Etsy Again

Well. I did it.

I got one lonely little owl listed on my Etsy page.

It looks like a mug shot but it will do for now.

I have decided I am going to try next time with a little staging - like I did in the past.

What I really need is for the snow to melt and the sunshine to dry off the grass so I can take pictures of them in their natural environment.  ;)

Outdoor always seems to work better for me even though I have so much admiration for the many skilled photographers on Etsy that take fabulous photos I need all the help I can get and the outdoor light is a really big help!

Have a wonderful Sunday ~

Patience, Like Curry, Not Really My Thing

I ordered new labels the other night and I am DYING to have them right now!

I had to wait to order them to catch up from Christmas (because my Shorties are spoiled rotten and suck all the money out of the bank and my wallet!!) and I have next to none left.  I have SO many projects that just need the label and to be sewn together and they are done!

Today, I am going to sew owl bums and bag openings closed and try - I said try - to get some decent photos done to list on Etsy.

It is a big step for me.

I know I just need to find my groove and once I do it will be fabulous! I wonder, is photography one of those things that I will always think someone does better than me and that mine sucks or does it legitimately suck??  Perhaps somewhere in between.

Etsy

I do not have anything for sale other than a vintage coat, but I am so excited to show you how pretty things are looking!!

Check it out!

(and while you are there follow the link and like my Facebook page! Pretty please!)

Wordless Wednesday

A family photo. :)

Man!

I just cannot seem to find enough time to do anything but work on my current obsession (sewing!!!) - which is clearly not this blog!

I am so into sewing right now it's crazy. I always love it but it has become like my drug.  If I weren't selling it, I guess I would stop. But I love it and I am so I won't.

I keep telling myself that when the current batch of bags and owls is done I will do a really freakin' awesome post about them.  You know, photos and the whole bit... haven't seen it yet, have yah?

Here is a photo or two, from a market I attended a few weeks ago. (Nag is hidden in one of the shots - can you spot her?)

;) T.

What I Have Been Up To...

First of all, I gotta tell you I am still pretty pooped.

This last couple of weeks has been chaotic for me.  Both of my kids have been sick with strep throat (which I luckily did not get even though it is the one thing I am prone to) - Penelope was home all last week and The Little Man all this week.  CH has been having a really hard time with a migraine pretty much non-stop since we went to Calgary for Thanksgiving. The shop has been packed up (we are almost done!) and brought home - which in itself is a huge job that I have ahead of me, but one I am looking forward to. I worked in Castlegar and at Brost Auto last week, but this week I skipped Castlegar.  I value my sanity more than a pay cheque.

Anyway, I have, in all of that, still found some time to sew.

I did some machine embroidery for work. Me, who cannot chew gum and do anything else at all.  Machine embroidery and sewing with my other sewing machine making little zipper pouches at the same time.  Two sewing machines going at once.  Life is fabulous!

I made this one a while ago but I am surrounded by too much stuff to take good photos of the ones I made this week.  They are in what I think of as "adult" fabrics - black and whites, leopard print, and a red swirl.

On the weekend I finished up two bucket bags from a pattern I bought here.

I am not posting the picture of the other one because it is terrible!  The picture - not the bag.  It is pink with a blue floral pocket and I am considering keeping it for myself.  As with every pattern I purchase, I purchased it for the templates only and made it my way.  What I learned - and I think it will apply to all the bags I make from now on - fusible fleece on the outside makes for a better structured bag. :o)

K.  My goal for next week is to get some stuff onto my Etsy store - which is in a sad state of affairs.  Nag has been keeping up the shops Etsy store, thank God for that.

Gonna go and do some sewing.

:o) Tina

Where to Begin....

I have been so busy lately.  Not just regular busy but super extra busy.  I got a job.  You know, in addition to the shorties, the shop, CH, and the menagerie of creatures that lives with us, I got a job.  A real, pay cheque every two weeks job.  So  far, meh.  I like it enough and my boss is very flexible - so that means the job is, which is an absolute must for me.  It is doing bookkeeping, which is, sort of, what I do.  It's what I did before I did everything that I do now.  But it does not feel like me.  I guess that is how everyone who has an actual job feels.

In addition to the new job, school is of course out and I am a little obsessed with spending time with the shortest of the shorties before they get too tall.  The shop is closed Monday and Saturday for this very reason. I am also participating in a farmer's market type event every second Friday here in Trail.  I am pretty sure I have mentioned it.  I have been trying to sew something new for that each time.

Last week I sewed six Buttercup Bags.  All a little different but they look as if they belong to a collection - I like to name everything I make so I called these A Trip to the Orient and gave them each a day, from 1 to 6.  Haven't taken pictures of all of them yet but there are the first two.  I had this big piece of Asian fabric that seemed perfect for this pattern.  I made one with pink lining (shown), one with turquoise, one with Buddha (the only one that has a new home) and one with a green band and matching green lining; one with Buddha on the outside and purple satin inside (shown) and then one in a totally different, but still Asian print (I called it day 6).

I have also been working on keeping the owl populated which is always fun. The little ones seem to be a hit - I haven't even had the opportunity to name some of them before they found homes. A few of them are available for sale in my Etsy shop, once the Market is over in the fall, I will list everyone who is still waiting for their forever home but for now they are living in my vintage craft fair suitcase.

I made another owl bag, that I did not love.  I left CH alone at the market for an hour and took The Little Man to the doctor and he sold it along with a baby owl and a few other odds and ends.  He is a way better sales person than me.  I am good at making but not to keen on selling.  I want everything I have created with my hands to have a home where it is loved so I do not encourage anyone. Ever.


I joined a block swap. This post is about me. :o) I was a little worried that the lady I sent the block too would think it was too much... I have a tendency to over do it whenever possible. She seemed to like it and posted lots of pictures on the Block Swap Blog. Check it out - and if you are a quilter, join in!! I received my block in the mail yesterday and it was thrilling (and well sewn with quality cotton fabrics).

I am using my own computer for my new job and had to 'restore to factory default' on the advice of the Mouth (who is in Calgary right now - I will post about that too in a minute).  It is kind of nice.  I found lots of photos  that I had not seen in ages.  Like this pre-Penelope Santa picture from the first Christmas we were a family - 2002.  So strange, seems like not much has changed but all three of these guys are almost taller than me, the Little Man at 10 bringing up the rear and being above my shoulders.  Crazy.

Okay, now you see. I am a busy lady and even more so in the summer. I am going to leave this post and pre-write about The Mouth being in Calgary for you to read another day. I might also post a few more things that I have made past and present. What I really should be doing it working on my still enormous UFO list....

:o) Tina

Panama Pants Bag

This bag is totally out of my comfort zone! It is much brighter and more flamboyant than the things I usually create, but I like to try to work outside of my boundaries a little. I feel it helps to expand my creative horizon to try colour and pattern choices I might normally shy away from. Besides that, I think Nag added it to the pants this use to be to the bag when we went on our shopping spree at the CDS Thrift Store - I am glad that she did because, honestly these where not suitable pants for this town. Maybe Florida, not here. 

I remembered to take a picture of the coat that I used for the lining but alas, not the pants.  I need to take the pictures AS SOON AS I BUY THE ITEM maybe even in the store because once they are home they get washed and dried and put into a pile awaiting transformation.  At night when I sit down to sew I take something off the top of the pile, if it inspires me I cut it up right away and get going and then once I start to sew I think  - CRAP! I FORGOT AGAIN!!! 

The flower on the front of the bag is one of Nag's creations, she has herself a nice little Etsy shop going.   She has a few flowers up but she put me in charge so it might take a while to get them really going.  I tend to be a bit fussy - even when it is not my own stuff.  She made the one of this bag for me using scraps from the exterior and interior of the bag and a pretty clear crystal button. The bag closes with a loop over a lime green button - I thought about putting an orange one on but opted out of that as there is already a lot (although, not too much) going on with this bag.

There is a pocket inside the bag big enough for a cell phone, your keys and lipstick - and maybe one of those travel sized packages of tissue. The bag measures approximately 11 1/2" tall and 14 1/2" wide. The strap is 33" long. 

Tonight I will begin another.  I have a really nice one with a black velvet bird that is waiting for hardware to arrive from eBay - it is driving me nuts.  I prefer not to wait when given a choice. 

If you want to make this bag yours, you can get it on Etsy!

:o)  Happy sewing!!  

Tina

Fill in Blank Friday on a Saturday Morning

So Lauren over at the little things we do had a baby a while ago and has been a little less on the ball with the blanks so I decided I would go back and do the ones that I missed before I discovered them - turns out I am not on the ball (although I do sit on an exercise ball rather than chair) either because it is Saturday and I am filling them in!

These are (from what I could tell) the first ever blanks.  Here goes...

1. Today I am feelinglot of different things. I am excited because I got a job yesterday outside of the shop and (as you know) we really need some extra income. I am also nervous about finding room in my already busy schedule for said job without loosing and of the important part of my life. The worst part, I am feeling resentful because I feel alone - I know CH can't really work, but I feel like he should.  I know it is wrong to feel this way so I guess I also feel a bit guilty. I also feel happy because I am going to be getting a pay cheque, experiencing new things and I work way better when I am busy so I will most likely get more done not less - and you know, a change is as good as a rest and this is my year to get back on top of the pile!!

2. If I were you I'd write me a comment!! I love comments and get them so rarely. When I do, they are so treasured!!

3. Love is: all things. If it is unconditional (which I am so, so blessed to have) it is uncomplicated and reliable, sweet and sometimes a little trying.  But it is so wonderful and amazing to have unconditional love - and I am so lucky to married to a man who has that ability. :o)

4. I always use the bathroom before leaving the house. My Mum always made us go before we went anywhere and it is something that has totally stuck with me. As soon as I think about leaving wherever I am (home, work , and friend or family member's house) I feel the urge.

5. I feel prettiest when I'm wearing something new. Doesn't even really matter what it is - new clothes are my fav.

6. If I had a million dollars I'd pay off my mortgage and rent out my house and buy another one in the my parents's neighborhood, which is the neighborhood I grew up in. I never thought I would want to but the last couple of years have changed my mind. When I was growing up I always thought I would want to live in the neighborhood that I live in now... yet another example in my life of my not being careful what I wished for!

7. I'm looking forward to this summer and owning a trailer! We have been looking, our budget is small, our expectations are small but our plans are BIG!!

I have another post for you for today - I am going to do it separately because it is something I made and I need to list it on Etsy first, it is already on Facebook if you just can't wait.

Have a super fabulous day.

:o) Tina

Little Owl for a Sweet Little Girl

Instagram Version.  :o)

This is another sweater owl (I made a big cushion, three purses and 7 - 7" owls from two sweaters!)

I will add the photos of the other little guy later,  this one is already listed for sale on Etsy.

A few weeks ago I was approached at a craft fair to make an owl bag for my friend's daughter, I finished it this rainy May long weekend and brought it out to her at work (my friend, not her daughter) the other day. She apparently loves it  - which makes me very happy!  It is such a complement when someone loves something I made - especially when it is something form my head.

I could make one for you too, all you need to do is ask.

:o)Tina

Yellow Bird

I had been thinking about my next bag design and then the other night I was watching We Bought a Zoo with my shorties and suddenly, the vision was there.  Black velvet with a red bird.  I decided on the shape and got to work once the movie was over (at 11 - I am a night owl and so are my shorties.  Don't judge us!)

So I got busy cutting up the velvet jacket (sorry no picture, I forgot AGAIN) I suddenly thought - red is too over done (especially for me), I am going to use yellow. I had some really nice yellow fabric that I needed a worthy project for.  Last night when I was getting ready to put the bird on, I realized that it needed a little something to sit on, a floating (in a perched position) bird just didn't sit right with me.  I decided to free motion some tree branches in a subtle variegated grey.  I love how it turned out, and  listed it on Etsy, the price is higher than I normally charge for a bag because I want whoever buys it to love it as much as I do.

:o) Tina

Toot Toot (But Not the Kind You Think)

This is me with PITA- I am the taller one
with the enormous double chin and the
perfectly smooth, thank you very much,
hair. Toot Toot.

PITA has taken to calling me Tootie because I like to "toot" my own horn.  It's true.  I sometimes do - but only when it is something worthy of a toot.  It is not like I go around bragging and talking about how great I am all the time (I really don't - I am so not like that) - it is only when I am proud of something or happy with how something turned out.

For example, my hair on picture day.  LOVED it.  It was so smooth and shiny.  I have wavy, light brown hair.  Until I was about 30 I had pin straight medium to dark blonde hair - it has been adjustment to say the least and because they are so much harder to come by now, I really LOVE a good hair day. (PITA straightened it and my friend Jessie coloured it for me a few days before so it was not all me.  I am a firm believe that you give credit when credit is due and will not ever take credit when it is not mine to take!)

I also toot my own horn on an regular basis, somewhat indirectly, by talking about how awesome my shorties are.  How beautiful, smart, kind, considerate, and funny they are.  They are so freakin' amazing. I made them that way (although not single handedly) so, Toot Toot.

Another thing I toot my own horn about is sewing.  I am good at, and I have been designing things from my head a lot over the last year or so and I get excited.  I just cannot help myself.  So the other night, I started an Etsy shop to list some of what I make for sale.  I listed an owl bag at 11:30 at night, it sold by morning.  Can you say Toot Toot?! I am pretty excited about that.  It is such a compliment when people buy the things I create, a pattern or a finished item, it just feels so good! So Toot Toot - and THANK YOU!

The fair is in town this weekend for our annual Silver City Days festival.  I am hoping to get some good pictures of all of the colours and lights and the excitement the shorties are bound to be exuding.  I am also looking forward to Mouth having some fun for a change rather than spending all of his time in his room playing video games. Jerk.

:o)  Tina

An Army of Owls

I took a weekend and went on a bit of an owl bender. The store across the street from the shop donated a bunch of upholstery fabric scraps and this is what I did with some of them. They are all listed for sale on Etsy - unless they have already sold!  :o)

:o) Tina

Facebook

I just uploaded a whack of images to the shop's Facebook page - mostly stuff I made.  Some stuff PITA and I made together.  I accidentally deleted the whole page last week and am having to start from scratch - which might be okay because it can be neat and tidy!

Have a look - I would love to know what you think of my work.

:o) Tina

31 Days of Pinterest, Day 25 and 26.... Well 25. :o)

I went for a massage today and I think I feel worse than before I went - she warned me but I of course chose not to believe her.  I just tried walking from one end of the store to the other and my leg felt like it was going to give out.  Yep, you heard me, the store.  Against CH's better judgement I came to work today.  I needed to make some calls and prefer to do it from the comfort of my pretty pink office.

Because I have been under the weather I have not been doing things at my usual rate - which means I am even more slow (I don't work fast) and only have my latest project partial completed.  I could show you picture of that but it would spoil the fun of seeing the finished project, right?

So my pin for today, is some of the beautiful things from my "A Girl Can Dream" board - if you go to Pinterest to check it out please take note of the fact that most of what I have pinned to this board is beautiful sexy men and kitchens.  :o)  Enjoy.

Source: graphicshunt.com via Tina on Pinterest

CH is aware of my love for Gerard Butler. How could any heterosexual woman not love him. He is beautiful and he has an accent. Hello.

When I grow up and live in the houses that I dream about, my kitchen in my country house will look like this.

Source: atticmag.com via Tina on Pinterest 

And my city house will look like this.

Source: houzz.com via Tina on Pinterest

Both of them will have Agas and a big farm sinks.

Source: google.co.uk via Tina on Pinterest

Source: kitchenbacksplashes.blogspot.com via Tina on Pinterest

And this is the next thing I would like to add to my collect - are you paying attention CH?

Source: etsy.com via Tina on Pinterest 

Be back tomorrow.  :o)  Tina

Stumbled Upon #2

I have spent more time reading than looking this week.  I am addicted to the saucy blogs.  I love the laughter in my belly.  Check them out - they all have funny stories to tell (with that perfect amount of swearing that seems to make them just that much funnier). The Blogess, dooce, Mommy Wants Vodka, Mushroom Printing, and Band Back Together.  Each of these blogs is a great read, but please do not visit them if you are offended by colourful language and sarcasm - they are full of it (but hilarious and in some cases heart warming).

So a couple of things I passed by on Etsy this week.  Well the pumpkin thing I have been kind of stocking...

I have had my eye on this pumpkin casserole dish for sometime but as I rarely entertain and rarely go anywhere besides to my in-laws for a BBQ... sometime in the future maybe.  You could buy it though, on Etsy.

Beautiful and creative pottery flowers (I love flowers), also on Etsy.

With school out and summer well on the way I have had a little less bloggin time.  The next couple of weeks are scheduled to be hectic, I will take lots of photos and post from my phone while I am on the road...

:o)  Tina

Stumbled Upon #1

Okay.  So I am going to try something new.  I always see all these things I love scattered all over the internet and never really put them anywhere so I thought that once a week I would put them here - for now anyway.  :o)

Enjoy...

From Made by Girl on Etsy

I love this cause it is me.  I love blogs - Lord knows I love tea - and the colours and flowers, etc.  They are all me.

From TurnMeOnArt on Etsy

Owls are a popular theme right now and I thought this was pretty cute.  PITA wants to do the baby's room in owls, perhaps her and I should make one of these... or maybe even just buy it from Etsy!

In my blog travels - which sometimes are many, depending on the week and what other things I have been up to - I stumbled upon a really great blog called Mushroom Printing.  This is a quote from a post on that blog.

 "Family is meant to be a foundation–when you begin to sway, they are there to hold you up, to keep you strong."

From the same source I also found dooce.com.  And this hilarious story.  SO something PITA and I would do to each other - and not be able to keep a straight face! (Most likely her doing it to me but me being the one unable to breath from uncontrollable laughter.)

:o)  Tina

Vintage McCall's Magazines

My brother found these magazines in the walls of his house when he was doing some renovating - pretty cool.

February 1955, November 1954, October 1954, just listed on Etsy.

February 1955 Issue

November 1954 Issue

October 1954

I have some magazines from the 70s, 80s, and 90s and I thought they were dated but a lot of that was fashion these magazines are...foreign -things have changed a lot from then until now.  I enjoyed having a look at them but am more than happy to pass them on to someone who will love them and give them the home they deserve.

I have listed them for sale on Etsy if you are interested, just click on the dates below the images.  I am totally open to offers, I really did not know how much to charge.

Overall, very cool.  I hope my brother gives me more - he said he kept the good ones for himself...

:o)  Tina