Sew Tara | Inspiring creativity in me + you

Handmade full wall.

Posted on February 21, 2012 by SewTara| 2 Comments

Sunday morning I was the last one down stairs. I could hear hubby making breakfast with the kids and I woke up with a mission. I don’t even have a before image to share, it was that embarassing, I used to have a HUGE pile of unread books on my nightstand. I’ve converted to reading ebooks on my iPad so those books have sat there untouched for over a year. So I went on a mission to clean up and beautify my corner of the room.

I sorted the books into our yard sale pile and a keep pile. Then I wrote down all the titles of the books and made a pledge that I’ll either read them over the summer or buy the ebook and get rid of the physical book. I found them a happy new home, on a bookshelf.

Then I filled the wall space up with my growing collection of handmade art. My glorious Lucky Jackson winnings. This great personalized paining by Lisah and a fun wall hanging from CoucouSalut.

I’ve still got my beautiful print by Laura Jean on the other wall but I have to get some other things framed before it will be complete. I love the way Laura distresses frames and has them all whitewashed, I’m going to frame my other pieces to match.

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Posted in fun finds

Tagged Etsy, handmade, wall art

This month’s sponsors with giveaways!

Posted on February 20, 2012 by SewTara| 13 Comments

Cheryl of This Time Around and here on Twitter.

Currently in love with: Chips and salsa. I’ve been in love with them for as long as I can remember.

Giveaway: 120×120 ad space on my blog.

Cristina of Obsessive Compulsive Me. Here on Twitter and vlogs on YouTube.

Currently in love with : YouTube! I’ve been staying up late every night watching beauty videos on YouTube and I just can’t get enough! It’s amazing to see how many people devote time into creating YouTube tutorials, and how much they’ve accomplished just by sharing their talents online.

Giveaway: Nail Polish Prize Pack! The prize pack includes everything you need for the perfect manicure, including my favourite Seche Vite top coat, and two China Glaze colours!

Please leave a comment below to enter the giveaway. One lucky commenter will win all the prizes. Also be sure to pop by and follow these lovely ladies on their blogs, twitter or some other internet place!

Joanna of Life in a Lens and like her on Facebook.

Currently in love with: I’m currently in love with life! As a new mom I’m discovering new joys every day and I’m finding I appreciate my spare time for creating (what little I have left now) a lot more than I used to.

Giveaway: This beautiful original photography print.

Enter until Thursday night! I’ll announce the winner in my Friday Create Along post.

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Posted in fun finds, uncategorized

Tagged ad space, giveaway, nail polish

Friday Create Along

Posted on February 17, 2012 by SewTara| 4 Comments

Ok so here’s the tutorial for last week, the little macaroons. I finished mine last night.

It’s pretty cute. It’s also pretty tiny and other than storing or giving rings/earrings I’m not sure what else I could do with it.

I also had a problem, see if you can figure it out.

Yeah, there’s no way I can get the inside pieces in. I might have to get a slightly smaller size. I’m not sure if the fabric I chose for the outside is too thick, it’s a Japanese cotton/linen blend. Or if it’s just all to bulky in there.

But the good news is no one will ever see in there since this is my little macroon and at least it looks great from the outside!

Next up is this charming little brooch. Now this is a great project because it’s hand sewing, uses felt and creates an accessory and that fits with my goal to accessorize more!

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Posted in crafty books, createalong, fun finds, other crafts

Tagged brooch, create-along, felt

Someday

Posted on February 15, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

Someday I’m going to get brave enough to tackle a Japanese sewing pattern from my stash of Cotton Time magazine! Someday.

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Posted in uncategorized

Happy Valentime’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by SewTara| Leave a comment

As teacher and mom of little ones I hear that a lot.

Hope you’re having just the kind of day you dream of! Even if you aren’t playing on Team Valentine’s.

Also, I’m part of a big giveaway over here. You could win one of these awesome cup cozies.

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Posted in cozy

Tagged giveaway

My winnings.

Posted on February 13, 2012 by SewTara| 5 Comments

I got an exciting package the other day! I instagrammed (is that a word?) it right away, pardon my straight from the classroom hungry for lunch look.

You may have heard/seen that I won a wonderful embroidery hoop from Lucky Jackson. I choose this wonderful one. I’m not a roller derby gal but it’s super fun.

I honestly have to get working on turning a large part of the wall space in our living room into a handmade art gallery . . .

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Posted in embroidery, fun finds

Tagged 365, embroidery, handmade, lucky jackson

Friday Create Along

Posted on February 10, 2012 by SewTara| 5 Comments

Here’s my awesome little phone cozies! I made the owl one according to the pattern but my iPhone 3 has a case (after I smashed it at school last year) so it’s a little thicker than it should be. I made the button fabric one to fit my phone.

Next I want to try these fun little macaron coin purses.

**UPDATE** I got my snaps at this great store. The colours are amazing and the selection is fantastic! I was really happy with them. I

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Posted in createalong, scraps, sewing

Are two shops better than one?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by SewTara| 4 Comments

I sort of fell into making my cup cozies. I love doing it, they’re silly and fun and I love making people laugh but I also like to make other things. I’ve got this growing stash of adorable fabrics and a hunger to try tons of patterns. I learn a little tip or trick with each one and I love trying something new. As a result I have a bunch of great coin purses, clutches, bags, various cozies and other things lying around.

When I added some of those things to my shop they just sit there. They get views, people <3 them but I never had anyone bite. I think selling bags or purses on Etsy is super tricky. There are so many people with awesome designs or awesome fabrics or awesomely designed bags made with awesome fabrics.

So instead I sell them in person. Initially I wanted an item I could sell in the cup cozy ‘off season’ so I could sit at craft tables in nice weather and meet other creative types. The funny part is many of the people in person fall in love with all my fabrics and accessories and usually ask me what the cup cozies are.

So does anyone juggle 2 online shops? Do they sell similar items? I feel like I’ve got dual personalities with such different items on the go. How do you drive traffic to your other shop?

For now I’ll just stick with my current system but I wanted to ponder out loud. Thanks for listening.

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Posted in sewing

Tagged craft fairs, Etsy, online, selling, shops, tables

Glad I bought it!

Posted on February 7, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

I certainly don’t need another craft book, but I’m sure glad I picked this one up.

It’s by Sue Kim and I didn’t even connect that she’s the lady behind I Think Sew, and I certainly didn’t know she lives in Toronto just minutes from me!

See all those cute stickies flagging pages? Yeah, I want to make all those. I’ve got a bag problem . . and a sewing problem . . . *sigh*

I also picked up this one to add to my collection of fabric printing books. Hopefully I’ll get to spend some time reading them someday. I’m dying to get into making my own fabrics.