New Handbag

Here is a custom order handbag that I've been working on. I really like the peacock with the cool feathers. I used a linen for the front with Amy Butler fabrics for the feathers, the peacock body is a woolen felt. The applique is my on design and was a lot of fun to create. Of course as always I get nervous doing custom orders. I always worry that it isn't what they had in mind. It's so much easier selling things already made. Do any of you feel the same or is it just me?

I have been featured on my peeps Jodi Reeves blog The Creative Jar, it's her 1000th blog post so hop over and say hi and congratulations.

I have a lot of ideas in my head right now and hope to share more with you soon.

Shadowboxes

Here for your viewing pleasure are the new owl shadowboxes. If anyone has any tips on photographing shadowboxes please let me know. I tried taking the pictures in the living room bookcase, on the front porch, on the kitchen cabinet and the dining room window seat. I'm really not happy with any of the shots but here are the best ones. Believe me when I say the pictures do not do them any justice.

However if you would like to see them in person, you will have your chance and the first opportunity to buy this Halloween. Yes, I do have an event October 31st the East Academy Fall Fest & Craft Fair. The Fair will be held here in the hood at Eastwood Christian Church on Eastland Ave.

I did get some great news yesterday...I was accepted as a vendor for the upcoming 1st annual Handmade in the Arcade Craft Fair! More on that later. Right now I have a pile of stuffing and a mountain of pillows calling me to create.

German town Street Festival

Last week end was the German town Street Festival and here are some pictures of all the crafty goodness. The photos are courtesy of my favorite artist and friend Jodi Reeves. Jodi was attending as a patron not a vendor! However she did assist in setting up my booth and did some interviews with other crafters as well as taking over 100 photos. I'm sure you will be seeing more of the festival on her blog.

The pillows are something new for me and I have been having a lot if fun with them. The pillows are like little pieces of art with so many possibilities. It's easy to get carried away, for example the flower power pillow. I'm not sure I will ever make another, it was so tedious. That flower has 50 hand cut, hand sewn petals! I'd keep it myself but alas I have Boris (destructor of pillows) and Thomas the cat...the pillow would never last in my home. However the "Woodland" series is pulling me into the world of forest creatures, mushrooms, trees and flowers. I'm loving the burlap and suede combination.

Hopefully I will have another event soon, I'll know by next week end. Meanwhile you may find me locally at Art & Invention here in the hood...East Nashville on Woodland across from the post office near 5 points.

Fresh in the Shop

These cutie hooties are in the shop now. Next weekend I do have a show here in the hood, so get them while you can. More creations are coming, hope you're not sick of the hooties. Let me know what you think....

Centennial Holiday Show

The last big show of the year is this Saturday and Sunday. Whew! I have made a few new goodies....sweet tweets, peeps, aprons and owl shadow boxes. Here is a little preview.
As said in last post I am nervous about this event so send all your good vibes my way this week end. I did get some support from Erika of Kitsch Designs about indoor set up, thanks so much! If you don't know Erika I urge you to check out her sites, she uses vintage fabric to create the coolest things. Plus she is a super duper nice person.

Several of you have inquired about the owl shadow boxes and want to know when they will be available in the store. At this time I'm holding off on until after the events. My last show will be December 19th at Cummins Station downtown Nashville. I did this event last year and really enjoyed it. It is a little different from most events as it is held the first three Fridays in December from 11:00-4:00 in the afternoon. Mostly the employees of the various businesses and the lunch crowd are the customers, but they are very supportive.


Hope to see you this weekend :)

Tweets and peeps

See the flock of birdies? I wish I could keep them all...they do look happy in the window don't you think? I know if I left the room they would be in the floor, in Boris mouth or the cat would do a snatch and run, certain disaster for the sweet tweets.

I have ten new additions in the tweets and four new peeps. They will be at the Centennial Holiday Show next week end. I will share with you that I am a little nervous about this up coming event (more than usual). I heard it was "impossible" to get in, I sent my and Jodi's application in at the last minute and we were selected! Then I get this humongous vendor pack in the mail, I mean it was seriously six pages of very detailed information. The main thing was the "Jury Sheet", they come around and judge your booth on six categories. The categories range from craftsmanship to crowd appeal to display. Based on the resulting scores you may or may not be invited back. The main concern for me is the booth display.
With this being an inside event and no tent I have my challenges. I cannot hang my aprons on the clothesline as I normally do. It also seems like a 10x10 area shrinks inside. I know it's the same space but outside it seems larger? Does anyone have any ideas?

Jodi and I have shared booth space for most of the events this year and we are bursting at the seams. It's somewhat bitter sweet for both of us. On one hand out growing the space means we are building our inventory and have more to offer than ever. Sharing also helps with the booth fee costs, but mostly it's the companionship and time spent with a friend.
We both know next year we may not be able to share a booth. As I said bitter sweet.

Artist or Creator

Here are some of the new things I have brewing in the cottage. The owl shadowbox is not exactly new but I have upgraded to a larger size. This is an 8x10 frame and the owl is larger than the last bunch. I was a little overwhelmed at the response to the owl shadowboxes and sold all but one at their debut event. FYI I do plan to list some in the store this week. The blackbird is something I've had in my head for awhile and the bird was drawn about a year ago. As soon as I sketched him out I thought of the song "Blackbird" by Paul McCartney, I love that song.Not sure the bird is complete, I need to change the ribbon for sure and I was thinking of adding some tags to the key. You'll see soon. I thought of putting the bird onto a hand painted Nashville bag and still may do so yet.

I do need to thank my friend and booth partner Jodi Reeves for giving me the encouragement to "branch out". My stash contains paint, brushes, mod podge, wire and a whole lot more. A year ago you would find mostly fabric, thread and buttons. Which brings me back to the title "Artist or Creator"? I have never considered myself an artist, although I know art is not exclusive to a painted canvas. I have been comfortable with creator and think I will stick to that. As women we have the ability to create life! It doesn't get any better than that. I know for myself after I became a mom my creative button clicked and life has never been the same since.

So now that I am putting paint to canvas and "branching out" I think I'll stick to the creator label.

I do have to put a word in about the Webb School of Design event in Bell Buckle......
I helped Jodi the first day (I did not show) and she was interviewed by the Shelbyville paper!
Then she won a ribbon ! Her art was purchased to hang in Webb School! Jodi was the Diva of the Day! Go check her out and get the scoop here.

Germantown Street Festival

Yesterday I forgot to tell you how to find me at the German town Street Festival this Saturday.
Per my vendor confirmation sheet; we will be located on 5th Ave North between Madison and Monroe. I can hardly wait! I am so excited about this event, I know it will be a blast!

I have been creating like crazy trying to prepare for this and now that I'm a few days away I feel so nervous. So sure I don't have enough inventory....I know that I do but I still have all these ideas in my head that will not be ready Saturday. I am happy that I have the owls, butterflies, new apron style, new Vandie bag, Memphis bag, the Sweet Tweets and now some cool composition book covers! I made some owls and trees last year and wanted to do some again. I always have the composition book covers and they are popular but wanted something special. I like the trees the best.....

Give a Hoot.....Get a Hoot!

Okay a little corny, but owls seem to put me into that mood. Here are three new owls and the last of these shadowboxes (hope I will be able to find more). These little hoots and new butterflies will be available at the German town Festival this Saturday.

Erin McMorris Park Slope Patchwork Apron

As promised here is the new apron style....
She features a large pocket, a towel loop and is fun and flirty.
I wanted another apron style besides the ruffled one that people would be more comfortable wearing in the kitchen. But at the same time I wanted it to have my traditional style with a twist!
I think like the ruffled apron this too could/should be worn as a fashion accessory, but is totally at home baking cookies as well.

What do you think? The only suggestion for change was to do a shorter version???
This one measures about 24" long from the waist. Do I need to add another patchwork row?
I'm sure I'll mix it up a little, you never know.

As you know I name everything...cars, sewing machines, handbags
Any suggestions for this apron or ruffled apron is appreciated.
I think this one has a very casual French Country feel and the ruffled style is more uptown sophisticated. HELP!

I have to go now and whip up some more of these for the Berry Hill event this Saturday in Azalea Park.

Sweet Peeps have landed

Here is a sneak preview of one of the new items that may be found in our booth this weekend at the Berry Hill event in Azalea Park. Last show several fell in love with the Sweet Tweets but said they had no place to hang them. So here is a free standing version that I'm calling Sweet Peeps that may be placed next to your computer, sewing machine on any tabletop surface. It's funny how they all start the same but develop a unique personality as they are created. They are a lot of fun to have around, I think Thomas (our cat) is their biggest fan right now.

So if you can stop by Azalea Park in Berry Hill this Saturday and get your very own Sweet Peep.
I've got to find good homes for these guys! The Sweet Peeps will not be posted in the shop until after the show: but if you have fallen in love with a particular Peep let me know and I'm sure we can work something out.

I'm also working on a new apron style for this week end as well. Hope to have another blog update in the next couple of days. Meanwhile hope over to my crafty creative booth partners blog and check out all the new things she has been working on.

Owl bag done!

Here is the finished owl bag. A lot is going on with this bag...hand painted, applique, free motion stitching, vintage buttons, WOW! I love it! I hope the customer likes it, it's a gift for her sister.
I really really want to make one for myself now.
It is so funny how we creators never seem to create for ourselves, always for others.
People that know I sew assume I have made all these awesome handmade things in my home...not so.
Most of the handmade items in my home are from other creators and that is just fine with me:)
One day, yes one day I will have all the time in the world to create just for me. I just hope I can still see well enough to thread the sewing machine.

More goodies coming so check back, enjoy your week end!

Hand painted Owl Bag

Here is a WIP involving paints, an owl and some free motion stitching. So far so good....I still am a little uncomfortable painting and always think I've ruined it as soon as I start painting. Then the free motion stitching is a whole other story. I know with time and practice it'll get better. But it does have that wonky style, don't you think? Part of the charm? Actually I am having fun but wish the stitches were a little more consistent.....any tips?

I know once it all goes together no one will notice the stitching. It's funny I'm always telling a friend of mine don't worry about the stitches, it's your style. I guess this may be my style as well???

I'll post more when the bag is complete. You can see the back and interior fabrics that will be used for the lining in the overall picture. I want to do a beaded handle for this one, it's just telling me that right now.