Notes from the Patch

Who says they only make cute stuff for girls?

It's Dude Baby by Vanilla House.

Who says baby boys can't be stylin' too?

Encourage one another,

 

Sweet Seats

 We loved The Sweet Seat when we first saw it at market in May.

Annette brought our finished model in this morning and said she loved the pattern - easy to follow and a lot like making a huge round pillow.

Fortunately we had the perfect beautiful little model visit us first thing this morning and when she asked to hold our baby I made her work for it. = )

I'm thinking these would make a terrific gift for babies through preschoolers since the bags measure 18" x 9 1/2" tall and are stuffed with bean bag pellets so they're super soft and squishy.

So cute with a monogram or child's name.

You can find the fabric Annette used here. It's Children at Play by Sarah Jane. So cute!

Oh, and just in case you weren't aware...

That is all. I'll go now.

Encourage one another,

Who is this young man and what have they done with my little boy?

Do you recognize this young man?

Here's a clue. See that red ALS wrist band there on his right arm?

Yup, it's my grandson Jake. All grown up. He'll  be twelve next month. Twelve. How can this be? Cherene says he is already thinking about his first car. Scary.

I smiled through tears as I read Cherene's email; seeing how grown up Jake looks. He reminds me so much of Jeff.

Here he is just two years ago when so many of you dear friends supported his fund raiser for ALS.

Jake hasn't stopped wearing that red band since the day he started his fund raiser. Bill and I are so proud of him! I know Jeff is too.

Since so many of you continue to ask about how he's doing, I just wanted to brag a bit.

Encourage one another,

AKA Grammie Zingg

Big fish, little fish...cute dress!

Warmer weather is just around the corner and we have a darling project for you!

We've teamed Michael Miller's Fishies print with a cool and carefree Quick Sew pattern to make the perfect summertime dress for your special little Miss.

We've kitted this sweet dress complete with all those buttons and ric rac (fits sizes 1T through 4T). Unfortunately quantities are very limited so if you'd like a kit, please don't wait.

Thank you Beverly for another adorable model. It's always exciting for me to pick the fabrics and trims then send them home with you to work your magic. I'm never disappointed and always grateful to be able to tap into your willing creative skills.

Encourage one another,

Don't forget our anniversary sale starts Friday morning at 10:00 am sharp. Internet orders and in store sales will be discounted 27% Friday and Saturday only. Just say "happy anniversary" in the comment box on your internet order and we'll take 27% off your entire order at the register.

In Your Easter Bonnet

Some of the goodies that I found at the Vegas show last week have already started to arrive.

Just adorable and the prices are so good I had to double check that I hadn't mispriced them.

Twice!

But as cute as they are on our mannequins there is just something about them on a living doll.

Sophia was such a good sport as her mommy, Barbara and I played dress up with her.

And to think I get paid to do this...

Encourage one another,

  

 

The Reason for the Season

It's just days before Christmas and the stress in some of our customers is palpable as they scurry about trying to get everything done.

Tuesday we had three customers standing at the door before we officially opened at ten.  As we let them in from the cold they apologized and thanked us as they grabbed a quick gift card or a yard of fabric to finish last minute projects.

About mid morning a young mother came in with her three small children. As she strolled her baby through the store her two preschoolers made their way to the toys and began quietly playing together.

I overhead the five year old say to his sister, Excuse me, may I play with that toy? She happily handed it to her big brother and continued to play.

As I checked on the mom to see if there was anything I could help her with I told her what I had overheard and complemented her on her young children's kindness towards one another. She smiled and admitted she had reminded them to behave themselves before coming in the door.

A little later Barabara asked the four year old if is she was excited for Christmas and Santa Claus. She replied, Christmas isn't about Santa. Christmas is all about Jesus!

As you rush about to cross those last to dos off your list and put the last stitches on your gifts, I hope you'll stop and remember the words of one very wise little four year old.

Christmas isn't about Santa, Christmas is about Jesus.

Merry Christmas my friends.

Be kind to one another and share,

 

A sweet treat

This little doll came trick or treating at Strawberry Patches this morning.

Her mommy made her pants from one of my favorite patterns, Britches and Bloomers by Jackie Clark. You can whip them up in just an hour or so - they are super easy to construct. (Did you know our Halloween fabric is 30% off)?

One thing I've learned along the way is that babies grow way too fast. Before you know it, they're eleven with definite likes and dislikes. Today it's cute ruffled pants and tomorrow it's trendy jeans with rhinestoned pockets.

My advise is to dress them how you want when they're tiny, because before you know it they will have

a mind of their own!

Encourage one another,

SARAH

 It was just me and Sarah on Saturday. 

We stayed home and decorated her room.

Papa Bill and Michael went on a Boy Scout camp out.

The girls had Chinese take out and watched a movie.

The boys roasted hot dogs over an open fire.

She slept under new sheets in a freshly decorated bedroom.

He  slept in a tent under the stars.

If you were to ask anyone of us, I think we'd all agree it was the perfect weekend.

Eleven is a magical age. Serious and grown up one minute.

Silly the next.

 

 

 

Tomorrow there is a soccer game, shopping and putting the final touches on her room. Our little tomboy has developed quite a love for the bling and a delightful since of style.

She already understands color and balance. She also understands a room CAN have too many peace signs.

You can learn a lot from an eleven year old.

Encourage one another,

Mom. I need to pee. I need to peeee!

My husband, Bill forwards dozens of emails to me every week.

Don't tell Bill, but most of the jokes he sends me get deleted before they are ever opened.

This one, however peaked my curiosity.

For anyone who has raised a boy I think you'll agree it's cute and for those of you that haven't, forgive me.

Here's the link  Download SRG7143 

Happy Tuesday!

Encourage one another,

 

Sarah and Vera...BFF's

Here's granddaughter Sarah's first day of middle school picture (she's the second one on the left).

The one with the Vera Bradley backpack.

Oh, wait. They ALL have Vera Bradley backpacks!

Dear Vera:

As one retailer to another I just want to say you rock reinventing yourself like that. I used to think your colorful quilted bags were just for grammies, but you have totally changed your marketing. Now eleven year old girls think you are like so cool and now, so do I.

Rock on Vera, rock on!

Sincerely,

Grammy

 

Encourage one another,

PS: For the love of Pete, can somebody please tell me what has happened to my baby girl?