Ready For Spring

I hope everyone has finished their Easter sewing and now can start doing some fun smocking for the Spring and Summer. Just look at this fun Bishop made with angel sleeves using Fabric Finders Pique #576. Alot of brite colors using Pinks and Lime green. I will be sending more photos of the new fabrics.

In Stitches,

Sue

Thursday 3-12-0

I am so sorry that I have not written on this Blog since February, but it is busy here getting Easter Orders out. I know you would rather have me sewing than writing on a blog.
Please check the web site to see that the fabric you want is still available, if you have old swatches please remove Harpeth Hall, Regatta, Hot Pink Floral #822 & #826 Blue Floral. These are all out of stock. I will have items removed from the web site when the fabric is gone. We are having some Dye Lot changes also, the new bolt of Pink Blush is different but I hope that in about 6-8 weeks Spechler Vogel will have the old color of Pink Blush back.
In Stitches,
Sue

2-20-09

Good Morning to all:
Only 5 days till Ash Wednesday and that will mean we have 40 days till Easter so I know we are all busy sewing and smocking. It will be such a pleasure to see our little ones wearing beautiful new garments made with loving hands.
I received a shipment of fabric yesterday from Spechler Vogel and I noticed that the Pink Blush Batiste was a different shade from the bolt I have on hand now, so I e-mailed Jeff at Spechler Vogel and his reply was that a different dye lot will be here in 6-8 weeks and he was sorry for the inconvenience that this color may cause us. It is only a shade more pink than what we have been receiving but I will have to keep this bolt and use it until Spechler Vogel gets a new shipment of Pink Blush Batiste in stock. Pink Blush Batiste is such a pretty soft baby pink and we use so much of this fabric and the new bolt is just a little more pink, most people will not notice the difference but if you have a garment made in Pink Blush and want to match it with another one then you will see the change.
I hope you all have a Great weekend and I look forward to hearing from each of you.
In Stitches,
Sue

Good Morning

Good Morning to all,
I was very sadden yesterday to receive a letter from Creative Needle Magazine making the announcement that the Nov/Dec 2008 was their last issue. This beautiful publication has done more for the smocking business than anyone gave it credit for. Over the past 20 years Ann Henderson has put her life into this magazine making it the very best that the needlework consumer could ever ask to read. Her hard work showed in every issue from the photos of beautiful children wearing smocked garments to the helpful articles teaching us new techniques in our handwork. I know I will miss this coming in my mailbox and the smocking world will miss this publication also. This shows us all that the challenging economic times are taken their toll on each and every one of us. My best wishes and prayers are with Ann Henderson as she goes through this change in her life.
Well we all have only about 7 weeks till Easter so we better get busy smocking. This is a talent that we have been blessed with and we all get so much pleasure and delight to see our little ones wearing their beautiful garments. So have a blessed and beautiful day in all the tasks you have to do.
In Stitches,
Sue

Hallelujah!!!!!

I am pleased to announce today that the CPSIA grants a one year stay of testing and certification requirements for childrens items, the new date is 2-10-10. This will give time for reform of the bill. Jim DeMint US Senator from South Carolina will be introducing legislation this week for much needed reform to the CPSIA. He wants to allow small manufacturers to use the testing and certification that their component suppliers have done to certify that the components we use are safe from lead. This would free small business and make the fabric companies pay for the testing. You can read more about Mr. Demints legislation on his website. This makes me want to move to South Carolina.
I have Prayed day and night over this law and now I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted and I am very thankful for this new act. So I can conduct my business for another year while checking on every item that goes into making a Ready To Smock garment making sure that it is safe for children to wear without the worry of lead. The only item that I had any concern over was the metal grippers, and I will be checking into using plastic grippers in place of the metal grippers.
So lets get ready for Easter and Springtime.
In Stitches,
Sue

National Blogging Day

Today 1-28-09 is National Bloggers Day, The Etsy forums formed this day for all to blog in and be aware of this new law. One note on a blog says it all: To The Lover Of All Things Homemade: Due to the new law you will now be given a cotton ball and instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after its passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won't be available next winter and the same goes for any garment made for your child without going through expensive testing.
To the American Economy already struggling under an economy that hasn't been this week in decades, the American economy will be hit with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
If this up-sets or alarms you, please react. Get Informed-Get Involved.
In Stitches,
Sue

Tuesday Morning

What a Beautiful morning it is in Alabama, the sun is shining and it is going up into the 60's today with a cold front coming in tomorrow, so I hope to enjoy the sun today.
I hope you all will try our Baby Burp pads that are hemstitched on the edge for Crocheting. These bibs are in a hourglass shape and are perfect baby gifts. We cut out the burp pads and hemstitched them so all you have to do is crochet a pretty little edge into the hemstitch holes. We offer these in white, pink or blue flannel and we also have some printed baby flannel. I just received yesterday white diaper cloth which is perfect for these burp cloths. I have several crochet patterns that I will be glad to share with everyone. So when you finish your smocked Daygown you can crochet a Burpcloth to accompany the garment.
Have a Great Tuesday,
In Stitches,
Sue