Sarah Minshall – Page 13 – Hip To Piece Squares

29May 2006

My Big Dig

Where the heck has May gone already?! I feel like a big slacker for not posting about what I’ve been making, but there’s really not been much of that going on, due to what’s been eating up most of our time.

This is the current time-sucker in our lives. It’s a retaining wall that’s been falling apart and pushing our neighbor’s fence over, and we’re digging the whole thing out and replacing it. The picture doesn’t give it justice though–the wall is 60 feet long, and about 4 feet deep. Then, after it’s all dug out, we’re replacing the wall with concrete blocks that are 70 pounds….each. Did I mention that it’s been 90 degrees here all weekend long?

But there is good news. I should have oodles more time to post, starting in two weeks when school ends for the year. I have tons of summer projects planned, and I’ll be taking pictures and writing so much more. I’ve missed posting in the last couple of months, and I have much to say that just hasn’t had a chance to get written down. Just thinking about all of it makes me so excited!

30Apr 2006

April Wrap-Up

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 7 Comments

So I’ve been somewhat hesitant to post lately because all of the work that I’ve done in the last month has been for my Etsy shop. I started to feel weird that I was always just showing the things I’ve been making to sell (I felt like I was being too advertising-y). But since that’s what I’ve been doing for the past few weeks, I guess I feel a responsiblity to show that I have actually been really busy with making things.

So those are some of the things I’ve done this past month! Hopefully I’ll come up with something else to do in May besides make tote bags and pouches. Maybe I’ll even make something that has to do with quilts!

10Apr 2006

Terrible Two

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 3 Comments

Goodness! Hip To Piece Sqaures is now a toddler! Today is the 2nd birthday for this little concoction of mine. I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone for reading this silly thing–your comments and conversations have meant a lot to me over the past two years. When I started this, I never imagined reciving the constant support for the things I do, or getting to know all the people that I’ve met across the country and world. So THANK YOU ALL, for making this fun to do–hopefully for many more years to come!

09Apr 2006

Craft Sale Teachings

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 7 Comments

I’ve survived my very first craft sale this weekend! And thanks to some of the nicest people I know (Ben, Mom, Claudia, Mom and Dad Minshall, Dana, Jenny and Mike, Kristina, Meghan and Allison–you are all the best!!) I actually had vistors and a few sales to boot! I did learn a few things about this weekend though for future ventures into local craft sales that I’d like to share:

1. If it’s a craft sale at the fairgrounds, then chances are it’s going to bring in the same crowd as last weekend’s gun and knife show. There will be very few people who are hip to tree tote bags and bright colored pouches. They’re looking for things that will instead show their John Deere spirit.

2. Old men really like craft sales at fairgrounds. I’ve always thought that men were crabby about going to craft shows, but it turns out, after you retire and begin making things that nobody really wants, it’s the best place to meet other old men like yourself. The old men will then meet in masses in front of your very small setup and block anyone from seeing what you have.

3. Even if there are no animals present in the “Main Arena,” the scent of years and years of pigs, cows, and horses will still be present and can possibly make your things smell like last year’s fair.

4. Old ladies wearing sweatsuits with Americana applique will not buy your things. Not at all.

5. A teeny craft sale at the fairgrounds is not an entirely bad place to start out. I got to set up my things the way I wanted to, got some feedback from women not wearing sweatsuits and even sold a few things (but most to my friends and family). Good times, I say!

31Mar 2006

Poucherific

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 2 Comments

The sewing thing has taken over my life lately. I found out about 2 weeks ago that I’m going to be doing a craft sale next weekend (I volunteered for this, it’s my own fault) and since then, I think I’ve been attached to Emma, my sewing machine, at the hip (yes, my sewing machine has a name–stop laughing). I’ve not really done anything but cut and sew since then. But the problem with this whole matter is that I know this craft sale is going to be a bust–the people I’m doing the show with have said they have years that they’ve sold nothing. So I’m not expecting to sell much, but I would like to have some feedback from the uncrafty population.

So over the past week or so, I’ve churned out almost 15 of my pouches, and couple of new bags. But since I’m really not feeling like this sale is going to be very productive, I’ve put all of them up for sale at my Etsy store. Also, I’ve decided, that since Hip To Piece Squares is turning 2 years old in a few weeks, I’d have a sale here in celebration. So, until April 10th, all purchases (you’ll need to leave a comment or e-mail me first to tell me what you’d like to buy so you don’t get charged regular price) are $2 off with free shipping (excluding my pillows, sorry!).
I’ve spent almost an hour without Emma now. I need to get back to her. She’s probably lonely.

16Mar 2006

DS Quilt-Along on Flickr

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 2 Comments

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to think of this but I just realized that since many of you without blogs have taken an interest in joining the Denyse Schmidt Quilt-Along (which is totally okay with me, non bloggers) we should have a better way to see what our non-bloggers and bloggers alike are making. To help do this, I’ve set up a Denyse Schmidt Quilt-Along Group at Flickr. So if you don’t have an account, go sign up for free and join us over at the DSQA group.
—
Has anyone gotten their hands on the new Denyse Schmidt fabric line yet? I haven’t seen it in person yet.

09Mar 2006

Pouches

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 8 Comments

I’ve decided that I love pouches. They’re wonderfully fun to make and really, you can use them for about anything. I like how this one looks sort-of
quilted, but still really quirky.

It’s even got girly umbrellas on this inside, along with one of my new tags. (I feel like a real crafter now!)

I like this one, but I reminds me of things I had growing up in the 1980’s. The purple and green combo really set me back a couple of decades. I’m not sure if I’m happy about that, or a little freaked out.

08Mar 2006

Seasons

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 3 Comments

So while I’ve not been posting, I’ve been staying more busy than I’ve been in weeks. My motivation is back, and I’ve been exciting about what has been coming together at my sewing machine.
I loved the brown tree bag that I made back in January, and since I got such a good response from it, I decided to try another one. I started out with another of the brown bag/orange, yellow, and green button combination bag. I was happy with the first one, but this one exceeded what I thought I’d be able to do.

The sewing turned out much neater than the first and I added more buttons to this one. I think that helped it out a lot.
Just as I was finishing the brown one though, I scanned through my fabric colors and got so excited about this combination:

I loved how this one looks so much like a spring tree as compared to the brown tree that looks so fall-like. I’ve not been this happy with something that I’ve made in so long. I’m really thinking about making more in other colors still.
***Both are available in my Etsy Shop if anyone is interested!!! 🙂

08Mar 2006

Gifty Swap

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ Leave a Comment

I’ve been neglecting my poor blog! Even worse, I’ve not shown off my beautiful goodies from the Gifty 3 swap yet. Yikes!
Vicki from Turkey Feathers sent me so many pretty things!

I really felt very spoiled! She sent buttons, Amy Butler fabric, pom pom and tassle trims, darling patches, one of her amazing sachet peeps and a perfect heart needle book! I never realized just how much I needed one of those before; I’m carrying it everywhere now. I had so much fun with this swap–thank you Vicki for being a terrific partner!

14Feb 2006

Love Day

by Sarah Minshall ⋅ 7 Comments

First today, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post. I know it’s been a while since I’ve written, but the time away from the blog was good for me, and it was wonderful to hear everyone’s words of advice and well wishes. Thank you all.

Now on to today’s pressing matters.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Regardless of whether you like the holiday or not, I hope you take time to tell someone you love them today. Be it a good friend, a family member, your pet–someone today loves you back unconditionally. I hope that puts cheer into your day, no matter what.

I was thinking red today, so I snapped some photos some of my favorite red things around the house.