The holidays are coming to a close and 2009 has come and gone.  Has everyone looked back at their new years resolutions for the past year?   Living a handmade life was one of my goals and I want to continue the movement for next year.  Not only has it curbed my spending habits, it has made me pay more attention to how things are made and manufactured.

I love how the kids made their own Christmas presents in the studio.  It was good to hear how much the recipients loved their presents.  I love the idea that these kids are learning how to use their creativity to make something that people would enjoy and love.  I'm seeing future entrepreneurs in our midst.  Who knows, maybe they'll discover etsy.com and become young local artists.

We've added some gift packages for holiday purchase online here.

Here is our open studio schedule:

Sunday, Dec. 13 11 am - 2 pm
Sunday, Dec. 20 11 am - 2 pm

We will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 27 and will re-open on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Although we are keeping a lax schedule this month, we are diligently working hard on coming up with some new projects for the new year.  We've bought some new books with some great projects - Twinkle Sews, Denyse Schmidt Quilts, kids' clothes, etc.  In fact, we have some great samples on sale in the studio - girls tunics and girls leggings.  Come check them out!

This is what we do with large scraps. 

Instead of throwing them out, save them and make a freestyle crazy patchwork quilt.  I made a small table runner with the linen scraps.

We're going to be open for the South Park Walkabout this Saturday, Dec. 5 around 6 pm - 9 pm.  Come visit us if you're in the area!

And remember the local San Diego Thread show is happening this weekend as well!  I'm hoping to get away and find some scores at the gently used clothing swap.

It's been busy busy busy lately.  Personal lives are shifting, kids are getting sick, kids are on a week long vacation from school, buying homes, selling homes, etc.  Excuses can't make up for neglecting the important things in life but sometimes, you just have to say no.   Yvonne and I have been trying to upkeep this website and finally, I have some time to breathe and sit down before the next surge of activities.

As everyone is anticipating the coming of the holidays, we want to impress upon you the idea of a handmade holiday.  The kids in the studio are busily making things for loved ones and it's really quite impressive.  The cacophony of little voices talking about who's getting the necklace and whose getting the bracelet, whose getting the pillow, etc.  It's actually quite touching.  Oh! The innocence of youth... and quite refreshing and different from the mall talk that I heard the other day, "Mother, you said I was going to get those new Rock and Republic Jeans I've been eye-ing since Saturday."  Anywhoo... I love handmade gifts and it's great to support to local economy by buying from local artists.  Here are some of my favorite places and artists - pigment, citizen video, junc boutique, boygirlparty, fireandflowers (currently at our studio!), Lizette Greco.