Tree's

This morning as I was drinking coffee that a fabulous friend dropped off (Hi Heather!!), I had a feeling wash over me that is quite familiar.

The sound of leaves blowing in the breeze, the smell of crisp autumn air and warmth between my hands. Tree's calm me.
When I feel overwhelmed with life or a certain situation, the sounds of leaves and sight of a tree can fix me up.

The sad part is that I live in a fairly new area in our town, which means there are no big regal oaks looming around. However, one day there will be and I get just as much enjoyment watching little tree's fight to claim their own.

Bizarre? Probably. However, for as long as I can remember, tree's have soothed me.

What does tree's have to do with sewing? Well, I have no idea to be honest. However, I drew up a design for a table runner last night. As you may have guessed, it has a tree. A large old, bare tree. Naked with no leaves.

I have decided that one day, it will be made and adorn my table where my family sits down to eat. Just not yet. First will come the planning of size, finding the perfect fabrics etc.

However, I wonder if I am alone with my love for tree's? I can't be.
Therefore I plan on making some smaller runners and placemats this season that are inspired by tree's. Stay tuned for them....

Well look what I completely forgot about!!

This blog.

This blog was placed on the bottom shelf, in the very back. You know what I'm talking about, the same place where you put all of those useless appliance's and the cookie sheets that are so badly burnt from the last time you made that crappy recipe. Yeah....that place.

However as I was cleaning out my "bookmarks" on my laptop tonight (really did I need to bookmark how to make Star Wars snowflakes?? In case you are interested and want to bookmark something you will never make, here is the addy....http://mattersofgrey.com/diy-star-wars-snowflakes/ )I came across this blog. At first I was hit with guilt, oh what have I done? I gave birth to a blog and abandoned ship within 5 posts! Then I realized that I missed it.

You see, I sew mostly at night. Alone. Just me and my thoughts.
Sometimes (read: all the time) I have no extra space for these brain ramblings. However sometimes I come up with a great thought or idea and I get so excited that I spin around in my spinny chair only to realize that there is no one there to listen to this awesome-OMG-this-is-going-to-change-the-world idea.

So that is where this blog comes into play....again.

Sooooo tonight I am excited to present to you my newish and improved studio area in our basement!

A few weeks ago, I was whining to my husband about needing more space. No not that kinda space, our marriage is just fine! The other kind of space....sewing space. To my surprise he agreed with me...whoa!
So began the brainstorming of where all of the basementy crap will go if I take over. Well it got figured out or thrown out.
Tables were moved, new lighting installed (thanks Dad!!) and a 4x8 cutting table was born (once again....Thanks mom and dad!!).

This change was a breath of fresh air for me. It allowed me to enter the part of my brain that is scared of change, scared to move onwards and upwards when it is so cozy where I am.

Tonight I confessed a secret to my cutter (Hi Heather!!), the fact that this....THIS is what I want to do....forever.
Sewing pleases me, makes my heart and soul happy. The smell and touch of a perfect cotton brings a smile to my face.
This four daisies thing started as a way to allow me to continue sewing. Make enough money from one sold item to buy a bit more fabric to make another, that was all.

In two short years I have grown leaps and bounds. It has allowed me to open my eyes and see more possibilities, meet more people and do what matters to me and to my family. It has allowed me to sew and create.

Thank you for placing orders and purchasing my goods. Because of you, I am more determined than ever.

Blessings,
Brenda

Fun times in Red Deer, Alberta

Top of the Morning to ya!

This past weekend I loaded up the "flower power" van with a awesome friend, my 2 older daughters and a whole bunch of stock and headed north to Red Deer Alberta.

~The flower power van~

We arrived just after dinner hour and promptly went for mexican food (with a side of ice cold beer!). My daughters ate fast as they had BIG plans for the rest of that evening.....waterslides.
For 3 HOURS the went watersliding non stop. My friend Heather and I giggled as we watched them knowing full well how stiff and sore they would be by morning. Sure enough, morning followed and my daughters hobbled and creaked while getting themselves out of bed. HA! Now they know how I feel every morning ;)

We were off to the Spring-a-licious craft market.
Now I should clarify that I had never really been to Red Deer, aside from driving through. So luckily we found the hall with my trusty sidekick Heather with only one minor wrong turn!
Upon arriving I was greeted with  warm smiles and gift bag in my empty booth. Inside the loot/gift bag was a cold bottle of water, a snack, pre-printed name tags and a gerbera daisy pen. How thoughtful!

My roadies (a.k.a. kids and good friend) helped me set up and get ready for the day!

Since it was St. Patricks day, one of daughters (miss maggie) made a extra special decoration  for my market as well!

The market was fabulous, it was successful, I met great contacts as well as new customers!

Thanks for the good times in Red Deer!

Brenda

Keep the kids occupied!!

So I am sure I am not alone when there are times, such as waiting rooms/grocery strores/meeting etc., when I panic about bring my kids along.
You know the situation. You have a list that is approx. 2 miles long for groceries, you have no food at home and the kids are already wound up. You finally strap them into the cart and tell yourself that it's going to be okay. The kids will be perfectly behaved.......mmmhmmmm. Then it happens, the lady at the bakery gives them a cookie and all hell breaks loose. They are cracked out on sugar you you have not even hit the produce stand yet. Oiy, I know this situation all to well.

How about something to divert their attention long enough for you to at least grab the milk, bread and get the heck outta there?

Try these....

Each kit has a notepad, stickers and 12 crayons INCLUDED!!
These will make great birthday gifts. Easy as pie (even though pie is not that easy to make...hmmmm). Anyways, I am trying to make your life easier and your kids life happier.

All I want is for you to get your groceries then you can come home and hang your art drawing on the fridge :)

These will be available in the shop in an array of patterns and colors for every age and gender!
They will retail for $22.99.


Brenda

New items!!

So first of all, my apologies on posting these new items a day late. Seems like with the days getting longer, the more gets packed into them. Oh well, I am blessed that my older 2 girls still WANT to hang out with me and do things. Soon enough the teenage years will come and my "coolness" will wear thin :)

Anyways, the first item I have to show you is the new wet bag. Some of you may not know some of the purposes of a wet bag and well, that's what I am here for!
Just a few idea's to get your brain rolling is:
~ Great for adults/kids swim bags.
~ Place your soiled cloth/disposable diapers in.
~Use as a waterproof make up case/ toiletries bag.
~ Makes a AWESOME laundry bag when traveling, that way you can keep the new and used separate.
~ Bring it to the beach and keep all of your valuables/books/camera etc. dry and sand free!
~ Stuff your sweaty clothes into after a good workout.

These are just a few ideas of what to use them for.

Each bag measures approx. 10"x12" and comes with a YKK zipper. A side strap in a contrasting color/pattern with an easy snap makes it great to hang from strollers/backpacks.

The inside is lined with PUL and is fully waterproof so that you can keep your wet/dry separate.

Once these bags are loaded in my shop, they will retail for $14.00 each.

Brenda

GIVEAWAY!!

So how about a MINI giveaway??
All you have to do is tell me what you would put in your new mini snack size baggie!
My lovely assistant Maggie (a.k.a my 4 year old) will then choose the winner!
The winner will win a complete FAMILY set of reusable baggies! That will include 1 new mini size, 1 snack size, 1 sandwich size and 1 large size which is not yet released in the shop!!
Ready set go!!

 

Hello and welcome

The start of something new....

It seems many people have been wondering if I could post the odd trick or "translation" as to how I do certain things. Instead of posting long tutorials/answers I figured it was best to just set up a little 'ol blog to help out!

I hope to also showcase some inspiring ideas as well as other blogs that I think are amazing.
To all of my talented seamstress' and beginners out there I will also post some amazing free pattern links and such.

Thanks for taking a look....

Let your creative side guide you...
B.