Fall is Here!

This summer, while busy with shows, was so hard to get through with my kids home.  I am used to having a little time each morning to keep up with Instagram, run errands, cut out the next batch of projects, or (gasp!) actually sew.  With a 6 and 3.5yo home with me ALL DAY EVERY DAY, it was not happening.  So, I decided to take some time off.  I sewed a little here and there, and at night after bed time.  I managed to cram all my work into a couple hours a day and it worked!  Which left me full mornings to play with my kids and take them fun places. I had to wrap my head around it at first but I did it.

And now it's fall.

The kids are in school again and today was my first morning as a free woman! And did I sew the pile of bibs I have on my sewing table?  Nope.  I had coffee with a neighbor and went to the thrift store.  I did manage to go through what stock I had left over from yesterday's Maker Market (which was a HUGE success, thank you!) and figure out what I need to make for this month's consignment orders.  I will get back in the swing of things in no time, I'm sure.

So, plans for fall/winter!  I have Bay View Gallery Night at the end of the month, where I will hopefully be selling some more Wisconsin bibs.  I had some yesterday at Maker Market and they sold like hot cakes.  I'm also going to make a new kind of scrap garland, seeing as I have two bins of scraps and no motivation to do any fancy quilting.  I might get a couple simple patchwork quilts done as well. 

I did not get into Hover Craft this year, which is a big bummer.  But it has inspired me to reach high and apply to Renegade in Chicago.  I have zero hope of getting in, but it's forcing me think really hard about my little business and where I want it to go in the future.  Thus far it's been a great little hobby and gives me an identity other than stay at home mom.  But the past year I've expanded enough that I hear people say "Oh, I have a few of your bibs I got at my baby shower!" and it feels damn good!  I want to get a couple more consignment orders and branch out to the Chicago area and possibly Madison as well.  I'm looking for new shows to try and I will hopefully be able to find at least one holiday show to do!

I'll let you know how it goes!

UPDATE!

Hey there! A quick update about the goings on of Applesauce Crafts and Toadstool Vintage! I don't get on the blog much (obvs) but I am on Instagram daily! Feel free to follow me there @amberliddle. I have had a few Instagram sales that are a good way to get some things if you're not local to Milwaukee! Plus I always post pictures of my newest fabric choices and will take orders if you see something you like.

So far 2014 has been good to me! I am selling at the Waxwing still, I've added burp cloths to my stock at Little Monsters, I've got new items at the Boerner Botanical Gardens gift shop, and I started selling super local at Bay View's best little shop Sparrow Collective.

Upcoming shows!! A lot to do this spring and summer! I'll be at the Fernwood Montessori craft fair May 4th, the Maker Market at Colectivo June 1st, the Summer Craftacular in Madison July 20th where I will have both vintage kid's clothes and my handmade items (Yay!) and last but not least, the September Maker Market September 7th. 

As for Toadstool Vintage, I am still shopping and scouring the thrifts to find fun vintage clothes.  I have been trying to update weekly but sometimes things get in the way! I do try. 

So go to Instagram and follow me to REALLY keep up to date! I promise I'll try to get back here, too, but I'm for sure on there every single darn day!

Hover Craft 2013! And an Instagram Sale!

This year was my first year doing Hover Craft.  It was hands down the best show I've done!  It took place in a historic downtown building, the snow was coming fast and heavy, and I was surrounded by a bunch of really amazing local artists! 

After a long night of no sleep and doing laundry at 2am, thanks to a sick 3yo, I thought it might be a horrible day.  I was just stressed out all morning about getting there on time, the snow was making the roads horrible, so I thought it would be a slow day.  Luckily once I was set up I got to relax and take it all in.  The snow did not keep people away, hooray!  So it was super busy all day long, my neighbor friend and I kicked back a couple bloody maries and listened to music, went shopping at all the other booths, and sold a bunch of things!  A perfect show.  Definitely looking forward to next year!

A happy customer!

 So now I am sitting here amongst what's left.  I've packed up what needs to go to consignment orders, and am left with some pretty great Christmas gifts all ready to give.  SO, I'm having my first Instagram sale on Wednesday night!!  Starting at 8pm I'll post pics of what I have available, which will be some small bibs, stuffed bunnies, tag blankets, and burp cloths.  So if you are still looking for a present for the baby in your life, be sure to follow me @amberliddle!! 

 

Workin' It.

Here is how I run things: fabric and sewing table are set up in the dining room.  In the morning after school run I have about two hours to get whatever I need doing done.  I sit with my phone playing music or Netflix, lately it's been Downton Abbey.  I cut, I iron, I sew, I flip, I sew again, I finish.  And I do this in batches, usually about twenty at a time of whatever I'm working on.  Once the littles are home from school I get them a snack and try to sneak in a few things, and after bedtime I ignore my husband and get another couple hours of work done.  I wish I had a studio and time to go there, but for now it's pretty sweet to be able to get things done while being at home.  Especially as my kids are so young and I get to take a break and play Candyland or build block towers...

I am currently busting ass to get things ready for Hovercraft.  Whoop!  Almost done.  Then I can relax on Thanksgiving!

 I have also somehow been trying to keep up with Toadstool Vintage.  I have a ton of holiday dresses and goodies piled up from over the past year, I have to get it listed before it's too late!  That gets done in the basement.  I have two racks, one for listed items and one for items to be listed.  I try to keep the listed rack more full than the not listed, but lately it's been a struggle!  I go thrifting every week at least once, and I always come back with something!  I could not bear to leave something cute at the store.  That's just unheard of.

And now it's time to wrangle the littles again.  It's amazing I ever get anything done, for real.  Between a 3 year old climbing on me and a 5 year old trying so hard to help, it's a juggling act!  One I'm lucky to have.

Urban Garage Sale 2013

Saturday was this year's Urban Garage Sale!  I only heard about this show after it happened last year, but I made sure to apply when I could for this year's show.  I'm so glad I did!  It is held at the Turner Hall Ballroom, which is just such a great space.  Tons of room, a great old building.  It was a bit of a workout climbing the fire escape to get inside, then to find my spot was up another flight of stairs on the balcony.  But so worth it!

 And of course I had to get a couple of these F Bombs from Plushzilla for Christmas gifts!

I had about five seconds the whole day to stop and take a breath, it was a madhouse from the minute the doors opened!  Honestly I love shows like that, they make the day go by so much more quickly!  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog!  I tried wordpress for awhile but came back to Blogger after all this time.  I am hoping to continue blogging about my shops, my creative endeavors, and my love for all things vintage.  I want to create a space to keep all my things organized, so bear with me while I try to do so!  Thanks for following along my boring old life!