I am rushing to complete some summer clothes that need to be mailed soon so I put the finishing touches on this sundress last night. It is called "Hayden" and it is a Sew Sweet pattern. I found it on the "Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops" website. I love finding new and unique patterns that are fun to try. This is one. The three ruffles are attached at the hem after the dress is complete. I finished their raw edges will my serger and roll hemmed them.....so glad I did! It is a much easier way to finish a raw edge. Most sergers sold today will do this edging. This is an "E" pattern. You buy it online and they email it to you to be downloaded and printed on the spot......I REALLY love that...it is in your home immediately and you can begin your project. For impatient people like me this is a joy! Happy Sewing!

May 12, 2012 I had a productive Saturday putting the finishing touches on a few garments that need to get in the mail to my grandchildren. I am finding that my sweet granddaughter much prefers dresses to pants or shorts so I am busy collecting cute sundress patterns and other unique designs for her to enjoy this summer. I was able to complete her sundress that will match her little brother's shorts. I found a seersucker in blue stripes with red lobsters embroidered on it and it made me think of summer...and it was also one of those hard-to-find pieces of cloth that would be appropriate for a girl and a boy. I mentioned last blog the patterns I was using for each so you know what I used. Once again I will say that I LOVE this pattern for little boy shorts. Even though the easy elastic-waist are quick and do the trick these that I made have a much more finished look to them for not much more time at all. I found that if I cut out two pairs and make them together as I go I end up taking the same amount of time as I would have to make one pair...but I have two pairs when the job is done. They are dressy enough to be used for Sunday shorts as well. The patch madras make-up really well in this pattern, too. I hope if you are reading this blog and that you are a mother that you will have a wonderful Mother's Day. I love Mother's Day...I am so blessed to have an incredible Mom and Mother-in-law and it has always been a joy of mine to tell them on this day how much I love them. Mothering was one of the greatest things God allowed me to do...it is hard to give it up on a daily basis when you have enjoyed it so. I am also blessed to have a wonderful man to raise my children alongside. Looking back I am so thankful I had his wisdom and shoulders to lean on as I sought the direction, time after time, that God take my path as a Mom. One thing Jim always stressed that we do as parents was to discover what kind of child God had blessed us with...talents, desires, passions, gifts...and direct them in that way. He taught me that children are born with God-directed and given visions...and that it is our job as parents to see what they are and encourage our children down those paths. I love knowing that my children's happiness will come from a God-placed passion....not one of mine...and all I have to do is seek God's will for their lives. They are His anyway...He should be the one at the wheel of their lives. Too many times we are so tempted as parents, especially Moms, to live out our lives through our children's lives...and we destroy them and us in the process. Have a wonderful Mother's Day, Moms....it is a great job!

Is anyone out there in blogland? Yes, it is me and I have been away FOREVER! You can tell that summer is almost here and school is winding down...or I would not be doing this. I have missed posting and hope to be much better...at least for the next few months when papers are not calling on me to be graded and corrected.My brain is switching to summer mode very quickly, especially with the warm weather. I have been sewing like crazy, trying to get grandchildren ready for a warm change. I love seersucker...maybe because it reminds me so of summer and backyard fun. I have especially loved seeing all of the adorable embroirdered seersucker cloth in every color. I have bought 3 pieces lately-2 for my girl and 1 for my boys. I will post the picture of the sundresses I made and you can see what I chose to make for my granddaughter. I was able to find the Kelly's Kids sundress jumper online at a sewing site ( Twirl Dress-Lateedakids on an Etsy site and also on "Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops")and that is the pattern that I used......very easy and cute. I wanted the hem to be a little different so I chose a scallop edge decorative stitch on my machine......most machines have these....and put that scallop on the raw hem edge to finish the dress with a little color. I love how they turned out. This just adds a special touch to the dress hem and adds a little color. You will see in the pictures posted where I sewed on the raw edge using adding machine tape (at Staples) as a stabilizer and then coated the scallops with Fraycheck. Then I trimmed each scallop to give a more finished look. I also want to let the moms of boys know that the oliver+s pattern of shorts called "Sketchbook Shirt and Shorts" is a great pattern for little boys shorts. I wanted to try it out this spring and have been very happy with it. I do not have a finished product picture of these yet to show you but I will soon.I hate wasting my time sewing something that I end up not liking so I hope this passed on to you saves you some time!They are a little more difficult to sew than just a turned-down elasticized waist...but they finish looking very professional and are worth the time invested. I promise to be back with more ideas and pictures.I love sewing and creating and hope this encourages you to do the same!