Amelie Jo

Dreamers Into Doers

2011-12-28T19:17:00.000-05:00

You can read the full article here.

Exciting news! I have been chosen as Martha Stewart's Doer of the Week from the Dreamers Into Doers website! This is a huge accomplishment for me and proof that hard work does pay off.

Kamieo Photography

2011-08-09T21:23:00.000-04:00

Vintage School Days Newsboy Cap

Vintage School Days Double Bow Tie

I hear a lot of mommas complain that there isn't enough cute stuff on Etsy for boys, so I created this super cute cap and bow tie set out of vintage inspired alphabet material. The cap may be embroidered with your little guy's initials! How do you like these adorable photos from Kamieo Photography?
Psst...little ladies would look great in this too!

2011-08-05T21:19:00.000-04:00

Amelie has been begging me to make a dress out of this Hungry Caterpillar fabric for months now. I always say no, but as soon as we hit the fabric shop, yesterday, she made a bee line for the counter where it is housed and I just couldn't turn her down again. As I was cutting out the pattern for the top I wondered why I had denied her the joy of dressing in a child's print. I get so caught up in creating a certain "look" sometimes, that I don't realize that kids like their clothes to be fun and not chic. Since it is a fabric for children, the Hungry Caterpillar is incredibly soft and durable. It was a dream to run through my sewing machine. I was very pleased with the results and when Amelie saw it she said, "Oh, thank you, thank you, Momma! It's beautiful!". She just melts my heart.

Girls Double Bow Tie and Newsboy Cap

2011-08-04T23:50:00.000-04:00

Autumn Blush Newsboy Cap

Girls Double Bow Tie

Newsboy Cap and Bow Tie Set

I have always loved men's wear inspired styles. If I could I would wear a pair of wide legged pants and fitted shirt everyday - think Katherine Hepburn. When I saw this fabric I just knew I would make a bow tie for girls out of it.

Special thanks go out to Kimberly V Photography for these gorgeous images of her little girl, Amelia!

Grandpa Tiny's Farm

2011-07-31T15:41:00.000-04:00

Leroy, the pony

Yep, she's right in there with the goats!

Amelie is wearing the Sakura Butterfly Peasant Dress

Holding baby chicks

Hayride

Ever pass by a place a dozen times, always meaning to visit, but you never do? We have been passing by Grandpa Tiny's Farm for years and, finally, chose to stop in yesterday with Amelie. I can't tell you how charming this little farm is - definitely worth the trip!
Grandpa Tiny's is tailor made for little people. They give you a guided tour, so that you may interact with the animals and ask as many questions as you wish. I appreciated the patience of our tour guide, who took Amelie's hand and showed her about. She never seemed annoyed at the litany of questions I fired off at her about farm life. The woman spent 13 years of her life milking cows!
They complete the tour with a horse drawn hayride and lots of corny jokes from the farmer himself.
If you are in the Frankenmuth area stop by Grandpa Tiny's Farm!

Heritage Collection!

2011-07-25T14:53:00.000-04:00

Vintage ABC's Peasant Dress

3 Piece Collection

Ruffled Railroad Stripe Shorties

Vintage Berries Newsboy Cap

Lots of NEW in the shop this week! I am gearing up for back to school with this beautiful 3 piece collection and a special offer. Purchase all 3 pieces and receive just over 10% off and FREE shipping!

New Hats and and Amazing Customer Photo!

2011-07-16T17:55:00.000-04:00

I was blown away by these customer appreciation photos sent to me last month. The red balloon and red shoes are an amazing contrast to the tea stained OOAK postcard dress that I created.

Thank you to One of a Kind on Etsy for sending me these beautiful photos of your daughter!

Vintage stripe with Cherries

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Ladies Newsboy Cap

I would love to know what you think of the new hats in the shop this week! I have so much fun making them!

Country Life

2011-06-20T23:40:00.000-04:00

I think I am finally getting used to living a more rural lifestyle. When I watch my kid and my husband having this much fun, squealing and running about after fireflies in the yard, I wonder what all my complaints have been about. I have thought about moving back to the city several times, but I just can't go back to the lifestyle. Detroit is a hard place to live. Everything you hear about the Motor City is true, and then some. When you are deep in it, you don't realize that there is a different way. Raising a child without the trappings of city life is an unbelievable blessing.

Ruffled Shorties!

2011-05-27T21:45:00.000-04:00

I received these images of the Railroad Striped Ruffled Shorties tonight and I just had to share!
The photos were taken by the talented Amy at Seraphino's Photography. You can check her out here and fan her on Facebook here. Please show her some love and tell her that Amelie Jo sent you!

Fancy Girl!

2011-05-20T23:21:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to post these pics of Harlow for quite some time now. Her momma, Meredith from Sparkle Your Kids on Etsy is just about the sweetest ladies I know. She bought some of my best pieces last year and really has an eye for fashion. I so envy little Harlow's wardrobe!

A Few New Ones

2011-05-18T20:53:00.000-04:00

The Pink Camellia

Vintage Fern Tank Dress

The last of the tank dresses have been listed in the shop this past week. I will have a new style coming soon that has a racer back and offers a little more coverage on top for your little ones. They will have the signature, Amelie Jo ruffle, of course and I am still lovin' the botanicals! Snatch these up while you can! There is only one size available in each.

Customer Appreciation!

2011-05-02T20:13:00.001-04:00

Ronnie, Mom is Jennifer at Forty Toes Clothing on Etsy.

London, Mom is Alana at Vanity's Edge Design

Pretty curly haired baby, Kellen, Mom is Sam at Happy Hooks Crochet on Etsy. Wearing the Vintage Whale Onesie.

I have 3 adorable, fabulous children to share with you today! Did you know that Amelie Jo designs boy's clothing too? I am so lucky that moms continue to share their children with me.
It's been a great couple of days so far st Amelie Jo, as we were featured in a couple of treasuries and two popular blogs!
Thanks to Baby Blackbird and Vanity's Edge Design for sharing Amelie Jo with the world.

Featured in the Ann Arbor Examiner!

2011-04-13T20:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Amy Daguanno for the fabulous write up on Amelie Jo!
Amy is the author of a green fashion column in the Ann Arbor Examiner.
You may view the article here.

New Blooms for Spring!

2011-04-13T20:18:00.000-04:00

Check out these pretty fabric flower brooches in the shop now!
Beautiful Spring gift for Madame or Mademoiselle!

Back in Business!

2011-03-27T13:24:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you have noticed, but Amelie Jo quietly opened again about a week ago. I appreciate the support and patience from you, my dear friends and I hope to bring you some unique designs within the coming weeks. I will only list one of a kind items, that are not easily copied or duplicated. Also, Amelie Jo will not be back on Facebook, but I do hope that you keep in touch with me through this blog.
The photo of Amelie, above, was taking exactly one year ago at an Easter Egg hunt at a local farm. This year, it is not warm enough to wear short sleeves since the winter chill keeps hanging on. I am relieved that Easter falls later in the month, as I always loved seeing little girls in their Easter dresses and it just isn't the same if they have to wear their winter woolens over their frills.
I will welcome this Spring with a giant hug, for it is a symbol of renewal for me - a fresh start. My family and I faced foreclosure last year, on a home that we moved out of due to a complete decline of our neighborhood. Thankfully, after a year, our short sale was approved and we closed this chapter of our lives last Friday. I have always loved living in Michigan, however it is increasingly stressful to live in the Detroit area. We have retreated to a small community in the country in hopes of creating a more peaceful atmosphere for little Amelie to grow.

Babiekins Magazine!

2011-02-07T23:47:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how much press one can get when their shop is closed! The photo shoot in Babiekins magazine is incredibly cute and I am honored to be a part of it! Makes me think about listing those t shirts I'm workin' on....

Zen

2011-02-07T14:12:00.001-05:00

I just came across the book " Zen Shorts" at a local library sale and one of the "teachings" in the book touched my heart. I thought I would pass it along to you.

"Two traveling monks reached a town where there was a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. The rains had made deep puddles and she couldn't step across without spoiling her silken robes. She stood there, looking very cross and impatient. She was scolding her attendants. They had nowhere to place the packages they held for her, so they could not help her across the puddle.
The younger monk noticed the woman, said nothing, and walked by. The older monk quickly picked her up and put her on his back, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other side. She didn't thank the older monk, she just shoved him out of her way and departed.
As they continued on their way, the young monk was brooding and preoccupied. After several hours, unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "That woman back there was very selfish and rude, but you picked her up on your back and carried her! Then she didn't even thank you!"
"I set the woman down hours ago," the older monk replied. "Why are you still carrying her?"
~Zen Shorts - Jon J. Muth

Nothing like a children's book to put things into perspective.

Altered Couture!!

2011-02-05T17:33:00.000-05:00

I know I said I wouldn't post anymore about Amelie Jo, but I am too excited NOT to show you the feature in Altered Couture's Spring edition! After a request from the editor of the magazine, I submitted these items last Spring. It is an incredible honor to be published in a printed magazine!

Precious

2011-01-28T22:11:00.000-05:00

I didn't want to pass up posting this gorgeous photo of Amelie Jo's Little Miss Tie Top Hat.
I really loved making these for tiny noggins!
Thank you Rialee Photography!

A Different One, Please?

2011-01-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

"A different one, please?" is what Amelie says when she is not happy with what she's got. See this belly button? My belly button does not look like this. I have had a baby. My belly button doesn't resemble my pre-baby belly button and will never look that way again. My doctor said, "give it time". Sorry doc, but I have resigned myself to the fact that once stretched, belly buttons do not return to normal; with the exception of torturing yourself, i.e. exercise. I don't exercise on purpose. I am what energetic people call a sloth or a snail.
So, I don't think that I will ever have the belly button in this photo, unless the powers that be - God, the Angels, Santa Claus- are kind enough to grant me a button that does not look like my Grandmother's smile without her teeth.
Yoga is an exercise that I might be inclined to do and would improve the look of my belly button. I would take a Yoga class, but I am not willing to pay the going rate and I don't believe you can bring a toddler with you to class. Although, a mommy and me Yoga class would probably be a hit.
So, I guess it is up to Santa.....

Bounty

2010-11-01T20:21:00.000-04:00

My favorite time of the year is the span from October until New Years. So much activity fills the days of the season and the changing foliage, weather and and the colors of the setting sun brings comfort to my busy mind. My husband and I were married in October and it is the month my Amelie was born, 2 years ago.
Last night was sweet Amelie's first experience Trick or Treating and she was a trooper. Of course, having your mom pull you through the neighborhood in your cushy, red wagon could make any kid's trek down Halloween Lane a little easier. It was a gorgeous evening; the weather was perfect, clear and crisp and not a snowflake or raindrop in sight. Much to my husband's delight, in our new neighborhood full sized chocolate bars are given out at most of the homes and I am fearful I will need new pants by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.
Now, it is time to prepare for the Christmas season and sweet Amelie and Daddy are downstairs enjoying Charlie Brown.

Beauty Queen

2010-10-28T16:47:00.000-04:00

The first ever Custom Silhouette Dress was made for this little cutie, Cambell. I was so proud of this garment when I finished it and have been excited to make each one since. I really love creating the silhouettes because they capture a moment in your child's life and their tiny faces as they begin to change and grow.

Year 2 Celebration and Giveaway!

2010-10-06T14:46:00.001-04:00

It's no secret how crazy I am about my daughter, Amelie Josephine. She turns two years old today and I have reflected on her little life for the past several days. Amelie's birth completely changed my world. I went from leaving the house five mornings a week for work to becoming a stay-at-home mom, a transition that is highly underrated.
During the first months of my daughter's life, I was full of self doubt, not knowing how to care for a colicky infant and suffering from PPD. I spent most days a zombie in pajamas, covered in baby mess and wondering how I would find the energy to complete the simplest of tasks. As Amelie's first birthday approached I felt relieved. "WE made it!", I thought and this was a turning point for both of us.
Everything became easier and we finally settled into a routine. My world revolves around Amelie's every whim, but the success of her daily life is completely dependent on me. As her chubby legs began to run, our days flew by and the past year is a complete blur.
I am constantly amazed at the amount of information Amelie's young mind can retain, the sharpness of her memory and the kindness of her heart. She is a joyful child, rarely in a sour mood, friendly and loving with everyone she meets. I never realized how a child can change the entire mood of a room. I have had strangers approach me to say that Amelie's giggle made their day.
My heart is full and thankful each day that God has entrusted my husband and I with the care taking of this little soul. Amelie is a bright light that I have the privilege of sharing with the world.
Happy Birthday, my sweet Amelie Jo!

In honor of Amelie's second year, I would like to give away a custom silhouette tee!

This pretty tee will be customized with your child's silhouette and embellished with gorgeous black and white, layered ruffle lace. Sizes 6-12M - 10.
Please leave your name in the comment section to be entered into the random drawing. The winner will be announced November 6, 2010.

You may increase your chances by following several steps:

Blog about this giveaway and comment with the link
Tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link
Post this giveaway on facebook and comment with the link
Add this blog to your blogroll/sidebar and comment with the link
Follow Amelie Jo on twitter and comment with the information
Become a fan on Facebook and comment with the information here
Subscribe to this blog and comment with the information
Recieve an entry for each order placed in October

Please leave a comment for all extra entries.

If you do not want to wait to for the contest to end and would like to purchase this tee, I am offering free shipping throughout the month of October on this item.

Harlow

2010-09-21T13:49:00.000-04:00

Pretty Harlow in her Custom Silhouette Tank Dress. Momma, Meredith, wanted some extra vintage buttons scattered across the ruffle and I used Venice lace for the trim. Meredith has a fabulous Facebook page named Fabulous Fashionista Favorites. Become a fan here. Do you love Harlow's shoes? Visit Joyfolie for gorgeous shoes and accessories!

The View Outside My Window

2010-09-17T09:31:00.000-04:00

This is my backyard. I am lucky enough to wake up to this peaceful view every morning - horses grazing in their paddocks as they wait there turn to trot around the track. My home sits above an equestrian training facility, where they train horses for cart racing. Each day I greet 30-40 horses, various trainers and ranch hands and a scattering of jovial mutts that run about the grounds enjoying the best that a dog's life has to offer. Our family dog, Hektor, has been sitting in our yard lately, gazing, longingly, at the playful pups and it has dawned on me that he must feel that the grass is greener on the other side of that long, white fence.