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...

The Official Announcement!

It's time for Summer Sewing Classes! We're going to make pajama pants from our childhood bedsheets. you did save those didn't you? The Little Mermaid Sheets? Then we're going to make ruffled mini-skirts from our old blue jeans. Then circle skits and finally...necktie skirts of course! We'll have loads of fun too! Please e-mail me at kluless7@cox.net and I send you more info. Thanks for your interest in my classes. Oh, of course they're free!

Summer! ...and why it's nice to have a model

Suddenly it's summer in Arizona. We've had "3-digit" temperatures for about the past week. It's definitely time for some flippy minis!

I've been serging along on these circle skirts in preparation for a "Designer Showcase" at Here on the Corner on June 3rd. I'm trying different shapes, lengths and fabric combinations trying to arrive at the ideal design. So when Ryan arrived and tried a couple on I was grateful for her opinion. I was apologizing for the skirt above because it has vertical stripes on the waistband. Most of the skirts have horizontal stripes on the waistband and vertical stripes on the skirt. Well, Ryan told me that she PREFERS the vertical stripes on the waistband.

So, it looks like I'll be doing more this way!

I'm adding fruit wedge pins made from felt. Cute, eh?

Striped Circle Skirt with Felt Fruity

Knit Striped Skirt with Felt Fruity 

Melissa's Gypsy Skirt 

Melissa Makes A Gypsy Skirt

Jessica's cousin Melissa is visiting Arizona after a fun-filled freshman year at Loyola University Chicago. I met her at Jessica's graduation/birthday party and of course, had to invite her over to sew. Here is her gypsy skirt - doesn't she look happy?

A Vintage Berry Basket Filled With Necktie Strawberries. How Cute Is This? 

I've Been Busy!

More strawberries! I've done about 12 pins and six lariat-style necklaces. I have to stop now because I'm out of the cord.....

Strawberry Necklace 

Necktie Strawberries!

Yes, it's true.... Necktie Strawberries. I promise I put away the ties, but a bag of scrap pieces was still in view..... I bought the silk-covered cord in Los Angeles. I was thinking "cherries," but the strawberries worked out much better. What do you think? I've done pins and necklaces - more photos to come!

Necktie Strawberries! 

Jessica Makes a Gypsy Skirt

Well.... to be honest - this isn't exactly the skirt that Jessica made. Hers WAS pink though - but she took it home before I got a photo of it. She modeled this one for me earlier. It's ALMOST the same, I promise! Meanwhile Jessica graduates from high school on Saturday - Congratulations, Jess!

Jessica's Summer Gypsy Ribbon Skirt

Danielle's Jeans 

There's a cannibal on her pants..... 

There's a Cannibal on Danielle's Jeans....

My friend, Danielle, came over last week to patch a hole in her jeans. We got a little carried away...

.....and a mermaid in back! 

Something New!

Okay I finished this Gypsy Collage Messenger Bag today.... I think I'll get back to the skirts now.

Gypsy Collage Messenger Bag 

Back of the Gypsy Messenger 

Prom night! 

Prom Night!

Saturday night was Prom night at Dan's school. Next Saturday will be Prom night at Ryan's school. Hmmm... will she have a different dress? Will Dan have a different tux? Will Dan get a haircut before then? Stay tuned....

It's A Problem

Yes, I am once again obsessed. This time it's not with necktie projects. It's the gypsy ribbon skirts. I've made a total of 54 of them. Yesterday I made six. SIX! Six in one day! I didn't exactly make them from scratch because some of them were already started... but still... That's a little obsessive.

I really love making them. Each one is different. It's so fun to match up the fabrics and the ribbons. Kaitlin and I went to the mall on Wednesday night and she was wearing one and it looked so great!

I have them in five stores now. When I dropped them off at The Lilypad a customer walked in and bought one on the spot. It was the Sistine Chapel print. She didn't even try it on. They weren't even hung up yet, just in a big heap on the desk. My mom and Jackie were with me in the store and witnessed this. I was like, "See Mom, I TOLD you I was a fashion designer!"

How to Make a Striped Skirt

Jenna models a gypsy skirt. 

It's Scarfle Season!

Yes it is May and this means the official beginning of Scarfle Season. What is a scarfle? A scarfle is a skirt, top or dress made from vintage or new scarves. Here is a photo of Brooke and Ryan in their scarfles! Aren't they cute?

Scarfle Season!