Fresh Bread Anyone?

Bam! I was so excited how it turned. My first bread was a french loaf done in the Italian round shape. This one was baked in the oven. It looked so professional and tasted like I had bought it.

It was so yummy!!!

On my second try I decided to make a raisin bread and use the bread machine. As you can see, I didn't add a lot of raisin because I don't love them that much.

I welcome all suggestions and tips especially recipes. I am looking for a sweet bread recipe - not buns, but actual bread. We 'used' to buy a sweet white bread that you had to slice that we inhaled in about 2 days. I would like to make something comparable to that.

Canada Day 2009

Happy 142nd birthday Canada!!

My husband took Jolie fishing this morning and she was the only one that caught a fish. They put it back in.

Mystery Bird Male

I believe this is the male and mate to the un-identified bird. We think there is a nest in our tree with babies.

Help me Name this bird!

Calling all bird lovers -- Please help me identify this one.

She flys to our Evergreen all the time and sings beautifully.

The Swiss Flag

I was challenged to create an all leather bi-fold wallet with the flag of Switzerland. First I tried dying some veg tanned leather but my dyes bled.

The end result is reverse applique - I cut the cross out of the red leather and backed in white leather then stitched around the cross - voila!

I have listed this wallet in my Dawanda shop!

Dollar Store Organization

First I would like to say thank you to everyone who commented on my studio.

The bins that sit on top of my fabric storage shelves have an assortment of leather scraps, display equipment, items from my other store as well as linings.

Since these bins are opaque I can not see what is in them and I have to climb up on a ladder to bring the bins down to go through them. I wanted a way to identify the contents from ground level.

I discovered chalkboard labels at my local dollar store and absolutely love the look and that they have fulfilled my need.

Before:

After:

Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas!

That was the scene at my house last night - Yummy!!!!!!!!!!

We still have leftovers - is it lunch yet?

Studio ReVamp after the Storm

It took almost a week but I finally got my studio back together after preparing for that craft show. Everything was in a state so whenever I can't think, I re-decorate!

The only change really, was swapping my cutting/drafting table with my riveting station.

I really like the change, it seems more condusive to work and I will be forced to keep my table clear as it is the first thing to be seen when you walk in the door.

First up is where the 'business' of Sewlutions by AMO happens.


This is where I draft and cut

All Sewing is done here:

Fabric Storage

Pressing Station

Shipping and wrapping station

Riveting is done here!

Storage Shelf

The view from my window is my beautiful birch tree.

Stay tuned for my next revamp........

Craft Show Update

Here are some pictures of my booth setup at the Unionville Festival on Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who came by to support me!

Here are some pictures of my booth set up for the Unionville show I did on Saturday. The weather was fabulous!

June Update!

It has been a while since I posted anything and here's why. I am enrolled in a Marketing night class that is very intense - certainly not the fluff class I thought it would be.

I am also getting ready for 2 craft shows, the first being the Unionville show this coming Saturday June 6th. The 2nd show will be July 17, 18, 19th in the Muskokas - Bracebridge, Ontario.

Preparing for these 2 shows, while going about life isn't an easy task. Trying to come up with creative ways to display things on a budget is even trickier. I have been racking my mind on what to do about table coverings and since time is running out, I decided to make my own using drop cloths and yardage I had on hand.

My method of construction was draping, that way it was a custom fit. Not the best job I could have done, but it is completed and I am happy about that!

The covers shown here are a little wrinkled and I will probably press it the night before.

I need to do a mock set up before the show so look for more pics coming soon!

New Steampunk Cuff Colour

Cafe au Lait has a romantic feel, just in time for summer!

Butterfly Bling Rings

Newly listed!

These cocktail rings are fun to make but tedious. I used tooling leather and hand drew my design then stained and/or painted. I really love how they turned out. You can see more pictures here.

Flowers for a Rainy Day

Tip for your life: Be grateful for what you have because things could always be worse. I had a bad dream last night that I backed into someone's car. The young guy just got his license and wanted to beat me up. His lawyer was there in a heart beat and I got the feeling it just wasn't my fault. Anyway, I prayed to God asking for a re-do so this incident never happened. I even reached deep into my head for clues that it was just a dream. Sadly, it seemed that it was a reality. When I woke up this morning I was so thankful that I got my re-do.

Maybe it was a lesson to not be complacent, not take things for granted and always be careful.

I am thankful for my life and all those in it.

Photo-shoot Saturday

Introducing my little Top model!

I wish she were a little older just for taking my product pictures.

She is a handful!

New Toy -- er, Tool

I just purchased the Big Shot Die-cut machine from Stampin Up! and I can't wait to get it. If you have any suggestions on how to use this for business promotion, please share.

I added more Bling!

My newest 2-N-1 Bling ring in time for spring. Well, you can wear it all summer long too.

You can wear it two different ways - Now that's versatile!

Fresh and New

It has been a while since made any new Dana Wristlet Wallets. I just listed this one yesterday and am working on an emerald one.

My Cuff has been Featured!

On TotusMel's Wunderkammer's blog. I wish I were able to wear those outfits - fabulous! Please check it out the other featured artists here.

Value Village Studio Find

I found this metal beauty at Value Village today - what a steal for only $12. If you look closely you can see that I put my postal scale on top of it.

This filing cabinet found a home in between my two wood and metal desks that I made. One is for packaging my items and the other desk is, well... my desk!

Weekend Find

It was a beautiful sunny day so we decided to go for a drive and explore our surroundings. We spotted this beautiful old barn that displayed an Antiques sign. When we entered the barn it was like I entered a wonderland. Everywhere I looked there were beautiful pieces of furniture. I am not typically an antiques fan, It usually brings to mind ghost stories and dead people.

There was a sweet barn cat that was incredibly friendly and followed our every move. She would even jump on furniture to get to our eye level so I could pick her up. Her name was Diesel and apparently steals the show every time.

I spotted this chair and thought it would be perfect for my office because it was compact, the wheels didn't take up much room. It is solid walnut with solid brass wheel covers and iron hardware. The price was only $20 so I could not resist.

Now the hard part, actually doing the work to refinish it. I like it the way it is though so I won't feel so bad if the refinishing takes forever.

Thank you for taking the time

The poll results are in it seems that pretty packaging does not matter to most, as long as the product if packed securely that is.

Thank you to all who partcipated!

Modesto Day Runner

Modesto is the name of a city that was incorporated August 6, 1884 in the Stanislaus county in California and I just love the sound of it.

My latest cross-body messenger bag bears that fabulous name and comes complete with 5 compartments! I will be doing more in different colour ways and have made one for myself (I know, I know, I really don't need another bag). Please feel free to suggest colours that you think look great together.

Packaging is important right???

Please take a moment to do the poll above.