New princess custom set

During this whole month, I was busy creating one complete new princess set for an etsy customer. I truly enjoyed every piece of this set and had a wonderful experience from the start till the end. Here are some steps of the way....from proposing and choosing the fabrics, making mock ups till the finished set.

MOCK-UPs

DETAILS

FINISHED set

xo, Katarina

Recalling memories

Another year coming to an end and it somehow evokes the memories, not only of the year 2011. (that was really hard on some fields), but also of the years before this one. I've started with this blog 4 years ago (once I realized that it may be a good way to practice my English and not being intimidated when making mistakes;) as my "behind the scenes" regarding my creative happenings, in different fields. A bit before that, some 5.5 years ago I discovered the amazing world on eBay in the category of custom, boutique clothes for kids. It was the category for selling handmade clothes for kids that only on US eBay existed. So, I've started selling some clothes under flowers and butterflies name and I was amazed by the community behind that particular category of sellers, women, mainly working from homes, creating some gorgeous items for kids. There were forums, eBay groups, theme launches and I had the pleasure to be part of those happenings, making some wonderful "on-line" friendships and learning so many things. Anyway, eBay was a wonderful place to be and sell, until they changed some policies and fees and many sellers moved from eBay to etsy after the ebay Strike. Many things changed and many talented women moved from that kind of "business" to photography, textile design field, pattern design field and grow a career.

So, recalling the memories from the good ole eBay period, here are some of my very first designs and creations (2006-2008), dedicated to the Xmas theme. Marta was my only model (Bianka was a baby) and she hated it, LOL. Can you tell it from the expressions of her face?

xo,
Katarina
PS Don't forget to visit my blog on Monday, for the upcoming giveaway

Free swatch day @ Spoonflower!!

August 18th is the Free Swatch Day at Spoonflower!
Spoonflower's Third Annual Free Swatch Day Starts Thursday, Aug. 18th, 2011
You can get a single free, custom fabric swatch for 24 hours between
noon EST on Thursday, August 18, and noon EST on Friday, August 19 with free shipping!!!

Read more about it HERE.

This is the great opportunity to get a piece of original design fabric for free and there are so many awesome designs to choose from:)
You can see some of mine available HERE

As the spoonflower prices are higher than when purchasing regular designer fabrics, I thought that it might be convenient thing to create the ready to cut and sew sets, where you get all in one: fabric, pattern and instructions.
So, there is a section with sewing patterns-templates where you can find them. I will also post here all the step by step instructions with photos once I get the designs.

Remember, this bag? Now, you can buy this template that will allow you to create one bag. Spoonflower post worldwide and you can easily pay through Paypal or with some of the major credit cards (even Serbian;), so it is a great thing!!!
This pattern fits one yard of linen cotton canvas which is a medium weight fabric with lovely texture, suitable for the bag making. It don't have the instructions printed, as I barely managed to fit all the pieces for the bag, without almost any millimeter free(which I think is a neat way to use properly one yard of fabric for one normally sized hand bag without having almost any scrap pieces left;) Those 3 spots you can see in blue, purple and brown, these are left for fabric buttons, eventually;)
I tested this bag pattern and created a lovely birthday present for my sister, Jelena.

If you don't have the experience with sewing bags, you should wait for the all step by step blog post and as I took all the pics in process of making it, I will hopefully, be able to post it soon;)



Also, thinking about babies and baby presents, I have created many sewing templates for baby bibs and can't wait to get them and make some bibs. I used the designs from my Playground collection , suitable for baby boys and girls. I can customize them, so once I test them, I will be able to offer some sort of- you design yourself bib set:)....thinking about the name of the baby etc...







And last, but not least, here is the softie family pattern. It is the fat quarter that will allow you creating 4 softie bears: Mama Bear, Papa Bear and baby boy and girl bear. Mine will arrive any day now (I hope), so that I can blog about it too;)
It is created for the next week, spoonflower's plushie contest.



Have a wonderful weekend,
Katarina

And sometimes I still sew;)

These past two weeks for me have been ornament crazy weeks. Between making and shipping them worldwide and also trying to organize the US production, the time flew away. But, there were some great events, exhibitions etc, that will remain as great memory. Especially for kids. One is certainly today's Disney on Ice show that was great to see!!!



Also, I think that I have finally something more than just plans in my hands regarding the next Year and time will show if I made the right choices/decisions;) And it is great to know that I have so many friends (that I don't even know in person) on whom I can rely on:)
And regarding those friends, that I however hope that I will sometime and somehow in the future have way to meet, one of them is certainly Amanda . I met her through eBay, 3 years ago, when she bought these 2 sets from me:



Here is the first "Vintage Easter set" photographed by her:



I adore her work!!!
And a few months ago, I had a pleasure doing another custom for her DD Maddy, some version of the Gothic Vampire outfit and here is a picture:)



Also, browsing through all those past designs pics, I realized that there are some very first designs that I have never uploaded to my flickr album and therefore never shared, so here are some, getting into the Xmas/New Year's mood:)











It is so great to remember those moments;)
xo, Katarina

In ruffles

I was so busy those past 2 weeks doing a few custom orders, all with many ruffles. As far, I think that my customers really love my gaucho pants-featuring many lateral ruffles or if not on the pants than lots of ruffles somewhere else...





and sometimes matching hats



I love the choices of my customers and feel so blessed to have them as my clients and friends, as well:)







Thank you!!!!
xo,Katarina