Alligators, Elephants and Taxes -- Oh, my!

Pardon my temporary disappearance!  I was buried under the avalanche of paper, receipts and forms that seem inevitable at this time of year.

I did manage to eek out some time to go on a safari,  returning with some mighty cute alligators and elephants!

Wanting to try a fairly new pattern, Willilam and Winnie by Children's Corner, I first selected a LakeHouse Dry Goods fabric, Elephant Toss.  There are tiny little elephants scattered all over!

A coordinating dot provided the perfect lining.  I also used the same fabric to applique a larger elephant on the lower skirt, as well as make covered buttons for the shoulder straps.

William is a romper for boys.  Mango Stripe Seersucker was used for the romper, while Kiwi Gingham was used for piping and alligator applique. 

For this version of Winnie, I decided to add a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt. 

If you wish to add a ruffle like I did, you will need to use a different method of construction than provided in the pattern.  Children's Corner has produced a series of videos with clear step-by-step instructions.  You may view the technique I used by clicking here.

 

And what girl alligator doesn't love a big bow and long eyelashes?  Some quick hand embroidery added a few fun details!  The bow was made using cast on stitches, while the eyelashes are back stitches.

Alligator applique may be found at Embroidery Boutique.

Elephant applique may be found at Applique Cafe.

This entry is linked to Sew and Tell Friday.

Please visit Amy's blog to see more sewing fun!

Blessings

Nine requisites for contented living:

Health enough to make work a pleasure.

Wealth enough to support your needs.

Stength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them.

Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.

Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.

Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.

Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.

Faith enough to make real the things of God.

Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

                                                                 ~Goethe~

A Life Told in Stitches

Jean Baggott tells her life story through stitches on a tapestry.  Amazing.

I like to think that each thing we stitch tells a little about our lives, too.

Groovy Bird Embroidery!

Originally posted by Helmouse

Isn't this a wonderful use of embroidery, fabric and colors?

I love it!

You may view more inspiration at Ellie's blog, too!

Update on my jury duty:

I was released earlier today, but will be part of a chosen group returning early tomorrow morning for the begining of a trial.  The attorneys have requested a larger than normal jury pool.  So, I am assuming this may be a difficult jury to seat.  The wheels of justice continue to turn, and I am along for the ride a little longer!

 

Duty Calls!

This arrived in the mail.

I may be spending time in one of these seats.

Please pardon my  absence for a few days.

I will leave you with a little snippet of the beauty I recently enjoyed at Dallas Blooms!

Be back soon -- I hope -- to share more!

Easter Sunday Blessings

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o'er his foes.

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And he lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose!  He arose!

Hallelujah!  Christ Arose!

Blessings on this Easter Day!

Much Loved Sugar Eggs

There are some treats in our Easter baskets that are gobbled upon sight.

There are those treats that are wrapped securely and tucked away safely, until next year.

Each year I hold my breath as I open the box in which delicate sugar eggs nestle.  Each year, as I close the box, I hope that they will safely endure another year of storage.

Sugar eggs, with their little peepholes and miniature scenes inside, were very popular during Victorian times.  The outer shell is made of sugar and egg whites, completely edible, but not very tasteful!

Inside is a miniature magical world!

Some of the figures are tiny plastic toys.  Others have been formed with the same icing that decorates the outer shell of the eggs.

My mother not only created Easter magic with needlepoint bunnies, she also created charming little scenes inside flower festooned eggs.

You can see, in the photograph above, this particular egg was made in 1986.  It is still with us today, as these photographs were just snapped earlier this week.

She would make eggs for all the grandchildren, decorating them with names and dates.

Through the years, the colors have faded a little.  A few leaves and petals are not as pointed or perfect as they once were.  There are even a few bare spots here and there.  In my eye, that just means they have been really loved.

I am just thankful they are still here in any condition, and will continue to treasure them until they are simply piles of crumbled sugar.

*You may click on the photographs to view in slightly larger detail.*