In the Workroom Recap : Week 225

A week later and I'm back with another workroom recap!  

I've pushed my vacation back a week for various reasons so that'll give me one more week to finish some things up and do another workroom recap post before I leave next Sunday. Hopefully we'll get some sort of muscle memory blog post thing going after the third one so you can rely on my return. Thankfully I'm keeping busy so I don't doubt there will be multiple things crossing my worktable weekly!

This week started with paperwork.  As promised - boring boring paperwork.



Accompanied by a big ol' cup of tea.  I managed to get a lot of things from last year straightened away so taxes won't be too overwhelming when I return from vacation. Exciting! Not really, I know.
Then, because numbers exhaust me, I picked up a new doll idea I had started sketching and working on earlier in an attempt to feel like a creative person again instead of a grown-up pantsuit office person (not that there is anything wrong with that).
You could actually see her half cut on the shelf on my worktable awaiting some attention for at least a few weeks of workshop photos if you look closely.
Here are a few progress shots before I finished her:





Done! I felt creatively rejuvinated after all that boring number stuff and was left with this crazy girl, Wilhelmina W. Wasserman to put up in the shop!



Here she is hanging out on my worktable with my Plush You dolls!



Now on to the usual Needlings suspects!



I started cutting some Little Robots and Owl Mamas that I'll be working on this week (and in parts, possibly, while I'm away). My plan for the week is to finish the robots and prep the owl faces to take away with me when I'm away, although depending on what comes up this week or not, this might change. Nothing is set in stone!
  
Then of course I'll be packing bags and tieing up loose ends and all that other stuff one does before they go away although that won't be very interesting - although I am an excellent packer. Even the customs officers who go through my bags have complimented me on how much I fit in such a small bag! The key is rolling everything in tiny clothing burritos. But I digress...

See you next week with a worktable recap before the Needlings workshop shuts down for a little bit!

OOtD(s)

So last year I joined tumblr to start a casual Needlings blawg and in addition to lots of new art and other fun things, found a very nice little world of personal style blogs that appealed to me in a way they hadn't before.  And I have a big closet full of clothes (mostly dresses) that need wearing.

I may or may not decide to continue bringing these outfit posts over from tumblr to the official Needlings blog but for good measure, I have to try everything at least once!

Without futher ado, here are a few OOtD or Outfits of the Day (done every few weeks or so) from this year so far:








You can head over to needlings.tumblr.com and click on the "outfits" link at the top to go back a little further and see more from last year.
So there you go!  Sometimes I forget to put shoes on - forgive me this one quirk. 
And back to sewing!  I'll be back in a couple days to update you on all the goings on in the workroom this week.

In the Workroom Recap : Week 224

Ok, so this post's title may have you wondering where the previous 223 weeks' posts are. Surprise! This is the first one! I tricked you.

No but really, through some rudimentary math, I figured out that I have been in the Needlings biz for (approximately) 224 weeks. Of course this doesn't include various silly sewing projects of an unfocused girl with a sewing machine but I opened my Needlings etsy shop on September 27th of 2007 and continued from there.  Thank you to Etsy for documenting this date for me as I am not very good at the remembering of important (or unimportant) dates.  I, of course, didn't realize I would be writing about this important date four and a half years later.  I think if I did, perhaps I would have written it on a calendar somewhere.

So these four and half years have been pretty great for me, not only had I found something I loved to do that would take away my ability to feel bored at any given time, but after a few years in to it, I was able to create a full-time crazy job for myself.  

So I'm a toy (and other things) maker.

Which means that I keep pretty busy making things!  For at least the last couple years, I have been photo-documenting my worktable change over partly in an attempt to remind myself what I've been working on recently and partly to remind myself of how productive I'm being so I don't feel guilty taking a day off here and there!  

So anyway, all that introductory drama aside, here's what I worked on this week:

I sent this little restock batch of owl goodies to Kid Icarus in Toronto, a great little place in Kensington Market.  Hm, perhaps in the future I'll do some posts about the great stores that carry Needlings. Blog-brainstorming.

I started work on a batch of Owl Mamas for Nice Things Handmade in Philadelphia and took a break to make a little Cupcake Snap Pouch for a customer in LA.

Worked on a few more little goodies for customers and received these little ladies back from Plush You 2011 at Schmancy in Seattle.  I put all three up in the shop then finished up the goodies before mailing them out to another very sweet customer.

I then finished and sent out that restock batch of Owl Mamas to Nice Things after a special work weekend of getting together with some girls for what has been dubbed "Crafternoon."

So, on to the next week!  This will be the last work week before a little vacation for me but fortunately the last few productive weeks have taken care of most of my post holiday season restocking of shops.  Still lots of behind the scenes paperwork and other boring junk to do - and then more sewing!  

Tumbleweeds

Well, I sure hope no one has missed me over here but I just wanted to pop in and let any of you stragglers know that if you want to find some Needlings blogging goodness - head over to needlings.ca, needlings.tumblr.com or facebook.com/needlings.

See you there!
♥
Heather

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!, originally uploaded by Needlings.

The Tree 2010

I think all but 5 or so ornaments on our tree are handmade and the others are silly sentimental ones from Christmases past.
My favourite, as always, are my Sugarelf trees, teacups, and birdies. They make me so happy.
I love this time of year - we've finally got some snow on the ground and I'm happy there are some fun holiday things planned in the next couple weeks.
I hope everyone is enjoying their winters (I know that's a lot to ask for some of you snow haters) - talk soon!

MacFair '10

I'm still working on sewing things for upcoming holiday shows but I wanted to take a minute to show some of the pictures I took at the last show I did, MacFair, at the McMaster University Museum of Art.
This was the third year of the show and my third year participating. My mom had her second year selling her knits so we had a lot of fun hanging out at the museum for those three days last week.







Boo to indoor museum lighting shots. I can't wait to get my camera back from being repaired! Still, you get the idea - it was a lot of crafty fun. :)

Novemberrrr

The holiday season is here!
At least that's what I'm trying to get in to my head.
I've been getting ready for the holiday shows coming up. This week is MacFair at the McMaster Museum of Art on the 10th, 11th and 12th. Fun show to do so I'm looking forward to Wednesday - not only because my birthday happens to be on Wednesday too. :D

I even managed to finish a group of Christmas tree owls and took some photos so they're all up and available in the shop!



I can't wait until the tree is up and there's snow on that ground and all that. I know, I'm one of those weirdos that loves winter.
Well, back to work!
Hope everyone is enjoying their Novembers so far!

Just reduced some prices of a few things I'd like to see find homes!

Take a look at the clearance section over in the shop.

This weekend was busy with shows and I still have a couple coming up. Off to do some more sewing!

JuneJulyAugust

Hello everyone, I hope your summers have been everything you love about your summers.

I had some fun and vacation time, now I'm back in the studio sewing away getting ready for FanExpo in Toronto at the end of the month.



I've managed a big bunch of Happy Ninjas and will be working on a batch of Owl Mamas next week.



There's never enough time.

See you soon!
Love,
Heather

Curious Rabbits

Hello again friends.

In the midst of packing and getting ready to move next week I made this funny bunny and tiny mushroom.





The rabbit looks something like a smaller simple version of the White Rabbit I made for the Alice in Wonderland show I did last year.



I hope to make a few more of the little ones...and I had so much fun making the little mushroom.

May News

Hello all.

Well, I will be spending the next few weeks getting ready to move (not far at all, but that doesn't mean packing takes any less time) in a few weeks so I will be spending less time on Needlings work and more time on packing my belongings in various boxes.

I hope to get right back in to sewing right away but I thought I would let you know why I've been a bit more absent than usual lately.

I'm not doing as many summer shows/fairs/etc. this year because we weren't sure when the house would sell but I can let you know now that the next show Needlings will be attending will be FanExpo in Toronto at the Convention Centre in August. My second comic-y one so I'm excited for more costumes and craziness. It's the largest one in Canada and Stan Lee, who created Spiderman and other famous things, will be attending this year so it's expected to be bigger than ever.

So although you may not see me here too often - I've been "tumbling" over on my new tumblr blog if you wanted to see quick links of things I like I'll be keeping that up in between throwing books in boxes and the like.

I'm still around.

Here are my last few tumblr posts and reposts (ie: stuff I liked that other people posted).
It's fun! Follow me and I'll follow you to see what you like too!

Happy Work Weekends

Hello friends!

So since you may be wondering - Comic Con was a lot of crazy fun and I'm so glad we did it! Three long days of hanging out people watching. We saw lots of interesting things including crazy costumes and lots of TV cameras.

You can see a few more pictures from the weekend if you click here.

My table partners were Jen of SparkleGirl.etsy.com who brought her nerd friendly superhero pouches, pillow cases and bags, and Lisa from Bellisal.etsy.com who brought her fun prints, buttons and t-shirts. I had a great time sharing the table with them and I'm happy to say we have a few collaborations planned for the future too.

Our table on Saturday:

A couple costumies:

Direct Energy Centre hallway right outside the convention:

Darth something? (kidding)

Happy Needlings bucket:

Table on day one:

I hope everyone is having a good long weekend!

I spent the week recovering from Comic Con and taking another little trip in to Toronto to check out the One of a Kind Show so I'm making this weekend a work one.

Good work though, don't worry.

I've been working on some new little guys and finishing up a couple more Owl Mamas to be sent to KoOKY store in Chicago, IL.

If you're close by Michigan Avenue - you can go check them out in person! Looks like there are lots of other amazing plush from fellow Plush Team member Tyler Poncho so it would be worth the trip, I only wish I could go check it out myself.

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Heather

One Week Away!

One week away from what? Comic con of course!

Lots of sewing and tagging going on around here lately. The robots in the photo above are almost all done and I have plenty more things on the to-do list for the next week. Nothing quite like a deadline to motivate me.

I'm excited to see what it's all about and hopefully see some crazy costumes and other hilarity over the three days.

Of course there are always Owl Mamas on my to-do list. I'll be making more for Young Blood in Atlanta as soon as I'm home from comic con. You wouldn't believe the amount of rickrack I have hanging around. I love it. It really is one of my most favourite things.

Spring is also on that list.

Thursday Work

Packing owls for various shops and still working on that little stack of them in the back there.

The days are getting away from me closing in on comic con and hoping I have enough stuff and enough time to keep making things. I never think I have enough time. I'm the type that leaves way too early for things...or conversely way too late. I guess they say creative types have issues with time. Well, that's me.

I hope you are all seeing and liking the little beginnings of spring happening. I love this time of year. I don't even mind all the mud.

February Shop Update!

February Shop Update, originally uploaded by Needlings.

Look! I managed to make a few new things for you!

It's been a busy month with some sadness, we're moving soon and we lost our sweet Domino after almost 20 years of kitty life, but I'm one month away from comic con and I have lots of work still to do!

It will be hectic amidst packing but I hope to get a lot done over the next few weeks. Hopefully with a few things to show you again next month.

See you soon!
♥Heather

February

Hello everyone!

I can't believe it's February already and Toronto Comic Con is only a month (and some) away. So many things to make!

I spent practically all of January making Owl Mamas for the shops in Canada and the U.S. that carry them and I still have a few yet to restock. Lots of owl parts currently floating around my work table.

I did however manage to make this new Needling and I hope to have a few more new things for a mini shop update closer to the end of the month. I'll update you with a date when I'm feeling more committal.

Oh, I also set up a springform account so you can ask me questions if you'd like. You don't even have to tell me who you are! But please do because I'm sure you're lovely.

Talk soon!

Love,

Heather

January Shop Update

A month's worth of new stuff...

all in the shop today!

Happy January!

Toronto Comic Con

Just confirmed that I'll be at Toronto Comicon in March at one of the Artist Alley tables!

Mark your calendars!

I've never been to a comic book convention and never showed my stuff at an event this big so I'm excited to see what it's all about.

And even more happy to have two months to get lots of stuff made!

Plush Team Swap Goodies

The Plush Team put together a fun plush swap this year and I just have to share the amazing goodies I recieved from Chelsea of Love and a Sandwich!

Not only did I get this amazing little monster who is completely adorable in a yummy fuzzy rainbow sherbet way in a happy christmas parcel with a little monster drawing on the front...

Chelsea did this amazing drawing of both our owls hangin' out, that I just love!

AND

monster buttons!

I'm pretty sure we can all agree my swappee is totally awesome.

Thank you so much Chelsea!