Thursday, April 30, 2009

Miss'n My Blog

Almost 2 weeks and no posts, and I have been miss'n my blog. Between finishing up a wedding a dress, 5 box cushions seat recovers, multiple alterations,sewing classes and working on two committees for the new Patrick Henry Charter School I've been a busy bee.

I also decided to take off Sundays to spend more time with my family, and to avoid a total burn out so absolutely no work is allowed.

I was also excepted to the new Bryan Park Market every tues 3-7 at Bryan Park as well as subbing in here and there for a few vendors at the South of the James Market. I will be selling my Cloth Diapers and accessories as well as fat quarters and pre-cut rolls of Oil Cloth!

There are a some really exciting changes happening at fleur, too soon to let the cat out of the bag, but Im really happy about a new direction I will be headed in.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Ninny's Nappies & all things baby

Did you know fleur makes custom baby bedding?? Bumpers,curtains, pillows, and crib skirts. Check out this moses basket I just recovered for Amy



Moms to be can now register for cloth diapers, choose your style, color combos and let your baby shower guest know you are registered here! Diapers are made as orders are placed. Discounts are given to large orders.

FITTED WITH POCKET AND SOAKER

PREFOLD

COVERS

CLASSIC "ALL IN ONE"


Next time your in Carytown stop in Alchemy and Its Hip to Round, both now have samples, info and swatches about Ninny's Nappies.

We also make wet bags, diaper liners, and nursing covers, we're pretty baby crazy over here!!

WET BAGS ( will hold 3 diapers)

Amy Butler outter fabric PUL inner fabric

NURSING COVERS ( made from 100% organic bamboo)
( photo credit Katie Hadlock)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Plastic Crafts and more interviews

Rupa is also in the store almost every week helping me get organized. Cataloging my patterns and the secret fabric stash I keep hidden behind the curtain.

Both Rupa and I are very passionate about recycling, reducing waste, and DIY. We found two crafts that recycle plastic on craftzine and decided to test them out. Stay tuned for tutorials on both projects!

I asked Rupa a few questions so you can get to know her better.

Where are you from?
I was born in Chennai, India - moved to the USA when I was 6 and have been living in MD/NOVA area since. Nothin really exciting there!


Where do you live now?
After getting married last August, I moved to Richmond to live with my hubby in the museum district.

When and why did you start sewing?
Ahm, first time I really started sewing was about 2 months ago when I took a lesson with Jenny! I love making things and sewing was one thing I hadn't tried ...well since home-economics in high school where I hand stitched my elephant pillow to my skirt!


What project are you working on right now?
Let's see I am working on a collection of bibs for family and friends. Now the bibs will never get done unless I can figure out how to put the snaps on without smooshing the snap! Also working on different types of binding for books, a 2nd pillow cover for my couch and my brain is thinking up a recycled postcards w/sewn design work type thing.

What is your favorite sewing playlist? ( this could be an album, soundtrack, or random playlist)
Okie so I have become obsessed with soap net since I am currently unemployed so the TV will be tuned to watch the original Beverly Hills 90210....and sometimes I just like the sound of the sewing machine.
What is your favorite sewing/craft blog?
Since the sewing world is new to me, I am just getting into the sewing blogs...but I really look into anything that is green and crafty so at the moment I am reading...crafting green world

If you could make anything no matter how intricate or " difficult" what would it be?
Ah...after cleaning/organizing Jenny's patterns I would love love love to make an dress from a vintage pattern...that is after I learn how to read patterns!

What are you other interests besides sewing/crafting?
oh gosh...dance + books + saving the planet + photography and laughing/sharing memories in beautiful weather with freinds + family.

What is your life" motto"?
Never be content with your life, you can and should always do more.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

DIY beauty day

Katie and I spent Wednesday afternoon, playing alchemy! We made deodorant & bug spray.
I have been dying to make my own deodorant, Ive long been an opponent to the store bought stuff, but could never find a substitute that worked!

Here is what you need, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup baking soda, 2 tablespoons coconut shortening, tea tree & lavender oil, and an empty deodorant container.

mix all the ingredients in a bowl, until it forms a sticky ball
the coconut will start to melt from the heat of your hands so work fast, twist the deodorant tube all the way down and fill it up with your concoction

put the lid on top and let it sit over night to set up.


we also covered out recycled deodorant tube with oil cloth and chalk cloth.
1st we measured the length and diameter of the tube

marked and cut using pinking shears
Next we used glue dots to secure the oilcloth the to the tube, Katie made chalk cloth labels

I have terrible handwriting so we had Katie's sister write the labels, she was there hand sewing appliques on a quilt she is making.

We also made 2 batches of bug spray which just consists of combining a combo of citronella oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil and put it in a spray bottle
ALL DONE!! And let me tell you all this stuff smells incredible coconut and tea tree are an amazing combo! and the bug spray works Ive used natural oils to keep buggys away for years.
Stop by the store if you would like to check out the finished product, next weds we will be making our own shampoo!!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Introducing....

Kate one of my fabulous assistants who is currently helping me get my etsy site bumping and we have a really exciting project/ tutorial in the works, DIY deodorant, bug spray and face cleanser. We will be posting a step by step tutorial of each , including hits and tips on DIY skin care and over all beauty and health care, like body brushing.

What does this have to do with sewing you ask?? Well that's the beauty of owning your own business you get to go with flow and follow what ever mood strikes you, we were both stoked ( I've been hanging out the with the cooks at 821 to much!) on DIY beauty care Kate even had a whole book on it, and you didn't have to twist my arm to make a trip to Ellwoods to stock up on supplies like tea tree oil and sweet almond oil.

Maybe we will even start teaching classes on it!!...

so I asked Kate a few questions, and yes I based them on the questions that Burda and Skirt Magazine use, yeah there good questions, and Im no journalist.


Where are you from?
- I was born in Glen Rose, Tx and lived in the small town for 12 years. It's true, I'm a southern bell....of sorts. But then I moved to Phoenix, Az for a year and then Boston, and finally Virginia.
Where do you live now?
- I live in the amazing museum district of Richmond, Va!

When and why did you start sewing?
- I starting sewing at a young age, probably 8 or 9. My mom bought a package of felt ornaments, you know the kind where the pattern is printed on the felt and then you add beads and sequins. This was the beginning of a life long love affair with all things sparkly and resulted in my purchase of a bedazzler last year. I would sew small things like that with my mom, but then stopped sewing for almost 10 years because I didn't have much of an interest and school was crazy/etc. Then my mom gave me a sewing machine for my 18th birthday and I've been crafting since.
- The reason I started sewing was obviously because my mom and I started a fun project, but also because her and my grandmother were amazing seamstresses. They were always whipping up something for the grandkids like easter dresses.......I wonder if my nanny would make one for me now, haha.

What project are you working on right now?
-Currently I have a few projects on the table, most important is the veil for my best friends wedding! I am really excited for this project, but I'm also nervous! I also have some hankies to finish and a dress. Unfortunately I like to start a project and leave it mid way, then begin something new.

What is your favorite sewing playlist?
-This is tuff!!!! Yes, tuff, kind of like the ridiculous cat posters from elementary school. I go in phases with my music, some times I really need some pop punk, sometimes I need some good folk, but I'll say the end all be all is anything by Owen. His real name is Mike Kinsella, one of the orignial members of Joan of Arc and a zillion other bands.

What is your favorite sewing/craft blog?
-Again, this is hard I read about 20 daily. Ok, I lied it's not that difficult. I LOVE wedding blogs at the moment and Snippet and Ink has an amazing blog that has DIY's and inspiration for weddings. . I also love Design Dig, she has a great taste for design, although she just appreciates other people's work. She's the featured blog on the bulletin board so check her out!

If you could make anything no matter how intricate or "difficult" what would it be?
-Ugh, what wouldn't I make. I'm an experimenter so I'll try anything once, but I dream about making my own beautiful gown! (wedding or not)

What are your other interests besides sewing/crafting?
- Well I do love a good nap in the sun at maymont! I also love to read and hang with my gal pals.

What is your life "motto" or favorite quote?
- I'll try anything once!
- And Try to learn something new every day!