First Craft Show!!!

Around the beginning of November, a friend of mine decided to host a craft show.  She was able to do it in a local school on a Monday night and had maybe 30 vendors participate.  And I got to be one of them!  The turnout wasn't great in all honesty but it was the perfect first craft show: no fee for the table, 2 hours in the evening, etc.

So this was my table:

I don't love it but it was a cafeteria table so I worked with what I had!  I sold Hot-Bottoms, book cover pencil pouches, tote pockets, bows, and nest and pea necklaces.  I really should take better pictures -- more pictures!!!

But this is a Hot-Bottom

It's about the size of a cookie sheet and it's quilted with 2 layers inside -- one of regular batting and one of Insul-Bright batting which is specially designed for oven mitts, potholders, etc.  It reflects the heat (or cold) back towards the object and away from your table top or counter.  Functional and beautiful if I do say so myself!!  

In fact, I have three of them that I use at home on a regular basis.  If you ever have to put a hot pot or cookie sheet on your counter (instead of the stove) or want to put it on the table -- this is the product for you!

Nice sales pitch huh? 

Anyway it wasn't a resounding success but I totally have the craft show bug and am going to hopefully do one or two in the spring and summer and then gear up for the holiday season again because I had a great time.  I also learned a lot and need to put those lessons into play.  

Meanwhile, if you want to purchase a Hot-Bottom and you missed the show (or don't live here) check out my Etsy shop!!  This is also a learning process but I've had one sale (ok to a friend, but still good!) and I'm going to add things to the shop in the future hopefully.  And maybe blog more about quilting and sewing stuff in the meantime!

Motherhood and Art

Let's start again shall we?

Because I would consider quilting to be my art, and because I am a mother, I'm finding that I spend more time cleaning counters and managing children than I do finding fabric and sewing projects.  

And that's ok.

Because I love being a mother.

However, there are days.  Yesterday was one of them.  My toddler took a nap and my girls were each banished to separate rooms for 2 hours because they fought all. morning. long.  Literally.  And I used my own anger and frustration to clean a house that isn't clean anymore.

But today I found it!  The pattern I want to use to transform a duvet cover that I love into a quilt that I will adore.  So I'm eager to get to a sewing machine, of course instead I'm typing.  

But I wanted to quickly post the projects that I HAVE accomplished over the past year because it hasn't all been in vain!

A chocolate and pink quilt with matching table runner for a friend. 

 A pair of large twin-sized quilts for another friend's twin boys.  Yes these are denim and the backing is flannel.  They were a bear to do, but they turned out fantastically! 

A miniature folded fabric quilt for a dollhouse. 

Some table runners for Christmas. 

A baby quilt for our sweet baby boy.

And another for a sweet baby girl.

Normally the motherhood part pops in when the kids help me take pictures.  This time, they refused so I held the quilt and my oldest took the pictures.

I'd like to pay more attention to construction and inspiration but honestly I don't know if that will happen.  In the meantime, I'm finally caught up!