Overcast

I’ve been waiting for a sunny day to take photos of my newest bags that I’m making for Atomic Holiday Bazaar, but it’s been rainy everyday for what feels like an eternity. Damn Florida summers!

I got tired of waiting, so I took some photos today because even though it’s overcast and the lighting isn’t anywhere near ideal, at least it’s not raining. Score!

I had so much fun making these market bags. I had tons of new fabric to choose from.

Which I mixed with some oldies but goodies.

I’m enjoying playing around with the new applique designs, and I can’t wait to try some others I have in mind.

I lined this bag with a gorgeous, colorful fabric that I bought in New York, and I now realize I didn’t buy anywhere near enough.

Although I’m making all of these items for the craft show, I plan to post everything to The Boutique. If they sell, then great! And then I’ll bring everything that doesn’t sell to the show with me. 

However, I’m waiting to post these bags until I’m able to get better photos. (Edit: posted here and here!)

Diving in

I’ve been working on some new projects with some new applique designs.

I have five months of sewing craziness ahead of me. While the most important thing is to not hurt my back, the second most important thing is to make sure I don’t get bored sewing the same things over and over again.

Right now, I’m working on some variations of my market bag. This one has a new yummy chocolate brown applique design on a pale blue background — one of my all-time favorite color combinations.

I went to Joann Fabrics on my way home from work today, and they had all their corduroy on sale for $2.99 a yard. The timing could not have been more perfect. I’m running frighteningly low on my cord stash (and starting to get bored using the same colors) and I have a whole weekend of sewing in front of me, so I stocked up with some beautiful autumn colors.

I’ve got piles of new fabric awaiting me and tons of ideas swarming around in my head. I can’t wait to dive in!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar III

Figuring I had nothing to lose, I decided to apply for a booth (a whole booth!) at Atomic Holiday Bazaar III, a huge and very cool (in my humble opinion) craft show in Sarasota, Fla., on December 14. I figured that if I didn’t make it, I would have lost nothing but the seven minutes it took to fill out the application. And if I did make it, I would have five months to prepare.

I found out when I got home from New York that I’ve been accepted! Way to end a vacation, eh?!

I’ve heard really great things about this show. I checked out last year’s vendors, and their stuff is right up my alley. And a girl who was a vendor last year said that she sold tons of stuff. And so far, the owner/producer, Adrien Lucas, has been an absolute joy to work with.

I only had three weeks to prepare for the last craft show, so five months seems like an eternity! But I know it will fly by, and a week before the show I’ll still be rushing around doing all sorts of last-minute things. I’m super excited to start cutting into all the new fabrics I’ve been collecting during the last few sew-free weeks. For the sake of my back, I will pace myself (I promise, Mom!).

If you’re in the Sarasota area, please come see me at the show! It’s not until December, so don’t worry, I’ll remind you again. Several times. You’ll be sick of it by December.

Last play at Shea

New York. Was. Awesome.

We had such a great time with my family. Alex was meeting everyone for the first time, and they treated him like family the second they met him. I knew everyone would get along just fine, but it was better than I could have even imagined. My grandma just adored him. Seriously. They’re now best friends forever. I think she likes him better than she likes me!

Wednesday was Billy Joel’s “Last Play at Shea” — well, it was supposed to be his last concert at Shea Stadium before it gets torn down, but he added another show for Friday. So we saw the second to last play at Shea. Doesn’t sound quite as catchy, but it was still a fantastic show. Billy played for three straight hours, and Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Don Henley and John Mellencamp showed up as surprise guests. What an awesome experience.

One morning, we went to a little town on Long Island called Sayville, where I found an adorable fabric shop called Patchworks.

I warned my family that I would be a while, so they walked across the street to get coffee while I shopped.

Their fabrics were beautiful, and the ladies who worked there were just lovely.

They gave me a “repeat customer” punch card even though I told them I live 1200 miles away. Only seven more yards of fabric and I get a free yard!

Sayville had some great boutiques. One store had a display of green and blue lamps and paper lanterns that will serve as inspiration once we own a home and have more areas to decorate.

Our time in New York was wonderful, and I really wish we had an extra day or two to spend with my family. Miss you guys already! Thanks for everything!

So long, farewell, adieu

Tomorrow, Alex and I leave for a four-day trip to New York. My mom is flying up to join us as well. Alex will get to meet my grandma and my cousins for the first time, which I’m very excited about. He’s excited too — he just doesn’t jump up and down and clap and show his excitement the same way I do. He’s a little more laid-back about stuff like like this. 

Then, on Wednesday, we are going to see Billy Joel play the final concert ever at Shea Stadium before it gets torn down. BILLY JOEL!!!!!! SHEA STADIUM!!!!!

I cannot even put into words how excited I am for this trip! (Hence the jumping up and down and clapping and whatnot, which I’m doing, but it doesn’t translate well in a blog.)

So Fat Orange Cat will be silent while I’m in NY, but I’ll have some photos and stories to share next week when I get back.

Take care, everyone!