Still under wraps...

I'm working on a new collection for August inspired by my antique patterns from the 1920's....

Still very hush - hush....

Under wraps.....

Actually wrapped in tissue paper, hand dyed ribbon,vintage lace, antique calling card and vintage

silk millinery roses!

I think I love making the packages pretty more than I like sewing the garments!

Shared on Shabby Art Blog,  My Romantic homes and The Feathered Nest Friday link parties!
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound blog.

I'm thrilled to say my creating mojo has returned and I have a definite direction to go with my designs!

That only took 30 years...not bad. Yeesh.

 Finally I feel like everything I have learned in the past has led me to this decision and that's it the right path.

So I've spent the past few weeks turning my hobby into a business.

Scary? Oh yeah!

Sales tax numbers, updated website, updated profiles and descriptions on my Etsy shop.

A marketing plan and lots of advice from Tara Gentile and other inspiring women to push me out of my rut and into the creative world of selling for what I'm worth.

After listening to several of her pod-casts (really, everyone should go listen) I sat down and seriously figured and re-figured my cost per item.

And yes at the end there was a GASP.  

I've been selling at wholesale cost. 

Which isn't horrible, but not if you want to succeed at what you're doing and actually get paid for it!

So here's the plan...yes there's a plan and I need everyone to hold me accountable to it!

How's that for putting it out there?

Starting next Monday, I will be working 3 days a week on my BUSINESS in my studio.

Yes, I took an extra day a week off from work. Another scary decision!

I have a schedule, just like a outside job. I will shut the door and not play with the dogs or nap with the kitty's all day. I will not play on the internet for hours. 

I will blog more often and list more often!

All input and advice welcome!

Join the link party at Sew Country Chick!

The Melinda Fingerless Double Ruffle Gloves

I'm in love with these gloves! They were so much fun to design and make. There will be lots of these in my closet this winter!

I'm linking to my favorite Monday blog partys!

Canoe Ridge Creations

Southern Lady's Market Monday

The Melinda Fingerless Double Ruffle Gloves

A customer requested a pair of these to go with the lace leggings I offer and I loved them so much I'm offering them in the shop too!

Made from the same stretch lace as my leggings, you can have these in cream or lilac.

3/4 length, they can be scrunched down for a shorter look. The thumb opening is reinforced for stability and because it's prettier than just leaving the serger seam. (My picky Mom would be proud!)

Soft ruffle on the hand and at the top, these are wearable all year.

I swear...by I-Dye!

Don't you just love creative days that turn out fabulous?

I've always used Dylon cold water dye with great results.

So of course I had to try the new I-Dye for polyester.

I loved the color so much (violet) that I just kept putting garments and fabrics
in the pot and this is what came out!

A pair of my cream lace leggings....it was difficult to capture the vividness of this color!

These are poly or nylon, I can't believe how well they took the dye. Amazing.

I grabbed a cream sweater that I've had for a year and never worn.....and I will be wearing this tonight!

Some vintage cream satin....turned out a gorgeous soft tie dyed purple (ish) color.

Did someone say Roses???

And last but not least, a silk cashmere shawl that I've cut into skinny scarves and I'm going to embellish with sequins and beads......

And I'll be keeping ALL these for MY closet!

  So this will count as my Brenda's Closet Thursday edition too!

Obviously I don't wear a lot of boring colors....♥