New Applique's from "Sew What Mommy"

Happy Friday (and April fools day).  Hope any tricks that get played on you go over well...  I am still recovering from the rubber snake that got placed in my bed last night...  Oh how I love my little angels!!!
And speaking of angels, check out these adorable and creative new appliques and outfits from "Sew What Mommy."  Too cute and perfect for the warmer temps' coming. 

Dress from Old Navy and the sweet and sassy Octopus
makes it super adorable.

It is Mario time.  Perfect for your boy who loves
this little Italian-American cutie.

Seriously cute and perfect for summertime.



Going to Disney this summer?  Perfect Tee's to wear.

For more information make sure you check out Sew What Mommy as well as visit their facebook page.  Thanks Jenn and Amy for putting their creative talents to make such sweet outfits for the little ones.

L.C. Designs - Custom Sewing To Accent Your Personal Style

Fur coats transformed into a cozy blanket...
Sexy Sassy Aprons...
Beautiful Window Treatments...
Need I say more?

I didn't think so.  Let me introduce you to a friend and fantastic seamstress Lucia Clark, with L.C. Designs located in Steele Creel area. 

I have known Lucia for several years now and  knew about her skills and talents as a seamstress from remembering outfits she had designed and sewed for kids in our Mom's group.  However I quickly learned her true joy for her business when I walked into her house one day last week.  Needless to say, I just love when I see someone take a Living room or Dining Room or any room for that matter and turn it into their "Passion Room."

It tells me that you are doing what you love, even if it takes over  a room in your house.  And rightfully so.  Lucia studied Fashion Design at Centinary College in New Jersey, and has been surrounded by creativity and sewing her whole life (her Mom a seamstress, her brother an artist).  Lucia has turned her own talents into a unique business offering - a variety of creations for just about anyone. 

Her creations include:

• Customized Handbags
• Children's Clothing (sizes 9 months - 6 years)
• Window Treatments (including installation)
• Nursery Design and Bedding Coordination
• Fun and colorful Kitchen Aprons

And much more...  L.C. Designs also offers alterations and Lucia is happy to sew together outfits that her customers design.  Most recently she sewed an outfit for an entire family for a Disney trip.  Local mom, Amber Greenwalt provided the design and fabric choices, and Lucia, armed with her sewing machine, brought Ambers concept for the outfits to life.

The Greenwalt kids in Orlando wearing their stylish Disney outfits.

"I am a very visual person" Lucia tells me.  She flips through idea books constantly, tucking away ideas and certain designs for future projects.  She can sketch just about anything and is happy to consult with her customers on design plans for any room in the house, kids outfits, bedding and more.  She also offers teaching for those  of you who would like to learn more about sewing and design.  In a nut shell, you will appreciate Lucia's talent and her skilled work, and enjoy the professional technique and expertise she brings to custom design projects that fit your life.  She has years of experience with an elegant eye for style and creativity, whether it's something for your family or just for you. 

Lucia has lived in Charlotte for four years, is a Mom of two boys, and her husband Joe is one of her biggest supporters.  So much so that he made this custom sign for her that hangs proudly in their home:

Joe also helps out on projects that require some carpentry work.  Having a handy husband helps Lucia when she designs a project for a room.  Designs can also be transported not just to fabric but also wood. 

Lucia holds up two wood frames that eventually will go over a baby's crib.

For more information on L.C. Designs and if you would like to discuss a design project with Lucia you can reach her by e-mail at lucia1230@msn.com or by phone at (704) 441-3276.

You can also see some of L.C. Designs products at the upcoming Spring Fling held in Baxter Village on Saturday, March 19th.

A few more pics of L.C. Designs work and creations...

One of Lucia's custom handbags.

A sample of fabric designs to switch out for hand bags.





More of L.C. Designs on display at a recent holiday "Sip and Shop" event in Berewick..

 

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Two Mom's, One Passion, A Ton of designs.

Meet local stay at home Mom’s, Amy Snyder and Jenn Holby.  They are the two very creative brains behind their local home based business, "Sew What Mommy."  If you think the title is cute, wait till you see their selection.  They offer fun and different clothing for little ones as well as some unique items that are all handmade, all fabulously trendy and super adorable.
Amy and Jenn have known each other for six years.  Their friendship is unique in the sense that they both have two boys and one girl who are very close in ages.  Their friendship blossomed when they met at childbirth class with their first babies. They now live in the same neighborhood and not only call each other best friends but also neighbors. 
I visited with them one day last week and found out the story behind “Sew What Mommy” and where they get their ideas and inspiration.
"We just wanted to create an eye-catching outfit that you wouldn't normally see in Target, but one that wouldn’t hold a boutique price." Says Amy (a Clemson grad and diehard Tigers fan) Amy, who never had much interest in sewing as a little girl, comes from it honestly as her Grandmother who was a full on seamstress passed away at the age of 96.  After that she bought her first embroidery machine and with the help of her mom and many phone conversations, she self taught her way around the machine and was making and monogramming outfits in no time.
“My grandmother was a big inspiration to me.” She says, and now that she can design and create outfits using a family niche it makes it all the more special.

Jenn, also has a way with the sewing machine.  Prior to buying her Sewing/ Embroidery machine she worked on a 60 year old “Sears Kenmore” that was a hand me down from family.  The machine had been well taken care of but being 60 years old it had some “issues.” Still, she was able to use the machine to make some outfits and most recently, curtains for their new home.  But after Amy showed her Brother machine and what cute stuff one could make, she went out and bought one immediately.  Together they began making new outfits for their little girls and before they knew it people were asking them “Where did you buy that.”  And things took off from there.

“We are inspired by boutique style outfits, but want to offer them at a more reasonable price. Seeing the newest specialty children’s clothing catalogs fuels our creativity even more and we want to achieve a look for kids that are funky yet also simple and fun.”
“Brainstorming is part of the process.” They also say.  Both girls, who admit they get most of their ideas while in the car, come up with new ideas daily. They laugh at the fact of how many times they have called each other saying “I have another IDEA!!"

Trendy Top and pants outfit.

Most of the sewing is done during nap time and also in the evenings when kids have gone to bed.   It is non-stop but also part of the joy they tell me.
"The fun part is it doesn’t feel like work.  We truly love what we create and love what we do."

Another unique thing about “Sew What Mommy” is you can do business with them one of two ways.  If you are a fabric buff and want to pick out your own colors etc, you can bring the fabric to them and they will make the outfit for you.  Or, they can purchase the fabric for you and just add it to the cost of your item.  Both ways allow many options for customers and make things easier on those of us (me included) who can barely put together red on red.

Fabric Sample from one of their designs.

I am definitely a fan of their work and know you will be too.   One of the main reasons they do this is so that the outfits will be distinctive and not something you would see on other kids at school.   They are fun, creative, and both girls have an eye for styles that are current, trendy but also have old fashion flair. 

All of the fabrics are pretreated by washing them on gentle cold and hanging to dry. They also “serge” the raw edges of the material for a professional look and product as well as to prevent any unraveling. All items are made in a pet and smoke free home.  Their sizes run from 3 M to a size 12.  And they offer both boy and girl appliqués along with seasonal collections as well. 


Girl Easter Outfit

Sample Boy Applique

Be sure to also check out their monogrammed items, one here includes the famous South Carolina Logo using monogrammed initials.



Designers Amy and Jenn with daughters Aubree and Mena.


For more information check out their website at and become a fan on facebook.
http://www.sewwhatmommy.blogspot.com/
Or contact them at:  sew-what-mommy@att.net