Speaking of improvements...

I have a dress form that someone gave me that was, ummmm, less than attractive. But it was free, and it served its purpose as long as I covered it in a sheet or put clothing on it.


As you can see, it was stained and didn't provide a very smooth surface when fitting clothes.

So, I decided to cover it! Let's just say I am glad I am not a tailor designing clothes with only a dress form and no pattern! First I put in a zipper to make it easier to get on, then pinned the two rectangles around the form, complete with darts and princess seams for a better fit...

And the finished product is much more eye-appealing!


Would love to put some patterned fabric over this, something like pictured below (I would probably do a black and white damask), but we shall see what I have time for...

Busy, busy, busy

THIS

is what a craft-room-and-office-used-for-small-biz space should look like!

THIS

is why I haven't been blogging lately.

THIS

makes me happy every time I look over.

Yes, this is my "new" craft room. Organized. Clean. Everything has a spot. I can function here. I am energized here. I am inspired here. Most importantly, I am productive here!
Things to note:
The corner wall cabinet placed in the corner of my work surface. A place to stash all of those things that previously were all over the counter, behind the sewing machine in the way, etc.
The new, custom-designed closet. With room to grow and a work space! I can take photos of inventory here, fill out order forms, FIND THINGS! Who knew! Previously, my storage was a mish-mash of what we had on hand and what I could make work. Now it is exactly as I want it, with each basket holding a different type of craft or project. Still have some things I want to do to label the exterior of the crates, but that will be a winter project.
The fabric cabinet...a gun cabinet made for my grandfather, used as fabric storage by my grandmother (whose stash outgrew it, so I may need to upgrade someday!), then the base was used as our TV stand, and right before I was going to post it on craiglist...Ah-ha!!! The light bulb went on, and now I can be inspired by looking over to see what fabrics I have available without digging through a pile! I am stretching myself by having to fold and put away each piece when I use it, but the organization is well worth it!

More to come, but wanted you to know why I have been MIA for many weeks.

May your week be as fresh and inspiring!

New crib set!

Lots has been going on here. I have been sewing my little heart out for a PURSE PARTY for one of my college roommates when we head to Branson this week. I haven't seen her for almost 3 years, and am so excited to see her, meet her little HG, and show off some of the fab new bags I have been working on! PICTURES TO FOLLOW SOON

In the meantime, here are some pictures of a crib set I made for a long-time friend (and oddly enough, my roommate along with the aforementioned purse party hostess). Enjoy!








Okay, I apologize...not sure how to turn those pictures right side up! aaaggghhh! You get the idea...bumpers and skirt, several pillows complete with beaded trim, personalized quilt, and sheers with beaded trim valance. Thanks, M, for letting me make this for your sweet little girl!

Ahhh, the memories...

...it is the week of the county fair, and everyone is on edge. Sewing projects aren't finished, the cooking projects haven't been decided on, the steers need to get adjusted to the show halters...

The Riley County Fair starts this week. And why, you may ask, does MandiMoo care about that?

Because I have been TEACHING SEWING LESSONS! Yes, for the past six weeks, I have had the pleasure of spending 1.5 hours each week with two lovely young ladies who are learning to sew. We started with reusable snack bags, made beach towel totes, and today finished pajama pants--just in time to be entered into the county fair this Thursday!

And I am a nervous wreck. All of those feelings of preparing for the county fair came flooding back as I was helping them prep for talking with the judge. I hope the best for these two sweet, eager, inquisitive, fun girls!

Thanks, A & M, for letting me help you with your first fair sewing projects. Good luck on Thursday!

Another gift I wanted to keep for myself...bed sheets!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a "marriage shower"? You know, like a bridal or baby shower, but after you have been married for awhile?

I would definitely go for one, and if so, this is what I would want to receive.

Dark chocolate brown, 100% egyptian cotton sheets, embroidered with
1 Corinthians 13:4-8.












These were actually a wedding gift that I made for a friend, but I can dream that they are mine! (DISCLAIMER: The top sheet was put on this bed for the sole purpose of taking photographs...is that weird? It was folded just under the comforter so it hardly touched this bed. Didn't want anyone to think I give used wedding gifts!) So I had a little fun with our wedding rings and these sheets for some pics...can I tell you that rings are VERY hard to photograph?

Coupon tote!

As many of you know, in my spare time I like to COUPON. And for those of you who really know me, I have tried to talk you into becoming a couponer, too!

My sister has started couponing, and for her birthday I wanted to make her a coupon tote. Not just any tote, but an AWESOME coupon tote.

If it didn't have her name on it, I definitely would have kept it for myself.

It is a tote...

...open up the velcro side flaps...

...and you open it up to coupon pages! Coupon pages sewn with heavyweight sheet protectors and some cardstock

Pockets for scissors, calculator, elastic loops for pens...she is all set!

And best of all, it coordinates with her custom diaper bag. Not only is she a savvy shopper now, she is a fashionable shopper, too!

Camp chairs

I was asked to embroider on camp chairs for mother's and father's day gifts...and now I want to make one for everyone that I know!