Sunday Stitches - So Cute I Can't "Bear" It!

It's so cute I can "bear"-ly stand it!!! I whipped this little hat up last night and now I am dreaming of creating many more. Can we just talk about those furry little bear ears? Yummy! I made this one in a six to 12 month size, and I will be sending it off to my cuddly little nephew so that his ears stay warm this winter. However, my pattern it so fantastic that I can make these hats from newborn to 8 years of age. 

Made fully of fleece, and all seams serged, this hat is fully washable and will stand up to many wearings. And the cute factor? Well that is off the charts! Next up on my list, a bunny hat, a puppy hat and a kitten hat. I might even try to make a cow hat just to round out the animals being represented. I really need a baby, one who can lend their chubby cheeks to modelling these hats. Anybody have one I can borrow for a picture - and maybe a snuggle or two? 

I have a small fleece selection in my sewing room at the moment, but I foresee a growing collection in many colours. Oh dear! Once I  sew up a few more of these soft little hats, I will put some in my Etsy shop. Have a happy Sunday!

E is for Elephant - An Obsession with Grey!

It all started with Shark Week. We were all glued to the t.v., learning multitudinous random facts about the shark, when the obsession began. My obsession with the colour grey that is. It just shows you that I really can't stray too far from my desire to sew, because everything turns into a reason to acquire fabric, and some fixation on a particular colour. Even Shark Week. Suddenly everything grey seemed to belong in my sewing room. Grey fabric, grey trims, grey webbing for handles....the list goes on. So, I was beyond delighted when I was contacted to create a baby shower gift the would feature elephants. Not sharks, mind you, but elephants are grey too!!! Oh joyous day!!! It became" Elephant Week" in my sewing room as I gleefully set to work on the tote bag and other baby necessities, surrounding myself with all of my grey goodies. These items needed to be gender neutral so I chose yellow and turquoise as accent colours. I added in some trendy chevron and it all came together. 

Tote Bag Front

Tote Bag Back

For added whimsy and fun I added some polka dots to the back and used two different fabrics for the lining.

Colourful Lining

The elephant/grey party did not stop at the tote bag! I whipped up a soft bib and absorbent burp cloth too.

Last but not least, I made a super soft and snuggly blanket to tuck inside the tote bag. Small squares of chevron, minky, fleece, flannel and elephant fabric were all part of this quilt design, and I think the finished product is perfect for keeping baby cozy. 

I wrapped everything up, and couldn't resist adding an adorable "E is for Elephant" tag to top it all off. Thanks to Suzanne for her order, and I hope the new baby will enjoy all of the useful items.

Elephant Week was a huge success, and I must say that I am still feeling very positively about the fabulous colour grey! 

Wordless Wednesday

Polka Dots and Fashionable Foxes

School has started, I have witnessed a few pumpkins on my morning walks, and the leaves are beginning to turn. You know what that means - Christmas is not too far away!!! Now, before you panic, remember that those of us who create handmade items generally think of the holiday season long before most other people. That's because there is usually a big demand for product in a short time span. Things can be especially crazy when you create a personalized item. It takes time see a tote bag through to completion. There is the consultation with the purchaser, the decision about fabrics, the computer designing to be done, the cutting of fabric, and finally the actual embroidery and sewing. Being that my tote bags are handmade and personalized, I don't have an inventory at hand as each item is so unique. So, all this being said, if you are thinking of putting an initial tote or personalized item under your tree, now is a great time to let me know! You will also be able to say that you got a head start on your shopping list.

These two initial totes left my sewing studio last week, and they were the first Christmas orders this season. The lady who ordered them is planning to be very eco friendly and fill the bags up with clothing and other items for her granddaughters. I think that is such a great idea! Less wrapping paper is a goal of mind this year, so I might have a squeeze a few holiday bags of my own into the schedule.

Polka dots and bunch of fashionable foxes - what could be better? The reds, greys and yellows are such fun. I am now getting set to work on a few more bags with lots of turquoise and grey. Can't wait to get started!

How To Never Lose Your Keys Again

I seem to spend a lot of time in the car these days. I now understand all of those bumper stickers that declare the harried looking woman behind the wheel as being the owner of "Mom's Taxi". My daughters are not bussed to school, so that's at least two trips per day. Add in any after-school activities, grocery shopping, errands, appointments, and admittedly a few latte runs, and this taxi is in full swing! I'm pretty good about being organized with my belongings, but lately I find I throw my keys into the abyss I call a purse, and it takes a minor miracle for them to emerge in any timely fashion. Then, the other day, in the midst of a fit of frustration, I remembered those fantastic little straps with snaps that held the toys to the stroller when the twins were little. A light bulb went off, and I raced into my sewing room to put my plan into action. I was going to create a key chain/wristlet that could snap onto anything!!! It took several attempts, and we ended up having to order pizza because I lost track of time, however, I completed plenty of these very handy key rings. 

Now for a couple of action shots! Ready?

Ta -da! Genius, if I do say so myself! The grey polka dot was my prototype, and I have been carting it around for several weeks now. I am pleased to report that all my goals were met! The wristlet can snap onto a backpack, a purse, the handle of a dog leash, a stroller bar and so much more. I also find that it fits nicely over my wrist and is perfect for walking the dog. The loop also makes it easy to grab from inside a bag or purse. 

These were so much fun to make, and the end result is so useful and pretty. I made plenty for Christmas gifts, but I also made a few for my Etsy shop. These wristlet keychains are $12.00 plus shipping, and make a perfect holiday gift that everyone can use. Personally, I have become a bit addicted to making them and can't seem to stop - but we can't eat much more pizza over here, so I'd better get out of the sewing room for a bit! Well, let's not get carried away, right?  Truth is, I have actually been thinking about the kitchen, if not cooking in it. There might also have been a slight dish drying mat and dish cloth sewing binge that took place last week (which resulted in Chinese food for dinner - my family is very understanding of my sewing obsession). They are super cute, so colourful and bright! I will share some pics soon. Happy day, All!

How To Effectively Use Magical Powers - Shop Small, Buy Handmade!

Do you want to have magical powers like Harry Potter, or Hermione? Feel like doing something powerful and meaningful? Well, believe it or not, you can do just that starting right now and you don't even have to be a unicorn! Want to know how? It's simple, easy and really fun. BUY HANDMADE!!! You just wouldn't believe the benefits of making the choice to support a handmade business. Doing so sets off a chain of pretty impressive events, many of which I'll bet have never occurred to you.

 Here are just a few to consider:

1.  You are supporting your local community and in the broader context,  the Canadian community.

2. Quality over quantity - The majority of handmade makers are very dedicated to their craft. Your item will be made to last!

3. You will receive a personalized item and excellent service - When is the last time you had a conversation with the actual maker of an item that you use or wear? The artisan is pretty invested in every item, and true thought goes into every piece.

4. Each item is a one of a kind, made specifically unique according to your choices. Can't say that about too many things! No one else with have the same bag, blanket, bib, or whatever item you have chosen. Custom made = very special!

5. Enthusiasm - most artisans are passionate about what they create. This shows in their work.

6. Often the prices the artist is charging do not reflect the amount of work put in - simply put - you are getting a great bargain!

7. There is a story behind each piece created.

8. You know exactly where the piece is coming from and who made it, and with what materials. So you are being a responsible and ethical consumer. In this age of mass production, isn't it nice to know you can contribute to continuing a handmade tradition?

9. Shop small - avoid the mall!

So, take the time to investigate the handmade items available to you in your own community, or on sites such at Etsy. I know it is hard to believe, but before you know it, Christmas will be here. Why not consider a "shop small"  philosophy this coming holiday season ? It's consumerism you can feel good about, maybe even a bit magical!

Sunday Stitches

My sewing room is in complete disarray! However, that is not a bad thing. It just means that I am planning to spend the day working away on several projects. Right now, I am gathering up my fabrics and waiting for inspiration to strike so I can combine them in just the perfect way. I am making a blanket, a bib, a burp cloth and  tote bag, all in an elephant theme. I have some pretty cute fabrics choices to work with so that is my goal today. I should have some progress pictures to share soon. Have a great day too!

The Things We Didn't Do

Hmmm, sounds pretty awful right? An entire post dedicated to the things that we didn't do? Well, read on and find out why the exact opposite is true! We are trying to get back into routine here after a full two week of holidays. It was so lovely, and it went by way too fast as it always does. We only get two weeks all summer to be off together as a family, and we enjoy it so much that we always want to guard the time jealously. So, this summer, there are lots of things we didn't do. We said NO to many things that we used to think of as commitments. We chose our own schedule, and stuck to our plans without deviation. We declined party invitations, dinner invitations, anything that looked  or sounded like "busy", and anything that got us up early in the morning. I didn't do much sewing either, as it is a solitary pursuit and I wanted to be with my gang. Sometimes it is really hard to say no to things and to stand firm. So, I guess you are wondering why we "didn't" do so many things? This summer, I have discovered a little hidden gem of truth - when you say no to some things, it opens up vast opportunities and time for so many others! And those other things and activities are the ones that bring you and your own family shared experiences and contentment.

 This is really important to us right now because our kids are really spreading their wings and becoming independent. We want to savour as much time as possible, because times they are a changing! The icing on the cake is that you are in the driver's seat, and every action you take and activity you participate in,  is important to you and your family for your own reasons. If you fill your time up with perceived obligations, you are living someone else's dream, and depleting your own time bank. Now, before you think this is totally selfish, I admit that there is a balance to be found. But on the whole, you and your family have a finite amount of time. That is the harsh reality, and making a choice to be true to that is so liberating. Just in case you think we are sticks in the mud, here is a bit of what we DID do over the holidays!

1. We DID enjoy our garden immensely. We spend a lot of time looking after our plants and making the backyard our own little slice of paradise on hot sunny days. We swam for hours, and the four of us ( I should say five, but the fifth member spent most of her time seeking shady nap spots- and she didn't help much with the weeding!)  hung out chatting and nibbling on cheese and crackers for lunch.

Like I said, not much of a gardener!

2. We DID spend lots of time lounging around in the great outdoors.

3.  We DID enjoy campfires and smores!

4. We DID spend hours reading. I have finished Diana Gabaldon's newest book, and have started in on The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness. Both excellent!

5. We DID choose to spend plenty of time just enjoying the view, and hanging out with cousins.

5. We DID sit in a small traffic jam at the border - WHAT? Wait, hold up - why would we want to do that??? We have a little tradition whereby we go cross-border shopping for back to school clothes. It's really fun, and we all enjoy it. We stay in a hotel, have dinner out. The bonus is that we have the girls trapped in the car with us for several hours. Well, a bonus for us I suppose! And, you know what? That traffic hold up didn't bother us one bit because it was part of something we really wanted to do. It was one small time concession that we could afford after gaining so much from being selective with our time bank.

6. We DID make it family movie night almost every evening! We can usually do this only once per weekend, however, we managed almost 10 movie nights. So fun! We even bought a new air popcorn popper to add some theatre flavour to our viewing.

7. Well, maybe I DID sew a little bit! Obsession, addiction, call it what you will. That darn sewing room in right near the family room, so that must count for something right? Besides, everyone else was napping.  As usual, it all comes back to fabric in my world!

Of course, now I am off to get caught up on my sewing orders now that we are ( albeit begrudgingly!) back into our regular routine. I always try to remember not to be sad the holiday is over, but to be thankful that we had the time to build a few more memories. Many exciting things are on the horizon too. Next week, my husband begins a  brand new role at work. He is really looking forward to new challenges, and we are very proud of him for working so hard to achieve the opportunity. In really big news - the girls get their braces off next week!!! Bring on the apples, and the chips, and the gum, oh my! They could give you an endless list. Have a great day!