Smocking Delight

For whatever reason, I have this unusual admiration for smocking. I love the little dresses created for little girls and the craftsmanship behind it. It really is a lost art. Most folks think I'm crazy since I don't have children but have a desire to learn skills mostly used for children. Well, the way I see it, you can't wait until you have children to learn. I'm making the most of my childless days to learn something I hope to use in the future.

I shared my smocking adoration with a friend to find out her husband's grandmother has connections to the Seaside Smocking Guild. This is a group of women in the area that smock. I wasn't sure if I was more excited to learn about a smocking group or to be connected to a guild of any sort but her grandmother sent an email with all the points of contacts I needed to learn to smock. Just my luck, they were beginning a summer series to teach smocking...FOR FREE. SCORE!

I attended my first class on Saturday and I am super excited to learn all things smocking. It is no surprise I was the youngest person there...by at least 20 years (and I think 20 is being optimistic). Nonetheless, I think I was an interesting sort to them when they learned I have no children and just want to learn the needlework.

These pics are just my first sampler, so far. I'll update it as we learn new stitches. I think it will end up with a duck in the middle. This is just an insert and may never actually be inserted into any article of clothing, but it will be fun to put together.

I just need to start pleating some of my own fabric. The machines are ridiculously expensive, so I'm going to start teaching myself with some gingham scraps I have. Wish me luck!

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing!

I've picked up a new hobby over the last few months. Before March I had tried making a few easy items, but I officially learned to sew by taking a course in my community. My gal pal from work joined me and we successfully completed a skirt that was actually worn to work.

Well, the class piqued by curiosity about all things sewing and motivated me to attempt new

projects.

My cousin gave me a set of pillowcases so that I could try my hand (and sewing machine) at a pillowcase dress. I made one for her little girl and one for my neighbor's little girl. These things are so stinkin' easy I could make them all day long. I've grown quite fond of the pillowcase dress construction and I find myself looking at pillowcases where ever I go.

I found this material for like a buck fifty and thought I could come up with some sort of summer apparel. I made this shirt for weekend wear without a pattern and using the little bit of knowledge I have gained on a few other projects and internet tutorials. This even fits properly!!

My mother helped me put this little madras nightie together. This is where I learned the art of gathers. I sort of like gathers.

Since I'm a big fan of fat quarters, I have started to make crayon rolls for the various children of co-workers. I was really into these until I grew tired of sewing the little rows for the crayons. I think I'm done with those for a while.

I have more fabric than I know what to do with and currently am under restriction from fabric stores until I complete the projects that I already own material. This has created an interesting motivation and I've made progress. Got any ideas of things I can construct with fabric and a needle?

Not your Grandma's Trail

This morning I participated in my first ever trail run. Sure, we run trails on Saturday mornings, but we live in the flatlands. Our trails are flat in comparison to anywhere outside of here.

When Karen and I started to plan our Marine Corps training schedule, we stumbled on an inexpensive 21k in Richmond. "Coach" encouraged us to do it since it would be good on our legs. We registered a few months ago and to be honest, have done very little to train. Karen and Tim ran a half a few weeks ago, so the distance wasn't going to be an issue for them. I, on the other hand, hadn't run more than 10 miles since March. We were pretty confident it would be a "run/walk" kind of race, so I didn't sweat it too much.

To be quite honest, I wasn't altogether certain what I had gotten myself into. The website had little description and the pictures did not do it justice. At the start, it was a pretty typical sort of road race to get us to the trails. There was some crazy Mayan like staircase we carefully climbed and I was just certain I would get poison ivy at this point. Our last portion of the "road" race we ran through a tunnel, the sort you see under bridges, that was pretty dark with water streaming through and rocks lining the bottom. It was here that my race changed. Eager to get to the light, I ran rather carelessly and landed on the outside of my right foot. Immediately I thought, "Oh no! We just started! This cannot happen." It was more shock than pain but it stung. Runners behind me helped me climb the next wall so that I could get to the water station and just relax for a second. I was bound and determined to finish, pain or not. Thankfully, it was mostly irritated and not painful. So, a decided to take it even slower than planned. It's always better to finish last than not to finish.

I think it took me about 6 miles to settle into a decent rhythm. This was 3 miles after "the incident" and at this point we didn't have to step aside so the elite runners could pass us on their 2nd loop. We made friends with the back of the pack crew and had a great time running up, then running down, then round and back up, down, round...You get the idea. Lots of switchbacks but it was really awesome. I'm terrified of heights, so I wasn't thrilled with having to run across and narrow cement bridge without rails over a stream. Thankfully, I didn't fall.

The race included climbing boulders and a small gorge hopping. I'm glad I didn't know what to expect because I think it could have discouraged me from trying it. Typically, I rely on music the last few miles to carry me to the finish in a road race but headphones aren't aloud on trails. I understand why, but I was nervous about what I would have to "entertain" me when I needed it. Funny thing was I didn't need anything. My mind was completely engaged the entire race and I didn't even realize how long we were out there. That was my favorite part.

Once I crossed the finish line and literally hosed myself off, I made a stop at the medical tent for ice. About this time my ankle looked like it swallowed a golf ball. Still no pain, but definitely irritated. I can't believe I ran almost 10 miles on a sprained ankle! Here's what the ole' ankle looked like after two adorable firemen wrapped and iced it.

Overkill? Yes, definitely. I would have thought they knew what they were doing a little better. Oh well, it helped with the swelling and don't you worry that ice bag didn't move the entire hike to the car!

I would definitely do another trail run, but probably not for awhile. We are scheduled to begin marathon training on Monday, but it looks like this girl is going to have to postpone until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm RICEing (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) it for a few days.

BTW, I'll catch you guys up on little ole' me soon. Sorry it has taken so long, but aren't you excited to read my marathon journey this time? I finished Shamrock in 4:59:43 with a goal just to finish. This time the goal is 4:30. Stay tuned!