Monday, February 27, 2012

SoChick! Style Guide {with SoChick's Savannah Tote}

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Happy Monday!  I hope you enjoyed the weekend, we did!  I got a lot of sewing done to catch up from time missed for sick days, I feel like i'm getting back on track again and that's always a welcome feeling!


Today I wanted to share one of the newer bags in the SoChick! Shop, but in a different-to-me way.  You may remember my post about this cool site, Polyvore, where you can style outfits, rooms, and whatnot... well, after having SoChick's spring photo shoot rained out, I thought Polyvore would be a great way to share how I envision my SoChick! Handbags being part of your life!


Today we are going to look at The Savannah Tote in Aqua Spring:


While Eloise, my dress form, is a very cooperative model (and classy gal, I must say), these Polyvore outfits really portray The Savannah Tote's possibilities, as I envision it:



Dress it up [Lady's Lunch & Shopping]


SoChick Tangerine/Aqua

SoChick Tangerine/Aqua by thesochick


The name says it all, "The Savannah Tote", it's a classy bag that wants to have fun, too... just like the city it's named after.  This would be my outfit choice for a classy, springtime, girl's lunch downtown followed by shopping, shopping and shopping!


Because The Savannah Tote is nice and roomy, at four inches deep with four interior pockets, you can stash all of your necessities in it as well as some purchases, you know... to keep your hands free for the larger shopping bags. What's great about this style is that it can also pass for the office, in which case you can drop your planner and iPad in your bag, too!  Or, you can swap the dress for linen pants and add a cami under the cardigan for another great wear-to-work look!


Go Casual [Running errands & play-dates with the kids]


SoChick Tangerine/Aqua Casual



Like, 98% of the time I'm a jeans and flip-flops kind of gal, so this is a great example of my idea of "Everyday Chic"!  Comfy cuffed boyfriend jeans with a basic, yet feminine, white cotton tank, dressed up with ruffly leather sandals, a necklace with "pop" and a gold cuff... I couldn't resist topping it off with the sparrow earrings to play into the sparrows in the tote's "Aqua Spring" print! Fun!


You can wear The Savannah Tote at the elbow, but also hike it up to your shoulder when running after the kiddos; again, since it has so much room, you can toss in a few diapers, a travel wipes case, juice and snacks along with all of your necessities, too! 


Of course these outfits highlight some of the season's hottest colors, ahem, Tangerine Tango, however, I think this color combo is super timeless; always a great pick for Spring and warmer weather.


Wasn't that fun!?  Okay, so now that we're all daydreaming of shopping in Savannah... time to get back to work!


Note: Some of the items I chose for my Polyvore outfits are extremely out of my price range, so if you really love them I'd recommend hitting up a place like TJ Maxx, to find similar styles.  Of course, SoChick! Handbags can only be purchased through my online Shop.  XxOo~M


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Happening This Week:  


- A new option will be available in The Shop for The Pleated Tote as well as re-stocked colorways.


- Have you checked out the Craftsy BOM Blog Tour? Visit HERE to see who's the featured stop today!


- I'll be talking about Fabric later this week, too... stop by for some tips and info, you might learn something.  This will be especially helpful if you are new to sewing! *hint*




XxOo~ Melissa

Friday, February 24, 2012

Insta-Friday {Feeling Better}

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So, about this mini hiatus I took from blogging... It wasn't intentional, really, I promise.  You see, the kids had a nice three (and a half) day weekend from school and my oldest chickie ended up bringing home a nasty stomach virus, which hit her on Sunday, to share with the rest of us.  I'll save you all of the details and tell you that we are all feeling much better after a few days of rest.  Whew!

Anyway, where has the week gone?!  I'll share the highlights (which are few) via an Insta-Friday post... linking up with Life Rearranged.

life rearranged

I was able to sneak in some sewing earlier in the weekend, prepping for new items... here's a sneak peek of some swirly pink fabric straps:


I also stitched up my February Blocks for the Craftsy BOM, but I'm going to wait to share those on the blog... you can visit me on Craftsy.com (TheSoChickChick) and you may have caught a peek if you're following me on Twitter or Instagram (Both @TheSoChickChick).



Next up is my Nan's grandfather clock, this is a seven day clock, meaning I need to "wind it" (raise the weights) once a week.  Every time I do, I open the front of it, take a breath in and am hit with all kinds of nostalgia of growing up and my Nan's home.  This was her clock, and all those years of being in her home have been sucked inside, they greet me every time I open that door... warm fuzzies. every. time.


Marilyn Louise, our 5 yo Boston Terrier, is always up for napping and snuggling... she's happiest snuggling under the covers snoring her brains out, so naturally she got some enjoyment out of us all being sick and resting.  Very recently, the pups have started sleeping in the girls' room again; they think they've gone to heaven every night when we say "time for bed", 've never seen two dogs run up stairs, jump in bed and lay still so quickly.  No, they are not spoiled... 

Well, there you have it... my week in photos.  This weekend I will be busy playing catch-up as there are lots of orders to fill, lots of projects going on and an upcoming trip to Sewing Expo (I'll tell ya more about that next week)... all of which means lots of coffee and maybe a late night, or two.

Don't forget that the Craftsy BOM Blog Tour kicks off today with Miss Print!! Pop over to say hi, you may find that you'll want to stay a while! Want the list of stops on the tour?  Visit my "Save the dates" post, Here.

Have a great weekend.

XxOo~ Melissa

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Ready for a Blog Tour?! [Save the Dates]

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Not long ago I introduced you to my New Sewing Friend (Craftsy.com)...  I told you about the awesome Free Block of the Month Lesson I signed up for (click that button in the right side-bar) and even shared the progress of my January Blocks. Soon, I will be sharing my blocks for February, but even more exciting is this awesome Blog Tour my SoChick! blog is going to be a part of:

Blog Tour Button





The Craftsy Block of the Month Blog Tour starts on February 24th and will take you through 14 fabulous blogs!  Not only are you going to have some awesome new blogs to follow, you will learn more about the Free BOM Lesson, see different interpretations of current blocks, grab some sneak peeks at future blocks.. oh yea, and have a chance to WIN a $25 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop at EVERY stop along the way!


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You read that right... Fourteen chances to WIN $25 to Fat Quarter Shop!  Wow!

Here are the stops and dates for The Craftsy Block of the Month Blog Tour:


Feb 24 - Miss Print
Feb 25 - Hoosier Toni
Feb 27 - Fresh Lemons
Feb 28 - Qubee Quilts
Mar 2  - mon petit lyons
Mar 3  - Mel's Own Place
Mar 7  - Sew Paint Create
Mar 9  - SoChick!
Mar 10- Spin the Bobbin
Mar 14- Ellison Lane
Mar 16- Old Red Barn Co



Be sure to save the dates, you wont want to miss a single stop along the way!  Want to share the excitement with your friends/blog readers? Grab a Blog Tour button to the right!

See, I told ya I had lots to share! *wink*


XxOo~ Melissa

Monday, February 13, 2012

{New Product} SoChick's "The Julie" Wristlet

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I swear I am bursting at the seams with wanting to share all kinds of things that I'm planning for SoChick as well as what is already in the works, but I have learned from experience that good things take time... so I'll have to settle for sharing this {New Accessory} with you today! Yay!!

I am super excited about this piece!  This past fall, a friend of mine really liked my framed clutches and asked if I could make a wallet or wristlet for her.  She wanted something that could hold a few cards, cash and her phone, and be easily hands-free if needed... of course I was up for the challenge! 

She loved what I made for her and I love the design, too... so here it is, named after my friend, Julie:

.

Aside from the beautiful shiny silver metal frames, here are some features that make "The Julie" such an awesome accessory:

Zipped Coin pocket and removable wrist strap (featuring shiny nickel hardware):

"The Julie" Shown in Aqua Spring


Isn't the big ball clasp on that frame just stunning?! Drool!


Inside you will find four card pockets that can hold up to two cards each; this 1 inch deep wristlet has enough room for your iPhone, lipgloss and cash.  If you have a small set of keys, they will fit in here, too... if not, you can easily clip them to the wrist strap... hello hands-free!
Shown in "Just Peachy" Chevron
 While some of the new styles in The Shop are not available in all of the new fabrics, "The Julie" is!  


The most recent colorways in The SoChick! Shop are "Just Peachy Chevron", "Cobalt Sunshine", and "Aqua Spring"; these fun and fresh SoChick picks feature quality fabrics from designers Heather Bailey, Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry... who happen to be some of my personal favs!



* * *


Would you like to win some SoChick! swag?!  Visit Andrea over at Bubblewrapp'd and enter the SoChick! GiveAway!




Have a great Monday!
XxOo~ Melissa

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

February Is National Embroidery Month [Yay!!!]

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I heart embroidery! Mostly, for me, it's machine embroidery... but I appreciate all types!


I plan to stitch something fun later in the month, but for now I wanted to share some fun-stitchy-embroidery-yummyness with you...


Enjoy!


{Embroidery floss in a rainbow of pretty Colors}
Source: flickr.com via Melissa on Pinterest



{Beautiful hand embroidery! I love the little bumble bee!}
Source: flickr.com via Melissa on Pinterest



{A stunning example of free-hand machine embroidery}
Source: flickr.com via Melissa on Pinterest



{One of my Go-To Sites for Embroidery Designs!}




{Example of a cool Urban Threads design, Ahoy Matey, that I used for some gifted scarves}











Do you embroider by hand or machine? Planning to stitch up something for National Embroidery Month?? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear about it!


XxOo~ Melissa

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Fabulous Fabric Friday [Dreaming of Fabric]

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It has been a while since my last Fab. Fab. Friday post and I really want to share this one, so today its happening on a Saturday... yippie!


Today's will be a quick one, but packed with awesome fabric!  For starters, if you've read my about me posts you know that I have a wide taste in music... well, that also transcends to the fabric I love.  Today is a great example of two "Coming Soon" fabric collections that are completely different styles, but have captured my heart and [soon] my creativity.


* * *


The first is LillyBelle, by BariJ, for Art Gallery Fabrics:


I love the way Bari describes this collection on her site, "gorgeous gardens", "graceful chateau"... and LillyBelle, " She's strong and fierce, bright and clever, sentimental and soft. LillyBelle goes where I dare to dream she can go."  The florals and pops of color grab me, as do the geometric prints.








Of course I LOVE the sketch of the pretty framed purse!



* * *




Next, Tula Pink's rockin' NightShade:











I love her story of the Von Black Sisters; the lace bird print and of course the pirate references.  These are going to lend themselves to some cool and funky stitching ideas in my idea notebook...






Plus, when collections have colorways such as "Absinthe", you know its gotta be cool, right? Right!


* * *


I am super excited to see both of these collections in 2012... what are some things you would make with them?  What collections are you looking forward to?  Leave a comment and lets talk Fabulous Fabric!


XxOo~ Melissa

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

[Featured Site] KD-Quilts & An Awesome Hexagon Quilt (In progress)

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Have you noticed a trend here lately in the world of SoChick!?  Yep, there is more of a focus on sewing and fabric... most recently, Quilting.  I'm going to blame it on the super awesome "Block of the Month" lesson that I signed up for, HERE.  But also, it's my way of sharing my love of sewing in general!  What do you think?  Leave a comment below to tell me! 


Today I have Kristen of KD-Quilts to tell you about herself and a project that I think is just too cool!


Enjoy!


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Hello! My name is Kristen Danis and I blog over at KD-Quilts.com. I am a twenty something SAHM and have been 
sewing for years, but seriously started quilting 3 1/2 years ago. I got into quilting after I found my 
obsession for fabrics. Since I also have an obsession with blankets and pillows, quilting proved to be the 
perfect hobby for me! 

Last year I was blessed with the most amazing little boy! I have also turned my hobby into my business to allow 
me to stay at home with the little man, and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in the world! I specialize 
in custom and memory T-Shirt quilts as well as little quilty accessories and original PDF quilt patterns for 
sale in my shop (www.kd-quilts.com/store)

When I'm not sitting at my machine, you can find me playing, catching up on cheesy TV (love me some Real 
Housewives!) and knitting or snuggling under a quilt reading a good book.





Melissa asked me to share my super long term project with you, my hexagon quilt. 






When the little one was itty bitty, he wouldn't sleep in his crib until after his late night bottle. So he would sleep in my arms for hours and I was stuck on the couch. I needed something to do since I'm horrible at sitting and doing nothing. I 
figured it would be a perfect time to have a long term hand sewing project, and there is just something about 
those little hexagons of fabric!







I decided I wanted this quilt to be truly scrappy, not repeating a single print. Also, when I make quilts I 
want it to be big enough to snuggle under, and this quilt is no exception! That means I'll need over 2,000 
prints. When this quilt is finished, it will all be 100% done by hand, including the piecing, quilting and 
binding. So far I've got 1 row of 4 all finished!



I keep an update of all my hexie progress on my blog, www.kd-quilts.com, as well as all my other quilting and 
sewing adventures. 

Thank you Melissa for having me on your blog today! 


* * *
All by hand!  Sew awesome, thank you Kristen for sharing!


XxOo~ Melissa
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