Hello and Happy 2012

I've been so MIA it's not even funny anymore. I have to admit...life has been nuts. Well more like December was nuts. Orders were rollin in at an unbelievable speed, on top of school, graduation, Christmas...etc. etc. Life is great! I have to thank everyone for taking the time to stop on by and check out my stuff and support my venture...means a lot.

I'm trying to be better in 2012 about blogging. Hoping to get a few posts in a week with any free time I have. Also, there will be some fun changes coming to k.a.i-y.a and that's also very exciting yet time consuming! Stay tuned...these changes might not roll out until March or so. Anyway...I hope everyone had a fun, safe holiday season! Wishing all of you a blessed 2012!


xo

CYBER MONDAY DISCOUNT

I know, I've been very MIA around here. Truth be told, I've been out of town and I have also been recovering veeeerrrrry slooooooowly from the yuckiness that came through our home.

Today, I thought I'd take the opportunity to let you know that over on my Facebook page I'm offering a great Cyber Monday discount on some of my most popular items! Check out the album and email me your orders. Remember all these dresses can and have been made in Christmas fabrics as well, if you are looking for a new Christmas outfit! So, check it out...and HAPPY SHOPPING!

Here is a look at some of the items that are at a discount.

xo

My New Giveaway is Finally Being Announced :)

I know, I've been totally hinting on my Facebook page for a while now about this new giveaway I'm having. My house got hit with some nasty bugs and I was the last of the crew to catch them, so while I am a little late I'm totally excited to finally announce it!

My girls over at AquaSeventy6 and I have put our creative juices together and decided to host two awesome giveaways that we'll be hosted separately on each of our sites! Are you all familiar with the super talented and beautiful girls over at AquaSeventy6? No, you say...well here is a little background: These two chicas are longtime friends and Tampa natives who put their mutual love for all things vintage/bohemian and started this awesome blog and shop that is a unique and fantastic collaboration of both of their amazing talents. Despite the fact that these two lovelys have up and left the Tampa Bay area within the last year, they still continue to get their creative-on from a distance and sell their amazing stuff to clients near and far! Pretty cool, right?

Well, I thought seeing how I'm such a fan of these two, both creatively and personally, we HAD to put together a cool giveaway! How can you partake in this awesomeness, you ask? Well the fun starts right here...click on over to AquaSeventy6
where they will be giving one of my lovely k.a.i-y.a followers a chance of snaggin' a totally beautiful and their very popular Yoga Mat Bag. I mean seriously, isn't this bag DA' BOMB! I could totally see myself struttin' into my Hot Flow Yoga class rockin' one of these bad boys! Best part is it's totally washable and handmade...and you know we all love that, right???

So here is whatcha got to do to enter!!!
1.) Become a follower of k.a.i-y.a. on Google Friend Connect (that is that little box on the side bar under the word “followers”. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment stating “I follow k.a.i-y.a.”
2.) Become a follower of AquaSeventy6 on Google Friend Connect. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment stating “I follow AquaSeventy6”
3.) “Like” k.a.i-y.a. on Facebook. ”. If you already “like” k.a.i-y.a, just leave a comment stating “I like k.a.i-y.a. on Facebook”
4.) “Like” AquaSeventy6 on Facebook. If you already “like” AquaSeventy6, just leave a comment stating “I like AquaSeventy6 on Facebook”.

This contest ends on November 22nd at noon Eastern Time. I will then use my R#G (Random Number Generator) to choose ONE winner. Make sure you have your email settings on, or you leave your email address on one of the comments so I have a way of reaching you if you are indeed the winner!!

**If you have any issues leaving a comment try using Safari, Firefox or Chrome**


Best of luck lovely peeps!

xo-

Holiday Traditions

I have to admit that growing up, I didn't come from a family with many traditions. I mean, yeah we had the basic gatherings and celebrations; but really most Colombians I know don't tend to have them.

On the other hand, McHubs grew up with TONS of traditions that I absolutely LOVE...one being making cookies during the holiday season. I started this tradition with my family and I have to say we're HUGE fans!! With K's allergies we have to find a creative alternative to those dairy-filled cookies so scoring vegan chocolate chips was really the highlight of our year!! Thank goodness for vegans, or my daughter would be seriously deprived. In this house, we also do a ton of cooking and entertaining, and my daughter like most other kids I know LOVES to get in on the cooking action! Aprons are essential when prepping said meals...especially when I have a sidekick under the age of 5 who is as messy as her momma in the kitchen :) These aprons are adorable and perfectly fitted to your little one's body. I can make this in an array of fabrics and characters. In fact, I'm working on the superhero and princess versions of these aprons right now for gifts or other occasions :) Since traditions usually involve all members of the family I made the mom version of this apron, high neck and ruffled perfect for keeping your tops clear of any food :)

Size Kids: Small-Large
Cost: $15

Size

Kid Small Kid Medium Kid Large

Size Moms: Small-Large
Cost: $18

Size

Small Medium Large

Sets: Sibling Set
Cost: $28

Size

Small Medium Large

Sets: Mom/Brother/Sister
Cost: $40

Size

Small Medium Large

**Please note, that several different Christmas fabrics will be used on these aprons**

Last year, I also started a new tradition with my family...matching Christmas PJs! These things were a HUGE hit and we loved waking up wearing our super comfy pjs and opening all our Christmas swag :) I'm enamored by this tradition as I was able to include both my mom and little brother! I'm already working on the 2011 version of our Christmas jammies! I have an array of fabrics you can choose from and will be happy to make the mom/dad version of these as well.

Here is a little sneak-peek at what this year's jammies will look like. Kaiya modeled this order for me and it was seriously difficult to get her to take them of...she loves how comfy they are!

I will post more fabric options later.

Please email me directly with any specific fabric and size request for these PJs. For adults I make XS, S, M, L, XL.

Size: Infants-Adult XL
Cost: $25 for Kids Size Set (Shirt and Pants) **Please use infants, 12 months, 2T...etc size specification when ordering the kids PJ set.

Size

Small Medium Large

$30 for Adult Size Set (Shirt and Pants)

Size

Small Medium Large

**Please email me directly for special pricing on orders needing more than 3 PJ sets**


xo-

Pattern Making Love!

I have to admit, my FAVORITE part of making clothes is the actual designs/pattern-making part of it. Nothing like coming up with an idea, making the pattern and seeing it to fruition after all the pieces have been sewn together!

A few weeks ago, I gladly volunteered to make a dress for my daughter's Fall Festival. I was more than excited to do it, as I love her school and all the wonderful women that work there! I got to work on creating something new...something more in the direction that I envision future k.a.i-y.a designs. I decided to work on two dresses simultaneously (as I often tend to do), and I knew I wanted the skirts to be full....very, very full! So I completed them and decided on which one would be the more ideal to send out to the school. The red Christmas-esque one is the one I fell in love with. The other with the gorgeous damask print (that I have to admit, I've used plenty of times on other designs) that I tend to horde because I love it so much went to my model...a little something she got to use on our very last minute trip to NJ. My fabric collection continues to grow as my addiction doesn't subside.. I think I need to start plowing through my fabric-stash, because I keep forgetting about all the wonderful prints I currently have!

Size: 2T-Size 6
Cost: $48

Size: infants-Size 5
Cost: $48

And now, we sit basking in the sight of this beautiful afternoon...enjoying the snow plowing down on us! I just hope we're able to make it out tomorrow...duty calls, and school and work aren't going to wait :)

Happy Saturday, lovely peeps!

xo-

Snackbags...Ruffles and Headbands..OH MY!

I have LITERALLY been working my tail to the bone (I'm not sure why that expression is used, but I'm not going to lie..it kind of weirds me out)! I haven't stopped. I sleep less and less and still have a continuous serge of energy going on in my body (I've been trying to cut back on the Starsbucks too). I know WHEN I crash it's going to be rough...so I'm hoping it'll be waaaaay after school is out and preferably when I'm sitting in front of the ocean, sipping some seriously fruity high calorie cocktail while sunbathing somewhere hot and tropical :)

I have to admit, with all that's been going on and the amount of orders I've been getting it's been a little rough to stay connected. My girlfriend H - a neighbor and fellow sewer - always told me she make and makes and makes but NEVER has time to actually write about most of her stuff. This sort of bummed me out because I love reading her blog and reading about what she made and who she made it for. But now, I can totally relate to her and know what it's like to not have time to post everything you make on here. Sometimes having the time to snap a picture is a stretch. So I thought I'd post some pics of a few things I've made recently. Here they are...

Size: Infant-Adults
Cost: $6.50

The one thing I will talk about are my snackbags! These guys continue to sell like hot cakes! And I have to say Mother Nature better be appreciative of ME and the AWESOME peeps that are buying these! Just when I think I'm done making my last one, I tend to get another few orders and I get cranking away on those. But, the wonderful thing about making something over and over and over and over again....is that my wheels start turning and I'm ALWAYS thinking about what I can do to make these look or function even better! Sewing on plastic/vinyl/oilcloth isn't the easiest by any means. The sewing machine usually doesn't feed it through as easily as a woven fabric. So, snackbags, although "small", can take the longest to make. I worked and worked to try and figure out the best way to have these bags continue to be functional, but maybe look more aesthetically clean and beautified? Well this is what I came up with!

I worked with my machine, figured out a few special tips and tricks and discovered a way to make the outer seams of the bags look CLEAN! I will admit, it's always been one of the things I didn't LOVE about them. I mean I guess I could have made them cotton on both the inside and outside. But I wanted them to be used for something more than a sandwich. What if you had fruit in there or something that would require them to not leak through? Vinyl, to me, was mandatory.

I have to say the very first one I made using the new design (pictured below) I wanted to make-out with. I mean seriously...look at the gorgeous, bohemian, bright fabric...so hot!!! I am absolutely fascinated by these bags. My wheels contiue to turn, and I am pretty close to coming up with an even more functional and fantastic design. Stay tuned :)

These guys JUST shipped so I'm hoping when they get to their new homes...they'll love them as much as I do!!!

xo-

Headband Lovin'

I see headbands EVERYWHERE! Miss K and I love them, so I decided to start incorporating them into the accessory portion of the line. This one I made with cotton, tulle and felt. I used elastic to securely and comfortably hold the flower details. This elastic is durable, yet snug enough to not fall off their heads. I will be posting more in the next few days...so stay tuned for an array of variations!

Size: Infants-Adults
Cost: $6.50

Sundays Are Indeed Fundays!

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. I don't know why really, I guess I feel like it summarizes my entire week, and it makes me happy! Some weeks are SO busy that I literally cannot wait for Sunday to come...only because in my mind it makes me feel like I have FINALLY made it!!

My Sundays typically start early. We get up, head out to 8:30 mass and continue our day from there. We usually don't end up back home until waaaay later but even so, I'm happy I get to have that day with my family and friends. The thing about Sundays despite starting off as typically busy is that there is a for-sure thing that happens EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY in the fall/winter at my house - we watch Football!!! When I say WE, I really mean...McHubs. Sometimes friends come over and we cookout and I partake on the whole "watching" thing. But for the most part when it's just us...I'm in my WOMANcave sewing, or crafting, or catching up with my girlfriends. The thing about sports and me is that 1. I don't love them, and 2. When I do watch, I get SUPER locked in on the game, find myself yelling at the T.V. and end up super frustrated with the team I'm rooting for that week (because it does change weekly) if they are losing! I'm not a jump-on-the-bandwagon type of sports watcher, but I will say...I don't like the teams my OTHER half likes. NOT AT ALL!! Which is probably my favorite part about watching his team lose with him! hehe :)

But Sundays are a FUNDAY...we love them, and because I'm such a fan, I thought a nice shirt to showcase my love would be cool!

How fun is this little outfit. Great for running errands or just lounging around doing simple, Sunday things. The weather, although still warm, is cooling down. So pants, capris, bermudas will be making their way onto Miss K's little body!! She surprisingly loved these pants....said they were way comfy, but she couldn't get enough of the shirt! She WUVED it!! Not to mention the adorable pom pom notion around the neck. Stay tuned peeps, next to lace, I think these pom-poms will be making their way onto many of my future designs. I just love how cute and fun they look!

The shirts can be customized with the colors of ANY NFL Football team you'd like, or I can keep it neutral for just a fun shirt to wear any time (like Miss K's)

Size: Infants-Size 8
Cost: $20

xo-

A Little Batty Birthday!

I love it when my girlfriends ask me to make them things...give me their vision, and in the end allow me to run with it! One of my girlfriends asked me last week to make her son a birthday shirt! So I went to town! I'm not big on boy shirts having strange appliques on them, I usually like a little more detail and spend some time on my boy stuff! Boys in my opinion get gypped when it comes to clothes, so what I try and do is add a little more love to their stuff only because they have limited options! So I took this opportunity to add a little extra love to this little man's shirt and I think it came out super cute!! However, my friend picked up the shirt before I could photograph it and texted me that her OTHER son loved the shirt SO much he wanted one for HIS birthday....I figured, since I had the materials out already...I'd just whip one up! These boys are seriously adorable...not to mention that the one I made this particular shirt for is Miss K's buddy!! So it was even more fun!!

I made this shirt using Batman fabric and will be making it with other superhero fabric as well! I embroidered their name on the main fabric as well as their age on the bat. The Batman logo is two separate pieces sewn individually to each other. All material are 100% cotton! I love the contrast of the color of the shirt...makes it look sort of vintage and worn :) However, the color of the shirt might vary for future shirts.

Now these two boys are ready to go fight some baddies!