It's my birthday--it's my birthday!!! Itsy Bitsy Pouch Giveaway

Actually it WAS my birthday on the 24th but I haven't had a chance to post something here. I just turned -tyfive (I am not telling) but my friends say I look younger. As a young kid I used to be teased about missing some screws up there because I was born close to the 29th ( February being an incomplete month). As usual I'm running into myself these days trying to finish up orders and being a single mom. That said, I am giving away one itsy bitsy coin pouch. If you happen to drop by just leave a comment by 12:00am EST March 2. I will announce the winner 2:00 pm that same day.

Center top-- First Love is not available it was ambushed yesterday. Take your pick. Top left--Abbey road, strawberries and cream. Top right--apples and pears oh my!, not a wink. Lower center--mocha temptation.

Starting from top left--candy blossoms, purple dreams (not available), green moca and ladybug vine. From top right--feathered friends, cocoa mint, Asian blooms (sorry not available) and strawberries and cream.

Have a fabulous day!

Fabrics from Fave Designers

I am so excited about a new line of fabrics coming in a few months by two of my favorite designers--Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler. Scrumptious prints as usual and I can't wait to get get my hands on them! My head is abuzz already planning what to make with them.

These are from Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Collection, who I recently learned is Donna Dewberry's son. She's the creator of the "One Stroke Painting". I took some classes locally but was cut short when I started my biz.

Jasmine Palette

Mulberry Palette

Spice Palette

These are from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Line

Hmmm I have to make room for more fabrics!

More Fabric Closet Pics

When a friend of mine read my previous blog she called me and asked why am I showing just a little snippet of my fabric closet? She wanted to see the inside from all angles! So here goes:

Amazingly enough I have more space to spare at the bottom. I have kept this neat for two weeks now and I hope it stays that way.

STUDIO FRIDAY: THE HEART OF YOUR STUDIO!

I joined this group, Studio Friday a few months back but never got around to post anything. I have been lurking but not really participating.

The topic for this week is--"Where or what is the heart of your studio/creative space? Is it your desk or maybe a special piece of furniture, a window, a piece of art on the wall, your idea board, or one of your tools, a jar with ribbons on the shelf...? "

The timing of this topic is so perfect. I have been laboriously fixing my studio and this is going to be the year that I will finish decorating it!

This is a mini walk in closet where I put all my quilting cottons (decorator fabrics still to be tackled) and ribbons which I mostly use for my handbags. I had just organized it and I know where everything is. It is on this step that I sit, my studio being under the eaves and I can't really stand up straight even at 5'3" tall, and gaze and touch them lovingly planning my next creation. This is where my creative juices flow and I will have a floor cushion soon as it takes toll on my back to sit too long!

New Pillows

I finished painting my room and my daughter's last December. I would sew in the morning and finish up the orders that would go out that day then paint in the afternoon with my brother's help. I was practically running into myself but I feel so good when I look at my handiwork.We had my other brother and her family from Arizona over the Holidays and it was so much fun showing them all my "new stuff". I managed to make some pillows using my favorite fabrics. I wish I can squeeze in more time to make more sets. I can only show portions of my room right now as some are not yet done--I am organizing everything and what you don't see is in chaos but I am getting there. To me that small window is an eyesore. I had a huge painting covering it before. I was thinking either get a Chinese carved window frame or put curtains to simulate a larger window matching the one right by the bed. It needs to be covered since light comes through and hits my tv.

Since the old closet had been taken out I have more space (left of the screen) where I do my workouts! Love the way my bed looks positioned at an angle.

I've always had white pillowcases but this time I want color and pattern. I did a patchwork on the breakfast pillow then quilted it. If only I can get enough sleep!

One of my precious possessions, a 1940s Hollywood Regency Chinese Wedding Cabinet that I use as an entertainment center/storage.

The headboard has to go--I've had this for years and years as I was into Victorian and shabby chic a few years ago. Now I want eclectic modern. I like to mix contemporary with Oriental/exotic pieces. I have been checking out West Elm.

This is my favorite which has an Oriental motif. It would go so well with my Chinese cabinet.

The same headboard in a different room setting.

Low wood headboard. Love the lamp.

Octagon Headboard. They don't have this color in Full anymore. I would have liked this one too and the price is sooo right.

High wood headboard. That's a nice pleated comforter, don't you think?

This is it for now.

Quilted Handbags

I added some quilted handbags to the site one is a patchwork. I have been meaning to do some quilted items but never got around to it. It can be time consuming but worth it and fun especially patchwork as I get to play with a lot of fabric combination. It is such a pleasure sewing with Magnolia--I hope you don't mind me gushing about her again! I am working on a large wholesale order right now so I can't really add more stuff but I will be adding more as I have new fabrics that came in. Okay I have to get back to work--have a fabulous day.

Meet Magnolia

Presenting----Magnolia! My old sewing machine died on me first week of January. I have been meaning to get a new one especially a Janome brand. I was so excited the day it was scheduled to be delivered--I kept looking through my window for the UPS truck. It runs whisper quite and sews like a dream. I have to get a sturdier sewing table though or have this one reinforced because the poor table shakes like an earthquake when I set the speed a little bit past medium. I thought the machine was defective but the dealer said try it on another table--a sturdy one and see if it still shakes. A big sigh of relief--it was my existing table that was causing it. I lovingly dust it everyday and will make her a cover soon. I might get an embroidery machine--see how this year goes.

Back to Earth

Hello everybody. Boy oh boy it's been a long time since I posted something here! Anyway I am back to earth---finally. I hope everybody had a nice time over the Holidays. Believe it or not I just put away my decorations and my Christmas village. I am just getting over a nasty cold and I am feeling much better--it slows you down when you don't feel that great.

Humor me while I share some pictures with you all.

Three different shots of my tree which was about 7.5 feet. I can never get a good shot just like the ones in magazines. I usually do a different theme every year. I was into Victorian for a while, I did Oriental, all green, all red, etc. This year I just did "Our favorite Ornaments".

One of the ballerinas on spinners--they really look lovely doing pirouettes on the tree!Cinderella's coach, an ornament my daughter made when she was 5, precious moments, handmade Japanese paper fans.

I just put out a few of my Christmas village.

Until next time--I have to make some stuff for tonight--have fun watching the Super Bowl.

Hassle Free Holiday Shopping

Hello everybody. I just popped in for a quick hello and some updates. This is my best Holiday season yet! I have finally added Lisa, our convertible wristlet and it's been a hit. I named it after my 2-year old niece whom I just met for the first time last Thanksgiving. You will notice some cute imported Japanese prints that are so popular. I have more but will slowly add them since I have to fill in some orders and send them out as soon as I can.Wear it three ways--as a wristlet, mini purse and belt pouch.

I just added some itsy bitsy zipper pouches. I remember as I child I had a lot of mini pouches that I used to stash my treasures in.

I got my live Christmas Tree but haven't had a chance to do anything yet. My Holiday purse party is this next Sunday so it will be a whirlwind week for me--Oh and my Christmas village too I have to start on that soon. That is another thing to do. I hope I survive this week!

Ballerina girl

I am so proud of my baybcakes (she doesn't want people to hear me say that anymore!). She had been dancing for almost 9 years now and she just got her pointe shoes. I never got that far. Dance is a big part of her life and luckily it hasn't affected her grades since it takes a lot of time and dedication to get this far. I didn't realized how very particular she is about some things (like me) when I was trying to sew in the elastic and the pink satin ribbon to her shoes. She tried it on so many times--"they are not even", don't scratch the satin with the pin", "the thread has to match", make sure the stitches are straight, etc. Like mother like daughter, I'll say!

Just perfect!

New convertible wristlet

I have finally finished a couple of my new convertible wristlet, Lisa named after my 2 year old niece. My daughter had been asking for a "hip" wristlet that she can use when she's out shopping. This would be great for moms too especially with a baby and a toddler in tow when doing errands. I will hopefully have them on the site this weekend. I am preparing for a craft show this Friday and Saturday and trying to make more belts and mother and daughter handbags which are very popular.

After drafting a couple of patterns I finally decided on this--even if matching the top seams can be tricky. Knowing myself, if they don't match I will undo and resew it! I have seen some high end bags where seams are so off and it bugs me. I hope you like it.

Wear it three ways--as a wristlet, belt bag and a mini purse! Pretty cool, huh? Okay off to my sewing room. Have a fabulous week!

Caught Redhanded!

All our bunnies are litter trained but occasionally Bella and Pumpkin would do their potty in another corner. I recently bought them a dog's dish since it is larger and heavier and Miko won't be able to toss and push it down from the third floor (yes they have a three story bunny condo!). Lately somebunny had been using it as a littler box and I was certain it was Bella so I would every now and then put her on one of the litter boxes so she remembers to do it in there.

Poor Bella it was Miko all along! He was grooming without a care in the world.

Check out the puddle on the floor.

Bella turning a blind eye.

Who can resist such an innocent look?

I will try putting the dish on the second floor during the day see if it works. I'll keep you updated.

Ouch--My trigger foot!!

Almost a month ago I said I was back but something always comes up. Anyway here I am and hopefully post a couple of times a week.

I talked about getting on my bike almost everyday as therapy for my right knee--well I had been doing that until a few months back when I fell off my bike. It was such a lovely day and I thought I will drop by the antique shop across the street and brought my wristlet with me. I was on it for about 2 minutes and tried to adjust the wristlet strap and I guess I swerved too sharply to the left and without warning fell to the ground. My first thought was,"Oh no I got orders to fill"!! Then I felt my ankle twist, and my knee hitting the rough ground and pain shot through me and screamed. A neighbor came running and I kept telling him I hurt my trigger foot. He was like, "Your trigger what??". My precious right foot which of course I use to run my sewing machine. It still hurts every now and then since sprains usually takes a while to heal and you have to deal with flare ups every now and then. Thank goodness I was still close enough to go back home without any help and put some cold compress. I didn't even call my doctor. If I broke something I wouldn't be able to walk. Later that night I realized I hit the left side of my chest with the handle bar when I noticed a nasty big bruise.

The left handle bar took the brunt which saved my left elbow. The rubber was scraped completely off.

I managed to finish these wristlets the week of my fall by taking frequent breaks.
Six pretty twirly bags all in a row! A month or so after my fall and my ankle still sore I miraculously was able to whip these up and the messenger bags.

I hope to be getting back on my bike soon but I just couldn't muster the courage to go on it just yet. I had been using my stationary bike but it is sooo boring.

Lesson learned---don't get distracted when you are on the road! Until next time and take care.

I'm Baaack!

Hello everyone. How time goes by--it's been two months since I posted something here. Too many many things happened since then and I don't know where to start. In scrapbooking (which by the way I have to start doing again soon) they advise you to start from the latest pictures and work your way down. Well I just had a craft show in Del Rey Beach a few miles south of Palm Beach and about an hour south of where I live. I have finally bought some free standing panels but I have to buy more probably next year. I want them on both sides of my booth.

It was so hot most of the time but that's the way it is here.

I must say my bags were showcased better because of these panels.

I only sell these adorable beaded socks locally and are very popular and so are the hairbows.

I can't resist taking a picture of this diva poodle!

I have another craft show coming locally this weekend and I hope it would be a lot cooler!