What Inspires You? Wednesday

Welcome to the first installment of What Inspires You? Wednesday! In this series, I hope to have guest posts from several different artistic genres. I have so many friends who are so very creative and I am very honored to be able to share their talent and creativity with you. I hope that you will find inspiration in these posts and will share your inspiration with others.

First up is Kristi from Blu Moon Design. Kristi and I met several years ago through an Ebay boutique sellers group. Since then it has been a joy to watch Blu Moon Design blossom and grow. One of Kristi's designs was even features on the popular TV series "Parenthood".

Kristi has been an inspiration to me in my creative sewing journey. I know that she will be an inspiration to you as well.

1. Tell us your name and what it is that you do. Kristi, and I make little girls' clothing.
2. How did you get started? I was selling my daughter's outgrown clothing on ebay, and came across boutique custom handmade clothing. I knew how to sew, and had a sewing machine... so I thought.. that looks fun! I sold my first few items that I listed, and was hooked.

3. Talk about your artistic origins. What sort of creative activities did you enjoy as a child or a young person? I was taught to sew in gradeschool by my mother and grandmother. I also taught myself to do other things such as cross stitch.
4. Is there something that inspires you more than anything else? (ie person, place, God, color, etc.) I think my girls. I make what I'd dress them in. Although they are older now, I have wonderful customers that continue to inspire me!
5. What are your favorite things to make or favorite aspect of what you do? I love to make all things twirly. They are my most popular items, and I love how girly and sweet they are. My favorite aspect is my ability to work from home when I need to. If someone has a basketball game to go to, I am always able to be there for that kind of thing!

6. What advice would you give to someone who would like to try your artistic genre or is maybe just starting out? Keep going. I am glad I didn't give up when it seemed things weren't going great. Read and research lots!!
7. Do you have a website, a Facebook page or a blog where we can see more of your work? www.blumoondesign.com or www.facebook.com/blumoondesign
8. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? If you are looking to try something new, in whatever aspect of your life, go ahead and try! Stick with it! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.


Thank you so much, Kristi, for sharing with us!  
Would you like to be featured on What Inspires You? Wednesday? Contact me and we can make it happen! 

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue (Vida)!

As promised, here is the second of the UFO finishes.  I started this dress over a year ago as well.  I was looking for something to do with the leftovers from the Manhattan Special Occasion Dress which I made for my niece's birthday a couple of years ago.  The Farbenmix "Vida" pattern seemed a good fit as it doesn't use a lot of yardage and it is easy to combine several fabrics for a fun look.

All of the Farbenmix patterns come with a little Farbenmix label that can be sewn onto your finished garments.  I don't usually use them, but this one matched so well that I just couldn't resist!

This dress is also available for sale.  It is once again, a European pattern. It does run just a little bigger than American sizing.  This dress is also a 4-5.  Price is $50 shipped within the US.  If you are outside of the US and are interested, please contact me for more information on shipping prices and options. Post your contact information in a comment or let me know if you are interested. 

I'm always interested in what others are working on... What are you up to?

Bloomers...

Hello,  Just popping in quickly to post a response to a question that I have had regarding the shoulder tie dress sew along.

Someone requested a pattern for bloomers.  Normally I would draw one up for you, but I am under a time crunch right now, so I found a link to a free pattern on Craftsy.

It's from Sewing Mama RaeAnna.  She always has cute, cute, cute stuff. :)

I don't know how much you all are familiar with Craftsy, but it is a really amazing site with all kinds of creative inspiration!  Do a little looking around over there and I guarantee you will find something fun!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Project Run and Play - My Signature Style

This week for Project Run and Play we are able to showcase our signature style.  It was a good chance for me to step back and really try and define what my signature style really is.  I have such a diverse range in taste when it comes to children's clothing that it was a little difficult to begin to define what I would call a signature style.

My style is sort of a meeting of two opposite ends of the spectrum.  I am totally blown away and inspired by the beautiful, delicate sweetness of heirloom sewing.

I look at these things and say "I want to make THAT!"  Reality tells me that my budget cannot meet that demand... look at the prices of Swiss Nelona and you will see exactly why.  Wowzers!!

And yet, I also love the fun and funky, crazy, ultra girliness of boutique sewing.  I see fun, ruffly dresses like this one and I want to make it just as much as I want to make the sweet little heirloom dresses.

So I took a step back and tried to evaluate what it is about these things that I love.
I made a list of the things that I really seem drawn to.
1. Full skirts
2. Ruffles
3. Femininity
4. Floral prints
5. Classic styling
6. Sundresses (looking at my own website I realized that all of the dresses I offer on my website are some type of sundress)
7. Bright clear colors
8. Combining at least two fabrics

So I took the elements of these things and decided to incorporate as many of them into this little dress as time would allow.

 I made a full skirt by using the full width of the fabric and added ruffles to the hem, across the top of the bodice and on the straps.

I used classic hand smocking on the front.  Smocking is always sweet on a little girl's dress in my book.  I had a marathon smocking session over the weekend. :)

I chose a bright, clear turquoise and yellow floral print as the main fabric and accented it with a sunny yellow check.  I trimmed the back with a placket made of the yellow check fabric, turquoise buttons and a little bit of turquoise rickrack that I had leftover from another project.  It was just the perfect color!

This was a fun adventure for me and I look forward to the next season of Project Run and Play.
I am also linking up for Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday.