Groundhog Day is Feb 2

In Ontario on February 2 we 'celebrate' Groundhog Day with a character by the name of Wiarton Willie. Here is a photo of a statue of the fellow. Tradition has it that if 'Willie' comes out of his home and sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter! So of course what better reason to have a party? or a full week long festival with a wonderful pancake breakfast on the morning of Feb. 2?  Whichever way he goes he makes someone happy. There are other famous groundhogs in Canada and the U.S. You can read about them and the history of Groundhog day in an article, "What Wiarton Willie sees".  Great fun!! We will all be listening to hear what is in store.

One of my students brought in her latest bishops for me to see. They were wonderful and Lynn has experimented with colour and created some very interesting effects. The first dress is smocked in grey greens that work really well on the pale mint green of the dress. I would never have chosen these colours but was so impressed, with Lynn's permission, I just had to share. The unifying factor here is that all the greens have a blue value to them. Had the floss been to the yellow direction on the colour wheel it would not have worked at all.

 

The second dress I am posting today was smocked with overdyed floss. Lynn decided to let the colours fall where they may rather than try to line everything up. Another perfect job is stitching and interst is created by the changing of the pastel colours. Unfortuanately my photo skills have not done justice to either of these dresses (Both dresses are from "The Baby Bishop Dress" pattern.) Both these dresses would look like tinted whipped cream puffs on a wee child.

 

It is so rewarding to hear back from people who have taken a class and actually finished their projects! Joan sent me photos of her "Saddle Sleeve Shirt"from the class I taught last fall in Norfolk, VA. She's done a terrific job of finishing her shirt and photographing it.

And here is a photo of the cuff detail. Thank you so much, Joan, for sending this on. It really means a lot.

So this is going to be another busy week ahead. I managed to clear the top of my desk, ironing board, cutting table (sort of) and sewing machine table. But now there are piles of things in front of the closet that need sorting and putting away. My big problem is that if things all get put away out of sight I forget about them in the rush to move to something new. But this pile will have to be attacked and I will make a stab at it this week. One more thing on the list of things to do so a new sewing year can begin. And here it is already one month into that new year! Where does the time go? 

Hope you have a great week and that Groundhog Day predicts the right amount of winter to suit your liking!! 

So till next time.....