About Me

I recently stumbled upon the term multipotentialite and discovered it fits me perfectly! I feel so much better! It is not that I now can put a label on the wide variety of life endeavors, but rather use it to understand how everything I have done, all the paths taken, have led me to the here and now! And, most importantly, how they all will work together to create an amazing, versatile, community service program!

In June 2012, So Sew Etc began with its first Sewing Camp 101. My small town (population 1,600+) church donated the space for us to use and the County’s Extension Service – Texas A&M AgrilLife Extension – office loaned us the sewing machines. After a week of daily learning experiences, five young ladies became the next generation of sewists. I wrote about the daily events on Lanetta’s Creations blog beginning here.

I opened Lanetta’s Creations in 2010. An online shop filled with handmade one-of-a-kind aprons, doll clothes for 18” dolls like American Girl and Vintage Chatty Cathy, and a small variety of other items. Over the years, trade and craft shows have seen products handmade in Texas by Lanetta’s Creations. I have completed numerous custom orders, always willing and eager to create the perfect special item for the client.

Sewing has been a large part of my life for over fifty years. I was fortunate to have attended public school while they offered Home Economics. Four years of excellent instruction and experience reinforced what I learned while growing up from my mother, grandmothers, and aunts. Continually learning, improving, and sharing my knowledge, are all aspects of my love of sewing.

In 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Great State Fair of Texas’s Creative Arts judges acknowledged my sewing abilities by awarding First (once), Second (twice), Third (twice), and Fourth (once) place ribbons over the three years I entered various items. This past year, my Apron won Grand Champion at the Lampasas County Fair!    

2011 - Jeans Re-purposed into Bag 

2011 - 18" Doll Dress and Apron

2011 - Blue Ribbon Winning Apron!

2012 - Winning Apron!

2012 - Doll Dress for 18" doll

2013 - Apron won 1st Place / Grand Champion at Lampasas Spring Ho Festival

2013 - same Apron at the State Fair of Texas!

From 2001 through 2005, I had the honor of totally developing (from the ground up), then maintaining a public charter school’s library, serving Pre-K through 12th grades while working part time in the permanent position. 

Library at Cedar Ridge Charter School

Between 2003 and 2006, I wrote numerous award winning educational grants for two Texas public charter schools.

In May of 2006, I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with honors from Texas A&M Central Texas. Probably one of the oldest students in the classes, and older than most of the professors, it’s never too late to go for it and get that degree!

I did it!

Beginning April of 1987, I began working with my mother who had started her own business back in the late ‘70’s. She retired early 90’s and I became the owner/operator of M. Oleta’s Custom Table Skirting. Celebrating life events, custom table skirting for a wedding cake or food presentation is like that perfect frame for an original oil painting.

The Portfolio is in Dallas! I'll add a picture here as soon as I can get one scanned in to share what "Custom Table Skirting" looks like!

In December 2001, we did our last wedding reception. It was time to move on, experience life fully living and working full time on our cattle ranch. Since moving to the country in January 2000, the trips back and forth to Dallas, maintaining the massive amounts of yardage needed to drape tables, and meeting with clients, became overwhelming. I had to say goodbye and best wishes to the world of custom table skirting.

Life on the ranch...

Winter time is amazing...

Glorious rain!

The promised Rainbow!

Grazing Cattle

Wild turkey passing by...

White tail deer in the back yard

"Keyhole Garden" Gardening

And, amazing sunsets!

This is a little about me. Over the years, I have shared a lot through Lanetta’s Creations blog and Facebook page. I invite you read more at your leisure.