Saturday, June 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Giveaway on Simple Finds!
Simple Finds is having a great giveway for this incredible, very eco-friendly floor/carpet tiles. Come on over and enter to win.
Meet My New Mantra
I WON"T get discouraged, I WON"T get discouraged, I WON"T, I WON"T, I WON"Tt get discouraged.
If someone had told me that I wouldn't sell one item at the Green Street Fair, I wouldn't have believed them. And that, my friends is exactly what happened. I thought it was the perfect venue to enter the street fair scene...my line of clothing is all about "green".
My heart just sinks when I think of all the preparation I put into this. I had planned to concentrate on some small, low-priced items during the last couple of days before the fair, and then we had a death in the family. My husband's grandfather died (RIP, Walter L. Andrews), and of course, our family focus had to change a bit. Despite my sister coming from IL to help me for the weekend, those last few days before the fair were a complete loss creatively. Since the funeral was on Saturday (yes, I managed to do both), my husband, having all the kids with him, would need the van. My display possibilities were limited to whatever I could fit in a Chevy Aveo.
My sister and I headed out early with what little we had, set everything up, and just as the fair started I left to go to the funeral. God bless my husband who was supportive of my endeavor, let me leave after the Mass and skip the cemetery and subsequent reception so that I can return to the fair.
The weather was beautiful, and the crowd was friendly and very receptive to my ideas. My designs created quite a buzz...people were gathering and ooh'ing and aahh'ing. I handed out a lot of business cards, and hope that at the very least, it will increase the traffic to my store.
So....do I attempt another? Do I keep things online? I haven't committed to any others yet, but will check out the Grosse Pointe Park Farmer's Market a week from Saturday. A friend who lives there thinks that I'd be a big hit.
Time to give my kids and husband more than 5 minutes of my time, get my house in order (which was thoroghly ignored for 3 weeks), plant my garden, and enjoy my Mother's Day weekend. Next week I will prepare to give it another go.
If someone had told me that I wouldn't sell one item at the Green Street Fair, I wouldn't have believed them. And that, my friends is exactly what happened. I thought it was the perfect venue to enter the street fair scene...my line of clothing is all about "green".
My heart just sinks when I think of all the preparation I put into this. I had planned to concentrate on some small, low-priced items during the last couple of days before the fair, and then we had a death in the family. My husband's grandfather died (RIP, Walter L. Andrews), and of course, our family focus had to change a bit. Despite my sister coming from IL to help me for the weekend, those last few days before the fair were a complete loss creatively. Since the funeral was on Saturday (yes, I managed to do both), my husband, having all the kids with him, would need the van. My display possibilities were limited to whatever I could fit in a Chevy Aveo.
My sister and I headed out early with what little we had, set everything up, and just as the fair started I left to go to the funeral. God bless my husband who was supportive of my endeavor, let me leave after the Mass and skip the cemetery and subsequent reception so that I can return to the fair.
The weather was beautiful, and the crowd was friendly and very receptive to my ideas. My designs created quite a buzz...people were gathering and ooh'ing and aahh'ing. I handed out a lot of business cards, and hope that at the very least, it will increase the traffic to my store.
So....do I attempt another? Do I keep things online? I haven't committed to any others yet, but will check out the Grosse Pointe Park Farmer's Market a week from Saturday. A friend who lives there thinks that I'd be a big hit.
Time to give my kids and husband more than 5 minutes of my time, get my house in order (which was thoroghly ignored for 3 weeks), plant my garden, and enjoy my Mother's Day weekend. Next week I will prepare to give it another go.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Mother Load
After 15 minutes and $14, I left the thrift store with the greatest finds. The men of Detroit know how to dress, and I'm reaping the benefits of their good taste. Ralph Lauren, Phat Farm, Pierre Cardin, TailorByrd....yummy!
Time to dive into deconstruction/reconstruction.
Time to dive into deconstruction/reconstruction.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Pattern Alterations by a Novice
I love Ottobre! Unfortunately, I only have 1 issue, 1/2008, but find ways to use the heck out of it. Believe it or not, this Easter outfit I made for my 4 year-old started as the "Ladybug Vest" and "Candy Pants" from that issue. I'm trying to be REALLY frugal, so rather than buying a pattern I decided to make things up as I went along. Sometimes this works for me....sometimes it comes back and bites me in the ass.
Originally I wanted knickers and a vest, but the only knicker pants in this issue call for a zipper. I was afraid that having not mastered zipping and buttoning quickly...he may have(potty)accidents. And since this is intended as an Easter outfit, we do what we must to avoid such accidents.
Anyhow...I thought the ties and gathering at the bottom were girly, so I made leg cuffs and took 3 tucks on the outside of the leg on both the front and back. I had to deconstruct and reconstruct this once because I had the tucks on one leg going in the same direction as the other leg as opposed to both tucking toward the outside. I added pockets (Oliver LOVED these)and cut the fabric on the bias just to add some contrast.
I used the "Ladybug Vest" pattern size 110, and altered the bejeezes out of it. First, I squared the front, and omitted the trim panels. I was just going to leave the neckline rounded, and do buttons on the front until my husband asked me to add lapels. I indulged him why? Since I already had it put together, I wasn't sure what to do about having to add facing. I put it down and traced, cut, overstitched the edges (I REALLY need a serger), and can't believe that it worked. I was seriously stunned! It's FAR from perfect, but unless I go around showing the inside...who's going to know? After all of that, it was too wide. I had to make the shoulders more narrow, and take the sides in. Then it was a little too narrow, and it made the pants poof out below the vest giving a reverse mushroom look. Shortened the length, moved the buttons over a little, and done.
Ultimately, he looked adorable. I loved the way the pants fit him and I can tell he enjoyed wearing it...egg hunt, climbing trees, to the park...obviously comfy and durable.
The lesson here? Splurge and buy a pattern.
Originally I wanted knickers and a vest, but the only knicker pants in this issue call for a zipper. I was afraid that having not mastered zipping and buttoning quickly...he may have(potty)accidents. And since this is intended as an Easter outfit, we do what we must to avoid such accidents.
Anyhow...I thought the ties and gathering at the bottom were girly, so I made leg cuffs and took 3 tucks on the outside of the leg on both the front and back. I had to deconstruct and reconstruct this once because I had the tucks on one leg going in the same direction as the other leg as opposed to both tucking toward the outside. I added pockets (Oliver LOVED these)and cut the fabric on the bias just to add some contrast.
I used the "Ladybug Vest" pattern size 110, and altered the bejeezes out of it. First, I squared the front, and omitted the trim panels. I was just going to leave the neckline rounded, and do buttons on the front until my husband asked me to add lapels. I indulged him why? Since I already had it put together, I wasn't sure what to do about having to add facing. I put it down and traced, cut, overstitched the edges (I REALLY need a serger), and can't believe that it worked. I was seriously stunned! It's FAR from perfect, but unless I go around showing the inside...who's going to know? After all of that, it was too wide. I had to make the shoulders more narrow, and take the sides in. Then it was a little too narrow, and it made the pants poof out below the vest giving a reverse mushroom look. Shortened the length, moved the buttons over a little, and done.
Ultimately, he looked adorable. I loved the way the pants fit him and I can tell he enjoyed wearing it...egg hunt, climbing trees, to the park...obviously comfy and durable.
The lesson here? Splurge and buy a pattern.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Processes....Ugh!
As much as I enjoy sewing, I just despise some parts of the process. Tracing and cutting out patterns is right up there. Ironing runs a close second...although I've learned that my finished product is far better if I iron when (during construction) I'm supposed to.
This project will be the death of me...oh yes, the drama of it all! Matching Easter outfits for my 4 year-old, and my 19 mo. old. Since I'm broke, new patterns are out of the question, so I got out the only issue of Ottobre that I own.
Hint ~ a subscription to this magazine is a WONDERFUL gift idea for me, and can be found at The Wooley Thread (women's and kids issues pretty please).
"It's just going to be a couple of pairs of knickers and vests" is all I said. Then, realizing that Ottobre made the patterns for one kids size and not the other. This means modifications, and I'm too much of a novice to think that I can modify an Ottobre pattern. Look at those pattern sheets...look!
Well, I'll stop whining now, and update when I've made some progress. My goal is to have all the fabric cut by the end of the weekend so that I can begin to sew on Monday. I swear...someday I'm going to teach my husband how to trace and cut patterns AND cut out the fabric. What do you think of that?
This project will be the death of me...oh yes, the drama of it all! Matching Easter outfits for my 4 year-old, and my 19 mo. old. Since I'm broke, new patterns are out of the question, so I got out the only issue of Ottobre that I own.
Hint ~ a subscription to this magazine is a WONDERFUL gift idea for me, and can be found at The Wooley Thread (women's and kids issues pretty please).
"It's just going to be a couple of pairs of knickers and vests" is all I said. Then, realizing that Ottobre made the patterns for one kids size and not the other. This means modifications, and I'm too much of a novice to think that I can modify an Ottobre pattern. Look at those pattern sheets...look!
Well, I'll stop whining now, and update when I've made some progress. My goal is to have all the fabric cut by the end of the weekend so that I can begin to sew on Monday. I swear...someday I'm going to teach my husband how to trace and cut patterns AND cut out the fabric. What do you think of that?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Muntedkowhai Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
Muntedkowhai%Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
I stumbled upon this blog and can't get enough of her things; so very unique without being too far out. If it weren't a Friday in Lent, I'd pour a glass of wine and drool over her store, blog and photos for an hour or so. Kathleen Dougherty...I want to be you're new best friend!
I stumbled upon this blog and can't get enough of her things; so very unique without being too far out. If it weren't a Friday in Lent, I'd pour a glass of wine and drool over her store, blog and photos for an hour or so. Kathleen Dougherty...I want to be you're new best friend!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thinking Spring but Sewing Flannel?
My little Linus pulled this fabric off the shelf at Joanne...he just loves elephants, and I couldn't possibly use letters to duplicate the sound he makes to say "elephant". I had some of the Michael Miller "leaf" organic cotton in my stash and loved the two together. A little bit of applique on a upcycled tee from Wal-Mart, and voila!
I has a bit of the "nails on the chalkbord" feel to buying flannel when I am so despeerately awaiting the arrival of spring, but what the heck. He'll wear the leaf cotton on the inside most of the time and that will keep him cool when the weather starts to change...right? Tell me I'm right...please...somebody?
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