Trial and Error.

I am going to be setting up a booth at a few shows ... so here is what my set up is gonna look like ... well kinda. There are few small things that still need work and ... today my pop and I are making a mini coat rack for my purses.

Busy Busy Busy.

It was hard to get a good photo of the sketches in my book ... but this one is a little clear. It is an idea of how I want to set up my booth for the craft fair. I am trying to create a set up that can be used again. These happen to be the colors that I am into right now ... so I thought they would be perfect. I am going to try setting up a trial table soon ... those photos should be better. [blush]

Handmade Brigade.

I got picked to sell my work at the Handmade Brigade. An indie craft fair put on by Tall Mouse and Nina. This will be my very first indie craft fair ... I am so excited. I have been busy sketching booth ideas ... and I will post some pictures soon.

Friday Five.

Come by the shop for a closer look.

Who Knew.

Who knew that we could paint a canvas ... and then like it enough to hang it on our wall. We mixed all the paint from primary colors to get these colors. It took about two weeks to complete. The drying between colors took up most of the time.

We will be changing the colors in our living room soon ... and I am thinking a newly painted canvas.

I couldn't get a good photo of the whole canvas. So this is one side of it and a close-up.

Sad Day.

Today is a sad day. We'll miss you Hoover family.

Friday Five.

Fresh Cut.

Right from my parents garden. Now that is a zucchini. The yellow tomato is large to give you a better idea. We'll grill it up tomorrow ... sliced with olive oil and johnny salt (which is good on anything).

Reused.

My friends gave me a piece of burlap the other day. It was leftover gift wrap headed for the trash. The perfect amount to make this purse. I used linen as the lining and canvas for the strap. Still not sure if it will be for sale.

Downtown LA

Going to "the alleys" in downtown LA is always overwhelming for me. There is street after street with shop after shop filled to the brim with fabric. And everyone wants to help you ... what are you looking for? what type of fabric? what color? how much do you want?
The minimum cut is one yard ... which is hard for me because I make small things ... and I don't have the room for a killer stash like this. But you can't beat the price. For example ... Minky fabric can be $15-$19 dollars a yard but in LA you can find it for $5-$6 dollars a yard and in every color.
Unless I am making a new blanket for our couch or bed ... I just end up spinning in circles and then going by my usual shop to load up on zippers.

The Friday Five.

I attempted to take (nyk-lectic) to a local swap meet ... but I am not quite ready yet. I need to have papers and numbers and things I've never heard of.

So with the stash of things I made ... I am going to post five new items in the shop on Fridays. Here is the first five.

Subdued.

I always choose colors that are more muted. But since they are hidden inside these purses ... I thought a little brightness would be fun. I will be updating the shop this week ... and these will be in it.

Pleated Purse.

After a few trials ... here is the pleated purse. I have seen a few designs like this one (somewhere on the internet). Only they had more pleats. I had to have my own and this is what I came up with. I forgot to sew a label in this one ... so that makes it mine. But I have a few cut out for the shop ... more pictures soon.

Cupcakes Take The Cake.

I love all the cupcake shops popping up everywhere ... I wish I would have thought of such a great idea. My friend brought me these from Sprinkles just the other day and they were delish. However my favorite is still our local Long Beach spot Frosted Cupcakery. They also have a yummy blog that is fun to read.
I Heart Cupcakes.

In The Werx.

New and exciting things are happening with (nyk-lectic) ... but I can't reveal just what ... yet. But here are some of the new things that I have been busy with.


And heres a close up.

Have a great Holiday weekend. Cheers.

Camera. iPod. Gadget Case.

I have been working on some new things for (nyk-lectic). Here is my new camera case. This is still the prototype that needs a few more adjustments ... but it holds my camera just fine. There is a small pocket inside to hold an extra memory card or an extra game. I couldn't photograph a camera inside because I only have one.

Sew U Home Stretch.

Everyone (amy, amanda and melissa to name a few) is talking about Sew U Home Stretch. I picked up my own copy a week ago ... and I've read through it twice already. I have made many clothes from woven cottons and linens ... but I haven't made much from knit. Like many ... I have always had a fear of knits. But this book makes the fabric sound simple and forgiving.

I am going to start with some of the dresses in the book ... but I needed a french curve to draft the pattern alterations. I tried all the local craft and sewing shops near my house and then I searched the internet. With no luck except ebay (which scares me) I remembered this art supply shop ... only to get there and find out they closed down ... but the sell online. So for anyone with this book and the same predicament you can get a french curve here. And when mine comes in the mail ... I have my pattern ready. Along with this orange jersey knit for one of the dresses ... and this eco-friendly blue bamboo jersey knit for another.

I haven't tried out the patterns in the book yet ... but I still highly recommend it for all the other great info Wendy filled it with.

La Loteria

There are cards for most stores now days. So I created a little pocket to keep them all in one spot. It is also handy to hold your license and some cash for a night on the town.

They are made of cotton and are machine washable.

This batch was made with Loteria cards (mexican bingo) printed on the fabric.




I should have them photographed and in my etsy shop this weekend.