From this place.

New wrestles with my soul.

I think it's the idea of beginning again and the concept of improvement that tickle me in that "quit it, but please don't stop" all-in-one breath mindset.

Beginnings are so good.

Like when you first start dating all flirty, lip glossy and clean shaven.
And when the boxes are unloaded and the sorting of yours with a new set of keys commences.
Or, that new car smell.  Who can't get enough of that?

And, just the way start sends my spirits into a hyperdrive of happiness it equivocally shuts down my all systems go in a stammering stage fright of "what ifs" and "maybe I can'ts".

Then who can deny the overachiever in us all?

That inner bone of yearning located somewhere in the chest cavity that compels you to make it happen complete with a gold star sticker atop the right hand corner of your paper next to your name and date.

Right before you know it, you are all knotted & twisted in a yarn ball of gumptions of growth and growlings of grief stricken inconsistency.

And you find yourself searching for the dad-blamed scissors with a maddening quickness so to unleash the trapped fury of YOU.

But beginnings are good.

They are a platform for life.

To grow.
To change.
To fail.
To redefine.
To manage.
To hope.

As I look forward to the new year's fifty-two sets of seven in which we currently are rocking day 3,  I boldly confess that I do, in fact, have a laundry list of hopefuls for my personal dance with twenty twelve.

Now, making sure to be stocked with just the right fabric softeners, detergents and stain removers is key.

Because life is the fabric softener AND the stain remover.

And perhaps being mindful of this is what will make this new 12 month cycle all the more fruitful.

Yes, new wrestles with my soul.

But below is proof that wrestling ain't all bad from this place.

Cheers to twenty twelve!

.mac :)

{top photo features k.Mac's new eyelet bloomers in your choice of monogrammed threading and tulle colors.  Buy them separate or as a set. Contact meghan@kmaccreations.com to order.}

Giving & Getting

I am continually amazed at the art of handmade.

I really am.

Tiny touches and delicate details made by one...for one.
Because handmade is just exactly what baby is to me.

{Taking what you feel on the inside for someone and gifting them with something special enough on the outside.}

Handmade takes time, love, and commitment.

So do babies.

.mac :)

pictured above: client custom diaper bag order for baby in North Carolina

bag style: medium tote

k.Mac fabric collection: Cutie Patootie

Graceful Green Goodness

I am in love.

Absolutely infatuated.

Whipped.

{Over this fabric collection.}

{Over this custom design.}

This is my most recently finished order.

I have a stockpile of orders that are waiting their feature showcase on this blog, but I HAD to share with you this graceful green goodness right here. Right now. Today.

The custom order was from an international client who custom designed with me and wanted this gift shipped directly to the recipient in South Carolina.

And so graciously, I obliged. :)When my client began the designing process with me, she expressed that the sweet little baby was to be named Kinleigh Hope. She mentioned her nursery was to be in pastel green and pink colors.

One would think there are GOBS of light pink and green fabric selections out there in this fabric world of ours, but let me be the first to clarify:

1. There are.

2. They are not all that cute.

Upon searching, I found this collection. And I melted. It is classic sophistication with all the girly bells and whistles. Big pink underlying polka dots with floral filigree baby ducks snuggled atop. Swirly-whirl candy pink pinwheels. Intricately detailed and eclectic damask designs shadowed only by the most darling of swiss polka dots...

This mother of 2 boys needs a brief moment to collect herself.

Okay. I'm back.

I sent 4 different fabric collection samples to this client all via email with fingers double crossed plus toes too that my client would, in fact, select my top choice for her couture baby gift. My email was informative and unbiased with these 4 different collections, mind you.
And sure enough, she did! I was ecstatic to begin work on a k.Mac b.blanket for this sweet Kinleigh. b.blankets make wonderful baby shower gifts. They are made with your choice of up to 3 coordinating fabrics. The top of the b.blanket is pieced and quilted and you have a choice of a coordinating minky dot or satin for the b.blanket backing. Names, monograms, initials, and even birth dates can be embroidered for an extra punch of personalization.

b.blanket - (noun) A k.Mac top quilted blanket with your choice of backing and personalization measuring approx. 30 x 30 in size. Named by our infamous Casey Face who snuggles the original b.blanket each and every night with 2 fingers stuffed in his mouth...STILL at 3 years old.
And my client also wanted to gift Kinleigh with one of k.Mac's Tiny Taggies. These taggies are the perfect security love-n-snuggle as they are but a mini-version of the b.blanket equipped with fun coordinating tags for rubbing as well as your choice of minky dot or satin backing.

In addition to being handmade, personalization really promotes any gift to "ooh & ahhh" status as new mamas love to see their little one's name on just about anything!

I like to use a great variety of textures and patterns for the ribbon loops. Developmentally, babies are fascinated with color and texture changes training their eyes and fingers to know the difference in each as they grow.

And so it was with a joyous, happy heart that I danced this package of graceful green goodness off to Miss Kinleigh Hope.

Pale pink and green never felt more precious in my hands.

Dreamy,

.mac :)

Texas vs. Alabama

What are the odds that I worked on these 2 baby bundles AT THE SAME TIME and ON THE WEEK OF THE BCS NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP?

It's true. I did.

Must have been something in the air as my hands were full of crimson and burnt orange just a stitching away.

Both boys.

One bundle was headed to Bossier City, Louisiana and one to good ole Soddy Daisy, TN.

Meet Kale. His parents are die hard Alabama fans. Mama has a strong affinity for polka dots.

I think houndstooth works quite nicely next to her love of the dot, don't you?

Kinda classy, super Bear Bryant, and extra funky fun if you ask me.

I went with a black and white gingham lining for the classic baby feel.

You just can't go wrong with gingham.

Then there's Travis Ray.

In the designing process, I learned that the game room in this little guy's home is completely decked out in complete University of Texas fashion.

And I was also touched to hear of the wonderful story of his grandfather. His name was Ray. He passed away the week his parents found out Travis was to be a boy. Travis' mama wanted to name Travis after her dad and thought it fitting that this tribute be on his diaper bag too.

I loved that she chose to do this.

I love even more this part of my job.

{The behind the scenes meaning for special things. I am honored to soak in each client's details and strive to give my best to put a smile on their faces with the finished product.}
Travis' mom also opted to complete her bundle set with a coordinating changing pad for her little guy.

And yeah, just like Kale, Travis Ray can do a little polka dot too!

Traivs' dad already has his nickname ligned up! T. Ray it is! And for a limited time, with purchase a coordinating changing pad, clients receive free changing pad personalization! Perfect!

Oh, but the houndstooth did, in fact, prevail that January 7th evening.

Poor Colt McCoy.

But little Kale didn't mind. His unborn bleacher seat was being primed and ready for his national championship team with a newborn monogrammed diaper cover! These are the perfect ensemble for newborn pictures.

All snuggled up and sleeping on the belly with a monogrammed rumpus up in the air... SNAP!

A picture that will last a lifetime.

And Kale Preston had to have something to dribble on too.
What's that?

Gray and white pinstripes.

Um, yeah.

They do look great right up against that crimson, don't they?

And a Roll Tide on the hiney...

Thanks {mollyemade}!

You didn't actually think a designer, seamstress, and mama to 2 boys would let {mollyemade} forget the couture boy baby, did you?!

So there it is.

My BCS Championship week.

And the final score?

University of Texas:

Meghan,

I got the diaper bag this morning! I am so pleased with it I knew it would turn out great but this is just awesome! I am already almost ready for my next list of orders! My mother in law just loves it she got tears when I opened it and is already spreading the word on Meghan Cobble...Travis is still in the NICU but he is doing so well..He is eating 45cc's now maintaing a good body temp breathing is 100% still I am getting ready to head to the hospital so I can talk to the doctor but hopefully he will be comeing home by tommorow or wednesday. Keep us in your prayers and again thank you so much the bag is so cute! You truly have a great talent.

Andrea Brown

University of Alabama:

The diaper bag and all the extras to go with was the rave of the baby shower! Not to mention quite possibly the highlight of the pregnancy. Man, this is awesome. We love it.

Jared Hensley

Kenny still can't get over the irony of it all!

.mac :)

A Southern Thing

I have a lot of clients in and about the southern region of the United States.
And in the south, we like names.
Yes, we like names so much that we want to be called by all of them.
One of our babysitter's for the boys is named Taylor Raye, for example.
One of Eli's good pals from church is John Mark for even more southern proof.

And Jack Watson's mama wanted him to be called just that.

Jack Watson

A client of mine ordered a baby bundle for this mama for a baby shower gift. His nursery colors are blue and black children's toile.

My client chose to off set the toile with a funky yet classic twist on this black and blue color palette.

The black and white stripes jazzes up the toile and the blue and black gingham lends itself to the classical theme of the nusery toile.

Free motion top quilting in wavy swirls just to mix it up a bit.
And for the backing, my client selected a soft minky dot. k.Mac baby blankets come with your choice of a coordinating satin backing as babies love the soft satin feel or you can opt for a coordinating minky dot to add a heavier weight to the blanket. And babies love the raised dot for a change in texture feel. My blankets are sized so that they are roomy enough to completely bundle a wee one up for the 1st year of life. Then the blanket becomes justtherightsize for the security blanket a little one cAnNoT sleep without. Just ask my niece, Mollye.
The nice part about k.Mac's baby bundles is that you can choose how you want to bundle your baby gift. This particular client selected to do a baby blanket with a coordinating burp cloth set.

Other baby bundles combinations can include:

1. diaper bag with matching changing pad
2. diaper bag with matching changing pad, mommy wallet, and burp set
3. burp cloth set and matching appliqued and personalized onsesies (set of 3)
   That's the beauty of purchasing customized and couture baby gifts.
   You can make it exactly what you want it to be.
   Just like Jack Watson.

Completely unique.
An individual.
Set apart from the rest.

Double names may, in fact, be prominent in the south, but giving exactly what you want as a baby gift doesn't have to be thanks to k.Mac!


.mac :)