Art Fair Fever at Yellow Door

It's that time again!

Yellow Door Art Market will be hosting the Art Fair Fever event!

March 10th, 10a to 6p

15% off

*exclusions apply*

3141 West 12 Mile in Berkley

Another Crafty Steph

A few pics of the newest bag. :)

Binding Attachment & Poppie Schools Me on the Basics

I've been sewing for a most of my life...over 20 years now. You would think I was "in the know". 

Not really. 

Poppie getting his old industrial machine ready for me to sew a stack of belts.

Just recently, my 85 year old Poppie was teaching me how to operate my Grammy's old portable sewing machine (which he has given me...yes!!) and taught me things like presser foot pressure adjustment. I had not heard of this but I should know it according to look he gave me. He knows the ins and outs of sewing machines from his days repairing industrial sewing machines at the awning manufacturer that he worked for in Detroit for 57 years. FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS. Boggles my mind. Anywho, then he saw me struggling to thread the needle (he makes me nervous) and laughed at me when I wet the tip of the thread. He laughed at me! "You wet the needle, Barb...not the thread!" he said and laughed again. Man! Turns out I don't even know the tricks on threading a needle! 

Classic.

Since I am so out of the "know" imagine my excitement every time I discover a new presser foot or attachment that does some great thing. Things that have probably been around for years and years but I'm just getting to. I have a ruffler foot already that I love but don't really find opportunity use. My most recent purchase are these binding attachments. They double fold a strip fabric for a finished edge and sew it all together at one time. Genius!

I bought three different sizes. The following pics are using the 1.25" size. 

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Here is the 1.25" stripe of fabric to feed into the attachment.

A side view of the fabric and attachment. A view of my coffee. :)

Another side view with the fabric pulled all the way through. 

In place on the machine. I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of the other fabric feeding through. Basically it just rides along the left side and catches between the now folded binding.

This was my first run...no so good with the wrinkles. I adjusted something...I have no idea what. (Later I learned that I could have adjusted the presser foot pressure.) 

It finally came out much better!

My goal was to make a fun apron with binding edges. I do like it but I have NOT mastered running the scalloped overlay through the binding attachment. It is not my friend...for now anyway.

Another view of the apron (upper pocket) I used a zig-zag stitch.

I have a few of these half aprons (all different prints) at Yellow Door right now and three here in my studio that I'll have at spring shows. Not sure if this design will last. It all depends if I can conquer those scallops.

I'm off to practice threading a needle!

"Unnamed" Crafty Steph

Sometimes a name comes to me on these Crafty Steph bags and sometimes not. This time...not. But I love it just the same. Here are a few pics of the latest one-of-a-kind Crafty Steph...

Turning Ten

Everett is turning ten tomorrow. I remember turning ten myself over a billion years ago. :) I remember saying, "Double digits baby!" And laughing hysterically like I was really something. Ev is so excited for his birthday too and has been planting gift ideas and strong suggestions in my ear for weeks. It's difficult to believe that he is "double digits baby"! Seems like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital or watched him take his first steps.

My-oh-my does time fly but it hasn't changed my Everett too much. He is still my go-to guy for a good laugh about the most trivial things. He has the greatest sense of humor and can be the goofiest goofball ever. No, really. Husband gets a concerned, borderline panicked look on his face when Ev gets crazy. I laugh and say, "He'll be OK." trying to sound reassuring "I was totally like that when I was his age." (This is very much a true statement and my mom has video to prove it! I was just so super goofy.) I love it that he can have hours of fun with a Q-tip, a scrap of paper and his fully loaded arsenal of sound effects. His imagination runs wild and before long he's overcome a worthy opponent and all order is restored in the world.

Funny thing is...he's also my go-to guy for a serious conversation about life, dreams, and goals that seem just out of reach. He has a way of encouraging me and others to keep on keeping on. Seems odd that he could rule both ends of the spectrum...but he does!

He's one of a kind and I'm so glad he's ours!! I'm excited to be apart of his next ten years! Wishing Ev a very happy tenth birthday!!!

Back in the Saddle

We arrived late to the show yesterday by any artist's standards. This was obvious by the friendly jeers I received as I entered my booth space from my neighbor, Patti. Who is amazing-by the way. I laughed. What? We had like five minutes until show time. And we set up the night before. Ha! We were so late and I knew it! Mom and I scrambled around finishing our last minute pricing and organizing. We explained that we were getting our wings back after our one year hiatus. It was silly, really, but we had to stop for coffee on our way in. Duh! :)

We were so out of it that we didn't know who should stand where or even how to work the calculator. Oh my goodness! For one sale, Mom ran the numbers twice and both times I owed the customer $8.07 plus a device case. Haha! We laughed and I took over the calculator. Too much! It was as if it was our very first show or something. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun! Thanks to all who were patient with our crazy antics.

I do love the Crafters' Clearance show. So many familiar faces and lots of good deals to be had. Personally, I picked up a t-shirt from ellembee. It's yellow and grey.  Love it!

I was very happy with our new set-up. Back to the old-school table top thing. This is a pic I took during set-up...hence Laurie Lou behind the table and totally unaware. I collected some old suitcases from my mom and Poppie, re-lined them with some fun fabric and stacked zipper pouches, devices cases and other small items inside. Then, when it's time to leave, you close the top and hit the road! I love an easy take down. I decided to try a table top display as the thought of lugging around those crazy metal grid wall sections stressed me out. I'm glad we did this too since Saturday was super cold and windy.

Thanks so everyone who braved the cold and came to see us! We had a great time laughing and remembering why we do what we do.

It's good to be back!

Spring 2012 Show Update

Crafters' Clearance
February 11, 2012
10a to 4p
HFII High School
Sterling Heights, MI
www.craftersclearance.com

Sterling Heights High School Band Vendor and Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
February 28, 2012
6p to 9p
Sterling Heights High School
8900 15 Mile Road
Sterling Heights
(there is no charge to attend the Vendor Show)

Saline Spring
March 24, 2012
8a to 3:30p
Saline Middle School
7190 N. Maple
Saline, MI
www.salineshows.com

New Bag | Donna

My Grammy's most prized possessions are kept safely in her purse which she places deliberately in the crook of her elbow then folds her arm to her chest and holds that arm tightly in place with her opposite hand. Her bag is safe an secure and so are all of her treasures. So when I set out to make a shorter, more rounded handle...I immediately thought of her.
And so I give you..."Donna"

"Donna" features a zipper closure (to keep those treasures safe) and three interior pockets (two standard and one pen size), pleated and top stitch detailing and applique circles with hand embroidery stitching. The handles are soft yet sturdy and sewn to the outer shell with lots of reinforcement.

This bag was a joy to create. And I love that it reminded my of Grammy and proudly wears her name! So far, the bags pictured are the only ones I've made. I will be making more soon!