Technical Difficulties and What's in the Works

So, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth. However, we have been experiencing technical difficulties: my computer is in the shop getting a new hard drive. Thankfully, everything was backed up. But all the photos and content for posts that I had planned for this week are on that computer:-( Once I get it back this evening here are a few things you'll have to look forward to:

Yoga Mat Bag Photos
Planning Sophia's First Birthday
Projects in Wool
My Sister's Winter Wedding Decor

And if you're looking for a Saturday outing come and see us at the From the Studio: Artist Sale and Event in Kittery, Maine December 4th from 9am to 3pm. Check out the Facebook page for links and pictures of some of the amazing pieces that will be featured.

--Sarah

Black Friday vs. Small Business Saturday

Today is "Black Friday" a day where people typically flock to big box stores to get deals on all kinds of mass produced clothes, toys, electronics and more. I'm not against shopping (I L-O-V-E to shop...especially for fabric). And I'm not against big box stores-- I love saving money, I like a good deal and I really like Target. With that said, starting Bumblebee and Sophie has ushered me into a world I oblivious to before: the world of local crafters and artisans. These people live in your community and spend their time turning their talents into works of art, jewelry, clothing, pottery...And I would wager a guess that most of these people are doing what they do because they love it.

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, for the first time people are making a commitment to shop local and support small businesses. for more information and to get involved check out their Facebook page:

This Christmas, I'm trying to buy local for all my gifts...either that or make them. Although buying local can sometimes mean spending more money, it is money well spent if you consider it an investment in your community and if you're buying direct from the crafter or artisan it is a way to build a relationship too.


Here are a few of our favorite shops that feature the work of local artisans and crafters:

Lucy's Art Emporium

303 Central Ave

Dover, NH 03820

603.740.9195 

Art Stream

56 North Main St.

Rochester, NH 03867

603-330-0333

Poppy Seed Studio

82 High Street

Somersworth, NH 03878

603-692-5588

The Nest

601 Islington St

Portsmouth, NH 03801

(603) 501-0875

I am Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving!

(aka "Turkey Day")

 These Turkeys are in Cindy's backyard. They've made themselves at home there this fall.

And here are a few things that we're thankful for:

For Family who live close by...

Rachel (above)  and Alissa (below) with 2 week old Sophia

And new little babies..

Sophia at 2 weeks.

  

And 6 1/2 years of marriage...

Mark and Sarah in 2004

and 31 years of marriage

John and Cindy this year in Tuscon.

For Dads and Moms...

For new endeavors...

 For great-grandpas

 For Jesus

And growing babies

Sophia at 11 months

And new discoveries

For a son...

Danielle and Chris

...and daughters

Rachel and Peter

Alissa and Andy

and we're thankful for the beautiful place we live in.

And we're thankful for YOU our readers!

--Sarah and Cindy

Harvest Card

I noticed this past week in the card isle of the Grocery store a growing number of Thanksgiving cards. I suppose every other holiday and occasion has cards, so why not Thanksgiving? Given that cards are soooo expensive,  making your own is a great idea! And if you happen to had a scrap bag, a great use of those odd-shaped little pieces of fabric.

Here's how I made mine:

 I happened to have card stock and matching envelopes from the "intro paper packet" that came with our printer (so many years ago when we bought it). They are a nice heavy weight and have a pre-fold crease down the middle. 

I grabbed a few harvest colored fabrics from my scrap bag...

...and sewed one of the squares onto the card.

I added another piece of fabric, gathering it as I sewed to create a ruffle.

I picked out a couple more fabrics and gathered them in a way that resembled a leaf, then sewed them together across the base.

 I added the leaf to the card by sewing "veins" up and down the leaf shape. (Sorry this picture is so fuzzy...I need to invest in a better camera)

I added the message: "Happy Harvest" and my fabric card was done!

--Sarah

Celebrate the Harvest...of Burp Cloths

When I told my husband we were doing a series of blog posts with the theme and title: "Celebrating the Harvest' he asked "What are you celebrating a harvest of burp cloths?" While that wasn't my intention originally, my plan was to include harvest crafts and recipes and things like that, I realized this week that with the latest batch of burp cloths I made, it is a bit of a "harvest" so why not celebrate that by showing you some pictures!

Here's a look at the new fabrics. L-O-V-E them!

Birds and Bird cages.

Brown Damask and Pink Bees.

Turquoise and Brown stripe with matching dots.

And I made a few new card wallets too, in some very fun colors!

So there's last weeks "Sewing Harvest."  

--Sarah

Craft Fair Recap

Sunday's craft fair was a success! And a whole lot of fun too, there were lots of talented people with some very beautiful things. We debut two new dresses ("Dakota" and "Chelsey") a few new skirts and some terry burp cloths in some great new fabrics (I'll save those for another post:-).  

Our booth was set up in a middle school gym, so you can imagine the lighting was fabulous for pictures;-)

Here are the new dresses: "Dakota" on the left and "Chelsey" on the right--don't you just love the multi-checks and the blue circles! Both these dresses went to home with cute little girls.

Still in love with my vintage high chair!

New skirts in fun wintery colors--and a cute little appliqued onesie to match! Plus that pink jumper there on the side is FLANNEL! Super soft flannel;-)

There was a lady across from us, from Country Snowmen and Friends selling adorable snowmen. I bought this little guy who I'll give away this Christmas.

And before the craft fair even started another crafter, Shawna from Olivia's Journee came up and requested bib clips--something I haven't made before, but I jumped at the chance to do a custom order and so we made a trade: custom bib clip for this ring. 

I love it! Unfortunately the lighting doesn't do the colors of this ring justice, but I wanted to get the pictures up. Really the background is a light blue which makes the pink and reds really pop. And I actually wear it on my right hand, but do you know how hard it is to hold a camera in your left hand and take a picture of your right hand when you are right handed? Um. It's hard. 

So that was our Greenland Women's Craft Fair experience. Hopefully we'll be back next year!

--Sarah