MEET MINDY

When I was little, my mother would always make my sisters and I matching clothing.  It wasn't long before I was elbowing my mother out of the way to "do it myself" and get my hands on the sewing machine.  I remember perching on the edge of my chair trying to reach the pedal with my scrawny leg.  All the while, I'm sure my poor mom was holding her breath that I wouldn't sew my fingers together (which I have never done, yet, knock on wood!).

I received a degree in Accounting in college and crunched numbers for several years.  As you can imagine, my creative side was slightly repressed doing tax returns, so I started scoping out my options.  I left accounting for real estate, which I still practice and I love the people that I work with! 

I have two spunky kids who keep me hopping all day long (understatement of the century)!  And a loving husband who puts up with me working into the wee hours of the  night and doesn't complain (much) about my taking over the house with my fabric obsession.  Although I do try to keep it contained to my studio (pictured). 

Although I can't seem to remember how, I discovered Etsy on the internet and soon after opened Frog Legs and Ponytails Boutique.  The idea for the name came to me while I was driving home from cake decorating class (my newest hobby at the time).  Although the "Frog Legs" is supposed to represent the boys and/or tomboy items - the girlie stuff was so cute I never really got around to making much of that.  I started out making some aprons, bibs, and blankets, but soon found a passion for making children's clothing.  Especially sweet little dresses that looked adorable on my girls (matching of course, thanks mom).  Soon after, I opened another shop on Etsy - ruralFABRIC.com - selling Amy Butler and other designer fabric by the yard.  I have since closed that shop due to various reasons, but I made sure to keep a nice little stash of fabric for myself.  800 yards at last guesstimate (call me greedy, I'll agree)! 

Among the many items for sale in my shop, there was one dress (Caroline) that seemed to attract tons of customers.  I also had many fellow Etsians asking whether I was willing to sell a pattern for my dress.  I had already tossed the idea around at that point, I just had to commit a large block of time to cranking out the first pattern.  Learning Photoshop along the way, and with some assistance from my sister, professional photographer Nicole Isaacson, the Caroline Pattern was born.  I have plans to release many more patterns in the near future.  So keep in touch and visit again soon!  I hope you enjoy my designs and have fun sewing with Frog Legs and Ponytails Sewing Patterns!

- Mindy Leone