lazy day

i did another embroidery today when i felt i should be sewing.  i was semi-watching pretty woman for the 500th time curled up on my sofa.  my mojo was not in full force so the up and down of sewing was not very appealing to me.  i'm blaming it on the clouds.  i know, i know...i was just bragging about the weather here!  it's till 70 degrees out but helloooooo sun--where are you today?  anyways, this is what i got made!

my office is outside

today is one of the fabulous weather days that i say to myself: THIS is why we moved here!!  always being a northerner has meant snow, cold, wind and oh yeah, more snow for a big part of the year.  today is SUNNY and 70 and so i decided to sit out on my back deck and get some crafting done.

i should be inside sewing but i just can't break away from this gorgeous weather.  so i decided to feed my new crafty addiction and get some embroidery done.  then i realized not only have i been neglecting my etsy shop as i so often do (BAD artist!) but i have several items that need to be photographed.  so i took some pics.  and after this if i don't fall asleep because the perfect weather is making me very very sleepy and i'm longing for a hammock in the worst way---i'd like to once again make a to do list for the new year.  my annual self ass kicking, you can succeed in business list that i try to follow.

here's the embroidery i just finished up...

and here's one from like a month ago done in the same fashion.  both are machine sewn fabric pieces (made from my handbag scraps) that are have vintage collage elements hand embroidered on them.

custom order

i recently got a custom order request for a diaper bag and i got it made today!

i've been asked if i made them before and just never took the idea on so it was nice to finally do it.  it was a bit harder than i expected but i guess all new designs are the first time.  the request for the bag was to NOT be shaped like a diaper bag and have lots of pockets.  once i found the right fabric-the request was for a plaid and i used a vintage find from an the Salvation Army sale last year-i had to really think about functionality.  seeing i don't have kids i had to do a bit of research! 

i ended up doing a version of my Louise Bag...this one is wider on the sides and bottom so it sits up on it's own very easily.  then i did a large pocket the width of the outside front and back that sits almost 3/4 high.  the inside has one really big pocket, a long pocket divided in two and 2 elastic side pockets for bottles.  all the pockets are in different fun fabrics.  i detailed the strap with a black asymmetrical border and 2 orange lines of stitching. 

i am really happy how it came out and just hope she is too!!

market recap

this is REALLY late, i know.....but i've been in Ohio visiting family for an early xmas, getting a new order into Wildcard and working.  oh yeah....working.

i wanted to share pics of the Freret Street market i did on dec. 10th.  holy crap that was 10 days ago.
first off i was busting ass to make stuff.  you never know what will sell and want to have lots of everything!  i managed to get all my tags done in my new stamp and redid my old bags that had a jilsy designs stamp.  i recycled the other side of tags i had pre stamped with my old jilsy stamp for pricing.  recycling makes me happy.

the market was AMAZING!!!  i was so happy it all went off pretty smoothly.  i remembered everything, met up with a friend to help each other with tents and sold LOTS.  thank goodness because it's my only holiday show this year.  my crafty neighbors were SO nice and i don't think i had one cranky customer.  not that i usually do.  except for that one time an old lady fake punched me in the face over a $10 eyeglass case.  seriously.

i was super happy with my set up but am always thinking of new ways to cut down on trips to and from the car.  i'm thinking of investing in a cart from u-line.  they have one that collapses in half that isn't too badly priced.  i had a last minute vision of using big binder rings to displays large bags from the tent bars but couldn't find any at target so i still brought my rolling rack.  i did alter my usual display a little bit by adding a cork board in the center to hang my embroidery and collages on.  since my collages have been in embroidery hoops more lately than canvas and stretchers i couldn't use my old display.

now i need to get serious and look into more markets to apply to for spring to keep this momentum moving forward.

on a side note i made my niece a jacket for her pug.  i was so excited to see if it fit once i got there because i was just looking at a pic and having my sister send me measurements.  it fit pretty well but needs some adjustments for long term wear.  it slid down a bit in the front so i just need to sew that part a little higher.  so freaking cute.

more new embroidery

i can't help but think this is SO cute even though i made it.  it's ok to say that, right???

i'm so happy with the way this came out that you can be sure to see more in the future.

have a great day y'all...

something new

i felt like taking a break from sewing for a day or two and this is what i came up with....

i'm back to creating from my scrap pile!  there are just too many cute scraps to throw away.  i get way too excited when i think of a new way to use them!

other than this i am getting ready for the Freret Street Market on December 10th.  i finally have to make the leap to buying my own tent.  and then comes the challenge of putting it up and taking it down by myself....sigh.  i wish i had an assistant to come with me at times like this.  anyone in LA interested???

creative juices becoming bubbly....

i've been saying i'm in a creative rut because i'm so distracted by working on getting my new house settled.  i think i FINALLY came out of it yesterday!!!

it's when i'm creating for the sake of creating...not for the sake of inventory or production.  as a runner i compare it to the point when i know i'm in shape again and i get in the zone.  it's when my body and mind are in synch, when i no longer have to think about moving my legs or breathing and my mind becomes like a machine in total calmness.  it doesn't happen often but when it does it's the BEST feeling in the world!

my crafting zone yesterday was when i started cutting up scraps and piecing them together.  i started doing something else.  i made a couple barrettes, some cards and an applique pouch.  as a result i have piles of papers and scraps all over my tiny room in hopes my zone would wake up with me.  so far my zone has only wanted to drink coffee and lie around but i'm hoping it come out again.

in the meantime here are a couple pics of the silly little things that i made.

here's hoping for a productive day!!!