Make Room

Make Room

This two word phrase has been so powerful in my life for the past few months, this year even. (I blogged a bit about the Kelly Minter study 'No More Gods'  that inspired this phrase here.) 2010 is the year I have emptied out the ghosts in my closets. Shaken the dust out of the rugs and truly given God over even the hidden corners of my figurative house. I kind of see the idol metaphor like this: At the beginning of the year I had a mantle. And on it were several trophies/idols that I loved. I put them up there so they would be safe. I could look at them, show them off to friends even, but there they stayed, exalted.  Then God said "Make Room.". And one by one I obeyed... removing the trophy, dusting the spot it had occupied and letting only Jesus remain.

The 2 sweet things shop is my last 'trophy'. The shop is my attempt to do it myself... my own way. And now I've taken the last ten days to reevaluate and recognize that God again is saying "Make Room". Inherently good, but taking time and space that he wants to fill with other things~ things that help me fulfill the calling on my life to love Him and love others. That is my singular purpose. So I do it willingly... wholeheartedly... joyfully. Knowing that I was made for more than this.

I'm not calling it quits entirely, but I do just need to step back. The perfectionist in me is constantly screaming that I should do more, make more, sell more, and that isn't the kind of 'more' I was made for. So while a lot of this 'Make Room' talk is figurative, I am literally making room as well, and many things in my shop are marked down~ get them while you can! I will continue to leave my etsy shop open, but I will only occasionally post new items... I'll let you know when that is! My Big Cartel site will only be open for about two more weeks (until my current subscription runs out), and then I will be transferring what is left there into the etsy shop. I will also continue taking your custom orders as my schedule allows, so feel free to send me an email with a request, and we'll see what we can work out!

God is calling me to live.  And I will still be living here on these 'pages', and I am excited to craft, write, pray, and dream with you still in this space every day. In fact, it probably won't look much different around here, the difference I anticipate will be mostly in my home & my head, which is terribly exciting! (As a boss, even my own, I am so demanding... so I'm quitting that job!) I hope you will continue to come here and live with me~ I do have so much fun here!

I said on Friday that I had been reading Joshua 3:5. "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'" Of this verse, Kelly Minter said 'My spirit is convinced that these are the things we have to look forward to when we, by faith, move from the idols of our hearts.' I believe this with everything in me~ we are on the brink, and I want it all! God has put amazing blessings in front of us!

Personalized Pajama Details!

Hello again, friends! I have finally figured out most of the details for winter pajama sets and wanted to update those of you who had been inquiring.

The sets will be similar in style to this little set (I'll post pics as soon as fabric comes in and more sets are made!) with wide leg cotton flannel pants and a matching long-sleeved t-shirt. I will be appliqueing a block letter first initial on the front in a matching flannel to the print you choose for the pants. The price per set will be $25, and they can be purchased in children's sizes 6 months and up. I can also make teen/adult size pants to coordinate for $18. I am looking at the flannel patterns from Riley Blake's Colorful Christmas Collection seen here. I think these prints will make such cute winter pictures!

Right now I am taking pre-orders that will be ready to ship approximately on November 1st. You can contact me here or send me an email at my2sweetthings {at} yahoo {dot} com, and I can set you up with a custom listing in my shop. Please let me know the sizes, first initials, and fabric choices (List more than one if you have it, and I will check availability). I will be placing an order for fabric this week!

Thanks a bunch~ I have the best customers in the world!

In Progress...

A few shots of my {crazy} workspace today- literally dozens of projects in the works! Most are cut and waiting to be sewn, and a few are done and waiting to be photographed and listed (like this sweet apron!). 

What are you working on today?

A Cooler Weather Question

Hey, lovelies! I'm in and out today~ busy with the previously mentioned homecoming dresses and custom orders. But I wanted to get your opinion on something... I am thinking about taking some orders for Winter Pajama sets and would love your input:

~Are pajama sets something you would be interested in? I would likely be making lounge pants with matching appliqued initial t-shirts. I've never been too matchy, but I think I'll definitely be making some for Remy and Halle!

~Would you prefer cotton or flannel?

~What colors do you love this year? These are some of the fabrics I have been looking at (I love the trees, dots, and stripes!):

photo courtesy of Fabric Shoppe

~Would you be interested in adult sizes in the pants?

I would love your input~ thanks so much!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hello! I thought I'd start off the week (okay, I know it's Tuesday...) with a picture of the diva from my mom's house. We had a lovely time in Indiana, letting the parents spoil Remy & Halle a bit while Trace & I tried to take it easy. As soon as we arrive at my mom's, Halle makes a beeline for Grammy's jewelry box for her 'bwacelets'. A girl must have her accessories!

I also suppose you have noticed the new look on my blog. I am thrilled with how it turned out! I still have some tweaking to do, but I am getting settled... =) One big thing that I added is a button you can grab. I would be incredibly honored if you linked up~ Let me know if you do! The lovely Hannah from Vivid Design Studio did the design work~ y'all should check out her amazing portfolio & blog. This is one incredibly gifted teenage girl who loves God and shares her perspective and talents in a way that are well beyond her 14 years.

Also, in honor of my new Big Cartel shop & blog, I've decided to have a little sale. You can click on the link to my shop in the sidebar (or  right here), and at checkout enter the code 'HOORAY' to receive 20% off your entire purchase. This offer will be good through Friday.

The Big Reveal!!!

Well, I've been talking about moving my shop for a while, and today is the big day! 2 sweet things is ready to grow into something new, and I have chosen to use Big Cartel as my venue. There's a link in the sidebar, or you can click on the same icon below. I think you'll love it~ it's super easy to use and works with paypal. I am still tweaking the design a bit, but I wanted to get things launched while I had so many great new items to show you. 

I hope you'll take some time to click around a bit! I will also still be taking custom orders- feel free to send me an email and we will carry on as usual. This feels like the right move for right now, though it'll take a bit of time to get used to it all. I'll be keeping my etsy shop through the end of the year, I think, but all new items will be going through the new shop. Here are some pics of just a few new items already listed:

Sweet Bow Headbands

Candy-Colored Mod Dot Booties

Lime Green Fleece Neck Warmer

Thanks so much for your support to this point. I love creating and being able to make such lovely things for such lovely customers! Y'all are what make it so rewarding! I can only imagine the wonderful things that God has planned for 2 sweet things into the coming months~ my mind is just bursting with new ideas! Feeling so blessed!

Pretty Maids All in a Row

I have found yet another use for my beloved clothes line! I'm busy getting these little beauties and heaps more photographed and ready to be listed in my new shop (info to come!)! 'Hope y'all are having a lovely week~ see you soon!

Making...

So after a few months of less-than inspired sewing (and busyness, which doesn't help!), my little machine and I are back to sewing at a maddening pace. Creativity strikes, and I can hardly get the pieces cut and sewn fast enough. I love that frantic feeling!

Just a few tiny peeks of things to come... This is the last week for the Clearance Sale in my shop, and then next week I plan to begin listing fun new fall items.

Lots of layers and ruffles, new prints mixed in with some older favorites, classic styles with some new twists. 

'Hope you have a lovely Tuesday!

Inspiration Follows

I was pleasantly surprised that after my lack of inspiration last week, I had a burst of sewing energy and made a few new things. I love creating when it just comes naturally. I used the same teal cotton canvas to make this sweet little clutch. It was completely experimental but came out just like I had pictured in my mind, and that doesn't happen often!

I also made this dress using the same Freebird fabric that I used for my giveaway skirt. The top is a new design for me, and I loved the way it came out.

Lastly, this pile of baby boy goodies was actually made last week, but I wanted to share with you now that my sister has received them. I have a new nephew due in 2 weeks, and we are so excited for his arrival! I used Riley Blake's Wheels prints and pieced the cloths together. I also made a matching pair of booties because I just couldn't resist.

I'm hoping to have time to get a shop update happening in the next few days, and hopefully some of these new things will be in it plus some other goodies I've been working on. What are you making?

Tuesday

Today is seeming just a bit 'daily'. Nothing major to speak of, but we're loving this sun, especially the kids. I had to find the sunscreen, which was no small task, but I did, and fortunately it's still good. They are in the newly filled sand box at every spare moment. I love that they are happy, but it is proving that this is going to be one dirty, sandy warm season. I have swept twice already today and the sand just keeps showing up. (Sigh.)

Then, I guess there is this bit of GIANT news:

Upon inspection of my seedlings this morning, I discovered that a handful of them are showing sprouts. I am doing the happy dance over this~ There is hope for this garden yet!

And one last picture. This is Halle in the new Bubble Suit that will be in my shop later today. My mom gave me a bunch of vintage patterns, and this is adapted from one that I adored. I did change it to that the shoulders would simply tie at the shoulder (eliminating buttons) and took out the snaps at the bottom. Simple, easy dressing is definitely my key to summer wear, and I am assuming y'all feel the same way. You can bet that she will have bunches of these this summer!

We've Been Sprung

We are welcoming spring by spending every spare moment outside in our yard. I have never really been an outside person, so I didn't think that I missed it much being in an apartment, but with these two little ones I am truly seeing the value of being able to run and play. Plus I am loving that the yard is just off our kitchen so I can sit here at the table with the door wide open and be able to see the goings on at a distance. (So maybe I'm still not an outdoor person, but my kids are!)

Halle spends most of her time running from corner to corner yelling 'Come on, Remy!' and begging him to chase her. Usually he is happy to oblige. He also plays tug-of-war with Starbucks until one of them gets bored (usually Remy...), and our wild dog then finds a nice place to nap in the sun. We are all drinking in the sun. We ate two meals outside yesterday on a blanket... it was too nice not to, and since we don't yet have the bugs to contend with, I'm loving that too!

Today is also the day of the big reveal... or not so big, as it's a small sidebar ad, but I'm excited about it! I hope you'll trek on over to the rikrak studio blog and check out 2 sweet's first ad. You will be sure to stay a while~ she always has tons of great articles and fun stuff going on! I also added some cute springy stuff to the 2 sweet things shop last night!

Now I've got to get off here and do some cleaning in this crazy house. Much as I love the sun, it does tend to make a point of showing every speck of dust one has, doesn't it?! My mom is coming tomorrow and I just know she would hate all this mess. (Okay, so that's my April Fool's joke, and if you know my mom you're probably laughing already... Love you, momma! ) Happy Thursday, lovelies!

Friday Love

Happy Friday, lovelies! I have so much to love today that I can hardly get it down fast enough~ so blessed! We'll get right on with it:

Today I'm loving:

~Impromptu games of tag in the yard. We are ignoring that the weather people (what do they know anyway?!) are talking about snow for this weekend and we've been enjoying every moment we can in the fresh air. I think it does a world of good for our moods!

~That I am a dessert genius. Okay, not necessarily a genius, but one illegal bonfire (didn't know you aren't supposed to burn until April...) plus graham crackers plus marshmallows plus peanut butter cups equals THE MOST INCREDIBLE TREAT. EVER. And I'm sorry that I didn't take any pictures, but I just ate it too fast! I also love that woodsy, smoky smell in our house after a fire. I am so far from 'woodsy' that I'll take it where I can... (This girly girl is not so much for camping!)

~This baby ruffle-bottom goodness. This is a sneak peak at Hallelujah's Easter outfit!

~This new dress and the fact that Halle is always willing to model. She says 'dance dress?', and of course I can't resist! This dress plus a few other new things will be in the 2 sweet things shop momentarily.

~This Amish friendship bread. I have heard of it for years, but today I finally made it, and it is soooooo good! The deal is that someone gives you a starter and you squeeze it (in a bag) and add to it over 10 days. Then on the last day you divide it into new starter bags, which you then give to friends, and make 2 loaves of this cinnamony deliciousness. I will totally be making tons more of this in the future! It's kind of like a chain letter, only without the threats of death or drama...

Have a wonderful weekend! Remy starts soccer tomorrow, so it's sure to be an eventful one for us.

Peek

Just a quick peek at a custom order I shipped out this week. I am doing as many custom items lately as I am listing, and I love that~ please don't hesitate to send my an email if you want something special!

I'm in love with this new Hedgehog collection from Michael Miller (which I purchased from the lovely Fabric Shoppe on etsy)!  So cute!

Monday Monday

Happy Monday, lovelies! We are running on very little sleep due to a crazy, barking puppy. It seems now that he's out of the shelter and has found a family to constantly love on him, he doesn't want us out of his sight, even at night.  I'm thankful that it's Trace's day off and we are just staying in today. I have been listing new things all day and am excited to show you a couple of finished pieces that are new in the shop! 

This capelet is one of my absolute favorite things! I love the idea of not having to mess with sleeves, especially as the days get warmer and heavy layers aren't as necessary. 

As soon as I saw this print, the idea for this dress came into my mind. I love everything about it, and I can almost guarantee that Halle will soon have one, maybe in time for Easter! This dress has a fairly simple basic construction, but the detailing is what makes it so special. The neck and hem have a sweet ruffle, and it ties in the back.

Have a great afternoon! Homemade waffles have been requested for dinner, so I'd better get on it!

Checked Off the List

Please pardon the excitement, as I'm posting twice today... I just had two completely different trains taking off from the station at once and needed to get them down separately.

I am a dreamer. I have a hard time setting goals and keeping them because the day-dreamer in me keeps dreaming up newer and more exciting things. With the new year I made a pretty lofty list of things that I wanted to do this year, especially where 2 sweet things is concerned. The biggest of these goals is that I want to release an actual line of girls clothing with several key and coordinating pieces that work together. I have been buried in sketches and fabric swatches and with the arrival of some delicious fabric last week, things are starting to take shape. I joke to Trace that every time I make something new I squeal that 'This is the cutest thing Ever!' The greatest thing is that it's usually true! (Don't I just say so myself!?) I have really been working on the tiniest details of each piece and am finding that some wonderful things are emerging from beneath my needle. Ruffles, appliques, balloon hems, and funky prints galore~ oh my! I am hoping to get some great photographs taken and be able to list the new items on February 15th, just past the Valentine's rush. Here are a few pictures of some things to come:

So I'm still a dreamer, just a bit more conscious about having my feet hit the ground every now and then. I am finding that it's much more satisfying to dream big dreams when some of them start to take shape in the real world as opposed to just in my head.

Another thing on my list is to potentially add advertising here on my lovely blog. I have had several inquiries about doing this, and I am exploring what ways would best serve y'all, my lovely readers, and advertisers. 'Would love to know your thoughts on this!

Happy Wednesday, lovelies! Oh, by the way, there's still time to order some sweet things for you little Valentine from my shop!

It's in the Details

Ruffle Bib on the dress front

This week's 'assignment' in the 52 Weeks is all about the first stages of a new product. And while I don't really have a new product on the table, I am just finishing one and I thought I would let y'all see it. When I began sewing last year after, oh, 15 years since Home Ec. classes, the thing that rang in my mind was my mom telling me years ago that the back of a piece was as important as the front. I remember her telling me that her mom would immediately flip over a project and inspect how neatly she had sewn, tied in the ends, etc. When I began creating to sell, I knew that I wanted the insides of each item to be just as lovely as the outside. So I learned everything I could about the 'bones' of sewing. I read manuals, and I practiced.  I mastered french seaming and hand-finishing. (Okay, maybe 'mastered' isn't quite true, but I do pretty well!)

French seam and care tag

I want you to know what goes into each and every 2 sweet things item. I spend tons of time drawing patterns, finishing each seam, sewing in labels... all because I want each piece to be a work of art from the inside out!

Sewn-in label

Bias trimmed armhole

Tie back of dress

Dress back, wrong-side out

Finished dress! Size 3T/4T This will be in the shop soon!

A Little Rock with Your Romance!

Groovy Guitars Booties

Last week I posted a few pictures from my Valentine's Day Collection (which is still growing, by the way!). Today I thought I would share a few things that are newly listed in my shop for the little rockers in your life.  My biggest frustration, and yours from what I gather, as a mom to a little boy was the lack of cute, durable, and affordable things for little men that didn't look 'girly' at all. Trace's gauge on everything to do with Remy is whether or not he thinks Remy would get made fun of at school. When we go shopping I hear 'I'd have to walk him to school in that', or 'That kid would have totally been beaten up at my school'. I don't know what kind of school Trace grew up at =), but I don't want that! So anyway, I picked out these awesome Michael Miller prints specifically with little boys in mind, but as I made them I realized that they would be great for a funky little girl too! ~And they met Trace's approval as the discerning father, so everybody wins!

Set of 3 Drooler Bibs

Funky Lounge Pants

These pants are made with a growing child in mind and are my absolute favorites! The legs are fully finished so that once your little one gets too long they can be turned down. I made Remy a pair in his size, but of course he was not a willing model... If I survive him being 3, I can survive anything! (Can you hear me sighing?)

For Your Sweethearts!

I reopened the shop yesterday and added a few new things for Valentine's Day. These two pairs of booties are just the beginning, and in a few minutes once the littles have dozed off I plan to get a few more things listed. Aren't these the sweetest!?

Sweetheart Booties

V-Day Mary Janes