You know how you will do anything for your kids??? If you won the lottery, you promise they can have anything they want? okay, maybe not everything...LOL!!
I have always loved to dress my little girlies up in beautiful dresses and finery. And I've sewn a lot of dresses in my day...well, little girlie dresses that could withstand my "not-so-precise" seamstress abilities!!
And Cora, my darling oldest, has always been patient with me...that is, until she became a teenager.
There was that year where I announced to the family "time to pick out the matching Easter Dress fabric!" and Cora told me flat out NO!! She wasn't wearing matching dresses with me (or her sisters) anymore.
She was pretty emphatic...
{Cora very young at a Tea Party!}
Fast forward to this year...
She went shopping a GOB to find a dress for her Senior Gala (prom). This was supposed to be the year where she was Cinderella at the Ball! But where was her gown????
She already had the shoes...
{note the shoes...so awesomely Cinderella-ish!!}
She had the Prince...
{they look so distinguished here...a little, anyway! LOL!!}
...but she didn't have the dress...
So I promised her that if we looked at all of the "cool" resale shops and she didn't find anything, we could run to Joann's and look for a pattern and I would "attempt" to make it...
well...
after 2 weeks of "deer in headlights", a great phone call from my sister telling me all the great tips about sewing satin, and 4 days of straight sewing minus an hour here or there (seriously...only an hour here or there!!!)...
...it was created!! Yep, I was the fairy godmother...
and my darling daughter who didn't like matching dresses made by momma, stepped into her fairyland dream Gala with her prince (who btw, is wearing a matching bowtie made by yours truly!! love the Martha Stewart Bowtie tute!!), and she was wearing her gown...
and without further ado...
I love how in this pic you can see the back with the little rhinestone thingamabobs on her bodice!!
They were with such a gorgeous group of kids!! (yep, that makes me feel old...just sayin'...)
There is a rhinestone thingamabob at every tuck in the skirt...
I had to take a couple of artsy photos...
and then the guys...
and the girlies...
*sigh* I love this wild ride I'm on with my first senior!!!
Here's a fun shot of Cora tying Nathan's bowtie...she is the expert!
Just one of the many milestones I will enjoy this spring with my graduating senior!!
_______________________________________
If you've made it this far through my wild pontificating about my eldest child, you deserve a chance to WIN, WIN, WIN!!!
My darling friend, Julie from the Intrepid Thread (my fave online store ever!!), who I absolutely adore, is giving away a bundle of 8-10 fat quarters of TURQUOISE fabrics in honor of Cora's Gala dress!!
Yay!!!
All you need to do is to leave a comment on this post about anything!! :)
You can have a second chance to win if you follow me on Facebook...
and a third if you follow me on Twitter!!
(Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do! :))
You have until this Monday, April 23rd at midnight CST to post a comment!! yay!! Have fun!!
Thanks sooo much for visiting my blog and listening to me rant about my sweet baby girl!
I love this dress! You did an amazing job. It is so impressive.
Posted by: Jana | April 20, 2012 at 05:46 AM
What a wonderful story, I loved every minute of it!! I have made my fair share of satin dresses so I know all about the slippery stuff! You did a fabulous job, Cora looks so pretty and happy...you should be very proud!
Posted by: Diane | April 20, 2012 at 06:38 AM
Ah Prom. I remember those days! Great bundle giveaway and great dress!!!
Posted by: Sosarahsews | April 20, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Yes, I follow you on Facebook :)
Posted by: Holly Perry | April 20, 2012 at 07:54 AM
This was an absolutely wonderful post. A total throwback to my daughter's prom. It is such a special time!
Posted by: Holly Perry | April 20, 2012 at 07:55 AM
What a sweet story, and you are a sewing genius! Love all the colors in that bundle.
Posted by: Ruth | April 20, 2012 at 07:55 AM
My daughter keeps trying to convince me I can make her a prom dress... I don't know if I believer her...
Posted by: marion | April 20, 2012 at 07:57 AM
What a dreamy stack of fabric!
Posted by: Karen | April 20, 2012 at 07:57 AM
I'm following you on facenook :)
Posted by: marion | April 20, 2012 at 07:58 AM
I'm all a flutter following you on twitter ;D
Posted by: marion | April 20, 2012 at 08:00 AM
Love, love, love the dress. My daughters are now in their early forties, shhh, I made all their prom and formal dresses. I worked full time, but I'd take a week off from work and sew. The neatest thing was that no one else ever had the same dresses as they did.
Posted by: Jan | April 20, 2012 at 08:03 AM
love those colors!
Posted by: jen | April 20, 2012 at 08:03 AM
wow-beautiful dress! i hope to have a girl to dress so pretty some day. my boys just don't seem to care.
and I love the fabric colors!
Posted by: Andrea | April 20, 2012 at 08:03 AM
I liked you on FB.
Posted by: Jan | April 20, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Cora looks just like a princess in her gown! Love the bundle that you and Julie are offering -- but then, I think I love everything Julie sells! Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Lisa Marie | April 20, 2012 at 08:05 AM
now following you on twitter!
Posted by: jen | April 20, 2012 at 08:05 AM
Such a beautiful dress!! She looks like a princess!! :-) You did a wonderful job! :-)
Posted by: Gwen Windham | April 20, 2012 at 08:07 AM
I like Sally's Angelworks on Facebook! :-)
Posted by: Gwen Windham | April 20, 2012 at 08:08 AM
and I follow on Twitter, too! :-) Thank you, and Intrepid Thread, for the wonderful giveaway! Beautiful fabrics!!! :-)
Posted by: Gwen Windham | April 20, 2012 at 08:09 AM
That is a great dress. Love that you made the bowtie. How cool!
Posted by: Heather | April 20, 2012 at 08:12 AM
Looking forward to a great weekend with my sis, mom, and grandma! Girls Weekend!!! Hope you have a great one too!
Posted by: Melinda | April 20, 2012 at 08:13 AM
I remember those days of finding the perfect dress prom dress for my daughter/niece. You did a great job and she looks so pretty.
Posted by: A Facebook User | April 20, 2012 at 08:14 AM
I loved reading this personal Cinderella story! The gown is amazing.
And well, I need this beautiful TEAL fabric, seeing as how I live in the Teal country of the UNCW Seahawks (my son's alma mater and soon, my husbands!) Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Cynthia | April 20, 2012 at 08:15 AM
I love that you fearlessly jumped in to create a gorgeous dress. Cora and her date are having so much fun and so very happy. This is going to be a memory that will last a lifetime!
Posted by: Celia | April 20, 2012 at 08:15 AM
I follow you on Facebook. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Posted by: A Facebook User | April 20, 2012 at 08:16 AM
Following you on FaceBook now!
Posted by: Cynthia | April 20, 2012 at 08:16 AM
I am following on FB
Posted by: Marjorie | April 20, 2012 at 08:17 AM
Your daughter's dress is fantastice!! The belle of the ball. Love the color choice of this giveaway bundle...thank you
Posted by: Marjorie | April 20, 2012 at 08:19 AM
Very pretty dress for a very pretty young lady!! I bet she had a great night.
Posted by: Sara | April 20, 2012 at 08:20 AM
I'm a sucker for teal fabric and this collection from Intrepid Thread is amazing. Follow you on twitter also as Chanzy01.
Posted by: Rina Mason | April 20, 2012 at 08:21 AM
I follow you on Facebook
Posted by: Lisa Cox | April 20, 2012 at 08:22 AM
What a gorgeous dress! And I just love the color!
What a great memory, for her and you.
Thank you for the great giveaway.
Posted by: Lisa Cox | April 20, 2012 at 08:23 AM
I also follow you on Twitter
@VettekLisa
Posted by: Lisa Cox | April 20, 2012 at 08:24 AM
Wowie!! You did Awesome job on her dress! It is Gorgeous!! ( and by the way...so is your Daughter!) Love all the pictures you shared too!
Turquoise is my oldest Grandgirlie's FAVORITE color! Would LOVE to win! She will Graduate next year....and I'd sure use this fabric in a Quilt for her Graduation! Thanks for chance to win!!! :)
Posted by: Lori Morton | April 20, 2012 at 08:24 AM
Congratulations! Your girl is so pretty! And I love the color of her dress and the bundle too!!
Thank you!
Posted by: Mónica | April 20, 2012 at 08:25 AM
The colors are just so pretty, Thank you and Intrepid Thread for the chance to win.
Posted by: Karen capitolaquilter | April 20, 2012 at 08:25 AM
You did a great job on the dress. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Posted by: Karen A | April 20, 2012 at 08:33 AM
Absolutely beautiful dress!
Posted by: Char | April 20, 2012 at 08:36 AM
Enjoyed your story - your daughter looks beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway.
twelve30(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: twelve30 | April 20, 2012 at 08:37 AM
What an absolutely beautiful dress! (and beautiful daughter) I wouldn't even know where to start. Well done!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Posted by: Sunnybec | April 20, 2012 at 08:38 AM
You did a fantastic job! Definitely a Cinderella dress!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2012 at 08:43 AM
I 'like' on FB (Rebecca Marie)
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2012 at 08:43 AM
I follow on Twitter (ourbusybunch)
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2012 at 08:44 AM
You did a wonderful job on the dress. :)
Posted by: Missouri Mel | April 20, 2012 at 08:45 AM
I so wanted to make my daughters prom dress this year too but she found the magical dress at a small store. You did a great job. My first is graduating this year too it comes with much sadness and great happiness for her. Good luck to you mama!
Posted by: Olivia Jones | April 20, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Beautiful daughter..beautiful dress...beautiful fabric.
Proud Momma.
thanks for a chance to win.
Tina
Posted by: Tina Short | April 20, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Not that I don't like turquoise, but I was hoping you'd make a dress for the giveaway winner (KIDDING- totally kidding!). That dress is amazing! (And I LOVE turquoise, by the way!) :) C
Posted by: Caren Adams | April 20, 2012 at 08:52 AM
I follow you on FB
Posted by: Olivia Jones | April 20, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Yep, I'm one of your facebook fans, too! :)
Posted by: Caren Adams | April 20, 2012 at 08:52 AM
I follow you on twitter @olliesdollys
Posted by: Olivia Jones | April 20, 2012 at 08:53 AM