tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84359726951048163942024-03-13T02:22:08.777-04:00Pretty JaneIn and Out of the StudioDeborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-40670103914781208452009-05-27T09:03:00.002-04:002009-05-27T09:09:08.439-04:00My Grandfather's LegacyMy grandfather's grandfather was a knife maker. He invented--and I promise, I'm not making this up--the serrated-edge bread knife, a story Grandad would've told you in a heartbeat if you'd asked. All through the late 19th century, his company manufactured knives in northern Ohio, and continued until two world wars made steel so expensive that they couldn't maintain the patents and competition Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-65028922273507701742009-04-30T16:37:00.005-04:002009-04-30T16:52:58.088-04:00Hmmmm....Just when you think you have it all figured out....I know I pretty much threw up over all y'all with that last post, but apparently I had some things that needed getting off my chest. I think at the time I was going through the process of letting go of what I thought Pretty Jane was meant to be--but I had no real idea what Pretty Jane was becoming. It might've come off as grumpy and bitter and Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-7948237209100197572009-04-15T20:57:00.002-04:002009-04-15T21:02:07.053-04:00Finding MyselfAs I regroup, I came upon this quiz (via PlayIsTheThing) and figured it was worth a go. I wonder if I was unduly influenced by the fact that I adore the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility far beyond good measure? In my defense, as a former teacher of Literature, I'm kinda required to love Jane Austen, even if I do prefer Jane Eyre (still the funniest book I've ever read). Take the Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-49845955909375548712009-03-26T20:25:00.003-04:002009-03-26T21:09:15.386-04:00Where Have You Been, Pretty Jane?Away. Busy. Overwhelmed. Changing directions. Moping, occasionally.I've been going through A Thing.On the one hand, I've been starting a new venture--have I mentioned Whipstitch yet, my baby, my passion? It's really taking off and becoming so much more than I ever, ever thought it could be. I mostly blog about it separately rather than here, but there are a lot--A LOT--of gray areas, and Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-20006982618245104512009-02-24T10:12:00.002-05:002009-02-24T10:17:18.493-05:00Convo with my HusbandHim: Do you even blog anymore?Me (snippily): YES, as a matter of fact, I DO.Him: Really?Me (saucier): YES!Him: Um, when?Me: When you're not looking.Him:Me: I'm a busy woman! I can't be expected to blog every day.Him: How about ANY day?Me:Him: Love you.Me:Me (grudgingly): Love you, too.(He turns his back)(I stick out my tongue)Him: I can see you in the mirror. You know that, right?Me: Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-4068040349604575542009-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:002009-02-15T23:27:44.568-05:00Friday Preview #4: Instant WardrobeWhen did I say this next preview would be posted?? Let's just pretend it was today, shall we? All better then.Here, then, is the Instant Wardrobe for girls.The Abigail pinafore, always a popular seller. Plus a pair of shorts, a pair of long pants, and an appliqued tee. All in coordinating fabrics, to be worn in nearly limitless combinations:Wear the Abigail alone. Wear the Abigail with the tee.Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-5048897902112633612009-02-01T22:43:00.000-05:002009-02-15T23:27:19.180-05:00Hey! I'm a Wreck!Check out this article about the discovery of the Pretty Jane off the Australian coast.And like, I'm a trained archaeologist who always wanted to do underwater work on shipwrecks, ever since my grandfather took us snorkeling among them as kids. Plus, I'm totally of Scottish descent, and I've always wanted to go to Australia! Is this some kind of sign?? Or am I just really, really overworked Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-87118283147709079252009-01-30T15:00:00.007-05:002009-01-30T22:07:40.686-05:00Friday Preview #3: Hand Dyed Appliqued TeesThis is actually LAST week's preview, which I postponed as I digested my new minivan ownership. Look tomorrow for another, BONUS preview post, and keep in mind that the preview with the highest total number of comments will be featured in a GIVEAWAY in early March!I've done appliqued tees in the past, but I always struggled with the colors that were available. Somehow, it had escaped me that I Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-81128831017224093482009-01-28T14:20:00.004-05:002009-01-28T14:36:54.283-05:00Shot Through The Heart, BabySo, I missed the Friday preview last Friday. My car was busy needing a NEW MOTOR, and I kinda freaked a little. Then my Sweet Husband took me out for a date and bought me a minivan. And HOT WINGS! I'll post photos later, but know that only a shiny extra-large vehicle could distract me from posting photos of the spring line. Will get that next preview up ASAP!In the meantime, here's what I'veDeborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-81630706162942382262009-01-22T14:15:00.004-05:002009-01-23T08:37:50.463-05:00Top of the Muffin to Ya!Her: Oh my gosh, you look great!Me: (blushing) Wow, thanks!Her: No, seriously, I can't believe you just had your third baby.Me: Well, I mean, he's four months old, so...Her: But you're like, back to your pre-pregnancy size!Me: Wow, um, NO. I mean, I'm wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans, but there's plenty of muffin for allllll of us, knowwhatI'msayin'??Her:Me: Sorry.Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-30623295114011680402009-01-21T12:19:00.002-05:002009-01-21T12:59:03.056-05:00AcceptanceReceived my acceptance letter late last week for the Inman Park Festival. Am VERY excited to be there on my own this year. But today, I did the math and realized that I'm already behind my production schedule, and that I'll need to really, really step it up into high gear if I hope to create the vision I have in my head in real life. I frequently "see" things in my head that I just know are Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-1485601958390238782009-01-19T15:49:00.005-05:002009-01-19T16:15:19.972-05:00What Might've BeenThe fabric for the Rinse aprons finally arrived--AFTER Market was past. Ah, well. I whipped up a couple aprons anyway, since Heather says she still wants a few for upcoming street markets, etc. One is flouncy and gathered and very French Maid:The other is flat front and has more of a retro feel, with a round pocket made from the pressed flower medallion:I've been reading today about the "Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-15728137973484168672009-01-16T10:00:00.000-05:002009-01-16T10:05:59.441-05:00Friday Preview #2: Reversible SkirtThis is the Kirsten skirt, in sizes 12mo to 12 years. I've done it in loads of fabric combinations this season, and one of my favorites is this Sandi Henderson fabric:Elastic waistband makes it fully reversible, with bright flowers in pinks on one side, and a flush of petals on the other:I like the "paper bag" effect of the waistband here, too--does anyone else remember this style from the late Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-65783132300968405172009-01-13T15:07:00.004-05:002009-01-13T15:15:03.459-05:00Sweatshirt RefashionLast trip to the thrift store, I picked up this for 60 cents:I brought it home and told my husband I planned to refashion it. He asked, "What's wrong with it now?" Well, nothing, really. But it could be so much BETTER, right? You know I'm right.So I set about picking out the applique, one stitch at a time. Nice idea, except that the central stitches go through ALL the layers, and are TIGHT.Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-2944449283456470362009-01-09T14:56:00.003-05:002009-01-13T15:06:23.138-05:00Friday Preview #1: Spring is Coming--with a GIVEAWAY!I know, the holidays are barely even over yet and here I am, blabbing on about spring.But I have a secret: I've been working on spring and summer styles for months now, and I can hardly stand the cloak-and-dagger any longer. It's really, really difficult, when you find something you love, to NOT talk about it all the time. I remind myself of E with her first real high school crush. Wow.So Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-74580603950807019262009-01-09T12:20:00.002-05:002009-01-09T12:25:10.324-05:00Have you clicked yet?I won't say "voted," since I still have some PTSD from the last election. And since the Blog Awards are hogging all the "voting."But please take a sec, if you haven't already, to hop on over and vote in favor of changes to the CPSIA. Use that little icon to the right, the one that says, "Save Handmade Toys in the US." Help us all out.I'm not freakin' over this the way I was at first, partly Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-75010834159470179572009-01-08T20:18:00.001-05:002009-01-08T20:32:16.723-05:00To Market, To MarketAwful.I'm supposed to be sewing right this second. Making aprons for Rinse's debut at the America's Mart tomorrow. Heather from Rinse is another designer at Beehive, and so great, and I jumped at the chance to help her outfit herself and her girls for their Market debut. But THE FABRIC ISN'T HERE YET! I'm beside myself. We spent days picking out just the right combination of Amy Butler Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-1282200460399406982009-01-05T07:52:00.002-05:002009-01-05T15:30:00.433-05:00Sweater PantsStarted as a crewneck from the local Value Village:Cut out a pair of size 2 elastic-waist pants:Warm and snuggly for if the weather EVER gets cold around here. Stripes only match on the back, but considering how tough it was to squeeze the pants out of this size sweater, I'm thrilled they match at all!This is what's left:Am pretty sure I can work out some kind of apron-crossback-tunic-top for M Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-5949302863086578722009-01-02T20:46:00.002-05:002009-01-02T20:58:39.714-05:00Winners!!Thanks to ALL of you who entered--what great wishes! I was so inspired by the number of you who are planning to scale back and bring the Refashion Love into the rest of your lives. We're working at our house to do the same thing: buy less, reuse more, and enjoy what we already have.Like these buttons!! Congrats to the three big winners: one grab bag each from this awesome stash. They are:Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-34749088351067010922009-01-01T15:22:00.006-05:002009-01-04T15:41:31.944-05:00Goal SettingI have one major goal for Pretty Jane in 2009:It comes with a bit of a story behind it. In 2008, I hired some sewing ladies to work for me, in order to increase supply to meet demand, and hopefully grow my business. They were amazing, and one especially taught me a lot about what I want and don't want in the products that I create and put out for sale. They weren't cheap, though. Yes, I Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-75154644529156129422008-12-31T15:36:00.006-05:002008-12-31T15:36:00.857-05:0035 Before 35A number of other bloggers have composed lists of Things to Do Before One Turns 35. As my 35th will come in September of the dawning year, now's as good a time as any to make MY list and then endeavor to complete it in the next nine months. Lofty ambitions, to be sure.Again, these aren't resolutions--we all know how I feel about those. These are GOALS for my 35th year of life. Hold me to 'em,Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-46782966294916999562008-12-31T08:34:00.001-05:002008-12-31T08:34:00.995-05:00My Year In Cities, 2008Fun! Got this from Riffe Raff, who linked to Ahn-Minh. What a year I've had!Atlanta, GAMildenhall, EnglandLondon, EnglandParis, FranceRota, SpainCharleston, SCHonolulu, HawaiiMontgomery, ALLake Guntersville, ALLake Martin, ALNashville, TNTallahassee, FLHere's hoping 2009 has even half the amazing memories to offer...Happy New Year, everyone!**By the way, thanks for all the button love! I'm so Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-3709045248340665242008-12-30T19:38:00.005-05:002008-12-30T19:59:51.866-05:00Give Me An Inch--And A GIVEAWAY!Stupendous holiday, we had. Hoping the same for you. All illnesses seem to have passed, and I have learned a valuable lesson: if I take a break from blogging, it is exceptionally hard to return. So here I am, in the nick of time, ready to saddle up this horse for another year.Christmas saw our family of five renting an SUV and traveling to my mother, then my in-laws', then home for my father Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com108tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-80787975908617992152008-12-15T20:11:00.004-05:002008-12-15T20:22:04.158-05:00BalanceI tend to assume that sickness is an indication of a lack of something, rather than the presence of something. This is why I didn't go to medical school: I see not the presence of a virus, but a lack of sleep or nutrients.We've had a LOT of sick at our house lately. First, M was icky. Then my Sweet Husband got it and gleefully passed it on to me. Lots of hacking coughs, way more mucous than Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8435972695104816394.post-70440988859208401862008-12-08T13:12:00.000-05:002008-12-08T13:13:44.296-05:00BronchiolitisIt's what's at our house.Ick.Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975544178527897390noreply@blogger.com2