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!