12 Days of Sis Boom

I am so excited to be a part of the Sis Boom blog hop hosted by my sweet friend Jenny Fish of Sew Pretty Dresses.  You can check out all of the posts on the tour here:

December 09 Sew Pretty Dresses
December 10 Sweeter Than Cupcakes
December 11 Sweet Baby Jamie
December 12 Hickity Pickity  Handmade Dress Haven
December 13 Tabbo Designs 100 Billion Stars
December 14 Heavenlelgh Blessings Boutique
December 15 Scientific Seamstress
December 16 Sweet Baby Jamie
December 17 Hold It Right There
December 18 Sew Fun By Monique
December 19 Small Town Girls Clothier Marie Madeline Studio
December 20 Granny B's Clothesline Lilac Lane by Melissa Stramel

I am so honored to even be part of this group of talented ladies and gent.  I have only been sewing for a few years and by no means can measure up to the talent of these so I won't even try.

My love for Jennifer's fabrics was immediate.  I did a fabric swap with a young lady a few years ago and received my first stash!

I began sewing up all kind of things with it, not realizing what I had my hands on. 

At the time, I had no idea about fabric designers or prints, or even what or who JP or Sis Boom were.  All I knew is that I loved this fabric and each time I shopped for stash, I was drawn back to the same ones.  Shortly after my initial fabric swap, I posted a dress on Facebook I had made from the West Indies Line.  I had it stashed for a while with no clue what kind of fabric it was, I just loved the colors!  A friend shared my picture with Jennifer and she commented on how beautiful it was.  I had to get my friend to explain to me who she was and why she was so important to my novice attempt at a dress??  I was completely blown away to find out that she was the fabric designer behind this dress:

It's not everyday that that a famous fabric designer steps into your world of social media and compliments your sewing...well not mine anyway.  I told everyone I knew.  Seriously. 

If you are familiar at all with Jennifer's fabrics then you know, there is NOTHING she has designed that isn't worth filling your stash with.  But, here is the real reason why I love her.  One reason I began sewing was to give me an outlet and something to do since our move to the big city.  You can read more about that here.  I lived on a 400 acre farm and knew no one.  Sewing was all I had.  Through my love for it and Jennifer's fabric, I have met some of the most amazing women, none of which I have even seen face to face.  Funny how the internet and sewing can draw people together.  I felt like I had an instant family!  There is really no way to explain the dynamics of this group-it's just something you would have to experience yourself.  These gals (and guy) are oozing with talent and to me, unparalleled friendships.  We have seen each other through marriage issues, cancer, family matters, crazy customers, fabric shortages (gasp), and baby having.  A few months before I welcomed baby #3,  these sweet people secretly sent me a "baby shower in a box".  I pored over the sweet notes and handmade goodies all day, completely overwhelmed that these ladies would be so kind to take the time from their busy crazy lives and successful  businesses to make something for my little lady.  Gals that have never even met me.  This is what the common thread of  Jennifer Paganelli has blessed me with- a group of others that share the same love of her fabric and her heart.  I am forever grateful for these girls and for the impact Jennifer has made in their lives, and the outpouring of that onto me.  Thanks for letting me be a part of something so special to me.  I hope one day to hug all their necks, and Jennifer's too.