Useful Tomato Pincushion

This is a Tomato Pincushion. 

 The green threads that wrap around the pincushion make  natural dividers that can be labeled.  Mark each section with the size and type of needle that you will store there.

It is very handy to help keep your needles straight after you have taken them out of the package and used them.  You can pick up the correct size needle at a glance.

This is a beautiful Velvet Tomato Pincushion.

It's a little treasure I picked up from The Smock Shoppe when I was teaching there last weekend.

I can't believe it has already been a week since I've been there!

I'm going to use a permanent marker to label this one.

Tomato's and Apples

And Blueberry Pies

No fruit is so yummy as Chocolate

Say I!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Teaching For Saga in Anaheim.

Dress Pattern is Revised Baby Daydresses. The Embroidery design in not included in the pattern.

This is the dress featured in the latest Sew Beautiful magazine.  It is one of the most enjoyable projects I have worked on.  I love to hemstitch, I love to embroider, I love pretty lace and I love this little dress!

It is available as a KIT on my website.

But even better.  

This will be a two day class I will be teaching in California this fall for the Smocking Arts Guild of America.

                   The new Class Brochure for the National Convention is now available for viewing!!

You can visit the SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of America)website for all kinds of wonderful information as well as looking at all the teachers and classes in the Convention Brochure.

In my two day class you will get to stitch this dress with me.  We will work all the sweet techniques on this dress as I show you specific methods I use to make my little baby dress creations. 

 So you can make them just like me!

Start planning now to be there with us.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2010 Jeannie Baumeister

Stitching in My Garden - Really!!

(I am working furiously on this dress.  I love this fabric!)

It was a beautiful day.  

So I sat out on my back patio under the porch and stitched in the wonderful natural light.

In Baton Rouge, it was in the high 70's!

Perfect.

And although my garden has not come back to life yet....

My Pansy plant stayed right outside all through the winter with blooms!

The Pansies I planted last fall are quite happy!

And there was a sweet breeze swaying the wind chimes.

And my Petunia (I love that name!) bloomed.

And my brown dog was happy!

Don't you love Happy Endings?

"As I live , says the Lord,

every knee shall bow to Me,

and every tongue shall give praise to God."

Romans 14:11

Isaiah 45:23

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Smock Shoppe Mary!

Mary, the owner of The Smock Shoppe, has this portrait hanging in her office.  It was taken of her as a very little girl.  If you know her, you can see the resemblance.

 It's a beautiful picture.

And Mary has fun stuff in The Smock Shoppe! 

Mary has this wonderful antique!

It is a Crimper or Fluting Iron.

The two rods you see in front of the Crimper would be heated in the stove and inserted into the crimpers which are hollow.  They would cause the crimper to heat up and you would use it to iron cuffs and collars.  I have always admired this little gadget and have seen it on display in museums.

Information taken from an Antique Web Shop "Fluting irons are one of the most interesting types of antique pressing irons ever invented, and were designed to crimp, ruffle and press little pleats into starched fabric.  Fluters were used for collars, cuffs, etc. and these vintage tools were an invention that saw their heyday in America from the 1860's through the 1880's." 

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

The Smock Shoppe Visited!

Mary is holding an amazing Christening Gown Creation!

Mary is the proprietress of The Smock Shoppe.

1445 Westgate Parkway

Dothan Alabama

334 793-8233

This exquisite Christening Gown is made from beautiful English Netting fabric and Lace from the  1752 Lace Company.

An antique Dressing Table used for display belonged to Mary's Grandmother.

There are books of Smocking Plates  to look through.

My little OFB Bubble and Bonnet on display!

The Smock Shop has Elna Sewing Machines.

Trims, Ribbons and Buttons abound.

I love the Rocking Chair!  This is a Shoppe where you can spend the day and dream.

Lots of Pretty fabric to choose from.

Rolls of Swiss Batiste and Dotted Swiss.

A really nice feature in The Smock Shoppe is their offer of Ready To Smock bishops.  You can choose a fabric and they do all the work!!  You only need to smock it, attach the already cut out bias binding and hem to fit your child.

This is a great Heirloom Sewing Shoppe where you can count on receiving help with any project you can dream up!  I hope you are able to visit soon.

The Brick and Mortar Fine Fabric Shop is hard to find in many areas of the country.  Make it a point to visit as many as you can.  You can touch the fabric and play with the Lace!  Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Curly locks, Curly locks,

Wilt thou be mine?

Thou shalt not wash the dishes

Nor yet feed the swine

But sit on a cushion

And sew a fine seam

And feed upon Strawberries, 

Sugar and Cream

James Whitcomb Riley

(sounds good to me!!)

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Teaching for The Smock Shoppe

We didn't  think to do a group picture until some people  had left !

We had a fun weekend sewing together at The Smock Shoppe.

Here I am demonstrating a technique.

Everyone was  eager to learn new things.

Sewing Lace to Fabric in our Dress Class.

Pat got an A+ on time management in class.

Pat completely finished her bonnet!!

Bonnet just needs a sweet baby to wear it.

She did an excellent job!

Niki and me.

And I met some Blogging Friends!

I had a wonderful time! 

 It is such fun to meet new sewing friends.  And to see old ones again.

Watch for an upcoming post of the wonderful Shoppe!!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Pretty Vintage Bib Design

I love this Vintage "Ready To Embroider" Bib!

Gorcy must be the company that made them.

My plan is to make this into an embroidery class. 

An Intermediate or Advanced class probably.  Depends on the stitches I choose.

I love  old things!!

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Stitching by the Fire.

This morning I am going to start stitching the lace to the hem of my dress.

I love this Dimity!!

I think this dress is going to be very Sweet!

Although it is warmer in the afternoon, mornings are still chilly.  So I can enjoy my comfy fire!

Pretty flowers on my Tea China today.

And old favorite Earl Grey tea.

If you notice above, the Tea Pot is sitting on top of my China Tea Trivet.  It is a treasure I found in an antique shop.  Who even knew they made such things??

Isn't he so faithful?

What I'm reading this morning:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.

For I am the Lord your God,"

Isaiah 43:2-3

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

My Pretty Shawl

No.  I didn't knit this!

My sister made it for me.

She's the knitter.

It is the softest thing you can imagine!

Must be mohair.

And light as a feather.  But warm.

I love to wear it.

It makes me feel elegant.

Next time I will fasten it with a Cameo.

That would be pretty.

How many of you knit??

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

White Wednesday - My Bonnet Class

I am getting ready for my Bonnet class at The Smock Shop.

The classes are Feb. 18 and 19.

We'll make Silk Ribbon Rosettes and Lace Rosettes.

And learn neat and easy ways to embellish Baby Bonnets!!

I love classes that include Designing!

This is my White Wednesday for February 16!  Join me with Faded Charm.

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Stitching By The Fire.

Another wonderful  morning sitting by the fire!

I am sewing lace to the sleeve of my little Smocked Baby Layette dress.

I love off white lace with blue, don't you?

Lady Grey tea and a Breakfast muffin.  Pretty pink roses on my teapot.  There are none in my garden, thats for sure!!

And I have good company!

What I'm reading this morning:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by  name;

You are mine"

Isaiah 43:1

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister

Valentine Tea in My Sewing Room

My Tea Napkins "went together" but did not match.

Both were trimmed in a lovely blue and hand stitched.

I love a pretty scallop edge.  And look at how the scallop on the edge even has scallops!!  Amazing!

But before my friend came for tea.....

I invited a friend over for Valentine Tea yesterday.

But first I had to do something about this!!!

(I suspect that your own sewing room might look something like this too!)

So it would look like this!  And I did.  Quite a job of tidy up, too.

I always bring my goodies up to my Sewing Room on this little tray - left over from when we had Tea in my Shop on Thursday morning.  Some of you visited me for Thursday Tea and Bible Study.

I used my Johnson Brothers Red dishes in honor of Valentines Day.

We had Heart Shaped Scones (with dried cranberries and almonds). And Banana Bread.

And topped them with this wonderful Peach Jam.  Or is it Marmalade?  What is the difference between the two anyway?  I'm not sure.  Anybody know?

Well, my Niece made this Peach Jam and it really does taste just like fresh peaches. It went very well with Cranberry Almond Scones.  It is delicious!  Thank you Jen for the Peach Jam.  I love it. 

And I sent my friend away with a "To Go" box of fresh Scones.

My Valentine

I will make you brooches and toys for your delight

Of bird song at morning and starshine at night.

I will make a palace fit for you and me,

Of green days in forests

And blue days at sea.

Robert Louis Stevenson

All Designs Are Copyright Protected copyright 2011 Jeannie Baumeister