I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break.  Spring break always gets me refreshed and inspired.  Not just because I do a ton of Spring cleaning and organizing but because I find inspiring things that are hidden in boxes and drawers like these vintage celluloid and bakelite necklaces. We'll be doing a leather version of it for our kids' after school classes next week along with a leather bracelets.  Working with leather on the sewing machine can be a challenge but I think our seasoned sewers can handle it.  You can sign up online now here.

There are so many tools needed to work with leather.  And believe it or not, you don't need a heavy duty special machine for the leather we will be working with.   Even the hand tools are readily available to install grommets and snaps.

We are super excited about our latest project... the mini-me art doll!  These dolls are 3D self portraits.  I made one for myself and I am finding it rather amusing with my wide nose.  I even dressed it in my typical "uniform" - rolled up jeans, tunic and scarf.

The kids will learn how to embroider by hand using the backstitch.  The backstitch is a great drawing stitch for getting that straight line look as opposed to the running stitch that looks like a dashed line.  They will also sew some cute doll clothes similar to something they would typically wear.

Our mini-me art doll project will be offered to our Wednesday after school classes here.  And our new spring camps here.

The art doll can be played with but it can also be given as a gift or displayed as a work of art.  I love the folk art quality of it when kept for a lifetime and passed down to generations.  Check out some of the inspiring art dolls on our pinterest.

We are going to host some morning Basic Sew classes for adults starting the week after Thanksgiving.  If you have some open mornings and want to learn how to sew, you can sign up for our holiday series and make some handmade gifts as well!  We have the drawstring bag, the zipper pouch and the eye pillow.  All of our projects are made with linen and our coveted stash of Liberty of London fabrics.  So far we have three classes online here!  If we get more interest, we will repeat the classes in December before the holidays.

If you are a Liberty of London fanatic like I am, you know how much these fabrics cost per yard (like $36/yard... yikes!)  But if you are only using them as trim and want to make quality handmade gifts for close friends and family, it is actually the way to go for make multiples.  I was actually one of those crazy people who scoured Target when they had their collaboration and bought a couple of garments just to recycle the fabric.  Impress your friends and family with these easy to make gifts!  They will know they come from the heart :)  Get inspired by more Liberty of London from our pinterest board!

Old school crafts...

And learning how to modern quilt...

For our Thursday and Friday after school classes we are going to sew up the perfect late summer linen dress.  The dress has a dropped shoulder with elastic sleeves and a drawstring that pulls the neck together.  Add a cute belt around the waist and dress it up with some summer sandals.  Sign up online here.

Our Wednesday group is going to have a blast making this messenger bag (sample shown in pictures; fabric to vary upon availability).  The bag is somewhat intermediate but we will modify it for the absolute beginners.  Not only will the kids continue to sew three dimensionally, they will also learn how to sew bias tape around the edges and also pleat a pocket to give it some depth.  This bag holds a standard laptop.  Perfect for a ipad or kindle as well.  Sign up online here.

Husqvarna Viking Emerald 118 sewing machine.  Great condition. Reliable and sturdy. Highly rated. All original parts and accessories. Original box it came in. User's Guide book included. This brand is a current model. $280.00 obo. Cash only.  Call Wilma Gabrintina at (858) 472-7848 or email her at wgabrintina@yahoo.com.  Let her know you saw the ad on our blog or facebook page.  Thanks!

I know I've been posting a lot of inspiration from pinterest but I thought I would find some local inspiration... at my house.  While Yvonne is out road tripping with her family, I'm more of a homebody.  With all the summer camps done, I am focusing on purging and organizing my house. My long time collector friends know that I collect everything... haberdashery, vintage doll stuff, scandinavian this or that, vintage dishware and textiles.  This week, I dreaded going through all my stuff but I'm kind of glad I did.  Not only did I find some vintage quilts hiding in my linen closet but I found some inspiration.  I love my antique Persian textile from my friend Bahar.  She bought it at Shiraz, the center of the arts in Iran.  She said it was over 100 years old!  So honored that she gifted it to me.

For the London Olympics I found these vintage Irish Linen Tea Towels from the midcentury.  I love vintage tea towels.  Especially the Irish Linen ones.

Oh to be a graphic designer back in the 60s.  I love midcentury graphics from Germany and Scandinavia.  That Noah's arc is a vintage Almedhals tea towel.  You can get new ones from Huset.com.

And last but not least my vintage Vera collection.  Did you know that Crate and Barrel is re-issuing some of her old kitchen designs?

With more "Fall" Cleaning to do, I'm sure I will find more stuff to get inspired by.  Although I have not found anything yet to purge...  let's just hope I'm not on the next episode of Hoarders.