Jumping off the high dive.

Wow...It has been 20 days since my last post! I thought I was getting waaaaayy better at this. Where did February go? And while your trying to figure that one out...where did the last year go? Or the last FIVE for that matter?! I'm starting to realize that it's true...time does speed up the older we get.

As March begins and yet another birthday approaches, I've started to look inward again. I'm really seeing a pattern...I really do this every year. Where was I last year at this time? What was I doing? What have I done to better myself? my craft? my life? Am I happier? stronger? I know you ask these questions too...maybe it's year round, or January 1st, or (like me) around your birthday...but I sure, or at least I hope I'm not alone. Overall, I can honestly say, I am happier...especially compared to that creative dry spell I wrote about this time last year. We moved into a new place about a year ago, Erik and I have tried new things (like outdoorsy things!), and we have some fun and exciting plans for the future. It is a fun time in our lives and I'm looking forward to the next year...my last year as a twenty-something. It has to be good, right?!

While looking back over this past year, I'm finding there is still one thing that I need to work on. It is the one hurdle that I just can't seem to muster up the courage to jump...I need to focus more energy on making this handmade business happen. It's something that I've dreamed about and chased around for years. I've sold  things through Etsy to family, friends, and a few people I don't know but I know it can be more. I know it can be something. I know I need to do this to feel complete. Yep, I mean in a Jerry McGuire "You complete me" sort of way. I need to catch up with this creative, blown up dream and grab onto it before it's out of reach.

But it's soooo intimidating.

I know there's something in your life too...that thing that you have always wanted to do, that thing you have always wanted to learn, that place you've always wanted to visit or move to, that career you've always envisioned or that non-profit you've always wanted to start. It's that thing that you know, deep deep deep in your heart, that would make your life whole, happy, complete. I'm not talking Roomba Vacuums or a healthy chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, people...I'm talking about your passion.

So now that I have you thinking about that passion of yours...are you following it? are you living it? If you are...you are my personal HERO. But I'm sure most of you are like me...you work hard during the day, you're tired at night, you have a laundry list (and laundry for that matter) of things to do in the evenings and on days off. If and when you have time to find and follow that distant dream, it feels so far away. Sometimes, so far away that you can't see it...maybe you forgot what it even looks like! It seems like a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of work to catch up to it and actually make it happen...and what if it doesn't work out? What if you fail?!

I've heard that 'C' students are most likely to become successful entrepreneurs because they are comfortable with taking risks. I always thought I was a risk taker...I take that back- I liked the idea of being a risk taker. I've tried to be that person...but eventually my stereotypical first born personality traits kick in. I need a plan, I need structure, I need to know that I will succeed, and most importantly, I need to know I will be the best...to put it plainly- I was an 'A' student. I'm pretty sure there was a moment(s) in my middle school and high school career when I cried because I got a 'B', let alone a 'C'.

I guess, busy schedules, fear of failing and fear of the unknown aside...we have to just do it. It may take some time, it may take that last little bit of energy we have left in the evenings...but we have to just make it happen even if it's scary and intimidating. It might be easier for some of us than others but as my wonderful friend Betsy told me, "You survived the high dive even though it took you 45 minutes to jump off."

And with this...I leave you with a pep talk from Kid President.

To Be Continued.....

Shopping Vintage: The Holiday Party Dress

I know I may have mentioned it before, but I am a sucker for vintage dresses. I've spent hours 'window shopping' for old dresses on Etsy and browsing through consignment stores, searching for that special, one of a kind piece to add to my closet. Don't tell Erik, but my dream would be to open a second Etsy shop full of vintage finds...but that may have to wait until we have a place with more storage...oh, and some start up money.

I can't remember when this love affair started but I have a few ideas...Maybe it was watching Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, in her HUGE ball gown, dance across the screen in The King and I...or ANY of the amazing costumes I fell in love with while watching movies from my Papa's Rogers and Hammerstein collection, for that matter. Thanks to my sister's Judy Garland phase, maybe it was the red velvet dress and sparkly head scarf Judy Garland wore to the Christmas party in Meet Me in St. Louis that sent me over the edge. And Dolly...Hello Dolly...that gold number Barbara Streisand wears while she's singing with Louis Armstrong...words cannot describe how much I love that dress.

Like most little girls, I remember really liking the idea of 'dressing up'...putting on your Sunday clothes (as Dolly would say). Not a lot has changed. I still like dressing up! Every year, I start looking for a dress to wear to Erik's annual Christmas party a couple months in advance. My one stipulation...it has to be unique. I go into this dress hunt knowing that there will be a little work...you can always find a vintage dress that is beautiful but its hard to find one that fits perfectly! I have to go in with an open mind. Its not what the dress is, but what it could be...I know that's pretty deep for dress talk, but its soooo true.


My three rules for finding that perfect vintage piece:

1) Know your measurements...all you need is a measuring tape and maybe some help from a friend (and maybe a helpful youtube video). One tip- I tend to buy dresses that fit my measurements or a little larger because you can always take it in but you can't always let it out!

2) Learn a little about clothing construction...or find a friend (this is an open invite people!! I'm here!)

3) Be creative!!! As long as the fabric is in good condition...go for it. I'm still teaching myself how to alter clothing, so if you are more experienced, the sky is the limit!


And this brings me to my dress of the season...I found the perfect dress a couple of years ago but due to  a bad cold, we skipped out on the party that year. It was a $40 find from a shop on Etsy and it hung on a hanger in my closet for two years. Everytime I opened my closet door, there it was...begging me to wear it. With a few alterations, this dress became one of my favorites!

Here's my 2012 Holiday Party Project...I mean dress :)

The bright aqua and silver brocade fabric is what drew me in...every girl needs that statement sparkly dress, right?

A bit boxy, but, man....that fabric!

A little big and a little too long...I have a short person complex thanks to my younger (but taller) sisters.

I took the dress in 2" on each side and took the hem up about 3.5"...I know, soooo scandalous.

AND.....The After

Paired with black tights, black wedges, a bun and bright red lips!

 

 And a couple model pics for good measure but mostly to make Erik laugh...

And my date for the night, doing his best James Bond impression! :)

Lots of food, drink, and conversation (oh, and my hot date!) made for a great night out. Like I said before, I'm still learning this alteration stuff so I was pretty proud of myself! I received a couple nice compliments but my favorite reaction was when a lady told me (after she'd had a few cocktails) that she like how "it looked like it was from the future but also kinda from the 60's".  Hmmmm...how do I top THAT next year?

Photo Friday: Yep, you guessed it...the Scarf

Enjoy my first ever 'Photo Friday' with my latest labors of love...

Next in line!!!

Five down and at least three more in line! I'll be posting them to my shop over the next few weeks so check them out there as well. 

I might take a little break from the loom this weekend...so maybe there will be some scenic, outdoorsy photos to share next Friday! 

My Craft Corner Evolution (part deux)

We have now been in our new place for exactly 6 months and I FINALLY have my new little craft corner up and running. I've been busy for the past few weeks weaving my evenings away to fill up the good 'ol Savannah's Sunshine Shop for the holidays. I know what you're thinking...it's only the beginning of September!!! In the world of handmade goods, I'm learning that September might be a little late to start stock piling my Etsy shop for those Christmas shoppers. I sat down a few weeks ago and mapped out a plan for the next couple months (and years...but that's a long story for another day!!) and I'm determined to be ready this year.

The first thing on to do list...set up shop!

The all important list of goals and some color inspiration...pretty pictures are a must have in this corner!

This is a warping board but when I'm not using it to measure out yarn, it displays
the scarves and rugs that are next in line

My big orange bucket of supplies and books

And here it is....my little corner...where the magic happens.

 Number two on the to do list...start weaving!!! Check back soon to see some in progress photos!

A Fresh Start

The goods news is, I can feel the craftiness coming back! I haven't started any new projects yet but I will soon. To make sure I'm ready when the creativity starts flowing, I decided to organize my fabric and supplies. We moved into our new apartment at the end of February and I called 'dibs' on part of the front closet.

I sorted my fabrics into 'printed' and 'woven'. The woven fabrics are in a big bin (just waiting to be made into new pillows!) and the prints are organized by color and stacked on the upper shelves. If you can believe it, I went through my fabric before our move and took four to five bags back to our showroom to be donated. What I still have is the fabric I just couldn't live without...

And here is one more photo. This shows MY side of the closet...poor Erik!

Hopefully, this fresh start will inspire me to get back to weaving, sewing, and crafting. In the meantime, stay tuned! I have some fun photos from my amazing weekend in LA with my wonderful friend/bride-to-be, Tina and her awesome friend/maid of honor Anastasia.

 My sis-in-law, Julie, is in town this weekend and then next week Erik and I are finally going to have a weekend get-away to Vancouver, B.C. Many adventures and posts to come! :)

Most Requested Color at the Sunshine Shop?

Green!

Whether its part of a color combo or all by its lonesome, green has been the #1 requested color at the good ol' Savannah Sunshine Shop. I hadn't noticed the trend until just recently. From rugs to scarves to pillows...green has popped up over and over again. Why green though? I'm still trying to figure this one out.

I work in a place filled with the latest, greatest, trendiest colors...I'm over saturated with the colors that are popular and those that are sooo in right now. I've seen the blue and brown combo (a million times), the 'spaqua' (spa + aqua = spaqua), the gray and yellow, the purples, and now the bright orange (or as the Pantone crowd calls it, 'Tangerine Tango'). I know my situation is a little unusual because I'm around these all day, everyday. Color trends, though, are splashed all over magazine covers, in ads, in every clothing store out there. When it comes to color, there are sooooooooo many options....so why green?

Here are a few examples:

My first special request I ever took through my Etsy shop was for a set of braided oval rugs for a nursery. Her colors were blue and green. Soft, sweet, blues and greens...

A little while later, an old friend ordered three 'treasure boxes' for her nieces. One of which (you guessed it!) was a fun, playful green, complete with a fabric flower...

The next custom order was for my Aunt Lorinda. She wanted three scarves, one for each of her daughters (my cousins) for Christmas. We discussed color palettes for each girl, one of which, we decided, would have a Spring color combo. Light greens, light pinks, and cream...

Last fall, I was talking to my sister-in-law, Julie, when she asked me to make a few pillows for her. She said she would order them from me but I decided (without telling her) that they would be perfect Christmas gifts instead. Her apartment was decorated with bright fun greens, with black and white. She described such a fresh, clean color palette. She completed the look with her green plants and black outdoor furniture (but perfect indoors too!)...

You might remember these from my homemade Christmas post!

Just days (maybe even hours?) after posting about my homemade Christmas gifts, I had a message from my Aunt Terry. She saw the pillows I made for my sis-n-law, Julie, and said she had to have a set for herself!

So why green? 


In a world where everything moves extremely fast and is always changing, everything and everyone are connected, and so many colors, patterns, fabrics, aps, ads, you name it, are thrown in front of us...maybe we tend to fall back on what we know. Maybe we find comfort in the soft greens of Spring and the green of the grass we used to play and run around in on warm summer days. You remember those days, right?! I'm having flashbacks of chasing fireflies with my sisters. If we were lucky, we caught them. We held them tightly in our little hands, only releasing our grasp enough to peek in and watch their backsides glow that bright yellow-green.

The color green represents growth, nature, the outdoors...life. Why green? Why NOT green...

I think I may have talked myself into a new favorite color. :)

the new kid

I never really thought I would be a blogger. Actually, until recently, I was overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated about this whole blog thing. I don't know which blogs are cool, which blogs everyone and their mom follows, which have the best fashion advise, or which blogs have the best recipes or best 'day in the life of..' stories. Is there some kind of manual or visitor's guide? I'm laughing as I type this...I'm probably one of the few people under the age of 30 who doesn't religiously follow any blogs, let alone have one of my own...at least until now!

An even bigger issue is finding something that inspires me to write. With so many people speaking their mind, giving free advice, and offering personal opinions, I'm having a hard time finding my own voice. Do I write about what's soooo hot right now and try to attract as many readers as possible? Or do I follow my instinct and simply post what I find interesting and hope someone out there feels the same way? Having my Etsy shop and working in the design industry has added a little more pressure. I see so many other Etsians, artists, and designers blog about trends, color, interior design, their inspirations, etc. I want a turn to share but I've hesitated because I'm not one to share my life story with just anyone.

I guess one day it hit me...why am I making this whole blog thing out to be such a huge deal? Who cares if I follow the hottest new blog? I don't care as long as I'm enjoying what I'm reading. I get to follow the blogs I like, which includes my friends and family members, and I get to just pass over the blogs I don't like. I know, so simple, right? Sometimes it takes me a little time to see the simple things in life. If you can't tell, I tend to think too much but that's a story for another day.

As for the content of my blog? Who cares if I write about something that is soooo last season? And who cares if I make a typo or grammatical error? I know you guys are out there and I'm letting you know now...it is not the end of the world if I accidentally use 'your' instead of 'you're'. I'm going to write about what I love. I'm not going to worry what others think. I hope to include everything from design, fashion, textiles to my own craft projects, and maybe even a 'what were they thinking?!' design flop post now and then.

Stay tuned...