!!!Yeaaah!!!

This week I plan on finishing all of my garments for the fashion show. I am super excited about it!! :-D Wish me lots and lots and lots of luck!

This past weekend I put my brother on helping me work on new and improved logo ideas. He's very creative and artistic, so hopefully he can come up with an ultra-amazing idea.

Today I'm working on finishing up the designs for my T-shirts that will be in the show collection. Tomorrow I plan on going around town and getting the designs priced so I can order them sometime this week. I wish I had the time and equipment to print them myself, oh well, next collection.

*Trying to be a Super Hero*

(Artwork by ComfortLove on Deviantart.com)

So when I started this blog, I was doing it as an informative step by step on starting a clothing/accessories line. Then the Creative Ambitions Night of Fashion was thrown at me, and I am attempting to seize the opportunity...

First I had planned on starting an accessory line and later a clothing line, but with the show, I am starting both a clothing line and an accessory line at once. My main focus right now is still on creating and making my accessory line successful. However, a lot has changed because of the show. The order of steps I had originally planned have been thrown all out of whack, but I guess that is how the industry, and life for that matter, goes. It has been a huge amount of work, I mean, I knew it was going to be, but DANG!! It has taken over every aspect of my life; I did expect it to do this, but I did believe that I would at least have time to breathe. HaHaHaaaaaa, I was wrong!

The Creative Ambitions show is in 35 days, and I wish I had at least 75 days! I still have so much to do!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!

Here is an updated plan on what I hope to accomplish in time for the show...

April 10- All garments completed, excluding a few zippers and closures

April 13- All zippers/closures completed

April 15- Logo designed, Business cards designed

April 16- Business cards ordered, Fictitious name filed online,Begin show accessories

April 19- Necessary legal documents applied for/ filed,

April 20- Etsy store completely ready to open

April 21- Website active, Facebook page active

April 28- Show jewelry/accessories completed excluding handbags

May 1- Etsy store open with very limited stock

May 4- Show handbags completed

May 3-6- Build stock for Etsy store, Last minute show details

May 7- CEATIVE AMBITIONS FASHION SHOW aka lose my mind & have a nervous breakdown

No personal calls or outings until after May 7!!! lol...seriously

(I do not claim ownership of the photo in this post)

New Serger, Yay!!!!

(Some pics of my new Kenmore Serger and the tools that came with it.)

I've been working with my new Kenmore serger from Sears. So far its been great and bad at the same time! lol It came with several tools, however, it did not have a serger threader which I believe it should have came with. Serging saves a whole lot of time on edging and seams, but I haven't figured out how to do everything yet. Learning the different techniques is difficult and a bit time consuming. Threading wasn't too bad after I got the hang of it, but the first time... whew! Here's a tip, make sure you thread the spools in the order that the DVD tells you because if you don't, you are going to want to smash the thing!! :-P

I've mostly been serging lighter weight fabrics, and it has worked wonderfully. Still need to try it on swim-wear knits. I hope that this will be easy and work beautifully.

Model, Store Grand Opening, & Sew Sew Sew

(Here is a one of the show garments in progress.)

This past weekend I went to a wedding an found another model, so that brings the count up to 6 out of 11. Whoo Hoo! In other news, lets see...there's been sewing, patterning, and more ummm sewing! Yay!! lol

Last Friday, was the Grand Opening/Re-opening of the store that sells my art and accessories. It is now under new ownership and a new name, Artesano Jewels. I sold some accessories! Whoo hoo!!

As far as the show is going, all three designers are madly working on completing their lines and we are planning to do a model practice and fittings the first week of April. Also we will be shooting look books of our lines sometime in April. I have to figure out what I want to have as the theme, style, look etc. Hmmm, what to do...

Patterning Pants & Sewing Bikinis

Here are a couple blurry pics: one of the pants' patterns I've been working on. The other is a pic of the pants' muslin. I made the muslin out of fabric similar to the weight and stretch of the fabric I will use for the actual pants. The muslin definitely did not fit as well as I hoped, as you can see, the crotch fit needs a lot of work. I've already made the adjustments to the pattern, and will make the second muslin tonight. Muslins are really annoying to make because you are basically making the garment twice when you do this, but it will save you a lot of stress in the end and give a better fit!!

On to swim-wear...this morning I did some research on how to sew on swimsuit fabrics-what thread type, stitch type, tips etc. Found several articles and posts on the subject, and of course there are various ways you can sew swim-wear. Hmm, makes things a little more complicated. Oh well, guess I'll just test a few until I find one that works best. One suggestion made by several people was to sew with Woolly nylon thread because it stretches with the fabric. So I'm going to do some searching for that this wk/wknd. Also suggested was serging all edges and using a double needle on the hems. Hopefully all this goes smoothly. Wish me luck!!

Needing Some Nap Time

(Pic: My current designer page on CreativeAmbitionsFashion.com . The site is still under some construction. Looking good so far guys!)

Since my last post several things have gone on...

I met with the current producers. I was a bit worried about how it would go, but everything went smoothly. Everything appears to be together, and they are very excited about the show. :-) Big ideas going on.

Five out of the eleven models needed for my line have been chosen. Yay!! I will post pictures of them later.

The producers, one of them being a photographer, did a photo-shoot of me. They wanted all the designers to have one done so that they could put designer profiles on the show's website, www.creativeambitionsfashion.com (still undergoing some construction). The shoot was only mildly embarrassing and nerve racking. lol The photographer, Okeye, was great, and my pictures turned out good. So I am happy, however, I would prefer that I not have to do another shoot anytime soon. Mostly because my arms never know what to do, annoying skinny things! :-P I think next time I'll just try to emulate Schwarzenegger in Mr. Universe. :-P

A preview party with Vie Magazine has been discussed. The party will "preview" a few looks from each of the three designers' lines. This will be for the benefit of the companies advertising with Vie Magazine and sponsors of the show. I have not yet decided on which garments will be shown at the party. Vie magazine's website is www.viezine.com .

Decisions... I believe that I have finally settled on the show line up for my garments. We'll see how long this decision lasts!

Next week I hope to do a few fittings so I can start deciding which models will wear what. Right now, I'm thinking the taller girls, 5'9" & up, will wear the longer dresses because I would like these dresses to be worn with flats. Pants and shorter dresses will be shown with heels and worn by the shorter models, 5'6"- 5-8". This set up will create more of a uniform flow on the catwalk.

I am currently decided on what hair and make up looks that will create the feel I want. I'm thinking defined eyes with a very natural, glowing look to the rest of the face. Hair will most likely be pulled away from the face into loose ponytails and buns.

Music still needs to be decided on, and I have yet to figure out what direction I'd like to go with. I want something strong but still soft. Any ideas?

Also working on a new website.

Other than that, I have given up anything resembling a social life and have spent everyday working on garments for the show and commissioned work for other clients. No more sleepy for Anna Maria...

First Vlog, New Producers, & Meetings