first etsy sale!!!

i am so excited i just have to share: i had my first etsy sale last night and it was a DOUBLE!!! she bought these two woolly wraps and i am just pleased as punch. now on my shop page it says '2 items sold' and i feel like a real etsy seller!

i've been rather enamored of etsy lately, and since i've taken the HANDMADE PLEDGE, intend to buy most of my holiday gifts there. have you checked out their new gift guides? and look, it's gertie!

i keep finding so many amazing designers by clicking around, and stalking The Storque, so i've decided to start a new column: Etsy Shop of the Week. this and some of my other grand plans may not really get going 'til january, when the holiday craft sale madness subsides, but stay tuned...

and speaking of sales, don't forget CRAFTACULAR is next saturday, december 8th! the mind-boggling vendor list is up, so take a pre-gander at what's in store.

holiday one-night workshops @ Home Ec

I've got some new one-night workshops on thursday evenings starting this week at Home Ec; there's still time to learn a new craft before 2007 is out...

Home Ec is located at 303 3rd Avenue, between Carroll and 1st Street in Brooklyn, between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens (R to Union St.)

Here are 3 great classes to get you ready for the holidays; guaranteed to inspire you to MAKE some of your presents this year!

Introduction to Embroidery
November 29th

6:30-8:30pm
$40

A touch of embroidery can spruce up everything from clothes to curtains. It's a great way to personalize something for yourself or for someone you love!! We'll learn 12 simple stitches and make a sampler that you'll keep for reference.

Students should bring:

**a fat quarter (18 x 18") of gingham or other sturdy lightweight woven

**embroidery floss
**needles (with big enough eye to thread the floss through)

Introduction to Applique

December 6th
6:30-8:30pm

$50

Applique can be cute or avant-garde; we'll give you the skills to take it either way! It's a fantastic way to embellish gifts this holiday season. You'll be amazed at what you'll be able to do. 3 different hand-stitching techniques will be covered.

All supplies for this class are included!

Introduction to Block Printing

December 13th
6:30-8:30pm

$60

Did you know you could learn to print your own textiles at home??? We'll use simple tools to carve our own stamps and experiment with several different printing materials.

All supplies for this class are included!

it's nice to have birthdays

i had a lovely thanksgiving weekend upstate, and friday was my birthday! colleen made me cherry scones for breakfast (yum!) and then we drove through the Berkshires (i sang along to the Beatles while crocheting the whole way) up to MASS MoCa, to see some art.
the next day we wandered around Hudson, checking out the shops, and at the outdoor bookstore i came across this little Holly Hobbie book. in case you didn't know, she is my all-time favorite muse and fashion icon! and filled with sage advice, too...

we were most excited that there was a jenny holzer exhibit at the museum, but sadly the projectors weren't working. in the gift shop were these wooden postcards of hers (more words of wisdom!) from her truisms series; i bought the two red ones to add to my art wall, and colleen got the 'boys and girls' one.

also on saturday, colleen made these scrumptious veggie-tofu pot pies, which were the perfect cozy comfort food on such a frosty day!

design your own tote

last weekend was the final installment of my newest class at the etsy labs, beginner sewing: design your own tote bag workshop. everyone did a fantastic job with their bags.... most were lined, and i think each had either an inner lining pocket or an outside pocket. nearly everyone opted for the boxed corners too, giving their bags a little dimension. not bad for brand-new beginner seamsters, eh? the next session of this (3-week) class begins february 12.

pants class at brooklyn general

the long-awaited pants class at brooklyn general is here! it starts this tuesday so there's still time to sign up...

Sewing 103 (Intermediate) $190

Tuesdays 6:30 to 8:30 pm 11/20, 27, 12/4, 11, 18
Five 2-hour classes

You CAN make your own pants! Using Wendy Mullin's Built by You pattern 4110, you will make and customize these cute low-rise carpenter-style pants. You'll learn how to sew a fly zipper, patch or flap pockets, belt loops and buttonholes.

Materials:
Built by You/Simplicity pattern 4110
1 1/8 to 2 3/4 yards fabric, depending on width and chosen style (see back of pattern)
lightweight fusible interfacing (3/8-5/8 yard depending on style)
thread to match
one to three 7" nylon zippers
one to three 7/8" buttons (depending on style)
basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins and pincushion, seam ripper, etc.)

To register, please call the shop at 718–237–7753 (leave a message!) or stop by in person.

i did it!

finally! after talking about it (for what, like a year now?) i have at last set up my etsy shop:

http://www.hodgepodgefarm.etsy.com

check it out! i will be posting approximately one piece per day. special thanks to erika for modelling, kim for art directing and xine for the banner!

softies on parade

my friend terry just sent me this video, made by andrew moran and christina loff to promote terry's book Softies! i helped out as the 'technical consultant' on the book, so i held every one of those little creatures in my hands and made friends with them, and it's beautiful to see them come to life... i love when the little plaid dog (rosa pomar) does tricks (reminds me of gertie!) and when the donut and ice cream sandwich (my paper crane) play tetherball. have a look; it'll brighten your day!

new applique class at Home Ec

applique workshop w/ cal patch

thursdays november 8th, 15th, and 29th

6:30-8:30pm

3-class series $120.00

whether traditional or modern, applique is a fantastic way to embellish clothing, gifts, and decorations. we'll learn several techniques for hand and machine-stitched applique using various felt, knit, and woven fabrics, and then you can design and begin your own project. you'll be amazed what you can do!!

supplies needed (for 1st class):

scraps of fabric and felt
embroidery floss
hand sewing needles (big enough eye to thread embroidery floss through)
pins

(2nd and 3rd classes):
as above, plus materials for your desired projects (can be finished item like T-shirt or tote bag OR a piece of fabric to make into something later)

call 718-852-2889 to sign up!
you can also e-mail flirtbrooklyn@earthlink.net with your phone # and we'll call you to take your payment securely by phone.

Home Ec is located at 303 3rd avenue (between Carroll and 1st Street) Brooklyn, NY 11215
for more info and the complete class line-up look here.

good dish

when i first moved into my apartment, almost 5 years ago, i couldn't find a set of dishes that i liked. so i got a cheap set of red melamine dishes to be my temporary ones until i found ones that were 'just right'. well, since then i've seen plenty of beautiful dishes, but none that i could afford. but several months ago i read about a new food-safe ceramic paint that can be 'fired' in a home oven, and was inspired to paint my own damn set! i got these plain ones at IKEA and doodled some simple shapes on them, no two alike. and i love them!


in other news, i'm determined to finish this sweater that i started 2 winters ago. it's a pattern from Interweave Crochet (Fall 2005 i think?) and i believe the yarn is Colinette Point 5, but i'm not positive because i got it at a sample sale.

gertie wanted in on the photo shoot, as usual...