When I Can't Sleep...

Posting later than usual this week... after spending several hours yesterday, last night *and* this morning working with a couple different photo editing programs that tested both my patience levels with software limitations and my perfectionism/OCD issues. In the end, the editing programs won out ~ I'm learning when to say "when" and accept the achieved results that are, in reality, very good. It truly is much better for the stress levels as well... =)

Sometimes, no matter what, sleep will *not* happen when you want it to. I'm also learning to toss & turn less and work with it more, especially now that the years of no children to care for are upon me. I do keep to a regular schedule for the most part but that infamous "monkey-mind" decides to take over once in a while. Most times, I rise to my hooks. Crochet has a very calming effect for me ~ a meditative state as I focus on the movement of my hook as it twists the yarn or thread into form, counting the stitches as I go ~ relaxing my mind and putting those darn "monkeys" to rest!!  One, maybe 2 hours, of hooking yarn and I'm off to dreamland... I suppose I could count how many sheep I shear for their wool but then I'd be picking colors and projects and... nope ~ that adds to the "monkeys" lol

This latest project coming off the hooks will be added to the growing inventory for our Make It! Vancouver market in November ~ a hairpin lace shawl {free pattern link here} As it's been several years since I hooked this old-fashioned technique, I set off on my usual YouTube search for video tutorials for a refresher. There are quite a few and I found this one on Bernat Yarns to be the best for explaining in detail how to get started. Once started, you'll find your own rhythm for the simple repeat motions for creating the strips of loops. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to join the strips given all the possibilities... I have 2 strips to go before I get to that point... possibly 3 if I change that up, too... creative dilemmas ~ I love them!! {Check out Stitch Diva Studios for more inspiration and tutorials about hairpin lace} 

Adjustable hairpin lace loom. This one I bought in 1984 ~ a vintage original...

240 loops per side. Red Heart Soft Touch Yarn in Lavender 3720

Groups of 5,  joined with sc, ch6

What do you do when you can't sleep? Do you toss & turn and stress over it more? Or do you 'rise to the occasion' ?

Keep well!! May the sandman bring you sugar plum dreams!!

...we'll see you next time ~ here, In The Parlour =)

*photos by ccthompson

Long overdue update...

It has been an extremely hectic past 6 weeks here in The Studio...  full of changes and anticipation for the coming New Year...

First, the Christmas craft show at The Commons here on Gabriola Island went well and we received many compliments on our assorted wine bags, gift bags and bread bags. We are most definitely going to be keeping them in our line of handcrafted home decor. In the project works is an entire product line based around the "bread and wine" theme so watch for those in the upcoming markets this spring and summer.

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

 

As some of you may be aware, we have been using Facebook to post updates on the goings-on and latest developments around here. The biggest (and very exciting!) news is that we are in the process of relocating. Most of the cabin is packed and ready to go... and the creations are still in progress amidst the packing and new studio hunt...

Some time between Monday morning and Wednesday evening, we will know if we will be located in Vancouver or in Victoria... Both cities will bring new opportunities for us in the business and in our personal lives. New markets... new friends... new inspirations to stitch...

Follow the adventure on our Facebook page... we may not be around the blog as much but we are on FB on a regular basis... and we will be posting pictures of our latest needlework and stitchery projects as we go.

At this time, Carla's Victorian Heirlooms would like to wish you and yours a healthy and prosperous 2012! Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the markets this year.

Until next time... keep warm and safe sailing through your winds of change...

In the Feature Gallery: Trinket Bags

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Wow! it's been a busy few days again here in the studio... we've managed to get some decorating done and our miniature tree looks so pretty... the last bit of sewing is winding down for The Commons Christmas Craft Fair... only the hand-stitched embellishments left to do... then on to the dry run for merchandising the show table.

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Our last product for the upcoming market is a Trinket Bag. These bags are wonderful for holding smaller gifts that are so hard to wrap... perfect for those little stocking stuffers or for hanging on the tree...

 

...Limited edition for 2011~ the prints and fabrics we used are the left over pieces of fabric from the gift bags and bread bags 

...Eco-friendly ~ no need for wrapping paper

...Reuseable; sturdy; versatile

...Finished size is approximately 5" wide by 8" tall

      

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

So that ends our showcase of some of the cloth gift bags available at Carla's Victorian Heirlooms for the 2011 Holiday Season... there are so many we possibly couldn't photograph them all! We hope you enjoyed the sneak peek... it certainly has been fun sharing with you!

Make sure the craft market is on your "to-do" list this coming Saturday December 3... all the information can be found under the "Craft Market" tab on the right. Stop by to say "hello" and mention you read our blog... we have a special "Thank You for reading" gift just for you...

Until next time... the countdown is now 25 shopping days left 'til we hang our stockings... keep safe, be happy.

Gift bags galore...

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Good evening to all. We are up to our elbows in cloth bags here in our Gabriola Island studio! These are the first round of gift bags, with another stack being prepped for stitching... and more bread bags and some trinket bags to follow... and our countdown days are at 8 to our opening market at The Commons Christmas Craft Fair...

In the Feature Showcase this evening: a versatile Gift Bag

...Choice of print or plain outer fabric (poly/cotton) 

...Lined with contrast fabric to compliment the outer fabric 

...Built-in handle for easy transport or for hanging on a stocking hook 

...Attached ribbon tie 

...Plain outer fabric also has a medallion embellishment hand-stitched to the front ...Trimmed with decor stitching along the handle

Photos courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

...Finished size approximately 6¼” wide (12½” diameter) by 14½” tall ...Large enough to hold a bottle ...Smaller version measures approximately 10" tall 

...Either version makes a great bag to fill with jams & homemade preserves, bath salts, an assortment of candles, or anything else you may be able to think of to put in it 

...Environmentally & tree-friendly; reusable 

...A gift in itself!

What features do you look for in a cloth gift bag? Sturdiness? Uniqueness? Versatility? What features would you like to see in our gift bags? More colors? More print outer or plain outer with embellishments? Bags for other holidays and special occasions? Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions or questions below... we are open to all feedback regarding our blog and our products. Join us on our Facebook page too! Or if you prefer a private communication, please email Carla's Victorian Heirlooms at the address on the sidebar (use the @ symbol in the address)... And we are accepting orders for Christmas and New Year's delivery. 

Until next time... one month today is Christmas Eve! who's left on your shopping list?... stay safe, be happy.

Feature Gallery: Cotton Bread Bags

First an update...

Good evening to all. It was a long day spent behind the desk to catch up on paper work again... finish one file and on to the next. Plans have changed for the weekend... no Vancouver trip to visit the Make It! show... no Parksville visit either. We are instead going to stick closer to home and visit a couple of the small local markets going right here on Gabriola Island... The Feedlot Studios is running a market Friday November 25 (5pm – 9pm) and Saturday November 26 (10am – 4pm)... As well, the 2nd Annual Gabriola Artisan Christmas Fair is taking place Saturday November 26 & Sunday November 27 at the Rollo Seniors’ Centre, 685 North Road.

That’s the news of the day from the studio... now on to our feature of today... 

cotton bread bags! 

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

The bags are ...Reusable and environmentally friendly (no extra plastic in the landfills) ...Made right here in our studio, with 100% cotton fabric (toss them in with regular kitchen laundry instead of washing bulky plastic containers) ...Have a drawstring at the top for easy open and close (no more broken plastic clips or worn twist ties) ...Finished measurements are 8½” wide by 15½” long to fit a loaf of artisan bread nicely ...Add a unique touch to your kitchen decor ...Each bag is completed with a finishing "artisan's touch" of the hand-stitched embroidery “Bread” in a contrasting color to compliment the fabric ...Makes a great bag when you want to take that fresh bread to your next dinner invite!

Photo courtesy S. D. Jackson Photography

Up next in our Feature Gallery will be the small version of a gift bag with a built-in handle... until then...

stay safe, be happy.

Bags, bags, and more bags...

Carla's Victorian Heirlooms is excited to showcase the featured stock for our very first Christmas season. An assortment of cloth bags... reusable, decorative and friendly to the environment by eliminating the need for wrapping paper... 

We gave you a sneak peek of a gift bag on November 7, when we showed off the red bag...
yesterday was spent cutting more bags.


For the festive season, lots of red and green... and of course, the holidays would not be complete without the holly fabric.

 

      A smaller version of the handled bags...

Trinket bags to hold small treasures...

The cotton bread bags are also cut and ready for sewing. We posted a bit about those on November 9. We had a few issues with some lettering on them and that is sorted out... finished photos of those will be posted as well this week... 

The studio is becoming a flurry of activity with preparations for our upcoming market December 3... our blog followers are the first to see what will be available at our public debut...

There may be 33 more sleeps until Jolly Old St. Nick's arrival but we will back tomorrow... stay warm, stay safe and be happy.

Thank you to Shawn at S. D. Jackson Photography... your camera, your support, and your creative input are deeply appreciated.

Moving right along...

The last couple of days have been consumed with paperwork here in the studio... supplies list for the upcoming market in December, sales forecasts for 2012, working on new product release line sheets... business workshops coming up... and of course, stitching and sewing to work on too...

Hard to believe the New Year is only 6 weeks away! That time will certainly fly by fast just as this past year has... We have the opening Gallery Showcase coming up here on the blog in less than a week so we are busy with those preparations... mark November 21st on your calendar to see what we're kicking off our very first Holiday Season with... Very exciting! We've also been busy getting ready for our market trips to Parksville and Vancouver coming up on the 25th & 26th of this month... I love the hustle and bustle at this time of the year.

Until next time... have you started thinking about those letters to Santa?... stay safe, keep warm and be happy.

Gallery production is underway...

A busy day in the studio today... more production is underway in the inventory division of Carla's Victorian Heirlooms. Next off the sewing machine are some cotton bread bags. These bags are wonderful in that we will no longer have to use unsightly containers or plastic bags for storing bread... we can save the landfill from a bit of unneeded waste... and every little bit helps. Cloth bags will certainly outlast any plastic bag that can only be used a few times before it looks like something the wind got a hold of. Throw the cotton bag in with your regular laundry and it is ready for use again and again. Not only all that, they are a decorative addition to your everyday kitchen linens.

Constructed with 100% cotton, the bags have a drawstring top for easy opening and quick closing. They're fantastic to put a loaf of homemade bread in to take to your next dinner host or hostess. Each one is embellished with a bit of decoration as well for a finishing touch of creativity. They are multifunctional ~ you can use them for storing pretty much anything you can think of to put in them.

The new inventory of bags will be showcased here on the blog during the week of November 21. Along with the bread bags, we will be featuring the choices in our jewel-toned gift bag selection... these gift bags wrap a bottle much easier and nicer than a brown paper bag... We have started a pre-order list for the upcoming holiday season so best to order soon to ensure delivery in time for the shipping rush. Ordering and shipping deadlines will be posted during the showcase week as well. 

Until next time... don't let your thread run too short... stay safe, be happy.