Brooches

These brooches are made from bits of fabric and felt that have been rescued from my scrap bin. They are lots of fun to create; I don't make them with a plan in mind. I just start layering and layering. There are a few listed in my shop, and I'll be selling them at Crafty by Nature in June.

New Cards

When I saw these cards last week, I knew they were something I wanted to make.


Luckily, Ava is talking up a storm these days (like, non-stop), and we have been keeping a list in the kitchen of all the things she comes up with.



I haven't used a store-bought card in ages, but lately I've been spending so much of my crafting time working on sewing projects. I haven't had (or made) time to work on cards. These are quick and easy, and still satisfy my need for making and sending handmade cards.

Sorry for the poor photo quality. It's dark, and my hubby with be working on his thank you notes and sending them out tomorrow morning. Right, dear?

More Smocks

Ava was sick on Monday so I stayed home from school. During her nap I managed to get two more smocks made for my shop. Both are made from vintage sheets and are super soft.


I've had requests for these in grown-up sizes. Does anyone know of a good pattern for an adult smock that doesn't look like a maternity shirt?

Save Handmade: Call For Action

The following was written by Jesseca at Quilt Baby:

If you are not familiar with the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), you need to be. While I truly believe that the individuals who drafted and passed this legislation only had good intentions in mind, the consequences will be catastrophic for individuals, families, small and big businesses, consumers, and the economy as a whole. Not only will it effect all of us on a financial level, but it threatens the imagination and creativity that is vital to the children's industry.

I urge you to take a few minutes to read the excerpt below from Cool Mom Picks, this post on Mom-101, this Etsy open letter, to send out emails, letters to congress, post on your blogs, please sign this petition, visit Change.org and log your support- if it gets enough votes, it will be shown to President Obama in January.

Please do your part to insure that this law is amended so that we are not forced to surround our children with big box toys and clothing.

Per Cool Mom Picks:

We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust. The very same ones that we often feature here and in our yearly special edition gift guides.

With this act going into effect February 10 2009 so many people we love will be affected: Moms who sew beautiful handmade waldorf dolls out of home, artists who have spent decades hand-carving trucks and cars out of natural woods, that guy at the craft show who sold you the cute handmade puzzle--even larger US companies who employ local workers and have not once had any sort of safety issue will no longer be able to sell their goods. Not without investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don't have a single toxic chemical in them.

How to Get Involved -- it only takes 5 minutes of your time!

-Find your congress personand senators and write a letter like the sample here.
Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or theHouse Committee on Small Business.

-Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923

-Vote for amending the law on Change.org, digg style: With enough votes it will be presented to President Obama in January!

-Place the Save Handmade! button on your blog or website to help spread the word to everyone you know who cares about protecting the little guy and preserving beautiful items made with love for our children.

Please take the time to get involved.

Love, Addie

Shop Update Today

Hi Everyone--

I've spent most of Ava's naptime today updating my Etsy shop. It won't be long before it's time to start thinking Christmas, so get over there and check some people off your list!

Love, Addie

Apron Swap

There's an apron swap going on! The deadline is tomorrow, and I think I've successfully added the button on my sidebar. Go sign up!

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

I finally had a chance to make something for myself last week. I had been doing so much sewing for gifts that I never got around to making myself a fall or winter bag. Here it is, though. I made the Pleated Beauty Bag from Bend-the-Rules Sewing. It came together in two evenings. I used some linen for the main part of the bag and a red and blue cotton for the pleats. Speaking of the linen... my mother-in-law's friend's mom (got it?) recently moved to a retirement home. This woman is no longer sewing, but there was tons of sewing stuff in her house. I ended up with two huge bags of fabric, a bag of buttons, and another bag of thread, needles, and other notions. Sorry for this crappy photo... we're having lots of cloudy days.

{ break time }

I need to take a break from blogging/flickr/reading others' blogs for a few days. I have a bit of Christmas sewing that I need to do, and then I plan on enjoying some cookies, hanging out with my family, and relaxing. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Weddings + Planner Cover + Wood

I've been to so many weddings; it's hard to believe that we still have friends who aren't married. Instead of giving the usual gift card or cash, I've been making these:
I still need to think of something to add to the gift. More photos here.

Last night I also whipped up this:

A cover for my planner. This was easy and fun to make. I'd like to try to make more in bigger sizes to cover composition books or spiral notebooks. I used this tutorial.

One more thing-- My dad has been busy doing some woodworking this summer, so I'm opening a new section of my Etsy shop to sell some of his items for him. Check them out!

I'm Getting There

I've made some progress on my craft show goodies, but I still feel like I have a ton to do. Here's some of what I've got so far:

Cafe Apron with Patchwork Pocket



Bibs



Kitchen Towels with Patchwork



And more....

I also just got Stampin' Up's Fall and Winter Catalog. I can't wait to start looking through that and picking out some new stuff. As if I need more stamps....

Back to the sewing machine. You can see more pictures on my Flickr site.