Simplicity Catalog Page Summer 2012

Simplicity Catalog Page Summer 2012
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

The release date I got from Simplicity for my newest sewing pattern with them was March 23rd. I need to run by JoAnn's today and see if the new catalogs are in. Their models are cute as can be. I am really excited to have this dress and skirt in the catalog. Simplicity pattern 1821 for girls size 3-8.

Customer Success Show-Off Time

Ellen sent me this lovely photo of the duffle she made from my sewing pattern, and I wanted to show it off here for several reasons. First, I have not made any in tiny prints and I wanted to show you how darling that can be. Also to let you know it is perfectly fine to use whatever batting you like for these. When you use the thinner batting, it does not stand up on its own empty, but it will when you fill it up. I think it makes storing the bag easier too. The other thing is the straps. Notice she didn't use jute webbing. I thought maybe she had found a 4" wide twill tape, but it is actually 2 side by side pieces of 2" twill tape. She butted them against one another and zigzagged them together.  I like to dry clean my duffles because I like the jute handles.  For those of you wanting a washable duffle, I recommend using this 2" wide twill tape - prewashed of course. I would buy 8-9 yards of it to make sure I had enough after shrinking. Ellen just started a blog too, here she is, the crafty geek.

Another customer show-off that turned up in my Etsy feedback as an appreciation photo (I love those) for my luggage tags pattern. Here is what she said:

Thank you! This pattern is great; actually I liked it so much I incorporated the tags into my wedding invitations. Highly recommend this pattern!

I thought it was very clever how she made the paper long enough to easily pull out of the tag. Lovely photo too.

Anna Maria Horner

Anna Maria Horner, me, and Carrie Jarvis, owner of The Top Stitch. Last Friday, I had the very special opportunity to meet and hear from Anna Maria Horner. She is a lovely person, an artist, and a fabric designer. A few things I have made with her fabrics:

Listening to Anna Maria talk about her career path was encouraging for me. She still does pretty much everything herself. She does not have the staff I imagined. She does have one full time assistant. So now when I dream of being more productive, I can envision starting with just one person. Makes the dream much closer. She does the computer part of her design work on Gimp. (I am so glad someone asked her the question.) I have been reluctant to spend the money on Photoshop, but now I have a free alternative with Gimp. I have only just started playing with it, but it seems a lot like photoshop. If it is powerful enough for Anna Maria Horner, I know it can do everything I need too. It was such a treat to meet one of my design heros. Her upcoming book is going to be amazing. Here is Anna Maria's blog.

Sweater to Shrug

It was a boring cashmere sweater. I have a lot of boring sweaters. I will wear it more as a shrug. I left the sleeves long and wear them rolled up in the photos. I like that I can wear them up or down if it gets chilly. I hope this post encourages you to dig out a neglected thing from your own closet and turn it into something you will wear.  More photos on my Facebook cover page.