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.

Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern

This little girl's mom sent me this cute picture of her daughter in her "horsey" outfit using the Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern with added length. The horse's tail has a bow and strands of thread for the tail.


Thanks MW for sending me this picture. A great outfit for a precious little one.

Projects for Holiday Mart and Christmas Gifts

These are a couple of Ava Sundresses that will be available at the Holiday Mart on November 14th. Both of the dresses are made from Fabric Finder's pique fabric. The fleur di lis was a free design I downloaded from sew forum.

Their are so many projects I would like to do for Christmas gifts this year especially now that I have an embroidery machine. The problem is finding the time to complete them all. I am happy to say that I did manage to get a few cups embroidered for co-workers.

Halloween Customer Creation from Annette Reversible Sundress

I found this adorable dress on sew forum made by a customer using the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern. She made this for her granddaughter and was kind enough to allow me to share it on my blog and facebook. It is such a joy to see how creative customers are with my patterns.

Ava Sundress Pattern Customer Creation

Check out these cute Halloween dresses using the Ava Sundress Pattern. They are available for purchase on Etsy in a shop called Gramme's House along with many other cute items. Some little girl will look great this Halloween. I love the big smiling spider.

APIL Tball and Awards

Saturday was APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusive League)'s last tball game of the fall season. After the game all the participants received a gold medal.

Looking forward to basketball season in a few weeks.

Southern Holiday Mart - November 14th

Mark your calenders and get your Christmas list together for this shopping event featuring handmade items made by people from local and surrounding areas and other states. Click on the link for more information and to get a sneak preview.

SOUTHERN HOLIDAY MART

Time: November 14, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
Location: "The Shop"
Address: 8249 Brittany Rd
Sorrento, Louisiana

Come shop with us this Holiday Season. We will have something for everyone on your list. All items are handmade by different creatives in the surrounding area. We have some merchandise from guest designers from different states that will be at the event as well. So SAVE the date and join us for a little kick start to your Holiday Shopping. By shopping handmade you help local crafters in your area.We will have signs out so you know right where we are.

http://southernholidaymart.ning.com/

Tumbler Insert

My first tumbler insert. I have a feeling I might be making some of these for Christmas gifts this year.

More Annette Reversible Sundresses for a different set of sisters.

I made the first set of dresses for my great niece's two girls. They wore them to a family function and another niece really liked them. She asked me to make these for her two girls - also my great nieces. Of course I said yes.

These dresses go together very fast. They are lined in the green check used on the applique and can be reversed. Change the ribbons and you have a whole new look.

Made from Annette Reversible Sundress pattern. Both of the fabrics used are by Fabric Finders. The font is Bobo Applique font I downloaded free from sewforum.com. The only problem I had was it went from the outline stitch directly to the satin stitch. All I did to resolve the problem was make the first outline stitch, lay the fabric down for the applique and just backed it up one thread color to redo the outline stitch. Not sure if that makes sense to you but if you embroider, you may know what I'm trying to say.

Sundress with music notes applique

It's been raining all weekend which is great for sewing. I got this dress done and a couple of other miscellaneous projects for my niece.

The little girl this was made for loves music and the color yellow. I had a bit of a problem with the stitching on the first try so I added some fusible interfacing to the dress fabric and applique fabric. The second try stitched out really well. I'm still new at the embroidery and machine applique so I learn as I go and from trial and error - lots of error. LOL.

The dress is made from the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern. It is reversible - the other side is a tourquoise, yellow and white floral print.

Whimsical Cow Print Capri Set

I enjoy searching for unique and different fabrics to sew with. While browsing through the fabric shops on Etsy, I found this cute cow print. The shop is located in Turkey so the order took a couple of weeks to come in but the bonus was a yard measures 36" X 95" which is like two yards. Along with this green print, I also purchased a yard of the same print in red.

The top is made from the Annette Reversible Sundress pattern shortened a little and the pants are Karen Capri Pants with an added border along the hem.

Ascension Parish Inclusive League (APIL) 1st Tball Game for Fall Season

Fall tball kicked off today for Ascension Parish Inclusive League (APIL). There were many familiar faces but also lots of new ones. Although it was hot, the kids had a great time.