Apparently, there is no limit to what we will do for our children or grandchildren.
I can’t believe I’ve just made 43 Pokemon Ninja headband birthday party favors for sweet grandson Alastair. That’s LOVE!!!
Now 6 years old, he and most of his friends are smitten with Pokemon characters. The headbands are embroidered with four of the all-important “energy symbols.”
Alastair is the little guy standing with his hands in his pockets.
I hope your Valentine’s Day was filled with
Our family had wonderful celebrations, both at our home with the older two grands and across the state where our littlest darlings live.
The younger ones marked the occasion in their own special way. While she prepared things to take to the school Valentine party, Rebecca asked her 5 yo Alastair to sit with his sister, 2 yo Vivian Rose, and to please make sure she didn’t leave the table with the markers.
“No problem, Mom,” said Big Brother.
True to his word, she never left the table with the markers.
At school on the big day, Alastair spent a whole dollar to have a carnation delivered to the darling girl who sits next to him in kindergarten. According to his mother, who volunteers in his classroom every week, this little gal runs and wrestles and roughhouses with the boys. Many are as smitten as Alastair.
When he was a toddler, it was obvious that he would be a charmer. For that Valentine’s Day, I embroidered this shirt for him. Continue reading
Posted in Holiday Projects, machine embroidery, Nana fun
Available from CiaoBebeBoutique   Now I see that it is offered in pink and with sleeves.
I did not make this dress. It was ordered from CiaoBebeBoutique and I love it. When I saw it posted on Pinterest, I found it to be irresistible.
Posted in girls, hand embroidery, Nana fun, smocking
Tagged Embroidery, nana fun, ready-to-wear, smocked dress
This little top was made for toddler granddaughter Vivian Rose to wear to her brother’s kindergarten Thanksgiving program and then to Thanksgiving dinner.
It is another Children’s Corner Jane, my current go-to pattern, especially for garments which have a limited wearing season. It is so quick and easy.
The cute little pocket is a free pattern creation of Children’s Corner designer Lezette Thomason. The top will be paired with a pair of snug black or orange leggings. These are still required for our little darling who can be counted on to release the velcro on her cloth diaper and remove it but for this wardrobe addition. “Naked Baby” is her signature fashion statement.
It has been more than two weeks since a new Janice Ferguson Sews post has appeared, but not because I have done no sewing. Enormous, terribly frustrating computer problems have plagued me as I struggled through two computers-my old one and then a defective new one.  This third one (second new) seems to be functioning well so now I am back to blogging.  Hurrah!
NANA FUN
Houses feature Golden Graham roof shingles, caramel chimneys and pillar posts, and two yellow landing lights on a roof.
Making these table linens was a nice break from sewing for my granddaughters. Fine white linen is paired with lime green and embroidered with a fun blue fish. This color combination reminds me of the beach, just 30 miles away.
Sitting on the screened breakfast porch, looking out over our front yard with this table setting made me just as happy that I was not roasting on Daytona Beach and scanning the waterfront for sharks. It’s very peaceful on my porch. I enjoy pulling out dishes and napkins that coordinate with the setting.
Linen is one of my favorite fabrics and Madeira applique’ is one of my favorite sewing techniques. Add pinstitching and embroidery–well, just let me tell you I was having a big time! I never once missed lace or a girlie angle. If there is any interest, I would be happy to put up a Madeira applique tutorial. Let me know if you would find that helpful. Continue reading
I’m getting ready to post some new garments I made using a few of the delightful new Disney designs. They have really updated the characters and created very contemporary designs. I stitched a new Minnie on CC Callie, Ariel on a two piece play set, and Nemo on a beach scene baby outfit.
With the new Brother machines being introduced there is a lot of Disney excitement. I thought you might enjoy this old post with my daughter’s tutorial for her castle pin/bulletin board.  This is a great back-to-school activity for kids and parents.
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It was a fabulous weekend, full of fun.  Rebecca had a project in mind so after the downtown Mardi Gras Dog Parade (details below the tutorial), this is was our family project. It really is useful to anyone, young and old. It would be great for teachers.
What is it for, you might ask? Well, read her explanation below. Continue reading
It’s been such a long time since I have posted, but I’ve been having too much fun with 5 yo grandson Alastair to sit still and write. He has been with us for 10 delightful days.  More on that below.
Meanwhile, I did manage to sew up a little suit using a commercial pattern. You know how those 5 for $7 patterns from Joann’s stack up. As always, I was in a hurry and grabbed the first one which would work. I should have looked through my Children’s Corner and Michie patterns. Some modification was needed to meet my vision for a fully lined project. Continue reading
Posted in boys, Disney, machine embroidery, Nana fun
I hope you all had a joyful Easter. We had a beautiful weekend-long celebration with a houseful of laughing adult children and grandchildren. Our daughter, Rebecca, her family and our son Ryan’s family were here. He is a pilot and, sadly, was unable join us. We’re happy that he loves his work, but we miss him at so many family gatherings.
Friday night, while taking a break from my sewing, I made more than 100 little raisin bread/cream cheese/jelly sandwiches for Saturday’s Bunny Lunch at church. My dear, helpful husband sat with me and cut away the crusts from 5 loaves while I spread the filling. The sandwiches were topped with cream cheese carrots sprinkled with a little orange sugar which pleased the children.
Tie design from is Linnie Pinnie, with single bunny extracted from Bernina’s Warm Wishes from Ingrid collection.
…that’s what we had. I hope yours was joyful and happy, filled with family and friends and children all around.
I completed all my sewing, made up more than one hundred raisin bread/cream cheese/jelly sandwiches for the church bunny lunch, finished all the cooking for Easter dinner and spent a joy filled weekend surrounded by all four grandchildren and other family members. It was a beautiful Easter celebration.
They’ve all gone home now and the house is quiet. The baby isn’t jabbering non-stop or slipping off to play in the dogs’ water bowl. The boys are not running in and out of the house, laughing and slamming screen doors. Laurel isn’t scurrying around, helping in the kitchen or chasing after Vivian Rose. My adult children and spouses are not laughing and joking with one another. Bob and I are not sharing smiles of understanding and appreciation as our eyes meet across the room.
I hope your Easter was as special. And I hope you are not as exhausted as I am.
Psst…that’s not really me.
Posted in Nana fun
This fun font is Great Notions Princess Polka Dot.
My 9 year old granddaughter continues to expand the product line for her little business, Laurel’s Specialty Sewing. After introducing monogrammed tote bags, she added the service of sewing Girl Scout patches on the vests of her fellow Scouts ($ .50 per patch, monofilament thread, free motion sewing). This product and service has proven to be very profitable. She recently bought an American Girl doll with money she earned.
Now Laurel is promoting a new item in her line. The simple felt hangings are destined for the upcoming Girl Scout Camporee. The girls bring little items to trade, momentos of the event or trinkets, such as these for an event they call SWAPS–Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.
Posted in Kids Sew, machine embroidery, Nana fun
