French Food

Have you ever watched this show

French Food At Home?

I absolutely LOVE this show.

It's on the

Cooking Channel.

I could watch Laura for hours at a time.

I love her mannerisms,

the way

she expresses her love of food,

and all the wonderful

recipes she

cooks.

I have her set on my DVR for

every future

show.

As you all know on many

of my previous

posts

I LOVE TO COOK!

And I have made

a few

of French recipes.

I really want to

be able to spend more time

in trying new recipes.

I have become

COMPLETELY

Obsessed

with cooking shows lately.

I currently have

EIGHT

shows that I pre-record.

I also just

thoroughly enjoy

watching

Spice Goddess

Bal cooks Indian dishes

that I could

smell right from my living

room couch.

She makes my mouth

water.

OK, I am a little obsessed....LOL

But I want to try

all kinds

of recipes.

Whether French, Indian, Spanish, etc....

Cooking is satisfying and

relaxing.

I have taken a break on my

sewing.

I still do personal stuff, but

this past

Friday was my last craft show.

I did well at that

show,

but, I need to take a break

and focus

on something different.

We're learning a new

language as

well

and we're pretty excited.

So some new goals

have been

set.

I'm ready

for change.

Don't you get that way?

Cabin Fever Craft Show...

Well the weekend has come and

gone, it was

a beautiful weekend here in

the NE,

first time in a long time.

We also had

the Craft Show that I was

trying to prepare

for.

I took some pictures of

our table

When we did this show last

year,

it turned out great. But I

really think

weather had something to do

with it.

Last year, it rained on/off

it was windy,

and yet the place was packed.

This year,

sun was shining, temp's were

in the low 50's

and the crowd was so very small.

So, I wasn't

happy this year. And what is funny

is I didn't

want to do it this year, mainly

because of

just getting over my surgery

and not

having the stamina to do anything

to prepare

for it. But that's ok, I still

had a good

time and we were invited to do

a couple of shows

this summer.

But now I can take it easy.

Today is

just beautiful out and I think

I may go

outside for a little bit

and walk

around the yard. I saw some

tulips

trying to peak out, YEA!!

Hope its

beautiful today where you're

at.

Through The Years......

This morning I was thinking about the

upcoming Craft Show,

and remembering when I started doing

the handbags.

I took a sewing class to help me read

patterns better.

I had a difficult time understanding

some of them.

So a local fabric store offered a six week

course.

It was so much fun. I chose to make a

curtain.

By the fourth week my curtain was done

so the teacher told

me to pick another pattern to make,

she said,

"how about a handbag? something simple"

A handbag?

Panic set in!! I've never done that before!

But I tried it,

and I was having a blast putting that together.

Sadly, the class ended

before I could finish, then that's when the real

panic

set in, who's going to help me finish what I started!!

Thankfully, I have a friend

who's been sewing for many, many years and she

helped me in an area

where I was just stuck at. I could not figure out

what they were saying to do

with the inside lining. She had to read it a couple

of times, then figured it

out!!

I then finished my very first purse. I was so

proud, I even took it to the

lady who taught the class, I wanted to show

her, that her time

with us payed off.

Now I wanted to learn how to sew so

I can make custom

window treatments for anyone who

was looking to

find someone to help them out.

Well, I went to

a Doctor's office for an appointment

and one of the

lady's at the front desk loved my bag,

she wanted that same

one, so I went to buy the fabric and

what do you know?

They no longer carry it!!!!

Great! Now

what do I do?

Well, I cleaned out my bag, Yes, my

very first bag

that I made, and I sold it to her.

Do you know

I regret that now? I wish I had it.

It's the bag,

third row, the one on the left
(click on image to enlarge)

I really liked my new bag that I made

but she loved it too

and I was flattered, so I sold it to her,

and after that

she purchased 3 more bags from me.

So I guess it

was worth parting with. That was

the summer of 2006.

I've been at it now for about three

years.

I never thought I'd be making

handbags to sell.

The picture above shows just a

few of the bags

I've made and sold.

Its been a fun adventure. I am so

happy

I found something that I not only

like doing

but that I am good at. Thanks

to my mom,

watching her behind the sewing

machine

as I was a child, I was so

fascinated with

that big, black machine that

fell back into

the table it miraculously popped

out of.

She tells me I inherited that gift

from my

maternal grandmother. She

loved to sew

everything and anything.

I sell my handmade

products in a local shop, at craft

shows and on Etsy.

Crafting Projects Underway

Good evening! Hope you're all well

on this chilly Sunday.

The sun was shining today, it was

beautiful, then suddenly

it started to

snow heavily as we sat at a pizza

shop, having a late

lunch early dinner, it looked

so pretty

but the temperature dropped

suddenly and the

winds picked up and all of a

sudden I changed

my mind on how lovely a day it

was! Oh well.

But I am happy to have one of

my Craft Show

projects finished. Remember

those papers

on my last post? No,

well, then here it is once

again

I LOVE scrapbook paper,

almost too much.

I buy them when they're on

sale, just

because, and I justify it

that one day

I will use them and I do,

honestly I do

as you can see in the following

pictures

(Here's that pretty lilac

one I really

like)

I've made this one twice

and its sold

quickly, so I had more of

this paper,

the last one so hopefully

it'll sell as

quickly as the other times.

I only made six,

two large and 4 mini's.

I have two more

larger ones already made

but I have no picture

of, sorry.

I like to keep them fairly

simple,

I'd like my clipboards

to be used

and I feel if they have

too much

stuff on them, then you

can't write on

them, and I don't want

people to find

them just pretty, I want

them to be

practical as well, but

that's just me,

I know those who've purchased

them have stated

they're for someone who needs

something to write

on because of their occupation

so that makes me feel

good. They'll be

put to good use.

So I feel good getting

these done,

I am making some brooches

to take along,

and they're almost done,

but they need

just a few more finishing

touches, then I'll

show you.

I'd love to be able to make

some purses

and aprons, but not sure if

I'll be

able to, I have some made

but I'd hope

to make some more, maybe I

will, we shall

see what this week brings.

Well, good-bye for

now.

Click on Link below to

view other

great projects.

Make Your Monday

Crafting Today!

This winter is the first

winter that

we've used this fireplace

everyday!

Its been so cold this year

and we've

had plenty of snow as well.

But today

we're dealing with violent

winds that I'm

expecting at any moment to

be Dorothy,

but instead of having a dog

to travel with

I'll have my three kitties

going for a ride.

Wouldn't that be exciting!

So after breakfast,

(yes I'm having a very slow start

today)

I will attempt to walk outside

to my workshop

without getting blown away and

work on my crafts

for the Show that is coming up

in a week!!

a week!

Don't panic! It'll be OK! HMMM!

Well, I'll do what I can.

Want a sneak peek?

HMMMM, what will I be using these

for?

Well, you'll have to wait and see.

(Oh, Oh, I think I just gave

it away! STINK!)

Don't you just love

the Lilac paper, OHHH, how I yearn

for the smell of

Lilac's, the smell of spring. I have

one of these bushes, just

one, I know, I need more. I am

determined to plant another one this year

every year goes by

and I say that, so this time I mean it.

Well, need to have coffee

and some food, then I can get to work.

Hope you're having a

good day today, and if you're in the NE

hope you're not getting blown

away too bad.

Relaxing Evening

I've had a busy day today, it's been nice

to be able to do

a little more. DH had to work today, his

one Saturday every

six weeks, which stinks but it has to be

done. So I thought

I'd play in my sewing room for a little.

Looks like it exploded, paper, glue,

embellishments, stamps

everywhere, oh my!

My Sewing table, fabric squares all

neatly spread out by color.

I'm using some of these to make my

brooches out of.

My ironing board out, ironing fabric before

cutting them.

And all that on top are scrapbook papers.

Going through my

stash, oh, and I just realized my dresser

drawers are wide open.

So yes, I was in there, playing and making

a mess, which I always do

when I'm getting ready for a show coming up.

Sadly though, this is the first

craft show that I'm really not looking forward

to. I know its because I can't

do as much as I'm used to. All the sewing I do

and cutting and glueing.

Can't do that this time, so I'm just going to take

what I have and make things

that will be easier

on my recuperating body. My dear friend and

craft show parntner, Valerie, tells

me not to worry.

We'll have fun like we always do. I know

she's right.

The craft show iscoming up rather  

quickly, I try not to

think about it but

it's hard not to, its the first Saturday

in March. It'll be here

before you know it. But since I am still

so limited in what I can do

I decided to keep it simple. I have some

purses left to sell,

I'm going to alter some clipboards and

notebooks, I'm also endeavoring

to make some fabric

brooches. I have leftover fabric and

didn't know what I

should do with them, then I did some

research and found books

on Brooches.

How excited I was, then I went online

and saw others were

making them as well, so many pretty

ones out there.

I made these over time. They are so much

fun to make!

So today I spent time cutting fabric. Lots

of it. I can do that sitting

down, so that is good for me.

I purchased two books on brooches and

I plan to purchase

another one for more ideas. Can't wait!

So, after that, I was craving

Scones!

It's been over three weeks since I baked

anything and I thought

I'd try it. It was nice to be able to bake,

I miss it, but now I

am tired.

Oooo!

I hear my tea kettle, time to make some tea.

Have a good night!

Craft Show Fun!!

My dear friend Valerie and I did our annual craftshow in Thurmont MD this past weekend and we had a ball. Although a few times we almost blew away with the wind on Saturday. That was the windiest we've ever dealt with in the years of doing this show. But on Sunday it was beautiful that day. We did well, I was very happy. Despite the economy people were everywhere shopping. I sold several bags and came back with one apron. Although I only took a few, but I was happy to return with one. So below you'll see our display:

There are my bags. The ones with the hard handles are new, I enjoyed making them and they were a hit. Boy was I glad. I took this picture Sunday so there are a few bags missing that I sold on Saturday. So I have to do some more sewing!!

Valerie decoupaged these clothespins. They are huge and are great for photos, recipes, reminder notes, etc. She had a ton of fun prettying them up with paper and she sold a ton of these as well.

Here's Valerie's Eiffel Tower plaque. If you look at the pictures you'll see that we're Paris freaks, I've never been I hope one day but Valerie and her hubby have years ago and she's ready for another trip. But it seems our hubby's are not interested in leaving the country so she and I decided that we'll go ourselves, we just have to convince them, like that'll happen....

This year Kathy joined us at the show. She makes beautiful jewelry. You can tell she puts so much thought and time into her jewelry. She's been doing these for a few years now but she's never done an outdoor show and we convinced her to join us and get her name out there. I think she had fun.

So all the time and work that we put into this show every year is exhausting. We really prepare for this one more than any other. This craft show attracts the city people that come from D.C. and Baltimore so we put a lot of time into what we're going to make to take down there. So many people come to this show. Thousands. Valerie was up til 2:00-4:00am working on her projects. Now I'm not that insane....love you Valerie.....but her hard work payed off. We always have fun when we do this. We work so well together, we think so much alike and we feed off of each other as well. We're great partners, or as my husband may say, "partners in crime". Shopping, crafting, doing shows.....we have a blast. I look forward to the next show because I know she and I will have a lot of fun doing it. And as a thank you to me from Valerie for helping her set up, decorate, pack and unpack, she gave me a gift today. When I got home and opened it up I about fell over:

I received my own copy of Blogging for Bliss!!!!! I had it on my wish list and she already bought it for me. Along with a pendant that she made for me, it's on the right of the book. Can you see it? She also makes jewelry which I've posted before on my blog from our last show that we did. It is so beautiful, I can't wait to wear it. I also can't wait to tear into my new book. I am so EXCITED!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you my dearest friend Valerie! I certainly was not expecting this, which makes it even more exciting. Thank you for your friendship, your patience, your thoughtfulness, your honesty and dependability. You are a true friend and you mean so much to me. I love you, my dear friend. Until our next show!!! I dedicate this blog to you.

NYC Trip and Handbags

Hello everyone. Well, we just returned from our trip to NYC. My second trip in three weeks, I love it. We actually went back to see some of my hubby's friends. Two of the couples were flying in and the rest still live in NY. It was a mini reunion for them. But we spent the whole weekend with two of the couples and had a blast. Vince and Wendy still live in Brooklyn while Kyle and Michelle flew in from TN. It's been awhile since they've been to the city so it was an overdue visit. So Friday morning we went to SoHo in Manhattan. Off the train we saw this cute French Bakery on Spring St. It was so tiny inside and full of people that I couldn't take any pictures sorry, but it was darling in there.

Below in Bloomingdales on Broadway. Michelle had never been inside one so we went in. It's four stories high and very old fashion. Hardwood floors, great molding inside. Really pretty in there. Stop by when you visit the area.

Spring St. station is where we got off for one section of SoHo. We were heading to Pearl River which I just realized I took no picture of. It is the coolest Asian store on Broadway. Whatever you need from an Asian decorating point of view they have there.

Then on Saturday we went out to dinner in Brooklyn to the Water Street restaurant. Yummy food and if you love beer and burgers this is the place to go. Atmosphere is really nice in there as well.

After dinner we walked around and across the street I saw another french bakery but this time in Brooklyn.

Then right next door to the restaurant we went into Jacques Torres Chocolate Cafe.

Need I say more!!!

So we walked off dinner and wanted to go under the Manhattan bridge where they renovated and added a park. When we got there, there were five wedding parties having their pictures taken. The brides were gorgeous and the brides maids just beautiful. This is just one wedding party that I had a picture off with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

Another view of the bridge with manhattan behind it:

Can't get enough pictures of the bridge with the city line:

As we continued to walk around we came to the River Cafe the 5 star restaurant in Brooklyn. It sits what looks like a dock on the water. I wonder if it rocks a little in there while you're eating? HMMMM

View of the Bridge again with sun ready to set. Just love that view:

This is taken on the Promenade in Brooklyn looking at the City line:

The Promenade is where they film alot of movies. They've been doing that for so many years now and I wish I could remember some of the movies but I'm having a mind block right now. The Promenade is in Brooklyn Heights.

We were on the rooftop at Vince and Wendy's place and was able to take these beautiful night time views of the City with the fog overhead. It was gorgeous. The Brooklyn Bridge is there to the right.

So after all that fun time in NYC spending it with great friends we had to come home. And I had to get back to work. So today I finished my last bag. YEA!! Done with that. I'd like to get a few aprons done but I'm tired and I feel like I'm coming down with a cold or it could be bad allergies but I don't have the energy to cut fabric right now. So I'll wait until tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed my NYC pictures. As much as I love the city I don't miss living there. But I love to visit, especially in the Fall. Have you seened, You've Got Mail? The part where Tom Hanks is emailing Meg Ryan and he tells her that NYC is wonderful in the fall, its his favorite time of year there and he is right. NYC in the Fall is beautiful. I love that movie. I've watched it over and over and over again and I don't tire of it. I guess because it takes place in NY and I enjoy watching Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I may have to go put in the DVD player now.......

Crafts are Underway, FINALLY!!

Well today is a new day for me. I am finally moving around alot better, not 100% myself though, I still get those little threatening spasms if I'm standing too long, or sitting too much. It reminds me that at any moment, my back will go out again and right now I DO NOT NEED THAT! I've got a ton of things to do for the Craft Show coming up in 2 weeks, TWO WEEKS!! So last night I finished my journals and I am so happy with them. They're so much fun to make. I'll be wrapping them up for the show. Next are my handbags. I've got to get in there and finish them up. So today I'll do a little sewing. Not too much but enough to keep me from getting too behind. I really want to make aprons but realistically, not sure if I'll be able to. I got some really nice fabrics too for the aprons, but with what happend this past week, I'll be doing good to get all my bags done and ready to go. But we'll see, I'm not giving up yet. Not just yet anyway.

Getting to Work- Finally...

So I am finally doing it!!! I'm sewing. YEA!! As much as I love to sew and do crafts I have to mentally prepare myself for the projects. Once I do that , then I can't stop. But I'm not sure why it takes me awhile to get myself going. Why some people can just get up and get right to work, while those like me, well, I have to have my coffee, check emails, eat breakfast while watching the news, then, I cleaned. Yes, I had to clean before going to work. Because if I try to go into my workroom, knowing that my house needs swept, bathrooms need wiped down and that there are dishes in my sink, well, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on my work and I wouldn't get much done.
So I rolled up my sleeves, swept the floors, vacuumed them, wiped the bathroom down, cleaned the dishes, wiped down the countertops and stove and put things away. Then I felt better and I was ready for work.
Now its time to get all things in order, I make sure my trusty old Singer machine is clean inside and out so it doesn't ruin my fabric. This machine is old, how old I don't know, but old. I bought from a friend who lost her grandma several years ago. It was an extra machine her grandmother had, she bought it new, but hardly used it. So I bought it for $60. It was a great purchase. I've had it 12 years, plus however long she's had it. It's been a loyal companion. But I have to admit, I really want the Singer CE-150 that monogram's and embroiders but there is no way right now I can dish out $500 for one. So I have to wait. One day, I'm sure one day. In the meantime, my old buddy and I get to work:

and together we pieced five bags. I still have five more to put together, and some aprons to cut out yet. Then if I have time, I'd like to try out a new pattern I received in the mail, a new handbag pattern. I have three weeks left before the fall craft show. Oh my, where in the world has the time gone??!! I'll be a busy sewing bee for the next three weeks. So I wanted you to have a sneak peek of what I'm doing. I'll post some more updates soon, I hope....

Getting Ready for Sewing

I received these fabrics in the mail last week and was so excited when I opened the package and saw how adorable they are in person. I love them. The top one is so much fun. I'm going to use it to make an apron out of. The colors are fun, the pattern is fun. I love the polka dots that match it perfectly. Its going to be alot of fun to make. I'm also going to make a bag with the fabric as well. Can't wait to show you the finished product.

The other fabric is one of my favorites as well. A Parisian kitty with the Eiffel tower and a bistro table. Too cute, and it makes a nice apron. I made one just like it in a light blue some time back, I wish I could find my pictures of that one, but it sold pretty quickly. So I thought I 'd try it again.

These are only a few of my fabrics. I have some also hanging over a clothes drying rack. I have some hanging on a hanger ready to cut for aprons as well. I love collecting fabrics, ribbons, buttons, trims, things I'm going to use for my projects.

Well, I've got my fabrics and liners ready for sewing. I know the craft show is in October, but its amazing how quickly it arrives. I'm still waiting for another pattern to arrive in the mail. I'm going to try a different pattern as well and see how it does at the show. Although I don't make my own bag patterns, I take others and tweak them to suit my needs and the needs of other women. Some of the bags will have cloth handles and some will have pre-made wooden or metal handles. I chose a few different ones to break up the style a bit. Its fun experimenting. So we'll see.
As I start sewing them, I'll be posting pictures. Thanks for looking. Remember, you can always purchase my bags at http://www.casabella2006.etsy.com I'll also be putting the aprons on there as well. I've sold all my other aprons so I don't have any on my Etsy store. But that'll change.