Sewing has been a big part of my life. I have heard a lot about learning to sew in a Home Ec. class, but I had a wonderful teacher, she lit the fire and I have never looked back. I love all sorts of sewing, but smocking and heirloom sewing are my passion.

I like to challenge myself and learn new stitches, or new ways to do basic sewing. The white bishop, is not only the first bishop I have sewn but was smocked using a method of smocking straight. I did not fan out the fabric and block it before it was smocked, this is a method taught by Maggie Bunch.

I have also done my first picture smocking, smiling Santa’s on my grandson Seth’s sweatshirt.

My new challenge is shadow work embroidery. Some other challenges have been bullion roses, you can see these done around the blue bishop.

Also I am learning cast on roses, I will have a picture of those up soon. Wendy Schoen is offering classes in hand embroidery, you can check out her site at,Wendy Schoen Design, she mails out the class lessons, one every other month. I hope to keep track of my success’s and failures, in hopes, you will be encouraged to pick a project and create something beautiful for someone you love.