Lulu's Mimi Addition

I made this for my girlfriend's little boy.  He turned 1 last weekend.  It's hard to imagine how quickly little ones grow up and turn into small adults carrying on conversations with real words and walking around with nothing to hold onto.  I thought this was a perfect gift to grow with him as he continues to grow.  It ties to the headrest in the car (either the back of the front seat or to the middle seat) so that your little one can grab out books, coloring books, crayons, etc. to be entertained while riding in the car.

I'm hoping to add these to my list of regular items I sell through Lulu's Mimi at craft fairs.  My questions to you:  Is this something you think could become popular?  How much would you be willing to pay for something like this?  I've not found anything like it for sale on the web of this quality.  I was unable to locate a tutorial or pattern so this is entirely my creation.  Food for thought...

One of the biggest issues I have with creating new items is what to charge and whether or not they will sell. I appreciate any and all advice you are willing to share!

Thank you for being you!  

Love for Prints

Tee: GAP, Skirt: Me (following this tutorial), Sandals: Belk (old, love these), Jewelry: Stella&Dot and Silpada

I have an obsession with printed bottoms.  So when I saw this material at Hobby Lobby, I just knew I had to make a skirt out of it.  Navy and white is one of my favorite color combos and the geographic print just rocked my little fashionista world.

Where did this sudden obsession with prints come from and who am I?!

This coming from someone whose friends teased her about having too much black in her closet.  Seriously, I look back on pictures of me a few years ago and it was a standard uniform: black top and jeans, black dress, black shoes...  Now, looking through my posts, I'm like I love color!!!

P.S. I noticed after editing these pics 1) excuse our grass - it looks terrible and 2) this necklace doesn't work.  I'm thinking I need another pop of color.  Ya think?

Here are a few other printed bottoms I've got my eyes on.  Which ones are your favorites?

Printed bottoms by coachgaines featuring slim pants

Easy Holiday Garland DIY

If you sew, keep reading.

If you don't sew, keep reading.

I threw my mother in-law a surprise 60th birthday party last weekend and at the last minute decided we needed something a little nice around the cake table.

My mother in-law likes the traditional decor at Christmas time and goes with an au naturale feel when decorating her own home.  So when I went to the fabric department at Walmart, I gravitated toward burlap, deep reds, and hunter green.

Here is what you need to make a Christmas Garland:

1/4 yd. fabric in 1 color

1/4 yd. fabric in another color

1/2 yd. burlap

1/2 in. wide satin ribbon in coordinating color

First, I folded a piece of paper in half and cut a perfect triangle out of it.

When you unfold your triangle it will look like this...

Lay the triangle pattern on your fabric and cut out several triangles in each fabric.

Here is the part where you may change what you do depending on whether or not you are a sewer.

If you're a sewer, you will sit in front of your sewing machine and stitch the triangles to the ribbon.

If not, you can use No-Sew Fabric glue to glue the triangles to the ribbon.

I left about 3 inches of ribbon on each side of my triangles so that she could tie it on her mantle.

Here is the finished product around the cake table

It was a nice added touch to the table.  Don't you think?

Linking up with Bear Rabbit Bear for What I've Done Thursday

Comfiest Tutorial

Skirt: me, Top: thrifted, Sweater: Vera Wang, Necklace: eBay, Belt: Anne Klein

There are certain things we wear because we look good in them, there are things we wear because they feel good, there are things we wear because they are trending, and there are things we wear because they are comfortable.  This tutorial fits all those categories.

The jersey knit pencil skirt has hit the fashion world by storm.  If you don't currently have one and would rather purchase one than follow this tutorial, here are some fabulous and inexpensive choices:

Jersey Knit Pencil Skirts by coachgaines featuring an elastic skirt

The skirt is really simple to make and if you have a sewing machine, this is a great project for beginners or avid sewers.  I promise you will be making them in every color after you wear it.

Materials Needed:

1/2-3/4 yard jersey knit fabric (depending on your size)

Matching thread

Needle/Machine

Steps:

1.  Lay fabric out on flat surface doubled over so that you have 2 layers of fabric.

2.  Lay a skirt that fits you (however you like it to fit) on top of fabric.

3.  Cut along the edges of the skirt leaving about 1/2" seam allowance.

4.  It is not necessary, but if you would like a waistband on your skirt, you must cut a strip of fabric that is 4" wide by the measure of your waist including about 1/2" seam allowance. 

(Mine was 4" x 28")

5.  Pin right sides of skirt together.

6.  Using a zig zag stitch (or a serger) sew up each side of skirt. (*It is important to use a zig zag stitch because the fabric is expected to stretch and this stitch will allow that to happen.)

7.  If you made a waistband, iron the strip of fabric in half with right sides out so that it is thick.

Insert the waistband into the skirt (with skirt still turned inside out) and pin the raw edge of the waistband to the raw edge of the skirt.

7.  Using zig zag stitch, sew waistband to skirt. (I always turn it right side out at this point and try it on to make sure it fits okay.)

8.  Fold the bottom edge of skirt over twice and hem using straight stitch.  Iron the hem.

And here  you have it!

I don't wear pink often because of my ginger status, but I love the color so this is a fun way for me to incorporate it in my wardrobe without clashing against my freckled skin.

You can see the way I've styled my jersey knit pencil skirts here and here.

BellyFlop

It's not something you typically do on purpose.

Unless maybe, you're a masochist and you enjoy pain.

But, I did do a few belly flops in my day,

while learning how to dive on Lake Champlain.

It always stung a little bit,

but I always got right back on the dock

and tried to dive in all over again regardless.

Saturday, I did another belly flop.  It didn't sting quite as bad as I had anticipated.

I'm definitely going to pull myself back up and try again, and again, and again.

Unfortunately, the advertising for the craft fair I attended Saturday was not fantastic and practically no one showed up to browse and purchase goods.  I sold absolutely nothing.

I had been so nervous about this happening and so stressed about running out of inventory,

but honestly, it didn't hurt my heart the way I thought it might if this happened.

I have to look at the positives.

I learned the dynamics of setting up for an event like this and I got to meet some other great vendors that were eager to share tips, tents, and insight from their own experiences.

I also got to spend some time with two coworkers who are great crafters as well and it was nice getting to know them better and hanging out.

 On the table, I displayed a picture of my Mimi and me.  After all, I named the "business" after her.

I also framed a brief history explaining how and why Lulu's Mimi came to be.

 I realized that I probably need more space to properly display my goods.

I think I will probably get some shower rings to hang my scarves from the tent for future shows.

Did I mention I have an amazing husband?

Not only does he support me and get excited with me about this adventure,

but he also woke up early on a Saturday morning to come to Franklinville 

and help me set up my booth.  I just adore him.

So, it wasn't necessarily a successful first craft fair,

but I will say it was a learning experience and I will definitely try again.

Thanks to all of you who supported me and got excited with me.  It means so much.

LuLu's MiMi

LuLu's MiMi is named after my grandmother.

Growing up, Mimi was (and still is) one of my favorite people to hang out with.

I would spend nights at her house and we would have tea parties on the front porch, sleep out on the screened in porch, walk to the library, and use her special china for a simple meal, etc.

Mimi has always been one of my best friends.  I love our conversations, meals, times together.

Over the years, Mimi made me many outfits; she even made my prom dress when I was in 7th grade!

It only seemed fitting that since she was the one to instill a love of sewing and teach me how to sew, that I call my little business venture: LuLu's MiMi.

Recently, I've been overwhelmed with blessings.

I was asked to make the gift bags for our first TriFABB meeting last week and was very excited.

I shared a picture of the bags on my facebook page for people to see and a lady from our town contacted me.  She owns a local gallery called The Liberty Artisan and Craft Gallery and wanted to put my stuff in there!

So, I started the process of designing business cards and my wonderful friend, Laura, of Somethin' Blue volunteered to design them for me.

Since, signing a contract with the gallery, creating my business cards, and putting them in each gift bag at the TriFABB event, I have been contacted by several people requesting orders for burp cloths, pillows, and cheer leading bags.

I am so excited about this little business venture and keeping my Mimi's legacy going.

Sewing is a dying craft and it is something that I love doing.

It is exciting to share the things I'm sewing with my Mimi and my family; we get to share ideas and techniques.

One of the best feelings is having someone come up to you and ask where you bought something and being able to respond with,

"I made it!"

If you like what you see, you need to go sign up for my first
GIVEAWAY!!
It is a very trendy item that I made for LuLu's MiMi.

My First Giveaway!!

Today is a special day:

the day my first giveaway begins!

This giveaway is a special one because it is a homemade item from my small business venture

LuLu's MiMi.

I will share more about LuLu's Mimi at another time,

Now for the MAIN EVENT (cue the Rocky music)

 The clutch is handmade by moi with a zipper closure.  It is intended to be zipped and folded down as you see here in the picture.  It is a good size clutch; perfect for a night out or when just the necessities need to be toted around.

I would normally charge $20 for a clutch this size, but if you follow these simple steps, you have the opportunity to win one for free!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



I'm linking up with some other wonderful ladies on #YOLOMondays!
 

Stripes

A few days ago, I headed out of town to hit up a particular yard sale only to drive by and see that it had packed up early.  Rather than just head home, I decided to scope out the thrift stores that I tend to pop into once a month or so.

Again, I hit the thrifting jackpot, but this time with fabric.  I bought a yard of jersey in mustard yellow, three yards of jersey black/white striped, and two 1/4 yards mustard yellow jacquard for $4.25!!

Today I followed Merrick's tutorial for a jersey pencil skirt and used some of that black/white striped jersey to make myself one.  I liked it so much I started working on one in the mustard yellow jersey as well.

 skirt: me, top: h&m

skirt: me, tank: a.n.a. c/o JC Penney, blazer: JC Penney