Amy Butler Spring contest

On the very last day, I decided to enter the Amy Butler Sew Inspiring Contest. The challenge was to create a purse or bag with an Amy Butler pattern, fabric or just something that is inspired by her very distinct style. In case your not familiar with Amy Butler, she's a designer and author that makes amazing textile and paper prints.

Since I couldn't find any of Amy's fabric at the local fabric store, I decided to create the purse with my own fabric using a pattern I created. This is the first time EVER I've attempted sewing a purse so I kept it simple and decided on the basic shape of a wristlet. I used a distressed cotton and coordinating patchwork fabric. With the patchwork fabric, I sewed it in a “men's tie” shape and embellished it with a vintage turquoise brooch. I decided to do a random topstitch on the handle to add a bit more character.

I "borrowed" the brooch from my mom about 6 years ago. I hope she doesn't need it back since I'll be selling the purse in my second Etsy shop tangente shortly.

Did I mention the grand prize is a fancy Janome Memory Craft 6600P Sewing Machine. Wow!!! You can view all the entries on the Amy Butler Sew Inspiring Contest Flickr group.

Etsy on Martha tomorrow

I just heard the news. Etsy will be featured on The Martha Stewart Show tomorrow February 29th. I checked my local listing and it's airing at 10am and then again at 11am on a different channel (in case I miss it).


I can't wait to see who they'll feature.

Crafters for Critters

I recently donated these 2 items from my 4Paws' Etsy shop to Crafters for Critters.

Crafters for Critters is about simultaneously supporting handmade, independent businesses/crafters/designers/artists and rounding up money for animal rescue organizations.

All proceeds from items that are currently for sale until the end of June 2008 will be donated to the Greyhound Protection League and Grey2K USA.

The Crafters for Critters shop is not just for pets, it also has jewelry, t-shirts, home goodies and much more. So be sure to check them out.

Inspiration boxes

Last week, I received 3 wonderful boxes from my mom. Each box contained items perfect for scrapbooking or making collages. They were even organized by colour - so Martha-ish!

Brooklyn or Bust

Inspired by Swimmy, a book by Leo Leonni, Etsy asked its members to make & send a friend for Swimmy to be included in a giant diorama at Etsy headquarters.

With the help of my mom, we were able to make our own version of Swimmy. He's getting ready for his long journey to Brooklyn. Good luck Swimmy.




For more information on making your own swimmy, visit the following Storque article.

Extreme Makeover - feline edition

Here's the magical transformation of my cat Fluffy - from beached whale to sleek lioness.

Minou is very happy that he's not the one in the cage.

He then decides to play with one of her toys in her absence. Ssshhhh....she'll never know!

After a grueling hour at the salon (aka pet store), Fluffy emerges sporting the newest feline hairstyles - the short lion cut.

Not only does this haircut change her appearance on the outside but it changes her catitude on the inside. She's become more outgoing, energetic and frisky. Unfortunately, it only lasts 3-4 months and then we're back to fluffy Fluffy.

♥ Best Valentine's Day Gift ♥

Last night, my boyfriend and I decided to exchange cards. I had told him a month ago not to get me a gift but I would appreciate a handmade card and I even showed him a few possibilities on Etsy. He told me that there wasn't enough time to order a card and I would have to settle for a Hallmark card. Which was fine....better than nothing.

As I opened my card, I thought to myself "Well this is cute" and then I immedialtely looked for the Hallmark print at the back of the card. Nothing. Instead there was a tag for the paper shop in Ottawa, PaperPapier. As I examined the card more carefully, I started to recognize some of my supplies: white satin ribbon, velcro...

Could it be?

Could my boyfriend have made this card?

In my amazement, he answered YES! He made this card!

Last Saturday night after I went to bed, he snuck into the basement and CRAFTED. Awe! He then said "Crafting isn't has easy as it looks, you know".

♥♥♥No wonder I love him so much ♥♥♥

I've got mail!

Ever since I discovered Etsy, I love getting mail. Even though I try to calculate a purchased item's ETA (or items in most cases), I'm never quite sure what day it will arrive. When I get home from work and I see a yellow envelope sticking out of my mailbox, I get all giddy! Sure beats getting bills.




Last week, I was lucky enough to receive both of my purchases the same day. First, there was the beautiful Amy Butler paper from FoundObjects. GORGEOUS! I just noticed today that she also has paper with dog prints on them. They're now on my wish list.



Second, I received my music and foreign text collage pack from the wonderful shop Redux4u.




Still on the collage angle, my boyfriend found me a book that he used to read when he first started school.

Fabric Swap

One evening in the Etsy forums, I saw a thread with the title "Hey Fabric junkies, I have an idea...". I couldn't resist. BeckyKay was trying to organize a fabric swap. Of course, I would be interested. I'd been avoiding fabric stores for months in an attempt to minimize the clutter in my sewing room. So at the mention of a swap, I knew this was a quick way to get a fix. I would keep a few yards of her fabric but in return I had to replace the amount with my own and ship it to Audrey, the next person on the list. So technically, I would still have the same "amount" of fabric. Clever!

Here are just a few of BeckyKay's fabric:




What to pick? I'll have to procrastinate at least another night until I make my final decision. I've already gathered my fabric to be swapped, just need to cut it.