31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 30

 

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” 

~ Helen Keller

Happy Saturday!!! How did you spend your day? Were you able to spend a few minutes doing something you enjoy? I hope so!!! 

I spent a big chunk of time sewing today and it was delightful! I really do enjoy creating these precious preemie gowns. I like to try out different patterns, techniques, fabrics, etc., knowing that each finished gown will bless a baby and their family. I love that I have this opportunity to serve my community. I always tell my kids to be a blessing, and I try my best to do the same!!! I am blessed!!! 🌸🌿💕

~ Cindy

 

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 27

 

"We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction." 

-H.A. Ironside

Happy Wednesday!!! How is your day shaping up? Did you take some time to smell the flowers? 🌸 Or engage in something that you enjoy? I love this quote that I shared because it’s so easy to waste time worrying. Yet worrying doesn’t benefit us. So when you have a little chunk of time spend it in action, doing something that brings you joy. Be grateful and full of thanksgiving! 

I spent a few minutes smocking on another preemie gown today. I really do love creating things with a needle and thread! I am grateful that I can because it brings me so much joy and peace!  🪡❤️🧵 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 21

 “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” 

~ Camille Pissarro

I finished up another preemie gown. While I’m sewing I always pray for the babies and the families that will hopefully be blessed by these gowns. I know I make a lot of these gowns, but a) our community has a real need for them, b) this is one way I can give back and serve my community, and c) sewing is very therapeutic and grounding for me. I am sewing to bless others, yet it blesses me too. “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25) That is a mighty gift!!! 

Have you thought about what grounds you and feeds your soul?  🧵❤️🪡 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 19

 

“Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.” ~Author unknown

It was another gorgeous fall day here!!! 🍂 My day was full to the gills, but delightful! How was your day? What kind of day did you create for yourself? Was it full of joy and thanksgiving?  

I had a small pocket of time this morning to sew some more preemie gowns. My daughter is going to deliver some to a local hospital for me tomorrow so I wanted to have a nice handful ready. 🧵🌿🪡 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 18

 “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

What are your thoughts about Mondays? I really like them! Today was a busy one though, and I did a lot of driving people here and there, and sitting and waiting. I made sure to take my bag of yarn and needles, so while I was waiting I had something fun to do. Instead of tinkering on my phone, I worked on a preemie hat and crocheted an edging around the dishcloth I recently made. When I work these little delights into my day I am not discouraged when I have to sit and wait. It becomes a treat actually! How do you create small delightful pauses in your day? 🧶🌿🌻 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 13

 

“Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities.”

~ Helen Keller

How was your day? Was it full of possibilities? Mine was! I had a super busy day, but it was a great day! And I was able to cut out a few more preemie gowns. I like taking a few minutes here and there to get projects done. It keeps me focused and brings me joy!!!  🧵🌷🪡 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 11

 

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” ~Sally Koch

Happy Monday! How was your day? Were you able to take some time and do something to refresh your soul? I knew I wanted to knit some today. Knitting is so grounding to me. So I decided to work on a new preemie hat. And then I remembered my oldest daughter has a bunch (like 62, seriously, 62) of preemie hats that she has made and is going to donate to the NICU and L&D. I asked her if I could share a picture with you all. Aren’t they amazing? We love to knit hats around here. 

~ Cindy

31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 9

 “Do small things with great love.” 

~ Mother Teresa

A few months ago a sweet friend of mine, and her sister, asked me if I would take her sister’s beautiful wedding dress and create preemie gowns for our local NICU and L&D. I felt so honored to be given this opportunity to take a wedding dress that represents love, and transform it, so that it multiplies and blesses many others. Today I made two of these precious little gowns. And I think I will be able to create at least 10 preemie gowns from the dress. SO many families will be blessed by this beautiful and generous offering from my friend’s sister.  

🧵🪡🙏🏻 #31daysofcreating

A Finished Preemie Gown...

Yesterday I cut out six preemie gowns to start working on. This one went together so fast and turned out so sweet I couldn’t wait to share it with you!!! 

This precious little pattern from 7 Pine Design is a sweet A-line gown with no pleats or smocking, but it is fully lined and goes together quickly. It is available for free here. And I embroidered this little boat on it using 1 strand of light blue floss and a simple back stitch. 

The rest of the gowns I cut out will be pleated and smocked. I’m considering putting together a video tutorial at some point to show how I make them. If I do, I will let you know and share the link. 

What are you stitching these days? Do you feel better when you have a needle in your hand? I sure do!!! 

Happy Stitching!!!

Cindy

Smocking a Preemie Gown - 31 Days of Creating...

It was a beautiful fall day today!  After a refreshing walk I carved out some time to sit and stitch.  I worked on this sweet little preemie gown.  I recently pleated it and today I was able to enjoy smocking it.  I am using a medium blue DMC floss.  I can't find the label for the floss number - I must have thrown it away - so I can't share the actual color number.  I posted a video on my Instagram account (sewblessedcindy) of smocking the first row, which is a cable stitch.  So if you are curious what smocking looks like in real time go take a look.  The first row is always a little bit fiddly for me, but with a little patience and perseverance it always works out. I am not quite finished with all the smocking, but when I am I will share a picture.  

Were you able to take a few minutes today to ground yourself by doing something you really enjoy?  I hope so!  

xoxo!