My Tribute to the South of France

(Our Old Home - Blue and Cream Building above)

Well...this is it. The boxes are stacked, all documents have been filled and we are off to embark on a new adventure. I will definitely miss this place. Although the mediterranean had its frustrating moments, overall this has been one of the most rewarding life changing experiences for my husband and I.

As we move into our new home in Perroy, Switzerland (see photo),
I decided to dedicate this post as a reflection of our French Adventures. I have only included some photos of some of the fantastic moments here in France, but to see more go to our flickr site (see right box).

St. TropezMentonNice
Lavender FieldsGorge du Verdon
Tourettes Sur Loup

So there you have it...stay tuned for the new adventures in Switzerland.
p.s. I am still deciding on the new name for the shop...don't worry I have not forgotten!

Artist Roll Addiction

I just can't stop sewing these little rolls. I get this great satisfaction of seeing all the different colours being sewn together...putting together a little rainbow. I am thinking of expanding my repertoire to crayons and markers...what else can I sew? Paint rolls?This one (above) is reserved for a lady who asked for this particular fabric. She is going to give this to her daughter for Christmas. Thinking about Christmas morning and her daughter opening up her special package (that I made) really gives me the warm and fuzzies. How exciting! So honoured to be a part of that moment!

All of these are available at my shop...and look out for more...

Pay it Forward!!!!

Pay it Forward

I was reading Erleperle's blog today and thought I would join in the fun. What a great idea!!!!

Here are the rules:

1. You leave a comment here on my blog and request to join the Pay It Forward exchange.

2.The first three comments who agree to join will receive a handmade gift from moi (a surprise of course) within 365 days.

3.You return the Pay It Forward by making the same promise on your blog. How fun is that!!!

Another Feature

I was checking through my blog today reading some of you comments (which I absolutely love getting by the way) when I came across an email from kara at designtalk. She has done a feature on her site about my blog (yes...the one you are reading right now) There is a little write-up on some of my creative goodies and my crafty sewing room.

Very exciting, looks like things are slowly coming together...who would of thought that a highschool music teacher could turn into a thriving entrepeneur.

Check out designtalk.homevisions.com It's great site with lots of information on design and decor ideas.

Here is the feature...Very Cool!

Blog Hopping: Craft and Sewing Rooms

It’s sewing and crafts week here at DT! We’ve been scouring the web to bring you some of the prettiest and most inspiring creative spaces out there.

Today’s tour is a jet tour through the blogosphere, to highlight several bloggers’ recent craft room updates.

Starting with Tanya in the South of France, whose handmade by moi blog showcases some of the stylish stitching she is working on overseas. Like this adorable “apple” tote — in French, of course.

Our favorite idea from her sewing room is the lovely cover she tossed over an ergonomic office chair. Comfort + style = many hours of productive sewing. Beautiful!

My new fabric

In a previous post , I showed you all some of the delicious fabrics I bought.

Well, here is one of the finished products. What you think?

I used some yellow vintage napkins for both the bottom of the bag and the inside pocket, which I bought at our local Brocante Market here in Vence. For closing the bag, I used a vintage grey button also bought from the same market. The handles are made from the same linen with some machine embroidery detailing.
I also added some trim with french writing. I really love the combination of yellow and grey...I think I will have to make more...

Cheers!

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you (merci) to everyone and their encouraging words. For a while there, I thought I was the only one checking my blog. Now, I really do feel like I am having some success in my work and it is such a wonderful feeling. When I moved here to France, it was very difficult. I had to quit my job as a highschool teacher. I did not know anyone or know how to speak French for that matter, so I thought what could I do to keep myself productive - sewing.

This has been an amazing experience for me - difficult none the less, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Thanks again for all your support and I love to read all your comments so keep'em coming!

A Beintot,
Tanya

Weekend Shopping!!!!!

This weekend I went on a little shopping spree.

On Saturday, I visited the local fabric shop and bought, bought, bought. Now I really have to sew, sew, sew to make some of that dough back. I absolutely love the linen. The muted colours are just waiting for some punch of colour.

So yummy!

Sunday, Marko and I went to the Vide Greniers (empty attic sale...like a garage sale, but way better) in Bar sur Loup, a little french village just went of where we live. Marko found this wonderful scale for me, just 8 euros...as he likes to say..."deal!"

I love this new toy. The bright yellow base and metal bowl is very 1950's...so vintage.

Like a kid, after opening birthday presents, I played with this toy all night long, weighing everything from our dinner to the produce in our fridge.

Pour le bebe

A friend of mine is having a baby girl in May and I wanted to make her something special. I know she is crocheting a blanket in muted lavender colours, so I took my inspiration from that.

So here it is an "all-purpose-carry-all-your-baby-gear" bag. There are four pockets each individually labelled and lots of room for other baby goodies.

I hope she like its!

Inspirations:

I bought this magazine and absolutely love it (don't worry mom I bought one for you and it is on its way)!

It's a french magazine that has so many beautiful ideas and projects. I am overwhelmed I want to do all of them but don't know where to start.
Of course the instructions are in French but maybe this is definitely a good way to learn my french.

My Crafty Board

Here is another "window" of inspiration created by moi. Cut outs from magazines of things I am going to make... hopefully sooner than later.

INSPIRATION

Well, I have finally organized my sewing room. Everything is unpacked, labelled, organized ready to be sewn, knitted, or whatever craft suits my fancy. This is a perfect room for inspiration. Just check out the view from my window.Welcome to Provence.

First Entry

Okay, so the title is not very creative.
Since I have become a little bit more of a computer nerd, I decided to go for a second blog. I am dedicating this site to all things creative, projects I am going to attempt - both successfully and unsuccessfully. If either strike you fancy, please feel free to comment (or purchase).
Email me and I will respond ASAP.
I am also going to include other sites (once I figure out how to do that) of things that I personally find amusing.
Hope You Enjoy!