The Color of 2014!

So it's been decided, ORCHID is the "color" for 2014!  How they decide these things, I haven't quite figured  it out, but I'm always checking on it as I make my fabric choices for the new season.  And it's not just plain ORCHID, its RADIANT ORCHID.  Not purple, not lavendar, its that beautiful color in between the two.









As you can see on the right, it can range from a shade of pink to a shade of purple, and it just screams spring!  Now, I'm picturing it in a simple pair of ballet flats.  But........I'll also be making hats from this fantastic color!  I've already started on my spring/summer line, and I can't wait to show you the finished products!

Vintage Christmas

Look at these beautiful pillows!!  I was asked by a loyal customer to take a few pieces of hand embroidery she had and make them into pillows.  I absolutely love the hand work done.  It makes me want to learn a new trade, even though I have enough hobbies already!  I framed the pieces in whites and neutrals so that the colors of the embroidery would be the showcase.  I can't wait to deliver these to her.  I know it's after Christmas, but if they were mine, I'd have them on my couch they whole year!

Traveling in style on the outside

My excitement in packing only a carry-on for my trip slowly became a let-down when I began packing my belongings into the only bag I have that fits that carry-on size requirements.........a free duffel bag from New York Life Insurance Company.  A bag we received over nine years ago when we bought our youngest son his first life insurance policy.  The bag still works, but it has seen better days!  So, I used my "free time" this weekend to sew together this bag by the author of the "Noodlehead" blog.  It is the perfect size for all of my belongings with a little room to spare.  And it's washable!

Baby doll cradle

Purse strings pulled for carrying.

Snug as a bug in a rug.......or should I say snug as a baby in a cradle.

This pattern has always caught my eye, but I've never had the perfect opportunity.  The perfect opportunity came this week when my daughter needed a gift for her friend's 5 year birthday party.  What little girl wouldn't want a doll she can carry around in it's own little cradle!  This pattern is a spin off of the crocheted cradle pattern from many years ago.  My grandma would make this cradle using the bottom of a dish detergent bottle as the cradle.  Go to http://emmalinebags.blogspot.com/2012/03/fabric-cradle-purse-new-take-on-old.html  for the tutorial!  The swaddle baby is from the tutorial at http://beccamariedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/swaddle-baby-tutorial.html

Vintage patterns

 I was given a collection of vintage patterns by a good friend, whose mom was cleaning out her closets.  The patterns range in dates from the 1960's to the present.  I had a wonderful time going through each individual pattern, and setting some aside to make an outfit or two for myself or my family.  Even though the patterns may be 50 years old, the lines and the cuts of the patterns can still be used today.......now, I don't think I will be using any of the 1990's patterns, those lines and cuts haven't quite made it back into style!

Minimalist traveling

I am so excited for a trip planned with my husband and his family to San Antonio, Texas.  Since I'll only be there four days, I've given myself a goal of only using a carry-on for the trip.

With a little research online and a little ingenuity in my sewing room, I've come up with 9 different outfits using only 8 pieces of clothing.  And 3 of those pieces I'll be wearing the day we leave, so they won't be packed in my small bag. 


 I love to shop for clothes for myself, but I love to make clothes for myself even more.  And this came in very handy for this trip.  The wide leg pants shown in the pictures is from a Japanese sewing "Simple Modern Sewing".  It took a little studying to figure out the pattern pieces, but once I figured that out, the pieces come together quickly.  I made them out of a cotton/spandex blend,so they are comfortable and they fit perfectly.  That is why I make my own clothes.......so that they actually stay up when I bend over and the hem actually falls to my heel not to my ankle.

The dress in the pictures is from that same sewing book.  I made this almost 2 years ago already, and I have gotten my money's worth.  I wear this dress year-round.......in the summer, as is, and in the winter with a sweater and skinny jeans.  And I haven't exhausted all of the different combinations of these pieces.  So with a couple different pairs of shoes and a red scarf as an accessory, I should be set for a        few days of  relaxing and sight-seeing.

WAHM

As I delve farther into my sewing business, there is new terminology that is constantly emerging, and not necessarily related to sewing.  One of those terms is "WAHM" or Work At Home Mom.  There is a whole community of women out there designing tools and resources to help other WAHM's.  One of those tools is a cleaning checklist.  I never thought I would be "one of those," but I need something to help with time management, both on the business side and my home life.  There needs to be a balance, and of course, that balance will always be tipping, but at least, I can have a starting point.  Check out some of the blogs below that have some great lists. 

http://simplykierste.com/2013/12/a-clean-home-every-day.html

http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2013/09/04/daily-cleaning-checklist-free-printable/

http://www.girllovesglam.com/2012/03/organization-board-tutorial.html

I like a simple list........I already have a gigantic list of to-do's.  I just need something to get me started every morning and make sure that I have the necessities done. So I've created my own using a combination of the online lists and put it behind a framed piece of glass so that I can use a dry-erase marker to reuse the list.  I'm sure that I will be tweeking it as I go, but my family's needs are always changing so I'll just go with the flow!

I also made one for my business.............