Apron Patterns in Stock!

I can't believe it's already December. It feels more like Spring in Bend, Oregon. We have no snow on our mountains, our local ski resort continues to be closed, and there isn't any snow forecasted for atleast a week.

We have reduced the Amanda Jane pleaters. Is your shop stocked-up for all those last minute husbands, boyfriends, or sons?

My Holiday Memories

One of my favorite memories from my childhood is making Holiday cookies with my grandmother. I remember vividly standing on the orange paisley kitchen chair, hand-stirring the mix and forming the perfect little balls of cookie dough. Grandma didn't use a mixer back in the 70's...she didn't have a dishwasher either (but that's an entirely different childhood story). On Monday she was making cookies with Blain, her great-grandson. My memories were vividly coming back to life and it gave me a thought. Every great-grandchild, grandchild, or child needs an apron to wear when making cookies. We have many different aprons and they are all adorable. We also carry coordinating mother-child patterns. If you are looking for adult aprons. We now carry Nellie's Needles.

Houston Quilt Market 2008

I really enjoyed Houston!

We have added 2 new vendors Serendipity and Nellie's Needle's patterns.

We have new patterns from our current vendors Apron Lady, Bananafana, Cyndi & Company, Favorite Things, Katie Beth Designs, Indygo Junction, Maw Bell Designs, Pink Fig, Lila Tueller, and Pintucks & Pettiecoats.

Visit us at http://www.smocking.com/

I'd like to give a special thanks to Cheryl of Cheryl Eastwood Designs in Houston for helping me with our booth at the Houston Quilt Market!

Cyndi and Company Patterns

We are excited to bring a new Pattern Company

"Cyndi & Company"

Annie is a sleeveless A-line made with a rounded yoke. It is smocked at the front skirt and gathered with a button down the center.

Carter is a sleeveless A-line with a square yoke neckline is fitted through the waist with contrast fabric pieced into the inverted fabric. The front skirt is pleating with a tie-back. (2T,3T, 4T)

Emma is an A-line made with a yoke, lace embellishment and a tailored sleeve with a ruffle cuff. It is smocked at the empire waist and buttons up the center back. (pre-Teen 6, 8, 10, 12)

Regan is a sleeveless A-line dress with a dramatic smocked yoke from shoulder to bust with updated unique design lines embellished with lace for your young lady (Preteen 6, 8, 10, 12)

***We are working on placing the "Pintucks and Pettiecoats" and "Cyndi and Company" on our website. If you'd like to order any of these patterns and do not see them online please email me smocking2@bendbroadband.com or place an order online and include your request in the "notes".***

The "The Maw Bell Designs" are now online.

Pintucks & Pettiecoats-Arrived

Pat Moore-Mimi's Fabrications

It is with great sadness that our long time customer and friend, Pat Moore who owned Mimi's Fabrications for many years, lost her brave battle to pancreatic cancer yesterday. Through her journey this past year, she touched everyone who knew her by her incredible spirit to survive, her will to live, her desire to make every moment count and that she did each day. I can still hear her voice and her funny little laugh!

What did she do when she found out she had cancer? Went out and bought a new sewing machine and began quilting, quilting, quilting!!!! She will be missed by all, especially our smocking and quilting community.

Little Memories 2008 New Fall Plates

We will have the 2008 Little Memories Plates on Friday Oct. 17th. If you have not pre-ordered by Tuesday Oct. 14th. I can not guarantee you will receive the new plates.

New Pattern Wednesday!

More New Products Arriving

7 new patterns by "Pintucks & Petticoats"! Cute patterns for children &

pictures of model garments using these patterns. The photos should be

up on the website soon.

We are excited to bring "Maw Bell Designs" a western themed pattern

company to Creative Smocking! The photos should be on the website soon.

Portabellopixie Patterns

The Patterns arrived and unfortunately I Sold Out of "Claire"! I ordered more today and expect a 2nd shipment soon! I apolize! I thought I had ordered enough to fulfill all my orders!

I have The Handmade Dress "Miss Molly" and "Miss Madeline" in stock!

3 weeks and counting.....

...for Houston. I spent a lot of time at the warehouse, Office Depot, Michaels today too find 'items' for our booth! I bought new drapes yesterday but still need my banner and business cards finalized......

I am getting ready for Houston! We have received some adorable samples from Maja, Karen Faylor, and Primrose Lane with many more to come! My mom continues working on the Oliver + S "Tea Party Playsuit" sample! I still need to figure out my tablecloths. I am planning on making a couple quilts.........

We are expecting Portabellopixie on Monday. They are our #1 selling patterns company!

Visit our website.

Portabellopixie Patterns

Portabellopixie Patterns

I am expecting their arrival on Tuesday or Wednesday (hopefully)! I know everyone will be so pleased! If you have not had a chance to view to these great patterns please check out Portabellopixie Patterns on our website.

Little Memories New Plates

Here you go.........

New Pattern.......

We have added

"Michelle's Madeira Dress"

That's Sew Connie.

An easy summertime (or fall with a turtleneck underneath). Every little girl looks beautiful with a Madeira Portrait Collar to frame her face. It gets dressed up with a fake peak-a-boo hem. What's really great is there is plenty of room on the collar to do machine or hand embroidery.

Fall's Slow Arrival......

The weather has changed again......

The following Companies have new patterns Lila Tueller, Bonnie Blue, Creations by Michie, Oliver + S, Maja Heirlooms, Jackie Clark, Grace Knott, Handmade Dress, Pat Garretson, Cross Eyed Cricket and I think that's all for this week......what a list!

We have more new products arriving any day from Pink Fig.

I've been trying to keep up with sending the backorders. However, I must admit that I am a little behind!

September

Fall 2008 Products

Oliver + S Fall 2008 Patterns have arrived at our warehouse! I will be sending everyone's backorders today (tuesday) and Wednesday.

Grace Knott Patterns Just in time for Winter! Dolly Breeze and Little Snowdrift! Buy now!







Bonnie Blue Designs "Claire" #125A 6-24Mon and #125B 3-8 Yrs.

Maja's Heirlooms

"Elsa" (1-4, 5-8, and 10-16) is a top or dress with a gathered or pleated bodice. The bodice is bordered along the top and bottom with a band and has a slightly gathered skirt. A tie in the back gives a fitted look to this pull over style top/dress. The sleeve is tailored with a box pleat at the cuff and is slightly gathered along the cap.

"Blair" (10-16) is a swing coat with a pair of box pleats on the front and one in the back. The short version has 3/4 length sleeves for spring or fall.

• Jackie Clark, "Sleepy Bags". A clear vinyl tote bag, pillowcase, button-top closure, and treasure pocket. Available Soon. Pre-order today! Email me for orders at smocking2@bendbroadband.com
  
  

• Butterflies and Ladybugs design plates are BACK in stock! The fave "Tiger Pause"! Plus we have 8 new plates, arriving soon!


• AS&E 84 in stock! All the Auto's have been shipped as of September 4, 2008!


• Peanut Butter n' Jelly Kids will have 4 new plates early September. The pictures shall be here soon!
  


• Lila Tueller Designs "Funked Out Peasant Blouse", "Funked out Apron", and the "Bohemian Bag" with a 4th bag pattern coming soon! (Pictures not yet available-online).
  

• Pink Fig Patterns "The Patchwork Skirt and T'shirt", "Embellished Jeans and Purse", available soon. Pre-order now! A 3rd pattern "Jacket/Hat" Available late Oct/early Nov. Order now! (Pictures not yet available-online).





• Handmade Dress "Miss Madeline" available Now!


• Creations by Michie-Baby Romper 3-24months #133 Available Mid-September

Portabellopixie Pattern update: We do not have these patterns in stock. We expect them soon. I do not have an ETA at this time! If you have ordered these patterns and are wondering why you have not received your order it is because we do not have them in stock! We are currently PRE-ORDERING these patterns. As soon, as I have them in stock. I will send everyones orders! If you have not yet ordered them for your store, do so today because they are sensational!

New Fall Patterns

I can not believe August will be here in one day! I think the summer has definetly been a good one! I haven't had a lot of time to enjoy the summer because it seems I am always at work and shipping all your orders! Which don't get me wrong is a good thing but WOW!

We will have the new Fall Oliver + S patterns by mid-August. We will also have Vaune Pierce's two now patterns soon. Have you checked out all of our other new childrens patterns?

The Pleater dowel has been an over-night sensation! This is not any other dowel. The fabric clings like a magnet to the dowel, easing perfectly (as perfect, as fabric can...) through the pleater. If you are looking for or are frustrated with zig-zag type pleating then the Pleater Dowel is the perfect accessory!

Thank you!

Indygo Junction at CS Distributors

We now carry Indygo Junction!

"Little Charmers" and "Sister Smocks".

Order now at http://www.smocking.com/

I am working on sending everyone's backorders! I apologize for not getting the orders out sooner!

Have you signed up for our weekly newsletter? If not do so today, www.smocking.com, sign up is on the left hand side under, "sign up for newsletter"! If you ever need assistance please email or call and I am more then happy to help!

My moms bestfriend had her first grandson on Monday. His name is Merritt Anders! The family and my mom are so thrilled! I am making one of our patterns for him "Smartie Pants" by Little Londyn! I believe every child needs a monogrammed diaper cover!

Independence Day 2008!

Our Annual 4th of July tradition is participating in the "Spark Your Heart 5K" run. A lovely little 3 miler along the Deschutes River!

New Pattern Companies

Happy 4th of July!

In the last month we added 8 new pattern designers! I added Oliver + S in the last week! Check all of our new designers today! We will have Portabellipixie patterns soon!

Mom and I did a 1/2 Marathon today in Sunriver, Oregon.

Wednesday June 25th

Helllo my fellow sewing and smocking friends~

Creative Smocking has finally entered the 21st century with our very own blog!

I am Tiffany Johansen. I am Cheryl' daughter but also the sidekick that keeps everything a float everyday Ha, Ha! My mom will also add her two cents!

Has anyone ever wondered how or why a nice little lady in Oregon owns the largest distribution smocking/sewing pattern company in the Country? Let me tell you a little about my mom!

My mom started this business 29 years ago and it goes something like this.....Mom met this very nice lady whose daughter was in my preschool. The very nice lady had recently moved from Georgia to Oregon and after learning that my mom enjoyed sewing she started telling her about Smocking. My mom with me in tote went to the Donovan's for her very first smocking lesson and was forever hooked! Living in Oregon nobody really knows about smocking (even today when I try to tell them what I do).....well as you can imagine any smocker soon starts making every imaginable dress for their little daughter......and I did have many, many little smocked dresses!

My mom started to wonder, "how could I market this idea, 'smocking'". So she started her own classes and at times would drive 2 hours away to teach smocking! Now, I don't remember this because I was probably 3 or 4 years old and cared more about playing cops and robbers or wonderwomen then my mom teaching her smocking classes! She also was one of several others who started SAGA!

Soon after, she started selling Read Pleaters. Her sales were so good she decided to add more products. She started with Mollie Jane Taylor, Lou Anne Lamar, Smocking Unlimited and the story goes on from there....Initially she had the business in her home but soon she moved out of her home into office space occupying 2,000 sq. ft of space. In 1995, she moved the business 3 hours away to Bend, Oregon and had been in 3 different spaces before once again finding a home for the business.

I became a crucial member of the Creative Smocking team after graduating from the University of Oregon in 2002, hence the "Go Ducks" during football season! I started as Chris's 2nd hand shipping clerk. I am now in charge of shipping, receiving, ordering, inventory and finding all of the new vendors and designers that we now carry! I also convinced my mother to be at the 2008 Spring Portland Quilt Market. In her younger years she would go to 3 or 4 shows a year and hadn't been in 10 years! I am so glad we went because it brought back memories for me (in pictures) of her at the shows and now I am carrying on the torch!

I have to say, I am truly blessed to have such a great job that I trully do enjoy going to every day!

I am continously adding new patterns and designers. If you find one you'd like us to carry please let me know and I will do everything I can do find it and get it for you! I know that you can go to some of the larger distributors but always remember we will give you that extra special service and you'll save on shipping when you can get all your supplies from us!

In my last note, in the future months look for "Creative Smocking's 'Little Sister' Loolabelles"!

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Our hope with the blog is to be informative of what is "Happening" at Creative Smocking! Currently our homepage is our only form of letting everyone know what is new, coming soon, etc! We will no longer have our top section devoted to "the Happenings" but instead a link to our blog.