Five Years...and counting?

I've picked on my mom a lot about procrastinating on her projects, but the truth is, I'm no better. It all started about five years ago in early spring of 2007 when I became interested in needlework. I was doing beginner projects and quickly getting bored. Mom happened to spot a pattern one day for a more advanced project. Lizzie*Kate's Pair o' Pilgrims. It was cute and she wanted it to make stand-ups for her dining room. She was putting the pattern back on the shelf though as we get ready to leave the store. "Why aren't you getting it?" I asked her, taking it back from the shelf. I knew she loved it and really wanted one for herself. She shook her head. "I don't have time to do this," she pointed out and started leaving again. I scooped up the pattern and ran after her. "I'll do it!"

Famous last words...

The pattern didn't look too hard. It was early June and I figured I'd have all summer to get it done before Mom decorated for fall in October. I assured her I could finish it in the time I had so, trusting in me, she bought it.

They were supposed to be done in 2007 but because of unforeseeable circumstances, I wasn't about to finish them that fall. Mom assured me it was alright. We'd try for next year. I felt bad but there was nothing I could do. The '07 fall season came and went, and so did '08. In 2009 I left for college, leaving the pilgrims at home. I was back again in 2010 though... and '11... and now '12... In the last five years I've managed to make this progress...

I haven't even started on the little girl pilgrim and there's still the stand up part to make! With only weeks until Thanksgiving... Maybe...next year?

Market Days

Lots of crazy new things have been happening over the past several days. First of all, for those of you who've been following this blog since the beginning, notice the name change? Mom and I knew that when we started this blog it would be a sort of experiment, and we knew that as things progressed we would learn and evolve accordingly. The new name is the perfect example of that in that it now better defines what we want to do with this blog.

Second new thing we've been up to is making Christmas ornaments! Our city hosts this thing called "Market Days" the second Saturday of every month. This month was our first go at it so we've been busy! We teamed up with the girls at SewOldSeamsNew and shared a spot in the vendor line up.

Yoli and Elizabeth from SewOldSeamsNew at our booth

When we got there around 6:45am they were just setting up. Hardly anyone was there so it was nice to be able to set out our tent and tables before all the bustle of the vendors and costumers started. The girls at SOSN sold their beautiful purses and bags. I don't mean to plug here but they really are to die for! I'm planning on buying one for myself next time! They're beautiful hand made bags, made with upcycled jeans and seriously, they're so well done!! They sold several bags at Market Days but still have plenty more on their story at Etzy so check them out!

Just a few of their beautiful creations!
The little snowman necklaces are my faves. =)

Mom and I made ornaments to sell. We were one of only two people selling Christmas stuff this early but in my opinion it is never to early for Christmas! Mom made Gingerbread men candy cane holders. So cute! There were little boys and little girls. It was machine embroidery mostly so she was the one who did all the work. 

Little Christmas Couple. A nice lady bought them just as we were packing up.
Bitter sweet since these were my favorite. 

I made little snowmen. Well, we all did but these little guys are the project I had my hands on. Literally. There wasn't a single snowman we worked on that I didn't accidentally glue my finger to. Haha. My and the hot glue gun do not work well together! Over all, though, I think we made a good team in the end. The ornaments turned out great! 

"Adopt a Snowman" was Elizabeth's idea.
We "adopted" it and sold almost all our little baby snowmen!

The day was seriously windy. We started out with a tent, but by the end of the morning we had to take it down or else risk it blowing away or breaking. The sun was hot and the wind kept blowing off out merchandise. Several times we had to go chasing down bags and snowmen! By the end of the day we were glad to get out of the wind and heat. I even got a little sunburned! Still, the experience was great and I can't wait to be back next month! 

Since we made a lot of product and obviously couldn't sell all of it in one day, Mom and I created an Etzy account to connect to this blog. We thought it'd be a fun idea to expand our costumer reach and maybe get a little Christmas money! We'd love for you to check it out with this link here!