Sweet Smocked Flowers and Something from my Son…

I am still working on this smocked dress and seemingly getting no where with it. When I left you last it was smocked but there were no flowers on it, so it was sort of plain looking. Today I began the “embellishment” part of the smocking and enjoy doing it…but my day was busy again…

I started to do 3 big roses across the front, but decided they were TOO big and took 2 of them out and just left the center one….

[If you click on any picture it will enlarge.]

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Then I stitched a stem across the bodice and began making smaller french knots along it. It isn’t finished yet, but this is what I’ve gotten done so far…

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I think it will be much better smaller in size than the bigger roses would have been…

Linda, one of my subscribers, said she understood the pleating part, since I showed how that was done (HERE) but she didn’t understand how the designs got added… well, it’s all by hand, and it does take time.

I have a book that I think is excellent explaining how smocking is done. I thought I’d show you the steps from the book the design I decided to smock my dress in. It’s called a Trellis stitch…

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Here’s another stitch you can use… called the Wave stitch…

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It’s just a series of stitches going from left to right worked in the pleats… You just pick up a top portion of the pleat enough to snug it up and then take the next stitch. It goes fairly fast, but you have to be VERY precise…if you get off by one pleat, the next row won’t work… (Ask me how I know that….) :o(

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Now on a completely different note, I wanted to share something my son showed me tonight. He came over and picked up a new set of colored pencils he had delivered to our house. He had a little “portfolio” of some of the things he had drawn… I was amazed and asked him if I could take pictures of them and show them on my blog. He was very flattered and I’m very proud!!!

They are just sort of random things he said he just thought up to draw…

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Now this next one, you have to squint your eyes and look at it… Do you see what’s inside all the lines? I will tell you at the bottom of the post…

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This one was actually 2 hearts… he said they had been broken hearts that were mended and then sewn together. The hearts were at the end of their ropes, until they were joined together…

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This is just a War horse… (I think that’s what he said…)

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I just love these “Eagle Eyes” and it’s one of my favorites…

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This is an angel…

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This next one was my favorite… I don’t know why… I just loved it…

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…and one more pretty face…

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So there’s the debut of Kristoffer’s drawing skills… I didn’t even know he could draw like this until he gave his dad the picture he had drawn of Scruffy…

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P.S. The drawing with the lines all in it is a picture of a man’s body…you can see his muscular arm on the left side and his six-pack abs in there too…

One more note: This morning my hubby is having another Cystoscopy, to check and make sure his Bladder Cancer is staying away… I would appreciate any prayers for a good report. We try not to think about it, but it’s still an anxious morning for us…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

30 thoughts on “Sweet Smocked Flowers and Something from my Son…”

  1. First off, Jeanne, I love the way the smocking is turning out! It looks like a pretty trellis with roses draped on it—just lovely! Is that your inspiration?

    Thank you so much for showing a few pages with how-to’s on smocking! Wow, you must have perfect eyesight to do that for any length of time! And I see that you work from left to right? Is that for right handed people, because I am left handed and that’s the way I would go!

    Kristoffer is VERY talented! Did he major in art in college, and if no, why not? He should have his own studio if you ask me! He seems to put a lot of thought and emotion in the drawings, which is what art is all about!

    Prayers for George coming your way!

    1. Hi Linda,
      Yes…I love roses on lattice work so the trellis stitch is a favorite. I’m glad the book helped you visualize how the smocking is done.
      There was a section in the nook for lefties…I’ll have to read it…
      Kristoffer was always a doodler but I think just recently he’s started drawing… I think he shows real talent!!!
      Thanks so much Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Your family just ‘ooozzes’ with talent! 🙂 We’ll think positive for your test results this morning… stay confident – no matter what…. your choice of roses is just perfect for the smocking. but – I wouldn’t have expected anything less. 🙂

    1. Thank you Mary.
      It is nice to have children who can use their talents and enjoy them… I am very blessed to belong to the family I have. We have a great time when we all get together.
      Thank you for your sweet comments on the smocking…
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Hi Christine, yes he is!!! I am looking forward to putting in my order for something from him…this is a newly discovered talent so I think he’s having fun…
      Thank you,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Prayers…what a wonderful gift your son has in his drawing skills…and what a wonderful smocked bodice you are creating. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

    Take care.

    1. Thank you Becky,
      It’s fun to see Kristoffer coming into this new talent so late… I can’t wait to see what he does with his new colored pencils…
      I’m glad you enjoy the posts even when they aren’t about sewing… but my life…
      Thanks for your prayers… we just got back home and the doctor gave us a good report. Thank the Lord for His mercy on us…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Lots of talent in your neck of the woods. Love seeing your smocking progression. Really helps to see the stages. I always wondered how to do the ribbon part. Lovely work Jeanne.
    Kristo’s work is really great. Love how things can be interpreted differently. I saw a primal scream, barbed wire, and fighter jet planes in the muscle drawing. Think he should enter his work in a competition.

    1. HI Joy,
      I just wish I could make some headway on this dress… it seems like I’ve been working on it forever. I’m glad you don’t mind seeing it in stages…
      Kristoffer is coming over tonight to make us dinner…I’ll have to show him your comments about what you saw in his muscle man picture. He’ll get a kick out of it!
      Thanks so much for your kind words, Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Thank you Jevne,
      I’m glad you like seeing the smocking in stages…it seems like this dress might be my most featured dress until I get it finished… who knows when that will be. I have a Married Couples party that I’ve got to get the finishing touches on by Saturday… Yikes!

      Thanks Jevne,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Lian’s dress will be gorgeous. What beautiful work.
    Kristoffer’s art work is wonderful. What a talented family.
    Thinking of you and George in prayer. I sure know the fear of tests.

    1. Thank you Paula,
      I’m afraid Lian is going to have to wear this one too… I was just using her as a model because she had short hair, but it looks like her colors… so….
      Kristoffer is coming over tonight…so I’ll have to show him all the comments from everyone. He’ll be pleased… I’m sure!
      We just got home and the doctor gave us a good report and we are just rejoicing…It’s one of those things that weighs on you because you know in a heartbeat things could change! But the Lord had mercy on us and showed us His love very much again… We are so happy!
      Thanks for your prayers, Paula,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Thanks for sharing your son’s artwork–it’s really good! The smocking is going to be beautiful on the pink dress. I’m always a fan of silk ribbon embroidery. I already said a prayer for your husband and will continue thinking of you both through the day.

    1. Thank you Carolyn,
      …especially for your prayers… we got a good report and the doctor found no evidence of any cancer in his bladder. We were elated and had a little hallelujah meeting on the way home in the car.
      I love silk ribbon embroidery too and think this will turn out pretty once it all gets put together…
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Beautiful embroidery on the dress. Your son is so talented, his artwork is amazing! Sending up prayers for your husband. Hoping for great report!

    1. HI Regina,
      Thanks for your compliments on my dress and the ones directed to my sons work. We both are smiling because you liked them…
      We DID get a great report from the doctor and are smiling over that too!
      Thank you so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Your smocking makes me want to see my roses again! They look so springy. Good grief…your family is amazing! Kristoffer’s drawings are amazing…and he just started drawing? I can see a second income source budding there.
    Hopefully the test will be good…there is always that nagging worry in our thoughts.
    Prayers going his way

    1. Thank you Kathie,
      We got an unexpected few inches of snow today so it’s making me want to see some roses too! It was just supposed to rain with a few flurries, but I guess we’ve gotten maybe 2-3 inches. I think the weatherman missed this one by a mile!
      I’m going to put in my order for a floral picture from Kristoffer for Mother’s Day!
      The test WAS good, Kathie. We got a great report and no signs of any cancer… we are very happy and thankful.
      Blessings to you this cold snowy day,
      ~ Jeanne

  9. The test was good. It’s so nice to exchange views on smocking and fabric patterns and not notes on chemo. This is excellent. I’m so pleased for you both. Continue with the good work and great reports.

    I looked up your smocking book — there are several interesting volumes in that series — whitework, for example. I predict money being spent in the near future.

    In revenge, I think you might enjoy The Illustrated Cottage, in which the author shows off her painted cottage — she paints walls as well as furniture and uses them to tell the story of an artist staying in France with a French family — every room is dedicated to a family member.

    1. HI Marilyn,
      Yes, good reports trump all news about smocking to me!!! We were so excited and had our own little celebration on the way home!
      I have the Bullions book in that series too…it is really good as well.
      I’ll have to check out your recommended book since you checked out mine. It sounds really fascinating. I do have quite a few Cottage books and like to look through them from time to time.
      Thanks so much Marilyn,
      Kristoffer is coming over tonight to make vegetable lasagna for us… yum!
      Blessings to you,
      Jeanne

  10. I am glad you can get test results very fast. The waiting is awful in all tests for me. Worry wants to take over. I am so glad your family will be able to rejoice together tonight. Talent often shows up in our children as a surprize. I am sure Streisand’s mother said she didn’t know her daughter could sing until she became famous. Imagine! Enjoy your special meal!

    1. Thank you Jan,
      Yes, it is nice to get the test results fast. I still remember that first day waiting for the pathology report and it was the bad report showing that he had bladder cancer. We’ve only had 2 other reports that weren’t what we were expecting, so any time we get one that says things are going well, we rejoice!
      It is kind of fun to us to realize and see this new talent of Kristoffer’s. I’m going to make a few suggestions to him for what I’d like to have! :o)
      Thanks so much Jan,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Jeanne I love the smocking and thank you for the construction photos. Your son is very talented. His artwork is incredible. I am praying all goes well with George.

    God Bless
    Marsha

    1. HI Marsha,
      All DID go well…thank you for your prayers. We are home now and we got a good report. Nothing can top that today!
      I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures of the smocking details and the ones our son drew…
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. I’m glad that I didn’t check the comments until now so I could see the good news, but there I was, concerned all day long. The best news! Love the smocking lessons. Lian’s little dress is adorable already. I really like the books you recommend. Quite the artistic family. Did Kristoffer really not know he had this great talent? Wow! Hope he will pursue it. Would he consider doing a drawing of a child from a photograph?

    1. HI Susette,
      Yes, we have been excited all day long hearing the news of a good report. There is nothing like good news, is there?
      I have been trying to get Rebecca’s necklaces listed in our Etsy shop and have done a little bit more on Lian’s dress, but not much…
      I’m glad you enjoy the books I talk about… I just got a recommendation of one from Marilyn that I’m going to have to check out… on Cottage style decorating I think…
      Kristoffer has always been a doodler but I guess he never really did much drawing… but he’s having fun with it now… My older sister, Cindy is an artist, painter and great at drawing… and my brother in law teaches painting…he’s fantastic at drawing…. my brother is good at technical drawing and illustrations… so I guess Kristoffer has been surrounded by art most of his life… but just now realized he could do it himself… it’s kind of fun for him. I’ll ask him about drawing a picture for you…
      …AND we have a little matter to settle up…. my dear… I’m sorry I didn’t get to your email last night… it was when Kristoffer was over here…
      Thanks so much Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. First off, since I’m reading this 9 months later, I hope your husband’s scan turned out okay. Secondly, I see talent runs in the family! Your son’s drawings are fabulous. I had a similar experience with my youngest dd. She drew a picture and I had NO idea she could draw like she did.

    1. Thank you C,
      It’s funny how our kids can surprise us with hidden talents, isn’t it? Always keeping us guessing!
      Thanks so much,
      blessings, Jeanne

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