Peacock Feathers, Fabric Flowers and more Purses!!!

My dear friend Lisa's daughter, Melissa got engaged at the beach on NewYear's Day this year!  She had no idea but the rest of us did... the young man called the MOM and the dad to ask for her hand so you can imagine the excitement & nervousness when we lunched with sweet Melissa & her sparkling sister Amy just days before Adam popped the question... so careful not to spill the beans! 

I was thrilled when Lisa contacted me to do purses for Melly's wedding party!  TEN of them!  so back & forth with the Matron of Honor and we came up with a concept...

First..  I looked for ideas...  all over the internet!  it's a PEACOCK themed wedding.. what fun!

for the flowers (to be attached as a removable pin with the peacock feather)  my inspiration came from the internet and we decided on my dupioni silk "grab & go" purse with a satin ribbon wristlet  ...  then found &  bought some of the feathers on etsy!  of course!

spent hours having fun with fabric & shapes & burning fabric edges...

... combining petals & adding some bling!

... & went about creating detachable peacock feather pins...  sewing, lots of zippers, yards of cream dupioni silk were cut with felt for a backing & lining. 

  finally done! 

Purses, purses and.. more purses!

Special Order Bridal Party Purse

Last week, a soon to be bride ordered ELEVEN satin purses for her Bridal Party.. to I set to cutting, lining, sewing .. and then some more sewing! 

In the meantime, a sweet new friend mentioned a week or so ago that she would like a "tinkerbell" grab & go purse.. so I managed to cut some fabric with as many sweet little fluttering fairies as possible..  

then, while meandering thru sewing sites, I came across a fun flirty drawstring purse that I had to make and have.. so all in all, I made 11 black satin wristlets, 2 drawsting purses and 2 "grab & go" clutches.. 

think I'll make my black dress tomorrow.. happy sewing to all! 

How are you getting ready for Valentine's Day!

Yep!  I have a question for you.  How are each of you getting ready for Valentine's Day? 

Have you made a plan yet?  YOU have less than a week.  have you made a list?  are you making or buying cards, fashioning paper flowers, floating candles, cooking a delicious dinner or baking a special dessert?  think about it.. why not save a few $$$  and do it yourself...  corral the kids into helping!  they'll be soo soooo thrilled to be part of the BIG EVENT!  cut hearts out of paper & scatter them over the dining table or kitchen island, light some candles & add paper doilies to your dessert plate!

I know one young adorable lady who is about to make a new pair of pj bottoms for her honey.  We'll be doing that in class tomorrow.. She has lovingly taken apart a pair of favorite & very tattered pjs saving the elastic & drawstring.. We'll can make a pattern out of the old pair & quickly make a new pair for her wonderful husband.

Another little sweetheart is planning a big event for Saturday night.. a Valentine Couples Dinner Event in costume.. we'll be taking her wedding gown apart to refashion it into Alice's RED QUEEN!  what an exciting & ambitious venture.. it'll be sew much fun!  adding some red panels, fancy trims & red hearts..

Personally, I think my honey deserves a fabulous dessert.. imaging a tiramisu!  made one during the holidays & it got rave reviews!  not sure what to make for dinner.. waiting for a wish list!  we'll definitley have roses & candlelight ... maybe out to a movie!

Whatever you plan, hope your day is filled with lots of love from the special people in your life!  be sure to include everyone in your plans.. everyone can use a little bit of extra love & attention.. on Valentine's Day & all year long!

ps... if you need last minute gifts.. please browse thru my shop at.. AnitaDeanSews.etsy.com

...promised that to blog at least once a month!!!

yep!  promised!  and have been sew so busy!  you can see the results at AnitaDeanSews.etsy.com  or here!

I've been sewing.. Little Miss Prim has been at it again!  Here are the first 6 dresses of the 2012 Collection!
Enjoy!



Cupcake dress in size 4!  I just love pink!



These two stunning RED DRESSES are the bomb!  The richness of the red does not photograph well ... you'll have to take my word for it.. the color of the fabric is lush!

Tinkerbell Dresses in size 4 and 18/24 months!

I was finishing the detail on this in the dentist's office waiting room...   a little girl seated near me was wide eyed & her mom took my card.. a birthday coming up soon!

 So today, I'm taking a short break from etsy.. very short break!  and blogging..


on another note.. my sweet friend Anne from weelambieknits.etsy.com & weelambievintage.com has a terrific blog.. please stop by & take a look at..   talkingtomydog.blogspot.com/