may classes at Etsy Labs

now that renovations are complete, i'm happy to be back in action, teaching at the new-and-improved Etsy Labs! i've got 2 sewing classes on the schedule for may, and more in the works. check out all of their fun classes...

Design Your Own Totebag (Beginning Sewing)

If you've been wanting to learn to sew, this introductory class is for you! You will learn how to operate a sewing machine and design and complete your own tote bag. Learn more about the class and sign up here.

Learn to Make a Sundress (Intermediate Sewing)

In this class you will learn how to make a dress while learning some of the finer points of sewing: seam finishing, darts, inserting invisible zippers, bias-tape necklines and embellishing with trims. Learn more about the class and sign up here.

V-O-T-E

eleanor* (pictured with her trunk) politely requests that you get on over and VOTE!
but first you might want to check out the campaign posters... you have until 8pm Pacific Time on may 6 to make your mark on the softies world, and the winners will be announced on may 7.

*eleanor was made by beeper bebe and is one of my five finalists in the elephant group. i love her mini menagerie!

threadbanger

i was featured on the video podcast Threadheads last week, showing how to crochet strips of jersey onto the neckline of a t-shirt. if you've never seen the show, you should check out all of their episodes (treehouse was also profiled a couple of weeks ago)...

if the player above doesn't work, you can watch it here.

hodge podge @ the brooklyn flea

on sunday (4/27/08) i'll be hawking new hodge podge wares at my new favorite haunt, the Brooklyn Flea in fort greene! i'll be part of the Etsy booth and we'll be promoting classes at the Etsy Labs (i'm teaching two sewing classes there in may: beginner and sundress). two of my friends and co-teachers, callie of church of craft and callieco, and plush-maker jenny harada, will be there too!

thanks to kim of Keep It Moving for the photo above; you can see more pics from the flea and see what she scored on her blog. she totally bought the matta dress i coveted!

i think this is the linkiest post i've ever written...

2008 softie awards

i have been remiss about posting lately, as i've got way too much on my plate (tee hee!) and spent last week in the bahamas on my first vacation in i-can't-remember-how-long, but i need to mention that i'm very honored to have been selected again to judge (amidst an illustrious panel) the 2008 Softie Awards! there are over 1200 entries. my category this year is the 'elephant tribute' but above are some fave pics from the 'picnic food' category. i've submitted my five elephant finalists, and judging should be available soon: check here for details. everyone in the whole wide world is invited to vote, so exercise your right and cast your ballot!

hats off!

dreamland roller rink

well, the Lola Staar Dreamland Roller Rink was literally my friend dianna's dream come true, and it was quite a spectacle! the skates had all been given out by the time we got there, but i was perfectly happy just to watch all the characters and take pics...


there were skaters of every age, style and skill level, and everyone was having a grand time!






marisa tomei, who skated all night, presented dianna with a pair of hand-painted sparkly skates to commemorate the evening, and then there was a skating performance of the Lola Staar theme song.




the moon was full and beautiful over Coney Island that evening as we walked on the boardwalk toward the subway.

treehouse in the storque

the always lovely GLOT (Gorgeous Ladies of Treehouse) are this week's featured buyers in The Storque, which if you don't know is the extensive online 'newspaper' of Etsy. check out their fresh picks, featuring hodge podge and lots of other fellow SAPLINGs...