The Stuff I Live For

And the Stockings Can Be Hung… Finally December 13, 2008

Not mine, of course, I'm way too behind to be thinking of hanging my own stockings. But, Gina's can be hung! I completed these six sweet stockings for Gina of An Unpink Life this morning. She was kind enough to wait ridiculously long for me to get one of these prints in.

I looked at the design from one of our family's stockings and figured them out that way. After I got the first knocked out, they were fun to make. Gina picked some great fabric combinations don't you think? These prints are all from Michael Miller Fabrics - one of my fave fabric distributors.

It would've been nice to take the picture of these hanging up, but I don't even know where my stocking hangers are. So much to do, not enough days to get it all done in. Must remember to breathe.

Thank you, Gina, for letting me do these for you and your family!

My First Pleated Purse October 26, 2008

Success. I am sooo proud of this bag I made this weekend, I just have to brag. I'm elated cause I made it with no pattern. No instructions. No nada. Just looked at some pictures of other pleated bags and jumped right in and made own. The first pattern I drew up turned out a bag that was much smaller than I expected. Instead of tossing it, I finished it up and made it a little girl's bag. Shay was having a bad day, so I cheered her up with it. I made Ayla model. She took time out from playing for me so don't mind the rag-a-muffin look.

I learned from the size mistake and made a larger pattern and out came this!….

What it so exciting to me is that the first time I sew something, it's sellable, as in perfect-o. No mistakes. Ah! I can't say how much I love that feeling. Of course there's tons I don't know how to do yet and haven't tried, but since I only began sewing last year, I know I've definetly been blessed with a skill.

Alright, I'm done. I'm modest and don't  say much other good stuff about myself, so I can get away with this once in a while, right?!

Two Down October 6, 2008

One craft show to go. Kind of. It's 2 days long, so it's feels more like 2 shows. I was approached by a few people at the other shows I did to attend some others, but they're small and I have to decide it they're worth my time.

Anyway, I had loads of fun. I thought the Swedesboro-Woolwich Day was going to be a wash. All news channels and their websites, except for 6 ABC in Philly, were calling for rain for the entire day. And, even though the event was rain or shine, I didn't want to go and waste my time. I set the alarm for 5:15 am that morning, checked the weather on a few websites only to see bad forecasts and I laid there for 20 more minutes. Finally, I forced myself to get up (and get Eric up) and went. It misted a bit while we were setting up and that's it! The day was cloudy but fabulous. Seemed like there weren't as many people there as expected, probably because of the clouds, but it was still a really great day.

The Olde Marlton Fall Festival was this past Saturday, and my sales were the same almost to the dollar as the show before, even though there were thousands more there. That either means I did really well at the first show, or poorly at the second one. Since I don't have any other shows to compare to, I have no idea which it is. People were much nicer for some reason at Swedesboro-Woolwich Day. Our car battery was dead when we went to leave Marlton and we asked two different people for a jump, both who seemed very, very upset that we asked. Ugh. That stuff really keeps me up at night.

Here's me at the Marlton show.

Eric stayed with me the entire day for both shows. Isn't that sweet? Really, I couldn't have done it without him.

Now, I'm working on adding some things to my new Etsy shop even though I still have at least another show to do. Figure I better since I gave out tons of business cards and the shop was empty! Please check it out if you have a chance. I still have more to add, and I'll try to get on it quickly.  I just listed some things yesterday and already got a request for a wholesale order!

To build feedback at my new shop, shipping is free for all items purchased after the first. It's called Mushy Bug.   Bug is after Ayla who I've called Bug or Buggy since she was born and Mushy after Shay who has been my Mush all of her short little life. Great combo, huh? I thought it was kind of gross at first. Well, it is. But, it's after my girls and it's memorable if nothing else!

Pretty Wristlets July 24, 2008

I can't tell you the high I get when I make something new. After I finish a project, my whole day seems brighter. Does that happen to any of you who are crafters? And, I love to share my final results, as you an tell.

Not to sound like a man, but making something without instructions is even more fulfilling. I've been terrified to try sewing a zipper, so have been a bit limited in what I can create. I decided to dive right in yesterday and made a couple of zippered wristlets. I wish I could put in words how super-excited I am about them. They're fully padded and the outer prints are different from the prints for the linings, pockets and straps, and they're close to perfect! Maybe I'll try some larger bags next.

Birdie Note Cards July 17, 2008

I made these four blank birdie cards for a friend yesterday as a thank-you gift. To me, a great gift is something I'd like to have, but wouldn't want to spend the money on for myself. Even if it's something small, like these little note cards, I'd love to have them but I wouldn't buy them for myself.

I love them because I think the simplicity makes the little birdies extra sweet. Wouldn't they inspire you to write someone a letter? And, who doesn't love getting mail?!

The Sweetest Little Fabric Birdies June 23, 2008

Oooohhh, these are SO cute and fun to make I just had to share. You can get the free pattern on Spool. They made a bird mobile out of their little birdies, but I'm just going to put these few around my house separately. They'd be great on top of a gift, or Spool suggests using them in baby's room. 

These really take not much more than minutes to make and can be completely hand-sewn (though I did machine stitch them partly). A perfect project for your summer travels. I really honestly wish I had a reason to make more!

Felt Cupcakes - De-Lish! June 20, 2008

I made these 6 little sweeties over the past couple of days. Vanilla, chocolate and even red velvet. I can't take credit for the design, though. I copied most of the look from another Etsy shop! These are going sit on a shelf of the dining room cabinet I got a few months ago, which is just holding kiddy art right now. I have big plans for it and hope to get started this weekend.

If I'm going to keep sharing my craftiness I really need to get a camera that's a little better than crap the one I have. Any affordable suggestions?

Still Being Crafty- Sick of Hearing About it Yet? June 17, 2008

Here's what I've been up to. Trying to add some stuff to my neglected Etsy shop. I've been making these addictive little clutches and wallets.

And this one just for me cause it's my favorite Amy Butler print right now.

If you are sick of hearing about my craftiness, here's another bit of info you might enjoy. I was bird-pooped on today. And I really don't want to hear that it's good luck, thank you.

Girls Halter Top/Dress PLUS Skirt-in-One Tutorial May 14, 2008

 This is a 3 Part Tutorial! Click the Link at the Bottom of the Post for Part 2!

This is probably the best thing I've made because it fits a range of sizes - about 18 months to 5T - and can also be worn as a skirt. The size I'm using is a dress for sizes 18 months to 3T, and a shirt for 4T & 5T.

  halter dress  back

  as a skirt     close-up

                                   as a halter top on a bigger kid

What you'll need:

• one piece fabric:  36" X 16 1/2"
• 2 pieces:  1 1/4" X 28", for ties (you might choose to use a coordinating print)
• 1" elastic (anywhere from 14-20" worth)
• 1 button, 1 1/4" diameter

Fold the shirt piece over on itself, short sides and right sides together. (So that you have a piece that looks 18" X 16 1/2") Pin if you need to. You may want to serge this edge or at least use pinking shears on the raw edge.

Head to the ironing board. Choose the side you'd like for the top of the shirt. Fold over 1/4" and press.

Wait There's More! Click here for Part 2!

Girls Halter Top and Ruffled Pants May 2, 2008

Here's my latest creation. The top might be my new addiction (of the week - I have a short attention span). Now I know this may not suit everyone's taste, but I'm loving this, so like your mother told you: Don't say (comment) anything if you don't have anything nice to say (comment)! I like it mostly because of the delicious Ginger Blossom prints by Sandi Henderson. Can't wait for your next line, Sandi!

Halter top with a thick band of elastic and skinny ties in the coordinating pants print, and large button detail.

Ruffled bottom pants with lace trim detail.