Elephants for good luck

I was approached a few months ago by my dear friend to create a special gift for her nephew-on-the-way. My friend's brother and his wife had learned during an ultrasound that their first child would have some significant health complications. They were, of course, shocked and afraid. Upon hearing this news, my friend decided that she needed to do something. She found beautiful, unique, organic fabric for a custom quilt. She chose an elephant print, because elephants symbolize good luck. When I learned that the baby would be born early, we rushed to finish the quilt- we wanted this little baby and his family to know that his birth was being cherished.

This quilt means so much to me- because it was chosen with care, and because it was meant for a very special boy. I think it's lovely, and I hope you do too. I have some elephant fabric left, and I think the Dewdrop Crafts team might have to create another quilt like this. I love the spirit of this quilt, and I think it's something that should be shared.

My friend's nephew is doing amazingly well. He's been transferred to a hospital in his community and his parents will be taking him home soon. He's eating well and is becoming more in tune with his environment everyday. He loves to cuddle his mom and dad. I hope he knows that I think of him often, and that it was a true pleasure to celebrate his birth.

Fall Sampler

I love fall. Both of my girls were born this time of year. I got married in the fall. The bright leaves, the crisp days, the colour of the sunlight- fall is hands down my favourite season.

Apple picking with the little ladies

It may be that I'm especially loving fall this year because I've just returned from a perfect 5 day getaway to New York City with my husband. We did it just right- hung out in the East Village with my brother and his lovely girlfriend, and ate and drank and shopped like New Yorkers.

The High Line- a must see in NYC

I came home on a high, and happily proceeded to unpack my fall shipment of fabrics.... wait! Maybe this is why I love fall most of all!?

Extra pretty mostly organic goodness

I'll be sewing up these beautiful fabrics while the days get shorter and colder, in my cozy sewing room. Like something you see? Come visit me at the East Coast Momma Collective Holiday Fair- it promises to be the perfect way to end your fall and kick off your holiday season :)

The blog is back!

It's been too long since I've posted here... but don't worry, I'm baaaack!

We had a delightfully summery summer- we spent most of our time at the beach and on the boat. We camped, we barbecued, we spent long days with family and friends. We had ice cream almost every day. Our girls stayed up late and played with their cousins, we had many bonfires and lots of laughs. We did summer right- just the way it should be done. Amidst all of the summer activity, I kept up with my sewing and quilting commitments to clients, but the blog suffered a little. This is life.

But September is here, and that back-to-school feeling brings a new energy to my blogging life. I have a few projects that I can't wait to share with you, and I thought I'd kick off my return to blogging by sharing this blog post.

The very talented Kelly St-Pierre, a local photographer, approached me to use some of my quilts for some beach photo sessions. I happily obliged- I was excited to see how my creations would look through Kelly's lens. I'm thrilled with the results, and can say for certain that good things happen when you collaborate with other businesses.

You can check out Kelly's work here.

sneak peeks

Today it's all about happy Dewdrop sneak peeks.

I am so excited to share a few images of what's been keeping me busy these days (besides sunshine, sand and surf and two very busy small girls).

This project just wrapped up. I collaborated with some amazingly talented local moms to help Lindsay design a custom nursery for the little guy who's about to join their family. I'm thrilled with how it's turned out. I'll be sharing all of the details of this project soon!

And then there's this. Sigh. I am so in love with the colours and pattern that Shannon chose for her daughter Maggie's big girl quilt, and I'm honoured that she chose Dewdrop Crafts for the project. I hope Maggie loves her quilt as much as I do.

There you go... a little glimpse into my world lately. Now, back to packing for a long camping trip on the Shore Rd (also known as the best place on earth). The next few weeks will be all about family, friends, beach, boat, campfires, and happy sweaty little girls. 

I love summer.

ECMC Guest Post

I'm guest blogging over on the ECMC website today. Check it out... a little bit about what being a 'mompreneur' means to me.

http://eastcoastmommacollective.com/mom-pren-eur-what-does-it-mean-to-you/

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!