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?