Shop Talk

I've been meaning to update, but I've honestly been feeling down a bit. Trust me, it's hard to be a small business owner :-) Something has been bothering me. I actually hesitated to post this, but I thought it is reasonable to state how I feel on my own blog. I usually share my happy feelings only...because who wants to hear me bitching about something, right? Some people might know that there is a sign in the store saying exactly the same in this photo, and I appreciate you respecting the store policy. Some of you have asked before taking your camera out of your purse. But, unfortunately some people have just started shooting without even asking as soon as they stepped in the store. They might claim that they didn't see the sign, but I find it extremely rude to take pictures in any space with or without a sign. I can't even imagine myself taking pictures without asking in an intimate store space. And I assure you that every small store owner will agree with me. Before the sign, it had happened a lot. I was feeling violated inside, and regretted that I didn't say anything. I was afraid that people would take what I would have said wrong. The sign is there for a few reasons for Peapod. One absolute reason is that some of my works are saved for my future project. My own craft book! Publishing my own sewing/craft book has been my long term goal in the past decade. This is why I have never posted their pictures here. When I am ready, I will make them public with my own photos on my own blog. Not by sneakly taken photos on someone else's website. Yes, they are in the public eyes by being at the shop, but it is to inspire you. And I really appreciate your compliments on them. So while I appreciate your love for my store, I will ask you to respect the store policy. Thank you.

Spring Colors

A sign of Spring...Suger Pop is here...

Sew & Tell - Elizabeth's Dress and Dollie

During the holiday season in December, I received a phone call from Massachusetts. The man on the phone wanted to purchase a gift certificate over the phone for someone living in San Francisco. I asked him if he wanted me to send it to the person. We talked about it, then he told me that he saw his daughter-in-law and granddaughter on my blog. I said, "who?" "Elizabeth and Cora!" It took me a second to match the names with my memory. "Elizabeth and Cora!" We both were talking excitedly. He had no idea they were on my blog. Somehow he found my blog and was brousing it. I have no idea how he ended up on my blog. I don't believe he sews. What was he doing on a sewing blog anyway? :-) He told me he was in an advertising business for years and gave me a lot of praise for my blog for how nice it looks. I politely thanked him :-) Anyways, it struck him when he saw his family. So the happy encounter in ciber space helped him decide on what to give his daughter-in-law for Christmas. What a funny story, isn't it? Instead of having sent to Elizabeth, the gift stayed at Peapod's desk drawer until the other day. And she found out that when she opened the Christmas card saying a gift certificate was waiting for her at Peapod. She stopped by the other day with Cora and her older child, Cory. In this photo Cora is wearing a dress that I saw on her iPhone here and holding a Black Apple Doll in a matching outfit. How cute! Great job and thank you, Elizabeth, Cora and Cory! And thank you for the purchase, Tom! She enjoyed it!

Cory was a bit shy when I asked him if he wanted to be in the photo to say hi to grandpa...

So here is hi and love from your family on the West Coast...Hi Grandpa Tom!

Ice Cream Dress

It's been a very while since I cut these two prints for the Ice Cream Dress. I couldn't even find the post where I uploaded this photo with the pattern package in it. I think a few seasons have passed, but well, It's done now. I was going to join this photo group, but since I don't have a real model wearing it, I'm not gonna do it. It's always better to have it in action. You can check what other people are making, and they will inspire you to sew. I promise.

i chose a classic girl pink print and red pin dot...

the girl print reminds me of the book I own, I Can Fly...

the whole view...

the v-notched pockets need extra work, but they are worth making...

I always find something I need in my tin can full of vintage buttons...

too much sun exposure, but you get the idea? daisies and ice cream dress...classic!

a sign of spring in my yard...

Day Off

at the yard...

at the dog park...
dash playing with lucy the busset hound and chelsea the spaniel...

in the studio...worked on a carried over project from last year...

Sew & Tell - April's Baby Quilt

Here is the very first Sew & Tell in 2011. April's baby quilt! She came to pick up some fabric for her second quilt yesterday and told me that I helped her to pick up those prints. I said, "I did?" She thanked me for that, but I think I should thank her more for taking a step to make a quilt. After all, it is her first quilt. It is for her friend's baby who will be seeing the world very soon, and April will share the amazing moment in the delivery room with her friend. Isn't it great? It will be a very special moment for them. The quilt is a little too big for the new born, but I'm sure she will be bundled by this special quilt and lots of love from everyone. Thanks April and have a safe trip!

Pot Holders

I know I was supposed to show you these during the gift seasons so hopefully you would get inspired to follow the handmade holiday gift ideas. But, I was too busy sewing :-) I know I'm not so good at promoting the business. But, hey, everyday is a gift season on my calender, I thought. So here is something I was working on. Potholders! They are small, easy, and great scrap busters. They are a great gift all year around.

Man Cave

So my first sewing/crafting project in 2011 happened to be a birthday banner and garland for my boy. The last birthday party I hosted was when he was in the fourth grade, I think. Most of the time, it was at gramp's house with the family. But, this year he wanted to have a party with his friends. Not a cute "birthday party" party. You know...hang out with buddies kinda party. So my mission was to clean the garage and make a man cave. We don't have a finished room in the garage, so it is dark and cold with exposed structures. It was full of crap with our moving boxes just piled up in the middle of the space. Most people probably wouldn't even think about having a party down there (more convincing if I had a "before" picture). But, I saw the potential :-) I cleaned the years of dust and spider webs and covered the unfinished walls with my fabric. A kind of groovy pattern for the teenagers' taste. I gathered my Christmas lights once again to lighten up the dark space. I searched on Craig's list for a reasonable priced second hand mirror ball, but no luck. So to brighten up the space more, I made a felt garland again. My Christmas felt garland I made several years ago (you see them at the shop) was rejected by the birthday boy due to its girlish colors. I also made a happy birthday banner. I thought the space looked a lot happier. We brought our bulky TV down and furnished around it. All they wanted to do was to play a video game, you know. I set up a buffet with pizzas, nachos, buffalo wings, and drinks...well, in front of the washer and dryer :-) And the man cave was good to go.

a chocolate cheesecake, the birthday boy's favorite...

10 kids playing a video game and watching a movie in the man cave, or should i call it a 1/2 (half) man cave?

a shooting game (please no hate emails from concerned mothers) and toy story...this is what i love about high school freshmen :-) they are good kids...

Kitchen and Gardening Tools and More Owls

Happy New Year 2011

Three days have passed...and my stomach has been too heavy from lots of drinking and eating. But, other than that it's been a mellow lazy new year just as I had wished for. I wanted to complete my unfinished projects before the new year started, but I said, oh well...so I've been staying in a warm cozy home watching movies and television with occasional dog walking. Yeah, it's been very very nice. I hope your new year has been a healthy lazy one too :-) Let's make 2011 a peaceful happy year. Oh, and a crafty one too.

no, he is not depressed...trust me, he is a happy dog :-)