The Phoenix

Have been busier than expected - the leg warmers are HOT! On Friday I sent out the last non-local Halloween order and tomorrow will begin Christmas tutus. It's been a fun fall season with several neat requests. The most unique was a Phoenix tutu.

I thought for quite awhile as to how to do this tutu.... Truthfully, I stayed up into the wee hours trying to figure out the tail. Thankfully she had sent me a few pictures of what she kind of had in mind. The tail just wasn't looking right, until I decided to flame it by cutting the strands at an angle.

She wanted the yellow to be blended down from the top, but with such a short skirt there wasn't much space to blend down. So I added shorter strips of yellow "flame" on he red to blend it at the top some. Then I decided it was too yellow, so sprinkled in some single-layer strips of red.

Left the front of the tutu with straight edges so that it didn't get too short - it was definitely a delicate balance between too short and too long with this tutu. She wanted the back to be dramatically longer than the front, but I didn't want it to be so long that the little girl would trip over it. So I took up the front some to give the back an even longer look.

A hard tutu to photograph on the hanger, even harder on the table.... But I didn't want to allow Big Brother to try it on and get it all messed up (it was his size). I'm hoping to see pictures of this little girl in her Phoenix costume.

This week it's more leg warmers and tutus, to restock my Etsy shop and prepare for my first craft fair - in 2 weeks already! Tutus on tap this week:  a peacock similar to the Phoenix, candy cane, burgandy red & hunter green.... Remember to enter my TUTU GIVEAWAY! Winner will get to choose their size and color (up to a size 5)...and I'll cover shipping as well. Just comment with what color tutu you would love to see. I will put everyone's name in a hat and draw a winner after the craft fair on November 5th.

Bring On the Baby Legs

Wearing a sweatshirt today, considering closing a window (or two) in the house, and preparing the kitchen to bake cookies (which always starts with dishes) - hoping to get to the cookie part before the kids finish napping.  Daddy-O dressed Baby Girl this morning in a long-sleeved onesie and sweat pants.  I had intentions to change her outfit after he left for work, but she's definitely needed the warm clothes today.  It's a great day for leg warmers!

I've been eyeing up knee highs in all the stores and keep reminding myself to place an order to make lots of leg warmers for the upcoming craft fair (Nov. 5th @ the MAC, free admission).  Today I was looking at material and ribbons and just about bought some, but stopped myself.  Need to match the ribbons to the socks, not the socks to the ribbon.  Still looking for some holiday socks at a reasonable price - need to keep costs low so my prices can stay low.   :D

Violet Purple Memories

I'm getting ready for my very first craft show (as a vendor)!   Nervous, yes.  Excited, yes.  It's just a small one at the local rec center and I go with a friend to register tomorrow.  In the spirit of getting ready, I've been making tutus to build an inventory.  There are so many questions to work through: how much inventory do I need?  Special prices or bundles?  How will I display everything - tables, hangers, headband & hair clip holders?  How much change should I have on hand?  Do I need credit card capabilities?  Should I accept checks?

Purple, lavender & white tutu with purple poppy headband.

Photographed Baby Girl in the newest tutu this morning.  Everytime I sat her up on the bed to get a nice sitting picture, she would flop backwards and throw her feet up.  So we moved it outside for a little bit.  Then she was interested in everything but the camera.  I love how the sun caught the crystal in the center of the flower on this one.



Purple, lavender & white tutu with purple poppy headband.

I decided to start with some purple tutus, since that has been the color request lately.  Will probably be sending this one out to our friends, Steph & Mike whose baby girl is due next month.  A great color to cut into all the pink stuff!

Was looking at this one last night and trying to decide what it reminds me of. The royal purple and lavender brings a flood of memories. The first thing that came to mind was my grandma's pansies. Alongside and in front of her tiny, "cracker box" house she grew little white lillies (the name is escaping me right now) and pansies. She would always pluck a pansie and pull off the petals reciting a rhyme about a little lady washing her feet. Truthfully, I think the little lady in the middle of the pansie looks more like a tiny lady in a white ball gown.



Baby Girl is looking for Daddy and Big Brother (who have left for school & work already), repeating "Eee dat daddy? Eee dat daddy?"   (Purple, lavender & white tutu with periwinkle polka-dot ruffle baby leg warmers.)

The next thing I thought of when contemplating this tutu was an old boyfriend's mom who used to grow tons of African Violets of various shades.  Noticed while I was home last weekend that my mother-in-law is also growing some on the window sill abover her kitchen sink.  I used to love checking out all of her velvety violets in all the different shades of violet, lavender, and white.

Purple, lavender & white tutu with marigold hair clip.

Lilacs.  Even though my grandma was allergic to them, I always associate them with her.  Thank you, Jenny for saying these are lilac colors!  And, of course, I've been admiring all the lavender stalks in bloom around town this summer....and if you happen to be lucky enough to be up in the high country of the Rocky Mountains, find yourself a Columbine flower. My husband's favorite purple association is the Colorado Rockies! Sure my son would agree. :D

Purple, lavender & white tutu with periwinkle polka-dot ruffle baby leg warmers and purple poppy headband.

The Perfect Rainbow

I was busy last night & this morning.... and these are what Baby Girl gets to wear today until the sun heats up our beautiful Colorado day. She tried to put them on her head, of course, as she does everything - especially Big Brother's (clean) undies.

These are longer than your typical baby leg warmers, as you can see on Baby Girl (tall 11 month old), even pulled up all the way, they easily reach her heels and provide some foot coverage. I expect these will fit her well into her toddler years and perhaps even preschool or beyond (if not cheek-to-heel).

Currently I only have one pair of these available for sale ($8), but will have similar leg warmers coming soon - to include polka dots.

Tutu Frosting

After a week of company & installing a new deck, I finally pulled out my sewing machine to make some upgrades to Baby Girl's birthday tutu. Actually I'm making her a whole new one with upgrades: ribbon encased elastic, making it so that it can be slipped on without tying & untying the ribbon, and.... a white glittered tulle. My table looks like fairies flew over with heavy bags of fairy dust. It reminds me of the line from "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days": "Women of New York! Frost yourselves!" Ah yes. Glittering, sparkling diamonds. My kids love bling.

Depending on how you fluff it, you can make the different colors more dominant.

Also getting started on new baby leg warmers; here come ruffles!

Baby Leg Makin'

Mailman came yesterday...and actually delivered a package to my DOOR! He even knocked and stayed there with the package until I answered. I'm impressed. But even more impressing are these funky socks. Shipping was super fast, good quality, and ....look at how funky they are!

These stripes aren't going to stay socks for long. I'm thinking chubby legs, baby butt to ankles (or over the heels as well, if you like).

Pair them with a sassy onesie, clothe diapers...my favorite is under a fluffy skirt. (Tutus are on Baby Girl's horizon!) What do you think? Should I make them plain or add some ruffles / eyelet lace on the ends?

Baby Legs Infatuation

Ordered some Baby Legs off Ebay about a month ago and they finally came! Baby Girl has never been one to keep socks on. It probably has something to do with being born late last June and no air conditioning at our house. (Those hot days aren't far away - as I await the forecasted snow to come and go.) So I pull her Baby Legs down onto her feet. Doing this also helps socks stay on when I do put them on her.

I'm so infatuated with the cuteness of Baby Legs, that I ordered a bunch to sell ($5 / pair) - and they came in the mail this week too. Not pictured here: pink w/ flowers & a ruffle, navy w/ teal stars, navy w/ cars, rainbow "I <3 Mom". Tonight I ordered supplies to make some funky ones.

My house is full of half-finished projects, like any true crafter's.