Weekend Sewing

Despite the oppressive heat that zaps my motivation for all things creative, I did manage to squeeze in a little sewing this weekend.  And, although it actually was the weekend while I was sewing it was also from the book Weekend Sewing  that I made these little goodies. 

I actually had a little bag like this when I was a young girl.  My mom recently gave it to me with some other baby things and told me I carried all of my things around in it.  The drawstring bags I made this weekend are for my suitcase.One will most likely be for my "ropa interior" or undergarments and the larger for dirty clothes.  It beats the plastic shopping bag I usually throw in at the last minute. 

I also made a set for my good, good friend Ina who left for the US for two months.  I figured she would enjoy them on her travels.

As a side note, if you love to sew you absolutely must pick up Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything I have made from it!

Gettin' my knitting on.

I'm always inspired by stories I read of women who knit sweaters.  I think about how I would love to do that, but as a crochet-er I have always been intimidated by knitting because two needles seemed too much to manage.

My sweet, sweet grandmother taught me to crochet (and sew!) while spending afternoons at her house growing up.  I actually can't remember "learning", I can only remember "doing".  I have made countless crochet creations from scarves to baby blankets to the bikini I tried to make when I was eleven. I am a little embarrassed to admit this and happy to say it either never got finished or I got bored and moved on to something else. 

Nevertheless, as easily as crocheting came to me I never learned how to knit.  But, I have recently decided its time to learn.  It might be because I am just kind of ready to learn a new thing or that I am about to move from the Caribbean to Vermont and it sort of "fits".  But, whatever the reason I am making it happen.  I have one practice ball of cotton yarn, my trusty Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework (gifted from my other grandmother who was a quilting genius) and some hand-me-down needles from my mom, who never taught me how because she is a leftie and I am not. I've been at it for a couple of weeks now practicing my stitches and I think it's going to be a new favorite activity.

I have some pretty blue yarn headed my way to make into a scarf from this pattern. And,  I have some yummy organic cotton yarn and a new set of bamboo circular needles waiting for me to make into this throw when I move back to New England in October.  Does this sound a bit too ambitious?  We'll see how I feel once I get into a real project after my practice run.

I'm finished...phew!!!

I have spent the better part of the last two months filling my very first custom order!  AND, I'm finished!!! I am actually waiting at this very second for Little E to wake up from his nap so I can deliver them. It feels kind of like the last day of school.  The order was for some very dear friends who are from Columbia and have lived in Santo Domingo for several years working with the teenagers at our church.  They are leaving for a 2-month respite in their home country before moving across the island to Santiago to start a new church.  They ordered 100 of my little notebooks to sell when they go home. The proceeds they make will go toward the new church. You might be able to see they had the logo of the new church printed on the inside pocket of the agenda.  It looks like a postage stamp and really is a very personal touch.

It was actually a fun project, although I am very glad to be finished.  I absolutely l-o-v-e what I do and the fact that this huge order was never once a burden or had me stressed out to my eyeballs is a confirmation of that.  My mind is swirling with little projects I have put to the side...flannel jammies for Little E for when we move (which include a pair in a sock monkey print), a re-worked idea for one of my items, headbands from some scraps I have, finish reading Pride and Prejudice, (oh yeah) and pack to move back to the states.  You get the idea. 

But, first I think I am going to drink a glass of iced tea and r-e-l-a-x!

Many thanks...

Muchissimo gracias to my friend Britney Burge who designed my blog and got me all set up!  I wouldn't be online at this moment without her help! 

My first custom order!

I am so excited (and a little overwhelmed) that I have my first custom order...100 notepads!  Yikes!  That's definately the most of something I have ever made, even more than any of the customized sugar cookies Julie and I made in college! So, I'm off to work like a busy bee as I only have two months!  Pictures to come...

We're moving!!

We are moving back to the states in October!  Eric got a job at University of Vermont and we are moving to Burlington, Vermont.  We are so excited, even though it couldn't be any more different than here. It's hot here...cold there.  Noisy here...quiet there.  You get the idea.

BUT, what I am super excited about is that I can open an Etsy shoppe and sell my things online!!!!!  I can't do that here, since I can't ship to the US affordably.  So, this is definately something to work toward!

And, I'm thinking about all of the craft shows and flea markets I might be able to sell at once I'm back in New England.

My first items for sale.

It has taken me a good part of three months to get going and have things ready to sell. I was hoping to launch "Little Things" with a house party and invite friends and family over to view my new items.  But, between a family illnesses and our trip to New England in March it hasn't happened...yet.  I have, however, sold some of my items!  And, people are loving them!  I always feel self-conscious and a little vulnerable when people are looking at my things.  I guess it's how artists must feel when they show their work. I see all of the little flaws and hope that what I am making is something people will find useful and like.  Eric has reminded me that what I see as flaws are the unique characteristics of hand made items.  And, an unexpected by product of showing my things to friends has been a flurry of ideas.  I have so many new ideas for things I can make, but am limiting myself to the things I started making first to launch with.  The ideas are sketches in my journal and I'll be playing with them when I have some free time. 

So, here are some pictures of my first things:

I am making a notpad holder that has been a work in progress.  I played with it until I got it just right.  It's the right size for a small legal pad and has a pocket on the inside that is the perfect size for business cards or (get this!) post-it notes!  I am loving having this in my bag to jot down notes.

This is one of the fun fabric patterns I've been working with by Amy Butler.  This is a good shot to show you what I offer...key fob (my own personal one), eyeglass case (again mine) and Ipod holder.  I am making the Ipod holder in different sizes so people can use them for phones or MP3 players and can find one that fits their device.