Sunday, May 1, 2011

Time flies.....

Not to sure where time flies to, but I've been busy and realize it has been quite a while since I've posted here.

Chef Bent hard at work with his sous chef
We spent Easter in Ottawa with family and when we arrived found Robyn coping with emergency pumps and hoses draining a basement flooded with 2 feet of water. Bent was out tracking down a new sump pump! Needless to say it was not a great start to the weekend and we didn't have time to work on wedding plans. But our celebration dinner was magnificent thanks to Bent's creativity and his mother taught us their German tradition with coloured hard boiled eggs Sunday morning.

Did you watch the Royal Wedding? I was up at 4:20 a.m. (a bit later than planned as coverage on one of our stations began at 3 a.m.! I'm not that crazy, though.) 
The bride, The Duchess of Cambridge's gown was so beautiful and classic. When they showed a picture of Princess Grace's gown you could see the influence. Since Alexander McQueen was one of my favourite English designers, I was thrilled that his 'house' had been responsible. (I was in his shop, and Vivian Westwood's as well, last time I was in London. They were just amazing!) I was just a bit disappointed with her veil as it seemed a bit limp but Kathe explains why.

My friend, Kathe, sent these details from her post in England:
The Royal School created Carrickmacross, an Irish lace, appliques of English roses, Scottish thistles, Irish shamrocks and Welsh daffodils which were applied to French Chantilly lace for the bodice. The lace at the hem was Cluny  and the veil was silk tulle which is very soft. Like you I loved her dress....she sure promotes British fashion as did the guests. 
 
We were both glued to our sets soaking up all the details. The couple is like a breath of fresh air to the Royal family. The wedding party and parents looked perfect and all those hats! I was taking note of many of the details with our daughter's wedding approaching this July. Can't wait till they visit Canada later this year.

We've got a new member of the family it seems. This is the first time we've had a bunny come to visit regularly! Just after Easter this little fellow appeared in the back of our yard and as he grew more sure of himself, he worked his way down to the bird feeder. He spent most of the evening 'grazing' along with the mourning doves and other birds. He was back again yesterday afternoon in broad daylight sunning himself until Bob went out to cut the grass. 
I just hope he doesn't decide to set up shop and devour our asparagus when it begins to sprout!
  
  
 I received photos from The Northwest Smocking Arts Guild in Everett, WA this week. These wonderful ladies had permission from Carla at A Needle Pulling Thread to use the article from the Spring 2007 issue. I designed these Easter Eggs specifically for the magazine. Fourteen members participated and they created Easter eggs. 
So here are their photos. Do enjoy!
 
The ladies and their finished eggs!





Here are some of the garments from their library display. Love the mannequins.
Hard at work.
More garments displayed.
A finished Easter Basket


Since I heard from Joy at the Washington Guild I've had another lady from Huntsville, ON enquire about doing the Easter Eggs as a class project. It is always so rewarding to hear that all the work that goes into a magazine article like this creates interest and provides success to others where ever you live. 
 
Thank you, Joy, for sharing your wonderful photos. 

So until next time. keep stitching!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Judith; I met one of your students last week; Sr. Sarah Jean who now lives in Victoria, BC. I went to visit her for 3 days and she taught me 2 smocking stitches and refreshed my mind on the way to smock by using dots and gathering stitches by hand. She mentioned your lovely website and how she learned smocking from you. She is an excellent teacher. I just wanted to let you know. I'm now intrigued with smocking for dolls.

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