Just totin'

I'm back from the market and it was fun.

Kind of a plain way to start a post but I'm at a bit of a loss for words for some reason tonight. I think it's because all I can think about is the lasagna rolls I made for dinner. There's plenty leftover for my lunch tomorrow and I want to eat it now.


Ok back to the market. FOCUS. Bloomin' Earth took place in Kitchener, Ontario -- which is, as I mentioned in the last post is about an hour west of Toronto. That is of course depending on what time you leave during the day :)


Mark came with me which I always think is cute. He just hangs out with me at my table and he even helped make a sale... I think I'll keep him. Now, this was a real market. There were LOADS of veggies and fruits in one corner, while the street and a little piazza type area were closed off to more than 60 crafty vendors. My table was beside a lovely woman originally from El Salvador who makes jewelry; on the other side were crafters who made girls' skirts, dresses, reusable zip locks snack pack bags and burp cloths that say "Spit Happens." So cute.


It was nice getting out of the house and chatting with other people who sew. The women I met do this for their living while they stay at home with their kids which I just think is amazing.

I do have some things leftover (mmm leftover lasagna rolls), so I took a boat-load of photos this week and uploaded them up into my shop. Feel free to have a look-see.

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On another subject: What are you up to this weekend? I'm not afraid to tell you that it's my birthday on Saturday. I don't make as much of a big deal about it as I used to. I think it's because I'm starting to forget how old I am. For example, a few weeks ago someone asked me how old I was and I started with "Twenty..." and my husband looked at me like I was crazy. No I'm not in my twenties. Oooop. I'll be 33 in case you're wondering. My grandmother was kind enough to remind me with a little "33" sticker on the back of her card. Thanks Ma.

So this weekend I'll be having a couple dinners with friends and family. One thing I did request for my birthday dinner is to have a pizza party. So there will be a whole lot of homemade pizzas consumed this weekend. This is my heaven.

Take care and have a great weekend. Have a slice or two for me.

Bloomin'

Yes... I've disappeared for quite sometime. I'm not going to tell you I've been busy. But I have been sewing in that time away. I don't have any proof though because I didn't make time to take pictures... but I will.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Kitchener, Ontario (a little over an hour West of Toronto) for the Bloomin' Earth market. I have several totes and zip pouches ready to go in bags by the door. So if you're in the area be sure to stop by. But if not, check back here for photos to come next week.

Happy Weekend y'all! Go on an adventure somewhere.

red tent blues

I had my first official craft market last week and it has taken me this long to talk about it because it was SUCH a bummer. Well the actual craft sale was a bummer; the company was not. It was held in a little neighbourhood unknown to me really, which is strange because I've lived in the city for so long and in many different neighbourhoods.

It didn't help that there was torential rain for the first part of the market. No that didn't help. But I managed to snag a nice red tent from a vendor through work so that was helpful. It was ginormous and we managed to squeeze about 3 other vendors under the tent with us. The other problem was there was construction right in front of the market along with a sign telling people to use the other side of the street. Not good. To top it off there was a festival going on down the street, which we were told would be HUGE driver to our market, but really it was quite the opposite because were about 2 blocks too far east of the festival to make a difference.

And maybe it just wasn't the right market for my stuff. I sold one thing and it was to my friend that I used to work with (thank god she bought something!!) BUT I have to say that the actual DAY was quite fun and a good experience (lemonade out of lemons right??).

First off M stayed with me at the sale. I thought it was funny that he wanted to stay at a girly market, but he was so helpful and admitted to having fun during the day. Also my sister K was there from the beginning and then my other sister S showed up and stayed the whole day. They were all so supportive and the marketing gene that we all got when we were born came out in full force because from the beginning they were throwing around tons of ideas on how to bring more people to the market and to my booth. I love them all so much for that.

Anyway I paid for two more market days which kind of sucks, but maybe it'll be better next time. Maybe I'll look into adding more colour to my craft stash because this time around I focused on LOTS of yellow and grey (my favourites!) and perhaps people are into a bit more colour. Who knows.

So enough blabbing and complaining! I posted some pics below from the day:

Getting ready with K


The construction (and the nice "parking spot" that M scored after he talked "construction" with the workers...)

The goods


K showing off the goods

Two of my sales people ;)

My sister S showing her crafty pipes

My very happy customer V

zippy

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I was at a wedding -- my "little" cousin tied the knot... really I can't believe he's married now!

I also dropped off a few things to a good friend -- I made her two of these zip pouches and a paris bag for her little sister. I hope they enjoy them!

On the task list this week are some placemats to match my napkins for a friend here in the city; and a tote bag for my Mom's neighbour -- she likes this one! I'm pretty partial to it too.

Happy Week!
~lealou

a little obsession

Can I tell you how "busy" I've been in the past little while? I say "busy" because all of my "free" time has been used up with a little series of books written for teenagers... Ok I'll just come out and say it: I'm obsessed with the Twilight Series of books. There's something about a vampire love story that really makes my heart flutter. I told C not to give me the books -- it's just the worst time of the year to be head over heels with something other than sewing (don't the Cullens know I have Christmas presents to make???). Ok enough of that.


I have been sewing I guess. A week or so ago I did my first ever little craft event. I offered to set up a table to sell my stuff at the market bazaar at work to help raise money for United Way. Although there weren't a lot of people passing through, it was a really great experience because it got me out of the house and away from the computer. The best part was to see people I knew from the office "You made all this stuff?"


The Clara Clutch

I managed to sell a few things, but I still have lots left so I've put it all up in my shop. I can't really guarantee it'll get to you by Christmas, but if you're reading this from Ontario you'll get it for sure (some of you may even get personal delivery from moi!) And to keep with the theme of the original purpose for making these things, I will be donating 10% of all sales to United Way until after Christmas. How cool is that.


The Zoula Zip

View the rest of the items here

This week I'm dedicating my time to making the rest of my gifts for my friends and family. There isn't A LOT to do (who am I kidding) but it is still stressful (really, I love the pressure). I'm not sure if I'll get back on here before the holidays so if I don't -- Happy Holidays! I can't believe it is here already to be honest with you -- it really crept up this year.

later gaters
~lealou