to market, to market

So this spring I got myself a sewing room (more on that later!!).  But in the process of moving my stash, I realized how much I had hidden in the bowels of every closet of my home!  Time to streamline a bit.  So I took all my very favorite must-keep fabrics and put them on the shelves, which left me with multiple containers full of "second string" fabrics that I needed to do something with.  While I plan to destash some eventually, I decided the best way to get rid of it was to sew it up!  So, along with a local friend in a similar fabric hoarding predicament, it was decided to sew stuff to sell at the Farmer's Market held Saturday mornings near our cottage. I have always shied away from making things to sell- I am far from perfect and not patient enough to make things so.  I figure if it is given for free, they can't complain, but when buying, a more professional standard is expected.  Plus I have a job already, and don't feel the need to turn a hobby I love into a business.  So Megan and I went into this with a mutual understanding that we would only continue to do this if it was FUN.

We had our first go at market last weekend, and FUN was definitely had.  The market is like a big social occasion- locals and cottagers all come out and mingle, get their produce, local farmed beef, baking, and there are tons of handmade goodies to peruse.  I think I got way more hugs than sales but that was awesome!!  So great to see friends, new and old.  Despite crazy weather (3 apocalyptic style thundershowers in as many hours), there was a decent turn out and we sold a good portion of our supply- enough that I have had to be busy this week generating more! The other vendors were very welcoming and we were well received by the shoppers.  A great day! 

Megan and I each had things we made for sale.  My contributions were:

coin purses
wristlets
cameral strap covers
patchwork pouches
mesh laundry bags
fold up market totes

Of course if we were going to do this, we had to do so in style- we named ourselves "Dockside Handmade" and had a sign made, as well as some cute business cards that doubled as price tags.  And I had to find all sorts of fun containers for display-----go cute or go home!

And I had to make us each an apron from the pattern by Spotted Stones Krista from the Make It, Take It book by Poppyprint Krista! was perfect for keeping change, pen, phone, etc handy.

So if you find yourself in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba on a summer Saturday between 10 and 1, be sure to drop in to say hi!

the latest knits

I've been doing more sewing than knitting lately, but managed to eek out a few since April ;)  The first is my most favourite and memorable sweater ever- 90% of it knit with two broken arms!  It became part of my physiotherapy, the first stitches slow and painful, improving until I was flying along.  So proud of this one.

The pattern is called Square and Stripe by Veera Valimaki, and can be found on Ravelry. My project details are here. I loved the seam detail on the front, back and sides, and added one pink cuff for fun- I think it is my favorite part.  I used Plucky Sweater yarn for the first time and it is wonderful. 

Next up is another striped sweater!  This was made for the little boy of a good friend.  The pattern is free on Ravelry- the Little Coffee Bean Cartigan.  A sweet knit.  I used some vintage wood buttons I had been hoarding, with orange thread for a pop of color.

My latest finish is this flashy and funky Ring My Bell Cape kit from Wool and the Gang. Just a fun old fuchsia pink something-something to throw on over a t-shirt and jeans on a chilly day. It knit up fast with the chunky alpaca.  Excuse the late night bathroom photo on my phone, I never got around to taking a "real" shot of this one!

 

There seems to be a baby boom going on so I have a bunch of baby sweaters that need knitting!  What are your favorite baby go-to patterns?

 

 

Canada Day IG giveaway and SCHOOL'S OUT!

Hello friends!  Happy Canada Day!  I am feeling really lucky today.  The sun is shining, I live in a great country, have health and family....life is good!  I am giving thanks with a small giveaway on Instagram of this perfectly Canadian mug, along with some red and white scraps.  Be sure to hop over there to enter, it's one day only!  I am "kristieocd" over there :)

The kids are really pumped about the start summer vacation.  Big G finished his first year at private school, and has "graduated" on to middle school.  It was a challenging year of change, but I am proud of how he persevered.  He made so many great new friends and learned a lot about himself.

The girls will be joining him at private school next year, too.  So we had to say goodbye to our elementary school yesterday!  So many wonderful memories and teachers we have had there.  To say goodbye, I brought in containers of homemade cookies and mason jars, that the girls painted with chalk paint (my new favourite thing) and filled with flowers.

For their teachers, I made these fun gift card holders with cards inside as gifts, along with some other treats.

(We also made a dance version for the dance teachers!)

For LBNL's teacher, who collects antique quilts that she has hung around her classroom, we made a mini quilt for her classroom wall.  LBNL chose the book pattern and all the fabrics, and I pieced and hand quilted it.  On the back there is a special message from LBNL. Her teacher was thrilled and said it would be special to her forever.  As she will be to us!

Lots more to share with you and hoping to do some catching up.  Be back soon (I promise!).