christmas past

I can't believe that it is already December 30th.  I know everyone says that, the holiday always goes by so fast!  It was a fun Christmas day this year.  The kids just kept going and going.  We were able to just sit back and watch them have fun.

I thought I would share just a bit with you of what it was like around our house.



The kids decorated some cookies while I did some baking.  My husband is usually in charge of this activity because I would want totally take over.  They make such a mess and end up eating so much of the icing (who can blame them).  But, I love the end result, and so does Santa :)



The banister in my house is hung with care and my husband's own Christmas stocking.  This is the one that his mom made for him when he was a little boy (almost 50 years ago).  The one next to it I made when we were first married.  I put a vintage sparkly tree pin on it just yesterday.  And the stocking on the far left was also made by my mother-in-law for our first baby, who is now 10.  I strung the little button garland myself a few years ago.  It took a few nights to do, but I just love the little added color.

This picture I took just this morning.  It has been foggy here and I popped outside and this poinsetta looked like it was covered in glitter.  I looked closer and saw that it was a little morning dew.   I felt like it was just a little present from nature for me to see.  And now you too!  Happy New Year friends!!

time for a visit

I just posted a tutorial over at the Glitter and Grunge blog. I made a few of these magnets for my kids friends, and some lucky neighbors.  So if you still have some little gifties that you need to make, plan a visit and check it out!  And have yourself a merry little Christmas!

naughty or nice?

Nice of course!!  Are you still shopping, still crossing names off your list?  Me too!  I have been really good (I think) about shopping handmade this year, and making things myself for others.

If you are still looking for a little something for someone little, here are a few aprons for you to choose from.  They are $16. each.

This is a half apron made using a vintage tablecloth and trimmed with pink ric rac.  It has pockets and I also made a matching hot pad, intended for place use only.

A little Christmas apron.  I love using the pom pom's!  They just make everything look festive and fun!

I know this isn't the best picture.  We just got a new camera for my husband's trip to Grand Canyon, and I am still playing with it.  But this has been my most popular apron.  Everyone loves the scotty dog!  It even has a scotty dog button on the velcro closure and is lined with the same black polka dot as is on the ruffle.

I know this is a funny angle.  But I thought you could see the aprons colors better in this photo.

Each apron that I make is one of a kind and so much fun to create!  Beginning in January I will be making grown up size aprons, and will be hosting a new apron sewing class.  So, if you are interested in a sewing class, or would like to buy one of my three aprons that I have left, just email me: trottgirl@sbcglobal.net  UPDATE:  Scotty dog apron has been sold.

Merry Christmas and thanks for looking!

out and about

You know those spec cases that I had on my to do list?  Well I finished them and delivered them!  They turned out cute, all made from vintage tablecloths.  I just love that fabric!

And while visiting with the girls at The Tin Thimble they were unpacking a very special box, a big box filled with new Amy Butler fabrics.  Merry Christmas!  And just look at what I bought!



Aren't they just beautiful?  It was so hard to pick out just two of them.  Sharon and Emma also had all of the coordinating solid fabrics in the line to go with each print.  Which you really need, because Amy uses such unique colors in her fabrics it makes it difficult to find it any where else.



And isn't this wonderful!  They have more!  I only bought one yard of this great vintage piece of fabric.  Does it remind you of some of the new fabric designs?  Everyone gets their inspiration somewhere!  I don't even know what I will be making with this, but you know I can't pass up something so fun.  And you have to buy what you love when you see it because it might be gone tomorrow.



This is another vintage piece of fabric.  These are my two favorite colors.  It's paired up with another Amy Butler solid, making a great match!  This green solid didn't photograph very well and is actually the same bright green as on the bright green apple on the bottom right corner.



This is a fabulous piece of bark cloth that Sharon brought out to show me.  It was made to be used as a curtain panel.  I just love barkcloth, especially the florals like this one.  The colors are so funky!  I am getting quite a collection of these fabrics, that I am holding onto and waiting to find the perfect project for.



After all of that fabric shopping my girl and I had lunch out at Newcastle Produce.  The best place for local organic fresh produce and the best grilled cheese sandwich ever!  Then we walked over to see Jim Anderson and his antique junk shop.  A great place to visit where I always find something that I can't live without.  And this day was no different.  I bought the biscuit jar on the left for $9.00, and it's in great condition.  It did have a wicker handle on it, but I don't think it was the original one.  It seemed a little long so I took it off and it sits on my mantle a little better too.  All of these are marked "made in Japan".

You should plan a day of fun in Newcastle, California.  It's a cute town that remains untouched by the growth surrounding it.  And has a lot of little spots for you to explore.

the girls

I had such a great time at Indie Sac.  Thanks to all of the girls (aka Amy, Lauren, Tamie, and Stacey) who helped make this such a successful day for all involved, the vendors and the shoppers.   It was a cold and foggy day, but that did stop anyone from coming out to support all of this handmade goodness and to support shopping local. Over 700 plus people attended!  And over a barrel of food for the Sac Food Bank was collected!   I even picked up a few cool gifts myself.  And made a crafty trade.  Such a fun thing to do!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/indiesacramento/pool/show/

Click above to check out all of the great photos.  And if you weren't able to make it... here are some of the cool crafters that I met.  I'm sure you will love them as much as I did!

Cori Crooks, Artist and writer

Nancy at Queen Puff Puff

Julie of Zuiliblu

Nicole of blue bicicicletta

Rain, jewelry designer

Tram Truong, photographer

free stuff

Are you looking for a good time?  Do you have a lot of holiday shopping to do?  This Saturday is Indie Sacramento!  Just the perfect place for you to be.  It is only $1.00 for admission with a canned or boxed food.  And kids under 12 are free.  And the fun continues!

Horse drawn carriage rides

Live music and choral singers

Free swag bags to the first 200 patrons

Craft activities for kids

Door prizes and more!

When:  Saturday, December 6, 2008

10 am - 6 pm

Where:  2409 J Street

Midtown Sacramento

p.s. to see more free stuff (swag) and raffle prizes visit the Indie Sac blog!

G&g aprons

Here are two of my cute half aprons, made for the December Glitter & grunge.  The first one is made using a vintage tablecloth.  I have also made a dress, coasters, and a specs case using this same fabric.  It has gotten around!



It has little pockets across the front for cooking utensils or craft supplies.  And it comes with a matching hot pad, made just for play, not intended for real kitchen use.  It is even all trimmed up with some pink ric rac, it's hard to resist!

The second apron is made using a vintage tea towel.  I just fell in love with these retro colors and the graphic nature of the design.  Someone even took the time to crochet the edge in blue.



It too has deep pockets across the front making it perfect to keep your spatula handy and ready to use.  I also made a matching hot pad, made just for pretend play!  The hot pad can be hung from the vintage button at the waist.

Have fun looking at G&g.  There are a lot of talented artists, and a great chance for some unique Christmas shopping!