The Blue Coat

Moving Over

2007-02-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

I'm going to experiment blogging from Flickr. For me it's all about the photos anyway and I seem to be doing double duty uploading my images to Flickr and then coming over here to post them again. If I have withdrawal symptoms – I'll be back but until then, dear reader (hi Tracy) you can find me over here http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluecoat/

Will you?

2007-02-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone

Having fun in San Francisco

2007-02-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

Jam-packed weekend. Saturday night we went to Lisa's opening at the Reform School and enjoyed meeting her and splurging on a piece. I love it!

Sunday afternoon I flew up to San Francisco for business and made a pilgrimage to Doe. Lots of yummy stuff to buy.

I spent today at the City Club for an Adaptive Path conference listening to a stellar list of presenters. A highlight for me was Caterina Fake, the co-founder of Flickr. As is always the case with these conferences you take on so much in such a short period - I feel like my head is going to explode.

Allegory of California by Diego Rivera at the City Club

Buttons

2007-02-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

I picked up a bunch of covered buttons at my local thrift store. Someone obviously had fun with a button maker and never got around to using them all. I'm in love with all the bright colors.

But my favorites are these sweet little polka dot ones.

Goodies

2007-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:00

Vintage wrapping paper has to be one of my most favorite things. Look at the amazing paper Tracy wrapped my birthday present in this year...sooooo beautiful.

And you know you have a good friend when she gives you the very same thing from Superbuzzy you ordered for yourself the week before. Hers is much nicer however as it comes with a ribbon and dachshund linen tape.

And as if it could get any better look at this beauty – Thanks Tracy!

WIP Saturday

2007-02-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

2007-01-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

Tracy - as promised. So I thought a pattern making course would be fun to take. Several prerequisites later I start a Introduction to Apparel Construction course tomorrow morning through continuing education at Otis.

The best part, of course, is having to buy all those supplies. The source they recommend is Tops Art Supply in Korea Town. I had so much fun driving over one lunch time and look at the booty I brought back with me. And – finally a use for that thrifted bag...

Henry

2007-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

I worked at home on Friday which I don't do very often and Henry, overcome by the need for love, insisted on sitting on my lap as often as he could. I took the opportunity to get some photos of him as he never sits still for photos.

Kisses

Francis Bacon

Other people's fabric scraps

2007-01-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

I had a lucky find in my local thrift shop this week– a big bag of fabric scraps. I washed them and had fun ironing and going through them all.

Pretty...

My kind of fabric...

More to go through...

It got me thinking about what I could make out of them. Here is a first go – a little lavender sachet bird. The wing is appliquéd. I technique I learned in my quilting class a while back.

What to choose...

2007-01-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Tracy. So if I'm going to make this apron reversible what fabric should I use? I was also thinking a Kate Spade green for the bias binding. What do you think?

A celebration of fourness

2007-01-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

The Kid turned four over the weekend and we spent a couple of days at Disneyland in celebration. All the clichés apply: how did four years go so quickly, what happened to my baby, why am I letting him eat a piece of cotton candy as big as his head...

Anyway, happy birthday kid – I'm a lucky mom.

What to make...

2007-01-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hey Tracy. I was thinking I should start out easy. I scored this pattern over the holidays. What do you think? I'm not sure I'll do the embroidery because I want to use a patterned fabric. I was also thinking about making it reversible.

I'm totally in love with this one. When I bought it I was imagining a little a-line dress but it might be fun as an apron. Thoughts?

Same city but divided by the 405, Sepulveda Pass, and the 101

2007-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to spend some quality time with my friend and finish some of those sewing projects, Tracy and I are starting an online sewing support group right here on our blogs. We are going to go nice and steady and at a very slow pace. First step: Decide what to make and find a pattern.

What the....? (I'm talking about mine not yours)

Thrifty Fabric

2007-01-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

My thrift shop and ebay finds over the holidays...

Packaging

2007-01-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Now I have started selling a few things I've been thinking about packaging for mailing. However much I like the look of the things I make in cellophane envelopes, between ordering them, getting them to my house and the new materials it began to feel wasteful. So I decided to look for an alternative over the holidays.

Here's what I found: some vintage thread and a roll of paper from a local antique mall. I like the idea of reusing things and if someone is kind enough to part with their hard earned cash to buy something I make I want it to be worth it for them. Hopefully the product itself does that but a nice package doesn't hurt either.

Here are a couple of orders ready to go. I even managed to wrap them without using tape so the paper can be reused. I also think plain brown paper would look pretty nice with this thread as well. Now all I have to do if find some recycled bubble envelopes...

Going to the Getty Villa

2006-12-28T18:30:00.000-08:00

Weekend Plans

2006-12-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

BazaarBizarre Craft Fair

Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market

Hanging with my buddy

It's a beautiful day

2006-12-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

I Heart NPR...

2006-12-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

...for a lot of reasons but one of them is they have stories like this. Behind Guaraldi's Timeless Holiday Soundtrack. Have a listen. It made me go out and buy the CD which I am now enjoying on my commute to work.

Also Melisa Block (who knew she looked like this?) interviewed Stefan Shepherd, writer of children's music blog Zooglobble about the edgier side of children's music. There are some great recommendations from Stefan and Melisa who has a 4 year old kid.

Children's Book World

2006-12-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

When is a trip to the dentist good? When it's next door to Children's Book World in Los Angeles. It's my treat when I'm finished at the dentist to go in and have a look around. The staff are walking encyclopedias. Want something to encourage gardening? Here you go. Potty training? A whole section. A present for a forth birthday? So many suggestions.

And my need? It's been hard to unravel but the kid has being having some issues around the thought of growing up. One recommendation was Little Bear's Little Boat by Eve Bunting, a wonderful and gentle story. Check it out.

I also picked up The Magic Bed by John Burningham just because I can’t get enough of John Burningham, and this book doesn't disappoint.

And finally, where else can you pick up The Johnny Cash Children's Album? C’mon!

Books

2006-11-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

I just ordered Toys to Sew by Claire Garland and it’s a really lovely book. It has doll patterns plus clothes for them to wear, sock creatures, felt animals, and my favorites:

But this is the one I'm going to try first:

A free pattern for this one is offered on the Random House website.

Another book that caught my eye walking through B&N was Last-Minute Fabric Gifts: 30 Hand-Sew, Machine-Sew, and No-Sew Projects by Cynthia Treen. Definately worth checking out. Laural at Thimble has a blog entry about this book.

Pink Christmas

2006-11-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

Remember when Martha by Mail closed down a few years ago and they had that great sale? I bought a pink Christmas tree and ever since I have been collecting vintage pink ornaments to go on it. This year I achieved some sort of a critical mass although I know I will continue collecting. There is a certain satisfaction to combing flee markets in search of that one perfect pink ornament.

For more photos click on the photo above to get to Flickr.

In the time I have been putting this post together I have been invited to post to the Pink Christmas Flickr pool – don’t you just love Flickr?

Camel

2006-11-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

I found this great fabric on ebay. A Thanksgiving Camel! ...Well at least the colors are of the season.

Finally Done

2006-11-11T15:49:00.000-08:00

WIP Sunday

2006-10-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

I know - 2 days late, where does the time go! Here's a bunny I'm working on.

I've also been playing with the stitches on my beloved Bernina

Ready for my close-up, NOT

2006-10-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

As my latest bunny is quite large I enlisted the help of the kid to "model" it. I finally got the shot below but you can see what was really going on here, here, and here.

Reform School

2006-10-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

I dropped by the Reform School on Saturday and just couldn't resist this wee thing from Clive and Sunshine.

Also Halloween starts early in our house. Now through the new year is my favorite time of year.

I need one...

2006-09-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

So I signed up for Skype, connected with my brother in Australia and…I can hear him fine but he can't hear me. It makes for some odd conversations with him talking and me furiously typing. Maybe I need one of these to fix the problem. Maybe I need one of these just because, I'm particularly partial to the pink.

http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/pphonebyhulger.html

Kid, I found your Christmas Present

2006-09-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.paperpod.co.uk/rocket.htm

All I have to do now is figure out how to get them to ship to the States.....

Holiday

2006-09-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

This week we spent some time on the central coast of California. We stayed at the Madonna Inn – hysterical – in San Luis Obispo and made day trips to Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and Cambria.

Some highlights included breakfast every morning at the Copper Café at the Madonna Inn, the Shell Shop in Morro Bay and some great thrifting.

If you ever in Cambria check out Birds of a Feather. It is a treasure trove of estate finds and notions, a really beautiful shop. I got some buttons and a little 1930's celluloid bear.

Commissioned Bunny

2006-08-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hope you like him Stacey!

Happy Birthday Mom

2006-07-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

And a wonderful find at a local vintage store...

Testing Testing

2006-07-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

I’m trying to figure out how to get a YouTube video into a blog – and it looks like I’ve succeeded. Please don’t feel you have to click on the video – it’s just the first one I found: My son a year or two ago talking to me on the phone while I was on a business trip.

2006-07-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

you know who

Fabric Buttons

2006-06-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out what to do with those scraps of vintage and other fabric I just can't part with – make buttons! These are for sale in my Etsy shop.

Lavender Sachets

2006-06-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

I've always loved lavender sachets – there's something very satisfying about the utility of them. However most of them are a little too sedate for my taste. So I made a few with some vintage fabric and trim, Sam-style. They are for sale in my Etsy shop.

White

2006-06-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

more...

Cath Kidston

2006-06-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

I was shopping in LA today and came across a Cath Kidston shop. I feel so out of it! I've never heard of her. Anyway – it's a dream shop. She started out as a fabric designer, started making her own products and now has over 500. She makes everything from bags, hot water bottle covers, towels, tea towels, cushions, and bedding to tents, china, umbrellas, and women and children’s clothing. And the best is they are all made from her amazing fabrics which she also sells by the yard – including oilcloth. And finally the shops are also stocked with vintage china, jewelry and bags.

Here are my goodies: some fabric and an oilcloth bag

And this is her office – allegedly

Cath Kidston Online Shop

It’s been a transportation kind of a week

2006-06-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

The kid has finally shown an interest in one of my all-time favorites Ed Emberley. He has been carrying around this book and another one I picked up at the local SA

Then I found this fabric at my local store – how could I resist?

Also making me happy this week:

A thrifted sheet and picture

and velvet ribbon for a new project…

Shameless Plug

2006-05-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

I was disappearing under a sea of fabric so I decided it was time to get organized. After 2 racks and much more to go through I realized I actually needed to get rid of some. So with much trepidation I'm selling some of the vintage stuff on Ebay. If you swing by and have any comments/ suggestions on how I'm listing stuff, please – let me know. Anything – anything at all –I have no idea what I'm doing...

Bunny # 9

2006-05-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

I think I'm obsessed with bunnies...

Treats

2006-05-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

I treated myself...again.

Talking of treats – a little thrifted tin with some beautiful artwork.

Bunny # 8

2006-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Q: How many bunnies does it take to make one you are satisfied with?

A: Too many

PS: This one has fleece ears for extra hugability

Henry and Corners

2006-05-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Henry *hates* having his photo taken. When I saw this I had to try and capture it. Just in time too.

Bunny # 7

2006-04-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

So this bunny was made at Christmas time and has been waiting to have her legs added ever since. Maybe it's because it's nearly Easter but today I found the inspiration and time. I love the idea of using flannel for the body because it's so soft and nice to work with, but one of the reasons I started to make softies was to use some of the vintage fabric I collect and so here I manage to do both.

Our Weather is Broken

2006-04-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

LA is very wet today – you could say blue. Inspired by Tracy here is the only blue thing (apart from my Dell) I can find in my office. Happy bug day.

Vancouver Thrifting

2006-03-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm in lovely Vancouver for a conference but managing to do a little bit of thrift shopping while I'm here. Main Street seems to have been the best so far but I have also discovered Value Village, a chain of thrift shops. These huge warehouse-like spaces warm my heart after living in LA with thrift shops that are usually so picked over or expensive they are not worth going to.

Here are my finds so far...

Busy January

2006-01-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

We are having a busy January and I’ve been a bad blogger. Back to work with a vengeance and we celebrated my birthday and the kid’s birthday – 3! Here is proof you can still have fun at Disneyland even when it’s pouring with rain.

I took the day off work for my birthday and spent it buying more fabric. I think I officially have a problem. I went to M&L fabrics in Buena Park, California, near Anaheim. They have great deals but I love the back room where they stack and stack the older fabrics – judging by the dates on the fabric, from the eighties or before. Of course the one I want is always at the bottom of the pile, but check out my stash...

January Birthdays

2005-12-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm taking advantage of the fact that I have some time off work this week to make some things for January birthdays coming up. First is my sister-in-law. The walls in her dining and living rooms are lime and bright yellow so I made her a pillow to match. Second is the kid. He will be three in a couple of weeks. I spied this fabric on my shopping trip to the Cotton Shop the other day and couldn’t resist. He has already named him – I was stuffing him while watching "A Bug's Life" for the 432nd time – "Sour" – go figure. And you are right, those are the united states of America. I'm thinking about backing the "I'm never going to finish this" quilt with it.

Bunny #6

2005-12-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

I went to one of my favorite fabric stores this week and they had some adorable polka dot flannel in. I couldn't resist and made this bunny for my pregnant cousin-in-law. It's a boy! and I also want to make a quilt - I thought chocolate brown and baby blue might be a good combo.

Christmas Eve

2005-12-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

I can't think of a nicer way to begin Christmas eve than breakfast at Nate 'n Al in Beverly Hills. I gobbled my way trough corned beef hash, eggs, potato pancakes, bagels, and left with chocolate rugula and chopped liver for Christmas day – yummy.

AND I picked up my parcel from Rosa – a Christmas present to myself. 434 is more beautiful (and bigger!) than I ever imagined – thanks Rosa – you are a true inspiration and I love all your things.

Hanukah Secret Santa Shopping Bag

2005-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

This is my gift for the Hanukah party this year – we do the equivalent of a Secret Santa – I wonder if there is a correct term for that?

I'm going to fill it with yummy things from Trader Joes.

Christmas Weekend

2005-12-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

The Christmas packages to my Australia nieces went off this weekend and I whipped out another one of these dogs to make things even. This one is made with vintage fabric for the body and some not so vintage fabric for the ears.

I also found these fun vintage Santa candles at a garage sale. It seems a shame to use them after surviving so many years.

Finally, we had our annual family Christmas visit to Disneyland last Friday night. The group ranged in age from 3 to 70 and we had a blast – as always.

Inspired

2005-12-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the very talented Molly Chicken here’s my interpretation of some festive birds. Thanks for sharing the pattern! These are going into the stockings of 2 little girls from Woodland Hills.

HO HO HO

2005-11-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

Back in the Saddle

2005-11-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

Being really busy at work and my unfinished quilt ( I have the borders left to do) have been conspiring to keep me away from my sewing machine but the holiday has given me some breathing room...here's a stocking stuffer for one on the Australian nieces.

Modern Patchwork Twice

2005-11-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

You have to love the internet. While trying to find a book called Modern Patchwork before I knew the author because of this quilt, I found another book called Modern Patchwork, and only being a few bucks I ordered it anyway. Well, it came and what a gem it is. It was published in 1982 by Ondori - it's like a precursor to those Japanese craft books we are all crazy about. Best of all are the glorious color combinations. I'm particularly partial to the yellow and browns.

Honey Bee

2005-10-31T16:25:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my sixth and last square for my sampler quilt, Honey Bee. I'm thrilled part of the class was learning to appliqué – I’ve always wanted to learn. Now we move onto the lattice and borders. This week is my last class. :(

Zakka Heaven

2005-10-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

I've discover the Zakka Handmade books and ordered 4 from Amazon Japan, I know, very extravagant. Anyway, they are adorable and I can’t wait to make these guys. But first I must do my quilting homework!

Dog ? #1

2005-10-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

From the Iro Iro Nuigurumi Book: Dog (?) #1. Made with some vintage wool that was nearly impossible to work with as it frayed so much. Now all I have to do is decide which expression to sew on...

Bring Your Pet to Blog Day

2005-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

Here he is - my first born - Henry.

Mog the Forgetful Cat

2005-10-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Another Judith Kerr book I love is Mog the Forgetful Cat (1970). Again the illustrations are lovely and the story engaging. I love the drawing of the owl when Mog is dreaming she can fly. Best of all, the burglar gets a cup of tea along with everyone else – very British.

Tracy - I got this for Em for Christmas.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

2005-10-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about having a kid is you get to rediscover books you loved as a child.

I'd forgotten about The Tiger Who Came to Tea (1968) by Judith Kerr until I saw it on I Like again. I immediately bought a copy and now share it with my little one.

The best bits: Sophie's stockings, the china, and the fact they have sausages and chips (fries) for supper. It's a little retro but has a super story and beautiful illustrations.

Bunny #5

2005-10-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Tracy!

Card Tricks and Dutchman's Puzzle

2005-10-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

It's hard trying to get all those seams to match and points to be pointy! Some new things I’ve learned from sewing my first 2 blocks:

Make sure your seam allowance actually is a quarter of an inch. I have a quilting foot but quarter inch is actually on the outer edge of the foot. Before beginning, sew 3 strips of fabric, 2.5 inches wide, together and the end result should measure exactly 6.5 inches.

Press your seams from the right side of the fabric in a sweeping motion – it stops the crinkles you can get if you press from the back and gives you a really crisp seam.

Press seams in one direction and press to the darker fabric, if possible

When you sew 2 seams together try to make sure they are pressed in different directions to avoid bulk

This week we cut out Card Tricks and Dutchman's Puzzle.

Monkey Wrench and Ohio Star

2005-10-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here are my first two blocks cut out:

Now all I have to do is sew them together - easy, right?

We are using Dianna Leone's book The New Sampler Quilt but we are using a rotary cutter and ruler to cut the fabric rather than using templates.

Quilting Class

2005-09-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

I signed up for a sampler quilting class at Luella's Quilt Basket in Redondo Beach. I've made quilts before but I thought it would be good to learn how to do it "the right way." I managed to miss the first week when the class was choosing fabric so I dropped by the shop and Luella was super nice and helped me pick out some fabrics. She told me the key is to pick a first fabric that has lots to work with in terms of color and pattern and then go from there. I want to do something for the little boy in my life so we went with bright and cheery...

Monster Shopping Trip

2005-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

I met up with Lady Linoleum this weekend and headed to downtown Los Angeles to check out Michael Levine. It truly is a sewing utopia packed with fabric, buttons, yarn, notions, etc. etc. and wow is it dangerous to the credit card. It's spread over 3 shops and the Loft sells fabric remnants by weight, although you do have to be prepared to sort through boxes and boxes of stuff. I had a fantastic time and it was lovely to meet and hang out with Regina. Here are some of the goodies I picked up.

Heirloom

2005-09-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how beautiful this thing is...

Favortie Things

2005-09-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about living in Los Angeles is all the great places we have to visit in and around the city. A family favorite is the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach where a visit to the otters is a must! We also recently visited Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro after reading about it in Sunset magazine. It's on a much smaller scale than Long Beach but just as much fun, especially the touching pool. Here are some photos of the kid enjoying himself.

Jack the Cat

2005-09-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Based on a Denyse Schmidt pattern from her new book Denyse Schmidt Quilts here is Jack the Cat. Jack is on his way to a certain little girl I know in time for her 4th birthday. Hope she likes him.

Camel # 5

2005-09-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Downtown Torrance Antique Street Faire

2005-09-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to downtown Torrance, CA, it's worth a visit for it's main street USA architecture and antique shops. But on the forth Sunday of the month is the Downtown Torrance Antique Street Faire. The faire is on a much smaller scale than most of the other Southern California flea markets I go to and I always find something interesting.

Last week I picked up these pink thistle brush Christmas trees – I’m addicted to pink Christmas decorations - and some really lovely Little Golden Books, here's my favorite.

Monkey Business

2005-09-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

I found the Sock Monkey Company through A Ervilha Cor de Rosa. I love this woman’s story – she writes:

"I challenged myself to make 50 different monkeys. I got to 50 and didn't stop. When I got to 70 something my boyfriend felt the monkeys were taking over our home. So, with much encouragement from my family and friends I am offering them to you and your home (just don't get 70 or more - it's overwhelming for some people)."

It was so hard to decide which monkey to get but in the end I went with this guy. He arrived this week and is just super!

Yee-ha!

2005-08-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here's my contribution to A Month of Softies. The fabric is called "Ride 'em Cowboy" – C’mon, how could I resist? Although I have been coveting a certain fabric over at A Bird in the Hand while working on this. The bunnies come with a vintage plastic sheriff’s badge and horse charm.

Chipmunk's ABC

2005-08-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

Small pleasures: Richard Scarry's Chipmunk's ABC.

That's quite a party hat!

My Learn to Sew Book (1971)

2005-08-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love my new book (used from Amazon) – I can’t even remember how I stumbled across it now but it's fabulous. The illustrations and photos are great, the patterns are cute, but best of all is the illustrated index – just super.

Long Beach Antique Market

2005-08-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

The third Sunday of the month is the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market. I prefer this show over the Rose Bowl as it's a little less overwhelming and I think the prices are better. I'm developing a taste for vintage plastic buttons and I found some today along with some fabric. Best of all was this magnificent metal tunnel for the car/train-obsessed 2-year-old in my life. We usually make them out of paper so as you can imagine - it went down rather well.

The Cotton Shop

2005-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Another of my favorite fabric stores is the Cotton Shop on Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach, California. It has the best selection of oil cloth in have found in LA and it’s impossible to walk out the door without a little quarter of something.

Bunny #1

2005-08-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

From the Iro Iro Nuigurumi Book: Bunny #1. Made with some vintage skirt fabric I found in Seattle and a couple of vintage flower buttons.

Seattle Skirt Fabric

2005-08-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

I was in Seattle last month and stumbled upon a great vintage clothes store – I wish I could remember what it was called. I asked if they had any fabric and the owner pulled out some "skirt bottoms" they had cut off during alterations – sweet.

Camel #1-4, Kangaroo #1.

2005-08-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

I’ve been looking for a really simple toy pattern that will allow the fabric I’ve collected, both new and vintage, to be the main attraction. So far I’ve been experimenting with a camel and kangaroo.

Super Lotto

2005-08-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

I completely lucked out at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago and won the California Fabric Lotto. All this for $3! I must have used up all my vintage fabric karma – oh well back to hunting for scraps at my local thrift stores.

Here are some favorites...

Fabrics, Laces, Ribbons by the Pound

2005-08-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

A fun fabric place to check out in Los Angeles is SAS Fabrics on Hawthorne Blvd in Lawndale. They sell stuff by the pound so you get the idea. The fabric is sometimes hit and miss but it's always interesting to have a poke around especially in the button and trim aisles.

Randy the Donut

2005-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

What is this you ask? Why, it's a crocheted donut with an eyeball of course. I think it's genius and you should run over to Monster Crochet and buy up similarly brilliant chickens, fruit, and vegetables.

Why Randy the Donut? I named him after my favorite donut drive through in LA, Randy's Donut, although Stan's Donut is worth a visit too.