embroidery dreaming

This is the last of the smocks made for an Edith & Edna order. I think it's my favorite, even though Calvin told me it doesn't look like a teacup. Harumph.

The embroidery was inspired by the arrival of this Japanese embroidery book (ISBN 8347-2421-2) from SuperBuzzy (mail from SuperBuzzy is good mail, indeed). A few more book scans:

 

We're getting snow today - six inches of it. I have nothing nice to say about that. Steve says it's what I get for swapping out the winter gear for the beach toys and sandals. And spring skirts. And again, I say, Harumph.

So this morning, I'm headed back to my coffee to dive into this book for as long as I can, daydreaming about visits to the beach with summer linen smocks with little red riding hood embroidered on them. My vision involves lots of sand, baby toes, and ice cream. Ooh...and maybe some embroidered picnic napkins! Yes.

Comments

[sarah]

ah, such sweet embroidery! and wonderful strategy for handling spring snow - can't wait for the picnic!

[alicia]

You are on my daily read list, and I finaly had to let you know -You are so precious and cutie, and a ture inspiration.

[Sarah]

Snow here, too. Our poor, confused garden! *sigh* I'll try to follow your lead and daydream...

[danielleroothooft]

this is incredibly cute, congratulations!!!

[annette]

I'm not too thrilled with the snow either! I love it, but now we are ready for spring... I wish my little ones would let me relax with coffee and some crafting during the day!

[Melissa]

I love the smock, my daughter would love the little red riding hood design as it's her favorite story of all time!

I agree with you on the snow part, it did a little yesterday, no big deal it didn't stay on the ground BUT this morning I woke up to white everywhere! YUCK!!!!

[Helena]

Leave it to a guy for that response. Coffee!!!More coffee. I also enjoy the Japanese aesthetic in crafts. The embrodiery is pretty on the linen. Coffee, gulp! Pretty smock. It is a humid 80 degrees here. Snow sounds good to me. It is usually May for this. We need to trade a while.

[viv]

Oh, the snow! Doesn't it stink? On the bright side, I guess we can all hang indoors and embroider, sew or knit. I've been eyeing that book at Superbuzzy for some time - cute!

[lera]

so very darling. i love the red riding hood and hansel and gretl.

sorry about the snow. the good thing about spring snows is that it usually melts quickly.

[heather]

harumph!!! take that spring snow! but ooh, what very cute embroidery...

[Lisa L.]

Love that online store - very cool materials! We are due for snow over the next few days too. Rotten!

[brandie]

totally loving the smock! you are wicked smart :)
and snow?? what snow?? i don't see any snow...

[Mama Urchin]

It's still Spring on the inside, right?

[Courtney]

I'd say it looks more like a cafe au lait mug, and that's nothing to complain about!

[Melissa!]

While I was dreaming of embroidering yesterday, you WERE embroidering! I got to put my dreams into action!
Have you seen this book?http://blissfultreats.blogspot.com/2007/04/getting-excited-about-being-creative.html

[susaninfrance]

can you comment on what type of linen you are using and where you are getting it--is it handkerchief or medium wt--online, thrifted or store, etc. thanks!

[nuttnbunny]

Wonderful! And an inspiration to get busy finishing the smocket I'm working on. Today!!!

[molly]

and i was complaining about temperatures in the 40s this morning...think I'll keep my mouth shut after hearing about your snow!
anything linen and embroidery is perfect in my book! i love the teacup...and red riding hood would be fabulous,too!!

[Beth TigerMoon]

The smock is adorable.

And here? The wind chill is 10F, with snow flurries.

[Tiffany]

I was just drooling over that book the other day! :) Snow in April sucks!

[Amber A.]

I don't know what I would think about snow right now! We're still getting rain out here---couple more months of that. The snow could make hiding Easter Eggs interesting, tho!

I REALLY want to receive some mail from Superbuzzy but I'm restraining myself...

[kelly]

so glad you like your new book - it's a great one, no? I know you've had your share of snow this winter, but by golly, I would sure love to have some sort of weather for once... maybe I should start spending winters in Maine!

[Mariko]

You are inspiring me! I have had that book for a while, but of course I have done nothing except drool on it a little bit. I would like to wear some spring skirts, too, but alas, I am still with my winter wardrobe of polarfleece head to toe. It's not pretty.

[lisa]

snow?? oh, girl. hey, that book is awesome!! so is the smock.

[Lori]

What a cute smock Amanda. :o)

I am sorry boutt he snow. We were scheduled to fly out your direction but to NY State to visit family today but all of us got awfully sick and had to postpone.
My dad mentioned that it was probably for the best as this next week the upper northeast is going to be cold and snowy.
I hope at least you have a beautiful Easter Weekend so your little miss lady A doesnt freeze in her cute little dresses.

I would do like you and snuggle in with a hot cup and book. :o)

[Melissa]

Thanks for the link... I am now $47.85 lighter after having taken a trip over there ;o)

[Qalballah]

Ah! Picnic napkins!! STOP IT - this is like a never ending list of things I now want to do along with that beach blanket!! Will it never end??! lol I'm making role playing things right now insha'allah and then the beach blanket *narrows eyes* is mine....

Cover me. I'm going in.....

[tamara]

love your smock and tell your son embroidery is in the eye of the beholder :)
I feel for you about the snow thing. I'm in the Canadian prairies and we have been very cold for the past two days. Harumph!

[Barbara]

We have snow here too! Most frustrating, as I should be starting my job as a gardener this week. Ah well, I now have more time for crafty stuff before work takes all of my time.

I love the embroidery book. Puts me in mind to pick it up again, as it was nearly the first craft I learned as a little girl.

[katie]

I think the teacup is adorable! Too bad about the snow :(

[Selah]

We're getting the same storm in Boston, though not as bad. I too put away all the winter clothes. I get mocked for it every year. We're just hopeful people! Think spring.

[Lisa]

WILL the nice weather!! Even though I live in San Diego (our motto is "sunny and 74) the ONLY time I wear sun glasses is when it rains (basically ALL of Feb. and March)! Make more skirts (if you talk your little one into helping you you could justify it because it was a LEARNING PROJECT!!)
ME, I keep a pair of flannel lined jeans in my closet just in case I have an occasion to wera them - you never know!

[Grace]

I love snow, too, but at some point, enough is enough.

That looks like the exact smock that I've been making (as seen in The Children's Year & the little brother in Ollie's Ski Trip) for quite a while now. Is that where you got the idea?

Love the embroidery inspiration.

[Heather Smith]

I second that harumph - the snow is busy dusting the tops of my tulips here in Michigan. The smock is lovely.

[Lisa]

I feel your pain re: the snow. I live in LA and planned a trip to visit my family in Connecticut for April b/c I figured it would be thawed by then (silly me) and I bought a lightweight cute pink trenchcoat to wear. Unfortunately, I'm not even bringing it on the trip since there's supposed to be a high of like 45 while I'm there and it's supposed to be snowing when I touch down tomorrow AM! But then, I'm only visiting, so I really can't complain!

[jessica]

sweet embroidery.
winter will be gone soon.
dream of the wonderful sun and sand coming.

[SOULEMAMA]

Grace - the crossover smock is a traditional shape/pattern and it's been interpreted lots of different ways over the years.

[SOULEMAMA]

susaninfrance - the linen for these smocks is from www.fabric.com. It's their medium weight, italian linen. But I do vary with where I get my linen from - some thrifted, some vintage (the best), and some from my local fabric shop. 100% linen is always the best. Hope that helps!

catherine - good question. I wonder if others will have a better answer for you. I actually do wear old-school slips with many of my skirts. Is it the silk/polyester that bothers you? I really, really dig the super old-school (ha!) vintage all cotton slips - lightweight, almost gauze-like. I have one that I found at an estate sale and adjusted to my size a bit. It makes a great lining.

[Dacia]

oh the cuteness! i can hardly stand it. i think snow right about now would make me want to hurl myself against a closed patio door screaming, "I Want Out!" (can you tell I'm the dramatic type?) I'm such a summer girl!

[gertie]

And here I was taking total responsibility for the East Coast Easter snow because I had put every single piece of winter clothing my children and husband own in the attic after 2 weeks of 80 degree weather. I'm glad to know it was a group effort. We only got 2 inches down here, but it promises not to break 50 degrees for a few more days.