November Challenge

We had a great time at the Chris Cringle craft show earlier this month.  We sold alot of our goods and made a little money.  That's always nice.  Our first customers this year were 3 sisters.  These 3 sisters love animal prints.  Dogs.  Cats.  Elephants.  Anything with animals.  They each bought a new coin purse and maybe a coaster or two.  They were our first customers at the show last year, too.  They made a point of visiting our booth first this year before any other booth, because they wanted to buy some of our products.  That made us feel good.  This was our 4th year to have a booth at Chris Cringle, and one of the sisters has bought from us every year.  For some odd reason, I always remember her.  She has always bought animal prints.

A week or so after that show, we received invitations to 2 or 3 other shows this year.  We aren't able to make commitments to them, because we are already booked.  We don't do many craft shows, because sewing is a hobby for us.  We don't want it to feel like work, and it's not how we earn a living.  It's just a fun thing that earns us a little money.  No harm in that.

But...we do have other events on our calendars.  Joy is holding her annual Crafty Christmas Open House on Dec. 7th.  Jan is busy getting ready for two more shows.  The first one is this Saturday, Nov. 30th at Not Your Mama's Craft Market at the YMCA at Marysville, OH.  Her next show is less than a week later at her workplace.

We both decided to make new and different items that we didn't have available at Chris Cringle.  And that is what we decided to share as our challenge for this month.  Never before seen stuff.

Here's what we've come up with this month.

Framed embroidery
These are simple inspirational framed embroidery pieces that would look great on your desk, dresser, or kitchen counter.  Fill your hearts and minds with uplifting words and you'll be more inclined to treat others in a positive way.

Liberty of London totes
These totes are made from the luxurious Liberty of London fabrics.  Beautiful is the only word to describe them.

Remember...vote for your favorite.  and have a great Thanksgiving!!!

October Challenge (a day late)

Our annual showing at Chris Cringle show starts today. Yay!  It's hard to believe that this is the 4th year we've been in the show.  Time flies when you're having fun!  We spent yesterday afternoon setting up our booth and fine-tuning the look of it.  We're ready to get the party started!

We've been working hard on all our merchandise this month, so please forgive us for having another pillow challenge 2 months in a row.  Last month, our challenge was to make something out of the same fabric.  We both happened to make a pillow.  Surprise, surprise.  Since we've been busy making pillows for the show, we decided we would each enter a pillow that we're selling as our challenge this month.  Makes sense, huh?  Why make something that we're not going to sell.

Lindsey Polka Dot Pillow

This pillow is made in honor of a friend, Lindsey, who loves polka dots.  I hope this pillow makes her proud!  The pieces are made of one-inch squares of polka dot fabrics.  The initial idea was to make it a random design, but the randomness kind of went away in favor of this awesome looking pattern.  Can't think of what the name of this pattern is, but it's fun and beautiful!

Anthropology Knock-off Pillow

Sometimes you see something you love that's really expensive, and you don't want to spend alot of money on it.  Or maybe you just can't afford it.  That's when you put your skills to work and make your own.  Call it copy catting.  Call it knock-offs.  Call it making it work on your budget and your taste.  That's what this pillow is.  I saw it at Anthropology and refuse to pay the full price. It's made with blue chambray.  This is my interpretation, and I love it!

Vote for your favorite pillow!  If you like both pillows and can't decide, then vote for both.  We won't be offended.  And if you really like the pillows and can't live without them (and you're in Champaign, IL today or tomorrow), come out and buy them.  That wouldn't offend us either.