Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thank You

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to thank you for all who came to say hi and goodbye during the final sale and who supported Peapod over the years. I had good days and bad days during those years. But, what made me keep going?  My love for beautiful fabric and the pride of serving beautiful San Francisco, a special place where small businesses can thrive.  And not to mention my loyal patrons.  I am proud to say that Peapod was more than a fabric store.  It was a place where neighbors could stop by to chat while they were on the way to the grocery store. It was the place where dog lovers could stop by to say hi to the famous shop dogs.  It was a place where kids (and adults) could come in and get inspired to be creative.  I knew many of you by your first name.  We exchanged holiday gifts.  We had a crafty night when we ate, drank, talked, laughed, and made things together.  I am sad to close, but I closed its door knowing that Peapod was definitely a vital part of the community and well-loved.  So thank you all again for your love and support!!!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Closing Sale

So folks, this is it!  
I am so sorry to announce that October is the last month for Peapod's brick and mortar shop.  The closing sale will start next Tuesday at 1pm.  Everything will be 20-75% off.
Until then, the shop will be closed.
Thanks!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Chowder

I was thinking about getting another dog for quite a while, but I couldn't decide until the boy moved out.  After he left, Dash seemed bored and less playful.  He became very clingy too. Yeah, we all miss the boy.  I thought another dog would be a good companion to Dash if he could get along.  And that was my very concern because he gets very territorial with some dogs.  I also wanted to help save those shelter dogs.  I always had this feeling, but it grew stronger ever since I got sick last summer. With the boy out of home, I have space to provide.  I know I can't save all the dogs in need, but I can help one.  I was on petfinder.com every night (this is where I found Dash too), went to Rocket Dog Rescue's adoption events, and visited the local animal shelters.  I wanted a big dog, but considering all my circumstances, it had to be a small dog.  Chowder (renamed) was the first one I saw at SFACC (San Francisco Animal Care & Control).  She wasn't exactly my type of dog, but I couldn't stop thinking about her.  Dash and Chowder had their first greeting that day, but we both were not sure about the whole thing. After all, it was up to Dash, not me.  We went home, but I felt terrible leaving her at the shelter. Next day I saw another dog at a different shelter, but I knew it wasn't "the one."  By that time, I knew Chowder was the one.  I went back to see her twice that week, and after one more greeting with Dash, I finally signed the adoption paper.  She came home five days later.  It's only her second week at home, but she has already established her place in the house, and Dash finally started to accept her.  The first few days were very tough for Dash to acknowledge her.  Hence, exhausting days and nights for me.  Now they play like brother and a sister.  I am very happy with the outcome and just glad that I was able to give her a permanent home.  
So if you are getting a pet, please consider to adopt.
Hello, I'm Chowder. I don't know much about myself, but I'm a happy one year old terrier mutt. I was on the street when someone picked me up and brought me to the shelter.  I was so scared. Once in a while someone came to take me out for a walk, but other than that, I had to stay in a cell that looked like a jail.  I didn't know what was going to happen to me, but one day, a nice lady came to say hi and took me out of that place.  You have no idea how happy I was.

Chowder: I love sunbathing with my brother.  Happiness is warm sunshine...
Dash: hey, that's my line!

Chowder: I also love to play Tug of War, and I always win...

Chowder: Zzzz...
Dash: She wore me out...

Dash: Mama, my bed is getting invaded...help!
Chowder: I'm pretty comfy...

What a huge progress one week made!!! Chowder couldn't even get 3 feet close to Dash's bed because of his territorial temper.

Chowder always wins a battle over the bed. Poor Dash gave up and found a tiny sunny spot on the hardwood...

I couldn't stand Dash's desperate call for help so I made them matching beds.  The larger one was intended for Dash for obvious reasons, but again Chowder got what she wanted.  Well, she was a survivor on the street. She had to be tough.

Chowder: Mama made me a pretty quilt!  Nobody ever made me a quilt before.  Now I feel very special...

Chowder: I've never snuggled in a quilt...it feels soooo nice!

Chowder needs to learn some house manners and basic commands.  Once she was on top of the coffee table sipping my tea.  I know it sounds cute, but it's not right.   She does things that I never had to worry about with Dash.  Here she is being trained for "Stay" and she is getting it.  Dash already knows it, and he is good.

This and next photos were taken when I first met her at the shelter.  She was very scared and shaking.

I just hated to see her in the cement cell.

Chowder: Grass feels oh so good! Yep, everyone believe in second chances!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Empty Nest

So August has passed.  What a month it was!  I had to stay in bed for more than a week, and there was a big change at home.  The boy moved out.  Yep, he left for college.  I knew that I would miss him as the day approached, but I was okay with it.  I knew it was his first step to explore outside his nest, and it is a good thing.  We drove to Southern California to drop him off.  He couldn't wait to get down there to start a life without supervision, but the first night was unexpectedly tough for him.  He felt his first loneliness in a new town.  Me?  Yeah, I shed some tears, gave him a kiss and a hug, and some life wisdom, and drove off with Dash in the passenger seat.  Yes, I always miss him, but after we both adjusted the new way of living, I am okay.  I will enjoy more time for myself and you know what?  I found that sending him care packages is a fun thing to do.  I've already sent him twice with healthy home made snacks.  I just wish I could send him home cooked meals.    
In the meantime, I was busy sewing things for him. This is one of them.  He requested a small backpack for his knickknacks when he goes to concerts.  

I used black washed denim, one of the new arrivals at the shop.  

He loved loved loved it! He was searching for one all over the town, but couldn't find the right one even at the cool shops on Haight Street.

It's a really simple design so I cut the leather scraps into triangles and sewed them at the end of the straps as a stopper.  He loved the combination of denim, grommet, and leather.  Me too!

I bought him a new bedding and sewed a pair of pillow cases too.

And here is the finished wonky start quilt.  Yes, it was for the boy to take with him.  It was my surprise gift to him.  

He sent me a picture of his settled room. Looks nice, huh?
So he left...let's look at the bright side.  This will be my studio soon!!!

Friday, August 8, 2014

This Weekend

Just popping in to say that we will be closed this Saturday and Sunday (Monday is regularly closed).  
So there will be a three day weekend for us.  All is well too.  
Have a good weekend, everyone!


Monday, July 21, 2014

Work in Progress

Sorry for my long absence again.  There were so many things that I had to take care of.  Anyway, how's your summer going?  Mine is going well.  A little life change and sewing!  Well, this is my latest project.  A wonky star quilt!  I was never much fan of star shaped quilts to tell you the truth.  I thought star shapes make it look too countryish to my liking.  But I love my wonky star!  I had so much fun making these blocks that I might offer wonky start quilt classes.  Sounds good?  Stay tuned.

I'm not enjoying machine quilting this size.   Mine ended up in about 72 x 60 inches.   This is my least favorite part of quilt making...

It's so frustrating...hand quilting is much easier and controllable.  And it is meditating...

Hand stitching the binding.  My favorite part of quilt making...


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Summer Sale Ends Sunday

Tomorrow is the last day for the summer Sale.  Fabrics on the bolts are all 20 % off.  Sorry, fat quarters and remnants are excluded.  All notions and sewing patterns are on sale as well up to 40 %.  
We will be open at 12pm until 4pm.  
I am also showing some new fabrics from Japan here.  Sorry, they are excluded from the sale. cotton kimono prints...

cotton and linen blends...

double gauze in bunnies and apples...

double gauze in dots...


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Summer Sale *Revised

Hi all,
Sorry for my long absence from this space.  I've been disconnected at home and work. 
I still need to work with my internet service provider.  Sigh...
So anyway, the shop will be closed until tomorrow, Wednesday the 18th, but we will have a summer sale as follows.

Thursday the 19th - Friday the 20th 1pm - 5:30pm
Saturday the 21st 12pm - 5pm
Sunday the 22nd  12pm - 4pm

Everything from the bolts will be 20% off, not precut squares.

Hope to see you then!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Is It Camping Season Yet?

regular cotton (top) and flannel...





i can't wait to make something with them...

Friday, May 16, 2014

The May Cover Photo




Hi all, I've been having a technical problem with my website for over a month.  I'm not able to update it at all. Hence the same cover photo for over two months.  And this is what I wanted to upload as the May cover photo.  Yes, I've been sewing and quilting.  I made this grocery bag specifically for strawberries that I buy at the farmer's market. Oh, I love it!  What are you sewing?

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you are celebrating a beautiful Mother's Day.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Sew & Tell

Is it wedding season?  Yes, Nick will be a lucky groom soon.  On his wedding day, he'll be wearing the tie second from the left in these photos.  And the others will be worn by his father, father-in-law to be, and groomsmen.  And guess what?  He made all of these!  Oh, I love it when a man sews.  It will be a very special handmade wedding. Congratulations, Nick!
Orange loops and lining...a nice detail...
Amelyn had her wedding some time ago, and now her second baby is on his way. And look at this mother's bag she made! It looks like it came from a fancy baby store, doesn't it?
And here is Laura who is Sarah's (one of the twins) teacher.  She is a new aunt and wanted to surprise her brother and his girlfriend with something cute for their baby.  She had never used a sewing machine before so this bunting was perfect as her first sewing project.  It should be hung in the baby's room in Ireland by now.  
And here is Kylee's dress that her grandma made.  Isn't that adorable?  Oh, the pockets and the sleeves...it's my favorite style!
Well, sewing doesn't always have to be for babies.  It's simple pure joy to make something for yourself.  I'm sure that's how Shane feels.  She says so with her big smile. I always love the shirts she makes. It's so Shane!

Thank you, everyone!!!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Days

March went by so fast and April is no different.  It was again a busy month and a bit stressful.  You know why?  My kitchen was going through a little makeover and still is.  No, it's not a big overhaul, I'm doing it very slowly.  It was a mess!  We couldn't locate the kitchen stuff, but the worst stage is over for now...

One day, I put down my paint brush and went to Shane's Show, "Wearing My Clothes."  We enjoyed the show and the entire night was so nice and mellow...

Shane made this dress from a vintage Dior's pattern...

All her hand embroidery work was just amazing!  

Even the boy loved it...

My kitchen under a makeover...

The cabinets primed...

Winter is over as more vegetables are back at the farmer's market...

So glad to see strawberries back at my favorite vendor's stand...

Resting pizza dough...

Reading...

Preparing for tangerine marmalade...

More making...

Kale pesto...I used a mix of pistachios and almonds...

Just having brunch on a lazy morning...have a good day, everyone!