Tana Tutu Dresses

Here are some pictures from an awesome sewer who works and makes samples for a sewing shop that is now selling my patterns on CD. It's Sew Blessed in Hahira, Georgia.

These are some of her adorable creations using the Tana Tutu Dress Pattern. Check out her flickr page to see some other precious outfits.

Thanks Ivey for allowing me to post these precious dresses.

Check out Nanoo Designs Facebook page for a few more Tana Tutu Dresses and other customer creations.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very joyous and blessed Christmas and New Year!

Christmas Outfits from David Pattern

Look at these awesome customer creations using the David Pattern. The reindeer embroidery is so adorable.

She adapted the pattern, only using the pants portion and adding elastic at the bottom of the leg for these precious matching outfits. What a great idea.

What great Christmas outfits. Thanks to RG for sending these pictures.

If you like the embroidery, she also told me, " The reindeer appliqué is from Applique Cafe and the Santa hats are from Pickle Pie! "

David Tester Picture

Here are some pictures from one of the testers for the David Pattern. I love the camo. Thanks LA for testing the pattern and sending me these great pictures.

More Christmas Gifts

Having an embroidery machine this Christmas was great. I was able to embroider on most of the gifts I gave this year. Here are a few towels I made using different fleur di lis versions. It was fun trying many of the styles and colors.

Christmas

It was theme day at the middle school where my daughters teach. Today was "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". This is what they came up with and wore to school!! Today Santa visited my neighborhood complete with sirens, music and lights.

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Along with the traditions, gift giving and decorations, I love seeing people caring and giving to others. Even though the rush and stress can bring out the worst in some, it also brings out the best in others. I hear many stories during this time of generosity and kindness. It's is very heart warming and inspiring. Remember to slow down and enjoy the season and spread God's love and blessing with others.

Busy Making Gifts

I always get in a little bit of a panic after Thanksgiving. It seems Christmas is so close and I have so many projects I would like to complete along with decorating, cooking, and the usual stuff like working, washing clothes, cleaning house........

I've been determined to try and get some of the sewing projects done this week. Here are a few pictures of some of the items I've been working on.

I made two of these for 2 little Saints fans. They were made using the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern.

These were made for sisters using the David Pattern. The pattern was designed for boys but as you can see, works well for girls also.

I added a snowflake to the bottom of the pants leg.

It's hard to see in the picture, but I added their names in the bottom of the snowman.

Flat Iron Holder for a Christmas Party. We are bringing handmade gifts to exchange. I printed the pattern and rolled it up to include with the gift.

David Tester Pictures

Here are some pictures from the ladies who were testers for the David Pattern. They did a great job on the outfits but also had some great comments and suggestions for the pattern. My thanks to them.

David Pattern Now Available

David, my newest pattern now available on Etsy.

David is a simple pants pattern with a bib insert. David has an elastic waist with straps that are inserted through loops and button in the back at the waist. Contrasting fabric for the bib insert make a unique look as well as a canvas for a monogram or embroidery design. With the right choice of fabric, ruffle or time and this pattern could easily be used for girls. j

Tana Tutu Dress Customer Creation

I got this picture today in my email using the Tana Tutu Dress pattern. What a great holiday look. The embroidery is from Embroidery Garden. It's called Sweet Christmas Monogram Set.

This came out so cute. Thanks R for sending me the picture.

Latest Sewing Project

I've been busy working on the new pattern and testing different versions while waiting on tester comments. I should have everything completed soon, possibly ready by this coming weekend.

I also managed to get something made for a gift. I used the Ava Sundress Pattern and handmade braided trim as the straps.

2009 Blue Cross of Louisiana Angel Award Banquet

Last night we attended the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Angel Award Banquet that honored the 8 winners of the 2009 Angel Ward. After cocktails and a delicious meal, a slideshow presentation was shown for each winner describing their organization. The Mistress of Ceremony, Supriya Jindal (wife of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal), asked each winner a question and then presented them with the $20,000 check and a trophy.

The organizations represented were awesome. The stories they told were inspiring and motivational.

Here is the list of winners from the Blue Cross Website . Check them out if you get a chance and maybe one will inspire to to contribute to them or do something in your community.

A committee of past recipients of the Angel Award, now in its 15th year, considered 62 nominations from throughout the state before selecting Betsey Baldwin of Gonzales, Vicki Ellis of Baton Rouge, Jill Rigby Garner of Baton Rouge, Lynn Hobbs-Green of New Orleans, Janet Leslie of Maurepas, Jean McManus of Eunice, Minh Nguyen of New Orleans and Philip Thomas of Monroe.

In an effort to promote diversity and inclusion, Baldwin founded the Ascension Parish Inclusion League, an outlet for children with and without disabilities to enjoy recreational activities together. The Inclusion League enhances self-esteem and promotes acceptance, understanding and friendship by creating an atmosphere that values diversity.

A visit to a Tennessee children's crisis home when she was 14 spurred Ellis to found Heritage Ranch. Heritage Ranch serves suspended and expelled youth enrolled in alternative school programs in East Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes through extensive, holistic Life Skills programming developed by Ellis.

For 20 years, Garner has dedicated herself to transforming the hearts of children. Her program, Manners of the Heart, focuses on teaching children to be "self giving" instead of "self serving." The statewide program has served hundreds of children through classroom instruction, high school trainings, summer camp activities, teacher workshops and parenting seminars.

When her son's teammate was labeled incompetent, Hobbs-Green thought perhaps it was a vision problem. In helping him, the mental health social worker found her second calling. She founded The Eyes Have It, a non-profit organization that provides free eye screenings, examinations and eyeglasses for children at their schools.

Leslie's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in 1986. After a long and taxing battle with the disease, Jennifer died in 2001. The Leslies struggle provided the impetus to found The JL Foundation, an organization providing assistance to Louisiana leukemia patients and their families through plane tickets, gas cards, meals and lodging while undergoing treatment at cancer centers and hospitals across the country.

Retired 78-year-old teacher McManus was seeking a way to battle the low literacy level in Eunice. She found the answer in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that provides a book to each registered child monthly from birth to 5 years of age. McManus has enrolled 80 percent of the community's children in the program.

New Orleans, Nguyen founded the Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans (VAYLA-NO). The organization is dedicated to empowering Vietnamese Americans and other underrepresented youth through services, cultural enrichment and social change.

Thomas founded Pilots for Patients, a volunteer organization that provides free air travel for patients needing medical attention, as well as transportation for blood, tissues, organs and medical supplies. Pilots for Patients has 56 participating volunteer pilots who use privately-owned aircraft without any compensation and has just completed their 300th mission.

Busy Week

It always seems that things all happen together. I don't normally have tons of things going on in the same week but sometimes it just happens like that. This week was one of those weeks. No time for sewing or other routine things like washing clothes and housework but that's OK, it's been fun.

Last weekend I was able to get my new pattern "David" out to testers. I'm hoping to have it available in a few weeks.

Tuesday night I enjoyed some great food at Mike Anderson's in Gonzales with co-workers - baked potato soup, salad, Shrimp Norman and a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert. Great food, great company and great weather.

Wednesday night I had dinner with my two daughters and some of their friends at Chili's to celebrate my middle daughter's birthday. She turned 26 today. Happy Birthday Betsey.

Tonight we are attending a banquet sponsored by Blue Cross to honor the recipients of the Angel Award. My daughter was one of the winners this year. I'll post pictures after. I am so proud of her.

This weekend I plan to take cover pictures for the new pattern and finalize items for the Holiday Mart scheduled for November 14th.

The weather has been beautiful here in South Louisiana. Nice cool nights and mild days. We don't get many days like these so we enjoy them when we get them.

Besides that LSU and Saints football is a big event here and looking forward to spending time with family and friends for the holidays.

I do have to say that I don't like the time change. I don't like it getting dark so early. I need more sunshine!!! I think we should do away with daylight savings time all together. Anyone else agree?

New Pattern Coming Soon - David

After many requests for a pattern for boys, I am happy to say that my new pattern, "David", will be available soon. I'm hoping to finish the instructions and finalize the first draft this weekend to send out for testing.

Here is a sneek peek of what it will look like. It will be sizes 6 months, 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Annette Reversible Sundress Boo Dress

Look at this cute Halloween dress made by a customer using the Annette Reversible Sundress pattern. The long sleeve shirt and striped leggings add that fall look for this precious little girl.

Here is what she said: "Let me tell you this pattern is awesome! It is easy, quick, and uses very little fabric. This is my favorite pattern for sure!!!I am going to make a Thanksgiving and fall dress next... it will bereversible."

Thanks BC for allowing me to share these pictures.

Angel Award Check Presentation at Ascension Parish Council Meeting

Tonight was a very special and proud moment for me as a mom. My daughter, Betsey, was presented with a $20,000 check from Blue Cross as a recipient of the Angel Award at the Ascension Parish Council Meeting. Some of the APIL program participants, Ion, Mila, Nemo and Luke, were there to support Betsey and the program. Parish President Tommy Martinez, who nominated Betsey for the award, made the presentation along with Blue Cross Representatives. We are very grateful to Blue Cross, Ascension Parish Recreation, volunteers and the children who are involved in the program for making it such a success.

A non profit organization, Annette's Angel Foundation, has been created to administer the award money. It will be used to support APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusive League) as well as help promote inclusive, non competitive recreation for people with or without disabilities.