First, a reminder that today is your last day to make a purchase from my shop and be entered into the "free bag" contest. And with that, wanted to let you know that I'll be removing several bags from my shop tomorrow to take with me to the scrapbooking retreat I'm going to this weekend. Apparently about half of the women going aren't big scrapbookers like the other 6 of us are so I'm hoping they'll prefer to spend their time drooling over my bags and giving me their money.
So, if there's something you've been watching, tonight's your chance:)
And while I'm thinking about it, I'll mention that I'm considering renting a beach house near where I live sometime this winter and organizing a scrapbooking weekend. Something in Cayucos or Morro Bay so I'm far enough away from home to not be surprised by the children. Roughly $200 for a two night stay with meals, scrapping space, and some goodies included. Send me an email (craftymamacreations@gmail.com) or leave a comment here if you think you might be interested so I can send you more details later. Jenni, Jen P, Shawn, Heather, and Connnie...you better be interested.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Migraines
Suck. I believe my right eye might just fall out of my head, it hurts so bad. I've done coffee, water, excedrin, ice, heat, hot bath, nap (really just resting my eyes, I can't ever turn off my thoughts long enough to relax and nap). I've even managed to turn down Bella's volume for the last hour or so but that hasn't helped.
So, no new listing this afternoon but if I can shake the pain, I'm hoping to sew tonight.
And, I gave in and ordered some Pop Garden fabric from Jona at Fabritopia. I decided to make Bella a "first day at her new preschool outfit" and thought Pop Garden was the perfect collection. Of course, I bought 4 yards and will only use a small fraction of that on the princess so hopefully you'll all get a little break from the Garden Party bags next week and I can move on to a Pop Garden obsession.
So, no new listing this afternoon but if I can shake the pain, I'm hoping to sew tonight.
And, I gave in and ordered some Pop Garden fabric from Jona at Fabritopia. I decided to make Bella a "first day at her new preschool outfit" and thought Pop Garden was the perfect collection. Of course, I bought 4 yards and will only use a small fraction of that on the princess so hopefully you'll all get a little break from the Garden Party bags next week and I can move on to a Pop Garden obsession.
Monday, July 28, 2008
A new favorite
I know, I've been gone for a few days. Tater's 2nd birthday was last Thursday and we had lots of family in town for her party this weekend. So, I'm finally back to sewing and blogging for just a few days until I take Friday-Sunday off again this weekend to go on my first ever scrapbooking retreat!
This is absolutely my new favorite bag. This is the prettiest green ever and I really love the appliqued circle with the coordinating buttons. Cording straps give it another touch of uniqueness.
And I'm trying something new with my pics but I don't know if it's going to work out. I've always taken my pictures outside to take advantage of the natural lighting but I really do like the look of a clean, white background. Plus, I am determined to get one of my bags on Etsy's front page Treasury and I've noticed most of the bags there are usually on white backgrounds. I think my bags are just as good, and sometimes better, than Treasury bags I've seen so I'm going to make sure I'm showcased there someday. In fact, I think the fabulous bag above totally deserves to be on the front page and seen by every Etsyer in the world:)
Are you tired of seeing Garden Party bags? I just ordered a bunch of Pop Garden and Bijoux and I'm kicking myself. I had planned to order from Jona at Fabritopia but ran across a 10% off coupon on Heather Bailey's blog and since Jona didn't have it in stock at the time, and Heather designed it and all plus called it an "Early Bird Sale", I thought it would ship from her sooner. Not so. Freakin Jona got it in stock two days later and my order from Heather Bailey won't ship until 8/14. I guess the "early bird" reference was for her new shopping site. What in the hell am I supposed to work with in the meantime?! I do have some custom orders to finish but I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Jona gets Farmer's Market in soon or I may find myself uninspired and more irritated than I am now.
As the month comes to a close, I'll give you one more reminder about July's promo. Every purchase qualifies you for a chance to win a free bag. So get to shopping!
This is absolutely my new favorite bag. This is the prettiest green ever and I really love the appliqued circle with the coordinating buttons. Cording straps give it another touch of uniqueness.
And I'm trying something new with my pics but I don't know if it's going to work out. I've always taken my pictures outside to take advantage of the natural lighting but I really do like the look of a clean, white background. Plus, I am determined to get one of my bags on Etsy's front page Treasury and I've noticed most of the bags there are usually on white backgrounds. I think my bags are just as good, and sometimes better, than Treasury bags I've seen so I'm going to make sure I'm showcased there someday. In fact, I think the fabulous bag above totally deserves to be on the front page and seen by every Etsyer in the world:)
Are you tired of seeing Garden Party bags? I just ordered a bunch of Pop Garden and Bijoux and I'm kicking myself. I had planned to order from Jona at Fabritopia but ran across a 10% off coupon on Heather Bailey's blog and since Jona didn't have it in stock at the time, and Heather designed it and all plus called it an "Early Bird Sale", I thought it would ship from her sooner. Not so. Freakin Jona got it in stock two days later and my order from Heather Bailey won't ship until 8/14. I guess the "early bird" reference was for her new shopping site. What in the hell am I supposed to work with in the meantime?! I do have some custom orders to finish but I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Jona gets Farmer's Market in soon or I may find myself uninspired and more irritated than I am now.
As the month comes to a close, I'll give you one more reminder about July's promo. Every purchase qualifies you for a chance to win a free bag. So get to shopping!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wallet Watchin' Wednesday
My tip for this week is to look into your local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Good value and good food through purchasing a share in your local farm.
Basically, you buy produce directly from your local farmers and in many cases, it's either organic or pesticide free. Programs vary, with participants paying for an annual, quarterly, monthly, or weekly share. I'm lucky that mine is weekly so it's very easy to work into our budget and I'm not required to participate every week so I don't have to pay for a week that we won't use because we're out of town, etc.
I started participating in my local CSA last year and couldn't believe how much I got for only $14 a week. A HUGE box, about 30"x24"x18" packed full of pesticide-free produce. My hubs is big on supporting local commerce so buying from a farmer just down the hill from us is a bonus too.
You may also find that your CSA offers some fun family activities. During the summer, we can pick our own berries and in the fall, the kids can go scratch their names into a pumpkin skin and then find their pumpkin in the patch when Halloween rolls around.
Looking for a creative Christmas gift for a friend or family member? I think purchasing a weekly or monthly share on their behalf would be really unique and useful. Hopefully they'll get hooked and will continue to support their local farmers (can you tell my Grandpa was a farmer?) while doing something really healthy for their family.
And another sort of bargain to share...
I'm giving away a zippered pouch to Gretchen who left a comment on my "fascinating" post that made me laugh out loud. Finally, someone who knows even less about sewing than I do:)
"Oooo, those are gorgeous!! I never knew they could sew buttons on, but I've really only used one like twice in my life. Is there a way to make it sew a straight line by itself, because I can't even do that!" - Gretchen
Basically, you buy produce directly from your local farmers and in many cases, it's either organic or pesticide free. Programs vary, with participants paying for an annual, quarterly, monthly, or weekly share. I'm lucky that mine is weekly so it's very easy to work into our budget and I'm not required to participate every week so I don't have to pay for a week that we won't use because we're out of town, etc.
I started participating in my local CSA last year and couldn't believe how much I got for only $14 a week. A HUGE box, about 30"x24"x18" packed full of pesticide-free produce. My hubs is big on supporting local commerce so buying from a farmer just down the hill from us is a bonus too.
You may also find that your CSA offers some fun family activities. During the summer, we can pick our own berries and in the fall, the kids can go scratch their names into a pumpkin skin and then find their pumpkin in the patch when Halloween rolls around.
Looking for a creative Christmas gift for a friend or family member? I think purchasing a weekly or monthly share on their behalf would be really unique and useful. Hopefully they'll get hooked and will continue to support their local farmers (can you tell my Grandpa was a farmer?) while doing something really healthy for their family.
And another sort of bargain to share...
I'm giving away a zippered pouch to Gretchen who left a comment on my "fascinating" post that made me laugh out loud. Finally, someone who knows even less about sewing than I do:)
"Oooo, those are gorgeous!! I never knew they could sew buttons on, but I've really only used one like twice in my life. Is there a way to make it sew a straight line by itself, because I can't even do that!" - Gretchen
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tweet, tweet
A couple of little Garden Party birdie bags. I guess I need to find a different applique design since we've already established that some of you are anti-birdie. Cough, cough, Shana, cough.
Still totally in love with this Garden Party line and I'm considering making myself a top out of the fabric if I can find a pattern that's easy, flattering, and guaranteed not to turn my beautiful fabric into a trash can worthy project.
Still totally in love with this Garden Party line and I'm considering making myself a top out of the fabric if I can find a pattern that's easy, flattering, and guaranteed not to turn my beautiful fabric into a trash can worthy project.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Fascinating
I've mentioned before that I don't really know how to sew. I just have learned to make some great bags. If you've doubted me, you'll be convinced at my lack of ability when I tell you that I just learned that my sewing machine can sew on a button for me. Fascinating! I think this is something most machines can do but it was news to me...and apparently, not news to Crafty Papa. Here was our conversation this morning:
me: Steve! Did you know my sewing machine can stitch on a button for me?! Not a buttonhole (which I just learned to do a few weeks ago), a real button! Stitches it right on!
Steve: Yeah.
me: (Pointing at the button on this bag and shaking it in his face) No, I don't think you understand, it actually stitches the button right on for you. Like, you set the button on, and then it stitches. This button right here, do you see it? My machine stitched it on. Are you looking? Do you see it?
Steve: Yeah. I think I knew that.
me: Oh. Ok.
I guess this is what I should expect from a man whose mother is an expert seamstress, but still, disappointing.
Anyway, here is the fabulous bag with the machine stitched button. I LOVE it! Love the fabric, love the shape, love the button. Buy it now, it's stunning in person! And, don't forget that you'll be entered to win this month's free bag give away:)
I'm working on another Garden Party purse featuring an adorable dotted birdie applique. But, I gave up sewing this afternoon to watch "Becoming Jane" (wonderful, by the way) instead so I'll have to get motivated to finish the birdie bag later tonight.
me: Steve! Did you know my sewing machine can stitch on a button for me?! Not a buttonhole (which I just learned to do a few weeks ago), a real button! Stitches it right on!
Steve: Yeah.
me: (Pointing at the button on this bag and shaking it in his face) No, I don't think you understand, it actually stitches the button right on for you. Like, you set the button on, and then it stitches. This button right here, do you see it? My machine stitched it on. Are you looking? Do you see it?
Steve: Yeah. I think I knew that.
me: Oh. Ok.
I guess this is what I should expect from a man whose mother is an expert seamstress, but still, disappointing.
Anyway, here is the fabulous bag with the machine stitched button. I LOVE it! Love the fabric, love the shape, love the button. Buy it now, it's stunning in person! And, don't forget that you'll be entered to win this month's free bag give away:)
I'm working on another Garden Party purse featuring an adorable dotted birdie applique. But, I gave up sewing this afternoon to watch "Becoming Jane" (wonderful, by the way) instead so I'll have to get motivated to finish the birdie bag later tonight.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Retro Apron
I got a custom order for an apron using the same fabrics that Tonya used on the apron she made for me. I'm happy with how it turned out and am debating making a few to sell in my shop but I think the price might be too high. I would need to sell them for $30-35. Would you buy one?
Oh, and I cut my head off in the pics because I was without shower, hair, or makeup and looked particularly gross.
Do you see my huge tomato plants in the background? And the gnomes laying on the ground behind me, trying to look up my apron?
Oh, and I cut my head off in the pics because I was without shower, hair, or makeup and looked particularly gross.
Do you see my huge tomato plants in the background? And the gnomes laying on the ground behind me, trying to look up my apron?
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