Markets

No pictures today! Although I do have some coming. Today I have a question... does anyone have any ideas for fancy ways to display handmade crafts at a market? By handmade crafts I mean things like hair clips and doll's dresses and the like. I've made up some little cards with my "Popsicles & Polkadots" logo which I'm going to attach the clips to, but then what? Do I just sit them all on a table? Also, doll's dresses? I'm planning on taking a few of Ella's dolls so I can demonstrate what size dolls they fit, but how can I display dresses that aren't being worn? I also want to get something like this for kiddy sized clothes.

I'm getting way ahead of myself here since the markets in our area don't even start until spring/summer, but I just want to get some ideas so I can be prepared! I'm not even sure if selling handmade things there is a good idea. Most of the market stalls are people selling their old second-hand junk, but there are usually people selling things like handmade soaps and cosmetics and handmade jams etc, plus people selling plants and fruit/vegetables, so I guess it's worth a try.

Tell me your ideas people!! (all two of you who read this haha)

Embroidery

While at the library last week I discovered a book on embroidery and thought I'd give it a try. It's something I've always wanted to be able to do but never really had any idea how to actually do it. I still don't really have any idea, but I'm a bit closer =p

Heart shaped pin cushion, appliqued cupcake purse, mushroom mini needlebook, and a beaded necklace that Ella made.

There's not really much embroidery on this one, just the outline of the cupcakes. I used a split stitch which probably wasn't the best choice as it turned out a bit bulky. Oh well, it was a learning experience.

Pin cushion! I've always wanted one of these. Previously all my pins were all over the place - some in tupperware containers, some in the little 'groove' thingy on my sewing machine, and lots scattered all over the kitchen table. Now they are all in one place! Again, split stitch around the little hearts, and blanket stitch around the outside.

This is a teensy tiny needlebook lol. I wasn't actually sure what it was going to be until I finished. I was just using the piece of felt to practise on and then when I was finished I thought "Hey! I can stick needles in here!"

I can fit probably 6 or 7 embroidery needles in it but at the moment I've just got 3 in there plus a few safety pins of various sizes that I keep losing

Ella designed this one!! I gave her a notepad and told her to draw me some pictures so off she went and then out of all the pictures she drew I chose this one (because it looked the easiest LOL) The top of it opens up and it's a little purse. Although she can't really put anything in it because the top doesn't close. I need to put a button in or something.

My latest obssession...

I have Ren to blame/thank for this latest obsession. You shouldn't have taught me how to do this!! lol

These 3 yoyos have been sitting in my sewing box forever and I'm so happy to finally put them to use and get rid of them lol

I love this bag so so much. I agonized over it for hours - different ribbons and lining and fabric placement etc... I tried every combination possible before deciding on this one and I'm happy with my choice.

I don't really like this one. The red polkadots along the bottom and the red for the ladybird's wings are different reds and it's pretty noticeable.

This one used up the last of my "Night Owl"fat quarter. It's amazing how far a single fat quarter can go.

Hello Kitty! Ella has claimed this one =p

And I figured I might as well use up the last of the fat quarter with this coin purse. This Hello Kitty fabric is thick canvas so it's nice and durable.

This is the very first one I made and it's kind of hideous lol. I think Aaron's exact words were "You're not taking that out in public are you?" It was going to be a library bag but the more I look at it, the more hideous it seems. The "LOVE"fabric... It was on clearance for $1 a metre so I asked for 4 metres and it wasn't until she started cutting it that I realised 4 metres is a LOT. I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of it all lol. So far I've made this bag, 2 dresses and a cabbage patch dress and I've barely put a dent in it. I might make myself some pajama pants I think, that should use up a fair bit.

Spring Ruffle Top

I made this little top for Ella today using the Spring Ruffle Top Tutorial by Rae from the Sew Mama Sew blog which can be found *here*



I had to adjust the ruffles on the straps quite a bit because the tutorial is for an adults top and they looked massive on Ella since her shoulders are so tiny. I probably should have adjusted the width of the actual straps too but by the time I realised how wide they were it was too late =p Overall though, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

This is probably the first time EVER that I've been able to follow a tutorial and do things properly =p My usual method is just to cut blindly without measuring and then sew blindly without using pins (or anything else that I should be using) and hope that it turns out okay.

Cabbage Patch or Baby Born Dresses

Hair Clip Organisers

These were fun to make! Quick and easy and the end product is very useful :)

This one is for Ella

And this one was made for a friend's daughter :)