revelation, oh and i'm a pro

I mentioned in this previous post that changes were happening in my life. Well, it's time to reveal what that big change is. We moved in to a new home! We love this home, we were anticipating our move for weeks and when we finally did, it was a relief. We just have to unpack, tidy up and buy a few key pieces of furniture. We're being very picky with the pieces that we pick. One rule is that we have to love it! If it's just so-so we pass it up and move on to the next furniture store or antique shop or craigslist ad. One thing I'm really, really looking forward to is to set up my sewing room. I have a few ideas floating in my head for the walls and a few great pieces of furniture, I can't wait to put this room together!


I started a flickr set (where I am now a pro, woohoo!) to chronicle the work in progress, please make sure to come back and check periodically. I also plan to post any major developments in this blog. I want to use interior decoration and my sewing to compliment each other and inspire me to create and be surrounded by very lovely things. Wish us luck!

going, going, gone

I'm out of yoga mat bags! I've sold them all. I'm so happy - it's time to make more. Yipppeee. That's it, just a quick note :).

'zines

I have made the decision to subscribe to as many magazines that I can afford. I will use it for inspiration in my decoration and purse making. I have a short list of zines, I need suggestions from y'all as to what magazines you read and what you like about it the most. Here's my list: Lucky, Vogue, Domino, Martha Stewart Living, Budget Travel, Dwell, Ready Made, Elle Decor. I think that represents the variety of my interests. Anything else you love?

my new shirt

yay! so i did purchase this shirt after thinking about it for a while. the great thing was that when i finally made up my mind, it went on sale! perfect. i finally wore it today and here's a pic!

snapshots

Hey there, I've posted a whole bunch of pictures on flickr. As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been busy with life these days. However, I still had time to go to the Alameda Flea Market last weekend and walk through Golden Gate Park yesterday. Ever since I started sewing and blogging, I've been taking more pictures. I take pictures of things that I see and go back to them periodically for inspiration. Here's a few that I took, please go to flickr for more.

We picked this desk up from the street a few months ago and we're finally painting it.

Taken while walking through the Rose Garden at Golden Gate Park.

TV at the Alameda Flea Market.

changes make life interesting

Lots of changes happening in my life as of late. That is partly why I haven't posted here or made anything recently. I'm in transition, sort of. I will keep you in suspense for now but I promise to reveal the newness at some point. Speaking of changes, I've been spending a lot of time on design blogs recently. Blog like D*S, SF Apartment Therapy, SFGirlByBay, decor8, etc. I've also been going to a lot of furniture stores just to check out what they have. I've noticed that my design style is evolving, changing. Here's one item that I desire, I swear I will have this in my house at some point preferably the original.


We went to the Alameda Flea Market yesterday. Later this week, I'll post images of our finds and some other interesting things we saw.

(cool) grandma goes to market

Right after working on the the yoga mat bag (see previous post), I proceeded to work on this bag. The experience of making it was the complete opposite of what I talked about in the post below. Everything just clicked in my head and I was going at it, stitch after stitch. It was a very fulfilling experience.


I actually thought up the concept of this bag in my head on my bus ride to work last week. The idea came out of nowhere, sometimes the best ideas are the spontaneous ones. I decided to call it grandma's bag because the fabric makes me think of a shawl that a very cool grandma would wrap around her shoulders. This bag is now available in my shop.

modish yoga

I spent some quality time with my sewing machine this weekend after not having touched or even barely looked at it for a few weeks. This is one of the finished products.


For some reason, I had some trouble making this yoga mat bag which is bizarre because I've made quite a few of these. I had to do and redo almost every stitch 2-3 times. In the end, it worked out and I'm pretty happy with the finished product. This one is not going to the shop since it is an order from a friend. She picked the mod fabric herself and I actually really like it. I only bought enough fabric to make her bag and I'm kinda wishing that I bought some extra to make other things.

things that excite me

Oh-my-word. I think I just found the perfect little shop! Everything about Frecklewonder is cute from the merchandise, to the name, to the model (and proprietress, too I think). This is just the kind of shop that I myself would want to open one day and the kind of shop that I want to shop in today! Gosh, I wish, wish, wish that those kiddie dresses were for gown-ups! I want all of them. Via Lena Corwin's blog.

I'm seriously thinking about getting this blouse, what do you think?

my favorite things (of the moment)

Because I don't have any new creations to post (I know, I know I'll get back on the sewing mood soon, I can feel it coming). I figured it's a good time to post my next set of favorite things. You will begin to notice that I have a fascination for (and a growing collection of) ceramics. You can always click on the image to see a larger version.

My own moleskine sketch book. I mentioned earlier that I bought one, as you can kinda see, I've been drawing on it but I'm not quite ready to show you a close up of the drawings yet. Perhaps you'll catch a glimpse of it about a post or three from now.

8 oz cup by Diana Fayt. I actually met her when I picked up this cup. We talked about blogging, her art, and about this post. I was a little bit star struck. It's always so cool to meet and have one on one time with someone you admire.

Another addition to my tea cup collection. This one is from Anthro, of course. Edit: Look, this cup made an appearance here!

The lamp shade is from the fave store, vintage lamp base is from eBay. I'm still trying to decide if I love it. I posted it here more just to show it off :).

A very awesome bowl that I bought from a flower store/vintage shop at the Lower Haight neighborhood of San Francisco. This bowl is so lovely and was very inexpensive. What a great find!

gigi chair #4

Well, I think it's about time to add another gigi to the group. This one looks more like an office chair. I wouldn't mind this red one at my desk at work. Oooohh, and maybe the mango color at my sewing table.

oh clementine

Clement Street in San Francisco is known for it's rows of restaurants, asian grocery stores and the Green Apple Bookstores. What most people don't know is that the unassuming first 2 blocks of Clement between Arguello and 2nd Avenue, has a charm all it's own. I've lived in the Richmond District for the past 6 years and I've seen these 2 blocks change a lot. The store that's probably been here the longest is Period George. This store has lot of gorgeous antique dinnerware. I have a weakness for tea cups and bowls, so every time I come here I always come out drooling or wishing I can spend my entire day looking over every single thing they have.

One of the newer stores is Marques. They also sell a lot of antique dinnerware, in addition they stock some french soaps, lighting, mirrors, jewelry and lots of other stuff. Love, love, love this store.



Fleur*t is a flower shop slash furnishings store. Not only do they have the variety of flowers that I love, they also sell lots of lovely gift items and home decor. According to their website, their client list includes Marc Jacobs and The Huntington Hotel. Impressive.

Another new store, which I think opened not even a year ago is Peche Mignon. This store has a lot of beautiful linen, ceramics, and soaps. They even have a wedding registry!

The last store that I will feature is called Kumquat (like the fruit). This store has a more colorful and playful atmosphere. I saw a lot of bags, kids toys, and unusual gifts. They feature new and local artists.

My ultimate dream is to open my own store, whether online or brick and mortar so that I can sell items that I love and also items that I make. These stores inspire me and remind me that it is possible!

of babies and cooking

After a few weeks of not crafting, I finally have something new to show you! I took my time while making this apron and I really enjoyed the process. I plan to make more of them. Can you imagine baking a yummy cake while wearing this? I think it'll make the baking process so much more fun. This one is now available in my shop.


I also made these bibs for my good friend's cute little one. I may expand my line into baby stuff. Isn't this just adorable?

a preview of my productive saturday

I spent some (a lot) of time with my sewing machine yesterday. It got dark before I was able to take decent pictures so here's a little preview of my projects

i dream of ...

When it does look like this then how can you not dream about it? I spotted these cakes while walking along Grant Street in North Beach. They look too pretty to eat! As always, I am attracted to the birds. Cakes by I Dream of Cake. (Forgive the pictures, I took them through the window and was the best shot I could get)





I also dream of nice weather! We're BBQ-ing today and I'm hoping that we wont freeze to death at the park. I just checked the weather and it says it should be sunny later today after the fog dissolves. Regardless, there will be good food and good company. Chow time!