polkadotbug

Time to Get Serious

I have been up to some sewing lately.  Turns out I have myself signed up for the Buffalo Indie Market on September 14^th.  I figure I better start cranking some stuff out now so I don’t have to pull any all-nighters when it gets closer.  Not only that, but another local crafter contacted me about sharing a booth with her at the Quaker Arts Festival.  The only bad (and scary) part about it is that it’s the weekend after the Indie Market!  AHH!!!  Not real sure I can make enough in time. 

My new crafty friend Shannon makes the most adorable baby items and we have very similar tastes.  I think we’ll have an awesome booth and I am so excited to make a new friend!  We’re gonna have a ton of fun.  She just started up a blog as well, so check out Babypeas.

Besides the Buffalo Bonnets, I have started making a few bags.  Most are my usual quilt lined bags in some of my favorite fabrics.  To spice it up a bit I tried a new style – the drawstring bag.

Of course I didn’t come up with it on my own.  I never do - I always seem to need a visual.  I saw something similar when spending one of my many many hours paging through all the amazing things on Flickr.   I think it’s adorable! 

Do you like the light up flowers in the background?!  I saw them at our nursery when I was spending loads of money on new plants for our garden.  They were too cute, so I had to spend some money on fake flowers as well.

 

On another note, there’s another fabulous giveaway!  This one is from Kaytiebugs and it’s for a Double Ruffle Femme Skirt.  I love it!  Check it out. 

Hooray!

Phew.  I am so relieved!  The Indie Market is over and now I can relax for a bit.  No deadlines for a while.  This market was definitely not as busy at the first.  I hope that means that everyone was spending time with their moms, just not at the Pearl Street Brewery!  In terms of sales, the day started out slow for me but got better in the afternoon.  I sold almost all of my new bags.  That makes me feel better about stressing over getting them made!  I also had a very yummy oatmeal stout (with a hint of chocolate). Can't forget the chocolate part, right Caren?  It was my Mother's Day treat.  That and the other few things I bought for myself that probably added up to what profit I made!  That's the bad part of being at an event like that.  I rationalize with the theory that I have to support the other artists, right?  We had a good time, met more people, and got a bunch of compliments so I'd say it went well even if we didn't sell a ton.  Thank you again to everyone who was there to support polkadotbug and to those who purchased something.  I hope you enjoy your new things!  Cheers to all the moms out there.  I hope you had a special day, or at least got a nice gift.  :)  I got a fabulous one and need to make an appointment now to go and learn how to use it.  More on that later! 

 

Tons of Tutus (Tying Tulle Tonight)

Yet another Tina project for the market, if you can't tell.  I don't typically sit around tying tons of tulle knots just for fun.  The tutus are so easy to put together and turn out so cute.  It's great to see them all together when I finish.  Every newest one becomes my favorite. 

I was really surprised at the amount of tutus I sold at the last market.  I know they are cute, but I didn't think they would sell like they did.  I planned on having a lot more for this one, but my time is running short.  Andrew even helped with these tutus.  He cut the lengths of tulle while I pieced them together.  He thought he would attempt to put one together, but apparently it's difficult for large fingers to tie delicate knots of tulle.  Thank you Andrew! 

Just like a baby girl needs a bonnet, a young girl needs a tutu.  How's that for a sales pitch?  It just makes them feel so fancy.  I love how when Molly puts one on she immediately does a little dance.  The first tutu I sold was for a little girl on her second birthday and I was told she slept in it that night!  How cute is that!?  That's the greatest feeling, knowing that something you did made someone else really happy.  Oh the joys!   

Four Quilted Bags

The race is on for the next Indie Market.  I am starting to produce as many sewn items as one can prepare in a very brief period of time.  Of course that's in between bottles, crying, tantrums, and anything else you can expect (and not expect) from an 8 month old and 4 year old.  Sigh...

Here you can see the start of my bag train.  These are my new favorites, with their quilted linings.  I sure hope the train can get longer by next weekend!  I also have plans for reversible dresses, reversible pants, more bonnets, bibs, tutus....blah blah blah..... Enough complaining already.   Just get to work! 

My problem is that I am not organized enough.  I have stacks of wonderful fabric everywhere that I want to turn into something, but it will never happen by next weekend.  I also have ideas of all these things I want to make which also will not happen in time.  Lists!!  I need to make lists.  I have heard this from more than one person (hi Julia!!), but I just can't seem to find the time to make a list.  :)  Or I just feel better when my disorganized thoughts are bouncing all over inside of my crazy head.  It's just what I am used to.  It will all come together somehow and I will hopefully have a nice display of some of my creations for the market.

Right now my tired body is going to get some much needed rest.