Crafty-ness

I am a big fan of craft fairs...as in I love going and buying stuff, and I really love handmade things. Now, seeing that I am also a crafter, and love making handmade things, it is only natural that I would eventually want to participate in the craft fairs I love so much! Soooo, this Saturday...two days from today, Monica and I will be selling our wares at "Craft Republic."



There will be about 45 vendors exhibiting their handmade treasures, and if you have never bought handmade lovelies before, you really must check it out! The CR Fair will be held at the Pomona Fairplex, home of the LA County Fair, in the Millard Sheets Center for the Performing Arts 1101 W. McKinley Ave- Gate 1 Pomona, CA. 91768. It is this Saturday, November 10, from 11AM-7PM. Admission is $2.00 for Adults and Kids under 11 are free (Fairplex Parking is $8.00). You can't beat that for a day out! For more information, check out the Craft Repulic website, click on the image above.

I have, as usual, been frantically trying to finish up stuff for the show, and will have lots of new stuff to sell. Lots of tees, Tooth Fairy Pillows, Holiday Pillows, and even a few Aprons, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello! We will be at Booth 15. Happy Thursday!!

Halloween parties and such

So fast forward from September, to the end of October, and what is becoming one of my favorite holidays...Halloween! If you know me, you might say lots of things about me...LOL...but one of the things I have always thought about myself, is that I am not extremely social. You may even call me a bit anti-social...anyhoo...that being said, for an anti-social introvert, I sure love to entertain, and love having gatherings of all kinds. I promised Sabrina, that we would have a smallish Halloween party, and that she could invite a few of her school friends. She was really excited about that prospect, as most eight year olds would be. I was too, as her life currently revolves around Hannah Montana, and High School Musical, and I thought that running around outside, and doing Halloweeny stuff would be a nice change. Party day was really lovely, although a bit warm ( not even close to the oven-like temperatures of craft show day, though). I love seeing all the kid's costumes, and we had some pretty cute ones. Although I loved them all, my favorite costume was Emme's. She was a "Scary Fairy" er, excuse me, a "Scary Pixie", as she quickly corrected me, when I told her how much I liked her fairy costume.

Me: "Emme, I love your fairy costume! You look so pretty!

Emme: (smiling coyly) "No, Aunt Vanessa, I'm a Scary Pixie!"

Well, OK then, I stand corrected! She is so darn cute, I can hardly stand it!

What kind of mother am I, you may ask, ooohing and ahhing, over someone else's child...although she is my niece so she is practically like my own babies...! Sabrina dressed as a witch, and has rather outgrown, the princess/fairy stage (boo-hoo for me). I thought she looked pretty cool, and witchy, just as she wanted. Chloe, was a Ladybug, but didn't last too long wearing her costume, as it was too hot...sigh. Celeste was a Candy Corn Fairy, which I also thought was quite ingenious! I have a particular affinity for CandyCorn, and even dressed as one for Halloween, several years ago. Brooke, was a flower fairy, and looked so delicious, I just wanted to bite her (I refrained), Gloria, my lovely MIL, was a Nightmare Fairy, and my dear Monica was a "Desperate Housewife." How do you dress up as a desperate housewife, you may wonder? Well, you take a very pretty lady, add a cleavage baring dress, and some nice boobies, and voila! A Desperate Housewife...LOLOL (loved it)!!!
I dressed up, which normally, I would never in a million years do, but I said what the hay!!!??! I was a witch too. Here are some pics of our Halloween bash.



"Spiderman, spiderman...does whatever a spider can.."



"Nightmare Fairy"



"Oscar and the LadyBug"



"The Scary Pixie"



"Sabrina, Emme and Celeste"



"The girls again"


There you have it. Quite a smashingly fun Halloween!

Little Monster Market.

Monica and I did our first craft show back in early September, and I had been meaning and wanting to share some pics, and blog in general about our experience. First, let me start by saying we had a lovely time, and it was overall a great intro to the craft show world. Now, that being said, I think it had to be the hottest day of the year, hotter than hot...the kind of hot where you start sweating the instant you set foot outside...yikes! Monica had Brooke with her, and we managed to lug, what seemed like endless amounts of stuff...inventory...clothes racks...shelves...up a flight of stairs to our spot. Up and down...up and down....you get my drift. I am definitely a sweat-er...as in, I can work up a sweat just by think thinking too much...well slight exaggeration, but not really. I sweat super, super easily, and by the time we got everything set up, my eyes were burning, from all the sweat that kept running into them. Monica is so beautiful, and just got a rosy glow, from all the sweating...but me, it was not pretty! I looked like I had been working in a field all day, in the blazing sun...all before 9AM!! Did I mention, it was HOT???!? Luckily we had one of those pop up tents. so once it was set up, we were able to get some respite from the sun. We settled ourselves in for the afternoon, and had a highly enjoyable time! I didn't get a chance to check out the rest of the vendors, but Monica did, and said there were some great ones! I did snap a few pics of our adventure...
















So there you have it! Our first crafty show.
We have another craft show this weekend, on Saturday. I will post more about that later.

Catch Up...

Whew! It's November 6th...What???? I have no idea where all my time goes...! I'm playing major catch up here, but who cares!! Throw caution to the wind I say...blog away about what's been going on these last few months. Here goes...

Little Monster Market

I have been busily sewing, well, like a busy little bee, because Monica and I were chosen as one of the vendors, for the coolest little craft show, this side of the Valley! It's called the Little Monster Market and will be held this TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th at Sunnyside Preschool in Studio City, CA. The neat thing about this show, is that the participating vendors cater specifically to babies, kids and mommies! They are going to have kid music and yummy food, so if you are in the area, please come and check it out! Visit their website for more info, www.littlemonstermarket.com.

What I've been doing these last few months!

Man, for someone that used write all the time, I sure haven't utilized this blog to its fullest potential!! I've sewing, and sewing, and sewing, and occasionally paying attention to Oscar and the girls....have to throw them a bone now and then, LOL! I'm in the process of updating my website and my ETSY shop. I will adding lots of new things over the course of the next month, and clearing out other things. All my my summer tanks, and pillows are reduced so check out either place for some good deals.

I will be adding a children's clothing line to both locations. Simple and comfy, yet stylish clothes,that kids will love wearing. I will also be introducing a baby/layette line. I will still carry a large variety of embellished tees for ladies, babies, girls, and now little boys too! And of course, lots of Tooth Fairy Pillows, also for girls and boys. I will still carry a select amount of hostess aprons and decorative pillows as well. Here are some sneak peeks...

These are a few of my new Tooth Fairy Pillow designs




Here are a couple of tee dresses. Really cute and comfy!!




A few of my new bib and burpie sets




This is one of the new Halloween tees for the mamas...and the non-mamas too!




New Superhero Tees for the little guys




Another Superhero Style



Lots more stuff to come!

Let me call you Sweetheart

A skirt set I finished a few days ago for my neighbor Sarah's friend, Eva. It was actually not for Eva, but for Eva's friend's daughter....!!! The skirt fabric is one of my absolute favorites ever! So cute, and vintage-y. These classic, comfy and wearable skirt and tank/tee sets always rank super high on my list.

I have lots of new ideas, and am working on some new stuff. Will post pics soon!!

My new "studio"!!!

Fabricland

Ok, I agree studio is a stretch, but when your house is teeny tiny like mine, space is at a premium. Sure, it may be in my kitchen...sort of...really more like my dining area...but it's all mine!!! My parents gave me the most awesome birthday gift, and sew and serge table. It came yesterday, and Oscar set it up last night. I haven't filled it up yet or organized myself, but it's a start. Osc is going to build me a cabinet that will be mounted on the wall, to store all of my ribbons, trims and notions, finally in one spot!! I will share more pics as things take shape.

I also inherited a lovely cabinet from Monica (my sis)...yay fabric storage! I "organized" things a couple of days ago, but I don't think it will last too long,LOL!! I am going to try and keep things neat as a pin...

Goldie...er....Lucy...er...Fishy?

Sabrina's fish!!! It's name has changed, I think daily. Goldie...at least for today...has been with us for about two weeks. Sabrina won her (although I'm not sure if it's really a "her" but anyway...!) at her school fair. We have had a couple of fish in the past, that didn't fare so well, be but this one seems to be OK...she's still alive and swimming around! Although her water is looking a little murky..but Oscar insists that it's perfectly normal. We'll see...!

Long time no write....

I generally love to talk...write...chat...I am by nature a chatterbox! That's why it bums me out that I haven't really gotten my groove on when it comes to this Blog. I am turning over a new leaf though...and will be making a concerted effort to blog more!! That said, I have been busy sewing, and have also given my website, a mini-makeover over the last couple of weeks. I'm stocking my webstore, with lots of new stuff, and having a big clearance sale too! If you get a chance, check it out. You can click the link under "Favorite websites" www.vanessaandcompany.com.

The weather is getting nicer around here, signaling that inevitable time of year...when school is almost out. Pretty soon I'll be hearing..."I'm so bored"...."There's nothing for me to do"...and similar phrases, that may begin or end with my favorite of all kid speak....."It's so unfair....!" I am bracing myself for a long sumer vacation, but hoping to entertain my lovely seven (going on seventeen) year old daughter with a few summer activities. There's nothing like turning on the water outside, and having a good run through the sprinklers on a hot day, or breaking out the "Slip'n Slide" for some slippery fun. Luckily these are things that Sabrina is still down for...although just barely! I did promise her some tennis lessons though...so I must make good on my word. Ahhh...the joys of summer.

I finally listed some stuff!

I must be part turtle, because I have been moving so slow lately, LOL! I have finally posted some stuff on Ebay. My favorite tanks for summer and some cool hostess aprons. Here are some pics...


















The "Senorita" tanks are the coolest, I have them in a few different styles and colors. The "Loteria" tanks are also pretty neat. Some of you may remember that game. Alrighty then.....that's it for now...off to cut fabric!

Happy Wednesday!
XOXOX0
Vanessa

P.S. Just go to www.ebay.com and do an advanced search by seller vanessa*and*company OR just e-mail me! I will send you the link to any of the listings! I will also be posting the links on my website, so you can check there too!!

Las Senoritas

It's been too long since my last post! I have been chained to my sewing machine, LOL! Well not really, but I have been busy sewing, my favorite! I will be listing lots of new stuff on Ebay very soon, including these very cool and comfy tanks. I am in love with this fabric in a major way! It is called "Las Senoritas" and is by Alexander Henry. Las senoritas are so beautiful, and just too cool. I will be offering these in adult (ladies...although I could do this for a man too...) sizes S-XL. Here's a preview...








I could also do this in child's sizes 4 and up. I have some other cool fabric on the way...so be on the lookout for more funky and fun tanks and tees!

Happy Wednesday!
XOXO, Vanessa

Do you still believe in the Tooth Fairy?

My Sabrina does! We've lost lots of teeth lately, and it got me thinking...I love pillows so much, why not make Tooth Fairy Pillows? I've only made a couple so far, but I had so much fun making these, I will definitely be making more. Check 'em out!

Chirp Chirp!

The weather here is finally getting a little nicer, yay! With the official start of Spring only a few weeks away, it's hard not be inspired by the beautiful season that lies ahead. This is my new favorite pillow. Love the baby chick! Happy Sunday!

Another Picture...

Here's another picture of my "store!" It's a little bit closer up than the first one!
Happy Post Valentines Day! Hope everyone had fun!

It's official, I'm blogging....!!

Welcome to the new blog for Vanessa & Company! I love chatting in general, and now I can do it, through this neat-o blog. I have been busy as a bee, sewing away, creating lots of new stuff for spring. Vanessa & Co.'s website has been up for a couple of months now. I am in the process of creating a web gallery of some design samples for the site, and hope to have that up soon.

Ooooh some cool news!!! Vanessa & Co. items can now be found locally! I am the newest vendor at "Magnolia" 310 E. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra. I have about a 5x5 foot space, and am so excited! Please come visit soon!