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Custom Homecoming Overalls closed 2019

Custom Homecoming Overalls will be closed for the 2019 season. I am in the process of making studio changes and revaluation of my business.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ahhhhh. Satisfaction.

So, sometimes I break the rules a little. Yep.
I got a call last week, from a student, asking if I could make her Homecoming overalls. She was certain on what she wanted on them and had done all the research. It was past the "cut off" date for that school.... But....but... I said yes.
So I spent the entire day today creating this favorite pair of overalls.

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Meet Kaitlyn. She is a Sophomore at Taylor High. She has fabulous manners and interacts with adults (well, me, if that counts). She communicates very well and says what she means. It is tough to find a teen with her stature! Kaitlyn is in FFA this year and will be raising a goat. My favorite part of her overalls, is Gilbert, the goat. (I named him that, not her!)


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:0)  Trevor


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

7 Lakes Homecoming Overalls Orders




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I have 8 7 openings for 7 Lakes Custom Appliqued Overalls for Homecoming 2011. Friday, October 14, 2011 is the very last day to order!!
Secure your spot now by placing an on line deposit HERE
Don't forget, you need to supply the overalls to be decorated!!
Email me HERE to set up a consultation so your child can design her own.
Can't wait to meet ya!!  ;0)



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Friday, September 23, 2011

Planning a Successful Homecoming Friday

Just thought I'd put this out there. I am working on it still,tweaks and more info is needed. Feel free to add your advice or any corrections you might have!!! I wanna have this be part of a series of Homecoming posts for the next few years.
Thanks!!!

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First Timers Guide to Planning a Successful Homecoming Friday
After blogging for the past few years about Homecoming Overalls and showing my work, I have decided to share with you some tips to make your Homecoming Friday event successful.
On my blog, I have a widget called "Feedjit". It is a tracking tool. I can see when someone comes to visit my blog (not WHO they are), what search engine and phrase they typed into the browser, what post title they went to see and then what (if any) link they exited to. It sounds kinda nosey, but it really is not. Its is just a tool I use to help me help you find the information you are looking for on the internet. And, I have found, there really is not much information regarding Texas Homecomings as there should be!!
Hence: the reason I am writing this now!!
So, what do you need??? What is your budget?? What is your childs final goal goal??
NEEDS:
Overalls
Mum
I'll start with the overalls, since that is my particular speciality.
You will need to start shopping for overalls in early August. Earlier if you KNOW what size you will need and the earlier you shop, the more choices you will have. Also, for those who are on a tighter buget, if you get the overalls purchased, having someone decorate them later will not seem like a huge expence.
Personally, I think the best deal around is on eBay. The overalls you can find are generally new or very close to new. Women buy them to wear once or twice and then forget about them in the back of the closet. It's not like overalls are the most attractive articles of clothing, LOL  Just search "womens overalls" and add the size, S, M or L. I have gotten Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein for $10 plus shipping. Not bad considering at retail the men's overalls go for $50-70. Ouch.
Next I would try resale. Around Katy, we have two Katy Christian Ministries, Platos Closet and the (newer) Salvation Army (where JoAnnes Fabrics used to be).
If you are shopping retail, Bass Pro Shops @ Katy Mills carries 2 brands. Academy on I-10 sometimes has smaller sizes, but the Academy on Westheimer @ Voss has 2 or 3 brands and they carry many sizes. Tractor Supply right in front of the Merril Center also carries o'alls, but Katy High students are swift to pick up all the smaller sizes there.
On line there are a few retailers that carry women's overalls. However, they are costly and the shipping is heavy too. As August 2012 rolls around, I will update this and post some places I have found good deals at.
Decorating.
Plan at LEAST 3 weeks to decorate these new overalls. Especially if you plan to have someone else do it for you. Artists need plenty of time to do their best work. And this time of year, decorators become swamped or stop taking orders for certain schools so they can deliver on time.
Of course I want everyone to look their best, and have my overalls on. But I am real and know that not everyone can afford Custom Appliqued garb, nor would I be able to sew that many in such little time. So, to decorate, you have choices:
Custom Applique
Paint
Do-it-yourself-fabric lettering
When I applique, it is a process. Each pair I do is different (but the same, KWIM?) individualized for that person. I have fabric swatches, samples of different elements I can add to your overalls. Every year I add more and more. Each pair, start to finish, takes about 25 hours. Pockets have to be ripped off, patterns need to be made, tracing, cutting, ironing.... and thats all before the sewing!! I take the inseam out so I can sew all the goodies onto the legs and then I sew them shut. Just when you think they are done, the bling comes out!! WOOT!! The finishing touch!!
Fabric paint is fun, if you are artsy. It can be expensive to do, because denim is dark and thirsty. My tip: Everything you plan to paint, paint it in white (like nail polish, several thin coats works better than a heavy coat. Paint peels and chips). Once the white is dry, then paint your color. The color will be more true. Then outline as much as possible to make your things defined and pop. Finish with Bling.
Fabric letters. First you need to find some fun fabrics. JoAnnes Fabrics (Next to Ross, I-10 & Fry) has a great new selection!! They have some little folded fabrics, called Fat Quarters, arranged by color at hip level across the calico wall. They are perfect for the overalls because you don't have to buy a large quantity and you don't have to stand in line to have the fabric cut. Next you need "Heat-N-Bond HEAVY" . In the RED package. It is made for NO SEW projects. Just iron it to the back of the fabric, draw your whatevers (letters? Numbers?) and cut them out. Unpeel the paper backing and iron to your o'alls. Technically, you are done.... But I would not be. You will need some fabric paint to outline and add details. And, don't forget the bling!!!
READY FOR MUMS????
I do not make mums.... I wish I did!! I probably will when my girlies get to High School. :0)
Where to buy/order them? 
Try your school first. The Band Booster Clubs usually have order forms in the Cafeteria for students to pick up at lunch. If the school has the order form as a file they can send me, I will upload it onto my blog so you can print one out and take back to school with money.
If you don't want to get one from school, try Kroger or Randalls. They almost ALWAYS have some premade that can be added to or customized there or at your house. Also try local Florists. I will try to get some places and phone numbers next year (early) and post them for you.
For you crafty ones, not unlike myself, go to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnnes.... any crafty place and start garthering your ribbons and hanging things. Hobby Lobby keeps a great selection of backs, ribbons, bells and all sorts of what-nots to keep you busy for weeks making a mum. An even craftier TIP: Shop AFTER your Homecoming and get great deals on the things left over when they go on sale. Keep a box handy and start a collection of things throughout this school year to make one for next year!!
I hope this helps someone... Homecoming preparation can make people panic! I would consider it a whole school Prom of sorts, but with a bunch of other stuff thrown in, topped with a football game!
**I decided to write this after seeing people hit my blog with searches for overalls and mums 3 days before that Homecoming. I think they realized Homecoming cannot be bought or built in 3 days.

Reminder!!

Tomorrow is the very last day to get me your overalls if you need them done for Cinco Ranch!! I just went and got some delicious sparklie MAROON fabric!! 
Can't wait to share with you!!
I have some more Taylor overalls on my sewing machine right now, just about finished. The pictures will be ready sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday!! 
Today is Katy High Schools Homecoming... Think they will win the football game???
I hope this day is finding you well. It is Friday already!! WOOT!! Happy weekend!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Homecoming MUMS: UPDATE!!


Click below for

2012 Homecoming Mums







Just an update on the Homecoming Mum situation here in Katy, Texas.
Morton Ranch: Contact Diane Parker or get your order form in the Cafeteria during lunch. I have a downloadable PDF HERE
Cinco Ranch: HERE
Seven Lakes: HERE
Taylor and Katy: These schools are no longer taking orders for mums/garters, so you will have to fight the crowds at Hobby Lobby to make your own or place your order at a local Grocery Store, such as Randalls Floral or Kroger Floral. Call your local store to be sure you are able to place your order or maybe they even have some "Ready to Buy".
Good luck to everyone finding your perfect mum!!!

Denim Jackets

As you know, if you follow my blog, I am an applique artist. I design and make wearable applique art for you. I specialize in custom made Homecoming overalls for high school girls to wear to school on Homecoming Friday to support the gianormous mums they wear here in Texas. But that is only for a couple months a year. So, I thought of another way for Moms and girls to show their school spirit at games and around town.
Custom School Spirit Denim Jackets.
Check out this one for Katy High School:



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My favorite element of this jacket is the Cross Country emblem. I had fun adding the grass and trees that all you runners know about when you run. LOL
Denim jackets are not limited to local high schools.... Feel free to let me design one for your favorite NFL team, College or MLB team!! These jackets are a perfect alternative to the super heavy and hard to earn Letterman's jacket. Lemme tell you, a Varsity jacket here in Texas hangs in the closet for 10 months of the year, getting eaten by moths. To me, that is a total waste of money. A denim jacket never goes out of style and it is light enough to layer, keep in the car for chilly restaurants or that downpour you did not expect. Not to mention the ball games!! And the bling factor.... These jackets sparkle and shine under stadium lights!!!
You can ORDER your custom made JACKET HERE!!!!
Thanks for stopping in to visit!! Have a great day!!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Pirate Day


 

    My pirate name is:
   

 

    Captain Jenny Kidd    

 
 

    Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate.    Arr!
   

  Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
 

Morton Ranch Homecoming Overalls 2011

Here is a sample pair of Homecoming overalls I made for Morton Ranch High School. Featured on them is the Maverick on the bib (deep purple velvet set on snow white velvet), "Mavericks" set on black and white giraffe print down the right leg. The right leg features a trio of black, purple and silver sparkles to make two guard flags crossed and wrapped around the leg. "Guard" is placed on top. Lots of jewels are placed to accent each element and attract the lights at the football stadium.



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Friday, September 16, 2011

Tools to Help you design your Homecoming overalls??



Download and print Overalls Worksheet HERE
Download and print Worksheet #2 HERE
Download Denim Jacket Worksheet HERE
Download Denim Jacket Worksheet #2 HERE

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Texas Does Homecoming Mums O.M.G.

You might learn something here.... *wink* ....as to WHY a girl needs to wear overalls for homecoming.


The Queen Mum - YouTube:
'via Blog this'

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Got some new fabric today....

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I got these flames for my girls at Taylor High... YAY!!! They are gonna LOVE it!! And the little peace signs. I just wanna break out my sharpies and color them in!!! Hee-hee. Talk about custom!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Taylor High Homecoming Overalls *Lauren*

Sharing one pair of o'alls I completed today:


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Morton Ranch Mums and Garters 2011

All you MAVERICKS need to order your Mums and Garters, right?? Well, I was stumbling about and ran into DIANE PARKER who is heading up this years Mum and Garter sales at MRHS.  ((I am sure she'd be happy to accomodate ANY school, just ask!!))
You need to place your order by OCTOBER 26, 2011.

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Let us CUSTOM  design your homecoming mum/garter for your date, mom, friend, teacher, grandmother or little sister! Order forms will be available during lunches or in the band hall.  If you have any questions or want to make an appointment to order your mum please email Diane Parker at mrhsmums@yahoo.com or call (281) 492-7143