Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig.

Upon my return from Big Bear, I had several small trips I needed to make, to various events like baby showers and family camping trips. I was thankful for the relaxing vacation time, but now it's time to be home and stay home for a while.
Lots of family business has been going on around here, leaving little time for fun, but I have been attempting to stay in the loop. Blue Shield of California's office in Redding is fundraising for Cancer Copay Relief, which helps patients pay their copays for chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They will be putting on a raffle at the end of September and I have been working on items to donate. So far I have beaded two pairs of earrings, made two hair clips, and have knitted most of a headband, with another headband in the works. I'll be sure to get photos before I drop off my items!
I've also been commissioned to repair a jacket for a family friend, so I have enough little projects to keep me busy during my search for full time work. :)
I'll keep everyone posted!
Cheers,
Red

Don't Judge Me.

So I know I just recently said that I had no business buying any new fabric. That all went out the window when I had the opportunity to go to the Los Angeles Garment District. I spent all day (and I do mean ALL day) Thursday with two of the ladies from the yarn shop wishing, shopping, and spending. The Garment District spans several blocks - they have everything you could think of including flowers, sunglasses, shoes, beads, prom dresses - but we managed to see only one street.
We arrived in the morning and began hunting for bargains. Almost all of the shops were overflowing onto the sidewalks with bolts of fabrics and notions, and most fabrics were at $2 and $3 per yard - a definite deal. My first purchase wasn't really intentional. I locked onto a beautiful red poly fabric with a black flocked print, and I guess judging by the look on my face, the salesman knew I was hooked. He pulled the bolt out and said "How many yards do you want?"
Next we ventured out of the Garment District to a couple of individual fabric stores in L.A. (I love it there, I know it's a tough place to live and make a living, but I adore the glamour of being in Los Angeles, and all of the fun and glitzy things to do and see that are so close by. I'm charmed for sure.)
I got to shop at Mood Fabrics on W. Pico, the same store that Project Runway contestants get their supplies. It is very chi chi, and pretty pricey, but for what you are getting - high quality imported fabrics and designer textiles from the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Oscar de la Renta, and Ralph Lauren - it's what one should expect. I was the only one who made a purchase there, as I lucked out with a $5 remnant, and a deal on pattern paper (since I no longer get it for free at school).
We also hit up F&S Fabrics further down W. Pico. I liked their cotton prints a lot, but at around $10 per yard, I wasn't going home with any. Nevertheless, it was fun to look.
One more round back at the Garment District, then our wallets were empty and the car was full, so we headed back up the mountain. The last place I went into was Shana-Tex, and it was a warzone - fabrics stacked high, notions underfoot. I was on my way out when I noticed a little swatch sticking out. I followed it back into a pile of bolts and asked how much. "One dollar." I asked for six yards. "Eh, make it five bucks." YES! I love a deal.
So, all in all, I came back with seven different fabrics, and a couple odds and ends. I am utterly broke, but hey, how often am I going to have the chance to shop like that.
I've got only today and tomorrow left here "up on the hill". I'm ready to go home to my family and my own bed (as well as a full sized bathroom), but I will miss the beautiful lake and the people! Now I just have to find a real job. :)

This is what I came home with:

Back to work!

Cheers,

Red

More Photos!

Katie finished her projects and brought them in for me to take pictures of. They came out wonderfully!!





Adorable, no??

In other news, the mom came to visit for a few days and we did so much!! It finally felt like I got to have a break and have some vacation-y fun.
In short, we:
*Rode the ski lift, which magically becomes the Sky Chair in summer
*Visited the local zoo
*Took a cruise on the pirate ship used in the movie "Time Bandits"
*Got horribly sunburned
*Went on a night hike
*Hung out at the Big Bear Brewery
*Shopped at the Village
*Went to the Santa Monica Pier
*Walked along Venice Beach
*Drove through Hollywood

Thanks Mom!!! XOXOXO

Now let's see what kind of work I can get done in my last week and a half here.

Cheers,
Red

"Hello, Day-Old News? I'm cancelling my subscription and giving my business to Behind The Times."

So, in my yarn-shop adventures, I have come to discover things of utter adorableness, some of which I can't believe I never paid attention to until now. I think it was my first week here when I met the lovely Lyndsie and Katie, who befriended me and began taking me on outings to Denny's, which I am so appreciative of. Lyndsie knits, Katie crochets, and a couple times a week we occupy the corner booth of the restaurant, laughing, eating, and working on our projects.
Katie has been making sweet little teddy bears and seems to encounter requests for orders everywhere she takes them. She showed me a book she has been working from, Amigurumi Two! Crocheted Toys for Me and You and Baby Too. It is filled with charming little creatures of all sorts and I had to find out more about them.

Amigurumi is Japanese for knit or crocheted doll. They serve no other purpose than to be super cute and fun to make. I have seen them as animals, insects, fish, fruits, vegetables, and robots.

Katie totally rocks at it. In addition to the bears, she is making a set of 3 peas in a pod as a gift for her mom, each pea representing each of her three children. She's also working on a stroller toy consisting of dangling seaweed with clown fish swimming through it. As if that weren't enough to keep her busy, she's making herself a sweater, too.

So I guess amigurumi has been popular for a while, really sellin' like hotcakes on Etsy, and I never knew. Crochet is definitely on my list of things to learn, and it would be awesome if I could make some little creatures of my own.

Katie's collection of bears, the middle one was her first

I'll have photos of her other projects up soon. The shop will be getting in some books on the subject and possibly teaching classes. Prepare yourselves for too much cute!!

Cheers!

Red

Cuteness Overload.

I have not accomplished nearly as much sewing as I had intended to up here in Big Bear. Work hours in the shop have been a little more than I had thought they would be, and at the end of the day, I've gravitated more towards the couch than the sewing machine.
I have nearly finished one baby dress! The last thing I need to do is attach the snaps and maybe a little bit of ribbon for trim. With only one garment done, this means my fabric supply is still hanging around in a giant shopping bag. I have no right to be shopping for more. However...
I came across Allegro Fabrics. Cute, kid-centric stuff, and lots of retro designs. And even better, the prices aren't horrible. Sale prices run about 4 and 7 dollars per yard. It's taking a lot of restraint for me to not order anything right now! I am definitely bookmarking them and coming back when I have used up some of the fabric I already have and can justify a purchase.
www.allegrofabrics.com
My knitting is coming along, too. I have gotten comfortable with the continental style knit and purl stitches, and after some practice, I am ready to begin knitting my first hat.
Ok, now I'm feeling inspired to get up and be productive with my day off!!
Cheers!
Red

For Funsies!

Now that I am not feeling the pressure of required schoolwork, I find it's a lot more fun. Things were a little slow in the shop yesterday, so I compiled some collections of fashiony things I liked.



Ooh, it's hot here. Off to find a cooler spot!
Cheers!
Red

Big Bear Livin'.

So it's the end of my first week here...and it's gone fairly well. I am staying in a trailer next to the shop, so there's no need to commute! The trailer has plenty of room, as well as WiFi (yay!) and Dish Network (yay!). I have been working in the shop pretty much all day every day, except for Thursday when they are closed. I got today off, though, and I am hoping to get a few things done.
A customer came in the shop on Tuesday wanting a new set of slipcovers for her rocking chair pads. My first freelance job! We helped her pick out some upholstery fabric and I got to work. I finished them up yesterday, and I think for having to start from scratch and make my own pattern, they came out pretty good.

My other project has been updating the shop's blog, which can be found here:
http://www.yarndesignersboutique.com/blog.html
I had my first knitting lesson yesterday and apparently, the way I learned to knit and the way I have been knitting is totally ass-backwards, so now I have to forget what I know and start over. :) Crochet is next on the list, and needlepoint if we have time. My first knitting project is going to be a hat!
Today is the first day I have had to start on my Etsy stuff, but I think we are going to pare down my hours in the shop a bit so I should have a little more time to get things started.
It's beautiful here, too. I forget that I'm in southern California. It looks a lot like home around here! Thursday I got to drive all the way around the lake and find a sandy spot to dip my toes in. Friday and Saturday we had clouds and humidity, but today, it finally rained. It's pleasantly cool, though. The altitude hasn't messed with me too much, other than my sinuses going a little bonkers, and sometimes I feel a little tired.
I have gotten to meet a lot of really nice people so far, people who are really dedicated to the crafts that they make. It's kinda neat.
My hot glue gun is calling. Watch for my Etsy shop to be up and running soon!!
Cheers!
Red