Friday, August 30, 2013

Back-To-School Basics

With school back in session and fall pictures coming up, I wanted to list some of my favorite items that would be a perfect beginning to any school outfit. I chose these specifically for their coordinating factor, comfortability, and all around sweet design. I think these can be worn throughout the upcoming fall and winter seasons when paired correctly! I think these are ideal for visits to the pumpkin patch, running through piles of leaves, and family pictures full of those gorgeous fall colors!

I am in love with this darling blouse, it has all the elements of a perfect top: ruffles, big bow, and polka dots!
 
Polka dots on top of polka dots! I love the waistband that has elastic in the back for growing tummies and the large square pockets for collecting treasures!
 
 

Your basic white button up blouse improved with a vintage inspired design boasting a ruffled collar and puff sleeves!
 

One of our more popular designs, this adorable top can be paired with a cardigan for a wonderfully sweet fall look!
 
I love the look of denim on this super soft cotton fabric, so it can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion!

This skirt is full of the beautiful colors of fall, and you can even have your little one's initial embroidered on the pumpkin for that added personalization!
 
One of my favorite literary characters of all time is Anne Shirley from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series. She has the best personality, and since I had "crow hair" like Diana, I used to imagine I was her so I could be Anne's best friend. There is a part where Anne says, “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” and I couldn't agree more! Happy fall, y'all!


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Goodbye Studio, Hello Dining Room

We closed on our house yesterday, so it is official: I no longer have my awesome studio space, and I am now relegated to the itty-bitty, teeny-weeny, wee little dining room space we now have at our rental. Our poor spare bedroom is stacked to the ceilings with boxes like a storage unit. I don't want to unpack everything and settle in until we know what/ where our definite plans are. Literally the first boxes I unloaded were from the studio, and I have only the essentials out for use.

I had taken some pictures of my work spaces with my phone during the whole renovation hassles, and it was also in the middle of constructing Midnight Moon, you can see the beginnings of the Long Sleeve Kitty Cat Peter Pan Collar Blouse on my sewing machine. I loved the space because it was big enough for me to organize without being too expansive. It was still cozy with its peach walls and sweet nooks and crannies. Definitely going to miss the space, even though I had no wall areas from the slanted A-frame roof.

 I had two sewing machines up at all times, one usually for white and one for color, and two sergers, one with white thread and one with black.

 A corner for my fig leaf tree, original works of art (humorous portraits Albert and I painted of each other), and my ever growing thread collection!
 
A comfortable chair for guests, including my sweet niece who loves to mess play with my thread and have a "tea party," hence the tea set!

 One of three mannequins and my organizing boxes I needed on a daily basis. That hope chest was my Mom's and was full of scraps I had collected over the years, you never know when you might need them!
 
One of my fabric storage systems, my sweet hubby actually built it himself when we were dating for my vase collection. I have since donated them all and now use it for FABRIC!

My work desk where I did all the "boring" stuff behind the scenes. You can also see my embroidery machine peeking out from the corner.

My inspiration and business board where I kept a monthly calendar and essential information. This was my cutting table and packaging center.

Probably one of the best purchases I've bought, I love my hanging rack. It stood right beside my cutting table and held my most frequently used patterns, along with the finished garments I was working on for the new collection.
 
 
Yes, I am lamenting my studio, but I am excited about what God has in store for us next. I know this is just a transition period, and I am sure I will move into a space that will be even more amazing than my last one! I'm sure of it because that will be my biggest "must" for the new house! 
 


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Instagram

We are officially much cooler now that we have an Instagram account! As the newest inductee to Instagram, I solemnly swear I will not post duck faces, bathroom mirror poses, or my daily outfits. I cannot, however, guarantee there won't be an abnormal amount of cat pictures! And of course, I'll be posting bunches of Papoose Clothing's handmade goodies. See you at #papooseclothing!

 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Moving

If you will remember my last post, I mentioned the possibility of moving to either Washington D.C. or Montgomery. Well, since then, we have sold our house! It's amazing what a week can do because an offer came in, was countered, then accepted all within seven days. The inspector came today, and I was naturally nervous anyways, but he stayed for over FOUR hours! I have never experienced nor heard of such a thorough scrutiny before, it was nerve wracking and annoying at the same time.

Our little nest!

People keep asking me if it's hard leaving, and I've been dismissing any sentimental reasons because we've been doing major renovations since we moved in. I've lived without a master bathroom for 2+ years, with sawdust on every surface, walking on subfloors or not-yet-removed shag carpet from the 70's. We never really made it our home in the true sense of the word, but now that the sale is contingent on us finishing all the projects, I'm just now seeing the fruits of our labors and the vision come to life! It will be bitter-sweet since it was the first house we bought together, but I'm definitely welcoming the change!

We have (had?) a lake for a backyard!

The one aspect that tugs on my heartstrings is my studio. I never really got it to where I wanted it to be (as with the whole house), but it was fairly close. It is organized as best as it can be under the circumstances, and I have two whole rooms dedicated to my passion. A studio space will definitely be high up on the "Must Have" list for the new house, but I'm a little worried it won't be what I'm accustomed to.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Midnight Moon

I would love to introduce you all to Papoose Clothing's Autumn Winter 2013 Collection, Midnight Moon! I have only taken studio pictures of everything, but I hope to have my little model in them very soon. I like the simplicity of the pictures though, it sets the mood I want. This collection is more muted than last season's vibrancy, and I think I've been able to pare down the options to what I really genuinely love! I hope you enjoy it too!

 
I kept a lot of the ruffles because, come on, it's a little girl's clothing line! I don't think those will ever go away. I also kept a few of the old designs while I added new ones. I think this collection flows together so well, I'm so excited to finally launch it!
 
 
I initially had a mustard color as the backbone to the collection, but when I went to the store, I fell in love with the cats and dog print. I had to have it. It has a yellow in it, but nothing so tinted like a mustard. Still, I was inspired, and I love the way all the fabrics come together and sing! I should say "meow" instead because I have two cat prints in the collection I couldn't pass on. They were calling to me!
 
 
There are a lot of black and white options, so you can mix and match a lot of clothing options with this collection! I paired a lot of the tops to different bottoms and switched them out for different looks. One of my favorite design combinations is the Long Sleeve Polka Dot Drawstring Blouse and the Brown Vine High Low Ruffle Skirt with Matching Suspenders. It has such a vintage-inspired flare to it with a modern appeal!
 
 
This collection seemed to go a lot more smoothly than last time, so I hope it speaks of good things to come! Now that I've been in Autumn/ Winter mood, I keep wanting pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING and warm fires to cuddle up next to with a cup of tea and a good book. Until then, I'll have to settle for staying indoors until the temperature dips below 95 degrees and count down the days until the new Sherlock, Hunger Games, and Doctor Who come out!