Cool Christmas Ideas-Day 1

Christmas is coming way quicker than I am ready for. I'm a bit of a Grinch, not a great thing when you are a mom of two.  Anyway, today to try and un-Grinchify myself my boy and I made snowflakes and paper garlands.

After we were done I was informed by my 3 year old we need to have a party.  I guess with the snowflakes  and the garlands up it looks like party central.  Unfortunately that isn't going to happen, today anyway.

Well, while I was taping together paper strips and cutting pieces of white paper for snowflakes, I was thinking to myself "self what would be a cool gift idea for a boy who is extra special?".

I thought instantly of my friend Alex. Alex is a very skilled and talented artist.  He is owner of Pieces of Prehistory. Museum quality, actually better than, representations of fossils.  They are VERY cool. He has worked reconstructing bones and fossils for some very prestigious institutions including the Tyrrell Museum in Alberta and the University of West Virginia.  If you have a little Dinosaur Lover in you should really consider Pieces of Prehistory. And he has really cute cartoon dinosaur paintings not listed in his shop for your even smaller dino lovers. 

Rhamphorhynchus Wall Plaque - Museum Art

 

 

 

Let's Get Festive!

I have the JOY of being part of CalioJewelry's amazing treasury. In fact, it is the second treasury that she has put me in. As a thanks I would love you all to check out her shop(linked above).

Things have been happening.

Well First things first....IT'S A BOY!!!!. 
He took his time getting here, 8days late.
But boy was it worth the wait. He has all his fingers and toes and is 100% perfect.
He was 8lbs 10.6 oz and 21 1/2". Still can't quite figure out how I carried that much baby around.
Anyway, I'm now completely out numbered on The Car Farm. 

Second of all I"m still on my little break but let's be honest I haven't been relaxing.
I do have lots of product so if there is anything you want let me know.  I will still take orders I'm just not listing stuff on etsy at the moment, It takes to much computer time.  But I hope to be back at it soon once I have a schedule figured out.

Anyway I have to get back to making thanksgiving dinner while the baby sleeps and the boys are occupying each other. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Another little Hiatus.

With the new baby on the way I have decided to take another break. I have lots to do and very little time in which to do it.  That being said, I did make a new stuffed sock monster last night. Care to see him.

I love him! I think he even photographs well in bad light.

He could use a name. I was thinking Bucky. But  that seemed to geeky for his punk persona.  

Have any suggestions?  Let me know.  Honestly, I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with him. I just made him. 

Oh wow, this maybe be a busy break if I keep doing stuff like this.

I will keep you informed as to all the baby news.

For now, no baby.

Why Grandma's are GREAT---10 Reasons you should love Grandmas even if yours is a bit Quirky.

1.  More than likely she is a bit quirky. And well a little quirk helps the world spin.

2. She loves you.  Yeah, I know seems like an odd reason to love someone just because they love you, but really for the most part they love you despite your faults.

3. Most Grandma's will come to you defense even when your parents won't.  Or at least I would like to think they do.

4. They spoil you. One way or another.  Not always sure why. Especially when your a bratty little kid.  I guess it is to pay your parents back for being bratty little kids.


5.  They tell you stories about your parents that make you feel better about your parents.  You know the ones your parents wish you never ever heard.  Thanks Gramma!

6.  If you are lucky enough to have a Grandma around when you have your own kids you get to see a side of Gramma you never saw before. You get to see Your Gramma through your child's eyes.  Oh how my son love's my Grammas and I'm very lucky to say all mine are still alive.  So that means my son has Great Grammas and well aren't all of them "Great".

7.  They make things for you if the are handy/crafty if not they know people who are and get you really cool handmade items.  You know you love those crazy Christmas sweaters you get every year.  In my case I get cool afghans and when I was a kid hand made stuffed animals, sweaters and many other things!!

8.  They bake. Well mine do. I have my pleasant physique for a reason.

9.  Grammas teach you things. They are a wealth of knowledge.  There is something about how a Gramma teaches you that just sticks.

I stole this photo from my mom's blog.

10. They were once just like you(and for the most part still are): Rebels without a cause, to cool for school, geeks, jocks, hippy, beatniks, activists, nerds, goody goodies.  Your Gramma helped shape the world.  My one Gramma was a total fashionista. 

I just love my Grammas. I've been lucky....I have a few. And they have all been really good to me and have really helped me through years.
For this I thank you. I love you and Just wanted to tell you all how great I think you are.
Also, writing this little blog today I realize how few pictures I have of any of you. What is with that?? I think you need to send me pictures. I know you have some.

Why I love getting things in the mail...

because sometimes you get beautiful gifts like this!

This beautiful baby afghan came courtesy of my Gramma J.  I can't wait for the baby to come so I can use it. 

Thank you Gramma I love it and so will the baby!!

Brocantelux Fashion and Art Market

I'm happy to announce that coming this September 17th I will be participating in the Brocantelux Fashion and Art Market.
Although the timing may be a bit precarious, baby is due after all, I plan on it being a huge success.  I have to get in gear and really start sewing and making and crafting and creating.  But I know it can be done.
I would really love to see you there. So, mark the date on your calender with a great big start.  I do not think you will be disappointed. There is a great mix of artisans from around the Niagara region that will be there.
Like,  Azra Momin, who I will be sharing a table with because of the fact there may be a baby by then.  She is an amazingly creative artisan.  I may not be in attendance but she has gladly volunteered to help me out.  For that Azra I thank you more than I can say.
Check out the Facebook Page for some of the cool things that will be taking place during the market.

Can't wait to see you there.

NO I don't know what I'm having...

But I couldn't resist rocking out this onsie I picked up for a dollar.  I'm fast approaching the big day and seem to have baby on the brain. Much to the chagrin of my boy and his dad. Oh well, anyway here is my latest in a long line of baby creations.

Mom's Birthday Gift.

I made this Market Bag for my Mom's birthday.

I have been waiting for it to arrive. I was praying she would like it.

Guess what. SHE DOES!!!

Phew***wipes brow***

My mom asked why on earth I would think she wouldn't. My reason well it's just a bag.

She said it was a complete surprise and she had no idea I could crochet that well. 

Thanks mom.

Anyway thrilled she likes it. 

And if you would like one let me know it will take about 2-4 weeks to complete and cost you about $60.00 But it will be well worth it, if you trust my mom. I make them out of cotton so that you can wash and abuse it.  Just let me know the colour.

Fabric Labels-- A La Handmade!

This simply had to be one of the most rewarding projects I have done. Why? Because it makes my little business feel a bit more legitimate.  And it was easy!

Want to make your own fabric labels for your projects?

 Here's how. 

First you need to gather your materials.  What you'll need:

• Cotton twill tape(the width will depend on how you want to apply them to your work, as well, as the size of your logo)
• Iron-on T-shirt transfers.  ( I used Avery, but you can use any brand you like. as long as it is for cotton or the material you want to use)
• You'll need access to an ink jet printer  and label making software. I used the return address label making function through my word program.
• An x-acto knife
• Straight edge of some sort
• An iron

• and stop fray. This is optional but really helps give a nice finished look and helps prevent the tag from fraying.

 First, you need to design your tag. I went simple. Just the name in a simple script similar to my business cards.

Then you need to print you tag design onto the transfer. DO NOT FORGET to print them in the reverse. On my printer it is called mirror. This way once you iron them on they will be the right way!

After you print your sheet you'll need to cut out your tags so that they can be applied to the cotton twill tape.

Then comes the ironing. Iron your transfer onto the tape. I suggest doing a dummy run just to make sure you like the positioning before you make up a bunch and realize you put them in the wrong spot. 

Once that is all said and done do your final trimming and apply the Stop Fray. 

And voila!! You have made beautiful professional looking tags for your products.

You could also use this method on fabric remnants you have giving your tags a unique and fun feeling.  Either way experiment and find a look that fits you and your brand.

Sewing Machine.

I love sewing. For some reason, sewing does not love me. Well, my machine that is.
I borrowed a friends machine and it also does not like me either. I'm afraid it may be me.
I'm trying very hard to get this problem resolved so I can finish the sleeves with the best quality possible.

Sorry to anyone who is waiting for one. I promise I will have them done as soon as I can without compromising the product.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

New Fabric for Cozies!

      

I found these very cute fabrics with the help of Kat Lantz of Sassmowth Designs.  She has to be my best customer. WE met up yesterday and she took my entire stock of smaller coffee cuffs. She has one of my cuffs and uses it everyday. People are always asking were she got it. Instead of telling them to go to my site, She will  now  be selling them on the spot for me and giving out my cards. You know what that mean??? I had better get sewing.

Thanks Kat for all you help.  And don't forget to visit her site. 

I'm off to go sew!!

Here is the sleeve I made for my mom. She loves it. Finally, she was able to send me a picture without her computer crashing.

I hope you all enjoy it. 

This shows how customizable the sleeves can be and how different each one is.  

Made a custome sleeve for my mom. Guess what! I forgot to take a photo.  Sheesh. So, maybe if I ask mom nicely she will take a photo for me.

"Mom, will you please take a photo of your coffee sleeve for me!!"

"Thank you!!"

Listed!!!

Finally have some listings up and... made two more cuffs that includes designing and making applique . Phew! All that in crazy hot weather with a sick munchkin on my hands.

**UPDATE** This particular sleeve sold!!!! I suggest you get your favorite one while you still can. NO two are exactly alike. They may be similar but not identical. 

Some Photos...Sort of. Finally!

I would like to introduce to a portion of my new product line. 

I hope you will enjoy it like I do!

If you see anything you like and would care to purchase it, Message me and I will be more then happy to get you the one you like. And if it is gone, I will make you one that will be uniquely yours!!

Okay, so no product shoot.

I got called into work and am now working the whole weekend.  Got to love long weekends and unreliable coworkers. Anyway, Soon I promise!

Getting the gears moving.

Doing a product shoot today. Hopefully everything will be up and running full steam by the end of the weekend!!!