bellababies

This little cutie Avelyn is wearing the first dress that I ever sold to anyone. So exciting to see something I made on someone elses site! This photo is a part of a photo shoot by a very talented aspiring photographer.  Aren’t they a cute little family?

 And speaking of cute….this is Julia sporting another Bellababy dress by moi. Everyone together now.. . ahhhh.                      

                           

Other than that, I am afraid I don’t have much to show or tell. I am however expecting a very exciting parcel in the mail this week that will most likely result in lots of photos on this site and lots more for me to post about. The shop is open this week as usual from 1-6pm. I will be there on Tuesday so stop by for a coffee if you like! I am always up for some company!

Amy

happy turkey day!

Just wanted to put the word out that the shop will be closed Friday and Monday for Thanksgiving. If you are in town just for the weekend though, and want to shop, give us a call or message and we can set up a time to meet you there.

Hope everyone has a yummy holiday!

Amy

grateful girl

Thanks SO much to everyone who came out of Saturday for our little do. We had an amazing turnout and it was good times all around. So thank you again for all your support! It makes this little gig so rewarding to see people enjoying handmade things.Some photos are here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

If you would like to be contacted about the goings on (sales, events, sales,workshops, online shop updates etc) at this little shop, I have started a Facebook group called ::the front room:: modern handcrafts. We would love to have you along, and please tell your friends too! If you aren’t on Facebook (yet) then drop me an email at amyandwill(at)shaw(dot)ca and I will add you to my email listy thing.

Also, just a quick shout out that we had to close the shop today, (Tues) but we will be open tommorrow (Wed) our usual hours 1pm-6pm.

Later chicarinas!

Amy

::autumn open house::

I really hope that you can join us for the autumn open house coming up on Saturday, Sept. 22 between 10 and 4. I would love to see you all! The handbags are really starting to stack up around here!

My friend Jen Eckford has provided an amazing chocolate cheesecake, there will be some draw prizes and sale prices on summer items. It should be good times. Oh, and iced coffees too! Yum.

 Here is a sneak peek at a few things. These (and the rest of the fall stuff) will launch in the store on Saturday.

 

The one on the left has a little row of mushrooms along the bottom, (which are sort of hard to see – I’m working on getting a new camera!), and I just love the Russian doll print. So fun.

   

I have used this print before in a green, but I think my favorite is this red and white. The inside is a super soft corduroy with an inner pocket.

 

These slouchy shoulder bags are really easy to wear – the straps are corduroy and stay put on your shoulder, and they are short enough to tuck nicely under your arm. They also fit more than you might expect which is handy. They are reversible, so there isn’t a snap, but I find things stay in there all right.

         

This is one of my latest favorites. The outside fabric and the lining are both vintage and I have done some free hand quilting details on the flowers. Very cheerful I think.

So, hopefully we see you on Saturday! If not, we are open again next week, Monday through Friday 1-6pm.

Happy Autumn everyone!

Amy

Yo Yo!

 Well, tonight I hosted the first of (hopefully) many little craft nights and it was a lot of fun. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and even the self professed non crafter among us (who makes her husband sew on all the buttons) managed to go home with some beautiful yo yos. We started discussing all the possible ways to use these to embellish things and came up with quite a list. Scarves, hats, clothing, kid’s items, handbags, hairbands, picture frames, on stems as flowers in a windowbox, Christmas tree ornaments, garlands, wreaths….and on and on. They are such an easy way to make anything look more arty and cool. So….a good time had by all. If anyone is interested we could do another Yo Yo night – just leave a comment or let me know via the ol’ FB. The next  craft night is in October, I have some fun things up my sleeve….I will keep you posted about that too!

Also…if you are reading this on Friday, September 14, I will be in the shop all afternoon until 6 and I would love some company. Come on over for a coffee and we can soak up some of this great fall sunshine!

Amy

skirty

I have been experimenting lately with using thrifted mini skirts to make handbags and I am having a lot of fun with it. The skirts often have great pocket details which are handy for bags. (translate: I don’t have to make the pockets!)

For example this was I think a size 5 or 6 mini skirt.  It is this great soft corduroy, with that slightly wrinkled look which I love. I lined it with some great japanese fabric, but couldn’t get a bright enough picture of it with my lame digi cam. (I am so coveting a digital SLR)

This skirt was a pleated skirt which ended up in these fun bubbly looking folds on the bottom. Again, no picture of the lining because my camera is lame-o. The tie is a nice detail although it ends up being not at all functional.

So….these bags are currently in the shop, but probably not for long!

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Amy

this week at the FR…

Hey all… just wanted to let you know that the lil’ shop is open this week as usual, 1pm-6pm, and tommorrow I will be working there instead of Cindy so stop by if you want to have a visit. I’ll put the coffee on!

Amy

I heart autumn.

We are soon going to be back from our little ::front room:: break, with lots of great crafting going on for the fall. This time of year is always especially creative for me, maybe something to do with all those years of school starting at this time….full of possibilities and promise.

I just got in a huge order of great fall fabrics which I am so excited to be working with. There are some really fantastic Japanese designer fabrics, some vintage one of a kind pieces and lots of great sweaters to keep those wee legs warm this winter in their new life as baby pants.

Some things I have been working on…

Also, I am happy to announce that I am starting a monthly crafty night (which needs a more catchy title I know) for anyone who is interested. This month we will be learning how to make yo yos, which is a simple technique that can be used to embellish pretty much anything. These are a great craft because they are super easy, but still look complicated and cool enough that people are approriately impressed that you made it yourself! For an idea of the kinds of things this craft is good for check out this site. Cost is $8 per person and includes all materials for a medium sized project (10-15 yo yos). What will most likely happen is that you can learn the technique and start the project at the class and then take home whatever you need to finish it. We will be meeting at my house for now so get in touch with me if you need directions. Oh, and this month the event is on September 13th at 7pm.  So…hope to see you there. I think it will be a good chance to hang out and learn something creative together.

Ciao,

Ames

 

 

studio quarry

If you wandered into my studio right now you would find these stacks of sweater pants cut and waiting to go together..

…these stacks of new fabrics waiting to be cut into bags…

 …and this little face saying “mama come play”!

So….I’ll be playing peek a boo and reading stories if you need me.

Disclaimer: Don’t worry FR fans….she does sleep sometimes and my in-laws are here this week to baby-wrangle so the little shop won’t be totally neglected.

 Ames

 

 

 

Photos and such…

I have some pics from the Shopping and Sangria Garden party that I have been wanting to post, but we were away on holidays and it was a bit crazy. Those of you who joined us know all about the fantastic cheesecake (thanks Jen!) and the sangria but the rest of you are out of luck. Maybe next time….

So…some photos of the digs

     

   

I know it looks like no one came to my party, but that is because everyone was so busy shopping and eating and drinking that I didn’t have time to take photos and be the hostess too!

So…that was our summer party. The next party is our fall collection launch on September 22, which is coming up incredibly soon. Yikes. I need to get busy. So…I’ll be sewing for the next few weeks but I will send more details your way about our fall launch.

See you soon!

Amy