Adoption Workshop, APIL and CDs for Nanoo Designs

Saturday morning I helped with an adoption workshop sponsored by Healing Place Church. Check out His Heart for Orphans Blogs for details and pictures.

Saturday afternoon was the APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusive League) Fall Fest with food, games, prizes and lots of fun. Here are some pictures.

These are the winners of the Pillow Pals I donated as door prizes. The names picked just happened to be a boy and a girl that worked out perfect since we had a boy and girl Pillow Pal.

I also worked on a new project - epatterns on cd. Aimee from Sew Sensible talked to someone at All Brands and we are both now selling our patterns on their website on cd and will soon have them available in their stores in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. I've been working on the first order and making one of each pattern to showcase in their store.

Pillow Pals for Christmas Gifts

I made these LSU Pillow Pals to be given as Christmas Gifts to two very special little girls. They are sisters - one with blond hair and fair skin and one with dark hair and olive skin. I made the hair, face and hands to match their skin and hair color to make it more personal. My mom spent the day with me Sunday so she helped me stuff them and put them together. It's always fun to work on a project with someone. My mom is getting older so I treasure the moments we share.

I added the tulle skirt on the larger one for the older girl. I'm thinking about adding a tshirt for the youngest.

Well, I have two gifts done. It's a start. 44 Days till Christmas.

Two New Patterns I'm Working On

My two new patterns are a top and pants. This is my first test outfit. The band on the top makes 3 pockets. I put something in the middle one to show it better. I have a few minor changes to make to the top but am rethinking the pants. I wanted a more tailored look, so will trim the width of the legs. The pants have a waistband and instead of gathers, I am going to test a pleat or two in the front instead. Hopefully I can make the another test outfit and finalize the design this week.

YCMT/SWAK Thanksgiving Collaboration

Here are some pictures of the Sunny Wrap Dress I made to use in the YCMT/SWAK Thanksgiving Collaboration. I made the dress and mailed it to someone to take pictures in the model they selected. I didn't put any information with the dress and when the pictures came out, I realized the dress was on backwards. I was a little upset about it at first but then realized that it made the dress even that much more versatile. Not only can you reverse it inside out, you can reverse it backwards and frontwards. I did design it so that the wrap is in the back so I can't guarantee it will fit the same with the wrap in the front but if you have the pattern, check it out and let me know what you think

Packages for Troops

One of my co-worker's wife coordinates packages to our troops. The last couple of years, employees where I work collect things and send them to a unit overseas. We get the name of a unit and what they need from her and send the items in the priority mail boxes that cost $9.95 to send anywhere in the world. We always get a letter from the unit expressing their appreciation. It has to be tough to be away from home and loved ones especially during the holidays.

Maybe you can do that at your work place also. The boxes have to be sent usually be the end of November to make it for Christmas so time is getting short.

Sewing to Save Money

During these tough economic times, sewing is a great way to save money. Here is an article I came across that gives tips on how to save money sewing.

Sewing for children has special advantages. The amount of fabric used to make something for a child is small. Many items can be made with a yard or less of fabric. When you have small children, the window of time to sew is limited but there are many easy to sew patterns that can be completed in a couple of hours. Like YCMT, many patterns can be downloaded instantly upon payment and are designed for the beginner. My patterns and my friend Aimee's at Sew Sensible are easy enough for a beginner. When you see your child in the outfit you made for them, you get such a feeling of satisfaction and pride. Warning though, it can become addictive LOL.

During this time of year, making gifts for Christmas can be very cost effective. Last year I made totes for the ladies I work with as well as outfits for a few of the children. Bibs, blankets and soft toys make great baby shower gifts. This year we are thinking about making curling/flat iron covers and possibly some makeup bags for gifts.

Once you get the hang of it, you can even make money sewing. Making things to sell at craft fairs and sites like Etsy can bring in some extra money. YCMT has several articles on their blog about selling at craft fairs. Here is a link to the four posts. Article #1, Article #2, Article #3, Article #4.

Back from the Beach

My beach trip was great. Good food, friends, great weather and the beach - what a great combination. We watched movies, snacked and just hung out. There was a wedding on the beach that we were able to watch from our balcony. The reception was at the club house and our room was near the club house so we could watch the festivities and listen to the band in our pajamas from the balcony. Good food, friends, great weather and the beach - what a great combination.

Here are my three friends on our walk along the beach.

Sunrise

Hanging out on the balcony, drinking coffee and watching the sun come up.

Sunset

To the Beach

This is the view I will be looking at this weekend. I'm headed to the beach for a "girl's weekend". My girlfriends and I try to take a weekend beach trip about once a year when the weather is cooler. It will be in about 50 degrees at night a sunny 70 degrees during the day this weekend.

I'll post about it when I get back. Hope all of you have a great weekend!!!!

More Customer Creations

Update:
Check out this link for a picture of the Sunny Wrap Dresses a customer made for her daughter and niece.


I enjoy reading other blogs and have a link to one of my customers "Sew2BHappy" that I read regularly. She has been sewing for her two children and allowed me to show some of her creations.


This outfit was made from the Annette Reversible Sundress pattern and Sew Sensibles Boutique Bottoms. She also made some hair clips to match from yoyo's out of the same fabric. The Annette Dress is a shorter dress pattern and works great with pants, shorts or capris.

For her son and daughter, she made shorts from Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern. Her daughter added her own jewelry accessories from a box her mom allows her to play with. This brings back memories of my girls when they played dress up.

The Dee Dee Pleated Dress Pattern was used for this precious dress. I love the dragon fabric.

Another adorable outfit for her little girl. The bottoms made from the Karen Capri Set Pattern. She makes matching hair accessories for the outfits creating a complete outfit.

Thanks Sew 2 B Happy for allowing me to share these pictures of the sewing you are doing for your beautiful children. Seeing what customers create with my patterns is the highlight of my day and a source of inspiration for future patterns.

Trip to Baltimore with a side trip to Pennsylvania

A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to spend a few days in Baltimore with my daughter who was attending a convention. Things have been so busy lately, that it was a welcome getaway.

Our hotel was located across the street from the Inner Harbor. One afternoon we sat overlooking the harbor with Starbuck's coffee and just relaxed and people watched.

This is another view of the harbor.

And another.

One day we drove into Pennsylvania to a town called Intercourse. The countryside was very peaceful and beautiful, with large farms like this one pictures. Many of them are owned and operated by Amish people. We saw some of them in the buggys and at the places we stopped. The Amish culture is very interesting. They seem to be very hard worker's and very diligent about their culture.

Here are a few pictures of some of the trees with the bright colors. These color changes are not something we see here in the deep South. The colors are so vivid and bright.

Other random pictures.

Sunny Dress For Sale at KB Creative

I recently discovered an Etsy Shop that is selling dresses made from the Sunny Wrap Dress Pattern she purchased from YCMT. She sells a variety of items for children and takes some custom orders for the Sunny Dress as well as having a few in a variety of sizes. Her home is in British Columbia and is a mother of three children, the oldest just started kindergarten and the youngest only 1 1/2.

Here is what she said about the Sunny Pattern: "I love it! I got so many compliments on the dresses I made my own daughters that I added some extras to my Etsy."

She allowed me to feature her on my blog and has even added my name to her listings as the pattern designer. Here are some of the wrap dresses she is selling in her Etsy shop. Click on the pictures to take you the the Esty listing.

Thanks KB for allowing me to feature your shop. I hope you are blessed with great success in your business and a bright future for you and your family.

Dee Dee Pleated Dress Customer Creation

I've been out of town for a few days in Baltimore. My daughter was at a Recreation convention presenting the Ascension Parish Inclusive League Program (APIL) and I met her there for a few days. It was great to get away and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I'll post a little about the trip later.

What a treat when I got this email today from a customer who used the Dee Dee Pattern. Here is what she said.

"My daughter was a flower girl last weekend. The bride demanded "a white sundress with a brown ribbon in the middle". Around that time you announced the Dee Dee dress pattern."

Thanks Dani for sharing these pictures. Your daughter is beautiful.

Tana Tutu Halloween Outfit

Look at this cute Halloween outfit by Kris at SWAKembroidery using the Tana Tutu Dress and Hocus Pocus Girl Applique. Applique and embroidery can make an outfit very unique. The purple ribbon and tulle really brings out the applique. Since children grow so fast, adding a shirt underneath a sundress can allow use for more than one season.

This precious little girl is ready for Halloween.

Busy Busy Busy

I haven't had time to post much lately or read other blogs. I've been very busy at my day job and working late leaving little time for blogging or sewing.


I was contacted by SWAK Embroidery, sister site to YCMT about a Thanksgiving collaboration using the Sunny Dress. I was very honored to be chosen. The Sunny Pattern seems to be one of the most popular of my patterns and I look forward to seeing it featured.


Yesterday I did have a couple of hours to work on my new Pillow Pets pattern. I thought I would be able to get alot of the pictures taken. The finished head was not the way I wanted it so I'll have to make some changes and redo. Unfortunately it will have to wait awhile as I will be out of town most of next week and weekend. Here is a sneek peek of what it looks like.

It has been a hectic and stressful couple of weeks and I am looking forward to this trip and getting away for a few days. I'll post about it when I get back.

Pillow Pals for APIL

APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusive League) will be having a Fall Fest in November. We are thinking about giving out door prizes during the event and I offered to donate a boy and girl Pillow Pal dressed in APIL tshirts.


Using a child's own tshirt, favorite college, professional or school shirt can make your Pillow Pal more personal and unique.

Pillow Pals Pattern now Available on YCMT

Pillow Pals Epattern is now available on YCMT. This pattern was so much fun. I'm working on a new one that is another version of these. I've been very busy at work so haven't had as much time as I'd like but hopefully can test the first draft soon.

Here is Aimee's new pattern of Sew Sensible recently listed . It's a cute top for sizes 6 months to 6 years. Check it out on her website.