Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The dress is finished and sent! Whew! I learned a lot from this sale although I didn't make any money; I had underestimated the shipping costs. For the next time I will know. But the experience has been very valuable and the customer was very patient and understanding so from her I was also able to gain feedback and advice that is priceless. I am also proud of the product I produced. But now in hindsight I realize that I should have added more flowers around the waist. I didn't get the chance to actually try the dress on my newborn niece because every time I went to my cousin Graciela's house the baby was sleeping. And I went over about six different times! I cannot believe how lazy my newborn niece is. She is almost two weeks old and all she has ever done is sleep! Hopefully the customer will give me honest and constructive feedback. I cringe and at the same time welcome any criticism, again of course if it is constructive.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Almost Done

I got cracking on the new dress in these past three days. I started with the same pattern as I used for the first dress but this time it came out completely different than the magazine depicted (as did the first dress). I have no discipline in following patterns. I start out following the pattern and then my "prendas" go off on a completely different tangent. Sometimes it is by choice, sometimes it is by not completely understanding the instructions, sometimes it is because I ran out of yarn and am unable to find one at the yarn store that exactly matches. Usually it because of not understanding the instructions I make choices in order to remedy the mistakes in sizing, combined with not knowing how much yarn I need to start out with. Add to that the tendency of my pieces to start curving around in a circle. They end up looking very pretty I think but I really need to learn to control the crochet, not always allowing the crochet to control ME. There is a lady in my neighborhood who teaches knitting and crochet. I have started to go so that I can improve and get some discipline in my work. I will be sending this product out by Monday. I want to add more length to the skirt (I ran out of pink yarn and added white, which is fine since the inspiration is neopolitan ice cream). Also I will add adjustuble removable straps to the top. This way it can be adjusted to different baby sizes.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Bad judgement

You can tell I haven't much experience with newborns nor with crochet. I have the points and knitting part down pat. I still have to figure out the part where you can make the knit whatever size you choose. You really have to be mathematical and know beforehand with how many points to start the initial chain with. I thought I had calculated correctly but just to be sure I went to my cousin Graciela's house to try the sundress on her baby. It doesn't fit. It is too small. And even a smaller than average newborn would outgrow it in a week! I am desperate because the buyer has already paid. I decided to email the buyer and tell her the truth. That I misjudged the size and if she would be patient for a few days I will make another one but in a larger size. I have not received a response. Maybe that is good. In the meantime I am working on a new dress. This one will actually probably be better quality than the first one for various reasons so if the buyer doesn't mind the delay I think she will be happy with her purchase. No time for pictures today, I have got to get to work.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

First Sale!

I finished the swimsuit/sundress that I originally made for my cousin Graciela. But I posted it on Etsy just to see and someone purchased it immediately. I had intended to post it and make another one, not thinking that it would sell so soon, but now I am going to send this one to the buyer and make another one for my cousin. I am very excited about this sale. It is the very first time I have ever sold anything I have made myself. I still have to put the finishing touches on the sunhat. Have a great weekend.
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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Surprise Delivery

 My cousin Graciela had a baby girl yesterday. The due date was supposed to be early January but the dates must have been miscalculated because the baby is big and healthy. I hope the swimsuit /sundress I am making for her fits. This "prenda" is inspired by the well known neopolitan ice cream of three flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla. 100% cotton is fresh enough for summer and crochet knit allows for plenty of ventilation. The finished product will include a large brimmed sunhat and maybe a bib (out of fabric). I will see if I have time.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Summer is Almost Here

We have a vacation trailer which my husband keeps at a camping area in the sierras, actually in Villa General Belgrano (Cordoba Argentina). It is a beautiful Swiss/German style town, settled by Germans in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Hundreds of things to do year round so a tourist will never get bored. My husband brought the trailer to Cordoba Capital for some maintenance but he is taking it back again today. Everyone is excited about spending a few weeks at the campgrounds. My husband will stay in the trailer, the kids in tents. I will not be able to spend the entire vacaction with them but I will go up for a day or two. I am not actually a big fan of camping out in nature. My vacation will be having the house to myself for a week or two and visiting with my parents and grandmother who will be in town for the holidays.
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Monday, December 3, 2007

Usefulness

I am in the process crocheting two different pieces. I am at this time very focused on creating childrens ponchos and shawls. I really need to get a business plan organized. The days seem too short to get everything done and my attention is dispersed among family, pets, husband, volunteer work. When I try to focus on what I want to pursue I feel that people dont think it is worthwhile or that I am wasting my time. After all, I dont have a fine arts degree or any professional training or experience in the design field. I just have the desire to create useful things for people. To be "useful". More on this subject later. I need to get to the primary school right now. I am the accounts auditor this year and since the school year is just about over (I am, in Argentina) I have to finish reviewing the accounts. Bye.
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