2013 Christmas Photos

Hey everyone, I've been busy preparing for this season's craft fairs and our annual family photos.

I really love creating the perfect family photos.  In years past I've typically gone with a color theme, but this year I went with a very specific time in history....the 20's.

I have spent the last couple of months looking for the perfect clothing, accessories, location, and photographer.

Location: Star Hill Ranch, Adam (the owner) is wonderful to work with and very laid back.

Photographer: Dalton Campbell Photography

Without further ado, here is a sample of our photos.  There were so many great ones, but I'm waiting until after Christmas to post those!

Husband: White button down, camel colored khakis, brown shoes, and green and navy suspenders from H&M (only thing I had to buy for him was the suspenders.)

Me: Dress: Anthropologie - At Dusk Dress, Shoes: Payless - American Eagle Oxford Heels, long strand of pearls found at a garage sale, Hat: Amazon - Rabbit Fur Cloche in Moss (the reviews of this hat stated the size was too big, which was perfect for me, as I have a large head...if you have an average sized head any store carries this style of hat), Capelet: My own pattern (I have been working on this capelet for over a month and hope to one day have the pattern for sale in the shop).

Daughter: Dress: Naartjie - Pieced Mixed Dress in Oatmeal, Shoes: Steve Madden - JChevie boot, Tights: Target - Cable knit tights, Bow: Claires - Oversized lace bow headband (I pulled the bow off the headband and attached it to an alligator clip.

Son: Outfit: Tuxgear - Boys Knickers (This company is fast, but be aware buy a size larger as it runs very small), Shoes: Shoe Carnival - Brown Loafer, and Tights: Target - white cotton tights (if your son won't wear tights, just use brown socks)

Ruffle Scarf Tutorial

Almost 2 years ago I made a tutorial, took pictures on my phone, and posted on my personal Facebook page.  Now I'm bringing the tutorial to all of you.

Materials:
2 yards of cozy material depending if there's a print 7in or 14in wide
Coordinating thread
Medium sized cover your own button kit

Directions:
If you have a print:
Cut a 2yd by 14in strip (scarf)
Cut 7in off the edge (bow)
Sew both pieces right sides together with a 0.5" seam leaving a small hole to flip
Flip right sides out and sew up the hole (making a 6" wide scarf and a 3"x6" rectangle)

If fabric print is same on both sides:
Cut a 2 yd by 7in strip
Cut 3.5in off the edge
If not using fleece and not doubling up fabric, make sure to hem all sides of fabric to get rid of all raw edges.

From here out directions will be same for both types of fabrics:
1. Lay out scarf on floor or table

2. Make a 2in fold so it lands 2.5in from the edge of scarf and pin (fold over so that the fold is towards the edge of the scarf)

side view of the 2in fold

3. Make a 1.5in fold so it lands right at the top of the previous fold and pin

 4. Gather fabric as flat as possible 3.5in from the tip of the 1.5in fold and pin
5. Do this again 5in from the first gather

6. Now make a 2in fold on the opposite edge of the scarf 2.5in from the edge and pin
7. Make a second 2in fold 2.5in from the first fold and then a third 2in fold 2.5in from the second fold and a forth 2in fold 2.5 in from the third and pin

 
Side view of the multiple folds.     

8. Sew all folds down from the center

 
9. Sew gathers down across the scarf  

10. Make the fabric button using a small scrap of fabric

11. Pin the small rectangle onto the first gather (one closest to the 2 fold side of scarf)

12. Make a button hole in the center of the small rectangle all the way through the scarf.

13. Gather the small rectangle to create the look of a bow and sew down to scarf (I'm lazy and used the machine you can hand stitch) - make sure not to sew the button hole closed

Zoomed out view of the bow.

14.Sew the fabric button onto the scarf 1.25in from the second fold on the opposite side of the scarf.

Then again, to save time and stress, you don't have to make a button hole. You could just add a bow with a button already added.  Then your scarf will be open and you can wrap as you please.

Have fun making your scarf! 

Fall Collection 2013

The move to Texas is complete!  We've had our housewarming party, the studio is set-up (post about that later), and my shop has been revamped.

This season I have introduced new designs and new materials.

Here are some of the new scarves in the shop:

This is a super soft, chuncky persimmon scarf.

 

For a nice pop of color on a gloomy fall day, this orange plaid scarf.

One of my favorite new items, this mocha chambray with a buttery leather cuff.

 There are very few people that create scarves in this Swiss Dot, but you can have one from Taylor & Landon with a coordinating leather cuff that can be worn on the scarf or your wrist.

If scarves are your thing, I am also introducing these lovelies.  Leather cuffs made from beautiful leathers in several different designs.

A burnt orange thick leather shaped into a bow!

I was able to get my hands on a small amount of ostrich leather.  You can see the unique dots only seen with this material in this buckle cuff.

But don't worry, I'm still creating my signature bow bags. Here's a houndstooth bag with an adorably whimsical chandelier print sash.

Three things I love about fall

Even though it's still warm here in Texas, autumn will be here soon.

Here's a list of three things I love about fall.

I love that Starbucks has brought back Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

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Cinnamon scented pine cones.

Leather riding boots.

What are your favorite things about the fall season?

Not So Spooky Halloween Treat Table

If your kids are anything like mine they love Halloween.  What's not to love, candy, cookies, cupcakes, and costumes? But all the super scary stuff...well they are horrified and not in a good Halloween way.

So every year I need to come up with not so scary Halloween decorations.

This year I am going with a color theme: orange, purple, and lime green.  Then I sprinkled in some cute jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and cats.

I have added things that I have collected over the years.  The glitter "Boo" sign and 2 orange glitter trees are from the dollar section at Target a few years ago.

The ghost candy dish is from Target and the jack-o-lantern candy dish and ceramic ghosts are from Hobby Lobby from several years ago.

I love the scaredy cat.  I found that last year at Michaels.

The fabric is just a half yard of woven Halloween jack-o-lantern fabric from Joann's.  Just remove about 5 threads lengthwise to create the fringed edges.

If you're like me and don't have time to make fabulous Halloween decorated cupcakes, just buy generic ones from the local grocery store.  Add plastic spider, bat, and skull rings you can find at any dollar store to make it look not so spooky.

Finish off the table with an adorable scrappy bunting from Taylor & Landon.  The bunting banners are made with cotton and cotton canvas, then stitched together into approximately a 4 yard strand. The bunting can easily be cut into smaller pieces if needed.

 

There are a limited quantity available so get them here while they last.

Almost Feels Like Home

We are slowly getting moved into our new home in Texas.  I have reopened the shop, but only to clear out my summer items.  Use the code "summer20" to receive 20% everything remaining in the shop.

This fall I am revamping the shop.  I am going to throw in some new products and fabrics.

I couldn't wait to show you a few things I've been working on.  Here are a couple pictures to give you feel for what's in store! (Please excuse the bad lighting and selfy in my unpacked closet)

Reader's Poll for Seamless in Seattle

I've been busy with the move to Texas and really haven't had a chance to blog in the past few weeks.  I have closed the shop for the next month while the family and I get settled.  But I do have some news to report...

Spread the word!! I still have a chance to win a category in the Seattle Magazine's Seamless in Seattle competition.  All you have to do is click the link and scroll down to Accessory Designers category and highlight the circle beside "Emily Hopkins, Taylor & Landon" then hit submit.  You can do from your smart phone and your computer.  Not sure if you can submit everyday, but it doesn't hurt to try. Thank you to everyone that has supported my company in the past year!

http://www.seattlemag.com/readers-choice-poll-seamless-seattle-2013

While you're there check out all the great designers.