Tuesday, September 25, 2012

India is Twenty-Wonderful!


Do you have any idea how much I love this girl?

India is the only treasure that I carried under
my heart for 9 months.

And she has been my joy for every day of her
21 years.

I am so grateful that she is mine.



She loves a good adventure!



She is goofy and knows a good cuppa' when she sees one!



She knows how to wield a fry pan when necessary!

And she is completely wonderful in every way.

Today,
as my darling girl is still battling
a nasty cold,
and awaiting news of her (hopefully!!!)
impending acceptance for another
term in the Disney College Program,
I pray peace and health for her.

I pray joy and love.

I pray tenacity and strength.

I pray trust and courage.

I am so grateful that
21 years ago,
God gave me the desire of my heart,
and gave me this jewel.

Happy Birthday Princess India.

I pray all your dreams come true.

Love,
Mommy



(Photo credits go to her darling friends Sigrid Forsythe
and Jayne McKenna)


Thursday, September 13, 2012

My Ahnalin Was VERY Blessed!


Ahnalin received a package in the mail last week!

Inside was one of the most beautiful dresses
I have EVER seen!

A wonderful bloggy friend,
had created this amazing dress for Ahnalin!


Ahnalin is crazy about it
and especially loves the sparkly 
crystal beads and tiny lavender pearls
smocked onto the bodice.

The smocking is truly exquisite!

And the fabric has a rich crispness to it
that feels very princessy.


This was one of the
many hand smocked dresses
that Jan entered into the Western Idaho fair
and won prizes!

She is amazing!!


I am so grateful that Jan chose to bless
Ahnalin with this treasure.

It is long and will fit her for a few years,
which makes this mama very happy!


Ahnalin wanted to make sure
this dress was shown off
in her "Classic Ahnalin" pose.

Thank you so much Jan!

WE LOVE THIS DRESS!!!


Friday, September 7, 2012

Pretty Bridesmaid Dress For Stesha


This lovely lady is going to be a bridesmaid
in her sister's wedding in a few months.

And I was blessed to sew her dress for her.

I get to sew her younger sister's matching dress as well.

They are both just gorgeous girls!


 They chose Butterick 5457 for the dress pattern,
and we made a few modifications.

I made a muslin for each girl,
and I am so glad I did.

According to the measurements,
Stesha would have worn a size 12,
yet a size 6 completely swam on her.
If the pattern had come in a size 2,
that may have been close to fitting her.

I am showing the dress on my child size 7/8
mannequin. 

I had to keep taking it in and taking it in,
so that muslin was pretty marked up
by the time I cut into the shantung.


I love how the bodice is tucked.
The pleats are sewn at the top and 
where the bodice meets the midruff,
but they are loose through the length of the bodice.


But the pleated bodice and rouched
midriff really make a lovely, feminine garment.


This doesn't show up very well,
but there is a small ruffle of shell pink organza sewn
to the lining under the skirt.

I love the ethereal look it gives. 
I cut 3 inches off the bottom 
of the lining front and back pieces.
Then I cut the ruffle strips 7 inches long by the full
width of the organza fabric.  
I sewed two strips together  and then
folded them over, encasing the seams, 
so the organza was doubled.
Then I slightly gathered the doubled strip
and attached it to the bottom of the lining,
serging it in place.

I took many notes on the changes I made to this pattern,
so I can reproduce it for the next dress.

I really liked this pattern, 
but I am so very glad I made a muslin.
I get a little frustrated with how inaccurate
the sizing is in the major pattern companies.
But the end result was a really pretty dress.
And I think it showcases Stesha's beauty quite well.


If you have not entered my giveaway for the current
issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine,
where you will find an article that I co-wrote,
go enter HERE.


Happy Sewing!