Happy Autumn!!!

This is my absolute favorite time of year!  (Except maybe Christmas, of course!)  Time to pull out the cozy long sleeves, bake things with apple and pumpkin as the main ingredient, and savor the colors, textures, smells and memories that come with the season!

I had hoped to have "the thing I was working on" finished for The Modest Peacock giveaway by now, but once again, priorities and obligations must be met first.  It's just one of those things of life- how you have so many things that you want to do, but in order for those to work out and be halfway good, you must first do the things that you have to do.

On a happy note, I was able to spend some time at the Janome this weekend!  Here is a sweet gentleman in brown corduroy to welcome you to Fall!

I just love him!  You can have one for your very own by ordering from my Etsy shop!
I hope your autumn is filled with fragrant, crisp mornings, steaming mugs of cider/tea/hot chocolate, times of togetherness with loved ones and many happy memories made that carry you through to the coming winter.

Love,
Lucy Jane

Popping in to say hi!

::Phew::
   
     The last few weeks have been just crazy.  I'm not as far with a lot of my Lucy Jane goals as I'd like to be, but I'm working through the obstacles.  Lots of personal health and family issues, as well as pretty big decisions to be made as far as further education and what direction I want LJP to go in, professionally/long term.  I know that doesn't equate into anything new to share with you at the moment, but that's just how it is right now.  Slow and steady wins the race (or something of that nature).  It's finally cooling off weather-wise, so that helps with studio time.  It's hard to get motivated to do ANYTHING, even the things you love, when it's blistering hot and everything seems to be melting around you into puddles of blah.  The heat and humidity will suck the energy right out of you.  That, and not enough sleep from the outrageous stress levels.  I appreciate your patience and continued support.  I know I seem to say that a lot, but it is sincere.  When at last I can really build up some steam for my LJP endeavors, the wait will have been worth it.

     The project I gave you a sneak peek at last post is not quite finished yet, but it won't be much longer.  As I said, other things have seriously gotten in the way.  This weekend has seen a massive clean-up of the workspace, so I should be able to spread out the fabric with plenty of room to spare now.  Hey, we creative types throw our all into our creating.  You can't expect us to be tidy and organized all the time as well! ;)

     I'll leave you with a little typography art I made recently.  Feel free to share it with anyone you know who needs an encouraging reminder! :)

See you SOON!

Sneak Peek!

I'm offering a little hint of something I'm working on in the studio!  It's for "the other me"'s blog, The Modest Peacock.  There will be a giveaway soon, to celebrate TMP's 4th Blogaversary, 300+ posts, 50K+ pageviews, and 100+ followers, and an undying love for post and parcels!!!  (Combos are worth more, right?! :D)  What do you think it will be? :)

News and Updates

Hi!  I know it's been a while since I've posted!  I wish I could tell you that it's because I have been up to my elbows in costumery and that I now have a closet rack full of finished pieces from the right sidebar list.  Buuuttttt.... I can't.  Because I don't.  More's the pity.

HOWEVER, I have been hard at work on the Janome, and learning the Funky Friends patterns that have been purchased thus far.  As of this writing, I have: the elephant, horse (which doubles as a unicorn), sheep, lion (which doubles as a tiger/other big cats without the mane), camel, hippo, bunny, monkey, sea turtle, giraffe and penguin.  This relates to having been busy making things for the Etsy shop, and I have been up to my elbows in research and articles and information about costumery.  So that kinda counts, right? Of course it does!  I've been looking up books on garment history and construction (Janet Arnold!!!), drooling over the following websites: American Duchess; Historical Sewing; and Frock Talk.  Since my last post, I did also attend a class on hand-sewing button holes by our local SCA group.  I'm looking into getting involved with them later on, when I don't have *quite* so much on my plate at one time.

Related to "too much on my plate": due to unfortunate circumstances, I had to cancel the Marietta Art Walk event that I was going to do on August 3rd.  The hostess was so gracious and understanding, and I hope to do a make-up event with her sometime very soon.  I am also having to postpone having a booth in Douglasville's September Saturdays festival until next year, because of the same circumstances.  I'm not stressing over either.  That wouldn't help anything.  Instead, I am focusing my efforts and energy and making plans for several events starting next spring and onward.  Things will happen in the Lord's perfect timing.  I have faith that I am doing the right thing by waiting on His direction.  I have been SO blessed thus far and He continues to sustain me with both protection and provision!

Here are some photos of some pieces I have completed recently.  They are ALL available for order in the Etsy shop. :)

This penguin is thanks to Lucy Jane friend and supporter Rosie J., who provided not only the order, but purchased the Funky Friends pattern for us as well.  That sort of encouragement and support is beyond awesome and there aren't words enough to thank her for believing in our success!

"Tasha" the penguin.  Her male counterpart, "Tux" is also available for purchase.

Another important thanks goes to friend and supporter Jennifer C., who ordered this trio of ellies as a gift for her friend's kids, and who also sent out a huge social media blast with links when the Etsy shop opened.  Once again, there just aren't words to express our gratitude!

L to R: Annabelle, Baby Boy and Madeline

Other lovelies for the shop include:

Jane

Melonie

Fairies!

Well, I suppose that is all for now.  I am off to finish some more ellies and then work on a giraffe (or 3. Sewing these toys is addictive!) :)  I will check in again soon.  Keep in touch!

Love,

Lucy Jane

Lucy Jane is now on Etsy!!!

Source

I'll still be tweaking the details and adding more listings, but the Etsy shop is open!!!

The 5th Annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival

The festival has come and gone!  I had a wonderful time, made some new friends and got to see some old ones again too!  Here are the photos I promised!

By Sunday afternoon, I had sold half of my stock of elephants, plus a couple of soft dolls and one fairy. :) I am already looking forward to next year!  But for now, I'm gearing up for an event in Marietta on August 3rd.  Stay tuned for more details!

It's Almost Festival Time!

As I write this, my laptop is perched on a corner of the dining room table that is also covered with pattern pieces, bits of tulle, entire rolls of tulle, 6 last minute things to be sewn, a bag of poly beads, several bags of fiber-fill, a canvas and wood sign, several pairs of scissors, my Janome, a pin cushion and a tote full of fairy making supplies.  (It's a big table.) ;)

I'm just a few hours of hard work away from being ready!  Come on out and see me at the 5th Annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival!  It will be great fun!  I have new designs, including:

Cayla

And, with $10 of his $25 purchase being donated to the Autism Society of America for autism research:

Jesse

Don't forget, I'll also have "Hannah", whose purchase/order also donates $10 to benefit a good cause, the Lupus Foundation of America.  There will be summer themes and Army themes and Hydrangea themes too!  Oh, my!

So come on out and say hello!  See you there!

~ Lucy Jane