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Inspiration…

Uncategorized January 4, 2013
Miss Lily Elsie via Pinterest, Arthur Rackham illustration via Pinterest, Flower Portrait by Elle Moss on Etsy

Do you ever have those days where you have so many things that you want to do, but don’t know where to start? I’m having one of those…

I’m having a hard time adjusting from the holidays – especially after being sick and spending 3 days in a sleepy stupor… It’s hard to get your body back to working all day!

Last night I went out to pick up a few bits and bobs for some new pieces for spring.  I thought I’d share with you some things that are inspiring me…  I’ve picked up a bunch of new florals for spring, including a piece that I really, really love – the gauzy mint-blue fabric with the big candy-floss-pink flowers. I absolutely love it!  I grabbed about 5 meters of a pink and cream polka dot cotton that has a gauzy texture that looks so cute with it.

I’m waiting patiently for some corset busk and boning to arrive from my supplier.  I am thinking I might post some how-to’s on corset making if there is interest.  I won’t do a full sew along, but some tips and tricks for installing busks, using waist tape, etc.  Corset making is something I love but haven’t done in ages.  I am going to use a pattern I drafted in college that I still have kicking around.  It’s a great basic shape with a sweetheart neckline.  I plan to do an over and under bust style, and can’t wait until all my materials arrive!

Snuggles

Uncategorized January 2, 2013
How was everyone’s New Years Eve? Have you recovered?
Dan and I spent New Years in… it seems to be our new tradition, and it is one I am completely happy with.  We watched movies, including VHS which featured one of my favourite directors, Ti West (I love horror movies), and topped the night off with a cheesy UFO documentary (horror movie + paranormal nut) & a bottle of champagne.   While it might not sound like the most exciting night, it was perfectly ‘us.’
I finally feel like I’m starting to recover from the Great Cold of 2012… Starting to get my energy and motivation back.  I did manage to do some work over the holidays, stocked up on some supplies, did some planning for future sales & events, and finished up part of a custom order for a really lovely customer who often gives me creative liberties with her orders.  I’ve been lusting over this sweater knit fabric for a while now and have wanted to incorporate it into a lingerie piece.  I like the way the champagne lace coordinates with the colour of the fabric…

Well, that is all for now, my sewing machine is calling my name…  Happy 2013 everybody! 

Sniffles…

Uncategorized December 30, 2012

I feel like I have to do something productive today… I’ve had the worst cold for the last few days.  Each day I wake up expecting to feel better, but just end up feeling worse.  Yesterday I hit the couch at 4:00, Dan put on the the 3 original Star Wars movies and I dozed in and out of consciousness, until about 7 this morning.  I’ve done a grocery shopping trip, tidied up some christmas presents, after Dan packed up our tree and decorations, and I think that’s about all I’ll accomplish today.  I just feel absolutely rotten and so incredibly exhausted.  Being sick really sucks because I can’t stand being unproductive! And laying around all day is just so painfully difficult for me…

Anyway, over the holidays, my uncle pulled out a box of treasures from my Grandmother who passed away two years ago, January. I grabbed a few things that had gone unwanted, like one of her high school year books.  She is pictured above, Lorine Miller (though her first name was really spelled Loreen).  I like this picture, she looks so serious; I can just imagine how responsibly she would have handled her job in the Senior Literary Society… I am so much like her.

I also found a scrapbook of cards, newspaper clippings, and writings, a charm bracelet, a pendant filled with little gold pieces her and my Grandpa Jack had panned in the Yukon, a small gold watch with an inscription from my Grandpa, and a little metal thimble. I am so grateful to have these things; I miss my Grandma so much, I really wish I could share with her all the little details about my business.  She would be so proud and interested in the things I do, and I know she would be able to impart on me wise advice, as she was always an entrepreneurial spirit and successful business woman, especially for her time.  I am happy to have these little mementos, it makes me feel like I have a part of her near me all of the time.  Though I have to admit, at times it makes me a little sad…

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Gram lately.  I dusted off her recipe box to make cookies and coconut strawberries before Christmas.  Her writing was always so scrawling and hard to read, much like mine.  The cards were missing ingredients, and it made me laugh because that is totally something I would do.  After mixing all of my cookie ingredients, carefully spooning out the dough onto my old baking pan and popping it in the oven, I sat at my kitchen table and surveyed the mess.  All of my kitchen cupboard doors were left open, the counter top covered in coconut and stray chocolate chips, I felt my face streaked with flour, and thought, “I am just like my Gram…”

A great way to end the year!

Uncategorized December 28, 2012

Driving home from the in-laws last Sunday, I saw on twitter that the Lingerie Addict had posted a Best of 2012 list.  I clicked the link to see who had been mentioned and was absolutely shocked to see that I was on it! I felt so incredibly honoured to be mentioned among such talented designers & brands.  Check out the full list HERE!

I am sick again with a cold this time, but am starting to feel a little better this morning.  I am itching to get back to my sewing machine, though to be completely honest, Christmas was so exhausting I feel like I need a vacation just to recover from it.  We traveled around a lot, had some Christmas morning drama with an unexpected “burning” of a Christmas gift (don’t even ask…), did a lot of forgetting things, then having to turn around and make trips twice, I did a day of baking for a Christmas event we were hosting only to have half of the guests arrive… By the end of it, I was in tears from sheer exhaustion (has that ever happened to you, tired tears?) and have now wound up with a cold.  Definitely was not the best Christmas ever, but I suppose it also wasn’t the worst!  But, I am incredibly glad it’s over for another year! 🙂

My shop has remained pretty busy over the last few weeks, and I’m still catching up from my Cyber Monday Sale.  I wanted to remind people that if they are wanting to order goodies for Valentines day, now is the time to start thinking about it!

I am preparing a few things for the next month… there will be a sweet give away soon, a photoshoot I am super super super excited about, and I am busily hording corset supplies so I can add two corset styles to my next collection!

Silent Night…

Uncategorized December 25, 2012
Today is the most quiet, peaceful day of the year.  I woke up this morning with no real urge to do anything.  We drank coffee, opened gifts, I played guitar and sang Christmas carols, and we walked the dog.  It is crisp and cold outside, and lightly snowing.  The streets are so quiet.

It’s been a busy lead up to this day; shopping, wrapping, sewing, preparing.  Two days ago we were at my in-laws in Toronto and ate our first turkey dinner of the season.  I received the most thoughtful selection of gifts, including a pair of earrings I was coveting from A Pocket full of Posies, and an amazing handmade mug from my mother in law who is a gifted potter (I am sipping my coffee out of it this morning). Yesterday we entertained here, then visited with my parents and my little brother and worked on our annual Christmas puzzle, which seems to get harder every year. We will head out there again shortly.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, however you choose to celebrate.  I hope you can be with the ones you love, and are able to indulge in something special.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful New Year!

‘Tis the Season…

Uncategorized December 21, 2012

Tis the Season… to be under the weather!

Ugh, I have had this icky stomach thing for the last few days.  Totally unpleasant!  Overall I’m feeling ‘ok’ but  no food seems to be agreeing with me… so that has been frustrating and annoying.  My pants fit too loose now!

Christmas seems to feel busier and busier every year.  I remember Christmas as a kid, it was so relaxing. Just good food, family, very little traveling.  Now it feels like we are somewhere nearly every day… this year, starting on Sunday we have 5 days of ‘festivities.’  I am usually so exhausted by New Years Eve that we just spend the night in. I feel like I still have a lot to do to get ready for Christmas…  AND a LOT of sewing to do!!!

I hope everyone has a very special holiday and is able to spend it with friends & family!

I’ll leave you with some new items I am working on for… SPRING!

Totally honoured!

Uncategorized December 21, 2012

 Tilly, from Tilly & the Buttons,  is a blogger & seamstress that I really admire (she is probably the neatest seamstress I have ever seen!), so I was absolutely honoured when she asked me to contribute to her A Day in the Life Series.  This series chronicles designers & seamstresses, their day to day schedules & challenges.  I had so much fun writing this post and reading the comments!

Read the Post HERE

This has been such a wonderful year, lots of challenges, lots of successes, lots of learning, and lots of changes!  I am really looking forward to 2013.

Motivation + Self Employment

Uncategorized December 12, 2012
So far, being self employed is awesome.  It’s got it’s down sides, like adjusting to not having a regular pay cheque, and being hyper-aware of every dollar you spend (probably a good thing, regardless).  Another thing I am struggling with is avoiding distractions.
For me, a sink full of dirty dishes is a major distraction.  A dog-hair covered rug cannot go without being vacuumed once I notice it.   If I hear an email come in, I get distracted at the computer then have a hard time getting back to my sewing machine. I’m finding myself being distracted by other things that are equally as productive, but maybe not as high up on my list of importance as completing an order…
So, that is something I am struggling with, but I’m sure it will come with time.  I am very proud of myself for a few things… first, I have not let myself sleep in, and I always start my day by 8:30.  I take a bit of time every evening to tidy my studio before calling it a day, and things are staying organized and under control…  Lastly, and totally unrelated to work, I am eating so much more healthy!  Having the time in your day makes a world of difference… I start my day with a smoothie, have a home made granola bar a little later on, leftovers from the night before for lunch, then a homemade meal for dinner.  I’m embarrassed to admit what my previous diet consisted of… a big, sugary muffin for breakfast, fast food for lunch (we had no lunch room and by lunch hour I was desperate for an escape!), by the time I got home I’d be so exhausted we’d probably eat out again, or I’d throw a frozen pizza in the oven… I really love to cook and bake so it has been awesome to have the time and flexibility to do so.
So, overall, life is good! Staying on task is something I’ve really struggled with over the years; I tend to have so many ideas, so many things going on in my head it’s hard to focus on just one for fear I might lose my great ideas if I don’t act on them in the moment!  That’s something I’d like to work on and improve on.
In other news, I finished the custom bra I was working on.  I really like it but am really anxious to hear how it fits! Fingers crossed!!

Something I am excited about

Uncategorized December 10, 2012
This is a bra I’ve been mulling over for a while… I had a request from a customer with a very petite band but comparability larger cup size, who wanted sometime soft and comfortable but with support.  I could really empathize with her request.  I have a 28″ band measurement and a 38″ bust measurement.  To look at me, I am on the curvy side, but no where near Dolly Parton status (Though I did get mistaken for her once at a pharmacy in a very sketchy part of Toronto…), but bras have always been a struggle for me.
I had made a bra similar to this in jersey with stretch lace, which I liked, but found that the center sat too far away from my chest.  The customer I am working with also wanted the bra entirely in a non-stretch satin, which posed even more of a challenge.  Fitting in jersey is so much easier than fitting in non stretch fabrics…. I’ll be working on her bra today, and crossing my fingers that all goes well.  Bras can be such a challenge to fit in new sizes!
So, after sewing probably three or four of these I think I have my pattern down pat… I wore the ones I made all weekend, and they are super comfy.  I’ve lined them entirely in organic cotton jersey, which is soft and helps to add some support and body to the fabric.  
The front of the bra still sits slightly away from the chest because there is no wire to hold it down flat.  The one thing I am very happy with about this bra is it does not give larger chested women that “Shelf boob” effect, it really does separate and give a natural look.  
When I finished my first bra and laid it out flat, I thought to myself, “congratulations, Sarah! You’ve designed a grandma bra…” But when I tried it on, it was totally flattering.  Really accentuates the curves, and most importantly, is comfortable.

Christmas Crafting

Uncategorized December 10, 2012
Last Christmas I really thew myself into a tizzy, making all of my gifts by hand.  This year I just don’t have the time, but I am working on a few handmade details to go with my Christmas Gifts, as well as some handmade goodies for my husband.  

This is our first Christmas in our house.  Previously, I had always lived in small apartments and never did much decorating.  I always put up a tree, but that was about it.  This year I’ve had the opportunity to decorate my outdoor planters with cedar boughs and eucalyptus, add some new decorations to my Christmas tree, and I sewed some stockings for on our fireplace.  I have always wanted to hang stockings by the fireplace… dream come true!

My husband and I are very budget conscious… Most of my decorations are dollar store finds, or things that I have made myself.  I went with my mom to Michael’s Craft store last weekend to get a few decorations and could not afford a single thing from that store! I was blown away at how expensive Christmas things can be… I mean, you really only have the decorations up for one month of the year.  I’m not sure that I’ll ever get out of that ‘poor student’ mentality!

I really like how my stockings turned out.   I used a piece of fabrics I had bought off Etsy to make cushions out of.  I lined them with scrap broadcloth, and used some scraps of burlap and ribbon to dress them up.  I cut and braided regular old twine to create a loop to hang them.

I got quite a bit of Christmas crafting done this weekend… I also made some salt dough ornaments, which took me back to being 5 years old again and hanging out with my grandma.  I painted them ivory yesterday, and am just waiting to string some ribbons through them, then will use them as gift tags on my presents.

Are you up to any Christmas crafting this year?