Runs on Coffee and Cream

My first vendor show in years is on April 23rd. I'm so excited but also a little nervous. I always found vendor shows inspired me. I'd be overstimulated and exhausted by the end of the day, but I'd have so many ideas and plans in my head for my next projects and shows. 

I've been sewing at a slower pace than I used to but this is because of 1. kids and 2. avoiding burnout. It's working out though. I enjoy disappearing to my sewing room and creating. I'm also loving finding amazing fabric again. 

Anyone else a Gilmore Girls fan?

It's been ridiculously hard getting back into sewing since Emma arrived. Between being tired, mentally and physically, having less free time, and feeling drained creatively, it's tough to go into the craft room and create things.

So what got me back into the swing of things? How did I sew and prep for my shows this past Summer?

First, just applying for shows (Fan Expo was paid for last year while I was still pregnant so I had no option to back out) lit a fire under me to get sewing. I didn't want to waste money and I didn't want to miss out on the shows I was signed up for. Graphic-con, Harry Potter charity event, and Fan Expo were shows I wanted to be at.

Second, having an amazing husband who would volunteer to be on baby monitor duty in the evening or during naps so I could put on my headphones and zone out while I sewed was a great help. I had no excuse to not try to get some things done.

Third, just doing it. Did I really want to go sew when Emma finally fell asleep for her afternoon nap? Nope. I wanted to sit on the couch with another cup of coffee and read my emails. But forcing my butt in the craft room and starting on projects actually helped me get my creative juices back. Finishing a pouch that I thought turned out great, or finding adorable scrap fabric I forgot I had made me excited for creating again.

All these pouches are for sale in my Etsy shop!

I've realized that for the next couple of years my sewing habits will never be the same as they were pre-baby. I'll have to head to the craft room only during naps, bedtime, or when Adam can help out. I'm going to be extra tired from now on, and some days I'll have to drag myself towards my sewing machine. But that's ok. I've streamlined the shows I want to sell at. My plan for 2019 is definitely low-key on the craft show front. I want to just create for the fun of it and to keep my Etsy shop updated and to gradually build up stock for the biggest show of every year - Fan Expo!

So my goal for the fall season is to get my Etsy shop completely updated. This never happens because I get too busy but with no more craft shows for a while, this is something I should be able to accomplish during daily nap times.

I updated my shop with 8 new pouches this past week and I have loads more to add. Check out my shop and keep an eye on it over the next little while for more new items!

I hope you have a great weekend! And keep an eye on my shop. I'll be updating it with new hobo bags and totes next week.

xo Jen

My first comic convention of the year is less than a month away and I'm feeling the stress right now. I have a million ideas and plans but realistically I only have enough time for like a quarter of my ideas. These are the first of my finished projects:

I've started making my hobo bags with a bit of a deeper bag and longer straps. I've been listening to people who come by my table and that seems to be the two most common suggestions/complaints. So my first batch of hobo bags for this show are bigger and with longer straps.





I also finished a few extra large zipper pouches. They're the perfect size for all your markers or makeup. I'm actually going to make one for myself to hold my planner stickers since the bags are large enough for the sticker pages.



Next up on my to-do list are tote bags and more kitty kickers! I'll be posting more photo over on my Instagram feed.

xo Jen

It's November and that means the countdown to Christmas is on! Like so many others, I've started my Christmas shopping. I try hard to get things done in November since December is always a blur and I hate squeezing in shopping during then. I'd rather enjoy what free time I have doing festive things.

So to go with the Christmas shopping flow, I have plans to get my Etsy shop 100% updated over the next week. I started with a batch of pouches this week.

I'll be photographing more items today and will be updating almost daily over the next week so keep an eye on my Etsy shop. And if you see a fabric or style you love but want to change something on it, send me an email and we can set up a custom order.

Happy shopping!
xo Jen

Hello! I just wanted to share a quick post with some Etsy updates today since it's my birthday and I don't plan on sticking around home much today...

I added some new pouches to my Etsy shop this morning. Totes and hobo bags will be added soon too! You can see the new updates here.



In the meantime I'll be sewing my butt off getting ready for Fan Expo (it's 50 days away... eeep!).

Have a good day!
xo Jen

It's been a while since I did any sewing or craft-related things. I needed to take a small break after getting ready for Toronto ComiCon last month to rest my hand and wrist. But a sunny day last week had me pulling out my camera to take pictures of my leftover stock for Etsy.

I updated my Etsy shop with some new pouches this past weekend and there's still more to add. So keep an eye on my shop.



My next convention won't be until the Summer so I'll be updating Etsy more regularly over the next couple of months. And if you're looking for a custom order, feel free to contact me! Not until the Fall will I be too busy to get any custom orders done.

xo Jen

I've been trying to use up scraps that I have all over my craft room for pouches and cat toys. At this point, I almost need to order more zippers. I sold so many pouches last year and I have some major restocking to do.

Technically, I'm finished all my sewing for the show. Everything I wanted to finish is done. But because I'm crazy, I'm going to whip up a few more pouches out of some of the more popular fabrics right now.

Thanks for putting up with all my crafting photos and chatter recently!
xo Jen

The weather has continued to be gorgeous this week, which has made it very hard to work inside everyday. Though, I have Saturday off and I'm looking forward to going to my parents' for a swim.

It seems crazy that Fan Expo is only 3 months away, and with the possibility of moving this summer, I need to continuously sew so I have enough product for this 4-day show.

I recently cut out some Powerpuff Girls and Sailor Moon pillowcases and I finished sewing up a few Harry Potter pillowcases as well. It's hard cutting up that fabric because it makes me want to keep it all for myself. Apparently, Logan also wants to keep all the fabric so he can snuggle with it.




I've also been going through my giant scrap pile and cutting out zipper pouches and kitty kickers. I will have so many nerdy pouches for Fan Expo because I'm using up all my scraps. My table is going to be packed!



I also finally finished updating Etsy with my leftover pillowcases from Wizard World Toronto. I've already had a few sales this past week so I'd recommend checking out my shop before they disappear!


I took pictures and measurements of my leftover zipper pouches this past weekend. I'll be starting to update those on Etsy over the weekend.

I hope everyone has a great week!
xo Jen