Instead of spending all of my time in the studio this weekend, I spent half of my time in the garden...and on the deck.  This is where I like to sit and dream up new projects.  I also made an ipad cover and a skirt.  But, I spent most of my time here "fluffling" the deck. 

I made a chandelier for my deck as well.  Here it is all lit up at night.  It is made of candle holders and Christmas lights.

Maura's dress for Ella Grace is ready!  Here's the listing in my ETSY shop! 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101622273/custom-order-hand-smocked-reversible

I made a lot of progress on a custom dress for Baby Ella today.  It is hanging now as I always let a dress hang overnight before hemming and topstitching.  This is the front.  I had to cut the bodice apart and insert a smocked American flag panel that I made

Here is the smocked panel prior to cutting the bodice apart and inserting the panel.

Almost finished.  This dress is reversible.  The reverse side is an adorable red seersucker micro polka dot.

A closeup of my smocked flags.

I made the pattern this morning.

Here is my weekend project.  I can't wait to get started on a patriotic criss cross dress for a sweet baby girl.  Her mom contacted me on ETSY and has been enjoying designing the dress with me.  It will have a smocked panel with American flags on one side.  The best part...ruffled bloomers!  I think those are so adorable.  I'll post pictures as I go.

A finished Christening gown for Baby Crimson.

The angel sleeves and hem are edged with Ayershire lace and a lovely hand-tatted variegated pink lace.

The Peter Pan collar edged with hand-tatted lace

Blocking the tatting.

White on white embroidery on the smocked area

Two Christening Gowns in Progress

 Yesterday I made two smocked Bishop-style batiste Christening gowns (I embroidering them today). One is an order from a colleague for her newborn great-granddaughter. It will be white embroidery on white fabric. On that one I used some lovely double-edged Ayershire lace that was given to me. I cut the lace lengthwise and used it to fashion angel sleeves. I'll also be doing some French insertion along the lower skirt with the Ayershire and trimming the Peter Pan collar and the hem with hand-tatted variegated pink lace (made by my friend, Margaret). Since I had enough fabric for a second dress, I went ahead and made one for my ETSY shop. I made hand-made lilac gingham bias to trim the angel sleeves. I may do a simple lilac embroidery on that one. I think I have enough fabric for matching bonnets for both. If so, that will be the next project.

This is a close-up of one of the pillow tops.  Stitch and Slash Technique (from a Craftsy tutorial).

Both pillow tops.  The fabrics are identical. but, I varied the layering and the design.  They look very different, but, fit together beautifully.

Another close-up.

So, the studio clean-up didn't take very long yesterday.  I just needed to re-organize and clear out a few things.  I always have a surge of creativity when the studio is tidy (just can't resist messing it all up again!).  Here are some pillow tops I started for my best friend's new studio.  She is moving into a new home and finally has room for her own creative space.  I am so happy for her, and I'll be going to Nashville soon to help her set it up and decorate it!  YAY!  The next step in the process on the pillow tops above will be couching on cording and other flat trims over all of the stitching lines.  Then, I am very tempted to bead the butterflies as they are screaming out to me to be embellished!  Last weekend I had a sciatica flare up and I was flat on my back on the couch.  I used the down time to take online classes at Craftsy.com.  I learned so many things (even about general sewing, which I have done for over 30 years now).  I'll post pictures of the finished pillows when they are complete.  Today's project:  a smocked christening gown for a colleagues great-granddaughter...I'll post as I go!