Sunday, April 6, 2008

There's a first for everything!

Welcome everyone, to my little corner of the blogging world! So, this is a new thing for me - though I've read and drooled over hundreds of blogs, I've yet to jump into the game myself. I figure what an easy way to keep family, friends and others updated on what's happening. Also, I've realized what a great sounding board a blog can be...what, with all the readers there are out there. As a (relatively) young mother with big ideas and seemingly never enough time, one of you just may stop me from driving myself crazy one day. One of my "big ideas" that I've put into motion recently is.....



Since finally having my daughter, after two rough & tumble boys, I discovered girly-girl clothing again. Over the course of 5 years or so, I had given birth 3 times and just gave up on any sense of fashion for myself - I'd become the blue jean, baseball cap, flip-flop wearing Mamma that is all too common these days. It seems I had forgotten how much fun it is to dress up...in a dress, curl your hair and maybe even paint your face! All of that slowly began to change with my pink little blonde haired prissy little girl.

Now, don't get me wrong - she can hang out in the sandbox, the fort or even the woods with the boys anyday...all day. And usually will come back to the house at least as dirty as her brothers, but more often she's got 'em beat by a mile. However, when she walks into said house (being directed straight to the tub, of course) she will most likely spot something Mamma's been sewing for her and remark in an oh-so-Southern drawl......"Aaawww-wwwww!!! Is that for meeeeee? Aawwwww - it's so boooootiful. Thanks, Mo-ooom!" So the girl knows a good dress or outfit when she sees it...and likes them, too!

So, she's the reason I began to sew. I didn't have a mother who taught me to sew, but I did have a mother-in-law whose mother raised her three girls on a seamtress's wages. Nana passed away a few years ago, but her daughter definitely learned a few tricks while under her mother's wing. I've taught myself - starting on an old 50's or 60's Singer - and have bent my mother-in-law's ear qutie a bit. I've always had a penchant for good fabric - that's why I have mounds of it stacked everywhere. But I'd never really put it to use...just admired it. I began seeing lots of really unique clothing online for little girls and one day the idea hit me that "I can make that!" So I did.

I focus on girls clothing but also make a few things for boys - book bags, pajamas, super-hero capes, camp shirts, etc. The plan is to get my design studio in shape and launch a website by the end of this summer. In the fall I will be at The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, AL and possibly one other event before the end of the year. I'm currently working on a line for 2009 to present at a few local Trunk Shows. There is still so much to learn about having a design/clothing business like this and hopefully I'll be able to meet some of the other fantastic designers out there through the blogosphere.

Might as well introduce you to the blog's namesake...Just Audrey.












This is precisely the reason we call her just Audrey. Saying her complete name illicits the above pictured response with the sentence..."No! I'm just Audrey!". And there's always a little "hmmph" with crossed arms thrown in there for good measure. It reminds me of this Mary Engelbreit illustration I recently saw in Home Companion magazine.......
Isn't that just one of the cutest drawings ever? I'm sure all of you with little girls can remember them making a face like that at least once, when something just wasn't going quite right, you know? Come to think of it, some of us Mammas might pull that look out occasionally ourselves, tee hee. This adorable girl may become my mascot here at Just Audrey when things aren't going my way and, of course, when an attitude adjustment is in need.
That's all for now.....laundry beckons me, as well as a pair of pants I've been "finishing" for two weeks almost, three pattern drafts that need a tweak here & there, and one more purse to cut out....yikes! Not to mention getting ready to get back to school tomorrow morning. ugh, goodbye weekend...
I'm very much looking forward to sharing my experiences, thoughts & creations with you. And I can't wait to hear from people reading and following along....feedback is awesome! Hopefully, within the next few weeks, I'll have more time to share a little more about myself, family and other interests. Until then, thanks for reading!
Much love....
JJ