BIG HUGE life changes. Again.

I got the job!

Most of you didn’t know that I’ve been looking at a job with MoDOT for almost a year now. But pandemic caused it to be pushed back. I never in my wildest imagination would have ever considered I’d be working for MoDot, especially what I’ll be doing.

But God has His ways, and a string of events plus some very amazing friends that have become a HUGE blessing in my and Stephen’s life have made this job a reality.

I will be a Design Tech in the Engineering Dept.
Who knew?
and what would Jerry think??

It’s truly amazing to think how God works things out. If I’d never left the grocery store, I would have never been a Cad tech. If my friends didn’t decide to homeschool, I’d never have met them. They have been life changing for Stephen the last few months, and now for me.
And here I am looking at this job. I really hope I like it.

So that is my big news. Now, if it would bore you to see what we will be doing about our businesses, then don’t read on. But, to those that are customers, I do want to do some explaining about moving forward.

Sewing lessons are GONE, except for a handful of you. I’ll still help out my friends.

Stephen has said that he wants to stick with his shadow boxes and let embroidery go. After doing two shows with shadow boxes now and testing the waters, it is very evident that he needs to have inventory on hand. Not a ton but just a few of each. If we back off the shows and only do a couple a year, then he can make one shadow box a week to build his inventory. He loved that idea as it’s not overwhelming to him at all. There are some embroidery items we will do from time to time…but for sure slowing that way way down.

Then there is Coco and Theodore that just doesn’t seem to get a fighting chance. BUT THERE IS NO WAY I am letting go of that dream of having that shop (even if only online). I love my doll and dog props. I love the plans I have for it. I still want to slowly build it for retirement someday and hobby sales to give me something to do as Stephen is growing up. I’ve been taking care of kids a long, long, really long time. Empty nest syndrome will hit me hard which is why I want to keep sewing. Plus I love it. Looking at blueprints of city streets won’t exactly fulfill my need to design, which you all know is what really motivates me.

So tonight I went a little crazy.

I canceled my dashes for the rest of the week (maybe forever? ) Then I brought ALL the fabric into the living room. (Trust me, there is a LOT of fabric.) I looked at it and thought and thunked and thought some more. Then I sat down to write this blog post while thunking some more.

What is the most important fabric? What do I want to make first? What do I want to put away in the shed for later down the road? I have so many plans (I envision a really big online store with lots of neat fun ideas!)

So I’ve been keeping one of my big ideas for my shop quiet. But now I want to share it with all of you because I need to know if it’s a good idea. My sewing time will plummet way down and I am going to want to be very intentional with it.

I will still love making themed “drops”. Meaning I’ll sew up a bunch of matching items for dog, doll and human, and release them all at the same time. But what I haven’t shared about is THE BOWS.

I know I mentioned that I want to do dog diapers, etc. Some basics besides just fancy clothing. The reason I’ve been slow about releasing too much, is I’ve been trying to decide how to go about THE BOWS.

You see, I will be making dog sizing in 10 different sizes. (and in rare cases 13 sizes.) The main items will all have bows on them. (Boys and girls colors. ) Lemme share some photos so you can see what I mean.

First let me say that all the images above belong to Sofi and Friends on Etsy. I am using all her patterns. They are wonderful, check them out!
If you will notice the harness (first and second photo) and the bandana (5th and 6th photo) have bows in boys and in girls. Placement is different for each type.

Well my idea is this: to offer these harnesses, the bandanas, the diapers, the collar bows, with REMOVABLE bows. I was going to make them so they snap on, and actually sell a large variety of bows customers could buy different ones and snap them on to change the look. I was going to have an entire rack of just these interchangeable bows. ( In TEN sizes mind you! ) By offering them in itty bitty to large dog (and doll! )size, in all different colors, the customers can really have some fun.

I am planning on having snap on bows for almost every outfit that I create.

And I am considering making these hats from Twig and Tale and adding a snap on them for bows. What do you think?

Of course for humans I’ll still have some scrunchies and some other things that match the dog and doll stuff. The snap bows will be my big selling point that makes my bandanas different than everyone else’s. And someone will be able to tie matching bows all in together for dog, doll and human.

I really really need your opinion of that idea because if you all think it’s a good one, I am literally going to start making several hundred bows in basic matching colors before moving on with anything else. That way, as I develop the product, the bows will be there and ready. I’ll be making them with fabric solids and blenders and plaids for the boys!

I like to work in assembly line fashion, and I think having the bows at my fingertips is really my best plan moving forward since my time will be limited. And goodness knows I have plenty of fabric on hand.

My daughter has the opinion that the option of buying the bows is too much for people, they don’t want options as it would be confusing. But I was thinking if the bandana or whatever included one bow, but that they could walk over to the wall of bows and pick a few more, then it would be something they would really like.

OH I FORGOT TO MENTION!!! I will be making an entire line of bandanas and diapers in just denim. I figure denim matches anything and some people want basic. It will be upcycled denim. Sometimes utilizing the pockets too. What do you all think of that idea?

There is a comment section below. I would love if you would give your opinion. I don’t think I’ll leave this blog post up but for a few days, I don’t want my ideas stolen!

I am excited to see what life brings us. But I am not giving up on my dreams either.