Maxi's

(Not to be confused with "Maxi pads")

This year, the long, really long skirt and/or dress made a comeback. Lucky for me this is a style I can wear, unlike last year's mini's. I was unsure about the look at first, but like almost every trend, it didn't take me too long before I too wanted to take part.

I eased my way in first with this GAP skirt. I loved the neutral color and it looked super comfortable, so I ordered it in a tall length just to make sure it skimmed the ground. And the Result? I love it and wear it all the time.

 

And then I got a little more brave. I saw this dress on Rachel Bilson, a style maven in my eyes and decided I could do it. I initially wanted to copy it exactly, but had a hard time finding decent sailboat fabric, then Sew Mama sew sent me some complimentary fabric and thought it would look totally great all smocked up. Then this dress inspired me some more, and so, below is my version. It's wild, it's crazy, and not at all what I originally had in mind, but I love it too.

Check back tomorrow

Will be open for business. 3pm Mountain Standard time.
Smocked little girl dresses and ties, and next week some other stuff.

And somewhat related, Kelly from My happy little life, wrote up a little ditty about me and my shop.
If you haven't checked out her blog yet you definitely should, it won't disappoint. She's one talented lady and funny to boot.

This should make things a bit easier

Mr. Juki,

I have just a few small requests before we get started.

I need seams that always look neat and pretty. I need you to cut my sewing time in half, at the very least. And most importantly, I need you to stay threaded even when a certain two year old gets his sticky hands on you.

Looking forward to working with you,

Alysha

Spring goods

After a few naps both Saturday and Sunday, I finally feel caught up enough to start a new project, my mom's late mother's day
gift. I finished the dresses Thursday morning complete with hang tags
designed, printed, and pinned by my adorable husband, and in just
enough time to run them over before the doors opened at 10am. Had I spent
more time thinking instead of sewing, I would have done many things
differently including  a better presentation, but her banister did the
job, and sold several dresses to nearby neighbors and friends.

I made several sizes but stopped at 5T. I had a few requests for sizes up to 8, so again I called upon my husband to draw up some order forms and a fabric sample sheet.

Had I stopped there, my weekend wouldn't have felt so exhausting, but I felt the boutique had a serious void of little boy goods, so I spent Friday night sewing up ties.

Lots of work, but a great experience is how I would sum this one up. Just the kick I needed to jump start the shop. I plan on opening next Thursday the 17th. It will be stocked with several smocked dresses, ties, and other goods to choose from, so be sure to check back!

A deadline, a break, and a giveaway!

I said "yes". Yes to making over 25 smocked dresses in seven days. About a month ago I made a smocked dress for a baby shower, and remember how I mentioned I impressed some of the ladies? Well one of them asked me to participate in her boutique this coming weekend. So seven days to make the dresses, figure out how to display them, make logos & hang tags, possibly fit some ties in there, and ultimately decide if this is something I really want to do.

So far, so good. I haven't begun pulling out my hair yet. But, I need to take a blogging break. I need some time to smock my brains out, get caught up on some other projects I have slacked on (mother's day), and recover from my sewing rampage.

In the meantime though, I want to giveaway a couple of my labors. I really enjoy blogging, and I have been so happy to make so many new friends and connect with the old because of it. So, for those of you I haven't met yet and those that I have, all you have to do is leave a comment, and on Friday I will randomly draw two names. The first name I draw will have the first pick between the dress and the tie, and the second will get the left over. Check back Friday at noon, and don't forget to spread the word!

*The dress is a size 12-18 months, and the tie fits a 2-7 year old.