Gingham Skies New Style

I'm excited to announce that I have some new vegan designs in the works. Tess will be hitting the shop today:


Anyone planning on working with vinyl? Let me save you a world of frustration: buy a teflon foot for your sewing machine!

Here's Tess in pink. This little lady will be sold in the shop at a significant discount - she was one of my first attempts at Tess therefore she has a few minor issues with less than perfect top stitching and an off-centre interior pocket.

Sew Lovely!

I've found a new medium and I have fallen sew in love. My second mom suggested I create some beach bags for the summer and off I went to hunt for some water resistant material: faux leather was my fab find. I have to hit the sewing shop for some advice - sewing through a few layers of vinyl was not the easiest task so I'm curious to hear what the experts suggest: a teflon foot maybe? I managed okay but my finished edge is a bit wonky on the inside and there was a bit of a drag visible on the inside.

Vegan bags are going to be my focus this spring/summer. Here's the beach bag proto-type: vinyl inside and out for easy cleaning and to keep your goods dry. What do you think?

I wish I could find a little bit of time to sew every day, it's such a great stress reliever and helps to wash the sads away.

Christmas with the Crazies

Our annual Christmas with the Crazies took place last night and now it really feels like Christmas is just around the corner. We skipped the typical turkey and trimmings and hosted a pot luck instead this year, it was perfect! Less mess and less stress! EC took care of the tunes.

Jess made the best apple pie I have ever tasted and I intend to replicate it for our family shin digs, a frozen cheesecake or two will be waiting in the wings just in case. I'll share the recipe with you if all goes well.

I spent this morning clearing the wreckage from the pah-tay and the proceeded to procrastinate... eventually I managed to get my butt in gear and a few things were wiped off my TO DO list.

I finally got to Rosie's Christmas gift and I am stoked with the results. How cute is this tiny sundress?



A big thanks goes out to Habitual where I found this super sweet pattern.

I know it's December but I figure she can wear it over a long sleeve shirt and tights or leg warmers. Once Rosie's too big to wear this as a dress it can be work as a little tunic top. Super cute! This pattern is definitely a keeper.

I also whipped up this little crayon roll for my dad; he is stuffing Neve's stocking and was looking for a little something extra to add to it.



Remember to enter the draw for the ZipIt by leaving a comment on this post.

Mushrooms and Snails and Tiny Pig Tails

I had a request for some teeny tiny Lola's for some teeny tiny girls for Christmas and I am really pleased with the results. I found this super cute fabric at Above All Fabric and was thrilled with the super quick delivery and friendly service; be sure to check out the selection at this Etsy shop if you're looking for some fabulous fabric.

I hope the little ladies like this tiny Lola as much as I do!

Ania's the New Girl On the Block

This hot mama was created thanks to a special order. I just love this purple fabric and the black velvet bow is always a winner. I plan to sew a few more Ania's over the holidays... after I get going on the mini-Lola's that have been ordered. If only there were more hours in the day!

New Girl On the Block

I have a new obsession with the colour purple. If I were to ride on some of purple amusement park swings I could die a happy woman.

This pretty lady can be found in the shop. I'm tempted to keep her for myself.

Special Order

I had a special order for Christmas stockings, three of which will be heading overseas to Ireland.


I love the pink and silver fabric and that cuff is just too cute.

What little guy wouldn't love an alien stocking?!

I've decided to donate $5.00 from each Christmas stocking purchase to the Make a Wish Foundation. This awesome organization sent my nine year old cousin (who has inoperable brain cancer) along with his brother, sister, mom and dad to Florida's Walt Disney World just last month - they had an amazing time! Make a Wish certainly does make dreams come true.

The stockings listed in the shop right now are reserved but more will be posted there soon.

Oh and before I miss another day...
7) I'm thankful for Indian Summers! Here's hoping this beautiful weather sticks around for a little longer than they're predicting.

Introducing My New Girl Parker

A new design can be found in the shop, her name is Parker.

She's belongs to the Clutch family, unlike her sister Elizabeth she closes with a magnetic snap and more of her interior is visible when you open her up.
See what I mean, check out those stars.

Her funky vintage buttons are for fashion not function.

Stop on by the shop for more details.

What Lola Wants...

Thanks Tanya for providing me with inspiration for Lola's desciption found in the shop.


The next Lola will be darker to fit the fall/winter thang.

I can't get enough of these big beautiful buttons!

Lola can be all yours... check out the details here.

Proud Mama

I'm so happy with my latest design! The button is fabulous isn't it? Thanks mom. To give you and idea of the size the button is 1 1/4 inches across. This sweet little lady is all mine but I'll definitely be creating more to put in the shop asap! She still needs a name... I'm leaning towards Lola.

NEW SHOP: Gingham Skies

It's official: Gingham Skies is now open! Please take a look at my new biz and let me know what you think! There are just a few goodies in there to begin with but more will be added soon. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Stocking Up!

I am in love with office and craft supplies. I've probably mentioned this before because it's a slight problem I have. I can't go into Staples, Fabric Land, Michael's or Len's Mill without buying something, even if it's just a highlighter. Cara pointed out to me the other day that it's a good thing I like school supplies considering I'm going to be a teacher. She got me thinking, maybe my obsession with pretty pencils was a sign pointing me towards my future... too bad I didn't figure that out ten years ago.

Less than a week to go before my first day of school so of course I had to go shopping for new supplies. Binders and pens and highlighters! OH MY! Yes I'm a dork and no I don't care who knows it.

I certainly showed my age to all the little uni students in my university night classes when I yanked out the pencil case I bought in 1990 so I decided to update my 'look' by making myself a new one. I love the finished product and plan to make a matching laptop sleeve. Aside from loving the look I'm really pleased with the style and intend to make my Little Bits Bags using this template from here on in.

EEk! Just five more sleeps...

A Blackberry Bed

A tiny pouch I made for my blackberry lined with recycled satin, thanks Tanya for the pj's!

CARA DON'T LOOK!

Rosie Posie is turning 6 months old while we are in Vancouver visiting! Only 3 more sleeps until we leave!! Since I was so sure she was a boy before she arrived I crocheted her a blue blanket with bits of pink running through it; obviously I was wrong (see I do admit it sometimes) so when I sewed her a 6 month birthday blanket I figured I should go pink pink and more pink.


I love the soft minky fabric, I think I'm going to make myself a throw with it.

Hannah Banana

Another 'to do' checked off the list.

For details on these children's' tote bags and pencil case please pop over to gingham skies.

New Bag & New Blog

The first bag from my first order has been completed! This one has a zipper closure.
If you're interested in more details please check out my new sewing blog Gingham Skies.

Sewing the Day Away

I found this super cute fabric about a month ago at Fabric Land. I eyed the pink ribbon immediately when looking for trims but wasted another hour digging around wanting to be sure I chose the right accent. I really need to learn to trust my gut.


I haven't sat at my machine in a couple weeks, it felt good to get back into the groove.
This was my first attempt at a purse of my own design and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

It's a good size for an every day purse and I like the shape but and I'm going to make a few minor changes: add a magnetic snap, shrink the pocket size and place the pocket on the back side of the interior of the bag rather than the front.

Ta da! Now I've got the itch again so you'll be seeing more soon.

A Star is Born

Woo hoo! I've finally figured out how to easily apply the interfacing and I've got the zipper down. I'm no longer using the Bend-the-Rules pattern, I've pieced together tips from various tutorials to find what works best for me and I'm please with the result.

So Sweet

These pictures certainly aren't great, it's time I make a light box I think... maybe tomorrow.

I've finally managed to add a wristlet the right way and I'm pleased with the result.

What do you think of the rhinestone decal? Personally I like it, super easy to apply and quite cute. I'm going to use this guy for a couple weeks to see how well it holds up - my concern is how long the rhinestones will stay put for.

Thoughts?

A Charming Handbag

I've got the sewing itch and I think it's going to take a whole lotta bags to scratch it sufficiently.

I'm thrilled with my latest piece. A big thanks goes out to Amy Karol's fabulous book Bend the Rules Sewing for this pattern. Making this one little bag has got the creative juices flowing, her techniques are so easy and totally transferable.

I'm loving this fabric and the fact that I now know a simple way to make square bottoms. Yay!