{my gift}

I have this wonderful opportunity in my profession.  The incredible gift to create is something I treasure. With each client's design request, I am gifted the ability to connect with someone using the work of my hands.  God has spoiled me so. The above custom design is a wonderful representation of the love I have for what I do.

I do not mass produce.  I am a self employed seamstress/designer to my business that was born from  hard work, determination and an intense passion for design.  I enjoy the intimacy in creating custom pieces as each project is unique, not stacked on shelves or imported from Chinese warehouses for a dime a dozen.  

Perhaps the proudest penny in my pocket is the relationships I have formed with clients.  These relationships are what holds my head a little higher and happies my heart a whole lot.  Clients do not contact me to order 10 jumpers or 15 handbags at a time.  What I gain from their design service requests is so much better than $29.99 x 15 at wholesale cost with FREE SHIPPING.  I am lucky enough to have clients want the work of my hands for that someone special, for that perfect gift or perhaps, for that celebration that needs just the right detail.  

My services are requested with a forethought for gifting or getting.  My designs aren't a hurry up and get it kinda purchase.  And, this makes me all the more proud of the work that I do.  It's the people and their stories that give me the creative energy to thrive in my making.

Clients that return for more designing work from me is, without a doubt, the highest compliment I could ever receive.  I take great pride in whom I work for.  I want my best given to them, and I want them to know that is just exactly what they deserve.

My process for a design coming to life is one I cherish.  I clear my head and ready my hands to work with the intentions of this design's recipient in highest regard.  Simply put, I think about them.  Should I know them, I work while recollecting my memories of them.  If it's a client I do not know personally, I think about them still.  I wonder what they are like.  I consider what they might love most about their design piece.  

                        

I concentrate on my hands and focus my mind on the art that I am creating.  The process is methodical and time consuming.  It's work.  I always have the best sensation just as the design project is about 80% finished. It something  kinda like pride, but I look at it more like a peace.  

This peacefulness comes from the respect that is given to the job at hand, moreover, to the person who chose my services.  There is nothing more humbling and gratifying than knowing that you are smack dab in the will that God has for your life. 

I offer a special thank you to these two Alabama clients for their designs visually represented in this post.  A mother and a daughter whom I've had the privilege of making for in my beginnings as a designer written about here.  And, I am honored to have had the opportunity to create for them once again.  Lily's fabric corsage broach is detachable from her jumper.  I loved allowing for this removable versatility. In the event Lily's mom, Pamela, decides to share her Regency handbag with her daughter one day, Lily will be all set to personalize the handbag with her corsage.  It's those tiny details in design work that runneth over my cup of gratefulness for the gifts that God has given me.  Yes, joy is that simple. 

Pamela's words upon receiving her k.Mac designs:

"My mail carrier just delivered my k.Mac goodies and I was so excited I had to stop the Ironbowl to open them ;) They are FABULOUS! The preview pics you sent were fantastic and I knew I would love them, but the photos did not do your craftsmanship justice. The designs, fabrics, and attention to details are first class. Thank you so much! I think a pillow is next on my list :)"

It is my huge hope that I look not at my occupation in terms of quantity, but forever in terms of quality and lasting connections. My gift is from Him.  And, for this, my Christmas is most merry.

.mac :)

Lacey Jo

My heart is k.Mac.  I am most certain it always has been.  As a little girl, I remember the delight I found in my mom's fabric cabinet.  The double doors were tricky to open.  You kinda had to push, lift and pull all at the same time.  I don't know if it was because, on the inside, there were beau coups of fabric just waiting to ooze from out of their maple framed home or if it was because this cabinet was mom's wardrobe bought brand new upon her arrival into this world.  Be it age or overstuffedness, it really matters not.  The heart of my hands and my imagination was in that cabinet.  It's push, lift and pull set the tone for my creativity.  I just know it.  Because you do, you know?  Just know it.  You know when your heart finds relevance and purpose with your hands.  It's that settling certainty that puts fullness in your stride and color in your cheeks.  It's God's gifts to you being given out to others and, in turn, yourself. 

And, that's why I make for the little ones like Lacey Jo.  Her aunt contacted me to design a custom tee for Lacey Jo's 2nd birthday.  And with each client contact like this, I am very aware and even more so honored.  I'm aware that customized appliqued tees are a dime a dozen on Etsy. I also know the plethora of embroidery applique software out there and available to whip out cute designs clean & fancy too.  

But, I am honored.

Honored her aunt chose me.  Honored she chose my hands and my artistry-drawing-turned-applique for her precious Lacey Jo.  Kenny, oftentimes, will ask me:  "Meg, why do you still do applique from hand? The time you have in the artwork transformed into a fabric design is so much. By the time you have the applique and embroidery complete, your have no profit gained."

And, my heart responds, "Because I love it." It's that push, lift and pull in me.  The journey I take from idea to art fills me.  It gives me a settling certainty that I can't really explain.  Um, yes.  It is just a tee shirt.  But, not really.  It's the love I feel from a client that choses to gift something unprocessed and handmade.  

The words from this client in an email to me about her niece:

"I am so excited! As if you couldn't tell, I'm loving having a niece. My son is 13 and my brothers' two boys are 12 and 13. So, when little Lacey came along, we all just melted."

This is the heart of k.Mac.  My heart swells just thinking that I was chosen to express that love in a material form as a gift from an aunt to her niece.  And, well, we all know, I am kinda partial to being an aunt, right?

Lacey Jo turned two.  I loved the striped candles.  It was important to me to provide depth in the flames with two different fabrics.

The cupcake had to be smooth and full of rippled texture much like that of yummy icing too.  And, I couldn't stop there.  The cupcake paper was perhaps where my mind soared into creative heaven.  I pleated the wrapper for a 3D aesthetic value as well as rippled the top with a nice, clean finished edge all hugged up around the bottom of the cupcake.

Lacey Jo's aunt was kind enough to put the cherry on top for me too.  She sent me pictures of Lacey Jo celebrating her special day for me to enjoy.  I treasure that my clients feel comfortable enough to want to share these intimate family memories with me.

Could Lacey Jo be any cuter I ask you?  A double name, platinum locks and amazingly blue eyes.  Yep, I am quite certain her father is already taking the necessary precautions.

My client's words regarding her {mollyemade} purchase:  

"We absolutely love Lacey's shirt, and everyone at her party had a fit over it! I gave out all the business cards you sent."

Thank you to those who choose handmade.  Its satisfaction is not immediate nor is it easily accessible.  It requires time and work and forethought.  But isn't that true for some of the best things in life?  I think so. The push, lift and pull in me reminds me all the time.

There is joy in making from scratch.  And, there's joy in being an aunt too.  

{Happy Halloween to my sweet Mollye and Mallory!}

I am certain Lacey Jo's aunt would agree with me.

May God's gifts continue to ooze out of me from overstuffedness, 

.mac :)

An Easter Celebration: A Parade of Handmade 2012

Creating is my passion.  I have no doubt that God spoiled me when he gave me this gift. And, I am ever so grateful that He reserved a special place for me on this Earth to share this passion with others. k.Mac is such joy to me.  It is everything that I hope one won't find in stores. It is my soul's song to help others find the you in their unique.  This Easter season has been wonderful in doing just that.  Without further ado, I present to you k.Mac's Parade of Handmade. 

Mollye Addison and Mallory Alaine's Easter baskets!  

I love the prints the Easter Bunny left!  My brother is carrying on the bunny print tradition from our Easter Bunny visits when we were little.  That Easter Bunny leaves prints at our house too.

Check out this niece of mine in her {mollyemade}!  Mollye's favorite color is purple.  I  made this outfit last year a size bigger so she could wear it for 2 Easter seasons.

This next  outfit will go down as one of my most outfits I have made.  Kim asked me to make Mollye an Easter basket liner in purple.

And, well, I couldn't resist making a matching outfit with the EXACT replica applique of her Easter basket on the shirt!  She has been able to wear this outfit for 2 Easter seasons as well.  Is anyone else out there BESIDE THEMSELVES that she has her EXACT Easter basket on her HER SHIRT?  Eek!

Mallory's basket was actually the inspiration behind k.Mac's Build-a-Basket Sale.

Sweet Mallory Alaine says, "Mama, my first Easter is much better when you hold me instead of my Easter basket made by Aunt Meg!" {precious}

Next up is Mr. Holton Robert Bickel.  I had the honor and privilege of making for my cousin's little mister who lives in Maryland.  

If you only knew my cousin Robb, you would know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!  What a cutie!

A sweet client of mine from Kentucky ordered this basket for her twin boys to share.

LOVE the red and black combo!  Also, love that they share a basket.  So sweet and brotherly.  I adore getting to see these baskets in REAL LIFE!  Here it is ready and waiting for Hunter and Mason.

  What was your favorite surprise the Easter bunny brought you?

 MASON - money for skylanders 

HUNTER - Pokemon cards   

 How many eggs did you find on an Easter egg hunt? 

both - 37

 Do you think the chocolate Easter bunny can still hear when you eat his ears? 

 um...NO..why because hes made of chocolate, Mom?!

Where does the Easter Bunny live? 

in a magical kingdom or maybe inside of an egg

Look at these cuties!!!

And, then there's a sweet little red head FULL of personality that I had the pleasure of making for...

Miss Hallie Kate's basket is too die for!  LOVED the choices her mama picked out for her!

Do you see the determination in this missy?

Game face and destined to out hunt anyone.  Her mom said that she found more Easter eggs on her hunts than most of the older children.  Fiesty and fearless....and so dang cute!

I was also honored to make a small Miss Merry Mac Pack for Hallie Kate for Easter.  

That mama of hers is a genius when it comes to selecting fabrics.  She chose "Island Time" fabric collection for HK's pack.

I love the richness and outright happy in this color palette!

And, here it is waiting on Miss HK....

SCORE!!  I think Miss Sassy Pants liked it!  Her mom says she is obsessed with her "pack pack" as that's what she calls it.  I so enjoy getting to hear the intimate inside scoop from my clients regarding their designs.

A client from Alabama hired me to work along side her to design her daughter's Easter basket.

Talk about a WOW factor!  Isn't this green and pink the best?!  I really enjoyed adding the striped ribbon against the pink swiss dot.

And, WOW factor is right!  I introduce to you Miss Sydney.  Isn't she adorable?!

Then there's Miss Emily Grace.  I had the pleasure of designing for this sweetie for both her birthday and Easter.

Yellow and pink....PERFECT!  

Emily also was a recipient of a Build-a-Bunny tee.

Just a couple weeks prior she wore this {mollyemade} outfit for her 1st birthday celebration.

Words do this outfit no justice.  Meet Emily Grace....she says it all...

{photo credit:  MHM Photography}

Emily has 2 older sisters and her mama was so sweet to include them in the party details with  {mollyemade} Hair Happies.

I especially love the coordinating approach this client took with her purchases.  She was so wise to match Emily's bunny tee with her 1st birthday pantaloons for 2 outfits out of one pair of pants.  {Clever, Mama!}

sIgH....is this girl not the cutest EVER?~

A client of mine from Minnesota jumped right into the designing mix for her precious daughter too.  Claire worked with her mama to design her basket.  I love the colors she chose.  She was so decisive too.  Very clear that she wanted pink, green and purple!  Her mama surprised her with her very own bunny tee.

Ready for Miss Claire....

NO WAY!!!!  Claire has a REAL bunny for a pet!  THIS made my entire EASTER!!!!

Sweet Claire in her bunny tee.  What a cool mom to find a gingham flower head band to match Claire's Miss Bunny bow!

This was her mama's favorite picture of Claire.  I couldn't agree more!

Go Claire go!

What was your favorite surprise the Easter bunny brought you? 

"I love the candy he brought me."

How many eggs did you find on an Easter egg hunt? 

"On the first one I found only 1 egg...just one.  Then, I found 5 eggs at my house."   

 Do you think the Easter Bunny can still hear when you eat his ears?  

 "Yes, he sure can hear.  Because he can hear me, that's why."  

Where does the Easter Bunny live?  

"In downtown Minneapolis." 

McKenna Jane just had to have a basket too!  McKenna's mama LOVED all the color combinations to design with.  She finally settled on purple and green.  I so love purple for a little girl!

Waiting on Miss McKenna....

I LOVE THIS SHOT!  McKenna sees her basket and is in a full on sprint to get to it.....

Hands on-lock around the goods.  McKenna is ready to celebrate!

Can you say dreamy?  This little muffin is more than I can stand with those puffs!  Eek!

She truly looks like a princess to me here.

If I stare at this picture long enough, I want to climb through the screen and SNUGGLE HER!

Build-a-bunny tees were so fun to make this year!  I love that certain clients ordered a set for their kiddos.

Meet Caroline.  She is a doll.  I love her style.  Doesn't she just have a natural model look about her?  Very poised and confident.  Her mom let her design her very own Miss Bunny.  As a kindergartener, I would FLIP if my mom let me do that!  Caroline has one cool mom.

Meet Evan.  So dapper in his blue bunny tee.  Mr. Bunny has on a green dot bow tie.  I think Evan is ecstatic about that, don't you?!

Brother and sister.  Oh, how I love this picture!

This Indiana client actually did a Google search on handmade Easter baskets and stumbled upon my blog promotion.

I'm so thankful she did.  Meet Mr. Oliver...

SWOON!  The argile navy and orange is seriously adorable!

STOP IT!  This picture is too cute!

Here is what Oliver's mom had to say about her k.Mac purchase:

"Oliver loves it and was even carrying it around despite the fact that it is almost as big as he is. Haha.  Hope you continue doing them in upcoming years so we can order another when we have more kids! :)  He just turned 1 year old a few weeks ago, so this was his first year with fun easter activities.  He had so much fun finding eggs and putting them in his adorable basket.  Thanks so much!"

A very dear Florida client designed these for her kiddos for Easter.  I am pretty sure this client of mine has a super eye for color, wouldn't you agree?!

And check out these darling sweeties of hers!

Sadie says:

Her favorite surprise from the bunny was her Hop Video.

She says she found thousands of eggs. 

No!  A bunny cannot hear without ears!

The Easter bunny lives in the snow by Santa.

Dalton says:

Favorite surprise from the Easter bunny was Spiderman bath wash

He found 18 eggs.

The chocolate bunny cannot hear because it is chocolate (not “real”)

The Easter Bunny lives in Easter Town.

LoVeD their answers!  Perhaps in the snow by Santa is my favorite!

A set of sweet sisters also joined in the fun of designing their own bunny tees. {What a cool mom they have, huh?!}

I loved that she paired it with a ruffle denim skirt!  So fun!

Little sister had to strike a pose too!

1) Favorite surprise: 

Brianna - my princess dress

 Bayla - my sparkly rings

2) How many eggs did you find: 

Brianna - ALOT!

 Bayla - 2

3) Can our chocolate bunny still hear: 

Brianna - No silly! He has no ears! 

Bayla - just giggles continuously!

4) Where does he live: 

Brianna - in the park

Bayla - I dunno know!

These girls are THE best!

Mr. Jordan is up next!  I adore the blue and white stripes with the chocolate and blue argile bow tie....so handsome!

Speaking of handsome....what a cutie!

Look at those cheeks!

I think I am in love with this one!

Jordan's take on Easter...

I loved my Toy Story sippy cup with iced tea in it!

Eggs?  There were eggs?  I was headed for the swings and the slide during the egg hunt!

Is that what those big long things are on the bunny?  Ears?  Mine aren’t that big!  And if they’re that big and somebody ate them, I’m sure he can’t hear!

The Easter bunny must live behind Nanny Ann’s house ‘cause that’s where a bunch of my goodies were!

That last answer is CLASSIC!

A special Georgia client swooned at the chance to design for her darling.  She made sure her Anabelle Kate had both a bunny tee and a basket.

I love the aqua accented with pinks!

Meet Anabelle Kate and prepare to fall in love....

Is she not just precious or what?

Here she  is on Easter with her basket chock full of eggs!

I could stare at this picture forever.  It melts me.

Anabelle Kate was all set for one wonderful Easter!  Her face says it all!  Check out her answers...

What was your favorite surprise the Easter bunny brought you? 

toy horsies

How many eggs did you find on an Easter egg hunt?  

Uh, 16 i think.

Where does the Easter Bunny live?

Easter Island

Easter Island....I LOVE IT!

Next up is a brother-sister duo near and dear to my heart.  Piper Rose and Preston Mark's mama wanted something special and unique for her sweeties for Easter.  She chose "Ole Longears", an organic cotton collection, which is absolutely divine.  

Piper Rose wore this on Easter.

And, Preston Mark was all cinched up in his coordinating monogrammed tie...

Are they not the cutest kids you have ever seen?!

I adored making these outfits for them.  It makes me so happy to see k.Mac in action!

Piper and Preston's mom was so smart in her design choices too.  She added a monogrammed tie for their Daddy and a handmade fabric monogrammed corsage for her as well in her custom order.  

I cannot wait to see and share their family Easter photo with you.

This wonderful client of mine ordered Easter outfits for her 3 kiddos.  Here is what her beautiful daughter wore...

It was full length and 7 tiers of ruffles.  I wanted a replica of this skirt for myself SO BADLY!


  The handmade monogramed fabric corsage was such a brillant add-on too.

Her younger brothers wore coordinating monogrammed ties.

  Their family vacation delayed them getting the final photos to me, but here is the ensemble set together.  I'll be sure to share the final shots just as soon as I receive them. 

Here were Makayla, M.J. and Sky's answers to their Easter questions:

Favorite Thing Easter Bunny Brought Me?

Makayla: Miss Piggy

MJ: Batman Lego

Sky: Batman Lego 

Where Does The Easter Bunny Live?

All 3: Easter Island Of Course!!

Do You Think The Chocolate Bunny Can Still Hear When You Bite His Ears Off?

Makayla: Yes, Because There's Holes Left On Top Of His Head Where You've Bitten Them Off!

MJ: No, You Can't Hear Without Your Ears!

Sky: No Comment. 

How Many Eggs Did You Find?

All 3: I Don't Know, But We Found The Prize Eggs!! 

This client wanted her sweetie to be in JUST what she wanted for Easter.  For Mary-James Brooks wanted nothing but pink and purple all over her for this precious holiday.

I think it's safe to say that k.Mac's {mollyemade} came through for Mary-James, don't you think?!

My favorite addition to the {mollyemade} clothing line is the tiered ruffle skirt.  It has such pizazz and spunk.  Plus, it looks great dressed up or with a tank and flip-flops or tennies.

Mary-James wore this on Easter as her younger brother was baptized at their church.  The Whoozie hair bow was the cherry on top!

Mary-James' mom was out of town to send the actual pictures taken from that day, but she did have a quick one taken by her mom's phone to offer up.  I will be sure to share the official Mom pictures just as soon as I receive them!  Isn't Mary-James a natural in front of the camera though?!

A brother-sister duo had these designed by their mom for Easter.  Hallie and Harrison....what fun names!

Their mama was sans camera for the hunts as Hallie is just a little one...but she did have this to say about the baskets:

These baskets are kaaaaa-uuuute!! Love them!

And, the following designs should not go without recognition as well...

Loved and treasured making this reversible jumper and double tee set for sweet clients of mine for Easter.  

The orange and aqua combo in Kyle's Easter basket is brillant to me!  Very trendy yet all boy too.

sIgH.....Ruby's yellow Miss Bunny tee.  

And, what's not to love about Addison's Miss Bunny too?!

A very special thank you to each and every client who chose k.Mac for custom designing. I appreciate you allowing my hands to make for those closest to your hearts.  It was my privilege and honor to showcase the wonderful growing ones who received k.Mac for their Easter memories and traditions.  This parade of handmade is a feather in my k.Mac cap.  

Please feel free to share this blog post celebration with your family and friends.  I hope you caught a lot of cyber candy throughout this very special parade! Do leave me a comment to let me know what you enjoyed best; I would love to hear from you!  And, if you might be in need of more sweets, do check back to the k.Mac Facebook page today as well as this weekend to find some sneaky deals as well as to see the Debute of Gifts for Mother's Day.  I have a feeling you will be very excited to place some handmade orders for that special Mom of yours.

Hippity-Hop, 

.mac :)