I'm working on cleaning my studio this weekend. I raised my sewing table so that it's now a more comfortable cutting/pinning/planning table, and moved Miss V, my trusty companion, over to my desk. I folded and folded and folded fabric, and tried to find nooks to wedge it all in to. I realized, then, that I've ordered so much fabric in the past month - from so many different shops- that I'm just about out of room. And I realized that I had ordered fabric from every one of my listed fabric sources. So, do you want to see how they stack up against each other? I will compare and contrast them for you now (in alphabetical order, of course):
Cia's Pallette:
pricing: competitive
shipping: free on orders over $50
little gifties: none
Crafty Planet
pricing: competitive
shipping: $9.50 - my order came within a few business days
little gifties: a "crafty planet" pin
notes: accepts Paypal - Yay! Because I'm too lazy to go looking for my credit card
Hancocks of Paducah
pricing: competitive, but beware they price in 1/2 yard increments
shipping: $7.95
little gifties: none
Kitty Craft
pricing: in pounds, therefore the exchange is high - pricing is per 1/4 yard
shipping: again, high due to exchange rate
little gifties: a fabric swatch
Nuno.Plus
pricing: in pounds, therefore the exchange is high
shipping: again, high due to exchange rate
little gifties: none
notes: accepts Paypal!
Reprodepot
pricing: competitive
shipping: $8.95, I received my order in a week
little gifties: none
notes: accepts Paypal!
Sew, Mama, Sew!
pricing: competitive
shipping: $8.50 - superfast shipping!
little giftes: a handwritten note and a vintage button
notes: accepts Paypal!
SuperBuzzy
pricing: competitive
shipping: $8.95, I received my order within a week
little gifties: a Japanese marshmallow candy!
notes: accepts Paypal!
Warm Biscuit Bedding Company:
pricing: high
shipping: $13
little gifties: none
notes: Let's just say I had "issues" with my order. I will not order from them again.
Okay, class, now I'd like you to break into small groups and discuss.
xoxo
9.29.2007
Compare and Contrast
9.26.2007
9.24.2007
to market, to market... with the kids
My husband had to go to go in to work yesterday morning (Yes, on a Sunday!!), which posed a problem for me because I really wanted to go to this flea market. So I roused the kids bright and early and said, "Come on! Let's get dressed! And we'll go get donuts and we'll go to a flea market and I'll give you each some money and you can buy whatever you want! Come on, let's GO GO GO before all the good toys are sold!"
I never, ever bring the kids along on my thrifty hunts because, a: I move too fast when in search of a great find and wouldn't want to leave the kids in my dust; b: the kids complain too much, and c: well, mainly the kids complain too much.
But I had no choice, and so we went for it. I got them some munchkins and we were on our way.
I gave the kids each three whole dollars and told them they could get whatever they wanted, but once their money was gone, that was it. And this little ploy of mine actually worked, because there was no complaining, the kids each spent their money wisely and each came home with treasures, and did I say they didn't complain? Oh yeah, and there was no complaining. Plying them with donuts and giving them some cash is a tactic I will definitely use again, and I highly recommend it.
And once again, I believe the thrifty fabric gods were smiling down upon me, because look what I found!!!!
5 bucks, people, and that's all I'm going to say about that. Thank you, thrifty gods, amen.
xoxo
9.23.2007
The Name Game
H is for Horoscope. I like to do the crosswords in the daily paper, and it's on the same page as the horoscope. I cannot, therefore, attempt the crossword until I read my horoscope. If I don't open the paper to begin with, I'm not inclined to search for my horoscope. I'm a Scorpio, by the way (October 24, baby!)
ps: I do the crossword in pen. I find that it's a much more satisfying experience than writing in pencil, even if I have to scratch stuff out.
A is for Arse. I'm alone most of the day, working quietly in my studio. During these times, I have constant conversations in my head, and the peculiar thing is that I usually have an English accent (as in the Queen's English, lovies) in this type of discourse, and it's all rather silly.
L is for Loony, an affliction I've acquired. See above.
E is for eleven, the time, post meridiem, that it has almost become. See also: my bedtime, or:
after midday
Example: at 1 pm (= at one o'clock in the afternoon); at 6.00 pm (= at six o'clock in the evening); the 2pm train
|
|
And now I'm supposed to tag as many people as the number of letters in my middle name, but I don't want to dole out all that pressure, so just play along if you'd like to, ok?
xoxo
(drumroll, please)
Okay, my lovelies, the contest has come to an end! Thank you all for your delightful comments and project ideas!
Methodology: There were 24 entries in all, with one double entry, which I removed from the calculation. I entered numbers 1 thru 23 into a random number generator, and the number 14 came up. You know this was truly random because I would never choose an even number on my own (refer back to my love of odd numbers for more info).
So, Debra Cooper - you're my lucky winner!! Please email me your mailing address so I can get your goodies to you!
Since Debra didn't list a referral source, I have one more package of goodness to give away, and since Apples on a Stick sent the most readers this way, I'm going to give her the second package.
So, to recap: Yay for Debra and Heather! And for everyone else: I get itchy to give stuff away every couple of months or so - please check back often for more contests! And thank you so much for playing along.
xoxo
9.22.2007
Last Chance!
You still have 8 hours, 21 minutes, and 13 seconds to enter THE CONTEST. You know, approximately.
xoxo
9.19.2007
Sew Mama
So I'm eating my breakfast in front of the computer - as usual - trying to do about a million things at once....
... and thinking about which projects to work on this morning...
When I realize I didn't show you my new fabrics from Sew, Mama, Sew:
I'm giddy just looking at them - so full of color and pattern and... potential! They're all from the "Mod Girls" line by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom (love her!!!), and I just adore them.
Now, we all know about my love for vintage fabric, but if you're in the market for the brand-spankin' new stuff, check out Sew, Mama, Sew - I seriously can't believe how fast Kristin ships, and she usually sends along a little handwritten thank you note and a vintage button. No button, no note for me this time, but the super speedy shipping more than makes up for it. She also usually includes a little postcard with 50 project ideas. I think I'm going to use the card as a to-do list. I'll share them with you, in case you're in need of some inspiration:
1. Purse
2. Apron
3. Soft Toy
4. Wine Bag
5. Coasters
6. Tote Bag
7. Headband
8. Quilt
9. Desktop Box
10. Bloomers
11. Oven Mitt
12. Placemats
13. Wallet
14. Blouse
15. Tea Towel
16. Wall Pocket
17. Baby Bib
18. Lunch Bag
19. Baby Shoes
20. Pinafore
21. Pencil Roll
22. Tissue Holder
23. Sachets
24. Burp Cloth
25. Bunting
26. Smock
27. Cloth Book
28. Pillow
29. Napkins
30. Belt
31. Cloth Blocks
32. Pajamas
33. Pincushion
34. Hot Pad
35. Checkbook Case
36. Scarf
37. Sewing Machine Cover
38. Plastic Bag Dispenser
39. Wristlet
40. Doll Quilt
41. Tablecloth
42. Sun Hat
43. Needle Case
44. Skirt
45. Baby Sling
46. Cloth Doll
47. Doll Clothes
48. Seat Cushion
49. Dress
50. Grocery Cart Seat Cover
Do you have anything to add to the list? I'd love to hear it!
xoxo
ps: Four days left to enter THE CONTEST!!
who gives a hoot? (a nosy meme)
Ah yes, another meme is going around. I found this one via Pixiegenne, and then I saw it a few other places, so I thought I'd pass it along:
1. Do you promote your blog?
2. How often do you check hits?
Often. I'm just starting to get real traffic here, and it's so interesting to see where it all comes from - not only locations, etc - which is always cool,but also what searches lead people here. I get a lot of traffic from a search of "st. joseph statue" because I mentioned it once when we were selling our house. I can't imagine how disappointed people are when they end up here!
3. Do you stick to one topic?
4. Who knows that you have a blog?
I try not to mention it to the PTA.
5. How many blogs do you read?
Most people probably don't even know I'm reading their blogs, because I rarely leave comments - I feel dorky doing so most of the time.
6. Are you a fast reader?
Yes, sir.
7. Do you customize your blog or do anything technical?
Yes, I think I've done about as much as I possibly can with my limited graphic design skills. I would love to learn to write code and do even more!
8. Do you blog anonymously?
Sometimes I wish I did, but no - I do not (see next question). I do try to protect our privacy, though. I don't share our last name, or our address, or things like that.
Did I tell you that Olivia now has a blog? I think this is hysterical - she thought she should have one, too! So she does, but I've blocked hers, so only invited family and friends can read it and it won't show up on directory listings or anything. Not quite anonymous - but very very private!
9. To what extent do you censor yourself?
10. The best thing about blogging?
I love the exchange of inspiration and ideas, and the almost always encouraging feedback. I seem to need a lot of positive reinforcement. Hands down, the best part of blogging is taking part in this huge crafty-bloggy-thrifty mom community. I never would have thought I'd find so many women with the same odd combination of passions as me- Yes! I collect paint by numbers and vintage globes, too! Yes - I'm thrifting for vintage sheets to make ruffly aprons, too! Want to exchange gingersnap recipes and embroidery patterns?It's like having one huge revolving conversation with all the other bloggers out there.
I'd love to read your answers to these questions, too. So consider yourself tagged!
xoxo
9.18.2007
eating crow
I really didn't think I was going to make it into the DIY Trunk Show this year - after the whole waiting list debacle and all.... then I got an email this weekend inviting me to come play there this November.
Truth be told, I really was okay with not making it in this year - it's really stressfull to gear up for a show, and then I realized we'd be out of town for the whole week leading up to the show...
... and then I thought about how much stuff I had made last year to bring with me to DIY, and about how very little I had in-stock now....
... and about how very different the stuff I'm making is now, as compared to everything I made just a year ago....
...and then I decided to go for it!
...But only if I could share a booth with Melissa, because I really can't make that much stuff in less than two months, try as I might:
...now I just have to get to work on some of those, ummmm... "cozies" I spoke of.
xoxo
ps: Keep those Good Karma Contest entries coming - and thanks for all the comments so far !!!
9.15.2007
Mad Love... and Good Karma!
It's been a great week over here at Sweet Jessie Headquarters! I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for all the love I've been getting via email, flickr, and the comments section. I've been winning contests like crazy (an extra thanks to Heather for the wonderful vintage trims, and to Erin at Blue Bird Baby for the custom sling she's making for my sister in law!), and I'm seeing lots of new visitors here - so, to you - Welcome!
Beth over at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog sent readers over this way to check out my "good fabric karma"- and I think that's a perfect way to describe it. I've been having so much luck with the vintage fabric finds lately! But what goes around, comes around, and so I think it's time for me to offer some it back into the karma pool - Yep, it's a giveaway!
I've cut up thirteen of my favorite vintage sheets and made a bundle to give away. These are not leftovers, scraps, or pieces I don't want. These are some of my favorites, and they're all good sized pieces!
... And I made two identical piles of fabric to give away!
Then, I decided that wasn't enough, so I pulled out all of these goodies:
... and these, too:
And, when each fabric pile is combined with some vintage patterns and a 'bits and pieces' packet of ephemera, the result will comprise the Sweet Jessie Mad Love/ Good Karma Give Away!
So here's how to play (there's two ways to win):
1.Leave me a comment telling me what you would make with the fabric (or what I should make with mine).
2.Tell your friends about the contest - and tell them to tell me you sent them!
Comments will close Saturday the 22nd at midnight
One winner will be drawn on Sunday, September 23rd, and the person that referred them will win the second prize! The more people you tell, the better your chances of winning!
Isn't karma fun?
xoxo
9.14.2007
Two new globes - or, variations on a theme
I love globes, and I love maps: The colors, the textures, the school-house charm.... (oh yeah, the actual reference potential). They make me happy.
This is one of my favorite maps, it's of Chicago's North Shore. I found this baby at the Kane County Antique Market a couple of months ago:
Other things that will make me happy this weekend include:
... and tickets to Second City:
This is my favorite troupe - they are knock down, drag out funny, and Jack got us tickets for Saturday night to celebrate our anniversary (which was yesterday).Because a fancy night out in uncomfortable shoes has nothing on a good laugh!
It seems that as much as I complain about living 'so far away' in these far suburbs, it's nice to be so close to downtown Chicago after all.
Have a lovely weekend, my sugar dumplings!
xoxo
9.13.2007
Thrifty
So, it's last Friday at 8 am, and I've dropped the kids at school and I'm taking the ol' minivan for an oil change. As I'm driving, I see a sign off to the right - a big huge sign - stating - no, screaming, "GARAGE SALE TODAY!" I bet my tires screetched as I pulled into the nearest parking lot to turn back around.
Lo and behold, it was the sale I had been waiting for, watching for - the seemingly unadvertised annual sale at the convent.
I pulled onto the grass, where the cars were already lined up. My heart aflutter, I called Melissa - at home and on her cell - to tell her to meet me right away. I lined up. in the rain.
I went back to the car to look for a shopper bag and some rain gear. I had my sewing bag, which I emptied, and a broken, fuchsia, child-sized umbrella. I had to take what I could.
I ended up in line behing a woman who said she had on her running shoes so she could 'knock people down'. She was drinking a red bull and smoking a cigarette. She wore a poncho because she needed her hands free. I thought, "oh my god. where am I???"
The sisters showed us mercy and opened the sale 15 minutes early, due to the rain. There were people and umbrellas and nuns everywhere. It was madness. But even though my glasses fogged up, I got some good stuff:
oh, not these - I bought these at a local thrift shop last week (but aren't they great?):
These were marked as "dusters" - I had no idea what that meant, so I bought all of them. It turns out, they are unfinished women's housecoats, but more gown-like and sheer:
Of course I washed everything:
This was my real score - yards and yards and yards of vintage flannel, in two patterns:
Plus I also bought bags of scrap fabric, which I've already started putting to good use; two awesome paint by numbers; and a couple of new globes (to add to yet another of my collections - but more on that tomorrow).
Good stuff huh?
xoxo
9.12.2007
Making
I'm feeling a little manic these days (maybe it's all the caffeine??). Trying to get a million things done while the kids are at school, and the ideas keep coming, coming, coming. Which is awesome, but a little overwhelming.
Now stop reading here if you or someone you know is expecting a gift from me in the near future. I don't want to spoil your surprise. But really, most of my "real life" friends don't read my blog anyways. Do yours?
I've been baking:
and sewing little gifts for little birthday girls:
... and applique-ing:
Jackie insisted we use this fabric, because it was orange. And we looked through a million books searching for the right dinosaur image to use. And he wore it (even after a little girl in his class told him it was a girl's shirt)!!!
We're on baby watch around here - my sister in law is due any day now - and I'm kind of antsy with anticipation. I can't stop making soft baby blocks and bibs - here's my messy sewing table to prove it:
... and now I'm off to fold my freshly laundered thrifty fabric finds so I can show them to you tomorrow.
xoxo
9.10.2007
It's me, Raspberry Pajam-y!
This superfun meme is going around - I've seen it twice now - and a general tag has been issued to all who want to play along...
So, without further ado:
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Salty Odyssey
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Cappuccino chip oatmeal chocolate chunk!
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
J-Sen
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
pink puppy
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Hale Minneapolis
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Sen-Je
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The green ice cold water
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Wally Sid
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
Sugar pull n peel
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
London Hale
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Porter Portland
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Peony
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Raspberry Pajam-y
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
granola dogwood
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The sewing storming Tour!
p.s. there's more give-away goodness over at Girl Land! Tell Sarah I sent you!
xoxo
9.08.2007
a lucky girl
I really really love giving gifts - it seems to be a trait that bloggers share, and explains why my mailbox has been filling up with such lovely surprises:
I came home yesterday to find a surprise package from Heather - I had commented on some cute repro fabric she had used on a quilt, and she sent me the scraps with a sweet note that I could probably do something fabulous with them! How perfectly do they coordinate with the fat quarters I had just purchased earlier in the day?!
... and now today I read that I won something special in a contest she's holding. Yay!
Earlier in the week, I had sent of my package to my Back2School swap partner, Melissa (the swap was hosted by the lovely Marta over here). This gal did her homework on me! She sent me way too many lovelies inlcuding fabric, gift tags, handmade notecards and magnets, a darling book, and a bag of black jelly beans (!) among other things. She totally spoiled me! Thanks so much, Melissa - I had so much fun doing this swap with you!
And for my other sweet Melissa, who has gifted me with way too much cool pottery and unlimited studio time (and clay, of course!), I'm working on some photography and marketing materials:
She's just getting back to blogging, and you should go tell her to keep it up and check out her work! Now go enjoy your weekend...
xoxo
9.06.2007
Sewing
I've been keeping myself busy using all of those beautiful fabrics I bought at Quiltology a couple of weeks ago:
a 'twirly skirt' based on the tutorial by Erin at House on Hill Road:
and a matching headband:
a new tablerunner for my kitchen table:
... and some other very top secret projects that I can't write about just yet (one's for a swap, and one is a very special gift).
Speaking of sewing, Heather is giving away some of her sewn goodness over at Apples on a Stick. And Colleen is giving away some fun vintage goodies over at Fresh Vintage! Check 'em out, my little gumdrops!
9.05.2007
Carnie Photos
Well, I did bring my camera along to the carnival the other night. But I've been so crazy busy around here that I haven't even downloaded them yet, so here's a few from the carnival last year. New pics soon, I swear!
xoxo
