August Lately

Timing is Everything

My general philosophy is basically that things happen the way they're supposed to and everything in its own time. That doesn't mean that I'm always patient about it, but I do believe it.

Since its launch in 2003, Adorneya has been my second baby, so to speak. I have nurtured it and helped it to grow at a slow but steady pace while I've been a stay-at-home mom. It has always been my intention to keep the business small enough to fit into my free hours while I had a small child (I mainly work on the business during visits at Grandma's, playtime with Daddy or after bedtime) and oddly enough (or maybe not so oddly), the business has kept itself to a size and time requirement that fit within the time and energy that I was able to devote.

In the past week since Liam started preschool, I have received a large wholesale order, have heard from two stores who definitely want to carry my work on a consignment basis and have received two more serious wholesale inquiries.

I also have a major, MAJOR project in the works that I can't share the details of yet. It involves another creative love of mine and it dropped into my lap. If it unfolds the way I hope it does, I will be able to check off one big HUGE item off my lifetime to-do list. Pretty awesome stuff really.

Coincidence? No way. There have been days when I wondered if I was crazy for quitting my very secure job to stay home. But now I'm at a point on my path where I can look back and understand why I took each turn that led me here. That's not to say that I don't have my challenges, but they're new challenges, and the new challenges are my proof that I am indeed moving forward.

On another note, I have to gush about my boy Kody. He came home today so excited because he found a nickel on the playground at school. I didn't think a nickel was such a big deal to kids these days but apparently a shiny coin, regardless of the fact that it won't even buy a little piece of candy, still has the power to bring excitement to a child.

You can imagine my surprise, and almost unbearable pride, when my boy put that same nickel in a donation can at the grocery store for the local childrens' hospital. I have never really been big on expectations for my kids. As long as they make an honest effort to be decent, caring people, I'm proud as can be of them. Period. I could never be prouder of my son than I was today.

And now before I go, just because I don't want to be guilty of another photo-less blog post, a new pocket clutch:

Available here.

Scarflettes!

I've been planning to make scarflettes (also spelled scarflets) for the fall, and I completed my prototype today. It's made of the softest yarn ever (an acrylic/wool blend) and has a vintage button closure. I'm loving it!

I'll be adding these in blue, light pink and mossy green in the next site update.

Oh Happy Day

Today was my morning to work at the Post Office, and when I came home, the boys were out with their dad, so of course I took advantage of the uninterrupted time to sew. I decided to make something that I had had in my mind for a while, but just hadn't gotten around to doing.

Do you ever have such a wonderful idea for a project that you're afraid to make it, have it flop, and ruin your vision? That was me with this idea, and I know I had been somewhat unconsciously putting it off for that exact reason.

Well, I'm glad I finally did it, because it was one of those rare times when the finished product came out so much cuter than what I had envisioned.

It's a clutch version of the vintage totes I've been making. The front pocket has a hidden snap closure and the main bag closes with a flap and vintage button. At 7x5, it's a roomy little bag with plenty of space for all of the essentials.

I just put this one up in my Etsy shop, but I'm sure there will be more in different prints. I'm thoroughly addicted.

Thank you Carrie for reminding me that it was Janet who had found the little flower bowl! After reviewing her post, I realize how very similar the two are. How awesome is that?

So now that I've completed a sewing project and a blog post, I'm feeling pretty accomplished. I think I'll make a fresh cup of coffee and snuggle up in the hammock with the latest Blueprint Magazine.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thrift Thursday a Day Late

I had the photos downloaded and ready to post yesterday, I promise! But I had a little boy who wanted me to go upstairs to read to him and I never did make it back down to the office.

Not much in the way of fabric, but I did make some great finds!

This is a cute little vintage apron in a design I've never seen before- someone actually cut a half-circle out of a rectangle of fabric and ran the ties along the curved line, then used bias tape on the rest of the edges. The result is a very wavy, pleated-looking apron with considerably less work. Clever!

A tea towel apron that I just had to have. I love the orange flowers.

I can't remember where, but I read on someone's blog just the other day that they found a flower shaped bowl while thrifting. I thought to myself- "geez, I'd love to find one of those!"

Well, lo and behold, what did I find at the thrift store?

A pretty little white bowl that looks like a flower! Also a cup and saucer from a particular 1930's collection called Georgette (AKA petalware) by W.S. George. It's not a terribly pricey thing to collect, which makes me happy, and the pretty designs and colors of this collection make me smile. I found several pieces for my mom for her birthday, and then found these. I decided to keep these for myself and build my own collection.

I also found a vintage sears nightgown in a sweet print, and vintage yardage cotton in a nice floral print. They were both in their oxyclean soak when I took photos so we'll have to wait for those. I also snagged a couple of jars of old buttons. Nothing terribly exciting in there  but I did find a few that looked like bakelite and another that appears to have swarovski crystal in it. The rest will make great crafty fun for my boys, so all-in-all a good investment.

Along that subject, I've been quietly amassing a collection of vintage plastic buttons. I love the flower shaped ones and I've been haunting ebay for them. I almost won an auction for 300 of them, but was outbid in the last few hours. I really, really prefer the buy it now format, but buttons are so collectible that smart sellers know they have a good chance to make more money if they go auction style. Ah well, there's always the next mother lode!

I've been meaning to photograph my little beauties to share, so hopefully some time soon (after I get my new digital SLR. Shhh! I didn't say that, really. I'm not obsessing about getting a new camera! Not me! Ok, fine. Yes, I'm obsessed with getting this thing. I'm a photography lover, and actually have a fair amount of college education in it. The little point-n-shoot Canon is wonderful, but I sorely miss the artistic freedom of SLR. I'm afraid there will be a momma needs a new camera sale at Adorneya in the very near future. Can't. Hold. Out. Much. Longer!).

I'm excited to share the second vintage pocket tote that I've made. I'm really enjoying making these.

This one makes use of a cute birdie print that I only got a teeny amount of. I probably have enough to make one more tote like this, but that's it. They way the print is laid out, there are only birds every 12 inches, and who wants a birdie print bag with no birdie? This one's going up in my etsy shop later today.

Vintage Fun

I've been working on a couple more vintage pocket totes. In a way, it feels so nice to use vintage fabric, like I'm giving it new life. In another, it feels like a crime to cut up something that has survived unused for so many years. In the end, I always come to the conclusion that it is better for them to be used, and brought out into the open air where they can be seen and appreciated.

Here are two piles that will soon become totes:

I absolutely adore these two vintage prints and I can't wait to see them in finished bags. I also have an idea for a clutch with a front pocket like the totes. We'll see if I can find time to whip one up this week...

More Sewing Fun

Last night inspiration struck (love when that happens!) and in less than an hour I had drafted a pattern, cut and sewed this pretty little tote bag. It's odd since I haven't been feeling well at all lately and that's normally when I feel the least creative. Perhaps my muse wanted to cleanse my creative palette after all that skull fabric!

The front pocket is made from some gorgeous vintage fabric I found a few weeks ago. There is a snap to hold the pocket closed which I disguised by sewing a vintage button over. All in all, I'm very happy and will definitely be making more!

I presented my sister's bag today and I know she loved it because she instantly put it on and paraded it around the house. Mom says I'll be getting orders- I don't think I particularly want to make a career out of sewing skull-adorned messenger bags, but we'll see!

The first day of school for my little ones is next Wednesday, August 30th. In a way, I'm really looking forward to it, but part of me is really dreading Liam's first day of preschool. We've decided that two boys is enough for us, so it's the closing of a chapter that I'll likely never open again. Of course, another way to look at it is that we're starting a whole new one, and that's what I have to keep telling myself. My precious boys are growing so much every day and all I can do is be here to support them and make sure they know how much they are loved. Mom's work is hard sometimes!

Busy!

I've been sewing up a storm despite not feeling so well these past few days.

First up- two new wristlets. The one on the left went to my mom for her birthday, but the other is now up in my etsy shop. Once I have a few more in stock, I'll be adding them to the main site. I am loving my little prototype, it's the perfect size and so cute! I've gotten lots of oohs and ahhs, so I'll take that as a good sign.

Next, I finished my (much younger!) sister's custom messenger bag for school. I'm normally a bit of a procrastinator, so I'm particularly pleased with the fact that I had it finished a full week before school starts. I get a gold star!

It's heavy black duck canvas and the cotton print is heavily interfaced. Triple stitched and then some! The girl is usually carrying her own weight around in books so I wanted to make sure this thing holds up.

The lining is the same skull print, again, heavily interfaced. I sewed a d-ring inside and made a matching pencil pouch with a clip. I didn't want to do internal pockets because I thought it would put too much stress on the structure of the bag, so that was my solution.

The bag is held closed with two magnetic snaps at the bottom corners of the flap (not attached in the photo). The flap only looks so long because the bag is empty. When it's filled, it fits perfectly and I must say I'm really proud of it. The skull fabric isn't normally my thing but hey, it's for my sis. Even I will work with skull fabric when it's for someone else :)

In other news, I recently discovered an indie boutique -Made Boutique- in Burlington, Vermont! My friend and Craft Revolution partner Tamara pointed them out to me. I have emailed a few times with Sara, the owner, and I'll be taking some things up to show her next week. I'm so excited to finally see the indie world moving into my home state. Yay!

New Wristlets are Born!

Yay! I got some time to work on the prototype for my new wristlets and I'm really, really happy with the results.

These little wristlets are the same size as the original design, but have a pocket with 2 credit card slots inside. The 12 inch handle is attached with a sturdy clip and can be removed to use as a key fob.

There's just the right amount of space inside for a cell phone, lip gloss, and keys. This one is mine (sorry folks!), but there will be more on the site soon!

Introspection

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. The last week has been a very reflective time for me. I had a birthday last Thursday that officially took me out of my mid-twenties and left me thinking a lot about my life, my business, and the direction I want to go in.

The idea of changing my business name has been nagging at the edge of my thoughts for some time now, and last week it could no longer be ignored. I knew what I wanted the look and feel of the new incarnation of my company to be, but I was stumped for a name. I finally came up with August for the first word (being my birth month, and it is a synonym for elegant- I had no idea!) and I loved Bloom for the second word, but, being such a wonderful name, it was already in use by a handbag company.

The quest for the perfect second word began (I can be quite obsessive about these kinds of things) and I turned to my fellow designer friends for help. After lots and lots of ideas and suggestions, I have settled on August Lately. I love it. I am so excited to now have this new vision for my business. I plan to make the change after the holidays and have already purchased the domain and designed a logo.

Apparently the new energy has already begun to stimulate a boost in creativy for me- look what I did today!

These are altered mini composition book journals. 4x6, the perfect size to slip into a purse or organizer. They are covered with pretty floral paper with coordinating cardstock on the backs. They say inspire, create, dream and believe. I love them, and love making them. I'll be making more in different patterns, words and phrases. I also plan to do some cards, bookmarks and gift tags, among other things, in the same theme.

I'll be listing these first in my etsy shop for $8 plus $1 for first class shipping within the US, but if anyone wants to reserve a specific journal, leave a comment or send me an email!

In other news, the hardware for the new wristlets has arrived, so I should have some new goodies to show soon!

What I Don't Love About Blogging

Bloglines and Feedburner have been playing a nasty joke on me since yesterday. If you're getting an error in your bloglines for this feed, you're not the only one. I've emailed them about the problem, but it may be two days before they respond. Ugh.

Well, on to the crafty stuff!

Here's my finished Les Mis apron. The photo is horrible. Turns out it's really hard to photograph yourself in an apron! The pocket is all wrinkly (I would use thicker fabric next time) and the apron should be a bit wider. Since I really decided to wing it, and I was in a huge hurry because of all of the family happenings, I'm not terribly proud of it. I guess I can't expect much better. It was a learning experience and I have some good ideas for how to improve upon the next one. Not a total loss!