My Heart and Mind

Gardening Spring 2011

2011-03-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of spring, the vernal equinox, and it was just lovely on Long Island. All the nasty dirty snow is long gone, the sun was shining strong, birds were twittering tweet tweet and it was just fine digging in the dirt, trimming various firs and cleaning up after winter and decades of neglect. It's a barren rock strewn front yard of a house in my neighborhood, with ancient Montauk Daisies that attacked me last week when I went in with my bare hands. It isn't just poison oak or ivy that'll get you - the plants themselves defend themselves. I have such a rash!!! I finally sought medical intervention and my wounds are healing nicely.

Meanwhile, I have been working this little piece of earth for a little while now, and am really paying attention this year. The owner, who is blind, moved in over ten years ago, and I think it's been that long since anyone worked it seriously. She has some beautiful roses, heirloom, with a lovely aroma. Remember when roses had scent, and not just beauty? Right now of course they are just thorns sticking out of the ground, but new buds are emerging, and I put good dark composted dirt on them, and it's raining today.

These are just some of the remaining Montauk Daisies I have to trim back. This is what an overgrown bush of daisies looks like. The base is actually woody, like a shrub. Hopefully this year the flowers will be thick and pretty.

This is the daisy that attacked me last week. I have learned my lesson - always wear gloves! I have a nice pair of old red leather gloves that are definitely past their prime, and I wear them now in the garden. It's still cold out there for all the sunshine.

This is the front walk/driveway, with overgrown firs and spruces. Last week I cleaned off and swept the porch, made that tidy and inviting. I
left this horizontal branch for a bannister and the large vertical branch for safety, as there is no railing on this porch, and we would sure hate for someone to fall.

Now to tidy up the driveway. Before...

And after...I need a pair of big loppers to get those thick branches that are so unsightly. I know where I can get a pair, and will be back...

The good dark dirt I found under the firs overhanging the ashpalt went on the thorny roses.

There is still a ton of work to be done. There are irises and a yucca buried under overgrown firs in front of the house.

The child of the house came out to help and keep company. She got a pricker pretty quick, so she drew with her chalks while we chatted.

In a couple of hours it was gettting pretty chilly, so I swept up and put the tools away. Today it is raining, so it feels like the circle is going 'round and 'round.

Dresses for Little Girls

2011-03-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

I've been busy with my fabric shop, http://nancysfabricshop.etsy.com, making good sales, and haven't done much sewing lately, but Krista who has a fantastic blog with a huge following invited me to do a giveaway on her blog, so I had to "get cooking" as they say. I relisted my aprons rearranged and jazzed up my shop, and even ventured into a new realm for me, clothing for little girls. I found an adorable Butterick pattern with a nice little bodice, ruffled armholes and nicely gathered skirt. It was a struggle for a while, remastering inserting a zipper, but I liked the dress so much I went and made three of them, and then found another pattern and made that too!

The Winterthur Museum toile dress in green, little flower spring dress , Winterthur red toile and the blue strapped dress are all available at my etsy store
.

SEPT 11 2010

2010-09-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

Sept 11 is a special day for Americans, and especially so for people who were in New York on Sept 11 2001. Yesterday, the 9th anniversary, was just surreal for me, partly because I was still congested - see Apron Congestion blog post - and also because it was another beautiful day, clear blue skies, not a single cloud, just like 9 years ago. And I am back babysitting again on Saturdays on a regular basis, because my favorite little girl has resumed her ballet lessons. I woke up good and early, read the 4th Discourse of the Bhaghavad Gita, meditated, did a little stretching yoga, and drove to my little girl's house, just surreal and congested in my ears and head, still contemplating action and inaction, desires and selfish purposes and trying to "abandon attachment to the fruit of action":

"Content with what comes to him without effort,
Free from the pairs of opposites and envy,
Even-minded in success and failure,
He is not bound."

I arrived and the child immediately dragged me to the park to play. I will be 60 next June, and she will be 5 in December - do the math. Remeber my recent knee surgery? I had just said to my good friend Jan that it was pretty well all healed, like it never happened - HAH!!! I played with her, climbed play towers, went through tunnels, slid down slides, swung on the swings. Today I can barely walk! We had a great time though, and she really helped ground me in physical reality, here and NOW.

We went back to her house and played with my aprons. I needed pictures to list on etsy, and asked the child to take my picture with the aprons on . That didn't turn out so well:

But we did get this one

So then I asked her mother to model for me for etsy, and she was very nice about it.

"They're all the same pattern" I told the child, "just different colors". "No they're not" she said. "Yes they are, see?" Meanwhile, the mother is blind and couldn't say either way.

Like I said, it was surreal, and a little stressful too, taking the mother's pictures. The child of course did her best to help:

After that it was the usual Saturday routine, which we hadn't done since spring when ballet lessons were over for the summer. Drive to the school, change into leotard and tights, see familiar faces again and be amazed at how the children have grown, McDonald's on the way home for a happy meal, singing "Old McDonald had a farm, E I E I O" at the top of our lungs, lots of "MOOOS!" and "BAAAA" and our favorite "SNORT SNORT" piggies, laughing and carrying on. After lunch I tried to teach her how to write. She can sing ABCDEFG... but can't write or read them. She's in pre-K now, and I wanted to give her a head start as they say, so I said "Let's play school!" and brought out crayons and paper, and she brought out dolls and toys to be students, and I tried to teach her to write A a B b C c, but she is still lacking in eye-hand coordination, and frustrates easily if she can't do something well. She knows her name though, so I tried spelling that out, and saying each letter really loudly as I wrote it, and she would repeat yell it after me and then scribble all over the paper. (Sigh) I decided we are Calvin and Hobbes, and she's Hobbes and I'm Calvin.

Meanwhile, we're out on the porch and can see the jets coming in on the flight path to JFK, low and slow, one after the other. Like I said, a surreal day.

APRON CONGESTION

2010-09-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, sorry I've been away for a while (again). You may or may not know I babysit the most adorable little girl - she's hiding under the table in this picture

Last week her mother asked me to weed her front garden, which I did, and then I jumped into their pool to cool off. Meanwhile, the dog got out so I walked up and down the neighborhood with the little girl calling "Petey! Petey!" which she echoed back. She loves me and wants to be with me and do everything I do, so I must be EXTREMELY careful what I do. Eventually Petey found a cat who fought back, the cat's owners caught the dog and I brought both little girl and dog back safely home. However, the next day I woke up with serious nasal congestion - did I mention the child had a small cold? - which became a big grown-up cold, compounded with serious welts and scratches from weeding. Jeepers creepers I was a mess for a whole week, loaded on cough suppressant and anti-itch cream, watching WAY too much TV (don't like the Real Housewives, but am now all caught up on House). Completely neglected both my stores: Custom Designs by Nancy and Nancy's Fabric Shop , but this little peacock sold itself

and this lovely pea green velvet is in a blog

MEANWHILE...

Aprons. My aprons sell pretty well. Next to catnips, I have sold more aprons than anything else, and my last sale left me with only one full apron left

So a couple of days ago, as I was becoming human once more, I started making aprons again, this time with a lovely feathery frondy Laura Ashley print on really good cotton fabric, from Kravet, Inc. I love this fabric, it is so wonderful to work with, great body and hand, lays down and does whatever you ask it to, so well made, sturdy, durable, perfect for a working apron. This stuff will stand the test of time. Here are some quick shots of cutting and sewing a standard no-frills apron:

I use the wooden spoon to turn the straps inside-out, which is the most time-consuming part of the process, depending on the fabric. As I said, this stuff is wonderful to work with, so it all went pretty quickly, and I made three aprons in two days. Same print, different colors:

I haven't listed these yet. I need a model, so am going to my Aunt Sally's in Connecticut ( you remember Sally, she hosts all the family parties), and will list and blog again when I return! Oh goody, something to look forward to!

See you real soon!

Poppy Place Appreciation Day

2010-08-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is a blog about a friend I have made on etsy, in the forums and following her blogs, Poppy Place. She is a photographer and artist, a generous soul and supportive friend. She is a member of POE, Photographers of Etsy, and she sells her pictures at Photos by Chipperfield. These are a couple of favorites of mine:

Beautiful Poppy

Twilight Over Mt. Hood

She also paints and is a serious artist. I love this watercolor of hers:

Golden Waterlilies

She sews, too! Check out this beautiful little piece:

I follow her blogs also, which are always interesting and entertaining, and you may enjoy them too!
http://poppyplacepdx.blogspot.com
http://whentrulestheworld.blogspot.com/

HOOPING IT UP IN RHODE ISLAND

2010-08-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

More Rhode Island!!!!

My sister has been hooping for a couple of years now, and brought her hoops to RI while we were on vacation. She was very good about doing it every day (I know!!!). She demonstrated her skills to me, and told me "this is the corkscrew", or "watch me do it with my hands only" and "this one is really hard". I tried a couple of times and it IS hard, but I didn't want to try too hard because my knee is still a little out of whack, and those circular motions scared me. My knee is healing nicely, all the walking to the beach and swimming was good exercise, my knee is much stronger now, but I didn't want to chance throwing it out and causing myself immense sharp pain.

So here's Nora hooping it up. I forget which is the corkscrew, and which is what, except for the arms and hands which are obvious. She sure has good time with it, though, as you can see:

More Rhode Island!

2010-08-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

The house we stayed in while on vacation in Rhode Island had a lovely mimosa tree in the backyard, that smelled so sweet, and there were hummngbirds! A small flock, I think maybe 6 or 8 birds. I could see them best from the bathroom window. I tried to take pictures of them but they were so fast, WHOOSH and they were gone in a blur of wings.

On our walk to the beach there were plenty of beautiful gardens and plants, lots of hibiscus and hydrangeas, and a funny little pine decorated with shovels and playthings, like a Christmas tree.

This is the summertime Christmas tree decorated with toys and shovels. Dig the pink flamingo:

When we were on the actual beach road there were glorious beach roses, all bright red with their hips, and a few flowers that were wonderfully fragrant.

And then the ocean! It was pretty calm, and shallow, and nicely cold which was so refreshing after the hot walk and then basking in the hot sun. Here's me glorying in the whole experience - please ignore the flabby arms.

Ah, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

THE BEACH!!!!

2010-08-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

For those who have missed me, I have been posting to my new blog www.nancysfabricshop.blogspot.com lately, but now I'm back at My Heart and Mind, to tell you of my wonderful little one week vacation in Rhode Island, on the beach! When we were kids my grandparents rented a cottage in Quonochontaug, affectionately known as Quonnie, and my brother and sister and I would play in the ocean all day and then laugh all night playing Scrabble with my grandmother and great-aunt. Really great memories. Now we're all grown up, and my cousin has a little house near a beach in Rhode Island, near Watch Hill and Westerly, which they lent to my sister and me for the last week of July. YAY!!!!!! The weather was wonderful, the water was gorgeous and the lobster delicious. We invited a friend, and just played for a whole week.

This is the house:

This is my bedroom:

the living room

and the family room

We walked to the beach

The BEACH!!!!

Apres le beach, le fromage et vino!

This is me, Nan. I'm wearing a pretty little headband I bought from PrettyLilGirls

my sister and friend

et le fromage et vino!

We went shopping, too, in Watch Hill. My sister's new clothes - isn't she lovely?

And she bought a ring for me, for my birthday. An amethyst in a beautiful setting. Ain't she the best?

and one for herself, we believe a carnelian

What a great time we had. I will be posting more blogs about RI: my sister hooping, the natural life around us, trees, flowers, hummingbirds...stay tuned!

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-07-17T04:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone out there in Blogville! It's Saturday morning and I'm finally blogging for the Saturday Blog Shoppers super sales! I know I haven't participated in quite a while, but I hope to be able to blog on Saturdays again, and re-join the network.

This Saturday, in addition to the 10% Christmas in July discount, I will take ANOTHER 10% off any purchase made today, from either of my stores, Custom Designs by Nancy and Nancy's Fabric Shop! Choose any piece, perhaps a nice lavendar sachet?

Maybe you need new potholders/trivets?

Or perhaps you're contemplating making pillows to decorate your space, and are looking for just the right material?

Or maybe a spectacular tote bag?

Anything you want, I will refund 20% via paypal, today only! Also, please follow the link to Saturday Blog Shoppers to see other terrific specials for today only.

MADELINE'S BIRTHDAY

2010-07-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last week I drove to Michigan with my sister to celebrate my great-niece's first birthday! Of course, she's the most adorable little girl in the world, as you can see from the pictures I took.

My little brother is now a grandfather, which feels kind of strange. I remember when he had hair down to his shoulders and a full beard. He doesn't have any of that now:

This is the whole family, mommy, daddy and baby:

Since I live in NY and they live in MN this is the first time I have seen the baby, and the whole family, in a long time, so this visit was very special. It was also my brother's 30th wedding anniversary, so here are some shots of everyone. This is my brother's family:

This is my father and mother, and brother and sister:

And of course, my parents are now great-grandparents, which is also wonderful. Here are three generations, skipping the second:

Driving home I got a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania. I mean, you're supposed to go 80 on I80, aren't you? The cop didn't buy it, and wrote it out. Darn. Anyway, I'll leave you with this image, of Madonna and child:

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-07-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ah, Saturday again, another chance to buy something from my store on sale! My shop, and the other Saturday Blogger Shoppers, who are also running their specials. This weekend only take 10% off any piece in this section, including my newest pieces:

This is a table topper made of Sunbrella fabric. Perfect for summer!

These matching table runners are just elegant. The pretty blue and white pattern will dress up any room in your house.

And this is my newest tablecloth, a nice cheery sunny yellow Laura Ashley toile. You can use this in your kitchen breakfast nook, on the dining table, or as a picnic cloth. Let your little girls use it for their tea parties!

Please write SBS in the notes to seller and I will refund your paypal account. Thank you for shopping in my store, and be sure to look at the other Saturday Blog Shoppers by clicking on the link on my sidebar.

GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-06-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite people, mizdarlin in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, is having a giveaway on her blog! You could win one of her fantastic hats!

Be sure to comment on her blog, and follow her too, she's a lot of fun!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN???

2010-06-15T11:50:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone - sorry I've been away so long. I didn't realize it had been two weeks since my last post, and I'm sorry I haven't been communicating. But the good news is I've been sewing! I'm feeling SO much better these days, because I'm sewing again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started again. I know I've missed a couple of weekends of Saturday Blog Shoppers and I apologize for that. But here are my latest pieces - I hope you enjoy, and thank you for looking.

New placemats! These are in the soft-red Laura Ashley country scene toile. There are six all together, varying scenes from the same cloth. And you can fold them into napkins as well! Price is $5 each plus shipping.

This is the same pattern as the others, only in monotone. I'm not sure what to call the color - greeny-gray? Subtle and elegant, these are also $5 each plus shipping.

I also made more quilted trivets, in the same Laura Ashley toile, in purple. I will be posting them on my store very soon - I need to do quality control and take pictures, but I'll blog about them when it happens.

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-05-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It's Saturday, I'm not babysitting, I'm at home watching the Yankees beat the Indians, and blogging and commenting and reading and posting my SBS sale for the MeMorial Weekend. Big parade here in Freeport, NY, so come on down if you're in the neighborhood.

So my SBS sale is $10 off my newest piece:

This weekend only, this beautiful tablecloth now $50. It is a one-of-a-kind, I cannot make another exactly like it, and it is so pretty and cheerful, I'm sure you can find a nice home for it. Please write SBS in messages to seller and I will refund your paypal $10.

And please see the other Saturday Blog Shoppers on the link to the left! Thank you for reading and commenting and browsing all the wonderful stores and their sales!

CHANGE OF BEDSPREAD

2010-05-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

I was doing some house-cleaning today, stripped the bed and put on clean sheets, and decided it was time to pack up my winter comforter and bring out my summer bedspread. I made this 3 years ago, I think, because I wanted something for myself. Everything I made I either gave away as presents, or sold. At the time I was making a lot of gorgeous bedspreads, like this one:

So my mind was on bedspreads. I had this beautiful Lee Jofa print with exotic birds and foliage in really pretty colors:

I tried lots of fabric combinations until finally I took the plunge and used a soft narrow wale corduroy which is so soft it hardly is cordury at all, more like brushed cotton. The weights were totally different. The Lee Jofa is a light-weight linen weave cotton, and the other piece is almost too heavy, but it turned out very well. This was the only fabric I had that matched the jungle theme and the colors, and the heavier weight works well for the border. Here are shots of my bedroom with my summer bedspread. I hope you enjoy.

CREATIVE PROCESS PART II

2010-05-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Another quickie to update you on the progress of my new tablecloth. The table top is done, and now I'm sewing on the lovers toile print for the border:

I started cutting and measuring the lovers toile last night, and hope to complete the piece today! Oh the excitement!

THE CREATIVE PROCESS PART I

2010-05-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

I haven't felt creative in a long time, but lately I am coming out of my foggy bottom and have begun sewing again, and I feel more like myself again. I made some purple Laura Ashley toile placemats/napkins:

So, happy with that result, I pulled out more toiles and started playing, trying different colors in different ways, thinking of how much I have of any one fabric and what I could do with them all together. This is the fun part, playing with the fabric, weighing the cloth in my hand, thinking of the cloth itself as well as the colors and patterns, just playing and imagining:

HOURS later, this is the decision I came to. I was always thinking of a tablecloth using the country scenes as placemats and a complimentary fabric for spacers between the mats, with a masculine and feminine top and bottom, at the narrow ends of the table, to signify where the man and woman of the house will sit. I used the blue and yellow country toile with the server, the fiddler, dancers, and picnicers and the other Laura Ashley toile, in yellow, the vine print, in 10"x12" pieces, and use the yellow Laura Ashley lovers toile for the border:

Finally, I could start sewing. You can see how I measure and cut in my other blogs, so I'll just jump to sewing and sewn:

I haven't gotten technical in this description, gone into measurements, etc., but I am using my own table as a guide. My table is approximately 48"x30" and seats six comfortably, two on each side and at the head and bottom of the table. The yellow lovers toile will be the skirt of the tablecloth, with a 10" drape, or hang. This will be a lovely versatile tablecloth which can be used anywhere in the house. In your bedroom, over a cafe table, or on the breakfast table, it will always be bright and cheerful.

I will be posting more pictures as I progress, and of course the BIG announcement when it is complete and listed on etsy!

TREASURY

2010-05-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie - Queenofalltrades has included nancysfabricshop in her newest treasury! I am thrilled! This is my piece in her animals collection:

Please go see queen's imaginative treasury, and feel free to leave comments! Thanks again Queen!

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-05-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone and welcome to Saturday Blog Shoppers, home of excellent etsy shops and great deals on Saturdays! This weekend only you can save 10% off any item in my shop, including my brand new Laura Ashley toile placemats

And be sure to click on the Saturday Blog Shoppers link to see the other fine shops participating this Saturday.

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-05-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday again, and you know what that means! The Saturday Blog Shoppers are offering deals and sales!!! This Saturday and Sunday enjoy 10% savings on anything in my shop, even on goods already on sale! I still haven't seen the surgery bill, and now I'm going to PT, so those doctor bills aren't going to stop anytime soon. Please write SBS in the notes to buyer, and I will refund your 10% pronto! Thank you for shopping customdesigns4ubynan, and click on the link to the other SBSers!

On Thursday I was feeling strong again and my knee hardly hurt at all, so I went for my first walk in WEEKS around the neighborhood and took pictures of one of my favorite things: blooming plants.

It's a pretty old neighborhood, and many trees are at least a hundred years old, towering high above the houses with enormous trunks, some as much as 10' diameter. The sewer system was put in during 1930, and when you think about it, that's 80 years ago, and some of the houses have been there longer than that.

On the way back I passed the Memorial Library, and took these pictures, too. There are other reminders of 9/11 in the neighborhood. It seems like everyone knows someone who lost someone that day.

Finally, home again, home again. I ran into my next-door neighbor and she took this picture of me. All was well, except for the blister, on my right foot, of course!

I'M IN A TREASURY!

2010-05-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Paradise BnR has included my ladybug pillow in a treasury! The treasury is http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=129885. It's a buy and replace treasury, so if you purchase anything from one of the sellers in the treasury, one of your products will replace them. It's a good oppportunity to attract new customers and more sales. So go to it and buy something!

ARTHROSCOPY

2010-05-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, I fell about a month ago and really seriously did more than just sprain my right knee. My neighbor carried me to his car and took me to emergency. X-rays, full-leg brace and wheelchairs, and everyone said "GO TO THE ORTHOPEDIST!!!" so I finally did. He said "take off that brace, girl!", so I did, and walked around and even went back to my Saturday babysitting gig for one day. When I went back to him - the cutest little doctor man, I think I'm in love - he didn't like the way I was walking, too much limping, should have healed by now - he sent me for an MRI. Next time I saw him he looked at me in amazement. "How did you hurt your knee? When did you hurt your knee??!!" Apparently there was quite a lot wrong in there, some serious, like a torn miniscus and like bone shrapnel pricking in my joints. But I'm not Derek Jeter, and it's not the off-season, so he wasn't going to do the MAJOR surgery of repairing the miniscus, but would do an arthroscopy to remove the prickers that were preventing me from walking, running, dancing with the stars, or playing with my little 4-year-old Saturday babysitting charge. More doctors and hospitals for medical clearance - they didn't like my BP - and finally all was settled. I had the surgery Thursday Apr 29. My wonderful sister, who had come in on the train from Manhattan several times already, spent Wednesday night at my place, and we drove to the hospital Thursday morning early. I remembered to bring my camera, because I knew you would all want the gory details. And here they are!

BEFORE SURGERY

THAT LEG? THE OTHER LEG? NO, THE OTHER LEFT KNEE...

IN THE HOSPITAL POST SURGERY, HAPPILY SEDATED

THEY GAVE ME CRUTCHES, THANK GOODNESS

WITH THE BANDAGE

WITH BANDAIDS, AFTER ICING

My knee is red in the last picture because I had just iced it down - it isn't that color really. It's still really stiff, hurts somewhat (and now I'm out of vicodin!), and I start PT on Tuesday next week. Stitches come out on Friday next, and then I should be done!!!

Saturday Blog Shoppers

2010-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

The week goes around quickly, doesn't it? Here we are, another weekend, another Saturday Blog Shoppers spree. Oh the excitement!

I have been making lavendar sachets recently. Another etsian, QueenofAllTrades, is having a home show this weekend, and requested giveaways for her favor-bags, for people who purchased more than $20. I offered my sachets, and she graciously accepted my offer. So of course I forgot all about it, dealing with my injured knee and all, until Monday this week, when I contacted her and she said it was this weekend, and she's in California and I'm in NY, and I needed to make them still...AARRGGHHH!!!

So, I got busy as they say. I used material left over from making my new 20"x20" throw pillows. I was going to staple my business card to each sachet, so I measured and cut out 3"x8" strips, sewed them into pouches, ironed, filled them with an 80% lavendar/20% chamoimile blend, and sewed them shut:

There! Done! I actually did 23 for Queen, and sent them overnight, guaranteed to be delivered no later than 3pm on Saturday, so hopefully in time for lots of her goody bags. So there I was on a roll, you might say. I looked around, and found a piece of this, and made two lovely large sachets, to showcase the embroidery:

I also had a piece of 100% deep red-like-wine silk, with a sewn trellis pattern, and made eight sweet and sexy sachets:

I also had this wonderful soft cotton printed in a tropical theme and made three more sachets. These are completely different than the other two. I made my own bedspread out of this material, a couple of years ago. I will show it to you when I put it back on my bed, for summer. Meanwhile, I'm happy with the sachets:

So, for my SBS sale, there will be no shipping charges on these new sachets!!! Please write something on the notes to seller - SBS, or blog, or something so I know you purchased during our Saturday Blog Shoppers event, and please also go to the other terrific etsians by clicking on the link on the left-hand sidebar.

Thanks for all your comments, for reading and looking, and looking at the other shops too!!!!

MORE FABRICS!

2010-04-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

I have started adding some silks and other patterned fabrics to my store nancysfabricshop. I'm trying to give as good a description of the goods as I can. Sometimes I know exactly what the fiber content is, other times I'm giving my best guess, but I can assure you they are all quality fabrics that will not disappoint.

This is a fabulous Lee Jofa hand-printed piece:

I am also offering this rayon/silk velvet piece with mystic designs:

And lastly, at this time, this is the other newest addition to my fabric selections, a subtle, 100% silk piece:

I have TONS more where these came from. Check back often! I have more amazing silks, brocades, embroideries and patterns that will make you sigh and drool!

MY NEW FABRIC STORE

2010-04-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I finally did it! I opened my new etsy store nancysfabricshop, where I will be selling material from my extensive fabric collection. I am starting with some Sunbrella , a trademarked heavy cotton canvas indoor/outdoor fabric, which is also pretty colorfast. I mean, any fabric will fade eventually if left in strong sunlight for any length of time, but the Sunbrella goods will not fade so fast. The pieces I am offering are 54" wide and a yard long, give or take, for $15.00 each. They're a little heavy, and I like a tracking number, so the shipping is $10, with or without another purchase.

This is heavy duty fabric, canvas rough, and strong. It's good to make cushions for your patio or deck, for around the pool, or on a boat. They would also make really sturdy totes or bags for crafts or groceries. My pieces are big bold prints that make a dramatic statement:

This pattern also comes in softer, more muted colors:

I also have a blue coral pattern:

and other patterns as well. Please browse my new store to see them all, and come back often. I will be adding more Sunbrella, and some lovely velvets I have, and some gorgeous silk embroideries, and lots of other fabrics for you to use for your own projects!

MY NEW MOUSE PAD

2010-04-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely surprise the other day. Lisa at Visual Journey selected me to win her giveaway! What fun! It was hard to pick just one picture from her gallery of fine art photography, but I finally decided on this one, as a mouse pad:

My first words when I opened the package were "Oh, how pretty!" The image printed very well on the rubber, and the pad itself is thick and stays put while I move my mouse all around. Really good quality, and I love the picture.

Thank you Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!

ANOTHER THRILLING SATURDAY BLOG PARTY

2010-04-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone out there in Saturday Bloggers Shopppers!!!! I know I haven't been participating lately, but between putting my old cat down, and spraining my knee, I just didn't feel the love, let alone have the enthusiasm. But enough already, life goes on, my knee is SO much better, and I've had a few sales this month. So this Saturday I'm putting all my pillows on sale. There are more pillows in my spring collection, also:

Please write SBS in notes to buyer, and I will refund 10% of the purchase price. Imagine this beautiful pillow in your home, for only $33!!

And be sure to check out the other great shops from Quilts Galore and More for more great deals!

BEST SELLER

2010-04-08T14:46:00.001-07:00

Who knew when I started making catnip pillows that they would become my best selling item? I was HOPING my bedspreads would be, and I could actually support myself selling my goods on etsy:

But NOOOO. I sold a lot of aprons during the holidays, at shows, but not so much online

It took forever to sell any pillows, and then my brother bought three for a Christmas present to his wife, and I sold 2 more at a show. Meanwhile, I had bought at least a dozen 20"x20" inserts, and they were in a great big box in my kitchen - you have no idea how small my space is - and I just wanted that box out of my life, so I made a whole slew of pillows:

which get a whole lot of views and hearts, but none of them have sold, even on sale (sigh). No, turns out my best selling item is my catnip, which get rave reviews from my customers:

The cats love them! Thanks for beginning their new year with nippy joy ^_^
I will translate from my kitty's reaction to the catnip pillow: "What's this? BLISS!!! I never knew I could be so happy!"

I still have about a dozen available, and will have to make more, I guess, to keep up with the demand!

CURRENT STATUS

2010-04-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone out there in blog land. I'm sorry I haven't blogged recently, and let me tell you why. I fell and sprained my knee - very big ouch. Emergency room, wheelchair, brace, orthopedist, and two weeks later I am walking again, gingerly. And oh yes. they tell me I have arthritis in my right knee. I was warned about growing old. I believe Bette Davis said "growing old ain't for the faint hearted" or something like that. Ah well...life goes on, and I FINALLY feel sharing again.

I've been pretty well cooped up in my apartment for the last two weeks. I can see the building's little garden from my window, but I am mainly experiencing spring right now in my own space, and the lovely thing is my amarylis is in bloom!

I bought the bulb years ago from a very good nursery here in Freeport NY, and it stilll blooms at least once a year. Isn't she pretty?

My sister took me grocery shopping after the orthopedist, and I bought these anemones:

On that table is a picture of me my father took in an old apartment in Detroit, when I was in college, and tall and beautiful and skinny:

OK, OK, I was never TALL tall, although in grade school I was the tallest until 6th grade. Everyone caught up to me in 7th grade, and after that I was among the shortest, and still am. God never let me be 5' tall, just 4'11 3/4". At least I haven't shrunk in my old age.

And years ago my Aunt Sally - remember my Aunt Sally? I did a Christmas show there, invited everyone on the east coast to come, and my blog "Gorgeous Georgina" was taken there. That's Sally's house in the blog. Oh, I did a Thanksgiving blog therre, too, you can read all about it in my older posts, if you're interested. Anyway, years ago my Aunt Sally made a clay piece of Punkin, whom I had to put down a few weeks ago. I have it sitting in the window, in memorial, so I don't miss her so much:

I haven't made anything new in WEEKS, but to help pay all my doctor bills, I am having a 10% off sale on most of my pieces. Please feel free to browse to your heart's content, and I hope you find something you like at http://customdesigns4ubynan.etsy.com. Thank you for reading, looking, and for your purchase!

Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree

2010-03-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hey hey everyone, it's time for another fantastic sale brought to you by Quilts Galore! This is a group of wonderful etsians who have a sale every Saturday, so check them out for terrific deals on this Saturday only, March 27! Please write 20% off in the message to seller, and I will adjust/refund your account! I have created a special section "Weekend Sale" for your convenience, so please take advantage!

I am putting all my comforters on sale this Saturday March 27. Take 20% off any comforter in my store, including this gorgeous gold silk throw:

and my lovely exotic birds comforter from my spring collection:

Hurry hurry hurry and take advantage of this opportunity to own an original unique piece from Custom Designs by Nancy, and be sure to look at the other Saturday Bloggers for other great sales!

REJECTED

2010-03-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a project doesn't turn out well, and there isn't much I can do to correct whatever went wrong (sigh). So I have to reject it - it's not sellable - heck. So what happens? I get to keep it for my own use! Ah ha! I just finished a pillow, and I just couldn't get the zipper right. And worse, I had cut the fabric a little and couldn't hide it or fix it. So, now I have a new pillow for my living room sofa. Take a look. And see how I messed up the zipper. The end product just didn't pass quality control, and I would never try to sell something that isn't up to par.

PUNKINHEAD

2010-03-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

I had to put down my cat Punkinhead yesterday. She hadn't been eating and was so skinny. I was afraid she would starve to death, so I finally took her to the vet. I don't have a job and have limited resources, and I was hoping she would get well on her own. That's why I delayed taking her to see a doctor. He examined her, and could hardly hear her heart, it was so muffled. After an x-ray he explained her lungs were full of fluid. He didn't know the cause, either a tumor or heart disease, and advised the best thing was to put her down.

That was in my mind as I was driving to the vet. She was about 20yrs old and sickly. But when the vet confirmed, I was so sad. I held her as he injected her, and it was all over. And now I really miss her. I am in mourning.

Eventually I will get another cat, but right now I am so sad, and crying as I write this. In a little while - next week maybe. Not today.

Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree 4

2010-03-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! It's time again for the Saturday Bloggers Sale! This weekend only from Friday to Sunday midnight my entire spring collection is on sale! Take 15% off any item. Please write Saturday Blog in message to seller when you place your order and I will adjust your invoice, or refund through paypal.

Choose from my spring pillows, including my brand-new just listed Yellow Floral:

or one of my tablerunners, like this beautiful piece in Lee Jofa fabric:

And be sure to click on the Saturday Bloggers link on my left sidebar to see more great sales from other etsy shops, for Saturday only!

The Egg Trick

2010-03-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Egg Trick

My sister sent me this video of Johnny Carson and Dom DeLouise on the Tonight Show from way back when, when comedy meant doing funny things live, without using any dirty language whatsoever - think of that, clean comedy. This clip is hilarious. You will laugh out loud many times while watching, and be amazed by the trick. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Egg Trick.

Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree 3

2010-03-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone out there in bloggerland! Tomorrow is another opportunity to shop at Saturday Bloggers for some great deals! Read exciting and interesting blogs take ADVANTAGE of new items on sale. Just click on the "Saturday Bloggers" on my left sidebar to be instantly connected.

I work on Saturdays so can't promote as much as I want to on Saturday, so I promote the Saturday Bloggers all weekend, starting on Fridays, and my sale goes through Sunday midnight. This weekend only I am offering 30% off one of my gorgeous bedspreads, normally $300, now just $200! This has the most hearts in my shop, now only $200 plus shipping:

Meanwhile, let me update you on my current work-in-progress. I have one square of the gold/patterned silk pretty much done, and I started thinking how to finish the back:

If I make pillows, I would need to insert batting with a backer cloth and finish each piece as if they were table toppers before marrying them with a zipper closure. Hmmmm. And, while trying to decide whether to make one or two pillows I had pulled out various possible complementary materials, I started to think about making a 9-square comforter instead, especially when I realized I had made the square a wee bit too small for my pillow inserts (oops).

I really like the textural and color dance these fabrics create:

These pictures don't really do the colors justice, and I need more gold and yellow, but I think that yes, I will make a comforter for $300, even though I have yet to sell a bedspread for $300. Please remember my bedspreads are on sale this weekend! But believe it or not, it will be almost as much work to make a comforter as a pillow - all that batting and the zippers, compared to all that batting and NO zippers. Also, I am hoping to do craft shows in the Hamptons this summer, and could possibly sell it there, please God.

And I continue to work on my spring collection. I made a ladybug/moire check plaid pillow and listed it the other day:

Thank you for reading and commenting on this blog, and for looking in at my shop. Please look at the other Saturday Bloggers blogs and shops, too, and happy shopping!

Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree 2

2010-02-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

Another Saturday rolls around and it's time again for the Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree hosted by Quilts Galore and More (see button on sidebar left). This Friday night and all weekend to midnight Sunday Fab 28 everything in my shop is 20% off! Such a deal! Take 20% off any piece in my spring collection! Take 20% of one of my gorgeous bedspreads! And/or take 20% off a comforter! And please look at the participating shops by clicking on the Saturday Bloggers button to see more great shops and deals.

Meanwhile, look at what I'm making now for spring! I have these lovely golden silks I'm making into a pillow - or maybe two. This is the fabric:

I want to do another piecing piece. I cut two 6" squares of each fabric, and am log-cabining them in opposite fabrics. The solid gold silk is bordered with the patterned silk, and the patterned silk is bordered by the solid gold:

Iron, iron iron:

The first round is done. The next round will be the opposite; the solid will border the pattern and the pattern will border the solid. I'm thinking these will be the front and back of one pillow, or maybe I'll use another silk for the backs of two separate pillows. Hmmm...we shall see....

THE FRONT PAGE

2010-02-25T01:33:00.001-08:00

I came THIS CLOSE to the front page of etsy. I received an email from craftcult telling me my black and white Laura Ashley toile tablecloth was chosen as an alternate for their black and white theme. Heck. But then again, at least etsy is now aware of me, and perhaps maybe one of these days, it will happen!

Meanwhile, I keep sewing. I am working on my spring collection and listed this the other day:

This is a gorgeous Lee Jofa handprinted cloth called "Aylesbury Print" from their Archival Collection, and is now discontinued. This is the only piece of it I have (sigh). I spent good time making this, and I am very happy with it.

Rummaging through my goods that have been tucked away I have found more springtime fabrics that I will make something from soon. Not sure what yet, the pieces are only 24" square. Maybe pillows?

My Website

2010-02-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

In my never-ending quest to increase my exposure, traffic and ultimately sales, I have been joining and networking all over the place. I now have a website, http://customdesignsbynancy.com! Since I have become so much more technologically adept by learning how to blog, I was able to set my website up on Vistaprint with very little trouble. I just wish I could edit more, change fonts, etc. I'm not ready to spend the extra $$$ to gussy the site up just yet. Let's see how much traffic it generates, and how well my sales are. Need the do re mi before I can sing any louder!

I have also joined indiepublic and a few groups there. This is the photo I am using for my avatar:

My grandmother painted this of me when I was a teenager. I have another painting of me as a baby which is charming, too. She was a tough New Englander, ferociously Democratic, and is missed. I loved her dearly. She encouraged me to be artistic and express my creativity. I am who I am in large part because of her influence.

MONDAY MONDAY

2010-02-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Another Monday...what to do? Think I'll share some personal things...

This is a phalanopsis orchid, widely cultivated and sold in the US. Most people throw them out after they bloom, because, let's face it, it's not a pretty plant. It's a pretty flower, and when the flower is gone they don't want the ugly plant hanging around for a year or so until it blooms again. So little patience, so little tolerance. A woman I know gave me this after the last time it bloomed, when she didn't know how to take care of it. "Easiest thing in the world", I said. "Water when it is dry, and let it have some sun." Anyway, she let me have it, and it has bloomed twice since then.

Just saying...

Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree

2010-02-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

It's time for another Saturday Bloggers Shopping Spree! This Saturday and Sunday only Feb 20 and Feb 21 I am offering 20% off any item in my shop. Please write like "20% off" or "Saturday Blog Shop" in notes to seller and I will refund the difference. Some of my newest items are just in time for spring:

This is the Asian Music Tablerunner. It measures 52" x 11 1/2", backed with silk:

Let the sunshine into your house! Spring is coming, yes it is! Yellow toile "Lovers" in yellow:

Verstatile tablerunner: spring on one side, fall on the other. Just turn it over when the seasons change:

And this is just cheerful. You can't help but smile every time you see it:

And be sure to click on the Saturday Blog link on my sidebar to connect to other bloggers offering more great deals. Happy shopping!

POTHOLDERS AND TRIVETS

2010-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is my (belated) Saturday bloggers post for Saturday bloggers in Unique Women in Business. If you are a member of UWIB and wish to purchase anything from my shop, please add "UWIB" in your message to seller, and I will give you 10% off your paypal invoice. Thank you, all Saturday Bloggers! And please follow the link to Saturday Bloggers on the left to see more great shops, and follow some other terrific blogs.

Hey hey I sold all my large potholders! Yippee for me! Unfortunately, there was some confusion over which potholders my customers wanted, and how many they thought they had purchased. It all worked out in the end, but now I will list them differently. Instead of "assorted large potholders", I will list each pattern/color separately, to be sure my customers get exactly what they want. Now to make more!

The blue and yellow Laura Ashley toile is the most popular, so I decided to make them first, but I did cut out and start sewing ten new large size potholders/trivets at the same time. I find it faster and more efficient to think production line when creating many of the same item. First, cutting and sewing:

Then, snipping corners and turning inside out:

The trick to a good product is constantly ironing, every single step. This allows for quality control too, snipping threads and resewing seams that don't meet inspection:

Finally finishing, which means sewing the last seam and quilting concentric rectangles.

Hours later, I finished four blue and yellow Laura Ashleys first, so I could post them right away:

And now I have to finish the blue and white Laura Ashleys. I did two in blue and white. These pictures show the two sides of the two pieces, and a closeup of one:

And the blue and white Winterthur Museum toile. I did four of these. I really like the crisp fabric and sharp image, the dark blue print. Again, I show the two sides of the four pieces, and a closeup of one of them:

I will be finishing these and listing them as separate items on my etsy store as Blue and White Laura Ashley Large Potholders/Trivets and Blue and White Winterthur Museum Large Potholders/Trivets. Please look for them coming soon!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...

2010-02-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I am running low on toile fabrics! It seemed I had a never-ending supply of Laura Ashley in lots of colors, but after so many tablecloths, placemats, potholders and aprons, the stash is becoming depleted. And I wanted to work on something different for a while. What to do? Dig into my other stashes of course! I have some lovely floral and tropical prints on a kind of polished soft cotton that I wasn't sure what to do with. Decisions, decisions...

This is my tropical stash:

And I call this my flora and fauna stash:

Once upon a time I made an apron for a friend from one of the tropical patterns for his wife. It turned out well, and she was happy with it. I'm thinking of making the black palm fronds into an apron, very bold, almost masculine. A man could wear it and not feel "feminized" wearing a girly apron. Recently I made tablerunners from some of the flora and fauna, and I think they're very pretty:

You can find them on my etsy store items red and yellow floral tablerunner and the spring and fall tablerunner. I should say the red and yellow tablerunner is not this polished cotton, but a large weave cotton poly blend. However, it is not toile and is part of my new collection of florae and faunae. I did make a comforter using the flora polished cotton and another gorgeous blue flower print, but I'm not happy with my stitching and have not put it up for sale. You know how sometimes the material just won't cooperate, maybe you're tired or distracted and no matter how much you work on a piece it isn't up to your quality standards? I had that problem with this piece - I am not happy with my quilting, and after working on it for HOURS I put it away.

I'm not sure what kind of blue flowers those are - hollyhocks? They look so familiar, but it's been a long time since I had a garden. It's awfully pretty fabric though, and now since I put it away last week, maybe I can take out the parts I don't like and re-quilt it, and put it up for sale. It will be a pretty little lap comforter or baby quilt - put it on the floor for your baby to crawl around and play on. All this material is soil and stain resistant, machine wash and dry. I should also say they are all Kravet Inc. exclusive patterns, available only through an interior designer. Kravet sells to the trade only and is a recognized leader in the industry, so buying from my shop may be the best way to have these patterns in your home.

Decisions, decisions...shall I make more comforters? More aprons? Or something completely different? Stay tuned and watch my store for new listings!

CATNIP: TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING

2010-01-15T06:55:00.000-08:00

This is a story about trying to make a living profit out of my goods. After almost a year on etsy I finaly did the math and had to re-think my pricing. I am using my catnip pillows as an example because I had to totally reprice them after much calculation.

Imagine my surprise when my catnip pillows became my best seller! I originally made them as a lark to consume the ever-growing pile of scrap materials left over from making aprons, tablecloths, pillows and all the assorted goods on my etsy site. They were fun and a kind of give-away, so I listed them for $.25 each, and sold several, charging shipping extra.

Assorted scraps to be cut into pouches and make into catnip pillows.

Then looking at my etsy bill, I realized I was paying $.20 each to list them, and 3% to sell them! I was in negative dollars - well, pennies - territory. I increased the price to $.50, but was still only making mere pennies for my labor. During Christmas I increased again, to $.75 each, with free shipping, and sold a LOT. The free shipping was a big deal, because I like to have a tracking number, which costs about $.80 on top of the actual shipping charge, so I was paying $2-$5 sometimes shipping $10 worth of catnip. After Christmas I raised the price to $1 each, which gave me about $.50 profit, before thinking about the cost of the catnip. Harumph. I increased the price to $1.50 and decided to do a scientific experiment to calculate my actual costs making and selling a 2 1/2" square catnip pillow.

First I bought the catnip:

I wanted to know exactly how many pillows I could make out of the large economy 2.50 oz size jar. I assembled the scraps and measured out 3"x6" lengths and started sewing them. Then turned them inside-out, snipping the corners, filling them up with about 1tbsp of catnip, and sewing them shut:

Finally, DONE! I honestly didn't keep real track of my time, but it did take at least 3 - 4 hours to complete all 33 pillows, from start to finish. And now I know I can get 33 pillows out of a $7 jar of catnip. Time to do the math:

At $7 for 2.5oz, divided by 33 pillows, equals $.21ea in catnip, plus $.20ea to list on etsy, plus their 3% commission to sell, another $.05, and postage, minimum $.44 to mail a single pillow in an envelope, no tracking number, total $.90. This is what they mean by the cost of doing business. My profit is $.60, x 33 = $19.80, after selling them for $1.50ea x 33 = $49.50. Hoo boy! And my work is not done. I'm taking the jar full of pillows to the post office and get an estimate to ship them all to California,, plus tracking number, for a more realistic shipping cost. Then I plan on checking out the competition. Just how much CAN I really sell them for? How much do other etsians charge for their catnip toys? How much do they retail for at the pet store? I must say, this has been a true learning experience, a real eye-opener. I hope this little blog helps you out, too, in trying to make a living selling on etsy.

Well, heck, guess what? I just read one of the comments to this blog. A woman tells me she pays $2ea for her catnip pillows from a local vendor, and she drives to pick them up. She told me to raise my price! So guess what? I'm taking her advise and raising the price to $3 each! Thank you for such good advise! Here is the link to see them in my store.

TOILE

2010-01-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

As you can tell if you have visited my etsy store , I like toile (pronounced twal). Toile is a French word which means "cloth". Toiles were first produced in France in the late 18th century and quickly became Marie Anhtoinette's favorite fabric, depicting romantic bucolic scenes of lovers picnicing on a riverbank, or hunting scenes, or peasants working in the fields, and other imaginary scenes. Benjamin Franklin sent toiles home to his wife while he was in England, thus introducing America to toiles. They were used primarily for decoration, in upholstery or drapery, in cushions and, printed on paper, as wallpaper.

Genreally printed in black, red or blue on a white or cream background, these days toiles are available in many colors and fabrics. Most of the toiles I use are a Laura Ashley copywrited design which I call the "rural scene". I have the same pattern in many colors:

I like to mix and match my toiles to make tablecloths. This one is brown and yellow, using the Laura Ashley print

This is an elegant black and white print

I do have other toiles besides the Laura Ashley rural scene. One day I played around and mixed and matched big time, and created what I think of as my masterpiece:

It's really hard to sell tablecloths, though. Everyone has a different size table, different color schemes, different taste, etc., etc. and so forth. Also they are time consuming and expensive to make. So nowadays I am making placemats/napkins from my toiles, cutting out different scenes approzimately 21"x15" and hemming them to approximately 20"x14", a generous sized placemat, which can also be folded into a napkin. I think they're charming. I sold this set:

And now I have this new set ready to list on my etsy site. Here is the original full-size piece of fabric:

I can only get 4 placemats out of each yard of this fabric, so I try to center each scene. I used 2 yards and produced 8 placemats/napkins, so you could use 4 for placemats and fold the other four for napkins!

These are the two big scenes, which can be folded to highlight a particular part, like a bowler, or the dancers:

I have another yard of this same pattern and colorway, and will make an apron today, and after I go to the fabric store and buy more batting, I will make at least one tablerunner, and several potholder/trivets. Stay tuned, and please see my store where these goods are available for sale.

THE FIRST DAY OF 2010

2010-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

On the first day of 2010 I was at an Inn in Westerly Rhode Island after a really nice New Year's party the night before. It was snowing when I left Long Island the day before, but stopped along the way, and there was already plenty of snow in RI when we arrived. I had been wanting to take pictures of trees in the snow, and the next morning was beautiful in a gray winter's day sort of way. I hope you enjoy these pictures of trees in the snow.

THE MOONLIT STITCH

2009-12-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Wandering through etsy one day I discovered this lovely little shop called TheMoonlitStitch. I immediately connected with the imagination and craftsmanship of the pieces. There were wooden spoons dressed up as dolls, and a bedspring used for a nodding Santa Claus! I like the Zen of putting articles to new and unusual uses, especially clever uses that make me laugh, so I contacted TheMoonlitStitch and asked about her inspiration and why she does what she does:

"I've always been in love with old-fashioned things. A perfect day for me would be getting lost in an old antique shop or the attic of an old house filled with items that haven't been seen for years. Primitive crafters try to re-create the look of "days gone by" through crackling and staining their pieces."

"Long ago, people would "make do" with what they had and create things from simple items, such as a pin keep on an old candle stick (hence the term "make do"). I also like to try and see the world through the eyes of child. When you do, things seem whimsical and simplified."

"There are not many primitive crafters in my area, so I recently joined a wonderful etsy team called "Old Farmhouse Gathering". These folks create wonderful primitive to shabby chic items. I would really like to encourage etsy artists/crafters to find a team that fits their craft style. Connecting with others who share your interests can be a very inspiring and supportive experience. The OFG team members made me feel like part of "the family" immediately. I don't feel so much like an "odd duck" now!"

"Since I work full time, often the only time I can create is during the "moonlit" hours of the night and that's why I named my shop "The Moonlit Stitch"."

You can see her shop at http://themoonlitstitch.etsy.com, and be sure to look at her team's shops, too. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

PUNKINHEAD

2009-12-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

This is my cat, Punkinhead, aka Purrhead, Meowhead, Sillyhead and the Big Meow. I found her in a warehouse about 16 years ago. She came running out of a dark corner with one leg dangling and her left eyeball skewed out of the eye socket. I couldn't just leave her to fend for herself, so I took her home, and to a vet. He thought perhaps a dog had attacked her, grabbed her by her front left leg with a tooth in her eye socket, and shook her as animals will. There was no saving her eye, so that came out and he sewed it up, put a splint on her leg and in about 8 weeks she was fine. She was an outdoor cat, and even with her Elizabethan collar on she was hunting furry and feathered beasts. Children in the neighborhood would come up to me and say they had seen her in a tree stalking birds.

So one day she didn't come home. A couple of days later she showed up with a broken tail. No idea how that happened, but she was in a lot of pain. Again, there was no saving the tail -can't really put a splint on a tail - so we amputated it, and now she has about a 2"-3" stump. And she will use it! She waves it back and forth, or it will stand straight up, or be tucked under when she's sleeping, which is most of the time nowadays. I had to move from the house where she could go outside, and into a 2nd floor apartment. The co-op board did not approve of me letting her outside, so now she is confined to my studio space. It was hard on her to begin with, but after a year or two she became settled as an indoor cat, although I still fell guilty about curtailing her life like that. Now she explores various sleeping places and positions.

It's not easy being a cat, is it, sleepyhead? Big Purrhead. Silly little Punkinhead.

AN ETSIAN CHRISTMAS

2009-12-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

I am a firm believer in supporting my fellow crafters/artists, and want to share with you the shops I have purchased from this year. Some of the products will be Christmas presents, others are for myself, and Teaman is for freebies that I send with my sold items, except for the chai which I hoard for myself - hahaha. I am very happy with all these fellow etsians, and recommend them to you.

http://smileymoo.etsy.com - bath and body products, jewelry
http://Ciliciacrochets.etsy.com - crocheted dishcloths and other cloths for the kitchen
http://teaman.etsy.com - assorted handblended teas - delicious!
http://GlassHouseSupplies.etsy.com - jewelry, bath products, assorted herbs
http://Larrystinsigns.etsy.com - amusing signs
http://lostriverrags.etsy.com - gorgeous soaps
http://redneckcandles.etsy.com - self explanatory
http://jenxcreations.etsy.com - wrapped silver jewelry
http://GossamerGraphics.etsy.com - graphic designs - she designed my banner, logo, business cards, etc.
http://trulyenchanted.etsy.com - jewelry

and remember our battle cry - BUY HANDMADE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

THANKSGIVING: APRONS AND SCRABBLE

2009-11-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

Well folks, hope everyone had a lovely and feasting Thanksgiving day. I know I did. My sister and I went to my famous Aunt Sally's house in Connecticut, where all her huband's Harry's children and THEIR children were all carousing and having a friendly noisy party, the way a good party should be.

I brought a lot of my aprons, and when I felt the time was right, I asked the ladies to model them for me. It had gone so well last time - please see Gorgeous Georgina - I wanted to do it again. My cousin-in-law Christina was very happy to oblige:

George was happy to oblige too. What a guy!

And then everyone wanted to get in on the act:

Don't they look nice? Thank you Candace, Darol and Christina!!!!

The kids played on the sofa:

And even let the grown-ups play:

Harry carved the turkey, Blythe brought her delicious butternut squash soup, we had all the fixings, and dinner stretched out for a couple of hours.

Harry's favorite part of dinner is the blueberry pie:

After dinner the kids wanted to play scrabble! Who knew they were so literate and liked word games? My sister Nora is the family champion, so we formed two teams against her. Seth and I were the 1st team and Hannah and her father George formed the 2nd team, but soon eveybody was standing around giving advise and challenging words.

About 1 hour into the game:

James and Scott played rock 'n roll, the scrabble players danced in their chairs, Seth forgot tokeep score until we reminded him, and Nora won, of course. And a great time was had by all!

CHANGE OF SEASON

2009-11-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when I start singing "All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray". Farewell summer, we hardly knew ye! And now we're into the holiday season again. My famous Aunt Sally called me today to ask me my size, said she was shopping and wanted to know if a size 12 would fit.Why yes it would and thank you very much I said. I'm at home updating my pictures on my store. Guess looking at picnic spreads won't do now, so I took new pictures outdoors in the cold November weather. It was done raining, but the wind was still blowing. I used Sally's ceramic birds to hold down the corners against the backdrop of tall trees with no leaves, and the swimming pool shuttered and covered. The only green was the pachysandra. Here are new pictures of my tablecloths, taken in Sally's backyard:

This is a Laura Ashley toile in green and yellow. I have this toile in several colors and use it in different ways. I have two different toiles to border the central rural scene.

This is a lovely soft blue/green bird's nest and floral toile that was just so pretty. I'm trying to incorporate the ceramic bird into the nest in this photo. You can find this at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24585775. Please click and copy this into your web address bar to go straight to this tablecloth.

Here is the Laura Ashley toile again, this time in green. Go to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26602729 for more information. Please click and copy this into your web address bar to go straight to this tablecloth.

Laura Ashley again, in black with the vine border. It is currently in a treasury on etsy http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=77221 with other "etsyfreeshippping" items. I just LOVE being included in a treasury. Thank you Meg of ME2Designs! Please click and copy this into your web address bar to go straight to this tablecloth.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32434109

I am offering 10% off anything and everything in my store until Jan 1, and free shipping on selected items, including all the tablecloths and aprons. Thank you very much for browsing in my store, and for any purchase you make.

And remeber our battle cry this season: BUY HANDMADE FOR CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT

2009-11-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

I am inviting everyone to Ridgefield CT for a holiday show starring my aunt Sally Aldrich, cousin-in-law Christina Stankard, friend Ferne Kawahara, and MOI, me, Nancy Tuttle.

Holiday show of fine jewelry, pottery, sculpture, watercolors and fabric designs for the home on Suncday Dec 6 2009 from noon to 6pm.

Address: 135 Peaceable Ridge Rd Ridgefield CT
Phone: 203-431-9954 for directions/details

Hope you can come! Looking forward to meeting you all!!

Henry Beard

2009-11-19T08:24:00.000-08:00

I was looking at my blog today and decided it was high-time I removed the picture of me at the beach - oh how short was summer! - and replaced it with Kitten on a Keyboard, with an excerpt from one of my favorite poets, Henry Beard. Mr. Beard is an amazingly inventive poet who takes famous poets' poems and re-writes them as that poet's cat. The excerpt caption of Kitten on a Keyboard is a play upon Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" from "Leaves of Grass", called "Meow of Myself" from "Leaves of Catnip" included in his book "Poetry for Cats". I know, I told you he was clever. I love this little book and highly recommend it to any English major, cat lover, or poetry reader, or anyone who vaguely remembers reading poetry in school and not getting it.

Here's a take on Carl Sandberg's "Fog":

Thunderstorm by Carl Sandberg's Cat

The storm comes in
on big human feet.

It goes stomping
across harbor and city
in clumsy hipboots
and then plods on.

I considered this one for Kitten on a Keyboard, but the quote was too long:

The Love Song J. Morris Housecat
by T. S. Eliot's Cat

Let us roam then, you and I,
When the evening is splayed out across the sky
Like a kitten neutered on a laboratory slab;
Let us stray on paths through neighbor's yards
Behind the boulevards
Where raccoons scuttle in the refuse bins
Scattering cellophane and potato skins;
Paths that follow like a nagging accusation
Of a minor violation
To lead you to the ultimate reproof...
Oh do not say "Bad kitty!"
Let us go and prowl the city.

But my favorite is Shakespeare's cat's soliloquy:

Hamlet's Cat's Soliloquy from Hamlet's Cat
by Wm. Shakespeare's Cat:

To go outside, and there perchance to stay
Or to remain within: that is the question:
Whether 'tis better for a cat to suffer
The cuffs and buffets of inclement weather
That Nature rains on those who roam abroad,
Or take a nap upon a scrap of carpet,
And so by dozing melt the solid hours
That clog the clock's bright gears with sullen time
And stall the dinner bell. To sit, to stare
Outdoors, and by a stare seem to state
A wish to venture forth without delay,
Then when the portal's opened up, to stand
As if transfixed by doubt. To prowl; to sleep;
To choose not knowing when we may once more
Our readmittance gain: aye, there's the hairball...

And it goes on for the whole length of the poem, with the famous line "Thus caution doth make housecats of us all", and the ever profound humanity of

And since our choices hinge on weighty things
We pause upon the threshold of decision.

I love this man. I hope you are laughing as you read this, and want to purchase his book, too.

GORGEOUS GEORGINA

2009-11-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

This is a family blog about a party my aunt had for a long-lost cousin from England who has been living in Florida with her mother for several years now, whom we only occassionally saw. Georgina and I share common great-grandparents - her grandfather and my grandfather were brothers, which makes us 2nd cousins. At the party there were children of her 2nd cousins, and I'm not sure if they are 3rd cousins or 2nd cousins once removed - all very confusing, but I said we were all kissing cousins, and that made everyone happy.

My Aunt Sally threw a terrific party at her house in Connecticut. There was food, wine, champagne, laughter and well-behaved children. Georgina is gorgeous, and modeled one of my new aprons:

...and so I call her Gorgeous Georgina! So long, so tall, beautiful strawberry blonde hair, nice smile, really great gal.

Aunt Sally modeled my other apron...

She is Queen of the Kitchen in her stylish bistro apron! My cousin Katy bought both of them! Hooray!

Rock on Katy!

My cousin Gillian and her husband Pete and their two children came, too. They are a lovely family, coping with jobs, a new house, a new car, and two small children. We always have a lot of fun when we're together. (By the way, those are all my pillows on the sofa behind everyone.)

That's little Miles upside-down! And Alio is eating cookies after Daddy said it was OK. Here is baby Miles by himself - big blue eyes...you know all the ladies adore him...

Here are the ladies - cousins and my Aunt Sally...

Harry carved the turkey and we partied on like troopers. There's always a ton of food - ham and turkey, asparagus with hollandiase, sweet potatoes, gravy and stuffing, with apple pie for dessert.

Ellory and Alio are cousins, too, but that's another 2nd cousins? 3rd cousins? question which I can't answer (but my brother can - he researched all this once upon a time) but they are buddies. In this picture Alio has just been told she can only have 2 cookies, and she is saying "Daadddyyy!"

Sally is a ceramicist. This is her studio where she throws 10lb blocks of clay around on her wheel and makes beautiful bowls and sculptures. She also does watercolors, and exhibits in various galleries and in shows. Click on these pictures and you can really see her work.
Ellory and Alio played with Sally's clay. They made fruit and a bowl to put them in - that's a watermelon, not a potato:

Speaking of cats, here is Sasha. He's a big guy, 20lbs of solid muscle except for that fat waddle under his stomach. He is a fierce hunter, a terror to all the small furry beasts of the woodland.

That's a big frog Sally made. Sasha likes to lay himself around it and paw it for anything that moves.

Here are the boys of the party - my cousin Scott, Pete and Miles:

Towards the end of the party baby Miles became sleepy in Daddy's arms.

And now it's time to leave. Little Miles models my red hat. A little young for the Red Hat Society, and perhaps not the politically correct gender, but he's cute in it:

Bye Bye! Bye Bye! Bye Bye!

My Most Successful Success

2009-11-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

I am writing this for the etsy bloggers carnival, and must really consider what I would call success on etsy at this time. I have 8 sales since March 2009 when I joined, so it is hard to get excited about that. Actually, I think my best etsy success is my blog. I am proud of myself for figuring out the technical details. I am not of the X generation and am not especially computer literate. Blogging was a real learning experience for me, and dealing with a digital camera, new programs, uploading, saving, putting pictures into my blog, all that cha-cha-cha. I still haven't figured out how to put OTHER people's pictures in my blog, so my blog is still a work in progress.

I can say though that through my etsy store I was invited to a Women's Expo on Long Island, which is now leading to other opportunites to sell my goods. My best sales event was the Expo, which I blogged about (please scroll down to "Nancy's Been to the Fair"). I think the Expo was far more successful than any etsy sale I have made because people were able to see my goods in person, to pick them up and feel the texture, the hand, and appreciate the piece live, and not just through pictures. I am slowly building a following through this blog and the Promotion Forum. I encourage and promote other etsians on this blog, in my store, and on the forum, and they are kind enough to do the same for me, for which I am grateful.

I am a single woman, I live alone and am currently unemployed, so I cannot give you any hints on how to juggle etsy, your job and your family, except to say, "Stay organized, make lists, and keep cool." "Yeah yeah, thanks a lot for the advise" I can hear you all saying. Well, that's how I cope when faced with many challenges. Of course, I'm naturally organized and making lists is part of that process. It's the staying cool part that can be hard. That could be me you see running screaming naked down the street in the middle of the night sometimes, but not so much anymore. With the help of much therapy, I am finally an adult at 58 years of age. My parents are SOOOOO glad. (Sigh - it's not easy being me.)

Anyway, that's my etsy bloggers carnival contribution for the 1st half of November. Thank you all for reading, thank you all for browsing my store, and please contact me if I can help you in any way.

I'M A FEATURED ARTIST

2009-11-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

HI everyone! This is a mini-blog to let you know I am the featured artist on kellycrochet's blog at http://kellycrochets.blogspot.com. Please copy this link and paste it into the website address doodad. Forgive me being so technical (hahaha). I appreciate everyone reading and leaving comments, and thank you very much!

Christmas Show in Connecticut

2009-11-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone out there in blogland! My lovely Aunt Sally, a ceramicist for many years, has a Christmas sale/show in her house in Connecticut every year with my cousin-in-law Christina Stankard Aldrich, a jeweler with her own following. This year they invited me to participate! Hooray for me! So I am inviting you all to join us at 135 Peacable Ridge Rd in Ridgefield CT 06877 on Dec 6 from noon to 4-5pm. Sally has a website http://www.sallyaldrichart.com where you can see her art - both pottery and watercolors, and please browse my store to see what I will be offering. This is a chance to meet me and see my goods live and in person. You know, it's one thing to look at pictures, it's quite another to pick the item up and feel the texture, and how your hand accepts the piece. Also, things can look different in person than in a photo, no matter how good the lighting etc.

I look forward to meeting you there! Have a lovely day and God bless us everyone!

New England Quilter

2009-11-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is a blog about a fellow etsian New England Quilter at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5325154. She makes adorable cloth items, mostly for children, but I did just heart her. You can see her 12 Days of Christmas ornaments on my sidebar Favorite Things, which will link you directly to her shop. Have fun!

My New Widget/Gadget

2009-10-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

HI everyone! Came across this upside down sleeping kitty, and thought I'd add it for laughs. And I just added this new widget/gadget (what's the difference? Too technical I'm sure) at the left, to count my visitors. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm hoping I'll be able to lure advertisers to my blog because of all the traffic - hahaha. Thanks for looking, and please fell free to comment and check out my shop. I'm busy sewing on my (sigh) beautiful powerful brand new Brother machine, as used in Project Runway. Does anyone else watch PR? I'm disappointed with this season, but still watch faithfully- it's as addictive as pistachio nuts.

Made by Melissa

2009-10-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

I recently was accepted by the Etsy Bloggers Team - very cool and I thank them very much. As a team member one of my responsiblities is to blog about another team member, who is the current "featured artist of the month". October's featured artist is Made by Melissa. You can see her shop at http://madebymelissa.etsy.com. She opened her shop in 2006 and has over 300 sales and 100% positive feedback. Way to go Melissa! She makes lovely jewelry and crocheted pieces. I know it's a little late, but she has some pretty cool Halloween items, including earrings and pendants. Here are a few things that I liked. Check out her store and find what you like!

I am still struggling with the technicalities of blogging, like how the heck do I upload Melissa's pictures to my blog? Soooo frustrating. Please copy the links below to view my favorites things in her shop, and I'm very sorry for the inconvenience.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32208925
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32051838
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32209262
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19475169

NEW SEWING MACHINE!!!

2009-10-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'm dating myself here, but do you remember a good old song by Chuck Berry about turning in his broken-down raggedy Ford for a new Cadillac? I think the song was titled "No Money Down". That's how I feel about my new Brother sewing machine. I couldn't get a trade-in for my Kenmore, but I do now have a beautiful new Cadillac - a Brother Pacesetter 3700, on sale. It is gorgeous, so smooth and powerful. The threading and bobbin are a little different from what I'm used to, but as my father says "If all else fails follow directions", so I did, and made some cute little coasters. See the saga below:

THE BOX IT CAME IN

OUT OF THE BOX AND UNDER ITS COVER

THE GLORIOUS MACHINE REVEALED IN ALL ITS SHINING GLORY!!!

THE THREADING AND THE BOBBIN...HAD TO BE LEARNED AND MASTERED

CUTE LITTLE RED TOILE COASTERS...NEED TO MAKE MORE, THERE'S PLENTY OF FABRIC WHERE THEY CAME FROM

EVEN PUNKINHEAD IS ENJOYING THE NEW ADDITION!

All in all, the adventure was successful and the mission accomplished. I now feel I have a professional machine that won't give me trouble, and I can make more beautiful things to sell.

Insights Into a Buyer

2009-10-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

In my never-ending quest for sales, I went on the hunt for an actual etsy buyer and found muffin104, AKA Michelle, who very nicely agreed to be queried regarding her purchasing habits. She responded with details and allowed me to publish her interview on this, my blog. I edited it a little for brevity, and now present to you my readers, Insights Into a Buyer.

How did you hear about Etsy?
I first learned about Etsy via flickr. I was searching for some images of vintage jewelry and dresses. Some of my search results came from Etsy folks who had posted photos of their items on flickr. They had links to their Etsy stores, and I followed them, and discovered this wonderful place that I never knew existed.

What draws you to a particular shop?
When I browse Etsy, I usually do it with something specific in mind. For instance, I might be looking for earrings that use a certain color or texture of beads, or I’d like a home product that smells like cedar, or a light blue toile tablecloth. I focus on the tags of the sellers to find what I'm looking for, so the more exhaustive your descriptive tags, the more people are apt to be able to find you.

(Look, look, a light blue toile tablecloth!!!!!)

How often do you surf Etsy?
Three or four times a day, for 15 or 20 minutes at a time. But, if I’m really looking for something in particular, I might leave the site up on my laptop at home, and jump on and off all evening.

What do you buy, and why?
So far, I’ve purchased mostly jewelry, with a few t-shirts and “for-the-home” items sprinkled in. The jewelry items were things I purchased for myself, because I work in a very visible job, and I wanted to spruce up my look a little bit. I’m pretty much the anti-Christ of “fashion”, but I do enjoy necklaces and earrings that are eclectic, one-of-a-kind, and beautiful.

How much do you spend? What’s your budget?
When I buy jewelry on Etsy, I try not to exceed $30 for a pair of earrings or a necklace. With handsewn items, of course, I expect to pay more, especially if a higher quality fabric is used.

Do you buy from the same seller? Do you go back to that same store to see new listings?
If I order something from an artist, and I’m pleased with the results – they’ve probably gained a customer for life. In fact, there’s one woman in Belgium from whom I’ve purchased so many things, I think I’m helping to pay her mortgage! I also tend to stash lots of items from sellers that I like in my “faves” bin. I may not be able to purchase them right away, but even if someone else buys them, I still have the “favorite” as a reminder, and I can go back to a seller later and ask if they have, or can make, another similar item.

Have you ever been burned by a sale, had to deal with an unpleasant seller?
No, thank goodness. I’ve been disappointed with items that I received, but I told the sellers, and they offered to make the situation right. Etsy isn’t eBay – I don’t think it’s prone to unscrupulous sellers who prowl the internet, looking to defraud customers with knock-off Prada bags. If you’re an arch villain, there are probably quicker, easier ways to make a buck than making sub-standard hand-knitted scarves.

Any advice for new Etsy buyers?
Well, a couple of things … #1 be patient and keep your perspective. While some Etsy artists make their livelihood from their sales, others have second- or “day” jobs. Before you lash out at a seller, consider a few things – it’s a blouse or a piece of jewelry, not blood plasma. Even if it’s a wedding item, if you’ve ordered within a reasonable amount of time, you should be fine. Most Etsy items are handmade, and require some skill and creativity. If you’re really feeling antsy, just contact the seller via “conversations” and ask for a status update.
#2 I’m thinking specifically of American buyers here, but I suppose this applies to everyone – don’t be afraid to purchase from artists outside the U.S./your home country. Check feedback, make sure you’re familiar with delivery policies, but don’t deny yourself the pleasure of some truly beautiful items because of an international transaction.

I like this woman's attitude - "there are probably quicker, easier ways to make a buck than making sub-standard hand-knitted scarves"; "it’s a blouse or a piece of jewelry, not blood plasma". Also, I like her advise: "don’t be afraid to purchase from artists outside the U.S./your home country"; "the more exhaustive your descriptive tags, the more people are apt to be able to find you" and my personal favorite "If I order something from an artist, and I’m pleased with the results – they’ve probably gained a customer for life", and that is what we are looking for, yes? A loyal return customer who will recommend your goods to her friends and family, and help build our businesses. You can go to muffin104's etsy site and click on her Favorites to see the kinds of things she buys, and the kinds of shops she supports.

Thank you so much Michlle for your advise and insights into an acutal etsy buyer!

NANCY'S BEEN TO THE FAIR

2009-10-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

I did a crafts show on Thursday Oct 8, called the 9th Annual Women's Expo, held at a library in Centereach, on Long Island. Boy, did I have fun! Boy, was it exhausting! This was my first show, so I was nervous and spent a long time thinking about my set-up, and preparing for the event. To display my larger pieces, like the bedspreads, I bought a laundry drying rack so I could drape them without taking up a lot of table space.

GETTING READY - IRONING, SNIPPING THREADS, INSPECTION...

I arrived in good time. There were volunteers who helped unload my car and take my stuff to my space - I know! I think I was spoiled! I know this won't happen often. The Expo provided tables and plastic sheets to cover, and I started setting up.

This is my display. I draped one toile tablecloth over the front edge of the table to hide stuff under the table, and to catch eyes and show what my goods were about, and then arranged my items artistically, playing off colors and textures to maximize their effect.

A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER!!

MAY I HELP YOU? I sold this piece. Yippee!

WATER, WATER...I'M SO THIRSTY!!

END OF THE DAY...WHEW! I'M EXHAUSTED!!!

I did pretty well, sold several tablecloths, 2 mats, all the lavendar sachets and an apron. Made enough to cover the entry fee, plus a modest profit. I made new friends, and was invited to a couple of other shows. It was a great learning experience as well. I need more items for $30 - that seemed to be the high price point. And, I need a LOT of aprons. All the ladies of a "certain age" loved the one and only blue toile apron I had, and wanted other colors. The apron was my first sale. I have plenty of toile and other cotton prints, and must start sewing again to replenish my inventory. WHAT A GREAT TIME I HAD!

My Heart and Mind: TREAURY

2009-10-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

My Heart and Mind: TREAURY

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=71004
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26334598

TREAURY

2009-10-06T14:09:00.001-07:00

A really nice etsian is helping promote us crafters with low sales, and included me in her latest treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=71004. Thank you Goblet! Please look and comment, thank you very much.
This is what is featured: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26334598

DONE AT LAST!

2009-10-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

It is DONE! Thank goodness, the blue floral bedspread is complete and gorgeous if I do say so myself (blush). I relisted it on etsy, with new photos.

My machine is back from the shop, and I'm still not happy with it. I bought an inexpensive Kenmore model about 2 years ago, not knowing how serious I was about sewing. Now that I'm relying on my products to support me and pay my bills, my machine is critical, and I believe I need to buy a professional model. I watch Project Runway, and notice all their machines are Brother models. The problem with my Kenmore is that there I am, sewing along, and suddenly BAM! the thread spool sort of jumps and I have a tangle of threads in shuttle race. Harumph. Why does it do that? Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? It's a serious pain in the neck and slows me right down to zero while I take the shuttle apart and put it back together. Argh. So frustrating.

I'd really appreciate anyone's advise in this matter. Can you recommend a different machine? Or can you tell me what I'm doing wrong so this will stop happening to me? Thanks a lot for any and all input - I will be reading all comments, eagerly seeking solutions.

NEW TREASURY

2009-09-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

havefaithbelieve has included me in her new treasury of autumn browns. Please take time to look and comment, it's kind of eerie.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=69288

My sewing machine is now in the shop. I should have it back next week. Meanwhile I am hand sewing my new line of lavendar sachets, which are SO fragrant. I bought fresh French lavendar from GlassHouseSupplies http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5500975§ion_id=5419988. Thank you GlassHouse! And I am having an immediate special on the sachets. They are $5 each, and buy 4 receive the 5th free!! Such a deal!! I'm hoping they will become a best seller. They will make terrific stocking stuffers at Christmas, or a little hostess gift, or to show your appreciation of someone special. And keep one for yourself, in your lingerie drawer or with your sheets and towels. So fresh and clean!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31261510

WORK IN PROGRESS II

2009-09-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on this, but now my machine needs attention, so I can't do any more until it's back from the shop - oh heck!! And I only have one more panel to add and hem it all around. Here are pictures of how it's coming along. Here you can see my tools, my work space, sewing and ironing, and get an idea of how it will look when complete.My own bed is too small to show the entire piece in all its glory, so I will have to use a friend's or relative's bed for the final photos. I am pleased with this piece, and have enough material still to do matching pillows!

STORMONE

2009-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

While I was on "Promotion" on etsy today I ran across StormOne (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290121) who was interviewed on Artsnark at http://artsnark.blogspot.com/2009/09/saturday-studio-tour-4-artist-aj-at.html. I was so happy for her, they really did a great job for her. Check it out. I'm thinking of doing a tour of my studio, too - but that won't take long. Look for it in my next blog! But for now, go look at StormOne - I like her.

Please Take my Survey

2009-09-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

HI everyone. I am trying to improve my customers' shopping experience, and have created a little survey on the monkeysurvey site. Please click on the link below and tell me what you think about my shop and my goods. Don't be shy - let it all hang out!!

Click Here to take survey

Thank you and God bless us everyone!!

A WORK IN PROGRESS

2009-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

I recently rediscovered a beautiful soft robin's egg blue/white floral embroidery cloth, and I had a lot of it, so I decided to make a bedspread. At first it would just the floral cloth, which would be relatively simple to do, but decided to incorporate a luscious white subtly-ribbed silky silk into the design instead. I like framing a beautiful fabric with a material that enhances the patterned fabric, and adds to the "feel" of the cloth as it becomes a whole. When finished the cloth should be "one" and move and act as a single piece, with style and grace.

Here are pictures of this stage of the process. I am deciding how to finish the piece. It is now 80" long by 72" wide, and I'm aiming for overall dimensions approximately 106"l x 96"w, standard king-size measurements. The big decision was to use the white ribbed silk for the corners of the last round of layering the two fabrics. This last border is the final frame of the piece, and putting the white silk at the corners adds to the architecture and structure.

Hope you enjoy watching the process, and thank you for looking. I should be done with this piece by early next week. It is already on my etsy store at http://customdesigns4ubynan.etsy.com/.

TREASURIES

2009-08-15T12:04:00.001-07:00

I have the great good fortune to be included in TWO - count them - 2! - treasuries as of this weekend Aug 15. Thank you KarlaKraft and Natalya1905 for this honor. Please look and comment on these two delightful and lovely treasuries:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=76381

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=76262

There will be free shippping anywhere in the world on these two pieces

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24643915

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26334598

until they sell. Thank you so much Karla and Natalya!

Yankee Stadium and Tablecloths

2009-05-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone out there in Blog Land! This is a picture of me last year at Yankee Stadium, the one and only time I ever went to the original House That Ruth Built. What a great time I had! My friend and I ran screaming down the ramp like little kids. We ate hot dogs and peanuts, rooted for the home team and watched Derek Jeeter play live. It was swell. I don't know what team the Yankees were playing - I think they lost, but we stayed to the end and took the subway back to her father's house in the Bronx. It was a classic baseball night at Yankee Stadium. I wanted to be able to say I was in the original Yankee Stadium - they've torn it down now and built a new stadium across the street. I hope someday I will go there, too, but with ticket prices so exorbitant who can afford to? Even the bleachers are prohibitive. So now I watch them on TV and sew. I have TONS of cloth and I make tablecloths, bedspreads, baby blankets, aprons - whatever seems the most suitable for the particular cloth I'm working on. That's a picture of the kind of thing I make, up there. This is my first blog and I haven't mastered the art of placement and pictures, so please bear with me as I stumble through this exercise. Harumph - this isn't as easy as it looks.

The picture of my tablecloth should appear HERE, and not at the top, but 1/2 hour later it is what it is. I sell my things on www.etsy.com which is a wonderful place for handmade beautiful things made by extremely talented and competent craftspeople. I urge everyone to check out this website, and while you're there, you can look at customdesigns4ubynan to see my stuff. I'd really appreciate all the promotion I can get, and I thank you from my heart and mind for reading this blog and visiting etsy.

Love to everyone,
Nan