Striped Strips!

New Fabric? Um yes! The two print fabrics are Alexander Henry, and the solid is a Free Spirit piece. Aren't they delicious? In case you haven't had the chance to see the Free Spirit solid colors yourself let me tell you that they are absolutely wonderful. They are a great quality, an affordable price, and they come in the most interesting colors. It is kind of difficult to explain the colors that are available. Of course they are normal colors like pink, green, blue, etc. its just the hues are slightly "off" compared to the average solids so they are really fun and original.

Anyway, I was making a baby blanket sample that required 2 different yards of fabric and then about 3 yards in different sized trims. Instead of going through the hassle of picking out different ribbons I decided to use the Alexander Henry stripe fabric and just cut it up into different sizes (folding the raw edges to the underneath inside).

I really like how it turned out. I think it was a lot easier, less time consuming, and it worked just as well because the stripes are different enough.

There is a baby bag that goes with this, but I still don't have a good picture of it. I will post it along with pattern information as soon as I have it all put together at SewFlakes. The pattern is super easy, cute, and all together it only took about 2 hours to make, and about an hour to run to the store, 10 minutes away, to get what I forgot. *laughs*

Vendor Application Available

The vendor application for the Craft Fair October 22nd, 2011 is now available. Please email me for the contract and info.

talesofanewhousewife (at) gmail (dot) com

Etsy Craft Party: Be Mary By Hand

Jesse from Be Mary By Hand, a Tulsa Etsy shop has graciously donated a door prize for our event!

She is sharing "Ethelaia the American Shorthair Sweater Cat." She is a softy cat made out of a 100% cashmere sweater. Her face is hand-embroidered and she is adorned with a patchwork upcycled skirt and a green beaded elastic necklace. She is about 18" tall and comes in a coordinating handmade drawstring bag.

I asked Jesse to tell us about her and her shop. This is what she wrote:

"My Grandma Mary inspired me to create with my hands. I wish I could say that I actually learned to crochet, paint, or sew from her before she passed away, but I didn't catch the bug until it was too late. But I was always in awe of the gifts she made her four daughters every Christmas. Some elaborate, like afghans, and some simpler things as her health started deteriorating. I love that her home was filled with homemade things. I desire to create the same type of space, with love and detail in every corner, to one day leave a legacy for my family. I have two small children, and love to make things useful to mothers and babies. Things that are unique and beautiful and make me feel special. Mostly I have been making stuffed animals and bags with lots of pockets, occasionally I branch out, but I only have so much free time! I love to conserve and reuse materials like shirt and sweaters, but I also love to go to the fabric store and snatch up all the bright colors. "

Be sure to check out her shop. She has lots of cute items. I'm crushing on this dinosaur. :)

New Fabric!!! -Drawstring Studio

A week or two ago I saw a deal on Heartsy.me for Drawstring Studio fabric shop on Etsy. First, if you haven't found Heartsy.me then you need to visit this link and sign-up to get the deals! Second, Etsy is the place to buy and sell your handmade items.  I love Etsy so much, and am working towards opening my own shop in the near future.

So the Heartsy deal was for $30 worth of fabric from Drawstring Studio for only $14. At first I thought I was going to hold out for a cute elephant fabric I saw on their blog, but I quickly changed my mind when this fabric was listed!

I was able to get both yards of 54" home decor weight fabrics for only $14 thanks to the heartsy deal! My shipping was even covered. For people who don't necessarily look at decor weight it usually is more expensive than quilting cottons because of the weave and the width. If I had to guess it is usually more than $12 a yard, and even that is cheap. But Drawstring studio had one of the fabrics for $10 and the other for $11.50! Amazing! They even sent me a fat eight of a "MoMo" fabric, along with a coupon for 10% off my next order.  It is super awesome.  ...Maybe I will be able to get a little bit of the elephants later. (It will be a great "hope chest" fabric.)

Oh yeah, I'm going to use these fabrics for pillows on the couch. Soft, more comfy pillows. That is a project for later in the month though.

Key Lime Pie

My boss shared the easiest Key Lime Pie recipe ever!  So I made two pies, one for a co-worker's birthday and one for Josh. 

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:

2 cans of sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cups of lime juice

graham cracker crust

whip cream

Directions:

Mix the sweetened condensed milk and lime juice, and then pour into the graham cracker crust. Let it set in the refrigerator for about an hour. Served cold with whip cream on top.

Hints:
*If you get the pie crust with "2 extra servings" you will need to add more milk and juice. 

*I made 2 pies and it took about 3 pounds of the quarter-sized limes to get 1 1/2cups of juice.

Also this week, I made a quick reversible table cloth using the Joel Dewberry "Aviary 2" bird print in black. It is a sample I made for the shop's Michael Miller Clubhouse that I'm participating in.  Josh and I don't actually have a dining room table or any other table that it can go on so I folded it in half and think it looks alright on the back of the couch.  I'm not sure that it will stay there, but it will definitely go on trial as soon as we are done using it in the shop.

This "Aviary 2" fabric is what I was hoping to use for the curtains in the living room. However, a lady came into the shop today and bought the last 8+ yards on the bolt so I'm either going to have to order it or wait to see if something else comes out that I like just as much.  I'm thinking I will probably wait since I have so many other projects going on anyway. Although, if anyone sees it for a really good price please let me know.

Etsy Craft Party: Pick Some Flowers

I love blogging, but there is one thing I dislike about it. Blogs have a way of showing you
just how flaky you are! I said I would post this yesterday, and obviously I didn't. In fact, I was only one the computer for a few minutes in the morning to print one of my coupons, and that was the end of that. So without further ado, I present...

Pick Some Flower

Dara with Pick Some Flowers has contacted me to not only to offered a set of fun, handmade business card holders, but also to volunteer to raise money for the Red Cross. I am so thankful for both!  (The picture of the felt cases below is an example of what she has offered to give, but may not be the exact item. Either way aren't they adorable!)

Dara started out teaching her self how to crochet and embroider so she could give cute homemade gifts to her family and friends, but now she has her Etsy shop open so she can share her love of the craft with others.

So you know, this is my favorite item in her shop! I do love the felt cases, but this hat is just fantastic!

If you are interested in donating a door prize or volunteering to run a booth to raise money for the Red Cross then please email me at talesofanewhousewife (at) gmail (dot) com.

Etsy Craft Party - Your Design

Your Design is located on 211 S. Main Street. While they are primarily a custom frame shop they also offer a wide range of other artistic services like mural painting, faux finishes to any surface, and art classes.

They also host art shows for local artists every two months with one coming up on June 3rd.  You can learn more on their Facebook.

Anyway, I received a message from Alisa at Your Design about the demonstration in front of her shop during the Etsy Party!

She writes:

Faux finishes are one way to add interesting texture to your walls, ceilings or furniture. Many people are interested in learning how to create a faux finish on their own, without the expensive price tag for professional labor. June 10^th, 2011 from 10am – 5pm you will be able to take part is several of these demonstrations! 

Your Design at 211 S. Main, will be hosting these demos in front of their shop.  They will be demonstrating x3 different finishes throughout the day: Torn Paper, Glazed Leather and Texture with Tissue.

In addition to the faux finishing demonstrations, Your Design will be discussing how to change the finish of accessories with house hold items!  Make sure you stop by and see what it is all about.

Also, after talking with her a little bit longer this evening, I found out that she is kindly letting us use an area in front of her shop for a face painting booth for children.  The face painting is going to be free, however we asking that you make a donation. Donations will be given to the Red Cross here in Tulsa to help with tornado victim relieve efforts around Oklahoma, Joplin, and anywhere else there is a need.

After speaking with a man with the Red Cross, I learned that they have received enough tangible items and now need blood and money more than anything to make sure all the collected items arrive to the destinations (gas money) and that they are distributed. So while we aren't able to host a blood drive this is an easy way to help out while enjoying the community. Anything you can do helps! (Also you can contact the Red Cross about donating blood.)

I'm still looking for volunteers for other children's booths. If you can donate an hour or two (or 5) of your time I would really appreciate it. Please email me if you are interested: talesofanewhousewife (at) gmail (dot) com.

P.S. I also received an email from a local Etsy shop that has decided to give a door-prize and help out with children's activities. I will be posting about her tomorrow!

Blogger Meet-up and Jennifer Paganelli Give-Away!

While in Utah I went to the Quilt Market Meet-up for bloggers.  If you follow my Facebook at all then you'll remember how desperate I was to go to this, and how I "bribed" my way into the door at the last minute!  Oh I am so glad that I did!  Other than meeting new people, and putting a face to the blogs I read, two great things happened while I was there!

Number 1: I won a door prize!  I received an copy of "ReSew" personally autographed by the author, Jenny Wilding Cardon!  If you can't tell by the delay in my posts please understand that I'm still catching up from Market, not to mention starting new projects like the Etsy Craft Party, so I haven't had time to make anything out of this book.  However, I have glanced through it, and I'm anxious to make a dress I saw somewhere near the middle.

Number 2: The second thing that happened to me was Jennifer Paganelli saving my reputation! I had been outside talking to Josh on the phone, and all of a sudden the wind picked up. My dress started flying up, and it was definitely a Marilyn Monroe sort of moment, just not quite as sexy or graceful! As I hurried for cover back in the restaurant who should be standing in the doorway ready to help me in other than Jennifer Paganelli?!

At first I didn't even know it was her. I just started talking with her, glanced down to read her Market badge (like most of us had), and then about had a conniption when I realized who had saved me! That is right people. Jennifer Paganelli saved me from showing my goodies to the world!

After I met her, I figured there was no way the day could get any better so I said good-byes and made my way back to the hotel. Mind you I changed into my "street clothes" before venturing out into the wind again.

Now in honor of my meeting fabric royalty I'm going to host my first give-away! 

I've picked the last 5 fat quarters of Jennifer Paganelli fabric out of my stash. Don't worry, I will soon have more on the way because I found a great deal on "Honey Child" on Etsy.  (Please forgive me for being to selfish to share the link with you on this one until I get my sticky little fingers on it first! *laughs*)

How to win....

Each comment is a separate entry. You can have up to 3 entries.

1. The Freebie: Leave a comment about whatever you are thinking about doing after leaving a comment. 
2. Facebook:  Post about this giveaway on Facebook. Then come back here and leave a comment saying you completed the task.
3. Blog: Put this on your own blog. Then come back here and leave a comment with your blog link.

Okay I changed my mind... If you click to follow my blog using Google Friend Connect over on the left side of the blog then you can have a 4th entry.  This is really easy to do, especially if you already have a Google account, just be sure to leave another comment letting me know you are following me.

*Since this is my first give-away I've decided not to open it up to international readers, unless you happen to have a shipping address in the United States.


*I will use random.org to determine the winner.


*Also be sure to leave an email address or someway to contact you in your comment so that I can let you know if you won.

This give away will close on Tuesday, May 31st, Thursday, June 2nd at 11:59pm central, so be sure to comment before then. (Comments after the cut-off will not be eligible for the prize, but are still welcome because I love hearing from people!)

Good Luck!

Etsy Craft Party

I have been so super busy this last week after market that I’ve not even been able to catch up with all the Market posts I have to tell you about. Not to mention, I need to tell you about Gingher, but that will have to wait for now because I have the most exciting news!

I’ve decided to host the Etsy Craft Party in Broken Arrow this year! I’ve already talked to the city about permit requirements, and I’ve also started working with the Main Street Merchants!

Here are the details so far.

June 10^th, 2011 from 10am – 5pm. This is a come as you like event.

Your starting point is Centennial Park on the corner of Main and Broadway.  I will have a table set up where you can register to win door prizes which will be donated by the Merchants on Main Street!  There will also be a secondary table where Etsy Artisans are welcome to leave a stack of business cards or something along those lines for people to take. 

From the starting point you can just work your way up and down Main Street visiting each of the shops. The shops will have demonstration or merchandise booths set out in front of their shops. More details about the shops will come as we get closer.

If you plan on attending be sure to include your link in the list. You can either scroll down to the bottom of the page to add your link or select the "Etsy Craft Party" tab under the blog banner.

Unfortunately, this event is so last minute that I was unable to get permits to allow for Etsy shops to set up their own booth. However, if this has a good turn out and runs smoothly then I will hopefully be coordinating with the city to have a huge craft fair on Main Street later in September or October. If you have an Etsy shop and are interested in having a booth during that event then be sure to come out and support us now. (There will be a separate sign-up sheet for interests in future booth spaces. People who sign-up will be the first in line to receive booth space at the next event.)

If you have any questions please email me at talesofanewhousewife (at) gmail (dot) com.  If you are an Etsy shop owner and would like to donate a door prize please contact me about that as well.

Project #2 -In Progress

I moved all the pots and pans out of the cabinet and put my make-shift recycling bins in their place. The plan is to have actual bins to sort everything into, but these paper bags are what I have for now so they will do.  The more I look at it the more I think that I need to find a better spot. For starters I'm going to end up with my pots, pans, cutting board, colander, and bake-ware scattered around in random places all over the kitchen now, and that isn't good. Second, there really isn't an easy way to set it up in this cabinet and still make all the bins easily identifiable. 

I think I might be able to set up bins in the top shelf of the laundry room instead. This would allow all the bins to be easily seen once the labels are adhered, they would still be out of site, and I would continue to have a place for all my cookware!  The only downside is that I'll need a step stool in order to reach the bins every time i want to sort something. Decisions. Decisions.

On the bright side, I did finish the labels. All I have to do is have them laminated so they will last.  Plus, they match the pantry labels because of the bird! So everything is nice and matchy-matchy, just how I like it!

As for the other project, the pantry jars: I hit a snag with covering the lids so I'm in search for the perfect ribbon to fix it. I am also trying to get the goo from the original labels off the jar. I will let them soak more tomorrow and then use lots of elbow grease to clean them up nicely.

P.S. I never did get around to writing/posting a "Flashback Friday" so maybe I'll get to it next week, who knows.