Making Treats Day

The last couple of years, my girls and I get together to make treats. This year, my friend and her daughter joined us as well as my niece. Before they got to my house at 10AM, I had already made 2 batches of peanut butter fudge and 2 batches of pralines. Here are some of the pictures.

Lots of ingredients ready to go

Make the cake balls and oreo balls.

My daughter wanted to make some of the snowmen candy wrappers so they did that while we made the cake and oreo balls.

Some of the treats.

Tea Cookies and Suguar cookies. Our artistic skills aren't the greatest but we have fun decorating.

No bake oatmeal cookies

Pralines

Cake Balls and Oreo BallDipped pretzel sticks

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We had a very productive and fun day and made several trays to be delivered in the next couple of days.

Snowman Candy Wrappers

I saw this cute project on All Brands Sew Forum on this post and decided to make a bunch of them to give out at my house on Christmas Eve. I make seafood gumbo and family and friends come by. I thought this would be a cute "party favor". I made 20 of them. Here are some pictures.



The forum post linked to this blog which has the template download. She has some really cute things on her blog so you may want to check it out.

Snow in Louisiana

For those of you who see snow all the time, this may not seem like big news but for those from South Louisiana, this was BIG. We haven't had snow like this in my lifetime. It was so pretty to watch. Most of the schools shut down and lots of picture taking, making snowmen and snow ball fights.

More Sewing - Christmas Gifts

My oldest daughter and I had a sewing marathon last Christmas making totes for gifts and enjoyed it so much, we decided to have another Christmas sewing day this year. I like the idea of having this as an annual Christmas tradition.

Although, I have my sewing room back, I don't have it fixed up in a way that I can spread out. I still use the kitchen table when I have alot of projects like this. As you can see, we are messy sewers and have stuff everywhere.



I generally throw scraps and thread on the floor and clean it all up after I'm done. I mainly did the cutting and organizing and my daughter did the sewing. She doesn't sew alot but seems to enjoy it and is catching on well.
Here are the items we made today. We started about 1 or 1:30PM and finished about 6PM. The top row are the ones my daughter made for her friends. She still has the buttons to sew on. I made a couple of bags for gifts but the matching set on the bottom is for me.

The long item is a flat iron holder. I tried 3 times to get the fabric used to cover ironing boards but Hancock's didn't have it in stock so I bought an ironing board cover and cut it up. We were able to make five of the flat iron holders with the one ironing board cover. These are great for traveling and the flat iron can be put away warm since the inside is lined with the fire resistant fabric.

The little bag is just a small lined bag that could be used for makeup, toiletries, pantyhose, socks, lingerie or a number of other items.

We used pony tail holders for the loops to hook around the button. The pony tail holders stretched so it was easier to get it around the buttons and held better than ribbon. I bought the pack that had all different colors.

I wish I had thought about taking pictures during the process so I could post a tutorial. If we make more, I'll try to remember to take pictures and get measurements to post. They were easy and make a great gift.

Babysitting, Shopping and More Christmas Bags

I babysit for my friends precious little girl last night. She is so sweet and such a joy to babysit for. She likes being held and cuddled and I loved every minute of it. I dressed her in my new pattern and followed her around taking pictures. Here are a couple of them.

This was a rocking chair that I had as a little girl. I pulled it out of the closet and she loved climbing in and out of it with her stuffed bunny.

I made small gift bags like this for my co-workers and decided to make larger ones and use them instead of stockings for my grown children. I am not spending alot on Christmas this year and my children love the stockings even though they are adults. I don't have an embroidery machine so I printed their names on printable fabric and appliqued them on the bags. Since I used fabric and it can be reused every year, it's better than wasting the wrapping paper. The fabric was 30% off at All Brands. I think it is 60" wide and I made 8 bags out of 2 yards. The ribbon was on sale at Hobby Lobby for half price ($1.00 per roll). I used two rolls of ribbon. The fabric was about $20 and ribbon $2 so the cost of the bags was about $2.75 - $3.00 each.Here are a couple of pictures. After the baby left, I left to do a little Christmas and grocery shopping. I got home about 1 or 1:30 and started making the bags. I was done at about 4 or 4:30. And tonight I am going to my company's Christmas Party. What a busy day!!!!

New CPSIA Regulations

"New legislation is slated to take effect in February that will dangerously affect all small businesses in this country that make and/or sell handmade toys, children's clothing, blankets, cloth diapers, and more..."

Click here to read more and get a website to be able to contact your Representative.

Decorating for Christmas

I've been so busy at work and really enjoyed the 4 day Thanksgiving holiday to get caught up on some sewing and other things on my list. I even managed to get the tree up and a few decorations. Here are a couple of pictures. I really like all the decorations to look at but don't do alot of it myself. Maybe when I get some grandchildren it will motivate me.

Even though I will be busier than usual at this time, I am going to try my best to enjoy all those special moments with family and friends, share my blessings with others and really appreciate what it is all about - Jesus's Birthday!

Christmas Gift Bags

This year we are going to my neice's new house for Thanksgiving dinner and it is the first year in awhile that I am not responsible for most of the food. I only have to make corn bread dressing and potato salad. While many are cooking for tomorrow's dinner, I took the time to make Christmas Gift Bags. I filled them with treats for some people on my list.

I wish all of you a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Last of The Outfits to Display at All Brands

I've been sewing all day and finished the last of the outfits to bring to All Brands to display with my patterns on cd. They have such a great selection of fabrics in the store as well as online.

Emily Dress with Pleated Inserts

Dee Dee Pleated Dress

Karen Capri Set
Besides sewing today, I made vegetable soup, seafood gumbo and cleaned my house. Talk about multi tasking.

Sample Patterns for All Brands

I've been busy making samples of all of my patterns so that All Brands can display them along with my patterns on CD. They now sell fabric and have a large selection of one of my favorite brands - Fabric Finder's.

Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern - Reversible style in the longer length.

How to Make Your Own Christmas Stocking - lined with with red and white microchek fabric.

I fell in love with this helicopter fabric and thought it would be great for a boy Pillow Pal.

The Sunny Wrap Dress was made reversible with Fabric Finder's pique.

The Annette Reversible Sundress was also made using Fabric Finder's pique. The reversed side is in a soft hot pink cotton.

You can't tell in the picture but this fabric had tiny green dots on it also by Fabric Finders and made from the Tana Tutu Dress Pattern.

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