Last post before City of Craft!

I finally finished some new wristlets in time for City of Craft - well they just need their snaps.

Can't wait for tomorrow! Well, I can wait because there's still so much to do but you know what I mean.

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New items in my shop!

There are lots of new things in my shop now...

I just needed to get started with updating it again. I had some new wristlets ready, particularly two in one of my favourite barkcloth prints, a painting by Grandma Moses. The bits I've picked are snowy woods, one of them with a little cottage:

 I had a navy blue floral sweethaven bag ready as well:

The blue needlebook is the last one of that batch and I'll make some new ones soon in a different set of colours:

And a special bonus just for my blog readers - buy any wristlet, bag or needle book from my shop and mention this blog in the comments and I will send a free bonus, one of my little deer print pincushions!
NOTE * Each pincushion is a little different, offer good for September 2010, while quantities last. *

 Thanks for looking!

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Barkcloth messengers

I have two new barkcloth messenger bags in my new shop now. I think these are the last I'll be making in this style. I kept a smaller one for myself... I wish I had more of that print!

It's a charming country scene with houses, a church, a mill, a farmer's field, a forest and an orchard. Quite a lot for one print, but the simple style and limited colour scheme really ties it all together!

This is the second bag made with a tropical barkcloth.

This is the last I have of that print as well... I often find fairly small pieces of barkcloth but luckily just a little goes a long way.

Can you imagine, most of these pieces of barkcloth used to be curtains!

Coming up soon, I've cut out lots of fabric for some Sweethaven bags, and finished sewing up the first one. It's a combination of red and pink fabric with a white doily applique.

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New wristlets

wool plaid and brown cordoruy

I made a new batch of wristlets for my show at the Tranzac.. and today I'm going to make some needle books!

wool plaid and brown cordoruy - inside

green upholstery fabric and barkcloth

green upholstery fabric and barkcloth - inside

green upholstery fabric and barkcloth 2

green upholstery fabric and barkcloth 2 - inside

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City of Craft - sneak preview 2

Grey wool wristlet with barkcloth front, lace ruffle detail and vintage white button.

Blue print and striped lining and strap.

Green upholstery fabric wristlet with barkcloth flap and brown fabric covered button.

Green faux bois fabric lining, with white, blue strap with barkcloth detail.

Embroidered felted wool crochet trivets: for your teapot!
Only two in this style, each is one-of-a-kind.

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Workroom trunk sale

I'm doing another trunk show at the workroom (in Toronto, 1340 Queen St. West, 12-5pm) this Sunday. It's a craft sale where everyone shows their wares in a suitcase. One new thing I've made for this show is a messenger bag with barkcloth on the flap. If I have any extra time I may try to finish a couple of needle books.
And I have to tell you, my craft "studio" was featured on Apartment Therapy! I was thrilled because I am a big fan of that site. I find it particularly inspiring because of the focus on small space decor, something I'm always working on. The quotes got lost in translation, so just a reminder I haven't suddenly acquired a craft's studio.. it's still the same front room that has our living room stuff (couch, tv) our dining room table and chairs, all the crafts storage and my two secretary desks with more crafts storage in one and all my illustration supplies in the other. And two rambunctious but lovable sock monkeys.

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Needing the barkcloth

I've been hoping for years to have lots of things made and be able to rent a table at a Fall/Christmas crafts sale. I've decided this year I'm finally going to do it. I've even ordered "needle book" fabric labels to put in my things. I was inspired recently by Practically necessary's barkcloth bags. I finally won a little bit of barkcloth on ebay and made some messenger bags. I love how they turned out, the hard part will be parting with them.I've also been making granny bags after creating a pattern for myself. A bit tricky but I think anyone could do it. Mine are all one-of-a-kind, depending on how big I want to make them, the amount of fabric I have and where I feel like putting the pleats. I make coordinating lined pockets to go inside and of course attach those before assembling the bag.

I like this one, from a wool tweed:

This ones is from my Cath Kidston circus fabric with olive green straps:
And I've made a bunch of pouches:
My favourite pouch is made from Liberty fabric:My favourite fabric these days is still the scenic barkcloth and I'm trying to buy more on ebay, but I keep getting snipered with 5 seconds to go! One auction went from $75 to $225 in the last 5 seconds. My maximum bid was $220 for 10 yards of barkcloth which I already thought was high. But I loved the pattern and I was very disappointed. It was part of my new plan to think big, and invest in my craft business a bit more so I could make enough things to have a proper table.

It may be for the best though because my dining table is still covered with stacks of fabric...but that's another story.

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