A Remake

A few years back while traveling in Italy I saw this dress in a window. It was cheap and I thought it was a perfect summer dress. 

I didn't try it on.

My bad, because it didn't work for me. Guess I was channeling my 20 something self.....

I showed it to Jessica and she loved it, which is funny because it is much more color than she ever wears at once. Some days I cause her to cringe with my colorful clothing. 

Poor baby.

Before the little guy came along she wore it a couple of times but after little guy, some changes needed to be made. It happens when you are blessed with children, things change. 

Before.

Sorry for the mediocre photos, I think we were supposed to be making dinner?? Poor guys.

After.

Mom friendly but gorgeous!

Even better than the original, don't you think?

I Actually Sewed Something

 My sister asked for this bag back when I was at the shop and made it for display. She decided it was the perfect knitting bag. I decided that she also needed a pattern holder and made one the night before she left. It's not great but I think it will do until she is tired of it. 

Jessica wanted more shopping bags. She uses one that I sent her for a beach bag. We collect shells and other beach treasures in it. These will be for shopping. Or beach treasures or whatever she wants.

Who says you can't have fall color in FL? I have two beautiful trees in my front yard that are trying their hardest.  I looked up and saw this while I was painting my front door. My blue front door. My indigo blue front door.  Oh yeah, I'll post that over here when it is dry......

Jessica + Voile + Summertime Top = Cute

It’s been fun getting back into the groove of sewing. There were a few things I brought with me when we moved so I could have projects to do while waiting for my household stuff. One of the items was the Summer Time top pattern from Favorite Things. Another was AMH voile diamond mine in ink. I was hoping Jessica would like the combination and she did.

Of course, we had to put our own twist on things. She’s not a big fan of ties. I knew this, so I wasn’t surprised. We decided on buttons. I added a placket down the front on both sides because it was too small across the front. This is not her fault. The girl is tiny. I should have checked to make sure the pattern fit. I just started cutting to her normal size without compensating for some new attributes that she has acquired. I made the cap sleeves a bit shorter too.

I love the way it turned out. Voile is the perfect fabric for a top like this. 

Lovely Pillowcases

Another step in getting Jess ready for the hospital was to make her pillowcases. She was told to bring a couple of her own comfy pillows, but to be sure that the cases were distinctly hers.  Do you think these will work??

She had just a yard of her most favorite Mendocino fabric and a white cotton pillowcase. It was destiny.  It was magic. It was fun.  I did the planning and cutting, she did the sewing. 

My Girl

I think this was one of my favorites that I have made for her so far.

So glad it worked since I was winging it....

Is it wrong to love two things that you've made so very much?

Jess + dress = perfect!

I am NOT a doting mom....... ha ha.

A Bag For Jessica

Jessica and I were discussing what type of bag she would like to have when baby M is born. She even sent sketches because that's fun for her. When she mentioned she liked the way the Multi Tasker tote by AMH looked I started thinking of combining the two. Not sure if this is exactly what she was looking for, but it's a start. I made this with our new organic canvas and one of the gorgeous chambrays from Kaufman.

I used the pattern and it was fun and simple. I just added more pockets. These two were not in the pattern. I figured everyone needs a zippered pocket and the other gets wider at the top for, well, odd wide at the top stuff.

I also put fleece between the layers to give it more body. Moms need to be able to use just one hand sometimes, right? I added a pocket that follows the fun outer pockets on the pattern.

In it I put a changing mat with a fun Amy Schimler surprise. I had to use the iron on vinyl. Not a fan but you do what you have to do. Dear Ms. Schimler, have you thought of coated cottons lately?

She might even  be able to sling it across her body if she absolutely needs both hands.

What do you think Jess?

My Sis Has an Etsy Shop!

I am very excited that Sherie has finally taken the plunge. Go see her awesome creations, you won't be sorry. Where did she get her logo? Jessica of course!

A Dress for Jessica

I've had this fabric for awhile and when Jessica sent me this pattern, I knew that they would make a good combination. I am sorry for the bad lighting, again. The nice cozy, snowy day doesn't lend itself to good photos. The fabric is a brown cotton dobby weave type fabric with white, beige and black details. I loved sewing it and wish I had more! I made the piping from a dark brown Kona cotton.

It was fun to use one of my tags. Hope you like it Jess.

Made with lots of love for me!

Have I said lately how much in awe of my darling girl I am? She amazes me everyday. The only thing that surpasses her cleverness is her kindness. She got together with Jennifer and made my labels which I love probably beyond reason. Then as if that wasn't enough, she embroidered and embellished this organizer around the logo she designed. I wish I could have watched her do this, watching her is as fun as seeing the end result. Intense much? I would have made her coffee and cinnamon bread and watched her go to town! This doesn't do the nest justice. Hopefully you get the idea.

Layers of felt and little embroidered birdie feet.

Look close at the wings. Oh my word, what patience!

My dear husband suggested that since I spend more time at work than at home, that I hang it by my desk. I think I will. It's a good suggestion even though I think there was a not so hidden statement in there somewhere.

I love you Jessica!

Jessica is on Etsy!

Yes, my really lovely, talented, sweet baby girl now has a shop on Etsy. You can see her under my favorites. So far she makes the growth charts I wrote about earlier. Who knows what will come next. She has a clever mind. Gets that from her dad.... Good news is she is nice too! Gets that from me..... ha ha No really, she is one of my most favorite people in the world and she has a great husband. Good taste also runs in the family...
Go, check out her shop, do it NOW!

Retraction

At this time I must admit to having half of my faculties in order. I surround myself with clever people to try and cover up this fact. In my last post I gave credit to Jennifer for the idea of getting the Turning Twenty quilt pattern when it was in fact my daughter, Jessica. Last night, when she kindly pointed this out to me in an email, I felt terrible. I am trying to figure out how to blame this on the two of them. I know, they are both clever, talented people who give me so many good ideas that I get confused!! Does that work? Anyway, I blogged about my Mema and told ya'll that I have been surrounded by talent all my life. What I haven't said yet is that I managed to produce three talented people. Much more clever than me most days. I hope Jessica doesn't mind but I am putting up pictures of something she has done. They are growth folios. They can be hung on the wall or stored in their compact 6 x 6 size on a shelf. She painted each one with cool bugs and plants leaving enough room for notes. There is a pocket for a picture on the front. She has also personalized them. So said all of that to say, THANK YOU Jessica. Oh and BTW you need to pick out fabric cause I feel another quilt top needs to be made....