Ellie Inspired

Ever have one of those days?????

Mon, 07 May 2012 04:50:00 +0000

Oh my, what a night! I spent last week painting both my dining room and my sewing room so after getting my machines set back up and everything moved back in my sewing room, I was anxious to do some sewing tonight. Everything that could go wrong, DID!

I was trying to figure out my digitizing program that seemed so easy in the store but I could not figure out how to do some things. I finally got a design that I wanted and hooped the shirt. Then, I stitched through the back collar. Then, I ran out of bobbin thread and couldn't figure out how to get the design lined up again. Then, the name stitched out horrible with a rat's nest. Then, I turned around to see that my iron had fallen and scorched my brand new cover!!! AAAAAGH! I am stopping for the night!

Please tell me you guys have those nights too! Tomorrow morning, maybe it will be funny to me...at least it was a "practice" shirt for me!

So, some fun news to start the week and then hopefully I will have some pictures to show you if I remember how to sew again! :)

Ellie Inspired is now featured on Craft Apple's Sewing Pattern Designer Blog List! I'm honored to be in such great company!

I am also being featured this month on Forty Toes Photography's May Market Giveaway!

I have had a great response to this giveaway. The fabric from Fairytale Frocks & Lollipops is gorgeous in person and the trim is also included for my Twirl Girl pattern. You can enter to win this or a gazillion other awesome prizes here.

My patterns are also available in some new stores!!!

Linda from Allegro Patterns contacted me a couple of weeks ago to include my e-patterns on her new site dedicated to e-patterns. She has a wonderful variety of patterns available for sale! Her site is so easy to maneuver around in and it is easy to view the pictures. You can visit her by clicking on the logo above. I have uploaded about half of my patterns and will be completing the rest of them this week.

I have also been talking to Nicci in Switzerland about including my patterns in her store, Zwergenstoffe. Isn't her logo so cute? There are a couple of American designers in her store but I was attempting to translate my pattern into German so it would be able to reach a broader audience at her store. It didn't go as well as I had hoped but I didn't use a very sophisticated translation program. So, it is something that I will keep working on because I would love to have my patterns in more countries! If anyone is fluent in German, French, or Spanish and has some time to help me out, I would love to talk to you about working together on this project! So, give her just a couple of days and my patterns should be all uploaded on her site.

A few months ago, I also added my patterns to the super adorable store, The Fabric Fairy. She has lots of great options for knit fabric and patterns available. It has been great talking to and working with Megan. She is very efficient and organized and has lots of prints that I haven't seen available anywhere else.

Hope you all have a great week (and I hope my sewing gremlins or whatever they are called are out of my room tomorrow morning!)

Don't miss this! Last day for HUGE Giveaway!

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Did you know I was participating in Forty Toes Photography's HUMONGOUS giveaway?! There are 84 prizes up for grabs from some amazing designers! We have had fun shopping and visiting each other this month but TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!

Jennifer is the sweetest, most hard-working SAHM I have had the pleasure of "meeting". :)

Her business has grown incredibly this year. She just passed 13,000 followers on her facebook page and everyone recognizes her daughter's sweet face from the beautiful pictures she takes!

Click HERE to visit Jennifer's site and enter yourself! Good luck!!

P.S. Also, don't forget all orders with "FORTYTOES" code in the special instructions to seller box will receive 20% off!!! Last day!!!

A Story to Touch Your Heart

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:05:00 +0000

Well, I promised you this story about six days ago. Sorry about that! I wanted to get my part of the story finished first so I could show you pictures...well, I'll get to that. But, add in a week of three baseball games, three practices, an unexpected funeral of a dear old friend, ballet, a wedding, and a wedding rehearsal and just daily life stuff, and the week got away from me! You know how it goes, moms! But, since it is Sunday morning and I am sitting here before church awake early, it is a good time to share this meaningful story.

A few weeks ago, Jamie sent me this first sweet email. It so touched me that I asked if I could share her story. Here is what she said:

"Hello, Laura. I am sending the pic of the robe and gown that I made from your pattern. I used vintage bedsheets for the material. Just wanted to see how they would look and I am really happy with the way they turned out. I had thought about making these beautiful ensembles for children of fallen soldiers. With your permission of course. My son was killed in wasit, Iraq last year and it has been very hard for my granddaughter. Even though she is 3 she asks where he is all the time. I hope you like my rendition of your lovely pattern.

Sincerely, Jamie"

I emailed her back immediately and told her how beautiful the set had turned out and I would love to share her pictures and story with others. A few days later, I got this second email from her:

"Hi, Laura. Thank you for your heartfelt response. I do not mind, at all, you mentioning this project and posting the picture. I would like to do something for the sons of these soldiers, as well, and was wondering if you have a pattern for boys? If I could end this dreadful thing called war I would but it appears an impossibility in a patriarchal world.....so I will create beauty instead of the ugliness and despair war causes. Thank you so very much, Laura, for allowing me to use your pattern. It is, by far, the most elegant and fairytale like! She (my granddaughter) loved the set. It would be wonderful to have others involved in this project. Again, I thank you for your talent and heartfelt response! I will attach the pic of the new gown.

Sincerely, Jamie"

When she asked if I had a pattern for boys that would be similar, we talked a little bit more about what she would like to make them and I started drafting a pajama set for boys with a robe. I stopped at a fabric store a couple of weeks ago with my boys and they each picked out their fabric they wanted, one is Cubs, one is the Packers, and one is camouflage. They are so predictable. Anyway, I was waiting to post this story because I wanted to share pictures at the end of the pattern coming for boys but I just haven't made it to my sewing room at all this week! So, I will just tell you that I am working on that and it will be coming, Jamie!

Thanks so much for sharing your story and your beautiful sewing with us, Jamie! I love to hear how others use sewing to make a difference in others' lives. Our mothers' hearts mourn the loss of your son along with you and are thankful for his service and sacrifice for us. I'm sure you have made others think about how they can use their time to help others as well.

Have a blessed Sunday friends!

Beautiful Smocking

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Next in our lineup of customer creations are these two exquisite smocked dresses that I can't wait to show you.

Scheryl made this beautiful pink/brown Fairy Doll. I think we should call this one "Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries" Scheryl! :) Ellie was in love with this color combo.

She took these with her phone but the beauty of this frock still comes through. You did an excellent job Scheryl! It's always a treat to open your emails!!

Fairy Doll was one that came out around Christmas time that I offered a bonus smocking plate with for a limited time.

This one works well in any season. You can click on the pattern cover below to order this fun dress.

My very favorite pattern of all the ones I've created is my Alice Blue pattern. I was so thrilled when Heather sent me the pictures of the one she made! This is the first one I've seen in creamy white silk dupioni. Breathtaking!!

Even sweet little rosebuds on the buttons... You did a fabulous job Heather!

You can pick up your copy of Alice Blue by clicking on the pattern cover below:

I've got some great new smocking patterns coming out soon! Lots of stitchers are smocking away as I write this! Oooooh, you are going to love them!!

Tomorrow is a very special post you won't want to miss...but bring your kleenex with you to your computer chair. I will also share a sneak peek at a new pattern coming FOR BOYS!

Fun with Dr. Seuss

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Another fun email I received was from Stephanie who used my free pattern, Sweet Apple Frock, to make matching dresses for her daughter's birthday party.

She wrote to me, "They came out great and the girls love them! I've attached some photos from my kid's birthday party. They are all January babies and I got the two oldest to agree on a Dr. Seuss theme.

This dress pattern was perfect for the fun Seuss prints. Thanks again for the great pattern." ~Stephanie

This picture could be in a magazine with the girls looking so sweetly at each other and the baby watching them. All the colors are so beautiful together! I predict...many "pins"! (I gotta get my Pinterest button added to my sidebar. Come follow me!)

These pictures just make me smile! Looks like a really fun party and I just love how the dresses came out. I am going to remember your idea when Ellie has Dr. Seuss day at school in a couple of years. And, oh Stephanie, you know I am just a-lovin' that red wall!! :)

Playtime Girl Variations

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Yesterday, I posted pictures of a Christmas vest Anna had made her son and I said that she also made a couple of Playtime Girl dresses that she made some unique variations to. I'm anxious to show you those today.

The first one is a Christmas one she made. Instead of doing the traditional skirt, she made this vertical ruffled skirt. LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!! She's got me thinking what else I can add vertical ruffles to!

This is another one she made dressy for the holidays. She wrote me, "I made the front bodice in lace fabric then adapted the front bodice into an overlapping bodice and put that over the top, I think you can just about see the edges of the jade velour over the top."

You are so creative, Anna!! Thanks so much for sharing your variations to Playtime Girl with us!

In my Flickr group, it also happens that Jenny Jo just added her picture of Playtime Girl dresses that she made. ADORABLE!! With even a matching doll pattern using one of Genniewren's fabulous doll patterns.

Playtime Girl is written for sizes 4-12 and is specifically designed for knits. It has a layered sleeve but you could also use just the short sleeve or the long sleeve instead for a different look.

I made a ton of these dresses when I was testing them and Ellie has grown too tall to wear them anymore. We've extended them about as long as we can with leggings so it is time for me to make more with short sleeves for summer with some cute appliques like Nicole did on her cute one below. (My to-do list is getting quite long, isn't it? :) I found the paint color I'm going to do on my sewing room walls today - so maybe next week I will be organized and ready to sew again!)

So..............who will I feature next???? Check back tomorrow! Isn't this fun?!

Featured Friends

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:10:00 +0000

The most fun part of my job is when I see what others do with my designs. I LOVE receiving emails with pictures of things you've made and I receive a lot of them! So, for the next several days, I'm just going to feature....you!

The first ones I want to feature are those who have already made my Dapper Lad vest pattern since that was available for sale a couple of weeks ago.

Elizabeth was actually a tester for this vest and made this cute little one for her 16 month old son. This soooo makes me long for the days when my boys were this little! Elizabeth is also a busy mom with a blog, store and facebook page featuring beautiful custom creations. She told me: " I have just created some diaper changing/play mats and have created a spring line of sundresses for little girls. Pictures are up on my FB page if people are interested in buying off of there as I don't have any of them listed on my Artfire website. I guess my biggest draw is my infant car seat covers as well as my love of creating custom items for customers!" She is very talented and creates the cutest things. Check out her links below:

TEJA Kids "Kid Inspired, Mom and Dad Desired" (blog, store, facebook)

Anna made this Dapper Lad vest for Christmas time and I wish I had shown it to you then! I was getting organized and going through past emails the other day and stumbled across her pictures. She also made two very unique Playtime Girl dresses that I will show you tomorrow.

I never thought about doing an embroidery design on the vest but now that I have my embroidery machine....I will!

Theresa got the pattern the day I put it out and made this classy one for her son for Easter. I'm so glad I got the pattern out in time for her to use....he looks so sharp! I forgot to ask her if she used a linen or a suiting for the front of the vest. I love the contrast of the black on the back too. Theresa, if you see this, maybe you could comment below so that others know.

The nice thing about this pattern is that you can make it as easy or as complicated as you want. It is reversible or lined. It has bound buttonholes or the standard ones you are used to making. It has real welt pockets or mock ones or none at all. It has ties, a belt, or nothing in the back. You can add a notched collar or a shawl collar to it. So, it can take you 45 minutes or 4 hours. Very suitable for a beginner or advanced seamstress.

Another reason that I love receiving emails from you is that some of your stories really touch my heart and inspire me. In a few days, I will share with you a woman who is doing wonderful things for children who have lost a parent who were in the military and killed in the war. Her story so moved me that I decided to write a brand new pattern that was not on my list of spring/summer patterns so that she has another one to use. I'll give you a hint...it's for boys, my boys picked out the fabric, and they are VERRRRRRY excited about it! I was painting my dining room yesterday so as soon as I clean up my mess today, I will begin sewing the first test runs of it.

Have a wonderful day friends! And, if you have pictures you would like to share with everyone, email me at: ellieinspired@juno.com

Easter pictures...finally!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:00:00 +0000

It was hard to get a good picture last Sunday of all the kids together and I wanted them with their bunny, anyway, so we tried again this Sunday.

I had started a beautiful full smocked bodice dress out of rice batiste and ecru laces from Adorable Heirlooms but I completely ran out of time!

So, on Friday, the kids and I ran to Joann's and they all picked out their own fabric. The boys picked out this beautiful charcoal gray pinstriped suiting with silver satin ties and Ellie picked out this coral embroidered linen. I cut them out Friday night and stitched away on Saturday night! The boys vests are my Dapper Lad pattern, the tie is in my free pattern section, and Ellie's dress is Twirl Girl. I added some pleated trim from Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops and some tulle to the underskirt.

It was a long night of sewing but they are all fast patterns. I kept my laptop near me as I was sewing, checking in with other moms on facebook who were also still sewing that late! :) We had fun joking back and forth.

So, after I posted the pictures on facebook tonight and after I sorted through my email the last few days, I have pictures to show you tomorrow of other moms who made their sons the Dapper Lad vests! I love seeing your pictures!! Check back tomorrow!

Hope you all had a nice weekend! I made the most of my not feeling-so-great days and sorted through about 1500 emails and started writing another new pattern! I'm feeling so organized and ready for this week!! Now, if I could just walk in my sewing room.....I better tackle that first tomorrow. Wish I could hire someone to just clean and organize THAT room! I've been searching on Pinterest and other blogs, trying to gain some ideas on what to do with a small sewing room that would still be somewhat cute since it's in the main living area. Most sewing room pictures though are these humongous rooms or lofts that are gorgeous, but do not in any way apply to me. I did find a homemade laundry detergent recipe and a way to make lactose-free yogurt, though. :) Ok, I'm rambling....signing off! Good night!

I forgot a couple of pictures of our Easter Egg hunt.

Can't really think of a caption for this picture...

Concentration and dedication to the sport is key...

Dress a Girl around the World!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:25:00 +0000

I have been feeling a little under the weather this week and so I haven't posted any Easter pictures yet but I had a wonderful message today that lifted me right up and I'm so excited to share it with you!

There is a wonderful project going this month on her website, Hopeful Threads. Here is what Kristy wrote on her blog:

"For the April 2012 Monthly Project, we will be making dresses in support of Dress A Girl Around the World! While normally I encourage that you look within your own communities and connections to find someone who can use your sewn items, this time I want to ask you to be a part of a collaborative effort to make a BIG IMPACT for Dress A Girl!

Let's sew 100 Dresses together!"

Theresa let me know about it and has used my free pattern "Simple Elegance" to make all of these beautiful dresses below to join in the project!

I have a couple of other free patterns for dresses like Sweet Apple Frock and Ruffle Halter Dress that I would love if you used as well. I'm excited to join with this project and sew some dresses for girls also!

Please visit her website for more information on how to help and where to send the dresses.

Here are links to the free dress patterns I have listed in my Free Patterns & Projects section:

Please share pictures with me if you use any of my patterns for this project, I would love to see! And bless you for helping...I know the sewing community is a wonderful group of caring people!

Twirl Girl revisited

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:45:00 +0000

Today is a somber day as we remember how Jesus died for us because of his love for us.

"Does God really love us? I say look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. By every thorn that punctured His brow. By every mark of the back lacerating scourge. By every hair of his beard plucked from his cheeks by cruel fingers. By every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head. God said, "I love you!" By all the spit that landed on his face. By every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground. By every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross. By every beat of His loving heart. God said, I love you."

~Billy Lobbs

My brother and sister-in-law are performing in an Easter play tonight and we are looking forward to seeing them. And, tomorrow, my sister is directing an Easter play for the children at her church and we can't wait to see it also. Easter dinner with family, coloring Easter eggs with the kids, taking pictures in their Easter clothes with our rabbit, practicing some special music for church....lots to do the next couple of days. It will be a fun weekend of celebrating. My favorite weekend of the year! How do you celebrate with your family?

Thanks so much for your orders yesterday with the launch of my first doll pattern, "Mini Twirl Girl" which matches the girl sized one with the same name.

During the process of writing the mini version, I ended up looking very closely at the girl sizes. Twirl Girl was produced almost two years ago already and I've changed a little on how I draft patterns. I wanted to improve on the bodice design and fit so I rewrote the girl sizes too!

So, now you have lots of options:

1. TODAY, I release the doll pattern individually for 6.95. For those of you who already own Twirl Girl or don't have someone you sew for in those specific sizes, this is for you!! You can purchase the "Mini Twirl Girl" here in my newest collection, "Dollie and Me"!

2. TODAY, I decided to continue to offer the two patterns as a combination here at the new price of $12.95 which saves you a little by buying them together. Your special girl will love twirling away the summer with her matching doll dress!

3. TODAY, you are able to purchase my BRAND-NEW updated "Twirl Girl" in sizes 4-12!! You can purchase it here.

4, Finally, TODAY, if you already own Twirl Girl, you do not need to purchase a new pattern. You can download the new bodice pattern FOR FREE here!

Phew! That's a lot of options!! So, what's next??

I will be releasing all of my doll patterns within the next few days. I would love to show you some of my pattern tester pictures.

Tina made this cute little "Sandpiper" knit doll dress:

Mindy also made the "Sandpiper" knit dress for her daughter's doll:

Theresa made this Serenade dress which suits her dark haired doll perfectly:

Teri made this mini version of "Miss Mary Mack" for her doll:

Kathya also made "Miss Mary Mack" out of this sweet blue floral print:

And I already showed you April's cute "Miss Mary Mack" pattern:

And, I already showed you Katie's cute little "Twirl Girl":

Finally, Colleen went WAY above and beyond with THREE "Elsie Marley" doll dresses!!! WOW! And, each of them is so unique so you really get a good idea on how you can change a pattern with your own creativity.

I am going to be first releasing four woven patterns (the doll sized versions of Twirl Girl, Miss Mary Mack, Nonie's Girl, and Sugar Horses) and four knit patterns (the doll sized versions of Sandpiper, Serenade, Elsie Marley, and Sleeping Bunnies). There will be smocked doll patterns coming as well! Fun, fun!!

And I just started writing a brand-new girl pattern too!

So, with all this going on, I'm super sad to say I am giving up on getting this beautiful full smocked bodice dress done for Ellie for Easter. It makes me sad to say that but I have at least 13 hours left to finish it and I just don't want to do that to myself the day before Easter. So, on to plan B....gotta figure that out today. Maybe another Twirl Girl in fancier fabrics!

Have a great weekend everyone celebrating the death and resurrection of our Savior!! It's truly my favorite weekend of the year!