Back to Etsy

I'm back to sewing. I took a long break from sewing anything to sell. I think I was just in a creative funk. I skipped the entire Christmas Craft Season. Even though I was working on projects and had things for craft fairs I opted out this year.

I have decided to focus on my Etsy shop for now. I am going to expand my shop to include more clothing. I have tons of fabulous fabric that I am itching to make into adorable skirts. And since Summer is coming up soon, I am going to include beach cover-ups in my Etsy store. I'm really excited about sewing for the store again.

At this time I have decided to no longer accept custom orders so that I can focus my energy on building up stock in my store.

So, look for new fun stuff in my Etsy store: www.31stitches.etsy.com

Sewing for a Trip

We're going back to San Diego for a 5 day cruise to Cabo and then we're staying in So. Cal for a few extra days so we can take the girls to Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo and visit some relatives. So I'm sewing up a storm for the girls. I love to dress my daughters (ages almost 3 y/o & just turned 4 y/o) in matching clothing. I also think girls should dress like girls and encourage them to wear dresses whenever possible. I know that they aren't going to be very cooperative for much longer so I'm enjoying it and taking advantage of it while it lasts.

I wish my camera was working because I'd post pictures of what I've made for them. I made them two adorable shifts out of this bright turqoise blue fabric with bumble bees on it. I have also made my youngest a really cute capri outfit that is all blinged out. The two halter dresses I made turned out better than I thought they would & I'm letting them wear them now since it's so darn hot here lately.

My mom bought some "Strawberry Shortcake" fabric for me to make dresses for the trip. Now I'm not a big fan of "character prints" to begin with. I hate advertising other people's companies with my work but since grandma bought it I'll make the dresses. I really think they'll come out looking cute. And my girls love Strawberry Shortcake so I know they will be happy.

I made myself a surplice top and I have another one cut out and waiting to be sewn (need to finish the Strawberry Shortcake dresses first). I have been looking ALL OVER the place for a decent tiered peasant skirt, and although I see people wearing them everywhere, I can't find one in a store to save my life. So I'm going to have to get my butt in gear and get some gauze fabric & sew one up for myself. I just really don't like to do gathers/ruffles, especially on that large of a scale. Oh well, I guess I better suck it up and get sewing.

At least I'm feeling better. Now it's just a matter of finding the time. It's so difficult to sew when the girls are awake because they get into my buttons and bias tape supplies and just make a big ol' mess of everything. 3 uninterrupted days is all I'm asking for.

I'm sick

Allergy season has hit me hard and struck me down with a case of Bronchitis that I can't shake. Unfortunately I have had to temporarily close my shop until I can get control over the coughing.
I really miss my sewing machines.

Bunko Apron - March

I have started to make an apron as the bunko prize every month (we each bring a prize) but I'm starting to wonder if I'll become too predictable. Anyway, I thought it might be fun to post pictures of the aprons here.

This was this months (March). I call it my tribute to Brini Maxwell. I plan to make another one or two to put in my Etsy shop. It's very retro 60's (again, made out of the seizure enducing fabric). I made it into a reversible number with giant ric rak. It's sight of retro beauty if I don't say so myself.

To Flounce or Not To Flounce, That is The Question

Every once in a great while I can find a good quality fabric at a certain big box store that I prefer not to buy fabric from. But I saw this fabric that had a good hand and I recognized the brand and it was at a KILLER price so I couldn't turn it down. I bought 4 yards of this stuff. Now this is not exactly the kind of fabric I would normally pick. Too much pink. Frankly, when I look at it for too long it gives me a headache. Really. Anyway, I finally decided to do something with this fabric because, according to Pantone, it has all the 'in' colors right now. So I get my sunglasses out and start cutting. I'm still hating this fabric. I decided to make my "Hollywood" apron out of it (Marilyn Monroe style, halter top, full skirt with a flounce). I put it on my dress form and stood back to look at it before I had pinned the flounce to it (I always do a rough pin to see if I want to make changes per the fabric). Low and behold, I liked it. It kind of reminds me of something Florence Henderson would have worn while she was cooking for the Partridge Family. Hmmmmm, I wonder what it'll look like with the flounce. Well, the flounce just ruined it. I hate the flounce. So, I'm making it like a mini skirt without the flounce and I'm going lime green ric rak crazy with it. I'm also making a reversible half apron out of it (reversible side in solid lime green with hot pink large ric rak) for my bunko group gift. I've grown kind of fond of this seizure inducing fabric. Here's the pic of the rough pin with the ric rak (yeah, I'm going to have to re-cut the halter pieces because the centers of the flowers look like nipples...ha ha).

Bluebird of Happiness

So my new thing is painting polymer clay pendants. I'm into making "bluebirds of happiness" right now and I'd like to introduce you to "Henrietta". I think she's quite lovely. She's a little uneven but that is part of her charm (to me at least). I need to have my friend Laurie come over and show me how to make them into actual pendants since I know absolutely zip about making jewelry. You'd think by now, with all the craft jumping I do, I'd know how to string necklaces. But I don't.

Anyway, this is Henrietta (I will take a better picture to upload, that is really fuzzy. She's actually quite adorable)

I finished it!!!

Behold..."Heidi, Fully Loaded"