Blossum Buddies

I stumbled across a blog - Maya Made that had a post about Blossum Buddies. She allowed me to take some of the pictures to share. She got the idea from a book called Blossum Buddies by Elsa Nora.

What a great project for the summer to share with your children, grandchildren.

Aren't these the cutest. I can imagine hours of fun doing this and kids would love it. Thanks Maya Made for allowing me to share your post.

Very Nice Blog Post at The Secret Stitch Blog

The Secret Stitch Club contacted me to ask permission to use some of my pictures to post about my patterns. Here is a link to the blog post. It's a very interesting and fun blog to follow so check it out!Thanks Secret Stitch Club for the kind words and comments.

Another Ava Sundress with Embroidery

I recently purchased a few embroidery designs from Embroidery Boutique to try on the front of my new pattern - Ava. This lemonade stand applique design was just too cute to pass up althugh it took me 3 tries to get it done. The first one I tried, my embroidery machine had some problems so I had to bring it in to get adjusted. Once I got the machine back, I tried again and accidently had the side under the hoop so it embroidered through the front and side. I trashed both those fronts and cut a whole new dress out of the solid pink. Here are some pictures. I seem to be learning machine embroidery by trial and error. LOL

I've made several of the Ava pattern and completed the instructions last night. It was sent out for testing today. I am hoping to have it completed in a couple of weeks. This pattern is easy to quick to make. It's great for the summer but would work well over a long sleeve top for cooler weather. I am anxious to see what the testers make and to get their comments.

Special Moments

My daughters are teachers and have the summer off. My oldest lives with me and the middle daughter lives within a few miles. They teach at the same middle school and enjoy spending time together. Yesterday they were at my house and my middle daughter left me these notes. She knew I was having a rough day and wanted to cheer me up. I was very touched and feel so blessed to have such a great family.

These are the notes she left.

I found this one near my sewing machine.

I found this one on my night stand when I went to bed.

This last one I found this morning when I opened my makeup mirror to get ready for work..

I'm looking forward to having everyone over on Father's Day. We will be celebrating my mom's 84th birthday, my daughter's one year anniversary and Father's Day.

New Sundress Pattern - Ava

Here is a sneak peek of my new pattern - Ava. It's a sundress in sizes 1 through 4. After several changes and adjustments, the design is finally complete. I am waiting on fabric to make another for the instructions and hope to be done in a week or so. Then I will be sending it out for testing.

This is going to be a fun easy pattern and great for those hot summer days. I added the large bow in the back as what we call in the South - lagnaippe. It will also be a great canvas for embroidery or applique on the front. I haven't had a chance to use my embroidery machine much and look forward to using it with this pattern.

I've been very busy lately so haven't been sewing as much as I'd like. Both my parents had surgery in the last couple of months and I've been helping them out, plus working and the normal day to day stuff.

I have started on a new pattern and am hoping to have it ready for testing in a couple of weeks. I've made a couple of test runs, and have been adjusting to get the look I want. Now that I've decided on the look, I want to make a few more to get the final adjustments and take pictures for the instructions. Once that's done, I can get it tested and finalized.

I did manage to organize my sewing room this past Saturday. Originally, I measured and found some items at Ikea online to get it organized but the closest Ikea is 5 hours away and I didn't have a truck to pick the items up. Since that plan didn't work out, I've been picking up a few items locally that are working ok for now.

Here are some pictures.



The rack with the printer is what I purchased this weekend. It's a baker's rack that was on sale at Kmart.

The two drawer units are from Big Lots. I think they were only $8 each.

Fabric is hard for me to keep neat. Every once in a while, I have to go through and refold and restack.

It's a mix match of things but it's working for now.

Babysitting and Sewing

I've mentioned my "adopted" grandkids before and this past Saturday I got a chance to babysit for 2 of the 3 sisters - the oldest sister and the new baby. The oldest is 8 and she wanted me to sew something for her. This is what we came up with. I used a halter dress pattern and changed it to make a shirt with a pair of elastic waist shorts. She was pleased and I thought it looked cute on her. We also made a couple of fleece blankets for her little sisters. She loves bringing home gifts for her family.
Here she is with he new baby sister who is only 6 weeks old.

I was able to love on this little one and even got a couple of smiles.

Tana Tutu Dress Customer Creation

Another great customer creation from LM using the Tana Tutu Dress. It a great treat when I open an email with a customer picture. This one is so bright and colorful. I'm sure some little girl will have fun wearing it.

This is what she said:
"Here is my latest creation from your delightful pattern! These are all so terrific. "

Tana Tutu Dress Customer Creation

This was made by a customer for her granddaughter using the Tana Tutu Dress Pattern. Thanks Kathy for sending this picture.

JoAnn Pattern Sewing Class at All Brands

I had my first sewing class at All Brands this past weekend using the JoAnn Pattern.

I enjoyed meeting these ladies and helping them complete their JoAnn Dress.

Sunny Wrap Dress/Annette Reversible Sundress-Customer Creations

Here are a couple of customer creations from the Sunny Wrap Dress and Annette Reversible Sundress. This customer just happens to be a former high school class mate of mine that I haven't seen in years. She found my blog and recognized her granddaughter's friend on one of my covers. Aren't these so cute.

Here is what she said.
"here are two of the dresses i made w/annette and sunny patterns. annette i took smaller flower and made a barrette from it to match. love the patterns. let me know when you have some new ones. my granddaughter says she wants to be a princess and a princess needs alot of clothes so maw maw is trying to help her become one."

Karen Capri Top and Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern

The hippo and stripe fabric are by Ikea. I found these and the dots in an Etsy shop online. I used the Karen Capri Set pattern for the top and Betsey/Joey Shorts pattern for the shorts. The shorts are reversible and can be worn on either the stripe side or dots.

Emily Pleated Dress

I've been making some samples to have on display during my sewing class at All Brands at the end of the month. I had a piece of this fabric in blue but when I saw the fabric used in the pleats, I decided to get the green to match. The fabric in the pleats has tiny dots and circles in green and shades of pink. The lining is pink/white microcheck from my stash of fabrics. I picked up the buttons at Walmart for a little extra color.

The dress was made from the Emily Dress Pattern.

Tana Tutu Dress - Customer Creation

Here is a customer creation using the Tana Tutu Dress pattern. I saw the outfit on Sew Forum and loved it. She used the 6" tulle on the roll instead of the bolt. I've used the tulle on the roll for the last few I've made and it works great.

A great idea to add matching bloomers and a barrette to complete the set as well as the emboridery. Thanks Debbie for letting me borrow the picture from Sew Forum.

Embroidery Fun - Tana Tutu Dress

I've been sewing and embroidering alot this weekend. It's been fun. Here are some of the items I've done.


How I Roll was a free design from Embroidery Garden. I thought it was adorable.


This onesie is for a friend who just had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago. When I told her about the design, she gave me the onesie to try it.

I bought some tshirts and onesies to practice on and made a couple for gifts. This one is for someone who is expecting a girl.

This one is for another expectant mother that doesn't know if the baby is a boy or girl.

The design takes about 13 minutes to do and fits in a 4 X 4 hoop. I experimented with different color combinations to match the fabric.

I am changing the Tana Tutu pattern a little. Instead of the tulle on a bolt, I am using the tulle on the 6" rolls. I find it is easier to work with. Since I was making another dress, I decided to add some embroidery on the front. This design is part of a set called "Ballet Cuties" from BunnyCup Embroidery designs. I changed the colors on this one also to match the fabric .

JoAnn Dress and Happy Mother's Day

Yesterday was the first Saturday I had free in a few weeks so I did some sewing. I'm scheduled to teach a class using the JoAnn Dress at the end of May at All Brands so I made one to refresh my memory of the instructions. It's a quick and easy pattern and went together quickly.

I've also been doing some machine embroidery - a onesie and a Tana Tutu Dress. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Today I'm going to church then to my daughter's house for a Mother's Day lunch. My mom and dad will also be there so I'll get to spend time with my mom . She is such an awesome person. She just had hip replacement surgery at 83 and is doing great. Thank God for that. Our prayers were answered.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone has a very blessed and joyous day.

DeeDee Pleated Dress Pattern - Revision

I have been experimenting with instructions and formats for possibly putting my patterns in paper format. In the process, I am revising the Dee Dee Pleated Dress Pattern - making the ties wider and adding a contrasting band along the hem as another option. I was really drawn to this flowered fabric and the gingham contrast for this dress.

I will be looking for testers once I get it done but I'll post more about that later.

APIL TBall - Last Game for the Year

Saturday was the last APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusive League) tball game. It was a little hot but we had a great turnout. The children had a great time.

After the game, trophies were given out.

The Cardinals, a 13 year old local team that was also at the park, came to our field to show their support to the APIL children. It was great to see these young men and their coach take the time to come by and support APIL. That's what it's all about, people helping people no matter what age.

Being a part of this program has been such a blessing to me. The smiles on the children's faces are so geniune and heart warming. Seeing the parents and extended family support is awesome. Grandmas, grandpas, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends come out to support these very special children. I am so proud of my daughter Betsey for seeing this need and getting this program started.

Sewing Class at All Brands - JoAnn Pattern

I'm teaching a class at All Brands on May 30th using the JoAnn Pattern. It is an easy pattern to make and I thought it would be a good one to have my first class. I have to admit I'm a little nervous but also very excited about it. This class is on Saturday morning at 10:30.

It will be fun to see what fabrics the attendees choose and watch them complete a dress to be worn by either their own little girls or someone they know. Hopefully I can get pictures of the completed projects and maybe a few with the little girls they will be made for.

Customer Comments

I feel very blessed each time I get these great comments about my patterns. I have had the pleasure of meeting some awesome people through this venture. I appreciate each and every one of you. Please continue to send me pictures, ask questions, comments, suggestions or just to chat. I love hearing from you.


"i think you are the most awesome thing since sliced bread!!!!!!!! do you design these yourself? they are beautiful and so easy to make. i love them."

I just wanted to compliment you on adorable, fun patterns for kids! I follow your blog and SewSensible's blog "religiously," and I have shopped on YCMT for your patterns as well. I love the new "JoAnn" pattern, but sadly it only goes to a size 4.

"Hi, I'm a member of Sew Forum and saw the Emily dress posted. I fell in love with it."

"Wow what great patterns you have!"

"Thank you so much!!! I bought them, I can't wait to get started on them!! Your patterns are so cute!"

"I love it! I got so many compliments on the dresses I made my own daughters that I added some extras to my Etsy. I purchased it at YCMT and really can't tell you how much I love it - I'm always looking for simple/comfortable/trendy patterns and I've just recently discovered pattern buying online (I've got a few of your others on my wishlist!)"

"I just think your patterns are adorable!"