Boutiques and Shows, Oh My!

Thanks to all that have come by to see Kenzie Mac and Co. (us) our boutiques and shows these last few weeks. They have been both fun and a ton of work but well worth our efforts. We are always thinking about what our future creations will be and it is inspiring seeing all the other artists. We'll be selling at the F.Q. Story Historic home tour and boutique tomorrow. Hope you can come by and see us. Check out our Kenzie Mac blog and a few listings in our new Etsy shop too...all thanks to Lauren, we all know I am not very good at this technology stuff. ;) Also check out Penny Up.

Purse Progress

The handful of pictures just posted are a few of my favorites. There are some in progress using unique fabrics, buttons, etc. and even some vintage items which will really be one of a kind.
This Kenzie Mac venture has been such fun. There is nothing better than sewing with your daughter till the wee hours of the morning-a mother's dream come true! You should see what she is sewing on now-she'll most likey post pics sooner than I will.

Purse Progress

There are maybe 40 here of the 70 we will have finished up by later today. We just have handles left to sew on and then it will be photo time. Wait till you see our next project. Not sure it will be a pattern but fun and easy to make and so cute on little girls.

Just had to share a little progress with you.

Fall

To say we are a little exctied about fall finally arriving in Arizona is an under-statement-yes, it is going to heat up again this week but hang in there, fall is just around the corner. I had to share some of my new fall flowers with you. It's hard to tell the size in a picture but this table in my courtyard is about 5 feet long.

Quilters Hall of Fame book is here!!

Sorry this is sideways!

It's finally here!!! After much anticipation, "The Quilters Hall of Fame -42 Masters Who Have Shaped our Art" is out. Here is a picture of the cover and a partial view of pgs. 119 and 120. Notice a familiar name?! A smaller version of this book came out in I believe 2004 and then all the original authors were invited to update their inductee. This book features the 42 quilters including incredible pictures. Please ask your local quilt shop to order in this book for you, it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! Marian Ann J. Montgomery and Voyageur Press went above and beyond for this book-I know you'll LOVE it!!!

I just had to post this picture of Christmas presents stored up in my closet for my sister!!! I recently started wrapping Christmas presents and it drives her crazy-hey, there is one big family here and if I didn't start early I'd never finish in time.

Getting ready for Halloween!

A look at the partially completed "Elite Totes". There are nearly 70 new ones soon to be available!

Just a teaser of some of our fabric lines for our latest new "Elite Totes" we'll be selling soon!

Sewing Helper

Bessssst little sewing helper there is!!!

Coming Boutiques/Patterns!!

We're busy, busy this fall. Shortly I'll be posting some pictures of our progress. We're getting some nice ohhs and ahhs on our new products and can't wait to share them with you! We'll be posting a list of upcoming boutiques as well.

We had a little dinner party here last night where my husband did all the cooking and I mean all and from scratch! Ck out this menu (and I'm dieting!!)! Wish I had pics to share of this.

Oysters (like Rockefeller)
French Onion Soup
Lebanese Salad
Chateaubriand (for 8-not 2)
Ringed Potates (sliced thin and between the layers were small amounts of his famous hot artichoke dip)
Banana Creme Pie

Update!

I can't wait till my IT Dept. returns from another wonderful trip-aka daughter, Lauren! Those of you that know me well know I'm not the best with technolgy and that is putting it nicely. I can't get anymore pictues to post and I can't tell you the number of requests I've had via phone and email that they are unable to post a comment. Hang tight, they return late tonight! She will check my progress on our boutique items very first thing. In between doing real estate this weekend I've stitched almost all the exteriors of the "Elite Totes" for our boutiques plus done a little design work on a new pattern. Because of my love for Mackenzie-Childs I'm doing a thistle wall hanging.
No more postings till I get the picture part solved!

I'm BACK!

I'mmm bbaaaacckkk.....

Bet you're surprised I've re-surfaced. So much has gone on I don't know where to start. First things first though. We've moved back to Scottsdale and I am now working hard along side my daughter in our Kenzie Mac & Co. business. We intend to grow it for real this time, after all, lil mac is now three so we have so much more time to get things done-LOL! We(Lauren!) just re-vamped the www.kenziemac.com website and blog www.kenziemacandco.blogspot.com we have numerous boutiques scheduled for this fall. We will be posting the schedule on the website.

Boutique prep...50 purses cut and ready to sew...


Our first pattern is the "Elite Tote". A modified version has already been out locally but we have finally tweaked it to satisfaction. All that is left to do is the photography and then printing. I lost sleep over this one. I had fallen in love with upholstery webbing a few years back and my mind worked overtime with ideas to use it on. I was experimenting with it by painting, washing, bleaching, stamping, etc. I was just about finished with the pattern design when shopping one day low and behold, there was a purse so close to my design I couldn't believe it. It was at a store that not only sold the purses but also had classes so I signed up so I could get the pattern and could then compare it to mine. It is such a simple/basic design but I was thrilled when my measurements and curve were different and my approach to the sewing assembly was much different as well. I am a "freak" about copyright and I have purchased numerous purse and apron patterns so I can make sure mine are different. I go out of my way to change something I think look close to other patterns. I have now made well over 50 of these bags and they are great sellers at The French Bee (Kierland) when made out of high-end designer fabric.

Lauren altered the Elite Tote pattern and made this extra long bag out of laminated fabric for our recent trip to Myrtle Beach.

In addition to working on our business, we've had some great trips and lots of fun and have settled nicely into our new home in a neighborhood we are much familiar with.

Here's to loads of creativity, accomplishing daily goals and blogging a few times a week!!

Mackenzie is a happy traveler in one of the dresses that I made for her.