Mail Goodies

I had a fun mail day yesterday. It was filled with goodies. Firstly, I had ordered some personalized woven tags for the items I plan to sell at the craft show. I ordered them online. They didn't quite turn out the way I wanted (I wanted the 'handmade by' to be in smaller font and the 'Sew Mo'' font to be larger and on a separate line), but what can you do? They are good enough.

Remember my post a few weeks ago with the link to a website that was giving out free swatches of fabric? Well the picture above shows what I received. Really, really, really, small swatches. I thought they would be a bit more generous (how naive of me). I just may find a use for them yet!

For H.H.

This is a picture of my handsome man and I. I have had a few comments regarding H.H. I thought I had better clarify that his name is really not H.H., it is Hector. I just like to call him H.H. It stands for "Hot Hector", but don't tell him I told you that...

Craft Show!

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't written in so long. It was a hectic week last week. So here is the official craft show poster. You are all invited! I know I have some readers from different parts if the world, but I wanted to share this with you! I'm really excited and nervous! What if nobody buys any of my stuff!?!?!? I have very low expectations. I will be happy if I make enough money to cover my entrance fee which is $25. I'm also anxious to see what the other vendors are selling. I have a feeling I will leave the show with some purchases of my own.

Hmmm- other than that, not much going on. I am excited for this weekend as I am off to visit some old friends. Can't wait!

Stay "Sassy"!

Isn't it cute?

I haven't been good at posting this week have I? It must be all of the nice weather we are having. I have also been busy at work which is a good thing. I just wanted to post a picture of the one of the bags I've been working on for the craft show. I have learned quite a few things in the process of making these. The most important - sew on snap closures prior to assembling the purse! Makes it a lot easier!

H.H. and I are dreaming about houses. We would really like to buy one. We went to view one last night. It was very cute, but so expensive! Real estate prices are crazy here! ~sigh~ we really need to do some research on this subject.

That's all for today. Short and sweet!

Assembly Line

I've been working on my little purses for the craft show in June. Remember the clutch purse I made a while back? Well I've revamped it and made it my own. Firstly, I found an easier way to construct it, secondly, I changed the shape of it and thirdly, I've added a handy little wrist strap that can be hidden inside the purse when not being used. I figured out the need for the strap after 'test driving' the purse.

I've been Tagged by Redheaded Snip it! This a first for me! Ok, so I'm supposed to tell you 7 random things about me. Here goes:

1) I am an introvert.

2) I love the smell of markers and gasoline (there's some weird randomness for you).

3) Autumn is my favorite time of year.

4) I love going to yard/garage sales - it is kind of like a treasure hunt for me.

5) I love old houses and hope to live in one (without any ghosts of course) - I think they have so much charm & character.

6) I was a lifeguard in my teen years.

7) I love listening to baseball games on the radio on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon- the sound always lulls me to sleep.

I now tag Slate Blu!

Done!

Well, after fooling around with the size - I am finally finished. I am always in between patterns sizes, which results in a bit of frustration. I think it turned out good though. This top will be nice when the hot weather comes - nice and breezy.

An extremely easy top to make, I only found the straps a little fiddly - they are hard to turn right side out once sewn. I think I'm going to make another one in a different fabric, but not until after the craft show in June - I have alot to do and only a month to do it!

Dublin likes the top. I can tell the way she spread out on it for her morning nap. I'm going to have to have a talk with her when I get home tonight. ~sigh~

Monday Morning

I am back from the country. What a nice Mother's Day weekend! The weather was a little bit chilly, but the sun was shining and that is all that really matters right? Mom got a handmade bag by me. She had mentioned that she would like one just like just like the one I made myself about a month ago: http://sewmo.blogspot.com/2007/04/bag-is-complete.html

Early Saturday morning Mom, Dad and I headed out to the annual town yard sale. There was lots to look at!

I bought three bottles of buttons for a total of 25 cents. Also bought an old handbag just for the handles (I will use for a new bag), this also cost me 25 cents! So all in all, I did pretty good, though I was disappointed that I didn't find more stuff to spend my money on.

There is a Mennonite community where we were. They were also enjoying the yard sales. You can see that the carriage above was just about full!
Kate: I took this picture for you, as I recalled a cake plate you found a while back. This cookie jar looks very similar. I wonder if this is from the same set? I would have bought it for you, but I didn't know if you would like it.

On the agenda this week: Finish the top I started, start on some bags for the craft show in June and take in some pants. Wow - that's a lot. I'll keep you updated on the progress...or lack of...

Lunch in China Town

Hi there. I spent my lunch hour in China Town today. I visited a few shops looking for bag handles. I found only one store that sells them and they have a very limited selection, but for all of you that live in Toronto, you can find them at "Plaiter Place" on the west of Spadina,between Dundas and College.

I pledge to visit Chinatown more often, especially this summer. There is such great stuff there.

Speaking of things to do this summer - I always have such big plans for summer. I get the summer 'itch' every year around this time. You know, when the first baby green buds appear on the trees, or when you catch a whiff of your neighbour's first BBQ of the season. This is when the itch starts tickling. I thought it would be good to list what I really would like to achieve this summer. If I write it down (or type it down in this case) I may actually do it:

1. Go to the beach at least 5 times (not including local city beaches - sounds easy, but I am an 2 hours away from any real beach)
2. Go camping (real camping as H.H calls it, without a car)
3. Rent a cottage for a weekend

4. Spend more time outdoors
5. Maintain some sort of tan - my mother says I am too white in the summer (quote "Did you get any sun this weekend? Your father and I spent the whole day on the beach and we are as brown as berries!" - ok, where did that phrase come from and have you ever seen a brown berry? shish!)

6. Go on a spontaneous road trip

7. Enjoy more sunsets
8. Eat more ice cream
9. Live in the moment
10. Spend more time with the ones I love, whether it be family or friends, and strengthen those relationships

How is that? The last two points are a bit sappy and sentimental and I can hear my male readers groan as I type it - but these points are very important, I realize this as I get older.

That's my rant for today.

Happy Monday everyone. Hope your weekend was fun and exciting or nice and relaxing - or both - whichever you prefer. Mine was a little bit of both. The picture above was taken on Friday night. H.H. and I went out for a casual dinner and then went for a coffee on Queen Street. Nothing like a 'Mochccino' after a good meal. The carrot cake was for H.H.

I took the following pics as we sat in the coffee shop sipping our "delights".


On Saturday, we painted H.H's condo. It was looking pretty good when I left. I let him fend for himself on Sunday. My bike ride home was great. We had gorgeous weather on Sunday. What made the ride even better was all of the yard sales that I encountered. I stopped at a few. I was really well behaved though - I only bought these:

Pretty little glass bottles. I think they may be intended for holding wine or liquor, but I have decided to display them in my bedroom on the shelf above my bed...er....empty, with no liquor. I paid a total of $4 for both. I probably could have bickered with the lady, but I didn't. I think the price was reasonable, don't you?

Inspiration...

No - I didn't make these - although I wish I did! Aren't they great? They are "Baby Kimonos"! You can find the pattern at Martha Stewart.com! I plan to make one someday - I'm sure someone I know will get pregnant at some point.

The Gift that Keeps Giving

As you may or may not know, this blog has beem dedicated to my Mom. I've been thinking about it, and I think that my Dad should at least get 'a' post. So Dad - this post is for you!

About a year ago now, my Dad was at an auction (waaaaaaaaay out in the country where he now lives) and saw this sewing notion box/carrier (what-cha-ma-call-it?). I guess he thought that I would like to have it. So he bid on it and won it. When he gave it to me - I was just 'luke-warm' about it - you see, I wasn't sewing at this time. I didn't know what half of the items were, but now that I am sewing, I just love it!

It came filled with sewing notions - buttons, thread, needles, pins, pincushion....
...snaps and fasteners, hook & eyes, iron on patches, binding, roll tape, elastic...
My favorite find - little folded cards containing various pins, needles, etc. Weston Bakery is a Canadian bread company (I think they are Canadian). Anyway, I guess at one point, they would insert these cards into their bread bags for homemakers (like they insert toys in cereal boxes for kids)! I'm not sure how old these cards are, there is no date on them, but they must be a few years old. I can't see these sort of cards enticing today's working mothers to buy Weston Bread! Neat-o huh?

I also have some exciting news! I have signed up for a local craft show here in Toronto!!! More details to follow, but I will be busy sewing the next two months as the show is in June!

The Safety Owl

I feel like the Safety Owl in this picture - but, it is for my protection! I am all set now kids! I biked to work today and I must admit, I felt more assured with this contraption on my head. I believe that I may become a bicycle snob.

On another note - here are the pieces of a new project I am about to start. I have decided to live on the wild side and make a top (as opposed to all of the bags I've been making lately). I bought the pattern already - just need to choose from these different styles:

Oh! And the fabric was free! It was part of the 2 bags of free fabric I received a few weeks ago from Dorothy. Thanks again Dorothy!

~sigh~ I must get to work now. I wish I was at home sewing.

Images from Home

Good morning everyone. I thought I would post some pictures of the lovely roses I bought on Sunday afternoon. I love having fresh flowers around my apartment. Especially white ones. They are so fresh and clean looking - and they go with everything!

I am enjoying the little digital camera that H.H. has lent me. If were not for him - my blog would be very dull (thanks sweetie!). I think I'm getting the photography bug.

So I've been doing a little research on craft shows that happen throughout the city and I am thinking of contributing to one (if they let me). I'm a little nervous to do this though, as I am unsure if people would actually be interested in buying anything that I make. What do you think? Do you think it's a foolish idea? I think I should just go for it. What do I have to lose right?

Not much else to report today. Heading out to buy a bike helmet after work, as I got a little nervous biking home yesterday in 5 o'clock traffic.