Summer of My Dreams

Two years ago, I set out on a quest with a few of my friends (I call them "My Shays"-its a long story) to have the "summer of our dreams". This summer would involve all of us staying in Athens, GA ( where we went to college). We worked some (some more than others) but when we weren't working we did all sorts of memorable things we couldn't do during the school year. We made a list of movies we had always wanted to see. We went to restaurants we had never been to. We learned countless dances from "So You Think You Can Dance." We spent hours at the pool and had sewing parties. We had photo shoots and took road trips. And even though things came up, (tonsillectomies and job interviews come to mind) I had so much fun living life with those shays that summer.

It is funny to see how in the reflection of the "Summer of My dreams", this summer will be drastically different. This summer I will spend more hours making coffee than I will watching movies and dancing. I will sew, like before, but will have far less companions. And while I have to make it to the pool, so that I will look nice in two bridesmaids dresses, I will probably not model walk while I am there. Some of us have gotten married, and some of us are about to be. Some of us are about to leave and some of us have just come home. Oh how much can change in so little time! We are not who we used be and yet some how when I think of summer-I think of you shay. So even though this summer will different, the things that it has in store for us are so priceless maybe it will be one we will talk about (even dream about) in years to come.

Excitement

I have just finished 8 new bags!! (to see them more closely go to www.sewsewlovely.etsy.com) All that sewing, combined with working the last two days at the coffee shop has left me a very tired girl! It sounds funny but crafting all day is hard work. I am really loving being able to dive into sewing head on right now though. I am also loving living in Greenville and meeting all sorts of new people in the coffee shop. It is interesting the paths that we go down in our lives (I believe that God leads us down them, if we will follow). And at least for right now I enjoy that my life can look very different from one day to the next. What excites you about your life right now?

Preserving Memories

It has been a while since I have finished a quilt. I say finished because at this moment I have about 4 quilt tops that just need backs. Honestly, I still love making quilts but it seems like my customers like bags better. And lets face it bags do take less time. I just finished this tee shirt quilt for a very dear friend back in Texas. It is made from his concert tee shirts from the last 30 or so years. I think it probably one of my favorite tee shirt quilts I have ever made. It was hard to photograph though so this is the best I could do. If you are interested in having me make a tee shirt quilt (and you are not in a hurry to get it done) let me know and we can discuss size and prices.

Introducing a new product for Sew Sew Lovely!

When I am shopping flea markets, antique stores and estate sales, I have a very hard time not buying vintage handkerchiefs. If you could see the pile of them that I have, you would realize that I am not very good at resisting them. I have tried unsuccessfully to make carrying handkerchiefs come back in fashion but yesterday I came up with a great idea for what to do with them. And so here is a new product you are going to be seeing more of in my store, "The Vintage Handkerchief Cuff Bracelet". To buy this one visit my Etsy store at : www.sewsewlovely.etsy.com

Meanwhile back at the Ranch...

What A day! I started a new job at a coffee shop called "Liquid Highway" on Monday. Today I learned how to make espresso based drinks (and other beverages). I wouldn't say I have "mastered" this yet but hopefully I will get the hang of it soon. I may never get the coffee grounds out from under my fingernails, however.

I also listed four bags on my etsy store today AND had my very first sale. So here is what you missed if you didn't get a chance to check out my etsy store before this amazing bag sold. And just so you know I do have more of this vintage table cloth (that the front and back panels are made out of). I do not have any more of the floral but if you like the look of this bag send me a convo on etsy or email me (julia.b.clarke@gmail.com) and I can make you a custom bag, modeled after this one.