Faithful readers, please don’t think we have fallen off the face of the earth.  The last month has been extremely hectic for both of us gals here at Clever Charlotte.  I am in the process of a move to a new home in the adjacent community, though still within walking distance to Erin.  Erin has been lawyering around town to keep her cerebral juices flowing.  Every spare creative moment we’ve had we are putting towards our newest pattern, due out in a couple weeks.   Yes!  A new pattern for summertime!

Well…. it’s not exactly true that ALL of my creative moments are directed to the new release.  Of course I’ve had a few little home-decor projects for the new digs, mostly for the girls’ rooms. I found matching upholstered headboards at our local thrift store and I’m embarrassed to say how little I paid.  Combined with free leftover pink ikat fabric from my mother’s stash, I rid the world of a little more chintz.

BEFORE                                                                                                                      

AFTER 

“But what about matching curtains?” you ask?  Here they are:

I had so much fun at my first attempt at grommet-top curtains.  I found the hardware at Rowley.  All you need are the grommets, a little plastic setter, and a mallet.  Easy peasy!

OK.  Back to work on the new pattern.  No more home-dec projects until the release!

~Carla

So, I’m back.  I haven’t been doing much sewing these last few weeks (though I have been thinking of such things, for sure), but I have been…letterpressing!

I have been dying to try a printing class at Cleveland’s local printing coop, Zygote Press, and was excited when my weekend schedule afforded me the chance to spend two whole days there.

We were supposed to design and print a business card for our class project.  I designed a card to include with Clever Charlotte orders instead, so look for one of these cards in a Clever Charlotte package coming your way soon!

We printed our cards on a Chandler & Price, one of the leading platen presses of its day and still highly sought after. The C&P also happened to be  made right here in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.–see?

Before starting out on the C&P, we ginned up a hand-cranked Vandercook to proof our designs. Here are the 4 student works being locked up in the bed–

There were lots of other fun, old-timey things in the studio to photograph–

I can’t wait to get back into the studio to finish up my cards, hopefully in a custom color, and who knows what other fun projects!

Happy pressing!

~ Erin

I just wanted to share with you our newest Olivine Dress look that is hot off the (home) assembly line.  Made with a gorgeous silk gingham and accented with Liberty of London’s Susanna print below, we hope this look will inspire our followers to start thinking SPRING!  Doesn’t this print evoke images of your  little one romping through the tulips gathering Easter eggs?

With the holidays behind us, Cleveland is looking rather dreary these days, and we just can’t help ourselves from sewing for spring.  It’s never too early for positive thinking!

Reminder: there is one more weekend left of our SALE! 20% off all orders with code “welcome2013″.  Take advantage of a purchase now, especially since shipping costs to those beyond our U.S. borders will drastically increase on Jan 27th (due to the US Post Office, not us here at Clever Charlotte!).

Happy Sewing!

~Carla

Ha!  The thought of our little make shift photography studio in the basement being equated to Vogue cover looks is a humerous thought.  A few out-takes from this month’s shoot–

Why yes, that is the laundry room we’re shooting in.

These three are always itching to get in front of the camera.

These two, not so much.

Checking email, maybe, but more likely just playing Words with Friends between shots.

Happy sewing!
~Erin

Here’s a little peak at what I have going on in the studio today–

What’s really going on is me wasting time with the new lens I got earlier this year. Playing with the focus, trying to perfect my blur.

Perfect your blur–

~ Erin

Have you seen the tutorial of our new Finch “variation” over at Imagine Gnats for Rachael’s Shorts on the Line series?  But enough of the Finch Romper…