Annette Reversible Sundresses

Here are more of the Annette Reversible Sundresses I will be listing on Etsy. These are made from some adorable pique fabric I've been collecting the past few months. The prints are so colorful and fun.

This one comes with two sets of ribbon ties and each side has a coordinating removable fabric flower.
This alligator print was made as a gift for a special little girl and won't be listed on Etsy

but I wanted to post it to show this cute fabric.This one also has two sets of ribbon ties and two flowers.

This one has turtles and the reversed side is lime green.

I found some cute ribbon that is orange with green circles for the reversed side.

This one is a Size 4 and has just the one set of ribbon ties.
Reversed side.

Happy Hippo Reversible Sundress

This is my latest listing on Etsy. It's a Size 1 reversible sundress. Lime green with hot pink hippos on one side and solid black on the other. It's made from high quality pique fabric and comes with two sets of grosgrain ribbon ties and two coordinating removable fabric flowers.

Reversed Side

I will be listing others soon in other sizes and fabrics.

APIL Mardi Gras Parade

Today we had an Ascension Parish Inclusion League Mardi Gras parade. The kids decorated their wagons, wheel chairs, hot wheels and carts, made masks and paraded around the building to the sound of the Mardi Gras Mambo. After the parade, the parents had a workshop while the volunteers played kick ball with the children. Everyone had a great time. The regulars are starting to know us and the other children and it is fun to watch everyone having fun together.

A little pre-parade fun.

"Throw Me Something, Mister "

Parents provided leftover beads from other Mardi Gras Parades

Volunteers joined in the fun

Big Wheel Float

A grandmother of one of the children brought Mardi Gras cups with treats in them for all the kids and volunteers.

New Epatterns by Sew Sensible

My friend, Sew Sensible, has two new easy and fun sewing patterns . One is an Easter Basket and the other a Twirl Skort. Check out her blog, Etsy shop, Ebay or YCMT for more information or to purchase these or other patterns she has designed. These are great patterns to start off your Spring sewing.

Here are pictures and descriptions.

If you are looking for an easy sewing pattern to create a custom Boutique Easter Basket then I have the pattern for you: TWO SIZES. How about a custom “Mommy’s Creation” Easter Basket! This is absolutely a fun and cute sewing project, one you will surely enjoy! Personalize your child’s Easter basket with an initial monogram or a bunny appliqué! Use a coordinating fabric to match their Easter Outfit! Looking for a great Easter gift idea? Customize an Easter Basket for your nieces, nephews, and grandchildren!! Fill it with their favorite toys and treats to make this one special Easter to remember! Great for the beginner to the advanced sewer! Easy to follow step-by-step instructions along with lots of pictures to guide you through each step!

Quite Beautiful! The Twirl SKORT: where being modest is Fun!I have designed this SKORT so that our children can have fun playing while keeping our daughters “girly” and modest. The Twirl SKORT combines the popular twirl skirt with the pantaloon! That’s right: a twirl skirt with sewn in shorts! Now your little princess can keep her skirt on while she jumps, twirls, slides, flips, rides her bike, and does cartwheels!Great for the beginner to the advanced sewer! Easy to follow step-by-step instructions along with lots of pictures to guide you through each step! Not only is this a unique and cute skort, but very easy to sew! Dress it up with a peasant top and boots or go casual with some cute high tops and appliqué t-shirt! Whatever style you chose, your little one will surely turn heads! It is also simple enough to sew for a quick gift for your niece or granddaughter!

Clothes for Children in Swaziland

I have accumulated some children's clothes that I've sewn and wanted to donate them to children who are in need. I was able to connect with someone from my local church and these items will be going to Swaziland. How awesome is that!
Here is my package ready to drop off.

New Sewing Projects

The weather has been dreary this past week, lots of rain and cold for the South. Temperatures down to freezing a couple of nights. I've been kind of in a slump, not sewing much or blogging. Tonight I got a spurt of energy and cut out four dresses to sew and put in my Etsy shop. Here is a preview. Also, Friday night I am having a craft/sewing night at my house and needed a project to work on. I'm looking forward to seeing my sewing buddies. They are always a source of motivation and inspiration.

Ascension Parish Inclusive League Parents Day

On January 26th at 10:o0 AM, APIL is celebrating Mardi Gras. Children are asked to bring a wagon, bike, wheelchair or something to decorate for a Mardi Gras parade. While the APIL staff and volunteers are working on the Mardi Gras activities, parents are invited to participate in a Food for Thought workshop. This workshop will be a way for parents to network together and gain helpful information on resources available to them as well as advice and suggestions. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given. If you are interested in attending the Food for Thought workshop sponsored by Families Helping Families with guest speakers, Dr. Karen Sheridan and Dr. Kelly Paulk Ray, call (225) 216-7474 or toll free at (866) 216-7474 to register and bring the children along for the Mardi Gras Parade.

The day we had snow at St. Amant Park

T-Ball Starts in March

APIL Mission:

To create opportunities for children ages 4 - 13 with and without intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) to interact socially and work cooperatively while participating in recreation activities at their local recreation center.

Binder Project

I had some scraps from the fabric I made my purse out of and decided to try a binder. It has lots of pockets for things like a calculator, pens, tablets, pocket calenders and mail. I thought it would be good for keeping paperwork together. This was my first attempt at something like this and although I liked the results, I think a smaller version would be more useful.

Now that I know the purse was too small and the binder too big, I may try another with this fabric for a summer look.

Tutu Dress Pattern

It's been a busy day. We had an APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusion League) event this morning which included bowling and crafts. The children had a great time. Many of the regulars returned as well as some new faces. At our next event, on January 26th, we will have a Mardi Gras parade. We're planning to decorate wagons, wheel chairs, wear costumes, throw beads and eat King Cake. It should be great fun. After the APIL event, I came home and finalized my Tana Tutu Dress Pattern. Little girls love dressing up and the tulle ruffle adds that extra girly touch to the dress. My models had fun wearing the dresses and allowing me to take pictures. Thanks Aimee for letting me borrow your beautiful little girls and helping with the cover. I should be able to submit it for testing in the next couple of days.

To top off the day, I cooked some beef stew. I guess all the activity worked up an appetite.

A Purse for Me

I decided this past weekend to design a purse for myself with pockets for all the things I have in my current one. The fabric I used is a print I've looked at before for possible use somewhere in my home decor. It didn't work out for home so I used it for my new purse. After it was almost complete, I had to make a few adjustments in the flap. I am very satisfied with the pockets but now that I've worn it a couple of days, I think it needed to be just a little bigger and maybe the straps not quite as wide. Now that I know what I need to do, I'll make the changes on the next one I make for myself.

There is a double layer of pockets on one side and two larger pockets on the other. On the side with the two larger pockets I made a very small one to fit a pen. I'm always digging for one and wanted to have a place where I can easily find it.

I have a pocket that fits my cell phone, camera, cell phone charger and miscellaneous stuff on the side with the double layer of pockets. On the side with the larger pockets, one for my checkbook and the other for papers, pictures, etc .

I didn't make a pocket for keys because I bought something that hangs over the edge of your purse and attaches to your keys for easy retrieval. I love it. Here is a picture of what it looks like.

Pink/Black Tutu Dress

This is another tutu dress I recently finished. This one has ties at the shoulder and flares out more than the other aline version in the previous post. I used light pink pique with tiny white dots for the main dress and light pink broadcloth for the lining. Black tulle and black grosgrain ribbon were used for the accents. This one is a Size 2 and available on etsy.

I'm also working on making this an epattern but need to work out the details. I'll post about it as it progresses.