Simple is...

No matter how many new things I learn to do or how many technique books I read or how many new crafting gadgets hit the market... I still just love the posies.

The simple little lazy-daisy style embroidered posie... maybe with a French knot center.

The simple elegance of smocking which is just a bunch of back stitching. Really. Simple... charming and dainty and full of movement... but nothing more than precisely placed back stitches on a bed of funny gathers.

And yarn? Give me good 'ole stockinette and a soft-crunchy yarn in a soothing color any day. Maybe with a little touch of something blue or green here and there but really its all about the yarn anyway, right?

Don't get me wrong... I'm pretty darn happy working a cable deal and a stranded this or that but this yarn... every time I walk past it I have stop and smooth it out with my hands or fold it just so and marvel at the way its bright and clean and hazy soft all at the same time.

I'm still working on organizing the shelves in my studio space and going through some of my project binders. I've got pages ripped from magazines and pencil doodles with funny messages to myself that I'll probably never decipher. But one thing I've noticed is that almost everything I've saved... all the things I'm drawn to... are super simple and basic. 

Years ago I made Tater a smocked bishop Easter dress out of a gauzy toile print layered with a white under-fabric. It had wide gauzy lace at the sleeve cuffs and bottom hem and bullion rose buds all around the collar. It was so fluffy from all the layers of tulle underneath that a good wind would have carried it away kite-style.

That dress won Best in Show in the local fair but ya know... I never even wore it on Tater. For one thing we aren't the dressy holiday sort of people and for another it just didn't look comfortable.

Since then I think the most valuable lesson I've learned about being a mom and an obsessed crafter is that with the limited time I have I need to make good decisions about what I'm making. I want to make things that can and will actually be worn and used. 

Sturdy seams on garments combined with simple colorful designs work every time. Tiny details give enough fluff without being overbearing or stuffy. Natural fabrics and fibers like cotton and wool are wearable and washable and will last for a long time.

So that's my 2 cents for today. Its probably more of a reminder to me than anything as I'm sorting and planning. Its so easy to get carried away with all the beautiful books and magazines full of fabulous fluffy stuff. For me there's got to be some functionality in there too and finding that balance between beautiful and functional is sort of my favorite challenge, so to speak.

Oh, and the little lamb... we named him Elmer. He's sort of loosely named after John Ellman, the man who is credited with developing the breed. I get a kick out of history stuff like that.

 

Comments

[Lisa]

My little boy is in his "late 4's." He is eagerly looking forward to his 5th birthday in May. I know that in a blink of the eye, he'll be 16. I hope he'll always continue to give me hugs, although I fear the kisses won't last much longer :-(

Someone said this earlier, but I love reading your blog and living your life "vicariously"...that's a great word! Here in Alaska we have Dall sheep, the only wild white sheep in the world. They live high up on the cliffs and mountains. Elmer and his cloven-hoof little friends are the sweetest things. I loved the picture of the two babies looking out the door!

Thanks for your inspirations and sharing!
Lisa

[Dani]

Elmer - what an awesome name!

[KM]

I've been working on SIMPLE for my life ever since reading a book called Margin. I need simple. My new project is going to be some simple worsted weight socks for the kids. They want them to run around the house in -slipper socks if you will. All my fancy projects sit waiting for me to CO.

[Chelsea]

I LOVE the green and blue smocked dress that's pictured on your blog. Was it in one of your posts I read that there's a way to make the gathers without a fancy machine?? Could you recommend any good books or tutorials for basic smocking skills?

Oh and your little lamb is adorable!
Thanks!
~Chelsea