Happy Birthday Shanna!

Today is my good friend, Shanna's birthday! Happy Birthday my sweet, southern friend! She is a major bag-aholic so I usually make her a bag for her birthday. But I decided to do something different this year and make her jewelry. I figured fun jewelry is one of those things a mama likes but doesn't always have the budget to buy for herself.

So, here's what I made for Shanna...

I LOVE it! I so wanted to keep if for myself but it's better to give than to receive, blah, blah, blah. And anyway, I'm working on a little something for myself already.

A few months ago, my friend Lena and I did a gig at an art gallery. There was a lady selling beautiful vintage jewelry necklaces. For hundreds of dollars. As I was contemplating selling an internal organ to raise the money to buy one, Lena told me I could totally make that myself. And, she pointed out that I could use my grandma's costume jewelry as the center piece of the necklace. So, I've picked out my earring to alter and purchased the necessary beads. Now all I need is to light a fire under Crafty Papa so he'll solder my jump rings onto the earring back. Hopefully, I'll have a finished product to share with you in the next week.

Rejection

I think I've mentioned before that Matea isn't exactly my biggest fan. She likes to hang out in the craft room, attempt to sever a finger tip with my sharp sewing machine needle, and is a lint rolling fool. But she doesn't wear anything I make for her.

So, I decided to confiscate all of my items created for her with tender loving care and hope that some other little girl out there will appreciate them.

First is a size 18 or 24 month lot with 4 items. $15 for remaining lot
-Red and cream feedsack print apron top, buttons in the back
-Alexander Henry jungle peasant dress SOLD
-Brick red floral peasant top
-Elmo two piece set with button apron top (pants are actually a size 2t but run small)

Next is a two piece owl twirl set, size 2t-3t. $15 SOLD

All items have been worn only once and are from my smoke and pet free home. Email me at craftymamacreations@gmail.com if you're interested in anything.

Wait, is that a new bag?

Why, yes. Yes it is. It's been forever since I've made a bag. Well, weeks. But it feels like forever. I don't really have a good excuse except that lack of sales is unmotivating. Demotivating? Antimotivating? I don't think any of those are real words. Anyway, you should buy it and un-unmotivate me. Or de-demotivate me.

Wait, and that's not all. I also listed two more zippered wristlets. I guess blue is this week's theme, huh? I'm thinking red, cream, and brown for the next bag. Stay tuned.

ETA: So, immediately after I posted, one of the wristlets sold. But trust me, it had blue in it. Now the blue one and the green one you see in that link above sort of just makes the "blue theme" statement confusing.

Texas Sarah

I don't even know if you live in Texas. But I call your sister "Texas Kristi" (not to her face, and I've only seen her actual face once so it's not even really an issue) so you'll be "Texas Sarah". Anyway, some skirt patterns for you. I haven't tried any of these yet but they're on my list of things to do when business is slow and I need a project for myself. Hmmmm, seems like now is that time:)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21802999
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2006/09/craft_podcast_pattern_fitzpatt_1.html
http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/07/5-minute-skirt.html

Reason #7 Why I Don't Deserve a Nice Machine

My mom was nice enough to upgrade me from the Saturn of sewing machines to the Cadillac sometime last year. It was supposed to be an early birthday and Christmas gift but I distinctly remember getting gifts for both of those events last year so bonus for me I guess. Thanks mom!

Anyway, we've already been over some of the reasons why I shouldn't have a Cadillac. Had never sewn a button hole, thought Coats & Clark was good thread, no idea a machine could so on a button. Now I present a new reason.

We were going to Morro Bay last Saturday which is about 40 minutes away and happens to be where my machine dealer/servicer is located. I had been having some issues with the thread breaking, bobbin getting all wacky, fabric bunching, etc. In short, I decided the timing was slightly off. So, I take my machine in, share all of this with Rob, the service guy. He says he'll take a quick look at it. Here's my inner dialogue.

Rob: Before you leave it here, I'm going to take a quick look to make sure it isn't something as easy as the bobbin being in wrong or wound incorrectly or something like that.

Me: (Dude, I'm not an idiot. I think I know how to put in a bobbin)

Rob: Oh look, the bobbin is in backward. That might be causing your problem.

Me: (Crap, how did I put it in backward? I must have been distracted. Crap.)

Rob: So, here's how you put it in. See the six? Always clockwise. See, it's going clockwise.

Me: (*%$#! That's not how I've been doing it. Wait, I've been putting it in wrong this whole time?! No, I had to have been doing it right at first and then somehow changed. Crap! I am an idiot. Do I tell him now or let him keep going? He'll know, I should just tell him.)

Rob: See, I'm testing it now with the bobbin in correctly and it's sewing perfectly.

Me: Yeeeeeaaaaaaah, I'm pretty sure it was the bobbin. I think I can just take my machine and go now. But first, lets talk about what I'm probably doing wrong with my serger.

So, all in all, not a great feeling. Even as I admitted my mistake in the shop, I was still questioning whether I could have been getting it wrong for months. I was convinced that when I got home and played with it, I would realize that I just looked at it incorrectly in the shop and I really have been doing it right, just differently. Not so much.

Wednesday Steals and Deals

I'm thinking I might make this a new thing. Every Wednesday, drop one or two items to a fantabulous price. Maybe I'm just in a good mood today. Anyway....

This hostess apron dropped from $24 to $15 (hey, mother's day isn't too far away, or teacher appreciation week, or an Easter gathering you're going to and you were looking for a hostess gift)





















And this roomy, boxy bag dropped from $38 to $25. Twenty-five! Viente cinco! (that's the only other language I kind of know)

Question

Wristlets.












Do people really use these? Anyone? Anyone?

ETA: So, I just made one and listed it. I couldn't quite understand the appeal but then when I was wearing it for a picture, I think I "got" it. It's just simple and streamlined. I think I made mine a tad bigger than most (that's what I get for jumping in without researching) but I have a big mama wallet and wanted it to be at least large enough for that.