What a Beast!

I finally invested in an industrial sewing machine. I bought a used machine made in Japan. It is a Juki ddl5500. It sews super fast. I am still getting used to the speed.

The sewing machine and table weigh a ton. This baby is staying put.

The first three bags fresh off the presses made with the Juki. It can goe through heavy material without as much as a hiccup. My Kenmore broke needles at least every other day.

I will be delivering my bags to a new store tomorrow in Port Perry called Meta4, a fine art and craft gallery. I will take some pics, if I remember.

Personal Training in My Basement

I bought the family the Kinect for the Xbox 360 for Christmas. I went out and bought the Your Shape Game by Men and Women's Health. It is awesome. This is the personal training program where you can choose from a variety of different sessions. It actually scans you into the picture, as you can see I am taking a picture when I am suppose to be lunging! You enter all your weight and height information and it scans your arm and leg lengths.

This is called the Skinny Jeans Workout. You do a number of reps of different exercises with weights in 20 minute increments. I actually get a better workout with this program then I do when I'm at the gym. There is also sculpting and toning sessions as well as a Men's program.

At the end it lets you know your status, how well you did and calories burned. Sometimes you score low because you get out of rhythm although you are doing it accurately. There is also classes, a yoga/taichi and a kick boxing as well as some gym games to play. So if anyone is looking for something to do and have xbox go get yourself Kinect! I am really impressed with this program, you actually get a decent workout.

New Clutch Style

Over the years, I have been asked to make clutches with a removeable handle. After a few tries this is my proto type. I made it with a pretty chain that can be easily removed or tucked into the bag itself.
I am entering a contest for InStyle magazine in April for an evening clutch that requires a removeable handle. Now that I have worked out the glitches, I can begin to make one. When I have finished it, I will post a picture.

Spring Sewing Has Begun

I finally got my sewing mojo back on! Had to get in the creative spirit, it takes awhile sometimes. I am still searching for a new machine, my old Kenmore is dying a slow death. Next week I will hunt for a faster machine.

These are the only flowers around here. It is cold and snowy again. This bag is a breath of fresh air.

Happy New Year

I am finally getting motivated again. It took a while since the One of A Kind Show, Christmas and New Years. I took the first couple weeks of January off from sewing but am now back in the swing of things. Although I am currently looking for a new machine, since my sewing machine is finally wearing down. I have been trying a few new recipes. My husband went salmon fishing in Northern BC last summer and we have a freezer full of fresh salmon. This mango salsa was amazing with the fish. He also caught halibut which I also made.
I made a great orzo salad with feta, cucumber and tomato with a lemon garlic dressing. Delicious!

This was my leftover lunch the next day. I sliced some baguette and topped them with the grilled salmon and halibut and then put them under the broiler. When they came out I topped them with the mango salsa. More tastier than the first night.

Another Christmas

December started off with a few snowfalls, making it a white christmas which always makes you get into the holiday spirt.

Once again, we trekked through Horton's Tree Farm to find the perfect tree and chop it down. I think we managed to do okay again this year.

The Christmas eve gift was a lot of fun, the Kinect for the XBox. It was quite funny trying out the games and also quite exhausting. Maybe it will get those kids around the world off the couches for a few hours.

I got my new bookcase for all my cookbooks, all nice and organized for the new year. I think I am going to try to make one new recipe out of any book each week and I will blog about it. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and have a happy new year! Here's to a great 2011! Another new decade, I swear it was just 2000.

Tis the Season

Well winter has arrived this last week and they say there is more of the white stuff on the way. I finally managed to dig out the decorations and decorate the house.

Now I must finish the shopping and start the baking.

Toronto's One of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale

Toronto's One of A Kind sale and show is over for another year. I sold 112 bags this year compared to 68 in 2009. The 14 hour days were totally exhausting but also exhilerating when people stopped by to shop and admire the bags. Here are a few pics of my booth.

It's that time again. I will be at the One of a Kind Show for the last six days from November 30th thru to Dec 5th. Please come by and visit me at Booth# P33. I have lots of great new winter bags. Hope to see you there.

The Creative Mind

The Creative Mind is at work again. My sewing studio begins like this and when the creative mind starts to fire up, it ends like this!

I have been designing like a mad woman. I am in shows every weekend until the One of A Kind.

Here are some new bouquet bags.