For A Little University of Michigan Fan

I adore jonjons and longalls on little boys.

But I do not have a little boy of my own to wear them.

I have sewn many over the years for my nephew and for custom orders. 

So when I received an email from a friend requesting a longall with 

the University of Michigan "M" embroiderd on the front, 

I got excited.

I struggled with the colors and finding the right fabric here.

I ended up visiting a famous-yet-new-to-me store in Berkeley called 

Stonemountain and Daughter. Oh wow! That is a lovely store!

This is actually a dark royal blue 100% cotton woven gingham,

even though it looks very dark navy. 

I purchased the embroidery design off Etsy.

And those "maize" buttons came from Britex in San Francisco. 

Sigh. Britex. My happy place. 

The customer had requested a full lining, so I used a lovely 100% cotton

sheeting from Stonemountain and Daughter. 

I am very fussy about matching my plaids and ginghams at seam lines. 

I fussy cut each peice individually and pin every inch or so, 

to insure that the fabric doesn't shift while I sew. 

I wanted to make sure this outfit fit it's little owner for a long time, 

So I cut the legs long,so they would cuff at the hem for now,

But be unrolled as he grew.

I hope to receive a photo of this little guy in his outfit. 

He will be wearing it this weekend while his whole family gathers

to cheer on their favorite team. 

Happy Sewing!

Sivje

Thirty And A Half Excuses, and Why I Love The Rose Gardner Mysteries

I love the Rose Gardner Mysteries so much.

I fell in love with Rose and the other crazy and colorful residents of Henryetta Arkansas 

when I read "Twenty Eight And A Half Wishes".

And I loved her, and felt sorry for her, and worried about her and cheered for her

 and cried along with her in "Twenty Nine And A Half Reasons".

And, well, I also fell in love with her boyfriend Joe. 

Sigh. Joe. Mmmmm....

So when I found out Denise was writing "Thirty And A Half Excuses", 

well, I practically begged to review it 

(translation: read it as soon as possible!!!)

Denise Grover Swank is my friend, a fellow adoptive mama, and a brilliant writer.

Here is a little more about her. 

New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Denise
Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she
was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four
states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her
roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she
learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period.  Her hobbies
include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen
with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.)  Hidden
talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive
amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the
sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks.  She has six
children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

You can read more about Denise Here.

Thirty And A Half Excuses is the third book in the Rose Gardner Mysteries and I think it is my favorite!

THIRTY AND A HALF
EXCUSES Synopsis:
Life in Henryetta, Arkansas is turned upside down with the
arrival of a televangelist, but it’s the death of a little old lady on Rose’s
street that catches her attention. The Henryetta police deem her death natural
causes, but Rose suspects foul play and so does an unlikely supporter–-the
president of the Busy Body Club, her eighty-two year old neighbor Mildred.



But Rose is in the middle of opening her nursery with her sister Violet, who’s
separated from her husband Mike, as well as stalling her boyfriend Joe’s
family, rich socialites who are determined to meet her. Along with her multiple
encounters with Fenton County’s new assistant DA, Mason Deveraux III, it’s just
another day in the life of Rose Gardner–-chaos.

What can I say about this book to tell you how much I love it?

Well, as I said before I love the characters. I love Rose and how she has grown as a person just in the span of a few months since "28 1/2", and then "29 1/2" and now. Rose is a hard worker who is experiencing first love, really the first love in her life. She has been mocked and belittled and lied to her whole life. Yet she is learning to embrace her special "gift" and use it for good.

Rose and her sister Violet are thrilled to open their new florist nursery 

and more intrigue arrives on their grand opening day. 

I get so mad at how the townspeople treat her and mistrust her, yet there is redemption as some grudgingly admit her curious ways are solving crimes. 

Well, and Joe. hmmmm. Yeah, Rose's boyfriend Joe is just a bundle of mystery. And then 

there is Mason Deveraux, who is Rose's friend, but he wants to be more, as well as having 

his own touch of mystery. And Rose's sister Violette just needs to have some serious therapy!

And the new minister in town....well......there is a story...........
and I must add that if we lived in Henryetta, my HRH would
probably be playing in the church band....well maybe.  

Somehow trouble and mystery, seem to follow Rose. 
I think you will love her as much as I do.

You can buy Denise's books at
Amazon. 

 Denise has offered a giveaway to celebrate the release of "Thirty And A Half Excuses"!!
I am hoping I did this correctly. A Rafflecopter should appear. If not, well, I did something wrong.

href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/" rel="nofollow">

href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/"
rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!

Sivje

href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Attempting To Post From My IPad

So the aging Macbook is not behaving and I am working on learning how to post from my iPad.

So far, I have not managed to remain calm. 

Nor have I found the secret to eternal youth, as the office next to this sign was abandoned. 

However, I can look at my engagement photo from when HRH and I were actually young.

This is a dumb post, but if it works, I will be very happy and maybe even join the girls in a round of 

"Just Dance".

 

Harriet Doll Outfit By Genniewren

Did you just swoon with delight

at this darling little sailor outfit? 

I adore sailor outfits!

And I have a wonderful talented

friend who designs gorgeous patterns

for 18" dolls.

Her name is Genine and 

her company is Genniewren Designs.

This little outfit was made using her

brand new "Harriet" pattern.

I adore this pattern!

The pattern comes as a PDF

complete with pattern pieces

and instructions to make the dropped waist

pleated skirt dress,

the beret,

and the sailor blouse.

You can purchase the pattern as an 

instant download

right here!

I made the blouse with the short sleeves,

but there is also a long sleeve variation,

and even a ruffled collar variation. 

Ahnalin's Molly and Elizabeth dolls

each had to have their chance modeling

the outfit.

They both love it as well.

Ahnalin and I sewed this little outfit together.

She picked out the fabric from my stash,

and helped me with the cutting and the straight seams.

And it was her idea

to use the tiny piece of tucked trim for the

inset on the dress. 

(Ahnalin styling her model for the perfect photo)

She wants to make another dress

using this pattern,

to be more like a cheerleading outfit!

And Genine even has tiny 

cheerleading embroidery designs in her shop

that would fit perfectly!!!

If you have a little girl 

(or are a little girl at heart)

who loves

her 18" doll, then you need to 

get right on over to Genine's store

and load up on her gorgeous patterns.

She has so many darling designs 

and her instructions are so easy to follow.

Oh Genine,

thank you for allowing us

to enjoy your wonderful design.

I can't wait to make up

even more of your amazing designs.

Happy Sewing!

Sivje

25 Years Ago And Still Today

August 21, 1988

We were practically babies.

He had just completed his Masters Degree

in electronic music and recording engineering.

 

I had just turned 21, three weeks

before the wedding,

and was working as a home furnishings 

specialist at Laura Ashley.

 

We were so completely crazy in love with each other.

 

Don's father and he had started to

build our little love nest,

or "Bunny Hutch" as we called it,

over the garage on their property.

 

Don's 25th birthday

was 4 days before our

wedding day.

 

I made my gown and beaded my shoes

and my mother and I made the bridesmaid's

and flower girl's dresses.

  

Don's mother and I sewed about a hundred

white covers for the folding chairs for the reception.

 

We were married at
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church,

on a perfect Sunday afternoon.

 

My father walked me down the aisle,

while Vivaldi's "Spring" was played

on flute and pipe organ,

and then he preached the wedding sermon.

 

During our ceremony,

my love accompanied me on guitar,

while I sang

"My Romance". 

Our wedding supper reception was held

in Don's aunt and uncle's back yard.

His Greek aunts made the delicious

food for the buffet,

all the while carrying on their hilarious "arguing."

(This is still one of my very dearest memories of the day.)

 

Our friends and family shared tears

and laughter

and joy.

Our marriage was prayed over 

and blessed.

And it was a good day.

 

Over the last 25 years,

we have lived a lot of life,

inhabited many houses in several states,

served the Lord and His people in numerous churches,

made A LOT of music,

given birth to our beloved India,

journeyed to China to adopt our beloved Ahnalin, 

prayed through many crises,

and seen many miracles,

packed around about a ton of fabric (!!)

and

dreamed many dreams.

We are still very, very much in love.

I have been blessed with the very best man.

My "Hot Rockin' Hubby" is still the man of my dreams.

God has blessed us so much.

 

Happy Anniversary my dear Don.

I can't wait to see what the next 25 years hold.

A Birthday Dress For Ahnalin

Ahnalin had a birthday.

So, of course, she needed a new dress.

Because who can resist this face?

She wanted the dress to be in her
favorite style sundress.
I don't use a pattern for this style,
as I just cut it based on her current measurements.

And she wanted me to use this
Cath Kidston napkin, that Grandma
bought at a garage sale,
for an apron sewn onto it.

We both love the apron look.

She picked out this vintage 1930s green
rick rack

and the yellow
floral fabric for the sash
and hem band from my stash.

And the Beatrix Potter
buttons were on a card that was dated "1976". 

She was very happy with her birthday dress!

 And of course!

Birthday girls get to lick the beater for the Kitchenaid mixer.

And they get to blow out candles!

Sometimes, they even receive beautiful bride
dolls as birthday presents!

Sometimes they get their very own
little tiny watermelon.

Sometimes they get free scoops of ice cream
at Baskin Robbins.

Ahnalin was very blessed because Grandma Barbara 

and Grandpa John came for the weekend.

You see, Grandma Barbara's birthday

was on Saturday! 

So we had lots and lots of birthday!

I made this pillow for my mom (Grandma Barbara).

And Ahnalin used my embroidery machine 

and made this fleece scarf her.

Grandma loved these gifts,

but I think her favorite was the chocolate fudge cake

with Nutella frosting and coconut that I made for her

from scratch.

Oh it was so good!!

All in all, we had a wonderful

birthday weekend!

Happy Sewing!

Sivje

Sewing For A Royal Baby

It came!!

I am so honored and excited to share with you

that I was a contributor to this beautiful book.

This book was the "baby" of 

the amazingly gifted

 Kathy Barnard and Amelia Johanson.

The lovely dress on the cover

was created by my friend Janet Gilbert

who just launched her own smocking website!

 Janet-Gilbert.com

I get chills seeing my name printed there.

I really do not feel I belong in this group of designers.

The contributors to this book are the most 

gifted in the field of heirloom sewing!

Do you see whose names are also there????

This book is filled with gorgeous designs,

complete with patterns on a CD-ROM in the back.

My tiny contribution was drafting a pattern

and writing instructions

for a pair of antique lace booties from

this photo.

These were my samples.

I made them from lace and cotton batiste.

But the original antique lace boots in the book

photo were made from a lovely silk.

The pattern for these little booties is included

in the CD-ROM in the back of the book,

and includes 3 sizes.

I am just so very thrilled to have been 

a part of this book. 

You can purchase it 

at the 

Martha Pullen Company 

and

Amazon.com

There are patterns for several dresses,

little boy suits,

bubbles,

booties,

bibs,

bonnets,

coverlets and other accessories,

and even 2 christening gowns!!

 

The patterns ,

 embroidery designs,

and heirloom construction techniques

alone are worth much, much more than the cost of this book. 

But the photography and inspiration are priceless!

I have only taken photos of the pages,

so the actual book pages are not blurry like

my photos. 

All the photos on the pages here, 

except for my two bootie samples,

 are from the book,

and are the property of Sew Beautiful and F&W Media, Inc. 

I hope you purchase this gorgeous book

for yourself and enjoy every lovely detail.

Happy Sewing!

Sivje