little monkey

this sweet little monkey blanket was whisked away to a new baby last week. it was fun to come up with a colour palette to suit a monkey design -- i thought these shades of purple, mauve and magenta worked really well with brown for the monkey's face, instead of the more common bubblegum pink + brown combo.

shop sneak peeks

a little peek at what is to come when i reopen my shop later this week.

i'm rather fond of the fabric combination below. the outside oslo fabrics by jessica jones are some of my new favourites. so gorgeous! i was tempted to keep this one for myself, but into the shop it will go.

i had intended to reopen on the weekend, but the weather has been very uncooperative, and i haven't had the chance to photograph all my new things. it looks like we've got a stretch of sun coming up starting tomorrow {fingers crossed!}, so i will plow through these photos and try to stock up a little before i open my virtual doors. i hope you'll swing by to check out the shop once it's ready!

twenty eleven

the lights of my life! it's been a long year full of many ups and downs, but still an amazing time watching these two grow. i took these photos january 1 2011. i'll be sure to snap a few tomorrow to see how they've changed.

as for me, i'm looking forward to a year full of growth. we have some potentially big changes in store, and i'm also looking at ramping up my little business throughout the year. i have big plans for smidgebox! first up, back to more regular postings in this space.

here's to 2012 -- happy new year, friends.

made in bulk

some musings on making my handmade items en masse...

i trim all my seams by hand, to avoid bulk. at curves, i cut small notches so that the seams lie flat when they're turned the right way out. it only takes a couple of minutes for each piece, but when you're making 35 stockings at a time, that adds up! look at all those scraps!

something you may not know, when i stitch my peek-a-boos, i use at least three different thread colours for each, and i stitch around and around. i like the way it picks up on all the colours in the fabric, and creates a nice depth in the stitching. in order to keep the stitches looking clean from the outside, i hand-tie and knot the beginning and end of each pair of threads on the underside of the fabric. that's at least 6 pairs per peek-a-boo.

all stress-points are double or triple-stitched. then, on each seam, i run a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. this means i stitch each seam two, three, or four times.

components for 35 stockings! that's 35 strips for hanging the stocking, attached to 35 cuffs, each one carefully ironed, then triple-stitched for extra-heavy stuffing of goodies.

the first batch of finished stockings. just a peek, mind you, i can't give away everything!

these are just a few thoughts that have crossed my mind as i've been preparing for the One of a Kind Show. i don't normally work in bulk, but this past month, i've made more than 70 mini buckets, a dozen tote bags, 35 stockings, and much more. these steps that take only 2 to 5 minutes, such as trimming or finishing a seam to make sure it doesn't fray, don't normally cross my mind as i do them. but when you multiply that by 35, well then a good chunk of time has gone by. i don't cut corners or look for shortcuts that could negatively impact the finished product.

when i make an item, my aim is to ensure quality every step of the way. besides using quality materials and equipment, this includes accurate cutting, careful stitching, trimming and finishing of seams, ironing at every step, and precise finishing touches on every piece.

this is not meant to be a sermon, but rather my musings on working in bulk while maintaining quality. it's the reason i [and other makers all over the world] try to put a reasonable price* on our efforts, our designs, our work. this is not a $10 polyester stocking from walmart that may last a year or two. this is a one-of-a-kind handmade heirloom christmas stocking, with carefully chosen fabrics, stitched with care so that you can stuff it full to the brim, creating warm and happy memories for many generations to come.

*by reasonable, i do mean that i am aiming to be paid a fair wage, not only for my time and effort, but for the quality and design of each piece.

smidgebox holiday 2011

i think you can guess what i've been working on this week? i hope to have a few dozen smidgebox peekaboo stockings to show at the One of a Kind Show in just three weeks*. It's so much fun choosing fabrics for these stockings, which, incidentally, all happen to be one-of-a-kind. I like the idea of mixing and matching the colours, and would love to see a grouping hung on a mantle just like that. there's a stocking for everyone -- the traditionalist, the modernist, and lovers-of-cute.

*eep! did i say three weeks? back to the sewing machine i go!

totes are on the table

a batch of daily totes and a batch of weekly totes. just another peek of what's happening over here to prepare for the One of a Kind Show in Vancouver, december 8-11.

cherry + charcoal

i'm finally getting around to sharing a bag i made a couple months back. i'm not sure why i've never played with this colour combination before, but i absolutely love how it turned out! the cherry red lining just pops against the dark charcoal canvas. this bag was commissioned by a lovely return customer -- she wanted a new bag for her birthday, and i was thrilled to make something special for her.

as a special request, i was asked to add a divider to my weekly tote. it took a bit of figuring and moving a couple pockets around, but went really smoothly. you can see a peek of the divider, above.

in case you couldn't tell, i quite like photographing my bags with my favourite chairs. eames goes with just about anything, don't you think?

sneak peek :: baby organics

well hello! it's certainly been awhile, hasn't it? things are so super busy at my sewing machine, and i'm afraid i've just not had the time to post here. i do miss it. i know i sound like a broken record! my plan is to capture november in pictures. whether it is a photo i've taken myself, or something that catches my eye around the web, i will be sharing here more often, lots of images and fewer words. i do hope you'll visit!

i'd like to share some sneak peeks of my upcoming baby organics line. I've had this in mind for a really long time, and finally have enough fabrics that i'm ready to get started! i will be having an exclusive launch of the first phase of smidgebox organics at the one of a kind show in december. phase two will follow in the spring. i am so excited about this, and i hope you will love it.

these next couple of pics are an assembly line of iphone cozies, ready to be sewn up for the one of a kind show as well. there is loads of production happening in these parts, and still lots to do in the next six weeks. {wow! did i say six weeks? yikes.}

i do hope that my lovely friends in vancouver will stop by the one of a kind show and say hello. it is my first foray into a multi-day big deal show like this. i must admit i'm a little nervous, but mostly i'm so excited about what's in store for my little business. a few friendly faces would be very welcome, so do come and have a peek!

lastly, i have a quick interview up at my friend allisa's blog. allisa is an amazing sewer, and i totally adore her work, so i was honoured when she asked if i'd participate in her 'shops that shine' series. thanks allisa!

a foggy day

i took these photos on a particularly foggy june day in north van. it was fathers' day, and the kids wanted to go on a hike with their dad. luckily the rain held off, but the fog was moody, damp and cool. seemed like an october day, somewhat like today!

i'm wondering how much work i would get done if i had a stretch of solitude, like working in that little hut {above} in the reservoir. perhaps i wouldn't be very productive -- i tend to be quite curious, and would likely spend more time wondering what everyone else was doing rather than getting my work done.

i suppose this post is just to say hello, poke my head in, and say that i haven't forgotten about this space. i miss it. i only managed a small handful of posts last month, and i do believe that's how this fall will go for me. i wish it were different, but truth be told, there is simply too much on my plate, and something's got to give. i'll still pop in and update when i'm inspired and able, and i hope you'll still come and visit, too.

happy autumn! i love foggy days, don't you?

some recent work

i have mentioned before how much i love making all my custom orders, but i think that baby gifts must be my very favourite. there is something pretty special about making a one-of-a-kind item for a brand new little babe, and i feel very honoured whenever someone chooses my shop for these important first gifts. i always imagine the babies loving their cuddly blankets or squishy blocks for many years to come, becoming a well-loved part of their young lives.

i haven't made many blocks this past year, as i haven't had them in my shop for some time*. but every now and again, i get a request from a past customer or from a friend, and it is really fun to whip up a set of cloth blocks! these were made for a friend to take to a baby shower earlier this month.

custom smidgey blankets are always a customer favourite. i love the watery blues + greens in phoebe sue's blanket, with a hit of girlie pink for good measure.

tobie's blanket was commissioned for a very special visit with a miracle baby. the sun + clouds were the perfect choice! i hope she has many snuggly seasons wrapped in her special blanket.

* look for my custom cloth blocks to return to the shop in early 2012!

they're here!

for one month only, these spooky hallowe'en treat buckets will be in the shop! each one is available in a limited edition of five, so get them before they disappear...

lurking just around the corner

frank will be making an appearance in the shop in the first week of september, and he's bringing a few friends to join in the spooky fun. stay tuned!

red + orange + green + blue

not long ago, i got a request from a customer to make large fabric storage buckets for her baby boy's room. she had a fairly neutral colour palette in his room with some greys, and then a couple bright pops of primary colours. after chatting back and forth, she decided on a scheme that gave each bucket it's own colour, red + orange + green {with grey on the outside} + blue. it worked perfectly, and i love the fabrics she chose.

this is the largest size of bucket that i make, 10x10x10 inches square. i find this is as big as i like to go while keeping a good amount of structure, and when they're filled with toys, kids can still pick them up. they fit perfectly in the ubiquitous ikea expedit units, which we have in both our kids' rooms [i photographed the buckets in there before i sent them off]

my customer was really happy with them, and sent me a couple pictures of them in her son's room. i love doing projects like this, giving people a one-of-a-kind item that no one else will have. i think they turned out really well, what do you think?

summer smidgey blankets

i've been a bit busy lately, between sewing + summer + vacation + life, and haven't had the chance to catch up on posting my work. here are a few blankets that i've made this summer so far. i've mentioned it before, but i just love working on my custom smidgey blankets. each one is different from the last, fun colours, applique images, sweet names. all ready to be sent off to a special tiny person whom i hope will love and cherish it for many years to come.

addison's sunny lion and beckett's cute little owl were special requests made by my customers. both were asked to be in a specific style, and i think they turned out quite nicely. i have had the pleasure of working with some pretty amazing customers, who have fun nursery colour palettes and themes to work with. i feel lucky to have such great people coming my way!

::::::

on to a little shop news. please excuse me for chatting a bit about the holidays {yup, here we are in mid-august, and i'm thinking about the c-word} but i have to be thinking ahead!

I'm going to be taking a break from custom orders for all of september and october while i prepare for my holiday craft shows. I will have to focus solely on amassing stock {mainly for the One of a Kind Show mid-december} so unfortunately something's got to give! I'll keep my shop open with a good selection of ready-made items, so there will be lots to choose from in the meantime. In november, i will be taking a small number of custom requests for holiday gifts, but there will be limited availability. I know it's early to be thinking this way, but if you've got a smidgey blanket or a set of custom fabric buckets or stockings in mind for holiday gifts, it might be a good idea to let me know as soon as possible so that i can reserve a space!

blankets for brothers

two brothers, two sweet custom smidgey blankets. these blankets were both made within the last couple months. jack's mom loved his new baby blanket so much that she just had to have one for her older son, greyson, as well. i love the colour schemes she chose, that they complement one another without being too matchy.

the moon + stars motif is perfect for bedtime snuggles. for big brother greyson's, she asked if i could do a sun + clouds, which i think is a wonderful choice. i love how they both turned out, and i sure hope those two boys get loads of cuddle time with their new smidgey blankets.

as a final note, i have to say that i feel so lucky to have such amazing customers. i have now worked with jack + greyson's mom on three separate blankets, and she is an absolute delight to collaborate with. i'm so so happy that she loved each blanket enough to come back and order another, it is truly the greatest compliment i could receive.

got craft? this sunday!

also known as the reason that things have been so quiet around here! Got Craft? is this sunday, so come on out to say hello to 55 indie designers from vancouver. in my humble opinion, this is the best craft show in town, and i am honoured to be taking part.

this sunday also happens to be mothers' day, so what better way to treat mom to a unique gift than to pick out something awesome at Got Craft?

a little facelift

so, today i decided to spend a bit of time giving my blog a wee facelift. basically, i liked the style [very simple] and the colours and all that, but i just wanted it wider. so i've chosen a new template and spruced it up a bit, just to tide me over until i finally make a switch to wordpress. this, of course, will require a whole lot more time than i've got at the moment, as i really need to learn how to use wordpress ;)

anyhow, it seems that the little facelift resulted in the removal of all my comments from disqus, which is basically every comment i've had since october 2010. this sucks pretty bad. however, i'm thinking i will keep it as such, since when i migrate to wordpress, i will lose those comments anyhow. might as well start now, so that the notes i get from now on from my lovely friends + readers will at least show up over at the new smidgebox blog...i always love hearing from you, so pop your head in and say hello!

you may also notice some spiffy tabs up along the top there. i'm not sure what took me so long, but there they are! thanks, linda, for your awesome video tutorial. have i mentioned that linda is my internet guru? she also helped me make my facebook page. linda is so generous with her knowledge and willingness to help, she is also a super talented designer, and amazingly kind friend.

{these are some pics i snapped of the kids on friday. otherwise, really not much going on with my camera other than kitchen pics!}

hunt + gather

i just wanted to share a smattering of the easter buckets i've made so far this spring. tomorrow [april 1 -- no fooling!] is the last day to place your order to receive yours in time for easter, so if you've been thinking about it, the time is now!

this is the second year i've offered choose your own easter buckets, and i must say, it is really fun to see what my customers choose for the fabrics! i've had the chance to sew in some combos that i wouldn't have thought of, but that i really like the results.

there were definitely some popular picks -- the wide blue + white stripe with the blue zoo fabric lining was the clear fave for boys, and the pink + orange fireworks sold out super fast over on the girls' side.

the two zigzag buckets shown on the bottom left were specially requested to be mini-buckets. i think that's a fun option, maybe i'll offer that next year, it's a nice size for the really wee kiddos.

anyhow, i've still got a few more lined up to sew over the weekend, and then they'll be gone for another year. up next for me, getting prepped for got craft -- it's creeping up soon!

smidgebox designs facebook page

well, i've gone and done it. i finally made a facebook fanpage for smidgebox designs. there are a whole bunch of reasons that i resisted this for so long, but in the end, i have come to realize that it is going to be a great way to reach a lot of people. i know that many prefer facebook to other venues [blogs, twitter], and that i should really have a little representation there.

i'd love it if you'd come on over and visit me there. i'll be updating with new shop additions, events, goings-on from behind the scenes, works in progress, and probably even the odd exclusive promotion! you can 'like' the smidgebox facebook page by following the link. [and thanks for that! it'd be much appreciated.]

i followed a tutorial from my friend linda of a la mode stuff to help create my landing page. what do you think? linda is an expert at making her facebook page look pretty, you can catch a glimpse here. thanks, linda!!