Another Apron

Just thought I'd share!

Giftables

Two weekends ago we attended Urban Craft Uprising....holy crafting heaven! I could have stayed for hours and hours if not for one cranky nephew (I forgive you, Oliver). I did find some good gifts for a few special people (hope you're not reading!)...

First of all: I fell in love at first sight with this Robot Tee from LuCoo

And this sweet little hair clip:

LuCoo has the cutest t-shirts, hoodies, pillows and plushies. Ohmygosh. Check them out!

Also--I have seen Pitter Painter's awesome work before (I Heart Rummage) but I finally got a few of her super-cool magnets...which for some reason will not load. Go here to see her stuff!

And, this wasn't from Urban Craft Uprising, but it is a gift I can wait to give...

You just got Rick Rolled!

Sweet Smocky Goodness

OK, so about yesterday. We all know how much I love Amy Karol, right? I was in need of a cute present for a little girl, and "Bend the Rules Sewing" came to my rescue again. This time I tackled the "Swing Swing Smock." Love it! I used to sew little kid clothes a lot, and now I remember why: they are so tiny and adorable!

Equally exciting: I finally opened and used my bias-tape-maker. Um, hello? Why did I wait so long to learn how to do this?? (Smacks hand on forehead) Handmade bias tape is so cute, easy, and has a much better feel than the bias tape you buy at the store. Look!

Why don't you get one and try it right now?

Sweet Snow Day

Snow Day! Today was snow day #2 (did I mention yesterday was a snow day?). Snow days are the BEST EVER. I get really depressed in the winter because it involves leaving for work in the dark and getting home...in the dark. yay. It's so lovely to be home (crafting) in daylight hours! I have been SUPER productive. I've finished two big projects, which means my to-do list is, for the moment, complete! That has not happened in a good long while. I have been itching to do a fun project, and I wanted to get it done in time to take a picture during my precious daylight hours, but alas, when I finally finished the Really Cute Thing, it was just too dim. But sister and I had a fun jaunt down to the lake where we did some very artistic snow angels:

So I got to cross that one off my list too. Tomorrow (hopefully snow day #3) I will update on the Really Cute Thing. Stay tuned.

Back!

WOW! I knew I was neglecting my little blog, but I can't believe my last post was SEPTEMBER 14. Hmm. Let's just pretend I've been here all along, shall we? Mkay!

Here is something I was excited to post...um...two months ago? It is a craft fair apron. One really must have a specialized craft fair apron for the craziness that is Craft Fair. I made this out of one of those little tea towels I still had lurking on the shelf (remember this post?).

Pre-embroidery shot:Did I set the self-timer on my camera to take this picture? Yes, I did (nerd alert!).

Post-embroidery shot:I only had 2 craft fairs this season...thank God. I have been busy with Etsy orders and getting ready for Christmas - can it really be a week away??

Mission Birdie Sling: Accomplished!

Ok, this has nothing to do with birdies this time. Promise! I just completed Amy Butler's "Birdie Sling" bag...times two! One for me, one for Sis #2.

I truly believe everyone should have at least one Big Gigantic Bag. I have at least four in rotation. Ah...

Look What I Found

OK, back to last weekend for a moment. The sisters and I had an adventure in Spokane (I know--glamorous!!) with our aunties (also known as The Sisters - go figure!) Agenda:

1. Baby Shower:

Highlights: Tring to out-do each other with cute handmade items for Pearl (me-handmade blanket, Sis #1: hand-appliqued onesie, Sis #2: handmade burp cloths, onesies, Sis #3: hand-knit baby booties and mittens... are you jealous of my family yet?

2. Value Village:

Highlights: Trying to find sweet tooled leather belts with names engraved. Previous finds inlude "Norm" "Evan" and "Ethel." VV didn't have exactly what we were looking for, but leave it to the Aunties...they had just what I needed in their stash...

I am Molly Jeanne, you know.

3. Classy Racks. Not only is it what we have, it's where we went.

Highlights: One Very Fabulous red-and-green plaid polyester leisure suit, to be worn by Sis #1 at annual dress-up Christmas party. We all just about had a cat-fight over it.

4. Sunday Morning Estate Sale.

This was proclaimed by the Aunties to be one of The Best Estate Sales of All Time. If you knew them like I do, you'd know that that kind of statement coming from them carries a LOT of weight. We all found tons of treasures (they had to go back later because everything wouldn't fit in the car with all of us) but here are my finds:

Do you love?? Simply must hang out with Aunties more often!

Pearl is Here!

Speak of the devil! Little Pearl decided to arrive yesterday... 2 months early! She must have sensed how much fun her family is and couldn't wait to be out with us. What a suprise! I spent all day waiting for my mom to call with updates...and sewing 12 jewelry cases. Yeesh! Aren't they wonderful altogether though?

Waiting for Pearl

Did I tell you I'm going to be an auntie again? I'm not sure if you have experienced the pleasure of being and auntie, but it's just about the greatest thing in the world. Little Pearl is on the way, and we had a shower to celebrate her approaching arrival. I crafted a scalloped-edge blanket for her, another Amy Karol pattern!It was so much fun to make. I may have to make several more for my several friends who have had babies. See how I need to quit my day job?!

Another Little Bird

Oh hi again! It's been a busy couple of weeks getting ready for school...and now the first week is down! My time has largely been spent thinking about 7-year olds, not crafting, but I did squeeze out a few of these little birdie ornaments in the meantime...
The pattern is from this great book:
I also got Amy Butler's newest book:


I'm going a little crazy because I don't have the time now to spend all day every day crafting whatever my heart desires. Waaaaa! Even though I made a point to say every "I sure am enjoying every minute of this summer!" I still feel like I let it slip by too fast!!

I Feel Special

Look who's famous! It's me! My sis called today and said "Did you know you're on the front page of the Back to School Gift Guide?" Check me out! Props to my little lunch bag!

Back to School...Say it Ain't So!

As mentioned yesterday, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I will indeed have to go back to school. Soon. (tear) This has been the best summer EVER though! I think I will be ready to go back though. I miss the young-ins.

I have to really put forth effort to not dread the inevitable...so I thought, why not celebrate the new season? Time for a sale! Head over to my Etsy shop to browse through some items that will really get you (or someone you know?) ready to get back to school. Lunch bag? Pencil Case? New tote? I even found this super-cute apple fabric (above) that is so very school-ish. Look for it's green twin, coming soon!

Oh, and check out the Back to School Gift Guide on Etsy. Between this and getting a metric ton of new school supplies at Staples the other day, I'm full on riding a BTS high!

Did that enthusiasm sound at all convincing?

To-Do List Suddenly Empty!

Holy. Moley. (how do you spell that? moley? moly? -anyway-) Just finished my huge order...

Three weeks of FUN FUN FUN! Ha, can you sense my sarcasm? No for reals, it wasn't that bad at all....just SO nice to get that one crossed off the list. Lots of button sewing. Man, if school had only been in session...some second graders would be experts at sewing on buttons by now.
In other news, a custom order brought be back to my wallet-making days. No mistakes, start to finish! what what!

Yeah, so school starts two weeks from yesterday. So other than making these items, I have spent most of my time wallowing in self pity. Ha! kidding!

New Jewelry Day

Are you ready? Are you ready for this? New jewelry time! I think jewelry is my new favorite thing. Buying it, not making it (I don't have that in me). So here are two sweet jewelers to get excited about.

First we have Amy Sanchez of Dahlia. Oh. my. gosh. I met Amy at the Red Barn Summer Festival and I had to spend a good solid half hour looking and looking and looking at her awesome stuff! Amy finds cool vintage jewelry, buttons, etc. and revamps them to make new pieces. And so reasonably priced. L.O.V.E. Here is what I picked out from her booth...

Next we have another talented family member: my cousin Ann! She too has jumped on the Etsy train with her cool necklaces and earrings. Her shop is AWolfDesigns...go check it out! I picked out this one:

Hmm. May rename this post Please Help Me With My Bird Obsession. But entirely un-bird-related, how cute is this?

Why don't you go check both of their shops right now?

On My Desk...

Wednesday was On My Desk day, so here was my desk (yesterday):

Note the plethora of market bag straps (48 in all for a huge order!--not all pictured) and my computer screen displaying my 500ish hearts!! woo hoo!

I'm really sad because I took some pictures of an order I just finished and just realized most of them are blurry. ugh. Oh well, here is one that did turn out. More bridesmaid gifts! These are glasses cases. She also got matching lunch bags (from the ill-fated photos).

Can anyone explain why something is more appealing when there are several gathered together? Well, I might change my mind about that after sewing TWENTY FOUR market bags. can you say burn-out?

Found!

I am so inspired by the young lady at Those Round Things! She has just started her blog recently, and when she asked me if we could swap linkage, I was all over it. What a compliment! This post makes me even more antsy to get on some of the new ideas that have been bouncing around my head. If you have a little girl, definitely check out her etsy shop: Emi Belle Designs. And how stinkin' cute is her birdie pillow?
Hmm, do you think I like birds...just a bit? I think every post has a bird in it. Yikes!

busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy

Gaaaa!

I guess this didn't turn out to be the super relaxing summer I thought it would be! Not that I am complaining. I have been working at turbo-speed lately. I have been trying to get more and more organized in order to have a handle on this business when school starts again. It's crazy though...the organization is just as much fun for me as the sewing/creating!

But I HAVE been doing new things in the midst of maintaining order. What do you think of my new totes?

Most of these got snatched up at the festival last weekend...except this one:

Goal of the weekend: finish pending projects!!

To the Farm and Back Again

Hello! I have been a bad blogger. I was SO BUSY last week getting ready for the weekend's event! Show of hands: who is from eastern Washington? No, my dear Seattleites, eastern Washington is NOT Bellevue, nor is it Cle Elum. Sheesh! We're talkin' Almost-in-Idaho-Eastern-Washington. Ok, if you are still raising your hand, you really should educate yourself about Red Barn Farms. Red Barn Farms is a fantastic new place near Pullman, WA. Maybe I'm a little partial because my cousins own and operate the place, but I swear, even if I didn't know and love them, I would love this place. They have farm fun for everyone with their seasonal festivals. Music, food, activities for the kids, shopping...they have it all.

Hay Rides--how cute is that??

So I went with my suitcase-o-stuff and set up shop with my cousin Ann. It was awesome! We had a ton of fun listening to the great music and enjoying some good Palouse sunshine.

So: Eastern Washingtonians, AND you adventurous Westerners too...mark your calendars for October 11-12...for the Red Barn Farms Oktoberfest! More on this to come...

Stitch Witchery and Bad TV

Oh hi!

Yesterday I got to hang out with the neph. I brought my embroidery for nap time (how could I sit with nothing to do?). Three hours and 6 bad (by bad I mean deliciously addicting) TV shows later I had:

These lovelies will soon be appearing on items similar to this, made this morning:

Close up:

And one more thing--I just joined a Blog Game called On My Desk... Started on kootoyoo's lovely little blog. She says...

"On my desk... is posted on a Wednesday. It's just a shot of your desk & maybe a bit of banter. Let us know what you're working on or what interesting bits & pieces have crossed your desk during the week."

Sweet! I had to REALLY restrain myself from staging this shot to make it look more neat-and-tidy. Ok, maybe I tidied JUST a little bit. (yes, that is a church photo of my parents in the background, circa 1992).