{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 :)

The Rearrangement

I have a job that is so very rewarding.  Yes, it is a small business. It is not Vera Bradley or Thirty One.   It never will be.  Even with the beautiful blessings of my businesses' growth,  I will always want it to be original and one-of-a-kind.  I will never want my products to be made anywhere other than America.  I will never want my products to be made any other way than by hand.

There is reward and beauty in that.  And, hopefully success somewhere too.

Being a designer is what I feel like I was always meant to be. Even as a little girl, I had to make sure that my bedroom could be re-created at least 2 different ways with the existing furniture and decor. I can remember being 7 years old and up at the crack of dawn shifting my dresser and doll house around all by myself only to then proceed in rearranging the pictures on my walls.  Creating and re-thinking is my go-to goodness.

Above is this fabric collection:

I was so excited when a new client of mine chose this collection for her very first k.Mac custom design.  She was actually the winner of this contest I posted on k.Mac's Facebook page.  

She opted for the medium Tenpenny with the coordinating Pretty Ditty tri-fold wallet.

She asked for an add-on full length back panel zippered pocket which was a great idea if you ask me.

And, perhaps my most favorite detail is that she added the tiniest touch of personalization on the sash end of the bow.  I love this subtle and so very southern sweetness.

All of my designs come with a minimum of 4 interior pockets.  The Tenpenny is such a great bag for moms with growing toddlers as it can house so much almost doubling as a handbag and toddler necessity bag too.  Diapers may be out of the way and long since gone the bottles, but Matchbox cars and Polly Pockets with snacks and sippys find their home with ease in this design.  So do journals or coloring books and a nice set of crayons.  No worries!  You're handbag necessities will fit too!

The colors in this collection are so swell.  They make me happy just looking at them.  Wouldn't you agree?

This client chose "party time" for her monogram font.  This is one of k.Mac's most popular selections from clients.

And, well, would you look at that?  It would appear I have successfully re-arranged my bedroom, huh? This is k.Mac's medium Roadster.  You would think that with being the owner and designer of k.Mac that I would always have the trendiest of handbags made in the latest fabric collections.  Um, no.  I rarely have time to make for myself.  Fortunately, I had begun this handbag awhile back and was able to carve out the time needed to complete this new k.Mac bag for myself.  I altered the handbag straps and went with a single adjustable strap for cross body wear.  I also used aqua leather strings in lieu of taffeta bows for a more hippie vibe.

Add a matching Pretty Ditty wallet for me and the words of my client regarding her first k.Mac experience:

Hi Meghan!!

Just wanted to let you know I received my Tenpenny and Pretty Ditty today. What a cheerful collection of fabric! I don't think I'll have any problem handing out your business cards. Thank you again for doing such a great job! I'll be a returning customer for sure.

                                                                                                    Amy

                                                                                                             {Tennessee}

 ...and you have one happy k.Mac designer.  

.mac :)

Tasting the Rainbow

When I eat Skittles I always get hyped up.

My mother-in-law would say I'm "like a rat on acid".

Skittles do this to me. 

I hate the orange ones.

I'm eating them now as I type.  
Not the orange ones, of course.
I just make an orange pile and give them to the boys.
Aren't I the sweetest mom?

I've just ripped the top off of my 5th mini-pack and there's no turning back people.  

 I could choose now to share with you a story of how Heather, my best friend in junior high, and I can make a complete set of false fingernails with a package of Skittles.  This was our sleepover ritual. 

But, I won't go into detail as rat-like as I am typing this post, we would never get to the fun of what I'm here to share with you.

I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT AGAIN!

I know I've already told you all about this here.

BUT, I CAN'T WAIT!

I think it's one of the things I love most about designing.  I am able to share my God given talent with the ones I love so very much. 

And, it's time to get the ball rolling for my niece's diaper bag!

I thought it would be fun to post this bag design process and make it a bit interactive so that you are able to see just how a design session works.

1st

• I always see what I can learn about my client.
• I ask them questions and find out about their personality.  
• I ask about their favorite colors.
• I ask what necessities are required for their bag design.

Kim, my niece-to-be's mama:

• She is very organized and timely.
• She knows what she likes when she sees it.
• She is sentimental and loves traditions.
• She is patient.
• For colors, she loves blues and pinks.
• She decorates with khaki and earth tones in her home.
• For a bag necessity, she enjoys several compartments for storage.
• She definitely would like a name embroidery.

2nd

I ask specifically what types of fabric hues and color schemes a client would like to see.

Kim, my niece-to-be's mama:

"I don't know.  I don't want the bag to look like pink and purple GIRL everywhere.  I like softer colors, but I want to do something different and maybe brighter than the nursery colors. I am more into pinks than purples."

3rd

After taking all of this information into account, I send fabric collections to the client to peruse and see what speaks to them if you will.

Below are the collections I have for Kim.  She's my niece-to-be's mama if you didn't know that already.

And, this is where I want you to be all cyber-spacey & interactive and VOTE!  The votes are anonymous and take nothing more than a click of your mouse.  So, which of the fabric collections above do you like most?

Vote here:

And, since you did such a superfly job on that click-n-vote, I need one more from you and I promise I won't ever eat Skittles and blog at the same time.

You see, I asked for a little bag help here in this post just last week, and well, readers' mouses must've been on strike.  I only received 7 votes on which bag Kim should carry.  I had 124 visits by readers on that specific post. In the words of my step father-in-law, Larry, "that don't add up".

So, I thought I'd try once more only this time I would add visuals aids {cause who doesn't love a good visual aid?} and informational links to help you out with your decision making.

Like before, I am only showcasing k.Mac's top 5 diaper bag designs based solely on past purchased quantities and then I am including the newest Antebellum design.

First up, the Antebellum.  It is k.Mac's newest diaper bag and does not even have a place on my website yet.  Go here to read all about the details for more information.

Next up is the Miss Merry Mac Pack.  Go here to read all about it.

Then we have our ever famous Classic Tote.  Go here for information.

Then there's k.Mac's sweet Ruby.  Here is where you can read all about it.

And, the Regency!  Here's where to go to read all about her bells & whistles.

Last, but not least, is k.Mac's Hipster.  Details here.

Now let's do this vote thing one more time for good measure, shall we?  You're visually full and your informationally equipped:

How fun was that?  You virtually designed, bought a k.Mac bag AND didn't pay a thing!

Thanks for the votes.  I'll do an update post to let you know the results as well as what bag and fabric collection Kim, my niece-to-be's mama, selects.

 Overdosing on Tasting the rainbow, 

.mac :)

A New Arrival

There is so much joy in new.

The anticipation, the wait, the wondering, the planning & preparing are all like one big pep rally for the arrival of freshness in something never seen or experienced before.

A little client of mine, along with her mama and daddy, are completely engulfed with joy of the newness they experienced this past November.

Miss Cameron became a big sister.  

And, well, she had to have one of k.Mac's Pretty Petite bags to help with all of the toting & doting that was to happen upon the arrival of her new little brother.

Meet Wesley and k.Mac's newest diaper bag design, The Antebellum.

The design session for this custom design order will forever hold a special place in my heart.  It was the last appointment in my studio at our home before we moved.

And, these clients are so precious.

I love nothing more than being intricately involved and hands-on when it comes to a client's custom design.  Both grandmothers of this client came along with the Cameron & Wesley's mama to help her design and select.

i.so.heart.this.

I was honored to make Cameron's diaper bag when she was born as well, so being asked to make Mr. Wesley's bag sent me over the moon.

And, the Antebellum is becoming so very popular for a choice in diaper bag designs.  It has no official page on my website but just from my test prototype sample bag out & about in the public eye, I have made 4 of these diaper bags for clients.

Let me tell you a little about it.

It has a side grommeted design in your choice of bow or sash format.  On each side, the bag comes equipped with 2 fabric pieced pockets.

I utilize silver round rings for the one-strap design for added texture and depth aesthetically.

Inside the bag, you will find 6 interior pockets for all of baby's must haves.  Not only are these pockets pieced and sufficiently reinforced, but they also make a great space for a personal embroidery message just to mama and babe.

The Antebellum boasts a zipper closure for added security for baby's necessities.

And, how great is a full length back zippered pocket?  This has been a feature clients speak so highly of with this new diaper bag design.

Peek-a-boo coordinating fabric corners are a detailed touch of couture within this design.  Upon the creation and sketching of this design, I wanted this bag to have ample space for name boasting.  I enjoy the way the grommeted sides edge out a polished look with coordinating silver hardware from the bag's silver o-rings.

This design session was so preciously fun.  The grandmas were oozing with joy for the anticipation of Mr. Wesley.  They showered their daughter/daughter-in-law with happy smiles and excitement as she worked to pick out just the right fabric collection and bag design. I loved that they opted to include Miss Cameron with a Mommy & Me matching Pretty Petite bag as well.

Miss Cameron and her mama were all set thanks to grandmothers' lovin.  With handmade k.Mac cuteness over their shoulders, they were ready for their new arrival.

And wouldn't you know it?

 NEW is in the air.

I'm going to be an aunt AGAIN!

My brother and sister-in-law Kim along with Miss Mollye are going to be a family of FOUR!

Don't you just adore their Halloween party costumes?

              

I CANNOT wait to make for Mollye's LITTLE SISTER and Mollye too! k.Mac's {mollyemade} is going to be an absolute blast this coming year I have no doubt.

I am honored to be making my sweet niece's nursery bedding.  I cannot wait to share with you the fabric collection Kim has chosen for the sweetheart's room.  This must be another post entirely.

And, well, we need your help!  

What k.Mac diaper bag should Kim carry?

I am using k.Mac's top 4 diaper bag designs in this poll along with the newest Antebellum design.  Go here to check out all of these diaper bags and more in greater detail.

I have no doubt that later on we will need your help on a fabric collection for this diaper bag too.  There are SO MANY to choose from.  Go here for a just a smidgeon of a peek at what Kim has at her fingertips.

Yes, new is good.  

new designs

new nieces

new clients

and a new address

k.Mac is happy!

.mac :)

Incognito

Sewing is rhythmic to me.
It's precision and problem solving too.
And, it takes time.

With cutting, pressing, and stitching, I find time to invest.

Purpose is my prioirty in what I do.

 For open opportunities await me.

And, purposefully, I aim to greet each one with a product handmade of high quality and better yet, a mindful focus.

Of course,  I am mindful of the technicalities of my trade, but there is so much more to each custom design than just this.

I look at each project before me as a chance to learn more about myself all while connecting with the client with whom this couture design will belong to.

I invest my best work into someone else's excitement and creativity.

I think about the tiny baby, little tike, or the happy lady that will be receiving this couture item.

And it never fails, I find a little bit more of myself somewhere between the cutting, and the pressing, and the measuring, and the making.

My lesson from this k.Mac's Miss Merry Mac Pack shown in "Cammo and Ammo" fabric collection:

Live life intentionally.  Plan and perform, but dance with delight in what you find when you least expect it.  


For joy wears camoflauge too sometimes.

.mac :)

Lapsed

My mind holds moments by bundles.

Gathered and measured, I segment.

Allot

Attempt to proportion.
But pockets of sequential snippets become but a blur when I am certainly focused.
I am relentless in task mastery.

Forbidden to be set free until possibility meets potential.
And when it does, I dream of ways to do it all over again.

extension |ikˈsten sh ən|noun1 a part that is added to something to enlarge or prolong it; a continuation
My work above {k.Mac's Curtsy handbag} is but an extension to say the least.
{7.5 hours in fabrication and construction}{using an out-of-town client's fabric for the design}{finding this particular fabric's happy match to coordinate}{adding 2 zippered closures per client's request}
And this client's words to me regarding the finished product:
Oh my goodness!! I love it! It's so cute, I could cry! Thanks so much!
ChandraMorrison, TN
Well, they turned the corners of my grinner right up and propelled me into yet another extension...
A BREAK.A chance to relax and enjoy.A time to re-group for my next custom design orders.And a chance to love on and let loose for a little bit.
Thus, this wordy flirt I have but commenced with month number nine, well let the extension begin. By my records, I owe a week-in-full.
And I will pay up.
Just you wait and see.
.mac :)
{k.Mac's Curtsy handbag comes in small, medium, and large. Shown above in size small. The Curtsy handbag comes with 4 interior pockets, 2 exterior frontal pockets and the option for an exterior back slip pocket. Additional closures as well as monogrammed bow options are all chosen and decided upon during customer's deisgn session.}