Plumtickled

Winding down & new pinafores

 

Time is winding down for me and little Miss Avonlea "something-or-other".  I'll be closing my Etsy dress shop for a couple of weeks starting August 18th so I can get my house in order and then after she's here...... I can have the time to heal and get to know her better.

I've been working on a some new pinafore's to add to my shop for the cooler months........ great little tops, dresses or tunic's that can be worn with or without a shirt beneath.  I adore them....... I get more compliments on these than any other garment my girl wears!  I think it must be the ribbons & ruflles!

I took these pictures this morning while fighting off two very stupid dogs, who haven't a clue as to what, "Go lay down" means. Or, "Leave the damn cat alone!"

Or, "Get out of the pool you stupids!"

I think I may write a little somethin' somthin' about our trials with these two dogs.......... Hey, maybe a dog giveaway will be in order.  I wonder if I could fit them into a box........ hmmmmmm?!

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I've also been busy making a few things for the baby ....... nothing too fancy that's for sure, but definitely enough to fill that feeling of needing to make something just for her.  One would think I've been steadily making and preparing for this sweet baby but .......... I'm ashamed to say that I haven't!  I've spent so much time making dresses for the shop that the great baby items I've planned in my mind have been set aside.  Sigh.

So, I've planned to use the weekends to do this.  Last weekend I made the diaper bag......... it's so yummy too!  I also finished up on a quick batch of burp cloths by using some of my favorite fabrics.  This weekend......... I plan on either making her some sweet little baby shoes using one of these three tutorials or maybe just getting some more of their quilts done.  We'll see.

I'll be back tomorrow with the diaper bag and burp cloths....... after all, this is supposed to be a crafting & sewing blog right?  Good grief!

Have a great day.... Amelia Claire and I get our hair trimmed tonight, I hope I fit into the chair!  Ugh!

 

 

 

It's all good in my Hood!

I've just noticed how long I've been away!  Woops...... so much for getting back into the swing of things!

Around our home, it's relaxing.  Amelia has taken to her Legos and chalkboard.  It's amazing what a three year old knows!

Darren is wrapping up a $500,000.00 remodel of a condo on Amelia Island for a couple that live part of the year in England and the other in the States.   Poor things..... they must suffer!  (Oh, he was just Superintendant of the job......... not the owner of the business....... if he were,  I'd be booking the first opening after Avonlea is born for my much needed tummy tuck!).

My boys are wrapping up another school year and will leave me here and there this summer to spend time with their Dad.  He's the Fire Chief in Cairo Georiga since last Fall.  Let's just say they have lots and lots of plans for the summer!  I guess it's just a tad more exciting that hanging out with their "getting fatter by the second preggo Mom"!

I've been working on new designs as well.  Still waiting on the hopefully good news that I can share with you.  Keep those fingers crossed!

New dresses for stylish girls!  And lots of great orders for my good ole Amelia Halters........... for girls and grown ups too!

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Oh and some business.....

I've just ordered some wonderful new fabric for my Plumtickled Fabrics shop!  I can't wait to get it in and to share it with you all!  Firstly, I ordered Joel Dewberry's new line....... it's fabulous!  Also, Amy Butlers new Midwest Modern and a great new line from Anna Maria Horner called "Drawing Room"........ I'm totally stoked about this line.  Here's a taste:

I have this particular print coming in green, blue, rose and the above color of Ivory!  I'm so excited to see something so colorful and modern, with birds to boot!

This is a blurry for some reason sneak at the Joel Dewberry coming our way soon!

Anyhoo......... I'm wanting to clear out my older inventory to make room for the new stuff and am again offering a 15% discount to all orders placed between today the 29th and Sunday May 4th!  This includes all patterns and sale fabrics too!

** YOU MUST CONVO OR EMAIL ME FIRST TO GET THE DISCOUNT! **

I'd like to see lots of it go, go, go!  To help it along....... how about a giveaway?  I'll give away 8 fat quarters to one lucky person who gets in on this sale.  When you convo or email or even leave a comment ASKING FOR A LISTING, I'll enter your name into a drawing for 8 fat quarters of YOUR CHOOSING! 

If'n you advertise on your blog....... your name goes in twice!

So....... shop and blog away and pick out those 8 free fat quarters!  That's two free yards of high quality fabric to add to your stash!  WOooo HOoooo!

I hope to hear from ya'll! 

Oh, the lava, it burns I tells ya!

I've made it to the point in my pregnancy that I'm just past the half-way point.   I'm getting excited too.  She's a- movin' and a-groovin' and making her self right at home.  It seems as though she has also been moving some "furniture" around in there as well......... as the heartburn is setting in.  Ugh.

I totally thought I would bypass it at this point since I had it my ENTIRE pregnancy with Amelia Claire........ but alas, it's visited me for the last 5 nights and here it is again......... already this morning. 

Tomorrow I'll be going to my OB appointment and will beg on my knees ask for a prescription for heartburn medication as I had with Amelia.  Twice a day....... HOoray!

So, since it's already killing me......... and I exaggerate not......... as a celebration for my forthcoming life-saving prescription.......... I'm going to offer a 15% off sale at my Plumtickled shop. I figured it up and this will put all of my bags at or below $20.00.  Perfect for the pool, beach or bringing along your sewing bits.  Not too bad for Mother's Day either.

{Please be sure to convo me before making the purchase so I can set up a special listing with the correct price first}

This way, I'll be making a tiny bit of room for some fun new stuff I hope to have completed for a shop update next week.  New ideas are hitting me everyday and I can't stand it any longer and want to sew like wind.  I need to take advantage of the time that I have now since little Miss Avonlea will be here soon. 

The 15% off sale that I had this weekend was actually quite fun at Plumtickled Fabrics as I got to meet some lurkers that visit my blog.  Thanks for joining in on the sale......... I'll be having more from time to time and plan on a give-away soon!

Well, I'm off to find the last Rolaid stuck in my purse........ it probably smells & tastes like perfume but will give me some relief for a minute or two....... no joke. 

Browns & Golds

I bought this tablecloth on Ebay a week or so ago and just fell in love with it.  I'm not the brown & gold kinda gal...... I'm more pink and blue type, so this seemed a bit of a weird purchase for me to make.  My sister Jerri Lynn however, loves oranges and greens.  I think of her when I see this.

Adding some corduroy beefs it up and also adds a modern/trendy touch.  Or, at least I think it does.

This will be the last item I add to my shop before Christmas.  I plan to take the last bit of these precious days to sew and create for those I love!  I can't wait............ I have some crazy plans that will more than likely get me sent into a frenzy for getting them finished at the last second.

Being that my favorite saying is:

"If it wasn't for the last second, I'd get nothing done!"

My love  to all who have plans to make handmade for Christmas!  I'm in love with this idea and can't wait to get in gear and kick it out.......... at the last second.  That's how I roll people!

{Just a reminder that today at 3pm Eastern is the cut off for my giveaway at my Plumtickled Fabrics blog..... get there and leave me a comment with an opinion of what you would like to see in my shop & on my web-site!}

1.4 pounds, MILF weigh in!

I guess y'all have noticed that I haven't been posting about my Weight Watchers weigh in's for a while.  Okay, for about 5 weeks or so....... sheesh......... who keeps up with this stuff anyway? 

Well, I took notice of the post cards that magically appear in my mailbox, reminding me to "not let the busy rush of the Holiday's throw me off track" and "we miss you" and headed out to the Camp Pickney Baptist Church and stood. on.the.scale........ {after peeing out every extra ounce of water weight I possibly could}......... and surprisingly enough, I only gained 1.4 pounds during my absence.

Let me give y'all a couple of  visuals to help you see just how great I did while eating more than I thought I should:

Why this rock thingy...... it only weighs 1.4 pounds.  HMmmm..... that's probably the chunk hanging off my back where my  bra strap sits....... hooda thunk it?

And this little doggy...... his name is Ducky.  He set the world record in June of 2007 for being the smallest dog alive.  So, if we really think about it......... this weight gain would be almost like I was carrying around little Ducky there.  Paris Hilton and her twig ass gains MORE than that everytime she picks up TinkerBell or London or whatever the Heck she's named her stupid little dogs today.  See, I gain weight like that dumb dumb Paris Hilton.

And this gorgeous bag made from a vintage linen and framed by Uptown green. 

Oh, wait!  I'm sorry......... this is the bag I have in the shop right now!  My bad!

{Did y'all like that little shameless plug}

Actually, I have been away from making bags and having fun with my vintage linens and had an extra couple of hours to play with my sewing machine.  I had so much fun...... it was like coming home. 

Using vintage materials and combining them with new........ tickles my fancy like nobody can........ um except for my Angel of a husband. 

So, In the spirit of giving....... and gaining....... I am offering 20% off to anyone who visits my Plumtickled Shop and decided to purchase this bag or any of my Amelia Halter dresses or tops.  Just convo me with your choice and I'll make you special listing.

Have a great day!  And don't forget to enter in the Plumtickled Fabrics drawing on my other blog, it's still going on and boy, have I gotten so many suggestions that I plan to begin following today!   I'll keep ya posted!

{This Amelia top was made from Japanese fabric, with the wolf tracking down the sheep..... I'm saving one for Amelia to wear!  I'm still waiting on my Japanese fabric order in case anyone is wondering what the heck is going on!)

Shop Update

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I've updated and stocked my little Etsy shop with more Amelia Halters!  Monday, I'll have a few Christmas dresses listed from Alexander Henry!

I just spent the weekend at a very sweet Church Bazaar in Waycross Georgia..... such nice people there and such cute stuff!  I enjoyed visiting the crochet booths and bake sale tables.  (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

I hope to have made some connections with my fabric shop as well.  Many people asked where I got my fabric from....... and well, I just had to tell them!  Which reminds me, I'm off to post on the new Plumtickled Fabrics blog with a short update on what's new.

*****If you send an Etsy Convo to me and mention reading my blog... I'll take 20% off your total order from my Plumtickled shop*****

Cootchy Smooth & lots-o-random junk

I have such an apology to make!  To my swap partner Northern Michigan Mom.......... I've totally forgotten about this MILF swap!  I'm a dork/moron/butt-head/dum-dum & jerk but ............. I'm cootchy smooth!

I have your swap ready to be mailed out today........  I hope you like it and will forgive me.  There was alot going on here when the swap started .......... I guess my mind ran out of gas. 

Meanwhile........... here is what she sent me....... and I love it!  (And so does my husband!)

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I have to also share a little sweetness that I bought for me to try and wear Amelia Claire last night!  I have to start off by saying that I normally  don't buy things I can make myself because..... I'm cheap and I'm guessing it may be a bit of pride getting in the way..... but this..........

......it somehow hit me in a soft spot and stayed on my mind for a whole day and a half. I bought it from Esther's Chinny Chin Chin Etsy shop!  Go see her blog for a quick look at her Fall Collection of children's clothing that she ingeniously made from thrifted clothing!  I'm dying to see the rest up on Etsy!  Hurry........ load it all!

I'm off to get ready for work.  I'm still plugging away at Amelia's quilt but will take a break soon to sew her some pants for the Fall.  She's in need of some warmer clothes and with my luck....... all heck will break loose with the weather and she'll be stuck with halter dresses! 

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Oh and an update on the "hair doo-doo".......... it's better.  I tried to take a picture while in the car last night on my way to Weight Watchers and this is the best shot........... yeah, I used to get paid to take people's pictures.  Can't you tell?

My MILF update...... gained a little but I'm thinking it's leftover food from Sundays- super- all- day- eat- everything- you- can-fit-into-your-mouth- binge.  I'm better now and am back on track.  I didn't exercise at all last week but will get back to it today.  I truly want to regain "the hotness" I was was. 

Hey?  Who's laughing out there?

Such perfect timing!

Just look at what goodness has come to me in my mailbox.......... wait, I must correct myself and say...........

Look at what goodness has come to me and Amelia in our mailbox........ such sweetness and thoughtfulness!

I bought this unbelievable sparrow bag from Miss Tiny Happy herself..... Melissa.  She has been such an inspriation for sewing and crafting for me and everytime I see she has made something new from this particular piece of fabric.......... my heart skips beats.  I check her blog and her etsy shop daily........... yes daily, but no need to worry......... she lives a world away and there is no chance of me stalking her at her little booth on the weekends!  Although, it would be so, so nice to sit and chat with Melissa about her findings and sewing!  ( You MUST go and see her adorable baby shoes........... no one is like the other!).

Now, I said I bought the bag but............. being the kind, thoughtful and generous person she is ........... she added the sweetest little dancing skirt in the package for my girl Amelia!  And, I must say that I'm not sure what Amelia likes more......... the skirt or the tag with the "squirrrrrrrrwl" on it more! 

Here she is being a ballerina......... twirling and twirling........ and very pleased with herself and her new dancing skirt!

Thank you so much Melissa for being so kind to us.  From across these many miles, your gift is very much appreciated and my new bag...............

Melissa mentioned in a quick email that she knows that I can sew and make bags........... which is true............. and I can honestly say that I've only bought three bags from others........... she and our mutual friend Rhiannon.  There's just something about knowing who made them and also being aware of the time, talent and imagination that it took to complete the look and feel to the bags.

One more quick little note about the Tiny Happy blog.......... the one thing I come away from after reading her daily entries is the amount of time she spends making things for others.  Now, I don't mean to sell......... she makes things for friends and family and one can tell that she enjoys this above most anything else. 

It is something I wish I would do more of................ perhaps it's time to stop wishing and begin doing.  But what first?  I think I know......

Look at what I found....

Today was our opening day.  I'm so glad it's over with!  To tell you the truth....... I'm plumtuckered out and am longing for my pillow and my fan.  Not to mention........ while chewing a piece of gum today, I broke a tooth.  A tooth.  I'm ticked and am in pain.......... I hate tooth pain.  And to top it all off...... I have to find a new dentist that is in our program insurance thingy............. I totally can't just pick one out of the book without someone giving me some pep talk recomendations. 

So, to cheer myself up and to relax....... I took a gander on over to Etsy to look and long for all of the goodies I can't afford but wished I could.  I fell head over heels with this:

Here's the link but here's the picture:

It was handpainted onto vintage wallpaper........ I'm dying on the inside for this piece.  Don't you agree with me?  To whomever scoops this sweet thing up....... I envy you and will be happy to come and dust it every single day for you. 

Then I found this, this, this and these......

Sigh.

Tomorrow when I get a chance, I promise to post pictures of the shop that I took today.  I'm quite pleased with the outcome although we still haven't received our one very important shipment of gifts that I was praying to get in time.  Long story.

Have a great Sunday..... I'll see you soon!

Stocking up the shop

Just to show ya'll that I have been doing some sewing........

Considering this is supposed to be a sewing/crafting/cooking/baking/thrifting blog...

I haven't had much time to spend sewing for my Etsy shop.......... it's about empty!  So, last week I took the time to cut out some new "Amelia Halter" dresses/tops to sew up in the evenings.  I have 10 of them finally finished and ready to go in my Etsy shop:

So, Amelia and I spent about 10 minutes outside modeling....... she loves her boots, and so do I!

In fact....... I have some and plan to wear the dooky doo out of them this fall and winter...... I got them at the Goodwill for $5.00 and man........ I've gotten more compliments on those black boots than any other shoe I've ever owned!

I plan to start on some samples for the shop tomorrow....... wait.......... okay, Monday.  I'm having a hard time deciding what to make.  I need to use the patterns we have to stock our shop with as well as the fabric, naturally.  I just can't make my mind up.  Should I star with an apron, bag or quilt?  Decisions......... I'm not good with them.

I'll be sure to post snippets of the work in progess next week...... if I can find the top of my dining room table that is.  Today is the day I get it cleared off and actually eat a meal together at it...... rather than the coffee table.  I'm a baaaad Mom/wife. 

Well, off to list on Etsy......... then to the shop to ship orders and pick out fabric for the samples.  I'll try not to spend any money on this, this, this, or this while on Etsy!  I hope ya'll have a productive day as well ............ even if it's spent clearing tables!