Gingercake

Insta who?

I finally figured out my instagram account! It is as fun as everyone says.  I admit that so far it is a lot of baby but I swear I will be sewing again soon!  Come and follow me at @gingercakesews.  

 

Bunnies and Price Tags

Another new thing I made for the handmade arcade was some small bunnies.  Perfect for a little extra gift for a baby shower or (of course) in the easter basket next spring.  To me bunnies are equally baby as much as they are easter so I figured a few for this December show wouldn't hurt!  Plus, they are super cute and I couldn't resist making a few of them.

If you already own this quick and easy pattern, just print out your pattern pieces at 65% percent.  Also, you will need to adjust the "toe" to make it poke out about an inch less- without this change, it looks really sharp.  I did a simple tie instead of the bow like on the big version and I left the embroidered eye off.

Also, these are the price tags I am using now.  They are nothing fancy but I figured if you are looking for tag ideas, this may work for you as well as it does for me.  I just used a paper punch from Michaels and with some trial and error, made a word (actually I used Pages on my mac) document on a standard sheet of paper.  You can fit about 24 logos per sheet of paper.  I just punched out the logo and then punched a small hole for the safety pin.  I put my prices on the back.  Simple, cute and cheap!

Come and see me tomorrow if you are in Pittsburgh!  I would love to meet you!

 

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This weekend I am doing the Handmade Arcade again.  This will be my 4th time doing the show!  Before you think I am total nut doing a craft show only a few weeks after having a baby, I made all my stuff back in Septmeber and I am happily resisting the urge to sew a single other item before the show.  It feels so wierd to have a show in only 2 days and not doing any last minute stressy sewing.  When I say wierd, I mean it feels really great!

This time I made all my owl bags with pom poms for the show.  Remember this cute bag?  I worked out how to make it easier by tacking the pom poms on with steam a seam light.  This was great and made the process much faster.  You have to cut the steam a seam into sections to get around the curve.  Once the poms poms are attached, then you sew the 2 sides together and DO NOT trim your seams down.  The last time I trimmed my seams and ended up with several poms poms falling off and it's pretty tedious sewing those little suckers back on by hand.  

Also,  Vanessa let me preview her brilliant new photography ebook a couple of weeks ago.  I really recommend it to help you take photos of your sewn creations.  She talks quite a bit about staging and photo editing.  These tips are simple and useful!  To show some of the "behind the scenes" I took a picture of my staging to share with you...

I use the hooks for the towels in the bathroom.  The backdrop is the coat closet by my front door.  I open my front door to get better light (even though it was 27 degrees outside!).  This is my best location to get a wider shot of my creations even though the natural light is only mediocre. The first photo I lightened up in PSE and second I just did in my iphoto.  I had to really work on all those shadows!

Vanessa is giving away a copy of her ebook for sew mama sew giveaway day so head over to her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win!

 

 

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Another show under my belt

While I am sewing up items for a show I often wonder why I am making the effort.  Creating patterns is much more my thing buisness wise and sewing for fun is more my thing creative wise.  But doing a show once or maybe twice a year does improve your sewing skills and sometimes opens doors to new ideas and opportunities.

My wonderful friend Amy Frank and I did this show together.  It was in Eaglesmere PA which is a historical resort town in Eastern Pennsylvania.  It sits on a lovely lake and the visitors all seem to love the old timey vacation feel.  Amy provided the tent and together we had a wonderful time talking away (without children!) about family, friends, business & lots of sewing!

My half had the usual suspects of crayon holders, owls, lunch boxes, birds, elephants, etc.

Amy used to make handbags and do lots of shows.  She has taken a few years off (FOUR KIDS!) and now is making her way back to sewing.  I love her work and especially her charming and meaningful Shema cuffs.

She gave me a "JOY" cuff which I am wearing everyday.  The idea is to stay present to your beliefs and priorities by wearing them on your wrist.  Very cool.

She also made bags which open up to words and quotes.  I got a bag that says "Let your Light Shine" and "Hello Beautiful" on the inside.  So fun!

Wouldn't you like to have a throw pillow on your couch with a Ghandi saying on it??   Amy's work makes me want to add a bit more depth to my sewing and creating.  I have to figure out to use this inspiration in my own way that works for my style!

I have learned that my ability to put together one of these shows is now much more refined.  I know how much to make (for the most part!) and I am prepared with my display and pricing.  There was no real last minute stress except the weather which turned out fine.  A show every once in awhile is a great way to connect with real people looking at your sewn items- it's great to see their reactions and hear their comments.  

Now I am looking forward to spending these last 2 weeks with the kids before school starts!  I am hoping to sew with Elsie and garden with Anne.  And vice versa!  I am sure we will be heading down to the creek and over to the pool too.  This summer has gone by so fast!  What else are you trying to squeeze into summer time?   I know for lots of you school has already begun-  Are you relieved or sad to see them go back?  I always feel a bit of both but I want to try and enjoy this little time left of sleeping in and lack of planning as much as possible before we are back to the school day grind!

Lola Owl with pom poms

My sweet neice Avery just had her 7th birthday.  I have been wanting to make her an owl bag since she loves to accessorize.  I bought a bunch of pom poms from Pick your Plum a few weeks ago.  This was my first time working with poms poms!

I used vintage modern fabric by Bonnie & Camille and a pink duck cloth for the body.  I found the pom poms a little more challenging than I thought they would be but worth the extra effort since they add such a cute frame for the owl.

A Shared Nursery by AnnKelle

A few months ago, Kelle Boyd asked me to sew up a couple of my pillows for a shared sibling nursery she was doing for chic & cheap nurseries.  She chose the farbics and sent them to me.  Angela Crutcher took these beautiful pictures for Kelle.

I love the grey walls and all the mix of textures.  Didn't she do a beautiful job??  Head over to her blog to see all the links for the linens and decor she used.  I made the orange and yellow bird and also a Lola Owl and a coordinating Max Owl. 

The room is shared between a 9 year girl and a baby.  A real challenge to design something fitting for both!  Thanks to Kelle for thinking of me and my pillows to include in the design.  

Beautiful photographs Angela!  

 

Minis in the Shop

I felt the need to stock up my Gingercakesews Etsy shop.  Just some mini crayon folios but once I got started I ended up making 9.  They are so fast and simple!  I should have followed my own instructions though since I added the flap to the wrong side!  Darn that over confidence!  They are still cute and fun though but would have looked a little nicer with the flap on the pad side- not the lumpy crayon side!  

Minis are so handy and always sell easily.  Plus, with summer travel coming, who doesn't need some extra help for kid entertainment?  Making multiples of these is fun and easy- try it out if you already have the pattern.  

Next is finally adding all my thrifty finds to my vintage shop.  I have some bright and fun finds that I am excited to share!

Gingercake Sews is Stocked up!

I loaded up my gingercake sews shop!  If I was really organized I would have had this done a few weeks ago to be ready for early Holiday shoppers but there is still plenty of time!  

I also have some crayon folios that will go in there as soon as the sun comes out and I can take pictures!   Hopefully, in between making sweet potato casserole and helping the kids write a newspaper (about nice family gossip!), I will also be making some Lola Owl bags in the next few days.  

Are you busy making things?  What are you cooking for Thanksgiving?  Hope you all have a happy day with family and friends and get your belly nice and full!