I spent most of the morning drinking hot cocoa (yes, it's summer, but it's a little overcast today so cocoa is just fine with me) with my neighbor Bella.



Bella is seven and is learning to sew. I just adore her and so I love teaching her. She's very bright and creative and is a very fast learner. I was hugely impressed with her improved sewing skills over our last lesson.



I found this great fabric at Joann that is sort of "pre-smocked" so it's easy to make a dress but we also made sleeves with some eyelet trim (her idea). AND... if that weren't enough, we made a dress for her doll too. Bella cut, pinned, sewed, ironed and snipped threads like a pro. I was so proud.

And you never saw a little girl so happy when she was all done. The picture says it all, I think.