Cherry Lime Studio

Therapy bag cases and new items

2009-02-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

So I'm horrible at posting. Sorry! I'll try to be better ... is once a week a good start?

Well, to make up for it, a peek into my workshop.

I just listed a small bunch of cases to cover up the medium sized rice therapy bags. And can I take a moment to say that I love how the therapy bags smell? I know I can't send sniffs over the internet but just close your eyes and imagine a bright desert sunrise lighting up the painted ridges and you have the aptly named Desert Sunrise lemon and eucalyptus bags. Or a cool, still lavender garden with the moon just starting to rise and that's the Evening Lavender bags. And they're even better after a zap in the microwave to get them all warm and soothing ... ahh.

I've listed the covers and the bags seperately so you can mix and match your favorites. Want to always have a clean cover on hand? Got it, just buy an extra. Or already have a nice cover and lavender bag and want to add the energizing Desert Sunrise bag? No problem. Anyway, that's the theory behind breaking up the previously one bags and covers. We'll see how the buyers like it.

In other news, I got a load of lightweight cotton lawn fabric in that's just gorgeous. Hanky weight and they're all these crazy 70s style prints. So what to do with them? Get ready for summer with some new designs, of course! So far I've finished the prototype for a cute little chemise. What do you think?

I've started on a version to sell - this one is going in my closet! The final version is longer and has a few other slight differences but the basic look is the same since I fell in love with it. And isn't that fabric crazy? When it first arrived I thought it was hideous but, you know, it's really grown on me and now I love it a bit, especially in chemise form.

To go with the robe I just started to play with a sleeveless summer robe pattern. This is it after about an hour of experimenting, before I've had a chance to add the lace to the armcyc, sew up the sides, top stitch, iron ... ok, it's really in the beginning stages and just starting to hint at what it'll be. Still, so far I like it a lot.

I especially like the new wrap feature and might experiment with it on my other robes. We'll see!

Until next week, hope your days are cozy ones!

New Robes!

2009-01-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent a nice afternoon working on two of three more robes that'll go up in my store soon. And since I went through an inexplicable blue period last November and STILL haven't sold off any of that stuff (what's with the blue hate, people?) I went with a round of pretty, feminine pink. 'Sides, it ties in well with Valentines day!

I went with a soft coral pink and white with one robe - very restful, I thought. The pink is from fabric.com (LOVE that place!) and the white is from Joann's. It has the faintest of patterns embossed on it which seems to give it some nice depth, not that you can see it from here.

This is my favorite. The body fabric is from a cute little quilting store near Austin that we stopped in on while visiting my grandparents over Thanksgiving. Sooo soft and smooth and great colors. And the velvet adds such a great, luxurious edge to the look.

I still have to press, hem, and topstitch them and clean up the threads but at least you can see what they look like! I'm proud of them.

A peek at my 2009 plans

2009-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

I apologize for letting this blog slip. I've got the standard excuses of end of semester crunches, holiday rushes, and the like but really I just plain forgot to post. I resolve to do better this coming year!

And as for this coming year, I've got some big plans!

I'll try not to give away too much but a few things I'm working on -

- Solidifying my Grace Tunic pattern and finding a consistent supplier for the fabric so I can offer them made-to-order in a range of colors

- Offering both the Grace Tunic and the Lara Robe in a wider range of sizes.

- Continuing to expand my line of therapy bags and related spa items

- Bath tea? Maybe?

- And, my biggest, most exciting project: A small line of patterns specifically geared towards the beginning seamstress. With DVD instructions included, to make it all the easier for a newbie to sit down at the machine and make something they're proud of.

Obviously that last one will take a LOT of work and funding so it might be a while before you see it ... but hopefully it'll roll out this year! So keep coming back for updates and I promise I'll be far better about keeping this blog fresh!

New product - therapy bags

2008-11-03T16:09:00.001-08:00

The pile of leftover cotton pieces from my robes was starting to get excessive so it was time for rice therapy bags!

This one's my favorite - lovely asian print cut up into strips and paired with a gold and cream cotton. Two black buttons finish it off to perfection. The outer decorative layer serves as a pillowcase for the inner (and rather plain) rice bag which makes for a clean little therapy bag. I scented the bag with some lavender oil and mixed in some camomile, cinnamon, and rosemary leaves for the additional aromatherapy boost. I really like how it turned out and have two more in production.

Isn't this a cutie? I had a cup or so of buckwheat left over and wanted to make a little bag for it. With all the holiday talk I was feeling mildly festive so I made it up with green on one side and gold and cream on the other, with white and red topstitching. So cute! And surprisingly handy for it's small size. I need to pick up more buckwheat so I can make one for myself.

What is this?

2008-11-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

I made up a few therapy bags today and was left with a number of scraps. What to do with all these little pieces? Well, make something. So I pieced and sewed the larger scraps and sliced up the smaller ones to use as stuffing and, well, this is what came out -

Just one question - what IS it?

It's 3" square, soft, and tightly stuffed. Maybe a pincushion? A small pincushion. Or, with the addition of a ribbon, an ornament. Or a pillow for Barbie. A few drops of essential oil and it's a sachet ... maybe.

Any other ideas what I have here?

Showing off my winning costume

2008-11-02T21:37:00.000-08:00

My store hasn't updated lately because the last two weeks have been focused on both a new intro to sewing class that just got started and finishing my halloween costume. I went as a vampire hunter and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I made the shirt, corset, skirt, and sash and outfitted it all with stuff from one of those mega-halloween stores that pop up like crabgrass every October. I'll probably reuse this costume for a few more years and hopefully upgrade the armament. But, for this year, it worked!

And it's such a power trip to be armed with a knife, gun, and sword, all easily accessible. Even if they were all plastic, I still felt ready to take on a vampire. :)

Showcasing ... and ugly gown

2008-10-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

With sales slow I decided to test out Etsy's showcasefeature. For $7 shop items get shown there for one day ... sounds good! It can't hurt sales, right? So today I open up the clothing Showcase and see...

My ugliest gown.

As the main representative for the store.

Ick.

Ick, ick, ick.

My guess is either that the Etsy showcase function uses the oldest item as your representative or that it hates me. After all, I have three other lovely gowns and a tunic that's to die for and here it is showing the one I've discounted for it's looks. Sigh.

Next time.

And no, it hasn't helped sales at all. Blech.

What to make next...

2008-10-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my sewing day which means that today I'm dreaming up all the new items I'll be making! I have some utterly luscious olive green knit for another Grace tunic and an elegant red and black brocade for a fancy night-out jacket based on the Lara robe. Still trying to decide if it'll rate it's own name or not. Probably. Yet another thing to percolate over the next 24 hours.

After these two items, what should I focus on next?

Some possibilities:
- Increasing the size range. If nothing else, I need to downsize the Grace tunic so I can snag one for myself!
- Sourcing some good knit for the Brianna cardigan. My little local store just doesn't have anything the right weight
- Testing out some new fabrics. Velvet for the robe? Or crushed panne velvet for the Grace tunic? What would a robe made up in Sari fabric look like?
- Turning the various items into sewing patterns, specifically intro-to-sewing patterns for newbie sewites.
- Make up a new item altogether. I have a skirt in mind, and some knit shirts that might be just a little to gothic for my shop's current feel. Lots to think about!

I've been Treasured!

2008-10-16T11:13:00.001-07:00

A huge thanks to reVision Designs for adding my coasters to her absolutely lovely Treasury!

Special halloween coasters!

2008-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the morning embroidering these fun little coasters.

They're orange thread on a dark gray felt and were a lot of fun to make, though now I wish I had a thimble. My needle-pushing finger is sore! Still, I enjoy the tactileness of hand embroidery and really enjoyed whipping these up. Since it's a little late to sell many more of these this October, I'll probably pack away the patterns and start working on some winter themes. Maybe snowflakes, an advent series, and some Christmas ones? Hm.

I nearly finished another robe but it's waiting until I get the last few threads clipped for it's photo shoot. Two other robes are just a few little details away from being ready as well so expect my inventory to increase this weekend!

Until then, more pictures of my halloween coasters -

And yes, I plan on taking better pictures tomorrow, after a trip to the store for AA batteries. This camera is such a glutton!

Click here to buy. You know you want to!

We have a name!

2008-10-06T11:07:00.001-07:00

The Brianna Cardigan!

I'm currently playing around with fabrics to see which reorderable knits are best for this new product. First try, this teal version in a poly/spandex mix from a local shop:

Pros: So very soft and warm and cozy. Great colors.
Cons: A little too drapey and thin for the style. It's ok but the folds and collar don't stand out on this one like they do in the black (non-reorderable fabric) version.

Playing around with this one did give me an idea - just make it longer and sew up the front and it's a beautiful and flattering dress/tunic! I'll have to play around with that idea come Thursday (studio day). And this fabric's PERFECT for that use.

This version should be ready for buying come thursday. Also coming up: another Lara robe, a couple more sets of coasters (including a beautiful grey felt), and hopefully one more Brianna robe!

New Pattern (Squee!!)

2008-10-04T18:58:00.001-07:00

So ecstatic! I had this image in my mind of what my basic robe pattern could be and so last night I skipped a game night at church, pulled out the pattern, some tracing paper, and some old black knit I had and went at it and look what came out!!

This may be the most flattering item in my closet. The v-neck is so fabulous, the gathering just does the most amazing things for my figure, and the length makes my hips and thighs smaller and legs longer. Seriously, I think there's some magic happening. Hopefully tonight and tomorrow I can get a couple more of these cut out and posted on my Etsy shop. If I can bear to part with them!

And my new robe needs a name. Hm.

Great time in the studio

2008-10-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a pattern for a knit cardigan wrap, based on the Lara robe pattern, and I think I have it! I made up the first prototype tonight and am absolutely stunned at how it turned out. Even with the hems unhemmed and wonky sleeves as a result of having to tear out several parts to get the fit right, it really looks chic. I can't wait to make it up again in some stunner fabric I bought! Keep your eyes peeled for some photos!

Open for business!

2008-10-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Cherry Lime studios opened for business today! Right now offerings are a little meager but not because my stock room (er, table) is empty, just because photographing all this stuff is taking more time than I expected. But that's life!

Cherry Chocolate

Blue water

In progress

2008-09-18T11:09:00.001-07:00

Right now I've got two Lara robes just about ready to be added to the inventory. Check them out!

Here's my midnight waves robe. The blue batik is lovely and rich and the picture doesn't do justice to how well the brown compliments it.

Even though I shouldn't play favorites, I've fallen in love with this Cherry Chocolate gown. The pink with brown edging is so sweet and pretty! It's going to be hard to part with this little confection but I can only wear so many robes!