33stitches

Fabric Friday!

2012-02-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

hello!

i updated our little ( tiny, more like it ) fabric shop with some new japanese import fabrics. i wrote about these a few months ago ( yup, takes that long to arrive ), and they arrived this week!

i am still waiting on 3 more prints. the typewriter ones, of the new ruby star shining fabric. that is the print that seems to have sold out, from all the shops that put in fabric orders at QM ( not us, we are just a tiny little fabric shop ) last year. it might be another 2 weeks, and i will have limited yardage for sale, but will post about it here when i list it, ok!

so what are the weekend plans?

besides the typical errand running, i hope i can convince mr.wonderful, to take me to see that new scary movie with harry potter in it. it will probably be a really cheesy movie, but i am a total sucker for those anyways.

have a great weekend :)

Etsy shop updates

2012-02-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

the SBJ shop on Etsy is getting updated starting today. lots of new large size zipper pouches, in the popular chevron print included.

the small pouch section is also getting updated, along with the clearance section. should have everything listed by the weekend.

sweeties!

2012-01-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

dexie & ziggy

just wanted to post my new favorite picture of my 2 youngest kiddos.

i want another one. a long hair. white or brown. and a boy. and no, not from a pet shop or breeder. looking at chihuahua rescue pages. maybe in june, when we go down to san diego, we may come home with a new boyfriend for dexie :)

The house pouch - love edition

2012-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

hello!

this post is a bit late, but here nonetheless.

i wanted to share with you the Valentines ( or love ) edition of my little house pouch, that i made a few days ago.

this sewing project is really simple, you do not have to have advanced sewing skills at all, to be able to make your own version.

what you need for this project is available in the book, along with a detailed directions, including instructions on attaching a zipper, which is how i add my zippers to all my bags, so if you are tired of having funny looking, or angled corners, this is another reason to buy the book!

house pouch tweek 1- after having cut out the fabric pieces, instead of round "windows", i cut my felt scraps in the shape of hearts.

tweek 2- i alternated between button flowers, and hand stitched heart flowers. you can always have as many or few flowers along the little house pouch, it is up to you.

all done.

here is version no.1

and version no.2

so sweet.

i would love to see someone elses version of the house pouch! feel free to email me a link or picture, so i can have a look: simbiosis_etsy at yahoo dot com

eek!

2012-01-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

i made something.

actually, 3 somethings.

one is going to be a tutorial ( yay )

the other two, are from the book ♥.

i am so out of time right now, but will post tomorrow.

cat lady post

2012-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

my little double stuffed oreo cookie and i, just wanted to stop by and say hello!

Simbiosis shop news!

2012-01-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

the little shop will reopen by 12:00 pm (pst) on the 22nd of this month. all the tablet/ereader sleeves i sold out of during the holidays will be back in stock, as well as additional ones in new fabric prints.

i worked on a new pattern, and will be testing this version of the cover out in the shop. i love this fabric collection so much, and will make more of these soon.

there will be only a handful of zippered tablet covers listed in the shop. this is also a test run, and depending on how they sell, i may or may not add this style to the shop, in more fabric choices.

i purchased some amazing brushed canvas fabrics in San Diego last month! i had requests for more solid prints ( for guys ), so i added a few to my stash. this canvas is so awesome, i may have to make myself a messenger bag out of either this one, or the blue/grey one i also purchased.

and i also made some button/loop closure tablet covers.

so looking forward to opening up the shops. i still have alot of pictures to edit, and i just found out today that the USPS is raising the price of postage again! this is what happens when everyone communicates via text or email, i think we should all try to send at lest a few hand written letters to friends and family a month, to keep the prices from going up :)

Patchwork placemats / coasters ( a semi tutorial )

2012-01-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

because i did not make a "proper" pattern, nor did i write anything down. but for those of u, that are like me ( aka sewing rebel ) and like to make something, just to see " what happens ", here is a step by step on a easy-peasy little set, that is also a scrap buster.

yes.. i know some of the fancy quilting blog lingo

pick your fabrics!

proper way: prewash everything, make sure they all match, and are what all the cool quilting kids are using.

julie way: have no patience to pre-wash, make sure they go together, and that they are not too girlie (for you know who).

checklist:

-pencil, paper, ruler

- cotton fabrics

-linen

-quilt batting

-rick rack

-hot cup of coffee

-puppies

using legal size paper (i have no idea where it came from, but i have alot of it) i drew up what i wanted the placemats to look like.

normally, you figure out your seam allowance, and adjust measurements, so they all match up, perfectly.

i cut out 2 of each in my fabrics, and did not add seam allowance. i love to live on the edge :)

sewed them all together, trimmed of the little bit of excess i had, and pressed open my seams. i ended up with little placemats, rubbed my hands together, and did my evil laugh... the plan is working!

cut out some 2" strips of linen, added one of my printed fabrics to the end of each, and attached them on the outer edges of placemat.

ta dah!

i left the linen plain, but if ever i was to make more of these, i may add some hand stitching details using some embroidery floss, or maybe machine stitched lines, in different colored threads.

using the finished placemat, i cut 2 more out of linen ( backing ) and of course the center layer of quilt batting, because i had some handy, or else a fleece alternative would have worked nicely.

machine stiched some vintage jumbo rick-rack all around. i prefer to use vintage trim, since the new rick rack is stiff, and way too polyester looking for me.

once rick rack was sewn, i sewed the top part of placemat, to the backing ( right sides together ), and left a 3" opening, to turn it right side out, did one more machine top stitching around the edge, done!

ok, almost done.

for the coasters, used 3 each, of 2" wide strips sewn together. i made them round, using the lid of one of my old vintage cannisters as a template.

make sure to press open your seams, or they will look icky!

quilt batting, rick rack and linen to finish them off, just like the placemats.

done.

so pretty. so easy. and lots of fun to make, when you just wing it, and see what happens.

oh yeah, and the curtains i mentioned?

they are still, draped over one of my dining room chairs.

tsk.. tsk.. tsk..

fabrics in this little project came from here ( omg... this quilt shop is utterly amazing, and i cannot believe i had never been there before ) and here.

projects, projects...

2012-01-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

hello there.

things have been ~~falling apart~~ so busy around the little house, that i have not had time to stop, and pretty up my sewing room, and take pictures of it, so i can show off how roomy it looks now, that i moved it around. but here is hoping, things will get back to normal by next week.

not to go too into the details, but so far 2012 has been the year of the un planned, and un welcomed poop. now, its a sewage problem. the joys of being a home owner!

anyhow......

i had mentioned that i have managed to get some sewing done (non etsy shop), and here is the first little project i whiped up.

i spotted these curtains at my favorite thrift shop, a few weeks back, and could not resist the colors and pattern, and just how wonderfuly tacky and patchworky they are. and hey, the 2.99 price tag was not bad either.

a little snipping here..

and cutting there...

figuring out my hem length...

ironing things out...

easy-peasy!

i spent a helluva lot more time and money on some things i made for my kitchen, which i will post about this week, but they came out so lovely, that i really don't mind. i am still waiting on you know who, to put up the curtain rod in the kitchen, so i can take pictures.

and i am perfectky capable of doing it myself, but i personally think, that it is one of those floodgates i do not wish to open. or else, i will not be able to keep up my damsel in distress, thing i have been using since day one

see ya!

2011, year in review.

2012-01-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

these type of posts are normally long.

and i have quiet a few pictures, and things that i wanted to post, but if i am 100% true to who i am, and what "really" stands out to being as the best things that happened to me ( and that are not too personal to share ) in 2011, it comes down to 4 things, really.

participating in my first craft show ever.

being able to meet the people that have purchased from me. taking into consideration thoughts and opinions ( in case you where wondering, that is why i have changed up the fabrics i use, ahem). and realizing that i am not quiet as invisible in the world, as i sometimes feel like i am.

buying a house.

after years of renting and living in others houses ( some too big, others way too small ) we purchased our first home, and moved in this past summer. it has been (and will continue to be) really awesome and scary at the same time. mostly, i know that we are lucky to have found our house ( except for the pinecone wallpaper, pink bathtub, and ghost) and slowly make it into our dream home.

sbj, etsy shop milestone.

i reached ( and have surpassed ) the 11,000 th sale mark in my shop. and while i will not write down how i got here again ( already have several etsy shop posts) i am still pretty darned proud of myself. that is alot of sewing, for one person to do.

one of the crafting pinnacles.

me. or rather my beloved "house pouch", in a book.

and having already spotted some interpretations, that is even more amazing to me. i am not one to spend my life taking pictures of everything, i preffer to actually enjoy these moments, but i am so glad that i did document this for myself, and i will share more of this at a later date.

here is hoping that 2012 is even better. that i stay true to myself. continue to work hard at my shop's, and get even better. that i really stick to my resolutions, one of which is to make time for personal projects ( 2 of which I finished today ). and make the effort to blog more.

doable, right?

hello 2012!

2012-01-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

so very happy to be home. i missed my little ones so much, and the last few hours till we arived at our little house where filled with me being anxious to hug and squeeze all 6 of them.

of course, we may have been too anxoius.

we got a speeding ticket.

found out ziggy pee-peed all over meles bosses house.

and

mr.peanut managed to squeeze thru the door of our master suite, got trappped inside, and pooped under our bed.

all i can do is shake my head, clean up, and laugh.

hope the start of your year is not as poop and pee filled as mine!

A quick catch up !

2011-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Oh, hello!

It has been a few days, eh? What can I say, we are here getting ready for our trip to San Diego at the end of the week, I have what feels like a million cookies to make, and housework to catch up on, and laundry to fold, and since that was not enough...

( I don't wear cute shoes, when I do yard work)

I had all the best intentions to sweep up the mess we have in our driveway, but gave up about half way. I think I should have asked santa for a leaf blower, cause my arms still hurt, a few days later.

And if doing all this during my "vacation", was not enough...

I finally cleaned up my sewing room, refolded all my fabrics, and what the hell, rearranged the thing as well. I really like how open it is now, and cannot wait to post more pictures. I also ( gasp ) made myself some proper curtains!!

How is that for a Christmas mircale!

here is my little sewing room tree as well. Thrifted for under 3.00 a few weeks ago, and a pretty shade of lavender. More recent ( this past weekend ) thrift store finds that I am totally nerding over are...

cutest pillow ever, and...

this cookie jar!

And to end the last post of 2011, since I have so much to do, and will not be on till we get back after New Years, I spotted myself ( litteraly) and my little house pouch ( the project I contributed to the book..ahem ), in case you have not noticed my not so subtle link on the right hand side, here is a little peek, and I am so excited for this, and seeing myself thru a picture was so weird, and when I get to see myself in the book when I get it, well, who knows what that feels like.

Have a happy and safe Holiday. Eat lots of cookies, hug your family, and think of me, spending the 25th in the happiest place on earth (No not Fabric Depot) Disneyland!!!

Musing (and I am a bit tired and cranky)

2011-12-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

On selling during the Holidays.

Or better yet, on the fact that I have my shop still open, right now.

I can honestly say I have not the slightest idea how ( how..really) do sellers stay open year round. Or more to the point, right now, when Christmas is days away.

It has been interesting to say the least. Stressful, to be honest. And a pain in my ass, to be blunt.

I cannot believe that I have international customers, buying now (this week) and sending me little notes that go something like this " It better get here in time for Christmas".

Uhhh... what?

Geez, I think your Mom would not be too pleased with your manners, missy!

So.

Now that things are winding down, and tomorrow is the last day my shop will be open, I have learned ( as I always do) quiet a bit about selling right now.

1- Alot of people assume that because I have alot ( not as much as others, mind you) of sales, I have friends and family and apparently in the case of one very hilarious message from a etsy member, my things mass produced, " cause there is NO WAY you have sewn all this by yourself".. I have magical elves helping me sew everything.

NO.... its all me. And since I have been working up to 16 hour days for the past month and a half, the last part of the assumption is a bit insulting and kind of awesome at the same time. It is just ME. The ONLY HELP I get is from my Mr.Wonderful, who helps with the postage labels, back rubs, and the ocassional "calm down woman, and stop freaking out" speech.

2- It is apparently my fault that things take a long time to arrive.

Because, the fact that it is the Holidays, and the Postal Service's bussiest time of the year, it is my fault that things take a while to arrive. Maybe I should start adding the cost of a plane ride to the shipping, so I can hand deliver purchases.

3- Accept the fact that hardly, anybody reads my shop policies.

Really, what was the point in me writing them. I always read them when I purchase from others. I guess it was quiet presumptuous of me to assume that since I have on every single item description in my shop to read them before you purchase, it would be a given.... silly Julie!

4- Like the boy scouts and Mr.Wonderful say: Always be prepared.

Or, have a little bit of more self confidence in the things I make. Make sure I have a surplus of things in time for December. I dunno. I had a million small pouches made, and have not sewn a single one since I was prepping for Crafty Wonderland early this year. And I am down to less than 20 in my shop, so that was pretty nice. I guess I should have done the same with my E-Book sleeves.

5- See number 4 again..... and again, and again, and again.

6- Everything happens for a reason.

I was pretty put-out ( to say the least) that I applied to a craft show, and did not get in. OK, I was not really upset, more like : "oh well, maybe next time" but lets just say that others around me, did not take it so lightly, and well, that did not help. But now, looking back on these past few weeks, I thank God, Buddah, Jehova and anyone else who is watching over me, that on top of keeping up with the shop, and doing a wholesale order, I did NOT have to prep for a craft show as well.

7- Holiday things.

Maybe I should have done something, like maybe sewn 2 pieces of scrap book paper together to make a sort of envelope, or some drawstring bags ( which I bought the string for, but did not get around to making) to offer as a gift wrap alternative. oops.

8- Gift packs, gift ideas.

I did not have pouch packs, like I have done in the past. And I should have made more planners, since every single one sold. Tsk. Tsk. Which pretty much falls under Number 4.

Sorry , I am feeling a bit peevish right now.

I think, I am more tired than anything.

One more day.

I have cookie things to buy this weekend, so I will show off what I baked, before they all get packed away for our trip back home ( San Diego ).

And before I forget: I hope that none of these things I wrote are taken in the wrong way. I am just pretty much writing out my thoughts at this moment. I am so grateful ( and have written it many times before, for as long as I have been selling) and in awe of every single thing I sell, and for every new and returning customer that I have, I would love to be able to give you a huge thanks for a great 2011, and I hope to start 2012, a bit wiser, less grumpy and with alot of energy and things to offer up, for anyone who wishes to support me and my little one woman shop.

Simbiosis Shop News

2011-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Just a heads up on a few shop things. Starting with a small update today. I added 12 new Kindle ( Ereader/ Tablet) covers to the shop, just now. I used some of the most popular prints, and threw in a few unisex ones as well.

I am so nice!

Oh wait.. I think it is due to alot of irrate messages from guys, asking me, why I do not have more non-cutesy ones.... doup!

I will also be adding 8 new Ipad / Tablet / Netbook sleeves later tonight.

I do have 2 shop things to add.

1- TOMORROW is the very last day to be able to purchase items that are not ready made ( sleeves and covers, that have sold, and I have relisted ) so a heads up that the popular elephant march and chevron stripe sleeves, will no longer be available to purchase ( until I get back from my vacation.. not like ever!).

2- All my Etsy shops will be closed for about 1 month, starting on 12/16. I will be around, but I really need to take some time away from my shops, enjoy my house, squeeze my kids ( cause I have been a bit cranky with them lately) and just step back, and work on NEW things for 2012, without this crazy lady look on my face, that I have had for the past few weeks.

Oh yeah... and the fact that this year, we will be spending Christmas and New Years in San Diego, with our families, is another thing to look forward too as well :)

Less than a week to go.. crazy!

Tidbits from home.. Christmas edition

2011-12-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

Life is hectic. My little shop is keeping me super busy. And when I do take a moment to just sort of breathe, I prefer to do it next to my Mr.Wonderful. Between the cold ( they started to salt the roads today!) and baking ( had to do a test run, a new cookie going with us to San Diego) I managed to make our little den festive, and a nice place to hang out.

I purchased the wreath on Etsy, from this seller here, and I am super-duper in love with it!

I have been on the hunt for vintage ornaments for a while now, and have somehow managed to get a pretty big bag full of them, so I will be all set for next year!

I want traditional/kitschy decor in the den ( pictured above) and brighter colors in the main livingroom or what will be the collection room ( work in progress ).

And now, our 2011 tree.

( lost source.. sorry!)

This tree was my inspiration. But since it was not in my budget to go all out, I used what I already had, and just purchased a few more things. Maybe someday, my tree will look just as nice! I took pictures from begining to end, but will only post a few, just so you get the idea of where I strted, and where I ended up.

New additions where those big candy canes, and swirly ornaments ( Target ), glitter snowflakes ( WalMart ) glittery picks, like for wreaths and such ( JoAnn's ) and finally some lime green and turquoise glass ornaments, that I kept on the upper part of the tree, away from the 6 kids ( Michaels ). The only thing I purchased at full price ( which was less the 3.00) where the WalMart snowflakes, everything else was at 60% - 75% off , which was the best part of all.

I have been looking into foam props to add to the tree for next year, but they are crazy expensive, so I will have to make my own. I want some gift boxes, and maybe some gingerbread men. well, I have another 10 months to work on that. For now, this is our very first official Christmas tree, in our very own house ( with a red glittery tree skirt, and a huge train underneath it --- have not taken another picture), and I think I did not do such a bad job of it.

Now, I have to go back to work, so ttyl ( with a picture of my sewing room tree.. eek!)

Scenes from my sewing room

2011-11-29T22:57:00.000-08:00

happy to have gotten most of the weekends orders mailed out today

and even happier, to have finished up this stack this evening, which means another mail run tomorrow afternoon

sleeping puppies (Dexie is under the blankets)

working in a messy room

and looking forward to my vacation, and freedom to wake up late, make new blankies for my 6 kids, work on a few new patterns for the shop, and just be able to have the freedom of sewing at my own pace, and no stressing about my shops, if only for 1 month... but what a glorious one it will be.

PS:

ALL the Ipad, Tablet, Ereader and Laptop sleeves in the shop are on sale till December 1st, at 9:00 pm PST!

PPS:

A HUGE THANK YOU for all the shopping that was done in my little shop this weekend. I was so surprised, and extremely grateful for each and every sale I made.

Simbiosis shop updates!

2011-11-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

Popping in to let you know that the shop is being re-stocked this week with more Sale items!

I dug thru my back stock, and found all sorts of goodies.

I am also adding a very small handful of planners, Kindle ( ereader ) sleeves, as well as Ipad sleeves.

On top of being at the finish line on the 280 clutch order that has kept me, just a tad busy.

*phew*

Things will trickle in thru-out the week, so don't expect to see them all appear at once :)

Hello lovely

2011-11-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

No, I have not forgotten about this little space of mine, but I am so busy right now, that is has come down to us eating alot of take-out, which is really good for our tummies, but really bad for our waistlines.I am hoping to finally get the last order ( 280 clutches.. ahem) done by next week....

just in time to be too late to have made a bunch of stuff for the shop, but I am not going to be ungrateful and complain... just saying that I will try and add new things, in time for that cyber Monday hoopla. but be prepared... it is dark and rainy over here, which means dark and sad looking pictures for my shop items, but come on, you know it is cute in person, which is what counts!

So the shop Sale is still going on ( till the end of November ) and I will be putting the gadget sleeves on Sale as well, for a few days only, in time for the aformentioned Cyber Monday hooplah, limited to stock on hand ( or in less fancy terms, what is ready made and listed) so no dilly dallying!

Besides sewing, and packing orders, and un-loading what can only be described as enough firewood, to be able to give every-single person who lives in my small town one each, and still have enough left over to keep all 8 of our booties warm this Winter, I put in a tiny fabric order for the shops.

I have always loved that crocodile print. I sold my very last pouch I had in the shop recently, using the bright orange version, and I long ago sold the last thing I made with the black version. I really regret not having made myself something with the black, but I did make myself a mega pouch ( currently bursting with little bits of important papers) with the orange a while ago. So the croc print is a yes.

The hippo one is really sweet, but all the other colorways where a bit to pastel for my tastes. I love that aquaish blue tho. And of course, some of the new Melody Miller fabrics.

It still feels a little strange ( and scary) to order bolts of fabric, but I don't know if you may have noticed, how expensive Japanese fabrics are. It takes alot of research to get a good deal. I still prefer to order from Etsy sellers (keeping the cycle going, supporting other small business owners, like me), but it is not really cost effective.

Here are some other prints I sort of liked, but did not 100% love them, so I passed. The one that I really was dissapointed in, was the French theme one.

I dunno, I think the shoe, perfume and lipstick sort of cheeses up the print.The little animal one, looks alot like a domestic brand fabric, that is really old, and altho I think sea creatures are really awesome, I have never had much luck in selling bags with those type of prints.

Before I go, I did not win the block letters at the auction, they decided to remove them a few days before, and are going to sell them individually, which basicaly sucks.

I did (however) win one of the lawyers bookcases for my love muffin (Mr.Wonderful to you, eh?) a lot of collectible marvin the martian stuff ( don't ask, cause I had no idea he liked that stuff either), a woodworkers bench for my Daddy ( that weighs a ton, and hopefully will not end up in his front yard, cause he was not able to get it thru the house, and to his workshop--oops) and a nutcracker for me.

hey, a girl deserves to treat herself once in a while!

ttyl

yes or no ...

2011-11-07T22:49:00.000-08:00

trying to convince myself , if I really...truly...want to try and win this at a auction this weekend.

and...what the hell would I do with them?

yeah.. almost 11:00 pm, and this is what is not letting me sleep.

Note: ha ha!

We where just going to do absantee bid on something else for the house, but after seeing these ( and they also have some of the drawers, but I already have one I was lucky to buy for super cheap locally) letters, a antique kitchen hutch ( that I really want for my sewing room), and some lawyers bookcases ( that I said I want for my sewing room, but I actually want to get these for Mr.Wonderful, for his creepy action figures the poor dude has in plastic bins, in my laundry room..meh) I think we might go and see what else they have. Last time we went to a acution, we left after 4 hours, and this one, is the biggest one they have had all year, so I may have to do what my Mom did when I was growing up, and pack some burritos in my purse , to munch on :)

HUGE Sale heads-up !

2011-11-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

I had mentioned that I was going to have a SBJ shop sale starting this weekend, and I have decided ( for the FIRST time ever) to also have 2 of my OTHER Etsy shops on Sale as well!

Simbiosis Shop Sale

- Pouches - Purses - Clutches - Gift Items

Be sure to check out the Mark Down section as well!

TheCraftyTurtle Shop Sale!

Fabric destash shop will be marked down. So now is a good time to pick up some out of print, Japanese fabrics ( at a GREAT price), or maybe some zippers, as I have a few listed as well.

Shop will be closed down after the Sale ends, whatever is not sold, is going back in my stash :)

PetiteMaison Shop Sale !

While I have a serious love for all things Zakka, I lack time to work on them. This shop is full of what I wish I can sew everyday. There are so many sweet little handcrafted items to choose from, all of which will make a perfect gift.

And since I spilled the beans ( sorta ) already. I had mentioned months ago, about a top secret " something" I was working on. Well this is it. I was super lucky enough to be included in a new book that is coming out in January, featuring a whole lotta amazing zakka designers.. and little ol pouch making Julie.. is one of them.

I was (and still am) utterly thrilled to have contributed my adorable House Pouch to this collective, and I have quiet a few house pouches listed in the shop, if you want to hop on over and take a look.

Ok... enough shameless self promotion.

Sales will start on Saturday !

SBJ shop notices

2011-11-01T08:41:00.000-07:00

New things coming this week:

-Macbook 13" laptop sleeves

-Ereader sleeves, smaller to fit the new kindle 4, Kobo, Sony reader pocket, etc.

-Ipad covers

-Small / medium zipper pouch update

Also wanted to let you know that there will be a Shop Sale on certain items starting this weekend. Think stocking stuffers, secret santa gifts or other holiday or just feel like treating yourself kind of day. The sale will include:

-Zipper pouches

-Tote bags

-Clutch & Wristlets

As a side note:

I am updating the pouch stock this week, and what I have listed is all that will be available. I will try to add a few Winter/Seasonal pouches if I can. Please forgive me if I take a bit longer to answer messages and emails, but I have 280 clutches I need to get done in a little over 1 month, so Julie is gonna be a very busy little bee.

see ya later :)

P.S: not one danged trick or treater.... and now I have a bowl full of candy ( the good kind) ... just what my fluffy butt needs :P

Dexie

2011-10-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry. I know I am becoming one of those annoying chi loving / cat ladies that do nothing but post pictures on our blogs, but just look at her face.

I am so lucky. She is the sweetest thing ever. I walk around the house, and she tries to keep up, and keep her nose pressed against my leg. If I am in kitchen, I turn around, and she is sitting on the carpet ( dogs are not allowed in the kitchen.. and they know it) staring at me with one paw in the air...and then she switches paws, and sometimes ends up on her hind lesg, with both paws up.

She knows that when I say " lets' cuddles mama", it means that she gets to nap on my lap, under a blanket.. or in the case of Mr. Wonderful, she gets under his sweatshirt.

She is a brave little thing, and gets into fiesty moods, and starts to chase the cats, even Peanut, who she used to be scared of.

She fills her little mouth up ( like a squirrel ) with food, and spits it out ( away from the plate) and then proceeds to eat it. And since the left side of her face is messed up ( she was either dropped or hit so hard as a puppy, she lost her vision in one eye, and her mouth droops--- not by us, we adopted her from the shelter with her eye litterarly all gross and with puss and other yuckys) she manages to scrape us with her little tooth that sticks out whenever she licks us, and her little tongue is always sticking out. So sweet. And I am one lucky puppy mama :)

Tidbits from home

2011-10-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

I finally hung up the picture frames on the wall. I originaly wanted the whole wall full, but we decided just the headboard part. And now, we are back to wanting the whole wall.

Luckily it is a very budget friendly thing to do. Now I will be on the look-out for more 50% off the price marked, frames at my local Goodwill this weekend.

( No laughing at my light fixture, eh? It was THE thing, back in 1961)

I spookified my diningroom ( just a little ) am baking some Halloween sugar cookies this weekend, hoping for some trick-or-treaters, which will probably not happen, since we live on a hill, with just a 2 lane road. Boo.

While all my children get along, I rarely see them all together.

All 8 of us, are doing well :)

Another milestone

2011-10-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

for me.

I woke up to having reached (and slightly surpased) 11,000 ( eleven thousand ) sales in my SBJ shop.

Holy crap.

Did I really reach this number?

And most of all, how the hell did I ever manage to sew 11,000 things ( plus wholesale orders, that is another can of worms ) without reaching the point where I HATE sewing, or I HATE kawaii fabric, or even worse I HATE pouches!

I honestly can not be 100 % certain.. but it comes down to 3 things.

1- I love to make things
2- I love people
3- I love that people love the things I make

How simple!

And now, a trip down memory lane.. . ...... .. . .....

The very first thing I sold on Etsy.

This was in May of 2006. And since I had been selling (and pretty good, I might add) handmade Mexican folk/artish jewelry on Ebay for years before, I decided to list a few things and see what happened.

The first purse I sold on Etsy.

This was in January of 2007. And I would like to point out to those new sellers that are like, " what the hell... why do I not sell anything?" , When I opened my shop in 2006, I had a grand total of... 8 ( eight ) sales that whole year.

(I really like the grosgrain ribbon, and plastic skull beads I added.. lol)

And now... a drumroll please.......

This is the first pouch I sold on Etsy.

Oh my gawd...

I would like to take the time to REALLY thank whomever purchased this, because.. dang. That is pretty darn square.. and I would almost bet my entire collection of vintage linens, that I did not add any lining to it.

sorry bout that :)

Do you sense a theme I had going?

I was all about the skulls, and tattoos and all that sort of thing back then.

The first 'kawaii' thing I sold on Etsy.

In April of 2007, almost 1 year to the date, of when I first opened my shop.

And now, here I am. In my own house, with a measuring tape around my neck, a pile of things I need to add to my shop, and a to-do pile that is ever growing.

Doing what I love, and feeling thankful ( beyond 11,000 times ) for it.

Simbiosis Shop News

2011-10-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

Lot's of new things coming to the SBJ shop, starting tommorow with some new Ipad / small netbook sleeves. Adding guy friendly, and non- kawaii ones.

I still have a stack about halfway sewn, and will get those listed next week.

And, I am so excited to add some "giftie" items, that are perfect, for when you are not quiet sure what a person will like, and want to give them something that is cute and functional, to the shop, before the mad Holiday rush starts.

These are small day planners, all are one of a kind, and they will also be listed in the shop starting tommorow!

I love my day planner.

I know that I can keep notes on my phone and ipad, but I am totally a pen and paper kind of a girl, and these things really come in handy!The best part is that once the year is up, all you have to do is buy a replacement planner, and your good to go.

I am working on a few more "gift" items for the SBJ shop, including more notebook covers (all of which sold out, when I had them in the shop a few months ago) and a few card cases (business/ credit/pictures) are also in the works.

gotta go!

show and tell.. thrift store finds

2011-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a while, and these are the things I have found within the last few weeks, that I am smitten with.

this hand sewn, thing-a-ma-jig is so pretty, and looks lovely in my sewing room

another embroidered table scarf, to add to my box of..well embroidered things and tablecloths, i love to hoard ♥

pink elephant, japanese planter

eek!

i ♥ my holly hobby, colorful afghan.

so glad i bought it, well worth the 7.00 it cost :)

and finally, what my momma called, the i ♥ lucy dress

it is so pretty, and still has the original tag attached!

while i do not see myself using this for a day of errand running , i am so gonna use this when we celebrate "noche buena" with my family in december, yay!

This moment...

2011-10-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

as i sat here, to answer some messages, she came around the corner.

as i write this, she is still grazing in my yard.

i love my house, i love my 'view', and i truly love Oregon, at this moment.

Simbiosis shop updates

2011-10-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

The little shop is getting a Ipad & Kindle sleeve update today.

I have more guy friendly sleeves/covers in the works, and I have already sent out into the world a sleeve for the new smaller Kindle, yay!

I am also pretty happy about the little change that is coming to Etsy. Not sure if any other sellers are stoked about, finally (yes, finally) having the option of being able to change your shop name!

Amazing...

And it only took.. what 6 years (more or less) for them to enable that. So my Simbiosisbyjulia (geez..long name, sorry) is going to be simply Simbiosis, and the new non-kawaii shop (coming in 2012) might get a name of its own.

Maybe.

It has been such a lovely last few days, arrival of cold weather, re-watching "Lost" ( a few episodes a day), lots of sewing, a few thrift store finds ( new afghan.. since the kittys killed the last one I brought home..boo), little visitors, a squirrel that keeps us all entertained, cuddle time in bed, and getting ready for a weekend trip with Mr.Wonderfuls co-workers, who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the company, and they bribed me to tag along with 3 little magic words: "casino" & "antique malls".

Hope your week is equally as nice.

I'll try and take some pictures of my new (to me) blanket, and a dress that I might wear at X-mas, and to hell with those I ♥ Lucy comments, I am sure to get from my family.

Hello sweetness!

2011-10-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Happy does not even begin to describe me at the moment!

This is the first time, my little thumbelina ( Dexie ) has not pee-peed' when I put something on her, but she has actually been running around with Ziggy, chasing the cats ( ha ha--- funny since the combined weight of my puppies = 1 of my cats...and in the case of Queen Cutey & BB, half), barking at the deer, and just moving around, and not even trying to take it off!

Skirt details: Thrifted/vintage sheet, pon-pon trim, and a bit of elastic.

Oh yeah.. I forsee a gingham and polka dot skirt being made soon.

Have a great weekend!!

E-Reader cover fyi ...

2011-10-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Amazon is launching a new Kindle, horray!

But all of my covers are sized for the Kindle 3 (etc.) drat!

So I just wanted to let you know that it is super EASY to size down the Simbiosis Kindle Covers, I have ready made in the shop. Just let me know at checkout, and I will work some of my sewing voo-doo for ya, no problem.

Hello Monday!

2011-10-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

a new week.

a new month.

and new things coming to my little shop.

so much to do!

have any other etsy shop sellers started planning on what you will do for the holidays? eep. it is crunch time! i have some giftie things i will have just for the month of november and part of december in my sbj shop, that i am really super-excited about.

for now, i need to go continue on with working for a few more hours, lots to do, and little time to get it done :)

Sewing room kitty

2011-09-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Someone has found a new hang-out spot, and was nice enough to let me take some pictures.

I think this was her way of saying " Ok lady, get over it".

Have a great Friday!

Pretty things

2011-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

This plus ...

this ( my little back yard)

equals..

New little houses, available now in the shop.

Can't wait to set up my own, and add a little Halloweenish charm to my own little house.

work..work..workin'

2011-09-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the view of our pretty forest, while I can.

It gets a bit chilly at night, next to the huge windows.

I think, I had a bad influence on my Mele, with the whole fixing and decorating of our bedroom thing.

He ordered curtains for his room, and the curtain rods as well (yeah.. not a fan of those circa 1970's orange ones ) and has been obssesing over the past few days with light fixtures.

Eek, I have created a decorating monster. As long as I don't catch him watching HGTV, it's all good.

I am listing lot's of things today. Just added some more Halloweenish/gastlie pouches, as the only two that I made and originaly listed, already sold. I will update the shop right now with some ereader covers, and a few laptop sleeves.

I am also taking on new custom order requests, from now, until the end of October. After that, they will not be available until January, so just a heads up :)

I started a little sweet something last night, with the intention of finishing up this morning (as my day starts at 5:30 am Monday thru Friday, that is) and taking pictures of it outside, but alas, the rain has descended upon my neck of the woods, so here is hoping for tommorow being a clear day. Or who knows, since it is a Halloween thing, maybe the gloomy weather will help me picture wise.

Etsy stuff

2011-09-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I have so many things I need to get done, and it is just hard to find anything semi-interesting, and non-repetitve to write about. So how about a look at what I have been working on?

Lot's of new Kindle/Ereader sleeves for the SBJ shop.

I am at a loss on the whole tagging thing. If you are a Etsy seller ( that knows what is going on.. ahem) maybe you feel my pain? If you are a buyer, I am so sorry about my tacky E-Bay-esque titles.

But I have no choice anymore.

But I digress.

I will try to add a few new E-reader sleeves tonight, if not I will start tommorow.

I also have some Halloween-ish pouches listed in the shop right now, and they are on Sale :P

New laptop sleeves!

These are for 13" MacBooks, and...

this owl one, is my favorite!

After all these years of running my shop's, and working almost always 7 days a week, I have now decided that I am taking Sunday off.

I am tired.

And not to mention, a little sad that I have not had time to work on personal projects, so yesterday, being my first day off , I started working on a little giftie that is destined for one of the people I love most in the world... and I hope he likes it :)

I'll be back with a few more things, in a few days my friend.

Snippets from my home.

2011-09-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

I think I should start by pointing out, that this is the very first time that I have actually wanted, a semi-fancy (to us) bedroom. I have always had a mixture of used, hand-me-down, and DIY (thanks to my uberly talented carpenter/Father) furniture and decorations in my past bedrooms (pre- Mr.Wonderful, of course). And, I have never been quiet as enthusiastic, went it came to buying stuff (as in brand new) for my house either. My Mom and Sister are addicted (in a good way... not in a you will ever see them in a episode of Hoarders, sort of a way) to the whole decor and 'theme' thruout the house thing. Me... not so much.

And I can honestly say, that if it not for my Mom egging me on (and subsequently, buying almost everything--- sans furniture and duvet cover... a-hem) I am not sure I would have known what to do, at all. But,now, we are at a great halfway point. I am so happy to have chosen a neutral color for the walls. And I have added a bit of my own DIY to it, without going super Julie (see sewing room pictures, and you'll see that I tend to get a little over the top, ahem) in the room.

All frames came from my local Goodwill, and since I was able to make a few trips, I choose only the ones that where at 50% off the marked price!

I still have more to be painted, and as soon as the bed is delivered (yup... still waiting on that...ahem) I will be hanging up my frames on the wall, behind the bed.

I plan on also making a fabric 'art' piece, that will be used to cover up the funky light up glass on one of the walls. And we are keeping the door to our master bathroom closed from now own, cause we may have made over the bedroom to 2011, but the minty green toilet and pine cone wallpaper in there, is still stuck in 1961 :)

Lovely week

2011-09-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Happy my sewing room, can be a guest room as well

Happy my kitty cats, and puppies love each other.

Happy to be with my Mama, on her special day.

Happy to have remembered the Missoni for Target thing, the day of, and that I made it in time to pick up a few things for the little house, and for me as well :P

Happy I made a Red Velvet cheesecake, instead of a regular one.

Three words.... OH MY GOD !

Happy my new furniture arrived, and that I had Mom to help with figuring out the decor in our bedroom. It is not done (yet) but it is quiet lovely.

Happy for the warm weather, trips to seaside towns, and clear blue skies.

Happy for the Mom I have.

She should be at LAX right now, connecting to her flight to San Diego.

So thankful for her visit, can't wait till December, when I will see her again.

Pouch sale!

2011-09-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

In the SBJ shop, starts tonight !

A visitor

2011-09-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

mama and her 2 babies come by on a daily basis.

Maybe we should name them :)

Keeping busy

2011-09-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy since Friday, have not done any sewing, and have only been able to get on the computer once a day, to answer messages. My wonderful Mamita (Mother) is arriving on Tuesday (I think) for a almost week long visit, and I am feeling a mixture of utter happiness (Her birthday will fall during her visit, and it's the first time I can celebrate with her in 5 years) and horror, as my house is kind of a mess right now, due to our putting-off the whole painting thing.

We are quickly (ha ha) working on fixing up our bedroom, before the new furniture arrives (as predicted, they are kindly holding onto it for us, as we are not quiet ready). Wow.. our room looks so small in this picture, not sure why...

Walls are halfway painted with the actual color, and now more than ever, we are looking forward to new carpet, and are going to look into seeing how much a painter will cost (for the kitty's room, which is next) because going on day 4, we do not want to go thru this again. Ah.. the joys of home ownership!

Finally making something!

2011-08-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

and no.. that is not a placemat.

I was looking thru my small (ahem---very small) collection of fabric prints, that I might be able to mix and match to make said placemats (Julie versions), when a small pile of bleached mulsin caught my eye.

Said pile has been there (meaning my fabric shelf on the far right) for a few weeks now. And I totally guilted myslef into finishing (ahem.. ok starting) the elusive curtains for my sewing room. Yeah.. it has been a while, since I said I was going to make them.

white.

yup, pretty darn happy with white.

All in one piece.

Don't ask me why I did that. Not sure if they will stay that way, but since there is no view out that window (OK, lot's of tree's, but come on, my house is surounded by them, so not seeing those is no big deal) for now (as in while I do, what is in the following paragraph) it will stay as is. Think of it as a blank canvas, which is what I said to Mele yesterday, when he saw them and said," white?".

Not sure exactly what I will do, but I started making some hexagons last night.

I would love, to have nothing but hexagon curtains, but it might be a bit too heavy, and droopy curtains, make me sad.

So, I am pretty much not sure exactly how they will go, but I am making them.

Maybe flowers? Hexagon waves? Rainbows? Scatters?

We shall see, and since I do not have no where, close to, enough of them to do anyhthing but a sad little sprinkle of them, I will keep on making them (in my free time) and see what I come up with.

Before I forget!

I cleaned and organized my zipper ~~hoard~~ drawers, and listed some assortment packs in the destash shop just now. I am also going to work on a SLR camera bag pattern today. I made something sort of similiar as a custom order recently, and my own little Nikon needs a new home, so hopefully it comes out pretty good, you will see a few added in the shop soon. I need to get some waterproof fabrics ( boring and plain..meh) but rest assured that nothing but cute and colorful fabrics will be used on the outside!

New project, getting my pattern figuring out on, so excited!!!

Fabric destash time!

2011-08-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

I went and listed everything I was willing to part with (sort of, did a few returns-- sorry).

Lot's of rare and out of print fabrics are now available in my destash shop (link on left sidebar).

Now to go clean up the room, and spend some quality time with my sewing machine, I saw some placemats and table runners at Anthropologie, and me thinks I will have crack at making my own version ;)

Monday morning

2011-08-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

first, a HUGE thank you for such a wonderful sale in my SBJ shop!

It is quiet clear that I need to get busy, to re-stock the shop on quiet a few things (laptop/Kindle sleeves) and I am already halfway there. I have a few new fabrics that I will be using, just for that.

second, the fabric desatash will begin tommorow afternoon or evening. Will add a bunch of fabrics to the shop, and will add the rest the following day. woo!

as I already knew would happen, next weekend we are gonna (finally) go get some paint color, and start to work on fixing up our bedroom (yay). It took us only a few weeks, but the battle of the duvet cover is finally over (did not blog about it, but lets just say that Mr.wonderful is NOT one of those men, that do not really give a crap, about the 'decor' in the master bedroom) and we have a winner *ding ding ding --- loud cheering crowd*!!! And so the rush to get new carpet, sand and paint ~~wood paneling~~ er checkerboard, and not to mention the delivery of our new furniture (eeekkkk--so excited, I can pee my pants from it) which is our bedroom set, dining room, and new desks for the office,paint the laundry room, go to a auction cause Mr.Wonderful saw something that would work for the laundry room, all before my Mother arrives on the 13th of September.

If you said 'yeah right'... so did I.

Etsy shop updates

2011-08-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I have been a little bit on the busy side this week. The Simbiosis Shop Sale is ending soon, so if you have been contemplating getting a little something, you have until the 28th!

In the meantime...

I am continuing on with getting all the fabrics ready for the huge destash I am doing. I have taken pictures of, measured, and weighed just about everything. I need to spend some time figuring out the shipping costs now (so glad I have a scale!) and seeing how many of what can go into flat rate envelopes. I still need a few more days to edit pictures, as well as work on all the listings, but I am planning to have it all done and listed in The Turtle, by next week.

I am also going to update the vintage section in my Petite Maison shop soon, as I have a few little pretties that need a new owner :)

Etsy shop talk

2011-08-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

I think all shop owners learn over time. Well... some of us, others just don't get it.

I was thinking about all of this yesterday afternoon, as I happily (and quickly!) was packaging up some of the shop orders. I was thinking about how it took me...5 years ( not ashamed to admit it!) to finally be happy with how my little bags are shipped out (OK 95% happy, still need a plan "B" for laptop sleeves and purses). I went thru my nothing but tissue paper stage. And I remember getting back a angry message from a buyer, letting me know (in a nutshell) that I was stupid, and her item "could have" been damaged. A change purse.. really lady?

But I heeded her ~~kind of~~ snooty words, and started using (as some of you may remember) party favor bags. And I went one better... themed ones! Bought something in Febuary... lots of pink and red! Summer time, got you a flamingo. March and April, I sent many a easter egg and bunny rabbit.

And then, the freebies!

Erasers.. pencils..pencil sharpener, Halloween candy, Japanese candy, candy canes, those old circa 1980"s hair barettes...ha ha!

I even attempted (at one point) to make my own freebies. Which resulted in a lot of purchasing of scrap book paper, and cutting out of tiny notebooks. I think the whole freebie thing is kind of nuts. As a buyer, I think it is really cute and sweet. I have recieved fabric scraps, pin backs, magnets, home made (ha ha) notebooks. I have also gotten some very generous ones, that sort of left me scratching my head in amazement, FQ fabrics (note the "s" at the end) earrings, a tiny bible, and litteraly, a second one, of what I originally purchased.

I just can't imagine sending out a free pouch. Actuallly.. I think I may have done that in the past as well. The things we do, to be remembered!

All in all, it is a personal choice. I have decided to only do it on special ocassions ( see pencils above ). And instead of all the fancy wrapping, stamping, sticker covering things I once did. I now do basic and clean packaging, with just a small pop of color.

Plastic baggies, purchased from Uline. Scrap book paper top, purchased on sale plus additional % off coupon from JoAnns . Handwritten thank you note. Short and sweet... I don't think a customer needs to hear my life story. Business card, and done.

Well, I like it.

Hope you are having a nice Saturday! I am off to get ready, hitting up a few thrift stores, grocery shopping, and maybe a movie with my Mele :)

Sale stuff!

2011-08-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

OK, the little shop is full.

My "clearance" section has been partially marked down, and will get a further (!!!) discount once the Sale starts tonight at 9:00 PM Oregon time ... ahem, PST.

I will not be making anymore e-reader sleeves (unless requested as a custom order) that have a button/elastic closure, so all that is left will be marked down. If you need a sleeve, or no someone who is lugging their e-reader in a mass produced, made in china cover, please send them my way!

If you have your eye on something, that is not a pouch, make sure you have it marked as a favorite ahead of time. In the past, a few people have had things disappear from the shopping cart, and I think it is because of the application I use to automaticaly change the listing prices for me.

Still have a few things to add (all pouches...and I have one more purse) but those will trickle in, as always thru-out the sale.

Now, before I go blind (or a bit crazy) I am stepping away from the computer at last, and cleaning my bathroom.. cause that is how I relax now.. apparently.

-J

Fabric destash countdown...

2011-08-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Been a bit quiet around here lately, as I have been working on a last few minutes things to add to the shop. Not only did I finally get around to finishing up a few more laptop sleeves, but I noticed a few purses that I had leftover from Crafty Wonderland, that I never even listed.

I am going to do one final shop update between today and tommorow, so there will be alot to choose from, for the sale!

I also started to work on the fabric bundles I will be listing (soon). I am so glad I invested in a scale eons ago. Some of the prices that are charged for shipping in other shops are bordering on ridiculous! I have the FQ bundles (pictured above) and the yardage pictures ready to go. Need to work on the 1/2 yards, and finally the funnest ones (and, the ones that sell out fastest!) scrap bundles over the weekend.

I recently had listed (and, sold out!) all my scrap bundles in my PetiteMaison shop, but this time, there is alot (alot-alot) of fabrics I am destashing, so I think I may have to add them to my old destash shop 'thecraftyturtle', instead. Still need to get everything ready so it may be another week or two.

I am going to start with the last of my SBJ shop updates right now.

Thank you (again!) to all of you that signed up for the e-mail sale invite. I was so surprised (in a good way) by the number!! It has been scheduled to go out later today, and please excuse the little ramble I added, but I am so excited about this new venture, and wanted to share it with you!

A little Etsy rant..

P.S:

What the hell is up with the new Etsy search? Relevency. Something listed in April, higher up than something listed within hours, and that has the same keywords on the title.

I don't get it.

I think that this is going to make all sellers, turn the listing titles into something you would see on E-bay. I like (obviously) clean and short titles:

Large zipper pouch - mushrooms

And with this new relevency thing, if I want to get a shot at my listing being seen, I think it will have to go something like this:

Makeup bag, cosmetic clutch, large pouch with a zipper - mushroom

and..

let's not forget the ocassion it is for:

Canada day! Wedding! Chinese new year! Kwanza!

The style:

Hipster! Kawaii! Goth! Techie!

For whom:

Women! Children! Teen! Dog!

fml.

Fabric Friday!

2011-08-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am totally getting ahead of myself, but I am so exited!

I was able to get thru my to-do list way before schedule, so I went ahead and started looking thru my little fabric stash, and picking and choosing what I do not want, what I have too much of, what I am willing (think out of print fabrics, huzzah!) to share, what I will never use, and a few, what was I thinking ( a hem, I think we all have some of those fabrics!) fabrics from my little shelves. I think I did pretty good, for the first time ever!

I am pretty proud of myself, cause I am starting to be less and less of a hoarder ( except for a few collections *cough* nutcrackers and *cough cough* afghans) and I can reward myself, with maybe one major fabric shopping spree ( huzzah! ) when I am all done.

Just kidding!

see...

I was not joking when I said I really went thru all my fabrics.

Now, to dig in thru all of this. Figure out how to divide it ( by the yard, 1/2 yard, FQ, packs, theme, color ??) Maybe by weight, like a surprise box? And hopefully if there are enough bits, I can put together some more kawaii-print scraps packs as well.

So excited!!!

I hope you have a nice weekend! I have a few custom orders (thankfuly, as always!) to do, and Mr.Wonderful is dragging me to see a certain monkey movie tommorow. That's OK.. cause I am so making him go see' Breaking Dawn' when it comes out in a few months, ha ha ha!

Simbiosis shop update!

2011-08-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Finally!

Super cute, laptop sleeves are going into the shop starting today!

These are for 11" MacBook Air, however, if you have another make, of a smaller laptop, they will fit perfectly fine. I have a stack of more laptop sleeves, for the MacBook 13" in the works, and those will be listed early next week.

A ha!

I am trying to get as many new things as possible (for one person, who works with 6 hairy kids bothering her, all day long) done, before the Summer Sale starts!! Yes, it's coming up soon, and if you have your eye on something, or have purchased from one of my Shop Sales in the past, it is first come, first served, so be sure and sign up (on the right hand side, por favor) for the email invite!

And...

I just recieved a new stack of fabrics yesterday, and I am seriosuly thinking of spending a few hours this weekend, going thru my fabric stash once again. If I sell any of my fabrics, I will be sure and post about it here. Now I just got a text message from Mr.Wonderful, that he is still at work, and has no idea when he is coming home, so I think I will go grab some chips and salsa, and call my Mother.

It's a good day when...

2011-08-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

I am able to get so much done.....

.....find a doodle that inspires me, like no other....

....use another sewing machine, other than my noisy Singer.....

But mostly, when the cats, decide to hang out in their room, all day long.

quiet.

nice and quiet.

Kitty post

2011-08-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sweet kitty cats.

On a afghan.

Can't get any cuter than this. Missing is the elusive one (Mr.Peanut) who is a as bad as Dexie, and will not stay still for a picture. So besides licking themselves. The kitty cats seem to have gotten used to our little house.We had visions of torn up carpet and couches. Lot's of jumping on kitchen counters, knocking knic knacks down, and terrorizing of a couple of chihuahuas I know, but none of this has happened (so far).

For which I am really happy. They are utterly fascinated by Mele's room. Not so much in mine, for which I would be lying, if I said, I was sad about not having 4 cats in my sewing room. I love them to death, and it makes for cute picture taking, but if I find cat hair on my fabric... yuck.

I really hope they behave themselves next month when my Mom and her husband come for a visit.

Speaking of which, I am utterly nervous about that. I really should not be, but I just wish we had time to be able to get the little house in perfect condition, before the visit from ~~the~~ ~~Bleach Queen~~ my Mom .

I also hope, that no un-worldy visitors bother them that week. Bad enough they smacked Mr.Wonderful on the face, walk up the stairs in the middle of the day, stare at my cats, and let's not forget, walk on top of Julie, while she is asleep.

From my sewing room...

2011-08-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

woo!

I finally listed a Laptop sleeve!!! I am seriosuly, so frekin happy with how this came out. I will be adding 2 (count them, just 2) more sleeves, in this design, maybe by the end of the week.

Really quickly, before I forget, thank you to all who have signed up for the Sale Invite! Ohh... I feel special indeed. The sale is coming up (this month ) and I am trying to get as many things listed as I can. And I will try to have more laptop sleeves made as well. I have been thinking about discontinuing a few things I make, so the Clearance section, is gonna be pretty good my friend.

Besides sewing, this is another wonderful something, that has Mele, Queen Cutey and I, fixated!

How sweet is that. The nest is right outside my sewing room window. That mama bird is a busy bee all day long, and those little babies are huge.

too much cuteness!

Friday finds ... thrift store edition

2011-07-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

I love (love, love) thrift store shopping. And collecting. But, it was getting so out of hand, that I have now limited myself to only buying what I seriously (for real) can not pass up, what I can actually use, and what I have room for .All of this, has resulted in leaving things on shelves, talking to myself (alot) and not to mention, a little extra money in my pocket. It is so hard to leave a bargain behind! For example, I really love milk glass vases. I have been collecting them for almost 5 years. But, it is starting to get to the point, where to keep on buying, would only result in alot of repeats. And let me tell you, that the whole bunch, they had marked down to ten cents recently, was very hard to not buy. Same with my camera's. When to keep buying. And when to stop. For almost 2 years, my new thing is typewriters. Of all the things I collect (with the exception of my hundreds of Nutcrackers--- but hey, that is almost 10 years of collecting!) the typewriters are what make Mr.Wonderful... a bit irritated. I think, it is because, those are a bit hard to actually display. At least for me. I have only managed to have 2 of them around the house. My lovely Underwood in the den. And my amore the Hermes, in my sewing room. Hmm. One of the hallway closets (down stairs) is not really being put to any use. Maybe we can turn it into a shelving nook. There is also a very skinny coat closet upstairs, that we might be able to do the same as well.

Ok enough blathering on. Here is some, of what I have found these last few trips ..

Ohh..

So pretty. These type of Polaroids are pretty common around here. This one is going to be mailed out to my awesome nephew, who wants to start collecting cameras. Bottom one is for me :)

Speak of the devil....

So pretty. So clean. How can I not take this? I had a pretty light blue Smith Corona in junior high, and just to think that I sold it at the swap meet for 5.00! If only I had known, all the things I would still have right now. My Brooke Shields Barbie, Michael Jackson doll, all my Garbage Pail Kids, those plastic "chain" necklaces, with the clip on charms, my pump Reeboks, pink and black LA Gear shoes, florescent t-shirts, and my New Kids on The block Bedspread !

Ackk.. the horror !

yay...

More cookbooks! These I do not feel so guilty about, since I actually do use my cook books. This whole week's dinner menus, have been nothing but new things. I went to a Goodwill up in Portland (last year.. I think it was) and was browsing thru the book section, and I could not believe how expensive the cook books where! A few that I have purchased for under 5.00 ,where selling for 40.00. That is crazy !

hello!

Pre-cut and hand sewn, vintage fabric petals? As a fabric hoarder, and all around crafty person, it would have been a sin, to not buy these! There is a new (to me, at least) booth, at a indoor "antique mall" I love to visit once in a while (for real... waay too much good stuff in there) and it is full of nothing but old fabrics, quilt blocks, sewing notions, buttons, and all sorts of things that make your heart pitter patter.

eek...

This quilt.

I am so utterly happy about this. I saw it hanging on a display rack, in my favorite thrift shop, and I first thought.. "ah crap, it's gonna be expensive" but no. I am not too crazy about the binding (emerald green... yuck) but the fabrics are so bright. It is not faded. No rips. No stains, and not even any funny smells (but I already washed it --- I am not a fan of strangers cooties) , nada. I really wish it was a big enough for our bed, but it is a full size quilt.

Best 15.00 I have spent, ever!

Not pictured, is another pink hamper. But, it is a ~~small~~ er shorter (very much so) version of the one I found last year. And, a printers drawer! I am not going to keep it, this I am going to sell it.

Maybe.

I hope you have a nice weekend. I am being a good wifey, and going with Mr.Wonderful to the car dealer today, as his truck is due for it's yearly maintanence (3 frekin hours... fun!) and that is alot of hours of him sitting in a waiting room, all by himself....

ok, ok...he has been wanting to trade in the truck for a obnoxious (sorry no offense intended) SUV, and I am pretty much going to go with him, to make sure it does not happen :)

muak!

-julie

New goals....

2011-07-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

Make sure that all orders are packaged up simply, but nicely.

Do one shop project at a time

Complete (at least) one personal sewing project a month !

While it is too late for us to plant any sort of garden this year, that is no excuse for having this part of our yard looking like crap.Must pull weeds this weekend!

umm...

almost 3 acres of landscaping? How about this is a, before I die, I want a super ginormous garden, goal?

And last but not least..

Buy, hang- up, and decorate a new cork board.

Since I killed my old one last week.

I took advantage of the pretty sunny day, and took some pictures of my thrifty finds in our little yard, will post them tomorrow, woo!

Making lemonade...

2011-07-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I jinxed myself.

When I stated, that my new laptop sleeve pattern was perfect.

It is.

However... since I did not botther to write on the pattern pieces (which is a bad habbit I have, and has resulted in my mountain of, one day I will figure out out patterns) I used the lining piece as the outer fabric one, so it was too short.

All of which I realized after having them all cut up, and the one I sewed, did not fit the laptop.

Doup.

But, at least I was able to recycle them into smaller versions, for e-readers and tablets, so not all is lost. I really like the curvy circle thing right now. I had already made and sold some things in the shop with curvy details in the past, but I never really stuck with it.

I have so much stock on hand, it is a bit scary. I went a bit overboard, when I prepped for Crafty Wonderland ( a-ha, I know for next time now!) so I am planning on having Sale number 2 ( I always have 3 a year!) in the shop soon. I need to figure out the dates first.

I set up a proper mailing list, and I have a sign up box here on the left hand side. I also have the link on my shop banner. I send out the email, a day or two before the event starts, if you want to sign up. Next email you will get (after this August one) , will probably be for my Christmas sale. I am not spammy, I promise!

Enough shop things.

I have had a few awesome thrift store scores these past few weeks, and I think I am over-due on showing them off around here. I'll post a few pictures in a few days.

even tho i am talking to myself, but thats ok :)

The elusive one...

2011-07-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

My sweet little Peanut.

As quickly as he let me snap a few pictures.. he turned around, shook his tail at me, and gave me the goodbye meow.

Around the house

2011-07-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Things around here are sort of at a stand still.

In other words, I am yet to do anything about the boxes in the living room, and my laundry room is still a unpainted disaster area. But I know why....

I have pent up sewing energy in me!

I spent how long (a few weeks) doing nothing but packing cleaning, unpacking, painting, and cleaning, and I am sort of avoiding these things.

For now.

Because come September, my house has to be as perfect as possible. Or else, my Mother will have a nervous breakdown, and will probably try to spend her vacation cleaning, and painting the whole thing. Which, would not be such a bad thing, but I think my Sisters, would kick my butt, if they found out.

During the whole moving process, we ate out.

Alot.

It got to the point, that I actually said no, to pizza (unheard of!). And not to mention, we put on a few (Mele more than me.. hahahaha!). So I am back to cooking healthy (yes..yes..I am horrible meat eater!) things.

And apparently, playing with my poor un cooked chicken.

This picture (a few days after) still cracks me up. My only regret now, is that I have should have put some of the lemon wedges to look like a bikini top.. dang!

This was my first time, roasting a chicken in the oven, and I think I left her in there a bit too long. But Mr.Wonderful, said it tasted great. See.. that is love.

When the person you are with, eats dry chicken, and states that it is yummy!

WIP Wednesday

2011-07-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

still trying to figure out, how I went from working on the pattern for this bag...

into these laptop sleeves, and matching pattern, that came out so perfect, it is scary.

And yes.. I doodle things. And no, these are not the type of sketches I did at FIDM, these are my I am doing something else, and all of the sudden, this occurs to me, sort of a deal.

But I must say, that I really liked how these are coming along. It ocurred to me, to ask for a few opinions, and while one of my Sisters, somehow ended up redesigning the whole thing, and even sketching something completely different out (still thinking about that whole, turning squares, into a camera thing) in the end, I tweeked it up a bit, and it is, much better that I had originaly intended them to be.

yeah... I have a thing for plaid this week.

Sewing things....

2011-07-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

like sweet little clutches.

Repro 30's cotton, linen and lace.

Can anything else be more perfect.

WIP - Wednesday

2011-07-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Having done this last week as well, I saw that it did 'push' me to get my WIP pile done!

So here I am again.

Not only are these wirstlets, but I am actually using some new fabrics, that are not in the shop!

These will also be all one-of-a-kind, just like the IPAD sleeves. Doing just one, of a fabric combination is really fun, and a bit challenging as well, which is a nice change for once.

I was answering some email yesterday afternoon, when this little sweetie came around the corner, and she spent a good 30 minutes, right outside the window, in our little yard. So sweet! There is a mama and baby fawn that has also come by for a visit. Last time, was Saturday morning, but I did not have my camera handy. Next time!

Welcome, to my sewing room! (major photo dump!)

2011-07-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Very quickly: I was unable to get the curtains done, because last night, as I was working on them, I got electrocuted by my iron (several times!), which was funny, only because, I have a long history of iron malfunctions, but I think the best one thus far, has been, the one, where it caught on fire, and I danced around my other sewing room, like a chicken with my head cut off, while holding it.

But, I digress.

Where I started:

And where I ended up....

I am so happy with the end results.

I now have 2 work tables. This is my main one, the other one has a plastic coated, nesting doll tablecloth fabric, I have had for a very long time, and I now have somewhere to paint!

All my fabrics, have been freshly folded, and as always, organzied by color, and type (Japanese on 2 units -- non & vintage on 1). My long, shelving unit (IKEA) houses craft supplies I use regularly, WIP's, fabric scrap baskets, vintage patterns, and my tv. Tall, free-standing drawer unit, is for my zippers (organized by size). Corner table is for my little doll house, and to take product pictures. Dresser, (which started a very ugly brown, with peeling lacquer) is now a pretty pink, and hold's my shop stock, as well as one of my favorite typewriters. I removed the closet doors (which will be recyled, into shelves for the closet...someday) and have stored more craft supplies (rarely used) as well as extra shop stock, in plastic bins, and drawers inside. Wall behind my sewing desk, has a built in storage cubby, which I used scrap-booking paper to cover up the old wall-paper back-splash (yuck). My cork-board is covering up the intercom (!!!) that is in this room. And finally, my old bookshelf, I used to have in the livingroom, is now home to my sewing machines, craft books, and Japanese Craft magazines.

One thing that I no longer have in the room, is my computer. I asked Mr.Wonderful, if it was OK to set it up, along side his, in his 'man-cave'. He cheerfuly agreed, and it has been pretty nice, to be together, during our free-times. I really wanted it out of my sewing room, because to me, it is a major distraction.

It was really fun (albeit time consuming) to fix up my sewing room. It gave me a tiny taste, of what I have to look forward to as a home owner now. I already purchased the paint for the laundry room, and cannot wait to give that a makeover as well.

One room down.

And only, nine more to go!

Here kitty kitty...

2011-07-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Because it has been too long, since I posted pictures of my other kids, here on my little blog.

They (cats) seem to finally have settled into the new house.And even consented, to let Mom take some pictures of them today.

I have fixed up the pictures of my sewing room. All I need is to finish up the curtains for the windows. I had a bad headache, today... and I got a serious case of the lazys as well. Be back in 2 days, with the pictures.

Pinky promise!

WIP - Wednesday

2011-07-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

Some one of a kind IPAD cases!

Halfway done. Hoping to add them to my Simbiosis Etsy shop in a few days. I really love the contrasting fabrics I used. So glad I did go for it, and did not keep them plain, as I was originally going to do. Was thinking of adding a diy (design it yourself) listing to the shop.

Maybe... maybe

The dresser makeover!

Mr.Wonderful helped me yesterday, with most of the sanding. Or I should say... he had the hand sander, while I was stuck using nothing but sandpaper...and little ol' me.

It is looking so great. We managed to get most of the old lacquer off. I still need to get the drawers done, but I will wait till late in the afternoon. There is a crazy amount of winged creatures flying about right now. And let's just say... I am not really a outdoorsy kind of a gal.

Just give me time.

Sewing room update!

2011-07-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I am happy to report that I am 98% done. All I need to finish up is the curtains (which will have to wait, till next weekend) and I am going to refinish (eek!) a lovely dresser I purchased at Goodwill (will post on that later this week) that will hold some of my shop stock (goodbye ugly plastic containers!!).

I really wanted to wait and post pictures once I was 100% ready, but I will share a few before and after shots for now :)

I hope you like what I have done so far.

I am happy to be back to normal. I already made some curtains for the closet (ahhh... sewing felt so good!) And, since I have re-opened all my Etsy shops as well, I am already working on some things, getting ready for back to school (and, maybe a little sale)!

I'll report in a few days how the dresser is going. I have never refinsihed a piece of furniture (much less a antique one) in my life, so here is hoping I do not ruin it (or that I see it on antiques roadshow, someday, ha ha ha!)

* panting *

2011-06-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

I will have my sewing room looking nice and purty by Sunday night....

Starting to feel like home....

2011-06-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

hello!

Thought I would quickly pop in, and share some pictures of our new house. These shots are of what is currently my favorite room in the house ( the TV room), not only because, it is somewhat done ( still needs to be painted!), but that fireplace and view to our woods, still has me in awe.

Last picture is of my new sewing room.

Yes.. that is indeed wood paneling...er checkerboard on the walls (and all the walls in the house.. fun!) and let me tell you, I have been working on it since last week. But, tonight I am giving it the last coat of paint (woo!) and will finally be back to my happy sewing self (and with my Etsy shops open) by Monday.

I will post more before and after shots of my new room, as soon as I get a chance.

still breathing...

2011-06-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

we are now moved in... sort of. Been getting things put away. Other things cleaned. And some things, super-cleaned. Cannot locate a funny smell coming from one of the bathrooms. I will try my best, to locate it tomorrow. It is pitch black, inside the house at night. Seriously. There was a little fawn in our backyard, when we came home from the grocery store a while ago. There where a few, on Friday, when we brought the U-Haul, with all our furniture as well. That was nice. Can't wait to post pictures of some of the little corners, I have managed to make pretty. Gonna start to prep my sewing room tomorrow... I am so ready to get back to what I love to do best.

no life in pictures!

2011-06-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

I know that I said I was not going to post about the whole packing process... but I caved.

Sort of.

Sorry. but I could not help but *try* doing the whole silly thing of taking pictures of what is going on around here. I think because it is actually a really big deal, I am finding myself snapping away at even the most insignificant thing I pack, or clean, or even place on table. But I am loosing interest with a quickness.. and just the thought of living my life..for the sake of taking and sharing pictures is utter rubbish. I am more of the actually enjoying the moment kind of girl. Maybe that is why, I do not understand how some persons, are on a family vacation, and feel the need to give a running comentary on what they do every 5 minutes via twitter or facebook. I come back from trips, and family visits with only a handful of pictures in my camera... but my heart and head full of laughs, and memories that mean a million times more, than what I can see later with my eyes.

I dunno.

Maybe in a few years I will regret not having insisted on taking a million pictures of daily life. Maybe I won't. My parents did not grow up like that. Hell, I did not grow up like that, and we all seem to be doing OK.

Anywho.

I was thinking that I am so glad I bought these units. I hope we can make it up to Portland soon, so I can maybe get a few more at Ikea. And... I am sort of tempted to paint the back-board on them. I wonder if that would ruin them?

We seem to have decided on what color the great room(upstairs family room/dining room) will be. And the kitchen. The kitty room will be blue. And I sort of want a sunshine yellow for the laundry room. Bathrooms are a no-go (tile in one, and the other...well you have to see it..but for now I am OK with the pine cone wall paper!) We still have no idea about the main livingroom, our bedroom, Mele's office (or downstairs family room) and my own sewing room. Jeez. When I see it like this, that is alot of frekin painting to do...

Where is my Dad when I need him!

Because today is the last day...

2011-06-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

that we 'live' in this tiny house. It was nice tho. Cozy. And we had alot of good times, and happy moments here. But now it will be, nothing but a go-to place. To get things, and pack things, and apparently, have to stop everything, because the owners are selling it, and instead of waiting on us to leave.. we have been asked (albeit nicely) if it is OK for potential buyers to come by and have a look. Because that is not a inconvenience, right?

So tommorow. We have a appointment, when Mr.Wonderful gets out of work, to swing on by, and pick up our keys. And that will be the end of the long journey, of stress, and heartache, and hours of looking, and prodding, and alot of money spent on home inspections, and getting our hopes up, and seeing bizzare things, and almost getting high, when we where in that pot-dudes house (Oi!).

But it will be the begining, of a even better one. When we can paint, and plant, and remove tree's, and have our 6 kids run wild, have happy purring kitties, my dream kitchen (someday) complete with my magnetic cabinets (huzzah!), and chalk board backsplash (maybe) a room for Mele to call his own, a sewing room,that is almost twice as big as this one, cozy nights by the fireplace, tons of crazy bee's and bugs in our garden, sitting out on the deck, and listening to the water flow in our stream, surounded my nothing but tree's, upon tree's.

looking forward, to a simple, happpy , life.

This little squirrel is finally moving!

2011-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

And it is official.

Papers where signed yesterday. Keys will be turned over on Monday.

It's is kind of funny. We are both really happy (yes-- I know my hapiness is annoying, but bear with me) but it does not seem real yet. I think once we actually drive out (and thru the woods...and valley...past alot of farms..to our new tiny town) to ~~the~~ our house and unlock the door, it will finally seem real. I wonder if this is how it is with everyone else?

So much to do. And pack. And clean.

I am happy. We are happy. Can't wait to finally be home.

This is where I say to myself... don't panic!

2011-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yes.

My sewing room is naked. But this, pretty much is it.

We *might* (out look is good!) be signing a gazzilion papers later this week (eek) and Julie & Mr.Wonderful will get the keys to our first home! So happy! But I have said that many times before, and let me tell you, I am not done saying it yet. I am even looking forward to going over to the house, and scrubbing it from top to bottom (even tho' I now have an extra toilet to clean) and maybe do a few cartwheels in our living room :)

And because I think writing about packing things, and finding layers of dust (sheesh...my Mother would die of shame!) on things that I always posted pictures of proudly are not what I will do from now on, how about I end this with a cute picture I took of my sweet double stuff oreo cookie (or Ms.BB) last night, and say bye bye, for now :)

Sneak peak

2011-06-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to show you a little something I worked on this weekend!

I have not had any notebook covers in the shop for a few years, and where they over-due! I certainly could have used one myself, when I went to the grocery store last week, instead of doing the whole, using the palm of my hand, as a notebook thing, I had going.

I knew that I had to make at least of few of these using my most favorite fabric in the world (linen...ah sweet linen!) and after stumbling upon this uber-amazing FLICKR group (and not because, one of my house pouches was used in a mosaic, eh!), I was more than inspired to punch-up my little notebook design, more than I was originaly going to do so.

I still need to fix my pictures a bit (drat the luck...very little sunshine today!) and my better half, is due home in about a little under 2 hours, and I am yet to start to work on the pizza dough, for tonights dinner, so I will start to list them in the shops (sbj & pm) tommorow.

The one pictured here is a one-of-a-kind (I made another one, using cooler colors as well!) and will be listed in the PM shop!

Gotta run!

oh dear..

2011-06-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

Before I forget, I am sorry for not having posted the cork-board pictures.

I got a bit distracted by a little something I am working on for the shops, and not to mention having Mr.Wonderful home on Monday, also kind of threw me out of my routine.

But... a BIG thank you, for the fabric bundle love!

I still have more available, if you need to add fabric bit's to your stash :)

On the home-front. We heard back from the appraiser yesterday, and the house came back as worth more (alot more) than what we purchased it for! And that is now, with the housing market so very icky. I can just imagine, how it will be, when hopefully in a few (I am being optimistic here!) years, our economy gets better, the housing market will as well, and we can make a nice profit, selling the house, and buying a another one. Just kidding! I love that house (I should say, our house) . So now, we need to start packing! Oh my, I have quiet a few holes to fill, on my sewing room walls before we leave. In the past, all our moves took place within this same little town, so I would pack things while Mele was at work, and we would just do back and forth runs. But now, we have to rent a U-haul, and get everything (except for the kid's and fishes) moved in one shot, which will be quiet interesting. Did I mention, that as soon as you open the front door, there are stairs?

Ick, poor Mele!

And me too.

The curse of being a freakishly strong woman...I have no choice but to help lug the heavy stuff.. I can't do the whole "It's too heavy honey.. I can't!"

Fabric scraps for sale!

2011-05-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

(more than what is pictured, will be in the bundles!)

I have managed to finish making the fabric scrap bundles, and will be listing them in my PetiteMaison etsy shop starting today (not yet--I need a few more minutes).

There will be 5 different packs available, and if you are located outside the US or Canada, you have to contact me to let you know the shipping cost.

Friday!!

2011-05-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Geez...

where the heck did the days go?

It has been one of those weeks, that goes by so fast, and for all that you feel like you did, in reality, it was not much. And so much for me posting a how to, on Le fancy cork board! Ah... gives me something else to work on this weekend.

So I made a pattern for a small notebook holder, and I cut some out for the SBJ shop, and am also going to make some for the PM shop, and was looking thru my small little stash of floral-ish fabrics , and was not liking any of them, for this little project, when I remembered, I had, what I thought was a few scraps left over, from when I made the pillows for my sofas, somewhere in my fabric scrap ~~box~~ (yikes!) boxes , which is more the color scheme I want. Turns out, not only do I have more than enough bits and pieces, but stacks (!!!) of perfectly cut squares, that where going to be a throw for the sofa. Geez. How could I have forgotten that?

And looking thru all these boxes (one is pouches cut-out, that I have on hand always) the rest is fabric bits and pieces, and not to mention, half-done projects, and even some half done purses from like 2 years ago!

I am feeling...such sewing guilt.

Just looking at those bits, I should have a handmade patchwork throw on my sofa, instead of 2 thrifted grannies (made by someone.. who obviously is not a half/maker like moi) and a finished table cloth (remember that..from how many months ago???) instead of yet another vintage table cloth, that has a semi-fuzzy texture, and holds on to crumbs, like you have no idea.

So, instead of putting the boxes away, I decided to spend my Thursday going thru them, and really, only keeping what I cannot part with (fabric that is now out of print, and I have nothing but the little bitty bits left of it) what needs to be donated, what can be tossed in the garbage (thanks to my idiotic idea that I had, of washing my fabric scraps..resulting in wads of thread..ugh) and what I can make fabric scrap packs out of.

I now have:

1- box of lining fabric and linen fabric pieces

1- box of floral and vintage fabrics

2- boxes of Japanese fabrics

That is it!

And all of that in the picture, is going into the fabric scrap packs.

I also need to look thru my fabric shelves again... with the impending move (weee!!!) to our house (*giggle*) that is coming up next month, I need to do some serious cleaning up, and clearing out of fabric and craft supplies, that need to go to someone that may actually use them.

And yes... I am aware that I have written this before. But to those of us who do any type of craft...it is just, what it is.

I will work on the cork board post this weekend, and will also post in which shop I will sell the scrap packs, because (funnily enough) it can't be in the fabric shop..blah blah blah.

And before I forget!

We had to go to the bank to sign some papers, and pay for the appraisal yesterday, and we went to the house as well (I took some pictures, to show one of my Sisters-in-law more of the house) and we just noticed, that there is another smaller little house on the property! (my back yard is so twilight-y, lol) Isn't that creepy. I told Mr.Wonderful, to go and check it out.. and he said no, for me to go and check it out, and we bascialy chickened out of looking at it. I say that, if it is a decent size, that can be his man-cave, that way I can turn the downstairs family room (or what is going to be his room) into my computer room, and where I also keep the shop stock, and packing stuff.

Wouldn't that be lovely!

I can't wait to post more pictures. I am so, so very happy.

OK, now I need to get things done. I hope you have a nice weekend. :)

Happy day...

2011-05-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

(unknown source--sorry)

We had recently had a small snag (ok, major one) on the home-buying front, and we where all of the sudden hit, with the posibility of not getting the house after all. At once, I blamed myself (utterly and completely) as I had previously mentioned here, that everytime I posted about one house or another, in the end, it did not work out.

So here I was having posted a picture. Having told our families. Practicaly picked out paint colors, and promised the kitty cats, that soon (very soon) they will have more windows to look out of, than they could possibly choose from. When bang.

We get the phone call, that every home buyer does not want to get (you have a major problem..). But after a change of bank, phone calls made, alot of prayers, some tears, and 2 weeks(!!) of what has been the longest wait of our lives, everything has been worked out, and our bank is setting up a appraisal to be done on our (he he he) house, for sometime this week.

I can not stress enough, how utterly excited, and scared I am.

I have been so used to living in this tiny house (1000sqf) for so long, that the very thought of being in a slightly bigger space, is mind bogling to me.They are going to be our walls. Our floors. Our windows. Our tree's. Ours.

If I want to paint my kitchen cabinets purple (which I do not plan on doing..btw), my sewing room a bright yellow (not gonna happen either) build a cat walk all over the house (hmm..) go outside and chop down a huge tree... anything. We can do anything. Because.. it..is..ours.

ah..

OK, I did finish Le fancy cork board this weekend (woo!),and it looks really nice. It turned out to be pretty easy to make, so I will do another post this week with complete instructions, so you can make your own (if you want).

Now, I am off to pack orders, and clean my bathrooms, and do some laundry.

Ah.. what glamorous life indeed.