Stop staring and start sewing!

Off to Market!

Thank you all so much for the nice comments about my hair!  I have fresh polish on my nails and just made my last trip to the post office (at 12:10 am!).  I've been sewing samples like crazy for Quilt Market and it's really been fun but tiring.  I finally got to play with Heather's new line (which is debuting this weekend) and I can't wait to share the pictures.  But it's all top secret and hush-hush for now.

I also made it a little crazier by sewing some things to sell for quick cash and I'm thankful that I'm going with enough money for all the coffee I can drink and all the Burgerville burgers I can eat.  Joey took me shopping for a few more things and I found the nicest jeans at J. Jills.  I honestly started tearing up in the dressing room when I tried these jeans on.  They are so comfortable and flattering and I felt like my life's quest for great jeans was finally achieved.  I was a little (a lot) shocked by the price but the gal at the counter said she's been wearing hers for 4 years and loved them and Joey was willing to pay so what the hay!

I got some sweet things for Mother's Day and I wanted to share this adorable house Olivia made for me.  She got the pattern online but I'll have to ask her where.

I love this flower garden.

I'm off to finish packing and get maybe 3 hours of sleep.  I can't wait to see all the new stuff at Quilt Market and I hope to get lots of pictures!!  Oh and the weather is supposed to be beautiful!  Yip yip!

Getting spruced up for Market

Well I went and got my hair cut and highlighted yesterday by a professional.  I'm normally a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to my hair and I may be in trouble now because I really like the professional highlights better (go figure) and it cost a flippin' fortune.  I'm leaving for Quilt Market (my first!!!) on Wednesday and I'd like to look halfway put together.  I even stopped chewing my nails.  This is what 110.00 hair looks like (and 2.48 nail polish, thank God for Walmart).   Don't judge me, I'm feeling guilty enough as it is.

I realized the other day that if I'm going as a business owner I should have business cards.  Yeah, I know I'm a little slow but I'm glad Kinkos is not.  So I'm picking 100 of these up tonight.  I don't really have a business logo yet so I just used my blog banner (and it was easy to email to Kinkos).  Nothing but the basics on the back of it.

 

Other side.  Just stating the obvious.

I found these at the grocery store the other day for 1/2 price (5 bucks for both bunches).  I think these flowers look happy together and they're lasting a long time too.  Aren't they cute?  Kind of a Vincent Van Gogh meets Mary Engelbreit vibe. 

I had this skirt that sat on etsy for months so I took the front apart, added an apron (of course) and made a matching top and bandana and stuck it on ebay.  Voila'!  A bid! 

I like the eclectic mix of fabrics.

So now that I'm broke (but have stunning hair!) I'm sewing like crazy and am going to be selling a bunch of cute and priced to sell outfits in my own personal "Send Jona to Quilt Camp" sale.  That will be in the next couple days.  I'm so excited about going and I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody.  There are people I've known (via computer) for years and I'm finally getting to meet them in person (I hope they love my hair). 

Oh, and I'm getting to meet some other bloggers and creative types (sometimes one and the same!) at this fun little soiree that Heather (or "The Heather" as my kids call her!) is going to do something at tomorrow.  I don't know what she's going to do but I'm pretty darn sure it will be beautiful and  amazing.  Fun!  Have a beautiful weekend!

And be sure to check back when I have my little outfits for sale (because I still need to get a pedicure and those aren't cheap either).

Hola! Buenos Dias!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I took 4 years of Spanish and that is pretty much the extent of my ability to converse in Español.  Oh no, I have to find the code for the little squiggle over the "n" which is pronounced "en-yay" (I remember that much!).  Got it!  See?   "ñ"!

I've been super swamped trying to get everything finished so I'm ready for Quilt Market next week.  I'm so excited and I can't wait to try Stumptown coffee which I hear is amazing.  I'm also planning on eating seafood because it's closer to the source.  I've never been comfortable eating seafood in Arizona, it worries me.

I've had a chance to play with Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottom fabric and I love it.  It's so great because it coordinates with her Basics line so the possibilities are endless.  I made another one of those darn apron skirts.  I apologize for being a one trick pony here but I'm trying to make a little fun money for Portland and these sell.

Isn't it cute?

Here's the whole outfit.

Here's another Flirt outfit (oh man, I'm loving this fabric!).  For some (unknown to me) reason the Flirt fabric weighs less than the other ones and it's super soft.  I'm not familiar with the whole manufacturing ins and outs but there's something different about it.

I added a little covered button so the pants would have some pink in them too.  Easy Peasy and cutesie tootsie.

Here's something fun Olivia's working on (I think it's an apron).  I like the way the pink ice cream is dripping.

And Junior Man got some new shoes which he is loathe to remove.  He'd wear these and his Elmo shirt (and nothing else!) all day everyday if we'd let him and he throws a fit when we try to take them off.  I kind of know how he feels since I'm wearing this shirt again.  Oh and he managed to give the cat a bath and acquire a large scratch on his tummy at the same time today.  Gotta love that instant kharma.

Saltwater sandals are the best sandals in the history of the planet and I'm glad my friend Tiffany carries them in her store (I even have some white ones in my size.  But I had to buy them at a grown up store.).

And then this is just cute.  She's obviously keeping a close eye on that little basket of chicks (this isn't the scratching, bath-taking cat.  That one is her brother).

I'm planning on doing some fun sewing for myself but it might have to wait until I get back from Portland.  The pathetic thing is I may have to wear store bought clothes (gasp) to Quilt Market because I'm so busy sewing other things.  But I have had some fun sewing samples of the Oliver and S. patterns (blatant link to my etsy store there) for Liesl and I'm getting really good at them.  They are really clever patterns and I'm loving her fabric choices (Liberty of London, oh my gosh!).  Okay, back to the factory.

I may be a genius (either that or I'm an idiot)

Yesterday I had one of those serendipity moments while putting some fabric away.  I was pulling the plastic wrap over a bolt of fabric while standing at the ironing board.  The plastic wrapper got stuck on the hot iron and my heart sank (that's the idiot part).  I couldn't find my tube of Iron Off since I have re-arranged my sewing room at least two times since the last time I used it.  I tried all sorts of dumb things to remove it.  I squirted it with cold water thinking it would turn hard and fall off.  Then I sprayed it with canned air because that air turns cold and I thought maybe that would do it.  Nope.

I started thinking about that Iron Off stuff and it occurred to me that it's just a tube of greasy goop, so that gave me an idea (here comes the genius part).  I grabbed a tube of neosporin and squirted some out on a cruddy piece of flannel then ran the hot iron over it a few times.  It worked!!  Eureka!  Clean as the day it came off the factory floor!  Look.

After doing some research I realized that neosporin isn't cheap and maybe I should look for something cheaper.  Sooooo I found a tube of vasoline and heated up the iron.  I stuck some plastic to the hot iron on purpose and then squirted a blob of Vaseline on the flannel.  It worked lickety-split too!  You know, that's probably all that's in the Iron Off anyway.  They just change the label and hike up the price I'll bet.  So I'm feeling pretty darn smart except for the part where the neosporin melted through the flannel onto my ironing board cover (idiot part here, see lower left hand corner of the picture) and left a big old greasy spot on it.  Then I remembered that I had pre-washed my fabric when I made that cover so I can just take it off and throw it in the wash (genius!).  All in all a good day.

I also had a chance to play with some of that beautiful Flirt fabric I got last week.  I've been wanting to try this new pattern I got because it looked cute and simple and was cheap because it's a See & Sew pattern by Butterick (B5009).

I changed the straps to ties (about 17 inches long each) so it's adjustable and I added ruffles to the capris (because I needed an excuse to throw some of the pink nosegay print in there).  Here's what I came up with.

I thought it was cute but still wanting something.  So I added an apron (of course!).  Cute, fast, simple and it really adds some spunk, don't you think?  They have these beautiful shell buttons at Joann and they're fairly cheap (and have a variety of soft colors) so those worked perfect for making the apron removable.

I also made this little outfit and I really like the fact that it's a summery outfit but not summery colors (kind of throws people off that way!).  I've been wanting to use that embroidered lace (on the apron part) for awhile and it looks great with these colors.  I'm trying to use some of the fabrics that aren't selling as fast just to see if they really are cute or I'm just imagining they are.

I added the little birdie so it could have just a hint of some pink.  I like it.

Now I'm going to go play with some of that Bell Bottom fabric!  Fun!

Far out! I got Bell Bottoms (and Flirt too)!

Well the UPS gal (my guy must be on vacation) finally showed up at 5:45 tonight.  So after waiting by the window all day, my impatience has finally been rewarded.  4 beautiful cardboard boxes (it's what's inside that counts) filled with Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottom fabric and Flirt by Robyn Pandolph.  Oh boy!  Look!

I'm already picking my favorites.  There's this group:

And these (Sorry about the plastic but I can't have you drooling on my new fabric):

And (oh my gosh!) these:

It's going to take me awhile to get these loaded up in my store so if you just can't wait then shoot me an email and if I got it, you can have it (jona@fabritopia.com).  I didn't get everything but I got a lot!  Check out the Flirt and Bell Bottom galleries to see better pictures.  It's 8.25 yd and I'll ship them quick!

Have a great weekend!!

Bag Ladies unite!

When I started selling hand crafted things on ebay I only did purses and diaper bags because they were fast, fun and don't require much fabric (I'm totally tired of them now).  I was invited to join a group of other gals who made bags and it turned out to be the nicest group.  Everybody was easy going and generous in sharing advice.  Well, the place is a flippin' ghost town now since everybody found etsy and while I miss our little chats, I'm happy to see my friends (or "virtual friends" as Joey refers to them.  Whatever.) finding fame and fortune in what they do.

This month two of my bag lady friends are in Romantic Homes magazine!  I think this is one of the prettiest magazines out there and their creations fit in just perfectly.  Beth makes such beautiful bags but I think her pincushions are even more impressive and unique.  And Beth has a little not-so-little secret.  She's a published author.  Of bodice rippers.  Really (I know, scandalous).

Here's her darling little pincushion in the magazine.  See it sitting there on that pretty stack of fabric?

They even put a bigger picture in the back.  Isn't it cute?  And to be honest, this one isn't even the cutest of her pincushions.  One time another person on ebay started copying her pincushions (it was so blatant it didn't even fit into the "inspired by" category) and we all said "don't worry Beth.  Her stuff is crap and she'll be gone soon" (I think the copycat may have been the recipient of a few pointed emails too.  Just maybe.).  I have no idea where that copycat is today (probably in therapy over those scathing emails) but Beth is published in Romantic Homes, so there's a lesson to be learned.

And my friends Kelci sells zillions of bags on etsy (I think I've sold an incredible 2) and in local boutiques.  She's a hot item I tell ya!  One of the boutiques is featured in the magazine and includes some beautiful bags Kelci made.  She is also published in a local magazine (she lives on the Coast in central California but don't hate her for it) too!  Dang girl!

Aren't these gorgeous (I hope they're selling for a fortune!)? 

Way to represent gals!

Can't help but be inspired

I've been staring at these fabrics for a couple of weeks now and I finally had to play with some of them.  I really love the sweetness of Tanya Whelan's Barefoot Roses collection (and this fabric is so soft).  I can't wait to see her Ava Rose collection and I wish she'd give us some sneak peeks. 

I don't have a pattern for these outfits.  I just have the bodice pattern and kind of work from there and adjust the length, etc.  I just used a regular old pant pattern for the pants though.

I like making the straps that cross in the back.  I think the halter ones put too much weight on the back of a little girls neck (I think these are cuter too).

I think this is my favorite though.  These colors!!  Dang!  I really love the Fresh Cut line (have lots in my store) and I've never gotten tired of it.  It was fun to add a little bit of Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom too.  I think this pink print adds some more fun to it.

I made the back straps a little thinner on this one, and I'm so glad I had an opportunity to use some of  these pretty laces I have in my stash.

I've listed these on ebay and I'm trying hard not to check them every ten minutes.  Maybe I should go for a walk?

I should be getting tons of Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom Bell Bottom (fabulous as usual) and Robyn Pandolph's Flirt (oh my gosh!) next week.  I'm trying not to go into panic mode every time I hear a delivery truck coming down the street.  And sometimes the garbage truck sounds like a delivery truck and that's a real let down when I run to the window.  I need to get out for a walk.

Back in the saddle

Well we're back from Legoland and everyone had a good time (especially a certain 7 year old boy).  I'm glad we didn't pay full price though because I would have been demanding a refund.  And that's all I've got to say about that.

I was very anxious to get back to some projects and had a hard time sleeping last night just thinking about all the things I want to make.  Which makes me grateful for my morning coffee which I love so much.  Anyway...

I finally got around to making something with this pattern I've had for a few weeks and I'm so tickled with the result.  I finally weaned the baby a few weeks ago and I'm getting back to a normal "bosomage" so things are starting to fit better.  I will definitely be making a few more of these tops for summer.  I love the fact that it's sleeveless but still provides good coverage.   It's Simplicity 4176 and it's not out of print (bet you didn't see that coming)!

I made the top in the main picture but added about an inch to the length.  The example looked okay but I hate it when a top looks good and then when you lift your arms it exposes the horrifyingly jiggly results of 5 pregnancies.  Eeeek.

I love this fabric too.  I got it at Bolt in Portland last summer and have been waiting for just the right pattern. 

I really love the fact that it has no zippers or buttons but still doesn't look or feel loose.  It just has a few easy pleats and it went together pretty fast.  I did narrow the bodice at the top so the shoulders didn't tip out so much.  See my sunburn?  I always sunburn in other states but never in Arizona.  Go figure.

I'm very happy with this pattern and Joey liked it right away when he walked in the door tonight so that's a good thing too.  Fun!

Up for air

Thank you all so much for the shopping frenzy!  I just made my last trip to the post office until next week.  I did get a small lecture on stuffing those flat rate envelopes but they took them and I can handle a lecture (I went to Catholic school so I'm tough that way.  Bring it on Sister!).  Of course if the guy behind the counter had been carrying a wooden ruler I might not be acting so bold here.  I've been trying to be dainty in my fabric packing so people will receive beautiful, crisp, flat fabric but a couple buyers told me to just stuff it in there and tape like crazy and it worked!  It's not pretty but heck, you can iron the fabric when it gets there, right?

I finished up a couple little outfits (finally) and I thought I would share a fun way to "girlify" a tank top.  I had to make another one of these tanks so here are some pictures for making the little ruffles ("wings") on the sleeves.  This tank is about a size 6 (in childrens) so you can make adjustments if you're using a smaller one.

Take a piece of fabric 14 x 7....

fold it in half lengthwise and press....

Mark a curved line starting about 1/2" in from the folded edge (I used a fabric pencil because my "mark be gone" pen ran dry.  But it won't show anyway.)  Sorry it's so faint, you'll have to look close...

Make two rows of gathering stitches using the line as your guide...

trim....

Gather until it's about 7 inches long on the gathered edge...

Serge the edge to secure the gathers (you can also just stitch it and then zigzag to clean the frays up)...

Center the "wing" on the shoulder seam and zigzag (on the outside of the shirt) in place...

Ready for take off!!  Cute!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  We are leaving in the morning for Legoland (yippy!  I think).  Time to pack.

A sale just for you!!

I desperately need to make some more room (and money) real quick because I'm expecting another huge order from Free Spirit (Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom Bellbottom and Flirt by Robyn Pandolph, gorgeous!).  So for today (Wed the 9th) and tomorrow (the 10th, right?) everything in my etsy store is 7.00 yd. 

This is just for you blog readers (thank you!!) so you will have to email your order to me at jona@fabritopia.com and I will send you a Paypal invoice.  Thank you!

ed. note:  I'm so sorry but the sale is for fabric only and does not include the patterns.  :(

Thank you all so much for the great response!!  Things are really humming here.  I will be ending the sale at 12:00 midnight tonight (thats Mountain Standard Time), so don't be knocking on my door at 12:02!!

12:01?  Well, maybe.  :D