Craftiness

My oldest son has started loosing baby teeth.  The surprising part is that he is only 4 years old, so he is on the early side but still considered normal.  I shouldn't really be surprised seeing how he popped his first tooth through during his third month!  Anyway, I hadn't made him anything to put these lost teeth in.  The first tooth was swallowed (he didn't even know he lost a tooth!) so we just left a note for the tooth fairy.  The second tooth we left a note again so we could keep the tooth for his memory box.  When the third tooth came out I had to get creative and put the tooth in a box for the fairy.  All the while he was pestering me to make him a tooth pillow.  Yesterday, I finally got around to it during his afternoon nap (Thank you pre-school for tiring him out!!!)  I was trying to work quickly so I did not take pictures during the whole process.  I will go through the steps so you can make one for yourself.  This really is a quick & easy project!

Step 1 - Gather your supplies

You will need a sewing machine, thread, sharp needle (for hand sewing closure), pins, sharp scissors, fabric (I used felt so I didn't have to worry about fraying), paper for a template, filling fiber (I used silky polyester), and a fabric marker or embroidery floss to personalize the pillow if desired.

Step 2 - Cut your fabric
I made a tooth shape and a rectangle about twice the height of a quarter and a little wider out of paper.  I then placed the tooth shape over two layers of white felt and the rectangle over one layer of blue felt.  Pin the templates in place and carefully cut around the pattern.

Step 3 - Assemble the Pocket
I decided to have the pocket be fully enclosed with an overlap style opening so the little teeth don't fall out easily.  Take the rectangular piece of fabric and place it on the table with the long side perpendicular to you. Fold about 1/3 of the fabric down from the top then bring the bottom up creating an overlap of about 1/2" then pin the sides for sewing.  Sew the two sides closed with a narrow seam allowance. Trim the fabric close to the seam then turn the pocket right side out.  Decide where you want the pocket to be on the top piece of your pillow shape and pin in place.  Top stitch the pocket onto the upper fabric.

Step 4 - Assemble the Pillow
Place the right sides of the pillow together and stitch the two pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the inner curve of the bottom of the pillow open to turn and stuff the pillow.  Trim the corners close to the seam and turn the pillow right side out. 

Note: If you wish to personalize the pillow using embroidery, do that before sewing the pieces together.  The use of a fabric pen can be done after they are sewn together but before it is stuffed.  Make sure you trim any "fuzzy's" on the felt before using the pen or you'll end up with fuzzy writing edges like you see on mine!

Fill the pillow with stuffing to your desired fullness and then whip stitch the opening closed.  Voila! You have a hand made tooth pillow for the little one in your life!

My First Craft Show

Saturday, as some of you know, I sold some of my hand-made crafts for the first time. It was a dreary rainy day, so the turn out wasn't as good as last year. Even with the weather, it turned out to be a great day for me. I had a lot of interest in my products. I was selling produce bags, fabric gift wrap, and linen tote bags. The produce bags ended up being the star of my table. Everyone seemed to love the idea and the bags sold quickly. I ended up selling out of the produce bags and taking orders for more; sold half of the gift wrap with orders for more in different patterns/sizes; and I sold two tote bags which were my high ticket item. My table looked pretty pathetic around 1 o'clock because it was so barren, but what a great problem to have! So my Etsy shop will have to wait a little longer, as I don't have anything to sell yet. I probably will not be able to post anything there until after the new year considering the custom orders I need to fill. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

My table all set-up and ready for customers!

I have learned a lot from this experience, and I want to share some of it with you - just in case the crafting bug bites you too! (I'm including some observations for setting up a table as well)

1. You'll probably be surprised by what your most popular product will be.
2. Make sure you label the price of the item (or a have a price list on the table). Some people, like me, don't like to have to ask for a price - they'll just leave!
3. Make sure your table covering doesn't compete with your product. Example: I saw a table covered with black & white polka dots, and a hot pink print, I think the product was kids pillows & blankets but I was so overwhelmed by all the patterns and colors that I really didn't pay any attention to what they were selling.
4. Be creative with your display, and don't forget your vertical space. Try garage sales and discount stores for unique display items. Don't be afraid to re-purpose an item like a door or window to add to your display.
5. If your interested in taking custom orders, let people know with a sign. A customer might like a product but want it in a different color, and they probably will not think to ask if you can make it for them!
6. Be prepared for little sleep the night before the show. I was up until 1 am putting the finishing touches on items, packing things up, getting everything together. Then when I was in bed I was mentally running over everything to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything.
7. Have fun and talk to lots of people! This is when you need to put on a smiling face and say "Hello" to anyone who looks your way. Being personable could help you make a sale - just don't go overboard!

Do you have any tips for selling at craft fairs? If so, I would love to hear them as I plan to do more in the future!

Crafting Fun...

Here are some of the items I'm going to be selling this weekend at a craft show. Speaking of that...if you happen to be in Houston on Saturday stop by and say hello! I'll be at the Pilgrim Festival from 10am until 4pm, click here for the flyer.

Some jewelry bags I started...not so fond of how the 1st one turned out, so we'll see if I finish them.

Produce bags in three sizes, and one set packaged up.

Fabric gift-wrapped shirt box, I have a lot more of these to make!

Linen tote bag, came out much better than the first one - interfacing made all the difference!

Another view of the bag so you can see how it doesn't collapse on itself.

I've got two more days with crazy amounts of sewing to do...unfortunately not enough time to finish everything I was hoping to. Oh well, at least I'll have some things to sell!

This is Why I'm Late Posting (and Missed Posting Yesterday!)

Fabric cut and ready to go...

Pocket

Adding the handles

Finished product: lined embroidered linen tote bag with two side pockets

Another view of the finished product, next time I'll need to add interfacing to make it a bit firmer.  I think it was a successful first try, even though I won't be able to sell this one (another bag for me to use)!

I Need Your Opinion (and sneek peek at my produce bags!)

I'm in the process of sewing all my produce bags, and I have a dilemma.  I'm not sure how to finish the sides.  I like them both ways, so I'm putting it out to you!  So here they are:

Do you like the sides tucked in (more finished look) or left out (more color)?

Full size comparison (these are the small bags for garlic, shallots, ginger, jalapenos or other small fruits or veggies)

Edge In with a large head of garlic

Edge out with the same large head of garlic

Please let me know which you like best (or anything else you like/dislike about them) by leaving a comment!

Nursing Cover

A Friend of mine had her baby shower over the weekend, so I decided to make her a nursing cover. When Logan was little, I used mine so much that he would get excited when he saw it! Now that he's older he doesn't go for being covered while eating, but that's OK. I'm pretty happy with how the cover turned out; I hope the Mommy is too. I saw the fabric and fell in love; it is the most gorgeous turquoise blue with a lovely flower print. I added some boning to the neckline so Mommy and Baby can see each other and an easily adjustable D-ring for the neck strap.

The cover doesn't look like much here, but I think it looks amazing in person.

My labels :)

My New Toy

Last week I managed to convince my loving husband to buy me a serger. I had been looking and researching them for a couple weeks and finally decided on the machine I wanted. With all the sewing I plan on doing for my soon-to-open online shop (reusable products such as produce bags, tote bags, gift wrap, and hopefully diapers) I felt I really needed a serger to keep me sane! Admittedly, it was expensive - even on clearance! I chose the Baby Lock Imagine Wave as my dream machine. It is super easy to thread thanks to Baby Locks patented Jet Air threading! I watched the sales lady thread it twice then I sat down and was able to thread it unassisted and it was ready to sew in minutes! I am currently learning how to do all the stitches and will take a class (came with the purchase of the machine) in the next few weeks. I can't wait to get started on my numerous projects with this machine!

Baby Lock Imagine Wave

No crazy loopers to thread, does it automatically with a puff of air!

My sewing set up. Maybe someday I'll set up a sewing table in the office so I don't have to clear everything off the dining room table when we want to use it!