r-anne-dom : a place for me (anne) to leave random blog posts.
Such as:
..knitting, sewing, and other random activities pursued
..Girl Guides of Canada : yep, Guiding Lives Here
..the 4 shops on Etsy : one features quality handmade items; the second has lots of patterns, & crafting supplies; the third is stocked with Vintage; and the fourth is guiding flowers.
Enjoy the r-anne-domness!

January 07, 2017

Saturday Spotlight: Sarah's Cloth & Accessories


Saturday Spotlight

Sarah's Cloth & Accessories


1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?

My name is Nicole and I own Sarah's Cloth and Accessories I make children's clothing and accessories. 
I've been sewing for the same amount of time as my business has been open. 
About 3 years ago our third daughter was born and after some research I decided I'd love to cloth diaper. After looking around I realized that there was a limited amount of affordable options for us so I decided I would tackle the project myself. 
I was a natural and loved sewing. 
I got into clothing only a month after, and brought the "famous" Grow-a-long pants to London ON and area! 


2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?

Recently I decided to open a storefront where I could have all the essentials my family and friends love in one place, including my own line. 
On Nov 5th [2016] we had our grand opening at 63 Frank Street Strathroy ON. 
We chose to stay at both locations in London as well ~ The Been Garden and Oh Baby Boutique, as I've grown to love the owners and customers who shop often, and it gives us great ties to the community Sarah's cloth started in!


3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?

instagram - @sarahsclothandaccessories
and our online shopping website 

New January Romper!

4. Who or what inspires you to create?

I get called Sarah and then asked why, if my name is Nicole would I name my business "Sarah's Cloth and Accessories". 
My daughters (Savanna's) first name is Sarah, she's my dreams and the reason I started the business. She's named after my sister who passed away of leukemia 6 years ago at the age of 15. She was my strength and always pushed me to do better and be myself. So when Savannah came along we knew we had to name her Sarah, and when I decided to open my business it was only fitting I use my dreams, passion and strength from both of them to make it happen! 

preemie sized newborn mermaid gown

5. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?

I listen to a variety of music, sometimes even the paw patrol theme song as my kids watch T.V. so I can get some sewing done. lol 


6. What do you like least/most about your craft?

As a mom of four (8, 8, 3 and 7 months) I know how difficult working from home can be. It has its ups and downs. Advantages and disadvantages. 

7. Describe your workspace?

I've always had a home work space where I create, but since opening the store I'm blessed to be able to have a space right in my store front to create my pieces and still enjoy my kids running around laughing and arguing. lol


8. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?

My moment of "WOW" is when I stop and think about all the littles wearing my clothes. It never stops, I'm still shocked I have so many amazing people following me. When I read reviews, talk to customers and even see little ones wearing them in public I get that flutter in my stomach! 
My most recent wow was being nominated and making it into the top 5 Readers' Choice London's Best in the Children's Store section - so blessed! 
I am so beyond lucky to have the best customers, who come to me with both the bad and good things. They are patient and kind and I couldn't ask for better people to be friends and have following my dream! 


9. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?

For those wanting to start a business I say ..Do it. 
Stop waiting and jump for your dreams. 
Catch them and hold on because it could be a wild ride! 
I always make sure that they know dreams take work, they take time, and even money to get going. Without that initial investment of yourself you won't make it. Don't stop learning and growing as a business, go to workshops, read articles online, connect with others and give it your all.
Always be kind too.
 With all of that (along with great product photos, a little social media knowledge and some customer service skills) YOU WILL SUCCEED!


January 05, 2017

Day Tripping: Fanshawe Conservation Area


Day Tripping

Fanshawe Conservation Area


The dam.


Shoreline.


Lots of shells. 

 

How many rings? How old?


January 02, 2017

Tutorial: 18 inch Doll Booties


Tutorial

18 inch Doll Booties


I found a pattern on Pinterest to make booties for an 18 inch doll.
The lady has some GREAT ideas for boots and booties!
Faux fur and everything!
She's got some great YouTube videos, too, to show the details.

But I couldn't find the basic instructions to make the booties.

So I made this tutorial.

NOTE: I used fleece for my booties. If you are not using fleece, this tutorial may not work for you.

NOTE: I did not add a velcro closure to the back of the booties.


Step 1. Print Diane's pattern (link above) and cut out your pieces.
I used fleece for the top and toe pieces. 
I used cardboard for the inner sole and vinyl for the outer sole.

 Fold down the top edge about 1/4 inch or so, and sew with zig zag stitch (this works best with fleece).

The toe piece has a dotted line to show the stitch line.
I matched the centre of the toe piece to the centre of the cutout on the top piece.
Pin in place.
You'll need to stretch the top piece to fit.
You may also need to snip the centre where shown on the pattern.

Another view of how the toe piece is pinned to the top piece.

Another view of how the toe piece is pinned to the top piece.

Sewing the toe piece to the top piece with about a 1/4 inch seam.


Another view of sewing the toe piece to the top piece.

There.  All sewed.
At this point, you should top stitch the seam on the outside.
I forgot to do it.
:(

In Diane's videos, she adds velcro to the back of the boot.
I decided to try the fleece bootie with the back seam sewn closed.
So I put the cardboard inner sole into place and measured where the back seam would be.
I pinned it.

Then I sewed the seam.

Then turn the booties right side out.

Time to glue in the cardboard inner sole.
I snipped around the outer edge a bit.
Here you see one bootie snipped, and one bootie not snipped.
BE SURE YOU HAVE A RIGHT SOLE AND LEFT SOLE IN PLACE!
That's important.
You don't want 2 left feet.

I used a glue gun and glued the snipped edges down to the cardboard inner sole.

Both booties glued.

Now time to add the outer sole.
If you view Diane's videos, you'll see she has some excellent suggestions for materials to use for the outer sole.
She also talks to making sure the outer sole is supported properly.

I decided to use vinyl and was not too concerned about  support.

Gluing the vinyl to the bottom.

All glued.

Finished!

I wish I'd remembered to top stitch that seam though.

They don't look too bad.

December 31, 2016

Sunday Solitude


Sunday Solitude


Happy New Year

May 2017 bring you health and happiness.

November 20, 2016

November 13, 2016

Sunday Solitude


Sunday Solitude

Remember the milkweed pods from last week? 

Just look at them now!


This will be so good for the monarch butterflies if more of these milkweeds grow.

November 07, 2016

Topsy Turvy Dolls!


Topsy Turvy Dolls!

Now available in my ennadoolf shop on Etsy!


Such empathy from a doll! 

She can be sad when you are sad, happy when you are happy.


Each one is OOAK (one of a kind). 

Each one has her own personality. 


A possible future heirloom.


When my second granddaughter received her topsy turvy doll for her 4th birthday, she immediately figured out how to use it! as she was leaving to go home, she tipped it to its sad face and said softly "birthday over". :) 
Kinda tugs your heart a bit eh! 
But the doll was feeling her. :)

Shop now for best selection at ennadoolf on Etsy.

November 03, 2016

Shop Update: ennadoolf


Shop Update

ennadoolf


Sewing friend? 

This little Pokémon was just a small distraction while sewing a new topsy Turvy doll for my shop.