Inspiration in little packages.

Late October and I've written and saved so many drafts of blog posts but haven't actually posted any of them. Whoops!

This is just going to be a short one to get the momentum going again:

About 6 weeks ago I posted about Scarlett and the bday dress I made her. Well, I found a photo of her from her birthday party and thought I'd post it:



There's Scarlett, face covered in blue cupcake frosting, wearing the dress I made especially for her! How can you not smile after looking at this photo?

I wish people would send me more customer appreciation photos, they really make my year! I love seeing babies and toddlers in the clothing I create for them!

In other crafty news? I 'hearted' this item a while ago but found the shipping to be quite ridiculously expensive (it turns out the shipper uses Fed Ex) so I never bought it. I was going to go to the lumber yard and try to create my own.



My mother signed onto Etsy.com to look at my items and unknowingly came across the items in my favorites. She thought she was just browsing items on Etsy, not solely items I'd liked enough to 'heart'. She found the item I'd been fawning over and purchased it for me as a gift! Without even knowing that she was shopping things I'd chosen as things I like!



So I put it up and realized I need to purchase more thread. But look at how organized it is currently! I used to keep all my thread in two large jars from Ikea and inevitably always needed the color all the way at the bottom. This is SO MUCH EASIER!

Okay, time to get some sewing done!

<3 Always,
--Taina

My favorite 2 year old girl.

My family is full of toddler boys but no girls. I am trying to make more boy-friendly items for my shop, but in the meantime, I've completely fallen head over heels for my coworker James' daughter, Scarlett.


(Scarlett and James fooling around)

Scarlett is two years old and SO full of light, SO friendly, SO full of personality. I've only met her a handful of times but she left a really great impression on me and I instantly fell in love. She let me take her into my arms and carry her around and I can't help but smile a big doofy grin whenever I see her.


(The Front)

Scarlett turned two a couple weeks ago and I was invited to the party but had an evening class to attend. I whipped up a 2T retro-cut dress in a fabric I absolutely adore as a present for a friend to bring in lieu of my attendance. There are absolutely no choking hazards on this dress, it's easy on/off using a narrow v-cut in the back center neckline. I'm thrilled with it and plan on making a bunch more in different prints and sizes for my shop.


(The Back)

My friend called me to say that Scarlett immediately wanted to change into it at her party and did! And proceeded to get cupcake all over it! That means she had a great bday, I smiled when he told me. I hope to get James to take some photos of her in it sometime soon.


(Back neckline)
I am currently making a dress from the same style for another coworker's daughter, in a 3-6 month size and in this fabric:



<3 Always,
--Taina

Too busy!

I've been super busy with work and haven't actually had time to finish my first apron. I was hoping to finish it before I left to meet with some friends, but it isn't happening. So hopefully tonight and I will list it tomorrow.

In other news, I've sold 5 items so far this month. This means sales are picking up! I'm super excited about this! I just need to keep the momentum going.

I need to pre-wash all the fabric I received recently from FabricWorm so I can get cracking on some super adorable and very girly things.



I also was asked to custom make a dress for my boss's niece's 2 year birthday in May. We picked out the fabric (see above) and I sketched out a design I think would be super cute and my boss agreed.

I want to make it with a cute empire waist sash. I think it will be adorable and cant' wait for the fabric to get to me!

Okay, gotta get ready to head out. Later, bloggers!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Getting ready for cold, cold Michigan!

I will be leaving Saturday for the United Auto Workers Health & Safety Conference in Onaway, Michigan. It is going to be COLD! I will be there for my bday, so I bought myself a few birthday presents on Etsy last week.

Currently, I am wearing my letter "T" typewriter ring from Keysandmemories.etsy.com and LOVE IT! I've been wearing it every day since I purchased it!

I also bought this fabulous vegan raspberry creme lip balm from RightAsRainCreations.etsy.com:


It's exfoliating, tastes and smells great, and really moisturizes! I will definitely be back for more!

I also went back to Berkeley Illustration and purchased two more 5x7" prints, including the Billy Goat, which I think is awesome! He's eating his own tie!



I also just found out a coworker's wife is pregnant with a baby girl, and he wants me to make the outfit they bring her home in. That's so much pressure! I bought this fabric:



I was thinking a sundress, bloomers and baby shoes. We'll see. I expect to be making quite a few things for them. I can't wait until the fabric gets here!

Okay, off to work at the day job, lunch is almost over!

<3 Always,
--Taina

dragonflies!

So I finally have a photo of the totebag I made for my mom. The photo's not the best, as my parents like their apt. lighting dim and it was night time. I will try to take more photos next time I see my mom out and during the day.



I still have a ton of the dragonfly fabric, so I made a makeup bag for my shop:



I have this week off from work to adjust to some new medications. I was hoping to get lots of sewing done but the nausea and drowsiness (among other things) are kicking my tush.

I did receive my giant box of snaps from SnapSource So I hope to be able to put them to good use and finally post my baby dress/bloomer set.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Where has the month gone?

April was great for me, sales picked up, I had a few customers purchase multiple things. The last week of April, I headed to Black Lake, Michigan to an Occupational Health & Safety Conference for members of the United Auto Workers.

How do I fit into that, you ask? Well, dearies, the UAW also covers administrative positions, including those at the Museum I work in.

The experience was INCREDIBLE, the people were phenomenal, the location was gorgeous, we couldn't have asked for better weather. The architecture was outstanding, and the classes and lectures were most educational. I am now certified in CPR and can do Office Inspections. Look out, workplace! I may be lighting a fire under your butt very soon!

I had no time to make anything. I made half of a sleeve of a baby cardigan. And I drew a terrible drawing of the creek behind one of the houses.

On Thursday, I met a guy who was awesome. Someone I'd been wanting to meet all week. We slow danced a dance and talked for like 20 mins and that was that. Exchanged contact info, talked every night for 2 weeks, even talked of plans of him coming to visit me. Then an old flame decided she wanted him back and that was that. I haven't really heard from him since.

It's been a struggle since getting back from Black Lake to make anything, first because I was really just way too excited to talk to this guy every night when I got home from work, and now because I just feel like hiding under my blankets in bed. I cannot believe the rollercoaster of emotions over the last 3 weeks. It's like an emotional relapse. I'm usually much more centered than all of this.

I made a baby dress and bloomers, I'm waiting for the snaps to arrive in the mail so I can list it. That's all I've done since coming back on the 25th of April.

Tonight, I am working on a tote bag for my mom. I've never made a tote bag before, so this should be interesting, since Mother's Day is tomorrow and I was asked to work today and tomorrow at work so my coworker can visit his sick grandma. Normally I'd have today off to work out a pattern.

If it looks good, I will post photos. =)

<3 Always,
--Taina