What would you think about having your business card made from 100% handmade recycled paper? 

And, would it still be considered handmade if the printer did the work?  I would make the paper still of course, but I couldn't possibly handprint anything. 

I am thinking of selling packs of 40 printed cards for $12 (as long as the designing isn't too time consuming for me - have to think of guidelines for that still - any ideas?)

I am thinking of putting them in my etsy shop.

Any opinions would be great! Thanks!

Michelle Giordano

I have recently re-opened my etsy store, and reconfigured my whole product (don't have alot of pictures up yet though) you can see two examples of the poor photo quality on www.mgcreations.ets y.com

My problem is, I never even thought about photo quality because I never had a problem before.  I had an awesome camera, I loved it.  Then one day this summer a little monkey of mine took it without permission to take pictures outside in the sandbox... Need I say more? 

Now I am down to my standby, its a 3 year old kodak 2 mega pixel with absolutley no options.  I can't get another camera yet.  I tried using lighting, photoshop, everything I could think of.  They look grainy and cheap. 

Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to make them look a little better?
(Maybe even something that would help for my personal pics of my kids would be great, so they don't ask in 20 years why the pics look so yucky)

Thanks in advance!

Michelle Giordano

My favorite pair of boots needs some help, they are knee high, zip up high heel pointy toe boots, but not real leather.  They are about 3 years old now and still perfect except for the heels, it looks like the "pleather" is peeling in small patches. 

I tried just to put polish on it, but it doesn't look good. 

Does anyone know of a way to repair this myself?  If not they must go to the shoe repair shop, they are just too comfortable to throw away. And perfect for work under a suit or with a skirt.   

Thanks for any help,

Michelle Giordano

I have sort of a dilema here and hoping someone can point me in the right direction. 

Last night my aunt (who is only a few years older than me, we are very good friends), phoned me and sounded upset because her friend is getting married and wants her to be a bridesmaid, but the other girls are very skinny and tall, whereas my aunt is the opposite.  She needs a bridesmaids dress that will be flattering and asked me to make it for her.  I said of course I would.  The problem is that most of the pattern companies don't make formal wear patterns in her size.  If I have to I will buy one and work off it, enlarging it as needed, or I will draft my own. 
The only problem with that is I don't have experience working with plus sized fashions or drafting, so it will be very difficult, and a big learning experience.

Does anyone know of a site that sells plus sized formal wear patterns in sized bigger than simplicity or the other big companies?  I tried a google search but couldn't find anything.   I may be able to get her measurements if needed,  but she lives 4 hours away so if she measures herself it wouldn't be exactly right since she doesn't have experience sewing.  Hopefully it wont be too hard to do this, she will have to come to my city for a few weekends before the wedding and we will have to work round the clock while she is here to get it made to fit perfectly.  I don't want her to be upset about this issue, she doesn't understand that her shape is just fine the way it is.  Neither do the pattern companies I guess.  I am practically fuming that they don't go up to her size.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Michelle Giordano

I was looking at a shirred top that my daughter has, I didn't make this one, and it looks the same on the outside as something I would make, but on the wrong side of the fabric there are small loops that interlock with each other.  I love this look.  Does anyone know if a special machine is needed for this, or is it something that can be done at home. 

I can't post pics because my daughter broke my camera, so hopefully I have explained it well enough.

TIA!

Michelle Giordano

Does anyone want to make a wrap dress?  I don't have a pattern but I am sure there are some out there. 

I really like this dress, its a DVF

http://cosmo.glam.com/g/p/3014655/81018029/5/48659012/5/51905387/20/51905366/2/31012809/?cId=50310625

I love the eyelet look it would be perfect for the office!

Does anyone know where I can get a pattern for a nice teddy bear that doesn't need a bunch of hardware on the inside?  Preferably free LOL.

thanks in advance!

Michelle Giordano

Does anyone know if very old metal cabinet hardware (in the kitchen, knobs and drawer pulls, etc) can be painted with latex paint?  Primer first of course.  Will it stick or will it just peel off. 

If that wont work I think rust paint will work.  I just wanted it to be the exact same color so am hoping I can use the paint I have.

Thanks In Advance!

Michelle Giordano

Does anyone know when burda is going to release the download pattern for that great wrap dress on their website?  Any info greatly appreciated.  I love that dress!

TIA

Michelle Giordano

Hello,

That title doesn't make much sense....

I am wondering what program everyone uses to create patterns to turn into pdf's so that other people can download them. 

TIA!!!

Michelle Giordano