tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347744482024-02-22T11:08:31.569-05:00chez sucre chezchez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.comBlogger833125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-79288441632299239632014-11-21T17:18:00.002-05:002014-11-21T17:18:48.652-05:00(radio silence)Oh hiiiiy. It's been a while, I know.... I'm sorry. <br />
I'm taking some time to adjust to all of the changes I've taken on over the past several months. It's taking me longer, and taking quite a bit more focus and energy than I'd anticipated. But things are falling into place. <br />
More soon!<br />
xo-kchez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-49244683628448076902014-06-25T14:32:00.000-04:002014-06-25T14:39:02.544-04:00Birthday Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkuggQQNDknXVpOyghunXwtVMKxXomVrm4Ga1PVZlW1oc5IEbYp9Ts_3M1byGw36p0baqXzWcgKecxpAIOB_tZHkXACXy8NtjwLUsMx3Gz4_X7aOiixvhMTsLaQ1PUWzIAEv72g/s1600/IMG_20130629_213512.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkuggQQNDknXVpOyghunXwtVMKxXomVrm4Ga1PVZlW1oc5IEbYp9Ts_3M1byGw36p0baqXzWcgKecxpAIOB_tZHkXACXy8NtjwLUsMx3Gz4_X7aOiixvhMTsLaQ1PUWzIAEv72g/s400/IMG_20130629_213512.jpg" /></a><br />
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Hey friends, it's my birthday, and I've got love to share --- my gift to you is an extra 15% off any item currently listed in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">the shop</a> (everything is on sale already, anyways, so this works out to be an extra deal!) AAAAnd, as I'm packing up the studio and finding LOTS of little treasures, and cool supplies, and other fun stuff, I'll add an extra surprise or two to your order envelope or box. You just need to use coupon code FABULOUS40 at checkout. (40, crazy, right?!)<br />
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In other news, I found an absolutely amazingly adorable little carriage house to move into for this next adventure in life. It is SOOOO completely quintessentially chez-sucre-chez; I am over-the-moon excited about it and can't wait to see how it inspires my work. If I made you think, in my last post, that chez-sucre-chez would be going away, let me assure you -- it isn't! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RCDA0q09YUr2x3Ta8LVG-jrv15Ep4aeeUwFlBofQ2EubsVWdZWWvZsGQs0bpdd9gc4H8NBrdLaO_h0nN8hK8qfaMgpmFHvJFn5oxh2wJbhbymnFUuZylOnqFo0Jg9zyTzrlQzQ/s1600/IMG_20140622_121627.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RCDA0q09YUr2x3Ta8LVG-jrv15Ep4aeeUwFlBofQ2EubsVWdZWWvZsGQs0bpdd9gc4H8NBrdLaO_h0nN8hK8qfaMgpmFHvJFn5oxh2wJbhbymnFUuZylOnqFo0Jg9zyTzrlQzQ/s200/IMG_20140622_121627.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEz4eiXk8JI3t-NTUuhSFWxom-ctMrHp4saK1vG4FJzaFMG_eKkplYE9Ys3XCwSRHP6RL2Q99TuJAGRPyJb3MBakIHSSILWmagrGYCW1Kxj6WzwoVSGchJgBXleaZr09HQcN45g/s1600/IMG_20140622_123204.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEz4eiXk8JI3t-NTUuhSFWxom-ctMrHp4saK1vG4FJzaFMG_eKkplYE9Ys3XCwSRHP6RL2Q99TuJAGRPyJb3MBakIHSSILWmagrGYCW1Kxj6WzwoVSGchJgBXleaZr09HQcN45g/s200/IMG_20140622_123204.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSfIrzLhd2rydkRYIzMRqhIu_A4tpG27oC7MNVKIFzxQKmKE6r61gK0zFO8RtjSxVmHlLLP9E8l_UEOjuBs7lpzhzqIUwA1LheNrug38RTSHHm3OmSDgW3xSY8otZzNiYAxXVg/s1600/IMG_20140622_133015.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSfIrzLhd2rydkRYIzMRqhIu_A4tpG27oC7MNVKIFzxQKmKE6r61gK0zFO8RtjSxVmHlLLP9E8l_UEOjuBs7lpzhzqIUwA1LheNrug38RTSHHm3OmSDgW3xSY8otZzNiYAxXVg/s200/IMG_20140622_133015.jpg" /></a><br />
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After Friday, the shop is going to be on break through to the next Wednesday. Any orders placed during that time will be shipped as soon as I'm back online. But really -- take advantage of that sale, and the extra 15% off, and the promise of an extra pressie in with your order! xo, friends. -k.chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-27467336056819050642014-06-17T07:59:00.001-04:002014-06-17T07:59:50.060-04:00Drumroll, pleaseOkay -- big news to share today, friends: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZRVuaHNzLEESGZPlFqXg68c0N5ArwxoPpse6zpTViLJxAPXF8h654GkeBlgG2Bz6m-DertdfZbeN-IldTpDEdt-DNuh4N0f46agUH_CD-5VlnVwZRE2H8-y4FySJ3Hq3UNKplQ/s1600/IMG_7413.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZRVuaHNzLEESGZPlFqXg68c0N5ArwxoPpse6zpTViLJxAPXF8h654GkeBlgG2Bz6m-DertdfZbeN-IldTpDEdt-DNuh4N0f46agUH_CD-5VlnVwZRE2H8-y4FySJ3Hq3UNKplQ/s640/IMG_7413.JPG" /></a><br />
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After over six years of doing chez-sucre-chez as my only full-time and regular means of income and employment, an opportunity has come up that I cannot refuse. I've been given the chance to pursue my one true other love as a maker -- baking. Come July, I will be the lead baker at a new coffee shop opening up in Flemington, New Jersey. <br />
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!!!<br />
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I know, right? It's kind of a big deal. At least, it's a big change. <br />
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First of all, it means that I'm going to have to move; the commute from here would just be too much - it's well over an hour each way. It's been a wonderful few years here at High Hill Farm and I hate to leave! And, frustratingly, I don't have anything lined up over there yet. Ugh! Any of you have any leads on a little house or apartment in the Flemington/Frenchtown/Lambertville area? Moving to New Jersey... yeah - not psyched on that...(I was born & raised there; I can say that!) I'd happily take a place over the river in Bucks county if I find anything available there. Fingers crossed that something good comes up - soon. <br />
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Second of all -- wow - what a change, from being my only boss and working from home, to going to work every day and having someone else really calling the shots! Whew!<br />
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FORTUNATELY, that boss is my sister and brother-in-law. They own and run the popular Blue Fish Grill in Flemington, and when, a year-ish ago they said they were planning on opening a coffee shop, my heart did a little flip-flop, as I quickly went to the daydream of being the one who makes the baked goods. I put it out there as almost a joke (but kind of not really a joke), and they went for it! I'm over-the-moon grateful that I come from the family that I do, and that, even without a culinary degree or even commercial kitchen experience, I've got peeps who believe in me and my capabilities. <br />
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If you've been following this blog or my instagram for a while, you probably know that baking (cooking in general, but baking especially) is something dear to me. As I've been thinking about it, it's been a cool realization that it is just a part of who I am. At my core, I am a maker -- creating and sharing what I do with others is pretty much what makes me feel most alive (tie with being on a dancefloor with some cocktails and my friends). <br />
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So, this is happening! <br />
However, I'm not leaving chez-sucre-chez behind! I love it way too much to even think about doing that. What I am looking forward to, though, is not having to rely on chez-sucre-chez so much as my only paycheck. I do admit, wracking my brain to come up with new products, and seeing the way that the world of small businesses like mine is evolving, was kind of starting to get to me. I think I've taken the business where I've wanted it to go, and without hiring other people, I don't think I can grow it much more than what it is. So --- without changing chez-sucre-chez, it's time for a new challenge for me. I'll be spending lots of hours in the kitchen, but then I'll have my beloved little chez-sucre-chez to come home to. The shop and wholesale business will remain unchanged. I think I may need to adjust for slightly longer turn-around time on custom work, but everything else should remain about the same. I'm actually looking forward to feeling some of the weight off of me, and hoping it'll provide the breathe of fresh air that I'm seeking, allowing me to breathe that into my creative stitch work. <br />
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But the next month is going to be nuts! As I'm packing up the studio (!!!), I am finding A LOT of work that is stitched up and ready to go - and really needs to go. Some of it is product left over from shows, like towels, napkins, bowl covers, and some other random products that I'd squirrelled away and forgotten about. The rest of it is stitched work. Friends, I do A LOT of stitching and often it's just for the sake of making a new design. A lot of that work never got put into the shop - but it's there now! I am a packrat and I get so attached to these things I spend such long hours stitching, but I can't take this all with me... I need to lighten the load of what is going with me. Hence, a MEGA SALE. If ever you've wanted a stitched piece by me, now is the time to go for it. Check out the items in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">the shop</a>, and, if there is anything you want that is not listed, any particular piece that you remember from somewhere or other that I'd done, get in touch -- chances are, I have it but just haven't listed it; seriously. <br />
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Kits are also on sale! I'm running the 3-for$30 deal through this Friday only. Then I'll be packing those things up. So stock up now for your summer projects! <br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-41758779970347371392014-06-14T09:09:00.000-04:002014-06-14T09:09:47.860-04:00moving sale!Hello friends! <br />
So -- big exciting things are in store for me & chez-sucre-chez, and I'll tell you aaaalll about it next week, but in the meantime, I just wanted to make you the first to know that through the next two weeks, I'll be having a big moving sale. I've gotta clear out the studio and I have SO MUCH STUFF that I'd rather send off to new homes than pack up and move with me. I have a lot more to go through, but I'm listing stuff as I find it and the first batch is up; a collection of stitched-and-ready-to-go towels and napkins: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Eq6mV1viF_9rf7tugQl0zjnyJeLjRLE-OT0YAIgdaZ8w_p9eLyMX778DdarCSvVClFJCyC1kC6O1uBWNKYzfTqz3g-WA_ZbJlXo_MeLDRpAW4cTYRxYdBDtC6lpgobdiYVEEOg/s1600/IMG_7363.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Eq6mV1viF_9rf7tugQl0zjnyJeLjRLE-OT0YAIgdaZ8w_p9eLyMX778DdarCSvVClFJCyC1kC6O1uBWNKYzfTqz3g-WA_ZbJlXo_MeLDRpAW4cTYRxYdBDtC6lpgobdiYVEEOg/s320/IMG_7363.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5neWmF-k5Y8gUDWzX5yQMtfEembRL-BYVoC514Ouk0ElofDQ6k2HIdEPBMefgUQIY1cbXcdOE38BntVOqN5joQOpyH9SNqzgvJK77XULdQYphwqTLvvQ-8FuKNQ5hNc9oW-p-VQ/s1600/IMG_7366.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5neWmF-k5Y8gUDWzX5yQMtfEembRL-BYVoC514Ouk0ElofDQ6k2HIdEPBMefgUQIY1cbXcdOE38BntVOqN5joQOpyH9SNqzgvJK77XULdQYphwqTLvvQ-8FuKNQ5hNc9oW-p-VQ/s320/IMG_7366.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YsczjA8nXxT2G6kIrJByfGumZ8p7x0fFpQqO6bhAcI3RI4NjTzMOo6e7sR_6es6H5BUJeVHykKxXd4s92k6br6bgW3XY0MO1hB7pM_1xZy_qdXPU_rUrghpQ2K0JrRshFtNmCQ/s1600/IMG_7367.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YsczjA8nXxT2G6kIrJByfGumZ8p7x0fFpQqO6bhAcI3RI4NjTzMOo6e7sR_6es6H5BUJeVHykKxXd4s92k6br6bgW3XY0MO1hB7pM_1xZy_qdXPU_rUrghpQ2K0JrRshFtNmCQ/s320/IMG_7367.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EP5Mpb6Kc4wpdBRaEsv0a1W8WJyEJCOkAe_Jr6s9eYjyQ4HudleP43pGdsH6zKVsTc82d3qt7LWL_QBdnqaU1Y45tgq1bTrUVp3z6sIujgMzSl336mXVDvkZH7hyphenhyphen5VLXLwFY_A/s1600/IMG_7368.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EP5Mpb6Kc4wpdBRaEsv0a1W8WJyEJCOkAe_Jr6s9eYjyQ4HudleP43pGdsH6zKVsTc82d3qt7LWL_QBdnqaU1Y45tgq1bTrUVp3z6sIujgMzSl336mXVDvkZH7hyphenhyphen5VLXLwFY_A/s320/IMG_7368.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2HeQZgDYr-nM5FQjtBMHAITb9am5K5u87Flg3skz51rCY4NMTmKNiuSaic9guAZGipQreJzghlR32Bz0wOr4IDTeN4cOaqq2DiR4M_HNfWhtbJV-A2WKdDbylxRlzWKIIqttQ/s1600/IMG_7370.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2HeQZgDYr-nM5FQjtBMHAITb9am5K5u87Flg3skz51rCY4NMTmKNiuSaic9guAZGipQreJzghlR32Bz0wOr4IDTeN4cOaqq2DiR4M_HNfWhtbJV-A2WKdDbylxRlzWKIIqttQ/s320/IMG_7370.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0CY4s8DAGQgXfqwDH8JrxvDfV46hhaDrMh4V5Uzhi9FShyHtjwVaJqLQSJdglHzUcaKbAZfKAznMvUQWG0kZReahlowJSV_TjEY0ZuOsyAmKVIkKdbL_x3JGUXFxW4lpmZIFqA/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0CY4s8DAGQgXfqwDH8JrxvDfV46hhaDrMh4V5Uzhi9FShyHtjwVaJqLQSJdglHzUcaKbAZfKAznMvUQWG0kZReahlowJSV_TjEY0ZuOsyAmKVIkKdbL_x3JGUXFxW4lpmZIFqA/s320/IMG_7371.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNgTvJjRH33-u2Ln2iQjJ2TwyLz3IVPS7y9m9dSwsJKn6RfjM2Z0psDnjBw0vajtNj10H8WMpPQ1wONMGOx4kONqeaq24efA-kUnri7hqzOocvpwRErQuJPoURjb49r5LUCMnyw/s1600/IMG_7372.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNgTvJjRH33-u2Ln2iQjJ2TwyLz3IVPS7y9m9dSwsJKn6RfjM2Z0psDnjBw0vajtNj10H8WMpPQ1wONMGOx4kONqeaq24efA-kUnri7hqzOocvpwRErQuJPoURjb49r5LUCMnyw/s320/IMG_7372.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnqdMAY-kN2QUHqPcrKHVN2peCS2l5u1rcg8yympEQ2VsfCFk2mZc8TplCY0erpthzuOtfoH77tsyeOnpl52yBBDuEy6K_V5Kmqcsr2HhwmCupQQ_NUXwJcPxDUrmTXPvXYLSzQ/s1600/IMG_7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnqdMAY-kN2QUHqPcrKHVN2peCS2l5u1rcg8yympEQ2VsfCFk2mZc8TplCY0erpthzuOtfoH77tsyeOnpl52yBBDuEy6K_V5Kmqcsr2HhwmCupQQ_NUXwJcPxDUrmTXPvXYLSzQ/s320/IMG_7374.JPG" /></a><br />
If any of these is your color/letter combination, snap it up! See all listings in the shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">here</a>. And tune in early next week for the big news! xxoo. chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-40833646799483276692014-06-06T18:16:00.001-04:002014-06-06T18:16:07.734-04:00study in golds & greys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRmkBKZNg_KQ9zTxC7vj5IcW2LmJj9Ix9XhAC63yFaG4EE_RRf3ZQOvPn-ZHTq_xaYMQdyaI_VeA0O3jzEV6FxsvmucO915z046YbYulud981mMn5uF-88YFoMePDiO_Nh5iIKg/s1600/IMG_7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRmkBKZNg_KQ9zTxC7vj5IcW2LmJj9Ix9XhAC63yFaG4EE_RRf3ZQOvPn-ZHTq_xaYMQdyaI_VeA0O3jzEV6FxsvmucO915z046YbYulud981mMn5uF-88YFoMePDiO_Nh5iIKg/s640/IMG_7340.JPG" /></a><br />
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Do you ever get an image or an idea in your head and then have it stay there for days until you finally make that image or idea happen? That's where this, above, came from. I'd been seeing this combination of greys and golds... knowing that I wanted to put it together with those white flowers that are now blooming in our yard, against a dark background of black, and I couldn't go on with normal work until I did it. Phew! <br />
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The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/190709827/stay-gold-framed-original-cross-stitch?ref=shop_home_active_4">Stay Gold</a> piece is a new version I did last week or so, from a design I've <a href="http://chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2012/07/shine-like-new-pin.html">done before</a> but love so much I can't let it go. :) I'd actually found and bought the frame weeks ago (hello, Home Goods!), and that was the inspiration. I'd long thought about doing this one with yellow-gold stitching on grey -- the same combination as the popular Ring Around the Posey kit. So many people remark on that color combination at craft fairs and such, and I just recently used it for a custom piece -- it seemed like the perfect colors to put in the frame. <br />
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The Life is Beautiful piece is actually a poster print. Before I sold the original stitched piece, I had it scanned and then later had a few digital prints made up. I was hoping that this would be an easier process and that I'd be able to do this with a lot of my designs on a regular basis. Other people who make and sell prints make it look so easy; this was not the case with my work! The colors were never quite perfectly right, and I just didn't have the patience to keep on trying. So, I gave up on the business of making and selling digital prints -- but I <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/192149381/life-is-beautiful-11x17-digital-poster?ref=shop_home_active_1">still have a few left over</a>! Though they never met my expectations of perfectly fancy prints, they are terrific for a *much* less expensive piece of home decor. I actually like them as a more casual decorating option. They do work in a frame, 11x17 - which isn't as common as 11x14, but it is a standard size -- but I like these prints when tacked up on a wall with a collection of other scraps of memorabilia and art. I don't have any bright pink washi tape, but I bet it'd look really cool anchoring the corners! <br />
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The top circular hoop piece is my stitched sample of the Ring Around the Posey kit -- available as a DIY in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/81926120/diy-cross-stitch-patternkit-yellow?ref=shop_home_active_5">here</a>. The little cloud next to it is one of my one-of-a-kind silver-lined clouds, and it's also <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186308248/tiny-silver-lined-cloud-hand-embroidered?ref=shop_home_active_7">currently available</a> in the shop. Right about in the middle is a chippy-yellow-paint vintage metal embroidery hoop with my favourite fabric of the moment dispayed inside. And in the hoop below is a vintage applique that B brought home from a yardsale for me last weekend; I stitched it onto a piece of linen and framed it in the hoop. <br />
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Hip hip hooray for making things happen! And now, I've gotta get back to all that work that I was only half-doing while my mind was so distracted with this project. Happy weekend, friends!<br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-37104949923614237122014-06-02T21:52:00.000-04:002014-06-02T21:52:47.126-04:00rolling up the walls, or maybe everything but the walls?If you've received a package from me in the last year or so, it's quite likely that the envelope was decorated with a patterned roller. I am a little obsessed with these things, and since a few of you have asked, I figured I'd share my experience with them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqyNsvTC9a6cWOSkQR8xK0Las7Zlld-fylWZcSxndNPgeiEpBc4x7z4e8p_OK23ge0PWk47by6nYQT2TNTEbq9LAXhUDT8k097BY_hrvN43uS8-WbPS1IDoBVe6D17NFE6hDapQ/s1600/IMG_7301.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqyNsvTC9a6cWOSkQR8xK0Las7Zlld-fylWZcSxndNPgeiEpBc4x7z4e8p_OK23ge0PWk47by6nYQT2TNTEbq9LAXhUDT8k097BY_hrvN43uS8-WbPS1IDoBVe6D17NFE6hDapQ/s320/IMG_7301.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5FTV9KTRUuVPfg5SDVY2f7Da_lgGrFQAvifDzASQ654ZfaPRYK7T0jY3xNvrLBvsAlHcEzGN105ERq-fKqrPc_1mc915EJgP1icV_mU49irXr_q1a2LBDhK-5f7fjS2RkIY3wg/s1600/IMG_7304.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5FTV9KTRUuVPfg5SDVY2f7Da_lgGrFQAvifDzASQ654ZfaPRYK7T0jY3xNvrLBvsAlHcEzGN105ERq-fKqrPc_1mc915EJgP1icV_mU49irXr_q1a2LBDhK-5f7fjS2RkIY3wg/s320/IMG_7304.jpg" /></a><br />
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These paint rollers are made of some rubber-like material, and they work such that you attach them to an applicator handle along with a foam roller brush, then once the foam roller is loaded with paint, you roll the patterned roller across your surface and voila, you're left with something pretty fancy! (*Note -- in the above photos, I'd just "charged" the foam roller with paint, and then not yet attached the patterned roller onto the applicator.) Also note -- I use the top of a Walker's Shortbread Tin as my palette, which I've been doing for years. Works great! <br />
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By this point, I've built up a little collection. I've gotten them all from Etsy from a few different sellers. <br />
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My first order was from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/patternedpaintroller">The Painted House</a>, which seems to be maybe one of the original shops to sell these things on Etsy. I had seen <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/109883377/no-6-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=shop_home_feat_2">this deer print</a> somewhere (probably an Etsy home page feature) and I HAD TO HAVE IT. Since this was my first order, I had to get the applicator and a foam roller as well, and as it was shipping from the UK, I opted to get more bang for my buck by adding on another roller. I forget which one I tried to get originally, but it was sold out, so I went with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/109883331/no-7-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=shop_home_active_10">this one</a>. In my opinion, The Painted House is the best shop to order from. It is pricey to have items shipped here from the UK, but the quality of their rollers really is superb. I didn't know there would be such a difference until I ordered from some of the other shops; there is. The Painted House also offers good youtube tutorials, which were really helpful in figuring out how to best to get started with using these things. (I found it super helpful that they recommend you add a bit of water to your paint to make it the consistency of heavy cream -- it does make a difference!)<br />
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I love using the deer print around the winter holidays - it feels festive and warm and old-timey classic.<br />
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I've used it to make patterned wrapping paper and gift tags:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaskZLfA5mEjT68CECq-qidwqiFzdFdlRPrydS-Yml3zuCLR45Ryqpj2sHvnnaPXpLZ-XLli4u5RcFIBmpksV-A-DqFbnBy9ubGM4aNlsJeLLqL6q1ru71Og-sXVSnh8hDXpxKg/s1600/IMG_6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaskZLfA5mEjT68CECq-qidwqiFzdFdlRPrydS-Yml3zuCLR45Ryqpj2sHvnnaPXpLZ-XLli4u5RcFIBmpksV-A-DqFbnBy9ubGM4aNlsJeLLqL6q1ru71Og-sXVSnh8hDXpxKg/s400/IMG_6554.JPG" /></a><br />
You can use just about any roll of paper and go over it with the roller. Earlier in the year (or last Christmas?) I used a roll of thinner Ikea wrapping paper, and it worked great. This year, I used thicker kraft paper, which I love.... (I also used tea towels for a lot of my holiday wrapping this past year - love a multi-use eco-friendly package!)<br />
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And I used it on my holiday craft fair display boards:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bEqJt_XPO2qshwvL1qHL-tEGgz-CIwavMarvdF8EhyphenhypheneUOs2wXGCtUYQ7QZtyrNdv6qxtroXdRD5vmQL0hc6I5Geg0SFJu6buB4Mtmp2KWvfLKF5CuYP0fGJX_7evWoVPOM-1uQ/s1600/IMG_20131208_114312.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bEqJt_XPO2qshwvL1qHL-tEGgz-CIwavMarvdF8EhyphenhypheneUOs2wXGCtUYQ7QZtyrNdv6qxtroXdRD5vmQL0hc6I5Geg0SFJu6buB4Mtmp2KWvfLKF5CuYP0fGJX_7evWoVPOM-1uQ/s400/IMG_20131208_114312.jpg" /></a><br />
The boards I use are that thin wood stuff that you can get at Home Depot type stores; they're lightweight and look polished enough on their own. I've had so many of these through the years of doing craft shows; painting them, repainting them, drilling holes, and more holes and more.... They come in handy for product photos, too. <br />
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And I love using the deer print to pretty-up my holiday orders. Since I started decorating my envelopes so many years ago (remember <a href="http://chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2009/03/leaves-of-grass.html">these</a> and <a href="http://chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2008/07/bags-of-clouds.html">these</a> and <a href="http://chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2013/04/roses-redux.html">these</a> and <a href="http://chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2009/01/crowning-moment.html">these</a>?) I hate sending out a plain envelope! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpQgWV7qPAqZ66MoZIGUK6BGsNTSacIaQt0KgXrHkqG67oesWHU810bCa9laN3kBJeAVaSgkFNDOLl5m-uHS3aziX9sOfW1omlKIllgnkHzV1HVyrIiqekWoeM5uiJGDSk3d7pg/s1600/IMG_20131120_112708.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpQgWV7qPAqZ66MoZIGUK6BGsNTSacIaQt0KgXrHkqG67oesWHU810bCa9laN3kBJeAVaSgkFNDOLl5m-uHS3aziX9sOfW1omlKIllgnkHzV1HVyrIiqekWoeM5uiJGDSk3d7pg/s320/IMG_20131120_112708.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWipkGamCO0adasUcaHgiAfeP8OUmdJehwW9-9SVnBJiNSNOhJtARj1k1FPtSF1utMWDGC7toGfo_z-SwsJM48bopPIj_O4ll9_-wAXri7QBM_0neIsfFo_NThxpHraZxfUmNQg/s1600/IMG_20131130_100949.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWipkGamCO0adasUcaHgiAfeP8OUmdJehwW9-9SVnBJiNSNOhJtARj1k1FPtSF1utMWDGC7toGfo_z-SwsJM48bopPIj_O4ll9_-wAXri7QBM_0neIsfFo_NThxpHraZxfUmNQg/s320/IMG_20131130_100949.jpg" /></a><br />
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We even used the deer print to fancy-up our <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=washers+game&nord=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=hCiNU_zULNLJsQSmzIDADg&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1148&bih=614">Washers set</a>. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL9k0zxHhQ7-TiPyKG4t03yG4yWlXKSBmsF1jb4ktdSq7_QtG87_hUDJjro1wT911BBVIxDVg_WnZpXqcBDGMS3W6M-9TRgAwHGLghzP1sDZCp6rLQd9yNNEDtC5DPKReVyjtZQ/s1600/IMG_5613.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL9k0zxHhQ7-TiPyKG4t03yG4yWlXKSBmsF1jb4ktdSq7_QtG87_hUDJjro1wT911BBVIxDVg_WnZpXqcBDGMS3W6M-9TRgAwHGLghzP1sDZCp6rLQd9yNNEDtC5DPKReVyjtZQ/s400/IMG_5613.JPG" /></a><br />
Do you know this game? Ha - I think it's a Jersey thing, but heck, it's fun!<br />
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And here's the other pattern printed on kraft paper:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISv3Bwp5u6MNIZNXhZm9DB2e-brusG0oR_MCBI_tr3DgiyjgISTqy_vGYFltBD3M55uiV87ILQoKmL-A5wE1BD_b10Im8jWw3zlqg4n_9-VwPl1q0_iUl9WLslB2rJsiNBnVECw/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISv3Bwp5u6MNIZNXhZm9DB2e-brusG0oR_MCBI_tr3DgiyjgISTqy_vGYFltBD3M55uiV87ILQoKmL-A5wE1BD_b10Im8jWw3zlqg4n_9-VwPl1q0_iUl9WLslB2rJsiNBnVECw/s320/IMG_4576.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6JqPH38bOyoQo71eToMzdzPWtXCCJzQBIAMwcdUCb1a4cg8xizIHQCtrKtxNAZdjuxa1P7BnsegWN3ibdcWm2r9tzxBjQZyJ-Zd3KMiCkQI1yCFMSDfYp2PI6VhQoxIRGnHF6w/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6JqPH38bOyoQo71eToMzdzPWtXCCJzQBIAMwcdUCb1a4cg8xizIHQCtrKtxNAZdjuxa1P7BnsegWN3ibdcWm2r9tzxBjQZyJ-Zd3KMiCkQI1yCFMSDfYp2PI6VhQoxIRGnHF6w/s320/IMG_5296.JPG" /></a><br />
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And then in the same colors but here on those wood panels:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKmrzsJdBw6OfPDhE03nB9Xy-4FHfL_y1G09Idh9CLca16ZyT_QA2dJGqa32Oe_h5PE4P1Pk3yALn4KbL8hvXKBcX4KQIDitRPX3yfFHSaN49N01rV5IbttxJQpTOo3j6LMpwng/s1600/IMG_4463.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKmrzsJdBw6OfPDhE03nB9Xy-4FHfL_y1G09Idh9CLca16ZyT_QA2dJGqa32Oe_h5PE4P1Pk3yALn4KbL8hvXKBcX4KQIDitRPX3yfFHSaN49N01rV5IbttxJQpTOo3j6LMpwng/s320/IMG_4463.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oSJOCYkca40tpGUlTOg8TC4lRCc0e0mLuGYBU5WOSSx_MIpcsloSOdBXCI71b0Z_Qog9MtTD3A3wzjNpwe-hnvuAO3OLeq_RhsT44X87lB0WrfK0x7uw3MIoQFUgs9YshnTPyQ/s1600/IMG_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oSJOCYkca40tpGUlTOg8TC4lRCc0e0mLuGYBU5WOSSx_MIpcsloSOdBXCI71b0Z_Qog9MtTD3A3wzjNpwe-hnvuAO3OLeq_RhsT44X87lB0WrfK0x7uw3MIoQFUgs9YshnTPyQ/s320/IMG_5350.JPG" /></a><br />
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By the time I was ready for my second batch of rollers (new designs! I wanted new designs! I wanted MORE!), some other sellers had started offering them on Etsy. (I gotta say, I'm not quite sure how these qualify to be sold on Etsy -- they're not hand-made by any of these shops... but maybe because they're a supply to make pretty creative things?)<br />
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My second order came from <a href="http://www.notwallpaper.com/">Not Wallpaper</a>, which seems to no longer be on Etsy. It looks like they're selling from their own site now. And I *think* that they're based in the US, which is good, because the shipping charges are lower. I got the <a href="http://www.notwallpaper.com/products/patterned-paint-roller-in-sweet-sea-roses-design-wall-stencil-decor">Sea Roses</a> roller from them and I love love love it. <br />
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We rent our apartment, and my landlord is a little particular about the walls and wall colors, so I couldn't just go nuts and start rollering the whole house.. but I did create a wall of temporary wallpaper for a Spring photoshoot last year. I turned our bedroom upside down for a few days - it was fun! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWnUXG2rZDV1nRJ2Vyoj3rfRfJ_Wny4ZnfWZCtg1YD4eAd6lY88OySOUwMuHw5kAU8kBTKfs515dHZBS6w-HrVSnn4fAT-fltIwvERMUAdFsjLntzqpJ4ZSGU4cvF5MmzwnZmJw/s1600/IMAG1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWnUXG2rZDV1nRJ2Vyoj3rfRfJ_Wny4ZnfWZCtg1YD4eAd6lY88OySOUwMuHw5kAU8kBTKfs515dHZBS6w-HrVSnn4fAT-fltIwvERMUAdFsjLntzqpJ4ZSGU4cvF5MmzwnZmJw/s400/IMAG1847.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ0rZkUow4PNS5ZieHXJx6ccSCs919OW17ChCo86J4Czx5uA-lq8HX8Eb1c-7ff1kOvTs-eVSV2-Y_UeHGMYJomSXkp8nYUJoWZOSofKxI0-L05arG8bP4T8g8yPg2IkO9TSvwg/s1600/IMG_5473.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ0rZkUow4PNS5ZieHXJx6ccSCs919OW17ChCo86J4Czx5uA-lq8HX8Eb1c-7ff1kOvTs-eVSV2-Y_UeHGMYJomSXkp8nYUJoWZOSofKxI0-L05arG8bP4T8g8yPg2IkO9TSvwg/s400/IMG_5473.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOL4i-5FVqN5GJk_xn_rJ0qimrGC2mGRklvg_T21wujiUO1Z2dww9y8uXlZpZowr5ARy_Xhs_pN2K3NFjoaAurt7kI2UTvoH0kzxS7YWold7f8Qp6CunQqIFh_5mSskX8BWbknw/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOL4i-5FVqN5GJk_xn_rJ0qimrGC2mGRklvg_T21wujiUO1Z2dww9y8uXlZpZowr5ARy_Xhs_pN2K3NFjoaAurt7kI2UTvoH0kzxS7YWold7f8Qp6CunQqIFh_5mSskX8BWbknw/s400/IMG_5671.JPG" /></a><br />
See what goes on behind the scenes?! Smoke and mirrors, my friends - smoke and mirrors. :) I'd rolled the designs onto a wide roll of white paper -- it worked just like wallpaper, actually, except that I was attaching it to the walls with lots and lots of masking tape which I was mostly able to hide out-of-frame. After the shoot, I used the paper to wrap up packages that got sent in the mail. <br />
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I've also used the rose print for regular packaging materials, both the envelopes and the inner wrapping paper:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFTS6lo4EJOJSgdefG9BumDDqBg-YC-RYP-DE2bvyWJdln5ZeTDtHR6DP0-ajRKNwCGCe-3T1CsoH2euYJfcLNo2uxHrfPVRQhjaXF6V0-NJ5uzm4BV_o86AUoNXkOmrHfXIORQ/s1600/IMAG2941.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFTS6lo4EJOJSgdefG9BumDDqBg-YC-RYP-DE2bvyWJdln5ZeTDtHR6DP0-ajRKNwCGCe-3T1CsoH2euYJfcLNo2uxHrfPVRQhjaXF6V0-NJ5uzm4BV_o86AUoNXkOmrHfXIORQ/s320/IMAG2941.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43fDeVqhULNzlPzVkN2PMJ4pg4tRIsUb65_WWEFB8zm4eepUZ3BkfNAWk01fdZel0m6SUZxQl6FQaQzKokjit9OBL11JmWHkA21G5SGViWPuPK28XA_BPeQ1sk18LYj3YdudwiQ/s1600/IMAG2960.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43fDeVqhULNzlPzVkN2PMJ4pg4tRIsUb65_WWEFB8zm4eepUZ3BkfNAWk01fdZel0m6SUZxQl6FQaQzKokjit9OBL11JmWHkA21G5SGViWPuPK28XA_BPeQ1sk18LYj3YdudwiQ/s320/IMAG2960.jpg" /></a><br />
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And I used it to make washi-tape for wrapping up a batch of my home-made sea salt caramels:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDEb9s8RS2pN3yOUkCmecDsAMRAohDR1RsmcnUCY2bYPzIyuUQnacwkzeWyguJdL5Cn68eaSa4NHo_ZDhGyoY4Hdkkr6dwwzT-M6tgyLSUno1EAe6my2QL1eRd3vF6Kn6yV9Zew/s1600/IMAG2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDEb9s8RS2pN3yOUkCmecDsAMRAohDR1RsmcnUCY2bYPzIyuUQnacwkzeWyguJdL5Cn68eaSa4NHo_ZDhGyoY4Hdkkr6dwwzT-M6tgyLSUno1EAe6my2QL1eRd3vF6Kn6yV9Zew/s320/IMAG2968.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038W1JEBwPRwwFZVMfYHVJx1vCGWXEFCffW_h3GQxHaNf-axkOEMujh3QRO9N4UrYYR7eoNM_HWHaLLwoxBKnA_Kv_1WErTByXfwqkagqfJQpDEKI9Opk2IooHdxNJb-MDiCORw/s1600/IMG_6650.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038W1JEBwPRwwFZVMfYHVJx1vCGWXEFCffW_h3GQxHaNf-axkOEMujh3QRO9N4UrYYR7eoNM_HWHaLLwoxBKnA_Kv_1WErTByXfwqkagqfJQpDEKI9Opk2IooHdxNJb-MDiCORw/s320/IMG_6650.jpg" /></a><br />
Note -- washi tape, both commercial and home-made, does not stick so well to parchment paper.. But it does look pretty! <br />
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The last order I did was from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/patternpaintrollers?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Paint and Courage</a>, which is based out of Slovakia. The designs that they carry are fantastic, and I found their prices and shipping charges really reasonable, so I went ahead and ordered another two rollers -- <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174478867/patterned-paint-roller-no1-from-paint?ref=shop_home_active_12">this one</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174612028/patterned-paint-roller-no9-from-paint?ref=shop_home_active_9">this one</a>. It was actually really hard for me to narrow it down to two -- they have so many good ones! Shipping was quick and customer service was great, but I was a little surprised to see that the quality of these ones was not the same as the other orders I'd placed. They're still *good* -- still great for so many projects, but just not quite as clean as the others; there are some seams and bumps that ideally wouldn't be there. <br />
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This was my most recent order, so I haven't done too much with either of these yet, but they have shown up in some of my product shots, and I've used both on batches of shipping envelopes: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvdI7D6kZzwRqqhz2fz-EnYz9tduAC8MWKy9BiTa1i4a6bptJ0aYtpgcZWFtXTFnoxnqUORNsbXrXa03SbuiJUhBscoM2qzGFvrnchIx5Yh3WaqkH96w-NihWkV9EYquxkycCzQ/s1600/IMG_6761.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvdI7D6kZzwRqqhz2fz-EnYz9tduAC8MWKy9BiTa1i4a6bptJ0aYtpgcZWFtXTFnoxnqUORNsbXrXa03SbuiJUhBscoM2qzGFvrnchIx5Yh3WaqkH96w-NihWkV9EYquxkycCzQ/s400/IMG_6761.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPHle9dUrG5VoJeFz1xnBBOExLQZUSEWivIK702Fv3DxVbq6QbOilV5G8ykDvveiARcP8WnQ_sznZ9Hm3M3AsdnO7bmXz674UOR3Z14KswQ2R9Rb1oiXrYR143eR0awUdJLzRZw/s1600/IMG_6810.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPHle9dUrG5VoJeFz1xnBBOExLQZUSEWivIK702Fv3DxVbq6QbOilV5G8ykDvveiARcP8WnQ_sznZ9Hm3M3AsdnO7bmXz674UOR3Z14KswQ2R9Rb1oiXrYR143eR0awUdJLzRZw/s400/IMG_6810.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ts8yvFEDVITMNUIvTCx_92zEXGzSi0VnWOPGz94zyb2khPPFroRkcs0l0rnf09tfvOpSFJUWk0-gXUJ0KWcht3U7t_MbDThZEdZzUlQv5pXyDFslM0ZNt99NLC1VfEkzAZZpoQ/s1600/IMG_7216.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ts8yvFEDVITMNUIvTCx_92zEXGzSi0VnWOPGz94zyb2khPPFroRkcs0l0rnf09tfvOpSFJUWk0-gXUJ0KWcht3U7t_MbDThZEdZzUlQv5pXyDFslM0ZNt99NLC1VfEkzAZZpoQ/s400/IMG_7216.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm definitely feeling about ready for some new designs, but I haven't been able to decide yet which I like best. Oh -- significant to note, maybe, is that the rollers and applicators from these three shops have all been interchangeable - they're all the same width and depth, or at least really close. I know that there are other shops out there that carry these things, but these are all that I can vouch for... Have you tried these at all? Or something similar? If you've got any tips or other sources, I'd love to hear about them! chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-42816470499373542192014-05-08T15:44:00.002-04:002014-05-08T15:44:25.036-04:00Rediscovered Travel Inspiration (Barcelona)I'm a pretty terrible blogger anymore, huh? I'm sorry! I've written a score of blog posts in my head over the past week or two or three, and none of them have made it here yet. Ooops. <br />
Really, if you're ever looking to see what chez-sucre-chez is up to, the best place to find me these days is on Instagram (user name chezsucrechez) - and if you don't have a smarty phone or an Instagram account, you can always see what I've been posting via the Instagram link on the chez-sucre-chez website, <a href="http://chezsucrechez.com/instagram">here</a>. :)<br />
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For today, I just wanted to check in and post a few random shots that I found while digging around on my old hard-drive. <br />
The following are from a trip to Spain that I took way back in 2004 with one of my best friends. We visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Güell">Park Guell</a> in Barcelona, which was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, and I was just so taken by the broken tile mosaics that make up the large bench that runs through the square. <br />
The colors and patterns of old dishes/crockery has long been an inspiration for me and my work. In fact, I recently did an interview for a magazine (which I still need to post here on the blog), and that very thing, old dishes, was one of the items I listed as my inspiration. I'd completely forgotten these photos I snapped and the sense of wonder and excitement that I felt when I first saw this work in person at Park Guell. I'm glad I stumbled upon these photos today!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zjEotrPhMAYjULfW2y4TO0aIvJ6LIbeqavlXUjoUL213mEs6um4m74Qk0IcsIQg0rURT-0w8JESu2_Ru8QY_JoSroEZK9nLLfWBNZAij22Jb1IYhmlXO2ykr4XT3YYhJoCAR2w/s1600/123-2321_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zjEotrPhMAYjULfW2y4TO0aIvJ6LIbeqavlXUjoUL213mEs6um4m74Qk0IcsIQg0rURT-0w8JESu2_Ru8QY_JoSroEZK9nLLfWBNZAij22Jb1IYhmlXO2ykr4XT3YYhJoCAR2w/s320/123-2321_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_39MZKQXEmJM6iOgfRcTcgC0uN8LR4gV_3V7HO_PyljlmxLHG8URvQ3H_oh-RacJtWzKIZpvnqZ8xUrDV6YGIw_wVo1aPTSIwDG1bspt_3VEqwTm2AcCc3vCGaFaLlGAGwdTCQ/s1600/123-2322_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_39MZKQXEmJM6iOgfRcTcgC0uN8LR4gV_3V7HO_PyljlmxLHG8URvQ3H_oh-RacJtWzKIZpvnqZ8xUrDV6YGIw_wVo1aPTSIwDG1bspt_3VEqwTm2AcCc3vCGaFaLlGAGwdTCQ/s320/123-2322_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhrKo2frNKY9SnBcJMfXFNRBaJJuyvZ6bNz8e9MqlxTpcYDuUYiPBfaeNPVSqf_I4EG_hTohHCjpEmO0xL6i7v1esbZwM0mzhbDVrbxRzf8eLtS5l8_ZHODIu9_HUJnzhmxXORQ/s1600/123-2325_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhrKo2frNKY9SnBcJMfXFNRBaJJuyvZ6bNz8e9MqlxTpcYDuUYiPBfaeNPVSqf_I4EG_hTohHCjpEmO0xL6i7v1esbZwM0mzhbDVrbxRzf8eLtS5l8_ZHODIu9_HUJnzhmxXORQ/s320/123-2325_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgbbbB0CUH2wM6lLdGnH-sGd1ybCgxdWlxN8fQga-Mr6bEeg25a9DB_sJx2-FsTW9E2tufuQzqoZaNUqFrSO4XgIZ1PValOOjU220iw2YLFstTO5N1Pb5roembwEwfkm54sUNZA/s1600/123-2330_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgbbbB0CUH2wM6lLdGnH-sGd1ybCgxdWlxN8fQga-Mr6bEeg25a9DB_sJx2-FsTW9E2tufuQzqoZaNUqFrSO4XgIZ1PValOOjU220iw2YLFstTO5N1Pb5roembwEwfkm54sUNZA/s320/123-2330_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsocRyvdNzW1I4jmnMHCmoaE6VPna_DP-iIJxlNlRrCgwpMv-oXzDmjzxv7v90Mb3FTUy5CLknNECqpr3rf5msIiHp3lBqXkQjgJJknmVTiU46YxcaxpRrVIiDSE2nGDsJyVfglg/s1600/123-2323_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsocRyvdNzW1I4jmnMHCmoaE6VPna_DP-iIJxlNlRrCgwpMv-oXzDmjzxv7v90Mb3FTUy5CLknNECqpr3rf5msIiHp3lBqXkQjgJJknmVTiU46YxcaxpRrVIiDSE2nGDsJyVfglg/s320/123-2323_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGbrDhgYk64H1cXXnCA7AsjZUOMjpH3WppZZv4a2Nn0MjkgKuU33vsOqysOvkyN2gl433GR1G-r6KoTGLY3AuILvmaAQXFA6czcgUm7Pg5nqVub67ZQUfOSo8N_qmg32SfzM_cg/s1600/123-2324_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGbrDhgYk64H1cXXnCA7AsjZUOMjpH3WppZZv4a2Nn0MjkgKuU33vsOqysOvkyN2gl433GR1G-r6KoTGLY3AuILvmaAQXFA6czcgUm7Pg5nqVub67ZQUfOSo8N_qmg32SfzM_cg/s320/123-2324_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqaTfkER-m5swmXjy4ZY-l3TXcJXe-zos3Bb7IegmaTBK1mW0qavjAHrJn2FfVI4jGmHC6ONr2grfpIqXajpq9jPUiccAlyFp4blIgvllIZAUv12J6QMG_9yWrUHzD2C0pOMgUw/s1600/123-2326_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqaTfkER-m5swmXjy4ZY-l3TXcJXe-zos3Bb7IegmaTBK1mW0qavjAHrJn2FfVI4jGmHC6ONr2grfpIqXajpq9jPUiccAlyFp4blIgvllIZAUv12J6QMG_9yWrUHzD2C0pOMgUw/s320/123-2326_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W78USHwzH_ksupXzM0wkhPcS6m2kYizDFxR-e2AkoS2IyKx0Eu7xjtErVMJX6iXHtgCxpQoXyAYsdGBPEvxeJ5eEDK5J7Rj7TwP4c8qqvE7o8TFcc7fZyybXysGthqRTz2w8nQ/s1600/123-2327_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W78USHwzH_ksupXzM0wkhPcS6m2kYizDFxR-e2AkoS2IyKx0Eu7xjtErVMJX6iXHtgCxpQoXyAYsdGBPEvxeJ5eEDK5J7Rj7TwP4c8qqvE7o8TFcc7fZyybXysGthqRTz2w8nQ/s320/123-2327_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v9Y6_deE6QpN_PEmpL4I9gJ3mCV8d0luG2IHr6tyb_nFGk7TZft8104_dfNPrPP94Snd9vjU2_fPLRomps3TgtILkcXXP83Zi7k2rBDHvwfglx7fUwKR2opFmZQBuGpApL4_Tw/s1600/123-2328_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v9Y6_deE6QpN_PEmpL4I9gJ3mCV8d0luG2IHr6tyb_nFGk7TZft8104_dfNPrPP94Snd9vjU2_fPLRomps3TgtILkcXXP83Zi7k2rBDHvwfglx7fUwKR2opFmZQBuGpApL4_Tw/s320/123-2328_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BoVmgKafWhJDLMtEXBJWcD0xiiOjZeN0uLnQY-NxWwxyHV9tPGkles77GchciFAZv3UnZ_n92Lty_heZ6vRug76rz9Ry74mN-3ZBao6TNtF3rZrkYrfqLA_DMHsTT_KqcUkpTQ/s1600/123-2329_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BoVmgKafWhJDLMtEXBJWcD0xiiOjZeN0uLnQY-NxWwxyHV9tPGkles77GchciFAZv3UnZ_n92Lty_heZ6vRug76rz9Ry74mN-3ZBao6TNtF3rZrkYrfqLA_DMHsTT_KqcUkpTQ/s320/123-2329_IMG.JPG" /></a><br />
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These other ones were taken at the bird market on Las Ramblas. As an animal-lover, I'm not sure how I feel about the bird market (I wonder if it's even still there?) but I did love seeing all of those colorful birds. My photos weren't quite what I was going for; it's tough to capture those quick-moving birds through the bars of the cages - but I actually like how they came out kind of blurred and strangely cropped...Made me think of the boxes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Cornell">Joseph Cornell</a>. Looking at them now, I'm swooning over the colors and patterns of those feathers -- all of the subtle gradations and irregular markings. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep8njSsCFdsQ0g1hBl1N2G_-SWKGb414inNTcgA3CCR2fzfUo6YB4ryXf2fTsYNIXjb6knxW4tkTPnpptkRFjCq6_RL7T3TK-4UvPjku09RWi2UwfoTq4MK9pbxJt9JlxuGZdtQ/s1600/123-2342_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep8njSsCFdsQ0g1hBl1N2G_-SWKGb414inNTcgA3CCR2fzfUo6YB4ryXf2fTsYNIXjb6knxW4tkTPnpptkRFjCq6_RL7T3TK-4UvPjku09RWi2UwfoTq4MK9pbxJt9JlxuGZdtQ/s320/123-2342_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JHAsDdZj4LBUtblgMEK5sMC-d8A1-QoEDkCUfEXY3m7Z3jcir0hiLnYmpT2en9a1CPYSO6iVNQluEpfAE2avzhpp2mkv194FFMZ7Rhl1kNMvODrN1ky9sc_nDTMcPvME8pYpMw/s1600/123-2346_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JHAsDdZj4LBUtblgMEK5sMC-d8A1-QoEDkCUfEXY3m7Z3jcir0hiLnYmpT2en9a1CPYSO6iVNQluEpfAE2avzhpp2mkv194FFMZ7Rhl1kNMvODrN1ky9sc_nDTMcPvME8pYpMw/s320/123-2346_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsRjhZ1scKomlUguLViS0xUWlAexnxlIoh_CuR8v1RbT6K2bSVyb_VDH9EvpVrtHTzdHxXhO2gPrkwjF4Hv_qUBj6OaNZf0z9w0B3Z6puVo0xCE7-W74_kkzHgJrP-9-8zwFlXw/s1600/123-2344_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsRjhZ1scKomlUguLViS0xUWlAexnxlIoh_CuR8v1RbT6K2bSVyb_VDH9EvpVrtHTzdHxXhO2gPrkwjF4Hv_qUBj6OaNZf0z9w0B3Z6puVo0xCE7-W74_kkzHgJrP-9-8zwFlXw/s320/123-2344_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq40iyanBoFnaVDPut-iMe3pkWByRt3iRXDqWzsw3gGqYAWnOU_CbALIzBSHoQ57ih1f90c44sgPwNsICRwg-1YZOl-AW7EbSTqzCryaNUf3rFHL6b6ueXoh4ovy5fiFYW1LYow/s1600/123-2345_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq40iyanBoFnaVDPut-iMe3pkWByRt3iRXDqWzsw3gGqYAWnOU_CbALIzBSHoQ57ih1f90c44sgPwNsICRwg-1YZOl-AW7EbSTqzCryaNUf3rFHL6b6ueXoh4ovy5fiFYW1LYow/s320/123-2345_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP7P85hVTByNaxBfi0UdiRJn9vh89DpfoHORZnuENo9hpg5EDz_kNKt-kCOEldGjfvmNR3UOA5qj9LQfHtUesk3cuFp9vZ-Xg7BBhvaYlnHYl-aNGjc_j0euqYHJ4ynkOXKSQbw/s1600/123-2347_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP7P85hVTByNaxBfi0UdiRJn9vh89DpfoHORZnuENo9hpg5EDz_kNKt-kCOEldGjfvmNR3UOA5qj9LQfHtUesk3cuFp9vZ-Xg7BBhvaYlnHYl-aNGjc_j0euqYHJ4ynkOXKSQbw/s320/123-2347_IMG.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXqlBW4dm2E3H71wLb2CtPOOf7Ukb8TtqSI-JMH5awoYZANt_JSE6Gs65hkgkGOTxc8ZJM_AtFQ5xQ7NqbYIXHMEp82yZRibfOITFpeKT2yAawKnbuZV9BJ591RtROfb1oAEufA/s1600/123-2348_IMG.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXqlBW4dm2E3H71wLb2CtPOOf7Ukb8TtqSI-JMH5awoYZANt_JSE6Gs65hkgkGOTxc8ZJM_AtFQ5xQ7NqbYIXHMEp82yZRibfOITFpeKT2yAawKnbuZV9BJ591RtROfb1oAEufA/s320/123-2348_IMG.JPG" /></a><br />
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Kind of makes me want to paint.... !!! Happy Spring, friends - it looks like it's finally here! <br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-88456467160417277512014-04-15T13:51:00.001-04:002014-04-15T13:51:03.015-04:00RecurrenceHere, the latest off my hoop:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbBv0FNhQAk3S6JN3bVeOR0qxsTgBJVn_Lw8uFll5bMNZpduVcHQycMc7Gtgs5zG8tX8l2-uL9NpOCe_Iq0s_iw9P4JakxojwDgdGvIPRuhr6dcujRSolVF7pmLLSis_3IkdiMw/s1600/IMG_7178.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbBv0FNhQAk3S6JN3bVeOR0qxsTgBJVn_Lw8uFll5bMNZpduVcHQycMc7Gtgs5zG8tX8l2-uL9NpOCe_Iq0s_iw9P4JakxojwDgdGvIPRuhr6dcujRSolVF7pmLLSis_3IkdiMw/s400/IMG_7178.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4iHMvh-5XpcMCOGQ2sURr1nczh-WixeD9kRRRgskcK1yrGdsNK66jjaQOmyIvRJyS0Mro_BhVu_X6r7FMS44HI5EpV241sB1LfkruGebJI8PRLqOknK5HxJZt7rHILuKIUS5Q/s1600/IMG_7167.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4iHMvh-5XpcMCOGQ2sURr1nczh-WixeD9kRRRgskcK1yrGdsNK66jjaQOmyIvRJyS0Mro_BhVu_X6r7FMS44HI5EpV241sB1LfkruGebJI8PRLqOknK5HxJZt7rHILuKIUS5Q/s200/IMG_7167.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykMSXDfMyslr5VoofamKSNcbPkmwZKbLt_Wb_9_SJLEPNs_lCDLOkHBCCf244YCxPqBqDCbWrIlFeYkWuAcfJInRFsKwmNnyrlLmuqBDXT_dvcMwib1TFDiVTRJJjTYDnwjPpow/s1600/IMG_7181.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykMSXDfMyslr5VoofamKSNcbPkmwZKbLt_Wb_9_SJLEPNs_lCDLOkHBCCf244YCxPqBqDCbWrIlFeYkWuAcfJInRFsKwmNnyrlLmuqBDXT_dvcMwib1TFDiVTRJJjTYDnwjPpow/s200/IMG_7181.JPG" /></a><br />
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This is the project that I'd started before and taken with me to Italy, but not really worked on at all when I was there. I finished it up last week and am quite happy with the way it turned out; I absolutely love the colors.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGoC8n9bL6QvsOAHS-jNQbGsG_T9svZMF-LHqvvD2L_Gl0O-lzxjw2p0MFoa4yqiFcg1iOT1F8t73GEe7AZ7nDJpFa7i8hY7tSlK4M2q9HlcmPfpOnw_2lf0HK0bu9XDtYCJGvA/s1600/IMG_7183.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGoC8n9bL6QvsOAHS-jNQbGsG_T9svZMF-LHqvvD2L_Gl0O-lzxjw2p0MFoa4yqiFcg1iOT1F8t73GEe7AZ7nDJpFa7i8hY7tSlK4M2q9HlcmPfpOnw_2lf0HK0bu9XDtYCJGvA/s400/IMG_7183.jpg" /></a><br />
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The motif of moths is a recurring one for me. One of my first tattoos was of a moth, and then, years later when I started stitching, one of my very first original cross-stitch projects was the silhouette of a moth. (See it <a href="http://www.chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2007/11/you-can-pin-and-mount-me.html">here</a>, way back in November of 2007!)<br />
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Those photo copies are some of the ones I made when I was researching moths for my tattoo design (that, um, would have been somewhere around 1997.... yikes). I can't find the one that I ultimately used as the basis for the tattoo... I spent about a week at the Boston Public Library poring over old entomology books; it was kind of delightful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisyONmsa8JO8d152MW4PnocM_ztri2B0Z-oSiKCkSgfRdj-kufOn5sVwUgUkkEo9ag_3yuZo7j4GVAzYMgM8raldg-3fW3sYh51czwXwQ8ZPrcMpAxtDu8wGoYbfsUkNKIVyNEw/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisyONmsa8JO8d152MW4PnocM_ztri2B0Z-oSiKCkSgfRdj-kufOn5sVwUgUkkEo9ag_3yuZo7j4GVAzYMgM8raldg-3fW3sYh51czwXwQ8ZPrcMpAxtDu8wGoYbfsUkNKIVyNEw/s400/IMG_7177.JPG" /></a><br />
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Another perennial source of inspiration is this collage by Max Ernst: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenZqNSP3gk5eCzDZ6Vz0iAvF20dYpIoB0F96a_ihTwASqa9V1_5WWbawyA3WAzgwM0jKtigg42b9jCDot_1kjtB2eVyJTVokin0nMlqz-94hwThQEHXx0V_Iw502wtbz8GMf82Q/s1600/ImageServer.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenZqNSP3gk5eCzDZ6Vz0iAvF20dYpIoB0F96a_ihTwASqa9V1_5WWbawyA3WAzgwM0jKtigg42b9jCDot_1kjtB2eVyJTVokin0nMlqz-94hwThQEHXx0V_Iw502wtbz8GMf82Q/s400/ImageServer.php.jpeg" /></a> <br />
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I've had a postcard of the image since those Boston days and it's been part of my inspiration board off and on since then. The image here was taken from the Stadel museum and you can find more info about the collage <a href="http://www.staedelmuseum.de/sm/index.php?StoryID=1309&ObjectID=327&websiteLang=en">here</a>. <br />
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I've added the "Moth Study" piece to my Esty shop -- link <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/185882974/moth-study-original-embroidery-art?ref=shop_home_active_9">here</a> is you absolutely love it and need it in your life. Also, I'm working on a pattern/kit version, though it'll be a little different, as the fabric color I used here is now discontinued.... Keep an eye on the Etsy shop in the next week or two for that. <br />
chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-24020368344673321332014-04-04T18:05:00.000-04:002014-04-05T15:47:00.618-04:00Vacation, all I ever wanted... Ciao! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJoUGcnn2CDOtCBu35zU1Pt0AOJzgNnmMPsFEacg8r4ndGd6QhZ69V-SpU0gMPSOc5R9Cn0m31-5CaTk6kshKOp3rsjuzgzS19rKCKbsjCuccfvV3Scg7EdyfMRpQbbcewj86XQ/s1600/IMG_20140328_144746.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJoUGcnn2CDOtCBu35zU1Pt0AOJzgNnmMPsFEacg8r4ndGd6QhZ69V-SpU0gMPSOc5R9Cn0m31-5CaTk6kshKOp3rsjuzgzS19rKCKbsjCuccfvV3Scg7EdyfMRpQbbcewj86XQ/s400/IMG_20140328_144746.jpg" /></a><br />
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I've just returned from a much-needed little vay-cay... a week in Italy, with a home-base in Florence. <br />
It was wonderful - of course; how could it not be? <br />
Travel is something that I've long considered to be an integral part of what makes me who I am. When I was in my twenties, I had occasion to travel kind of a lot, and I think those experiences, at that time in my life, colored the way I see the world, and, to that extent, myself. <br />
Since making chez-sucre-chez my full-time job, travel hasn't been quite as easy.... <br />
But about a month ago, in the midst of my usual end-of-winter blues, I decided that I very much needed a get-away. So, in a rather spur-of-the-moment mood, I booked it. I did it quick, before I could talk myself out of it. <br />
And I'm glad I did. <br />
Originally, I was going to go alone. And then, the day after booking, I invited my mama - and I'm glad I did that, too. It made it a different kind of trip than I'd originally planned, but I am so glad to have had the opportunity to share that with her and to show her a city that I love in a country that I love.<br />
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We stayed in a fantastic little hotel which I highly recommend to anyone visiting Florence; <a href="http://www.loggiatodeiservitihotel.it/">Loggiato di Serviti</a>, in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, just north of the Duomo. All of the staff at the hotel were friendly and accommodating, our room was wonderfully charming, and the location couldn't be beat. Unfortunately, one of the buildings in our square (piazza) was under construction, so the view wasn't quite as picture perfect as it normally would be, but everything else was all I/we could ask for.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW8GZj6C2QY057v3Da01zlkIE_kbkgiuuHfXu8CtvatJyRvZk4RFtOFBDIzNxKtt5VT0UfRM70h6eubv-S4tJEOvMw_NWGtpWBVJJQm7lkrlhUSxQD7ZHNbnTeMGw9YrSZsDl5A/s1600/IMG_20140328_045613.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW8GZj6C2QY057v3Da01zlkIE_kbkgiuuHfXu8CtvatJyRvZk4RFtOFBDIzNxKtt5VT0UfRM70h6eubv-S4tJEOvMw_NWGtpWBVJJQm7lkrlhUSxQD7ZHNbnTeMGw9YrSZsDl5A/s400/IMG_20140328_045613.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKD_0gy7jXuySxiUh7YRO-VJ_uiLOSItP_pqgFrSBP7izdzTYXq0L4wpjXGr2pEE8OEcMzz23LYDqpQgzH8KQ_EJDay-4bnb5k_gT5rEpypE1lUmaZvDDHL7SH8I9buwFxG1RIg/s1600/IMG_20140328_045520.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKD_0gy7jXuySxiUh7YRO-VJ_uiLOSItP_pqgFrSBP7izdzTYXq0L4wpjXGr2pEE8OEcMzz23LYDqpQgzH8KQ_EJDay-4bnb5k_gT5rEpypE1lUmaZvDDHL7SH8I9buwFxG1RIg/s400/IMG_20140328_045520.jpg" /></a>\<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrui7yldDXxMY7UJPWLYiOYKVJ7a0hHoksloAaomOzefy6Ko4m-oLHg5gEx-kM_M-c4YCIJxV2pZ_Ojv6hN_FHaleHBkfa9b22S1qCuxjqftMOaMx9x3gbOY3C0nqS43IKVKBnnA/s1600/IMAG3282.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrui7yldDXxMY7UJPWLYiOYKVJ7a0hHoksloAaomOzefy6Ko4m-oLHg5gEx-kM_M-c4YCIJxV2pZ_Ojv6hN_FHaleHBkfa9b22S1qCuxjqftMOaMx9x3gbOY3C0nqS43IKVKBnnA/s400/IMAG3282.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7aRUTieAeurMyg5OyI2DtCnXICX8oapeIud7zUkChota85yihPjEkek79UQ2dJPX7Et0J7Tm3xSplhLLwtE8UB4N0le4Otu5WLI2BkuM4dnkOhl-GhNfbPIVfEUaaI5Utipvpw/s1600/IMAG3284.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7aRUTieAeurMyg5OyI2DtCnXICX8oapeIud7zUkChota85yihPjEkek79UQ2dJPX7Et0J7Tm3xSplhLLwtE8UB4N0le4Otu5WLI2BkuM4dnkOhl-GhNfbPIVfEUaaI5Utipvpw/s400/IMAG3284.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'd seen most of the major sights; the Uffizi, David at the Accademia, the Duomo and its famous baptistry doors by Ghiberti, Pitti Palace and the Ponte Vecchio. If I'd done this trip alone, I probably wouldn't have gone to them all again, but this being Mom's first time, she wanted to see those things and I wanted her to -- so we saw it ALL. We must have walked every street in the city. That's one of the things I like about Florence, and why I chose that city for this trip. It's a small city - you can walk from one end to the other easily in just an hour or so (stopping for an espresso or gelato along the way, of course), but there is *so* much to see. The history of those buildings and those streets just blows me away. Painted frescoes everywhere - architectural ornamentation and sculpture that's been there for well over 500 years; it's breathtaking. <br />
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In most of the museums you aren't supposed to take photos anymore. I'm pretty sure I took lots of photos in them the last time I was there (actual film photos! Remember those?!) but there were signs everywhere saying "no foto" this time (no photo, period - not just no flash photos).... Not like that stopped everyone. I saw lots of cell cameras out and more than a few digital photos being snapped. I'm such a goody-goody though that I couldn't bring myself to take a photo if I'd seen a sign asking me not to. I was over-the-moon inspired and in love with all of the paintings featuring beautiful golden halos. I especially love the pre and early Renaissance ones. When I was in college, I took every art history class I could. If my school had had an art history minor, I would have easily had the credits to do so, but, alas, it didnt - so I just did what I consider an unofficial minor in art history. Anyways, my Renaissance Art classes were some of my favourites and the first time I went to Italy and saw of that art in person, I was floored. The Sienese painters and their use of gold and ornamentation --- seeing their works made me weak in the knees! This time was no different. Although I love the Botticellis and the Titians and the Carravagios and the Filippo Lippis - it's the works by those lesser-known guys that I really love. All that gold! And those bright blues and deep reds. The halos, the decorative detail of textiles. Oh, it makes me swoon. So, we saw lots of that stuff, and this is the only photo I got:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurnFazw3FkgcrH2RJsl1PY7vw79HcLC3tP_r6bS1LhPINgToqlHG3tCsq2YpV-sRz0IsfZ5a4RUD4kuD5rL58ihv7qgOVjxVcZ3nzCYeMUZIreo9cTmprTrIA8lRm6wEZel7Xg/s1600/IMAG3272.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurnFazw3FkgcrH2RJsl1PY7vw79HcLC3tP_r6bS1LhPINgToqlHG3tCsq2YpV-sRz0IsfZ5a4RUD4kuD5rL58ihv7qgOVjxVcZ3nzCYeMUZIreo9cTmprTrIA8lRm6wEZel7Xg/s400/IMAG3272.jpg" /></a><br />
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Ha! It's a terrible photo because I wasn't supposed to be taking one but I wanted to capture those halos SO BADLY that I tried taking a sneaky cell-phone photo, but I felt so guilty doing it that this is the best I could do. And then I ran away. Boo. <br />
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With all of the treasures inside the museums, there is just as much on the streets and in the many many churches and palaces. Besides the paintings of halos, I was going crazy for all of the beautiful frescoes and decorative ceilings. The amount of detail and the age of these works of art (though many have been restored at some point through the years) in this city is just overwhelming. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwtyLqUiybWAAYuOHmk8VQLvzSoECyjTX8kNZJhP_y_wAj4WVvYce4url_CpfujPN2qfRvrMFXmEdPFpO0Nv69YcOyoP5ZOs1hfxhMtodqC9YXwIjKBIUUHOMugE-fIxiyFHztg/s1600/IMAG3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwtyLqUiybWAAYuOHmk8VQLvzSoECyjTX8kNZJhP_y_wAj4WVvYce4url_CpfujPN2qfRvrMFXmEdPFpO0Nv69YcOyoP5ZOs1hfxhMtodqC9YXwIjKBIUUHOMugE-fIxiyFHztg/s320/IMAG3276.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7rll6lnNXzgwPi1pARcztaZp7SMHh8BJOR053zmNoEW__ZAhuu1NZ5MM94y1xJeP58gn9m983RdlU6xxIt9Oo-qxq_u_2GeOFSxrNU6NpUk8DSMHboNScKneFJW4VyNqgSAFEA/s1600/IMAG3279.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7rll6lnNXzgwPi1pARcztaZp7SMHh8BJOR053zmNoEW__ZAhuu1NZ5MM94y1xJeP58gn9m983RdlU6xxIt9Oo-qxq_u_2GeOFSxrNU6NpUk8DSMHboNScKneFJW4VyNqgSAFEA/s320/IMAG3279.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ88Hiic0v7kEQPHCrViWypTn3tbwVCwrktEy83VZfoYn7xv4WTwYsJY5kHfgbWipS-4GVIKPjIb-X9m6RlwgLITKzktv9cxYcULed4b1yNJFVyftqHrQ3HPHdQNNcoD-jUzSR1A/s1600/IMG_7039.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ88Hiic0v7kEQPHCrViWypTn3tbwVCwrktEy83VZfoYn7xv4WTwYsJY5kHfgbWipS-4GVIKPjIb-X9m6RlwgLITKzktv9cxYcULed4b1yNJFVyftqHrQ3HPHdQNNcoD-jUzSR1A/s320/IMG_7039.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5GXCB6-pgBvO8PiuyUKA31tsOQjSuf_hAPj2gUFE1H9xgCAhLUXgN7U7qKJFQhdjvbIKe7YogbBd1Dt8wPmeqFcq6Y0ZM1azbveG8svlts9WvVTWqFPEVsjNhRMwGNk3jPzMKQ/s1600/IMG_7046.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5GXCB6-pgBvO8PiuyUKA31tsOQjSuf_hAPj2gUFE1H9xgCAhLUXgN7U7qKJFQhdjvbIKe7YogbBd1Dt8wPmeqFcq6Y0ZM1azbveG8svlts9WvVTWqFPEVsjNhRMwGNk3jPzMKQ/s320/IMG_7046.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthabCfqq9JChY-gc17AYrljPe_RMlljod8YJtrABPucCa7tQBG_QP8a0h3llGpXPTV05JvgF0aFRe4YM24tJ1g-M2vbz9fjdncy_8mM-mpzAtJw_mvzzp8KJw6uDAmFFHXdm30A/s1600/IMG_20140330_071208.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthabCfqq9JChY-gc17AYrljPe_RMlljod8YJtrABPucCa7tQBG_QP8a0h3llGpXPTV05JvgF0aFRe4YM24tJ1g-M2vbz9fjdncy_8mM-mpzAtJw_mvzzp8KJw6uDAmFFHXdm30A/s320/IMG_20140330_071208.jpg" /></a><br />
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These are all ceilings: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY9TXamETK0XlLdkw2Y3IKHxrepTJSR9uU0P-Mf6STCRKh6mqeKvFUiVsp4mN3oWhCRiVmLtrd7U8QKybHDnv8S2dVJR4MxnZVjLVBhjqy_tnnSZ9ypVqBAbzSMkQu9VNEc7bYA/s1600/IMG_20140328_044747.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY9TXamETK0XlLdkw2Y3IKHxrepTJSR9uU0P-Mf6STCRKh6mqeKvFUiVsp4mN3oWhCRiVmLtrd7U8QKybHDnv8S2dVJR4MxnZVjLVBhjqy_tnnSZ9ypVqBAbzSMkQu9VNEc7bYA/s200/IMG_20140328_044747.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69uGglfTooVEN5Vs-x3_qwb8OzFz-kxolDyZ0oU_gXPvWwdDzUvLsSNbpzpfbX_vT9gWZx4zKeIxgYItU79dH0bGkh3IaDJSWv5W83zWnpMWVSc0Sq25BbzdyOZ1EwapeoX6KCQ/s1600/IMG_20140328_093926.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69uGglfTooVEN5Vs-x3_qwb8OzFz-kxolDyZ0oU_gXPvWwdDzUvLsSNbpzpfbX_vT9gWZx4zKeIxgYItU79dH0bGkh3IaDJSWv5W83zWnpMWVSc0Sq25BbzdyOZ1EwapeoX6KCQ/s200/IMG_20140328_093926.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCtuPUJIwGqN7qMEZZ5qBBVj3YQmRyApa-8z4KDuGVrJdYX9xyXn09HOpzRiSENRrlDHxbtmhqZJgxUA7-oYkrrrC36bTcYlNZVpxu8xxCeKJNlTSTzTbqmAbeO8KtjDkIuPdZQ/s1600/IMG_20140330_075421.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCtuPUJIwGqN7qMEZZ5qBBVj3YQmRyApa-8z4KDuGVrJdYX9xyXn09HOpzRiSENRrlDHxbtmhqZJgxUA7-oYkrrrC36bTcYlNZVpxu8xxCeKJNlTSTzTbqmAbeO8KtjDkIuPdZQ/s200/IMG_20140330_075421.jpg" /></a><br />
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And then there's the Duomo, of course. It is to Florence what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, though not quite as high. No matter how many times I've seen it, my heart always does a little pitter-pat whenever I see it peeking through buildings of a side-street, or from a hill-top vista point. <br />
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Both of these were taken from up in the bell-tower:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErp2ItnPKOKjQM_OykCZrP2xrxklBHB-xUoIz62fVGzGMZlYrI1d2QZXrUzaPUan2yFiggOw3U8vvmTUx5PCrvDrx4RhTDXQL1SF4MNpUi5XOI5dXiy5gG1x5VHUPh7RIfstcRQ/s1600/IMG_7014.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErp2ItnPKOKjQM_OykCZrP2xrxklBHB-xUoIz62fVGzGMZlYrI1d2QZXrUzaPUan2yFiggOw3U8vvmTUx5PCrvDrx4RhTDXQL1SF4MNpUi5XOI5dXiy5gG1x5VHUPh7RIfstcRQ/s320/IMG_7014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDTkr9bK5SIYLWnTYE_JWUJe_aShNUohYMAOdIFvWI6XuY0Kdihs_M6A7BMitY7Hd8hCL5UpngnbZPNIReOWDxfzvtD2BeaMYmwYaI5wqRw4pXCBFeH9H9XxzlAFGX91pdBU6pA/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDTkr9bK5SIYLWnTYE_JWUJe_aShNUohYMAOdIFvWI6XuY0Kdihs_M6A7BMitY7Hd8hCL5UpngnbZPNIReOWDxfzvtD2BeaMYmwYaI5wqRw4pXCBFeH9H9XxzlAFGX91pdBU6pA/s320/IMG_7018.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZW7Nw2wVBXN74d2ByDIEyyM2uKrDCeYRnv8Fj5Pw1NXqKagZYoticnGw2bN6q1vtNaXNqtYG5qkQbGLPCFmc9JaZUKs8FqblLLoMFLPgN6YnlEx_hz8gDcFLW_ExnxgMpItk_A/s1600/IMG_20140328_073519.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZW7Nw2wVBXN74d2ByDIEyyM2uKrDCeYRnv8Fj5Pw1NXqKagZYoticnGw2bN6q1vtNaXNqtYG5qkQbGLPCFmc9JaZUKs8FqblLLoMFLPgN6YnlEx_hz8gDcFLW_ExnxgMpItk_A/s200/IMG_20140328_073519.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J50iv9z7MgdBb1MeX4lTLDlB_R8aDNLCuWybtkd41ofAQC_p2K8Jy1AmceRQsdJJAFiLHwvcFyKmfQWMXppwclTgrusPPi29DGbw22Mp8CkEoZY-773Ytwmewk6tPfUnN4V-MQ/s1600/IMG_20140330_095438.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J50iv9z7MgdBb1MeX4lTLDlB_R8aDNLCuWybtkd41ofAQC_p2K8Jy1AmceRQsdJJAFiLHwvcFyKmfQWMXppwclTgrusPPi29DGbw22Mp8CkEoZY-773Ytwmewk6tPfUnN4V-MQ/s200/IMG_20140330_095438.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnVWWGREoAbvCik1iXD2Cx6jaO4NyfY9ISD0z-QayuY0ykYBq4MxPsF3UNXQQtpzmZoEObntuvmmLo19eKsU5C1Ncn5D02oN_kcA02d3uDIHXPRA-ipFth9uATInkeZPqYSlTg/s1600/IMG_20140330_101151.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtnVWWGREoAbvCik1iXD2Cx6jaO4NyfY9ISD0z-QayuY0ykYBq4MxPsF3UNXQQtpzmZoEObntuvmmLo19eKsU5C1Ncn5D02oN_kcA02d3uDIHXPRA-ipFth9uATInkeZPqYSlTg/s200/IMG_20140330_101151.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
We took a couple of day-trips; one to Fiesole, and one to Settignano. Both were lovely - much (much) smaller than Florence, and quiet, with little winding streets and amazing views of the city below. <br />
<br />
We got to Fiesole late in the day and, after climbing up a craaaazy steep walk, looked out over Florence and watched the sunset with a handful of locals and tourists. It was pretty hazy, but still - that view is not too shabby. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WX6axfQofDuDETI2GJKSb4mOda4pzjDWdKdZ4ZnFbvp7clgpWfx3VHWTx3xf_5RB8njU-bcrcvLwUaOvJt3lijuzPWckSawmSs0-nveWLO2nSByoaAdK_jBmaQYIKVmEbWzXQ/s1600/IMG_7057.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-WX6axfQofDuDETI2GJKSb4mOda4pzjDWdKdZ4ZnFbvp7clgpWfx3VHWTx3xf_5RB8njU-bcrcvLwUaOvJt3lijuzPWckSawmSs0-nveWLO2nSByoaAdK_jBmaQYIKVmEbWzXQ/s320/IMG_7057.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7YVxLEktsqL3qDNnjGxWSQaUSFSRqtyb_N_u8M4XAQ60YqpvSqF2j38tYMCXDR3sNSCr5MEAL2T-B2H53m2Ja6e2PfKK2MK2iOYT66OwzA2hhTaG_EGOs0EYdWXoEXLXalGkcA/s1600/IMG_7059.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7YVxLEktsqL3qDNnjGxWSQaUSFSRqtyb_N_u8M4XAQ60YqpvSqF2j38tYMCXDR3sNSCr5MEAL2T-B2H53m2Ja6e2PfKK2MK2iOYT66OwzA2hhTaG_EGOs0EYdWXoEXLXalGkcA/s320/IMG_7059.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcS9iVD5-TaxjHUmMiTpjfZPdrsNdcXFcHfgPxgEKXx9z4HQ0mBuZGD-k6YDO9XtSbTGzKVrYq7iay1EQf0pggHKSfDqRhHvQJb7tMQuhdu66S9RDJAPLoqBaF45qAKvGZw7gKQ/s1600/IMG_7062.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcS9iVD5-TaxjHUmMiTpjfZPdrsNdcXFcHfgPxgEKXx9z4HQ0mBuZGD-k6YDO9XtSbTGzKVrYq7iay1EQf0pggHKSfDqRhHvQJb7tMQuhdu66S9RDJAPLoqBaF45qAKvGZw7gKQ/s320/IMG_7062.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57C7uFmyAjPNcGixQLNYwz4fRE2q-fo_uofsuoeFot3DGw_ZswfvsH0VsTV3t0jWnaoMcFan4g8t9_wg3Ip7W7gYNYB8Z1gXYKmTwFbeMUWOVmK46LWpmhVnvtVxCKah_REWxvQ/s1600/IMG_7060.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57C7uFmyAjPNcGixQLNYwz4fRE2q-fo_uofsuoeFot3DGw_ZswfvsH0VsTV3t0jWnaoMcFan4g8t9_wg3Ip7W7gYNYB8Z1gXYKmTwFbeMUWOVmK46LWpmhVnvtVxCKah_REWxvQ/s320/IMG_7060.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lS58TAuAhIihzmk4cFeLf5sky55r6waD9xuYE5f3Nyb56VnR3C_TussYIAORMGCtGMgyuUgM78SkL0_MTzN1hnE4zV7tCJceVe-MNdxilHfjXRbCJyBJce00Ly9StQKstzd38Q/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lS58TAuAhIihzmk4cFeLf5sky55r6waD9xuYE5f3Nyb56VnR3C_TussYIAORMGCtGMgyuUgM78SkL0_MTzN1hnE4zV7tCJceVe-MNdxilHfjXRbCJyBJce00Ly9StQKstzd38Q/s320/IMG_7066.JPG" /></a><br />
It's hard to see through the haze, but that's the Duomo in the far distance just a little right of center in the left-hand pic - and, in true Italian style, a couple making out in the bottom left. :)<br />
<br />
We had a beautiful day in Settignano - enjoying a picnic lunch at a quiet park, surrounded by olive trees, and walking the walled tiny back-streets. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNSVLKkNCeUttcOLm6mu0lKS5WoN9Ws8f08EDjIuL3Qhjv2SweyrwCm3cIzIcaELS38TdGa6Qk-W_ORMv56HTOrJrLCvWFqMIyqK6by5-ZDL5zPUDrMZGaIrPu4dQYLY4byq_2w/s1600/IMG_7090.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNSVLKkNCeUttcOLm6mu0lKS5WoN9Ws8f08EDjIuL3Qhjv2SweyrwCm3cIzIcaELS38TdGa6Qk-W_ORMv56HTOrJrLCvWFqMIyqK6by5-ZDL5zPUDrMZGaIrPu4dQYLY4byq_2w/s320/IMG_7090.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tH8WDm4TSTFyXCKfYQ7NozuimlJEsbHiTKuYO2nmPuLoBAkccgfVDn_SdQXYsX9yJ8nvgbJ-TSUvZ9tNP0_YITRPcTqkbmclGIGGtZ6vDaX1kf-RO1br1_pHPSe5Bdnw16fSsw/s1600/IMG_7096.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tH8WDm4TSTFyXCKfYQ7NozuimlJEsbHiTKuYO2nmPuLoBAkccgfVDn_SdQXYsX9yJ8nvgbJ-TSUvZ9tNP0_YITRPcTqkbmclGIGGtZ6vDaX1kf-RO1br1_pHPSe5Bdnw16fSsw/s320/IMG_7096.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDszwmGbGYIn8vWJ0xyk9cwTSW_Luo2qfvSgUy1gi441PdpeDUx5QLpN4AAZ0JWyCp8a7QzRxm-tzfbcVvIZrvnTL9ndGIrWfEDXlucENPTrbEFl_FBecmrGnazP5zTIHX3BaHtw/s1600/IMG_7107.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDszwmGbGYIn8vWJ0xyk9cwTSW_Luo2qfvSgUy1gi441PdpeDUx5QLpN4AAZ0JWyCp8a7QzRxm-tzfbcVvIZrvnTL9ndGIrWfEDXlucENPTrbEFl_FBecmrGnazP5zTIHX3BaHtw/s200/IMG_7107.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5WIVSSLu578h6qHN362HJl8XxYT5WEk4cuYWVG20MNAludOIYcfXj8BEekUGUyEdYz9SCNL2vzDWI1j0fh9WlHdKyFXJUIk-PmSIdoRk-hD6ZHlvYlwk0dvNMw_nuOLPhlPpgg/s1600/IMG_7118.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5WIVSSLu578h6qHN362HJl8XxYT5WEk4cuYWVG20MNAludOIYcfXj8BEekUGUyEdYz9SCNL2vzDWI1j0fh9WlHdKyFXJUIk-PmSIdoRk-hD6ZHlvYlwk0dvNMw_nuOLPhlPpgg/s200/IMG_7118.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCC2_VDHtX_0cnfj4vM5GgMjBbBI6kOMFEFI7uCJR0PT2yWqTCmQiDRkPjAAPnA0eDmCPkLCXwIXAQUkFWLF294eKIaX1PXy7Nvoty3etf-HMS_DV1uo8GLCcnKmSxl-etD-IAQ/s1600/IMG_7122.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCC2_VDHtX_0cnfj4vM5GgMjBbBI6kOMFEFI7uCJR0PT2yWqTCmQiDRkPjAAPnA0eDmCPkLCXwIXAQUkFWLF294eKIaX1PXy7Nvoty3etf-HMS_DV1uo8GLCcnKmSxl-etD-IAQ/s200/IMG_7122.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The food, obviously, was amazing. That cheese in the photo above? Oh my goodness - the mozarella (di bufala) was so good I almost cried. Also making me almost cry is that we barely put a dent in it - and, that we got it the day before our last, couldn't take it with us. I wish you were there to share it with us! Most of the rest of the food got eaten up quick before we thought to take a photo. We walked so much that by the time we stopped for food, we were pretty crazy hungry! Gnocchi, fresh pasta with cacio e pepe,<br />
ravioli with truffle sauce, stracciatella cheese and artichoke crostini, percorino toscano, wine, wine and wine, cafe lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, gelatos, more gelatos and then some organic gelatos, cantucci, pizza, cornetto.... we ate it all, and it was good. <br />
<br />
And now it's time to get back to work! I brought a new piece with me, but even with the 8 hour plane rides, I only put in about 60 stitches. Ha! It was a vacation, indeed, but now I'm back and it's time to make stuff happen. xo to you all! <br />
chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-78350641704527278432014-03-17T12:47:00.000-04:002014-03-17T12:48:08.544-04:00Think Spring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofcJL1Q90mOtFCF3lZ1_F87SHvDt7TG6Kik7FEO95NVOFTbIKeGxPn62whfS3AGxlaw6RQmjei_gBNfY5dk20ppoU3yJfqWxHOv6pUOi4X2KjpvKA4pJjeSKlWK5-Fb-p5ieQVQ/s1600/ThinkSpring2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofcJL1Q90mOtFCF3lZ1_F87SHvDt7TG6Kik7FEO95NVOFTbIKeGxPn62whfS3AGxlaw6RQmjei_gBNfY5dk20ppoU3yJfqWxHOv6pUOi4X2KjpvKA4pJjeSKlWK5-Fb-p5ieQVQ/s640/ThinkSpring2013.jpg" /></a>chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-66720159864854752852014-01-15T16:47:00.000-05:002014-01-15T16:47:55.623-05:00inside lookThis is what it looks like when I'm working on new patterns:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaXbiCT1OwlqQzgxqZ1GHvVGgjCiiyuj5FdIBLs4eTAJBocJIF1ASj2Cco3w2Z9qiyQClJonjOMy59RVqXeVDhZa59s80T0et0zxBjj5BNtZYhUhfBl3qSONozXwTwuFrIBz_Aw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-15+at+4.37.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaXbiCT1OwlqQzgxqZ1GHvVGgjCiiyuj5FdIBLs4eTAJBocJIF1ASj2Cco3w2Z9qiyQClJonjOMy59RVqXeVDhZa59s80T0et0zxBjj5BNtZYhUhfBl3qSONozXwTwuFrIBz_Aw/s640/Screen+shot+2014-01-15+at+4.37.02+PM.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Creating design elements, and then adding, subtracting, and dragging them around to come up with the layouts I had in mind. I usually create new files for each new design, but as you can see here, I did most of my recent kit designs on the same palette. <br />
What you can't see is what I cropped out -- the work on this palette that is to the right, just out of view.... I've got this idea that I just can't shake, but it's taking me a while to make it happen just as I imagine it... It's not a new kit, I don't think, but definitely a new project. I'm really excited about it... Hoping to make it happen in the next few weeks. !!!chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-87287383209899402582014-01-06T12:43:00.000-05:002014-01-06T12:43:21.513-05:00Begin the BeginHello friends! Happy 2014! <br />
It's been nearly a month since my last post. Yikes! Sorry about that... the holidays were a wonderful mad busy crazy few weeks. I sent so many of my diy kits into the world, stitched up some really wonderful custom orders, spent good quality time with my family and friends, and now I'm digging out and getting re-organized. In true January spirit, I'm giving myself this week to get my studio back into shape and do some de-cluttering of my home and mind. <br />
I'll be back here at the end of this week with some photos and a proper post. <br />
Thank you all so much for your support in making 2013 pretty darn great. 2014 is looking like it's going to be quite interesting... big things to come! <br />
I do have *one* new thing to share with you right now; I've added a new kit to the shop! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgfSh4quiFBhvpAP6mw5DunSJBNvtA7qMeCvZH7SP9ACnDM5iJ4gf6pXdctvcWqirxnp5IOYvH0Az-pO8GIvFRFXf8Sxv6pai5hHd6UWY9o6t3L6ID6eZMrSEVKzo8GagBNSv_Q/s1600/IMG_6626.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgfSh4quiFBhvpAP6mw5DunSJBNvtA7qMeCvZH7SP9ACnDM5iJ4gf6pXdctvcWqirxnp5IOYvH0Az-pO8GIvFRFXf8Sxv6pai5hHd6UWY9o6t3L6ID6eZMrSEVKzo8GagBNSv_Q/s400/IMG_6626.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgLE58wv2kDIbLwNxOI4sonQpBf-P9BG5sAgx8Ux0NAeqpWuhGcw1l8eVqWFGfSaq8qzICWqQmKb5aTkVtnxqHBYkbYhQg0a59KLsRM5Rj0JI4hZtQ0lvl-t4d204nK5MtzI57w/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgLE58wv2kDIbLwNxOI4sonQpBf-P9BG5sAgx8Ux0NAeqpWuhGcw1l8eVqWFGfSaq8qzICWqQmKb5aTkVtnxqHBYkbYhQg0a59KLsRM5Rj0JI4hZtQ0lvl-t4d204nK5MtzI57w/s400/IMG_6632.JPG" /></a><br />
The colors were inspired by my grandmother's dishes, and the design by Liberty prints and fancy perfume. I love me a tiny floral print, design, or motif! <br />
The aida cloth for this one is a discontinued color, so there are only a limited number of these kits available. Direct link to the listing is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174704370/diy-x-stitch-kit-materials-and-pattern?ref=shop_home_active">here</a>. <br />
Happy new year, friends! xo. chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-15068515588284416702013-12-09T10:40:00.001-05:002013-12-09T10:40:28.752-05:00Some New ThingsOh boy, the weather yesterday was a little unexpected, no? It was here in southeastern Pennsylvania. It made the Art Star Holiday Market at Winterfest a bit of a challenge; apparently, we vendors all got an early enough start to be able to get there just fine, but by the time the event opened, it seems that most other folks were snowed in or had just decided to enjoy the snow day at home. So, we didn't get so much business, but we made the best of it! My little shop set-up was in a shipping container shared with <a href="http://www.blackheartletterpress.com/">Blackheart Letterpress</a> and As the Crow Flies & Co, which was fortunate, because they were all really fine folk and we spent the day sipping hot boozy drinks, sharing conversation, and laughing good-humoredly at the foot upon foot of snow that fell and the absolute lack of shoppers. And then it took me three hours to drive home, when it's usually forty-five minutes. That was a little miserable. I almost missed Homeland! <br />
Aaaanyways, the market is going on several more weekends this month, and I'll be there this coming Saturday, so if you want to check it out, plan on coming then! Hopefully, the weather will be better... <br />
<br />
Most of my attention the past couple of weeks has been preparing for that market, and shipping out my orders just as quick as they come in, but here are some little things that have happened in between: <br />
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New colors of tea towels! You saw the orange back here in this post, and the violet I got in once last year and decided to restock it. The color is actually so much more pretty than I've been able to capture with my camera. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEKPdvXw3GGpWK1EBw782t0PXAb_ohYvcijbPq59uqRAKHgK5eGNLR_ubMS31fcY780w8i9ay7WU5hhWsVX9z_mCYDUlpET50zhWWMPJeJK6F52wQ9xpdHqtBzqekFyvtc_GRfA/s1600/IMG_6246.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEKPdvXw3GGpWK1EBw782t0PXAb_ohYvcijbPq59uqRAKHgK5eGNLR_ubMS31fcY780w8i9ay7WU5hhWsVX9z_mCYDUlpET50zhWWMPJeJK6F52wQ9xpdHqtBzqekFyvtc_GRfA/s320/IMG_6246.jpg" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDoTf4xVGYT3Zw6ktaFl1-AuewfKgTLfyrbrO0hzWTtq0YXh_sAqeNOFhV0zuT00mC6g925IrYf9BioDFGAsCEQXvv4K9LlEfX7G24gL0VvSS_tlGC8utYaPXzcF7esTZ4-7cgw/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDoTf4xVGYT3Zw6ktaFl1-AuewfKgTLfyrbrO0hzWTtq0YXh_sAqeNOFhV0zuT00mC6g925IrYf9BioDFGAsCEQXvv4K9LlEfX7G24gL0VvSS_tlGC8utYaPXzcF7esTZ4-7cgw/s320/IMG_4253.JPG" /></a></a><br />
And now there's turquoise, too!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr32zwcfDoL4RwtgrfeK1u-M6pMmmQIv3jvtxSQwhN_PeGG3mxuCOWWPqWO3jAP-3FAEIUFvFzr-abM_3QNc3mZxc-OpQZkhJYPnWONO9JpkLGP3j6oBGUFZWCHNRZqofZH41owA/s1600/IMG_6515.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr32zwcfDoL4RwtgrfeK1u-M6pMmmQIv3jvtxSQwhN_PeGG3mxuCOWWPqWO3jAP-3FAEIUFvFzr-abM_3QNc3mZxc-OpQZkhJYPnWONO9JpkLGP3j6oBGUFZWCHNRZqofZH41owA/s320/IMG_6515.jpg" /></a><br />
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I've got some orders for monogram towels to stitch up today; I love sending these out into the world. They're truly one of my favourite things that I make and I stand behind them one-hundred percent. Using them in my own kitchen for years, I know they stand up wonderfully to use and abuse and I just think they make lovely gifts. Sorry, not trying to be a pushy sales woman, I sincerely do just love them!<br />
But, um, if my sales pitch did get you thinking you'd like to give some for gifts this season, get those orders in! I'm super on-top-of-things this week, so current turn-around time is just two-four days, so there's plenty of time to have them delivered before Christmas! Direct link to listing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/83969422/your-letter-and-color-custom-hand?ref=shop_home_active">here</a>. <br />
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Other new little bits -- <br />
I have new retail packaging for my DIY x-stitch kits! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ynTPiOozIfoAX6Wehrd68URyTu_ZLkZ50kvZTeoKsVbuoNo2XgADzoE_cEAl36YJFGQZ14HKGTVTlItX9FfiguN4MqLXpi67pRsh82-bmTkFnf6WfW0gU01KAsI0DQ0iqbHAQw/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ynTPiOozIfoAX6Wehrd68URyTu_ZLkZ50kvZTeoKsVbuoNo2XgADzoE_cEAl36YJFGQZ14HKGTVTlItX9FfiguN4MqLXpi67pRsh82-bmTkFnf6WfW0gU01KAsI0DQ0iqbHAQw/s320/IMG_6453.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SOuuAEbhOX6GAwV2L_JgfWIOJV2TIFysXjh410byqsi8Fk63izZLWbL_DGzZ1ra7uxlAqe0ccpi_d4e2I_XkI17RstqVMD9QrCaE49XSF8yl1k89239EOoWbx3e7K20eaWgS3g/s1600/IMG_6466.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SOuuAEbhOX6GAwV2L_JgfWIOJV2TIFysXjh410byqsi8Fk63izZLWbL_DGzZ1ra7uxlAqe0ccpi_d4e2I_XkI17RstqVMD9QrCaE49XSF8yl1k89239EOoWbx3e7K20eaWgS3g/s320/IMG_6466.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjj5Kl5JbXKiXFow3zXOynMdrXRiRV3ToHRB_xfGEuZpoUon6IG3Kar7qjQES31K58zIYnMjT65M95Dho2uFdIAbYJnwWdUIUWhTbJv5RMh3DPs5VOScBtx5tMniwqf1i-wpwUw/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjj5Kl5JbXKiXFow3zXOynMdrXRiRV3ToHRB_xfGEuZpoUon6IG3Kar7qjQES31K58zIYnMjT65M95Dho2uFdIAbYJnwWdUIUWhTbJv5RMh3DPs5VOScBtx5tMniwqf1i-wpwUw/s320/IMG_6475.JPG" /></a><br />
Orders from my shop and sales of my kits at craft fairs will still be in the little recycle-able plastic bags, but for retail shops, where shoppers are not seeing stitched samples of the kits, or even photos of them, I think they these new boxes and labels really make a difference. If you have any great shops in your area that sell hand-made goods and stuff like that, where you think my kits would be a good fit, would you be so kind as to email me the name and location of the shop? I'm working on getting them into more stores. <br />
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And, did you see my Doily kit in the gift guide of the December issue of Martha Stewart Living? Hooray hooray hooray! That is seriously my favourite publication so for me, to see one of my products on the printed pages of Living is kind of huge. I am sincerely grateful to the team over at <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia</a> for all of the kindness and support they've shown chez-sucre-chez. <br />
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Since the publication, I've gotten several orders and a few emails asking if the Doily kit would be a good size to use as an ornament. Why yes! It is! The Doily kit/piece uses the same size hoop/frame as my ornament kits - perfect for tree trimming. Inspired by those emails, I styled the Doily all dressed up as an ornament: <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfyIuPfTt-LysZdhRe6Bvv0o_5Dw_tUAFL9q1MOfNsPQiohuyxUdcHuiWxrZMKAqni1hBe-prwJ3ZqSEr78Jf9QXBYyVLyzQNY9BQFsi6gD4px7J4Mxbk9Gfp6imXL_OxJweJuQ/s1600/IMG_20131207_135558-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfyIuPfTt-LysZdhRe6Bvv0o_5Dw_tUAFL9q1MOfNsPQiohuyxUdcHuiWxrZMKAqni1hBe-prwJ3ZqSEr78Jf9QXBYyVLyzQNY9BQFsi6gD4px7J4Mxbk9Gfp6imXL_OxJweJuQ/s400/IMG_20131207_135558-1.jpg" /></a><br />
(I took the pic with the Instagram camera app on my phone, I guess that's where that blur came from? Or maybe my lens was smudged... that was probably it, actually.)<br />
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In the Christmas spirit, I've been replenishing my supply of strawberry sachets for use as stocking stuffers: <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhoP4DOOHw1lSRP1Q3XTX8JduEbniuZUQ-HX5-iyJ4IL-tJ2HgQ6-CQKrxjXWUHG13z4JkBNNpd-usxC9Sois6SbGDJLwuw4S-fCBbSO4gHRuadpp2ccGnRmCzj2KewdbsoT0Cg/s1600/IMG_20131206_131330.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhoP4DOOHw1lSRP1Q3XTX8JduEbniuZUQ-HX5-iyJ4IL-tJ2HgQ6-CQKrxjXWUHG13z4JkBNNpd-usxC9Sois6SbGDJLwuw4S-fCBbSO4gHRuadpp2ccGnRmCzj2KewdbsoT0Cg/s400/IMG_20131206_131330.jpg" /></a><br />
Making these, working with the lavender, is soooo relaxing. <br />
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Oh! And I made up more carrots, so that I could fulfill some orders I'd gotten for my little plushie farm fruits/veggies sets, and while I was at it, I made some with little rattles in them! It was actually something a customer at Renegade Brooklyn had suggested, so I tried it out -- putting a little jingle-bell in with the stuffing, and the result is so sweet. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYJm2b5pGcHmZ0dn5d9QL7KPQhklnvo-YF2FIezfZxGyV76wfz6ZoMJ548BF7Akmhc1Ybi-x3hH6VGyTZ6Mkx-XN6iW0MaA6J2mwPepLoGwwoIivnOiPZIx1iUYYwdlj64Uk_Xw/s1600/IMG_20131204_112453.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYJm2b5pGcHmZ0dn5d9QL7KPQhklnvo-YF2FIezfZxGyV76wfz6ZoMJ548BF7Akmhc1Ybi-x3hH6VGyTZ6Mkx-XN6iW0MaA6J2mwPepLoGwwoIivnOiPZIx1iUYYwdlj64Uk_Xw/s400/IMG_20131204_112453.jpg" /></a><br />
The rattles in this batch are really subtle - I chose the tiniest jingle bells, not wanting them to be a noisy racket, but I think once the stuffing is all around them, the sound really gets muffled. Next time, I'll go with slightly larger bells.<br />
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Also new -- I scored some sweet heart-print fabric and made bowl covers from it. They're my new favourite. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF2qPSR_2E_2JOcRZ0UfR8dujy54u1lBTMO-mouUMGJIWoOBreDa9BO5N4SBA45ER0J5-miHYar3ukrS7_SJ7z0G-xMD650dNV5c9Ap9d5X2HPQsQvF9DbR77E5bswideIgvT6w/s1600/IMG_6499.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXF2qPSR_2E_2JOcRZ0UfR8dujy54u1lBTMO-mouUMGJIWoOBreDa9BO5N4SBA45ER0J5-miHYar3ukrS7_SJ7z0G-xMD650dNV5c9Ap9d5X2HPQsQvF9DbR77E5bswideIgvT6w/s400/IMG_6499.JPG" /></a><br />
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Time for me to jump off the computer! I've got lots of stitching to do and many little projects that I want to get to while we've still got this beautiful white light. Happy Monday to you all! xo. <br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-15480871500800770772013-12-04T21:22:00.001-05:002013-12-04T21:22:37.352-05:00Art Star Holiday Market at Winterfest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLElYRoRJcSDDnNMgplOnZIDVh414OqNcbooVn66AYZNBqfe0cWvlDu1Gl2baIWalsYNn_VVwNI7Y6IOSAoTmHFrfcgrUWJFAIyCTITcmelsoRBYV2T7C__mijwLiaIDuVFlAKg/s1600/art+star+market+low+res+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLElYRoRJcSDDnNMgplOnZIDVh414OqNcbooVn66AYZNBqfe0cWvlDu1Gl2baIWalsYNn_VVwNI7Y6IOSAoTmHFrfcgrUWJFAIyCTITcmelsoRBYV2T7C__mijwLiaIDuVFlAKg/s400/art+star+market+low+res+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
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This coming weekend, if you are in the Philadelphia area, you should come on out to the Art Star Holiday Market at Winterfest; I'll be there on Sunday. <br />
The Holiday Market is going on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from now (last weekend, actually) until New Years. There are vendors lined up for each day, some the same, some different. AND there is food and drink and ice skating! And a fire pit, with seats all around it, and an Xmas tree lot. Sounds cool, right? <br />
I went last weekend to check it out and I can say, I was impressed. The space is really cool looking -- it looks NOTHING like the usual set-up/space of Penn's Landing. <br />
This is a crummy shot I took with my phone last weekend, but you can get some idea of the space:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibib5nZ5KC6IqRnYFYv58-aLwxSFdBxm_8mKQMprMfAM3O89De4u00_oAxRLv0yL9jxDQm05MisdQDoh0I7-Y9g5CC1wn-PzKE2cMGInE17GXs6lNP1xkprgKcGKnSyIXpijZ-7g/s1600/IMAG2723.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibib5nZ5KC6IqRnYFYv58-aLwxSFdBxm_8mKQMprMfAM3O89De4u00_oAxRLv0yL9jxDQm05MisdQDoh0I7-Y9g5CC1wn-PzKE2cMGInE17GXs6lNP1xkprgKcGKnSyIXpijZ-7g/s400/IMAG2723.jpg" /></a><br />
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The shops will all be set up in those shipping containers, and behind them, underneath that big tent, is the food and drink, along with lots of picnic tables and even some cozy lap blankets. Fun, right? The food wasn't set up yet, so I can't vouch for that, but I can tell you that the menu looked really delicious. I had a Snap (Art in the Age) Spicy Chai cocktail and that was super good -- warmed the tummy and the spirits! <br />
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I'm very much looking forward to setting up shop in one of those shipping containers. It's different than any other set up I've done, and I think it'll be really cool. The biggest thing is that we need people to know that it's going on! Please, if you are a Philadelphia local, or you know Philadelphia locals, help spread the word! Of course you can go on any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, but I hope you'll come while I'm there! I'll be there this Sunday (12/8) and next Saturday (12/14) <a href="http://holidaymarket.artstarphilly.com/">Here</a> is the website, which'll give you more info about what you'll find there and the vendor schedule for each day. And <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Star/24761003047">here</a> is the facebook page, which I'm sure will be posting info about updates and vendor sneak peaks. Please tell your friends, family -- anyone who might be interested in popping by. And, if you do make it out there, please come by and say hello! chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-79761902879629801672013-11-28T20:57:00.000-05:002013-11-28T20:57:39.919-05:00Black Friday - Cyber Monday Specials<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pjuvSGn1dRQAzUBGfAmbk3FjEkh3Z8MOoi5_Tk-eM9URH_7i2zvPNio7D0sGCuYIbUs3xN-tibRBQJGu85OOViUkNAze45fxLtAsaiGi4Vx1MmH9yoWCn_RkGDQ0noE46b2Q3g/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-28+at+8.53.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pjuvSGn1dRQAzUBGfAmbk3FjEkh3Z8MOoi5_Tk-eM9URH_7i2zvPNio7D0sGCuYIbUs3xN-tibRBQJGu85OOViUkNAze45fxLtAsaiGi4Vx1MmH9yoWCn_RkGDQ0noE46b2Q3g/s640/Screen+shot+2013-11-28+at+8.53.24+PM.png" /></a> <br />
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Martha Stewart American Made Shop <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575061755&toolid=10001&campid=5337407257&customid=sll27&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Frpp%2Fmarthastewartamericanmade">here</a>. <br />
Main Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">here</a>. <br />
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Cheers, friends!chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-75903864576299829972013-11-27T10:56:00.000-05:002013-11-27T11:25:37.411-05:00Bring on the Holidays!Last week, I went up to NYC to lead a workshop at the <a href="http://www.folkartmuseum.org/">American Folk Art Museum</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gf055GB-SJ5XqyZkgwTuQm0L_te5MTXfiFjUlcb-BI0vTU74cEmLmLWr7x3GmznzsUuhXkxnbV8WzG5aYFYKUoKi79ER5pong1qJESez7CHRKE3cmNMSSY-yolq5CF0xvArgdw/s1600/IMG_20131121_160519.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gf055GB-SJ5XqyZkgwTuQm0L_te5MTXfiFjUlcb-BI0vTU74cEmLmLWr7x3GmznzsUuhXkxnbV8WzG5aYFYKUoKi79ER5pong1qJESez7CHRKE3cmNMSSY-yolq5CF0xvArgdw/s400/IMG_20131121_160519.jpg" /></a><br />
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It was delightful!<br />
For the past few years, I feel like every trip I've taken into the city has been rush-rush, full of traffic, and so busy that I don't get to enjoy just *being* in the city. Well, this trip was different; I took the train in, and gave myself plenty of time - getting there early enough to walk from Penn Station to Lincoln Circle, stopping to shop, and look, and eat along the way. <br />
That particular route really isn't the best of NYC (in my opinion) but it is close to where I lived for much of my time in NYC, and so I had a lot of routine spots and shops that I stopped in on along the way; the shoe department at Macy's, the big H&M on the corner of ___ (what is that corner? I forget!), the Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. Unfortunately, I never found any independent little gems in that part of the city... I walked past my old gym(s), one of my old office buildings, the street on which I used to live. Oh, memories. <br />
And then there was the Folk Art Museum! I got there early so that I could see the current exhibit and oh-my-goodness - it was wonderful! The current show is called <a href="http://www.folkartmuseum.org/?p=folk&id=11589">alt_quilts</a>, where three artists show their works inspired by the traditional American quilt. The work of one of these artists, <a href="http://stephensollins.com/">Stephen Sollins</a>, knocked my socks off! Sollins creates "quilts" entirely out of paper - and the results are absolutely stunning. Here are a few snapshots I clicked with my phone:<br />
Here's one of them from afar:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYNezsH6aLUjYyKgfs0-WHEFKZFxv8ChR0_eX_hBnfxfYQBO6CKAF8MmsHlVlYAKfXFdV9E-ZRhhd0UNlbJyYGoEqTeS7LimN0ruBalVd1x-wQrMQFkfm94_jNk40k3WD2-ay2g/s1600/IMAG2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYNezsH6aLUjYyKgfs0-WHEFKZFxv8ChR0_eX_hBnfxfYQBO6CKAF8MmsHlVlYAKfXFdV9E-ZRhhd0UNlbJyYGoEqTeS7LimN0ruBalVd1x-wQrMQFkfm94_jNk40k3WD2-ay2g/s400/IMAG2685.jpg" /></a><br />
And then you get close to it and see it is made up entirely of envelopes -- the inside security patterns making up the color blocks. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBewdV0S9R0JJaoQc3GdcjGnz3a_pVGm0EcF0wBj8r-8a7U6J7zqqYvnS1YON-6Y_il5j1dSLeEbTyPu1-tb1cJuXZxg28neQ6WtnQCtBv4eIA8JR0V5HUGOwC1qmhD4jZ4dFCvA/s1600/IMAG2687.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBewdV0S9R0JJaoQc3GdcjGnz3a_pVGm0EcF0wBj8r-8a7U6J7zqqYvnS1YON-6Y_il5j1dSLeEbTyPu1-tb1cJuXZxg28neQ6WtnQCtBv4eIA8JR0V5HUGOwC1qmhD4jZ4dFCvA/s400/IMAG2687.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK4veAycDYVbH4E1irFCA8SxkI3shpnCQwjaU-FMd5aKsAJ4G8qJsXtUTi5-zP2jnzk4zUpvM-XaATbAHAObK5Bg5q97xMDMmPga8owPI6Xec42mYco2vpaN00h1JMAxCm0n-yQ/s1600/IMAG2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK4veAycDYVbH4E1irFCA8SxkI3shpnCQwjaU-FMd5aKsAJ4G8qJsXtUTi5-zP2jnzk4zUpvM-XaATbAHAObK5Bg5q97xMDMmPga8owPI6Xec42mYco2vpaN00h1JMAxCm0n-yQ/s400/IMAG2690.jpg" /></a><br />
Oh my goodness, right? I couldn't get enough of this piece. I took a ton more photos, but really, if you are in NYC, you really should go see it yourself. It is so wonderful. <br />
Then there was another by the same artist - a wedding ring style piece, made entirely of Tyvek (think Fed Ex and Priority Mail) envelopes:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S5YHxNSMeEgwHP126zP5EOM7GGnufdBv4JUjUZnfBHEKmVExhdOb1hQU09I_pngAs2EOrDYp8eNele-Q0DY3RHUZ9xQ8r9KoK-NvmBINIHBN2R9qTbloAzpDWvuOvQ-t5IIaoA/s1600/IMAG2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S5YHxNSMeEgwHP126zP5EOM7GGnufdBv4JUjUZnfBHEKmVExhdOb1hQU09I_pngAs2EOrDYp8eNele-Q0DY3RHUZ9xQ8r9KoK-NvmBINIHBN2R9qTbloAzpDWvuOvQ-t5IIaoA/s400/IMAG2702.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qar8f54xR95wdRYb76yQr2qAddSVUCZrJYNdtGpKHzcWJw7yLSZE3PEJVpVBZiBWuoxtTHF8PuA0hXZDdzfivdfa_-IprkoGWKOnalYr71TcJVi_xJPcCefT-AP4B-JCq0U2xw/s1600/IMAG2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qar8f54xR95wdRYb76yQr2qAddSVUCZrJYNdtGpKHzcWJw7yLSZE3PEJVpVBZiBWuoxtTHF8PuA0hXZDdzfivdfa_-IprkoGWKOnalYr71TcJVi_xJPcCefT-AP4B-JCq0U2xw/s400/IMAG2703.jpg" /></a><br />
Love! I am a sucker for an all-white quilt as it is, and this one had me swooning. <br />
In addition to the works by the three artists, the exhibit also featured some traditional American quilts from the museum's collection. This was my particular favourite:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEe9qTCHpWaggHR89LgB6kCvocPmfYhC7c2_W0gZ2pUH_uXu0eJ1QjWFnafFpytiDjzSfcHORa3EFMwwqmIj2G-fHiBPfQ5LPnEzFg-pOMCFwp36_3mscOjycYyquqHJaXzrSDA/s1600/IMAG2698.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEe9qTCHpWaggHR89LgB6kCvocPmfYhC7c2_W0gZ2pUH_uXu0eJ1QjWFnafFpytiDjzSfcHORa3EFMwwqmIj2G-fHiBPfQ5LPnEzFg-pOMCFwp36_3mscOjycYyquqHJaXzrSDA/s400/IMAG2698.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUlWy9fEenibOeZaSeMjJQA83DTNX2wjoFKsjrAFKfSpiEBbP8sdnaZmbmXx3Ni3FMIe4bdOFRX0SkksGHQ3q2-c7Gep0L8QF6N2EO6LPfTgHUHsh5f1qI8TcBeDETKsPozh9zg/s1600/IMAG2697.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUlWy9fEenibOeZaSeMjJQA83DTNX2wjoFKsjrAFKfSpiEBbP8sdnaZmbmXx3Ni3FMIe4bdOFRX0SkksGHQ3q2-c7Gep0L8QF6N2EO6LPfTgHUHsh5f1qI8TcBeDETKsPozh9zg/s400/IMAG2697.jpg" /></a><br />
The curved lines of triangles of color and pattern look so much like little bunting banners. <br />
One day, I will own a beautiful old quilt like this. There actually is one at a local antiques shop, and I am SO in love with it, but it's $600! $600?!??!! Yikes... that's way out of my budget. But look at how amazing it is:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenbzOUTkQAEv4PzZT4HNYRyqseyePeTMZYtlEFztqYRhnK_Oc2AKTm8rayM5WMNRnOC31_FQfcPLVgigsrewLLS8EyG45JLOr82Nv_205ZhYnjvgu-OU5eJk0ukB9irAJpezs8g/s1600/IMAG0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenbzOUTkQAEv4PzZT4HNYRyqseyePeTMZYtlEFztqYRhnK_Oc2AKTm8rayM5WMNRnOC31_FQfcPLVgigsrewLLS8EyG45JLOr82Nv_205ZhYnjvgu-OU5eJk0ukB9irAJpezs8g/s400/IMAG0702.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqKxQfU3WrxgpbZxP0Dxs2Mho_LRWfxxTQKYbHyMusQmVxD9w36Jwq03ab4I1zJrk3DZSo4cw-981D_-4B16b5gry5WSkpS5N5TeCU0aNEn5vLv3QTqdh1qwzgDF7hRjSJmgc-A/s1600/IMAG0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqKxQfU3WrxgpbZxP0Dxs2Mho_LRWfxxTQKYbHyMusQmVxD9w36Jwq03ab4I1zJrk3DZSo4cw-981D_-4B16b5gry5WSkpS5N5TeCU0aNEn5vLv3QTqdh1qwzgDF7hRjSJmgc-A/s400/IMAG0700.jpg" /></a><br />
Oh swoon. Those old prints/fabrics, that hand-work, all that white... <br />
So I go and visit it every so often and always hope that it'll still be there. <br />
<br />
Aaaanyways. My workshop at the Museum was great, too! I had such a wonderful bunch of ladies and it was really fun to share the project with them. We did the Elegant Ornament project and although it was too complicated of a pattern to finish in the 1.5 hours of the workshop, I hope that they all got the guidance enough to finish it up on their own. <br />
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The other thing about my trip to NYC was that it definitely made me realize how close the holidays are! I had my first Peppermint Mocha drink (guilty pleasure!) and I could feel the energy of the holiday hustle-bustle building up. <br />
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So --- here's a little preview of chez-sucre-chez holiday. I had these things ready to go weeks ago, but I was trying to hold out until it really was about holiday time. <br />
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Holiday kits are in the shop -- the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/85219240/elegant-ornament-red-white-or-black-diy?ref=shop_home_active">Elegant Ornaments</a> (available in three colors) and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110418024/diy-x-stitch-kit-materials-and-pattern?ref=shop_home_active">Night Deer</a>:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYK-Lrc476ZRnP7ZliBiW4auhsepiDTreaFlkmyroHNs7hOwTJMFfI7DzHLd9Q0PbMVH7FMqKqniLQGYyPz2Zh-ZNugZiQx0l5gGSfJveKjrNrD1DG85Tud3VciZXEqViD6Z8-g/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYK-Lrc476ZRnP7ZliBiW4auhsepiDTreaFlkmyroHNs7hOwTJMFfI7DzHLd9Q0PbMVH7FMqKqniLQGYyPz2Zh-ZNugZiQx0l5gGSfJveKjrNrD1DG85Tud3VciZXEqViD6Z8-g/s400/IMG_0641.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjZVoWJjKr7r16WyZuauUYMFSO33UOay1GFsRTtLJca7tspLA2NjKERNigPoZCTb7Y2HA-UUo1uHPmSNj13B2mRWN6epqnvbQv43wiNX9jwmnSdfZs1fW1zNqWPeaas_JiiqCkQ/s1600/IMG_3739.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjZVoWJjKr7r16WyZuauUYMFSO33UOay1GFsRTtLJca7tspLA2NjKERNigPoZCTb7Y2HA-UUo1uHPmSNj13B2mRWN6epqnvbQv43wiNX9jwmnSdfZs1fW1zNqWPeaas_JiiqCkQ/s400/IMG_3739.JPG" /></a><br />
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And "Cheers!" <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167703765/cheers-holiday-or-everyday?ref=shop_home_active">tea towels</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167707503/cheers-hand-embroidered-napkin?ref=shop_home_active">napkins</a> are stitched up and ready-to-go:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3_ywqznBWxgY-iejDTkYJjsbDQJfOM0ZKjtApvjP4RngGvda4oHKW8KDuzsC7t1WC4sUMeDXjZyZQCazWtRABWAFVcaO3REIezbaWtte5QU9Y5vzBc5AdRyQc4dgvq-NOJViw/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3_ywqznBWxgY-iejDTkYJjsbDQJfOM0ZKjtApvjP4RngGvda4oHKW8KDuzsC7t1WC4sUMeDXjZyZQCazWtRABWAFVcaO3REIezbaWtte5QU9Y5vzBc5AdRyQc4dgvq-NOJViw/s400/IMG_6403.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQxOeSD8qPdbaGhuRAfMyMBKBAXSVNy9b7LJbPZGonpT0TyYHHyLx3uEAbgChDDMhf0w0h_YFKtSO0PifW1gThhDvabATr748LMhQO6IHf2h9x-4Y788r7vAkw7ojZFbzKKgu2w/s1600/IMG_6398.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQxOeSD8qPdbaGhuRAfMyMBKBAXSVNy9b7LJbPZGonpT0TyYHHyLx3uEAbgChDDMhf0w0h_YFKtSO0PifW1gThhDvabATr748LMhQO6IHf2h9x-4Y788r7vAkw7ojZFbzKKgu2w/s400/IMG_6398.JPG" /></a><br />
I'm really liking the "Cheers!" tea towels wrapped around a bottle of wine or other spirits; this is going to be my hostess gift of the season. :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQxoOc0rCp3_7WVv_3xFtilvcbsBFjTGyzJSCLFx81979UDLzr6Zxq8n-IMDsYvreYeSELWimBOyO3FfKpHll8b0l0v4X46Ejo5uU68wog3-ynxCmDvfLExMXM5H4AryHuP41lw/s1600/IMG_6413.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQxoOc0rCp3_7WVv_3xFtilvcbsBFjTGyzJSCLFx81979UDLzr6Zxq8n-IMDsYvreYeSELWimBOyO3FfKpHll8b0l0v4X46Ejo5uU68wog3-ynxCmDvfLExMXM5H4AryHuP41lw/s400/IMG_6413.JPG" /></a><br />
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More to come! I rocked through all of my open orders yesterday and cleared my worktable so that I could whip up a few more seasonal goodies today before it's time to start working on my Thanksgiving feast contributions for tomorrow. Hoping to add more goods to the shop later today or late tomorrow. (Hoping.) <br />
I'm sending you all the biggest warmest wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I am so thankful for YOU. <br />
<br />
PS-- Yep, there will be some deals in the shop for this holiday shopping weekend. Keep your eye on the social media outlets and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">the shop</a> for coupon codes and announcements of deals! xo!chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-26183083969414535432013-11-15T12:20:00.001-05:002013-11-15T12:20:39.284-05:00Feeling the LoveA few weeks ago, blogger and interior designer Susan Hutchinson of <a href="http://www.fleurishingblog.com/">fleurishing</a> asked me to participate in her local-love Philly Creatives series. She sent over a list of Q+A questions and asked me to choose ten to answer. I worked on them here and there over the past couple of weeks, and then kicked it into high gear to finish them up last night. <br />
This morning, Susan got in touch to let me know that the post had gone live. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBqT-gZPN_KK1Fcd_bKK3nR-U5E4E5wCJeHb5wxMs3eclqNTM8ewp1MCH3vXURnNHzPEUxYhPRuv6OxiAMn978xqAkyvd_0FIdcJ6cXHHCuXPc04cYQ5Hd2H7Sj7mAW9edNUYBg/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-15+at+12.18.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBqT-gZPN_KK1Fcd_bKK3nR-U5E4E5wCJeHb5wxMs3eclqNTM8ewp1MCH3vXURnNHzPEUxYhPRuv6OxiAMn978xqAkyvd_0FIdcJ6cXHHCuXPc04cYQ5Hd2H7Sj7mAW9edNUYBg/s400/Screen+shot+2013-11-15+at+12.18.00+PM.png" /></a><br />
<br />
I read it, and had a moment of almost teary epiphany. See, in answering those interview questions, I was thinking and talking a lot about how chez-sucre-chez is a one-woman operation and that I am ultimately the one responsible for if I succeed or fail in my little business. <br />
What I realized this morning is that this is not really true. Chez-sucre-chez would be only so much if it truly were the one-woman operation that I think it to be. In reality, chez-sucre-chez is what it is because of you, who read my blog, because of people like Susan, who share their support of chez-sucre-chez on blogs or other press outlets, because of my customers, who write nice reviews of their purchases that inspire others to place orders, because of my friends, who encourage me to keep on keeping on.... <br />
In short, I'm feeling a whole lot of gratitude this morning, for all of the people who have ever said nice things about my work, all of the customers who have ever placed an order or bought my wares at craft fairs+events, all of the buyers who've ever carried my products in their stores, all of the bloggers, magazine editors, and well-connected people who have ever chosen to feature my work on their media outlets, all of my followers on social media, all of my friends, my amazingly supportive family..... all of you. Chez-sucre-chez would only be a wistful past-time if it weren't for you. Thank you. <br />
xo. <br />
<br />
(PS -- Susan's blog post of my Q's & A's is <a href="http://www.fleurishingblog.com/2013/11/philly-creatives-kimberly-scola/">here</a>. Thank you, Susan!) chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-55966410293712340792013-11-11T16:08:00.001-05:002013-11-11T16:14:11.542-05:00savoring autumnI'm not much a fan of autumn -- to me, it just means shorter (darker) days and colder weather. That <a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/girlfriend-to-stay-underneath-blanket-for-next-5-m,34377/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:Week1:Default">Onion article</a> that was going around a few weeks ago hit the nail on the head for me. The past few weeks haven't been so bad, though, and I've been savoring some of the little quintessentially autumnal activities and experiences. <br />
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The week before Halloween, we took a trip to Richmond, VA, to visit some friends who recently moved there. I brought along an apple pie and was delighted to find that a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115251140/bowl-cover-large-fits-kitchenaid?ref=shop_home_active">large bowl cover</a> also makes for a perfect pie cover; eco-sweet pie transfer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3c9O8rIDOEvR0td3FIIq27YGbm9uCaM74OuaTtNbCKZIAxq-njHS4_pbuSyy_Z2jTYOmqy-cTGpfXAs1WjyHpgBWaCBFJ-FBYqLj6pVWq3voOlNOcBd4SPoE5OYgDP90xpTXNQ/s1600/IMG_6415.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3c9O8rIDOEvR0td3FIIq27YGbm9uCaM74OuaTtNbCKZIAxq-njHS4_pbuSyy_Z2jTYOmqy-cTGpfXAs1WjyHpgBWaCBFJ-FBYqLj6pVWq3voOlNOcBd4SPoE5OYgDP90xpTXNQ/s400/IMG_6415.JPG" /></a><br />
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We walked around the city and then shared a delicious dinner of bread, olives, cheese and wine, followed by the apple pie. Dining like that with good friends is always such a wonderful treat! <br />
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The trees around our house have been putting on quite a show. I love the view across the little "field" from my studio window -- even on over-cast days and evenings, the lighting and trees looks so dramatic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhSqdg4ZSLpUxIqzafe2e-2BfS20fQEeZ8Pxyfeq70QE32s3Vlew_U3XFF-9GNwCxzs3E5FWWkyTaNLrenBPjZiQzjUyiGuXgb2pypv62u2vwvh51aBejVSJwgNq-IwxgF45f6g/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhSqdg4ZSLpUxIqzafe2e-2BfS20fQEeZ8Pxyfeq70QE32s3Vlew_U3XFF-9GNwCxzs3E5FWWkyTaNLrenBPjZiQzjUyiGuXgb2pypv62u2vwvh51aBejVSJwgNq-IwxgF45f6g/s400/IMG_6444.JPG" /></a><br />
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On this particular evening, when this photo was taken, I was watching a pair of ravens, or some other really big black birds, circling around above the trees, the way the light was hitting just the underside of their wings was fantastic - lighting them up in gold. Of course, though, I didn't manage to get a photo of that fleeting magic. <br />
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We have a really wonderful fire pit area in our backyard and as often as we can, we invite friends over for super-casual hang-outs there. The weekend after Halloween, we had some peeps over -- and Mister Jack O Lantern made for a festive backdrop:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddR0WCtDDQ25EWeE0w1_cscYCCbDxwHOq2J6-mhQoENstUEF0nDwheUV5GOfXPTSAzaPwfZFM7CU2taHZRrzfS0hWlTW57feAFsoDfWBjuyv_GC6YDV6pArPBxbrnZFnHDiPL2A/s1600/IMAG2600.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddR0WCtDDQ25EWeE0w1_cscYCCbDxwHOq2J6-mhQoENstUEF0nDwheUV5GOfXPTSAzaPwfZFM7CU2taHZRrzfS0hWlTW57feAFsoDfWBjuyv_GC6YDV6pArPBxbrnZFnHDiPL2A/s400/IMAG2600.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJKJL0pg-UZItf-h_0DK8S1uB9H0nspRpW1NYgXrmrK78tLMtNpBFCHAwpooEHf90H1dJ_UFhAqHY2NN8qyBFN-JQsU41dTIzEJ0Er5Db9p7eai0uC-RnzsTcGB5NVYcu5Lst1w/s1600/IMAG2615.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJKJL0pg-UZItf-h_0DK8S1uB9H0nspRpW1NYgXrmrK78tLMtNpBFCHAwpooEHf90H1dJ_UFhAqHY2NN8qyBFN-JQsU41dTIzEJ0Er5Db9p7eai0uC-RnzsTcGB5NVYcu5Lst1w/s400/IMAG2615.jpg" /></a><br />
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I simmered up a big batch of warm <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164891550/mulling-spice-packetsachet?ref=shop_home_active">mulled</a> apple cider and we drank it spiked with spiced rum as we talked and enjoyed the evening. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa1L3fuFYR3G61asrddrPRyTjhItqPk0EQOMQOQfhZpiDTeZW8EC1gK8s5cVy6BLT6f_9WhYR7T6vF4y9UaYFFrmDc7fU-M33MGC0UKN0BV8s30CAra9uXm3SMiubgYcJBbIoag/s1600/IMG_20130922_141127.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa1L3fuFYR3G61asrddrPRyTjhItqPk0EQOMQOQfhZpiDTeZW8EC1gK8s5cVy6BLT6f_9WhYR7T6vF4y9UaYFFrmDc7fU-M33MGC0UKN0BV8s30CAra9uXm3SMiubgYcJBbIoag/s400/IMG_20130922_141127.jpg" /></a><br />
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This past weekend, my niece and nephew spent the night with us and so we did another fire night. It's adorable how much they love that. They also love that we always seem to have sparklers tucked away somewhere for them to enjoy when they're here. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8KxPiQ6bJwMZnT2pVStTTdnYTfwQlepZficzhGIIXjq-9KhZMB0me3YhujzeO8uS32PMvb848nnZU6S38Ednigb_Wjunvg5m3nhLo1GcPBteplNj2bgRyLTP6dSL77ldEqATpQ/s1600/IMAG2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8KxPiQ6bJwMZnT2pVStTTdnYTfwQlepZficzhGIIXjq-9KhZMB0me3YhujzeO8uS32PMvb848nnZU6S38Ednigb_Wjunvg5m3nhLo1GcPBteplNj2bgRyLTP6dSL77ldEqATpQ/s400/IMAG2657.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyXxGqts6YP3nWYgsX9o8WJ84pFFePxyMcmomV3H85wS35BAVRPuFpjzEKBrik0cZ6TcxQ-Z5YfSzSuBZPrUrVu477jqUkWjQ6Cfmm1M76crUEe_z9Snp0zVwl4B2BnUuih4p5w/s1600/IMAG2662.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyXxGqts6YP3nWYgsX9o8WJ84pFFePxyMcmomV3H85wS35BAVRPuFpjzEKBrik0cZ6TcxQ-Z5YfSzSuBZPrUrVu477jqUkWjQ6Cfmm1M76crUEe_z9Snp0zVwl4B2BnUuih4p5w/s400/IMAG2662.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VTLe5td-JNVnORRufCeRk1N9gFW1LgLzQzwZ8HFTk9XvWIRlX-HSRwkg5OXR_0U7fDC30bNMjfh4amEI4brgargb9iz0eiRKHwd4VUUNHD8JZDKIPwlYzb84pkLJtPBvTLfhFA/s1600/IMAG2664.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VTLe5td-JNVnORRufCeRk1N9gFW1LgLzQzwZ8HFTk9XvWIRlX-HSRwkg5OXR_0U7fDC30bNMjfh4amEI4brgargb9iz0eiRKHwd4VUUNHD8JZDKIPwlYzb84pkLJtPBvTLfhFA/s400/IMAG2664.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y8iJav4hB5VumRlksG8D9sYDrxZ4W4nzRBwEUNXW2ffGetlrS8tvm0MPUOdn8KTbw1nqtQwsq1i-CO28MwsIDQTXRI3IUwNa3fV4FMe-OGVm_NKvkN4y16jNGRScAuHqa_kLXQ/s1600/IMAG2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y8iJav4hB5VumRlksG8D9sYDrxZ4W4nzRBwEUNXW2ffGetlrS8tvm0MPUOdn8KTbw1nqtQwsq1i-CO28MwsIDQTXRI3IUwNa3fV4FMe-OGVm_NKvkN4y16jNGRScAuHqa_kLXQ/s400/IMAG2665.jpg" /></a><br />
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The other super great autumn thing is this <a href="http://www.sproutedkitchen.com/home/2013/10/31/yeasted-pumpkin-bread.html">pumpkin pull-apart bread</a> from the <a href="http://www.kinfolk.com/">Kinfolk</a> Table cookbook. I found the recipe on <a href="http://www.sproutedkitchen.com/">Sprouted Kitchen</a>, via <a href="http://www.tastespotting.com/">Tastespotting</a>, and made it last week. Oh. My. Goodness. You should make it. <br />
chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-33127861951162257222013-11-02T14:47:00.000-04:002013-11-02T14:48:06.198-04:00chez-sucre-chez for AnthropologieRemember back in <a href="http://www.chezsucrechez.blogspot.com/2013/09/stockpiling.html">this post</a> when I was stitching up those 500 "Enjoy!" napkins for a big wholesale order? Well, they've hit the shelves -- at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp">Anthropologie</a>! Woohoo! <br />
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It is so exciting to me to be in that store -- it's definitely one of my favourite shops, from the homewares to the dresses to the window displays, the team at Anthropologie just does it right. <br />
The napkins are available <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-new2/30027361.jsp">online</a>: <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfG_jYlEjSW68ogUUgOjlBBeLNKm4xQ01CTOUN3NhwSGaimDw6t14j_UF5OSg48TjusHW_hM70DeKJ28ZpUmCl_EH6bQgIVeFLjR_TvHrWzC4D9ekEqmWdabRuJx6kHXk17HeJA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-30+at+11.13.40+AM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfG_jYlEjSW68ogUUgOjlBBeLNKm4xQ01CTOUN3NhwSGaimDw6t14j_UF5OSg48TjusHW_hM70DeKJ28ZpUmCl_EH6bQgIVeFLjR_TvHrWzC4D9ekEqmWdabRuJx6kHXk17HeJA/s400/Screen+shot+2013-10-30+at+11.13.40+AM.png" /></a><br />
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and they're also available in some of the shops. Being a one-woman team, I could really only stitch up so many napkins; 500 sounds like a lot, but it isn't nearly enough for them to be stocked in every Anthropologie location. Unfortunately, they aren't at my local shop; if you see them at yours would you please email me a photo? I'd love to see them in the shop environment! <br />
Actually -- these aren't even available in my shop anymore. The blue ticking stripe napkins were a discontinued style from one of my suppliers, and I bought up every last one to complete this order - so, if you love them, hop on over to the site to snap 'em up or find out if your local shop has them! <br />
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Also exciting is that they are carrying my boyfriend hankie kits as well. These are available only <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-new2/30027379.jsp">online</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY_6TXFw-3X0qH7OTS-P0aN5IW2MUV2fTFZtAIwEFwyIAmd5G-5QDcglnlH3mi_rDS72l_s_q73eV7QaQ_pLLgbNyjzQ9_-iMPVGDk779o6rwIHFSKFbkZdMx_oW9WLY5ShAgRQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-10-24+at+12.21.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY_6TXFw-3X0qH7OTS-P0aN5IW2MUV2fTFZtAIwEFwyIAmd5G-5QDcglnlH3mi_rDS72l_s_q73eV7QaQ_pLLgbNyjzQ9_-iMPVGDk779o6rwIHFSKFbkZdMx_oW9WLY5ShAgRQ/s400/Screen+shot+2013-10-24+at+12.21.41+PM.png" /></a><br />
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But you can still find them in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">my shop</a> as well... <br />
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I'm so excited that this worked out and that I'm able to see my products as part of their line up. Everyone I worked with over there, from the buyers team to vendor relations, was so nice and helpful. Fingers crossed that we may be able to do more work together in the future! <br />
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Next up -- I'm in full-swing prep for the holidays! I know, most of us don't want to see holiday marketing yet - but it creeps up so fast! I'll spare you the details for another week or two - but if you want a sneak peek (including a holiday variation of the "Enjoy!" napkin) take a look at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChezSucreChez">my shop</a>! <br />
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Have a great weekend, friends!chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-40379363018741415872013-10-29T21:56:00.000-04:002013-10-29T21:56:22.931-04:00An Apple a Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_KSeLjDVIjjwZxokY_B844wpKf00feS3nkfGyd5xmRyCVamMB7Dof4i_HQea8C33wxelk2RJOGliS9le9u9w8RGFiZM0RN7sinsLUfYtbISMQjhDI7Pw8Wb7dUVYabJcmXaVYg/s1600/IMAG2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_KSeLjDVIjjwZxokY_B844wpKf00feS3nkfGyd5xmRyCVamMB7Dof4i_HQea8C33wxelk2RJOGliS9le9u9w8RGFiZM0RN7sinsLUfYtbISMQjhDI7Pw8Wb7dUVYabJcmXaVYg/s400/IMAG2431.jpg" /></a><br />
I've been having a love affair -- with apples. <br />
I know that they have their season every autumn, and most times, I get in a trip to an orchard or two for picking, and I enjoy eating them and baking with them. This autumn, though, I've been *really* into them. <br />
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B & I kicked off the season at an orchard up near his where his family lives. We'd been there once last year, but not to pick. This time, however, we took a spur-of-the-moment picking trip with his mom. Here's B and his mom at Bob White Orchard: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTee-oagK8I1hAMXog-LDkQzMVmkPgVrO39c0A3PuBmNKChzZ4goD5zCVPe7KapcWozxxnjPWTRolCFaBzTysY2S4mwjXi_BVMuwcI9sFYlvgK_qGIwXwqPX5Vb99gs-eJu7dag/s1600/29A_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTee-oagK8I1hAMXog-LDkQzMVmkPgVrO39c0A3PuBmNKChzZ4goD5zCVPe7KapcWozxxnjPWTRolCFaBzTysY2S4mwjXi_BVMuwcI9sFYlvgK_qGIwXwqPX5Vb99gs-eJu7dag/s400/29A_0025.jpg" /></a><br />
The apples we got that day were okay -- but it had rained the days before and it was tough to find ones that weren't split. So we just picked a few. <br />
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Then we discovered *the* orchard -- my new favourite orchard, not far from our house. We'd been there last year, but at the very end of the season, and pick-your-own had already ended. I'd loved the small-ness of the place, though, and our impression of it was that it was really chill and no-frills -- totally the opposite of some of those <a href="http://www.linvilla.com/">big-operation place</a>s near us. <br />
So we returned a few weeks ago and were delighted to find that our impression was true. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxr8MKnMoAzAsk7MNeK2eaPfG0jVmpcNnf16D0ujX5H564EXu7-8K68Y5VUZGhIhgSh2MR1qS-lhqXQ2HE7-yJMUNPdQxXWskpzab7N0zlsZNApo86-4U_7H9n5-oVnMrieBaRA/s1600/IMAG2438.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxr8MKnMoAzAsk7MNeK2eaPfG0jVmpcNnf16D0ujX5H564EXu7-8K68Y5VUZGhIhgSh2MR1qS-lhqXQ2HE7-yJMUNPdQxXWskpzab7N0zlsZNApo86-4U_7H9n5-oVnMrieBaRA/s400/IMAG2438.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko1Rsh0Wa6sQIbbzFNHfOpr8SNrUF_ACBw8dPzhUsRPtu4cVUHoOAKigJmvVKt1EQ3QAxZMNaUqMlIADaqCyxTVr2E_IfA4cP7sYGV6OgfiykiwtzwFkGIZsDOWgDjr5RNxeraw/s1600/IMAG2440.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko1Rsh0Wa6sQIbbzFNHfOpr8SNrUF_ACBw8dPzhUsRPtu4cVUHoOAKigJmvVKt1EQ3QAxZMNaUqMlIADaqCyxTVr2E_IfA4cP7sYGV6OgfiykiwtzwFkGIZsDOWgDjr5RNxeraw/s400/IMAG2440.jpg" /></a><br />
This place, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barnards-Orchard/277402103895">Barnard's Orchard</a>, is amazing! There's no signing in, there's no getting on a tractor, no posted rules of what you can and can't do -- you just walk up, grab a bag from outside the shop, and walk into the orchard, looking for the hand-written signs indicating which rows house which kinds of apple trees. And the rows go on and on forever! And there are barely any other people there! And they even have ladders - and they don't seem to discourage pickers from using them! It is soooo pretty there, and the apples are delicious! <br />
So, we went the first day and picked a peck. And then, maybe a week later, I went back on my own and picked two pecks. And then, despite having an entire crisper drawer full of apples, I told B that going back to the orchard was what I wanted to do for my decompress-day after the Martha event in NYC. And we picked two more pecks. That's a lot of apples! <br />
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I'm not one to usually just eat an apple, but since that first trip to Barnards, I've been eating almost an apple a day. Besides just plain apple slices (I almost never just bite into an apple.) we've been really digging them smeared with peanut butters made by fellow <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1 ff3=4&pub=5575061755&toolid=10001&campid=5337407257&customid=sll27&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Frpp%2Fmarthastewartamericanmade">American Made</a> vendors <a href="http://yumbutter.com/">Yumbutter</a>. Also delicious was a dinner of cheddar and apple (and pickle!) grilled-cheese sandwiches. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK2RBlPQuSIM8z3azXeL3mStbdCdS543qfbUODSn48-OKXD6ZUGZqI-MVDO1RR709ISfnx6es_qHL4-8AwxJuUIHwwQQWIVKhdZpYjQeiMYbP9m-pVz6rsAZPip0UnVPQ64XDmg/s1600/IMG_6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK2RBlPQuSIM8z3azXeL3mStbdCdS543qfbUODSn48-OKXD6ZUGZqI-MVDO1RR709ISfnx6es_qHL4-8AwxJuUIHwwQQWIVKhdZpYjQeiMYbP9m-pVz6rsAZPip0UnVPQ64XDmg/s400/IMG_6268.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nUVtLjUBEn7aKYJ2ZdkNPo6MQ7xuMVkJL3LBWBUtDp-8bzMp3H6fRc7faFGMqObA-qXXV6xitH8QpGI-J44wpcUWk_JLmZS4R9LRGsfkTd_0ZLVIFB9tghO5Dq0ydYmL0B6BuQ/s1600/IMG_6275.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nUVtLjUBEn7aKYJ2ZdkNPo6MQ7xuMVkJL3LBWBUtDp-8bzMp3H6fRc7faFGMqObA-qXXV6xitH8QpGI-J44wpcUWk_JLmZS4R9LRGsfkTd_0ZLVIFB9tghO5Dq0ydYmL0B6BuQ/s400/IMG_6275.JPG" /></a><br />
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Aand I made apple crisp (twice), and apple cinnamon oatmeal, and an apple pie. That apple peeler/core-er/slicer is one handy kitchen gadget! <br />
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The apples have also made for brilliant props for chez-sucre-chez photos. If you've seen my instagram feed or updates from facebook or twitter, you've seen the apples!<br />
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Here they are with the bowl covers:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZo7r75_8oJQgk8V61U60AUpM6r7yaORvafZ0Ruk4J8o-Sdg-JxLYWG6tTk1zle9uQGwCPu3ba6M1uUoI309MWun-KUKiWp8Tdr-zaYKqopAFdsyQOm1FPl_c9spJR5L3HYJiFg/s1600/IMG_6106.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZo7r75_8oJQgk8V61U60AUpM6r7yaORvafZ0Ruk4J8o-Sdg-JxLYWG6tTk1zle9uQGwCPu3ba6M1uUoI309MWun-KUKiWp8Tdr-zaYKqopAFdsyQOm1FPl_c9spJR5L3HYJiFg/s400/IMG_6106.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSmyNV_7TtD0b4Cv-_TNNrmT8YDs2LYrSWdMlFG_WueIob8whj5AEjhbU1cDeDfAXRNkykvqiHppHI8GwR3A5fSdBglqhFlrB_VQeiniQKqFixOvbz9C1iinY0puqLJLOF8yHvw/s1600/IMG_6139.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSmyNV_7TtD0b4Cv-_TNNrmT8YDs2LYrSWdMlFG_WueIob8whj5AEjhbU1cDeDfAXRNkykvqiHppHI8GwR3A5fSdBglqhFlrB_VQeiniQKqFixOvbz9C1iinY0puqLJLOF8yHvw/s400/IMG_6139.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxQSmhNJ_YEQyMblYcQDzmkJy9Mj8uhYGen0feeau6OiTMfcbN_o76vuvNZq3-Fa2gVGA7Xb1ZkHSWrE4lRk86JfTPk6s-FpVzEk9WEtsjOx8J3CrFYD8Vt7N8HuiMKdcibyA5g/s1600/IMG_6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxQSmhNJ_YEQyMblYcQDzmkJy9Mj8uhYGen0feeau6OiTMfcbN_o76vuvNZq3-Fa2gVGA7Xb1ZkHSWrE4lRk86JfTPk6s-FpVzEk9WEtsjOx8J3CrFYD8Vt7N8HuiMKdcibyA5g/s400/IMG_6198.JPG" /></a><br />
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And with the monogram tea towels:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaENbHoQBHjRjFv4a2zzbweeIG3MuBnMHc_9SFb9XO1Ztuz9qeLAIkTfOYmg9ji6fyB_g23Gm5DFoZXwp9T91ECn15uuD05Jfu7R7KyJKq7iMK1OafnnkhC7WmO6XVPp33gT5jg/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaENbHoQBHjRjFv4a2zzbweeIG3MuBnMHc_9SFb9XO1Ztuz9qeLAIkTfOYmg9ji6fyB_g23Gm5DFoZXwp9T91ECn15uuD05Jfu7R7KyJKq7iMK1OafnnkhC7WmO6XVPp33gT5jg/s400/IMG_6287.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipCoOCbt4s2EUnDhsWt4y3N1zN9Wv4V-ZZ3rtplWq0nhl55GkQshZE-RcflYBTs7IFLNZGHTwKSUXuoJwgNYo4VMt9FIOA-vx-x4PdMlxFzxtjoauO7DdLM9XRV3ZS8M9-T6igA/s1600/IMG_6295.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipCoOCbt4s2EUnDhsWt4y3N1zN9Wv4V-ZZ3rtplWq0nhl55GkQshZE-RcflYBTs7IFLNZGHTwKSUXuoJwgNYo4VMt9FIOA-vx-x4PdMlxFzxtjoauO7DdLM9XRV3ZS8M9-T6igA/s400/IMG_6295.JPG" /></a><br />
(I'm running <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167268489/pre-holidayautumn-special-4-custom?ref=shop_home_active">a special on tea towels</a> before the holiday rush season begins: 4 for $64 - which is $2 off each!)<br />
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I stitched up, photographed, and listed some napkins today and the left-over apple pie from this weekend made it into some shots:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv48kTzcXaRDqelEeD6AHMOMOEBVTkDDqzsbpfZOVbE68mWSP6qvd5PyiRV8Iun0QvlEGP-fACfrgKBj_TG7g3lR-OpmqsbNxvvK-QqeeNwg76rHFs_iLeKZuAGxMwsWTXFRDSog/s1600/IMG_6323.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv48kTzcXaRDqelEeD6AHMOMOEBVTkDDqzsbpfZOVbE68mWSP6qvd5PyiRV8Iun0QvlEGP-fACfrgKBj_TG7g3lR-OpmqsbNxvvK-QqeeNwg76rHFs_iLeKZuAGxMwsWTXFRDSog/s400/IMG_6323.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGNtP-gLAqOE8gC4A1WlVpwAeVBQBccugSH0ReMX00aZOtD90fanRE7a2fLSdAjJS1zkjUbT_2_1_-OnUZbBQBflpcT15yOUCj1hNUJSVMhjSb28ot495N1VGT6if3fMfuyLmew/s1600/IMG_6334.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGNtP-gLAqOE8gC4A1WlVpwAeVBQBccugSH0ReMX00aZOtD90fanRE7a2fLSdAjJS1zkjUbT_2_1_-OnUZbBQBflpcT15yOUCj1hNUJSVMhjSb28ot495N1VGT6if3fMfuyLmew/s400/IMG_6334.jpg" /></a><br />
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We've still got a crisper-drawer full of apples -- any suggestions on what else I should make? Do you have any knock-out apple recipes? Please share them in the comments if you do! <br />
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Next up - pumpkins? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZTokQDhbtikikl_iOmDPyPhEzXB9U9AZ0WAuJ2zzzjKP_i2sHblx73Y2uWb530bNcES9NF2ClL0Az1MMj24NRVxybLkbUywxdNlyYD-GGIVP36-uYIjF1Vjf4s72w7qBKaA7Q/s1600/IMG_6246.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZTokQDhbtikikl_iOmDPyPhEzXB9U9AZ0WAuJ2zzzjKP_i2sHblx73Y2uWb530bNcES9NF2ClL0Az1MMj24NRVxybLkbUywxdNlyYD-GGIVP36-uYIjF1Vjf4s72w7qBKaA7Q/s400/IMG_6246.jpg" /></a><br />
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PS - If you're also a fan of apples, cooking with apples, and picking apples, and especially if you live in the Boston/New England area, I suggest you check out my friend Liz's blog, <a href="http://applelogs.wordpress.com/">Applelogs</a>. She's the most crazy-about-apples person I know and she's posted some great recipes and reviews of orchards. Hi Liz!chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-15104045577278520412013-10-28T17:05:00.001-04:002013-10-28T17:05:43.503-04:00The Martha Stewart American Made Market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QqPu1xMBGc5tTY8iFBJ_xKMRf3WCBU_SrFG8RpFls8Pz2N4m5pqlRqE1qAJdMEqsRD6-sj48O2SCe4If_AeDNQgIKxKTzUwsIB4prGsgmc18Jp3-YuaV4S-e6U0XM1lxFE-S4Q/s1600/IMG_6263.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QqPu1xMBGc5tTY8iFBJ_xKMRf3WCBU_SrFG8RpFls8Pz2N4m5pqlRqE1qAJdMEqsRD6-sj48O2SCe4If_AeDNQgIKxKTzUwsIB4prGsgmc18Jp3-YuaV4S-e6U0XM1lxFE-S4Q/s400/IMG_6263.jpg" /></a><br />
I cannot tell you how psyched I am to be a part of the newly launched Martha Stewart American Made Market. You know that the team behind Martha Stewart Living has an amazing eye for all that is wonderful - and now they've put together this collection of some of the best new American makers. I have to pinch myself when I remember that chez-sucre-chez was invited to be part of the launch; it's just so cool!<br />
Launched last Wednesday, the Market is a carefully curated collection of goods by American Makers like myself -- small companies of good people doing making cool products. You can shop the collection by categories like <a href="http://www.ebay.com/rpp/martha-stewart-american-made/collection/food/">food</a>, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/rpp/martha-stewart-american-made/collection/home-decor/">home & decor</a>, and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/rpp/martha-stewart-american-made/collection/crafts-supplies/">crafts & supplies</a>, or you can just view <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575061755&toolid=10001&campid=5337407257&customid=sll27&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Frpp%2Fmarthastewartamericanmade">the whole collection</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO2nHA5G5_b197vXsDtXCWss2Wc6OmA2xhWj1FXz9mlBBTQiiwC5YyWWD0PHgZfouUpGnegDUqxMcyp9jK2Y5BNHOdmTwLd0_FEThQ5KgfZlLfiBm2fRXcSimQOmltOebyDxMfg/s1600/IMG_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO2nHA5G5_b197vXsDtXCWss2Wc6OmA2xhWj1FXz9mlBBTQiiwC5YyWWD0PHgZfouUpGnegDUqxMcyp9jK2Y5BNHOdmTwLd0_FEThQ5KgfZlLfiBm2fRXcSimQOmltOebyDxMfg/s400/IMG_6321.JPG" /></a><br />
Most of the artisans and business featured are ones who had been a part of the American Made awards and events in NYC -- and all are such inspiring folks. This site is a terrific resource for one-stop-shopping in support of small businesses and hand-made goods -- click on over (<a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575061755&toolid=10001&campid=5337407257&customid=sll27&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Frpp%2Fmarthastewartamericanmade">here</a>) and check it out if you please! chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-69514706371295133962013-10-23T17:47:00.001-04:002013-10-23T17:47:50.717-04:00Martha Stewart American Made - the Marketplace<br />
Oh, I am so behind on blog posts! Last week, I was in NYC for the second year of the Martha Stewart American Made event. Being last year was like a dream come true, so to have been asked to participate again this year?! I was psyched. It is *such* an amazingly exciting and inspiring event - I was so happy to be there! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXvXWkW2aNVjf-Az8KENNiRYVgL-am6S4G-Zgx8EB_EcreKl9AnRJXbkt-YFjSF9JqkN_HId9NxI_bemw9PewcnQT1H1h_P97ECW7Y8_nlrjna6lVrrAtmZur43S32CArxUGqmg/s1600/IMAG2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXvXWkW2aNVjf-Az8KENNiRYVgL-am6S4G-Zgx8EB_EcreKl9AnRJXbkt-YFjSF9JqkN_HId9NxI_bemw9PewcnQT1H1h_P97ECW7Y8_nlrjna6lVrrAtmZur43S32CArxUGqmg/s400/IMAG2523.jpg" /></a><br />
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Having moved out of NYC, leaving Brooklyn in 2008 for the Pennsylvania country-side, I don't get back to the city nearly as often as I thought I would when I first left. Now, so many of my friends who had lived there at the same time I did are gone, too, and I have even less reason to go. Boooo! This past week, however, was a joy to be in the city -- not as a visitor, but as a worker-bee, a temporary resident with a purpose. I loved getting back into that routine of briskly traveling through streets and subway tunnels (and all of the stairs!) on my daily commute. The Market days were long and full -- I didn't get much time to catch up with friends outside of it -- but it was, as expected, a terrific experience. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbqwTh_kBPXmyqUiHXD9SvnDYW-799MmKMcc3aWyUaEqauJHz4mC1_RgoxVGlQER1nA_danLxHjdgHNC7BgxlD-7hs_O1_r2pVMCpcmC1RxIRooHjpziEdjT1xf8-gedQzsj_CQ/s1600/IMAG2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbqwTh_kBPXmyqUiHXD9SvnDYW-799MmKMcc3aWyUaEqauJHz4mC1_RgoxVGlQER1nA_danLxHjdgHNC7BgxlD-7hs_O1_r2pVMCpcmC1RxIRooHjpziEdjT1xf8-gedQzsj_CQ/s400/IMAG2515.jpg" /></a><br />
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These two terrible photos are the only ones I snapped, but there are a lot of shots, and some great recaps on <a href="http://www.themarthablog.com/">The Martha Blog</a>. In <a href="http://www.themarthablog.com/2013/10/more-of-the-american-made-awards.html">this particular post</a>, there's a photo of me -- slide 64. :)<br />
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One of the highlights of the event was being a guest on the Martha Stewart radio programming for SiriusXM. I'd never been on the radio before! I tried to send out notice via twitter, instagram, and facebook, but, as luck would have it, the building I was in for the broadcast had no reception, and my tweet/instagram/fb post didn't go through until after the program, and it isn't archived (publicly) anywhere. Sorry! I wish I'd gotten to give you all notice; I had been so nervous, but the interview/broadcast actually went really well I think! It was fun, I was on the program to talk about the American Made small business movement of makers/crafters/artisans, and the hosts, Eddie and Taylor were wonderful. I shared the airtime with Shon McKinley of <a href="http://www.dustbowldrygoods.com/">Dust Bowl Dry Goods</a> -- he had great things to say about how he got started and what it means to be a maker as part of the American Made movement... Good times -- sorry I couldn't have clued you in before it aired!! <br />
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Otherwise, just being in that beautiful room (it was held in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station) with all of that creative talent was enough to make my year. I saw the familiar faces of customers and chez-sucre-chez supporters from previous NYC events, met new friends, and hopefully made a few more fans. (Lots of folks purchasing the diy x-stitch kits to revisit the craft after a hiatus of many years; I hope they all enjoy it!). I was visited by one customer from last year who told me that the kits she bought last year were the thing that occupied her days during the power outage caused by Hurricane Sandy - that she stitched by the light of the day until it got too dark to do so. I love that she shared that story with me! She bought more kits this year - let's hope there's no disaster like Sandy to come along! <br />
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I'm so appreciative of all those involved in the event that believe in me and my little company. The editors of Martha Stewart living, Martha Stewart herself (!!!), and the whole team of individuals it took to coordinate and put the event together --- thank you. I'm amazed (and continually inspired) of all that they do and the power and reach of their creativity and motivation. <br />
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But this isn't even the whole story!! Stay tuned --- there's another exciting part to tell about; I'll be back tomorrow to tell you about The American Made Market (it's different than the Marketplace that took place in NYC last week). !!!!<br />
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But there's more! Stay tuned.... tomorrow or the next day I'll let you in on the next thing... !!!<br />
chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-34690969932447212602013-10-05T15:02:00.000-04:002013-10-05T15:02:15.092-04:00busy daysHello friends!<br />
The last month and a half or more was intense. I felt like I was constantly racing to meet deadlines and didn't feel like I could take a moment's rest. Well, I'm in the clear again, sort of, I think, for now.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKA0q-_fo5APk9xSy9NJLN63laoilCEJsJc6IQqBz9NiYVOIsrq-eozECgfgDNcS_ScvPiub-mTTBnozgoO8DyPd5fyu2sA5KUa5sFCvi-dQdJuWi68-bp-kORG_MMwB9YKfXLg/s1600/IMG_20130922_141127.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKA0q-_fo5APk9xSy9NJLN63laoilCEJsJc6IQqBz9NiYVOIsrq-eozECgfgDNcS_ScvPiub-mTTBnozgoO8DyPd5fyu2sA5KUa5sFCvi-dQdJuWi68-bp-kORG_MMwB9YKfXLg/s400/IMG_20130922_141127.jpg" /></a><br />
(mulling spices! the house smells so good when I work on putting these together.)<br />
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Now I'm working on getting ready for the holiday season! Yep, yep... I know, it's not even Halloween - no one wants to hear about Christmas season marketing, it's true -- but for little businesses like mine, now is the time to prepare. Whew. <br />
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First though -- bowl covers. I have no idea how many of these things I've made in the past couple of months.. I kinda wish I were more organized and would have kept some sort of record because man, it must be a lot. The first goal was Crafty Bastards, which was last Saturday and then, the Martha Stewart American Made Marketplace which is coming up in two weeks, but I had to ship all of my product on Tuesday of last week. So, you see the tricky timing? I sold out of bowl covers well before the end of both events last year, so I knew I had to make a lot more than that and I thought I did.... I took almost all of them with me to Crafty Bastards, leaving only 5 of each size here to ship to NYC. When I was packing the car and looking at the boxes and gigantic bag of bowl covers I was thinking, "KJ, you crazy, girl - this is WAY too many." But you know what, I came home with a lot less than I thought I would. Phew! So, I've been making them like crazy all week and now, I think I FINALLY feel on top - so much so, that I updated my shop and added the new colors. Woohoo!<br />
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Here are the current color/fabric choices: <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZlEPPXPFS0FAgrozdX2UwcI9SjXtFEqjVhXDNHAtQrzrGAkg_V2EimLlJ4TzDj0x3aJu8kavfqWggTZjmzV5KaCDSSgJTJcRkCre65OgMH_Bne3mrs9d0x1N02Y96MUR0DrnfA/s1600/fall2013BowlCoverColors.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZlEPPXPFS0FAgrozdX2UwcI9SjXtFEqjVhXDNHAtQrzrGAkg_V2EimLlJ4TzDj0x3aJu8kavfqWggTZjmzV5KaCDSSgJTJcRkCre65OgMH_Bne3mrs9d0x1N02Y96MUR0DrnfA/s400/fall2013BowlCoverColors.jpg" /></a><br />
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The "DS" ones are fabrics designed by <a href="http://www.dsquilts.com/">Denyse Schmidt</a> for Joann fabrics and I just love love LOVe them. That blue one is my current fabric obsession; I just think it is absolute perfection. The "Autumn" one is a little bit of a different fabric choice for me but the other day, as I'd just driven a couple of hours through this amazing Fall/Indian Summer splendor, that print totally called out to me. It feel so warm and bright and fall-like to me. (Warm fall, not cold fall - I *hate* cold fall days.) And "Playhouse" -- why the name "playhouse"? Well, that's another fabric that is maybe a bit different from one I'd usually choose, but again, I was drawn to it and had to have it. It wasn't until hours later, after I'd come home, washed it, dried it, ironed it, cut out circles and was sewing bowl covers that it struck me -- this fabric is VERY similar to a print/fabric that my mama used to make a tablecloth for my little playhouse when I was six-ish years old. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtuazQZy6d2bCUBh8Ygc3JISm-1rsyLhgsSeCbNh6sZZ7WEvBZ6j9mxVnDM3j6OvVJUy86UOpfUx4nE8hEA6K2S_OQX7Ooa_2FXl2DxlZsthrRx9HcEOGZX6oKwq8yyjasvvW5g/s1600/IMG_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtuazQZy6d2bCUBh8Ygc3JISm-1rsyLhgsSeCbNh6sZZ7WEvBZ6j9mxVnDM3j6OvVJUy86UOpfUx4nE8hEA6K2S_OQX7Ooa_2FXl2DxlZsthrRx9HcEOGZX6oKwq8yyjasvvW5g/s320/IMG_6127.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OTuvatK-VwJfGDjV5l2HrO_KUl8IHT9qGLZTOgr0cMbf_QFNOtnVieFyr7dl5dslWIeKeXZMYNijE-XZjs4kVNjTKJNlcwuN1TOTTfBx_9VIlcjuvGN9C97V-pAClrSaywiftA/s1600/IMG_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OTuvatK-VwJfGDjV5l2HrO_KUl8IHT9qGLZTOgr0cMbf_QFNOtnVieFyr7dl5dslWIeKeXZMYNijE-XZjs4kVNjTKJNlcwuN1TOTTfBx_9VIlcjuvGN9C97V-pAClrSaywiftA/s320/IMG_6142.JPG" /></a><br />
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I have this theory (maybe theory isn't the right word -- a musing? a thought?) that the people who are now designing for the big companies and the market at large, in fashion, home design, textiles, etc, are mostly my my age. It makes sense that the fashion trends that we loved in high school are coming back now, and the textiles that we grew up with are having an influence on the ones we see on the market today, right? <br />
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Aaaanyways. Bowl covers. Yes, they're back in the shop now! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q6y6pImOyl8V7SzvbQUJdmrylXnku17H5GEJi-omfqcW5eylHE0xyoWDxubN_CdCL-comOimqKVEW-vWIQlIGfFSyMmTptVl48PSjED_BE8lUsDZIADaRgRv8_neH_2FvHkCcA/s1600/IMG_6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q6y6pImOyl8V7SzvbQUJdmrylXnku17H5GEJi-omfqcW5eylHE0xyoWDxubN_CdCL-comOimqKVEW-vWIQlIGfFSyMmTptVl48PSjED_BE8lUsDZIADaRgRv8_neH_2FvHkCcA/s400/IMG_6101.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFLZZ48OYYQQMC2-ZOfjdbO7sbTm-khk4MCPNjtpV-CpXs-1b0NfSrPpPywjR_bXideS5itEmBolcjYUF24oQzKwSOjxnGdNNjdAYkzZEEkSAQocwPBNmqlTlO3qAaroFGdYjVA/s1600/IMG_6119.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFLZZ48OYYQQMC2-ZOfjdbO7sbTm-khk4MCPNjtpV-CpXs-1b0NfSrPpPywjR_bXideS5itEmBolcjYUF24oQzKwSOjxnGdNNjdAYkzZEEkSAQocwPBNmqlTlO3qAaroFGdYjVA/s400/IMG_6119.JPG" /></a><br />
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I hope you're enjoying this *gorgeous* Saturday. The weather here is amazing -- feels like summer. I'm stuck doing my taxes this weekend (because I am a PRO-CRAS-TIN-ATOR), but in between, I'm gonna repot all of my little houseplants and take care of the garden. And I think I might go apple picking in the morning... We went last weekend and we still have plenty of apples, but really, with weather this great, I'm happy to go back to the orchard! <br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-29452702712316429982013-09-16T22:56:00.002-04:002013-09-16T22:56:57.798-04:00See me in DC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obhXgErEHvzTc72kX3x9fzZ3dE2Cdtcp5u6CXAQK2J2wgxS3kXpIgUX0kOYVxWZK2rnXl0cwDAqP4ntI6hZuBqOmGsArCM_Y6tBSOM4NXTiWcHrI5rqd12rLd06scvFywV1v4w/s1600/Screen_Shot_2013_08_23_at_9.45.40_PM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obhXgErEHvzTc72kX3x9fzZ3dE2Cdtcp5u6CXAQK2J2wgxS3kXpIgUX0kOYVxWZK2rnXl0cwDAqP4ntI6hZuBqOmGsArCM_Y6tBSOM4NXTiWcHrI5rqd12rLd06scvFywV1v4w/s400/Screen_Shot_2013_08_23_at_9.45.40_PM.png" /></a><br />
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Hello friends! As I mentioned in the post above, I'll be bringing the chez-sucre-chez show on the road and stopping in Washington DC on Saturday, October 28th for Crafty Bastards. I did this event last year and it was amaze-ing. <br />
The fair is running two days this year - both Saturday and Sunday. I WILL ONLY BE THERE ON SATURDAY, so if you're planning on going, but unsure of which day to go -- go Saturday! I don't have a booth assignment yet; when I get it, I'll be sure to post the info on the chez-sucre-chez <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/chez-sucre-chez/54793023088">facebook</a> and/or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/chez-sucre-chez/54793023088">twitter</a> and/or <a href="http://chezsucrechez.com/instagram">instagram</a> pages... <br />
You do need to purchase tickets to attend Crafty Bastards.. They're cheaper ($5) if you get them before the event. Info about vendors, tickets, times, etc. can all be found <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards">here</a>. Also, if last year was any indication of what this year will be like, I highly recommend getting there EARLY. Seriously, I was *sold out* of several items before even two pm. I am working like a mad woman to make lots more stock for this year, but still, get there early if you can! If you do make it out to Crafty Bastards and you come by my booth, please make a point to say hello and introduce yourself; meeting you who've been supporting and encouraging me all this time really is one of the best parts of doing these events. Hope to see you there!<br />
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chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34774448.post-63173299366924610692013-09-11T12:14:00.001-04:002013-09-11T12:14:24.348-04:00stockpilingIn my absence from this here blog, this is a lot of what I've been up to:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiyfzbg6t1dkrf8rt3H2tmrT80_XPjgVzUBZocsqE4QSQ5wVGs68UHTU7YvNdLc7j9vKPVzgPAu8IDPk6bRX1SUh22huoY0B1PC5G9VuFhyphenhyphenyQi473m5SpgM0oPycHETme0viTMw/s1600/IMG_6044.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiyfzbg6t1dkrf8rt3H2tmrT80_XPjgVzUBZocsqE4QSQ5wVGs68UHTU7YvNdLc7j9vKPVzgPAu8IDPk6bRX1SUh22huoY0B1PC5G9VuFhyphenhyphenyQi473m5SpgM0oPycHETme0viTMw/s320/IMG_6044.JPG" /></a><br />
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I've got a big wholesale order for 500 of my "Enjoy!" napkins and I have been stitching, and stitching, and stitching to make that happen. I stopped counting after I got to 300... now I'm just going to keep on stitching until all of the napkins are gone. <br />
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This shot was taken maybe early last week....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_HSRoOJ_NgSCVUEjvHxvn-QvvHmlVGDiY-HfFzUbx34DNSf9gqDNCxhl44_rTvE1nxjEHGPmb7l2rdpeI4MLAtwLfgTImodfG-cms3mwWEr-2zkGgT9s8xFQenDHEqCZhyNNPQ/s1600/IMG_6037.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_HSRoOJ_NgSCVUEjvHxvn-QvvHmlVGDiY-HfFzUbx34DNSf9gqDNCxhl44_rTvE1nxjEHGPmb7l2rdpeI4MLAtwLfgTImodfG-cms3mwWEr-2zkGgT9s8xFQenDHEqCZhyNNPQ/s320/IMG_6037.JPG" /></a><br />
That was still a lot of napkins to be done.... <br />
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It's not so bad.... At first, I was letting the job overwhelm me, and it was ALL I could focus on, even when I wasn't making my quota of at least 8 a day (now that quota is at least 10-15 a day). When I first got the order, I thought, heck, 500 isn't that much... Oh, but it kind of is, when you're a one-woman production line, and each napkin needs to be washed, and dried, and ironed, and prepped, and stitched, and labeled, and tagged, and packed.... Thankfully, my mama came over the other day and knocked out a lot of the ironing. I'm feeling good about where I am as far as my progress and getting closer to the due date. I think.... like I said, I stopped counting at 300, but that box of un-prepped napkins is nearly empty now. (Hooray!)<br />
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Now that I'm feeling more on-top of it, I do hope to start posting again more regularly.... I hope. <br />
In the rest of my time, I'm busy crankin' out the product for Crafty Bastards, and the Martha Stewart American Made event. Last year was my first time vending at Crafty Bastards and it was AMAZING. I'm thrilled to have been accepted again this year. Same for the Martha Stewart American Made event. Last year was the first year that they did this, and I was over-the-moon to have been selected and invited by the editors of Living to set up shop in the Marketplace for the event. It was such an honor to be there, and such a fun event -- I blinked several times in delight and disbelief when I got the email inviting me again this year. I'm sooooo excited! <br />
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Bowl covers were great sellers at both events. In fact, I sold out of them before the close of the day at Crafty Bastards, and by the end of the first day at American Made. So, I've been rocking my sewing machine making these up in hopes of being better prepared this year. The studio bed is getting covered... But I definitely still have more to do. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeWQ9b7-lM0rZznrouhq67AINr8zIGgA9o2ZkO1q5kaXUAw5aP5PcniXFeCt9kH-LMhLmRysMW1kkmLymXAfW8DQkVJyCN6HPJ7htD7h56g-Bnm7jRu6zLlyUhPo5pVroJukdYA/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeWQ9b7-lM0rZznrouhq67AINr8zIGgA9o2ZkO1q5kaXUAw5aP5PcniXFeCt9kH-LMhLmRysMW1kkmLymXAfW8DQkVJyCN6HPJ7htD7h56g-Bnm7jRu6zLlyUhPo5pVroJukdYA/s320/IMG_6047.JPG" /></a><br />
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So see, I've been busy! I'll post later with week with details of both of the above mentioned events. <br />
xo!<br />
chez-sucre-chezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480649215718698354noreply@blogger.com5