Retro-style aprons!

I have started making aprons for my shop and can't wait to photograph these domestic little numbers!

The first one I am finishing tonight is made from this Alexander Henry apple and pear fabric:



I can't wait to photograph and list it! It will most likely be posted on Wednesday, since I work super early tomorrow and can't take good photos until the sun comes up.

Be on the lookout! This is just the beginning!

<3 Always,
--Taina

I <3 sewing!

I always wonder what other people's work areas look like. I'm still revamping mine, so I will be posting a photo or two every once in a while.



This is the sewing machine I most frequently use, it was my mother's. My dad actually got it for my mom as a present in the 70's. The brand is "New Home". It's super basic; zig-zag, straight, reverse, buttonholes...I got it fixed up after my mom let me borrow it. It weighs at least 30lbs and is mostly metal, and thankfully has a great carrying case, because I dragged it all the way downtown by subway to a mom&pop shop to get it fixed and cleaned. It now works like a dream! Let's hope my mom never finds a reason to want it back! =) There's something to be said about older sewing machines.

Speaking of...my other sewing machine is a 1947 Singer that comes in a table. I inherited it from my grandmother once my grandfather passed away. It's actually what the "New Home" is resting on. I use the small table when I make small things, like baby shoes and coin purses. Anything larger? I move the New Home to a full desk an old roommate gave me. I will take pics of everything soon.

Here are my newest baby shoes, item 5/10 for January:



I'm off to sew up 6 and maybe 7/10 for the month of January.

<3 Always,
--Taina

January 3/10 and 4/10

I've been cutting tons of fabric recently and finally sat down at my sewing machine late last night to stitch fabric pieces together. I told myself I could watch "Baby Mama" only if I sewed the entire time I watched it. I have had "Baby Mama" from Netflix for more than two months and still hadn't seen it!

So while watching it, I made two pairs of baby shoes:

The pair above is definitely one of my favorites I've made so far. I think they are just darling!



(As always click the photos for more info!)

And right now? I have FIFTY items in my shop! I don't know if I've ever had 50 items in my shop before. I have another showcase date coming up in a couple weeks, so hopefully I will sell some of these items!

So today I hope to sew a couple more pieces. First? I have to go to the Post Office. I now have two penpals and I feel like I'm slacking! I already missed the drop-off time for my corner blue mailbox and I should probably drop off my netflix dvds. eeps!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!

So I have no idea if anyone is interested in my New Year's Resolutions, but they go a little something like this:

1. Make at least 10 new items per month for Etsy.
2. Exercise at LEAST 15 mins every day until my birthday (Feb. 24th)
3. No candy for the entire month of January.
4. Buy more things that are handmade and less sweatshop items.
5. Re-apply to grad school.

I think that's pretty much it. I am not good at keeping resolutions for very long, so I figured a month or two and if I want to go longer, great, if not, Jan or Feb is not a daunting completion date. =)

So far the candy thing has worked out really well...except I forgot and ate a cadbury cream egg. eeps! So I will go through Feb. 1st to make up for it. lol.

As for 10 new items each month? I've made two so far and will list them tomorrow but hope to make at least one more tonight.

And the buying more things that are handmade? That isn't hard. Etsy is full of amazing, gorgeous, fun things. I just bought two more hair accessories from VieModerne

Want to see? I am SO excited!


I had been eyeing the one above for a while now, but VieModerne went on vacation, so the minute I got the alert saying she was back from vacation mode, I knew I had to snag it!

And of course, combined shipping is a GREAT reason to buy than one item from a shop, so I bought this one as well:



It takes VieModerne about a week to make items, as they are all made to order, so I hope to get them in two weeks. I am thrilled!

My handmade penpal Nadine sent me this awesome headband a la CoCoBoudoir that I continuously get compliments on:


(Click the above photo for a better photo of the headband)

People at work constantly ask me who made it and where they can get one. Last Friday, MoMA had 22,000 visitors to the Museum. Talk about great advertising! I wish sellers would send me business cards!

There are two guys at work who make fun of me for the "Waldorf orchid" pictured above, One is bald and the other has a very close shave. I told them they are jealous, they've nicknamed me "flower girl". =) Not so bad!

I'm off to sew more!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Heart To Heart

I just threw down ::gasp!:: $110 for a portable GPS system for my dad for Christmas. It's all he wants, he expected to buy himself one and I had to tell him to trust me and not buy one for himself, which sucks because I really really wanted it to be a surprise. I'm hoping he forgets over the next month or at least feigns shock.

If you know my dad, please please don't say anything to him! Pretty please? I bought him the Magellan 3250, refurbished from TigerDirect.com. It was $89.99 plus a $17.99 extended warranty and $1.99 shipping. Egads! I always question myself repeatedly when I spend that kind of money on something. Looks like I will be eating whatever is in my cupboards until I get paid on Thursday.

I bet you are wondering what this post has to do with "My Handmade Life". I am getting there... =)

I just listed my new item for today, not a minute too soon, as there's only 5 mins left of "today".


(Click photo for more info!)

The fabric I used is called "Heart To Heart" which I thought was a great name and fun colorful pattern for baby shoes. My hope is that I can post at least an item a day through December, hopefully generate more sales and be able to sponsor more underpriviledged children through "Operation Santa" this year. Last year I sponsored 8 letters from children and parents, 11 children in total and it felt AMAZING. I really hope to sponsor 12 children's letters this year.

So many of these kids write just asking for a winter coat or new shoes because their single parent has no money for them. It's heartbreaking but heartwarming to know I can help. Last year I had a letter from a single unemployed father who couldn't afford warm clothes for his 3 young daughters. It was fun buying coats, gloves, scarves and toys for them and knowing I was making a difference.

So here's to hoping I sell more items! Tomorrow before work I hope to finish a pillow out of new fabric, photograph it and list it.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Finally catching up...

I've been SUCH a slacker with making new items for my Etsy shop. I finally listed a new pair of shoes today:


(Click photo for more info)

My hope is to make something new every day to list. I'm going to make a pair of heart shoes next.

I find I'm much more productive in the mornings than the evenings. I think it may be because of the instant gratification of being able to photograph and list the item immediately instead of making an item at night and waiting until morning to list it.

In other news? I just bought a notecard and postcard from Charliemotel.etsy.com and fell in love w/ one of her illustrations:



If I sell at least one item this week, I will buy it. Here's to hoping!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Hooray for new items!

(click the photos for more info!)
I finally got a chance to photograph two new makeup bags today and just listed them about an hour ago! I hope they sell!



My penpal cuts lots of fabric at once and then sews lots. I've always made one item from start to finish before starting another one. But the fabric cutting in one-fell-swoop really seems to work, so hopefully I will get more things up and posted soon! I'm finishing up a new pillow tonight! I hope to list it tomorrow!

Oh, and speaking of my penpal? Her birthday is coming up in about 2 weeks and I NEED to send her really random goodies from Etsy. I have no idea what to get her! There are so many gift possibilities on Etsy! The pressure's on! =) I like a challenge, though.

I keep meaning to pick up the tiles I ordered from Home Depot to start making coasters and I keep forgetting. I know it's only 6pm today, but I'm still in my PJ's. Maybe I will pick them up tomorrow after work, since I will already be outside.

My very good friend Dorian and her girlfriend Becky are moving into my apartment and I could not be more excited! I get to cook and we will have craft nights. I hope they will inspire me to make more things! I gotta get ready for the holiday season!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Organization and Squirrels

Once I put together my fabric pantry, I went through tons of large and small lidded plastic tubs of fabric, zippers, notions, thread and tons more sewing-related things. I then proceeded to organize and refold all of the stuff and then put them into my new pantry. This took at least an hour, it was incredible. I have fabric I completely forgot about! Yards and yards of it! It's almost a little insane.

I then realized I am not unlike a squirrel. I buy all of this fabric and hide it away in plastic tubs in case, I don't know, all fabric stores in the world cease to exist? Then, months later, I find fabric I'd completely forgotten about. Squirrels are known to do this with nuts. They burry them for later and occasionally forget about them.

So here's my latest creation from fabric I'd forgotten I had:



As always, you can click the photo for more info.

I love this fabric, it's named "Caribe", I'm guessing after the Caribbean Sea. The colors are so reminiscent of the ocean. My brother's name is also Caribe, after the Caribbean indians and the sea. I once thought I'd make him pillows for his dorm, but they are not really his style, so I opted not to. Maybe if he has a kid one day, I can make something out of the fabric for the child.

I found other fabrics, too. Things I can't wait to use, so stay tuned to my shop for new things in the upcoming days!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Hooray!

My customer loved the custom order and purchased it the minute I listed it. Yay!

Also, here's the latest pillow, I love this fabric, I bought it from CatyLouQuilts. It's so bright and fun. I may make some pillows for myself out of the left overs!


[click the photo for more info!]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, in June I made two etsy goals, I hit 250 sales and the 300 mark in positive feedback! I hope the second half of this year is as good if not even better.

I organized my workspace yesterday, including taking everything off of my sewing table and cleaning it and reorganizing fabric/zippers/etc. It feels so good!

Well, I'm at work today, so that's all the time I have. Later, gators!

<3 Always,
--Taina

dragonflies!

So I finally have a photo of the totebag I made for my mom. The photo's not the best, as my parents like their apt. lighting dim and it was night time. I will try to take more photos next time I see my mom out and during the day.



I still have a ton of the dragonfly fabric, so I made a makeup bag for my shop:



I have this week off from work to adjust to some new medications. I was hoping to get lots of sewing done but the nausea and drowsiness (among other things) are kicking my tush.

I did receive my giant box of snaps from SnapSource So I hope to be able to put them to good use and finally post my baby dress/bloomer set.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Happy Mother's Day!

I did it! I made a reversible tote bag for my mom! 4 hours of carefully ironing, cutting, stitching and trimming, I made a bag.

I'm so stoked, as I sketched out the pattern myself last week.

Now, it doesn't have a pocket, and I was going to spend the next 45 mins writing more and uploading photos before work...but...

I decided to make a little matching coin purse with a D-ring strap so she can find her keys and cellphone easily.

I will take photos later and post them tonight or tomorrow. =)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you with kids and your mothers!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Allergy Monsters are here!

I suffer from terrible seasonal allergies. Especially in Spring and Fall. I have found that I am searching high and low for tissues in my huge purse on the subway while sniffling. I sniffled all the way through my last union meeting on Monday because I forgot my tissues in my bag!

When I was a child, I was friends with this boy named Caed. He was super cute but allergic to EVERYTHING. I remember he always had kleenex on hand. A good friend to have when you also are allergic to all things dusty, furry and pollen-y!

I've been wanting to come up with a new product that is great for adults who aren't afraid of being silly as well as for kids.



I just listed my first Allergy Monster yesterday! It's a kleenex case that you won't lose, you just place your tissues inside and the allergy monster will help you ward off the awkward sniffles. Also a conversational piece.

It came from my desire to either give away my fabric paints or find something to use for, as I haven't used them in a year and am still Spring cleaning.

I thought about how I could really use a tissue pouch, and remembered I have about 4 yards of thick linen. Then came the fabric paints, a little iron setting, and my first Allergy Monster was born! I'm thinking about naming them different names. Anyone have any thoughts? I'd love to hear them!

<3 Always,
--Taina

**OH MY GOODNESS! I sold the item hours after I listed it! I will have to list my others soon!

Inch by Inch, Row by Row...

A month and a half ago, I posted photos of what I was hoping would be my little kitchen-window garden? Well, most if it is still just dirt.

I have managed to somehow grow and kill 8 tiny 1/2" oregano plants and four 2" cherry tomato seedlings. Only two basil seeds sprouted out of the packet I planted, but neither have died...yet! I have one little tomato plant that seems to be trying it's hardest to stay alive. I may have to suck it up and go out and actually buy seedlings instead of trying to do this from seeds.


(the red arrow is pointing at the one lonely cherry tomato seedling.)

I wonder if my community garden leader reads my blog. I've been waiting for my replacement key for 8 days now and it still hasn't come. I'm in the mood for some composting action! I wonder if it's because she knows I have a brown thumb when it comes to herb growing and is very afraid. lol.

My potted dafodils? Still alive and kicking, as are my bamboo plants, aloe plant, calanchoes. Herbs just don't like me!

Also, I seem to be stuck on 220 sales. I was hoping to hit 225 by the end of March, but that's a mere two days away. We shall see. I plan on coming home after work today and sewing a ton. Migraines and a pulled back muscle set me back quite a bit this past week. We shall see! I'd love to have 65 items in my shop by April 1st.

Below is my 60th item, I listed it yesterday. I love it because both sides are similar but different color schemes. If you click the photos you will see the listing and note that the bottom of each fabric actually matches up!


(click photos for more info!)



In other (exciting!) news? Operation Dreamseed found me! On Friday I was contacted by one of the people on the Board, asking if it was okay to send my shop's link out to her friends, and yesterday the Exec. Director contacted me asking the same thing. I wrote both of them back saying I'd love to extend my donations through the month of April, since March is almost over if they want to spread the word.

Apparently the Exec. Director found me through this blog! Hooray! I should e-mail my marketing instructor to let her know. It would be awesome if I could sell a few more things and make a larger donation to Operation Dreamseed. I love the idea of purchasing school supplies and sending them out myself, but I think the money would go further if the organization purchased the supplies, since they are tax exempt.

<3 Always,
--Taina

It must be Spring!

Good morning!

It's a grey rainy day today here in my little neck of Northern Manhattan and I woke up this morning to find that I have somehow pulled a muscle in my lower back. Sore, sore sore! I called in a sick day at the fulltime job so I can rest up. I took some advil and sat up to list a new coin purse and blog a bit before taking a nap.


(click photos for more info!)

I love this new coin purse because the two sides are so different but they still work together. The placement of the red flower couldn't be better. So cheerful and Spring-like! Below is the other side of the same coin purse:



Okay, I have a confession to make, I cannot spend only 5 mins on Etsy, it's impossible. I'm addicted to that lovely, lovely site! I checked the forums, admired the frontpage selection, went through countless pages of shops and items I've "hearted" (Etsy's way of making a shop a favorite). Was inspired by all the gorgeous handmade items, listed my latest coin purse and came here to blog. Now I don't even know if I can sleep, I may work through the pain for as long as I can sit behind my sewing machine.

My cousin Andy is headed to Afghanistan today. I've got so many mixed emotions on this one. I'm feeling anxious, sad, already missing him...he was deployed to Iraq a few years ago and not a day, hour or minute went by that I wasn't worried about his safety, what he was seeing, what he was doing. He's more of a brother to me than a cousin, as we grew up down the hall from each other and he's less than two years younger than I am.

On a brighter note, his wife Avis and baby (Andy Jr.) are in town today, so hopefully I will be seeing the baby! I haven't seen him in a few months now. I bought a "Tale of Peter Rabbit" boardbook for him, and thought it might be nice to make a little stuffed rabbit to go along w/ it to bring to him today.

In other news? My final Marketing class was last night. I have mixed feelings, as I love being in school but didn't feel I got much out of the class. Between the homework and the class & commute time, it was time I could've spent on Etsy, so I'm glad I've got those hours back!

I hope I can sell a couple more things this month, as the charity Operation Dreamseed is closer to my heart than ever before since my cousin's deployment.

I'm off to sketch Peter Rabbit patterns while lying down and resting my back for a bit.

<3 Always,
--Taina

Back at work...

I spent all day Saturday sewing, made 3 clutches, I will be listing them in the next couple days. I am so excited! They have magnetic snaps and everything. I have been searching for fabrics I can use for both clutches and baby dresses and found some in FabricStash's shop. I plan on making another big order in April and making lots more baby dresses, in different sizes.



Sunday was spent with the family, so I got absolutely nothing handmade done. Although, I made birdsnest cookies and irish soda bread for Easter w/ the fam.

I am absolutely in love w/ my latest etsy purchase. I wanted a swallow necklace for a while and contacted OffBeet to see if it was possible to receive it by Easter. She was great, responded right away, shipped the item as soon as I paid for it and I've been wearing (and loving!) the necklace ever since!

Short entry, I'm back at work today after my 3 day weekend. It's hectic and crazy and I wish I'd taken another vacation day. =) I hope I'm not too tired tonight to make things!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Three Day Weekend!

Good Morning!

I have tomorrow off from my fulltime job for Easter, which means I am in the middle of a three-day weekend! Awesome!

I haven't updated in a while (Bad Taina!), but I will give a summary of what's been going on in my handmade world:

Last weekend I bought a bunch of speckled chocolate M&M eggs to make birdsnest cookies for tomorrow and proceeded to eat a whole lot of chocolate, leaving not enough for cookies. One day I will learn that planning anything having to do with candy in advance doesn't work in my household. =)

I listed an owl coin purse and a leaf coin purse! I'm so stoked about them:


(Click photos for more info!)



The owl fabric makes me smile.

My spring fabric came in from FabricStash and I LOVE it! 4 half yards of different prints. I prewashed it all and cut clutch pattern pieces out of them, leaving enough fabric for more coin purses and maybe even a few makeup bags.

Yesterday I went downtown to Mood Fabrics on a hunt for heavy duty interfacing in white. No such luck. They sent me to a place on 39th Street, I asked for heavy-duty fusible interfacing, the employee swore it was fusible, I stupidly took his word for it, brought it home and nope! Doesn't fuse. I have no idea what I am going to do with this stuff. I'm using my black heavy-duty interfacing now, which doesn't show through, so it's not that huge of a deal, but I was partial to my pellon. I will have to order some online. le sigh!

My cards from MagicJelly arrived a couple days ago! She's such an awesome artist. I'm going to send one to my Etsy Penpal, Nadine.

I made my first clutch ever last night. I'm so excited by it! I think I'm going to keep it for my Easter outfit and make more for my etsy shop. I'm actually not religious at all, but Easter and Christmas are the two days my family gets dressed up and has a big dinner.

Okay, it's 10:30am, I want to make another clutch, list it, and head to the farmer's market for organic eggs to dye tonight.

<3 Always,
--Taina

a relaxing weekend.

Good Afternoon!

I have no social plans for today or tomorrow and I'm actually kind of thrilled about this. I went out last night with 5 coworkers for Mexican food, got home before 11pm and slept. I really needed the rest.

Today I haven't made anything yet, I'm still in bed, I've been awake since 8 this morning. I'm catching up on last night's episode of "Lost" and thinking about all the things I want to make. I'm waiting for my roommate to leave this afternoon. Sometimes I don't like to be watched while I sew or knit. I really just want some quiet time in front of my machine.


(click photo for more info)

I listed my latest makeup pouch, made from the cool fabric I purchased at Mood Fabrics a while back.

I've read somewhere around 8 blogs so far. I love reading crafty blogs, they are so inspirational. Two Etsyans started a daily forum thread called "The Original Blog Love" where bloggers can post their links and everyone else can browse all the daily entries in one place. So much fun.

The only four things I MUST do this weekend (Fri/Sat, I work Sundays) are go to Target, the Farmer's Market and the library. I already forgot what the fourth one was, but I have it written down somewhere.

I usually have much more to do than that, so this seems pretty darn relaxing!

Spring knit dresses are on sale @ Target and I finally found out I got Easter Sunday off from work so I want to go and see what they have. I have been eyeing certain Sparrow/Swallow necklaces on Etsy and think Easter is a great reason to purchase one. I sent a message to a seller asking about shipping policies, as I really only have a week to receive it in time to wear with a new dress. I hope to hear back from her soon!

My family is really not religious, but we use religious holidays as good excuses to share a meal and good conversation. I also use it as an excuse to buy a girlie outfit to wear.

I will probably do Target and the Farmer's Market bright and early tomorrow, on the way to the Farmer's Market I can return some library books. Sounds like a plan!

<3 Always,
--Taina

An apple a day...

My coworker's friend just had twin boys! He bought 2 apple hats from me and I couldn't be more excited. I hope she takes lots of photos!



The cool thing about my hats is that the brim rolls up and down and the knit is stretchy, so it works very well for growing babies. Since they are only 4lbs currently, the hats will definitely last until Fall. Alvaro is seeing the babies either tonight or tomorrow night, I can't wait to hear his friend's reaction to the hats. Alvaro was totally in love with them.

I love when customers are happy!

I just bought a bunch more fabric, half yards in 4 different prints from FabricStash. Maybe I will get them by Saturday, that would be awesome!

I have marketing class tonight, which I'm not thrilled about since the class is mostly common sense. The one really nice thing about the class is it inspires me to work hard.

I made two more makeup bags last night but had to leave for work before I was able to list them in mh shop. Another pink/red striped, since I just sold the last one and one made out of my new orange/yellow/red floral fabric.

I'm glad I'm on a creating roll. I'm always happiest working with my hands.

<3 Always,
--Taina

She's back!

Good Afternoon!!

After a very crazy/hectic/chaotic week, it's Tuesday of a new week and I'm feeling great!

I received a letter from my Etsy Penpal yesterday. She's such an inspiration. Not only is Nadine attending grad school AND training guide dogs, but she makes a tremendous amount of new items in her spare time and is selling tons! I came home and sat in front of my sewing machine and made two new makeup bags. Including one out of the Fishy fabric I purchased from FabricStash! So exciting!



I have paypal $ burning a hole in my creative pocket. I "hearted" at least 4 listings of FabricStash's today. If I sell one more makeup bag, I will be able to place a nice order for fabric AND buy more fusible interfacing. STOKED!

The second item I made? Another pink bird makeup bag, I have yet to photograph it, though.

As usual, all photos are clickable for more info. I'm off to work and then home to make MORE THINGS! Hooray!

<3 Always,
--Taina

Gifties...

I haven't been making anything new for my shop in the last few days due to lots of birthdays coming up.



I try to make as many of my gifts as possible. Saturday is my Aunt's birthday, she's an avid birdwatcher, so I made her a stuffed owl. I got some great reactions from coworkers when I brought it took work to ship it yesterday, so I will probably be making more for my shop.



I LOVE working with fleece! No wonder so many people out there like making stuffies and plushies! The fabric hides the tiny hand-stitched seam where the product is stuffed, and it immediately looks professional, as the edges don't fray. So cool!

I definitely want to make more.

I've also been making stuffed animals out of used gloves. My friend Chris likes bears, so I made him a little green bear out of a pair of gloves as a belated bday present. It's funny looking, as it's my first try, but I know he'll love it.

Hopefully this weekend I will be back to making things for Etsy. I want to get back in there!



<3 Always,
--Taina