Holiday Update

Due to elbow problems, I have made the difficult decision to cancel my booth at the Christmas Craft Bazaar. Therefore, I will be posting what I had already made on my Etsy site over the next few weeks. As for the Christmas holidays, I will be unable to make much else, as I have been advised to lay off the sewing and give my elbow time to heal. It is a lousy time of year for such a thing to happen, but it is what it is. If you are interested in purchasing something from ModestBarbie, please keep an eye on the Etsy links to the right of this page, and I hope you find something you like. Thanks, and Happy Holidays.

Just a Hobby

 There are times in our lives when the living of years is compressed within a few months' time. We discover at these times, not only of how much we are capable, but also of what things we can let go. I re-enter the world of my Modest Barbie blog with that lesson deeply present in the activities of my days. In light of the blessed arrival of my third daughter, I have taken my fashion doll clothing aspirations from the shelf marked "career" and placed them upon the shelf marked "hobby".

As a woman, I have discovered that I have many shelves where I can organize the many things that I am--mother, wife, seamstress, teacher, student, friend, and so much more. For now, Barbie clothing will appear for sale as I find time and capacity to prepare and post them. Motherhood, and all it entails, will take center stage for a while. (Including maybe teaching my girls the basics of sewing!)

 That being said, at least I'm back and sewing!

Closing Shop Temporarily

The time has come to close up shop for a while and have myself a baby. SO I am officially going "on vacation" and giving myself the right to relax.

I am 2-3 weeks away from delivery now, and very often, I am unable to walk or even sit without pain, so I feel justified in taking a bit of a break for a while.

My "vacation" might last a month, or it might last 3. I just don't know. Please keep an eye on my blog, and I will let you know when I am ready to start back up again.

Best wishes to you all!

Valentine's Day Darling

After two weeks of sewing as often as I can, I have plenty to show for it, but most of it has already "left the warehouse". (I WISH I had a warehouse, but you know what I mean.)

What I have to show are some great pictures and 3 totally darling Valentine's Day dresses that are ACTUALLY for sale *GASP!* on Etsy. (See link on the right side.)

I also made 12 swimsuits this week, some of which are spoken for, some of which my daughter begged me to let her have, and some of which are already sold and shipped. Do I have any left? Umm... I might have one or two... maybe. I'll find out and post any extras.

Despite sewing and giving my daughter plenty of Barbie clothes, they still seem to end up naked from time to time. But according to her, the more important thing is whether or not they can all escape from the Daddy Monster in the same get-away vehicle. I'm thinking she should have gone with some sort of bus...

As for me, I have finally decided to take an outfit for myself. When I made this little blue dress, it seemed a little blah. but it reminded me of a 50's housewife, so I decided to take that idea and run with it, and when I was done, I was in love. This little outfit represents so much of how I view myself, and what skills and blessings I have that in which I take so much pride. Domesticity, modesty, style,  .....cuteness. You know what I mean. Needless to say, I can't give her up. She will not be going up for sale. She is going to stay with me. And that's okay. I think I deserve it.

Changes

Changes For Modest Barbie Style

This last Christmas has been a whirlwind of wonderful success for Modest Barbie Style. Therefore, the New Year calls for some updates and changes.

The most important change is that, for the next six months, I will not be able to take custom orders. This devastates me because I love the work I do, and the creation process. But I am in the last months of my pregnancy, trying to avoid bed rest, and I need the flexibility to sew and create when I have time and feel well enough.

I have every intention of sewing every day and posting on Etsy as often as I can. I have streamlined my patterns and sets. Some of the things you can look forward to seeing on Etsy are:

4 Seasons Set—An outfit for each season of the year.

“Sunday Best” Set—Two extra-modest dresses.

Swimsuit Set—Two swimsuits.

Princess Set—Two princess dresses.

Value Set—3 basic outfits

I know there are endless possibilities for sets and outfits for Barbie, and it is likely I will expand my options and sets, if I can. But, to get me through this crazy time of my life, I have chosen to stick with only these ideas, using 8 of my own patterns, and doing my very best to be realistic with myself and my wonderful customers. Thanks for your loyalty. I hope to see you on Etsy soon!

Look, Mom!

 My baby girl LOVES Barbies. She especially loves to show them to me.

"Ma!" she calls, "Ma, look a me!"

"Ma! Look a belly-belly!"

That's my girl!

As for business, my latest packet was completed today and you can see it below. I am especially proud of the neckline on the blue dress and the little bows on the yellow pajamas.

Recently, I have received some of the most heart-felt comments about from my customers, and I am especially grateful to those of you who have gone the extra mile to give me your feedback on my work. One customer especially, left some comments I would love to share. Jana said:

 "I recently purchased a trio from you and I absolutely love it, they are masterpieces, there is not one flaw in them!  My girls are going to love getting them for Christmas. Thank you for caring about our children and helping them learn the values that they need as they grow up. Your products look and feel very tough and durable, I am sure they will be played with a lot."

Thanks to Jana, and SO MANY others, I have gotten just what I want for Christmas. You all really are the best! Because of that, I am still broken-hearted at not being able to take any more orders for Christmas.  This week we begin 3 consecutive week-ends of moving to Vegas, then Christmas, then my sister's wedding over New Year's. After that, I may be able to shell out a few months of stuff before baby girl #3 makes her appearance in March. After that, I just don't know.

Best of everything to all of you as you prepare for the Holidays. Merry Christmas!

The Best Fans

I have the best fans ever! I wish I had 20 hands and 20 sewing machines so that I could meet every hopeful customer with exactly what they want! I have been amazed, humbled and just plain tickled "Barbie" pink over the encouragement and complements I have received from all of you.

To my extreme sorrow, I will not be able to take any more orders or requests before Christmas. I have filled my schedule as full as I dare, and I can't take the risk of taking on more orders than I can reasonably have ready by Christmas. For those of you who are still waiting for your order to be filled, rest assured that I am on schedule, and my last order will be sent and completed by December 17th at the very latest.

After December 17th, my efforts and attentions will be with my family, preparing for Christmas, moving to Las Vegas, and continuing to survive my pregnancy.

After the holidays, I will need to re-evaluate how much time I can spend on my favorite hobby before I take on too many orders. The baby comes in March, so we will just have to see how it goes. I am hoping I can continue to fill my days with the wonderful and satisfying task of designing and creating modest Barbie clothes. There is no greater hobby!!