FAQ

gros·grain (grgrn)

n.

1. A closely woven silk or rayon fabric with narrow horizontal ribs.

2. A ribbon made of this fabric.

Q: How do I enter a giveaway?

A: Giveaways can be entered in three ways; 1) By linking to the specific giveaway post (to your blog, facebook, myspace or any other site) 2) By leaving a comment without a link or 3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries).

If you use Blogger, just use "create a link" located at the end of the giveaway post. If you don't use Blogger, that's fine too. Just make a link as you normally would and I will find it using Technorati. Update!! Leaving a comment along with your link makes it much easier to find your entry. This is mostly due to the fact that blog roll links (third party links that are automatically generated whenever someone posts to a blog- or something like that) often show up in my search for entries and can be difficult to sort through.

Q: I am just needing to know if it will be a problem that my blog is private.

A. Perfectly fine. No biggie.


Q: I don't use blogger, is that okay?

A: It is okay if you don't use blogger. You won't be able to use the "Create a Link" link at the bottom of the page but I can still see if you posted a link by using Technorati.


Q: Hmmm yeah the create a link doesnt work for me. I am posting in my blog and linking back to your blog/giveaways so I hope im entering :<>

A: I have contacted Technorati about this. They have yet to get back to me. I won't hold my breath.

If anyone thinks that their link is not showing up just let me know in a comment and I will add it to the giveaway that way.

Something that is also a good idea for any blogger is to register with Technorati. I believe they index all their registered blogs daily AND the more you get pinged, the more up-to-date your rank is.

Q: Can I use the images on your site?

A: YES! As much as you want, the more the better! You don't even have to ask my permission. I guess I'd like if you credited me but I won't be upset if you didn't. If you're using one of my images for commercial use that's fine too. I'd like to see where it was used just so that I can admire it:) but I'm pretty easy going when it comes to usage.


Q: So, I'm dying to ask. Are you a self-taught seamstress, or what? Your stuff is mind-bogglingly amazing!

A: Yes. I did teach myself. I learned how to threat and use a sewing machine in junior high. My mother also had a sewing machine in her house that I used once or twice in high school. However, I started really sewing in college. I just went out and bought a pattern one day and worked my way through it. And by 'worked' I mean 'worked'. Those things look like they might as well read in Japanese.

I sewed a lot of my own clothes in college just because I was short on money and really longed for some things I could not afford (hence my stint with abercrombie and fitch but that's another story). Then for a couple years after college I sort of stopped sewing clothes and mostly stuck to curtains, slipcovers and Halloween costumes. Then around January, I was having coffee with a friend who asked if I sewed. I had been reading a couple sewing blogs and all of sudden I just had this surge of inspiration. I said, yes, I do....and after that I went home and actually started *really* sewing again. Only this time, for my girls, which is so much more rewarding for me. I started this blog to journal my work and the rest is history.

Soo, short story long, I am self taught and thank you for your lovely compliments! I have to add however, that my skills need improvement. I am learning things on my own so it's by no means perfect. But then again, that's part of what makes it one of a kind. When something is handmade, there's no other quite like it. Mistakes and all:)

Q: Are you using patterns on your little girl's clothes, or are you some sort of clothesmaking mastermind that has it all figured out?

A: No, I’m not using patterns. I’ve found that through trial and error it’s not as difficult as it seems to make your own pattern. I did use patterns for quite some time when I used to make my own clothes in college so I became familiar with the shapes and way they fit together and that has helped me to understand dressmaking better.

And no, one thing is for sure, I definitely don’t have it all figured out. There are plenty of dresses I see out there that provoke both awe and confusion. I think part of the fun for me is seeing whether or not I can recreate something I see that strikes me as beautiful. I don’t always get it right, but sometimes the result is interesting too! Again, thank you so much for your words. It’s the reason I love doing this so much!


Q: Are your daughters always as cooperative for your photo shoots as it looks?!

A: This is funny, no. No, no and no. Case in point the train stop photo shoot. Lily fell asleep in the car on the way over and wasn't so fresh when I woke her up. There was a mini melt down in the parking lot before I convinced her to cooperate with a cup full of play dough. She also smiles like she's protecting her young. It's cute to me, maybe not so cute in a photo. I have to tell her to relax her face. Actually, that's pretty sweet when I think about it.


Q: Where do you find the time to create all these clothes with two little girls?!

A: I am blessed with a mother who is retired, lives close by and very willing to be involved with her grandchildren. She comes to our house nearly everyday and makes us a lunch which she lovingly planned the night before. She will watch the girls if I have to run a quick errand (mostly when they take their naps) and did I mention she cleans my kitchen after she's finished making lunch? I probably wouldn't be able to do this blog without her help!