Pattern Sale - April 2011

ALL THIS WEEK. . .

Sunday through Saturday -- April 10 through 16, 2011

McCall's Patterns - 99 cents each

(MSRP $11.25 - $19.95 each)

Limit 10 No Special Orders

excludes Easy Stitch 'N Save

Vogue Patters - $3.99 each

(MSRP $11.95 - $30.00 each)

Limit 10 No special orders

Notice of Maiden Flight Clothing's Doll Jeans Give-Away

Hi all! Many of you know that I try not to post about doll fashions anymore here at Brambleberry Cottage. I now list all my "dolly" news on a separate blog that bears the name I have given to my line of clothing for Karito Kids and American Girl dolls -- Maiden Flight Clothing. But I decided to post this here today because I know that several of you who come here are doll-lovers, and I don't want you to miss out on a give-away that I am holding on my Maiden Flight Clothing Blog for a pair of jeans for either Karito Kids or American Girl size dolls (winner has the choice).

Just click here for a post on how to enter.

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - March/April 2011

I've been doing a lot of sewing lately. I have gotten so far behind on baby gifts. We have had a bumper crop in the cabbage patch at church this year. I'm nearly finished with an outfit for one of the new little "guys". I'm rather pleased with it, so I'm sure you will be getting to see a picture of it soon.

So what are the sale dates for patterns at JoAnn's this time round?

Friday - Sunday

March 25 - 27, 2011

Butterick Patterns - $1.99 each
MSRP $10.95 to $19.95 each
Excludes See & Sew
Limit 10
No Special Orders

* * * * * * * * * * *

Thursday - Saturday

March 31 - April 2, 2011

Simplicity Patterns - 99 cents each
MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 each
Limit of 10
No Special Orders
Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look,
Burda & Simplicity Books

Remember, if you need other items, be sure to look for the in-store flyer for coupons.

Cherished

"My beloved is is mine, and I am his"

Twenty-two years ago today, I wed my love, my best friend. How grateful I am to the Lord that He has brought us together!

Pattern Sale - First Half of March 2011

If you need to get some sewing done for Easter, now is the time to pick up your patterns.

Thursday - Saturday

March 3 - 5

Butterick Patterns - 99 cents each MSRP $10.95 to $19.95 each Excludes See & Sew Limit 10 No Special Orders * * * * * * * * * * *

Sunday - Saturday

March 6 - 12, 2011 Simplicity Patterns - $1.99 each MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 each Limit of 10 No Special Orders Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look, Burda & Simplicity Books

Blossom in the Snow

Hi, everyone! Those of you who know me, know that winter is NOT my favorite season of the year. While I'm not overly fond of being cold or having treacherous ice underfoot, the Number One Reason that I dislike this time of year is lack of sunlight and color. Greyed-out colors and dismal days last far too long in my opinion. Although, around here we consistently had a good deal of snow on the ground this winter, and that does a tremendous job of reflecting sunlight and brightening the world around me. So if it must be winter, my motto is "let it snow".

Those who know me, also know that the winter solstice is just about my favorite day of the year because I know that there will be more and more daylight as the days grow longer. By the end of this month, I will be making daily excursions into the yard to see if any little green "shoots" are there to greet me.

I found the most beautiful blossom, full of color and promise, in the snow last Friday evening.

I thought I would share the color and the beauty with you.

This was the first formal event, that she has ever attended,

and there was lots of excitement in the air.

I love the beading and the embroidery on the bodice and skirt panel of this very simple gown.

Her hair was pulled up and sparlies added.

And yes, it was too cold, even for this flower, to be outside, so she bundled up in a warm coat and headed off with her friends for a wonderful evening.

Pattern Sale - February 2011

I seem to be running a little late on this one - Starting today Butterick and Vogue Patterns are on sale for the weekend.

Friday thru Sunday

February 4- 6, 2011

Vogue Patterns - $3.99 each

MSRP $11.95 to $30.00 each

Limit 10

No special orders

Butterick Patterns - $1.99 each

MSRP $10.95 to $19.95 each

Excludes See & Sew

Limit 10

No Special Orders

To Go With His Big Baby Blues

There is sewing as a chore; I absolutely hate to mend. There is sewing as a job; alterations are not my favorite. There is sewing as an enjoyable, creative outlet; I love seeing creations in my mind becoming fashions for dolls. And then. . .

There is sewing that is truly a labor of love. . . each step of the process is performed with loving thoughts of the one for whom it is being created. In my mind, it must be just the right pattern, the perfect choice of fabric, and have added details to convey "I love you so much, and I want this to show how special you are to me!"

This little outfit fell into the last category for me. . . all the while I was making it, I thought about how I was going to call my dear friend who has moved away and whom I miss so VERY, VERY much and say, " Would it suit you if I came up for a quick visit?" But my hopes were dashed when my youngest was exposed to "Mono" , and I could make no such call. A few weeks later, we learned that she didn't have "Mono" --a fact that we are very happy about but disappointed that we were unable to make the trip to deliver this ourselves and see precious friends again.

After reading a post that the little guy that was to receive this was growing by leaps and bounds, I decided to mail it fearing that he would outgrow it before I could hand deliver it. In truth, after reading that post I feared that it might already be the case. So off it went, without me!

The good new is that it fits, "Mama" says that he even has a little room to spare. I tried something a little different with the leg closure. Instead of snaps, I used a zipper. I am anxious to hear how that worked out for Mama and son. The fabric is a soft-as-velvet miniwale corduroy that I fell in love with.

If you would like to see this little fellow wearing it, there are some gorgeous photos taken by his very talented Mama that you can see by clicking here.

Pattern Sale at JoAnn Fabrics - January 2011

So, you have some sewing projects to do. . .

Well, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, and Vogue patterns are all on sale at JoAnn Fabrics this month. Not all patterns are on sale at the same time, so be very careful to check the dates for the particular pattern in which you are interested.

3 Days Only

Thursday through Saturday

January 13 - 15, 2011

Butterick Patterns - $1.99 each

MSRP $10.95 - $19.95 each

Limit 10

No special orders

Excludes See & Sew

and

McCall's Pattterns - $1.99 each

MSRP $11.25 - $19.95 each

Limit of 10

No special orders

Excludes Easy Stitch 'N Sew

* * * * * * *

7 Days Only

Sunday through Saturday

January 16 - 22, 2011

Simplicity Patterns - 99 cents each

MSRP $6.95 - $17.95 each

Limit of 10

No Special Orders

Excludes "It's So Easy", New Look,

Burda & Simplicity Books

* * * * * * *

3 Days Only

Thursday through Saturday

January 27 - 29, 2011

Vogue Patterns - $3.99 each

MSRP $11.95 to $30.00 each

Limit 10

No special orders

A Quiet Moment To Write

Well, I'm finally back. It's been a really busy few months, but it's also been rather exciting. I've been learning lots of new computer skills needed for my Maiden Flight Clothing endeavor and, of course, sewing and getting ready for the holidays.

Christmas was very good. Bill was off work the week between Christmas and New Year, so that made the time especially enjoyable for our family. We didn't do any homeschooling during that week, so Orangeblossom, the ManChild, and I were especially pleased about that. (Yes, we have often been known to continue homeschooling when others are out of school on Christmas vacation). The eldest had a much needed break from college work. While her two younger siblings and I have been back in full homeschool mode for 4 days now, she doesn't return to classes until the 10th. Much of her time off has been revamping and organizing her bedroom when she wasn't at work. I can barely believe that she only has one semester to go with her nursing program. This last semester will be a full one for her.

Yes, and she has also been doing some 'modeling" for me. I roped her into modeling these fingerless mitts that I am putting into my Etsy shoppe later tonight. I had made a pair for Orangeblossom for a Christmas gift, and they were a great hit. Then I made myself a pair because I thought they were so "neat", and fit nicely and snugly.. So, I'm going to try them on Etsy. They are a 70% wool blend, washable, and I have found them to be great for driving.

I really like the lacy pattern.

I thought the next two pictures of the "Eldest" were good.

I'm working on a sewing project that is almost finished, but I can't show it here yet because it's a gift. One can't be too careful about prying eyes, you know (wink, wink)!

I, also, wanted to welcome the new "followers" that have joined us here at Brambleberry Cottage. I notice that we have some doll lovers in the group. I don't blog a lot about my doll clothing here now, but you can still see what I am making over at my Maiden Flight Clothing blog. I'm having a Give-away over there duing January. Check it out, if you'd like.

There's been a good response to the patterns that I resized to fit Karito Kid dolls for Liberty Jane Clothing, so it's been agreed that I will proceed resizing some more of them. I started on that project last evening.

Well, if I plan on getting my "to do" list for THIS evening completed, I better get off here and get moving.

I hope this finds all of you well, and that 2011 holds great blessings for each and everyone of you.