Brrr!!!!

It's getting cold here in California!! And I picked up some sherpa lined suede a while back just for coats. So what better day to start making coats? I'm making 2 of these coats, 1 for my daughter, and 1 for my best friends daughter. Olivia's coat is in pink, and Ailsa's coat is in camel. I'm using simplicity 2778I'm making the coat version, not the vest. Olivia had one just like it last winter, only it was bought for over $30 at Old Navy. This coat cost me $11.97 for a yard of the sherpa lined suede. How great of a deal is that? And I bought the pattern at Joanns for $.99!! Boy do I feel like I got a great bargain. The sizing on the pattern goes from 3-8, so I traced the pieces I needed with tissue paper. Now I'll get to use the pattern again for a few more years!! I have to admit, that tracing the pieces is a bit tedious, but well worth it in the end when I only paid $.99 for the pattern and it has so many sizes.

Can't wait to start! I just finished tracing the pattern out, while the fabric is getting pre-shrunk in the washer and dryer. Now to change the needles and thread out on my sewing machine and get started! Hopefully I make some progress tonight.

Little by Little

Today I got a lot done as far as my shop is concerned. I've mapped out my business plan, did my banner and avatar, but most importantly....... I approved the sample for my hang tags!!! I'm super excited about how they came out and can't wait to get them in the mail. Next up is my business cards and clothing labels!

setting up shop

It's been a while since my last experience selling my creations, and I feel it's time to bring it back. I've learned a lot since then, not just about sewing but about running my business too. So I've been lost lately in licensing terms and agreements, copyrighting laws, messaging with people to get my tags/labels/cards printed up, and my logo created.

At the moment I've only shared the name with my best friend, but hopefully I'll be able to share it soon. I'm just waiting on dates that I'll have my labels, tags, and cards that way I can give a tentative opening date for my new shop. And rest assured, I'm thinking BIG this time! With samples and cards in hand I will be doing some traveling and trying to peddle my wares to different boutique store fronts, and already planning a few craft/boutique fairs for the coming year. I hope to be open by christmas, but we'll see. I'm slowly building up stock, and have been gathering my materials little by little. Hopefully my vision comes to fruition this time, and I'll be able to generate a decent income from the hobby I love so much.

So that's my busy life lately in a nutshell. I hope to be back to the blogging world like my regular self soon!

Sweater progress

I've been making great progress on Orion's Link sweater. I'd probably be done already, if each section didn't need so many coats of paint. I have to lay it on pretty thick, and paint about 3-4 times, and give it drying time between coats. Orion loves waking up every morning, and coming home from school and seeing how far I've gotten. I love seeing the look on his face!


Here's Link with his tunic in progress.



And here's Link holding half a shield, his sword handle, and the missing part of his hat filled in. The other half of his shield is grey, but I'm not adding that until I'm ready to put in the grey details on the sword. That way, my grey tones are the same shade.


Link's getting some skin here. After his skin is all done, I just have to add the details of his shield, then I'll be ready to fill in all the details. The details are his eyes, the shading, and lines that define his face, legs, and all that jazz.

A few more sections, a few more layers, and I'll be ready for the front!!!

F.A. needed now!!!!!

F.A. being fabrics anonymous lol!!! Yes, I admit, my stash is overflowing with fabric. But what's a girl to do when the ladies at walmart save me the best of the fabric that seems to be going fast, but they know I would love? Because truth is, the ladies at walmart know me too well lol. They know what colors my daughter would look amazing in, and they set aside for me. And I always happen to have an idea of what pattern I'll use for each fabric! Plus, I don't know anyone who can pass up super cheap fabric.

So here's a few pieces of fabric I pulled out of my stash, to go with some amazing patterns I have in mind. I'm kind of sad that the true color of this fabric didn't show up well in the photo, but that's what I get for using a cell phone. It's really a rich burgandy, and the lines are a charcoal/black color. I plan on using this to make the girl's christmas dress. I plan to use one of my favorite patterns, the precious dress, and add a black tulle skirt underneath to poof it out and peek out from the bottom. I think I'll add a big black sash to give it the perfect look too!

Then there's this amazing dragon fabric I've had forever. It's a beautiful tourquoise color with a great sheen. I'm not sure what type of fabric it is, maybe a thin brocade, or a sari type of fabric. I picked it up for $2 a yard in the walmart clearance section. I'm going to use a great new look (6333) pattern for this, and make a kimono top and matching pants.
This fabric is in a green tone, and will look amazing with my daughter's green eyes.
I found this great shop on Etsy, Heidi & Finn. They have the cutest patterns you ever saw! Of course I bought a few, and the dark solid green fabric will turn into a pair of girly cargo pants. The designed fabric will be turned into a matching blouse to go with the cargo pants. I'm going to use Simplicity 2627 view B, the girly blouse. I may lengthen the sleeves though since the weather is starting to cool down some.

I also have this great fuzzy fabric (again a mystery blend of sorts), and a soft suede like fabric.

I wish I would have bought more of both fabrics, because their so lovely it was hard to decide what to do with them. But after seeing Heidi & Finns patterns, I decided on an adorable cardigan. If there's any fabric left over, I plan on making a skirt. How cute will that outfit look?

I hope to cut into some of this fabric sometime in the coming week, so check back soon!

Buzzzz around the hive

I'm working on a few things right now, and I thought I'd give you all a peek into my world. I just finished some dinosaur shoes for the girly, and she loves them. I still have to mod podge them (so they don't get messed up if they get wet), so she hasn't been able to really wear them. But here's the finished project anyway.

There's more designs on the sides, but it's really just random spots of color and a few dino prints.


The thing I'm most proud of and into lately is a Link sweater for my baby boy O. He's really into Zelda right now, so I figured why not? It's more detailed than I'm used to, so it's really going to be a work in progress. I'm loving the idea of posting pictures as I go along, so everyone can follow my little bits of progress on this bad boy. Here it is the other day, when I first started.Basically it's just Link's hair, shoes, and sword that were painted. His hat was cut out, but not painted at this point. And I just noticed lol, that the picture is upside down. Sorry! Here's Orion's sweater today, after painted the hat, and adding his name to the bottom.I cut out more pieces of Link tonight, and I'm hoping (since I'm stuck at home tomorrow) to finish more of it. I tried to cut out as many of the pieces as possible tonight, because it's not easy keeping a steady hand with an exacto knife when you have a toddler tugging at you lol. I hope to get his tunic and flesh colored pieces done tomorrow, but it's all going to depend on how many coats of paint these parts need. I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out so far, and so is Orion, so that's an A+ for mom!

My pride and Joys!

I'm not the sort of parent to get all mushy over every little thing my kids do. I do however have my moments. To this day I don't know who or where I'd be without my children, and the man that gave me my children. My kids aren't always the best behaved, or hardly ever. Their rough around the edges and make me work for my title of mommy. Most of the time they look unkempt, and that's usually how most people see me too. I spend my days running to and from the school, for good things like school functions, but mostly for bad like my kids being in the office. I like to play in the dirt and water with my kids, play wii games, draw on our cement with chalk, and make silly faces. But through it all, there's so many things that my kids do that make it all worthwhile!

Raymond

From the minute I laid eyes on you, you were perfect. You were special then, and your special now and forever will be. Your not the hugging or kissing type, but you more than make up for that with your words. Your so accepting of others and their flaws, and I love that you always try to make people feel at home. You have a big heart and want to share it with the world.


Orion

My little man, what can I say about you that doesn't make me laugh? Your a lover and a fighter, and I know you only do it to protect those you love. You know how to flatter women, and I love how polite you are to them. I hope you slow down a bit with the girls though because you make me so so nervous.

Olivia

My mini me, I love that I have a daughter to share all the girly things with. Your the only girl I know who can rock a dress, painted nails, a matching bag, and all while playing cars and watching some type of dinosaur show. Your all girl with a touch of tomboy in there. Your so polite, funny and dainty it makes me cry knowing your mine.

My beautiful angels, I love you all so dearly. I would be lost without your humour and love in my life. I love being your mommy and I hope you guys always remember the little things we do together, because those are the most special. I love my babies!