Christmas Presents

I got really creative today wrapping Christmas presents.  I like natural touches on everything.  These are really different from other presents that I've wrapped for Christmases past.  What special touches do you add when wrapping your presents?

My hydrangeas were beautiful all summer long.  We dried some of the blooms, as shown on this gift.  The blue and purple shades dried so well.  

This brown hydrangea was picked today straight off the plant.  The pine needles came from a tree planted 23 years ago.  This tree was our first Christmas tree the very first year of our marriage, and it has flourished in our yard.  

I was raised on a cotton farm.  I LOVE cotton! The brown paper wrapping suits the white bolls.  

I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

A New Pattern!

I have a new pattern named "Bella." It comes is sizes 2-6.  "Bella" is a reversible swing jumper or sundress.  It buttons on the shoulders and has a scalloped Madeira border with a ruffled petticoat on one side of the jumper.  The other side of the jumper has a ruffle around the hem.  It is mid-calf length.  Create two totally different looking outfits while only sewing one jumper.

The fabric is by Anna Griffin. I absolutely LOVE this fabric!

Another "Brooke"

I'm sorry to be such a horrible blogger. I will try to be better in the future.  Here is the promised "Brooke."  This version can also be worn four different ways, just as the "Brooke" in the last post can be.

Brooke

 "Brooke" was my very first pattern.  I designed it for my daughter, Brooke.  She wore this design for several years.  It is very versatile and easy to make.  Both the top and the skirt are reversible.  It can be worn 4 different ways!  This outfit is made in a pretty fall fabric.  The green skirt is corduroy for colder days.  Here in the south, it stays warm until November sometimes.  If you live in colder areas, a turtleneck looks great paired with it.  I guess you can tell that I love scallops.  On the next post,  I'll show a different version made with a ruffle.

Guess What Came in the Mailbox?

I absolutely love this cover!  It is beautiful!!!  

Ivey Crenshaw adapted my "Avery" pattern to make this adorable jumper.  Thank you Ivey!!!

Smocking Club

I had such a lovely time at our local smocking club on Monday night.  One of the ladies demonstrated Kari Mecca's "whimsy sticks."  She made it look so easy to make these beautiful flowers.  She brought over a dozen different flowers that she had made from such beautiful ribbons.   Such eye candy!!  I just love ribbon!!

Dolly Hailey

"Dolly Hailey" is just like "Hailey" so that your little girls can dress up their dolls to look just like them.

Another Hailey

The floral dress on the front of the "Hailey" pattern is made from lawn and Flower Smocked with yellow seed beads.  I was skeptical about how this fabric would smock, but I really liked the way it turned out.

Notice on this dress that the tucks are simply pressed way from the center.

Hailey

"Hailey" is a precious little dress embellished with Flower Smocking across the bodice.  The dress buttons down the back, has underarm pleats and the hem is finished with a single tuck.  It may be made sleeveless or with three quarter length sleeves.  The sleeves are embellished with Flower Smocking which creates ribbons of fabric.  Matching doll dress pattern is NOT included with this pattern.  "Dolly Hailey" is sold separately.

The blue dress is made out broadcloth and flower smocked with swarovski crystal beads.  I bought these beads at Hobby Lobby.  It gives it a little bit of bling!

                                  Notice on this dress that the tucks are pressed into box pleats.

Baby Hailey

"Baby Hailey" is the baby version of "Hailey." The dress is made the same, but the pattern also includes the option of shortening the dress into a top with matching bloomers.

Flower Smocking

Flower Smocking is stitched on the right side of the fabric.  It creates folds and puffs.  It consists of pulled stitches and slack stitches that are worked on a marked grid.  Please realize that it does not stretch like pleated smocking.

In researching Flower Smocking, I did not find a lot of information about it.  One vintage pattern I have called it Snowflake Smocking.  All of the vintage patterns that I've found are of pillows.

The dresses with Flower Smocking are available in three different sizes :

"Hailey" -  sizes 3 to 7
"Baby Hailey" - sizes 6 to 24 months
"Dolly Hailey" -  for the 18" doll

WARNING!!! Flower Smocking is very addictive!

Sew Beautiful

I am so honored to have one of my patterns featured in the latest Sew Beautiful.  It is my very favorite magazine.  Sew Beautiful is always full of inspiration, creative ideas, and eye candy.  Whenever it arrives in the mailbox, I read it from cover to cover!  The article lists the pattern as "Baby Polly," but it is "Baby Hailey."

What a cute little girl on the beach!

Over the next few weeks, I will show you several "Haileys" made in different fabrics and embellished with different beads.  Check back often for more "Haileys."

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog.  I hope to be able to share some of the techniques and ideas that are used on my patterns with you. Thanks for stopping by.