Ridiculously cute *updated* 04/14

I know that dishsoap bottle aprons are a little cheesy but they are just so cute in oilcloth and all hung up together!

Thank you for your nice comments. I have licked my wounds and am over it now. I tried to email the editorial assistant and it seems that she may have blocked me because it kept coming back undeliverable. Oh well.
I saw an interesting comment from Tracy at fabric.com saying that she has a gift for me and my readers...I'd better go email her!
****UPDATE*****
Tracy from fabric.com would like to offer my readers $5.00 off their orders this week only The coupon code is "blogwork" and expires 04/21/09. You should check them out, I always shop their clearance first and find amazing deals and the service is always excellent.

This isn't going to be pretty

I was so excited to come here with some happy news after a loooooooooooong absence. You see, I figured it was better to stay away until I had something nice to say... that ain't happening today unfortunately.
A while back I was approached by the editorial assistant at a certain magazine and asked if I would like my bags to be in an article about gingham. After "I came to" I whipped up a few and sent them off awaiting the May issue. I didn't tell many people because it would be kind of braggy and I'm really not like that. I saw the new issue at JoAnn's yesterday and ran to it (imagine slow-mo with music in the background). I could hardly keep my hands from shaking as I found the article.

My bags aren't there.

There must be more at the back of the magazine...the back is still good, I'll settle for anything... There were 5 more gingham products in the back.

Again, my bags aren't there.

So, I am sad. Life is a struggle at best lately and this was something I was really looking forward to. Something actually about ME in a world where nothing is about me ever.
ok, I need to go sew now. I'm sorry to dump my pity party on you.

More new stuff!

What else can you do with oilcloth, you wonder?
How about reusable sandwich/snack bags?



Here is what my listing says:
This idea was kicking around my head for a while and then a customer asked if I could make them for her and here they are. I wanted to wait until we used them for a while before putting them up for sale and they seem to work just great. I tested them with sandwiches (the bread stayed soft), cracker-type snacks (stayed crisp), and even grapes (stayed grapey). My customer had this to say:

“I was waiting to leave feedback until I had used them enough...but honestly...I LOVE THEM! They make life so easy, are so adorable and everyone who sees them, loves them! Thanks so much, I am over the moon about a snack bag.”
Caring for the bags is simple: wash in your sink with warm soapy water and hang to dry. The sewn seam is on the outside to prevent any bits of food from getting stuck anywhere.
They have a nice, strong Velcro closure and double stitching. These bags will last a long time.
No need to limit their use for food; these bags are useful for so many things!
Appr. 7” square, just like a plastic ziptop sandwich baggie.

the ever-evolving lunchbag

A year ago, I bought my Singer Futura for the sole purpose of doing monogrammed things. What a pain! First of all, I don't have a laptop so it involves dragging my sewing machine and all of its parts into the living room atop a shakey card table. Second of all...well, that's it but it's a huge pain. Everytime I tried it out, I ended up SO frustrated that the Futura almost went out the window so I didn't try again until recently. Now, I have the hang of it and it's kinda fun! I still wish I had a laptop but at least I have it working.
I am now offering monogramming on my oilcloth items, check out these custom bags that are also insulated-



Thanks for all of the nice comments about Julia's Halloween costume! She even got a mention on Craftzine.com blog
woohoo!

free time?

Ok, so when you lose your job you'd imagine that you'd have all sorts of free time, right? Hmmmm, not happening.
I'm done being sad for now (I think) and I'm not yet panic-stricken. I've been busy with oilcloth, doctor, dentist, etc. David actually loves having me home, there's a nice dinner every night, we aren't scrambling for clean clothes at 5:00 am, and I am just more relaxed. If only that paid as well as my old job.
I can't post without a picture so check out this manly lunch bag

And check out this etsy shop, I don't know what my fascination with nuns is but this stuff is great:
www.nunofakind.etsy.com
If you are on my Christmas list, you may be getting a sister!

fall favors

We are celebrating the upcoming wedding of one of my coworkers on Friday so I got to play at work all day yesterday. I stayed behind to man the fort while the entire office went to NYC for advertising week festivities. It was fine by me because I got to make fun stuff for the surprise "shower" we are having Friday.

I dipped small pretzel rods in white chocolate, decorated with fall sprinkles and bagged them. Then I added a fake leaf and velvet ribbon and TA DA! We have pretty fall shower favors!
Did I show you my new Oilcloth Halloween Banner?

The rest of my life is just general busyness, oilcloth and the pursuit of not being dirt poor.
How about you?

Today is the day!

I'm excited about this but I really wasn't trying to string you along and build up hype, honestly!


I now have a "Sew-it-Yourself Lunchbag Kit" for sale at Handmade Parade

This is perfect for you crafty types who want an oilcloth lunch bag that you have made yourself. The kit includes everything you need including easy directions with pictures.... because I need pictures when I make something.
The kit also comes in 16 fun patterns!
So, there you have my big secret. Now go tell all your friends!

tap, tap, tap

I'm waiting patiently to tell you about my new project.

I am not trying to be elusive at all, I really thought I could bore you all to tears about it over the weekend but I am still waiting to hear. Now there is all this build-up and it's not huge, exciting news... well for me it is.
I'll be back when I can share. In the meantime I am sewing a 30 lunchbag order for someone's company outing next week.
WooHoo!!

fun!

Look what I found at Michael's last night:

Project Runway paper dolls! Julia and I Looooooooooove to watch Project Runway together. I only wish that there were Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Michael Korrs dolls too. We are, erm... I mean Julia is going to have a lot of fun with these!

Stay tuned this weekend, I hope to have a new and exciting oilcloth item to announce!

Finally!

I am as frugal as they get when it comes to my fabric scraps, I only throw pieces away once they are smaller than a 2" x 2" size. I sort each scrap meticulously by size with hopes of finding the perfect use for them. This usually isn't hard with cottons but oilcloth has had me stumped for a while now. I sort oilcloth scraps a little differently according to lunch bag pieces they can become. Once they are smaller than a square-pocket or handle-strip size I toss them in a box together.

(yes, this messes with my OCD nature)I walk past the box and it gives me anxiety because I can't toss it...you never know if you'll need it!
Finally, it dawned on me. I know it's not rocket science or a brilliant idea but I am so excited to use up these scraps:

Thank you tags for my lunchbag orders! As a bonus, I use up ribbon scraps as well. This is therapeutic crafting at it's best.

I am super-excited to see my sister http://debnstuff.blogspot.com/ and family today, it's been a long time. Julia and I just made this yummy edible bouquet for an appetizer:

My boss gave me the idea, so I can't take credit for it but isn't it pretty?
Grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves on skewers. Just stick them in a pretty vase and serve with some olive oil for drizzling...YUM!

interruption-free

Julia spent the weekend on my brother's boat this weekend playing with her little cousin, the 2 big girls were out and about with friends, The Bumble was working, and just look at what I accomplished:


I actually sewed more lunchbags but they are more of the same.
It's amazing how much you can get done when no one is interrrupting you, I had forgotten what it is like...it's been over 15 years! I sat at my sewing machine for 12 hours on Saturday only leaving for coffee and a snack and to list Etsy items. It seemed like no time at all. I did miss my Julia, she is my constant companion and quite a chatterbox.

What did you do this weekend?

new things

Hi there~
I just thought I would pop in before I retreat to my air-conditioned sewing room for the day (thanks to my husband!)
I spent yesterday sewing lots of oilcloth items as usual but there were 2 new ones I tried for some nice etsy customers:
a custom oilcloth & rick rack table mat

a custom oilcloth bib

Bias tape gives me anxiety but I managed just fine. This won't be a regular item of mine any time soon.
I made Julia a new camp tote from a cute dishtowel


And just look at this BEAUTIFUL necklace that I found at kneehighsnpigtails.etsy.com

Camille makes such nice pieces that are just my style. She also makes the chain any length you want, what service! I tend to wear a lot of solid colors to work and like to use an interesting necklace to liven things up. I bet I will get lots of compliments on this one.
Have a good day~

2 more weeks

Have I told you about my orthopedic specialist? She's 12, ok maybe not 12 but she's young. Now I have 2 specialists that are much younger than me. What the heck???
Anyway, she's a young, hip, surfer type girl. She has a great staff and they all love her. There are fresh baked, homemade cookies and gourmet coffee in the waiting room every day. It's almost a pleasure going there, EXCEPT I still have to wear this damn boot. We are on an every 2 week basis until it is better. I was certain that it was going to be all better on Monday so I cleaned my house bootless all weekend.

Dummy!
Nothing else is going on here, still sewing oilcloth everyday and sweating in the heat.



I hope you are well and staying cool. Have a great weekend!

Healing nicely

Thanks so much for all of the get well wishes!
Julia is healing nicley and is happy that she can swim with her cast. We are very happy that she can swim with her cast!! I am still lugging this awful boot around, UGH! I keep telling myself that it is better than having a cast on 24-7 but it really just sucks.
The quilt was well received at the shower on Sunday, I really think she liked it. I also made and gave a belated baby gift to someone at the shower:


Other than that, I have been sewing oilcloth like crazy. For some unknown reason I had a record amount of sales over the weekend. Woohoo!
Here's the new additions:



I hope you are all staying cool, thanks for stopping by!

not much excitement

A little remnant bin therapy:

I had to stop by JoAnn fabrics to see my favorite employee, Sheena, and gift her with an oilcloth lunchbag. Sheena is a college age girl who is ALWAYS happy and smiling. She hugs her favorite customers at least 3 times each visit. I wish I brought my camera with me so you could see her!
I gave her a bag like this:

I thought she would cry.
Other than that, my life has been all about softball. Here's pictures from Julia's first game (they won!)


Gabby's team is undefeated 3-0 and Sammy's team doesn't start games until June.
Yikes!
I need to make lunches...have a great day :)

moo

Just a quick hello before I run out the door for a marathon weekend of endless softball and birthday parties. I would also like you know the level of my insanity. My house is in shambles, mountains of laundry to do, I don't have a gift for the party at noon BUT I did take 5 minutes to manufacture this tiny moo card case (you know... those cute little cards you buy on flickr?). There's a mom that will be at the party that is interested in some of my crafty stuff and asked me to bring a few cards, I didn't have an appropriate moo case but I had an idea for my tiny scraps of oilcloth-
ta da!


It needs tweaking but that's for a day when I have 10 minutes.
Have a great day!
xo
Carol

Etsy Secrets

Lovely Lotta at http://mom-o-matic.blogspot.com/ hooked me up with this "Etsy Secrets" website:
http://etsysecrets.blogspot.com/
(sorry, I still can't embed links for some reason and I don't have the ambition to look for the problem)
Go check it out, there's all sorts of good coupons there!

bags bags bags

Yeah! I'm done!



I love how they look all together but now it's time to flatten them and ship them out. What a great feeling to have this job done.
I have no obligations this weekend, it's just me and my machines...sewing and washing, that is.
Have a great day :)

The nerve!

If you live in my house or are ever in earshot of me, you have heard me say at least a bajillion times "You are on my last nerve!". My husband fears the day that last nerve snaps. I don't know where I picked this up but it has kind of stuck. My sweet littlest daughter has even gone to her grandma and said "we are on mommy's last nerve again". Anyway, there may be some truth to this... while I was at my neurologist 2 weeks ago he noticed some weakness in my hands which I quickly brushed off as "oh it's just my carpal tunnel". He pinged my elbow and declared that there is some nerve damage and the fact that I can't type with my ring and pinky fingers should have tipped me off, apparently. So, I have to go for a nerve test today, which totally cracks me up. I may even ask him exactly how many nerves I have left.
I have been busy trying to fill my empty little etsy shop. I really wish I had some time to get a good chunk of stock made. Most of what I am doing is custom requests (which is great) but I feel as if I am losing it on the other end.

I am also working on a consignment order of lunch bags (which I am excited about)that I am chipping away at each night...one bag a night.


My fabulous sister is here visiting for the week and that makes me so happy. We will all have dinner together tonight and perhaps a glass of wine or two...
I already informed the 2 big daughters that mommy and daddy will NOT be driving them to the movies/bowling/friend's house, etc.

Have a great weekend friends!

weekend recap

whew!
Business is booming, I am nearing my 100th sale on my etsy shop!
I am starting an oilcloth lunchbag revolution...I hope my lower back holds up. I am having a lot of trouble keeping up with the demand, just as I get 6 bags in the shop they all sell and I have requests for 3 more. I need more hours in the day and one more day in the week that no one in my family knows about.
I ventured away from lunch bags for a bit today because I don't want to start to resent them...they should all be made with love you know...

But I couldn't stay away all together:

Look at these two boys:

Whenever they find this laundry basket on it's side they race to get inside it. (we call it the kitty cabana) That's Leo inside of it, he usually never gets there first being the chubby one. Gilbert is the one on the top, he's too cool for everything. I'll let you in on what a dork I am...I imagine that if Gilbert could speak, he would sound just like Tim on "Project Runway", so I will often speak for Gilbert in Tim's voice when I think he has something to say.
I've said too much. Must be the oilcloth fumes getting to me.