Bibs and Hangers For Saya

I wanted to make some bibs for Saya (the store), but normally I custom make them with the babies names. Because these bibs will be in a store and the names of the babies I will not know, I thought of another idea....patchwork with French sayings, after all we are in France.

And why stop there...lets add some hangers too!

Voila! Comes in Pink, Blue or White hangers!

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...

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!

Pour un Artiste

Many artists resided here in the South of France. Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and many more...if only they had the pencil crayon roll (okay not very creative name I know).

This pencil crayon roll holds 12 coloured pencils and is made from linen and cotton. I love the outside fabric ...ABCDEFG... you know the rest...
Perfect for any Petit Picasso.

OOOO the colours....if only I could draw...

Pour Le Nez

More and more stuff for the shoppe!

Yesterday for my birthday, I received Yet Another package from superbuzzy (their timing was perfect, how did they know?) So, I decided to make these little tissue holders (yes, even on my birthday I am busy sewing...can you say addiction?)

Each of these little guys are made from linen and cotton and have little holiday bells attached, which you can ring if ever you are sick in bed (let's hope that doesn't happen) and need some chicken soup.

They are all wrapped up and ready to go to Antibes and my etsy store...

POur les Vetement

(picture a little blurry, I know)

Last month I had this weird addiction to fabric with hanging laundry. Don't know why since doing laundry is my least favourite thing to do, but I love the fabric just the same. I had no idea what I was going to do with this laundry patterned fabric...and then I though why not make something for laundry?

So here is a laundry bag that I made with cotton and linen for loads (...and loads) of laundry. I really love the hanging clothes line print, almost inspires me to do my own laundry (well, okay not really).
And this little bag is made from another clothes line print. It's alot smaller then the Linge bag, so it is perfect for storing all your private personals. I love this bag, especially for traveling. Keeps the undies separate.
All these are going to the Saya (in Antibes) and I will also eventually post these goodies on my etsy store as well (for those of you who can't get to the South of France for some shopping).

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!

Tea Please

Although we are in the South of France, the weather is also staring to shift to winter season. By winter season I mean 17 degrees celsius but still chilly enough to crave a warm cup of tea to make you feel warm and cozy. But who ever makes the teapot feel warm and cozy?

I do...
Thought this fabric would be perfect for my tea cozy, bought ofcourse from one of my fav. shops superbuzzy.
After making my teapot a tea cozy, I figured let's not make the cups feel neglected. So, here are five little coasters I made from the let over scraps of linen and fabric I had kicking around.


I think it is time for a cup...

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!!!

La Meme Fabric

Since I have recieved many inquiries about this fabric, I decided to make more treats with this pouchette fabric. So, here are a couple of pics of a small little "over the shoulder" mini totes I made with grey linen and embroidery. Each lined with a cotton fabric.

I made two orange embroidery and two pink ones What do you think?
I also had a fair bit of extra linen scraps from all my linen bags, so I decided to make these little change purses. Just the right size for all your little extra change that usually floats on the bottom of your bag.
I know that the theme is not really christmas(y) per say, but I thought butterflies could be appropriate for any time of year. There are green and orange butterflies and the inside is lined with a stripe green fabric.

See etsy shop for details on both products.

Ma Pouchette

Just got this fabric in the mail and had to use it right away, so I made some little pouches for itsy bitsy stuff. I just love the pattern. All those little purses and pouches...I wish they were all mine!

A friend of mine here in France just had a baby girl named Emma, so I decided to make her a little christmas stocking. I know it's a little early, but I wanted to get started on all the stockings to put on etsy so I figured I could use hers as a prototype.
Me likey!

Wallet Tutorial

Well, here it is tutorial #3: How to make a tiny Wallet. It has been a long time coming but I finally finished it. It has been about 1 year since the last video. Take a peek, I hope you enjoy!

Why so chilly?

Brrr...fall is finally falling upon us here in the South of France. So it's time to pull out all the warmer sweaters, drink mulled cider and read by the fire (okay our fire place actually has a television in it, but we can always watch the television fire...not the same though).

I started what I like to call my "Fall Collection" using darker fabric colours and playing around with different textures. I made a couple of Petit Sacs using wool and a heavy linen and velvet print. I love the way these bags feel especially the wool which is very soft and yummy to touch.

Each bag is lined and has a little pocket perfect for keys and a mobile phone.I also made a couple of matching pouches to hold smaller goodies. What do you think?

All of these are available at my etsyshop.

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!

Three Potato Four Shop

Handmade "Pomme" Bag $64.00 Hand-sewn tote made in the South of France is ideal for your farmer's market fresh fruits and vegetables or just totin' around on the weekends. Bag is made from linen and recycled denim with embroidered "pomme" and "apple". Interior lining uses blue and white ticking stripe cotton fabric and includes one large interior pocket for your goodies. Bag measures approx. 11" wide x 16" high. Handles are made from heavy recycled canvas and measure 36". Choose from three different handle colors: white handles with red stripe blue handles with red stripe yellow handles with red stripe

Yahoo! The Shop is Up!

Remember how last month I talked about making my husband help me sew wallets and bags for a custom order, because I had to wear my roller blade wrist guards and I looked like the bionic woman which made it a little difficult to sew? (wow, that was a long sentence) Well, it was all for not. The shop is up and running, and my bags and wallets are now available for purchase. Very exciting! The shop has many "tres chic" things for sale, but I think the Pomme Bags and Wallets are the best (not that I am bias or anything).

When you get a chance take a peek and visit the shop: www.threepotatofourshop.com