indie mart friends

charissa at curly-cue designs

www.curly-cue.com

megan grove at mcg t-shirts & things

www.myspace.com/mcgtshirts

www.lucylambtail.etsy.com

and me!

thanks Renee for the cute lamp!

neat idea

The SF Indie-Mart is over. The location, a bar, smelled like a bar. Reminding me of a frat house. It was even dark inside. And a rainy day outside. Everyone was young and very cool. A lot of tattoos, piercings, and black hair. Yes, I did feel a little square (just like a suburb mommy should). And I had the best time! Everyone was so nice to me, and helped me find my place. There were 40 vendors there, almost all handmade. It was fun to see what everyone else makes. A lot of it having to do with feathers. And a bunch of other stuff I did totally love.

I only saw three babies and I had to stop each mommy to say hello. The people who came to the Indie-Mart were ready to shop and buy. My blankets were the top sale of the day. There were cheap beers and bloody mary's to be had. Although I did not partake, I thought, what a great way to shop! Maybe coffee and a scone would be more my style!

Ok the San Francisco Indie-Mart was a good time. Will I go again? Maybe during the San Francisco summer.

the challenge

I am still sewing from pillowcases! I went to bed last night thinking what I could make from pillowcases. I even went to the Lincoln thrift store and bought two more pillowcases. $1. each. Great 70's color. This is kind of fun, making new things out of a specific item. It's like being at school and have a special homework assignment. Only this one is for extra credit!

the pillowcase challenge

Yes, I joined the challenge. I had a few pillowcase items already made. But, I'm not sure that they qualify because it's not made from 100% pillowcase materials. Like minky fabric and a t-shirt.

cuddle blanket

sweet dreams dress

So, yesterday I made an eyeglass holder (can also be used for phone or camera). It is made from two different pillowcases. The inner liner pillowcase fabric was a little faded, so I felt OK using that one, especially since it is in complimentary colors. The outer fabric is a pretty and obviously from the 60's or 70's with some little chartreuse flowers. And on the outside closure, I used a vintage fabric yo-yo and a vintage button. I think it is really cute. I'm actually giving to my mom for her birthday tomorrow.

Ok, so the pillowcase challenge has really got me going. I want to make something a little bit more elaborate than what I usually make. Something to challenge me! I even went to my local Lincoln thrift today and found two funky vintage pillowcases for $1. each. Love it! What luck, huh! They are now upstairs in my laundry room getting all nice and clean. What shall I make next? Part of the fun of this challenge is that I can submit more than one item. Wish me luck!

addiction

I am addicted to British television. With no new shows on TV and now we have some new AT&T U-Verse (whatever that is, that Jeff got installed). I have been searching out new channels to watch. And there really are too many! I can only really remember the kid channels. Until I finally found one that I luv. Every week night for the past two weeks at 10:00 p.m. I have been watching BBC America and this great show "Coupling". We have figured out that it is the British version of "Friends". Which I was also a huge fan of from day one. But British comedy is so different and funny. Plus they use different words for sex than we do. I heard "snog" used recently. And the accent is always great, they sound so posh! Which always make the guys look cuter than they actually are.

My other "British" addiction hasn't been going on as long. PBS is showing Jane Austen, Sunday nights, Masterpiece Theatre. The first week I watched "Pride and Prejudice" and last night was "Northanger Abbey". I can't remember what's coming next. I think it's about a young girl with little money and some guy that eventually falls in love with her despite some earlier misunderstanding. They are so fun to watch, even though I know what's going to happen (yes, I used to read). I don't know how many they will be doing. But what a great way to start the week, unrequited love, sleeping with a guy that has no intention of marriage, a little innocent romance.

toys

Wolverine doll house, made in Booneville, Arkansas

Molly's birthday was in August. She wanted a hello kitty party of course. We ended up doing a family party at home. I really like having those. I think our kids have so much stuff already and don't really need more. So family days really are the best. A day out doing whatever they want, they choose the dinner, and then the hello kitty cake!

I also try to buy them something that isn't new. Something from the junk shop, or thrift shop. Finding a vintage toy is the best. I have been quite good at doing this lately and if I find something really wonderful I buy it and hold on to it until the special day comes.

This year Molly finally got her doll house. This one I have had for awhile. It has been in storage on the top of my fridge. So she has seen it up there and knew that it was for her. But on her birthday morning it was down stairs all set up with furniture and a family all ready to play with. I like having it out all the time now. It is part of our own home decor.

The doll family even has a birthday cake. I borrowed it from Kelly, Barbie's little sister. Another collection!

Ohio Art boat-the first in a new collection for Q

monkey'in around

I just finished the cutest gift set. Thank you Judith for your order!

I love this sock monkey fabric. Moda has been making this pattern in different patterns for a few years now, and I have never bought it. But, something made me buy it this time. The first thing I did was make a little dress for Molly with a matching posie pin. And then this custom order came up, and what fabric did she choose, but the sock monkey fabric. I have used up pretty much all of it that I have and now I kinda think I need more!

One of my new year's resolutions was to use only the fabric that I already have. On day 5 of the new year, that did not work out very well. I spent almost $100. at the fabric store. And I do have a lot already! But, it wasn't all fabric. I had to get a new pair of scissors since mine went MIA. I think son #1 might have something to do with that. And I bought another book. I think that also has to be a resolution, no more new books until I make something from the ones that I already have. Fabric and books, my addiction.

My other resolution is to better organize what fabric that I already do have. That one will be easier to keep. I have a great storage spot in my garage that my husband put together for me. And I bought some plastic pull out drawers to put my patterns in and small sizes of assorted fabrics. I think I will have a spot in there for my magazines and books too.

My kids go back to school tomorrow! yah! Maybe then I can get some of this done, right?

what I've been up to

I decided to change the way I make things. I have always been making my katie jean things one at a time. I don't know why, probably because I'm a stay at home mom and it felt like that is what I could accomplish. But this past week I decided to stream line my process and try to make a bunch of one thing. I've seen this done but have never even thought of trying it. Well, I made six new blankets! Instead of making my usual one or two a day. Pretty cool huh? I thought so. And I even took a ton of pictures of them for my website. And now I have a whole new way of doing things. That is one of the things that I love about sewing and crafting, is being able to see what I've accomplished. It's not like cleaning house (which I am awful at doing) where things get dirty again. To have made something with my own hands, someone loves it and buys it, and then I move on to the next thing to make.

I also wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year! Thank you for your support of my business and your interest in handmade repurposed vintage. I love what I make and I am so thankful that you do to!