Tis the Season

For me to finally relax!!! All of my Christmas orders are officially done. I am completely caught up in my shop from the pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage and I am just READY to start a new year fresh, clear, and new. I hope everyone has a beautiful Christmas, full of merriment and wonderful people! A few pictures of al of my work this week. PHEW!

Sew.Much.





DONE!!!

Some seriously good food!

I recently stumbled upon a blog called Simply Serra. I was searching for a good Peanut Blossom cookie recipe and found a site with that recipe and more. I am salivating at the thought of making all of the food she has blogged about and I thought I'd share some of it with you in the meantime. We're planning on making the stuffed mushrooms for Christmas Eve and the Peanut Blossoms TODAY! I'm hungry already. I'll let you know how it turns out!

http://www.myboyfrienddatedachef.com/



Get ready to drool!

Snow Day!!

We live in Maryland and are currently in the path of a humongous snow storm, which is awesome. My 3yo son woke up this morning, looked out the window, and said, "I can't believe it! The snow is back!" So after breakfast, we dressed the kids and decided to venture out. It was already up to my knees and supposed to continue until tomorrow morning. And yes, those are plastic bags on my kids' hands. LOL! Neither of their gloves are waterproof enough for me (it was cold) so we pretended to be hillbillies for 40 minutes this morning. :)

I'm so excited

It's back! It's back! It's back!!!!!!!

Months ago, I wrote about being disappointed because one of my absolute favorite prints was being discontinued. Well, it's been reprinted!!!! I can't even tell you how excited this makes me! I just relisted the dress in my shop. Alas, the joy will be over soon enough because it's only being reprinted once, but I'm still excited. So, back in my shop for a limited time: Morning Glory Linen!!

Tips That Could Save Your Life

I just stumbled upon this really great website that gives great tips about keeping yourself safe when you're out and about. I think it's so easy to get caught up in whatever you're doing and not pay attention to the van parked next to you or the guy smoking two cars away. It's so unfortunate that someone has to go through an attack in order to remind us that we need to be more aware of our surroundings and our actions. Please, please take a look at the following site (click on the picture), read the information on it, and remember it.



The Rundown:

~ Pay attention to your surroundings
~ Look around your car
~ LISTEN to your instincts!!! If you feel uneasy, there's a reason - walk away
~ Park as close as possible to your destination
~ ALWAYS lock your car. Always. When you leave, when you get back in.
~ Load and go. Do whatever you need to do quickly, efficiently, and then GO. Don't hang out in or outside of your car cleaning, talking on your phone, organizing, etc.
~ Close your phone until you're in your car. If you're talking, you're not paying attention, which makes you prey.
~ Did I mention instincts???

It's such common sense that is easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life. But please remember for yourself, for your children, for your family, and your friends. Stay safe!

Back to School SALE!!!

I decided that it's high time that I do a sale in my shop. What better time than back to school? So, all Preschooler Tote Bags are 10% off through September 15th! The price listed in my shop reflects discount. I'm always willing to make something new from any of the fabric I have listed here or in my shop and this discount applies to all fabrics/custom orders!

Back to School!!

My little dude started his first year of preschool this year, which motivated me to make him a little bag. His school suggested using a tote bag instead of a back pack because it's a lot easier for preschoolers to use. That way, it's also easy for the teachers to stick papers and other things in when they have a line of students waiting to go. It's simple, but cute, and fun for my little guy. It can be made in any of my available fabrics... or shoot me an idea!

Fall is going to be so fun!

Making new things really gets me all excited, which makes me laugh, in and of itself. I experimented with a new venture today: PANTS! You know what? They're fun to make. Yes that's right, this 26-year-old has fun sewing! I received a custom request to make a pair of capris to match one of the dresses in my shop and I'm loving the outcome. Now I can only hope the recipient of these will love them just as much!



Ehh? Ehhh?? :D

Do YOU have "At-Home-Mom Syndrome?"

I was talking with some ladies on a mommy forum that I'm a member of about At-home-mom syndrome. What is at-home-mom syndrome, you may ask?

This essentially means:
~You stay in super comfy, sloppy looking clothing all day
~Pull your hair back
~No make up
~No perfume (sometimes no deodorant - come on - you know who you are), etc.
~Not showering every day (we all do it, don't kid yourself)

Those are just few out of many examples I could list. This applies to both those of us that work at home or that stay at home with the kids (both are WORK, though, don't get me wrong).

I know I have found myself in this rut more times than I can count. I get dirty during the day with the kids, so there are more days than not that I never really get "ready." What's the point when you know you'll be dirty in 20 minutes, right? Well, I've found that along with this at home mom syndrome, I feel worse about myself. Sure I'm way more comfy, but feeling like a slob most of the time isn't exactly fantastic for your self esteem.

So, what do you do if you have this syndrome? Well, hopefully this little blurb will inspire you to do something for yourself!!! Do your hair, put on lipstick, brush your teeth three times a day, anything that makes you feel better! I have lost some weight, so I indulged in some new clothing that makes me feel as light as I really am, as opposed to the 2-sizes-too-big stuff I was slouching in before. But you don't have to splurge on a new wardrobe in order to feel better about yourself. Get a new haircut and buy a new mascara. Or just USE your old mascara and your blow dryer. You don't have to have money to feel better about yourself! You just need to focus on you for a change.

So your challenge this week, if you should decide to accept it, is to do your hair! It's that easy. Just one change a week to a happier you!

Here is a rather scary self-photo of me, taken this morning, before coffee (yikes!!). You can do this!!

I just love Google Blog Alert!!

I set my account up quite a while ago with something called Google Blog alert. This is a really cool little tool that sends Google's little probes all over the web to find the keywords you've chosen. Then, when it finds something, it sends a message to your designated email address to let you know. Now, I rarely find anything in my email from the alerts I have out, but this morning, I did! It led me to this really nifty website called:



(Click to go there!)

They've decided to feature my shop, which is really cool. I think it is totally awesome when a completely random blog thinks you're stuff is nifty enough to use their page space for it. :)

They also have some neat links for activities to do with your kiddos, recipes, and stuff!

Thanks so much Nanny Space, for making my day!!

A new creation for FALL!!

I've finally found just a little time to make something new and I have quite a few things in the works, too! It's been so long since I've updated! Sorry folks! I wanted to make something with sleeves for fall and I think my first go around came out ok. I want to make the gathering at the sleeves a little more pronounced (wider), but Ava really seems to like it! She's been wearing it constantly, so I guess that's a good thing. My princess is my hardest critic! ;)

Darn the discontinued fabrics!

I had someone on etsy do an alchemy request for one of my discontinued prints. I did it because I still have about one yard left of that print. I would love to list this dress on etsy because it turned out SO super cute (in my opinion anyway), but since it's discontinued, I can't. *sob* I thought I'd share it here instead.





I so wish that print was still available. I mean, there are still retailers selling it, but I just don't want to join the mouse hunt for it. Oh well. :D I'll enjoy it while I can, I guess.

Gotta love this site!

If you're reading this blog, then that probably means that you're an online shopper since this blog is all about... well... shopping at my store! :D I just have to share a little tip about online shopping, especially with bigger chain stores:



Have you ever heard of this site? It's so awesome! You just type in the name of the site you're shopping with to see if there are any coupon codes. I have saved SO much money by using this tool! I just bought a bunch of new feet for my sewing machine so I can play (tee hee) and saved 20% off of my entire purchase!

Onward my shopper friends!! Save yourself some money. :D

So it took me forever, but it's finally finished

I've been working on this romper for weeks now, figuring out the pattern and exactly what I wanted. Finally, I'm done! It's the first time I've ever done buttons on anything and I think they look really cute. My sewing machine makes it so much easier than I ever knew it could be. Woot for button hole attachments!! It's so exciting when you figure out new things to do! I love being creative.

Funny story about Hayden and the romper... I finished the buttons first and wanted to try it on Hayden before I did the snaps. Actually Ava was sleeping and I was just super excited to see it almost finished. So I put it on him, we went to show Daddy, and Hayden looked so sad. I asked him if he liked it and he said no. This of course, broke my heart. I asked him why and he just shrugged his shoulders. Then he said, "Mommy, it's a dress," and just put his head down. I didn't have the leg snaps attached yet. It really made me laugh out loud. As soon as I put the snaps on, then it was cool, but my little boy does not wear dresses - just for the record. LOL!

Anyway, I digress. Here is the finished product!!!

This is way overdue!!

I'm making a pact - with you, with myself, with everyone else, to create more! To do more! My goal is to do one new thing a week, at the very least. Many of my favorite fabrics are discontinued (boo hoo) so I am on the look out for new ones. I'm going to get creative, especially for fall.

If you'd like to know what's going on, I'm also going to start a mailing list. Just leave me a comment with your email and I'll be sure to notify you of secret shop specials and each new creation!!

I'm pretty excited about this. I really want to challenge myself and push the limit, raise the bar, and just sew like a... rockstar.. oh no that's party!! Haha! I'm already excited to see what else I can come up with. I have a few ideas. Now I just need my fabric to arrive... and time. LOL!

Stay tuned, friends!

A little appetizer if you will

Of my newest creation! It's still in progress (needs buttons and snaps yet), but I just had to post it! Finally something for BOYS! It took me a few weeks to come up with a pattern that I really liked, but I'm very excited about the final product.



It is fully lined, will have snaps for easy diaper access, and buttons at the shoulders. :D

Another awesome Natural Mommie Giveaway!

Dude, I can't even believe my eyes. She's giving away an ORGANIC ERGO!!!!!!! I've died and gone to heaven... well, if I win, that is.



THE GIVEAWAY: ERGObaby wants you to experience what truly handsfree babywearing is about and is offering Natural Mommie readers a complete ORGANIC hands free set valued at $212!! Set includes their 100% Organic Cotton Blue Carrier with a funky, mod embroidered floral design, the Organic Blue Backpack and the Organic Blue Front pouch.



Click on any of the pics to get to her site!!!

Look at this awesome giveaway!!!

This is such a great blog! http://naturalmommie.blogspot.com/2006/03/bare-organics.html She has all kind of giveaways going on right now, but I'm especially excited about the Bare Organics one! Awesome stuff! You have to check it out and enter!!!

Pillowcase Dress in Amy Butler's Lotus Lacework Fabric

This was a custom order and I just absolutely love the result! Amy Butler's fabrics are so nice! I love the designs and could stockpile my fabric stash with her things alone. Anywho, it turned out well - super cute!

I'm stoked!

I'm being featured on a blog this week!!! The post just went up an hour ago. You've gotta check it out: http://www.fromathenasdesk.com

This blog feature is also a giveaway! You can receive an $18 gift certificate to my shop. Entries are accepted until next Friday. I'm really excited! It's so neat to be recognized. :D

Yea!

Just listed a new dress!

Ava looked so cute on her birthday!!! Although we took it off for cake. lol!

Purple Paisley Pillowcase Dress

I just finished this little item up this weekend and think it turned out very cute!! I love having a girl and being able to make clothes for her.

New in shop - Special for Introduction!

The pillowcase dress is official and live in my shop now!

Since this is the first week, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on all dresses, including custom items!! Get it while it's hot.

Look how cute!

Ava's birthday is in two weeks and I'm making her a pillowcase dress with cupcakes on it. I've been searching for the perfect bow and I've finally found it at Ashlie's Bowtique!! It is absolutely adorable. The one listed was actually a little bit bigger than I needed, so she made a custom bow to show me, with no obligation to buy. Well, of course I did because it's adorable, but wow! Such great customer service!!


I can't wait to see Ava all dolled up on her birthday! :D

Mentioned on I Wanted to Wonder

This site is so super cute! I am ordering a hair bow holder for Ava's room. The seller also has a shop on etsy and we've been in contact. Today she said that she linked my etsy shop on her page that has "Links she Loves" on it!! I'm so excited and feel honored to be among some amazing crafters and artists!!

http://www.iwantedtowonder.wahmweb.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=47

Here's the main page: http://www.iwantedtowonder.com/store/Default.asp She has great customer service and her art just speaks for itself. It's adorable. If I had unlimited funds, the kids rooms and bathroom would be decked out! The cuteness almost kills me. Love it!!




You have to check out her shop!! Also, take a look at what Miss Ava is getting for her hair bows!!! This way I won't lose them by the handful! What an awesome idea! That is her bedding and the picture (birds) that will be personalized with her name. I'm so excited!

Bugs and Butterflies Apron perfect for my cutie patootie - or yours!

I just made this apron this week and I'm absolutely in love with the fabric. It was a dream to work with (thank you P&B Textiles) and so stinkin' cute! I recently found that they have different colors that are the same design, including pink. If this sells well, that will definitely be going in my stash! Even Hayden loves it!! That's the best pic of my toddler I've been able to capture in a long time.

So excited!

I feel like all of the time at my keyboard is getting me a little noticed! There are two popular blogs that are going to feature my aprons!! One will be in the next few weeks and the other in late March. I'll post links as soon as it's live! I'll also be doing giveaways, so you'll want to stay tuned! :)

It's not HUGE, but I'm excited. Score one for the little apron maker!

Check out the newest creation - not even in my shop yet!

I made this for Ava over the weekend and love the turnout. What do you think?

Leave a comment and tell me what you think!! I'll give you free shipping off any item in my shop (including these dresses) if you do! :D

Check out this awesome giveaway at Allover Art

You just have to enter this contest: http://alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-giveaway.html

I had such a hard time choosing one item to choose as my entry. :D Awesome stuff!!

What I chose: