Market Approaches

K and I visited Urbana's Market at the Square this weekend in anticipation of my first market booth of the season next Saturday. I hope for weather as fine as this weekend, and plenty of people with pouch needs. K looks forward to kettle korn and the vanilla-chocolate swirl ice cream in a cup.
Farmers' market shoppers are purposeful and organized. They find food at the market to make into a meal that night, and buy flowers with which to decorate the table. They come with a reusable tote for their morning goodies. Maybe some of them will be interested in setting aside their market money in a designated pouch.

New Twist

My neighbor asked me to make a purse for her. She likes to switch between bags, but have the same features in each purse. So, we started with the canvas messenger bag I already make and customized from there. I made the strap adjustable. Inside, I added a lobster clasp on an extra-long tether so grocery store loyalty cards can be clipped together and hauled out for scanning while remaining on their leash. On the flap of the purse, I added a zippered pocket for receipts, lists, and other flat what-not. I especially like the idea of another zippered pocket worked into the skeleton of the bag. I think it makes the whole project look attractive for both its fabric and function.

Homemade Beads

The Fab Lab on campus hosts a laser cutter perfect for making my own beads. Any cutting pattern I design on the computer can be translated by the machine into precise slices or etchings. The process is much more cost-effective than buying beads and having them mailed to me. I like the ability to make beads of the exact size and number I imagine I require. Even the kids are mildly intrigued by the lure of designing something out of colored acrylic and then watching the laser do their bidding. M informs me the cost of such a unit makes a home set-up impractical; it's a pity.

Fab Lab Magic

We recently discovered the Fab Lab, located on the U of I campus. It houses various pieces of interesting machinery that's open for public use, including an Epilog laser cutter. What crafting possibilities!
I'm now playing with acrylic sheets to cut my own beads for pouches and purses. I can design a shape on the computer and etch initials or messages on a rainbow of transparent and translucent colors. Fabulous!

QR-Code

I've been noticing these secret patterns in magazine ads and on the backs of cereal boxes. I hear they lead you to web sites if you use a smart phone or iPod and take a picture of them. Now, I don't have a smart phone, but I thought I needed a QR-Code anyway. I will frame it and set it out at my Urbana Market at the Square booth this summer. I know people will be curious enough to snap a picture of it and then my parking lot presence will be integrated with my world wide web presence.
Isn't it cute?

Peep Wreath

This time there is no fabric involved in a craft project. No beads. No zippers. Nothing Japanese. K and I have been attracted for weeks to the spectrum of marshmallow Peeps available around Easter. We worked together to make a wreath for the front porch. We planned to cover the wreath form in pink and use a parade of purple marshmallow bunnies; the store ran short, so we settled for a monochromatic look.
Lessons learned: licking your fingers during a project makes everything messier.
Hot glue doesn't work very well on Peeps (they melt), while toothpicks (though cruel) do the job.
The internet is full of Peep inspiration, and there are many people spending more time crafting with Peeps than we did. It's worth a look.

Retro Wow

I frequently see fabrics I can't resist. I have tried not looking so often, to avoid seeing and then buying. I can't resist looking, either. Another strategy is to look frequently and then wait for a true list of must-haves to develop. The more hunting around for great fabric I do, the more refined my list of must-have fabrics must become. Then I can shop from the top of the list, knowing I'm getting the most choice designs.
Number one on my hit list right now is this viewmaster pattern from Melody Miller. Printed by the Japanese Kokka fabric folks, I'm attracted to the scale, the pattern, the color combination, the kitsch, the texture, all of it. Back-ordered for some time, I now have enough to play. What to make first?

Snapped Up

I continue to play with ways to make a canvas shoulder/shopping bag with a zippy twist. This special order bag uses organic cotton for two outside pockets (one of which zips shut) and features another zippered pocket on the inside of the bag. A snap at the top adds a little extra security and shine. I folded the sides in to change the shape of the bag, but I imagine a full tote with expanded sides would be useful, too. I pre-shrunk the cotton webbing handles so the bag should be very washable. M cut a removable wooden insert to give the base of the bag more heft.

April Fabric

At long last, it's time to think about gardening. I like to start a few seeds under a grow light--coleus for pots on the front porch, geraniums for pots on the back porch, and later zinnias for cutting and basil for pesto. I have my fair share of yard ornamentation, too. My only garden gnome lasted a few years, but finally broke.
This month's fabric with free shipping at my web store (www.inmyvastsparetime.com) celebrates the kitchy yard friend.

Market Produce

After a long and cold winter, I don't want to skip over spring. I am, however, looking forward to the Urbana Market at the Square this summer. I have signed up for the following dates: June 18, July 16 and 23, August 6 and 20, and September 3.
I have loads of new fabric and a few new product ideas. If the weather cooperates, it will be a fine time.

March's Fabric

I buy a lot of fabric. I've been trying to resist, but it's hard for me. When choosing fabric I think: 1. Does it coordinate with something I already have? 2. Do I think it would speak to the good shoppers at the Urbana Market at the Square? 3. Is it Japanese, by chance? 4. Does it make me gasp? This book print scored a 3 out of 4, and so it is March's fabric-of-the-month. Pouch sets made from it are offered with free shipping all month long.

Long Winter

More snow fell during the night, and I don't know a single person who isn't winter-weary. The upside of a harsh winter is the bonus indoors time to, well, sew. On a recent snow day from school, the kids kicked back with the Wii and playing in the basement and I did some sewing.
The organic cotton modern chair fabric is a particular favorite currently. Somehow, I own quite a bit of fabric featuring chairs. I also covet robot fabric, bike prints, fairy tales and anything predominantly red.