The Patriotic Princess

I had a little fun with a commissioned tutu order. It was fun to get back in the "tutu saddle" again... I also added one to my etsy shop for any other Patriotic Princesses out there.

Sick Babe

My main gal, Kenzie, came down with the flu yesterday while at preschool. Together, we set up sick bed in my bedroom due to the close proximity of the toilet and the television set. While I laid next to her, it occurred to me that coming down with the flu while pregnant would like. totally. suck. And, then - my neighbor had a tutu emergency for a photo shoot with her three girls. She needed a black tutu with zebra stripes in two hours. So, pronto!!, I moved into my studio room which is a separate room attached to our master bedroom.

How conducive to being productive!!! My shop is fairly stocked with tutus & tails. Artwork should be forthcoming if the flu manages to avoid me. I'm still in my pajamas and my hygiene isn't so good - but I feel quite accomplished. I've printed tags! I've finished a few little (tiny) thank you gifts owed to some bloggers! My studio is tidier! Kenzie did some sewing! We did some art together! I've blogged!

And, my babe appears to be on the mend - minus a lot of coughing which is ruining her nap at the moment.

My new favorite tutus:




And, now I'd best hit the shower.

Shop

My little etsy world was shrinking, so I'm working on replenishing it's offerings. It's Christmastime in the stores which has encouraged my mood for gift planning.

I've added a pretty little Christmas Tutu, in white, red & silver. I'm thinking this would look adorable with black tights, black mary-janes, and a black turtle neck. I envision it for a formal Christmas party or maybe for Church.



I plan on making a few more Christmas themed tutus & and saving one for Kenzie to wear. That is...if I can keep up with all the tutus my husband seems to be GIVING AWAY. :) I could kill him for being so generous - but I do enjoy spreading the tutu love.

What color combintions would you envision for other Christmas Tutus?

The holiday that never ends....

That's what Halloween seems like to me! We've been costumed for a neighborhood parade, a preschool parade, a pumpkin hollow, the night of the living farm, story hour, and tonight is the grand finale.

I mentioned Kenzie is going to be a dragon - which was a great costume. But, it's been SO warm. So, after exhausting the princess attire & wearing the dragon twice, I whipped this little number up with stuff on hand at the house. If only I'd been so wise to have thought to offer a witchy tutu on Etsy. :)



She was a witch for a morning activity. Tonight, we'll be wearing the dragon since it'll be chillier. And, we'll be happy to finally draw this holiday to a close....

Happy Halloween!!

Surprise

A surprise for Sam . She's soon to be a mama of a new girl babe, who'll have twin big sisters. And, following is another surprise for someone I'm thrilled for, who's not yet gone public with her fab news. My pregnant brain convinced me that this was unisex....although I think I'll be rooting for a gal, as boys don't do flowers, huh? I kind of just noticed that...well after the surprise was mailed and received. Hmnn.



Congratulations Girls! I love hoarding mailing addresses and sending things when unexpected. It's such a fun feeling.

Now, I need to make some of this gear for myself, eh?

P.S. Amy (the newly pregnant Amy..not the about-to-pop-Amy , thanks for your comment a few posts back. Leave me another comment with your email.. I ~won't~ publish the comment with your address. But, I want to compare notes. :)

Tutu + Tutorial = Tuturial

Okay, bad joke in the title. My apologies.

I put this tutorial for a super-fluffy "NO SEW" tutu together long ago, but it nearly got lost in the archives. I've been asked "a few" times recently how to design a tutu... So, here's a tutorial for those of you don't want to wrestle tulle, invisible thread, and a sewing machine in order to create the tutu of your little girl's dreams. It's so easy - a child can do it herself! (that is, if she can tie her own shoes!)

Step 1: Cut and sew elastic to form waistband. I use 20 inches for most of my tutus, which fits most kiddos.
Tutu Tiplet: If you wanna go all pro - there are even fun colored elastic cords that can be used instead of plain old elastic. Or you can use a belt!

Step 2: Cut AT LEAST 4-5 yards of tulle into strips. And, cut, cut, cut some more. I do some thicker strips, some thinner. I use 52" wide tulle, so if your tulle is less wide, count on more yardage.
Tutu Tiplet: You can use solely tulle. You can also add in streamers of ribbon, or other whimsies tied in here and there. You can use a solid color tulle, or alternate amongst a few different colors.

Step 3: Tie your strips onto the elastic. I vary the length of some, just to give it more poof and visual layering. Align your knots all on one side of the waistband, of course. They don't HAVE to be crammed together. As long as you use 4 yards worth of 52" wide tulle, the tutu will be immensely fluffy.
Tutu Tiplet: I put the waist band around my leg, slide up thigh-high..and it makes tying and controlling the tulle a lot easier!



Voila. An easy-peasy tutu in three easy steps (not counting the hours and hours of laborious tying BEST SPENT IN FRONT OF THE TV.)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Tutu Tiplet: If it's a tutu emergency and you'd like to save yourself the headache - there's always tutu offerings at The Doodle Factory . I don't sell this style, however. :)

***you can also make a mini-version and use for a pony-tail holder!

Itty bitty

The tutu fairy heard has a friendly couple living across the street that's expecting another baby. They were hoping for a boy. Today, they found out more pink is in their future....



Although still thrilled, the fairy thought this might help amp up the excitement for another girl babe.

It's an itty-bitty version of my other tutus. Just what every unborn baby girl needs, eh?

Reversible skirt

Just playing around with an idea for my gal and nieces. A reversible skirt that can be worn with a simple tutu beneath.
It turned out pretty cutely.

Photos turned out worse than that. I very much wanted to jazz up her hair, & insert a shirt that went with the "look." But, then I thought. "Ah, hell. Why bother?"



If you close your left eye, squint your right eye, and look out the side of your head - you can .ALMOST. see it, right?



If I'd had the foresight - I would have skipped this mess of a photo session, headed straight outside, and waited 2.6 minutes before pulling out the camera. By that time, she would have been sitting in the rainwater puddle and I would have caught a much better shot. She may have been sopping wet, but at least she wouldn't be a blur of highpitched bed-headed giggles.



Ah, but really...this RUN from the camera game is SO much fun!!!
It. just. never. gets. old.
......sigh......

Bling.

I'm speaking with another boutique about selling my tutus with them. This little tutu factory keeps evolving on it's own. Did I mention that a friend of mine has been taking some serious torture from me and sewing in the waist bands? I find that part of the tutu making completely mindless and annoying. And, she "says" she doesn't mind it. AwEsOmE.

Anyway - I may be breaking my self imposed rule. I may agree to doing three styles, replicating them, and offering them only at this shop. It's just too hard to do completely fresh photos of each unique tutu on e-retailer shops. So... I'm considering it. And, after this boutique - I'm done. No more. I mean it.

This is a tutu I've made for the shop owner's daughter, Fiona. She asked for a bit of bling, so that's what she gets. I don't believe I've done "bling" before. I'm good at bling.



Anyway - The manic posting frenzy may be coming to a halt for awhile as I play around with tutus. I have already done another few different ones. Scarfs as sashes, itsy bitsy baby ones, etc. The ideas seem to be multiplying at frightening speed. (much speedier than I'm able to achieve them, that is....)

I really meant to head back into some more artful endeavors, rather than drowning myself in tutus. Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Back to the factory.

Clarifications, review, & stuff

To clarify - (for those folks who thought I was a nut-job declaring that tutu as "botched."
The tutu was supposed to have this lovely sort of scalloped bottom. With ribbon ties that cinched it up to as high as the little princess wanted. I put in the cinches, which sucked. Then noted that it looked odd, as the uncinched spots dangled down too far. I then took the machine and permanently pinched in spaces in between, thinking it would be another perfect solution...and much easier. It ended up just being a mess of a cinched bottom - that just doesn't hang like I envisioned it would. It wasn't worth the effort. Not at all. SO - to Kenzie it goes!

I've also wanted to say thanks to the new commenters for the cheerleading. Everybody loves comments, eh? I'd tell you this in person but, those of you with blogger accounts don't seem to be linked to blogs. Anyway.

The sweet Melissa sent me some great pictures of her guy wearing one of my tails. I just love Melissa's words. She's got such a colorful way with them. And, she "reviewed" my tail over here . That was a pleasant surprise. Thanks Melissa.



I think I need to make a "gallery" of kiddos wearing my garb?

Botched.

I thought I had a brilliant idea for a new tutu, but was sorely disappointed with its outcome. No worries - Kenzie loves it. My poor baby - she gets only the botched goods these days. I didn't even give her a sash.



Anyhow, she wore it out bug-hunting. Cuz, that's just what she does. Get's all fancy to jack around in the mud. Sigh.

















And, this would be why I'm always whining about my "model."
She refuses me smiles, unless they are genuine.
She. does. not. pose.
Throws sand way too close to the camerawoman.
Flies around like a looney fairy.
And, she loses rolly-pollies in the tutu mid-photo shoot!

Another happy customer.

pretty teething or tribute to Stacy Dinkel
Originally uploaded by mokulau.

Love this picture of a little gal teething away in one of my tutus. She was the flower girl in a lovely Key West wedding....

Love that bald head! However, I must face it. The kid is waaaaay cuter than the tutu.


And, I have lately decided against posting all the tutu productions here. Get's a bit boring, eh? So, I will share only new styles because the feedback is GOOD. (by the way, thanks for the ideas on my bedroom too. It's gone no where, but I'll share it when I've finished!)

Please join me in a tutu critique:



I picked up these funky sequined elastic belts and really like them as I can attach them in more than one spot to help hold them in place. The sashes are pretty, but they can only be attached in the front, to tie in the back - otherwise, obviously the elastic waist would be useless. I think they can be difficult to tie, come untied, get pulled by ornery brothers, etc.



I've attached the sequin belts to two tutus, and rather like the outcome. A neighbor squealed with glee, so I think that's a good sign. What do you think?? Yay or Nay? They are kind of loud and glitzy, but little gals (sometimes) are too!



I have also become quite fond of stuffing these babies with bits of tulle, rather than the flower petals as the result is so wonderfully POOFY. Too bad this approach makes for very difficult photography. I tend to send most of these to the boutiques, as the effect is just WAY better in person.



In closing - No - I am not on a manic mood swing crafting binge. The husband went with some boy pals to New York and has been away. I tend to have immense difficulty falling asleep (imaginary burglars), so I just sew until I can't hold my eyes open anymore. He'll be back tomorrow, and darn it --even with the burst of productivity -- I have so many things on my to-do list.

Progress.

Master Bedroom and Office Repaint - DONE!
Swap goodies - DONE!
Giant Tutu order - DONE! {Well, Kinda...I'll send a second shipment later. After the cat munching fiasco, I wanted to get some into the boutique right away, rather than waiting to recreate those tutus that were well...shredded.)

Excuse the bad photo. It's raining AgAiN. And, my new chocolate brown wall was nearest to me and the camera. A brighter scene would make this tutu look more like it does in real life...and probably less shiny. (it's not shiny at all).

Can you spare some reactions to a black tutu? I love it. But, I tend to react to the more unusual children's goods. The boutique requested that I send only one black one, so I have another that I'll add to my Etsy shop once the sun comes out and I can take a decent photo of it. (Please sun!!! Please come back! Not for the tutu. But, for me. I NeeD you!!)



What do you think? To Black Tutu...or not to Black Tutu?? :)

I am desperate to get back to some more artful stuff. Hopefully that's on the agenda next.

An a-maize-ing Ballerina

I mentioned that I can't keep a secret in my last post.... :)
Did you know Maize used to be a ballerina?? I didn't. But, she fessed up when she ordered these:



Can you envision her split leaping, twirling, and dancing about her pretty house in these? She SAYS she's going to decorate a room with one and give the others to little girls.



I think she's going to keep them all to herself and play ballerina when Buck is out of the house... or maybe for Buck? Hmnnn.



I broke the no-repeat rule with the last one. This one is for her "room."
Yeah, right.... (wink, wink).

Less fattening than Easter candy

So sorry to bore this blog with more tutus, but I like to keep a running documentation of them, (so I can stay true to the no-copy rule). Well, and....I don't feel like I accomplished anything if I can't add it to my blog!



This batch is my favorite yet -- and they are heading off to a boutique in ENGLAND. How CrAzY is that???



It just hit me that tutus would be an excellent easter basket gift, but it's a little to late to plug that idea over at Etsy now!!! I'm always a day late with my wise ideas. "An Easter treat that's super sweet, but won't rot teeth!!" How's that for a advertising slogan!! :)



The weather was bipolar today...cloudy one second...sunny the next...which didn't result in fabulous pictures - but they'll do. And, I can't catch a good nap these days. I don't know what I'll do when my daughter stops napping and I no longer have my crafty outlet time. Sigh. How do other mommies make so much when the naptimes disappear??



I guess preschool is on the horizon for us, so I'll have that to look forward to eventually. However, I hope it's a case of being "overtired," as Kenzie woke up two hours early today, and then proceeded to take a 20 minute nap.
DARN.



I'm babbling (while pictures load) & I doubt anyone is still reading anyway. :) So, the lone tail is off to England too..

Tutu skirt

Tutu skirt
Originally uploaded by mama's doodles.

I'm posting from flickr, since blogger doesn't like me anymore and won't allow me to post pictures.

I've had this idea stuck in my head for awhile and this is my first attempt at achieving it. This is for my daughter....and will likely be multiplying into different forms also.

This is for the St. Patty's day shenanigans we've got planned. No body better be pinching my gal!!

Another tutu

Another tutu
Originally uploaded by mama's doodles.

Duh. Sorry, this blog is becoming a bit tutu laden lately.
This one is for my etsy shop. I'm loving the flower embellishment at the waist. I took flowers apart to create my own this time. It's not as "gawdy" (husbands words) as some were previously using the entire flower. Less is more, you know??? :)

I also finished a second one, but I need to re-shoot it. It's a new approach too, stuffed with tulle instead of petals for an extra poofy skirt. However, extra poofy means extra difficult to photograph, apparently.

Next up -- Perhaps I'll be hanging all the art in my daughters room, and starting a mural in there. I say perhaps, as "we'll see." I cannot imagine how difficult it will be to paint on her walls with her dangling from my knee caps wanting to help. It may not happen. I will however, aim to hang the art, and take photos of it. I realized this afternoon - that aside from one cheapo bookcase and a cutesy toy chest -- I have altered, refinished, or created every item in there. I do hope that's a good thing???

And, rambling aside. Curtains. I need some of those!! I'll be making some tonight while the hubby entertains himself at a friends with some beer, er, um I mean, basketball.

happy customer....

What a pleasure it is to see my tutus in action!! I received these adorable photos today of a happy customer, and also received permission to use them at my shop. They bring an enormous smile to my face!! How cute is this gal in my white and red tutu??? SERIOUSLY, cute...that's how cute!









It's fabulously spring-like outdoors lately, and we've been enjoying it! I think I've have a slight dose of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as the fresh air, bright sun, and general springy-ness has brought me out of hibernation with a refreshed attitude. I've managed to clean up some flower beds, finished the corner desk for my daughters room and jumped head first right into a zillion other projects. (I even got my hair done and my teeth cleaned!!) I'm happy to see the buds and blooming action going on outside, and am anxious for leaves, leaves, leaves to be on the trees! Unfortunately, we've still got to get through the "April Showers" part of the season, but at least my daughter's birthday will be celebrated in the middle of that...(not to mention a dental filling that needs to be replaced. Yuck.)

I was surprised at the level of excitement about the tails that's been displayed by family & friends. I've made a few tails for my shop lately and just have to figure out how to photograph the boogers. There's been many a request for more of the dinosaur version. I haven't even gotten a chance to try out my other ideas (mermaids are next!!) One problem -- My dinosaur designs have used corduroy. I mentioned that I used all my corduroy on those freaking window snakes, trying to eliminate drafts & warm up my house.

While at the fabric stores, I inquired about where to find green corduroy and earned a seriously snide cackle -- "It's the WRONG season for corduroy!!!" Shoot. I'm hoping to trip over some at a clearance section somewhere. I can't believe I never realized that fabric selections rotate with the seasons, just as clothing stores do. Brilliant -- but a thorn in my side...

A wedding tutu

A wedding tutu
Originally uploaded by mama's doodles.

..custom made for a wee little flower girl.