Nelesc Designs 2nd Year Anniversary = FREE SHIPPING!

I was looking at my journal the other day (yes, I keep a journal, nerdy, I know). On September 17, 2005 I wrote "today I have been thinking a lot about starting a fashion business..." September 19, 2005 read, "I am now ambivalent about the whole fashion/sewing business. I wonder if it's really worth it, if people would really buy my stuff, if I'm good enough..." On September 22nd I wrote, "I am feeling more and more comfortable with this duo, art and fashion. I think I want to design t-shirts with inspirational people on them..." It is so strange to read this back and forth. I totally remember feeling scared and nervous about launching Nelesc Designs. I had about 5 tops I had sewed myself and then stenciled revolutionary/famous people on them. Among them were Frida Kahlo, Angela Davis, Pedro Albizu Campos and Diana Ross. I had them around the house a long time until Sunday, May 25th, 2008. It was then, that I decided to just list them on Etsy already before I changed my mind. I then took the boys to my friend Sheila's house. I was so happy to just do it. I remember telling Sheila that I just opened a shop on Etsy.com and we went to the computer to check it out. Right after, I told my big sister and, bless her heart, she was my very first customer. So, go ahead, write your dreams down, even your fears about them. It's so cool to read these journal entries again. I am so glad God gave me the courage to dare take that first step. It's actually the dreams of the people on my shirts that inspired me and the encouragement of my friends and family that keeps me motivated. Thank you all so much!

So....as you guessed, today is Nelesc Designs second anniversary and to honor that, I would like to offer FREE SHIPPING on all of my items starting today until June 25th. You don't have to buy anything to help me celebrate. Just leave me a comment and tell me what you think. I always love feedback! Thank's again.

I Love Ruffles!

That's right. I love ruffles, always have. I am so glad they are so in right now. From J Crew to Anthropologie, there are so many textured tops to choose from. Here are a couple of ruffly things I've been working on myself.

My Mother's day dress. I used a ruffled top of mine that I love and attached it to a skirt via an elastic waistband. I know it's hard to see the ruffles, I'll post better pics of my process soon.

Reconstructed t-shirt. I used Tea Rose Home's tutorial for this. You can find it here. (I'll post more pics of this transformation).

Ruffle detail I added to a dress I made (more pics to come).

I've been trying to find ways to add more texture to my clothing line. I know that eventually I will go a new direction but I am still not ready to stop printing my cultural icons. "How can I marry ruffles and other texture with printmaking without it looking too busy?", I thought. This is what I came up with. I love it! So much that I decided to keep this Nina Simone. Not to worry though, I made two more, which I will list tomorrow. I'll continue making them if people like them. Let me know what you think.

AIDS WALK TOP

On Saturday, I made an AIDS ribbon top for my friend S who was participating in the AIDS walk yesterday. I wrote about her and her story in this post. I am so proud of her and am so happy I got the opportunity to do this for her. Next year I am definitely walking with her.

My First Treasury!

I forgot to mention that one of my tops was chosen for a treasury on May 7th! What is a treasury? Thanks for asking. Well a treasury is a collection of etsy products that someone puts together in some sort of appealing way. It is a tool to promote shops on Etsy.com (the site my shop is on). This treasury was put together by Angela from Baby Shower Supplies and the theme was Cuban goodies. She chose my Che top to represent! Thank you so much Angela!


Angela's baby shower shop specializes in diaper cakes and favors. It will definitely come in handy if you are ever in charge of putting a baby shower together. She also has another wonderful shop that specializes in hair accessories called Stella Pearl. Here she showcases her beautiful hairclips, knit hats and crocheted headbands. Love the plastic head models! Definitely give these a look see.

Happy Birthday to Me

When you have kids, the best gift you can get on your birthday is the gift of sleep and alone time. That is what my kids gave me on my birthday (which was yesterday). My youngest, D, who has sleep issues and has not allowed me a good nights sleep in the last 8 months, slept 7 1/2 hours the night before my birthday. Thank you D, much appreciated!!! I also decided to drop him off at the babysitter's so I can have some alone time with moi for 2 hours.

One of the first things I did was don my favorite flower headband (yes, I made it myself!) and go straight to Duncan Donuts as to not deny myself a bagel and butter. I have been abstaining from bread but today was an exception. It was my birthday and I was going to have it darn it! I came home, sat on the front yard bench, and was in heaven! It was me, my bagel, and the sweet sound of chirping birds. I then went upsatirs, did a little sewing, my mom came over and I spent time with her, and then I picked up D.



In the afternoon, I decided to share my alone time with my eldest boy, M. My youngest is very demanding, which often leads me to spend more time with him than with M. I have been trying to find more ways to spend alone time with M and so my hubby had the great idea of my going out with M for my birthday while he stayed with D. M took me out for dinner and a movie that night. His father slipped him a couple bucks to play the part. Very smooth, I must say. It was a beautiful end to my special day.

Happy Birthday to me!