HOT DOG.....

..hot dog, hot diggity dog!!  Ava LOVES Mickey Mouse.  I took a WalMart knit shirt and pants, some ribbon and embroidered a Mickey Mouse on it from the Brother Quattro machine.  She will love this.......and this is what older folks do on New Year's Eve!!!
Happy New Year to you all!

Tutu Cute!

Ava's first birthday is coming next month.  Casey and I made her a tutu!  I used a 19" piece of elastic (was about 1 1/2 less after sewing together)  then added pink, green and white tulle all around to create the tutu.  I cute the tulle in 6x14" strips and I have counted 54 in the final total.  These are really easy to make.  I used a plastic canister from the kitchen to hold the elastic while tying the tulle.  If you will google making a tutu you will find loads of info and even videos.  Hopefully I will have a picture to post of her wearing it.  Now on to embroidering the onsie with a birthday design!

Moda's Knotty Jumper with Ruffled Leggings

Wow, talk about cute!  Moda has some of the cutest things on their website.  I hope I get time to make one of these for Ava!  Go to the Moda site and look at all their "recipes" for using those cute precut fabrics!

Moda's Fabric Shawl

I couldn't get the picture here but this article has a wonderful quilted shawl.
(http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/08/pure-comfort.html) If you don't quilt, making it from fleece might be an option.  Would make a wonderful gift for anyone and could even be personalized with the embroidery machine.  I want one of these for myself!  I also know many folks I would love to make one for!  Simple sewing at its best.....don't you just love Moda??  Lots of great ideas there and lovely fabrics to drool over.
Countdown is on.....Christmas is just around the corner for sure now!  Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and enjoys the family time without getting too tired or stressed.....God bless you all!

Honey Grahams

Honey Grahams
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
put in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes
add 1 cup pecans
line a pan with graham crackers and pour the above mixture over and bake for 10 minutes on 350
This is really good and easy for those times you need something fast and easy.

We are a bit cold right now for the south, that is!  Woke this morning to temps in the teens and never got over 30 degrees.  I know that may not sound cold to others living up north but its bone chilling here!  Blessings to all and don't get too stressed with the holidays coming, not worth it!

Making a Teepee Model

Yesterday had to make a teepee model for Emilee. I got online and read although I had in my head an idea of how to do it. Finally settled on covering a cheap childs party hat with some tan fleece I had on hand and used some reeds I had left from some fragrance dispensers for the sticks. Easy enough! Then I cut a circle from construction paper for a sun and used strands of thread to put behind it for a "sun" decoration, put some red rick rack around the teepee....used a knotted piece of green thread glued to it for a "snake" and took a piece of indian looking fabric, fraying the ends, and glued all this on for decorations on the outside of the teepee. I cut some leaves from some fabric scraps and glued them on there too. I used a permenant marker to make paw prints on it too. Not really hard to do but the real delight was when Parker saw it......he kind of had that glazed look that I get seeing a new sewing machine......saying I need that. So after I can get myself settled I guess I will be making some teepees for the grandsons that enjoy those cheap plastic "army" type men so much!
We are so blessed with the grandkids but they do keep you busy. I can't imagine how parents manage alone without the help of someone else!

Make a Snow Globe

Emilee, the 10 year old granddaughter, had to make a snow globe from recycled materials for extra points. I had never done the but after a little reading on the web found what info I needed and we got one done. Here's what you will need.....
One empty jar with lid (I used a junior baby food jar)
one figurine for the inside (we did purchase a glass angel for $1 at the Dollar Store for this)
gorilla glue or some water proof glue
assorted trims and a bead (all from left over craft projects)
Baby oil
glitter
Make sure jar is label free and clean and dry.
Glue the figurine to the inside of the jar lid and let set whatever amount of time your glue recommends, I let it set overnight.
Fill jar just almost full of baby oil and add glitter. Glue the lid on the jar making sure you seal it well to prevent leaks. When this is set use hot glue or any other you choose and attach any trims you want, we used some beads that were on a strip of fabric that would hang down from the lid. I glued a bead on top and put in a pc. of trim to make this an ornament....use the stronger glue for this so it won't come loose.
I can see where this would be a wonderful project for Bible schools and parties. The baby oil helps the glitter from falling too fast or you can use water with a few drops of glyercine added.
Merry Christmas all....don't stress over all that is to be done, take a breath and just relax a moment, if it gets done, good for you, if not you will likely be the only one that knows what your "good" intentions were anyway!

Ava is GROWING!

New pictures of little Ms Ava.....one at the Pumpkin Patch and one where she is getting caught checking out the gifts under the tree. She is trying to walk and can crawl really fast! Can't wait to see her at Christmas. We will be blessed with all the kids and grandkids here at once and that doesn't happen very often anymore.

Ava's New Dress

I finished a dress for little Ava this morning. It is in the "pillowcase" style with the bow tying in the back so that Mommy doesn't have to wrestle with keeping the bows tied! I love these because they are so versatile and "grow" with the child to some degree......you can add leggings to make it a cute little top as she gets taller. This is the last of the fabric from what I used to make Casey's coasters earlier this year. I guess that means I will have to go purchase new fabric now......evil grin!!!!

We are getting a little taste of fall weather finally!!!! God has blessed us with nice cool mornings and sunny days. We just got back from visiting with Ava and Casey on Monday. Loved seeing them and getting to spoil Ava for a little while. She is growing and is so funny......tries to mock everything you do! Ava is now 8 months old.....time flies!!!!

Moderating Comments

I am now having to moderate my comments section due to comments unknown and unrelated to my posts. I hope you all understand. Thanks so much and have a wonderful, blessed evening!

Pillowcase Dress

This is the first "pillowcase" dress I have ever made and it certainly won't be the last. It was so easy and I had studied it so long......I have the tendency to make things complicated in my mind! I used a cupcake design from http://www.nobbieneezkids.com/ and the name was created in my Monogram Wizard Plus program. This is for a little girl's first birthday and she is having a Mickey Mouse party so I thought these colors would be perfect! I used instructions to use elastic in the front and back and sewing the ribbons on so they do not pull out. If you google "pillowcase dress instructions" you will find lots of help on the net. (there are some good videos too!) I do wish I had used white or yellow for the name but you have to live and learn! All in all I am pleased with the dress and colors although I really do want to do something floral and dainty!

God blessed us with wonderful chruch services today and a relaxing afternoon at home. Until next time, may God bless you and yours.

Summer Reading

I am still trying to heal from the ear infection and its going too slow for my taste! They are better but not well.
I am reading the Sue Grafton book pictured and I have enjoyed it so much. I haven't read the whole series but the ones I have caught have been worthwhile to me. I love James Patterson and have read a couple of his recently. I also enjoy Lisa Jackson books, they keep you on the edge of your seat most times and I am anxiously awaiting the new one by Janet Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum series is so funny and lighthearted! I normally read a few pages each evening but have read more lately because I just didn't feel like doing anything else!
I am having an issue with my blog. I have comments left from a foreign source and it seems to want to translate to a sex video??? Anyway, if anyone can tell me how to block or avoid these things I sure would appreciate it! I am not sure how that happened but I do want to stop it!
I hope you all are enjoying your summer....well, almost summer, here in Mississippi its hot and muggy so its SUMMER! We have been most blessed with frequent rains so far and at times too much!
Until next time, may God bless you and yours and keep us all from harm!

Reversible Swim Coverup

The Moda Bake shop has the cutest pattern up for this reversible swim cover up for kids......I just love to go there and see their ideas and all the things available. Click on the title and it will take you to the pattern!
I am battling an ear infection so will make the post short and sweet but its here.....just so thankful the pain is gone but the hearing is not good right now!

In the Hoop Coasters

I have discovered a wonderful set of coasters made entirely in the embroidery hoop. The title will link you to http://www.ggdesignsembroidery.com/ where you can find all kind of cute designs and ITH projects. These were extremely easy and came with a wonderful text document, complete with pictures, to guide you. Totally stress-free embroidering and the price was really good! I am sorry the picture doesn't do the fabric justice! I made these for my daughter Casey. She has some really pretty pottery type coasters but with little Ms Ava sure to be crawling before we know it these will be much safer for her and the coasters! All my grandchildren so far have been attracted to the coasters on the tables! Wish I had these a few years ago!

We were able to be with Casey and Ava this past weekend at Ava's dedication at her church. She was a perfect little lady. How can anyone look at this little face and not wonder at GOD's goodness and blessings?

Ava's New Dress

I just finished this new dress for Ava. I used McCall's pattern 5353 (stress free and easy to sew up!) which is a crossover in the back dress with button shoulders and the bloomers. I confess I have had the fabric in my stash for quite some time now....uhhh, lets say about 9 years!!!! I intended on making something from it for the oldest granddaughter when she was little and just never got it done! I also embroidered appliqued lemons on a ready made bib and embroidered underneath the lemons "Pucker UP!" I used the same colors so it made a complete matching outfit. I hope to do more sewing....and our little ole town has just been blessed with its first official quilt shop that has fabrics just begging me to buy them!
My daughter asked me not to make anything PINK.....I guess little Ms Ava has enough pink for now and I certainly don't see any pink in this outfit!!!
My sister had gallbladder surgery today and thankfully everything went well.....She is going to feel so much better in a few days and she is hyper and hard working so no telling what she is going to attempt now! I thank God for watching over her thru this!

Guess you thought I was gone forever....

I guess I have been lost in a fog since my last post...just after my 50th birthday. I have been really busy. You see posted here a picture of our newest blessing, a granddaughter named Ava. She is 3 months old now and just precious. In fact, there have been three new babies (including Ava) added to our family since my last post! So you can understand the lack of posting!

We lost our precious malta-poo Belle the day after Christmas. She was near 15 years old so we had enjoyed her for lots of years but we sure do miss her. We are now proudly owned by a apricot poodle named Rudy. (the name is short for Rudolph since he was born on Christmas Day) I can tell you that life with a puppy is really hectic sometimes, but hopefully the house training will go fast. He does manage to pull out three things to every one I manage to put up!

We were blessed to make it through a long, cold winter without too much sickness. Now the trees are blooming out and the pollen is abundant! Mowing is here, azaleas blooming and warm, beautiful days come really often along with the occasional spring storms.

Hopefully I will be more regular at this now but you'll have to forgive me when I skip here and there, it will likely be due to family obligations!