Today I did it -- I woke up before 9 am and STAYED up.

Which means a lot was done, and needed to be done, and still needs to be done in prep for the Craft Saturday fair this coming Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa... which is going to be wonderful.  I have lots of new things besides my plush, including these houses (which would make the greatest neighborhoods when hung together), aaand :

Finger-print prints + card sets
"big sister" dolls
Charlie the chimney sweep dolls
Golden boy sachets for drawers
and... lots more, you know.

I'll be slowly but surely adding more things to the etsy shop, I promise!

Sam and I met up and went to the park today, which although was a bit windy / chilly -- was great and I don' t know why I don't go there every day... I guess I would if my sewing machine was cordless.  Dang.

Tomorrow I head back to Iowa to do more prep and check on the flood damage to Iowa City -- then Des Moines on Saturday with my mom! 

Have a good evening!

All safe and sound back in Montpellier, France... but very much exhausted. 

Today I packaged up the plush for the Crammed Organisms show that I'm going to get into the mail tomorrow, hopefully they'll get there in time for the making of the book!!!

Also, these photos are close-ups and the complete image of the birthday embroidery (or broderie in French) that I made for a nice little former roommate of mine who just celebrated her 21st birthday while I was traveling...

During my travels I did pick up some craft-related excitement but the sun is already setting so the photo shoot is postponed for later, but they'll be posted as soon as I find time (which I suppose truthfully might be a little bit since I have a total of 20 pages of French papers due by next Wednesday, ew).

Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday!

I thought I was getting a head start with birthday presents since there are 5 - 6 in the months of April and May--but I already feel behind, and probably none of them are going to be home in time....

Oh well.  Here's a little sneak peek (about 1/5 of the final product) that I stitched up last night for a little someone having a birthday back home very soon.  Pretty cute knee-dimples, huh?

After a morning of laundry adventures, I'm going to head to the train station with a friend and try to ensure our spring break train adventure isn't going to be a disaster, and then hopefully grab a honey crêpe or some café and sit in the Esplanade. 

In addition I believe I'm hosting a "sewing party" at my place tonight, so expect some entertaining creations very soon.  Luckily it's been plenty warm enough that even though they close the internet café over the weekends, I can sit outside without a time limit (besides my battery), and update as often as I have entertaining snippets to share.

This past Wednesday I had a conversation with my phonetics professor about crafts in France.  She was talking about how it used to be very à la mode to tricote (tricoter = knitting).  I mentioned that it was still in style, at least at home, then she became nostalgic and told me how Montpellier used to be full of yarn shops but now there's hardly 2 or 3, and that crafts are such an expensive hobby in France.  Which of course has been quite frustrating for me in my search for affordable supplies just to play around with, but also I was glad to hear that I hadn't been looking at only the super fancy craft stores--where polyester stuffing costs 13 euros for a bag I can get in the states for $3.50. 

Anyway!  I've recently been saved!  Yesterday I received almost my own weight in fabric from home (thanks so much, Mom!) and also ventured out and treated myself to a new, recycled-paper sketch book, some smooth-writing pens, and also a wooden embroidery hoop... as you can see.

My doodle (since it was actually during a class I don't think I can call it a sketch necessarily), and final product are pretty elementary but it was very rewarding to just MAKE something.

Due to a lousy stomach (+ lots of fabric) I'm going to spend the day lounging and sewing so more to be seen here soon! 

Bon week-end!