Little Elephant is turning ONE! And more!

What a year.

I mean, really, how has it been a year? One year ago today, I met this beautiful little person. I had no idea how much joy, love and laughter she would add to this busy home. But it’s been worth it. Every. Single. Moment. Even the sleepless nights (which seem to be getting more frequent.)

We already had her birthday party Sunday. It will be a mellow day. I am treating us to lunch with one of my dearest friends, and she will get to open her presents (all 3 of them). She’s little, that will be plenty.

I made her a headband and a dress. The dress was a pattern I picked up on sale from Create Kid’s Couture. It’s called the Josie Ruffle Dress. With all the craziness around Christmas, I decided to go with a sweet and simple pattern. This 100% fit the bill. I am so pleased with how it turned out and am in process of making big sister Ladybug a ruffle dress of her own.

(And seriously – photographing a 1 year old is like photographing a UFO. She’s gone in a flash!)

I’m also pleased to announced I launched my Etsy shop! Ladybug and Elephant will be offering custom orders and some ready to wear options! Please message me if you have something in mind or want to see a product. I am so proud of this year.

Thank you for being here as I embark on my journey. This is so exciting! I just can’t wait!

❤ Gena

My Anna Inspired Dress for my Frozen Obsessed 3 Year Old.

This picture sums up my daughter’s excitement of Anna and this dress. She loves it.

I took my daughter along with my best friend and her daughter (who luckily is my daughter’s best friend) to see Frozen. I thought it would be an enjoyable outing before Elephant made her way into the world. I had no idea what Pandora’s Box I had opened. I love the movie. I’m a total Disney fan. I may be a bit obsessed myself. I was especially tickled that she loved Anna the most. That was all the stuff I could find in the store at that time. And she was overjoyed.

For Ladybug’s third birthday, we were already planning to do a Princess party. So when I saw a very modified version of Candy Castle Pattern’s Peppermint Swirl. I knew what she needed for her birthday dress. And it would be Anna’s twirly green dress from Elsa’s coronation. I used these lovely stencils from Joy2Sew on Etsy.

I didn’t modify the pattern from the original design. I have seen so many that have Anna’s classic off-the-shoulder straps. But that wasn’t my vision. Ladybug was turning 3. I needed a practical dress that would be suitable for her party, daily wear, and most importantly to play in. I’m so proud of my take on this iconic dress.

I hand cut out the stencil with a craft knife on to freezer paper. I did two coats of paint. I decided that I would leave off the sash for the peppermint swirl. I think this dress was perfect without it for this vision. I also made the dress a size big to allow for long term use. She’s already grown several inches taller and I am so glad we have plenty of length to go on this.

And here are some bonus pictures of Ladybug and her friend Z. My best friend Tiffany at SanderSewn made the dress from a FooFooThreads Dreamweaver Pattern.  These two love and bicker just like sisters. So it is rather perfect they each get to be a Frozen girl.

Thank you for reading my entry on my beautiful Anna dress!

❤ Gena

The New Ollie and Annie Isabella Dress!

I was so very fortunate to get to test a beautiful pleated dress for Stephanie of Ollie and Annie. The Isabella dress is such a beautiful, classic dress. I can see many more in our future for L and E.

I love the versatility in this dress. There is a bodice and a pleated skirt, so I chose to do two fabrics to show off the design. I first found gold acorn buttons at the fabric store. Then while looking for something else, I found the squirrel and hedgehog fabric and knew exactly what I wanted. I love squirrels! I know there were other testers who did the dress all in one fabric for a different look. You can add all kinds of trims and decoration too!

My favorite part of making this dress was the written pattern itself. I was so very impressed by how Ollie and Annie [atterns are well written and clear. I had never attempted pleats before, but after reading her instructions I felt confident enough to do so. And I really love the finished product. The other part I loved is this dress was designed with layering in mind. So it really is a dress for all seasons! I think my next version will need to be corduroy. The possibilities are endless.

L was such a trooper this day. It was approaching 96 degrees when I took her and sister to the rose garden to do photos. She smiled and posed as best as she could. And we were lucky enough to see a squirrel cooling off in a tree!

The pattern is currently on sale for 20% off! Go get yours now while the sale is on! It’s totally worth it!

Blog: http://ollieandanniecollection.wordpress.com
Etsy listing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/203142105/ollie-and-annie-collection-isabella

And here is a bonus picture of both girls!

Off we go!

Hello! Welcome to my lovely little page. There isn’t much here, but I hope to change that over time.

My name is Gena. And I have a sewing passion. It started when I wanted to learn and my dad showed me how to sew when I was just 4 years old. That was quite a long time ago now! I started lessons on a machine at 8 years old. My mother kept all those clothes which I have now and will have to dig out for an amazingly 90’s fashion show one of these days. I wasn’t as serious with sewing through the years, but I have definitely made up for lost time now!

I have two girls. My Ladybug is three and my little Elephant is 8 months. Their nicknames come from before birth. Before I knew my oldest was a girl I started picking up ladybug stuff for her everywhere I went. I then started picking up Elephant stuff for her little sister. Life sure is busy with two, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Well – I might like a weekend away to sleep, but I’d probably miss them!

I tend to be a night owl, so that will be when most of my updates occur. That is when I get time to work on my projects and take time to write. I have one item I just tested for and am waiting for the go ahead to share. I cannot wait to show you! In  the meantime I will be adding other items I am making for my Ladybug’s preschool wardrobe.

Cheers! I am so glad to have you here!

Gena