New Upgraded Work Room {Whoot Whoot}

On August 21st 2011 I blogged about my sewing room ( link here) and the plans for it. We had just moved to Pennsylvania  from California 4 months before and were still getting settled in but I knew this room needed a serious makeover.

 Yikes look at that paint job!

After finding the perfect color of aqua the redesign began and the outcome was fabulous!! I could have not been more excited about my new work room space and how it was all coming together. 

Then in another post came the shelves, a little corner office work area and I even duct taped my daughter to make a custom dress form...lol (link here)

I really loved my new improved beautiful room with a door that I could close to keep the rif raf out while I worked. For the past {almost} three years it has served me well but the past few months it has felt very cramped and suffocating. My business is growing and I need to grow with it. So what to do? 

One day I was talking to hubby about possibly switching rooms with my youngest daughter M. She caught wind of it and was totally on board! This was a solution that would work for many reasons. Besides me needed a bigger room, her and C really were on top of each other constantly and the bickering was getting out of control. So moving M downstairs and letting C have full run of the upstairs was an idea we could not pass up.

While I was sad to leave my custom painted room, I was so excited about the extra space. I had been down sick for a week but I wasn't going to let that stop me on moving day. I worked my butt off (which later would cause me to relapse) and got it done! 

Cutting table (Instagram)

Now my daughters room we painted purple and pink when we moved in. I first thought I would want to change the color, but I am kind of liking the soft colors. So for now I will leave it

New fabric storage

Work area

Mail and notions area

Is still have room to work with and more storage pieces and maybe some fitting art work to buy, but I am so loving this new space. It has a much more open creative flow and I feel wicked inspired. How does M like her new room?

She loves it, especially the blue carpet...lol

Sandy Tunic PDF Pattern from Lily Bird Studio {Giveaway Link}

Wow twice in the same week I am back on my blog! I said I wanted to try harder and here I am. What has kept me away from blogging like I used to is family and work of course. I have been very blessed that my business Sew Fierce Boutique had it's most successful year in 2013 and so far 2014 is already blowing last year out of the water!

On top of my business sewing work I have been lucky enough to be a regular pattern tester for the fabulous Lily Bird Studio. I have used Lily Bird Studios's patterns for years now, well before being asked to be a tester because her designs are beautiful, sometimes a little challenging (which I love) and always so easy to assemble and follow. She goes above and beyond in her design details to create a beautiful finished look.

Lily Bird's newest pattern is the Sandy's Tunic. This tunic features a front yoke with pintuks and a wide comfortable bodice. It closes at the front with 3 buttons or snap fasteners (instructions to install the snap fasteners are included in the tutorial).

What I also love about Lily Bird's patterns is the options! This tunic has 3 sleeve options; short sleeve, elbow length sleeve and full length sleeve. The tutorial includes the instructions to make each sleeve and has 3 different hem options; straps (for the short sleeves only), regular hem and elastic cuff.

Here is the one I made. Unfortunately it was still in the 20's with lots of snow on the ground so outside pictures were not an option but I love the way it turned out and love the look of the pintuks. I have done pintuks before but if you haven't this is a great pattern to learn from. Very easy to understand step by step instructions. It wasn't this easy when I first taught myself to do them that is for sure..lol

Right now Lily Bird Studio is having a GIVEAWAY for this just released pattern! If you stop by their BLOG you will find more fun pictures of testers creations and the giveaway Rafflecopter. However if you wish to just purchase the pattern there is a special going on! The price for the tunic is already at a low price of $5.00 but if you buy the Sandy Tunic and another fabulous pattern (or more) you will get 20% off at checkout! Just head over to Lily Bird Studios website, pick your patterns and use Code "PFB20OFF".

I just finished testing another beautiful pattern for Lily Bird Studio, the Laura Dress. I am so in love with this design and I can't wait to share that on my next post! Stay tuned friends.

Links to the other Lily bird Patterns I have blogged about...

* Sewing Dresses For The Winter

* Picture Day Outfit 

* Ben & Mia Pants

* The Amanda Dress 

New Betsy's Dress {Sew Fierce Boutique}

A few weeks ago Sew Fierce Boutique launched a new fabulous dress style! The Betsy's Dress is jsut romantic and dreamy.

Betsy's Dress Size 8

With lace trimmed bell sleeves and some dresses have a lace trimmed pocket. The dresses that do not have the pocket is because I just loved the fabric print so much, I couldn't find a matching fabric that wouldn't take away from the main print.

Size 2T/3T

Size 8

Size 6

Size 6

Stop  by our Etsy shop and check out the new dresses and don't forget out our Facebook page! Our Facebook page is where you will find the new items before they are available for sale, surprise giveaway and more!

My Busy Start To Summer {sewing}

Gracie Cross Dress Pattern

This is why my blogging posts have been very few and far between since summer started...I have been sewing! It feels good to get my sewing mojo back, it has been awhile. My latest works come by way of SweetKid3's patterns. Sweetkid3 contacted me a few weeks back about working together. They found my Etsy store and really liked my use of fabrics and my photography. They proposed their patterns in exchange for modeled pictures....ummm, heck yes!

This dress is for sale in my shop, Shirred Peasant Dress Size 3T/4T

Hetty Peasant Top/Dress Pattern

So these are the first three patterns I choose and I LOVE them! Such cute patterns for sweet little girls! After all the photos were released to them, we decided to keep our new partnership and I choose another 3 patterns that I will start working on next week...can't wait!

Savannah One Should Dress Pattern

Also keeping us busy is M was booked by Beautiful Butterfly Boutique to model 10 different Princess Clippies! It took us a while to shoot, but they all turned out awesome and BBB is very happy, yay! As soon as I get the go ahead from the boutique, I will share all those with you :)

Lily Bird Studio - Amanda Dress Pattern & Discount

So excited about this pattern from Lily Bird Studio, the Amanda Dress. I once again was honored to be a tester for this brand new pattern. You may remember the awesome Ben & Mia Pants I tested last winter, my favorite pant pattern ever!

 

This week I worked on this gorgeous dress. Like a lot of Lily Bird's pattern, the thought she puts into the detail work of her patterns is amazing. This dress has a fully lined bodice front and back, pleated sleeves, a flowing round skirt and tulle pettiskirt for that full 50's style look that I just adore!

The back is finished with 6 buttons and a rap around sash that comes together in the back with a larger button. Very stylish! The matching bias detail around the sleeves and sash are nothing less that what I expect from Lily Bird Studio's.

This is the perfect pattern for my bean pole of a girl. It gives are a beautiful yet youthful silhouette. The pattern I believe is for the advanced sewer due to the construction and detail work. I love this pattern and will definitely be making one for M next!

If you would like to purchase your own pattern from Lily Bird Studio for this dress use the coupon code "APFOB15" and get 15% off. Her prices are already so fabulous but how can you pass up a discount!!

Sewing, Modeling, Sewing, Photography

Custom ordered romper with snap closure

Our past week and a half has been so full. Between school, T Ball practice, finishing custom orders and photography shoots, I actually feel great! I finally feel like I am in a good groove and I love it.

Last week I finished an adorable romper for the most adorable little girl. She will soon be turning 2 but her mom wanted it larger so she can wear it longer. Since M is so petite I knew she could model it perfectly for the confirmation picture..lol

After I mailed off the romper I finished this beautiful dress for a blogging buddy Keeley of the Keeley McGuire Blog. I can not wait to see how it looks on her beauty. If you do not know Keeley check her out. She is an awesome bento mama and such a doll!!

After all that my girls had some work modeling hair accessories. Stephanie of No Bows Boutique sent the girls some awesome stuff! No Bows Boutique is a new up and coming Etsy shop and Facebook Page. I just LOVE the name of her shop because well.... she doesn't make bows...lol What she does make is uber cute flower clips and fabric covered button pony holders.

In the middle of all this, I booked and shot my first model/actress. The pictures turned out stunning if I do say so myself. Those will be in my next post, but for now I just wanted to check in, say hello and let you know I am still around...just busy ;)

Kids + Sewing + Photography = Exhausted!

The past week I have felt over ran and stretched thin. Not sure why I just feel like I have all these balls in the air and they keep landing on my head. So I decided to take a brake and lock myself away in my sewing room for the weekend.

When I emerged from my room I had these wonderful dresses that I am so tickled with! I feel myself lighter, less stressed and once again my mind is clear. All these ideas are flowing through my brain and I think I have found my sewing mojo again, yay!

And if it couldn't get better I had deliveries! My first backdrop, a speed flash and more! It's like Christmas again. M and I had fun using the backdrop for pictures of the dresses I made.

So here I am rejuvenated again and feeling wonderful, busy, but wonderful. Keep you eyes peeled for the three above dresses...they will be listed for sale soon in my shop Sew Fierce Boutique! 

Picture Day Outfit {sewing}

Last Friday was picture day for M's PreK class. I always try and dress the girls in something bright and patterned so they pop against the normal grey, blue or black school backgrounds.

This outfit I actually started about 3 months ago, yep that is about how long it has been since I touched my machines. However I never finished this outfit. So while thinking of what to dress her in, I remembered this and decided to finish it. I am in LOVE!

The tunic style top is a pattern  from Sis Boom called "Emily Bell sleeve" and the pants are the same ones I made back in Oct  from Lily Bird Studio called "Ben & Mia".

I already love the pants as you know, but am so excited about how beautiful the top turned out and will be making more for my girls this summer. I love sewing for my girls.

Lemon Meringue Costume {Sewing}

M had her school Halloween party yesterday. Her classmates where so adorable all dressed up, running around, playing and of course getting their sugar high on. Thanks for all the guess on my Handmade Costume Sneak Peak post, you guys were right on!

Say hello to Lemon Meringue from the Strawberry Shortcake Gang. A very fitting character for my blondie. She can be a little tart when she doesn't get her way, but add a spoonful of sugar and you can't resist her.

Originally I was going to sew her a peasant dress (more like the classic character) but when I found the Diore Twirl Dress pattern I feel in love! The only changes I made was to shorten the top skirt and add a bit of white tulle between the top and bottom skirts to add some volume. Also I misplaced my button hole foot, so after tearing apart my sewing room for an hour, I decided on faux buttons and used snaps to connect the straps to the drop bodice. And because M is so stinkin petite, I had to add darts to both sides of the drop bodice to bring it in a bit.

I embroidered a lemon on the front that I found from Big Dream Embroidery on Etsy that matched perfectly with the "juicy" fabric I did for the main parts of her dress. This costume is topped off with a Newsboy Hat that I embellished with yoyo's and buttons. I love this hat, totally want to make one for myself..lol Her hair is braided and finished with Kanzashi flowers I made the night before the party.

And for her candy bag I went to our local Spirit store and bought the bag that goes with the costume they sell in the store.