tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62235218686528991492024-03-19T08:40:56.547-04:00Lila CreatesLila Creates: How Clever and Contemporary Get HandmadeLilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-11272653839846345962016-04-22T12:47:00.002-04:002016-04-22T12:49:22.054-04:00The Continental Shift Sale is ON! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The shop-wide <a href="http://lilakids.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Continental Shift Sale</a> is on now! Everything in the shop is 15% off because I am moving to Germany soon! The shop will not re-open in time for 2016 holiday shopping, so if you see something that will work for your gift list, you'd best get it now. There is still a good selection to choose from, for example:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233855475/geometric-pillow-cover-linen-euro-sham?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxuDyHgXrDg/VVy3C4D0T8I/AAAAAAAAFao/zOraT9uLYJYt7ig4OsX0LKbnb8ewoDL6wCKgB/s320/P1190023.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233855475/geometric-pillow-cover-linen-euro-sham?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank">pretty taupe geometric pillow cover</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/264572273/linen-table-runner-silver-and-grey-on?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iVnfgzT1RBM/Vp0gucwW8FI/AAAAAAAAJew/7Ub-dzjdHRcrEpLXvH_vh_ntnjcwGev2wCKgB/s320/P1220462.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/264572273/linen-table-runner-silver-and-grey-on?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank">sparking 60" table runner</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/234436089/apron-for-men-gift-for-dad-grilling?ref=featured_listings_row" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTO8aH0wubg/VWCjdwQPewI/AAAAAAAAFj0/rSwhTtlKzS0IBRkcUVpKXe_Vdgl2fCHtQCKgB/s320/P1190081.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/234436089/apron-for-men-gift-for-dad-grilling?ref=featured_listings_row" target="_blank">father's day grilling apron with matching towel</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/263656667/fabric-hoop-art-miniature-wall-art?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eT7quw2td0E/VpVopOnOx7I/AAAAAAAAJZ0/13458gFEKY0mvbpaUlzMQ3plF9PhoZzsgCKgB/s320/P1220364.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/263656667/fabric-hoop-art-miniature-wall-art?ref=shop_home_listings" target="_blank">pretty embroidery hoop wall art</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/272161946/organic-cotton-lunchbag-reusable-snack?ref=featured_listings_row" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWGLaiyIcZk/VuHE5dvYZkI/AAAAAAAAKJg/qMQy94WRaLgqmTRVFjbSRo9ut1f78HP2ACKgB/s320/P1220730.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/272161946/organic-cotton-lunchbag-reusable-snack?ref=featured_listings_row" target="_blank">snack bag sets</a></td></tr>
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Have fun shopping!<br />
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-78133345732667394362015-03-26T21:02:00.000-04:002015-03-26T21:02:43.956-04:00Working in the Cloud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I mentioned earlier this month that I have a new laptop and that I had to learn new photo editing software as a result. That's because the laptop isn't actually a laptop; it's a Chromebook, which works entirely in the Cloud, so everything you do is in the Cloud, from storing photos, to making spreadsheets, to watching movies, to well, anything. This is only possible these days because of all the apps available now and the storage space one can purchase from Google and other services. I'm totally in love with this little thing. First of all, it was far less expensive than a full computer. It's very slender, it's quick, and unlike a tablet it has a generous keyboard and a screen that seems pretty full size. It's extremely lightweight and has terrific battery life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_3DdLQP4VGWF99ja8T_H7VqOQlCoTM2e8snxPpJKzz3pryA8RZNoPadBYw0PVhKlZVPOR9CPgQ5Ugb5oL6zY6WqLsuB2jj7ZEPWDvgYXxVlp7kybDzqnBS_xwx_MYBRyWYMT0qNb8pc/s1600/P1180669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_3DdLQP4VGWF99ja8T_H7VqOQlCoTM2e8snxPpJKzz3pryA8RZNoPadBYw0PVhKlZVPOR9CPgQ5Ugb5oL6zY6WqLsuB2jj7ZEPWDvgYXxVlp7kybDzqnBS_xwx_MYBRyWYMT0qNb8pc/s1600/P1180669.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Some cocktail napkins in a photo stored in my web album in the Cloud. </span></td></tr>
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But enough with the advertising. The one major hurdle I had to get over after purchasing it was the photo issue. I take photos on my camera and in the past have uploaded them to my hard drive and then worked with Picasa to edit them. I deleted the ones I didn't plan to use, stored the rest in various folders on the computer, and then added them to my listings in the Etsy shop when I needed them. I could also insert them in a blog post, email them to friends, and everything everyone is already familiar with, though it took a few clicks to do each one of those things. The Chromebook cannot do that because there is virtually no storage space on the machine itself. There's no hard drive. So I had to learn a completely different storage method and a new way to edit them. It took me a while to buckle down and do this, but I am so glad I finally did!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D__7jr7Q1o/VQRa_SSgV9I/AAAAAAAAEbA/djR2elq1FM0/s1600/P1180687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D__7jr7Q1o/VQRa_SSgV9I/AAAAAAAAEbA/djR2elq1FM0/s1600/P1180687.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cocktail napkin photo.</td></tr>
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Naturally, Google came to my rescue (yes, they do seem to own me now). With Google+, Google's answer to Facebook, I can still take photos on the camera and still upload them via the Chromebook, but now I save them in my Google+ page. No one can see them unless I choose to share them, and I can still view all of them easily or put them in different files if I want to get more organized. The fun part is that the photos now all work seamlessly with Blogger, with my phone, and with the G+ editing program. I don't have to copy anything anywhere, and nothing will ever get lost or destroyed if my computer bites the dust. On my phone yesterday I was able to use Etsy's "sell now" feature, which allows for in-person sales to be recorded in the Etsy account. I could add a photo of the item I sold right from the phone to the receipt on Etsy for the sale. Very slick.<br />
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The editing program on Google+ isn't anything fancy, but it's free and I have found it does everything I need, plus a fair amount I don't at the moment. My biggest photo problem is with lighting, as the windows of opportunity for good lighting in my house are quite small. The house was not designed to be a photo studio. I'd love to take more photos outside, but for a good five months of the year it is just too cold to do that. So the editing program on G+ is pretty good with fixing my lighting problems while also being quite fast and nowhere near as involved as the fancy programs like Photoshop that real photographers use. I really don't need all those minute fixes you can do with Photoshop, and I certainly don't have time to learn such a complex program. Plus it costs hundreds of dollars, and I prefer free.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo7J-crOY_GKO6hXdbd4UPzN_HfGsntip20PETymofPMLRNsHmKeny10hyphenhyphenXDRhlPc5MdohrsmQj_pKE9FG9FJimLXfz6E_Kp8YDj8m_igEKJ7R9VhkDBPbP1Kl79-M9X37MgFRze9fJs/s1600/P1180675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo7J-crOY_GKO6hXdbd4UPzN_HfGsntip20PETymofPMLRNsHmKeny10hyphenhyphenXDRhlPc5MdohrsmQj_pKE9FG9FJimLXfz6E_Kp8YDj8m_igEKJ7R9VhkDBPbP1Kl79-M9X37MgFRze9fJs/s1600/P1180675.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last one, edited with one click to "Moody." </td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-55806308621468364322015-03-14T13:28:00.000-04:002015-03-14T13:28:58.470-04:00What a Mess!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Another thing I accomplished in February was a complete clearing out of my fabric scraps. This is a photo of a <i>very</i> small portion of the scraps that have accumulated over the past couple of years. The pile was about the size of a large dog crate, or a washing machine, or you could also say that it took up, when dumped out of its containers, most of the floor space of my studio.<br />
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For three days or so I ironed the larger pieces and stacked everything by color. I snipped off any teeny pieces and stuffed them separately into a bag. I then brought all the stacks of nicely ironed pieces as well as the bag of teeny ones to HG's school where I am hoping some people will find them useful for various handwork projects. You can see below that the entire stack of red and pinks was brought down to a manageable six or so inches high following the ironing.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnDc9sZl04o/VOy8fdn1k3I/AAAAAAAADtY/3YDVBUcyAvM/s1600/P1180341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnDc9sZl04o/VOy8fdn1k3I/AAAAAAAADtY/3YDVBUcyAvM/s1600/P1180341.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I was so pleased to finish this task. What an accomplishment. It allowed me to organize my fabric closet so that I can find everything else more easily now that things aren't buried under heaps of unruly cotton pieces. I did keep a fair number of these scraps but they all fit very nicely into a small plastic bin. And I vow not to let this get away from me in the future! </div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-5709166895058442362015-03-11T09:46:00.000-04:002015-03-11T09:46:47.383-04:00Gifts for French Babies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0c_Pdh5P-I/VOJHa-jhQyI/AAAAAAAADd4/baIlraUZwRY/s1600/P1180317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0c_Pdh5P-I/VOJHa-jhQyI/AAAAAAAADd4/baIlraUZwRY/s1600/P1180317.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>At the beginning of 2015 my mother commissioned some gifts for family members in France who recently had babies. I made a yard-square baby play mat with an applique bird and a bib to match for the one not yet born, and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/212795785/young-girls-purse-childs-bag-toddler?ref=shop_home_active_9" target="_blank">toddler purse</a> with matching <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/212437308/organic-sandwich-bags-reusable-snack-bag?ref=shop_home_active_20" target="_blank">snack bags</a> for the slightly older one. I decided to try to make the play mat with piping along the edges rather than with quilt binding because I like the way a thin strip of piping frames and sets off colors in a piece of fabric.<br />
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The play mat and bib are both padded with undyed cotton batting, the kind one would find in a handmade quilt. It was difficult to line up the two outer layers as well as the batting in the play mat because it is so large. I think a normal person would just stick with quilt binding, which goes on after all three layers have been stitched to each other and hold firm. Piping goes on before that step and requires turning the piece inside out as well. While the play mat came out great, it was hard to prevent puckering and wrinkling!<br />
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For both these items the side with the applique is made from a cream colored cotton twill and the patterned side is a fabric called "Birdsfeet" by Balanced Design. Balanced Design is a small textile design firm in Providence, Rhode Island, very near me! Melinda Cox started Balanced Design in in 2002. Her goal was to create a line of products that would be modern, with rich color, and fun, but one that would also be "green" and USA-made. Sustainability is paramount in her choice of materials and dyes, and she hand draws her designs as a first step in the process. Many designs are inspired by the work of other artists such as Alexander Calder and Morris Louis. Cox’s work has been featured in several national and international publications and on TV. I really like her ideas and I've purchased several yards of "Birdsfeet" in the pretty blue you see here and a salmon pink as well. The fabric is printed on a mid-weight canvas, which is great for a play mat and bib combo!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djI32uejFYE/VOJJwXjd6AI/AAAAAAAADfU/aXTIIhb5cGA/s1600/P1180311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djI32uejFYE/VOJJwXjd6AI/AAAAAAAADfU/aXTIIhb5cGA/s1600/P1180311.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new rocketship machine does beautiful applique stitches!</td></tr>
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I designed the bib to be fairly large for good coverage and to accommodate an older baby or toddler. The indentations you can see on the left and right of the bib are at just the right height for the child's arms and shoulders so the bib does not get all bunched up in that area as the child moves.<br />
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In order to do this project I needed to research and test out snaps. I decided on resin snaps which require a special tool to apply them. I've found these snaps to be quite durable and easy to open and close, but they do require testing on identical layers of fabric to make sure you've selected the right size. They are washable at hot temps, which is good for a bib and other baby applications. The company that makes the ones I purchased is called <a href="http://www.kamsnaps.com/" target="_blank">KAM</a> snaps.<br />
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I'm looking forward to making more bibs for my shop. I'd like to make play mats too but I need to perfect the method. My mom has already asked for another set for another family baby arriving in June, so perhaps I'll try the traditional binding route for that one. The package with these goodies has arrived in France so I look forward to hearing how the families like their gifts!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTrVFOH1H34/VOJINfYXG-I/AAAAAAAADeY/TrwO5tqg8og/s1600/P1180333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTrVFOH1H34/VOJINfYXG-I/AAAAAAAADeY/TrwO5tqg8og/s1600/P1180333.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The playmat and bib together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83_YS6LWtg4/VOJJJ6SXsgI/AAAAAAAADfA/Po6qlatkagQ/s1600/P1180331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83_YS6LWtg4/VOJJJ6SXsgI/AAAAAAAADfA/Po6qlatkagQ/s1600/P1180331.JPG" height="400" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bib is reversible and quite substantial. I don't think many messes are going to leak through. </td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-24335025024987827632015-03-08T10:58:00.001-04:002015-03-11T09:48:09.883-04:00My New Favorite Fabric Combo Strikes Again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few days ago I sewed up this baby, which I love, love love.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxrSicCROQ/VPnl5zw-GHI/AAAAAAAAEKY/niARpGQBr2I/s1600/P1180583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxrSicCROQ/VPnl5zw-GHI/AAAAAAAAEKY/niARpGQBr2I/s1600/P1180583.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a case for my new Chromebook. A Chromebook, which is far, far cheaper than a new laptop, requires the internet to do anything. It's entirely Cloud-based and has almost no storage space or programs. Everything it does, from photo management to playing movies to writing emails and dissertations all happens with Google applications and everything you do is saved on the Cloud. I'll talk more about the new photo editing software I am using since getting the Chromebook, but for now let's get back to the case.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkvzGEF56rw/VPnl5Z6_TNI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/NSBrAOA_SRU/s1600/P1180582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkvzGEF56rw/VPnl5Z6_TNI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/NSBrAOA_SRU/s1600/P1180582.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDKJiP-CXUY/VPnlm7M-yaI/AAAAAAAAELE/1wQWiu2Xdlc/s1600/P1180563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDKJiP-CXUY/VPnlm7M-yaI/AAAAAAAAELE/1wQWiu2Xdlc/s1600/P1180563.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>The red checkered fabric is from Hable Construction. It's my new favorite. And I particularly love it when set off with yellow. Hable is actually two sisters who hail from Texas. They named their business after their great grandfather’s Texas road construction company. One sister designs while the other manages the business. All of their textiles start as drawings or paintings which are later transferred to the silk screens used in the printing process. Their designs are fresh, contemporary, and full of color. Their fabrics appeal<br />
to me because of their bold, simple designs that have the playful look of hand drawings combined with colorful palettes. Hable has collaborated with such companies as Pottery Barn Kids, Garnet Hill, and even Volkswagon.<br />
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Although the red doesn't really need any more joy, I like how the nice little stripe of yellow brings additional cheer to the case. The fabric itself is sailcloth, which is kind of a lightweight cotton canvas, so it is quite sturdy and perfect for any kind of bag or storage item. And how do you like the nifty snap? Way better than noisy velcro. Plus snaps are fast and easy to put on and I think they might even last longer.<br />
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On the inside of the flap I put a quilting-weight yellow fabric. The case is interfaced with a fleece fabric to add stability, and I included another cotton lining on the inside. That makes it easy to slide the computer in and out. It's quite a hefty case and I was concerned that my machine would have some trouble sewing portions of it, but it did great with the walking foot and a denim needle. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I expected areas like this with all the fabrics coming together to give my sewing machine grief, <br />
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The bottom corners are just sewn shut with the rest of the bottom hem. That makes for the little dimple and the soft curve at the bottom. I'm not sure I love this and might try a boxed corner on any future cases. I don't know how the significant bulk of the seam allowance in a boxed corner would turn out, though, even if I cut off the excess. </div>
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My computer is very happy there and I can't wait to show off the case at a coffee shop or the next time I have to remove the computer at airport screening. </div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-60745337435987768422015-03-06T15:31:00.001-05:002015-03-06T15:31:41.350-05:00What I've Been Up To<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What have I been up to? Most recently, shoveling snow. But it's been a long time since I posted. Yes, it certainly has if you're looking at the calendar, but it has been so busy I just haven't been keeping up, and it does not feel like several months have gone by since I last posted. Here are some of the things I've done since October.<br />
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In mid-November HG's school held their annual <a href="http://www.meadowbrookschool.com/holidayfaire2014" target="_blank">Holiday Faire</a>, at which I consigned 40 or 50 items. Naturally I had planned to write about this wonderful event BEFORE it happened, but I did not get to that. Between Halloween and the Faire I madly sewed all those items, and also kept in mind that I would need to have additional things available for the<a href="http://lilakids.net/" target="_blank"> Etsy store </a>for Christmas and Hanukkah, so I tried to get ahead on those too.<br />
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Starting just before Thanksgiving customers began placing orders for Christmas and Hanukkah. This year was incredible; about 70 orders came in for the season (that's a huge amount for me in such a short time period), and I also made presents for my family. It was pretty nuts around here for a few weeks.<br />
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Right after Christmas my grandparents' house in rural Maine sold, so I drove up there and spent a weekend packing up and moving all the books that were still in the house, removing mattresses, and cleaning. I don't remember now how many boxes of books I (and the movers; thank goodness for the movers!) carried around. Something like 50. It was a gigantic relief to have that all taken care of during school vacation, but the speed with which it needed to be accomplished and the coordination required was a bit rough.<br />
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In January I rested! I closed the Etsy shop for the entire month and spent the time trying to do tasks that had been put off, resolving various other issues that appeared, and holding down the home fort while husband was on business trips. Incredibly, I also received orders while the shop was closed, so I did make those items. Who wants to wait a month for a shop owner to get back from vacation?? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this photo this morning, after we received another 8-10 inches of snow yesterday. </td></tr>
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That brings us to February. The story of February is snow. As most people know New England has been hit by more snow this year than has been recorded in any previous year, ever. It's a lot of snow. We've been shoveling at least twice a week and entertaining HG at home since school has been closed quite often. On some of the days when school <i>has</i> been held I've been substitute teaching. So although my shop has been open I have not spent much time on it, and I haven't been writing here either. I find certainty makes planning easier (don't most of us?) so the difficulty of knowing each day whether school will be held the following day has made it hard for me to plan out new projects. Some have squeaked through, though, and I'll post about them next.<br />
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-34790364425264014332014-10-31T21:39:00.000-04:002014-10-31T21:39:03.453-04:00Our Halloween Gnome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have our very own woodland gnome. Here she is: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inspired by her role in her school's Michaelmas pageant (<a href="http://theparentingpassageway.com/2009/09/06/michaelmas-is-coming/" target="_blank">here</a> is a short introduction to Michaelmas), HG decided to be a gnome for Halloween. She and her classmates all sewed their own wool felt hats for the pageant, so she already had that part of her costume complete. Since she wanted the tunic to look the same as the one she wore at Michaelmas, I borrowed the one from school and made a (very rough) pattern from it. How did I do that? Well, I took a lot of pictures, traced the basic shape of the tunic, and then read through a similar store-bought pattern I already had to make sure I sewed the pieces together in a sensible order. When it came to drawing out the actual pattern, I made one pattern piece. For the front sections I cut out one piece of fabric using one side of the pattern and then the other piece using the reverse side. For the back, I folded the fabric in half before cutting along the same lines, so I had one piece that extended from one shoulder to the other. Make sense? You'll see there is also a collar of sorts with buttons attached. This I did completely free hand, no pattern, no measuring. It worked well enough, though the two sides are a little bit different. I am not one to go to extremes in Halloween costume making, so if it's not perfect I am not bothered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We searched high and low for the perfect fabric, and in the end we had to go with polyester velour from Joann Fabrics which wasn't ideal but it looks great. I don't like working with synthetics because they feel pretty yucky and they are always causing some problem or other for the sewing machine. Plus you really can't iron them, which makes sewing just that much harder, though the rocketship was able to overcome all the issues it was presented with. We also did a thorough search for just the right wooden buttons. The sisal rope was easy to come by at our local hardware store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HG did not have school today (the teachers always schedule fall conferences around Halloween so the children are not bonkers in school), so together we made her loot sack out of some of the leftover velour. Keeping with the rustic gnome look, we used twine for drawstring. I know it looks kind of small, but I assure you it held plenty of candy for one six-year-old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here she is above singing the gnome song from the pageant, which is all about using our wills to work hard and overcome obstacles. HG also remembered that gnomes often carry lanterns, so she scurried off and brought outside the one she made a year ago for <a href="http://www.thecityschoolla.org/martinmas/" target="_blank">Martinmas</a> (yes, another Waldorf school ceremony).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like how we are able to incorporate HG's school life into our home and how all these celebrations are wonderful opportunities for creativity. What about you? Did you have a special Halloween this year? Have you ever tried to make your children's Halloween costumes? </span></div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-87702250545456396612014-10-30T20:07:00.000-04:002014-10-30T20:07:28.212-04:00My Overflowing Idea List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I first started my shop a good friend from college, who is very creative, told me that I would find the creativity part easy--I would never be at a loss for ideas because once you get in the habit of thinking creatively, it turns out you can't stop. I thought she was just being very supportive, but it's so, so true!<br />
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Below the photo is a selection from my current list of new products to develop. This list gets bigger every week; it's almost frightening all the spectacularly interesting and fun projects there are out there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of my newest fabrics. This is the one I thought would make perfect soft storage buckets. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">yoga mat carriers<br />covered cork/bulletin boards<br />coffee cup cozies<br />glasses cases<br />table runners<br />little fabric baskets<br />floor storage buckets<br />drawstring bags<br />kid backpacks<br />gardening aprons<br />craft or half aprons<br />mug coasters<br />mouse pads<br />matching/concentration game with
fabrics<br />embroidery hoop sets with coordinating
fabrics (wall decor)<br />bike bags<br />doll teepees and blankets<br />kleenex box covers<br />yoga mat carriers<br />over door toy organizers<br />headbands<br />kids/travel placemats<br />give/save/spend pouches<br />baby stuff like bibs and play mats<br />little girl purses<br />key fobs<br />dog leashes/collars<br />bookmarks<br />drawstring backpacks<br />grocery/farmer's market tote bags</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span> </span></blockquote>
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Is that a long enough list for you? If anyone wants to give me a hand and tell me which are your top three you'd like to see me tackle, that would be super! Maybe I'll write a post on how I get from an idea on a written list to a new product available. It's a long, rewarding process!! </div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-18702811800557434772014-10-23T20:38:00.001-04:002014-10-23T20:38:21.226-04:00Lila Giveaway on Wooly Moss Roots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Please head over to <a href="http://woolymossroots.com/" target="_blank">Wooly Moss Roots</a> starting on Saturday October 25th. Blogger Taryn is hosting a giveaway of one snack sack set, one zipper clutch, or one pencil/crochet hook roll from Lila. The lucky winner will get to work with me on fabric choices, gaining access to all the fabrics I have on hand, not just those currently represented in the shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F6ncH42VgSbwhhj6Plyfjv4YGZobV_FHGb_zgOcozp0AHizwQOvFBhzDoDVMBLuqcMsFHsmuDOZ3fMSeC1OmMEDSpEtojpVbEpveUTi0Hw825mrIUdImb_GIV8U8NE0pXH_DEVVU45g/s1600/P1130462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F6ncH42VgSbwhhj6Plyfjv4YGZobV_FHGb_zgOcozp0AHizwQOvFBhzDoDVMBLuqcMsFHsmuDOZ3fMSeC1OmMEDSpEtojpVbEpveUTi0Hw825mrIUdImb_GIV8U8NE0pXH_DEVVU45g/s1600/P1130462.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some pencil/crochet hook roll fabrics to drool over. </td></tr>
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This is a terrific opportunity to treat yourself or have something special made--and made early!--for holiday gift giving.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb2nNmFFwnujNzhKRwA-QF2PDxy2MzaqO8l_NIGkp0gc98v2ViJOGRXbwKfnTSJBautD5euY5BC5GkDdoYUvZgN4JFPY2iQ_NWrm9Jl9gi8w2rTfkk77GtE2IKLTTCzsqJ6D0YphyphenhyphenPN0/s1600/P1130819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb2nNmFFwnujNzhKRwA-QF2PDxy2MzaqO8l_NIGkp0gc98v2ViJOGRXbwKfnTSJBautD5euY5BC5GkDdoYUvZgN4JFPY2iQ_NWrm9Jl9gi8w2rTfkk77GtE2IKLTTCzsqJ6D0YphyphenhyphenPN0/s1600/P1130819.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Bag Luv</td></tr>
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Do not miss out on your chance to walk away with one of these goodies for free! Mark your calendar! If you'd like a reminder on Saturday, send me a note with your email address so I can add you to my list. Don't worry, I only send out emails once a season and for giveaway opportunities like this. You can remove yourself from the list at any time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TUh1m6zPBtvatpn4BVMzXQvsx-A2V4t2mzRPVKzIVMKh2PyoKFccc4n6r32clVKzjDCmZFej7NfC1P_77kBsZRjmRD_Y9l9JeikUGYsp3h1tUWNpd-SeN-ePvRopxYqP16O36PtOxU/s1600/P1060742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TUh1m6zPBtvatpn4BVMzXQvsx-A2V4t2mzRPVKzIVMKh2PyoKFccc4n6r32clVKzjDCmZFej7NfC1P_77kBsZRjmRD_Y9l9JeikUGYsp3h1tUWNpd-SeN-ePvRopxYqP16O36PtOxU/s1600/P1060742.JPG" height="400" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many zipper clutch options.</td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-87864793845692017962014-10-19T15:25:00.002-04:002014-10-19T15:25:43.191-04:00Being an Artful Parent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I would not say I am particularly good at art. I did not like art class very much at school, I really can't draw, and I surely cannot paint. But I do believe in having fun while doing art projects, and I definitely can do that.<br />
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Coming up with those fun ideas is not always easy for me, so when HG was little I turned to the internet. A wonderful blog called <a href="http://artfulparent.com/" target="_blank">The Artful Parent</a> was fairly new at that point and offered many terrific, easy ideas for things to do with kids. It also introduced me to some books on doing art with kids, to the concept of "process art," and to the idea of having an art play group. A couple of friends and I made a date to get together every month or so with our three toddlers, and each time I'd come up with a simple activity for the girls to do while we grown-ups chatted. It was totally brilliant.<br />
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Now the Artful Parent blogger, Jean, has published a book that shares all of her wonderful ideas. I took it out from the library one day and barely opened it during my three week stint because I got busy. When I tried to renew it I found there was a hold on it, so I did what I never do these days as I am trying to <i>reduce</i> the number of books in my life: I went and bought it.<br />
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I wanted to share one idea from the book, and then you can go look for it in your library to get the rest. This great idea hinges on art--or creativity--being something you can do for short periods. It does not have to be complicated, and it does not have to be messy, and you can squeeze it into your (or your kids') day, every day. Jean suggests, among other ideas on this theme, that you set up a little creativity space (kitchen table, designated art space, front porch...) for your kids to find after school or when they wake up on Saturday morning or whatever. Just put out a pad of paper and a few crayons one day, or some yarn and sticks on another day, or a couple of boxes from the recycling bin and a glue gun, or a bunch of different dried beans and rice and stuff in little cups and some elmers and cardboard, or toothpicks and marshmallows, or some felt pieces and needle and thread. See how none of that is very complicated? And guess how long it takes to set each of those things up? I especially love the idea of just leaving the tools and the space for the children to find. They can dream up whatever they want to with the tools you've provided, and they are not overwhelmed by so many choices that they can't move.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU02xE8lWJ8U9ITwLYwvh1ch9NTxA5l47LWqByz69jYziF-VeaSUe1G8umUT_8FLOPoasdIP-eJvH7aEGgjHP6KMtwjN41bR-UxP4liYVNcSf1QKdY-ebWT3FkrFKa0VtwgARctXjZ3I/s1600/P1160091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU02xE8lWJ8U9ITwLYwvh1ch9NTxA5l47LWqByz69jYziF-VeaSUe1G8umUT_8FLOPoasdIP-eJvH7aEGgjHP6KMtwjN41bR-UxP4liYVNcSf1QKdY-ebWT3FkrFKa0VtwgARctXjZ3I/s1600/P1160091.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are a selection of tools and inspiration in green that I set up a few days ago.</td></tr>
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This is the kind of creativity that Waldorf schools (and other schools too) try to encourage. By reducing the volume of "stuff," and increasing the possible outcomes through providing open-ended experiences, little ones (and big ones!) can create in freedom. In my view, when you give kids more rigid parameters, such as showing them an end product you hope they'll emulate, or setting down some sort of already finished product for them to simply embellish (I'm thinking particularly of all those little wooden objects and figures people get at craft stores for kids to take home and paint), their creativity isn't really involved. This is not to say that doing those kinds of activities is wrong--I've done them, and my kids have done them, and we've all had a smashing good time--but when you only do coloring books and craft kits you are limiting their imagination.<br />
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The other day HG came down to dinner having made a dinner bell with a stick she found outside, some string, and a few little Christmastime crafting bells we had in some box in the art cabinet. Now that's what I'm talking about! My hat goes off to Jean and her blog (and her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Artful-Parent-Creativity--Includes-Projects/dp/1590309642/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413746692&sr=8-1&keywords=artful+parent" target="_blank">The Artful Parent</a>), for introducing me to art and creativity as process activities, and to how simple it all can be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv2_qws_OjGBMmrs9sYoRTSi_DUDr_HzP1LlcCm1kz8rQm1dqExOKN_YEVffVbmcoriptKWZ84s6KB7twPwB5rHWP_hJ2HDIZfKqJ9plGuge2UcU0mcYloe-knhrmhaQ0uzNieNXTDfI/s1600/P1160121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv2_qws_OjGBMmrs9sYoRTSi_DUDr_HzP1LlcCm1kz8rQm1dqExOKN_YEVffVbmcoriptKWZ84s6KB7twPwB5rHWP_hJ2HDIZfKqJ9plGuge2UcU0mcYloe-knhrmhaQ0uzNieNXTDfI/s1600/P1160121.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new dinner bell.</td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-47589659169299212342014-10-13T19:43:00.000-04:002014-10-13T19:43:07.600-04:00Simple Advice from a First Grade Teacher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer rain fun. </td></tr>
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You've heard about "everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten," right? Well, I was struck by something so very simple that HG's first grade teacher included in one of her parent emails. This teacher is in her first year of guiding a Waldorf class on her own. HG and her classmates enjoy her very much and we parents are glad to have her in our lives.<br />
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Here is what she passed along:<br />
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Look behind and be grateful<br />
Look ahead and be hopeful<br />
Look around and be helpful</blockquote>
I'm pretty sure if everyone followed that simple advice we'd find ourselves much less stressed out, much more connected to one another, and much happier. Anybody with me?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWyKjQ7zvJ6rRmIDNEk7QUtyeuPADWm5rTpKXZb8dThx4gEeaL1Yx1nqlC_7xh93WcawS6mhg8_vNFEK933gJnRG-DtHAvyIzmhqp92LjXiIiWpqaiEzEIb3W_3dUw4MxPSA4PCK7zYU/s1600/P1150128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWyKjQ7zvJ6rRmIDNEk7QUtyeuPADWm5rTpKXZb8dThx4gEeaL1Yx1nqlC_7xh93WcawS6mhg8_vNFEK933gJnRG-DtHAvyIzmhqp92LjXiIiWpqaiEzEIb3W_3dUw4MxPSA4PCK7zYU/s1600/P1150128.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our four garden sunflowers, earlier in the summer. </td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-47907444164503124372014-10-10T14:53:00.000-04:002014-10-10T14:53:35.028-04:00Giving My Shop a Boost<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the summer I took a class on Etsy called "Boost Your Shop." Actually, I took half of it. I still haven't finished the other half, though I think about completing it every day. I really do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Nature Table. Just a nice photo. Not really related to the content of this post. </td></tr>
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How does one take a class on Etsy? Well, just like going to school, there are worksheets and readings. The difference is all the work is homework because it all takes place on your computer, at home. The class was supposed to take eight weeks. Each week Etsy sent out a worksheet and some directions for completing the lesson. I'm sure there was an opportunity for discussion and sharing and chatting with other people in the class, but I never looked into that and just did everything on my own.<br />
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The class was extremely useful, which is why I keep saying I'll finish it. It started with an evaluation of one's business brand. This was a super long lesson that I completed while flying overseas. I can't remember why, but I didn't have the computer, so I read the worksheets I had downloaded on my phone and hand wrote out my answers on the little sheets of recycled paper I had brought for HG to draw on. She listened to books instead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaVQLnNfpmsqCB-tckQYeUa_NJz0ua4LroNpGZiTCgs9iHMTMa8FUN0Ck5ASVsT99a7zFPTbvS8k3qqBVp5gtrv2r39mV-JI6uGdHlcLopQTw60TmpDiYjHC3TEDodxTvUYDDuWsEGBY/s1600/P1010951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaVQLnNfpmsqCB-tckQYeUa_NJz0ua4LroNpGZiTCgs9iHMTMa8FUN0Ck5ASVsT99a7zFPTbvS8k3qqBVp5gtrv2r39mV-JI6uGdHlcLopQTw60TmpDiYjHC3TEDodxTvUYDDuWsEGBY/s1600/P1010951.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, also not related. </td></tr>
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The worksheet for that branding lesson began by asking us to write down the 20 words or phrases that describe our brand. "Brand" includes everything--items themselves, customer service, history of the business, everything about one's shop. Here's the list I came up with for Lila, in the order I wrote them down:<br />
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<li>detailed</li>
<li>quick</li>
<li>friendly</li>
<li>unique fabric</li>
<li>family-oriented</li>
<li>durable</li>
<li>beautiful</li>
<li>well made</li>
<li>contemporary</li>
<li>not cutesy</li>
<li>clever</li>
<li>customizable</li>
<li>researched/thoughtful</li>
<li>clean lines</li>
<li>simple</li>
<li>upscale</li>
<li>lasting design</li>
<li>proven</li>
<li>easy</li>
<li>responsible</li>
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Coming up with 20 things was fairly difficult, actually, and I'm glad they asked for 20, since #17, "lasting design," has become a phrase I use quite a bit now in my descriptions. I'd love to know if you have other items you'd put on my list too! </div>
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After a couple more exercises we were asked to write a "brand promise." We had to fill in the following sentence: </div>
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"Every experience with Lila will convey ____________________ and ____________________ to my customers." </blockquote>
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What two phrases went in there for me? <u>Lasting design</u> and <u>friendliness</u>. So that's what I promise! </div>
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All these little worksheets led up to the Big Job of rewriting our "Aboutthe Artist" pages on the Etsy website, which was Lesson 2. I had thought mine was pretty good before, but Lesson 1 of Boost Your Shop helped me discover some ways to improve it. I made all those changes, and you can read my revamped About page <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilaKids/about?ref=shopinfo_about_leftnav" target="_blank">here</a>. It took several drafts before I was happy enough to publish, but I think it was well worth the time as I now am able to articulate what values I hope to convey with my shop and even what products to offer. I've said before that the development of my shop has been so organic that these important questions--the ones most businesses address much earlier in their development--hadn't really been answered before. Doing just these first two lessons of Boost Your Shop gave Lila greater cohesion and much improved definition. </div>
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The next two lessons involved tweaking copy and photographs, both of which, I believe, absolutely every shop out there can improve. I went through a couple dozen of my item descriptions and made small, useful changes which focussed mostly on the fabrics and the concept of lasting design. While I am quite comfortable with editing words, thanks to a life-long education in writing, taking and editing photos is often a struggle for me and my patience with myself in this area does wear thin. This is where I stopped working on the class, because the idea of trying to reshoot dozens of photographs just does not make me happy. I am continuously working on taking pictures, and my photos are miles better than they were when I first started, but I know there is plenty more I could do. The next lessons in the class have to do with social media, so I do hope to finish them. Maybe after the puppet theaters. But then there is a Halloween costume to make. And new wristlet clutches. And capes. And floor buckets!! It never ends!! </div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-17058187794416189192014-10-08T13:55:00.001-04:002014-10-08T13:55:12.369-04:00Puppet Theaters Are Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In time for winter play in the northern hemisphere, I'm working on more puppet theaters. I have some new, phenomenal fabrics to work with, so keep your eyes peeled. Sister Parish curtains are next and an entire theater made with canvas from Hable Construction will follow.<br />
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Here is the first one, featuring that fantastic funky purple from Unison. You can find it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/206406767/doorway-puppet-theater-puppet-stage?ref=shop_home_active_19" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mbh2g3-7XyAglz8HQljlL8c5VKOrfIIxqwvU7X3z2TgGCudv73ZGGcXbpFAUo0_IX5NjoJ0bgDTPYc1zIfVlwxB5yUxz-z_Bbk-oaBwBOX9y8HiOJABeRfROlFXo3O0qqCyFn_T4Asg/s1600/P1150996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mbh2g3-7XyAglz8HQljlL8c5VKOrfIIxqwvU7X3z2TgGCudv73ZGGcXbpFAUo0_IX5NjoJ0bgDTPYc1zIfVlwxB5yUxz-z_Bbk-oaBwBOX9y8HiOJABeRfROlFXo3O0qqCyFn_T4Asg/s1600/P1150996.JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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This theater is made from a purple and white ticking stripe. It's soft and very durable. The border around the stage has mitered corners, which are not that easy to do on inside corners, mind you. The bird applique at the bottom is super cute, I think. Other theaters have a fox looking up at the stage and I think I might tackle a hedgehog somewhere down the line. It was my husband HM who came up with the animal applique idea, so good for him. Here's a close up of the bird.<br />
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And a nice wide shot of the curtain area.<br />
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These theaters take a full seven hours to construct. While that is a long time, it is not nearly as long as the kids will spend playing with them! They can use their theaters with hand or finger puppets, or set them up as a stage for belting out tunes from Frozen. They even work as pretend storefronts! Don't you love toys that work for so many different activities? <br /><br />Each theater comes in a drawstring bag for storage. I make those too. Oh, and I include the dowel as well that slides into place just below the window to stabilize the theater. OK, I'm off to work on the next one! <span style="font-family: Guardian-EgypTT-Text, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-39664902545739156862014-10-03T15:53:00.000-04:002014-10-03T15:53:59.166-04:00The Benefits of Owning a Rocketship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First off, there is less swearing. This is a benefit to all. At first I thought that my new machine didn't actually make things go faster, but I realized last week that indeed when I am swearing less and fixing things less, projects do get done more quickly. Imagine that!<br />
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This is the promised post about how very cool my new rocketship is.<br />
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Its major benefit is this thing in the photo below, called the Acu-Feed Foot. A sewing machine "foot" is whatever piece of metal or plastic is holding your fabric from the top and pressing it against the metal plate below. These feet are removable, and depending on how they are designed, they can achieve different things, like attach a zipper, darn a hole in something, or sew crazy fun stitches. This one here has little guiding grabbers that pull the fabric from the top and help it to feed evenly along under the needle. You can't really see the top grabbers in this photo but you can see the ones that grab the bottom layer of your fabric. Those are the teeth-like metal parts you see running vertically in the middle of the picture. They're called feed dogs but I don't know why. I get that they feed the fabric but I don't get the dog part.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13NDRFBD8uuXh19tRctHCzfX_D7rzHwvnY8Xi7FHLgZxhoyEbi-l70dPx088P2WHWJRFKRLj69YrkiSBM88rp5wqDwmA4KOSWeyIn8fcTGFd20Gs4zLihQKExcJCM-Y9khMNReJ28XSc/s1600/P1150700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13NDRFBD8uuXh19tRctHCzfX_D7rzHwvnY8Xi7FHLgZxhoyEbi-l70dPx088P2WHWJRFKRLj69YrkiSBM88rp5wqDwmA4KOSWeyIn8fcTGFd20Gs4zLihQKExcJCM-Y9khMNReJ28XSc/s1600/P1150700.JPG" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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But I am not that interested in finding out, so we'll move on. When you are sewing through a lot of layers, or if you have to go over big bumps such as at the beginning of something thick, this foot will do it. My previous machine had to be coaxed, coerced, or just throttled into going over big bumps, and it always slid the top layer off the bottom layer, making things crooked. (For those of you who are sewers and want to know why I didn't own a walking foot, I did and it made very little difference.) This machine just slides right over those bumps, hallelujah.<br />
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Another extremely cool feature is the needle plate, which is that big flat piece of metal with grooves and holes on it. This machine comes with two needle plates. The one I have installed at the moment has two little holes right next to each other which you can see in the middle of the photo above. Those are the only places the needle will go with this plate--either in the middle or slightly to the left. Why does this matter? Well, first off any flimsy fabric you want to use will not be crushed into a wide hole by the powerful needle. Secondly, any narrow piece of fabric will not get smashed into a wide hole. This is what matters to me.<br />
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Above you see me sewing a narrow strip of fabric that's going to be a tie in the back of a smock. I've told the needle (in the photo the needle has a little red dot on it, and it is poking down through the fabric) to go in the left-hand hole so that the grabbers on the left of the foot will grab as much of the fabric strip as possible, thus guiding it straight and true. This whole set-up is a gigantic time saver. The narrow little strip does not get eaten from below, the bump at the end of the tie slides under smoothly, and the layers of fabric all line up correctly at both ends. It's truly stunning and makes me want to jump for joy. I realize that for most of the world, indeed for all of the people with whom I live, this is completely not interesting, but you are reading, so...keep reading. </div>
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The other needle plate, which just pops in and out with a little lever, has a very wide hole in it to allow the needle to move side to side and make many, many different stitches. Here is a photo of all the stitches it can make. </div>
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That's the lid of the machine propped open, showing what each stitch looks like and which number to punch into the computer so that it will sew the stitch you want. The computer is down there at the bottom right. There are a zillion stitches and I know I will never use them all. I tend not to be wowed by the different stitches a machine can make. I bought this machine because of its power, its precision, the enormous size of it, and the features I'm talking about now. Someday I might use many of those stitches but I haven't used any of them yet. Seriously, noting except the straight stitch so far.<br />
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You can see in the photo above some of the slots for the different feet the machine comes with. I think it came with about 15 or so; only the ones the manufacturer thinks you will use most often are stored in the top. The rest live in a compartment the fits under the machine. So far I have used the zipper foot and the regular foot but I've got some applique coming up shortly and I am sure in the distant future there will be some quilting.<br />
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Here's some of the handy features that entry-level machine's don't have. At the top of the photo above you see a scissors button. This cuts the threads when you are finished sewing and brings both the top and bottom threads to the bottom so you don't have to snip them later with your itty bitty snipping scissors. Another little convenience. The double arrow button allows you to decide whether you want the machine to stop with the needle up, out of the fabric, or down, in the fabric. I like it down because I am usually stopping just to make a turn, and if your needle comes out of the fabric and you try to turn your project it doesn't work--you lose the stitching line you were making and you basically create a hole in your seam. The target-looking button is very handy. It locks the beginning and end of the stitching line for you by having the machine make several stitches in place. Next down is the reverse button, which all machines have so it's not that special. But I do like how I can program this machine to make a lock stitch or a reverse stitch at the beginning and end of every line I sew. I definitely did not have that before.<br />
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Finally, a photo of the whole thing. See the area where my pin holder is? That area is called the harp and it matters to some people how big it is, because the bigger it is the larger the project you can work with. This one is eleven inches wide, which is the widest I have heard of. I love that much of the time my pin holder can just sit there being very convenient!<br />
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You can also see that the machine comes with a large clear table that slides on from the left, which is also great for resting big projects. When heavy fabrics are pulled by their own weight off the edge of a smaller table, the stitches can come out warped, or worse, you can hurt your machine by all that sideways pulling on the needle. This big table has eliminated any of those types of problems for me.<br />
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So these are the main reasons I bought this machine. I also just like the feel of it when sewing and how very quiet it is. I actually purchased a completely different machine at first, which after a couple of days I took back to the store. It was an even more expensive thing from Bernina and it worked a lot like a princess in my view. Demanding, dainty, and very picky. Every little thing involved pushing multiple buttons on the computer. And it was insanely loud. I know quilters love, love their Berninas, but my Janome is much more my style.<br />
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Nope, no one has paid me to say all these nice things about my machine. Janome does not know I exist and I don't think the sewing machine store knows I have a blog. I'm just pretty pleased that my months of research and lengthy test drives led me to just the right choice for me, and I am so, so grateful that my shop's success made it possible for me to get it! </div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-89167439073918171542014-10-01T15:38:00.002-04:002014-10-01T15:38:42.954-04:00New Lunch Bags Are In! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've just posted five new snack pouch sets in my Etsy shop. We've got green, we've got blue, black and white, and the promised funky purple!<br />
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Find them <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilaKids?section_id=10534465&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2" target="_blank">here!</a> </div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-6081467315898493312014-09-29T20:20:00.000-04:002014-09-29T20:20:19.397-04:00Making Spreadsheets is So Fun! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
OK, not really. At all. But it is eye-opening and useful. Shall I tell you about it?<br />
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Why yes, I shall. While I feel like I got way behind in preparing for holiday orders and fairs this summer (yes, that kind of work starts in the summer), I was able to do several shop-related non-sewing projects that are normal business tasks but that I had not yet done in my, shall we say, organic business development. Etsy is fantastic at enabling people with not a lot of business expertise to open a shop. But if you want to actually turn a profit you do have to buckle down and do some nitty gritties eventually.<br />
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So I did two things this summer along those lines. First, I developed a file of spreadsheets which help me to better calculate my shop's prices for profit. Second, I actually did a sales matrix, listing the fabrics I've used on one axis and the products that have sold on the other. Both these tasks were time consuming, not exactly fun while I was doing them, but quite helpful afterward.<br />
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I read a huge number of blog posts, Etsy administration newsletters, and various websites to prepare for the pricing spreadsheets. I also had a very helpful conversation with an artist friend who used to be a buyer for a boutique in our town. Different people recommend different formulae for calculating the end price, most of which led to crazy outrageous prices for my very labor-intensive products. I came up with my own sensible numbers instead.<br />
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I tackled this issue in a pretty data-driven way. First off, I went and measured how much fabric and velcro and elastic and bias tape and even thread (OK, that one I estimated) go into each type of item I make. Yes, I measured with a tape measure. I made a sheet for each item and put in some calculations that I could cut and paste for each type of item. Every time an item uses X amount of mill fabric, that's X dollars worth. That was all very straightforward, though it was quite time consuming to go through all the measuring. I had to look up how much I pay for everything as well, from machine needles to interfacing to zipper pulls to fees that Etsy charges.<br />
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The other major element of pricing is labor. I started timing myself when I made things. Yes indeed I did. In my labor costs I included photography, product promotion, and product design as well as the time I spend actually constructing items. The end result of the pricing spreadsheets are product prices that are both fair and reasonable. I implemented them early in the summer. The new prices allow for some business growth, such as the purchase of a new sewing machine, as well as an occasional sale, promotion, or giveaway. They also accurately reflect the care I put into each item.<br />
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The other terrifically fun project (no, not really, not at all) was the sales-by-fabric matrix. While my shop is too small and carries too many one-of-a-kind items to benefit from a traditional inventory analysis, I looked through all my sales and figured out, through my matrix, how many of each type of item I've offered, how many have sold, and which fabrics have been most popular. The unexpected big sellers? While I was certain that aprons would top the list, I didn't realize that pencil rolls and capes were so successful. So on my to-do list very soon is to make more capes. But it was the top selling fabric that really surprised me. It turns out that my most popular fabric is the crazy purple and white one from Unison. Who knew? The next day I went to the mill and bought four more yards, because they still had some. Knowing that that pattern, and the three or four others that topped the list (all Hadley and Sister Parish prints), are so successful is helpful when deciding what to use next for whatever I'm making. For instance, I'm in the middle of sewing new snack bags with that purple fabric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGyh35Csz3bqkLrH68TQ91E9C07cpaFcMJ3uLUDgK1eWB_sXXSsW8yAKBwduIr48PuOQvjXnlj6jpqqCZmIGUYU7oEhr0oNeEwTeWEqrBlWAU28vZr3FhQ-5BkH-DX5yq424pZIaG1SQ/s1600/P1090957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGyh35Csz3bqkLrH68TQ91E9C07cpaFcMJ3uLUDgK1eWB_sXXSsW8yAKBwduIr48PuOQvjXnlj6jpqqCZmIGUYU7oEhr0oNeEwTeWEqrBlWAU28vZr3FhQ-5BkH-DX5yq424pZIaG1SQ/s1600/P1090957.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's that crazy Unison purple on a smock. </td></tr>
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Now my question is, should I make a cape in this fabric? I've held off in the past because it doesn't seem to me that it would work so well as a cape, but I'd love to hear any of your thoughts.<br />
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To be honest, making that matrix was so dreadful I don't think I will be keeping up with it. I might perhaps add to it every year or something, but having to record daily what I've posted in the shop and what has sold is way, way too time consuming. Since I am also the accountant, photographer, copy writer and copy editor, designer, marketing manager, shipping manager, customer service rep, purchaser, and oh, sewer, some tasks are just going to be left undone. </div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-36983018534528679382014-09-22T20:57:00.000-04:002014-09-23T09:36:30.322-04:00Your Fabric's Bio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here's another project I started this summer and will be continuing as long as I keep discovering new fabrics and new designers at the mill. I'm including little cards in each order now with some background on the fabric purchased. While my shop has always had a few sentences for each item explaining the fabrics, I've always felt there is more story I could tell. Part of that happens here on the blog but I also wanted to be sure every customer had the chance to know why their purchase was special.<br />
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The cards look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoi9UxIKqa7v2ekHrU6WozUBLdtTE2t1M1IWoqEP986N_az733zj2HPVO4divkUnSJS6dcvlG7TufJHKAvfhjZvOvLPfi-HNT9v4vS6ctR07Sm2j3g5iZurppcnMXip4rmw49MaPzM00/s1600/P1150667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoi9UxIKqa7v2ekHrU6WozUBLdtTE2t1M1IWoqEP986N_az733zj2HPVO4divkUnSJS6dcvlG7TufJHKAvfhjZvOvLPfi-HNT9v4vS6ctR07Sm2j3g5iZurppcnMXip4rmw49MaPzM00/s1600/P1150667.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
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The pretty little scallop cards are from Paper Source, which is a delightful store full of gorgeous paper things. I did try hard to find some scallop cards on Etsy but I could not. Anyway, each card has a short blurb about the designer of the fabric, maybe some quotes from him or her or some reasons why I like the fabric.<br />
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For each card I've spent some time browsing the internet looking for information. I've read obituaries, press releases, website "About" pages, and even some sections of books. My hope is that the cards help customers understand what makes their fabric special and gives them a little piece of story they can keep in their minds when someone asks about whatever they've bought. It's the reason people buy handmade, isn't it? They are interested in those stories. I'm happy to oblige!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGoN_arQGhha7OgnGxmOtlp4GEJtLt7OV_sxMXHHKsAbbRWk7fNGkd01Yv4RsggiJptzJGmsYvPj8tYJj3ACqrPtHxqmH12QnbAu2CMdd2_1un9RxMStufyf7f1IdlHvnTMUJy2GzWPs/s1600/P1150673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGoN_arQGhha7OgnGxmOtlp4GEJtLt7OV_sxMXHHKsAbbRWk7fNGkd01Yv4RsggiJptzJGmsYvPj8tYJj3ACqrPtHxqmH12QnbAu2CMdd2_1un9RxMStufyf7f1IdlHvnTMUJy2GzWPs/s1600/P1150673.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
You are probably trying to read the top cards in the photo, so I'll make it easier for you:<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 100%;">The
________________fabric in your item was designed by Albert
Hadley. Hadley was born in Tennessee in 1920 and, after serving in
World War II, moved to New York where he earned his BFA and worked as
an interior designer. For decades he teamed up with Sister Parish,
another designer whose fabrics are available at LilaKids. One of
Hadley’s favorite sayings was “Never less, never more.” His
prints are usually pretty simple, often using just one color, but
they have some perky or unusual element to them which makes them just
plain interesting to look at. Some of his clients included Vice
President Al Gore and Tipper Gore, Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer, and
the de la Rentas. Hadley died in 2012 but his fabrics are still
printed by Hinson and Company.</span> </span></div>
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Now my packaging includes the tissue paper and hemp cord that I've always used, a tag with my logo and website on it, a little thank you card for the purchaser, and the fabric bio card. The little thank you card has a sweet green floral stamp which HG puts on for me. She takes her job very seriously and works hard to make sure the flower gets in the right place and with the right amount of ink.<br />
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I've already heard form one customer how much she liked the card, so I'm very glad to be including them now. I'd love to know what you think!<br />
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-3908823213080733862014-09-21T09:59:00.000-04:002014-09-21T09:59:52.493-04:00A Bicycle Bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfkqTm1UzU46pMXwgMWG0IslP4nvnsrwvqF7BcaJqLGdkukxa9UHzU-jlwLKVo9Tv9zbtmD_YIVR9G98kkXUciYnLe6aSKHMWVCddK4EkTIlRrJzjJVwZ1C_vXp9LqXR4Oiem-aX-Jnk/s1600/P1140292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfkqTm1UzU46pMXwgMWG0IslP4nvnsrwvqF7BcaJqLGdkukxa9UHzU-jlwLKVo9Tv9zbtmD_YIVR9G98kkXUciYnLe6aSKHMWVCddK4EkTIlRrJzjJVwZ1C_vXp9LqXR4Oiem-aX-Jnk/s1600/P1140292.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last post you read about the cookies and tea bags MVB made for HG's birthday. For MVB's birthday, her mom commissioned me to make a handlebar bike bag. We talked for ages about the style MVB might like and what kinds of fabrics she would enjoy. Finally we settled on a pattern I bought on Etsy and some forest green fabric by Unison, complemented by a perfectly matching turquoise paisley which I found at my local fabric shop.<br />
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This is one snappy looking bag, I think. The straps on the back loop around the handlebars and are secured by D rings which you can see above. Inside the bag is a covered section, which is cinched closed by ribbon. The handles enable you to take the bag for a walk after you're done with your ride.<br />
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The pattern to make this bag was not easy to follow. While I could now make another one with greater ease, I found the directions for this to be completely non-intuitive. They also used an enormous amount of glue, which I thought was very weird for a sewing pattern. I chose to sew instead of glue. At several points I was sewing along only to realize I had done something backwards or inside out and the pieces I was making would not fit together. I even had to start over and cut out new fabric early on because it was faster to do that than to take out a huge number of incorrectly placed stitches. This was all before my new machine as well. My old machine is less precise and therefore some of the pieces did not come out as evenly as I would have hoped. But you probably can't tell from the photos, so that's good. Still, I'm not going to link to the pattern because I can't recommend it.<br />
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The bag is also a little floppier than I might have liked. I used the firmest interfacing (that's the stuff you put in between layers of fabric, usually to make them heftier or stronger) I am aware of, but it's still not a stiff bag.<br />
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If MVB's mom has a photo of the bag in use I could post it. Want to send me one? </div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-56462523485706155562014-09-18T21:11:00.002-04:002014-09-18T21:12:33.574-04:00Tea for Two (or Four)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While I am still trying to take good photos of my new sewing machine I thought I'd share a few moments from earlier this summer when I had my camera but did not end up finding time to write.<br />
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First is this collection of beautiful kid-crafted felt tea bags and cookies, by MVB. MVB was HG's only birthday party guest this year, as HG decided she would prefer a very small, very special party for her 6th birthday. This suited me just fine as I had read that 6-year-old parties are not always as fun for the birthday child as the planning involved. I took the girls to the Children's Museum in Providence and afterwards we went for cake slices at our best known (and just plain best) patisserie. I think their favorite part of the outing was when I left them in a small pedestrian square with a fountain and walked a block away so they could play at being "big kids" and pretend they were unsupervised. My favorite part was, naturally, the cake.<br />
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Earlier, MVB's mom and I figured out what would would be the most appreciated present for HG. Our family had planned to give her a tea set, so MVB and her mom made a full set of gorgeous goodies to go with. Eight bejeweled cookies and four delicate tea bags! MVB's mom confessed that she stayed up quite late to finish them, for which HG is very grateful.<br />
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The detail in each of the cookies is amazing! So are the decorations. I have to say I am quite inspired by the creativity. </div>
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These delectables come out quite regularly for HG's tea parties, though we do eat real cookies and drink real tea with the set as well. The real cookies taste good but they don't look nearly as delicious as the felt ones.<br />
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I am certain if MVB made these to sell at our school's Holiday Faire she would sell out. Right? Would you not buy a set? </div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-1629377021385128892014-09-17T13:53:00.000-04:002014-09-17T13:53:51.397-04:00The Great Unveiling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
True, the blog here has taken an unplanned hiatus. While I did expect the guests and the summer schedule (ie no school), I did not expect to be so busy with custom orders the past couple of months. Something had to go and it turned out to be the blog, because not feeding your family is generally frowned upon. But I do have many, many new posts brewing in my head and I hope to get them written soon!<br />
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The first will be an up close and personal tour of the new rocket ship that landed in my studio in late July.<br />
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It is so gigantic I can't even take a decent picture of the whole thing. Anyway, more soon. Stay tuned! </div>
Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-16263995699683924382014-05-25T18:33:00.000-04:002014-05-25T18:33:53.298-04:00And the Winner Is...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thanks to everyone who had a look at, thought about, and wrote down some ideas for what to do with the mystery fabric in my first U Pick 'Em. It was definitely a toughie!<br />
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Jennifer had the most do-able idea for me: a man's apron with matching towel. If there is fabric left to make Heidi's wallet idea or Marie's something-boat-y idea I will let you know!<br />
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Congratulations, Jennifer! You'll have to let me know whether you prefer a gift certificate or a set of snack bags, and if you like the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilaKids?section_id=10534465" target="_blank">snack bags</a>, which ones you prefer. Here are some photos of the latest ones; there are many more fabrics to choose from!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186353108/reusable-snack-bags-organic-sandwich-bag?ref=listing-0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix8ttSlwwe3wC1eA0KMVseLRo1buGkQlY9fOD97RkPBE1qEEDFZCmRnTly43B940d8A4Ls2kgUR9pGwcNQu2RXQ55cklQxwMmnHyPIUV1tRrh6QjZ4ZQ30NNB5cP49n972ih6CAdu-wA/s1600/P1130771.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186353108/reusable-snack-bags-organic-sandwich-bag?ref=listing-0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">blue and orange</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywhd3iLJgQbtJy5QbKW4zcGl13qEM-KGZBRGJQUjxeuimdyr9N6uBWumZeFZooK9hK2KbV9cPhZlvnFN9oXNCMg5E_cjsx_eTQP8I0qx78YFse2qU_9SfWnqKtsHoq3jpQLu27zcUxn0/s1600/P1130765.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186737330/reusable-snack-bags-organic-cotton?ref=related-1" target="_blank">purple and green</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSU24_ew8hRtlDGDPwTd1d4zTT0H_26ZbRcbQx-mqqFmAwCg7Gx_Ai2DP8EraXI74Q8xE6yEWNk7jgvxX1qnLxzO3DZI4IPe-0QTaFeA-yrK9VYI0Zbdnx4kTWNVLiVkaED4PGkM94VQ/s1600/P1130793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSU24_ew8hRtlDGDPwTd1d4zTT0H_26ZbRcbQx-mqqFmAwCg7Gx_Ai2DP8EraXI74Q8xE6yEWNk7jgvxX1qnLxzO3DZI4IPe-0QTaFeA-yrK9VYI0Zbdnx4kTWNVLiVkaED4PGkM94VQ/s1600/P1130793.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186742137/organic-sandwich-bags-reusable-snack?ref=listing-11" target="_blank">green and melon</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186737152/reusable-snack-bags-organic-sandwich-bag?ref=listing-6" target="_blank">pink and blue</a></div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-41055781314197838262014-05-24T20:35:00.000-04:002014-05-24T20:35:07.963-04:00A Little Spring in Your Step!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I took some photos the other day of the springtime flowers in our garden. We live quite close to a giant refrigerator called the North Atlantic Ocean, so we get spring very late, even later than other parts of our own town. It is usually quite cool around our house until mid-June. The plus-side is that it is much less hot here than elsewhere in July and August, so we can actually enjoy, say, lunch outside. But for now our flowers are still just waking up.<br />
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Enjoy, and Happy Spring!<br />
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-51380041378052676772014-05-08T21:53:00.001-04:002014-05-08T21:53:06.378-04:00U Pick 'Em Contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's my first contest on LilaCreates! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was in college my coach used to have U Pick 'Em Fridays in the fall season (crew is a three season sport). This meant that we, the lowly rowers, got the chance to assign ourselves to the seats in the boats rather than having him pick the line-ups. Then he made the boats race each other. There was quite a fair amount of pressure because you had to think about how <i>he</i> thought about everyone, which of course he never actually said out loud, so that you could place yourself among teammates who would help you win those races. And those teammates were all your friends. Lots of psychology going on here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this isn't like that at all. I just stole the name, not the heart-wrenching, nerve-wracking feelings that went with those collegiate U Pick 'Ems. This is all fun. So here it is: I bought this gem of a fabric below a little while ago at the mill. I only bought one yard because I was not sure how to use it. It is made of cotton sailcloth, which is like canvas or duck cloth only lighter weight. It is tightly woven and, though it feels substantial, it is also really soft. It does not stretch. It's got what fabric gurus call a really nice "hand." I think the pattern is super fun, but it is somewhat large. Each group of those rainbow things is about 7" x 8" (18 x 20cm). Each rainbow by itself is 1.5" (4cm) across. In the second photo below the fabric is draped over a square table measuring 16 x 16" (41.5 x 41.5 cm) The color is blue-green on natural. And get this! No one at the mill could tell me who designed it. I thought that was a little strange, but all I could find out is that it is a discontinued pattern by....someone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, the challenge to you is: What should I make with it? I'd like to hear many ideas: get creative! Ask your coworker. As your mom. Ask your kid. Send them the link. Please post your ideas--as many as you want--in the comments by May 24th. And if I pick your idea? You get a choice: either a snack sack set or a $20 gift certificate to use yourself in my shop or to give away. And I'll make the item you suggested and credit you in the item's description! Think of the glory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So get moving. We've only got a couple of weeks for this and you don't want me to come up with an idea on my own, do you? Oh, and one more thing. Keep in mind that I don't do clothing for people because of the regulations, but I do feel pretty confident that I could make nearly anything else, given the time. If this goes well, I'd like to make it a regular blog feature with new fabrics I pick up. Please spread the word so everyone can participate, and so that I can continue to have these contests in the future!</span></div>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-62841393224607097672014-05-06T13:29:00.000-04:002014-05-06T13:29:18.468-04:00Custom Work Makes Me Happy! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi everyone! We're welcoming spring around here. Finally!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We've had a bunch on our plate here in our house the past couple of weeks and I haven't been able to do much blogging or sewing. But I've been working on a special order from a customer who likes to cook. She asked me to make some changes to my pencil rolls so that they would hold eating utensils--spoons, knives, and forks as well as chopsticks. So I made a new pattern with slightly wider slots and a much taller back. Now her utensils will all fit inside and still have a protective flap over the top. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjlUp7nJB9iwTZaNmNM_7l85gCGTI_p4n_c8I7eLm8a0bapl5mIjKaftdlHLW84kAShR5DN_k2Qp4HlFAlLWAvZ6pEDERVCWFJ8tEIVQ58Bjg2BjRA620CL7RmShwG889DEtScAwLG6U/s1600/P1130958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjlUp7nJB9iwTZaNmNM_7l85gCGTI_p4n_c8I7eLm8a0bapl5mIjKaftdlHLW84kAShR5DN_k2Qp4HlFAlLWAvZ6pEDERVCWFJ8tEIVQ58Bjg2BjRA620CL7RmShwG889DEtScAwLG6U/s1600/P1130958.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are our family's colored chopsticks. They are really fun. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All closed up I think the roll looks really smart. It's going to be a gift for a friend of hers. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Custom work is great for me because I really enjoy working directly with someone to help them get exactly what they want. I also appreciate the opportunity to develop new patterns and create new items. It's a fun challenge to tweak things or even to create completely new one. I also find it valuable to communicate with customers since I always learn something new, whether it is what attracts people to my shop or how they use the things I make. So keep those custom orders coming! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some photos of previous custom orders. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWsr-qyNyD6JptEw-vb_Ad-zKtRjeis4ucUbZuEDz2bShxfLvEknug_vqwB-RJuoIw745ltMmPBHExci143KY2a4zJfoORI7_khhrThC01h6wjGTfiIlY3WKTH3pxafcZg3bmyxRA_WU/s1600/P1130591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWsr-qyNyD6JptEw-vb_Ad-zKtRjeis4ucUbZuEDz2bShxfLvEknug_vqwB-RJuoIw745ltMmPBHExci143KY2a4zJfoORI7_khhrThC01h6wjGTfiIlY3WKTH3pxafcZg3bmyxRA_WU/s1600/P1130591.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tween sized apron in pink and grey linen. One of my all-time favorite creations. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej65ceQfYQKoLuk8c3T69b5FcBIamdi-q6nc5Vlbim1TeO0AQBlgoHcqjqZSQTdUfILbWXYB0d7Sc9KywS954dKj8-PiA5kem8bbI3BQ2ZpZfma7iWq7F-0sTpzralFblNiCV_jWCHEM/s1600/P1070614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej65ceQfYQKoLuk8c3T69b5FcBIamdi-q6nc5Vlbim1TeO0AQBlgoHcqjqZSQTdUfILbWXYB0d7Sc9KywS954dKj8-PiA5kem8bbI3BQ2ZpZfma7iWq7F-0sTpzralFblNiCV_jWCHEM/s1600/P1070614.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A petite apron in a gorgeous pastel blue and white floral linen. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaD0QSuAKRkCnQOvAh9fK7_J0OVmvqaJ6eDWbvUVVT02qIsVdIjaSXDB8MHVS2ttYC5zouNqtl4NQSdBCkhoUi34pTRtVaIPg3E7S6fC0bW_h_td62AZdZooGvjrSGXppVZjIHDZj1Fs/s1600/P1070565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaD0QSuAKRkCnQOvAh9fK7_J0OVmvqaJ6eDWbvUVVT02qIsVdIjaSXDB8MHVS2ttYC5zouNqtl4NQSdBCkhoUi34pTRtVaIPg3E7S6fC0bW_h_td62AZdZooGvjrSGXppVZjIHDZj1Fs/s1600/P1070565.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple pencil holder in pinks and lime green. <br />The customer was going to attach it to a bag she was making for her daughter. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOattE4UNGEFKvq9uR0xWQ2fIo59BQxz-c9K9Ik5zJgQWRWlZklZXYKYskJm9Vne1KduqI8bBFMg-om1aV3uPc7An-kU13RtYt3mqo-spuRnR6yfeC19T6F1s021TyfLwot5MUbvh45J8/s1600/P1070396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOattE4UNGEFKvq9uR0xWQ2fIo59BQxz-c9K9Ik5zJgQWRWlZklZXYKYskJm9Vne1KduqI8bBFMg-om1aV3uPc7An-kU13RtYt3mqo-spuRnR6yfeC19T6F1s021TyfLwot5MUbvh45J8/s1600/P1070396.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child-sized play oven mitts made with all the little scraps of these fabrics I had left. <br />The customer purchased a ready-to-ship apron in these fabrics as well. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj5ZLB4G53BOu6NMxAAhIihvKOHklOKeruAKMy_181FF26m6D1bnGzc2PxNCoZzHDxzpaUPjOMgtKegjHnF4i0HdKP5FGpAYDG3YRxZkugvGGkFRE16iZnUdPaC7wY8DyoqTHIZo4fZw/s1600/P1060304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj5ZLB4G53BOu6NMxAAhIihvKOHklOKeruAKMy_181FF26m6D1bnGzc2PxNCoZzHDxzpaUPjOMgtKegjHnF4i0HdKP5FGpAYDG3YRxZkugvGGkFRE16iZnUdPaC7wY8DyoqTHIZo4fZw/s1600/P1060304.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pinafore smock for a toddler made with fabric the customer purchased. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsEMhblwUK2Zvz5wd9tJVCD49BoTlMnnjIi0dvVcCjxL5SkxT5bF8Lvnfx6-o2i6KBq4zNdMVeVPWlG3EwWgW94X8whFUd7DAs5GApZ9lVXuL3-FUi7MEVRfZNolUmNluFD2PN-qSAvE/s1600/P1080070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsEMhblwUK2Zvz5wd9tJVCD49BoTlMnnjIi0dvVcCjxL5SkxT5bF8Lvnfx6-o2i6KBq4zNdMVeVPWlG3EwWgW94X8whFUd7DAs5GApZ9lVXuL3-FUi7MEVRfZNolUmNluFD2PN-qSAvE/s1600/P1080070.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A child apron in fabrics I hadn't thought to put together! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhncCM52ODXvKXBdlI7eLLLUs-eGj1GtmeQQBwYuX2j9gRHJ8fI-G6PdoWVUgotAseZrKzksXXCw1eelHoF-jWsT7KpNyM-_DYljSaDADJqfuOj41Se81TtpgMsjSpfSc7jhhII8OC9U/s1600/P1130731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhncCM52ODXvKXBdlI7eLLLUs-eGj1GtmeQQBwYuX2j9gRHJ8fI-G6PdoWVUgotAseZrKzksXXCw1eelHoF-jWsT7KpNyM-_DYljSaDADJqfuOj41Se81TtpgMsjSpfSc7jhhII8OC9U/s1600/P1130731.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two little tote bags/purses for the customer's daughters in fabrics she purchased. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9TQeX-eSwk4Al01GDbl7FteII4IpMQmMq4Bv0BnjTFg5qHLd5-FqnE7gzsEgX_R-HrnvS2gzpDFRCdJrAJinjTC49EwrTe13M7p4fm79mUcKSgNZ5UfSeq-91MXflFRNl2W3WLKFxQ4/s1600/P1080184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9TQeX-eSwk4Al01GDbl7FteII4IpMQmMq4Bv0BnjTFg5qHLd5-FqnE7gzsEgX_R-HrnvS2gzpDFRCdJrAJinjTC49EwrTe13M7p4fm79mUcKSgNZ5UfSeq-91MXflFRNl2W3WLKFxQ4/s1600/P1080184.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pencil roll with a covered button closure instead of the ties. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gaekHTtkfsVAyxVOW680CjoZxSMw6f1jUv4mGZlgyDSADXGtJtr2jUbDzylyj7yLtX1_luKRdqMr3gZMHXIy7zz7f2QG_WXO3jsCm3FrLHCiHWzuIQ5XcaqmAmXAjH3vXPEjSJa-TSg/s1600/P1130433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gaekHTtkfsVAyxVOW680CjoZxSMw6f1jUv4mGZlgyDSADXGtJtr2jUbDzylyj7yLtX1_luKRdqMr3gZMHXIy7zz7f2QG_WXO3jsCm3FrLHCiHWzuIQ5XcaqmAmXAjH3vXPEjSJa-TSg/s1600/P1130433.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, you can't tell how adorable this is from the photo, but it is a toddler-sized tie-back smock. <br />It is super tiny and super cute. The hanger it's on is a child sized hanger. Maybe that gives you an idea.</td></tr>
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223521868652899149.post-61321273911215858692014-04-22T22:06:00.000-04:002014-04-22T22:15:31.347-04:00Snack Sacks and What to Put in 'Em<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The new <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilaKids?section_id=10534465&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2" target="_blank">snack bags are in</a>! And, as promised, I’m including here a list of great ideas of what to put in them. Perhaps there are a few snack ideas listed that you haven’t thought of yet. If I’ve missed a favorite in your house, please share it in the comments! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb2nNmFFwnujNzhKRwA-QF2PDxy2MzaqO8l_NIGkp0gc98v2ViJOGRXbwKfnTSJBautD5euY5BC5GkDdoYUvZgN4JFPY2iQ_NWrm9Jl9gi8w2rTfkk77GtE2IKLTTCzsqJ6D0YphyphenhyphenPN0/s1600/P1130819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb2nNmFFwnujNzhKRwA-QF2PDxy2MzaqO8l_NIGkp0gc98v2ViJOGRXbwKfnTSJBautD5euY5BC5GkDdoYUvZgN4JFPY2iQ_NWrm9Jl9gi8w2rTfkk77GtE2IKLTTCzsqJ6D0YphyphenhyphenPN0/s1600/P1130819.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d also like to point out that using these just for lunch would be so, so sad. AM uses hers for makeup organization in her purse, I’ve seen them used for carrying little toy cars around, and what a life saver they’d be for holding little game or puzzle pieces to bring on the plane, in the car, or just to have on hand in your purse for boring moments like waiting at restaurants. We use them to bring snacks on airplane rides and then reuse them at our destination rather than stopping to purchase expensive snacks all the time. Oh! I just thought of another great one! What about feminine products? So be sure to think outside the lunch box. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8Jr_Dk1k495CFU7cKVhy3BWIG1N2hzx-dCHpQv68t3h_W8roEIQr7r9REJqKtXEtlNqpCgQ8SnKrxngWTktXYzAljp5GO5ZuMCInpb18e_G_z5hFVxaiZ3puRlwvkDOuH9dHAKp3U_o/s1600/P1130808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8Jr_Dk1k495CFU7cKVhy3BWIG1N2hzx-dCHpQv68t3h_W8roEIQr7r9REJqKtXEtlNqpCgQ8SnKrxngWTktXYzAljp5GO5ZuMCInpb18e_G_z5hFVxaiZ3puRlwvkDOuH9dHAKp3U_o/s1600/P1130808.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One more thing to point out. These bags are much more time consuming to make than you’d think. Sewing that pretty little border on, which I have to do twice for each one, is a slow process. It involves a set of tweezers. There are easier ways to make these bags, including just turning them inside out and sewing up the seams that way, but I really think there is something special about that border. Actually, I think it’s what makes the bags suitable to carry more than just lunch. And I also think there is value in having functional items look beautiful. Maybe it’s my German husband’s influence, or maybe it’s the Waldorf people I hang out with so much, but I do like that a lowly lunch sack can reach such heights if you want it to. Which I do. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtaWm4ZUH7JtwGmGqUPUhp26pMJicrbvsVqT5igIpglPWpVKfVsdGdODC8aya4wY3iDCCwObIDwfFWm_sZ18Zxk1ztRcfZzZidTz_j8mYj3hLHTGV1lM5s06Ba1tprhQW1-WF3EpoKXo/s1600/P1130748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtaWm4ZUH7JtwGmGqUPUhp26pMJicrbvsVqT5igIpglPWpVKfVsdGdODC8aya4wY3iDCCwObIDwfFWm_sZ18Zxk1ztRcfZzZidTz_j8mYj3hLHTGV1lM5s06Ba1tprhQW1-WF3EpoKXo/s1600/P1130748.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSU24_ew8hRtlDGDPwTd1d4zTT0H_26ZbRcbQx-mqqFmAwCg7Gx_Ai2DP8EraXI74Q8xE6yEWNk7jgvxX1qnLxzO3DZI4IPe-0QTaFeA-yrK9VYI0Zbdnx4kTWNVLiVkaED4PGkM94VQ/s1600/P1130793.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My no-peanut lunch ideas list includes things you could put in your bags by themselves. I often bring four or five bags with me on an outing filled with different things, and none of them is a large “entree”-type item. I just nibble on all the small items and that works. It’s a super fast way to get out the door. So I haven’t listed all the millions of kinds of sandwiches or wraps you could make, but if you or your family has a favorite, do add it to the comments.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>raw veggies</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">carrot, cucumber, kohlrabi, green beans, sugar & snap peas, sweet peppers, celery, radishes, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, jicama </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add dips in a separate little container: hummus, ranch dressing, tzatziki, almond butter, onion dip, salsa, or sunflower seed butter. These tend to make the veggies more appealing to many little people. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>not-too-squishy fruits</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">apple slices, orange sections, grapes, dried fruit and raisins, dates</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>snacky-type things</u><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cheerios and other cereals, sunflower seeds, trail mix, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), non-peanut nuts (macadamias, cashews, almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts), rice cakes, pretzels, pita chips, crackers (and cheese in a separate bag), bagel chips, pancakes (yes! pancakes!), potato or tortilla chips, kale chips, savory muffins</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>treats</u><br class="kix-line-break" />sweet muffins, yogurt raisins, cookies</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f2qSTekp-d3JZLMsWstKbylQV37IWoRAJX15t0OZQfz6l7poEiIGyX0MtENLbE5ziYIKUdVAl-iAlth6_Pvj5lZ1aw-7kheFYaDB-RFmgVPAxNNILis-aJy1Qn2agN5LVx_xz-S-e3o/s1600/P1130718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f2qSTekp-d3JZLMsWstKbylQV37IWoRAJX15t0OZQfz6l7poEiIGyX0MtENLbE5ziYIKUdVAl-iAlth6_Pvj5lZ1aw-7kheFYaDB-RFmgVPAxNNILis-aJy1Qn2agN5LVx_xz-S-e3o/s1600/P1130718.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fLPTYAZkEb8IrZ8cChBzZDFLdaCmUg34Li0UFdDRoTTy_NLlGZqeloN4L4PJdUZfMp5Z6FsAgjOHyc6I10wKWbhQGdazvEeik2B22wsdZqc-D-n1LpQSTgmBoZRgaUcguSsMbeSKwRc/s1600/P1130773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fLPTYAZkEb8IrZ8cChBzZDFLdaCmUg34Li0UFdDRoTTy_NLlGZqeloN4L4PJdUZfMp5Z6FsAgjOHyc6I10wKWbhQGdazvEeik2B22wsdZqc-D-n1LpQSTgmBoZRgaUcguSsMbeSKwRc/s1600/P1130773.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summer camp is coming up for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere. Many day camps are requesting waste-free lunches, so snack bags are a real help there. Do let me know if you’d like to purchase several snack bag sets so I can offer you a volume discount. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some feedback on my snack sacks from real people: </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I LOVE the bags and I use them a lot.”</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Items of the highest quality. Shipped quickly!”</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Beautiful fabric and quick shipping. Can't wait to use them!”</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Opening my package was like opening a special gift. The quality is fantastic and fabrics are even better in person. I love using these in my lunch and my daughter's lunch.”</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“LOVE!”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy eating! </span><br />
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Lilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02116442624260735004noreply@blogger.com2