Getting Ready!

I will be participating in two local to my community craft fairs this Spring.  The first one is on March 27th and will be held in Mukwonago, a small town eight miles from where I live in Eagle.  The Mukwonago fair is being held for charity, specifically the American Cancer Society.  That's a very good thing because I don't know a family that has not been touched by cancer.  I have donated an embroidered box that I made for this event.

On the 27th which is a Saturday, the fair will be held from 9 to 3 during the day.  Its location is Park View Middle School, Hwys NN & 83, Mukwonago, Wi.  The fair is by invitation only.  Exhibitors creations can be in any media provided that all work is of original design & execution.  And, the items for sale must be made by the seller.

I am very excited about this event because it actually will be my very first art and craft fair.  And so I am busy at work making things to sell.  I already have completed some key tags with a small embroidery insert, some insulated embroidered coffee mugs, some embroidered checkbook covers,  a baby's embroidered snack holder/keeper, an embroidered pencil holder, a collapsible/foldable European market basket that I embroidered a pretty potted pink geranium on its zippered cover, etc.  And, I still have more things in the planning stage.

For myself to wear I embroidered an apron with my logo of the pink rose and the name of my shop.  I also plan to bring with me a scrapbook of embroidered things I have made in the past as my sample book of possibilities.  See the pictures;

I've also made Candy The Artist pink rose price tags to attach to my items and am slowly gathering the materials I will need to complete a sale, things like bags, tissue paper etc.  Of course, Bon Bon is helping me!  This will be my first opportunity to chat and show what I make with local people.  It should be very interesting.  And so, I will keep you posted.  The second fair is the one I and my fellow Eagle Team members are organizing to be held May, 6,7 & 8, 2010.  This fair will be held in Eagle, Wi.  I am also getting ready for this event.  As May comes closer, I will be posting here more information about that show.  Busy, busy, busy!!!!

Bon Bon And Me

My little pup is growing.  First are two pictures of him taken on Feb. 4, 2010.  As you can see he is still small and weighs  3 pounds.

 He is very sweet and begs people to play with him.  Well, now for some pictures of him taken on Feb. 19th.  He is playing in the snow and showing off his growing body.  He will be about 7 to 8 lbs. when he stops growing.  As of today he is 3.6 lbs.

And, I am waiting for his baby teeth to fall out.  That should happen in about a month or two.  His teeth do bother him as he wants to chew on everything.

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Recently I made a white autograph dog (remember those?) and put it in my shop to sell.  Bon Bon saw the fake dog and thought he had a rival for my affections.  He started barking and would not stop until I removed the autograph dog from his line of sight.  It was so funny.  Here is the autograph dog.  It is item # 40600880 in my shop           http://www.candytheartist.etsy.com/

Making A Custom Handbag

A lady by the name of Nathalie resides in France.  Recently she purchased a tassel handbag that I made from  my shop on Etsy.com.  She was pleased with her purchase.  We e-mailed back and forth and she decided that she would like another tassel handbag for everyday use that would also be larger.
The finished result is what I picture in this blog.

In this world where so much merchandise is mass produced, custom is a luxury.  Many steps are involved in making custom.  In creating this purse from scratch I had many things to do even before I sat in front of my sewing machine.  I shopped for fabric, both outer and the inner lining.  I shopped for notions such as braid and thread colours and tassel.  I thought about appropriate embroidery designs.  I made an enlarged pattern from which I cut the chosen fabric.  I did an embroidery test on the chosen fabric to see how it would stitch out.  I thought and thought and gave the custom order some more thought too.  I planned the cutting, embroidery and sewing order in my head.  And, then I thought some more!

This is the pale green lining that I embroidered.  The outer fabric is a rich burgundy that has a nap (another thing to be taken into account when planning the embroidery and the cutting of the fabric).  The faux suede burgundy fabric also feels like velvet.

The N initial is on the front of the handbag.  I added this after I had already done the front embroidery.

Here is the back of the burgundy fabric when I am working on the quilting.  See my pins and markings!

Finally I am almost finished.  I just have to close (stitch by hand) the lining at the bottom of the handbag.  That I will do tomorrow.  And then I ship it to France.  What do you think?  It is a one of a kind creation that I made with love. 

Wisconsin Winter

The most beautiful hoarfrost graced everything yesterday morning.  But only on the west side of trees, plants, fences, houses, etc.  Truly spectacular the frost stood up on objects and gave another dimension to the eye.  Crystal clear but appearing white as light reflected off of it.  Light does the same thing to white daisy petals too.  Did you know that?  Daisy petals that appear white to the human eye are really clear!

Here you see the arbor vitae that grow along side my home here in southeast Wisconsin.  Now you ask why didn't I take more pictures?  I wanted too but was too busy with my new pup, Bon Bon which I did take for his first walk ( ok...I carried him wrapped in a blanket 'cause he is too small to walk far yet and it was too cold for him outside of a blanket).  By the way I've taken to calling him Bonny some times as a nickname.

Bon Bon and Lace

Just a couple of new pictures of Bon Bon playing with lace on my sewing room floor.  I know.  I know.  You think I'm not working and creating new things.  But, I am in between playing with my dog.  As a matter of fact, the white lace is being used on a heart pillow I'm making .

Bon Bon's New Outfit

Everybody who reads this blog knows that I embroider and make stuff.  So of course, I know you are expecting me to make something for my new dog.  And, here it is!

I made a little cape that is embroidered with stars and my dog's name, Bon Bon.  Bon Bon is small weighing just 2.3 pounds and is very difficult to photograph as he moves if not being held.  But, I still tried my best to get several pictures.  Here are some more:

Oh!  You are wondering what dog is this one?  Well my dog just had his fur color changed!  Just kidding.  This dog is fake.  It's a dog mannequin  that I use when fitting dog clothes.  A stand in just like they have in the movies or like the dress form I use for myself.

Two more pictures of the real Bon Bon are these:

He is hard to photograph as my camera has a slow shutter speed and Bon Bon moves too fast.  But, I think you can see what I made him.  He tells me he wants a complete wardrobe, p.j.'s, pants, t-shirts, bathrobe, etc. AND he says he wants everything either with his name or his monogram.  Sigh, I guess I have my work cut out for me.

Introducing BON BON !

Bon Bon is my new Maltese puppy I just got and is 9 weeks old.  He is a doll!  He fits right into our family and acts like he has been with us for a while.  In reality he has been with us only since Tuesday last.  But already he has done many things with us.

Things like going for rides thru the local Kettle Moraine Forest.  Things like learning to eliminate outdoors in a Wisconsin winter.  Things like playing with us and cuddling on the bed or sofa.  Things like getting dressed in his new blue knitted turtleneck sweater.  Things like sleeping thru the night.  Things like going to the vet and getting acquainted.  Things like watching me bake desserts in the kitchen.  Things like going shopping for treats, food, collar, leash, bed, and toys while being disguised as a baby wrapped in a blanket.  AND...

Bon Bon has just done his first New Year's Day entertaining!  Yes, indeed!  On January 1st (Bon Bon told me he lived to see another year) he helped me ... I should say he stole the show... entertain my good lady friend, Marion. 

Bon Bon and I served chicken noodle soup, spinach salad with dates, apricots, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds, chocolate pudding in demitasse cups and saucers, lemon crunch cake, and delicious coffee.  Marion was ever so gracious and brought a yummy spice cake filled with raisins and nuts.  We had a feast!

Bon Bon's father, Richard was away on a sporting clays shoot...a tradition with him on New Year's.

Bon Bon says he loves to entertain and bake in the kitchen.  And, he asked me what are we doing next?

I've told him that I've set up another play date with Marion so the three of us can go see the houses decorated for Christmas before the lights come down.  I also told him that he should start his diary 'cause I believe he is going to have a long and full life.  Now enough talking...check out his pictures...his first ones!

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