Vacation, vacation

Every summer for the past few years my husband and I go to Nantucket.  A tiny little island off the coast of Cape Cod, it is a magical place.  We like to go after Labor Day, this is when the crowds leave.  It is a beautiful place, rich in history. As I was thinking of what to write today on my blog I was looking at my vacation pictures.  Instead of writing something and then posting photos with my post, I thought I would just post my photos for inspiration.  In case you didn't get to take a vacation this summer maybe these will help you drift off in a lovely day dream.

Some of the things I love about Nantucket.

Benches in random places just to sit and watch the world go by.  

I have spent much time on Nantucket and I still enjoy watching the slow ferry come in.  It gives me shivers, odd to say I know.  Maybe it is the gigantic size of it afloat the water, or maybe the excitement of coming and leaving the island. 

Love the blue shutters on this house. 

Love the green trim on this house.

Knitting on the beach.  Working on my version of the Super Easy Baby Blanket by Purl. 

A very old cemetery on Quaker Road

I saw this closed up retail space in town.  Hmmmm....I daydreamed of a nice little sewing shop being here.  But could I survive a winter on this island. 

A typical tiny island roadway

Oysters at Cru Nantucket.  This restaurant is one of my apron clients. The waitress, Dina who was from Long Island, picked out a great selection of oysters for me.

On Wednesdays the flower truck sets up shop. 

a Liberty of London bicycle for sale!

Lots of lovely little cottages

Fresh heirloom tomatoes with fresh ricotta and strawberries at the Boarding House

My girl and I, wearing our striped tees.  Andy and I would have contests to count how many striped nautical type tops we would see. One day it did reach 30 in a few hours.


I hope you enjoyed these photos.  Now only 300 plus days till I see the Grey Lady again.

Farewell, I love you Nantucket.

xxoo

The deal is done, signatures signed and keys handed over!

Well we are officially home owners! My husband and I closed on our new place in Brooklyn yesterday and cannot wait to move in! We will be in Park Slope which is close to the city so I can still ride my bike. I am looking forward to starting my new garden like right now!   Lots going on here, next week we move but before that I have some big news. On Monday I will be on the Martha Stewart show. Well now I am not sure if I will be on but I have been invited along with some other NY Etsy sellers for a special show about selling on Etsy. I will be sitting with some members from my craft designer group formerly the Newnew now called Etsy NY Team. I am so excited!!


We are asked to bring an item which I had a hard time deciding. I think it will be best if I bring an apron but I can't decide on which one. I am still working on some of them but here are some options. Can you please help me?
I am not feeling strongly toward any of them probably just because I am a tad nervous.

The Apple Apron

Chef's Half Apron

Worker's Measure waist apron

Betty Apron

Back to sewing, lots more aprons to make this weekend!

Sewing classes 101 and 102- my student's projects

This past weekend I wrapped up 2 of the sewing classes I teach at 3rdward. Both classes were filled with interesting and eager students. Saturday's class was Sewing 101. I teach them how to make a grocery bag- one sided or reversible or they can make a cafe apron.  It's always interesting to see how many aprons will be sewn and how many bags. In this class it was split pretty evenly. Most people do finish the first project and start on the second one before the 3 session class ends.

This was very cool fabric, it was a poly mix and had a very breezy quality.

I loved the royal blue waistband. It totally pops out with the striped fabric.

Sewing 102 ended on Sunday. Mostly girls with our one guy Noel. Noel took my 101, he picked up sewing with no problem and worked on a very cool black denim messenger bag. All the ladies did the A Line skirt, denim was the most popular chosen fabric. This was a great group of people. I don't think anyone wanted the class to end, including me.

Charlotte added 2 5 point pockets to her's.

Sarah added an angled flap 5 point pocket

darts in the back

Students are so hard on themselves. They don't realise not only did they learn how to use a sewing machine, they made something!

More photos here http://3rdward.tumblr.com/tagged/craft/page/2

Chickens and roosters

Lately I have been in a chicken rooster kind of mood, well I guess it comes and goes. For years I have loved the French and Italian inspired country chicken fabrics, kitchen wares, tea towels and dishes. A few weeks ago while sorting thru my piles of fabric looking for Easter type themes I found a chicken fabric. A deep saturated yellow fabric with crispy colored red, white and black chickens. I remember I bought this print to make napkins for myself. It is a nicely spaced print. Just the chicken nothing else.

my latest purchase

I think the reasons I am drawn to these prints is because I have a day dream to live in Provence or some other country rural area of France or Italy.  I've never been to Provence. But I digress, back to the chickens. I have collected quite a collection of the chicken and rooster fabrics and I bought all of these to make things for myself. Not too business like.  Well life gets busy and the chicken fabric piled up on the ironing board waiting for me. So I decided I am going to focus on the chicken and the rooster. Sounds very yen, zen I mean.

French Chicken Countryside Apron May 2011
buy this here http://www.etsy.com/listing/74553923/french-countryside-half-apron