Year End Holiday and Agendas For 2013

I'm planning to participate in another creative exhibition in UniCREA 2013. They sent me email couple of days ago to let me know about their agenda:

Chers Créateurs,

Toute l'équipe du Salon UNIcréa et du Comptoir Suisse se joint à moi pour vous souhaiter de très belles fêtes de fin d'année. Voici les dates des 3 Salons de la Création de cette nouvelle année:

- 15e Edition du Salon UNIcréa - 26 au 29 avril 2013 - Château de Morges / Suisse - http://www.unicrea.ch/

- 3e Edition de L'Espace Créateurs du Comptoir Suisse - 13 au 22 septembre 2013 - Beaulieu Lausanne / Suisse - http://www.comptoir.ch/
10 jours de Salon - 150 000 visiteurs - 1 halle de 650 m2 dédiée à la création - 40 créateurs sélectionnés

- 16e Edition du Salon UNIcréa - 1er au 4 novembre 2013 - Château d'Yverdon-les-Bains / Suisse - http://www.unicrea.ch/

Les inscriptions débuteront mi-janvier 2013.

Que 2013 soit une année Créative !
Céline D.
Fondatrice du Salon UNIcréa
Responsable de l'Espace Créateurs du Comptoir Suisse.

Ok, so like they said they will start the registration on mid-January 2013. That's why this year-end holiday I'm going on a "purchasing trip" as well as family holiday to Paris. I planned to buy some fabrics and necessary stuffs for my next exhibitions.

 

Happy Creative New Year 2013!

 

Sewing delicate lace

Do you know how to bring sunshine in the rainy days? ... go to a textile shop! hehe :D

Last Monday morning that's exactly what I did, and look what I found in their "coupons" or leftover fabrics box! a lovely lace fabric in a caramel color! ... I snapped it right away!

The fabric was only 140x80 cm length, but I determined to make it into something nice .. and it was just a perfect match with caramel stretch fabric I got previously (in the same leftover box and shop!) haha .. so it's a fate, that they're meant to be together ...

I wanted to make it into something "simple" but beautiful .. as this was my first attempt to sew this kind of fabric. So, I've done it. I conquered my fears of working using delicate fabrics such as lace. I've been avoiding it but now I fear no more! and I'm planning to look for similar lace in black or other dark color, as I have this splendid imagination in my mind ... I'll get back with more lace project, later .. like maybe, next year! haha .. well, next year is only one week away .. we've planned to go to Paris for year-end holiday (and I planned to purchase some fabrics again in St. Pierre) .. so, wait for me 'kay? .. I'll post about my purchasing trip later, promise! :D

Sooo here's my newly festive season's caramel lace tunic :

the making

the result ..

the happy me :D

Starting new projects ..

After the exhibition there are things that I need to do. Firstly, I have to finish what I've promised my daughters: making their requests, that's including a costume for "The Escalade" celebration next week (on the 11th Dec). Secondly I have to finish bags orders (yep, that simple but appealing "musical bag" I've made for the exhibition -- that's SOLD OUT on spot), have been high on demand! .. one order came from hubby's colleague who came to the exhibition but didn't buy the bag, and now she wants the bag for a present, the others came from my contacts in facebook (mostly my friends in Asia & Australia). 

Last thing and the most important thing is: now I start doing prototype (choosing, picking which patterns I would do, ordering fabrics, etc) for the next exhibition. I'm planning to participate in UniCREA on April 2013. I already contacted the organizer and they've replied my email promised to get in touch soon. I also started to put my works in an online boutique (http://planetecreative.ch/).

I ordered some batik fabrics again from an online boutique in facebook through a friend, and I'm planning to go to Paris again (to St. Pierre) this year-end holiday. New year I'm pretty sure would be handful and very busy, as I also waiting to published my children books too. I'm conducting two dream projects of my life, I just hope I could handle them all from here, from my tiny workspace at home :)

mon petit atelier ..

I've done it !!!! :D

The First Edition of Place Aux Artistes et Createurs (15-18 Nov 2012) is now over. We're packed up and go. Leaving Palexpo for (hopefully) returning again next year :)

what I've learned from this experience is priceless! .. what I've learned from other participants is worth more than the money that I've spend for my first exhibition .. no pain, no gain .. all we have to do is to make the next event even better.

I've learned to handle the month-long stress, afraid that I couldn't make it. I've learned to be focus on priority task in daily basis, to set a target in each steps. I've learned to handle my feelings too, after all we're just a human, we have all the ups and down, high and low .. and what I've learned from other participants is their helpful and supportive attitude, their professionalism and kindness ... I feel blessed, thank you God.

Petits Pas - Fait Maison booth no A29 @ Geneva Palexpo.

Place Aux Artistes et Créateurs, Palexpo, Geneva.

This month BIG event and BIG step for me and "Petits Pas" :

http://www.placeauxartistes.ch/

This is my first time participating in such event. I'm doing it all by my self, with a very restricted time .. it's just so normal if I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also very excited! :) 

One more week to go ... *huff, inhale, exhale*

"Stop using plastic bags, use - Petits Pas - bags!" :D

I'm still making stocks for the fair. Oh, .. the last picture of these bags (in fuchsia batik) is already SOLD to a friend who bought it for a gift for her "god daughter" in Switzerland. Since I live in Geneva, she thought she better order it from me .. yeah, lucky me .. :)

The story is like this, my friend (I've known her since junior high school) is currently on a business trip to the US, she's in San Jose at the moment, but when she saw the bag I posted in my Facebook timeline and she remembered that my husband's birthday is exactly the same day as her god daughter, she contacted me through fb inbox and ordered my bag as a gift, together with a matching shawl I've made using stretch velvet and the same fuchsia batik print as the bag.

Well, well, well .. it's a simple bag actually. The pattern I got from last year's edition of Coudre magazine, and people loved it. It's practical and could carry your shopping bits without using plastic bags. It's washable, re-usable and environmentally friendly .. PLUS it's unique and looks good on you :) .. you can have any color and pattern you like and match it with other accessories, or your outfit! :)

Making more bonnets ..

I had a call from craft exhibition organizer last Tuesday, she proposed a stand in Palexpo as a part of "Les Automnales" : Une des nouveautés des Automnales 2012: place aux artistes! Le Salon des artistes indépendants et des créateurs. http://www.automnales.ch/fr/salons-paralleles/place-aux-artistes-0-2971

She also proposed, if I agreed to give 2 times sewing lesson for a duration of 45 minutes each lesson (basic sewing, easy project, like making a small bags or a "pochette" or pouch) she could give 50% off for the stand price. Interesting? ... yes! I'd like to participate .. although I asked my self, sometimes, am I ready? .. but this is exactly what I wanted for so long .. an exhibition of my own work!. 

I keep thinking, discussing with my husband how we could do it. I mean, we have nobody (you do know that, don't you?) .. but I may look for help, a friend, babysitter or don't know who or how we manage this, but we must keep optimistic that we can do it.

So, first I have to "organize" my time. That's the most important part.
I need to pick which items I could do more and do it fast, which project that needs less hassle and that people would like to have, the item that they need, especially in line with "Automnales" theme. So I came up with bonnets and mittens first. Next I may finish bags, cushions and skirts, then let see what else I could come up with .. maybe shawls and kids dresses (if I have enough time) ...

Simple math: if I could make at least 3 items per-day, how many items I could get within a month? (yes, weekends count, too!!) .. I work overtime, I know .. but I have no choice ..

Musical bag

Last night, I was just listening to a music from a local radio and thinking to make use of these cute fabrics I have, I thought I'd like to make them into a bag or something useful for an active teen who like music .. (ahem, you know who she is?) .. well, here what she asked me:

--last night: 
"my bag must be ready in the morning, mom" ... 
[me] *sigh*, mom also need a sleep, ma belle ..
 
 --this morning: "have you finished my bag, mom?" .. 
[me] gosh, could mom at least eat breakfast first? ...
 

but anyway, the bag is ready now .. there you go my miss bossy & nagging sweetheart .. :p

other possibility of fancy skirt with tulle

I keep looking for the faster and neater look of the fancy skirt, and here's what I got:

Simple rectangular, gathered, lined with cotton voile and embellished with tulle, for a fancier look.

Blue Ocean Fancy Skirt

The "Ocean" theme batik print fabric I bought summer last year, while on holiday to our home country. I already used some of it, but still enough to make one circle skirt for girl (5-6 yrs). I got the baby blue lace from a friend, and the little baby blue bow I had since I started my sewing adventure ... hehe .. I could call it my sewing "adventure", because it really feels like an adventure to me :)

I like the finish result, and people said it's lovely too .. so, I have the courage to make more of these skirts together with some other "design" I got in mind ..

Oh, I forgot to write here, that Saturday we went to France and I went to a fabric store, Mondial Tissus in Epagny, I've bought some cotton fabric, cotton voile, black tulle, etc .. I'm planning to get them into something on Monday .. yes, I love Monday! I look forward for Monday .. am I insane?? ... :D

Batik "tutu"

Fancy a skirt that many girls/women wore during the 50's? you know, that skirt that looks like a ballerina wears? .. a tutu? that skirt with tulle underneath? ... I'm sure you know ;-)

It's been a "hit" for little girls these years .. I saw many versions of tutu skirts for girls .. so I'm making them too! go with the flow .. go where the fashion trends go .. oh, it's also the skirt that singer Taylor Swift wore in her newest hit: "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" .. you don't know the song? .. well go to YouTube then! :) .... and, oh yes! of course! my fave girl "Jess" in New Girl always wearing these kind of back to 50's dresses and skirts, love it! love her! .. she's just so pretty in it .. playful, funny girl Jess! :D

Sooooo, yes ... I'm planning to make lots of these skirts and "Back To 50's" dresses soon ... let's get busy! :)

red & black batik tutu skirt

Red Batik Tutu

more Batik projects

Hi I'm back.

Returning from summer holiday in our home country always bring lots of inspirations and energy!. I bought some batik fabrics of course .. straight from Yogyakarta!. I also got some batik fabrics from friends as a gift, so why do we waiting for? trace the pattern, cut the fabric, go to your machines, start sewing, get busy!! ...

Here's some of the clothes I made since we came back from holiday ...

MAKING A BATIK DRESS

MAKING A BATIK BLOUSE

Baby shoes

I've made two pairs of baby shoes. They're for friends who had newborn baby girls. Aren't these shoes cute?! ... :)

pink batik baby shoes with fleece lining

green fleece baby shoes with pink batik lining

Summer Top

What I love about this simple top is that it's easy, no pattern and kids love it. Need I say more? ...

summer top in purple batik garutan

More Jumpsuit ..

Summer this year is all about JUMPSUIT! ..

We saw any kind of it, in denim or floral, chic or casual ..

I've made two more jumpsuit, one for my eldest daughter and another one for a friend's daughter. It's really comfortable, that's why my kids loved to wear them.

for daughter

a friend's order

Jumpsuit for Girl

Summer is here at last!

This jumpsuit is easy to make, literally they're just tubes and elastic!

 I made this jumpsuit in size 110 (I only need a pattern for the pants, actually, while the top is just a rectangular "tube"). 

Daughter wants one as she saw her friends were all wearing jumpsuits (bought mostly from H&M stores), I said I could make one, and it'll be uniquely piece nobody would get it from any stores! and she's just so happy when it's finished. She wore it everywhere (she won't took it off for two days!), slept on it, nap on it ... ;-D

Getting ready for summer!

I've done some sewing projects, but haven't got the time to post them here as I've been busy and stressful about my other projects lately, so whenever I felt down, low, anxious ... I sew. I believe that sewing mend the soul ..

The lousy weather and a flu bug also added to the picture, and the gray environment we're having these late couple of weeks were not what we're expecting in June, yes, it's June, but the weather felt like it's in Autumn! .. Just recently the sun is out from behind the clouds, and we could see blue skies again ..

And, here are some of the things that I've made to "cheer" me up, all fabrics using Indonesian Batik I ordered from a friend and I'm happy it all turned out nicely :)

Peplum Blouse size M

Summer Top for girl (110)

Tunic for girl (10 yrs)

Summer Top fro girl (110)

Tosca-Brown Batik Dress

I made this dress for my birthday :)

A friend gave me this lovely batik fabric and it was perfectly match with the brown fabric I got at home.

The pattern was from a new sewing book I got recently from our trip to Annecy by a Japanese author Yoshiko Tsukiori translated in French by Hachette Loisir publisher. I picked this model T in size 38, and happy with the result :)

in the making ....

Tosca Brown Batik Dress

Three in One: same model, different colors

I just got tons of multicolor Indonesian Batik fabrics from friends. Most of them I ordered, some of them are gifts. Hubby got back from his business trip to Asia (China and S'pore) last month and he brought the fabrics with him (that caused his baggage weighed 30 kilos, thank God it's not overloaded).

And very soon after, I've made these Three-in-One dresses for the girls and myself ;-D

woman size M

kid size S

kid size L

where have you been? ..

me? ... sorry, I've been busy lately .. :D

but I still sew many things! .. and hubby bought me an overlock (serger) machine! he said that he saw my works getting better and would be nicer, neater with overlock finishing .. I couldn't believe my luck! hehe .. :-p

oh, well .. here's some things that I've made lately:

My Husqvarna Huskylock s15 bought on sale in Fust Carouge.

pink stripe girl dress size 130

blue flowery girl blouse size 110

orange pleat skirt woman size M

orange pencil case