Summer brings wonderful things

The Summer brings so many things!

This Summer has brought so many beautiful things! Garage Sale time has been in full swing and I have been so fortunate to find some amazing vintage items!  Everything from cats to dogs to planters to slips..and array of eye candy and glorious treasures!

I know I feel overwhelmed by the wonderful amount of things, but when ever is there enough treasures? 

I am also happy to say that JclaireP has had the best month yet! I am so excited to see the growing number of fans and people who appreciate the beauty of a vintage item or a custom made skirt.  Simple things that bring a nostalgic breeze to our minds or the comfort of a soft cotton that lets us feel just a little cooler in the Summertime.  It is so appreciated and I can not say enough thanks to the family, friends and customers who have made this a wonderful month!

 

So, on that note, I look forward to finishing out the Summer and seeing what the Fall will bring.  Soon it will be time to prepare for the Winter season and the wonderful events that the holidays bring.  Not to rush things of course...But, until then, enjoy the wonderful things that Summer brings!

Open a window

This is how it begins.  You become so exhausted and you are craving creativity...So, you look at the mess in the sewing room and then it hits you..Inspiration. 

I have been able to come up with a new concept for a skirt tonight.  I don't know how, but I think when I am so tired, a window opens up in my head and it allows some ideas to flow through.  Good thing too! I think I get entirely too busy with the stuff that life is made of and I forget that I can create my own moments.  So, I thought I would share in this new concept.  It is far from finished and I have a lot more "cutting and pasting" to do.  So, until tomorrow...

Let your windows open! Sometimes you just get too tired to open the entire door.. :)

Blessings-

Summer feature

Happy Summer!!!

So, a lot has been going on at JclaireP! New vintage items, new skirts, craft shows, fairs...So, I thought I would feature some of my Summer skirts in this blog!   Fall is around the corner, when it comes to sewing, and I will start using some heavier fabrics.  But before that, I thought it would be fun to start the Summer off with some fun colors and lighter fabrics!

This is one of my favorite skirts this summer.  The pattern is so sweet with it's checked hearts and little blue bell flowers. Also, it is 100% cotton! It is nice and long and breathes when you walk.  To me, there is nothing better than feeling lite and airy in a skirt and this one definitely gives that feel.

Of course, what is Summer without a patchwork skirt?  What is special about this skirt is that all of the fabrics are vintage or they have been recycled from other linens.  These colors pop and let people know that you are ready for Summer and play!

This Spring and Summer I have worked on some very special custom skirts for clients.  These two skirts were custom order skirts specifically made for each customer!  They were able to tell me what they were looking for and what their color preferences were.  It is so fun and knowing that I am making something special for someone is what makes it so worthwhile!


Finally, what would Summer be without some mini skirts?  This season I have made some bright mini's and some subtle mini's.  The Pink mini is made from new rayon material and is very graceful and soft.  The navy mini is made from vintage floral fabric and has a navy blue corduroy accent in the center and back.  Both are easy and comfortable to wear!

  

 I hope you have enjoyed this little feature of some of the skirts available at JclaireP!  I am so looking forward to creating for the Fall and Winter and I am wishing you the best for the Summer season!  Enjoy the things that this Summer will bring!

Blessings -
Jennifer
 

cracking a window

It is that time of year.  The sun is out a little longer, the days are warm, the nights are cooler and the windows are open.  This is actually a big deal to me.  It is not because I am a Summer lover or anything. It is a big deal because of the windows being open.

I have a secret.  I have a fear of leaving my windows open. Yep, it is true.  I don't feel "like a breeze" when I keep them open, I feel a bit insecure and cautious.  I love the sound of the birds at night, I love the cool breeze, I love the free feeling of the window open.  What freaks me out is the fear of someone intruding on my home. Someone ruining that one special thing about having a window open.  That being said, I have another confession.  For the first time in years, I feel OK with having them open from time to time.  I have moved so many times I can't even count them.  But for some reason, in this spot, I feel OK with having the window open a bit.  I know I would never have them open all night or when I am not home, but while I am home, I do enjoy the breeze a little more.  I suppose I am letting that fear of mine lose and the possibilities of enjoying myself win.

It may sound silly or a bit strange, but we all have our vices.  Mine is the insecurity of home invasion because I decided to enjoy my windows.  But hey, it is Summer, right? So, before I turn in, I will enjoy the fresh breeze.  Then, I will brush my teeth, put on my PJ's and make sure my house is locked up like Fort Knox.  Ah, here is to a peaceful night's sleep.

-Blessings and Good Night!

A good week

It was a week that feels like it has had at least two weeks in it...

But a very, very fulfilling and rewarding two weeks...

First let us start with the Flea Market...

It was a GORGEOUS day!! I was able to meet and greet so many wonderful people, catch up with friends and make new contacts with some extremely creative artists..  My favorite part?  Well that is easy...

I got to share space with my Dad! It is our tradition to do the Macungie Flea Market together..and we always have a lot of fun.

I didn't sell any skirts, but I have never handed out so many cards! Positive vibes...good things...and lots of love...

Yes, that was a great start...then a Mother's Day Celebration hosted by my two favorite people and a field trip to the Mack Truck Museum in Allentown, PA....just a great weekend...and to top it all off, I was asked to vend at another festival in August! I am so pleased about this and I can not wait to get started! 

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day and a great weekend...these are the things that keep the good in life and the good in us...

-Have a great week and blessings to you

Carnival in town

Good Morning World! Today is one of those crisp Spring mornings that make you want to breathe in deep and enjoy the sunshine. The garden is looking healthy and the rhododendrons are blooming.  The birds are singing and the bunnies are hopping in the backyard...luckily, not in the vegetable garden.

In the front yard, the Azaleas are showing off and....oh, wait...what is that I see from my front porch?  Oh! The carnival at the fire station that is only a block from our home! Yes, every year the carnival comes to town and we have a front row seat.  No, I am not complaining about this.  It is FUN. It is a great time!   It is also, it is PURE TORTURE for a five year old to have to wake up every morning and go to bed every night knowing there is a fair with in walking distance from your home.  It would be like living at Disney World and you have no control over when you get to go.  Every day the questions of when we are going and how long will it be here and the excitement of the rides is overflowing and congesting our home with carnival traffic!  The enthusiasm meter is WAY off the charts and all we, as parents, can do in this home is wave a white flag and say, "Don't worry, we are going soon.".

Now if only I could get as excited about things.  The glorious energy that comes with a five year old's anticipation.  The giggles, the laughs, the clenching of fists under her chin because she can't bottle it up.  As annoyed as I may get, I know that it is precious.  In another five years, this element may disappear or become more "cool". Going to a carnival with her parents may not be as fun.   So that is what we shall have tonight. FUN! Rides, games, hot dogs...all of it...then, when we come home, I can take down the white flag and tuck it away until the weekend. 

I think the excitement is contagious!

-Blessings on your day

Benefits of home

One of the best things about being home with my daughter is this...

As I was sewing this morning, my daughter came upstairs and asked if she could sew as well. I said absolutely and so she took some of the scraps from my "scrap tote" and began to cut and pin.  Her imagination began to take off and she wanted to make pillows for her Barbies.  I showed her how to pin the material.  Then she put the pieces together and I sewed a little on the machine. After I sewed the edges together she sat on my lap and I showed her how to stitch for the first time.

I spoke quietly to her, making sure she didn't catch her fingers with the needle.  She was definitely concentrating as she was curling her mouth a bit and breathing quite heavy.  It felt so right teaching her this little art of sewing.  Something she can do for the rest of her life.  There it is...the best part.  I was able to show her a little something that may carry her along.

I think everyone has that ability.  Everyone has their talents and treasures to pass on.  It is in the simple moments that these things happen.  It is so precious and should never be taken for granted.

On that note...here are the pillows for the Barbies! They are some lucky dolls! 

- Blessings