weekend

This past few weeks I have been on the go. I need a rest. Now that I am back from California I feel like I deserve a little rest time before I gear up for Urban Craft Uprising. Last night I went over to Bainbridge Island to spend the night with some dear friends. I love going over there because it really feels like a vacation. A short ferry ride is all it takes I suppose. We had a pizza party and then went to bed early so we could wake up early and take in a bit of the island before I had to head back to Seattle. Their farmer's market was impressive with not only veggies and baked goods but they also had some other vendors including clothing, blown glass, etc. BUT the best part about Bainbridge is Esther's Fabrics. They are celebrating their 50th anniversary so they had all these beautiful quilts hung up on their ceiling. Well it was inspiration overload if that's possible. I didn't have much time but managed to spend some money in a few minutes time. If you live in the area or will be visiting, I highly suggest this shop. I also found out it's the oldest fabric store in Washington!

Anyways, once I got to Schmancy I have managed to use up almost the entire day looking at blogs. Here are a few goodies.

Oddly enough I was debating about prewashing fabric before I make my next baby quilt and she is discussing that very topic.

Umm I read through this ENTIRE BLOG

I decided my big weekend plans will consist of:

1) garage sales (hopefully)
2) playing Bananagrams
3) Finish Middlesex: A Novel, 2002,Picador PUBLISHER,ISBN 0312422156
4) Start a new book...not sure which one yet.
5) Start a new quilt for all the babies coming soon (there are now 3 pregnancies I am aware of...lot's of baby showers in my future)

I hope you all have a nice and relaxing weekend.

Links

There is an article about amigurumi and it's trends featuring yours truly. Read it here. If you get a chance, check out some of the other awesome articles up there.

There are also notes up on the class given by moxie and myself on Craft Vending A-Z here

Plush Team

I have been asked to judge the next Plush Team competition. They do really fun competitions so you should check them out and participate sometime.

Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn

This weekend is the Renegade Craft Fair in NYC. It's always fun.

Fiber Arctic- Jessica Marquez

Jessica Marquez has a certain touch many people take their whole lives to achieve. Her work is beautiful, the details are impeccable and you can see the love that goes into each piece she creates. From her lovely message in the bottle to her photography to her amazing embroidery art. I really love her work and think you should too.



S- I really love your message in a bottle letter service. How is it typing up someone else's messages, love notes, etc.?

JM- It’s amazing! Truly, I never thought I would get the kind of unabashed responses that I have been receiving again and again. Sometimes the words are simple and direct, but there are many letters that when I type them I feel a sense of guilt creeping in, because I’m involved with someone’s most personal sentiments. It’s perfect for the voyeur in me, but more than that, it’s such an honor to be able to help share these tokens of affection. The end result of the letter service is a little object- a memento, and I try to make all my work little objects of memorial and remembrance.



S- You were in the show, Forget Me-Not this past Feb. where I got to meet you. Your work really stood out to many of us. The various stitches worked into your pieces and your attention to detail is so impressive. What is your background in art?

JM- Thanks! I loved all the work in Forget Me-Not and am very grateful to have been involved. Formally, I have a fine arts background studying, mainly, photography and art history. Growing up though, I was surrounded by creative women who worked with their hands and were always making, which inspired a strong love of handmade. The women in my family love to craft, cook, and enjoy doing these things together. So I have this sense of the familial tied to crafting and warmth too. Throughout school I sought out classes like bookmaking and metals that involved using my hands. Even in photography you are shaping images in a very hands on way, and I like to use my images to create something tangible. What I enjoy is the process- the time and labor involved with making is very enjoyable to me.



S- I see you will be at Renegade. Feel prepared? What are some of the items folks will be able to find from you?

JM- I’m prepared to be schooled!! Renegade is my first craft fair….so, at the moment I’m feeling nervous and scared-- excited too! Since it’s my first fair I don’t know if I could feel prepared. There are so many things I never considered before being on the other side of the table, like how much to bring, how much it costs to gather your materials together, as well as the planning and organizing. This week before renegade is going to be a non-stop week of making, trying to focus, and push my insecurities out of my mind. The fair will be a great learning experience for me.

At the fair I’ll have lots of small objects. Of course I’ll have a bunch of needlework pieces: constellations, samplers, red crosses and custom piece. There will be miniature cabinets of curiosities (tiny collections of small curious objects), books, and I’m even working on encaustic with vintage imagery. I also plan to have the Letter Service available for custom orders. I’m crazy excited about what I’m making and really looking forward to sharing it!



Find her on Etsy

Find her on flickr

FeeJee Mermaid Release!

Our first Schmancy release is today and I am so excited to start this! Our first artist is the fabulous Robyn Fabsits. For Schmancy only we will be selling FeeJee Mermaids while supplies last! We only have 20 so act fast.

Monsterosity

I went for toys but got distracted by the awesome candy pillows. Find on Etsy here

Hop Skip Jump

Adorableness by Hopskipjump