More Creations for the Bebe

Well, the room is almost finished. Just a couple more things to hang and of course a baby to give birth to.

This little quilt/storage wall hanging I made a while ago, I was just waiting for the right time to use it and well...here it is. Each pocket has a letter of the alphabet, and I used a wooden large safety pin to hang it to the wall.


This hand-painted wooden mobile I bought off of Ebay for $11. It inspired me to make a circus theme baby quilt which you can see in the background.Here id our little change table where I am sure many diapers will be changed. The decals on the wall I bought from the dollar store. The great thing about these decals is that they are removable and will not damage the wall. The flower lamp and table itself are both from Ikea, and the great thing is you can take off the change table part and it becomes a dresser.

In this little corner we have some other baby goodies. The crochet doll made by my mother for me as a baby (33 years ago...eeks), her neck is a little weak. I think she is staring to show her age and may need a face lift.
This foam book was made by my sister and her boyfriend. It is all foam and has velcro moving parts. Inside are all the nursery rhymes and songs we used to sing as kids. There is also a CD which comes with the book that you play along with while reading the book. There is a little chime which tells you when to turn the page. I absolutely love it!
So you can see we have been busy, although as I have been told I will not know the meaning of busy until our little bundle of joy has arrived.

We Can't Wait! 2 more months and counting!

The Nesting Has Begun!

Well, the countdown continues...

As we start to wrap our heads around the fact that we will be joined by a little girl, the nesting has begun.

THE BEFORE

I decided to make this little container to hold all the q-tips, cotton balls, and cotton swabs. I actually bought this inexpensive little wooden box from Ikea and was going to use it to hold needles and pins in the sewing room, but I changed my mind.

THE AFTER

I used some scrapbooking paper, ribbon and some stickers to create this little holder for our new baby girl's change table (which still needs to be built).

Overall, the room is still a bit of a disaster zone. We finally finished the painting (we had to do it twice...argh!) But as soon as it is all organized, I will post some photos for you all.

I hope the ultrasound is correct and it's still a girl...or we will have one confused little boy all in pink!

Almost finished...

Well, my Jackie doll is almost finished. I call her Jackie because that is the name of the lady I am giving it to. Jackie (the real one) has salt and pepper hair, loves to garden, and has a cat named George. I have finally put a face on her and now I am just playing, adding more and more bojangles (bits and pieces, but bojangles sounds better). I am thinking of making another one (for myself) and then using the doll as an example for my etsy store. The premise would be: you send a photo, tell me all about the person and I will customize and doll for her/him or you.

Still thinking about cost though, as it does take quite a while to finish.

On another note, I finished 25 pouches (another custom order) for a lady in the U.K. She wanted these for her female guests at her wedding. I wanted to send them out before we moved. I am so happy to have finished them.


I have also been checking out all the suggestions for a new name. I must say you people are very creative. it is not an easy name to change since "made by hand in the South of France" has a romantic ring to it, but there are some serious contenders in the running.

Keep them coming!!!

A Work in Progress

Every time my mom comes to visit, we create, create and create! We are working on a doll for a friend of mine. She has offered her villa to us while she is away in South Africa. So we thought we would make a doll for her that looks like her. Even big girls love to play with dolls.


More photos to come!

J'adore Paris

Here it is...my first project(s) for the year 2008. My mother bought me a skirt with a Paris print...it was too big for me and I did not want to throw it out, so I decided to use this fabric to start a new line J'adore Paris.

Using black linen and some buttons, zippers and other little knik-knacksI have made some wallets...

Make-up cases...

and tissue holders. All are available at my etsy shop.

I still have a little bit of fabric left...what else can I make? any suggestions?

Sew, Sew Tired....

Well what can I say? Last week was CrAzY!!! I was ill, we had a flood in our bedroom and our Christmas party was cancelled (thank goodness).
So back to normal right?
Normal?
What's normal?
You mean sewing everyday for 9 hours? Eeks!
I have been so busy with Christmas orders for other people, I don't even know what I want for Christmas. What should I ask Santa for? Perhaps he could lend me some of his elves? I could pay them with cookies and milk...any takers?

Anywhooo, I thought I would post some of the other things I have been working on. I have had many requests for the personalized pencil crayon rolls so here are a few...

I have also made a couple fo Maquillage (Make-up) Bags for Saya and my etsy store. Perfect for storing all your feminine trinkets. Well back to the grind...again...cookies...milk...anyone?

Cough, Cough...

I must apologize for neglecting you all, as I have been ill with the flu (yes...even here in the South of France you can get a cold). I have decided after a couple of days of doing absolutely nothing that it was time to get up and start sewing. So, with tissue in hand (and nose), I have started to sew again.

I have been frantically sewing for Saya (as you already know) and also have a custom order I am trying to finish before I go back to Canada for the holidays.

It's a custom ordered quilt made from baby clothes. I asked the client to drop off some old baby clothes (t-shirts, dresses, bibs) that I could encorporate into the quilt. A great way to preserve all those special clothes that would normally end up in a box somewhere.

I still have a lot to do as you can see. Some embroidery and applique, but I think it is coming along. Below is a close up of a bib that I cut up and included as a little patch on the quilt.

It's a slow process but I think it will look great when finished...I hope!

trois petits arbres

so So SOOOOOO excited, where do I begin?

I have been so busy sewing up a storm for a shop in Antibe, France called Saya. I have been asked to feature many of my creations there by an awesome gal Maya (hi Maya! if your reading).

We have been throwing ideas back and forth on things to sell for the holidayy season...if only my hands could work as fast as my brain...

So, here are a couple of little ornament trees I made from a tablecloth I purchased last year. Never used the table cloth but I really liked the pattern. So we will see how they do in the store.
I have made lots (and lots) of other things, but I will post gradually...just little sneak peaks for you all.
Cheers!

Bye Bye for now!

So you are probably wondering "where the heck have you been?"

Well, I had my first big wholesale order (very exciting), so I was busy sewing up a storm.

Actually.... I started sewing up a storm, but after a while my wrists were beginning to hurt. Any suggestions on how to minimize the stress on your wrists would be great. Right now, even as I type, I am actually wearing my rollerblade guards (don't really rollerblade so these are now being put to good use). I feel like the bionic woman (whatever happened to her, perhaps she is sewing up a storm as well...hum?)

Anyways, to finish the job off I kindly asked my husband to help (notice I said "kindly" he's not a big into sewing...but whose husband is?) Well... we finally finished 20 wallets and 6 bags.
Thank Goodness!So you can see they are all packed and ready to go.
These bags can all be found at a new online store called: Three Potato Four which opens up in the fall.

It is perfect timing, since we are leaving this thursday for Thailand. I can't wait to go. I have heard so many amazing things about Thailand and seen some amazing photos. I know...I know...we are leaving during off season which is good (inexpensive) and bad (rain). Although, many people said it only rains for a short period of time and it also depends on where you are stay, east or west side. Fingers crossed- minimal rain.

Soooo, I am signing off "bye bye for now" and will return in 3 weeks time.

Tanya.

Produce Obsession

Lately, I have been obsessed with fruit, perhaps because of all the fresh fruit in season here at the market in Vence. Who knows?

So I have made a couple of new items with a Pomme (apple) theme.

Bags and Wallets.

A friend of mine also suggested making some diaper bags, since many of our friends are in the baby making phase of their lives. So, this was my first attempt. It has lots of space for baby things and many pockets both inside and outside. I am pretty happy overall, but I think next time I will add a couple more pockets and continue the fabric strip in the front to go across the whole bag...stay tuned for the updated version.

Made from French linen and cotton, it has of course, a French theme.

Mouton

This is a little French Knotted Mouton. I made him just cause he is sooo cute (if I do say so myself) Haven't figured out what I am going to do with this little sheep yet. Perhaps a pillow?