We’re continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Gail Keyes from Louisville, KY. Gail sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Guurrrl Designs.

Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself.

I am in my mid-thirties, currently residing in Louisville, KY. But I consider the mountains of Asheville, NC home.  I work full time as an office manager for a manufacturing company, although I dream of someday being able to work from home, have a family, and move back to the beautiful mountains of Asheville.

When I was growing up my Dad and Step-Dad were in the Air Force.  This gave me the opportunity to travel around the country and even abroad for three years in Italy.  I have a box of greeting cards and letters that I carried with me from move to move.  Even now, as an adult, when I move I will unpack every single thing and put it in its place except for that box.  It’s always ready for the next move.

I love the scents of fresh-cut grass, cakes baking, babies’ heads, and driving past a cow pasture.  The last one must have something to do with me missing home.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background. When and how did you learn to sew?

I started out sewing puppets when I was in elementary school.  Later on my Granny and Aunt taught me how to sew Barbie clothes.  Then, in my senior year of high school, I decided that I didn’t want a dress off-the-rack even though I had never made anything larger than a Barbie outfit.  My prom date’s mother said that she would teach me to sew it.  It was a great experience–from picking out the fabric, to learning to piece three separate patterns together to create a dress that I truly loved.  From that point I was hooked.

In my early twenties, I worked on beading several gowns for pageants and made many stage costumes.  However, it was when I started making clothing for my niece and other children that I discovered my true passion was sewing children’s clothing.

I had been completing my college degree at night from 2007 through September of 2009.  When I graduated, I decided to start a 365-day challenge to create something new every day for the next year.  Several of my friends joined me in the challenge.  Prior to that, I had a 10 year hiatus from sewing.  After I posted a few of my challenge entries, I was encouraged by a friend of mine, Renee of Candy Stick Lane, to open up an online boutique.

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns?

I first discovered Oliver+S patterns while browsing photos of children’s clothing on Flickr.  I came across the Tea Party Playsuit and then visited the Oliver+S Flickr group.  I was instantly in love with the classical designs.

How did you come to participate in the boutique sewer program?

I actually decided to participate when I ordered my first Oliver+S pattern–the Sailboat Skirt/Pants and Top in the winter of 2009.  I thought that it would be a really great Christmas outfit for my nephew.  I opened a  boutique on Etsy in September 2009 and had been dying to try the Oliver+S patterns.  I figured, why put the boutique program on hold? I ordered a couple of licenses with my first pattern order.  I ended up making the Sailboat skirt for my shop, before I completed my nephew’s Christmas outfit. The program has given my shop a lot of exposure.

I love the detail included in the Oliver + S patterns, and I look forward to the day when I have each pattern in my collection.

How do you choose fabrics for the garments that you make?

It depends on the item.  If it is a custom item, based on a customer’s specific request, I will fulfill that.  However when I am making something as an expression of my creative design, a color (or even the texture of the fabric) will instantly stand out for me. I will then pair other fabrics with the first.  I would say that most of the items I sew are made from cotton.  I also have an addiction to Japanese prints.  I especially love many of their linens and tiny prints.

What other crafts do you pursue?

Other than sewing children’s clothing, I also have an interest in digital photography.  I received a digital SLR camera last year, and I am still learning the ins and outs of it.

While opening my shop, I was trying to come up with gifts and small tokens of appreciation to include with my packages.  While walking through the craft store, the polymer clay caught my eye.  I was instantly hooked.  I am drawn to making miniature food jewelry and buttons from polymer clay.

Beading has also been a passion of mine since I was in high school.  However, after a few years of making beaded gowns and costumes, I only like to bead small projects now.

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?

I am rather new to the business and am still learning on a daily basis.  I think what has worked for me so far is using networking to my advantage.  I am visible on several social networking sites, and the exposure that I have gotten from the Oliver+S website had definitely increased the visibility of my shop.  I launched my blog around the same time that I opened up my Etsy shop.  It has allowed to me to share my creativity and keeps me continually inspired by others.  I also use my blog to let customers know about specials and giveaways.  I also had professional business cards printed that I share with everyone.

What plans do you have for the future?

I try to only look a few months at a time down the road.  There are so many things that I want to do, including being able to make more outfits at a time.  I plan on adding a line of T-shirts to my shop that display my artwork. They will fit children and adults.  I would also love, love, love to take a knitting class.  I envision cardigans, leg warmers, and hats to coordinate with the outfits in my shop.

We’re continuing our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by introducing Jeanie Taylor from Cape Cod, MA. Jeanie sells her work through her boutique sewing business, The Pea Green Boat.

Jeanie, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself and your background. When and how did you learn to sew?
I live on Cape Cod in a magical house in the woods. It was created by and for a local potter on the grounds of his pottery, and every time I drive home through my own sculpture garden, I feel very lucky. My home is temporary, but one of the things the last year has reminded me is that everything is temporary.

I grew up on the coast of Texas in Port Arthur, hometown of Janis Joplin and Mary Karr. I climbed trees and hung upside down on the trapeze in my backyard, and I read and read and read. My mom sewed a lot, and my job was hand sewing the hems. The first real garment I made was in junior high in home ec, and I am pretty sure I never wore it. It was turquoise, some kind of tunic, and to my eyes really ugly.

When I graduated from college I worked for a year as a newspaper reporter, and one day I found a Singer treadle machine in the classified ads before they went into the paper. It cost $10, and it served me well for a long time. As a reporter I covered the Miss World USA Pageant, and for the ball (where the winner was escorted by the police chief dressed in a too-short brown suit) I made my escort beautiful wool formal bib overalls with a cummerbund and silver buckles. I also made my wedding dress, a sweet 1970s cotton dress, perfect for a simple wedding in the yard.

Over the years I made all kinds of things for my kids and myself. During a year spent in Scotland I got the chance to use Liberty fabrics, viyella, and other fabrics that weren’t available in my local store. I did smocking and used Folkwear patterns to make clothing for family and friends.

In addition to making clothing I used my imagination and fabric to decorate our world. Our 1920s house had a sleeping porch that we used as a playroom. It had lots of windows and yellow walls, and I made soft, puffy, satin clouds to hang from the ceiling. For Christmas I made smaller versions of the clouds with hanging ribbon rainbows to hang on the tree and puffy satin hearts to add to the evergreen garland that twisted down the banister.

One of my part-time jobs when my kids were small was working in a fancy gift store that carried beautiful yarns. After months of looking at it and touching it, I decided I had to learn to knit, so my co-workers taught me. I loved knitting, and I made lots of sweaters for my kids and myself, doing very little sewing during those years.

Then I went from being a part-time worker with kids to being a full-time worker with kids to being a full-time worker with kids and a full-time graduate student, and all my crafting was put aside.

I took knitting up again a few years ago hoping that the occupation would help me stop smoking. I did stop smoking, but not because of the knitting. What did the trick was my son saying, “We want you to be healthy and well so that you can run around in the yard with your (future) grandchildren.”

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns?
My first grandchild was born almost two years ago, and when I knew she was coming all my creative juices kicked in. I began searching for patterns for sewing and knitting, looking at fabric and yarn, and planning a lifetime of garments. Early in my search I discovered the Oliver + S patterns online, and I fell in love.

How did you come to participate in the boutique sewer program?
It never occurred to me that I would make clothing for sale, but two things led the way to the opening of my Etsy shop. I lost my job, and I wanted to make more garments than my granddaughter could ever wear.

A few months after my granddaughter’s birth, I got a new job in Boston to be closer to family. After thirty years in the Midwest, very far from the ocean, I moved east and started my job in September 2008. In January 2009, my new job disappeared in the chaos of the economy.

I moved from Boston to Cape Cod where winter rents were manageable and the ocean was almost at my door. It took a while for me to begin to imagine the Etsy shop, because I was sure that a new job was just around the corner. But gradually I got very excited about the idea of offering my clothing (and other things) for sale, and after a few months I got brave enough to call myself a boutique sewer.

How do you choose fabrics for the garments that you make, and what fabrics are you working with these days?
I have always loved fabric and yarn–beautiful colors, textures, and design. The fabric is a key part of everything I create. I prefer natural fibers and high quality fabrics, believing that the effort it takes to make a garment well should be matched by the quality of the fabric.

Right now I am working with some Liberty viscose, cotton laminate, cotton batik, and organic cotton fleece. I have a beautiful mola from South America that I plan to incorporate into a special dress.

What other crafts do you pursue?
I make all sorts of things like garlands and necklaces. I continue to knit, and I am venturing into a bit of quilting. I work part-time in an independent fabric store filled with quilters, and I am currently making an abstract silk quilted table runner.

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
I am still learning how to market my business. The boutique sewer program is a wonde
rful opportunity to reach people who love wonderful design. I have also used the Etsy showcases to call attention to my shop.

What plans do you have for the future?
Given the last year I plan only a few months ahead, but my current plan for my shop is to spend the next few months really building up my stock so that I can place a web ad in a location that will call attention to The Pea Green Boat. I am also considering beginning a blog, perhaps.

We’re pleased to continue our series of posts highlighting participants in the Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a recent discussion with Meg Lineberger from Durham, NC. Meg sells her work through her boutique sewing business, Nora’s Room, which is named after her four-year-old daughter, Nora Kate. Meg also has a seven-year-old son. When she’s not sewing, Meg works as a practicing psychologist.

Meg, tell me a little about yourself and your background. When and how did you learn to sew? I can’t remember a time when I didn’t sew. I grew up in a one room farmhouse in Kentucky, where we grew our own food, sewed our own clothes, and even kept bees for honey. My mother sewed out of necessity. I don’t think she’s so much as hemmed a pair of pants in the last 10 years, but she always encouraged my creative efforts. For my fifth birthday she gave me a harvest gold sewing box, fully stocked, which I still use today.

As an adult I’ve been a pretty serious quilter, with occasional ventures into garment sewing.

I always imagined I would sew for my children, but the truth is I did very little sewing of any kind while my children were infants and toddlers. When I dusted off my machines last year, I was stunned to discover that sewing had become hip while I wasn’t looking!

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns and come to participate in the Boutique Sewer Program?
I came across Oliver + S this spring via a parenting blog and fell completely in love. I purchased a boutique sewing license before my first patterns had even arrived. It was an impulsive decision, but one that has really jump-started my creative energy.

How do you choose fabrics for the garments that you make, and what fabrics are you working with these days?
My fabric choices are strongly influenced by my quilting experience. Color has never come easy to me, so I’ve really worked hard to develop that skill, reading books about color theory and dragging my artist husband to the fabric store. My quilts feature mostly batiks and tonal prints, so my boutique sewing has given me the opportunity to use some of the awesome contemporary prints that hit the market while my back was turned.

What initially attracted me to Oliver + S was the fact that the patterns were designed for quilting cottons, but my boutique sewing has turned out to be a gateway for exploring more apparel fabrics. In the past six months, I’ve sewn Oliver + S designs in tweed, twill, denim, wool gauze, corduroy, laminates, wool coating, silk, even knits. I’m already lusting over fabrics for spring and summer. Oh, the linens and the double gauze!

What other crafts do you pursue that you may not be selling on Etsy?
I do have a crafty little soul. I’ve dabbled in cake decorating, hair bows, and doll-house miniatures. I even had a regrettable rubber-stamping period. I love the smell of hot glue. Last month I built a loft bed for my son with a lot of help from my father-in-law and his woodworking shop. I keep meaning to learn how to knit, but where to find the time?

Children’s birthdays most especially bring out my inner Martha Stewart. I just hosted a paper-doll party featuring the Oliver + S dolls and Pearl dog too!

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
Many of my customers are referred by the Oliver + S website. I also get a fair amount of business from friends, relatives, and coworkers. It helps that my daughter is a walking advertisement for Nora’s Room. When prompted, she’ll tell you she got her clothes from “norasroom-dot-etsy-dot-com.” I recently donated a custom sewn dress for a silent auction to benefit my children’s school, which raised a little money for the school and also increased the visibility of Nora’s Room among the parent community. I’ll definitely do that again next year.

How much of your business is custom work vs. ready-made?
All of my work is custom in the sense of being sewn-to-order; I don’t keep an inventory of ready-made garments in stock. The garments featured in Nora’s Room are samples that I’ve sewn for my own children and will sew-to-order in the customer’s choice of size. About half of my sales come from these “two of a kind” creations. The rest are custom work.

I really love working with a client to choose patterns and shop for fabric, and I specialize in coordinating outfits for siblings. I think that’s because I have a boy and a girl of my own. I try to achieve a complimentary look without being too matchy-matchy, you know?

What plans do you have for the future?
Well, my next project is a Jedi cloak for my Star Wars re-enactor husband, using nine yards of wool crepe. Seriously.

After that it’s time to get geared up for holiday sewing. In the coming year I want to be more active with social networking on Facebook and Twitter, and I really need a Nora’s Room blog. I’m also learning to take better photos of my work. All of this will help to keep me busy until your new patterns come out in 2010!

What opportunities has the boutique sewer program made available to you that you wouldn’t otherwise have had?
Besides the pleasure of doing something really well and getting recognized for it? Definitely it’s the relationships with other moms who love Oliver +
S. I’ve made some wonderful friends through the Flickr group and the Oliver + S forums, and I’ve worked on custom sewing for some amazing women who don’t have the time or ability to sew for their own children. The income from Nora’s Room goes back into my sewing studio and has enabled me to upgrade my materials, notions, and tools–which in turn improves the quality of my workmanship.

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a short discussion with Tiffany James from Seattle, WA. Tiffany took time away from preparing for the impending arrival of her first baby to answer a few of our questions.

Tell me a little about yourself and your background. How did you learn to sew?
Sewing is something I’ve just really always done. I was a creative kid and it didn’t hurt that there was a cabinet of craft supplies and stacks of fabric and boxes of buttons at home. I used them to make everything from clothes for my dolls and dog to gifts for my friends and family. Over the years I have self-trained and have expanded my skillset by reading books and blogs, and of course by trial and error and by simply making lots of different types of things.

Your Etsy store features an interesting assortment of things—various sewn items, jewelry, and vintage goods. Does this eclectic mix say something about your personal style?
Yes. I think eclectic is a good word for it! My shop reflects the fact that I’m constantly trying something new and I’m drawn to so many different media and activities. I love to research a new craft or project, and then I tend to spend a lot of time gathering the materials and perfecting new techniques. Then, before long, something new has caught my eye!

As a result, I have a studio full of interesting materials to inspire me and experience working in a wide variety of media. To the untrained observer, however, it may just look like I have a problem with my attention span, which may or may not also be true!

What other crafts do you pursue that you may not be selling on Etsy?
Well, lately everything has been about getting ready for the arrival of our first baby at the end of July. My husband and I are definitely do-it-yourselfers in every aspect, so we’ve done all of the work preparing the nursery ourselves. We built a changing table, and we’re working on a bookshelf next. We’ve also tackled minor renovations around the house like updating lighting and plumbing. But we haven’t done any major demolition yet!

I also knit here and there, and I’ve recently started making clothes for myself–both from patterns and by refashioning thrift store finds. I guess I just like to stay busy!

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns, and how did you come to participate in the Boutique Sewer Program?
I started reading the Oliver + S blog after I saw the patterns mentioned on another site, and I fell in love with the adorable styles. When I saw the post about the Boutique Sewer Program being born, I knew right away that I would want to participate at some point and bookmarked it for future reference.

Months later, when I learned that I was pregnant, my craftiness bug kicked into high gear and my attention naturally turned to baby and kid’s clothes. I was absolutely convinced that our baby was a girl for the first few months, so I picked up the pattern for the Tea Party Sundress (my favorite) and got to work on “her” wardrobe.

We found out soon after that “she” is a “he,” but I was already hooked by how beautifully the pattern came together and how much I loved the styling, and I couldn’t wait to make tons more. I’ve got stacks of fabric waiting to be turned into new Tea Party dress combinations as soon as I can find a free minute!

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
In the past, I have set up booths at a local Saturday market and sold my jewelry, and it also helps that I have wonderful fashionable friends who have purchased my creations and wear them around helping to spread the word!

I’ve recently gotten a few requests from friends to make up special items for them that weren’t in my shop, and I love that. Custom work is exciting, and I love to try new designs, so I’ve been more than happy to oblige.

My blog was originally created to keep our friends and family up to date with the pregnancy and baby news, but I’ve been showcasing my crafty pursuits there as well, so that has led to increased traffic to my Etsy shop. The Boutique Sewer page on the Oliver + S site has also sent new viewers my way, which is wonderful and much appreciated!

What plans do you have for the future?
Our immediate future plans involve an easy and trouble-free home birth and some wonderful family time with our new little one!

Once the babymoon is over, my plan is to concentrate more on my shop and my sewing, and perhaps I’ll even narrow my focus to just a small selection of handmade goods for sale. Of course, I’m sure I’ll still be creating all over the board, so we’ll see how well that pans out!

One thing I’ve considered is perhaps moving things through my shop on a rotating basis, featuring new groups of items at different times as the particular medium appeals to me, instead of having such a mix in there at once. That might help me satisfy my need for variety in a way that makes things appear more cohesive as well. Time will tell.

One thing is for sure, and that is that I will always be making something. I just have an inherent need in me to create, and I feel so lucky to be able to do that and to have a venue to share that and learn from others around me.

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a recent exchange with Sandy Stewart of Virginia Beach, VA–ringleader of the all-in-the-family a.j.jacks clothing team.

Sandy, can you tell us a little about yourself and the others who sew with you under the a.j.jacks name?
In a word, “family.” a.j.jacks is a family business, established by my daughters and me and financed by our generous husband-dad-grandpa extraordinaire. What really makes this possible is the time, talent, and dedication of our daughter Jenna Stewart Mahon who lives in Toronto, ON, (center) and our daughter by marriage Billie Jeanne Stewart of Atlanta, GA (left) and the enormous support of their husbands. (Editor’s note: Sandy is at right in the photo.)

The garments you create as part of the boutique Sewer Program all have a distinctive look that says a.j.jacks. How do you do that?
I have eight amazing grandchildren, and they are our inspiration. There are five girls and three boys. The initials of seven of them and the name of the one born in the year of our start-up inspired our name and everything we do: Ava Jacqueline Jordan Aidan Cecelia Kirsten Jack and Savanna.

You always choose interesting fabrics. What are some of your favorites?
Our upcoming fall/winter line is my favorite so far. It’s a mix and match selection from the Tina Givens designer collection. This fall clothing collection will be our first line with a name, “The Ava Collection.” (Ah, yes, the grandchildren!)

When we started out we picked any and every fabric that caught our eye, with no real sense of continuity. But as we have evolved over these 10 months, we have become a bit more aware of “themes.” Our first full line consists of many bird prints, and the name Ava means “like a bird.” Well, you can see how that all came together.

How do you determine which fabrics to match with a pattern?
That part is so much fun. For me, I picture one of the little ones, and since there are eight of them, I have eight very different children with eight very different personalities. My daughter by marriage has an amazing eye for matching colors and designs, and I just love the combinations she comes up with.

You’ve sewn from many of the Oliver + S patterns. Do you have any favorites?
My personal favorite is the 2+2 Blouse. I really enjoy mixing and matching the body of the shirt with the placket and the trim, and I think the finished shirt looks just adorable. I also like that it can be short or long sleeve.

Jenna really likes the Swingset Tunic. I think it’s because she grew up a “beach girl” and this top has that look!

Billie Jeanne’s favorite is the Puppet Show Tunic. Even though it is a bit more time consuming to make, she really likes the way it turns out. I think it would be so cute as a dress, and we will do one in the future I’m sure. She also really likes the Birthday Party Dress, and who doesn’t for that matter? It’s very, very sweet!

Where do you sell your garments?
For now, through our Etsy store and word of mouth with friends and family. We will be in a trade show here in Virginia Beach on Thanksgiving weekend, which is where we will showcase our fall/winter line. We are really excited to see what that experience will bring to our business.

How do you determine how to price each garment you sew?
This is by far, the most challenging aspect of our business. Since I am attempting to build a business that our family can one day benefit from financially, I am aware of the fact that even though we are having so much fun doing this I still have to price our items fairly with both the consumer and my hard-working and talented daughters in mind.

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
We all have personal blogs and our a.j.jacks blog with a loyal following. We did a spring giveaway that generated a few orders. In July we will have a one-year anniversary giveaway that will be different from the first and really fun. Because of the changes in this giveaway we hope to produce more orders from this one than the previous one. Our giveaway is unique!

Do you have any plans for the future?
Oh my goodness! My head spins with future plans–way too many to bore you with in one sitting–but definitely to have our own web site as soon as possible. The girls and I would just love to visit you all in New York City. That would be so inspirational! Since my dream is to build for the future Stewart generation I’m constantly thinking of future plans. It’s all such fun!

See more recent photos in the a.j.jacks photostream on Flickr.

Today we’re introducing a new blog feature. We will regularly be highlighting one of the participants in our Boutique Sewer Program. These talented individuals are creating unique, handcrafted garments from Oliver + S patterns and are selling them through a variety of channels. We’re always interested in talking with our program participants and seeing the interesting things they are making. We thought our blog readers would be interested in meeting some of them too.

We’re kicking the series off by sharing a recent email exchange we had with one of our boutique sewers—Rachel Baker from Brisbane, Australia.

Rachel, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? How did you learn to sew?
I had always been fairly convinced that I had not a single ounce of creativity in me. Seriously. I used to tell my mum how awful it was that my sisters were the creative ones and I was all logical and cerebral.

But then, after having my second child (a daughter), something clicked. I became obsessed with the idea of learning to make skirts. I couldn’t afford a new sewing machine at the time so my Grandmother, who was a dressmaker and now makes the most elaborate quilts ever, bought me my very first sewing machine. I started sewing the day after it arrived, and I have barely taken a day off in the last two years.

How did you first discover Oliver + S patterns and the Boutique Sewer Program?
I had joined a group of sewers online who have now disbanded, and they were talking about these beautiful Oliver + S patterns. Once I saw them I totally fell in love, and after receiving so many compliments for garments I made from them I decided to look into selling my work. That’s when I found out about the program.

Your garments always have a consistent delicate and sweet feel to them. Do you have a specific style or aesthetic you’re trying to realize?
I’m coming to realize that I’m girlier than I thought I was. I love classic styling (which is one of the reasons the Oliver + S patterns appeal to me) with a slight twist of funky awesomeness. Even if it’s just the coolest little trim or an unexpected flash of color in the hem facing. I think Oliver + S gives you a chance to do that with their patterns.

How do you determine which fabrics to match with a pattern?
That’s a good question. I generally start with what I have in the house, and then move onto how I think the fabric pattern will look done up in either pleats or gathers. I don’t like my fabric to overwhelm the garment style. I want people to notice the shape of the garment before the fabric. I also love mixing up colors so they are the tiniest bit offbeat but not enough to make them obviously so. Sometimes it takes ages to work out exactly what fabrics to use.

You’ve sewn from many different Oliver + S patterns. Do you have any favorites?
I completely adore the Bubble Dress first and foremost. It’s extremely simple to sew and the style is so flattering on little girls’ bodies. It washes brilliantly and is very easy to iron.

Where do you sell your garments?
I have an Etsy store where I sell many of my garments. I sell all my dresses as one-of-a-kinds. Or, as has happened in the past, a purchaser can message me and I will make a dress to the buyer’s specifications. I really love making special orders. It’s extremely satisfying when they are received and loved.

How do you determine how to price each garment you sew?
To be honest, I don’t make a huge profit. I add up all materials used for each garment and then add an hourly rate for my time.

What have you done to market your business that has been successful for you?
A couple of things. Blogging and slowly finding my place in the market has been a huge lesson for me. I’ve learned so much by watching others at their various stages of business owning. Twitter gives me a fair amount of business. And you should never discount word of mouth.

Sew something amazing, package it beautifully, and the buyer will tell others of their wonderful shopping experiences with PinkLizzy Sews and Oliver + S patterns. I think also being true to myself and the styles and fabrics I like has helped me.

I also think that the support I’ve had from Oliver + S has been wonderful. I get lots of views to my shop and blog coming from the Garments page of the Oliver + S website. Some of those lead to sales, and that has been very excellent.

Do you have any plans for the future?
So many plans! Over the next few months I’m adding women’s sized Arty Skirts to my range to satisfy the hundreds of women who’ve requested them. I also am about to embark on some serious physiotherapy to help alleviate some of my intense sciatic pain. I hope to start university in the next few years to study sociology. I will be adding my daughter to my homeschooling day next year! We’ve got a million family holidays planned to New Zealand, Paris, Sydney and our old home, Ballarat in Victoria Australia. We might have another baby if cluckiness completely overwhelms us (it’s looking likely actually). All while I sew, and sew, and then sew some more for good measure. It’s going to be fantastic and I can’t wait!