Mermaid Costume with seashell bag for yummy candy!

I didn't accept many costumes this year- in general my sewing time has shriveled because of my new teaching job at the charter school my 1st grader goes to (fabulous school- we are so happy there!!) but I did take on a few orders and I've been able to throw myself completely into them with very little stress or rush. The experience has been wonderful!!

This is the first mermaid costume I have ever made and I loved every minute of making it.....especially because it was for my BFF, little "M". I've blogged about her several times before. She is precious!

It's a very comfortable dress that has a zipper in the back so it is easy to take on and off. She also requested a seashell bag to carry her candy around so I made it ample enough for lots of trick or treating and made her promise to give me half of her candy.

There is a lot of hand sewn items on this that I added more for love than for money. Much of the seashell bag is hand sewn as well but overall it's a pretty easy bag to make. I'm working on a tutorial for it but I'm sure it will take me months to get it posted. If you are interested in making one of your own send me an email and I'll send you a rough version of the tutorial.

I'll keep my blog posted on the Candyland characters I'm making for my own 3 kids ;)- my 2 year old is King Kandy and I'm going to eat him alive in the costume!

Happy October everybody!

xoxo-

holly

New cupcake purse added to the shop as well

If you can't tell- I got a glorious new camera for my birthday/anniversary present and there are no words to describe how much I love it!!!! Even for a photography-challenged girl like myself- this thing takes mighty pretty pictures!!

The Cupcake Purse

It's a little ridiculous how many purses and bags my 4 year old has but I seem to always come up with another reason that she needs just ONE more!

Because I'm a huge proponent of including her ideas in things that I make for her, I asked what kind of bag she had in mind and "cupcake" is what popped out of her mouth. I have to admit it was a pretty fun idea to design.

She uses this bag for her water bottle and snack on some days and then to pack all of her art supplies to take on the road on other days. It is a good size for her- about 12 inches high and 9 inches wide. The bottom is slightly mitered which gives it a small, flat bottom so it holds books nicely too. The little cherry on top closes with an elastic loop that is easy to close with her tiny fingers. It's also super easy to throw in the wash!

The Cupcake Purse is $35

The Chloe Handbag

I had a super fun purse party with Mary (http://www.blossomandpoppy.com/) while she was in town recently. Her family was adorable and I'll be posting quite a few previews for many of the items ordered at the party. This first one is for Chloe- it's an Yvette Sling with modifications made just for Chloe! Chloe is a beautiful, petite teenager and doesn't need a big purse so she had the body of the bag made thinner. I also made it with two straps instead of the sling strap so the opening was a little more accessible. Inside is a padded, cushy, special place for her camera that will hopefully keep it extra safe but easy to get to and not require an extra bag for her to carry.

I loved all of your choices Chloe! I hope you like how it turned out as much as I do!!

xo-

holly

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

Jana's Barbie Bag

This was one of my favorite items that I made for Christmas- one amazing Grandmother (their family lived in Germany so her grandma name is "Oma") called me and asked me to make a custom bag/purse/carrier- whatever- that her granddaughter could use to carry her Barbies to her house to play with. Seriously- the plastic, standard Barbie case from Target is cool and all......but handmade bag made just for you at 6 years old for your Barbies??? It doesn't get much more thoughtful than that!

I know this little girl very well and I love her to pieces- I also know her style well (and yes, even though she is 6 she still has her own style, trust me!) so picking fabrics for her was great fun for me. For the main fabric I went with my favorite designer, Anna Maria Horner, using her flannel that is insanely soft and yum, yum, yummy! I want to make everything out of it but I'm kind of hoarding it so finally using it in a piece was pretty satisfying.

Inside are 8 elastic pockets to place Barbies in.....a couple of them I made a teeny bit bigger in case there are some Kens in a collection since his shoulders are a touch broader. I used my daughter's Barbie arsenal to get all of the measuring correct! The front of the back has a nice, amply spaced zipper pocket for any of Barbie's shoes or clothes that need to come along. The bag has a flat, oval bottom so it will stand nice and very upright (kind of like luggage) for maximum playtime ease. There is still some space in the middle of the bag for any other accessories (like a Barbie scooter for instance). I made a sling handle for the easiest carrying possible.

Oma- Jana is one luck girl to have you as a grandmother for many more reasons than just your thoughtfulness! What a blessing for her to have you!!!

If any of you want to spoil a little girl in your life the Jana Barbie bag is $48

xoxo-

holly

Lunch box for little lady "K"

I have a client named "A" who I just love working with!! She has two little girls- a baby girl and an elementary aged daughter named "K". When you have a conversation with "A" you can tell she is head-over-heels NUTS about her children! She sent me the cutest picture ever of her baby who had crawled inside the diaper bag that I made- it was precious and I adored it!!

"A" wanted to get her daughter "K" a special treat for the new school year so handmade lunch box it is!! "K" loves pink, brown and leopard and this lunch bag will compliment her pink leopard backpack that she got from the Justice store......seriously, how cute does that sound? Hopefully "A" will order outfits for me to make her as well because if she carries around a pink leopard backpack in elementary school- she is already my fashion soul mate!

The lunch box is roughly 12 inches wide, 9 inches high and 5 inches across. It is roomy and should fit her lunch beautifully. I made the strap just long enough that if she wants to throw it over her shoulder it will be possible. It is thoroughly lined with thermal lining that will keep colds-cold and hots-hot! I'm anxious to hear how "K" responds when she gets it!

"A"- thanks for being amazing to work with- you are so sweet!!

"K"'s lunch box is $32

I have to post fast tonight because I have lots of sewing to do but I recently finished my new Laci dress and I wanted to share it. I'm super excited about piecing the fabric strips together so I can get more creative with mixing fabrics (I know not for everybody but soooooo for me!) and the little gathered sleeves- to die for!! I can make it without the tie at the empire waist if requested.

These will cost $50.

A purse for little "S"!!

I have never met little "S"'s mom but I really, really like her via email. She sent me such a kind text message before my little guy has his eye procedure last week- I was so touched that she even remembered!! It doesn't get any better than that!

So, I was thinking of ways to make little "S"'s purse extra special and I started playing around with my scraps and wire and voila- these little, jangly, flower charms were born! They are totally removable if "S" is not that into them but now I am OBSESSED so if you see them popping up on my little girl items just go along with it and take them off when I'm not around :).

"S"- I hope you love this purse made just for you honey!! You sure have a sweet Mommy!

My little girl purses are $18

My 2 year old daughter is my inspiration to make a lot of things....just so happens that she is one of the "girliest" 2 year olds around so purses have always been a number 1 fetish of hers.

I finally made one that is perfect for her! A great size- easy to embellish so she can show her personality and I can whip it up great with old scraps that were begging to be utilized. She uses it mainly to carry around several princess lipsticks that my mom sent her. We recently made one "together" for her little friend "A". I am hoping A's mom will contribute a photo of her with it when I ask.

This style can also be a clutch if it's made without the strap.....or a make up bag. $18.