What's a girl to do?

First of all, before I forget, a big thank you to everyone for your kind comments on my last post. I would like to think that I could reply personally, but sometimes, something's gotta give, and I'm a little ashamed to say the first of those things is personal thank-you's. But thank-you all. Appreciated.

I posted this picture and some in more detail in Flick-r a while back, but didn't want to post about them until they had reached their intended destination.

I made these two tops for Julie's little girls as part of our recent swap. They have now arrived in Israel, so in accordance with blogging protocol, I can now post a picture and blab.

I was really pleased with how these turned out. I wanted to make something that was sweet and girly, but not sickly and pink. And made with fabric that reminded me of my childhood or happy things. With lots of ric-rac and ribbon and gorgeous trims. I have made so many skirts this year, and thought that I could make these based on the idea of the bottom being like a tier of a gathered skirt. Then I pulled out all the girls tops and dresses right from when they were babies and dissected how they were all made. Took the best (and easiest) parts and voila! They do up at the back with two buttons and the skirt is open. I like the idea of wearing them with cut-off jeans or long shorts.

If you are wondering why I take all my pictures of clothes hanging on the washing line, there are several reasons. Firstly, it's a natural light thing. And it was just too cold to have my girls wear them outside. I may be harsh, but I'm not cruel. Secondly, the washing line stays relatively still and does what I want it to do.

I showed my sewing to a few of my friends who all gave me great feedback. Except for my very dear friend (no, really, she is) - she of the "dishcloth purse" fame. She said that she loved them, but could I make one for her daughter in pink. I'm not anti-pink, I guess I just really need to find the right "pink".

So, now, to my next dilemma. One which it seems that a few of us are going through. To sell, or not to sell? How much? Etsy? A market? A web site? Good old fashioned word of mouth. Do you want to buy one? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

A few more of the goodies sent over to Julie.

And speaking of "to sell", met up yesterday with my first blogging, in-the-flesh friend. Alice and I met Justine and Molly and it was like we'd known each other for year's! Justine is every bit as lovely and funny as you would imagine from reading her blog. We met up to discuss some ideas about our respective crafting "stuff", but our girls had other idea's. Both were tired. Lovely, but tired. We had about three minutes of peace when Alice decided to lie down on a big kind of couchy, chair thing, with pristine cream cushions on it, that was displayed outside a Villa and Hut store. Molly played peek-a-boo with her and Justine and I pretended they weren't ours. Until the man from the shop tracked us down and asked me to remove my child from his $999 chair so as he had half a chance of selling it. I suggested to him that perhaps at that price, he could sell Alice with the chair as well. He didn't get it. He mustn't have kids.

The funniest part of this was that as we were sitting, sipping our hot chocolates, a friend (more a friend of a friend I guess) of mine came over. As I went to say "Hi", she went straight over me and reached over to Justine! Turns out that she takes her little girl to the same place for music as Justine takes Molly. How freaky is that! To have this blogging connection and then discover we know mutual people in the "real world". Blew me away really.

So a big hello to Justine and Molly and Alice promises she will not be bossy next time. Or else her mother really will sell her with the chair.