"You've got to be shitting me!!!?"

I don't often like to curse on my blog but this one was filled with surprise and delight.

A friend of my Mrs. Jody Hagedorn contacted me one day asking if I could fix a jacket for her. At this point I had just graduated from school and was a little overwhelmed but thought "yeah I guess I can do that." I was transitioning a bit coming off the insanely busy beheaded chicken phase moving into enjoying space in my schedule phase.

I met up with her and she began to tell me the jacket belonged to her grandfather and was about the only thing that they had of his after he passed. Not only was it a jacket it was an antique trout fishing jacket, with a special removable pocket that houses trout! I did a little research on these jackets and couldn't find anything similar. A very unique jacket!

We blasted around to a few fabric stores and thrift stores looking for something that might be waterproof as the old fabric that looked to be somewhat of an oilcloth had deteriorated. We settled on some camouflage (Bob's favorite kind) some lining fabric and new snaps. I felt inspired having all the materials, then overwhelmed again for it was a bit of an undertaking. Not to mention this was somewhat of a secret project. Jody didn't know if he realized the jacket was gone or not....

It had a big old zipper and seven snaps that needed replacing. I held it in my hands gazing at it, taking it apart in my head and putting it back together with new pieces trying to figure how I was going to maneuver that front pocket opening pictured above. 

I didn't get to it for a day or two as it sat on my sewing table. Those two days felt like I had maybe gotten in over my head. I hadn't really done anything like this before

I started.

....Drawing, measuring, making pattern pieces, cutting and sewing.... unsewing and sewing, ironing and serging.....

 I even got to use a hammer to get the snaps in!! Everything just came together so well. It was beautiful. (and manly)

 I had my trepidations, maybe Jody's husband wouldn't really think much of it? ...you know how guys can be "oh neat." Jody was beside herself with excitement she knew he would love it. But I still wondered.

I was so surprised when received this message at almost midnight after delivering the jacket. (and also after checking a few times to see if she left me any messages...)

"You gotta be shittin me!!! He loves it and thinks you're awesome!"

 Jody went on to say that Bob was just beside himself. He was thinking of new projects that I could do to improve his nephew and brother's ponchos!
I think he had written it off as a lost cause and had kind of forgotten about it thinking it would just need to be replaced, meanwhile Jody was just sweating bullets that he might ask where the jacket had gone!

Then to get this note to top it all off. I'm not sure who is more pleased myself or Bob! I just want to squeal and cry out of sheer happiness! This one just hit me square in the heart!

Thank you so much Jody for thinking of me! XOXO 

Bob I'm so glad that this jacket made you 'reel' happy! (sorry I had to! in the year of my absence from blogging my humor may have gotten really, REALLY lame! ;))

BEEn Busy!

I had a most wonderful weekend at Beaver Creek Reserve during the Midwest Shamanic Gathering. I received healing in many forms over the weekend. And was constantly met with teachings from beautiful people and nature. I even participated in my first sweat lodge which was incredible! We got to sing and dance to Native American Drumming. I even got to play in a drum circle, which was so much fun. Not only were there Native Americans from WI there, but also Shaman from Africa, Laos, and South America.  I feel strong, calm and happy. Very appreciative as well. 

There was talk of the Hopi Prophesy of the Eagle and Condor. Which states something like this, When the Eagle of the North and the Condor of the South fly together, the children of Earth are reawakening. 

Love Earth. Love You. Spread Love.

Simply, Love.

Reawaken.

I have been receiving lots of love via my Etsy shop! I am so excited that my cuffs went over so well and am excitedly making more! I hope to have some more "Bee Happy" since I have had requests for them after being in my shop for only a night!!

Till then you will have to check out the new Mini wallets. I know...they are no substitute... till next time! 

The first custom order was mailed off today!

Custom order #2

Mini Wallets!

Love to you all! Till next time Bee Happy!

xoxo

Natalie's custom birthday bag!

 This turned out soo cute! Even after my three attempts at embroidering her name! My beautiful friend Paige requested that I make her daughter a bag for her birthday. She also mentioned that Natalie loved things with her name on it so I had to brush up on my embroidery skills. I made her this little messenger bag! Now I want one! I really love the size its a little shallower than mine which makes it easier to find things, and perfect for a little girl, well not so little I believe she is 10 now!

 Yes! I'm so glad I watched the padded satin stitch videos! This is much more of what I had in mind! The previous two attempts were directly on the blue fabric and it was really hard to see her name, as well as not very cute! This little blanket stitched patch did the trick! All done by hand, which was a really relaxing process.
I saw Natalie after she had received her gift and asked her if she had filled it up with things yet, she responded with "yep, bubble gum!" I love it! Happy Birthday Natalie!!