As a girl I always looked forward to Easter and not just because I got to hunt eggs and eat candy.  I loved Easter because I got to dress up.  Sometimes I got to wear the white shoes or sandals, gloves, tights, and sometimes even a hat.  But, no matter what I always had a dress that was sewn by my grandmother.

My grandmother had 4 granddaughters at that time.  She faithfully made us all dresses that matched each year.  The only difference would be the color.  Guaranteed there would always be layers and lace, better to twirl with.  Since I was the oldest I usually got to pick out the dress and fabric.  That was always a fun experience for me.  Going to Wal-Mart in the next town and sitting in front of the big pattern books looking at all the pretty dresses.  Then we would go to pick out the fabric and all the trimmings.  When we get back to the house she would pull out the measuring tape and take down our measurements.  My grandmother always had little notebooks that she jotted things down in.  I came across one in her stuff not to long ago.  In it were several of our measurements but also addresses, telephone numbers and recipes,  There was even a recipe for making pickles.  Which, I am going to try if I can get my cucumbers in the garden to grow this year.  I love looking at the things she wrote down, what she thought was important.

So, this year I decided I was going to carry on the tradition and make my nieces their Easter Dresses.  I was lucky enough to receive a cute pattern from a friend who was not going to use it.  It was so cute I thought it would be perfect for Project Easter Dress.  I surfed the net looking for the perfect fabrics and had decided on a few.  My sister and I went to the fabric store to get the fabric I had picked out.  And like any other time I walk into a fabric store, I get mesmerized  by all the pretty colors and quickly want to buy more than I can afford.  Luckily my sister was there to help me focus and find just the right fabric for this project.

Now that it is spring break I finally had some time to sit down and delve into this pattern.  It was filled with things I’ve never done before.  Ruffles, layers, rolled hems, and shiring.  I had to make a special trip to the fabric store to purchase a rolled hem foot and elastic thread.  It took me 2 days and a lot of seam ripping (I think everything I sewed eventually came back out) I finally finished the 1st dress.  I am very proud of the way it turned out and learned a lot along the way.

I thought I post a couple of tutorials on the different techniques I learned if anyone is interested.  So, What do you think?  Was Project Easter Dress a success?

It’s that time of year again.  The hummingbirds have started there long journey over the Gulf of Mexico and should be arriving in Texas any day now.  I look forward to March 15th every year hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe even entice one to stay through the spring instead of continuing their flight North to breed.  Last spring I cam across this great website showing a Channel Islands Allen’s Hummingbird sitting on a nest in someone’s backyard.  They have a web cam that records every moment.

Visit Phoebe’s website to watch and learn more about her http://phoebeallens.com/

Unlike Phoebe’s yard, mine is great for feeding but not so great for nesting. After doing a little searching on the web I was able to find a great alternative for those that don’t have established yards that provide protection from wind and rain. It’s a hummingbird house!

Who knew! I ordered it from Duncraft and just got it yesterday. I installed it today on my front porch. It’s the only place around my house that provides the shelter that hummers prefer.
Who knows if it will work. I may just be too close to the gulf coast for a nesting hummer.  One can hope! In the spring I will see one or two feeding off my honeysuckle vine but that is about it.  But come mid July, hummers are zipping past all over the place.  So if I am successful and am able to attract a nesting hummer, I just might have to get me a nifty web cam and broadcast it.  Maybe she’ll become famous like Phoebe.

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here’s how YOU can join the celebration:

–Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

–Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

–Follow as many blogs as you’d like.

–Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow.

–Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one – but you can follow each blog. Follow a few or follow them all.

The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Please be patient with following or getting followers. With the tremendous response there are a lot to visit. The Mcklinky will stay here all week so you can visit blogs at your own pace.

I started on my new design today.  So far I’ve mostly sewn for toddlers and I am trying to branch out into larger sizes.  My oldest niece we be turning 7 on the 14th.  It’s important that my sewing and design ability grows with her.  She is at the age right now that she absolutely loves to wear and try on things that I have made for her.  I’m trying to make her as many things as possible because who knows when she will start to turn my clothes down for brand names.  Of coarse one could always hope that one day I WOULD be considered a brand name some day.

Mallory in the Chloe Peasant Blouse

So, I finished cutting out my new design today and I get going pretty good.  Then I realize that I don’t have the right size zipper or the right color of thread.  I hate having to stop mid project to run and get supplies, but I need to pick up a few other things from the store anyway.

Off to the store I go.  Of coarse it takes me an hour before I can get back and get back to it.  Again, I was going along pretty good. Then I get a wild hair and decide that I need to download some music from iTunes.  Only one problem, I can’t find my USB cord for my ipod.  Being one not to let things go, I tear up the house looking for it.  Seriously, there are only so many places it could be.  I looked in every box, every draw, the garage, the trash, and even accused my cat of hiding it from me.  The very last place left for me to possibly look was under the couch cushions.  And there it was.  Stuffed about as far back as it could go between the middle cushions.  I also found my missing finger nail file and two, not one, but two bottles of nail polish that I have also been looking for, for days.  Despite her denials I still think it was my cat.  Needless to say I didn’t get much else done on my dress today and I since I will be out of town for the weekend it will have to wait till next week.  But, I thought I’d give you a sneak peak.

Until next time

~Halfs

Good Friday Morning!

It’s time for the Friday Follow and another chance to find some great blogs.  Add your link and they will be able to find you too.

This weekend I am meeting up with some of my old college friends. I am so excited! It has been about 6 months since the last time we got together and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with my pals. We are going to The Gaylord Texan outside of Dallas.

I’ve never been there but have heard some fabulous things about it.  Indoor shopping, spas, and bars.  The rooms are suppose to be beautiful and I think they overlook  Lake Grapevine. There will be a Superbowl Party too!!!  Bonus, it’s all free!

The best part about the whole thing is getting to share it with my friends and  forgetting about life for a couple of days.  Here’s to a stress free weekend!  I’ll take pictures and share the fabulousness of the Gaylord when I get back.

Hope you have a stress free weekend too!

~Halfs

Recently, I was lucky enough to get my grandmother’s serger. I don’t remember when she got it. I know it was before she had her stroke, so it must have been in the 90′s. She is gone now so I can’t ask her but my grandfather keeps saying that it’s brand new, which totally cracks me up. I was really excited to get it. I know that it would really help me with my shop.

I had a hard time finding a manual for it but finally tracked one down. Before I even begin to learn to use it, it needs to be cleaned. It smells musty and hasn’t been used in over 10 years. I don’t know where I should take it or how much it would even cost to get it cleaned.

I was able to find an old book my grandmother had about different serger techniques and she even had a notebook from a class she took with pieces of fabric attached where she tried out the different techniques.  It was neat to see something she was trying to learn and read her notes from the class.

I hope that one day I can sew as well as she did.  She was very talented and I wish I could go back and soak in all of her knowledge.  I guess I’ll just have to use the jewels she left behind and see where that can take me.

If anyone knows anything about this serger please let me know.  I could use all the help I can get.

Until next time,

~Halfs

Recently I came across Audrey’s Country Crafts blog and her posting for a blog follow. Since many of use who have just started blogging and have been looking for ways to increase our viewership, this really peaked my interest.  So I signed up using the MckLinky below.  It really looks like a good way to find some really cool blogs.  This will be my first Friday as a part of the Friday Follow, so we will see how it goes.  But, I’m am very excited about discovering another way to network and learn and about other bloggers.

Here’s how YOU can join the celebration:

* * Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add to one blog linky.

* * Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. We will follow you back.

* * Follow as many blogs as you like

* * Comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow

* * Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one – but you can follow each host blog. Here is the great part, we will follow you back.

So hopefully I will start seeing some of your names on the blog follow list and even host your own blog follow soon.

Until next time,

~Halfs

I woke up again this morning to a very nice surprise.  I was included in this beautiful Treasury

“Lone Star Spotlight”

If You are from Texas and would like more information on how to join the Etsy Texas Street Team visit http://etsytx.blogspot.com/

This weeks shop I found while surfing the forums.  I just loved her shop and on top of that she is a Texas gal like me. :0)

Lullaby Couture

http://www.lullabycouture.etsy.com

A little bit about me. I am a wife and mother, run a busy orthopedic medical practice, and I love to work with my hands. Sewing, gardening, you name it. I used to play around with my mom’s sewing machine when I was a girl, but nothing serious. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I decided that I wanted to buy a sewing machine of my own. To this day I cannot tell you why. I just decided I wanted one. I taught myself to sew, first starting with basic patterns, but quickly moving to the more difficult variety, and eventually making my own patterns. Most of my designs come from patterns that I have made myself.

I would have to say that my favorite thing to sew would be my tunics, but really my favorite thing to do is to make something new. Something that I haven’t tried before. And I love adding extra details to things. I simply cannot leave things ordinary. I will use pretty stitching, funky buttons, or an unexpected accent fabric on almost anything.

The best advice that I can give to someone just starting off would be:

1) to expect to work hard. Don’t think you can invest an hour or two a week and get anywhere.
2) take GREAT photos. If your pictures are not good, you will not have many sales.

3) Be original. Do not march to the beat of everyone else’s drum. Think of ways to take the same basic thing, ie- bib, blanket, etc, and make it your own. Set yourself apart.

4) List, list, re-list.

5) Love what you are making. If you are not passionate about it, it will show.

And in response to your last question, up next on my sewing table are my new designs, “The Petal Top” and “The Gypsy Skirt”….  So, I am off to do just that!

Be sure to check out Laura’s Shop at http://www.lullabycouture.etsy.com and her blog at http://lullabycouture.blogspot.com/

If you would like to be featured in amy Etsy Shop Shout Out feel free to contact or leave a comment.

Until next time ~ Halfs