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What’s better than a dress? A dress with pockets.

Sep20

So I didn’t get around to making the two summer dresses I wanted to while I was on my PNW vacation. Who am I kidding? I should know it’s not really a “vacation” when I go there. It’s more like a workcation, where I’m working on my client work and hanging out with friends and family in my off hours.

But I couldn’t let this awesome fabric just sit there! It was screaming to be made into a dress.

When I got back to Brooklyn I decided to stop lying to myself about making the dress. I didn’t have the time or the space. But the dress had to be made!

I remembered a cute boutique in South Slope that offered private lessons in their sewing studio in the back of the shop. At first I thought about going that route, but when I found out that they also do custom work I decided to let the experts handle it. I handed off the fabric and pattern to Patti at Flirt Brooklyn and she whipped up exactly what I wanted. I almost squealed when I saw the dress hanging up in the dressing room for the first fitting. It’s so awesome working with someone who can execute your vision perfectly.

Having the dress made by a pro not only saved me time, I’m sure it saved me a lot of frustration. It also satisfied that constant craving I have to collaborate with others on creative projects that live outside the computer. Plus, I love supporting local small businesses and creatives who are doing fantastic work.

It’s kind of awesome to think that this dress, from concept to completion, was created entirely in the USA:

• Coney Island fabric design by La Sirena (me), available at Spoonflower
• Myrtle Dress Pattern from Colette Patterns
• Sewn by Patti at Flirt Brooklyn

Here are the patterns from Colette Patterns - the cutest patterns I've ever, ever, ever seen.

Here are the patterns from Colette Patterns – the cutest patterns I’ve ever, ever, ever seen.

Me with my freshly opened package of performance pique fabric from Spoonflower.

Me with my freshly opened package of performance pique fabric from Spoonflower.

The storefront of Flirt Brooklyn, where they have their shop and sewing studio.

The storefront of Flirt Brooklyn, where they have their shop and sewing studio.

Did a mini shoot at Coney Island with some of the hand-painted signs that inspired my design.

Did a mini shoot at Coney Island with some of the hand-painted signs that inspired my design.

More sign inspo.

More sign inspo.

lasirena_coney_dress_02

More signs! I love Coney Island. It was so hard narrowing down which ones to use in the pattern. I might have to do more.

I know I already said this but - This dress has pockets!!!

This dress has pockets!!!

lasirena_coney_dress_closeup_buttons

We opted for a little black button detail on the shoulder.

lasirena_coney_dress_05

I love the art walls at Coney Island too. So good.

I was a little nervous that maybe I made the dress to short and it would blow up in the wind, but it was totally fine.

I was a little nervous that maybe I made the dress too short and it would blow up in the wind, but it was totally fine.

lasirena_coney_dress_pockets

Did I mention that this dress has pockets?!

Wanna get your hands on some Coney Island Sign fabric? You can order pink or beige in my Spoonflower shop.

I want to see what YOU make with it. Follow and tag me on Instagram.

Jewelry on Etsy

Apr20

Spring Jewelry

Looking for the perfect splash of spring to add to your wardrobe? Or maybe a unique Grad or Mother’s Day gift?  All of my handmade jewelry is currently being sold via the Etsy shop.

Trick-or-Treat Yourself

Oct19

Trick-or-Treat Yourself

It’s time for you pull all of those sweaters out of the closet – it’s full on Fall. (Or at least it is here in Brooklyn.) Need some cute accessories to go with all of those cozy colors? You’re in luck. I just posted 6 fall-inspired pieces in the shop. And there seriously are only 6. I’m not going to make any more of these (at least not until Summer 2016). To sweeten the pot you get free shipping through October 31, 2015 (yay, Halloween!). 

I really need to go shopping for new clothes, nothing fits. Or at least that’s my excuse for not being able to pull myself off the computer and away from the Modcloth website – I can’t help myself! It’s all too cute. Here are some of of the tops I found, paired with some of the new fall pieces in my shop:

mauveshirttannecklace honeywsweaterpurpleearrings blacksweaterhoneyrednecklace redsweatergreennecklace

What are you wearing this fall? Feel free to leave a comment or post on myFacebook page.

And don’t forget to signup for my VIP Fan Club – we’re doing giveaways from now till the end of the year that are only available to those on the list.

Harvest Party Roundup

Aug27

Harvest Party Roundup

GIVE SUMMER THE LAST HURRAH IT DESERVES!

• Earrings (La Sirena Design-that’s me!)

• Straw Hat

• Goldfish Kimono

• Shorts

• Hammock

• Blue Sneakers

• Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas (This is pretty much my summer bible right here.)

• Gnome Candles 

• Paderno Sprializer (If you have a garden like my mom’s and it’s yielding a million pounds of extra zucchini, cucumbers, sweet potatoes or if you just feel like it’s too hot to cook then you NEED to try this thing. Zucchini and sweet potato noodles are my new favorite.)

• Snap, Crackle, Hop – Imperial Rice IPA from Parallel 49 Brewing Co.

• Yellow Grill

 

And just to make you jealous, here’s a pic of the view from my parents’ back porch hammock:

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And one from my hardworking mama’s garden:

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Do you have any end-of-summer/Labor Day weekend traditions or recipes? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Summer Outdoor Concert Roundup

Jul31

Outdoor concert roundup

It’s freaking hot here in the PacNW… but not as hot as Brooklyn, so I’m not going to complain too much. Instead I’m gonna make this quick before I pack up and head to the beach and Astoria, OR with the fam.

Here’s a little Summer Concert Style Roundup:

Hawthorn Dress by Colette Patterns I swear, when I have more space I am going to set up my sewing machine again and start making everything that Colette Patterns offers. I love pretty much everything they do.

Purple Shoes from ModCloth

Vintage Binoculars from Etsy

Handbag from Etsy

iPhone Case If I had an extra $130 I would go buy this right now. Especially since I use my iphone more like a camera than an actual phone. It includes 4 interchangeable lenses: wide angle, 2x telephoto, 180-degree fisheye and macro (with polarized lenses).

Mast Brothers Chocolate

Mexican Blanket Straps

Earring and Necklace set from La Sirena (that’s me!)

Valentine’s Day Style Round-up #1 – Casual Night In

Jan30

Valentine's Day Style Roundup

How to have a stress-free, but fun Valentine’s Day at home with your sweetheart or friend (hey, don’t judge, some of my favorite V-Days have been with friends!):

1) Earrings (mine, of course) – the best part about these is that they can dress up or down.

2) Clothes – your favorite jeans (you know, the ones that hug your curves just right) and shirt

3) Shoes – Just cause it’s casual doesn’t mean you can’t wear cute shoes. I pretty much want ALL of the shoes on B.A.I.T. Footwear.

4) This awesome Breaking Bad Inspired apron

5) Cooking together is super romantico in my book. Here are some drool-worthy vegetarian enchilada recipes from the Garden Grazer.

6) Or skip cooking all together and go straight for the chocolate. And you know what’s better than chocolate? Chocolate with beer. Theo has an awesome beer and chocolate pairing kit. Or combine the two with achocolate beer! Yes. Chocolate beer. The world doesn’t seem so bad now.

7) Julie Ann Art has the most hilarious Valentine’s Day cards ever. I had a hard time choosing my favorite.

8) And of course….  DON’T FORGET THE MUSIC!

Do you love getting dressed up and going out for Valentine’s Day or do you prefer a more casual night in? 

A Little Help from My Friends

Dec3

Plush Krampus

I have a really bad habit of trying to do everything myself. So asking for help testing my Plush Krampus Pattern and Tutorial was kind of a big deal for me. I was scared it would be a waste of time, that no one would want to do it, that it would be all wrong, that I wouldn’t have time to wait for feedback, etc. I have no idea why I would think these things. I’m pretty sure it was just my brain trying to find an excuse to procrastinate. It’s good at that.

But you know what? I received excellent feedback and it made the pattern at least 10X’s better.

And as an unexpected bonus I met some new amazing business owners. BIG THANKS AND HUGS TO:
• Sewing extraordinaire Addie of AddieK
• Alma (brave new sewing adventurer)
• Talented graphic designer Kristin of Blue Beagle Design
• Leigh of The Kitchen Table Revolution (warning – if you visit her site be prepared to drool)
• Miranda (elementary school knowledge dropper and crafty gal)

Thanks to these superstars you can now download your very own Plush Krampus Pattern and Tutorial from my Etsy shop. Don’t forget to send me pictures! I’d love to see how yours turns out.

Krampusprints

plushkrampuspatterncover

Everyone Deserves a Stuffed Krampus

Oct29

stuffedkrampus

I love my Krampus.

The story of Alpine Europe’s Krampus tradition was told to me many years ago, by my friend Gretchen, over one of our bacchanalian Thanksgiving dinners (which I pine for every year).  Gretchen is a true story teller, you can’t help but be captivated by her travel tales. Her description of Krampus fascinated me. I kept thinking, “Why don’t we have this here?” It kind of worked out perfectly because at that point I had no idea what to do for my yearly Christmas card and Krampus was the perfect idea. I immediately went home, drew him up and printed the 3-color illustration on my Gocco printer.

I made the cards again the next year. People seemed to love him and the idea of Krampus has seemed to spread into pop culture over past few years. I still loved the cards but what I really wanted was to make him 3D, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.

Plush Krampus

Finally, I got my stuffed Krampus idea out of my head and into real life. I loved him. Everyone loved him. Isold him for a below minimum wage price to my newsletter subscribers and friends. And I gave one away in a contest.

But last year I didn’t make plush Krampus even though he was one of my favorite things I’ve made. Why? Well, realistically, I can’t afford to spend time making him. And even if I paid a friend to do the sewing he’s just a little too expensive for my average customer. Some people might argue that I just need to sell him to the right people or market him to the right people. But I have so many other things to work on too. Plus, even though I enjoy the zen like feeling that comes along with hand sewing I don’t want to be making 100s of these every holiday season.

Then I was left with the idea that my stuffed Krampus will never be around again, and that kind of bummed me out. Maybe this sounds a little weird but I really like the idea of stuffed Krampus(es?) out in the world forpeople to enjoy. He’s such a cute addition to mix up with the traditional Christmas decor. (At one point I had 7 of them made in my apartment. They were SO CUTE sitting all together. I really wish I had a photo.)

So what should I do?

Quit making him or charge the price he’s worth? Maybe make him just as a promo item? I tried making a pre-printed fabric version of him, which is pretty cute. But not quite the same.

And then…. Eureka!

One day a friend said he would come over and help me make them if I would show him how. He thought it would be cool to learn how to make a stuffed animal. And then it hit me: I NEED TO MAKE A DIY KRAMPUS. Then people can still enjoy him (maybe even more since they are making it themselves, there’s something magical about watching something transform into 3D) at a price they can afford. And it’s perfect timing because everyone needs some kind of indoor activity to do during November and December.

In the works

So, I started. First, beginning with the template I used for myself and then writing out step by step instructions (which is always harder than I think). Thankfully, I’m already an Illustrator pro, so I don’t have to teach myself a new skill in that area.

But now what?

  • Should I give it people to test for free at first? Maybe ask newsletter subscribers? Friends?
  • Where do I sell it? I know Etsy now has a digital download option. But what if I want to sell it from my own site? Is there an automatic download option that’s easy or do I have to manually send it to them?
  • Who proofs it and how many rounds? Do you hire a professional copy editor? If so, where is the best place to find one?
  • Are there any copyright things I should put on the pattern? Like, it’s okay to make, but not to sell?
  • And how the heck do you price something like this?

Good Timing! An online course just for me!

Just when I started having these questions I saw an announcement from April Bowles-Olin about her upcoming course on Creative Live: Create Digital Products that Sell While You Sleep. Wow, could the timing of this course be any better? Don’t you love it when that happens? This is just what I need!

Inspiration Flip

Sep26

CharrosWhether it’s an all-night work session or just mustering up the energy to fold some laundry, the music is always on in my house. I’ll admit, I’m a little picky. Or should I say discerning? That sounds better. But I’m also laaaaaazzzzzy. I don’t want (or have time) to put in a bunch of hours browsing, researching, and choosing music. I need a curator, a selector. If I could afford it I would seriously hire an in-house DJ.

Late one night my brain started thinking…

The normal flow is:

DJ PLAYS MUSIC –> I AM INSPIRED BY MUSIC TO MAKE OR DO SOMETHING

But what if we flip it?: 

I MAKE A PIECE –> DJ IS INSPIRED TO PLAY MUSIC/SONG

I invited Chilly (host of KEXP‘s El Sonido) to play this little game for me (which I’m still trying to think of a name for, so if you have suggestions leave a comment below). I asked him to take a look in my Etsy shop and then pick a piece that would inspire him to play a song. Here’s what he came up with:

THE PIECE:

Charros (Mexican Cowboys) Magnets

WOULD INSPIRE ME TO PLAY THIS SONG:

Los Master Plus – El Gran Vacilon  http://youtu.be/DxYOgmPrpHI

ABOUT CHILLY’S CHOICE:

So Los Master Plus are more hipsters than charros, but they do rock cowboy hats. This cover of Dr. Dre’s “Next Episode” is, like all their tracks, totally tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also a magnificent slab of cumbiatronica. The bridge is way killer. Oh, and these dudes are from Guadalajara, the city that inspired these cool little magnets.

Chilly is a Latin/global bass DJ based in Seattle, WA. He also hosts a modern Latin radio mixshow on KEXP  (90.3FM /http://www.kexp.org) called “El Sonido” every Monday night 6-9pm PST.

 ALSO, today just happens to be the start of KEXP’s Fall Pledge Drive. Show your support with a donation!