Prairie Dresses - McCall's 9424

Just look at these pretty girls and their big smiles!  They loved their new dresses and the matching doll outfits, and that made me happy.  It was a joy to sew these outfits, and a joy to see the girls' excitement and gratefulness. I'm sure they will have hours of fun and imagination as they play in their "Little House on the Prairie" dresses and bonnets.

The pattern for these dresses is one that I've sewn many times before.  First for my own girls years ago, and then again for another friend's daughters several years ago.  The pattern is still available in the pattern book, and I may just buy another to replace my worn and used copy.  

The pattern does run wide, but that's okay for a costume like this.  The girls will be able to wear them for several years, I imagine.  (I do wish I had made the sleeves a bit longer, though.)

The doll clothes is also a McCall's pattern, number 3627, and fits 18" dolls.  

I love this picture....reminds me of Holly Hobbie!

the doll dresses, bonnets, pantaloons, and aprons  

Elephants on Parade

 

A quilt for my grandson!

the elephant pattern:  Effie and Ollie Mini Elephant, from Heather Bailey
I enlarged the pattern on my copy machine to make the elephants bigger than the 4" size of the pattern.  We tied helium balloons to the noses as part of the baby shower decorations, but sadly, no pictures were taken of them.

the quilt pattern and fabric:  Bungle Jungle from Moda Bakeshop.  I can't seem to find the pattern right now to link to it.

It had been some time since I last made a quilt, and so I was delighted with this finished quilt.  It is big...plenty big enough for a toddler bed.  The quilting was done on my Pfaff machine using the seams and edge of my presser foot as stitching guides.

Making this quilt was very enjoyable for me, and now I want to make another, and another, and another.  But you know how it is, so much to do, so little time....  But seriously, now I'm looking for an excuse to make another baby quilt.   :)

The Front

The Back

 

Introducing HGTV fabrics at Joann Fabrics!

This HGTV HOME™ fabric kit from Jo-Ann Fabrics arrived in my mailbox recently to share with our readers. While my home decor project with these lovely new fabrics isn't quite ready to show you yet (Remember, I have a new baby, but it's coming soon!), I wanted to share the spring fabric love and pass on the info!  

These two coordinates are so fun and modern, and they go perfectly with a gray coverlet quilt I recently bought on clearance at Target.  I'm working on pillow covers for my soon-to-be re-decorated bedroom!

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has teamed up with HGTV to launch an exclusive vibrant collection of indoor and outdoor home décor fabrics – just in time for spring! Check out their pinterest board HERE for more prints and inspiration!

TheHGTV HOME™ fabric line is available only at Jo-Ann Fabrics and is currently on sale for 50% off the regular price.  Use the coupon below for additional savings though May 4th.  

Blessings!

Jessica

Pink for Baby

I've been knitting for baby boys (love my two newborn grandsons!) so much recently, that when Jessica asked if I could knit some booties for her to give a friend's girl baby, I gladly agreed.

This lace bonnet pattern was first brought to my attention years ago, and I knit it once before.  The pattern is seamless (wahoo!), and it knits up so quickly.  It's a great pattern, ingenious, really, because my seaming is not too good.  

The booties pattern is also seamless, knit from the soles and up to the cuff.  I modified the instep of the pattern by adding the lace pattern from the bonnet to the center stitches.  Now I'm thinking of modifying a cardigan pattern to match....

Has anybody heard of a grandmother's hope chest?  After knitting this sweet set for a baby girl, the thought crossed my mind that I don't have any granddaughters to be born anytime soon, but maybe I should start knitting and putting things aside for future grandchildren.  Babies are so much fun to knit for--almost instant gratification because the project is finished in short time compared to big people items.  Just a thought I had, but truthfully, I can't keep up with all the projects swirling through my mind, let alone knit to hold for the future. 

the free hat pattern:  Little Shell Lace Baby Bonnet

the yarn:  Berroco Vintage, worsted weight

the needles:  size 7 (4.5 mm)  

the booties pattern:  Eviepants All In One Booties

the yarn: Berroca Vintage

the needles: size 6 (4.0 mm)

 

 

 

Can't Elope Tonight

Knock, Knock.
Who's There?
Cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe Who?
Cantaloupe tonight because Dad has the car.

Dumb joke I remember from my childhood.  When I saw the name of this scarf pattern, Cantaloop, I was reminded of the joke.  So now I say "Cantaloop tonight, Dad has the car."  =)

The Pattern:  Cantaloop, from Loops Knitting in Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Yarn:  Yearling, by Juniper Moon Farm
Needle Size:  I used a size 13, but the pattern calls for size 15

Any bulky yarn will work.  I looked for a bulky yarn in all cotton, couldn't find any, so I used is a wool cotton blend.

In Love Again

My sweet little grandson was born this past week, and I'm in love.  Again.  Now I have two little baby boys to cherish.  Cloud nine.  I like this being a Grammy stuff. 

 

my beautiful daughters and their babies

(born 6 weeks apart)

Sewing on My Birthday

Today I turned 50, and what's a better way to spend the day than sewing?

I'm making pioneer dresses for the two daughters of a friend. Pinafores are still to be made and then the finishing of buttons and hems.

It's been a good birthday so far.  And now, onward to the birthday dinner with my family.