I love seeing my projects "in action"

As I mentioned in my last post, I really feel good when I know that people like my work and when I can see pictures of my projects with the people for whom they were made.

Here are some pics that I took of a Christening Gown project I made for my dear friend Linda's Grandprincess - Ashley.

Now, here are pictures of Ashley in the gown. The lovely lady with Ashley is her Mom and Linda's daughter, Amy.

See the difference? Something that was flat and one dimensional seems to spring to life when Ashley wears it!

In this picture, she seems to know that she is posing...

Here, it looks as if she is pointing out the detailing in the hem!

Wedding Dress Transition

Brandi's friend Jenny's sister, Ashley, got married last July. Their Mom, Lynn wanted to have a "throw" made out of the wedding dress. This is where I enter the picture. A new world of sewing for me to enter. Hmmm... where do I begin? Of course - my trusty computer. Although there were no "how to" tutorials online, I did find examples of completed projects and a few other ideas, throw pillows, a teddy bear. Ashley is having a baby girl in July, so I come up with the idea

of a bonnet all on my own.

Yikes! The moment of truth. Can I really take a scissors to this beautiful gown? Is Lynn really sure she wants me to do this??? Yes, she says. "Cut away."

I still need to stare at the dress for a while, to figure out how I want to accomplish my goal, or to stall, as it turned out. I couldn't really decide until I had the dress in pieces.

Once I removed the beautifully beaded lace, separated the netting, the satin, the lining and opened the seams. I was feeling more confident. Although the label said that the dress was not washable or dry cleanable, now that it was in pieces, I figured it would be all right. I threw the lining in the washer and washed the satin and lace by hand. Then it was time to do more staring... I guess that's my modus operandus. Well, things came together in time for Ashley's baby shower - except for the throw...which I will have done in time for Jenny to bring to her sister in August. Silly me thought that the work would go faster until I realized that my sewing machine did not like to sew over pearls and beads...duh! It's a good thing that I like to do hand work.

For me, there is nothing more fulfilling than to see a satisfied customer. When Jenny came in and loved my creations, it made me feel terrific. When I heard that Lynn loved everything and couldn't wait until the shower to give the pillows to Ashley, I really felt good. Seeing the pictures of Ashley opening the gifts filled me with pride. I'm looking forward to getting a picture of baby Sofia in her bonnet.

We are having a lot of construction work done to the house, including a space for a sewing studio for me. Hooray! Right now, my sewing work is spread all over the first floor. I'd be sewing away with construction workers walking through. They usually didn't say much - but did express their amazement at the bear. It gave me a chuckle to realize that they were watching my progress.

In the Beginning...

Brandi helped me create a blog!

I certainly enjoy her blog and look forward to this outlet to share stories of my business, which is probably now in its "toddler" stage and an outlet for what my husband has lovingly refers to as my "useless" talents.

I used to believe that if I could do something - anybody and everybody could and would want to do it, too. It's taken me a good part of my life to realize that I may have skills that not everyone has - or at least like to do things that not everyone likes to do.

Brandi, my daughter and best buddy, is my biggest cheerleader and supports me in every way possible. She is the reason that I've had the courage to do this - and the reason that I have most of my business. How many people with brand new businesses have the good fortune to have a personal advertising agent? She promotes me by the very best advertising - telling people about me...and has also set up my website and blog... She always has new ideas for ways to "get the word out." She has also encouraged me when I've doubted myself...over and over. This has helped me to keep going.

My biggest joy in my work is seeing clients happy with what I've done for them. Their smiles and kind comments are a tremendous ego booster.

My plan for this blog is to share stories of my projects and the many journeys on which my sewing takes me. Stay tuned...