and one by one the rhododendrons and azaleas around the garden are bursting out of their plump buds to view the world.
Within the space of 12 weeks this February view from our patio
will have become this Maytime riot of colour. I can't wait!
Meanwhile, indoor my frustration with the current disruption to my sewing room in ongoing and all my crafting goodies will remain stacked in the hallway for at least another few days. It hasn't been all bad however as it's given me the chance to sort through a lot of forgotten bits and pieces, many of which belonged to my dear mother who sadly passed away two years ago.
This battered old box brings back countless memories. For as long as I can remember it housed my Mum's selection of embroidery transfers and smocking dots.
Mum was an avid smocker of pretty dresses for her two girls and ironing the smocking dots onto the chosen fabric was always the first step in the procedure. She used yellow ones to contrast with dark fabric and blue ones for lighter; narrowly spaced dots for fine fabric and more widely spaced ones for heavier cloth.
Once the dots had been ironed onto the back of the fabric tiny running stitches were put through each dot so that it could be gathered ready for smocking.
Next came the fun bit. This familiar tin would be brought out and inside could be found .....
.... a wonderful jumbled rainbow of embroidery thread. This is how it has always looked for as long as I can remember and I'm not about to tidy it up. I loved helping Mum sort through the rainbow to find the best threads to complement the fabric. I'm sure my lifelong passion for colour must have been ignited by the contents of this tin.
Mum's smocking days drew to a close as my sister and I grew up, although I think she would have happily seen us both wearing her pretty creations well into adulthood. What joy there was when I gave birth to a baby girl; Mum couldn't wait to start smocking again.
She made this sweet little dress for her granddaughter when she was two years old.
So passionate was she for this craft that even the teddy bears had dresses smocked for them.
They were happy days and the fond memories I have of my Mum engrossed in this wonderful craft will always remain with me.
Does anyone smock by hand these days or is all done by machine?
Until next time
Eli
Dearest Eli,
Your blog is looking so very spring like! I love the new photo in your header! Oh, it is such a sweet vignette, and you know how I love pink!
Your garden is gorgeous! What a beautiful view you have. I know you can hardly wait to see it all in bloom again. The difference in color is amazing. I love spring and all the beauty it has in store for us!
What a sweet and dear mother you had! She did a beautiful job smocking and I love that she even made dresses for the teddy bears! Eli, it is so wonderful how you have these things of your mother's and cherish them so, along with the happy memories you have of her. Thank you for sharing!
Love, Paula
P.S. I love what you said about my husband! I agree, I think Jane Austen would have written him into her stories. He is a sweet man, and he loves to watch Jane Austen movies with me too!
Posted by: Paula | 21 February 2009 at 03:47 PM
What a gorgeous garden you have ~ even in February! My mountain landscape is still covered in snow with nary a green thing in sight other than cold ponderosa pines!
I smocked dresses and bonnets for my daughter and nieces. Should I get granddaughters in the future, I'm sure I will smock for them as well! Dawn at http://fourfiftythree.blogspot.com/ was smocking a little dress and bonnet for a little one in the past week!
Posted by: Lisa/IvoryBlushRoses | 22 February 2009 at 12:07 AM
Greetings Eli!
I'm having the hardest time writing this as I keep flipping back up to your new banner. What a cheery surprise to pop on here this morning and see such a sweet little face smiling back at me! The whole arrangement is lovely although I'm especially drawn to your color choices. You've inspired me to dig out the pink gingham now!
Your garden is also quite inspirational...I'd be headed out to mine this afternoon to tidy up a bit if it weren't for the fact we're due another 6-8 inches of snow today! It amazes me to see the difference 12 weeks makes in your backyard view...when I first saw February I was impressed but then to scroll down to May....absolutely stunning!
Smocking!?! I love smocking! But alas, my little smocking "doll" is now a preteen and will have nothing of the sort. It was only on the first dress I ever made for her I that used the iron on dots. I actually enjoyed the process and would have continued to use them had my parents not given me the "Amanda Jane" smocking pleater for a birthday gift. I have to say it does speed up the process quite a bit. I haven't used it in ages now but have it stashed away for those grandbaby years ahead!
All best wishes to you for a speedy return of your sewing room. I too am feeling out of sorts with my normal routine as the kids have been home on winter break. While we've had oodles of fun activities to fill our days I'm looking forward to some quiet afternoons in my sewing nook next week!
Warm Regards,
natalie jo
Posted by: natalie jo | 22 February 2009 at 02:55 PM
The teddy looks beautiful in her dress. What wonderful memories of your Mum.
I love your new banner, that little doll is so cute.
Best wishes
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | 22 February 2009 at 06:20 PM
Eli I just love the new banner! I have always wanted to learn how to smock but sadly, there is not alot teaching or passing on the craft I could find. I always bought my older girls Polly Flinders dresses as they were all smocked. I can't find those now for my younger girls. Thanks for a lovely post!
Posted by: Suzanne | 23 February 2009 at 02:12 PM
Hi Eli, great post I love the garden what a pleasure to see and not that long to wait for the real thing we have had a lovely few days here the earth is beginning to dry a little and I will soon be able to get on it without huge cloggs of earth on my wellies.
The smocking, well what a delight, it is an art in itself and to made into the pretty little heirloom dresses is wonderful. Smocking is something I have never tried but am tempted I must say, maybe for a grandchild or two if we are lucky enough in the future.
Your mother was a very talented seamstress it seems you obviouly take after her.
On a completely different subject,I am doing a stand at a home and garden fair on Wednesday if I think it is going to work I am not having a wed site tooooo much hassel by far so fingers crossed, mind this may be just as much hassel and I might decide that lazy summer days doing gardening is the way to go and give all this crafting a miss for the time being!!!
Hope you have lovely sunshine too,
Jan
Posted by: Redwood House | 23 February 2009 at 05:18 PM
P.S. just noticed your header, it is just lovely the little lady is so cute and the colours and interest in it is perfect.
Jan
Posted by: Redwood House | 23 February 2009 at 05:22 PM
Oh, how I love the new banner!!! Yay Spring!!!
I enjoyed reading all about the smocking. It is beautiful and what a special way to hold memories close. ♥
Posted by: Martha | 23 February 2009 at 07:20 PM
What a gorgous old box. Love it.
Posted by: Meeghann | 25 February 2009 at 06:27 AM