Sam, Anya, Meghan, Katya and Nicole - all in their freshly made rainbow circle skirts. Do you think we had fun? 

A Busy Day

Samantha, Meghan, Anya, Katya and Nicole all showed up for today's sewing class! We made rainbow circle skirts. They turned out great and we finished early...which was a good thing because James, Ryan and Matt also showed up to make pajama pants from bedsheets! It was a long and busy day for me but we had a lot of fun. What do you think?

James, Ryan and Matt arrived this morning prepared with Krispy Kremes and some of Matt's old bedsheets.... 

Here are the boys cutting out the first pair of pj's... 

Here are the completed pants...shocking, I know... 

Oh yes, these boys are looking fine... 

Please Vote For Ruby - Thanks!

I completed another Craftster Challenge. It's a Chanel-type suit made from a vintage bedspread. You just have to see it to believe it. I like these challenges. They stretch me as a designer. Anyway, I would appreciate your vote - not that I expect to win....I just don't want to be embarrassed!

Thanks!

Inspired by this overall jumper worn by Brittany Murphy in "Uptown Girls..." 

...I made this! 

Happy Summer!

I finished this adorable summery messenger bag yesterday. It's made from a piece of vintage patchwork. Enjoy!

The front of the messenger bag... 

The back of the bag... 

Check out this bizarre patch of vintage fabric - Looks like a jellyfish with Asian writing.... 

Thursday's Class is Canceled.

I had the sad news today that the mother of a dear friend has died and her funeral is Thursday at 10:30. I have decided to cancel our class - sorry. I believe it is very important to support this friend in her time of loss. Thanks for understanding.

Classes will resume NEXT Thursday, June 30th with the Circle Skirts. We'll catch up with the Blue Jean pleated mini skirts at the end of the class series in July.

Finish-it Friday!

Yesterday was "Finish-it Friday." I decided to just sit and sew and finish what I could. No starting anything new on Finish-it Friday.

First I hemmed a yellow mini skirt, then I serged up the back seam of a ruffled lace mini... so far so good... Then I finished a black lace dress that I had been feeling guilty about because the fabric was kind of expensive and had been sitting around for quite a while. I was stuck because I didn't want to waste any of the fabric and I bought more than enough for one project, but not quite enough for two... So I only made one - better than none, right?

Then I finished four gypsy skirts. YAY! Maybe every Friday should be Finish-it Friday.

Bonnie, Katya, Anya and Jodi... Ummmm I think I requested a "Vogue" pose for this shot! Dig the Shamu print on Jodi's pants. : ) 

Bonnie, Anya, Katya and Nicole...in their brand new pajama pants that they made themselves! 

Do You Think We Had Fun?

I had five girls show up for my class today! Fortunately one mom stayed too.... Thanks Ann! We made pajama pants and they turned out great.

The Excitement is Building...

Yes - This Thursday is my first sewing class of 2005. I am expecting at least four new students. Hopefully the usual suspects will also show up!

We are making pajama pants from bedsheets. Ideally the girls will bring the sheets from their childhood that their moms have been saving in the closet. In the past we've had Disney characters, Smurfette, My Little Pony, Care Bears and Dr. Suess sheets.

The girls will learn to use a pattern. They'll use the serger, insert the elastic waistband and in some cases, even do some pattern alterations. I'll definitely be posting photos...

Kaitlin and I at Passage. Do you like my pin? 

Sarah and Charles..ready for the big move... 

A Passage

Last night, Kaitlin and I went to an event at Passage. Sarah and Charles are closing the store for several weeks to renovate the building and replace the roof. Meanwhile they are opening a second location - Wash House - in Miami AZ. I can hardly wait to visit the new store! A Grand Opening Pool Party is scheduled for July 3rd...I probably won't show up in my bathing suit...

Craftster Challenge is Complete

Thank you to everyone who voted for my projects. Ruby made a strong showing with both designs finishing in the top ten! Here is an article about the challenge and the fabulous winning design. This was really fun and I'm definitely planning to take on the next Craftster Challenge!

More Big News

Kaitlin and Ryan are both in the style section of the Arizona Republic. On the opening page you will see Kaitlin's face between Kate Moss and Jessica Simpson. Click on Kaitlin for a slide show and view all of the shots from the party last Friday night.

Big News!

I have started a second blog. It's called Blogging Project Runway. Just roll your mouse over the title above and click. Or I have a link in my link list on the right. I hope you will visit and leave me some comments - thanks!

Connie and Julie at Here on the Corner 

Another Happy Customer!

Connie - on the left - is a professor at ASU and a "personal shopper" for her friend, Julie. Didn't Connie do a great job suggesting this RRR Gypsy Skirt? Doesn't Julie look great? Can you tell that we all had fun at the party?

Kaitlin is being interviewed by Megan Finnerty, a reporter from the Arizona Republic. 

Tonight at Here on the Corner...

Tonight was the Local Designer's Showcase at Here on the Corner. We had a lot of fun. Kaitlin went with her friend, Angie. Kristina came with her son, Willy... and Ryan rode with me! Kaitlin, Kristina and Ryan were all wearing my designs and they all looked fabulous! In fact, Megan Finnerty from the Arizona Republic took photos of Ryan and Kaitlin. Maybe they'll be in the paper next week.... we'll see....

Kristina and Willy, Me, Ryan and Kaitlin at Here on the Corner. Notice anything familiar hanging on the wall?

Please Vote For Ruby!

Utility cloths and fruit magnets... 

Ruffled skirt from utility cloths! 

Close-up! 

Before.... 

Shirt from yellow cleaning cloths and pin from magnet! 

The Craftster Challenge

Regular readers of my blog know that I am obsessed with Project Runway. I've recorded every episode. My husband and kids have asked me, "Mom, why don't YOU try out for Project Runway?" and I always respond "Oh I could never meet all of those challenges! A Grammy gown? A bathing suit? I could never make those things!" And it's true.

I noticed the challenge on Craftster.org to come up with a craft design from something I bought at the dollar store for less than $5.00. At first I wasn't interested....I couldn't really imagine making anything from doallr store items... then I realized, "Hey - this is kind of like Project Runway!" Those designers didn't imagine ahead of time that they would be making something from food! So - just YESTERDAY I went to the Dollar store and bought some things for the challenge! The deadline was today! I just submitted my designs.

In PR terms I don't think I will "win" this challenge - but I don't think I will be eliminated either. It was fun and I think I'm going to do the next one too. Stay tuned...