What happened to July?

We're in the middle of August and I'm trying to figure out what happened to July.  You know the old saying "Time flies when you're having fun."  Well, I've had a wonderful summer so far and it seems like it was just last week we were shoveling snow.  I think they should change that old saying to "Time flies when you get old."
We had lots of company (family) this summer.  I had a houseful of sisters-in-law and it was great.  Word of warning........don't try out new recipes on company!!!!  My friend makes this awesome potato salad and she gave me the recipe.  When it came time to make this awesome dish I had three extra cooks in the kitchen.  It was fun and we laughed a lot but the potato salad most assuredly was not awesome.

Anyway, I am getting some sewing done this summer.  Not as much as I'd like but my granddaughter is cute as a button in the sundress, panty and bonnet I made for her.  Bought a new sewing machine.  A Brother SE400 Embroidery/Sewing machine.  It is awesome and well beyond my expectations.  Look for more embroidery in future garments.  I just love how easy it is to operate.  My Viking has been semi-retired.  The Viking stood the test of time but not technology.  Anyone out there used a Brother SE400?  Do you have any tips/tricks to pass along?  If you have a moment, please take the poll to the right.

Thanks for your help.  Catch ya later.
Grandmabenny

IF ANYONE MISSES ME

I have been laid up for several days now. I have to do everything in short bursts. I have trouble getting up when I manage to sit down. Will visit the chiropractor when my SS comes in. Until then I either stand or lay down most of the time. I would stand all the time if I could. No pain when standing or walking. Enough on that.
I managed to make this Feliz dress for my Etsy shop. I just love the material. It's "Possibilities" and it is so cute. I am planning another Feliz with the other two coordinating fabrics in this selection. I use yards and yards of ruffles because all the little girls I know just love to twirl.
I have been prewashing all my fabrics lately to eliminate some of the shrinkage before the garment is made.
Here's the Feliz:

Later,
Grandmabenny

PICNIK

The most recent photos posted in my Etsy shop were an experiment with Picnik, a photo editing software.  It has lots of options for free and for a price you can upgrade for more options.  I would be interested to hear your opinion of these new photos.  Is it an improvement?  I tend to over think everything and have edited and re-edited my photos.  Also, which do you like better, the framed photos or the matte photos?  Here are a couple of examples or you can look at my shop at WWW.grandmabenny.etsy.com 

 

LIFE'S A PICNIC?

JUST LISTED

How do you like this one? 

Two New Garments

Two new garments for my shop.  Really enjoyed making the hat.  Can't wait to try it on a 6-month-old youngster.  If you love to sew, you'll love making hats and bonnets.

The dress is a size 5 and it's a very popular style right now.  It is time consuming if you are particular about gathering.  I think I am obsessive and no matter how long I spend shifting the gathers back and forth trying for that perfect evenly distributed look, I just never quite make perfection.  Oh well, at least you know it's a hand-made garment.

(Yes, I know I need a new background.  It's on my "to do list")

By the way, I couldn't imbed this week's DIY Dish webisode but you can get it by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.  It's really a good one!!

Also, if it's not too much trouble, click on your choice below this post (or any of my posts so far) to let me know if I am on the right track with this blog.

KRIS AND KIM HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!