Sewing therapy

The ECMC Summer Fair on Sunday was a smash hit. It was a fun, busy, supportive, exciting community event. Dewdrop Crafts did well, I enjoyed every minute, and I'm already scheming about how to ramp it up for the next fair on December 2.

We've had a slow week around here. Sick kids, sick husband, semi-sick me. It's been a movie-watching, homemade chicken soup kind of week. Add in some post-fair let down, and it's fair to say I've been feeling a little 'blah'.

Yesterday, I had and energy burst that lasted about 30 minutes, and I decided to do something fun. Down to the workshop I went to sew something just for me. After several weeks of sewing for the fair and filling wholesale orders, I needed a little sewing therapy (and in my world, a quick and easy sewing project may have the almighty power to banish the flu bug!)

I have a new-to-me couch in the living room, and it needed some pillows. My colours used to be very earthy- only reds, greens, browns, oranges. My taste is changing- oceany blues and greens are calling to me these days. Lucky for me, my nearest fabric source is my basement workshop. I went downstairs, scrounged around, and emerged with my new inspiration fabric. This Marin print by Monaluna is 100% organic, and I'm pretty in love with how these super easy pillows turned out.

There's nothing like just-for-fun, easy, happy sewing to brighten up a grey week.

The monster-ish couch needs more pillows. Back to the sewing room I go!

A summer fair is in the air

Less than one week until this:

The East Coast Momma Collective Summer Fair is here! Sunday, June 24 from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Over 40 amazingly talented creative entrepreneurs (and moms) will be showcasing their goods at St. Mary's Boat Club, on the beautiful Halifax Northwest Arm. I'll be there with some Dewdrop Crafts goodness for y'all.

I'm basically sewing CONSTANTLY these days. I'm really starting to get the hang of my new love, my Consew 230. It's official... I am an industrial machine convert. It's taken a lot of nerve to tackle this new machine with fairs and wholesale orders to fill, but I'm pretty proud to say that I've done it. 

Here are my tips for getting the feel for a new (and insanely fast) machine:

1. Put your old machine(s) away. 

2. Sew

3. Sew some more

4. When in doubt, call Babs or check out youtube for advice on things like taut sewing.

5. At this point, no matter how badly you want to, do not take out your old machine.

6. Sew. Troubleshoot. Repeat. 

Before you know it, your hands will be able to manage the jet engine that is now your sewing machine. Such a sense of accomplishment. With a little hard work, your sewing times will be cut (at least) in half. You'll be thrilled with the stitch quality that only comes with an industrial machine. And, you just might be ready for your next craft fair.

ECMC Summer Fair, here I come!

Yeah!

We're having a lovely weekend around here. Last night I hit the town for a few hours with some very lovely ladies- my exceptionally awesome baby group girlfriends. We drank a lot of sparkling wine and ate great food and laughed and laughed. It was a wonderful night. 

Today we took the kids out for a delicious lunch at Jane's on the Common. Daddy's gone golfing, the kids are snoozing, and I'm taking a quick break from trying to master the new machine to share some great news with you. By the way, Babs warned me that moving from a domestic sewing machine to an industrial was like moving from riding a push bike to a Harley. Man was she right. 

Have you heard of Oh My! Handmade? If you haven't, you NEED to check it out... it's an awesome resource for creative businesses. I've been fairly enamoured with this site for a while now.

I am beyond thrilled that the East Coast Momma Collective is being featured on Oh My! Handmade. I've been so involved in the creation of the ECMC, and it feels pretty rewarding to see it recognized like this.  

Thank you April for writing about us. Thank you Jessika for including us on your fabulous site. 

Okay, back to the jet engine that has taken over my sewing room. Sigh.

Hey Baby

Big news around here, people. My new baby arrived today.

Isn't she beautiful?

Love at first sight...

Introducing my new to me, refurbished Consew industrial sewing machine. This beauty came to Dewdrop Crafts from a factory in Montreal, via the wonderful Bridgewater Sewing Centre.

Why the leap to an industrial machine? Well, it's because I have the best problem a business can have- too many orders, too little time. This baby can fly! Hello, speedy sewing.

Here's another shot, because I can't help myself. Picture me clicking my heels in delight.

I'm telling ya, the excitement never stops around here.

Oh, happy day!

Monday night catch-up

Tonight, I spent 2.5 hrs on the phone with my oldest friend- which is perhaps time that I should have spent sewing. 

By the way, I am a HUGE procrastinator. I too often leave things to the last minute- which has resulted in many sew-a-thon nights (and one Christmas bake-a-thon that lasted until 3:00 am). Right now, I have a big order to fill (more on that later), and tonight I needed to make some blankets. 

Then Janis called, and I spent the night with my friend instead. So worth it.

It's been too long since Janis and I have had a good catch-up. I miss my old friend, my best bud since grade 2. She knows me better than almost anyone. After our talk tonight, I feel a little bit more like 'me' 

I'll make up for it tomorrow. Tomorrow, I promise to sew all night.

Thanks for the talk, Janis.

xox

Weekend Update: Dewdrop Version

My husband regularly records SNL and watches it throughout the day on Sunday (since we're getting a little OLD and are too tired to stay up until 2:00 am). My favourite skit is usually Weekend Update. Yesterday, I was inspired... I realized that I should start my own Weekend Update. My update will be slightly different than that found on SNL. It may be slightly less riveting. Weekend Update: Dewdrop Version.

Here we go.

• My kids are awesome public diners. We did brunch on Sunday at The Armview and it was lovely.
• My first venture into retail has required that I figure out assembly line sewing. I am getting good at this, and I find I'm enjoying it more than I expected.
• BBQs with friends are awesome. 
• 2 BBQS with friends in one weekend makes for a pretty special weekend.
• Saturday morning is not complete without a trip to the Seaport Farmer's Market for all kinds of goodies, and of course a cupcake from Little Red Kitcsh'n. Jenna Durling rocks! She knows our order: One miniature pink cupcake with sprinkles. Every time.
• Josie girl swam so much and fetched so many sticks, she then slept for 24 hours straight.
• Babs is home. We are happy.
• Sick kids are not fun.
• This kitchen reno is going to ruin me. 3 weeks with no kitchen sink and 2 tiny-ish kids= stressed out mama.
• A weekend spent moving the Dewdrop Crafts headquarters to our big basement room= happy mama. Custom cutting table is underway. Investigating the purchase of an industrial machine. Onward and upward!

That's it for now folks. Has weekend update ever been so exciting? I think not!