The Laci Shift Dress (knit)

There are a few goals that I had for myself before the summer hit and here is one of them-

I wanted to design an easy summer dress that I could keep super reasonably priced-($27)

I wanted it to be in knit so it is stretchy and light and breathable for summer-

I wanted it to look kind of dressy AND kind of casual but still feel like a tshirt-

I wanted it to be adorable!!

I can't claim that a shift dress is an ingenious design on may part since it has been a classic style for ages but I jazz it up a bit with the ruffled knit on the bottom. I have a few color combinations that I have been playing with other than this one and I'll post those shortly.

I couldn't resist adding braids to the finishing on this one for my daughter but if you want braided finishes on yours it will cost an extra $8 since handmade, hand sewn braids take an awful lot of time to add.

I can make them in any size but I'll ask for measurements to make sure it fits nicely!

The Gail Messenger Bag (with a pocket for your nook!)

This isn't a bag that I made to sell (although it is for sale of course! ;))- it's a gift. I'll tell you the story behind it because it's so wonderful!



The first time I met Gail was at the St. Tim's craft show that I did about a year and a half ago. She is a close friend of my youngest son's godmother, Pam. I loooooove Pam!!! Pam and Gail sat with me all day. They chatted, helped me with the kids, kept me company and helped my nervousness- their presence was great.



Gail lives just down the street from me so I've ran into her at the pool and visited with her again at some of Pam's parties.



One night back in January my husband had surprised me with much awaited tickets to George Strait. My taste in music runs the gamut but George is heaven to me. Peaceful. Pure. Reminds me of growing up in San Antonio and reminds me of starting our family. I've been dying to see him for the past few years.



So, finally, we have a date night and we are going to see George. But George came with Reba and Reba sure sang for a long time! The night cost us almost $400 between tickets and our sitter and parking, etc. etc. I thought we would get back in time for my sitter to still drive home before curfew (she is 16 so can't be on the road after a certain time) but I turned out to be WAY off. George wasn't even on stage by the time she needed to head home so I swallowed hard (then swallowed more of my beer) and decided to leave. Money lost but I still got a date with my husband!



Pam was at the concert too and she promptly called Gail (remember that Gail lives on my street). By this time it is close to 11pm. Gail didn't hesitate. She got up, came up to my house, relieved my sweet babysitter and stayed with my children, reading her Nook, while they slept until past one in the morning.



We were able to watch almost the entire performance....sweet, simple and absolutely freaking awesome.



I don't know that many people who would leave their homes late at night to help someone they hardly know! It will always be an example to me!



Gail- I would make you a gazillion purses for how darn sweet it was of you to help us out!!



Gail's messenger bag is 9X9X1. The flap closes with a magnetic snap. Inside is a cozy, padded spot built just for a Nook like Gail's.



$55

Laci Dance Purse

I hope you didn't skip over these pictures without acknowledging how darn cute my little guy's tummy is poking out of his shirt while he is "working" with mommy. That's good stuff! ;)

I realized as I updated my blog how I only post such a tiny slice of the items that I really make. A big part of what is missing is a huge part of my business- gifts! I'm so thankful to my clients who look to me to make gifts for their friends and loved ones and I hope that part of my business keeps growing.

This purse style is what I made my daughter for her dance class- it fits her tap shoes, ballet shoes, her leotard and tights and enough tiny toys to keep her little brother entertained while he waits for her class to be over.

It has outside pockets on the front and each side and closes with a Velcro flap. It's roughly 12 inches wide and 10 inches high.

We use it as a dance bag but it can certainly be a girl purse for any use or just for play! I sell a ton of them for birthday gifts and if I have time I usually hand make a tag for the birthday girl.

I'll be posting more of my best selling gift items when I can!

Dance purses are $35

xoxo-

holly

The Brooklyn Dress (side tie)

Mmmmm- Easter just around the corner and my fingers have been dress-making-maniacs.

I don't have much time to write but there are two things that made this order incredibly fun for me....1- when the mom (who is so insanely stylish there is no way to put it into words!) mentioned a dress that only tied on one side, it hit me that I have never thought of that before. I am hooked!! 2- I had the pleasure of making matching ties for her two brothers and I cannot describe the cuteness!!

I'll post again when I get a picture of the entire family. Until then my buddy "J" was a fantastic model!! Thank you "J"!!

xoxo-

holly

Diaper bag with an owl twist! Preview for "P"

Every time I look at this fabric I adore it more and get sappy thinking about my friend who is moving soon (she bought it for me in New York as the ultimate treat for me!). It's a sturdy, home dec fabric and it makes truly cute bags!

"P" had this diaper bag made for her friend "A" who adopted a baby girl! "P" sent me pictures of the deliriously adorable nursery that "A" put together for her new daughter. I fell in love with it all and really started looking forward to making a bag for her.

"A" loves owls so I made her a (removable) charm to attach to her bag. Usually I put beads on the charms but while I was designing the shape I thought it would be great to have something "baby" friendly that her daughter could play with, squish or whatever she wants. I know all three of my kids grabbed at my purse endlessly. I have visions of me giving them my mascara, keys, checkbook- anything that was not dangerous that would keep them occupied for just a few minutes. So this is all fabric, all soft, all bendable, and all ready for "A"'s new baby to play with if she is so inclined!

"A"- I hope you love all of the joys of being a Mommy!! Even the tough things about it are beautiful!! "P"- I have loved talking to you ;). Thanks for having me make her a special gift!

xo-

holly

Diaper bags are $65

Owl charms are $7

The Meghan Summer Halter dress

My biggest fan is a beautiful 2 year old with super cute blonde hair and enough personality for 10 people to share. She is AWESOME and her excitement when she gets something from me leaves me grinning all day! I am so inspired by her and I have many things that I have made for her this past year that I can't wait to post. This is her most recent summer purchase- a halter dress that I designed for her that would stand up to our hot, humid, Florida summers, super comfy and still leave her feeling dressed up and special!

I have a good friend whose quilts always take my breath away. Her sense of color and her craftsmanship is out-of-control amazing. She passes my daughter down her scraps to make her own little quilts and own appliques for the clothing that I make her. Needless to say I steal some of the scraps from my daughter because I covet them so much! I mixed them into the top of this halter for an extra punch of glorious summer color- so pretty!!!

The Meghan Halter dress is available in size 2t-8 and costs $40

xo!

holly

Preview for "L"

I've been meaning to post this preview for a while now while I have been working on another dress for "L"'s younger daughter (finally finished hers tonight!). She has two absolutely beautiful little girls and I had the chance to make them both dresses but with totally different colors and fabrics.

I'll try to post the smaller dress soon! "L", I hope your girls love them and feel great in them!!

xo,

holly

my baby loves to paint

I just want to quickly share the joy that I get out of my almost 2 year old screaming at me a majority of the day "I Paint!?" "I Paint!?"...it sounds much more like "I pay!! I pay!!" but I know what he is begging me for.

We paint- a LOT. We paint every day, usually more than once a day. I worry that I overdose my kids with art sometimes and then I hear the incessant screaming "I pay!???" and I know there is never enough time for kids to be creative.

I started teaching again these past weeks at my friend Karen's amazing school and when I walked in the first day I heard my kindergarten kids squealing and shouting "Yay!!!" because they were told class with me was about to begin (yes, I am totally bragging that a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds like me!! ;)) and after my ego wore off a little, it hit me how precious the time is that kids have to push boundaries and play with materials and just make "stuff".

There are a ton of wonderful blogs to follow that will inspire you with art activities to do at home with your kids but one of my faves is The Artful Parent- http://www.artfulparent.typepad.com/

If you have a little one- check it out! Be inspired and give your kids ample time and freedom to create. Soon I will post an outstanding quote that talks about how art making transends into other areas of your child's learning.

My next post is back to sewing- thanks for reading my painting rant!

God bless you all!