BOY! This winter has been a rough one! Although I started the year healthy and raring to go, I’ve been battling a string of colds and bronchitis. When your health is poor, it’s exceedingly difficult to stay focused and be productive. However, even though I was under the weather, here is a run-down of some of the highlights of the past two months.
Bedlah Repairs
Staring on January 1, I picked up this lovely fuchsia and black bedlah sets to make some repairs. This was a collaboration with dancer/designer Poppy Maya a couple of years back, and it was nice to have it back on my table making some repairs, replacing some hooks and eyes and tightening up some loose jewelry components.
Margo Anderson’s Choli Pattern
I was so pleased to get this new Choli pattern from Margo Anderson of Margo’s Patterns. Last year, she ran a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the release of a new line of dancewear patterns. I fell in love the “Cold Shoulder” style on the bottom left. I just think that Margo’s patterns are great. Margo’s patterns are easily assembled, accurately sized, and fit well. I’m looking forward to putting this pattern to the test in the spring.
Wicked Mojo – Jax the Seam Ripper
My brother, Joe who runs a woodworking company Wicked Mojo Designs, does custom turnings in wood and acrylic. While I have admired his custom pens, what I really need in my life are some chubby hand sewing tools. He did a little research and sent me three prototypes including this beautiful tool. I decided to keep one made of wood, and put this little number on his brand new Etsy store! Ya know what happened? It sold before I had a chance to share it on this blog! These seam rippers are comfortable to hold, and this double-ender comes with both a small and a large end. Best of all, you can turn the points in to protect the point when you store your tools. I’m so proud and happy for him! And although I may be highly biased, there are lots of great reviews over on the Studio Davina Facebook Group.
Nancy Hay’s – Booty-Licious Knit Skirt
One of my oldest and dearest friends just released her first knitwear pattern for a skirt on the Ravelry website. Although I am not a knitter, I’ve seen this skirt in person and it’s super cute! I gave her some assistance laying out her pattern and creating the .pdf and I’m so happy that it’s finally up and available and I wish her great luck in future sales! If you knit, be sure to check it out!
Costume Rehab – Berry Delight
On the workbench is a leftover costume project from 2017. Although this project has been on my bench, I have a reasonable policy of not working on sewing projects when I have a cold or a runny nose. I know, that’s a bit “TMI” but it’s a good policy. Since I’m a one-woman shop, when I’m under the weather, sewing projects get postponed. But I’m now only a few hours away from being finished with this bedlah set and am pleased with the results. 
I have to head out of town for family business and will be back at my desk beginning March 8. Watch for a future blog post, where I’ll be sharing some of the images of the deconstruction and remodeling of this “Costume Rehab” project.
Until next month!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
February 23, 2018
PS: My Christmas Kittens are now 8 months old. Stormy is on the top and Silver is on the bottom.
