Busy, busy bee…

So, since KCW finished up, i haven’t posted a damn thing.  I’ve been working like crazy on my next endeavor…Frankie & Coco PDX!  My dear friend Sarah and I have launched a new little shop, specializing in beautiful, yet quirky items for women (mainly).  We are inspired by color, texture, vintage details and organic elements. The merging of our two distinct styles adds something unexpected to our designs and everything is crafted by hand and one-of-a-kind; functional and beautiful, with a twist.  We really enjoy combining modern functionality with unique, vintage elements found on our frequent scavenger hunts…vintage zippers, buttons, fabric, etc.  It’s exciting to come across truly unique items and integrate them into our design vision.  So far the journey has been great, but the real Frankie & Coco keep it interesting.  Designing & sewing with a 3 and a 1 year old is challenging at best.

Here’s a sampling of the new wares.

KCW / Spring 2013 / Days Four & Five

After three days of sewing for Frankie, I had to switch it up!  Aidan requested a hoodie for Day 4, but it ended up taking me two days to get it all done.  I downloaded the Urban Hoodie from Heidi & Finn, printed it out, pieced it together and started cutting!  Aidan picked out a rad vintage super vibrant knit (picked up at an estate sale) and a coordinating green, super soft knit for the lining (picked up at St Vincent’s for $1.99 years ago).  It turned out great and I really like the mismatched vintage buttons too! Aidan loves it.

KCW / Spring 2013 / Day Three

The KCW challenge is moving along.  I ended up cutting out a simple dress and getting it all finished in a little over an hour late last night.  I used another vintage pattern and a mod white & gold abstract vintage print.  I am absolutely loving the bow! Frankie and I went on an early morning walk and took some cute pics.  

KCW / Spring 2013 / Day Two

Yikes!  Tuesday was so busy, I barely finished the dress.  The skirt came together pretty easily and the pleating looks really great.  I hand finished the neck and sleeves and then was so tired that I decided to roll hem the bottom on the serger.  Frankie woke up this morning and was delighted!  After dropping off her older brothers at school, we came home and had a little photo shoot.

KCW / Spring 2013 / Day One

it’s difficult some days to just feed my 4 kids, let alone sew for them! thank goodness for kcw (kids clothes week), the seasonal challenge that really sparks the creative fire.

for day one i decided to delve into my stash of vintage patterns and found this lovely mccall’s gem to sew for my 3 year old daughter, frankie.

cute pattern, cute dress, strange text…

i decided to use a vintage print with red piping. i was able to cut it out and sew the bodice together in my hour. i really love the cherry red piping & facing. i can’t wait to see it finished tomorrow!

pensive

we attended aidan’s spring violin recital this last weekend. he played “o come little children”. he was very poised and had a lovely tone.

the glass is half full?

it can be a struggle to focus on the positive, especially with a busy life & four children. at the end of the day, i am often overwhelmed by the plethora of dirty dishes, piles of laundry (clean & dirty both), the remnants of food that coco tossed on the floor, the clods of dirt trailed in by baseball cleats and the various complaints & tantrums.  yet, there were many lovely moments today too..

clementines, lemons & daffodils

first spring bike ride with the girls.

first spring eggs (after a long break)

working on my t-shirt rug project

sweet afternoon slumber

ethan’s kanji practice

a few moments to sew

reading wildwood with aidan