Absence

I apologize for my sudden absence. Things are moving too quickly for me to keep up right now. I will be back with you next Monday, August 9th, with some awesome news! Enjoy your weekend!

Upcycled, Recycled, Reclaimed, Pre-loved

No matter what you want to call them, it all means the same thing. And here is why I love pre-loved clothing, especially for kids.

1. It's a good investment. Let's face it, most kids outgrow clothes long before the clothes are worn out. By taking secondhand finds and making them into new products, I can provide unique handmade items at a lower price. And that means more people get to Support the Handmade Movement!
2. It feels good. The clothes are softer. The chemicals have been washed out over and over again. Soft baby clothes for soft baby skin.
   
3. It's good for the environment. Keep passing it around and keep it out of the trash.

All this week I am posting upcycled shirts and onesies with fun appliques or your choice of monograms, both for gift giving and general wear. Please note that I carefully inspect all items for wear-beyond-repair.

Fun Times Photo

We are still having a tough time around here. Or at least I am. So allow us to distract you by remembering what fun times we have had this summer! Thankfully Lil Hoot has been very kind to her Mama with extra hugs. I have been busy with lots of prep work for when my sewing machine returns at the end of the week. So hold on to your socks, I'll be posting like crazy next week!

Toddler Shortalls

It continued to be a challenging week but thanks to a friend I was still able to get some sewing done. I have lots of fabric cut for clothing and this pair of shortalls was at the top of my stack. Lil Hoot decided she didn't wish to model the vintage pair of pink Garanimals upon which I based my design...so this is the best shot:

I honestly didn't change much from the original style-wise. I kept the ruffles on the straps because I feel they add a touch of whimsy. I used a smaller button that matched better with the polka dots, but otherwise I kept true to the original. I made several modifications regarding construction of the garment but I will spare you those boring details.

I used Aqua Dot fabric by Michael Miller and enlarged the pattern slightly to fit 24m/2T. I can provide specific measurements to anyone concerned about fit. Additional sizes are available upon request. On sale in my shop now as Aqua Polka Dot Shortalls.

Outside Circumstances

Sometimes, no matter how I try, things do not go the way I have planned. I'm not in charge of the universe though (thankfully) so I have to roll with the punches. I haven't any new products completed to show you this week, despite my best efforts because my brand spankin' new machine is in the shop. I will spare you the details but it should be back in a few days, or I will be getting another machine to replace it. In the meantime I'm cutting patterns like a storm and working with my old machine on current orders.

I also have the unfortunate experience of poison ivy on my forearm (don't worry the oils are gone and it is no longer contagious). I have never had it before and we aren't exactly sure how I got it this time. I pulled some weeds all over the yard last week but we have looked all over and have not found anything that looks poisonous. It could be that Hoot Dog wandered through some on a recent walk, so he got a bath last night just in case. (He was none to pleased.) Big Hoot has it too but only on his ears. (How odd is that?) So far so good for Lil Hoot.

Oh, but for my birthday I received two awesome presents - a new laptop from Big Hoot, which means you all will be seeing a lot more embroidery options in the near future! And a cutting table from my mom, which means a lot fewer back aches and no more cutting on the floor. I can't wait to show you all the new items I have planned - look for lots of new clothes coming soon!

Ode to Crayons Winner and Freebie Friday

The winner of the Ode to Crayons Giveaway is Elizabeth from Fashionably Me Bowtique. If you haven't done so, I suggest you check out her shop and her blog - she has some great stuff and a sale going on during the month of July. I have a feeling this awesome owl clip will be making its way to my house soon!


Felted Kitten Superhero Crown Giveaway
Another great giveaway from Felted Kitten! I know I just posted about her crowns but I am seriously in love. This time around she is hosting the giveaway on her blog with many options for how to win.


Babyhood Bonanza Dress Me Up Giveaway
I had not heard about these toys before but they look like awesome products. All items are handmade in the Victoria BC area by craftswomen and moms. The toys are organic and soft and filled with love. Check 'em out and when one for yourself!

Success - Newly Redefined

After hitting 30 this past week, I've been thinking about "success". I felt very successful walking in from the garden with a bowl full of fresh greens for dinner in one hand and a laundry basket full of clean cloth diapers last week. At this realization, I then started to mentally rack up my achievements for the day.

• Did not panic when Lil Hoot fell and had her first owie of toddlerhood. I handled it with poise, simply wiping away the tears and the bit of blood until she completely forgot it had happened.
  
• Made it to pick up dog food from the pet store, get groceries and still get home in time for Lil Hoot to take her morning nap.
• Successfully navigated (ok, muddled) my way through the advanced settings on my domain name
• Finished a custom dress for the cutest little client
• Walked Lil Hoot and the dog
• Did two loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, cleaned the dishes and made a homemade dinner including a new recipe
• Ate a salad from my very own organic garden
  

Of course, there are other days when my list of achievements would be much simpler, but in the end, I am content with my place in life yet still striving daily for more. This is my definition of success, it may not work for others but it works for me. Feeling so rewarded from so many small things is truly bliss. Thank you Lord for granting me so many blessings!

Don't forget - the Ode to Crayons Giveaway ends tonight!