Getting ready for Summer!

I had a great time stitching up a Princess Aurora inspired sundress for a young lady that will be spending some magical moments with her family at Walt Disney World.

This dress began life as a Carla C's Simply Sweet dress (natural waist, scrunched elastic straps and ruffled skirt). A few modifications to create the illusion of a princess seam as well an addition of a peplum transform this sweet dress into a great dress for a precious dress to brave the hot days of summer.

I hope she LOVES it!

New SOPHIE TUNIC!

It just doesn't get any better than this! My friend, Carla C teamed up with a fantastic fabric designer (whom I'm now proud to call a friend as well!), Jennifer Paganelli to create a FABULOUS new pattern. The Sophie Tunic, available at You Can Make This, can be made in several different lengths as well as different sleeve lenghts. It is perfect as a cover up for the beach, or as a sweet retro inspired top. I was THRILLED to be able to test this pattern. I've got several more of these to stitch up (oh, to find the time!). The next version on my cutting table is using Jennifer's gorgeous Sis Boom fabrics! OOH! YUMMY!

And the WINNER IS...

Today is the day! As promised before I left for my magical trip, I have selected a winner to receive a princess stripwork jumper. And the winner is... LOST IN STASH (AKA FLEA from Disboards). Here is her comment:

Ooooh I love your blog - the dress is so cute :). I don't know if you want to enter me or not being on the otherside of the world but I would pay for shipping if I won :)Have a wonderful time :)Flea from disboards :)

LOST IN STASH - contact me for your choice of size - available in sizes 6 months - 8 years, as well as an address of where to ship. I'll do the magic!

The fine print:
Winner was randomly selected on random.org

Blogabration! WOO HOO!

Well, the time has finally come! I'm going to DISNEY WORLD! And not only am I going to Disney World, but I'm going with my MOM! Yep, that's right - it's a PRINCESS TRIP! My dad will join us after a few days, and my BFF and her husband will be there as well. I can't wait! It is going to be the best of all worlds. I'm so very excited, I can't help but want to celebrate. So, in an act of celebration, I've decided it only appropriate that all of my readers join in the fun!

I've posted my most recent Princess stripwork jumper. It was created for a fellow DISer and it was the perfect creation to get me in the mood for my princess trip. In celebration ONE OF YOU - my faithful readers - will receive a princess stripwork jumper of your own! Here's how it will work. All comments that are made on my blog while I'm away (beginning today, Saturday, April 25, 2009 and ending Sunday, May 3, 2009) will be entered into a drawing. The winner will be drawn on Monday, May 4, 2009. SO - please help me celebrate! Leave me lots of comments! Then stay tuned for lots of pictures and lots of gushing of what a great time I had at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Trying something different

I've seen these really cool glass pendants that have pictures in them on etsy and I've been wanting one! Of course, I could have just bought one from one of the many sellers on etsy. But then I would always have this nagging voice inside my head that said, "how'd they do that?" SO, in the true nature of a crafter, I decided to make one myself. This was my first attempt, and I have to say that it was very simple. I did learn a few things from my first creation, but I really love the end product. Enough that I'll even wear it! I love this project because the possibilities are endless. I can't wait to make up a few more, and especially, make a few for AbbyGrace to wear with her outfits that I make her. I see several of these in my future - what great little pendants for Disney trips these will make!

EDITED TO ADD:

Actually, I can't take credit for coming up with the idea. There are tons of these all over etsy. But to learn how to do it, I purchased a kit from kristenskrafts on etsy. The kit came with instructions. However, I found a set of instructions that will achieve the same end result at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/riotsqurrl/sets/72157607107845567/

The only difference that I can see is that I used a product called Diamond Glaze as the adhesive on mine.

One more thing - the pics that I posted are of the 1.4 inch glass tile. There is also a smaller tile (about 1") that can be purchased. I don't think that either of these are any heavier than any other pendant I would wear. You would think that since they're glass they would be, but not so. I'll probably use the smaller tile for AbbyGrace because I think this size will be a little too big for her.

Quick Easter Egg Hunt dress

This was totally inspired by a fellow DISer that created an Easter dress for her daughter using the Vida pattern. When I saw it, I knew I wanted to make one, but we already have Easter outfits planned. What to do? I sewed it up real quick for AbbyGrace to wear to an Easter egg hunt at our church today. The front and back center panels were created on my embroidery machine. My Baby Lock imagine serger made the ruched ruffles a breeze! LOVE that machine! I did a rolled edge hem along the sides of a 2" strip of fabric, then ran it through my sewing machine at the highest tension and longest stitch length to gather down the middle.

My Most Recent Creation

I have a favorite pattern designer. Her name is Carla C. She is also known as "The Scientific Seamstress". She is linked in the side bar because I can't figure out how to link here.

She really knows how to bring out the best seamstress in me. Her designs are very straightforward and detailed. They are exactly what I need to create designs that not only help me create cute things, but also really help me to grow as a seamstress and step outside the box to create things I never imagined possible.

Last week Carla asked me to be a part of a group of fabulous seamstresses and one tailor to test a new pattern that she was writing. The new pattern debuted at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ on Monday. Here are a few of my thoughts regarding the pattern:

"Carla has done it again! This time she has created the quintessential girlie dress! This is the dress that I have longed to make for my daughter since I began sewing again almost two years ago. Yet the idea of a puffy sleeves and a back closure have caused me pause from attempting this style of dress. I knew that with Carla C's instructions, I could make the dress of my longing for my daughter. Her always clear, highly definitive directions left no room for error on my part. Carla guides the creator through each and every step! From creating the perfect peter pan style collar, to making the perfect puffy sleeve, it's all included! But if it is a simpler style with no collar and/or no sleeves, you're given the same attention to detail with instructions that will create the perfect dress that you have envisioned. It just doesn't get any better than this! I'll be sewing this dress up over, and over, and over again! Thanks so much, Carla for a PRECIOUS DRESS!"

And they're OFF!

The truth is, I've had this blog set up with nothing on it for a few months. I've had good intentions of starting an amazing blog where I could share things that I have enjoyed creating for my family and having all of my friends "ooh" and "aah" over them. But in all honesty, not everything that I create always causes that response. So, I've been hesitant to actually begin posting. With so many awesome blogs on the web these days, I have felt a lot of pressure to either have a perfect blog, or no blog at all.

Then, today, I was reading my friend, Tom's blog (linked in the sidebar because I can't figure out how to link here yet), and it dawned on me. Blogging should be about me sharing with friends, not about perfection. His generosity and desire to share inspired me. SO, here I am. Let the sharing begin!