Some Sassy Smocking

I wanted to make something for Ellie that was reaaaaaally cute. I thought a bishop would be sassy, so I went for it. Now, this was before I had to start chasing Ellie around all the time, so I had the energy for some serious smocking. I selected my fabric (it was a tapestry from Target), cut out my stuff from a pattern, and borrowed my friend Julie's pleater. Now as for pleating, it's one of those things that if you don't do it often enough, it will make you want to go scream outside in your undies in the middle of winter. It's quite frustrating, but necessary if you want to smock. SO, once everything was pleated, I started smocking the dress. I'm not sure how long it took me, but with geometric smocking (no little cute characters) it's always faster than you thought it would be. I finished the angel sleeves off with a rolled hem on my surger and voila! Ellie had a cute summer outfit.

Keep on sewing!
Anna

Diaper Bags

Well, when I found out I was having a girl (now, my almost 2 year old) the first thing I made was a diaper bag. I took a look at my Vera Bradly bag and wanted to make something similar. So, I used it as my pattern. Now, this was in my pre-pattern days... where I was a sewing renegade and didn't bother to use patterns. I loathed them, to many words and weird directions. But the first time I made an outfit for Ellie without a pattern it took so long that I thought I would shoot myself. So, I started using patterns with the birth of my daughter. And I still don't like most of them.

Back to the diaper bag. I decided I wanted a quilted fabric, but the stuff I found at my local stores left much to be desired. So, I just took on the task of quilting it myself. This took me two evening sewing sessions (I had to break it down), because I thought I was going to drive my car off the next bridge I crossed trying to machine quilt for the first time. I swore I would never quilt any more fabric again... ever! But I finished my bag and it was so cute that I didn't care how awful quilting the fabric was.

I should have learned my lesson with my first bag, but nooooo. My sister in law asked me to make her little girl's diaper bag and, of course, I said "yes!" It's like giving birth, you sort of forget how difficult it all is and convince yourself you want more babies because "the end result is worth it." Well the end result IS worth it, but you still go bonkers during the process. So, I went bonkers making Katy's (sis in law) bag, but it turned out better than Ellie's, so that makes it totally worthwhile. Plus, now Katy has one of the only two quilted bags I will ever machine quilt. Pretty special.

So, I can honestly tell you that I probably won't be quilting ANY MORE of these bags... ever ever. But they turned out cute and Ellie's bag is still going strong after almost 2 years.

Keep on sewing!
Anna

My Bag

Katy's Bag

It's been too darn long!

Ok everyone who reads this blog... probably no one since I haven't posted since NOVEMBER. Anyway. I'm going to start posting some pictures of stuff I've made soon, so get ready!

Yep, that was it. My big news. Are you ready yet??

CHRISTMAS CARDS - How it works

Here's how the ordering & payment process goes:

1. You email me with your picture(s), text, card name, and size of card (4x6 or 5x7). Email to plum dandy stuff @ inbox.com (don't use any spaces in the address... I have to list it here with spaces in order to avoid spam).

2. I email you back with your proof and the address or link in which you can pay. I accept paypal and personal check.

3. You "okay" the design & send $25 payment. If you mail payment, I have to hold your design until it gets to me... sorry, but it's my policy.

4. I email you the final design and you are ready to go! I will also include some tips & resources on printing services I've used.

*The text can be changed to anything you want it to say. Anything!

*The colors can be customized to match the outfits of those pictured.

*Most all 1 Hour photo printers supply envelopes, so you don't have to worry about that.

Christmas Card Designs

Tiffany Box


The Family Plan


Starry Bright


Retro Dots


Red Swirly


Pink Divinity


Peppermint Swirl


Melts in Your Mouth


Jolly Mosaic


Holiday Cheer


Happy Bubba


Gum Drop


Good Cheer


Fuzzy Bubbles


Fudge Stripe


Fudge Starburst


Family Circle


Dotty Holiday


Christmas Wish


Christmas Cubes


Chocolate Rubies


Chocolate Blubies


Candy Stripe


A Little Flaky


A Citrus Christmas

CHRISTMAS CARDS

I'll be posting Christmas card designs here in a few days. I guess they're back by popular demand... this year I'll be doing things a little differently. Due to postage, packaging supplies, and the fact that I moved across the country, I won't be providing the actual photo cards. I will be selling the digital file of your Christmas card along with the copyright for you to have it printed anywhere you choose (and however many times you choose). Its a win win!

Check back in a few days for the cards!

Oh yes, I'm sure you are wondering what the price will be... it's a flat $25.

Thanks for looking!
Anna

Give Thanks

I just love Fall and Thanksgiving! It seems to have come too quickly this year. Here's a dress and pants set that I made for Fall. It's reversible, which is always a plus! I made it from this pattern, which is super super easy. The pants are made from this pattern, which has proved to be a very good pattern and I use it all the time. I also made a smaller version for my infant niece.

Happy Sewing!
Anna