Jacob's blessing outfit

Jacob turned one on April 8, and his family had a birthday party/blessing celebration for him.

As I have done for all the rest of my grandchildren, I made Jacob a blessing outfit.

I placed an order with Chadwick Heirlooms for some blue Imperial broadcloth, some silk satin ribbon, mother of pearl ribbon, and crocheted lace.

 The pattern is Simplicity 6221.

All sizes were included, but they were labeled newborn, small, medium and large.

There weren't any measurements included, just weight and height.

I asked my daughter to take measurements, and I decided to make the Large size.

I included a cute little label :)

I love the collar, and the pin tucks with ribbons and lace on the bodice.

I only use mother of pearl buttons on my heirloom clothing creations.

I really like the pleat detail at the waist, it's in the front also.

 The pin tuck cuff look was so easy to make!

I began hand sewing the little crochet lace along the cuff, but I ended up taking it out.

Here's little Jacob on his special day.

The outfit fit him perfectly!

I also chose Imperial broadcloth instead of Swiss Cotton because it's not sheer.

Sheer is fine for a baby, but I thought a toddler would look better in an opaque fabric.

Jacob sure is a cute little guy, and he let me pose him as much as I wanted :) 

Joniopolis

Joni Hilton is a renowned author and playwright.

She has written so many books, you can find them on Amazon and at Deseret Bookstore.

I haven't read all of her books, but the ones I have read, I absolutely love!

If there is something awkward, funny, hilarious or embarrassing, it always seems to happen to Joni!

Joni also writes articles for Meridian Magazine.

I could go on and on about her literary talents!

Here is a list of some of the plays Joni has written.

Joni posted on her blog Joniopolis yesterday, and again she made me laugh!

Remember when I posted about my grandchildren last week here and titled it "Better than Grand"?

Joni titled her post "Not Grand, Not Yet".

It's really fun, you have to read it :)

Better Than Grand!

This is a collage of all 9 of my grandchildren.

I began a tradition of making each of them their own heirloom blessing outfit.

I embroider the girls' initials on the back hem of their dress.

The idea is that each child will pass their gown (or outfit) down to their child, and their mother will embroider the baby's initials next to their own.  

Wouldn't it be incredible to see a row of five initials, all embroidered next to each other.

That would be a true heirloom :)

Top row, left to right:

Bridger Alan, May 25, 2005

Kennedy Grace, July 19, 2007

Charlotte Leigh, April 9, 2010

Lucy Jane, August 25, 2013

Bottom row, left to right:

Maisie Louise, July 7, 2010

Benjamin David, September 5, 2012

Neo Kimberley, October 14, 2010

Kylie Violet, January 5, 2013

Reagan Clara, November 17, 2010

I have my adorable little grandchildren on my mind all the time.

It sure is grand being a grandmother!

Each one has their own little personality, and I love each and every one of them more than they will ever know :)

As my friend Joni says, they are the "flowers in my garden".

What I'd Rather Be Doing.....

I have been wondering what to post about...

There are so many fun sewing things I want to be doing, but can't right now.

I want to sew "sewing baskets", Row 12 of the Bee in my Bonnet Row Along...

I want to sew the Quilty Barn Along from Bee in my Bonnet.

I want to sew the Scrappy Trip Around the World that I've seen all over Instagram...

I've even been tempted by the Medallion Along I've seen on Instagram.  It's based on a pattern in this book "Liberty Love", by Alexia Abegg.

Di at Random Thoughts blogged about her compulsion to join other's quilt alongs.  I think I have the same problem, I just can't resist!  They are always so attractive!!!

This is the Medallion block.

Instead, I am doing something very important....

something that can't be put on hold...

something that will hopefully be passed down from generation to generation...

I'm sewing a blessing outfit for my grandson, Benjamin :)

I am smocking him an old fashioned button on suit, I posted about it here.  It will be white with off white piping and off white smocking.

I will be constructing it next week, the blessing is March 10.

(I procrastinated a little...)

Then, I will be smocking a blessing gown, bonnet and slip for my grandaughter,  Kylie.

I will make it as old fashioned and luxurious as I can!  

Kylie's gown will be off white with peach silk satin ribbon ties.

I will post more photos next week, thanks for following along :)