A Beautiful Disaster!

A few months ago I got a call from a lady I've known for most of my life. Her daughter is a few years older than me and has 3 little ones, 2 girls and a boy. In fact, when her daughter was pregnant with her first, I was pregnant with Pyper, we were due the same week!

Grandma was ordering two hats to accessorize the two black faux fur coats she made for the girls. She had ideas for style and a specific color in mind. Grandma came over and we looked at a few patterns that I'd pre-selected based on our discussion, and sure enough there was one there that she loved. The color palate was white with a black band and soft pink flowers with black leaves, simple but striking. Here's where the distaster begins!!!!!

The brand of cotton I usually use doesn't have a soft pink... seriously, hot pink, dusty rose, peachy pink....no soft pink. I whipped out the laptop and we looked at the color options from the brands that I could order in. We decided on a tone and I placed the order as soon as she left, and then I waited....

And waited...

And waited...

I received an email from the supplier indicting that they were undergoing a change in their postal delivery service and that although it would speed things in the future it would cause a delay on this order. I phoned Grandma and let her know.

And waited...

And waited...

And waited...

I sent the supplier an email... a rather unhappy email indicating that they usually have a slower than average in the delivery time and that I understood that they were undergoing a change but this was CRAZY!!! I am running a business and their wait time is reflecting badly on me and my business ....where's my stuff?? I soon found out that they sent the package to my old address...despite the fact that I've ordered since the move. Of course the new owner rejected the parcel and it was sent back to the supplier. It was that close...about 6 blocks away from home! They said once the package was received back they'd re-ship to the correct address... ugh......

I phoned Grandma and let her know where things were at...and waited...

And waited...

And waited...

It took aproximately 2 months for the yarn to show up...... holy poopers... I was soooooooo irritated... I finished the embellishments for the hats that night... and delivered ASAP. Despite my many phonecalls throughout updating Grandma, she though these hats just were not going to happen. I take pride in beating the deadlines I give people... so needless to say I was mortified... and of course did my best to "make it right".

I had Pyper model one of the hats...so here you go, you can see my beautiful disaster!

What have I learned?? ....uh....find a new supplier... triple check to make sure the shipping address is correct... stock more colors so I don't have to order to fill an order!!!

the schoolbus driver...

Here's a variation on a new syle...thought I'd try it with buttons and a band, and I'm LOVING how it came out! It was so much fun...I got this box of crafting odds and ends from a friend and was so excited to sift through literally hundreds of buttons.... now I'm trying to come up with anything that I can do with buttons!!! ...It's great becasue of the one-of type work that I enjoy doing, the trimmings can vary, depending on what I can find in this box of many buttons!!! The sizing options so far are 18", 20", 22".

Pype enjoyed her first trip on a transit bus to the public library. I'm ashamed to say that it's taken me 3 1/2 years to take her there, usually I just pick up my reads on lunch from work. She was in awe when she realized that the building we were standing across from was the library, and even more awed when she saw how many books were there, I believe it was a slow, deliberate, "hooooolllyyyyyy cow!" that came out!

On the bus is where I got this shot...and I promise I will have this added to the gallery on my website this weekend!!! ....there will be lots of color options upon request!

new hats!!!!

Hooray for new yarn and new hats!!! ...i'm still working on the size ranges for these ones, but should have them up on the website shortly!!

I've had this pattern for a newsboy style cap for a while now and just hadn't done anything with it... found this great soy/wool blend and thought i'd give it a shot. Of course I found things that I wanted to adjust... so I'm still working on improving the pattern...

The first one is a cotton newsboy, super-cute and i'll have several colors to choose from once I get my act together!

The second is the wool/soy newsboy...which I plan to adjust (from what you see in the picture) ...I plan to line it with jersey fabric and make a double-layered brim for more structure... but I loved doing the flower pattern, they're all shell-type buttons and jewelery beads...

Unfortunately, the pic turned out WAY too dark... but you get the idea on the hat anyway!!

Mary-Jane Slippers!!!

I'm so excited to finally post the mary-jane slipper. I bought this pattern some time ago but when I made my first pair there was a major design flaw - every time I took a step my toes would pop out the top... it was like flossing your toes... not a pleasing quality in a slipper! I shelved the pattern for a while...

Eventially I decided that they were so cute that they deserved some re-working to make them the awesome slippers that they were meant to be!! I'm so glad I did because I am in love with this pattern - they're not your grandmother's slipper... ;)

Specs - ultra-stylish mary-jane shape - 100% cotton slipper - double layer sole for added cusioning - firm upper provides just the right balance of support and flexibility - strap keeps the slipper securely where they belong - super comfortable - sizes XS, S, M, L (fits aprox 6, 7, 8, 9 respectively) - $25.00 a pair. Great gift idea!!!

Now for the fun part - there are so many color options and combinations, here are a few examples! I'll be posting them to my website very soon!

Images

I had a lunch meeting with Carol (freckleface photography) yesterday and we exchanged goods! I am now in posession of stunning images with which to reconfigure my website, I can hardly wait. Here's a sneak peek at a few images...

Of course, my girl...
Are his eyes not stunning??!!

I really hope that Carol is as happy with her handmade props as I am with her photographs. I'm still in the process of finishing up the last hat, I made one each for her three girls. The last of those is in the works and I picked up some fantastic ribbon and a clip to use on it, since I'm told she's not a frilly girl it's more tailored. I really hope the girls like their hats once i'm done...

I can't wait to get the ball rolling on the new website!

PS - an extra special thanks out to my fantastic "models"...they did so well and are absolutely gorgeous kids!!!!