Sadly, when all I've been doing all week is sewing there is nothing to write in the blog. I have sewn a lot this week - mostly because I had nothing better to do since I was snowed in anyway. I cannot believe how fast March went by. Wasn't it just February last week? Now we're only days away from April! I hate the spring snow around here but at least it thaws quickly. Of course, what's left is mud. Lots and lots of mud.
A few weeks ago I promised to debut the my new formal dress - and here it is! This dress looks simple, doesn't it? Well don't be fooled because it was pretty difficult to make! I think when I make another one it'll be in a slightly lighterweight fabric - this fabric was extremely luxurious but also a little heavier than I thought it would be and heavy + slippery = incredibly difficult to work with! What's even more amazing is how happy the little model was to show it off! This was a new experience for me: to actually shoot photos of a happy child! Woo hoo!
This is the same dress but I've changed the sash for a different look.
Look at this smile!
The flower is removable
I made this for a friend who is holding an online auction to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation for Breast Cancer. This is a one of a kind item and will never be reproduced - no matter how much you beg! It's a newborn sized Miss Mamie Romper, called "Sweet Pea". Since I don't have a newborn to model it, you're just going to have to see it on the hanger and use your imagination! For more information about how to bid on this romper please email me at jen@petitepoire.net and I'll get you in touch with the person who can make it happen!
The little one in her stretch velvet ruffle pants looking happier than usual :)
Say goodbye to the Haylee Honeydew Set - this is the last one! *sniff sniff* But if it has to go at least I know it's going to a cute little girl who will wear it well!
I really need to get moving on my daughter's school wardrobe...I'm hoping I'll have something new to debut next week!
Spring is "officially" here and I'm happy to report that there are no catastrophes or major dilemmas. PHEW! Knocking on huge amounts wood here, but we've somehow managed to escape the winter without one sniffle or a case of the funk. Not sure how, but certainly not complaining!
I could talk about the weather, and how Colorado weather is so disorienting. 70 degrees...20 degrees...back and forth. Mud or snow. When the weather report calls for "Significant accumulation possible" instead of an estimation of how many inches we're supposed to get I know we're about to be hammered! I could talk about my youngest and her latest marker infatuation. How she completely colored herself, her bedding, bed and stuffed animals green for St. Patrick's Day! I got the last laugh today though - she managed to get into my disappearing ink marker (for sewing) and colored all over herself. Within an hour it was gone! Muhahahahahaha! I could talk about my "real" job and how scared I am to work for a health insurance company right now with so much upheaval. Thank goodness I work for the disability department at Aetna and I might come out of this unscathed! (knocking on more wood) I could talk about a lot of things but I guess I just did :)
Speaking of the weather...yes, I took these pictures outside today. Now I know this probably looks like abuse to those of you who think 55 degrees is cold but rest assured that the model in this picture was not harmed in any way! She BEGGED me to be able to stay outside and play but I had to say no because there was so much mud everywhere.
So this is the Nie Nie Skirt by Pink Fig. I've been in love with this skirt since the first time I laid eyes on it but haven't had the time to tackle all those ruffles. That's a lot of gathering! But the hubs took the kids out yesterday so I finally had the house to myself and I sat myself down in front of the TV and ruffled until I couldn't ruffle anymore. The finished product is amazing if I do say so myself! After searching forever to find the "perfect" top to go with it I finally decided that the only top that would do would be a brown Riley Peasant Blouse - so I whipped that up for her this morning :) I have not been able to get that thing off of her since! Somehow I'm going to have to convince her to put her leotard on for ballet class...this could be a battle.
Look what this thing can do!
So guess what happens if you order something from me and I'm a super duper ultra lame slacker? Not exactly a slacker, but more than a bit overwhelmed! Well, it's only happened once (or twice...) but I tend to feel bad and throw in a freebie or two! I made this dress for my friend Karen's daughter, Olivia, and it's a one of a kind. She was kind enough to photograph it for me! Olivia looks SO cute in it! Again, sorry for for the late delivery but something tells me she's been successfully bribed :)
I made this Sophia Mae outfit for a friend a while back, whose daughter is named...Sophia Mae (duh). Well, it's since changed hands and I'm so happy that it did because this is the most amazing picture (doesn't hurt that the little girl is cute too)! When I first looked at the picture I was like..."Cute outfit!" then I remembered that was MY outfit - that's how good this picture is! lol Kudos to Rhiana Halverson and thank you so much for letting me use this photo!
That being said, I'm offering a discount to all professional photographers! With two daughters to clothe, I almost never have time to make demos, but I am offering 50% to all professional photographers who purchase my clothing. The deal is only good if you agree to take a picture or two of your daughter in the outfit(s) and mention Petite Poire on your blog! Please make sure your watermark is included on the photo and I'll give you a shout out on this blog and my Facebook page! It will also help if you can give me a little info about yourself (where you're located and what kind of photography you specialize in) so I can give you a proper introduction. Just make sure you mention this promo to me at either checkout (and I'll immediately reimburse you) or convo me on Etsy and I'll set up a custom listing for you. Please remember that this offer is for professional photographers only - no amateurs please! If this gets abused I'll have no choice but to cancel this promotion!
Now I know I promised you a peek at the new super pretty dress for special occasions....but I'm still not done with it. I am almost finished with it but it's still a couple days away from unveiling...sorry!
It's such a big step in a child's life when she starts Kindergarten...and such a big job for her mother to get her school wardrobe all designed! Wow, my girls have no idea how lucky they are, do they? Inevitably the day will come when they don't want to wear mom's stupid clothes anymore but for now I'm just enjoying the fact that they'll happily wear them even if they don't want to be photographed in them!
I'm still debating on what I will be listing and what I won't be...but I'll show them off all the same! The denim Fancy Pants didn't seem like they'd be difficult - and they weren't - but they sure took a long time to make and all I did was hack up a pair of Target jeans and sew on coordinating fabric. You can't see the back, but I added some lace over the pockets and it turned out darling. However, they were not my design (I was basically dared to make them!) and they are way too much work! Same thing with the denim twirly skirt. I think I will be listing a denim skirt but probably not that one. I'll work on a simpler design that will not drive me crazy to reproduce. I will definitely be listing the tops, however. I love love love how they turned out!
I think I've finally figured out the secret to getting my oldest daughter to model...all I did was tell her that if she didn't model for me (with a smile on her face) I would give these clothes to some other little girl who liked taking the pictures instead! I meant every word of it! Amazing how well that worked.
I'm working on my first "official" formal dress for a friend's daughter's baptism. I had made my daughter's flowergirl dress last year for a friend's wedding, but that really wasn't my own design so it really didn't count. So far so good, it's coming along beautifully if I do say so myself! If all works according to plan, this dress will be perfect for weddings, baptisms, or anywhere else you want to risk taking her in a beautiful white dress! Keep your eyes peeled for that next week...
