Karen Capri Set Now Available on YouCanMakeThis.com

My newest pattern - Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top is now available on YouCanMakeThis.com. Also available are the two dress bundle pack and the 3 outfit bundle pack. All of these are also available in my Etsy shop. All of these outfits are easy to make and would be a great addition to any little girl's summer wardrobe.

First APIL Tball Game

We had our first APIL Tball game today and it was awesome. It started to drizzle when we got there. We prayed for it to stop and it did. Praise God! Also, we were supposed to play on the regular field but the baseball league had a tournament going on so we had to improvise. Sunny drew a field out in the back of the building under some big oak trees and we set up there. The kids had a great time as well as the parents and volunteers. Here are some of the pictures.

Baby Girl Gift

This is one of the items I made to prepare for several girls that will be born this summer. I decided not to make a newborn size because this is the first born for all of them. I thought that because they know that the babies are girls, they will probably get lots of smaller sizes and well as purchasing some themselves. This one is a Size L which translates to about a 12 - 18 months. I used a pattern I had with a few changes on the back closure and added the sash. The fabric is a high quality cotton blend that washes and wears very well. The top bodice is lined and I used a french seam on the sides to make it have a more finished look.

Spring - Easter - Celebrating Jesus

I LOVE SPRINGTIME

Here in South Louisiana Springtime means some beautiful cool sunny days. Everyone begins to get out in their yards and spruce up the plants. We know that before long it will be too hot to enjoy so we soak it in whenever we can. I'm usually a positive motivated person most of the time, but Springtime always gives me inspiration and motivation to accomplish things.

Spring means the flowers start blooming - azaleas and dogwoods being some of the first to show their colors. These are pictures of azaleas blooming in my front yard.

Easter arrives with family gatherings, easter egg hunts and easter baskets. Our Easter baskets always include heavenly hash, gold brick and pecan eggs by Elmer's. For years, I thought everyone knew about this candy but found out that is is made locally in a town called Ponchatoula and not distributed everywhere. I normally like the Gold brick better but this year I'm addicted to Heavenly Hash. Gold Bricks are milk chocolate with bits of pecan. Heavenly Hash is chocolate covered marshmallow with a couple of almonds. My mom likes the pecan egg which is a sugar filling rolled in pecans. Spring is about Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I've started something new when I pray. Instead of just my usual prayers and talking to God, I thank Him for not only what He has done but what He will do. Instead of just asking, I have high expectations that it will happen. I am believing in miracles. We all have those good things that happen to us that are unexplained and unexpected. Someone once told me they are "God moments". May all of you have many "God moments" in your life, today and every day.

Pattern Giveaway Winners

UPDATE:

I woke up in the Easter spirit and decided anyone who commented during the giveaway timeframe will get a free pattern of their choosing. Just send me your email address.

I typed the names, one of each, and put them in a bowl to pull. I got a little carried away decided to pick 6 winners.

And the winners of the epattern giveaway are:

1. uniquely yours - Annette Reversible Sundress
2. bellasmom
3. little butterbeans - Tana Tutu Dress
4. bonghi nautra
5. darby - Tana Tutu Dress
6. gin

If your name is listed, please send your email address to me at nanoo1125@hotmail.com so I can send you the pattern you requested. If you didn't put in your comment which one you wanted, please let me know.

1. Annette Reversible Sundress
2. Tana Tutu Dress
3. Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top

Any who did not win but would like to purchase a pattern, I will offer you a two for one deal. Just email me with your request and I will give you the instructions.

Thank all of your for commenting on this giveaway. For any who have purchased my patterns in the past or won today, I would love to see what you create with them.

Pattern Giveaway

Epattern Giveaway

I am giving away patterns to 3 people who comment on this post. You will have your choice of one of the patterns shown, just mention the one you would prefer in the comment. I will leave the contest open until Friday afternoon at 5PM.

Don't forget to check back Friday to see if you're a winner. Winners can email me with the email address they want the pattern sent to.

All of the patterns are easy to make and great for a beginner. They have detailed instructions and lots of pictures.

Tana Tutu Dress - Sizes 1 through 4

Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top - Sizes 1 through 4

Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern - Sizes 6 months to 5

Spring Projects

Along with Spring comes outside projects. I recently had my back yard fenced in and extended the patio. With these new additions, I know I'll enjoy my backyard more, especially after I have some landscaping done. That is the next project I want to tackle. I would like to add some plants in the corners of the fence and maybe a tree somewhere.


I really like the patio extension. Now I need a table and chairs and some plants.

Another project I have to do is in the front of my house. As you can see by the picture, the plant I had there last summer is not looking so good. On the right of the plant is another area that needs something - not sure what yet.

Today I replaced it with this pot and plant. I decided on an evergreen that requires little care and looks good through all the seasons. The plant cost was $9.95 but the pot was almost $40. I will probably need a few larger pots so may have to shop around or wait until the season is over to get better prices. These are more pots that looked nice last summer but needed a makeover.I picked up a few flowering plants at Lowe's to spruce these up.

It gets very hot in the summer and the window of opportunity for these nice days we are having is limited. Hopefully the nice weather will lasts a while longer. The time and money I have to accomplish all this may not last as long as the weather; but there is always next year.

Besides the outside projects, I have several sewing projects to do. I have baby gifts to make and have some ideas for new epatterns. All of this and working full time may take some time management to get it all accomplished. The plan is to take advantage of the weather for the outside stuff and when it gets hot, start the sewing projects.

APIL Event Saturday

Ascension Parish Inclusion League had an event this past Saturday. This week was all about reinforcing and developing skills for the tball league that gets started March 30th. The children were taught the basic rules and practiced hitting and catching.

They were separated into teams for a practice game.

Let the game begin!

Betsey helped one of the new participants field the ball and instructed him to raise it and say "time" to stop the play.

Before we closed for the day, we sang Happy Birthday to this participant who turned 8 Saturday.

Being a part of this league has been one of the most rewarding things I've done. The best part is watching the friendships develop between the children. The interaction between them and the volunteers has grown each time we have an event. One of the mother's told us that her son woke up during the night and wouldn't go back to sleep because he was ready to get dressed and attend the tball practice. Although, the parents had a rough night, it shows how much these children look forward to these events.

APIL is a non-competitive inclusive recreation league for children with or without disabilities (ages 4-13) to participate together in recreational activities and games.

Remembering Diesel/Celebrating a new puppy

This is Diesel. My son gave this puppy to his girlfriend for Christmas 2005. Friday he was hit by a car and although they did surgery and tried to save him, he didn't make it.

This is one of Diesel's puppies. He is one of a litter of 5 dachshund puppies recently born. My son and his girlfriend brought this little guy by for a visit while Diesel was being watched at the vet's office. I don't have any pets but my three children all have dogs for pets so I guess I have grand dogs instead of grandchildren. There is something about a puppy that makes them irresistible, even for those who aren't huge animal lovers. Isn't he cute?

He likes to lay on his back and have his belly scratched.

Business Trip/Visit to Kemah

Last week a co-worker and I spent a few days in Texas for business. Although it was a work trip, we did get to visit the Kemah boardwalk. The weather was great so we walked along the boardwalk checking out the shops and ate dinner at the Saltgrass Steakhouse. There are several restaurants to choose from but this one was recommended and a good choice.