November Dress & Craft Fair Stuff

Happy Saturday everyone!  I've been super busy the last few days, but slipped away from my studio long enough to get my haircut, grab a cup of coffee and a sweet from Panera and send out this post.  I feel so far behind in what I want to get done for the upcoming craft fair, but I HAD to get my hair done and who can resist a great cup of joe and a chocolate pastry?  Not me! 

Anyway, first is a photo of my November Paper Dress for the Alice and Camilla 2010 Dress Challenge.  Actually, it is a gold and off-white silk fabric that I have adhered to paper.  I embellished the dress with gold and red sticky trim and then I created a sort of "train" for the bottom of the dress.  I'm pleased with how it turned out, especially since this is only my second dress. 

Sort of looks like a bowling pin now...post editing in Photoshop huh?

Next, is a photo of just a few of my wares I hope to sell at the craft fair next Saturday.  I am doing make-up bags, key "fobs," and fabric flower clips (not shown here).  I have never sewn for quantity before.  I am sure I am not stream lined like a lot of other crafters!  I am also positive I shall definitely be diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome when I have finished this fair!

A second pastry might make me feel better right?

Toodles for now!

Angela

Blink: It's November!

First Ever Pumpkin Pie!

I hope everyone had a terrific Halloween!  It is always such a crazy night in my neighborhood!  My neighbors know how to celebrate Halloween...driveway fire pits, hot dogs, adult beverages (for moms and dads only), spooky decorations, and everyone is in costume!  I think the neighborhood secrets are out because I'm pretty sure I saw kids getting out of cars and running up to the houses.  Clearly these kids are from other neighborhoods!  I actually stayed at our house for about an hour giving out candy.  I saw some really unique costumes besides the usuals...Woody from Toy Story, Hannah Montana, and lots of lady bugs this year! 

 Now that Halloween is over, you know Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it!  I just can't believe how quickly October came and went; I literally think I just blinked and the month was gone!   November always flies by for me.  Both my daughters' birthdays are in this month.  Thanksgiving Day is in between!  Speaking of Turkey Day, did you notice my pumpkin pie?  Although I fancy myself a fairly decent baker,  I have never actually made a pumpkin pie before!  I made two Saturday and they turned out perfect, if I say so myself..which I am!  Maybe this is a sign that I will be ready for the Holidays before the day before!  Nah, probably not..who am I kidding? 

Besides the pumpkin pies (and overeating), I also managed to complete my laptop bag using the owl fabric I bought a few weeks ago.  I am really pleased with how it turned out.  What do you think?  (Pretend you don't see that the owls on the flap are upside down).

My laptop fits perfectly inside.  I've padded the bag just by using thick interfacing on both the outside and lining fabrics and not actually quilting it.  It works.  The only issue (besides the upside owls), is that I didn't sew any inside or outside pockets for storing any computer accessories, most importantly a power source.  I didn't really think that through, I guess.  Next time, I will definately sew in some pockets! 

To all you stampers, mixed media artists, and paper crafters:  what you do is hard!  I finally finished all 12 ATCs for the 12 Days of Christmas ATC Swap.  I can't believe how hard it was to:

 A. Come up with an idea for "A Partridge in a Pear Tree (yes I thought of sticking David Cassidy's head in  a  pear tree)

 B.  Carry it out! 

Have a look at a couple of the final cards:

What do you think?  I bought the tree and bird stamp, which, I thought was kind of cheating, but soon realized stamping really IS NOT easy!  I also bought some distressed Stickles? ink, which I used to glitterfy the bird.  Again, not as easy as one might think.  I hand colored the pears with a paint pen and I glued the music and glittery stuff on the top and bottom.  What you can't see is that I used shimmery paper.  I will be sending my cards to Wendy in the mail and she will distribute them among the swappers.  I can't wait to see all the swappers' cards.  I am sure they are all going to be great!   

Have a great day!  I hope to see you for Wednesday Wonderisms!  Until then, toodles!

Angela

My New Bag!

Hello crafters!  It seems like forever since my last post!  I have been sooo busy I've hardly had time to change my clothes!  And you wouldn't believe the state of my house, let alone my hair!  Anyway, on a postive note, I am one kid closer to another "project" room!  In other words, another kid gone away to college this weekend means I am down to two kids away from expanding my studio!  Of course now my hubby has plans for that particular bedroom!  We'll just see who wins out in the end!  Two more years and that room is mine!  In the words of Gordon Gekko, "Greed is good." (just kidding).

In between family goings on and work, I haven't gotten to my sewing projects!  However, I do see some light at the end of the tunnel...at least until soccer starts...and I will get in my studio and finish my in - progress works at least!  In the meantime, I received a purse in the post from JRae Designs!  To celebrate the opening of her Etsy store, Jill held a drawing for one of her handmade bags and I won!

JRae Designs

JRae Designs

Pretty awesome huh?  I love the YoYos!  I sew want to make those!  I also love the fabric combination!

Toodles for now!  I'm going to try to sneak in some surfing before bed...if I can keep my eyes open!

P.S. Can you identify Gordon Gekko?  A hint:  A 'like totally like rad' reference to the 1980s...

An ATC, A Win, and Paying It Forward

Anna's Orange ATC

Hello All.  Just a quick Sunday evening post to share a few photos of the gorgeous ATC I received in the mail late yesterday.  My swap partner this month is Anna from Frosted Petunias.  The Blissfull ATC Swap theme was "Orange."  Honestly, I struggled with this theme, but Anna obviously did not!  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I'm sorry my photos just don't do it justice.  Anna sent the ATC tucked inside a beautiful handmade card.  I'm actually not suprised because Anna's blog is truely spectacular.  I've seen some of her work, including some fantastic little paper dresses.  I am so intrigued by these.  I definately want to try making some of my own!   As for the ATC I made for Anna, I sent it Friday, so she should get it early this week.  She'll post it when she does, so check out her blog (and her awesome works) and look for it.

Anna's card

I also want to share that I am a winner!  I'm nice, and darnit people like me...No.  I really AM a winner!  I won a great purse from JRae Designs!  Jill has recently opened an Etsy Store and celebrated by having a giveawayand I won!  Yeah for me!

One last thing...I discovered a great lady the other day at The English Country Garden...In Bags who is doing a PIF.  A PIF is Pay It Forward!  I'm participating in Sammy's PIF by posting about it here as well as  committing to give away a handmade gift to three readers.  It works like this...Sammy will give me, along with two others, a handmade gift.  I will give a handmade gift to three readers.  The other two readers that recieve Sammy's gifts will also give items to three of their readers...get it?  So here are the "official" rules:

 1. The first 3 people to visit my blog & leave a comment here on this post saying they want to participate will receive a homemade gift from me. You are allowed 1 year (according to the rules) in which to send out the gift.  (It will not be that long for me, however)


2. You must have a blog of your own to participate in the PIF.

3. You must post about the PIF on your blog & you must offer the challenge of a PIF.

By accepting my PIF, YOU agree to host a PIF on your blog, you will agree to send a homemade gift (within 1 year) to the first 3 people who sign up on your blog to participate in your PIF & so it continues.

Sounds fun huh?  Plus, you will actually be promoting Handmade.  Cool right?  So, leave me a comment and mention you want to participate in the PIF and POOF, you're in!
 
Thanks again to everyone regarding the Rewind Week.  I really had a lot of fun and am excited to do it again...this time Rewind 1940s!
 
Toodles for now!