Babies in Bloom

About a month ago, one of my nieces approached me about creating centerpieces for her sister-in-law's baby shower.  She is having twins!
Since I created the centerpieces for my daughter's wedding, this was something I enjoy doing, and could definitely have fun with. I have also been creating centerpieces for my high school's "Senior Breakfast" every year for the past 20 years.  It's alway a challenge coming up with new theme ideas each year with the freshman class student council who hosts the event.

I got busy sketching on my tablet computer and came up with some fun ideas for the baby shower centerpieces, which I then sent to my niece for approval.  Although she liked all the ideas, she especially liked the one I did using a topiary form.  I filed away the other sketches because my daughter's friends, after a year or two of marriage are starting families one by one, so I'm sure I may again be called upon to create a few, if not for her friends, then one day for my future grandchild's shower!
I had to make eight centerpieces and after many hours of making each flower with tiny pearl bead centers and gluing them to the topiary ball, wrapping ribbons around the dowel, painting the pots and adding Spanish moss, I was finally finished.

It was time consuming, but fun, and the resulting centerpieces, I must admit, came out very well.

Embroidery Hoop-la!

I haven't written about my Sewing Club in awhile.  The fall is usually bustling with club activity, however,the winter months tend to become very slow as special activities and winter sports begin. Then comes spring and all the wonderful things that come with it, more sports, the spring play and the temptation of sitting at the picnic tables outside having a snack and just spending time with friends after school.   This seems to happen every year. Once students become involved in a sport or activity that keeps them from coming for a few months, they get out of the routine of attending meetings on a regular basis and seldom return .  But I do have between 7-12 students who come faithfully out of the 25 I began the school year with.   That's not necessarily a bad thing.  I am free to work with the students on the sewing machines more and do more intricate projects.  With fewer girls, I can help everyone and there isn't a line for the sewing machines.

 I found this idea that was quick and easy, something that the girls could complete in 1 or 2 meetings.  I tried it myself and was very pleased with the results. I like to give the students a few options, since some projects require several meetings to complete and they may get tired of working so long on the same project.

My club is making this "Embroidery Hoop Wall Pocket".  A few girls are done or have cut out their circles to date.  Other girls are finishing up past projects.  I am glad they are sewing and happy with what they are doing, which is the main purpose of the club, well that, and learning a little bit about sewing along the way.

I have moved the embroidery hoop idea into my own work as well.  When I was young, I was constantly engaged in some art or craft activity.  I painted, drew, sewed, knitted, crocheted and crafted.  I loved embroidery and  used a hoop when I embroidered. The embroidery hoop is making a comeback in the crafting world in a more decorative capacity, as a frame for letters, or as a showcase for pretty fabric. 

I decided one winter Friday afternoon, that as long as I was going to be indoors the following day due to one of the rare impending winter snow storms, I would get a 12 inch hoop and see what I could create.  I decided to paint on muslin.  I painted this cute little owl perched on a button adorned tree limb with flags hanging overhead ready to be personalized, a letter in each flag. 

It's funny how one thing leads to another, one inspiration leads to another just like a wonderfully creative chain reaction!  I also love how my inspirations at school lead into my inspirations in my own work.  I am seldom at a loss for ideas wherever I am!