Decking then Clearing the Halls

I'm having a Lemonade Bags trunk show at my house on Saturday, December 20th from 3 to 6 pm. Come and stock up on holiday gifts, have a glass of wine and a few snacks.

I'll have plenty of bags in various sizes, plus cute zipper pouches for sale. There will be a handful of really cheap bags that have been sitting around here for too long or just aren't up to my current standards. Zipper pouches range in price from $13 to $19. Bags range from $15 to $68. Time permitting, I'll also have 100% wool felt Christmas tree ornaments for sale for $6 each.

Drop me an e-mail at annik@lemonadebags.com if you'd like more details, including address.

I'll be posting photos of available items all week.

Sale Starts Tomorrow!

Hooray! The City of Lakes Waldorf School Holiday Fair starts tomorrow night. This is my last sale of the season (the Sibirica Boutique is also going on this weekend). The fair runs from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday and and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There are loads of cool activities for the kids on Saturday (like make your own jump rope, dip your owl candle, etc.), plus amazing food.

I've been getting up between 5 and 6 a.m. every morning this week to get through the final push. It occurred to me yesterday that I don't have many BAGS ready for the CLWS sale, so I'm working like a fool to get a few more done. Today I'm putting together a small tote made with a couple of prints from the new Andalucia line by Patty Young by Michael Miller. It's incredibly cute and very Christmas-y. Plus, I've made a ton of zipper pouches/cosmetic cases. They make great stocking stuffers or more modest gifts for friends and co-workers. Check out the works in progress in the photo.

Please come say hello this weekend. Friday night at the Holiday Fair is so fun. It's adults only and they have delicious food and live entertainment. Hope to see you there!

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Looking for an alternative to "Black Friday" mayhem? Come check out the Sibirica Boutique. I'll have bags, zipper pouches, and 100% wool felt Christmas tree ornaments for sale.

Let the Nesting Begin

My third child is due in 11 weeks. I think this means I'm officially in my third trimester, right? It's funny how I followed my progress religiously the first time around, and now it's all about going with the flow. No books, no weekly e-mail updates. Perhaps this means this child will be a bit more laid back? My first child is very concerned about rules and schedules, but that could be a first born thing.

There are two obvious signs that I'm in my third trimester. One: heartburn. Two: nesting! Last week I purchased a new (to me) 1-shelf bookcase from Pottery Barn Kids off of Craig's list. It fits perfectly under my bedroom window and next to the bed. It's so nice to have my books and the millions of kids' books neatly organized instead of spread all over the floor, avalanche style. Who knew that a simple book shelf could change my life so radically?? But it does not end there! Oh, no. On Sunday, my husband took the boys to a local skating rink to find out about skating lesson. While they were away, I spent an hour on my hands and knees scrubbing the wool rug in the living room. It looked so good that I decided to take the scrub brush to the navy cotton canvas-covered chair in the room, too. The arms of this chair were DISGUSTING. So bad that every time I walked through the room I could feel a knot forming in my stomach. So bad that I had completely stopped inviting people over for fear that they would see this chair. You see, this is what happens when you don't limit where a 5 year old can eat. Why did it take me so long to figure out the logic behind only eating in the dining room? Now if only my partnern would get on board...

Well, the blue chair still looks very worn and shabby compared to its original state, but at least it isn't filthy anymore! What a relief - no more massive feelings of dirt shame (or fewer, anyway). Now I need to conquer the rest of the house. The dining room chairs are next - I just need to find a miraculous fabric that looks nice and repels every stain imaginable. I love this print called "Veronique" by Alexander Henry, but I fear it will never survive the wrath of messy little boys.

Okay, time to get back to nesting. Laundry awaits.

Holiday Boutique Details!!

Please click on the image to see event details.

Obsessive Etsy Compulsive Disorder

So, my friend Hannah Eye has challenged me to an Etsy.com contest. She just created a shop to sell her cool and infinitely entertaining zine and now she wants to see which one of us will sell the most stuff.

In all honesty, Etsy.com is not good for my mental health. I have trouble stocking my "store" because I'm obsessed with taking the perfect photos of my bags. This is easier said than done and I'm never satisfied. I certainly have a new found respect for photographers and photo stylists. The other problem I have with Etsy.com is that I compulsively check how many views my items have gotten. I shouldn't care, right? The important thing is that I actually sell stuff.

Here's the Lemonade Bags Etsy shop. Please don't laugh at my imperfection or my disorder. Thanks a million.

Nokomis Urban Craft Fair

Please come check out the Nokomis Urban Craft Fair this Saturday! There will be some really cool vendors there - and not just the usual suspects. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located at the Nokomis Community Center in Minneapolis, MN. Click here for a map.

I'll have an owl bag for sale, as well as a super cute Japanese robots bag, and the pink wildflower bag pictured below. And I'll have lots of zipper pouches for sale. These make great stocking stuffers.

I forgot to mention...

Small Tote
Originally uploaded by Lemonade Bags

Last week I delivered 9 bags to the Textile Center for their holiday sale. This and the pink wildflowers bag will both be available in the gift shop.

I was driving home from Saint Paul this afternoon (after shopping at Treadle Yard Goods, my favorite fabric store) and decided to stop in at the Textile Center since it's on the way home. It's lovely. Both the gift shop and the gallery space are filled with handmade goodies. Mittens made from recycled sweaters, gorgeous yarns, baby clothes and bibs, felted anything you can imagine. And of course, nine Lemonade Bags!

The holiday sale runs from November 1 through December 30.

Textile Center
3000 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Shop Hours are Mon-Thu 10-7, Fri & Sat 10-5

My Holiday Sale Schedule

Here's my holiday sale schedule. Lemonade Bags make truly unique gifts (for yourself or others!).

Nokomis Urban Craft Fair
Saturday, November 8th - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake Nokomis Community Center
2401 E. Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis 55417

Holiday Craft Boutique
Friday, November 28t - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 29th - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 30th - 12 p.m to 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 6th - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 7th - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
996 Oxford Street North
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103
Refreshments will be served.

City of Lakes Waldorf School Holiday Fair Artisan Market
Friday, December 5th - 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (adults only)
Saturday, December 6th - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2344 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis
See advertisement in November/December 2008 edition of "Mix," the Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops newspaper.

Please send me an e-mail - annik@lemonadebags.com - if you have questions about the sales listed above or if you're interested in custom work.

Happy Holidays!

So, today is my birthday. What a great reason to post on my blog! The weather is simply lovely here today in Minneapolis. Warm days in late September are such a treat. In all of my birthday photos from childhood I seem to be wearing skirt, tights and a sweater. Not today. Of course, our weather here is nothing like it was when I was a kid. It used to be cold here, you know. How things change in 37 years (yikes, am I really that old?).

A present arrived in the mail just a few minutes ago (from my husband) and I'm anxious to open it. He's already told me it's a book and that he bought it used, because he knows I like that kind of thing. Perfect timing because I'm literally pages away from finishing Eat, Pray, Love. I have so enjoyed this book - I'm trying to savor the last few pages. Oh, to travel again... Maybe in 18 years, once the last child is grown???

I'm anxiously awaiting an order of many different ribbons - I believe the box will arrive today. I'll post a photo when it arrives. In the meantime, I think I'll take a nap with my 3 year old. Why not? It's my birthday.

I have a blog??

This is a little eye candy to get you started.

You probably need to start out as a journal writer to be a successful blogger. Let's just say this has never been my strong suit. My mom writes in her journal daily and has for as long as she can remember. As a kid, I was pretty sure she was writing about how annoyed she was with me on any given day. I backed this assertion up by the fact that she would whip out a journal during a fight (during my delightful teenage years) and quote something I had said either months, or even years ago. Needless to say, it drove me nuts! So, like all mature adults, I'm going to blame my mom for my terrible blogging habits. No, not really. Isn't it fun to read blogs, though?

Last night I was hanging out in my sewing room modifying a pants pattern (legs were not wide enough for my taste) while listening to Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention on the radio. I realized two things. First, I really miss Bill Clinton's speeches - yes he's a womanizer (gross) - but the man is a great speaker. Second, I didn't buy enough linen to make my pants, so I'm off to the fabric store again today (my second time this week) to get more. This will be after I take my oldest child to the doctor to determine if he broke his foot. He fell down two stairs the other day and now he can barely move. My dad says he probably bruised it pretty badly.

Back to the pants. I'm making these linen pants with an elastic waist band because none of my other clothes fit. And it gets worse by the week. Why? Well, partly because I eat too many refined carbs, but mostly because I'm 17 weeks pregnant with baby #3! I'm in that funny stage where my old clothes don't fit but maternity pants are too big. I'm sewing for myself now, but I can't wait to start sewing for the new addition to the family.

On the Lemonade Bags front, I've been busy with custom orders lately which is just fine by me. Please keep them coming. Also, I will be doing not one, but two craft shows the weekend of October 11th and 12th. Come see me at Crafted Together in White Bear Lake on Saturday, and or Handmaidens in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Sand in my suitcase

We recently returned from a lovely family vacation to the Oregon Coast. We stayed in Seaside, but took many trips to charming Cannon Beach, which is just 7 miles down the road. We enjoyed gluten free crab cakes and fried calamari at Cranky Sue's, and the boys went nuts over the toy stores. Oh, and I found my way to Center Diamond in Cannon Beach where I stocked up on some brand spanking new Amy Butler fabric (which had arrived at the store that day!) and some vintage AB fabric printed by Kokka. Small quilt shops are so great because sometimes you find the most amazing stuff that sells out of the larger stores in a heartbeat.

The weather was quite chilly on the coast. High 50's/low 60's felt shocking to our warm weather systems. My mom and I took a trip to the local outlet mall so I could get some warmer clothes. Always on the lookout for fabric, I ended up scoring some amazing wool suiting at the Pendleton outlet. 3 yards for $5!! I felt like a thief.

We drove to Portland one afternoon because I really wanted to buy more Japanese craft magazines (see trip to San Francisco). Portland is also home to a Kinokuniya book store. It took my a while to find the right section - somehow I got stuck in the crochet section - but eventually I found the sewing magazines and added 3 more publications to my collection, including a Nani Iro book.

Feeling Guilty

So, I realized at the last minute that I had absolutely NOTHING (and I'm not exaggerating) to sell at Johnstock, and therefore, didn't show. I'm very sorry to those of you who were looking for me there yesterday. Hopefully, you found a fabulous handbag concoction from another vendor. You can always check out the selection of Lemonade Bags at the Textile Center gift shop. It's right on University Ave. in Minneapolis near the U of M. Talk about centrally located.

I've been up every morning this week sewing by 6:30 a.m. I'm doing a private sale at the Minneapolis Convention Center on June 3rd. Anything I don't sell there will be added to my sad, neglected Etsy site. I'm committed to keeping my store stocked going forward. This should be easier once my older son goes to kindergarten in the fall and maybe the little one will go to preschool, too.

I'm always in awe of professional crafters. How do they keep up their inventories? How do they find the time to man their table for a full day or two? Selling at craft sales takes real fortitude! The crafters at Johnstock were really keeping it together despite the wild wind.

And while I was in NE Minneapolis yesterday, I checked out the new Crafty Planet store/location. Joy! It's so nice. Scored a couple yards of a new Michael Miller fabric called Zen Blossoms (pictured) for a skirt, or maybe lounge pants, and restocked my Japanese owl fabric stash.

Finally, I was reading about International Quilt Market in Portland, OR this morning on various blogs. Oh, it sounds so fun. I must find a way to get to one of these soon...

Best wishes and happy Spring.

Off to Neverland!

Well, not exactly. We just returned from a trip to Disney World (in Florida, of course). We had way more fun than I ever anticipated, and boy was I pooped out at the end of each day. Highlights were the "block party" parade at Hollywood Studios, the safari ride at Animal Kingdom, all of Epcot, and last but definitely number one were the fireworks at Magic Kingdom on our first night there. The Big Wheel photo comes from our second hotel called Pop Century (a Disney "value" resort). Had to have a photo since I was a Big Wheel junkie as a kid.



Now that we're home, I'm in full sewing mode as I prepare for Johnstock on May 17th & 18th in NE Minneapolis. I'll be sharing a tent/booth with Andrea of Wild Oatz (diapers and other cool kids' stuff). Then I have a private event on June 1st. Very exciting.




Here's a photo of the medium sized bag I just made for a friend. She picked out a lovely Japanese fabric designed by Junko Onishi. Sadly, it's out of print (sob).

Tardy

Uh, my last post was 12/4/07?! This little blog is so neglected (not unlike my house plants).

So, we're flirting with the idea of spring here in Minnesota. My husband announced that it's time to put away the mittens and down jackets, but I'm afraid to make the move. Yesterday was glorious, though. Sunny and 68 degrees! How utterly Midwestern of me to be going on about the weather.

The real news is that my oldest son turned 5 on Saturday. Seriously? Like all mothers, I'm wondering where the time went. To celebrate his big day, we had cake and a pinata, oh, and I bought myself a serger! I'm sitting by the window at this very moment waiting for the UPS truck to drive up and deliver my new Juki MO654-DE. Waiting for UPS is essentially the same as the old watched pot never boiling...

I have more updates, including: details on my trip to San Francisco, the amazing Japanese sewing magazines I picked up in Japantown, and some new Lemonade Bag retailers. They will have to wait for now (but on 5 months, I promise) because it's time to make dinner. We're having red lentil dahl. Now if only that serger would arrive!!

Here's a photo of a shorts set I made for some friends' new baby, by the way.