Birthday Parties

I have to say that birthday parties are one of my favorite parts of You're Maker.  The kids don't know what is coming when they arrive at the party....not really.  Then they get to leave with something THEY MADE.  Man, I would have loved to go to a birthday party like that.

Usually there is one kid who isn't into it.  That's fine.  I get it.  Not everyone likes making things. The party I instructed today, though, didn't have a single non-maker.  In fact, they were all so in to it that they finished MUCH faster than I anticipated.

Don't tell anyone but I also love to overhear what they talk about when they are making.  Young girls are so awesome....And smart...And thoughtful...Kinder than I remember.  Every girl I have worked with has exceeded my expectations in talent and coolness.  Who run the world?

Small Update

Well, I haven't sewn anything for myself recently....I have some books that I am working my way through so I can understand how to fit a lady body before I waste any fabric...any more fabric, that is.

I did make some amazing dresses for W.  They aren't amazing because of anything I did...the pattern is a-frickin-mazing.  I made the first for Valentine's day.  But I loved it so much that I had to immediately make a second.  The pattern is by veryshannon.

This is W's Valentine's dress:

For those friends in the North still reading....Hi!  I am sorry to hear about all the snow.  It looks beautiful but I know you all must be desperate for warm summer days!  Everything is good here.  Great actually.  I have been busy teaching sewing classes and making stuff.  Also, I started writing for a small local paper here called the Thomasville Townie.  I never ever thought I would write for a newspaper but......  You can check it out at www.yourtownie.com.

For everyone everywhere, I have added some items to my Etsy shop.  Check it out here. 

This one goes out to all of those beginners that have hit road bumps and think sewing maybe isn't for them or isn't worth the frustration.  

I have been sewing for quite some time now.  I am no pro but, I am no longer a beginner.  Let me tell you there is ALWAYS something to learn!  It doesn't matter how many sewing wins you have it only takes one sewing fail to really bring you down.  Well, I have had TWO sewing fails in two weeks.  

It is my New Year's resolution to learn to sew for me.  That might sound like..whatever...but....I have a butt...and thighs....and...well...it is a scary resolution.  It's a lot of work.  It's not sewing for a 3 year old or 5 year old.  Ok.  Breathe.  I have to buy books to make sure I don't waste a ton of money and fabric only to have clothes that don't fit because....I have done that. Maybe my mistake was trying to sew a shirt...?  But I have sewn two shirts.  One I can't wear and one I wear and am never happy with how it looks.  I am sure the patterns are GREAT but I didn't now I have to make a muslin version first and adjust to fit my body.  I did a LITTLE research and i turns out....even though I already knew and hoped there was a short cut....that you need to make a muslin version to adjust to perfection before you cut into fabric.  RAH!  I made a shirt this summer and the neck was gap-y and it drives me nuts.  Then, last week I went against the fabric recommendation and tried to make a shirt out of....no...it's too embarrassing....it was just BAD.   Yesterday, I decided to try it again in the right fabric.  Well, I discovered that I am a smaller size than I made.  DANGIT.  I tried it on and my husband's reaction was, "That looks huge on you."  So that's a no.  A big no.  RAH!  I think the universe is just telling me not to make this shirt.  Not for me anyway. DANGIT again.  I am so frustrated!  BUT.  It is my only new year's resolution and being that it is only Jan 3, I figure that I can't give up just yet.  Instead of spending more money on fabric to screw up, I am going to do some more research and take my time and learn something new.  Check back.  I will make something worth taking a picture of.  

Whitney, is the lucky girl.  She is easy to sew for.  So she got a jacket AND a dress in the last two weeks.

 

You can make this dress with me this month!

The is the Anywhere Dress from Go To Patterns.

In action.

I guess I have made one thing for myself successfully.  I keep forgetting bout it because it hasn't been cold enough to wear since I made it.  It is a Cali Faye Design pattern and I can't wait to wear it.

So far...So good.

You're Maker is up and running.  I had a slow start but things are picking up.  I held my first class on Oct 21.  Since then I have had a second class and a party.  I also have my first FULL class coming up!  I have to say that I FREAKING LOVE THIS.  I have had so much fun working with the girls and women that have attended classes/parties.  I have listened to and been a part of some fantastic conversations.  Tween girls are hilarious.....also...smart.

My class sporting their made bracelets!

One of the party attendees asked me if I was doing what God called me to do.  For the first time in a while I could answer, without hesitation...Yes.  I do.  I have felt called to do something creative for some time.  Selling my creations was the obvious route...but the PRESSURE.  I don't like it.  I don't like HAVING to be creative and having to be more creative than the next person selling something similar on Etsy...or better at marketing or...whatever.  It just...it makes me anxious and then making becomes stressful and not fun.  Stress relief and fun are two of the big reasons I make things...so selling my stuff is out...for now....b/c I know as soon as I say something as definitive as "selling my stuff is out" I will suddenly want to.

Teaching and making things WITH people....now that is fun.

Upcoming classes.

In one of my classes the girls were talking about what they "want to be when they grow up"...that is too juvenile of a way of putting it considering their lofty goals.   I mean...these girls have not just general dreams..."I want to be a Dr."...but specific and detailed career paths mapped out.  As I was listening I had a million thoughts.  I was thinking about how different life is from what you thought it would be when you get to when your dreams are supposed to be happening.  I was impressed with how much they had thought about their futures.  I was thinking about how much my dreams have changed since I was 11 or 12.  Then one of the girls asked me about my dreams.  I answered automatically that one of my dreams was teaching them.  Again, it was something I answered without hesitation.  I didn't realize it was true and until I heard myself saying it.  For the first time in a long time I have wanted something and done it and it feels good.

You're Maker - Class #1 Complete. Boom.

Last Night was You're Maker's first class!  I recruited some good friends to come and make some necklaces with me.

I have to give them PROPS...this was not the easiest project for a beginner.  It involved wire, tools, beads, chain, findings, and concentration!  They learned how to make a beaded chain (!!) and how to turn a large bead into a pendant.

In two hours I saw each of them go from fairly intimidated and doubtful of their abilities to being bosses of wire work.  Seriously.

They attacked it head on and they each left with a cool necklace.

Phew.  First class...done!  I had so much fun and I can't wait for the next one!  Bring it on, Saturday.  If you are in the Thomasville, GA area and want to take a class visit www.youremaker.com to register for a class!

Meet You're Maker

So,  I turned 30, reflected, made some space in my mind for it to work itself out, and re-opened my Etsy store.  If you haven't read that post yet, click here.

Next, I am pleased to introduce you to You're Maker.  (Muah-hah-hah-hah...it's my evil laugh....no?.....)  Come take a class with me in jewelry making, sewing, & the occasional miscellaneous craft!  I am starting You're Maker because...ahh!  How do I pick the most important reason?  I can't.  I have met so many people in Thomasville that say, "I want to learn how to sew." or "I wish I could make that." or "I have a sewing machine that I have never taken out of the box."  Well, to those I say....Let's do it!.....Now you can!......Get it out of the box and come play!

You can read about this more on the about me page of the website but learning in a group isn't just more fun but bouncing ideas off of one another makes better...stuff!

I have classes for October set and am working on November!  The class fee includes instruction and materials.  You don't have to bring anything except a sewing machine (for sewing classes) if you have one.

For more information go to www.youremaker.com and like You're Maker on Facebook.

emitate. on Etsy

About a month ago I reached a tipping point of sorts in my life.  How many times have you heard people say something like, "You don't live forever so you better start your dream today."?  OR "Live everyday like it is your last."?  Those sayings always ping my heart because I know they are true but they aren't ever enough to jump start anything in my life.   

Ahh.  Stop making feel guilty!

Well, I turned 30.  I didn't freak out about it (I am actually pretty excited about it) but there is a certain amount of reflection that seemed to happen naturally.   

via

I am 30 which is like...a for real grown up.  I have two kids that are no longer babies in any way.  They notice everything and they are affected by everything.  I want to give them something of value to absorb and affect them.  What had the biggest impact on my first 30 years?  Living abroad.  I started to worry about not being able to give my kids that experience.  There is value in being a tourist but that won't be the opportunity to have an impact on my kids that way living in the culture did on me.  Both of my parents' lived abroad as dependents and agreed when they started a family that they wanted living abroad for their kids...a.k.a. Walter and Emily.  (What up, Walt?!)

In addition to diverse cultural experiences I want to give my kids the feeling that they can find a way to accomplish things.  I can't give them passion but I can give them an example to look at.  I have wanted to start a craft business for a long time.  It's been a dream or idea or desire and taken different forms for years.  If you have read my blog before you have probably heard me mention (go on about) that and also that I have fears.  Well, I am really tired of dreaming and I have been tired of being afraid for a long time.  I want to act.  I want to try something...success or failure.....

Last on my list of things leading me here...a few important people in my life have had life altering illnesses, health scares, and worse recently which has been a shocking wake up call.  It has affected me in ways that I am still realizing and didn't see coming.  

via

Over the past few months I have been making a conscious effort to have quiet time, pray, and be present.  Through that I realize that while I have been doing my thing over here all of these thoughts, concerns, issues, worries, and desires have been working themselves out.  I just haven't stopped to listen.  

If I want to get my kids abroad and to have an experience beyond a week of seeing the sites I have to do something drastic..right?  Right.  Sean works from home doing a job that can be done anywhere with an internet connection.  I stay at home.  We are pretty flexible.  We could go somewhere for...more than a week or two.  So how do I make that happen because I have to make it happen....it's not just going to come to us.

About a month ago I got inspired to sit down and work on my list of jewelry ideas.  This past month I have been making and then going through the trauma of photographing them and today I re-opened my Etsy store:

It would make me so happy if you would check it out by clicking here:  emitate. on Etsy  

Also, if you want to hear what else I have been inspired to do then please click here and meet:  You're Maker.

GA Moments: 808 Gordon Ave.

I don't know what happens in this building but I bet that if not now then at one time it was friggin' interesting.  Look at the font on the building.  I looks important or cool, right?  There is actually no obvious sign indicating the business going on inside.  Visible through the front window was a stack of rolled up blueprints or some paper of similar size.  Dont know.  Every time I pass this building it catches my eye.

Oh hi.

I have been working hard the past two weeks on some exciting things that I am dying to share but won't just yet. I can tell you that I have been taking pictures...lots and lots of pictures. I have been learning....Slowly....but it's real photography and not iPhone snaps!

I swear every ounce of intuition and interest in photography that existed in my parents went to my brother. He is an amazing photog. Here are the sad, small things I  have learned recently:

Lighting is important and frustrating. Underline and bold.
Something something light sensor something.  I don't know what I did to it but it worked.  If I am honest, I am not 100% light sensor is even the thing I am thinking of...I said I was learning slowly!
Modeling is not that enjoyable for me......ahh.
Reflective surfaces are pretty but DIFFICULT to photograph. I will only be using matte beads from now on.…kidding…mostly.

The good news is that once I fought back the tears that came after I calmed my rage ...something clicked and I figured it out and I learned something and I'm now feeling hopeful.   Let's hope I retain it.....any of it...

While I get my stuff together so I can tell you what's actually going on around here...here are a few pictures.

GA Moments: Brain surgery

I would like to meet the person behind this sign.  Why?  Because someone in that Neurological Institute cared.  That sign isn't just information.....there is some design in there.  

Why does a Neurological Institute need a beautiful, eye catching sign?  Was the Dr. a creative type in his/her spare time?  Is it to make me want brain surgery?  Am I thinking too much about it?  

I'm not on drugs. I'm just in love.

I had to slow my roll on re-reading the books because...inspiration struck.  Big time.  I have been making jewelry.  I wish there were more free hours in the day so I could sew and make jewelry..and do all the house projects I want to do...alas....

Jewelry is harder to photograph for this novice photographer so I have to wait for some help....probably this weekend.  I can provide a sneak peek on what has been happening and let you know what music is keeping me going.

I used to think I could do anything while the TV is on.  Something happened.  Kids happened.  It's just such a luxury to be able to focus on only one thing.  If the TV is on at night, I am a vegetable.

Instead of trying to problem solve why I wasn't doing anything creative for a long time I just forced myself to power through while watching TV but there was nothing but disappointment.  It was taking me forever to get things done.  The quality was poor.  I had to correct a lot of mistakes...I HATE SEAM RIPPING! 

I struck gold a few months ago when I heard The 1975 on the radio and wanted to hear the rest of their album.  I played that thing on repeat for....well...I still play it on repeat.  Suddenly I was pumping out quality projects and my head had the mental silence it needed to come up with new ideas.  It was amazing.  It is amazing.

This week I have been listening to:

Banks - her album just came out and....I can't stop listening to it.  My favorite song is Change.

Tove Lo - especially Not On Drugs

The 1975 -  fav songs are The City and Robbers

Do you watch TV, listen to music, or prefer silence when you work/make?

What else?

I have gotten some questions about other clothes I have made Whit and B so I thought I would do a round up.  These pictures are not modeling sessions.  (Ha!) Some are the kids doing life and some of them are posed to send to my Mom. Either way here are the things I made while on hiatus.

B wanted a valentine shirt last minute.  Very last minute.  I used one of B's white t-shirts and made red sleeves out of one of my red shirts.  I can't find the pattern at the moment to tell you where it is from.  

Kid Shorts pattern by Dana Made for Whit (obviously).   

Kid Shorts Pattern by Dana Made again...short and long versions...during a very exciting World Cup match this summer.

The Caroline Party Dress by Mouse House.  Whit loves this dress (Purple Stripes....).  I got lazy and didn't measure her before I made it so I went for a 3T and it ends up she is a 2T in this pattern.  It bugs me that it's so big.  I could wait until she grows into it but I think the dress needs a little somethin somethin anyway and will probably be taking it apart in the near future.

Best Harem Pants by Too Sweets.  These were made at the beginning of SYTYCD and Whit was Krumping a lot.  She needed something to Krump in so I whipped these up..literally.  It was a fast and easy pattern and DANG does she look tough.

Racerback Flare Dress by Cali Faye Collection.  I don't see this pattern on her site right now but everything she designs is amazing.  I want to shake her hand but she lives in Singapore.  Beautiful designs.

Another shot of the dress.  This was right after I made it and I hemmed it terribly.  My good friend Kendra loaned me her rolled hem foot and it went from too short dress/awkwardly long shirt to just dress.  Thanks Kendra!

Tuileries Dress by Sewing in No Mans Land.    I learned a lot making this dress.  I love this dress.  LOVE.  I am searching for some fabric to make another.  It fits well...the design is great....it is fully lined...AND there are pockets.  I mean....  My only issue was the tutorial assumed you were sewing at a higher level.  I had moments of frustration but I did my research and got 'er done but...don't attempt if you are a beginner.

The Anywhere Dress by Go To Patterns.  I love this picture.  Like a moody french model...or something.  Anyway.  This dress is fantastic.  There are three options for sleeve length and it has a cute bateau neck.  This is the 3/4 length sleeve.  Perfect for winter/spring in South GA!  Obviously Whit played hard at school in this dress before I took this pic.  

Distractions

I was on such a roll with sewing.  I mean...such a roll...and then...I found a book which led to an author which led to a distraction.  Such a distraction.  I'm a sucker for anything Dutch.  Anything.  I spent one week there when I was a senior in high school and I found my home.  My soul felt at home.  I needed to get back there.  I needed to get back home.  I have never felt so connected to a place.  One week and it was my home.  It was luck or God or...God but I got back there.  I was set to play softball for a team in Belgium that summer (I figured...Belgium is close enough to Holland) but at the last minute I got a call from a Dutch team and I ended up playing softball for that Dutch team for four months.  I got on a plane one week before my high school graduation....alone...and had an adventure.  I wish I hadn't been quite so scared but I did it.  I lived there for four months with two different families...one of which didn't speak any English...the other is/was a second family.  I met some lifelong friends...hi Marieke, Joost, Michael, and Ida!  I loved every person on my team and every person that was a part of my time there.  Joost and Kristel came to my wedding in Massachusetts!  Good. friends.  I miss them every day.

So.  Gayle Forman.  I found her b/c If I Stay was coming out in theaters (a week ago).  I read the book and it was...ok.  I learned that there was a second book and read it....holy crap.  Where She Went.  It HOOKED me.  I reread Where She Went immediately.  I could have read it again but I decided to try another book by Gayle Forman.  Well, if it wasn't written to hook me..I don't know what was.  I read Just One Day.  It is about an eighteen year old girl (!!) who goes on a trip to Europe (!!) and meets a Dutch guy (...!) and....well, you'll have to read it to find out.  She had me at the first mention of anything Dutch but I really loved this book and the follow up and the short and very satisfying third e-book.

So..have I been wanting to make many things on my list? Yes.  Have I been making anything?  No.  I am currently rereading Just One Day and will be rereading the two books after it as soon as I finish it.  I will be working on some stuff but I am so distracted...and homesick. Sigh.  So I will be rereading, making, and planning a trip to Europe.

First Day Dress - A-line version

Oh Oh Oh.  This pattern by MADE is so much fun to make.  There are so many options.  Swing Top, Swing Dress. A-line Top, A-line Dress.  On top of that...each of them is a blank canvas.  I sketched probably 10 versions of the A-line I could make.  10!

Here is one of them.  This one has been in my head since I first saw the pattern.

I LOVE PURPLE!

I don't have a lot of words.  It was so easy to sew.  It is fully lined.  It fits well.  I will be using the pattern for years to come!

Glass Onion Top Pt 2: Pleats and longer sleeves.

As soon as I finished this version of the Glass Onion Top by Shwin Designs I could not stop thinking about the pleated version.  All I could see in my head for days was the pleated version in a lavender linen.  Sadly, I couldn't find the color of linen I wanted at Joanns.  When I got home I decided to use a fabric I already had.   I HAD to make this shirt.

My main concern with using this cotton fabric was that it wouldn't hang the way I wanted the shirt to hang.  But when I finished it and  put it on the hanger I was surprised at how much I liked the look. The pleats looked great and the it hung well over all.

When she put it on, though.......I loved it!  It looks gorgeous on her.  The design surpassed my expectations.  The pleats and shape of the back make it so unique and beautiful.  Shwin Designs knows what's up.

I can't get enough of the back!

By the way...I am in awe of patterns with pleats on a curve.  I am sure there is an app for that or some business but I wouldn't know where to start if I had to make them up on my own.  They blow my mind. 

There are three sleeve options.  The earlier version I made was a cap sleeve.  This is the mid length sleeve.  The third option is a long sleeve.  I can't even comprehend the need for a long sleeved anything after the week of heat we had recently.  I was hesitant, even, to make the mid length sleeve!   

One more time

It's a good thing the back of this shirt is my favorite part...Whit and the camera were not getting along.  Most of the pictures were half closed eyes or her mouth was hanging open.

See you later!

Wooed by Wood

Wooed by Wood - They are just so cool.

Silver Patina

Two Tone

Redwood X Oak

Francis Raw

Reclaimed Zebrawood