Busy all the time, yet still a to-do list a mile and a half long?

I haven't updated in over a month!! How did that happen? 

I feel like I'm working all the time, and getting so little done. My days are all toddler, evenings are dinner, bath, and night-night. That just leaves the night for all things Bootie. And I try to fit some sleep in there too. I think that I was expecting to be able to get a little more done during the day as the kids get older. My expectations are changing constantly as reality trumps my guesses. But, when I stop to really think about it, I am helping two really amazing kids learn and grow, and I'm pretty sure that doesn't count as slacking.

I've been trying to work a bit each night on things for the upcoming (Dec. 6th)  Holiday Craft Fair at Sprout Soup. I'm planning on having a nice selection of green/reusable holiday items and some cute gifty things in all price ranges.  It's a little bit of a departure from my usual products, but I'm feeling the need to help reduce the amount of disposables in my community and offer a more sustainable alternative.

I've also been working on some really fun custom orders, for some of my favorite customers. Which I should get back to. 

Yay for Flowergirls!

The current custom order that I'm working on is another flowergirl dress, made with Amy Butler fabrics. It's got a super spinny skirt, matching bloomers, and loads of ruffles. I'm really excited to finish it and I'll definately post some pictures. 
Tomorrow at K&F (at noon) is the 50's stocking. I made a set of mom & me aprons that look like they stepped out of the pages of Life. I love the cherry fabric, I've been letting it age in my stash waiting for the perfect time to use it. The mama apron converts from a full apron to a half apron and has a detachable towel to wipe your hands on.  The little one is a circle skirt done in the same fabric. I figured that would be easier for a little one to put on, rather than having to worry about tying apron strings.

Whales in wool

Here's a pic of the surprise custom that I talked about a few posts back. I love the way it turned out. It also doesn't hurt to have such a cutie wearing it.
I'm hoping to do more customs with wool appliqué. I love the way it looks, and it's a fun technique. It's almost like sketching with wool.
I also made a pair of shorts that match this underwool, as well as the other one with the sun appliqué. They have waves along the bottom hem, and a splashy pocket.

Clothes for Cute Babies

I've been enjoying spending some more time enjoying by family and the beautiful weather now that the Open Market is over. I'll be starting preparations earlier the next time I have a fair or show to do. It's not that I waited until the last minute, I just wanted to make sure that I had enough variety and selection that I could give everyone exactly what they wanted. I think I have a better idea now what types of things to bring with me and I think that will streamline the preparation process a bit.
I recently finished a couple of custom shorts for a friend's son. She told me yesterday that she's going to need a couple more pairs because every morning her son brings them to her to put on him. I love having tiny fans :). These are the shorts that I made for him...













I Dyed the wool to look like denim and Carhartt jeans. I love the color of the Carhartt ones, it's a really good match. Next I'm going to make him a forest green pair, I dyed the wool this evening.
I've also been working on another custom for a mama on HyenaCart. I made a set for her a few weeks ago which was my favorite until now. I can't show pictures yet, because she wants it to be a surprise, but I am so completely in love with this new one. The last custom that I made for her was also a surprise, but now that she has it, I can show it off. It was really fun to watch it evolve from sketch to finished piece. Wool sometimes has a mind of it's own and appliquéing with it is really fun. It's also great to have a customer just give me a few ideas/themes and free reign to run and play and create. I've had such a great time making things for this mama and I hope she'll let me work with her again.

Baby steps

Baby girl took first steps yesterday! Two of them. She's so proud of herself and so are we.
I'm stocking Pirate Bootie Baby again tomorrow, at 8pm EST. I made an adorable pair of corduroy pants, an embellished short-sleeved Underwool, and some wool saver sachets. I'll also be opening up some more custom slots.
I just finished another custom for a friend who loved my skull-n-bones shirt and wanted a bodysuit version for her son.

Apple fairies!

This is what came from my head and hands and some of the new fabric from last week. I'm in love!! I also want to make a pair of corduroy bloomers to match, the fabric is already cut and ready to sew. But, the kidlets are working on a couple of stuffy noses, so they are being a bit clingy.
Apparently my Underwool design is getting talked about at Diaperswappers and on the HyenaCart forums. I love that! I'm starting to take custom orders, and am having so much fun working with my customers to make the exact item that that are wanting.

Oh, and by the way...

I've been walking without any assistance for two days!!!
My doc gave me the all clear today, and all I have to do is build up more strength in my lower leg and I'm good to do anything. I'll probably have some residual pain for up to a year, but the break is almost completely knitted together. So, I won the race to walk, but the babies aren't that far behind.

a big load

I spent a chunk of time today uploading photos of fabric to my website. It's a great use of time while my ankle is healing. If someone wants to order a custom outfit, they will be able to choose the fabrics for their order from the gallery. I'll upload any new fabrics that come in, and update them as they sell out. I really like how simple the interface is to use, it will make it very easy to keep the fabric selection up to date.
I'm expecting some fabric to be delivered in the next day or so, some hemp fleece and terry from a coop order. I'm planning to make some mama pads for an arts fair that's coming up in November. Hopefully I'll be selling some clothing and accessories at a friend's booth. That is, if sewing left-footed isn't too difficult to get comfortable with. I've been able to spend more and more time with my ankle not being elevated, so I'm crossing fingers that sewing will be happening soon.

A new day

No sewing yet, but I did get this photo in my email today. It's an outfit that I made about two months ago for a friend of mine to give as a gift. The model is the recipient. There was also a hat, a huge and floppy sun hat that I call The Cupcake Hat. The photo with the hat being worn is pretty dark and didn't take kindly to Photoshop lightening.
In ankle news, I'm still crutching, and am beginning to feel like I'm going to be like this forever. In reality, it will be another month and a half to two months, which will be difficult but I'll get through it.
The babies and I spent the day at a friend's house today. It was nice and broke the monotony a bit. I think the babies liked the change in scenery, although towards the end they got cranky. Me not walking is hard on them and I think they're ready to have their mobile mama back.

Birthday Dress!

This is a dress that I made for a friend. It's reversible and has matching bloomers. The patchwork stripe that's on the purple side of the dress continues on the leg of the bloomers. The whole outfit is adjustable and will probably fit her until her next birthday. I love getting action shot photos like these in my inbox!!

A happy boy wearing his custom shorts

This little guy loves dogs, it's pretty obvious once you notice the puppy on his shirt and shoes. His mom has had a hard finding shorts that fit him well, and he usually ends up wearing shorts that look like pants on him. For his shorts, I found some really cute fabric with dog bones and balls and hearts and paired it with brown corduroy that hides dirt so well.