A Bright Idea

A few weeks ago I received a text message from a friend in another state. It was unusual because we're friends but keep in touch mostly through the occasional Facebook comment. She asked me something about sewing, and I got nervous. Since I've had the chance to do custom work and it has bitten me in the butt more than once, I don't feel the initial excitement anymore.

She sent me some pictures of some pretty simple skirts, and I told her they were totally doable. We started talking prices, and then she got to the really cool part: She wants an African print skirt! As you know, Hancock fabrics closed down this week, but I was mentally going through the store trying to remember if I'd seen any of those. I was pretty sure I hadn't. Going by there, I realized I was right and they didn't have the fabric, but I did find a pattern on sale! I can't resist passing these sales on to customers and see them get excited too! 

Fast forward to a couple days ago, and I went by the discount fabric store (don't let the name fool you, seriously) and there it was! I am absolutely looking forward to this project now. My friend couldn't decide because there were three rows of assorted fabrics like the one below! COLOR!

What new (or old) projects are you looking forward to this summer? 

Get through the Monday

Hello Lovelies! 

Who loves a good Monday? *Raises hand*. I'm sorry, I love a good Monday, but have you noticed those rarely come around? Today I felt as if I was never going to get through it. The girls started off the day so obstinate and contrary, which earned them an hour pulling weeds in dad's garden (you're welcome dad.) I will add to this list that I really really wanted peanut butter for my pancakes and we were out. Who runs out of peanut butter?! Enough whining, here are a few things that are putting a smile on my face this week:

Pirate day at Krispy Kreme. For those who didn't know, the 19th is national talk like a pirate day! If you go to Krispy Kreme and talk like a pirate you get a donut! Dress like one, and you get a box! Trust me, there will be pictures, and my sisters are going with me. 

My etsy shop filling up! I'm really enjoying filling up my shop, even though it's still sorta empty, I think it's the most I've had in it at one time. I've really refocused in the last month. I know what I want and I'm getting there! Check out the newest scarf! 

I'm starting back with my personal trainer! I actually stopped working with my personal trainer for the summer to save money--specifically for a special trip I wanted to make-and I can tell! I'm not a highly disciplined person, and a lot of times I won't push myself to the limit when working out. Until I get to a certain weight and fitness level for my PCOS, I need my personal trainer! 

Sewing with...I'm sewing with people! I'm home-schooling my sisters again this year, and we are trying to up the ante by getting together with some home schooled children in our church at least once a week! This week I'm going to be sewing with a home-schooled chick who is really creative-but doesn't do much sewing-and I can't wait! 

What's happening for you this week that helped you get through your Monday? If you don't have anything planned, get something going! It's not too late! As for me, in the coming weeks, Mondays especially, you can expect to start seeing pictures of the things that make me smile, because who knows? Maybe they make you smile too!

Lizzi

Metamorphosis-progress shots from start to finish

I bought this skirt and decided to add straps to it. Wait, that's not quite true. I have been itching to make jumpers for awhile, the ones that are like overalls, but with skirts. I think they're the cutest. Then, what do you know, but suddenly they're in style! I bought this skirt thinking that it was cute, but also understated and would make a great foundation for adding things to. 

Then I added grommets and straps (I made this process sound like it took muuuuuch less time than it did.) It still needed something else, so I cut out flowers and added them to the side front of the dress. 

Cutting out the flowers

Stitching them on

And then ta-daaaaa! I should have taken better pictures, but I'm going to have just redo those....

Lizzi

A quick update...

Did I not tell you that I would keep you posted on how this whole starting a business thing is going every step of the way? Well, here is my latest step:

I made a pattern and made this shirt from it. Pattern making is not my favorite thing, because it doesn't necessarily come naturally to me; however, I was told by a friend that only dying comes naturally. Not so sure about that one...

What do you think? I will obviously have to take more (and better) pictures, but right now I'm not at the place where I can buy a lot of fabric and make it in a buncha different shirts, but soon I'll probably have them in S, M, L and you'll find them at my super-convenient etsy shop of course! As for progress, I'm in the middle of making one shirt for one lady, and two shirts for another. AGH excitement!

Elisabeth Arona