Open for Business!

Well, I finally did it. It took longer than expected, because of unforeseen family trouble. But, we are back on track now, for the most part. And so, with great pride, I bring you,

My very own Etsy Shop! I don't have many things listed so far, but more goodies are in the works! My sewing machine will be going full tilt, and I will eat, sleep and dream sewing! I have so much more to learn in this enterprise, particularly photo taking. My photo's so far leave alot to be desired. I unfortunately don't have a live model, or even any kind of dress form, to dress up. Therefore, I am left trying to contrive ways to hang or place my little creations artfully, to show them at their best. It is harder than I thought! Oh well, practice makes perfect, as they say! And I need alot of practice! For now, I am just thrilled to have my own 'shop'. It has always been a dream of mine to make and sell infant and children's clothes. I like to make items that are cute, and durable for busy little bodies! Children spend the majority of their time in 'play' clothes and I've found through many years of experience, that they have to be very durable and easy care. Therefore, all of my items will be pretty much wash and wear. Ok, maybe with the occasional party outfit thrown in!
I have to thank my family for supporting me in this endeavor. They have been endlessly patient, listening to me rant on about pattern's, fabric, my frustrations about just about anything! Thanks guys!
And, another HUGE thank you to my very good friend Amanda, from The Modern Brady Bunch Family Blog! She was kind enough to spend a good part of her Saturday designing and making my etsy header! Amanda, you are fantastic! I couldn't have done it without you! Amanda has also just set up a new etsy shop.
Please stop by and check it out! Her little onesie set is to die for! You can find her here, at
6 Little Chickens.
And thank you to all of my wonderful followers and visitors, who left such encouraging comments, urging me to set up shop!
So, please, stop by and let me know what you think! http://www.etsy.com/shop/yoyosandcandy

Have a great day everyone! Anne

Wordless Wednesday?

Ok, so I'm trying again. One of these weeks I will actually have a completely wordless post. It may not be for many years to come, but it will happen. I think. My picture today is of two of my little nieces. We hosted my youngest brother's 39th birthday party last summer, and the girls wanted to put the candles on their dad's cake. I think they went a little overboard, don't you? Oh well, he loved it! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Memorable Moment Monday

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! I have just discovered that my new bloggy friend, Busy Buzzer, is hosting a brand new Monday blog hop, called,  Memorable Moment Monday!  Isn't that a great idea? Here are the rules,

• Write your own post to show others something that brings back happy memories for you; include a picture and a short description.  
• This is a Blog Hop, so please feel free to grab the code for the linky.  here
• Please link directly to your "Memorable Moment Monday" post, not your whole blog.                             

So, without further ado, I give you my memorable moment!

This is my oldest son Adam. He was three months old at the time. The photographer had come to our house to take the pictures. Adam was such a happy, chubby baby! He always seemed to be smiling. The amazing thing was, these pics were taken at nap time! Now, twenty two years later, he still has a smile on his face!
Why don't you hop on over to Buzzing The Day Away, and link up? I'd love to see all of your memorable moments!

                                                       http://busybuzzer.blogspot.com/2010/06/memorable-moment-monday.html

Blue Eyelet

Today I sewed for my daughter. I love to make things for her, but it doesn't happen very often. Most of the problem revolves around the difficulty in getting a pattern to fit her! She is very petite, and petite, or rather, very petite patterns are hard to come by. In ready made clothing, she wears a size zero, or one. Have you ever tried to get a women's pattern to fit anything close to that size?  It isn't easy.  It has been suggested that we use children's or teens patterns, but the shaping is all wrong. My daughter is 24, with a woman's shape, and a woman's style. Children's or teen's styles just don't cut it. Obviously, fuller figured women (like me!) aren't the only ones that have difficulty fitting patterns! After a long search through the pattern books, we found two that we thought would be suitable for her. The sizes are considerably larger than she usually wears, but with some altering, we would make them fit!  The first is from Simplicity # 2922, size 4-12. I made the smallest size, and took in the seams.

I made the tunic with flat sleeves, from cotton eyelet. I used bias binding for the neckline and sleeves instead of self fabric facings, so that it didn't show through. She will wear it over a cami or tank.

The pattern calls for a 22 inch zipper, but because the tunic is roomy on her, it wasn't needed. I just sewed a straight seam up the back.

 It is self hemmed by an embroidered border. Isn't it pretty?

The most important thing is, my daughter loves it. And it fits! I can see few few more on the horizon!
The second pattern she chose is also Simplicity, #2443, size 6-14. She wants the dress, to be sewn up in a light weight black jersey. But, that is for another day!

Have a great Monday everyone, and happy sewing!   Anne

Twice in one day!

Wow, two posts in one day! I was looking through some old pictures, and I found some that I just have to share! They just make me laugh. I hope you do too!

Mercedes and Abbigale are always together. But this is a little ridiculous.

They were both asleep like this, until Abby heard me come in with the camera.

Aren't they adorable?  Then, another morning we woke up to this.

I think she had a rough night.     Until next time,    Anne

And Now for something different!

You will all have to forgive me today. I'm a little giddy. You see, I've had quite a shock. I finally got the ambition to dig out my summer clothes from last year and try them on. I absolutely couldn't believe it. They fit!! Not only fit, but there is a little, (ok, very little,!) wiggle room. With my seemingly steady weight gain over the past few years, I honestly thought nothing would still fit. I have purposely put off sorting things out and trying them on for that reason, not wanting to give myself anything else to feel bad about. But, thankfully, I have had a pleasant surprise! But, to be quite honest, the fact that everything still fits won't stop me from adding to my wardrobe! Besides, summer clothes are quick and easy to whip up, so I'm sure I'll have a few little tops, skirts and shorts added to my wardrobe before long!
But, as promised in the title of the post, on to something different. I have just finished this little carriage blanket for a friend's baby. She is having twins, a girl and a boy, so I'll be making another blanket in the same crochet design, in pink and white. I just love this pattern. It is so incredibly easy to do, and it whips up in no time. It is something you can do while watching t.v, without concentrating on it. I have made so many of these blankets in all sizes, that I have lost count! It is a great way to use up bits of wool and yarn, and no matter what or how many colours you use, it is always pretty. And of course, the softer the wool you use, the better! 

Do you think she'll like it? I hope so! The twins are due in October, just in time to need soft, cosy blankets to snuggle up in!  Have a great day everyone!   Anne

Finally. Something for the boys!

It always happens. No matter how well laid out your plans. I had hoped to have my etsy shop up and running by now, but after more than a week of not feeling well, (thanks again fibro! I can always count on you!) I'm starting to get back on track. I have registered my shop, but I am currently only listing blank pages! :( Hopefully that will be remedied this week. I'm still sewing and planning, and have quite a few ideas for projects, so I hope to keep busy. I have made a few little boy items, and have more in the works. I like to use bright happy patterns for little boys, but it isn't as easy to get suitable 'boy' prints as it is for girls. (at least around here!) When my boys were small, I dressed them in neon oranges and yellows. With their red hair and blue eyes, they looked fabulous! After searching through my stash, I've come up with a few prints that I'm happy with. I hope you like them!

Unfortunately, the sun wasn't co-operating this morning when I took these pics, but you can get the idea. I have two pairs of shorts ready to be made up, a brown pair, and the other in navy. So I hope to get them finished today. But naturally, I can't stay completely away from creating things for little girls, so here are my latest contributions to my 'girly' stock!

I just can't help myself!
And in keeping with my 'I just can't help myself'' theme, a little shameless bragging. I'll leave you with pictures
of my son's girlfriend Rachel and her pony Abbigale, with their first prize win at a recent horse show!

I love this picture! Happy Monday everyone!

Come play with me at these parties,