The Week Of Being Vegan - Day 5 & 6

So I didn't post yesterday - but mainly because it was a busy saturday.

Breakfast was Kamut puffs with almonds (dry of course, but I hate milk with cereal.. i like the crunch.)

Lunch was eaten while hiking through Lynn Peak, and was humous with fresh veggies: peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers - yum. Cherries were for dessert - score!

Dinner was leftover risotto, and I'm glad I made so much!

Then today breakfast was virtually non existant - we were in a rush. But I did discover I don't dislike soy milk, like I thought I would. I went to Dulcinea, my favourite coffee shop and was sad I couldn't order their delicious hot chocolate - until the barista offered to make it for me with soy milk. Sat and played chess with my delicious drink - score! Home and had some more left over risotto, and a couple rotis. Then went for a coffee at starbucks with a friend, and felt perfectly comfortable asking for my caramel macciato to be made with soy milk - hurrah!

Went rock climbing later in the evening, so all in all, a good day.

And in other news, I had 3 wonderful things happen today.
1. My friend Anna told me someone stopped her while she was shopping on 4th to ask her where she got the handbag I had made for her. She gave the girl my website info. Yes!
2. Recieved an email on my etsy account from someone who had seen the steampunk style pendants I make on craftster.org and she asked if they were available for sale. Flattered beyond belief, I made an etsy shop for them: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5927191
3. At the climbing gym, the girl who was working the desk commented on the bag I was carrying - one I had made from my dad's old blazer and tie. I immediately, however blushing, told her I made it and gave her the card for my website.

wow - talk about a good day for business!

Phew. Bad hair days and Jane.

It's been a bit of a shit day- so I'm cheering myself up by blogging about my latest creations. After a crap day at work, I got home and had a drink. On an empty stomach, so I found myself slightly tipsy. Then I went to have a piece of cheese and managed to have the cheese cutter break in half (its got a porcelain handle) spontaneously, leaving me with a cut on my thumb that wouldn't stop bleeding. Add to that a bunch of other crappy things going wrong, and you get one grumpy housewife.

So.. cheer up pictures!

this is a new bag concept: Jane. She's simple but chic. I love the metal handle hooks. This one was my first one, which I made on the fly with no pattern. I just kinda liked the idea and went for it after sketching it out. She's made out of gorgeous pink, red and creme striped pattern fabric and red cotton lining.

That led me to making my next one immediately after, Sailor Jane

This bag is too cute for words! Right before I started sewing I got the idea to really enhance the nautical theme of the blue and white pattern by adding the red ribbon. She's also a little american patriotic- though I think of her more as nautical style. I might make one with blue ribbon next to be even more nautical. So I stuck the ribbon into the sides and sewed away. Then I realised the first Jane bag had no way of closing, so I added the magnetic clasp. I think this design was one of the easiest to perfect: second try and sellable!

This next one was actually a Kim bag gone wrong. It ended up not being quite the right shape, but I loved the fabric too much to throw it away. So I just added the metal handle hooks and lined it in red.

Domestic Day

Today was spent doing everything around the house. Vacuuming, mopping, dusting, laundry, sewing, dishes, the works. Liz came over with a bundle of clothes for me to fix for her, and I snapped my one and only needle on the bottom of her jeans while fixing their taper. So I'm "out of action" until I can run off and buy a new needle for my sewing machine.

Luckily, a couple days before, I had a chance to play around with a new design idea I had.
I don't really like it, but I suppose I had to make it to realise that! I'm not sure why I dont like it, since I like the idea of a curved bag.. there's just something not right. Could be that it's a bit sloppy looking. It's not sellable so I have no idea what I'll do with it- seems a waste.

I named her Diana, after the moon, since she's moon shaped. Turquoise lining is so yummy.

Then I made a Lucy bag out of the same old dress that I made the apron out of- this is for my DeNuevo line of reused fabric bags.

I gave her fushia lining since its so pretty and bright!


Now comes the little dilemma we've been having as of late. Now that the dining nook (and yes, its a nook.. this place is so tiny EVERYTHING is a nook) is finally coming together, I want to paint the trimming on the built in shelves. Only I cannot for the life of me decide what colour they should be, and whether we should paint just the frame, or the curvey inlay, or both.

Suggestions welcome!

(its that frame/built in shelf thingy on the left with all the pots and bowls).