it's monday again

One of my favourite things about Mondays is spending some time in blog-land after the weekend break, catching up with my crafty friends and working out a plan of work for the week ahead. Here are my favourite finds for today:

Kelly's birds on a wire

Mixtape Zine

This most excellent post on alternatives to children's goods made in China. I've been thinking a lot about this issue lately, and Amy has some wonderful useful ideas that I'm trying to put into practice myself.

This beautiful pattern by Alison for a children's jacket.

The great collection of sewing know-how at Burdastyle.

I had a chance to sew over the weekend, and finished this little green dress. I had a great time pairing the vintage barkcloth with the plain green linen, which makes this a sturdy little pinafore/wrap dress. I had a request for an adult's version though, which adds to my suspicion that my children's clothes aren't 'children-y' enough. I always get a bit nervous about making garments for grown-ups- darts and fitting and altering scare me a bit. But I'll give it a go this week and see.

I've also had a few emails asking whether I'd write out a tutorial for a simple little dress like this. The answer is yes- i'm working on it- but my extremely limited computer skills teamed with my growing alarm about how many emails/questions/concerns I get every day regarding a bag pattern I posted a long time ago, will mean that it will be a very simple pattern- probably more like a sketch, dimensions and some guidelines. 

I also finished a new set of things for my shop, and updated it today. New shoes, wrap cardigans, and a couple of things for grown-ups. I had a really interesting time at our tiny local art shop I visited to buy some suitable paper for printing cards on my gocco. I was looking through the watercolour papers, and wondering which would be the most suitable, when the owner of the store wanted to know what i was doing and told me he'd find for me the Very Best paper he had. He carefully opened a drawer and turned back layers of tissue paper - slowly, for dramatic effect - to reveal his special Hand Cut, Italian, Watermarked Paper. He said he'd need a while to cut it to the right size for me, and he proudly rang me the next day to let me know it was ready. I remember him from visiting the shop with my Mum as a child, also later, buying supplies for projects at school. He's a character. I'm looking forward to my next trip in there for ink and paper.

 

Comments

[Allison]

Yes, but it is so nice to find children's clothes thar aren't to children-y.
I love that little wrap dress!
Your paper shop man sound lovely too.

[rachael]

that's a very sweet story about the paper man. You must be pleased with how well your shop s doing. 'm curious about where in the world those 110 sold items went to live.

You're such a wonder, Melissa with all the beautiful treasures you produce.

xx

[kimberley]

one of the things I like about your designs are that they're not children-y. have you seen the range of children's clothes at a place like farmers? It's all dull and dark for boys and pink for girls. I'd take tiny happy any day of the week, lovely.

[Alison]

Maybe one day you'll let me into the secret of how you manage to get sooooooo much done bewteen my visits to your fabulous blog!
NN2R. (No need to reply)

[Zelia]

oh... the shoes with the trees are my favourite... you always have such lovely fabric:)

[kirsten]

oh, i'm so happy you'll do a tutorial! thank you thank you in advance, melissa!

[Randi]

I am going to be looking for your tutorial! The dresses are amazing!

[carolyn]

Its a bank holiday here in England so still feels like Sunday!

[Lori]

You have been so busy Melissa!
Went and took a peek at the beautiful things at your shop. :o)

My oldest daughter Tessa and I were vendors in a art fair this past Saturday and Sunday. She now has enough of her own creations that a card table is too small for her. :o)
I am pleased with how well I did and the connection to the other artists we made.
Tessa is the queen of barter and brings home such wonderful things from doing that with other artists around our booth.
She also gets so much praise for her creativity because of the artists loving a young 16 year old following her creative desires.

your friend,
Lori

PS. she made the cutest skirt this past weekend that totally reminds me of you. green calico with tiny leaves on it and she embroidered a rain cloud and rain drops on a piece and made it the pocket....adorable!
I will see if she can put it on her blog so you can go see it!

[Tiffany]

I thought your bag tutorial was great! I'm looking forward to a dress tutorial =) Very cute shoes, by the way.

[Andrea Heinz]

A dress tutorial would be awesome. i atempted making a sweater like that but the results were not as good as yours are. so pointers would be great! Its nice that the dress can be shortened to make a sweater. looking forward to it and I love those little shoes you make.

[Celine]

I LOVE the dress, bring on the pattern!

[Taimarie]

That dress is so sweet. Your bag tutorial is great, I'm not surprised you get lots of people writing you about it (though I'm sorry the numbers have become alarming!) I look forward to the dress pattern and I promise not to bombard you with requests for sewing advice!

[Kim]

Based on how fast your gorgeous wrap cardies sell out, I'm thinking your sensibility in childwear is spot on! I would absolutely buy one for myself, if you were, say, to make one in a woman's size small (hint*hint).

Also, have you ever thought of making little skirt versions of your corduroy pants?

[kimberlee]

you must be the most productive person I know. I made 20 cards yesterday and felt like super woman and then it's all put in perspective when I check yor blog. :) he he

thanks for the great links and I encourage you to do the tutorial. I used your bag tutorial as guidline/just to wrap my head around the concept then charged out with my own version. So it was VERY helpful to me and I had no questions. :)

hope you are having a good one. :)
-kimberlee

[Kate]

I think your clothes are perfect for children! Gorgeous, dress, cardi, shoes and cards!

[VictoriaE]

I LOVE the Green Dress. Barkcloth is so wonderful isn't it! I used to find lots of barkcloth tableclothes in the opshops, not many anymore, I know noone around my parts is buying them so I'm assuming the "estates" of the old people who possessed them must be slowly running out.. Dunno, anyway, things people create from old tablecloths always inspire me. With regards to your latest post, I can honestly say that your blog is not one that feels in any way like it's written for the purpose of selling your goods - your words/pictures all feel like art to me (not advertsing), and I know what you mean about some blogs changing to be just a vehicle for sales, which is fine, but yours doesn't feel like that at all.

[Jessicah]

Oooh I though the barkcloth dress was a top for you! It would be a lovely top. I always find stretchy fabric more forgiving with a lack of darts, if you used that for the back bits, you'd only have to worry about getting one set right!

[amisha]

what a treat to get your paper and inks from such a shop. i am excited about finding shops like that here... small specialty shops staffed by interesting characters who really care about the goods they are selling.
the new cards are lovely m! and i look forward to seeing your experiments with grownup clothes. have faith in yourself my friend! i know that you will do beautiful work as always. :)
xox

[Chara Michele]

I think it is great that the children's clothes you make don't look too children-y! Such lovely handmade items by you as always! :)

[shula]

Actually, I think grown ups wanting versions they can wear themselves is a sure sign of supreme success.

Really.