My Etsy Store

I've been able to work on my store recently. Check often for new designs. I try to list at least two new items a day. I'm working toward a Brother upgrade in the embroidery/applique world. I wish I would have known how much I was going to love this, I may have been able to get a bigger machine to start with. When I receive enough money in sales equal to my machine cost, I've been promised a new, bigger, and faster machine! :)

Spring Birds, Popsicles, and More!

I've been testing out some new patterns I downloaded recently. I made this shirt for a friend with birds in a nest. This shirt can get a little more wear than just Easter.

The popsicle trio shirts have turned out great! I made one for my niece and one for Addison Claire. I think this shirt will be a popular one.

I found this canoe pattern and really liked it. I decided to add a zigzag fabric inside the canoe.

My final project to post is this fat fish applique bloomer set. I've been dying to sew something on this outfit. This will make a great set for summer.

Busy! Busy!

I have been extremely busy over the past couple of weeks which I am so thankful for. After about a month and a half on Etsy with no orders...I got five sales last week! WOW! The peace bunny shirt seems to be the most popular. I think I could make this shirt with my eyes closed!

Here are the peace bunny shirts that are shown in the Etsy order above.

Here is Etsy order #2. I am so thankful that both of these customers have been so easy to work with.

Here are some bloomers I did for a friend. I am just starting to monogram on bloomers so I hope they look good on.

My next project I am working on involves embroidery paper and a sports bottle. We'll see how it turns out!

Easter Shirt Appliques

Easter is right around the corner, only 42 days away! Here are the applique designs in my Easter collection. The fabrics will not be the same since these are sample pics from the sites I download from. I do have the classic gingham colors and a big selection of dot fabric. For the month of March, I will do two shirts for $35...personalization, add $2.50 per shirt. Leave a comment if interested and I will get in touch with you. I will bill through PayPal. Payment must be received before I start on an order. Get your order in now so your child will get plenty of wear out of his or her shirt!

Zigzagging and a Vintage Camper Applique

Most of my projects today were experimenting on appliques with zigzag stitching versus the satin stitch. I really like it because it gives it that hand sewn look. Not all designs give you this option on the download. I will definitely being using this stitching more often!

Up Close Look at Stitching

Simple Bunny Applique

                           
I also made this zigzag sailboat shirt to match a skirt I bought from a children's clothing company.

I also made this turtle romper. It is a size 18-24M from Monag. It is available for purchase..$20. Leave a comment if you are interested. I can now invoice through PayPal.

My last project was a vintage camper shirt. This camper can be made for a girl or boy simply by the choice of fabric. This would be cute for a boy using gingham and stripes.

If you ever want to order any of these shirts, leave me a comment. I custom make them to order so fabric, etc. can be changed. Most shirts are $20 with just an applique and $25 personalized. I only use quality Monag clothing. I would love to sew some clothing for your little one!

King Cake and Authenic Red Beans and Rice

Living in Mobile, you almost have to participate in a little Mardi Gras in some form or fashion! While we don't get out and go to the parades much, I did decide to have some fun at home on Fat Tuesday. The first thing I did yesterday was made this delicious King Cake with Addison Claire. Can you tell who added the sprinkles?

Although not perfectly round, it sure does taste good! Here's the recipe...

Super Easy King Cake

• 1 roll frozen bread dough
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Confectioner's Glaze

• 1 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla 

On a floured surface, roll out your dough to a rectangle about 10 x 18 inches. Doesn't have to be exact! I know mine wasn't!

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon extract and mix until creamy. Spread over dough to within an inch of each side. Roll up longways to make a long log and brush the final edge with water before pressing it into the log to seal.

Take log and form into a circle, pressing the ends into each other and brushing with water if needed to seal together. Spray top lightly with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Remove plastic wrap and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 -45 minutes. Allow to cool. 

Mix up ingredients for glaze and drizzle over top of cake with a spoon. Immediately sprinkle colored sprinkles over glaze. Allow to sit until glaze hardens if you can....we couldn't!

For dinner I made this great recipe and served with a green salad. 

Authenic Red Beans and Rice

• 3/4 lb. dry kidney beans                                                    
• 3 tablespoons olive oil                                                       
• 3/4 large onion                                                                   
• 3/4 green bell pepper chopped                                          
• 1 tablespoon and 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic            
• 1 1/2 stalks celery chopped
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 3/4 andouille sausage

Rinse beans, and then soak in large pot of water overnight.

In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3-4 minutes.

Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 4 1/2 cups of water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, cajun seasoning, and chipotle powder. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours. 

Stir sausage into beans after about 1 hour of beans simmer and continue with the simmer time above. Add salt to taste.

Serve over long grain rice...I recommend not using instant!  Enjoy! :) It's delicious!

1961 Kenmore and a Pillowcase Dress

This is my grandmother's 1961 Kenmore sewing machine that I inherited when we had to move her into an assisted living facility a few years ago. Now I am not a seamstress at all...in fact I think I made a C on my shirt in home economics! My husband has made a few things here and there. Recently he made a hammock for hikers to use on the trail. We took it with us camping a couple of weekends ago and let Addison Claire try it out.

Did he stop here? No! He decided that sewing really isn't that hard and that he could make AC a pillowcase dress. He went to Walmart and bought a yard of inexpensive material, came home, made a pattern from another pillowcase dress and started sewing. In less than an hour, this was the finished product. Who says men can't sew? Seriously, this man can do anything! I think this is pretty good for someone who has only sewn a hammock and made some shopping bags playing around with the machine one day!

My contribution...the monogram! :)

Yes, we are in the market for a new machine! We are looking and comparing prices, features, etc. I'm pretty sure we'll have one soon. I'll probably stick to the appliqueing and monogramming until the new machine comes along. The 1961 Kenmore is too much of a dinosaur for me!

A little bit of randomness....Our daughter is 5 and has started making signs as a form of communication. This is her latest that she hung on the wall by the stairs to the bonus room. I absolutely love reading her notes and posters!

One last pic....do you remember the show, "The Facts of Life"? Well, AC got roller skates for Christmas from my sister and has never skated with them outside. However, she wears them most of the day and skates all over the house. She reminds me of Tootie! Of course, she doesn't like us to call her that because she thinks it's a word that isn't very kind (5 yr. old bad word). I snapped a picture of her in action tonight while I was cooking dinner.

And we've learned to snap!