Brick House Sewing

I see a theme.....

2011-09-07T21:20:00.000-04:00

And that's what I am up to tonight.

Summertime....

2011-09-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

Summer has been busy. But I have managed to sew a few things....

Here are a coupe things made from those beautiful African Wax Prints. I hope to make some meditation cushions soon, but will need to find some reasonably priced buckwheat hulls. Wish me luck!

Inspiration

2011-08-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the only way to get a little kick of inspiration is to order some fabric.

I ordered some traditional African wax print fabric from here....and it is more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined.

I haven't decided what to make with it yet, but my head is spinning with possibilities.

Movie Night and links

2011-07-26T23:59:00.000-04:00

I watched this movie tonight...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/
I just love subitiled movies.

I recently ordered some African Wax Print fabric from here...
http://www.anansevillage.com/
My beautiful new fabrics should arrive Monday...yay!

I went to Yoga tonight, which made me feel great.
I'd love to go on a weekend retreat.

In other news, I sold 3 purses on Etsy today and I have a great idea for a new type of messanger bag.

I am hoping to get more sewing and posting done by the weekend.

Happy Birthday

2011-07-25T07:27:00.000-04:00

My son turned 16 last week, so we celebrated with a little party over the weekend.

He doesn't even like cake, but he likes everyone to sing him Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Erik, and many, many more!!

Heat Wave

2011-07-24T09:36:00.000-04:00

Here is what sewing in a heatwave looks like in my house...

Here's to hoping for a little break in the heatwave today.

Hello Blogger, it's me... Victoria

2011-07-22T14:31:00.000-04:00

Its true, I stopped blogging. Whats happened? I mean its been well over a year? Who knows...I have no solid rationale that I can stand behind.

I want to enter back into the blog world.

So I will try to be better.....

Sunday

2009-12-13T15:35:00.000-05:00

Today was a good Sunday....

I made cookies

Enjoyed my Christmas tree...

And watched some snow fall...

I really love lazy winter days.

The serious sewer

2009-12-08T17:21:00.000-05:00

I look so ridiculously serious in this picture.....I guess sewing is serious business.

I was actually having a lot of fun :)

Currently...

2009-12-03T15:50:00.001-05:00

I was checking out some blogs and saw this on Leah's so I figured I'd copy! :) Wanna play? If so post what's on your “Currently” list and be sure to leave me a comment and I'll come visit.

Current Wishlist: Time off of work

Current Color: Brown, raisin, or green...but not together

Current Drink: Water. Pomagranate Martinis

Current Food: Oranges and triple c mix

Current Favorite Shows: as always, none

Current Shame: Slacking on my yoga

Current Needs: Trim work completed in the upstairs bedroom

Current Triumphs: Craft fair success!

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: time passing too fast

Current Indulgence: scented candles and Kiss my Face products

Current #1 Blessing: My Erik and Ellen.

Current Outfit: My brown Banana Republic flouncy skirt worn with my Simple boots

Current Excitement: Shopping on Saturday!!!

Current Mood: Happy. Optimistic

Life

2009-12-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

Things have been good. Illness, craft fairs and Thanksgiving took over the month of November, so not too much went on in the blogging world. I am happy to report that as of 01 December, there are no sicknesses and pursemaking is on hold. Christmas sewing projects are taking over. I have a couple special orders to fill, and plenty of gifts to make.

Here is my table from my first craft fair. I forgot my camera on the second....the display looked nicer in person, and overall I am very pleased with my sales.

Thanksgiving Eve. Pomagrante Martinis. Whew.

My Cousin, Kim, making the Vegan Pumpkin Pies. YUM!

And the Hubbard Squash that I has to literally hack in two. It was delicious!

I am happy to report that the Christmas tree is up. I love this time of year!

My first craft fair...and some new bags

2009-10-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

I signed up for my first official craft fair!! Ok, it is a pretty small, local one, but that is what I wanted since it is the first. I have already made it an official facebook "event" and invited all of my "friends".

I have been making purses like crazy! I want to have tons of different styles and colors so that I can appeal to a lot of different people. I have also made some Christmas items, but I really, really want to be known as the purse girl....so I have focused on purses.

If anyone has comments or suggestions on how to make the crafty fair successful please let me know....I could use all the help I can get!

Here are a few new items:

Black thin-wale cord with cute little ruffles

LOVE this one! The red bird says it all.

My first ruffle, the colors are much better in real life.

Two circles. This bag has fabulous texture....again, not visible in the photo.

I have been really trying to stay positive and motivated....a little stretch this time of year when darkness and coldness set in. I find that if I keep working at my projects I get more inspired, so the key is not to stop. Unfortunately, my life has been chaotic - a bathroom remodel, Halloween, and sickness. I have to remember to keep moving forward and that a messy house is not an indication of anything!

Fall

2009-10-19T20:36:00.005-04:00

I love this time of year. The crisp weather makes me crave the outside. Tonight my kids and I met my sister-in-law and my practically brand-new nephew at a local park. We only walked for about an hour, long enough for the fall air to invigorate my soul.

The view at the end of our walk. It was beautiful. The sun was bright and clear.

Look at the sky, crystal clear.

Even the dogs had a great time....they went right into the water even though it was freezing!

Beautiful fall colors.

My son and I at the nature center. I knew he was getting big, but we're practically the same size!

Times like these bring so much joy into my life. It is difficult balancing all the work of life without trying to find time for fun. But fun is what it is all about! It doesn't need to cost money, and it doesn't need to be planned. It seems that almost all of life's great moments are unplanned, unstructured, simple, and without any expectations. All that is required is the setting of the stage. This means putting down the dish rag or the vacuum (or laundry!), and definitely shutting off the TV. It means being present in this moment and not wishing life away. It means embracing this life and living it to its absolute fullest!

No pictures.

2009-10-05T23:39:00.003-04:00

Well, the wood pile in my yard is stacked. It is nice to have that done. I also did an hour of yoga tonight....which I really needed. I feel like this day unravelled in an unravelling way. I suppose these things happen sometimes. I seriously hope that life isn't always as difficult as it was today. Good things on the horizon? I can only hope.

Cleaning

2009-09-28T21:05:00.005-04:00

Around this time of year, I usually get inspired to tidy up the house. I suspect that I do this because winter is coming along and I know that means hours, days, weeks, and months inside.

Lately, I believe that I might have another motive. I have begun to feel social again. It seems like it has been a long time since I have invited people over just to have people over.

I started in the "sewing room" (formally the living room) with a re-org of the fabric. I bought totes and color-organized. It was quite a job, but I am already happy with the results.

Later I moved onto the bathroom, the TV room, and even the dog got a bath. I still have a lot left to do, but I am off to a good start.

Here is a common sight in my house lately. A wood-fire. There is nothing more cozy in the world than a wood-fire. I believe the wood-stove was the greatest thing I have ever purchased. It is also well worth the hassle of stacking wood.

Stacking Wood

2009-09-24T21:01:00.003-04:00

It was a nice cool evening tonight, perfect for stacking wood.

Here I am with my son, Erik. He likes to help me, but tends to talk much more than stack. I like to think that he is catching up with his mom....but I believe that he might be using the talking as a tactic to get out of work. Clever.

Here is the front porch. The garage is already as full as it can be. I like to consider this my easy access woodpile....for when I am sick, it is too cold or icy, or I just don't feel like going to the garage pile.

Here is another shot of the little work-escape artist. He does put on a good show with the gloves.

And here is the load of wood that got dumped on my front lawn. The lawn is in desperate need of mowing, but will continue to grow until this pile is stacked. Then, one more load before I am done for the year. Whew, it is a lot of work, but well worth it! My house old and brick. I love it so much, but the winters would be un-bearable with out the warmness the wood heat brings.

The Buddy Walk, a migraine, and a new clutch

2009-09-22T17:44:00.011-04:00

My son, daughter and I went to the local Buddy Walk on Sunday. This annual event is to benefit Downs Syndrome. My son has Noonan Syndrome, a different genetic disorder. We like to show our support when we can.

My son, Erik, at the walk. I think his favorite part is the hot dogs.

My daughter, Ellen, and her friend. No this isn't a Pepsi ad. I think she was just happy that I let her have some caffeine.

After we got home, I did some sewing. I also made some soap...but that is for another post.

This pink and black bag came out really nice. I love the color combination!

I have been a little sick this week. I stayed home from work yesterday and came home at the half day mark today. I have slept more than I thought possible for one person. Today, after my afternoon nap, I felt much better. I think I might have had a migraine because when I woke my headache was gone, and I finally felt rested.

So this evening, I made this lovely bag.

And this clutch. I am especially proud of this because I incorporated a little black ruffle on the flap closure. This bag is something new I was trying today after my inspirational nap. It is good to feel better!

Grrrrr and Ahhhhhh

2009-09-17T22:37:00.002-04:00

I have been in purse making mode for some time now. This week was busy early on, but I got the chance to make this fun bag last night.

I love the bird. It was actually my cousin's idea to appliqué the bird to the corduroy. It turned out really great....so great that I was determined to finish it last night. BUT, on what was to be the last snip of my scissors on the last thread, I accidentally snipped the lining fabric. Grrrrrrrr.

Here is the fix. A zig-zag along the top. Not the polished look I was going for, but the bag is saved!

So in trying to get back into being more conscientious as I sew (and cut), I made this little beauty tonight. The leaf fabric is flannel that has the look and feel of felted wool. This bag is beautiful....and the magnetic snap lined up perfectly!

Ahhhhhh. Now I can sleep.

A little nature on a Sunday afternoon

2009-09-13T21:16:00.007-04:00

I went to a local state park this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, not too hot or too cold. I could definitely smell Autumn in the air, and see the leaves beginning to change. This whole adventure gave me some time to play with my digital camera and capture the magic of the day...

Why do all amateur photographers take pictures of flowers? Because they're beautiful.

My little rock towers that I built by the water. This took a little more patience than I expected. This is why there are three and not one larger one.

I was fortunate to capture a bird in flight.

And a bee!

Baby quilt

2009-09-12T09:25:00.003-04:00

My brother and his wife recently had a baby. A little precious boy named Alex William. He is two weeks old today. I am dedicating today to finishing his quilt.

This is a picture of the completed front. I have to assemble the layers and quilt it. The nice things are: I have this great new sewing machine that will easily sew through the layers and it is crib sized. I made it out of cotton flannel, so it is really soft and cozy. I hope Alex enjoys it!

Up late again

2009-09-09T22:34:00.000-04:00

I never seem to make it to bed early. I try, but it just doesn't seem to happen. Tonight I was finishing up some wrap skirts that I hope to sell at a music festival this weekend.

Somehow I got distracted and started making note cards with fabric fused to the front.

I came up with these. The fabric is some purple muslin that I dyed myself.

And these were made from scraps that I ripped. Does the vintage cotton look familiar?

Not sure what I am going to do with these note cards yet. They do look pretty nice sitting up on my mantle.

That's a Wrap

2009-09-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

I love making and wearing wrap skirts. They are flattering to every shape, and can easily compensate for that rather large lunch.

This skirt is extra special because it is made from some vintage cotton fabric that was given to me by a close friend's mom (thank you Mrs. Fairchild!). I made this skirt and have plenty left for other projects.

Please ignore the lawn mower in the background. It is true, I have other things to do around the house rather than sew.

victoriawatts on Etsy -

2009-09-06T18:40:00.001-04:00

victoriawatts on Etsy -

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New Sewing Machine - New Blog

2009-09-06T10:47:00.000-04:00

It seems appropiate to start my blog on the day after I got a new sewing machine. I know this little workhorse is going to help me create tons of bags, purses, clothes, and quilts.