New Today- 4.30.12

Around the house today you will find a teeny fragrant rose and 2 new fabrics for some lace tops in the shop.

Today John went out to the PO for me. I have been quite the busy lady, so him doing that saved me such a headache. On his way back he picked a rose for me off of the neighbors bush that hangs over our fence. It's tiny and cute and smells incredible. I would say that having fresh flowers to look at is one of those simple pleasures that really boost my mood. So, I'm grateful to live in a place where wild flowers and neighbors neglected bushes are so abundant.

While I was walking to the grocery, I hoped into the fabric store to check out their lace and found they had some lovely spring colors. I was able to pick up some lavender and some mint. Gorgeous for the Spring season.

This month alone, I have made over 60 items, given myself 8 eye strain induced migraines and have only taken off completely for 4 days. I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished and will be gifting myself (and John) a 3 day weekend. Now, I just have to make it through this week. ;)

Thanks to everyone who has made April such a successful month for me. I appreciate you SO MUCH.

xoxo,
Kasey

Classic Banana Bread Recipe

If you've been around for awhile, you know that I can't bake. Proof? Check out this blog post. The taste of those nasty cookies is still vividly with me..

I could vent some more about this domestic dilemma of mine, but I prefer to move on to the photos and recipe.. agreed?

This recipe is so easy that I've never actually made a bad loaf. YAY!

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3 old bananas, mashed

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

Preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk sugar and butter until smooth. Add eggs, bananas and vanilla. Mix until totally blended.

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Pour wet into dry. 

Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake for 60 mins.

Delcious.

Handmade Wardrobe- Lace Top

The cute rust colored top on the left is from Modcloth, though it's no longer available.

A couple weeks back a customer asked for a lace dress, and once I had pulled out this periwinkle stretch lace, I knew I had to make that Modcloth shirt. I basically used the pattern for my peach top, nixing the darts, making it fitted and adding longer sleeves. There is a bit of ruching on the sleeve, but obviously no where near the inspiration shirt.

As a full time designer, I am surrounded by clothing all the time. But, I very rarely make any for myself. I am trying to separate some time for sewing that is for ME. I love to sew, but the more "work" I make it, the more work it becomes. So, here I am, wearing TWO handmade items from my closet.

I'm participating in a flickr group called "handmade wardrobe". You can check it out by clicking the cute link in the right sidebar. There are some really fun things over there for inspiration! I hope to make a thing or 2 for myself each week. It's a little scandalous how bad my current wardrobe is. When I run to the post office I pray that no one asks me what all the packages are, lest they know that the terribly unkempt person in front of them actually dresses people for a living.

Have any DIY clothing your looking forward to this Spring? I'd love to see it!

xoxo,
Kasey

Current Fabric Choices- Spring '12

1. Sorry! Sold Out

2. Pale Ivory Tiny Floral

3. Bold Feathers

4. Ikat Diamonds

5. Tiny Red Vines

6. SORRY, sold out!

7. SORRY, Sold Out! 

8. Mustard in Faux Linen

9. Solid Cornflower Blue 

10. Solid Black

11. Tiny Teal Vines

12. Distressed Teal Damask

13. Funky Orange Paisley

14. Ivory and Brown Ombre

15. Mustard Blooms

16. Sorry, Temporarily Unavailable! 

17. Tan and Black Damask

18. Pink Damask

19. Pink Polka Dot

20. SORRY! Sold Out

20. Purple Daubs

21. Blue and Tan Floral

22. Concrete Gray

23. Pale Peach

24. Mint Poppies

25. Red and Blue Floral

26. Robin's Egg Blue (Top Fabric. Bottom pattern is for reference.)

These are the fabrics that I currently have on hand. I keep only small quantities and can't promise that I can get the same fabric again. So, if you like it, don't hesitate.

If you're looking for fabrics for your bridesmaids and would like a matching set, that's perfectly fine! Send me an email at kas.kru@gmail.com and we can find a pattern or solid that works for you.

Please note that the previous fabric blog posts are no longer valid. If it's not listed above, it's gone. Sorry.

xoxo,
Kasey

Customer Appreciation Round 2

Kate is gorgeous. Not only is she a looker, but she's also a real sweet lady. Kate, a wedding photographer, has ordered 2 dresses from me this season. She's such a pleasure to work with that I feel we are friends, and not a "business transaction". Part of feeling that way is because I can read all about her on her blog. You should too. She's an incredible photographer. And if I had any reason to be heading out to Wheaton, IL. you know I'd be asking her for a photo shoot.

Dresses: 

Custom Fitted Vintage Inspired Dress

Long Sleeve Dress

Thanks so much Kate! I hope you have a fantastic wedding season!

xoxo,

Kasey

Customer Wedding Dress

So, call me a moron, but I have completely missed the fact that I have had ladies leaving photos in their feedback. And darn good ones too!

This one is from Jessi, who is obviously a rock star, right? Gah. She is gorgeous. I love a girl with a full sleeve. She's wearing the Simple Wedding Dress. I'll post more soon! Keep them coming!!

xoxo,
Kasey

New Today- 4.6.12

Around our place today you will find 2 new things; a bundle of fresh flowers (weeds?) collected from around our apartment complex and a brand new-to-me sewing machine from the 1950's. It's a knee-pump machine which I never knew existed and it still sews like a dream. I haven't quite figured out all the knobs and stitching disks yet, but maybe I'll have a chance to play with it this weekend.

A friend and I were out at a thrift store yesterday and we gave it a once over before heading out. And while letting my eyes wander I spotted a pastel green box with a handle shoved underneath a cart stacked high with shoes and electronics. I went to it straight away and plopped myself down on the floor to inspect it. It is hands-down my most glorious thrift store find. The sewing machine, I believe, has ever been used. Everything was accounted for and in perfect condition, well that is, everything but the foot pedal. I scanned through the instructions and the cart and found no trace of the pedal because this machine doesn't use one. It has a lever which you place next to your knee. When you push the lever away from you, the machine runs. It's wild.

And the best part is that the machine was $20. The worst part is that it's easily 30 lbs, has sharp medal corners and had to be carried home once purchased.

Totally worth it.