American Girl dress

As soon as I saw this fabric it reminded me of sailing. With the heavy dark blue color and the little white polka dots, I fell in love. I knew I wanted to make a dress with a Nantucket theme to it.

I used McCall's pattern M5791 and just like my Vogue inspired dress, I played around with the bodice front and back. I also added a white trim to make it really pop. This was my first time doing this. I actually did a couple of firsts on this dress. Another first that I did was use a blind stitch. I wanted to not show the white thread on the hem so I tried this way. Loved it! The fabric itself was a bit strong and heavy so I thought pleats would be great to make. So I added pleats all around the dress. I think it came out cute! What do you think?

So why is my daughter not modeling this dress you may ask? I still have to figure out how to install the darn zipper! I don't know why but it is so intimidating to me! It is my last step in finishing this dress but for some reason I think I am going to mess it up and there goes the dress. I want her to wear it at church around Fourth of July weekend. I am just going to have to just do it! Wish me luck!

Easy peasy skirts!

What I did this weekend.



I also made this from my husbands old shirt that he was going to through away. I decided to use the bottom part of the shirt and make it into a skirt for Juliana. What do you think?

This is why I started sewing.....

My second quilt

This is a second quilt I made. It is a BQ quilt and I love it because it has such an easy pattern to follow and so easy to make. I tend to mess up when there are a lot of little squares and triangles involved. Which is why I have not finished my sailboat quilt. This one I made for my sister for Christmas of 2008. She loved this one. She said it went well with the colors in her home. Good!

My first quilt

This was my very first quilt that I have ever made. It is a quilt I made for my mother for Christmas in 2007. She loves music and plays the piano beautifully, especially classical. So I thought this would be a fitting piece especially for her. She loved it! My mother in law is an incredible quilter and offered to help me with my first quilt.

Here are some photos of the quilt.

Vogue inspired

As I was at Joann's taking advantage of the pattern sales, I saw this and fell in love.



So I decided to go and make my own version for my little daughter. I used McCall's pattern M5791 and just played around with the bodice front and back.



I love the back of the dress with the cute bow placed at the top, so I added it on this dress. This took me awhile to figure how to do this.




I also loved the style of the front with the sleeveless bodice. It reminds me of the 60's. So I tweaked the pattern to create this style.



Now, all I need to do is add the zipper. I want to add an invisible zipper but I do not know how to do this yet. I will have to come back to this project later.



But so far so good! I still can not believe that I did this!

The polka dot dress

Since Memorial Day weekend I have been sewing non stop. Or at least trying to learn how to sew and trying not to get frustrated. I went to Joann's, used my coupons and bought some beautiful fabric (I love cute fabric) and easy patterns. I then went over to the library and checked out a few sewing books. I have also watched a lot of youtube videos on how to sew. So I guess I am ready to sew now. Maybe I'll be the next Vera Wang? I love her style. Or maybe CK, just love the simplicity in his designs. Who knows.... Hey, if you become my follower, you might be following the next superstar...!

Well since that weekened I have dove right into sewing. I have started lots of new projects. Whoohoo! I have only completed one though. Here it is.



I just love this lining I choose in this dress. I think it compliments the brown polka dot material well. What do you think?

Pan Roasted Spiced Apples

I LOVE baking! Unfortunately I really can not do any baking in our household since my husband and I are both trying to eat healthy. The only time that I get to bake is either when we have visitors or I volunteer to bake for an activity. Well, last weekend, my brother and his wife and kids came by to visit. Yeah! Which means we were in for a delicious surprise! I decided to baked an EASY dish. Just my style!.

Pan Roasted Spiced Apples. This is so yummy!



What you need:




Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Spray a cast-iron skillet or glass dish with a light film of butter-flavored oil or PAM.

Peel and slice apples.



Combine sweetener and spices. Sprinkle over apples.

Side note: I didn't have cardamon in my cupboards, no worries, I just added a little more cinnamon and sugar.



Roast for 10 minutes until sweetener and spices are bubbly and apples are beginning to grow soft.



Serve with not-fat vanilla ice-cream if desired. Serves 4-6.

Puff Sleeves

Remember when Matthew bought Anne of Anne of Green Gables, her dress with PUFF sleeves....

"That's a Christmas present for you, Anne," said Matthew shyly. "Why--why--Anne, don't you like it? Well now--well now."

For Anne's eyes had suddenly filled with tears.

"Like it! Oh, Matthew!" Anne laid the dress over a chair and clasped her hands. "Matthew, it's perfectly exquisite. Oh, I can never thank you enough. Look at those sleeves! Oh, it seems to me this must be a happy dream."

I love that Movie!! Well, this week I have finally sewed my first puff sleeves!I am so excited! It was so intimidating but I pulled out the pattern and directions and watch youtube "how to" videos and went for it and here it is. Ta da!!!



Lovely, don't you think?

Sometimes I just sit back and find myself admiring my work. It is only sleeves but I did it. It took me a couple of times to get this sleeve on right. I had to pull out my trusting friend, the seam ripper, once or twice. Ok like 10 times. Here are some photos of what I did. I'll also show you what NOT to do. I think in the beginning of my blog I will probably be showing you "what not to do" more often. I apologize in advance since I am still in that learning phase. So bare with me please.

What not to do:
Here is what happens when you get overly excited and start sewing your elastic on the back that I forgot to make sure the ribbon was safely away from the needle. Opps.



This is what it is suppose to look like.



When I finally got the elastic on right I just sew up the sides together and also hemmed the ends up.



Afterwards I gathered my sleeves and adjusted them. I then pinned them onto the bodice and sewed!



Now I can put sleeves on anything! I might even give these a go.