Bad News for Small Craft Business

I just read a post on Modern Junes blog. about a new law by the CPSIA Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. And I am shocked, I am new to crafting as a business and had no idea this was about to happen. I encourage everyone to read though all the research Kelly has done, sign this petiton. and spread the word.

I am as a mom as well and would never want anything toxic in anything my child or any child played with or wore, but I agree with everything Kelly has to say as far as it being to broad of a law.

I've been a busy bee lately, I have a lot of new thing happing at the store. New classes, a cloth diaper revolution is coming your way... Most of my time has been spent starting an Etsy store here is a preview of my baby slings called NINNY SLINGS that I designed, and have been making as gifts to friends and family, so after many request to offer them for sale ,coming in January they will be for sale in the store and on Etsy as well as a selection of fabric and nursing shawls





My slings are unique because they have a pocket large enough for a diaper, wipes and your wallet, for those quick trips to the store when you dont need to luge a diaper bag in. As well as a d-ring for your keys or a to hook a small toy.

They are reverse able and can double as a changing pad


Jamie from WOCK gave me a great hair cut on friday! yes it short very very very short and I love it! I love how cutting off a bunch of hair makes your feel thinner. She even came to me at the store, I have been working with her husband Tom sewing reverse able bamboo knit hats that will be for sale at Alchemy Boutique soon

Fabric Stash Swap Meet

When all the craziness of the holidays have settled, and the champagne from New Years has worn off. We tend to come out of the Holiday fogs, and clean! In stead of throwing away, those scraps of fabrics that you dont need or want anymore, come to fleur's 1st Fabric Stash Swap. Maybe some will cherish that piece of fabric that you can't stand looking at anymore.. and maybe you will find a great treasure!!

Its free to participate but you must bring items to swap! This is a donation type of swap, be willing to give away what you have brought even if you walk away empty handed.

Tea and coco will be served!!

going grey

I found a grey hair on my head tonight when I was getting ready to go to bed. I have one of those magnifying mirrors that lets you see every pore you never new you had.

At first I was shocked,I cant have a grey hair I thought I'm too young. Then I took a second look...yup there was another one, then another, maybe 1/2 a dozen total.

Wow I must be under a lot of stress to have that many grey hairs just pop up over night,who was I going to blame George Bush, the economy, the tax man, ... wait a minute how long have they been there, a week, a month, 6 months?

Have been too busy with life to notice that I, I had grey hairs. It made me think about my friend Helen, she is beautiful, intelligent, funny, easy going, adventurous, creative, out going, social, happy, and she has an entire head full of the most gorgeous shade of grey hair.....and I smiled, that maybe I was little bit more like her now.

What's so special about Organics?

Offering a variety of organic fabrics is very important at fleur fabrics. Some customers are very new to the "green" movement and I am asked often by customers...

What's so special about organic fabric? ....hmm what is so special about em?

My usual short and to the point answers are
1. No pesticides are used in the growing of the cotton/hemp/silk ( yes organic silk) that are then used to make the fabrics.
2.No toxic chemicals or environmentally damaging dyes are used in the production of the textiles.

So this has 2 benefits
1. the negative impact on the environment lessens when organic textiles are grown and manufactured
2. There are no pesticides/chemicals or carcinogenic dyes in the clothes you wear/make being absorbed by your body when you, wear them...everyday...everynight... your entire life!

Did you know that cancer is considered an epidemic. One out of every eight woman will develop breast cancer.... Have there been any studies cross referencing the increase use of toxin used in textile manufacturing with he rise of cancer??I don't know but maybe some should..anyway I found this article at Gaiam.that goes deeper into the subject

New textile and quilt inspirations

Free Spirit the company that produces Anna Maria Horner, Heather Baily and Joel Dewberry fabrics ( and many many many more) have a new designer,  he's been designing clothes for some time, but is new to textile design. Its Jay McCarroll,sound familiar? He was the 1st winner of Project Runway, and is now designing textiles, fun,light hearted child like designs. 

Free Spirit has a great blog with pictures from the Houston Textile Mart, as well patterns, tutorials and great ideas. They focus more on quilters which is something I have never ventured in to. I was over whelmed by  the beautiful creations on this site as well as the ones that Heather Bailey and Anna Maria Horner post on their websites, It made me think about traditions of the quilt making process, the love and dedication that goes in making one.

Quilting doesn't just have to be for bedding, look how AMH uses quilting make a great tote bag!

Class Cancelled

Decembers Modern Skirt Class has been cancelled. It will be offered again in January! This has opened up Thursday afternoons for another class, or one on one lessons. If you need help with a Holiday gift or want sewing lessons before you ask for a nice brand new sewing machine as a gift now is your time to learn!

Stress Releases

I have been so busy the last few days with, Thanksgiving, making sewing kits for the store. In addition to the 3 dresses that I have been commissioned to make, getting ready for the DIY discussion forum on the 17th ( I will post more about that later)... need less to say Ive been stressed, so when I get stressed I bake!

I made Chocolate Chip Cookies & Banana, Blueberry, Walnut Bread 

Don't get me wrong I love dessert, but I don't bake for the end result. I bake for the process...  all the ingredients,  the sound of a bag of chocolate chips hitting the raw cookie dough,the measuring cups and big mixing bowl, using my magic bullet (I love my magic bullet, every kitchen should have one). 

Its also takes me back to the memories of baking with my mom and sisters. The whole system my mom had to give us turns for who got to lick the bowl, then still fighting over it! The time I ate a huge spoonful of raw batter( despite my oldest sisters warnings) and got a mouth full of raw egg.

And now starting to build these memories with my son who is now old enough to mix and pour... and of course licking the bowl.  So I share with you my recipe for the banana bread! 

OH! one more thing... 99% of my baking is vegan YUP no eggs, butter or  animal milk! I was vegan for 3 years and I still bake that way, its actually very simple.In fact I was either going to open my Fabric Store or a Vegan Bakery!

Banana Blue Bread

3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup sweetener ( I use brown rice syrup)

1/2 cup oil or melted margarine ( its really the same thing)

1 3/4 cup soy milk ( or almond milk)

2 mashed bananas

2tbsp ground flax seed ( replaces eggs)

1 cup blueberries

1 cup walnuts

pre heat oven to 375 oil or flour a bread tin

mix dry ingredients in one bowl

wet in another then combine them

and pour into bread tin

bake for 35-40 mins

I bake for a toddler so I dont use alot of sugar

you could add 1/4 cup more to make it sweeter or add chocolate chips

thanks

I have been to meaning finish this post since Thanksgiving... beside the obvious things that we are all thankful for, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, a happy, healthy,loving family. I wanted to post the top ten things  I am thankful for... not in any order.

1. all the healthy babies/pregnancies in my family

2.TIVO

3. President Elect Barack Obama + Change has come

4. Kiehls lip balm ( I would be miserable with out it)

5. That my husband makes me a Vanilla Soy Latte every morning, even when he has to be at work @ 7am

6. Kathy Griffin, she make me laugh so hard and seeing her @ the Mosque was the highlight of my year

7. Croc's Shoes ( I don't wear leather and they make great styles, that are soo comfy)

8.Living my dream of opening my store

9. Being creative and making things everyday

10.Jonny Z

December Sewing Class Calendar

TuTORIAL TuESDAYS

Blind & rolled hems

dec 2& 23 @ 3:30 & 4pm

Elastic WaistBands

dec 9 @ 4 & 4:30 pm

Zippers

Dec 16 @ 3:30 & 4

Dec 30 @ 4 & 4:40

Beginner 1 

Dec 1, 5, 15 from 2 to 4 pm 

Dec 10 from 3 to 5

Beginner 2

Dec 3& 17 from 2 to 4pm 

Dec 8 from 3 to 5pm

Leggings part 1

Dec 6 from 12:30 to 2 :30pm

Dec 12 from 2 to 4 pm

Leggings part 2

Dec 13 12:30 to 2:30pm

Dec 19 2 to 4 pm

Modern Skirt 

PART 1  Dec 4    from 2 to 4 pm

PART 2  Dec 12 from 2 to 4 pm

PART 3  Dec 18 from 2 to 4 pm

December Sewing Class Schedule

sewing class descriptions

NEW @ FLEUR FABRICS 

Tutorial Tuesdays
10$ for a half hour demo( see calender for dates & times)
*Blind & rolled hems
* Zippers
* Elastic waistbands

Modern skirt Class 3 part class $65
Make the modern A-symetrial skirt with button details featured
on the cover of STITCH MAGAZINE
you will learn about facings & how to make button holes on a machine
fabric not included you will need
1 1/2 to 2 yds cotton,cotton blend, linen, or silk . 7/8 to 1 yd light weight cotton blend,
silk or rayon for contrast. 7/8 light weight interfacing. 5 5/8 buttons

Leggings Class 2 part class $45
Have no fear of knits!! Learn to sew a simple pair of leggings,
and choose between 2
ankle details, buttons or ruffles.
fabric not included you will need
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 yds cotton/lycra/spandex, knitor jersey 1 yd 3/4 inch wide elastic,
6 1/2 inbuttons OR 1 1/8 trim ( ribbon or lace)

Beginner level 1: no supplies required 1 part $35
No previous sewing skill required. 

Learn how to thread a machine wind bobbins,
simple straight stitches and hand sewing techniques, while making a small pincushion.

Beginner level 2: no supplies required 1 part $35
Learn different machine stitches, zig zag, blind hem... and there applications. Practice making darts and learn how to read a pattern, while making an Amy Butler sleeping eye mask or Heather Bailey headband.

Craft Shows

So many Craft Shows coming....

heres the list 

Craft and Design Show at the Visual Arts Center  Nov. 21 thru 23 www.visarts.org/craft-design

Holiday Bazaar @ Richmond Waldorf School Nov. 22nd 10-3 pm www.richmondwaldorf.com

The Bizarre Market at Chop Suey Tuey opens Nov 28th 6-9 www.chopsuey.com

Handmade Holidays @ the Visual Arts Center Dec 13th from 10-5pm www.richmondcraftmafia.com

Hoilday Trunk Show @ Can Can Brasserie Nov 29th 11-4pm

If I have forgotten any please let me know!!!

BUY HANDMADE AND LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON,  its special for you and its good for our local economy!!!

SNOWING???

I can't believe it was snowing today!! I'm glad everyone still came out for class this afternoon. 

Fleur Fabrics will soon be carrying..

Poly Fiber fill

Amy Butler &  Jackie Clarke ( simple unisex baby and toddler )Patterns

Heat & Bond 

........ and Oliver +  S patterns... check them out here http://www.oliverands.com/patterns/

Oliver + S has a great website/blog with a nice free pattern "Lazy Days Skirt" which I will be teaching in a class this friday. 

They also use fabrics from a company called Lecien (http://www.lecien.co.jp/en/hoppy/index.html)  that Im working on getting in the store.

New Magazine alert

I discovered a new Magazine today called STITCH! www.interweavestitch.com

They have a great article on ECO fabrics and notions, as well as project ideas and patterns.

I will be offering a class in Dec on making the "Modern Skirt" on the cover it will be a 3 week class. ( date and time tbd)

The Magazine will be available at the store if you would like to take a look!

SALE SALE SALE

30% off all patternmaking supplies

20% off interfacing

NOV 15TH THRU NOV 30TH

interfacing 4.64 per yd to 5.80 per yd

pattern paper .70 per yd

oaktag paper 2.97 to 4.55 per roll

hip curves 16.80

french curve sets from 5.57 to 6.30

french curve #9 4.20

6 1/2 french curve 4.86

c-thru rulers 3.49 each

woodhandle tracing wheels 9.07

tracing paper sheets 2.97!!!!

Local Goods

Fleur Fabrics would like a to start a conversation with local designers and crafters, about selling there goods here!

What are positive and negative experiances you have had selling your crafts in retails stores?

What kind of space would be ideal?

What are your display needs?

Fashion, Carnivals and Bats

Brixton and I flew a bat kite yesterday at the soccer field by the river. I am trying to enjoy the last few days of outdoor weather! If you know me I hate being cold.

Tonight I will be attending the Pins and Needles Fashion Show at New York Deli. And tomorrow its the Carnival of 5 Fires. Both events fleur fabrics is sponsoring! I will be taking my camera and posting the pics this weekend!

Falls coming

Today I am working on my Halloween window ( with Karen's help)! She is also making fliers for my halloween classes. These are an open studio halloween costume class. Where you bring in your materials and ideas and I will help you make your or your children's costume!

Halloween costumes are fun to make because you can always bend he rules to sewing alittle!

I am also looking forward to a busy weekend The Pins and Needles Fashion Show is this friday!!

Now Open!!!

Fleur Fabrics is Richmond's 1st Sewing Lounge and Eco Fabrics store. I offer a nice selections on organic fabrics, including Peace Silk & S.A.F.E Denim. 

I also carry.... Oil Cloth, knits, silks, twills, vintage fabrics and trims. New and used books and patterns, Built By Wendy & Amy Butler!!