The BIG News...

Well...here it is the big news...

We are preggers!

So now you know. I haven't been so busy with creating as I was trying to overcome the nausea and other good stuff, but I am feeling much much better now and the creating has begun. We moved my sewing room around and now I am organizing all my goodies, so I can get creating. More bon bon bags for sure, and I am thinking of creating some baby stuff as well (for obvious reasons..one for me and one for sale).

About the shirt...

This tank top was given to me by my cousin, she was playing up my business name by using my husbands name instead of "moi" . I found an other use for this shirt, I just added my name with marker and there you have it...

more to come...

I'm Back

IMG_2137
Originally uploaded by handmadebymoi

Well, first I must apologize it seems like FOREVER since my last post. A lot has happened since our last conversation.

We have moved to Perroy, Switzerland. It took about two weeks for our stuff to arrive so two weeks on an air mattress was just a little uncomfortable.

We finally organized all our paper work for Switzerland...visas, insurance, banking all that fun stuff while trying to cancel all our services in France.

My husband's parents arrived three weeks ago for a visit and we explored parts of Switzerland and France (since it is so close). Switzerland reminds me of Canada a little with it's wide open spaces and lots of greenery.

We have met our neighbors, the wine makers, the cows, the horses and the donkeys. Polly (our doggie) is absolutely loving it here...no more scooters.

I really haven't done much sewing since we have moved and yes SHAME ON ME I know, but I have good reasons (which I will reveal on a later post).

So all in all things are going well.

I am in the middle of changing my store name (and don't worry I haven't forgotten about the contest - winner to be revealed soon) and updating my blogs, still working on the new website soon to be finished.

Another update to follow very soon I promise!!!

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!

It's Official!

Well, it is official. We are moving AGAIN...
My husband is being relocated to Geneva (Geneve in French with an accent on the E, but I have a North American keyboard) Switzerland.
We both a mixed emotions about this move, we made a list:

Geneva, Switzerland compared to Nice, France

- everything and everyone is on time in Nice, not so much
- high speed trains perfect for travel in Nice, again not so much
- center of Europe (again perfect for travel) but in Nice beautiful travel throughout provence
-chocolate available in both places which is better Swiss or French...they are both pretty damn good
- alps in Switzerland but the sea in Nice
- very international city while in Nice it is very french
- international food available everywhere in Geneva where as in Nice mostly French food (which I will miss)
- weather in Geneva is not as perfect as it is in Nice (the sun is always shining)

well the list goes on and on...

And then there is the question of the shop name...handmadebymoi in the South of France...not so much anymore, that would be false advertising (even though France is only 10 minutes away)

SOOOO...I need your help...

I am keeping the handmade by moi bit. Geneva is in the French part of Switzerland but I wanted to add a little something underneath, not quite sure what? So I thought, why not make it into a little contest.

Leave a comment/suggestion of a name that would suite and if me likey I will send you a "pour un artiste roll with a couple of other goodies :The contest in closes: March 21, 2008

Bonne Chance!

Business Time

Okay, I know not very crafty, but I watched this on youtube and just couldn't stop laughing. I thought I would share:



ENJOY!

Video for Mom

I completely forgot about this video my sisters and I made for my mom's 60th Birthday. I got stuck wearing the wrestlers mask (have to see the video to understand). My mom use to sing this song to us when we were kids, so we just changed the lyrics a little and played it at her 60th birthday in October.

It was great fun to make, especially hanging out with my 2 sisters. Since i have moved to France we don't see a lot of each other, but when we do you can see we get really silly.

Everyone should have sisters to get silly with.

Happy Belated New Year!

Happy Belated New Year to All!

I have returned from Canada after a relaxing holiday with my family. It was a long flight back but I have returned back to France to get back into the swing of things.

Well what's new...

Some of my creations are being sold in Saya (in Antibes) and more info can be found on here and here . A great blog to read through with lots of great info and photos....thanks Maya!

More work for my website needs to be done, and I am also starting to work on some new items for my etsy shop, more bags, new and improved pencil crayon/marker/ crayon roll, bonbon bags, some more little pouches and other goodies (can't give away all my surprises). I will keep you posted!

Well that's all for now...but I will be back soon!

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!!!

J'habite en France

Well I have returned back to the Riviera and with soooo much to do.

They have started to put up the Christmas lights here in Vence...Wow christmas already?
Time to start sewing some stockings and other Christmas goodies.

I am attempting to put together a new website, where you can shop directly from the site. And let me tell you I am NOt computer savy, so it is taking me a lot longer than I had anticipated. Trying to get paypal to talk to my website is a lot harder than I thought. Why can't they just say Hello? Arghhhhh

Hopefully, it will be finished before Christmas and yes... I am almost finished the how to video on wallets...it's a slow process... aussi!

Off to sew with my new splints...I look just like the bionic woman (the newer version I think)

Back to the T to the O...

Seems like I am constantly on a plane and I haven't decided if that's a good thing or not. I am off to Toronto, Canada for my mom's 60th birthday, but she doesn't look a day over 30. I am looking forward to visiting the family and friends and my old pooch Pika-peeks (my blog was named after her).(Look how cute)

I have been pretty busy this week completing last minute orders so I thought I would share.
Here is a bag made for a friend for a friends birthday..complicated explanation?


A custom-order for a girly pooch: Maggie and 6 lavander satchels. All off to the U.S.



And for myself, I decided to make a flying bag (no it does not fly). One that would be big enought to hold all my goodies for the LONG plane ride to Canada. Sincce the bag was "tres grand" I decided to call this bag: my BIG bag (because it is).



It is made from Ikea fabrics: cotton and canvas . Very hefty and sturdy, perfect for all my French homework I will bring with me to Toronto. There is also linen trim for embellishment (can't keep me away from linen) and some buttons on the handles as well.

So, I will not be posting for a while due to my vacation, but I will be checking my blog messages periodically and try to write you back ASAP.

A Bientot,
Tanya

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!

I'm Back!!!

Well what can I say...Thailand was amazing! Definitely a feast for all of your senses. The scenery was amazing, as was the food and the people. We took at Thai Cooking Course where we learned how to make my own curry paste (very spicy). We went to an Elephant Nature Reserve where we bathed and fed rescued elephants, hung out on the beach, saw some majestic temples. The list goes on and on. One of my favourite trips ever.

Highly recommend it! You can see more photos here.

Now that I am back, it's back to business. I finally organized my sewing room which has now inspired to get back on the sewing wagon.
I just recently finished a custom order for a dear old friend of mine. She wanted a messenger tote with a birdie pattern so here it is....

I hope she likes it!

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.

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.

What else can it do?

I found another use for the wine bag. It can be a vase, you can correspond the flowers to the colour on the bag; rose - pink flowers, rouge - red flowers and blanc - white flowers. The goodies bags can be used for the same thing.

I am always recycling...

For the Subway

This little guy was made for holding subway tokens or bus change. I find I am always searching at the bottom of my bag for loose change for the highway toll (we don't have a subway here in Vence) but I wasn't sure how to translate highway toll into French and metro (with the accent on the e) just sounded and looked cooler.

I love the little wooden bead matroushka (I know not french but I couldn't resist).




I made a couple of these change wallets for sale both in blue and red.

The Market Basket

Another big thing here in the South of France is the basket. Many people take their market baskets and fill them with fresh produce, baked goods and other market finds.


This basket was made for my French teacher, just to say "Merci Beaucoup" for all her hard work.

A Rainbow of Bon Bon Bags

A sign of a really good party is the goody bags given at the end. As a child, I used to love digging into those paper/plastic bags searching for all those little treasures. I must admit I still love recieving little goody surprises.

Why are there no goody bags for adults?

Well, now there is! I decided to make my own version of the goody bag filled with lots of little crafty treasures that can be used for many crafty projects. So fun digging through these little bags and seeing what treasures await...

just a preview:

Funky Finds Feature

I must apologize, it probably seemed like I fell off the face of the planet. Let see...what have I been up to? My mom and aunt were here for about 2 and 1/2 weeks. My mom brought lots of patterns, fabrics and other cool stuff for me to start new projects. We were crazy busy sightseeing and shopping. We spent a fair amount of time at the brocante sales where we found lots of little treasures, antique laces, ribbons and fabrics...I am soo excited to get started on some new projects. Where to begin?


I was also excited to see that my stuff has been featured on a great blog called Funky Finds
How cool is that! It is a great little site which features various artists and their creations. Check it out!