I'm so excited to announce (and a teeny bit nervous!) that I sent in the registration form for my first craft show- woo hoo! Squirmy Worm Studio will be at the Grace Harbor Church's 6th annual "Shop 'til You Drop" Christmas Boutique on Friday, November 12th from 3-8pm.
I've been to plenty of craft shows, but as I mentioned this will be my first as a vendor, which is a huge leap of faith! My momma has graciously offered to help me man my booth, which is such a blessing as she definitely has the personality and accounting skills to make a successful vendor! Between now and November I plan to build my inventory as well as introduce new products. I'm hoping that crayon rolls, key/id badge fabric lanyards, and fabric flowers will appeal to the masses as well as the burlap coffee tote bags (that I'm still trying to figure out...darn burlap!). :)
Also on my to-do-list is to make two cute and sassy vendor aprons for the event...one for me and one for my helper!
Before you go, I would be tickled pink if you would be willing to leave your craft show experience/tips/suggestions as a comment, so that I show up to the event with the knowledge of an experienced vendor! :)
I just got back from a quick trip to my home town of Bakersfield. We moved away 14 years ago, which I think technically makes Southern California my home town as I've lived here longer, but Bakersfield will always have a special place in my heart. It's weird to go back as so much has changed, yet our old house looks exactly the same (note to the new home owners...it's been 14 years and it needs to be painted!!!).
We spent our day and a half in Bakersfield running around with my second mother (aka Madre Due), and I think we successfully hit all of my favorite hot spots, including Jake's Tex-Mex(delicious pit beef), Smith's Bakery (yummy [but pricey] cookies), Dewar's (one of a kind chews...a must have!), and Strawberry Patches (where I learned how to sew!).
Now that I'm well fed, sugared up, and inspired by all of the beautiful fabrics and patterns at Strawberry Patches I need to get to sewing before my unemployment rendezvous comes to an end as I have a second interview on Monday! :)
I'm happy to announce that I've added Zippered Pouches to the shop- woo hoo! The Zippered Pouches measure approximately 10" wide x 7" tall with a 2" box bottom. The Pouches are constructed with a layer of quilt batting, which makes it soft to the touch and durable, and are top stitched and adorned with ric rac (my favorite!).
The Zippered Pouches are great make-up bags, toiletry bags, medical supply bags, bridesmaid gifts, diaper bag organizers...as always, the possibilities are endless!
If you ever have any suggestions for new products, or are interested in a custom order you can reach me at squirmywormstudio@gmail.com! :)
For those of you who know me in real life, you know that I'm a thinker who is easily frightened by change and has a hard time making decision. Needless to say the day I lost my job my world was spinning! A short 3 months ago (a month and a half before I lost my job) I opened Squirmy Worm Studio- a place to sell handmade goodies, build friendships, and an avenue to spread handmade love. I have to say that although my business is still new, and a bit awkward at times, I am so thankful to have something to wake up to everyday (other than Live with Regis and Kelly!). ;)
I moved all of my sewing paraphernalia over to my parent's house and when I'm not looking for employment opportunities, Stuart and I go over to my parent's house to work a half a day or so in my one person sweat shop. Last night I was over at my parent's house sewing when my Momma handed me The Handmade Marketplace, by Kari Chapin.
I opened the book and the very first sentence is "Why do you create?"...which got me thinking. Personally, I sew and craft because I love seeing what I can do with my hands. I would say that sewing helps me de-stress, but that would be a big fat lie as I'm always stressing about deadlines, fabric combinations, and slightly imperfect top-stitching, but that's who I am! I grew up in a crafty household as my Momma sews, cross stitches, and did her share of shrinky dinks and puff paint when they were the in style! My little sister was always working on something whether it was a sewing project or a polymer clay figurines. I guess you can say that crafting is in my gene pool!
Why do you create?
P.S.- Keep an eye out as I'm adding a new product to my shop! I'm quite excited about the reveal! :)
Remember this post...the one about potato vs. coffee burlap bags? Well the day I published the post, my Dad (who was scheduled to visit Colombia for business) contacted one of his contacts in the coffee business and before I knew it I was a proud recipient of two Colombian coffee burlap bags!
I should mention that the bags have never been used, thus don't have that distinctive dusty burlap smell (sweet!). Both bags are beautiful, but I'm claiming the cute turtle bag for myself!
I'm also working with a local coffee roasting company to help recycle the coffee burlap bags that they receive from their farmers. Perhaps a coffee burlap market bag will be this year's go-to Christmas gift! :)
I have many ideas of my own, but what would you use a coffee burlap market bag for?
I've been working on some miscellaneous sewing projects for some very sweet kids in Georgia! Mr. D and I sent handmade goodies to them for Christmas (and these pajama pants for the boys!), and I'm following up with a summer shipment of some handmade love! :)
I finished a cute toiletry bag (slash make-up bag for when she gets older) for the sweet sister. I found it quite difficult to pick out fabric for young girls, but am hoping that the colorful flowers will do the trick, and if not the flowers the pink leopard print lining definitely will! ;) As for the pattern of the toiletry bag, I saw a pattern for the bag while I was at JoAnn's, however didn't like how they pattern instructed to finish the bag so I decided how large of a bag I wanted and did my own thing!
I wasn't quite sure what I was going to make for the younger brother, whom just turned 5, and then I came across this cute policeman tooth officer! I thought long and hard about how I was going to dress up the tooth fairy- boy scout, fire fighter...without hesitation I decided on a National Guard tooth officer, as his dad is currently serving our country in Iraq (thank you!!!). Although blurred in the photo for privacy reasons, the tooth officer's last name is stitched on the left hand side (looking straight at him) and U.S. Army is stitched on the right hand side. I would still like to add a hat to the tooth officer, and if I'm able to do so I'll definitely post an updated photo!
As for the oldest brother, I am making two pairs of flannel pajama pants (blue guitars and 100 dollar bills!), which I hope to start this week! :)
Wow! I can't believe it's been just about a week since I've tended to my blog (so sorry!). I hope I can redeem myself by sharing some of my owl love with all! (Is it just me, or are owls everywhere now???) There are so many cute owl products for children, adults, and your home on Etsy...below are a couple of my favorite picks for adults and home. Which products/themes have you been keeping an eye on? :)
Since I've been blogging I've found that bloggers are so very generous when it comes to sharing free tutorials, and I feel as though it's time for me to give back to the blogging community! So here it goes, my very first tutorial...a Fabric Kindle Cover Tutorial!
Materials
Outside Fabric: (1) 9” x 17.5"
Cotton Flannel (Lining): (1) 9” x 17.5”
Quilt Batting: (1) 9” x 17.5”
Binding Fabric: 2.25” x 45”
Thread
Water Soluble Pen
Velcro (optional): 2 ½”
Kindle measurements: 8” x 5.3” (per www.amazon.com) 1. Cut out three rectangles, using a cotton print fabric for the outside fabric (9” x 17.5”), quilt batting for the middle layer (9” x 17.5”), and a solid cotton flannel fabric for the lining (9” x 17.5”), as the flannel will not scratch your Kindle.
2. Place the outside fabric with the wrong side facing up, quilt batting, and cotton flannel (lining) with right side facing up.
3. With a water soluble pen, draw a horizontal line 6” from the bottom of the outside fabric and stitch on top of the inked line, creating the Kindle pocket.Note- if the outside fabric is too dark to see the water soluble marking (as shown below), draw the horizontal line on the cotton flannel (lining).
4. Fold and press the binding in half lengthwise.With raw edges matching, sew the binding along the top edge of the pocket with a ¼” seam allowance.Fold over the remaining binding and stitch.
5. Fold the bottom of the Kindle cover at the 6” line, with right side facing up, forming a pocket.Baste around the three exposed sides with a 1/8” seam allowance.
6. Beginning at the bottom left hand corner, fold up the binding ½”, creating a ‘finished’ edge and attach the binding with a ¼” seam allowance to the right side of the outside fabric.When approaching the corners, make sure to stop ¼” from the corner, lift your needle and presser foot and fold the binding up onto itself.Fold the binding down again, aligning the raw edges and resume stitching.
7. Fold over the remaining binding, enclosing the raw edges, and complete with a straight stitch, making sure to neatly miter the corners.
8. As an option, Velcro can be added to insure that the Kindle is secure.Stitch the male side of the Velcro ¾” from the top of the pocket, centered.Repeat with the female side of the Velcro 2 5/8” from the top of the flap.
9. Enjoy!
Note- *Tutorial can easily be adjusted to accommodate the Kindle DX and iPad.
Not much to report this Sunday, except for the fact that I have a million and a half started projects, with no finished projects in sight! :( Lately I've found that because my to do list has become so extensive that I can easily jump from project to project when I become a tad bit restless (which is not a good habit!).
Projects In Progress: 1. Quilt Top(close to being complete) 2. Tooth Fairy Pillow(I'm doing a boy pillow and have tons of ideas!) 3. Custom Order Diaper Pod(due mid-August) 4. Custom Order Nursing Cocoon(due mid-August) 5. Custom Order Personalized Sloppy Worm Wipe(due mid-August) 6. Craft Swap Item (Prototype only; 5 completed items due end of September)
Whew...I'm tired after typing up those two lists! ;)
On a personal note, if you are the praying type please keep me in mind Tuesday at 11am as I have a phone interview with a prospective employer. I haven't interviewed in 4+ years so I'm a teeny bit nervous, but I'm hoping for the best! :)
