things were a little bit nutso back in november/december as i was in full craft fair frenzy - the year before i did 2 winter craft fairs, and somehow this holiday season i found myself signed up for 5 back-to-back weekends of fairs! (note to self: don't do that again)
i started sewing months beforehand but as i do, crammed in a whole lot of last minute madness...the entire house looked like a thrift store had thrown up in it - scraps of fabric and recycled clothing everywhere! it was a lot of hard work but i got into the groove of it and really enjoyed selling stuff in person, seeing little girls twirling in their new skirts (mamas did that too), or the cute babies who'd be soon crawling in a pair of very bright wool leggings. everything i sewed was from rescued tshirts, skirts and sweaters and i set my booth up with old doors which made a nice background for all the happy scrappy colour that was going on.
if you've been coming to this blog for a while you may have noticed i never stick to any one thing (scrapbooking! art journals! collage! felting! sewing!), but for now i am having a lot of fun making clothes for myself and my children and hope to make some tutorials to share here this year as i've puzzled out some fun and easy designs that really if i could make - so could you!
i was always so frantic during the fairs that i never took any great photos, it was a really good learning experience, i made some sweet friends on the craft fair circut (!!), sold a lot of stuff and got way too little sleep!
i'm still puzzling out how i want to continue selling online, and hope to figure that out soon (something to ponder on the 25 hour flight i'll be undertaking in a few weeks!), for now i have listed a few woolen 'leftovers' over on my facebook page.
They're all so sweet and happy looking! I wish my daughter were still into stuff like this, but she's almost 13 now and all into the latest brand name fashions that her friends wear. I used to love making clothing for her.
I love the old doors for the backdrop. I'm trying to find some old doors to put in my garden this spring. :)
Posted by: Erika Martin | January 23, 2013 at 06:45 AM
i love the banner with your name stamped on it!!! all the clothes look happy! im sure you know about etsy, why not sell there? pretty cheap and you can link to the blog!
Posted by: ira lee | January 23, 2013 at 10:51 AM
With three kids the same age as yours I can fully imagine how intense it must have felt, especially with all those other things going on for your family. I imagine too that it would feel so validating and fulfilling to be able to contribute financially to your family using your talents and inspiration, while still being such a loving and present mama.
It's a dream for so many of us. You're such an inspiration. Especially so when you let us know that, like us, you are imperfect and struggle sometimes.
I'm always glad when you make it back here to share.
Posted by: Cage Free Family | January 23, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Oh, I'm so glad to discover your Facebook page. I always loved seeing your beautiful clothes on Etsy.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | January 23, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Wow so much work and lots of energy! It all looks fabulous Em, looking forward to you coming back to Perth and if you are teaching anything stitchy, felty or messy Im in :D xox
Posted by: michelle | January 23, 2013 at 11:46 PM
That would be wonderful, some tutorials. I'm going to start with some sewing lessons, to learn how to use the machinje and what I have in mind to do is clothes like yours so I'm really looking forward to that :)
Posted by: Lisa Warner | January 24, 2013 at 08:59 PM
Oooh Em, I really hope you put some tutes up here soon. My Bella would LOVE some of the items that I've seen on your sale. Can't wait!
Posted by: Rachel | January 26, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Wow! Em beautiful , haven't been bloggin for a while . I oh so have missed you! Thanks for sharing , lovely! :)
Posted by: MaryAnnK | February 15, 2013 at 05:30 PM