It was the middle of Winter (and I was longing for Spring), when I found a dress picture in Pinterest that caught my attention.
The dress picture said “pattern #106 by Creations by Michie. 

This is the first thing I think when a new year begins: “I will fulfill my goals throughout the entire year.” But the tune inevitably changes by mid-June when I start to slow down regarding my resolutions and find myself needing a little extra willpower and stamina.
Nevertheless, this is my little bragging moment. Last year I gifted my 11 year old granddaughter a child-friendly sewing machine, hoping she might “get into” and enjoy sewing....so we started sewing lessons!

My wish came true as she embraced this fun activity with all her might. By the end of December she had made a quilt! (I helped her with the binding.) I am so impressed with her and thrilled that one of my hobbies is being passed down to the rising generation. I LOVE IT!

Teaching our skills to others, with the same passion and joy we perform them, could be a very gratifying resolution for this year.
I hope you enjoy 2018 with all your hobbies (skills and talents) and your family. Those are simple and true pleasures in life. May the pursuit of them be part of your 2018 goals.
God bless you all this year

I hope this is fun and that you enjoy this game (ruffle) as much as I have enjoyed working with you!! If you don’t have a little girl, then you may want to give this bonnet as a present to a much loved little girl.
For all my dear friends who do not celebrate Christmas…Have a WONDERFUL month of December and a BEAUTIFUL New Year…wishing you always the Best!
Much love!

Hadleigh Grange would show hand-made goat milk soaps as well as their own organic alpaca and sheep wool yarns, which are completely beautiful and of exceptional quality!. And for my craft show display I have prepared a more colorful version of the Summer Strap dress and Summer Bonnets in several pique colors. I am sure this will be a very enjoyable experience as I am planning to attend the displays of each participant in the show.
ENJOY and Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

What a pleasure it is when the weather cools down and the leaves start to change color. The garden changes in color and feeling as well, and I begin to think about Fall’s fun activities and holidays.
I went to “Memory Lane” (my photo albums in the basement) a week ago and found a picture of my first granddaughter’s Halloween costume. Eleven years ago, I helped my daughter sew it using the Simplicity pattern #3994. 

A new school year has started… What a big excitement!!  Let’s give our welcome to new teachers, new books and supplies, and of course… a BIG welcome to new clothes!
Getting new school clothes is inevitable, the children grow too fast and mom needs to keep up with the children’s clothes.
While looking for a cute “back-to-school” dress pattern in my stash of vintage notions, I found this vintage Simplicity #9533. It is the classic and versatile front pleated dress.

You may easily modify this pattern.  Sometimes making it with only 3 pleats or sometimes using 4 pleats; using flat pleats or inverted pleats; sometimes making the pattern a lot shorter (as a top for a 2 piece set), or leave the original length for a school dress.

Change the fabrics, change the length of the sleeve, change anything you feel needed and make it your own. This is an easy to make and versatile pattern.
Enjoy!

Many times we have a pattern that we love a lot, and would like to have a variation of it-- either to make it more grown-up, or to adapt it to a younger sibling.  Sometimes we just want that pattern outfitted for a specific occasion.
This is the case with the lovely Bib Dress found in Sew Beautiful magazine, Issue No. 146 (Jan/Feb 2013) by Cheryl Davidson.
This adorable Bib has been used for all sorts of different looks: a Bubble for girls, a Bubble for boys, and a Balloon knee-pant-suit for older girls (shown in a future blog).
Here are some pictures of the Sew Beautiful Bubbles from the Bib pattern. Enjoy!

I would like to share this old pattern here. It is an extremely simple pattern: just cut out 2 identical silhouette pieces, sew them together (inside-out) with a ¼-inch seam, leaving an opening of 1 ½ inches in order to turn the toy right-side-out and stuff. Sew up the opening and embroider a face using DMC floss. My toys measure 12 ¼ inches from ear tip to toe. Enjoy!

With celebrations around the corner and family activities to prepare, I just want to wish a very happy Easter to all my family, friends, and customers that celebrate this special day in the Christian tradition.
To all who may not celebrate Easter, I wish a lovely and enjoyable Spring. This is indeed a very joyful season.
This month I would like to share another find from Sew Beautiful magazine, Issue No. 146 (Jan/Feb 2013), which presents and describes the adorable and beloved “Buttoned Bib Easter Dress” by Cheryl Davidson.

The article includes a pattern for this precise dress in sizes 1 to 4. It is a simple dress, not difficult to construct. One that may be embellished according to taste.
You may have figured out by now that my own taste tends toward traditional and vintage styles.  And so, in keeping with my taste, and the traditions of the season, I have chosen to embellish the bib with joyful bunnies.
Enjoy!