Lola Nova Shop Opening!

Hooray Hurrah! After a long hiatus I am so pleased to announce that My Lola Nova Etsy Shop is open!

I have received some fresh copies of my book Simple Sewing with Lola Nova by Alexandra Smith and a limited number of signed copies are now available in my shop.

I'm thinking they would make lovely gifts!

Please stop by the shop, as I will be adding a few other hand crafted items here and there.

Lola Nova = 100% Pure Handmade Goodness!

It's Friday - time to show off!

First, let me say how appreciative I am of all the gorgeous comments you left for me over my last two posts. You all have brought tears to my eyes with your lovely words and joy to my heart with what you have shared with me. I really don't think there is a better group of people out there, you absolutely are the best of the best. Thank you!

And now for something completely different...a little shameless self promotion! I have finally managed to get a couple of new Hook Books in the shop due to popular demand.

There are a couple of other little gifty items in the shop as well, so stop on by and have a little look-see.

Next week I have big plans, there's been a crafty revolution going on 'round here! I have a wee 'How To' planned if I can get the light to shine through these dark winter clouds for photos.

Have a joyful weekend and I will see you soon!

Hello Monday - Calling all elves

Hello lovelies! There has been much talk of the onset of winter here in the little green cottage. Chill and wet with a dreary sky but, we wont let that get us down. No, I have been beavering away on the making and doing, hunkering down and getting to the business end of things. All the while channeling some serious whimsy (wait, whimsy isn't serious)!

Journals, journals, journals! Ha! Whilst I think my latest journals are perfectly suited to just about anyone, I think this newest batch has a certain childlike fancy. Wonderful gifts for young budding writers.

I myself, am a little partial to The Roller Derby Queen here, it's the metal eyelets, they delight me I must say.

...and because nary a day goes by that an enchanted Pegasus doesn't pop up in our imaginary play, I just had to make this little number.

All of these journals have found their way to my little shop, just waiting for their new "for always" homes.

This week I have lots more in the works, I am hoping to bring back the very popular 'Hook Books' and maybe a couple of new things too! I could use some help though, there's still all the presents for family left to be done as well...so if you know any elves who are willing to work for homemade stew and freshly baked bread, please send them my way. It's the little green cottage with the 'free range' chickens wandering about on the front steps. You can't miss it!

What have you been doing to get ready for the season?

Hey, it's Friday!

Wow, the last couple of days have been a little crazy. There was much nursing involved for a very sick Pony Girl, poor little lamb. I will say that she is the most remarkable sick child I have ever seen. Whilst feeling poorly, looking a very peculiar shade of gray/green and carrying around her "just in case" bucket, she was singing sweet songs and telling me not to worry. She has always remained in the best of spirits when ill, such a trooper. She is back in school today, finding staying home with Mama to be "too boring!" So glad to see she is her perky self again.

Also, I have to mention how overwhelmed I have been with the response to my crochet 'Mary Go Round' tutorial. You really have made me blush with all your nice comments and cheering on, thank you. I have read so many lovely words from a bunch of new folks, it makes my heart skippy happy. This I know is in great deal thanks to the amazing Michelle of The Royal Sisters and Loving the Vintage. I am so honored that she took the time to work up a few of my 'Mary Go Rounds' in her own wonderful way, as she is truly a talent of the utmost kind! She even did a lovely post over on her blog about them. Please go take a look at her gorgeous wall of spring cheer over HERE! Thank you Michelle, you have been such an inspiration and a lovely friend.

As for me, I took a little break from the hook and yarn to play with felt and some creatures great and small. Making up a couple of new journals for my little shop. I do love a Dala Horse, and of course - who can resist a deer diary? "Oh little deer wont you please come here and let me tell you a story..."
I'm thinking these journals would be perfect indeed for writing down all one's Big Ideas!
I have some big ideas myself but, there is a mountain of laundry to climb before I can get to them.

Have a glorious weekend friends, I do hope you get to spend some time with your Big Ideas!

Making

Now that the small one is busy in school, cramming her wee head full of knowledge, I have my week days to potter about in the little green cottage. So anxious was I to fill up my days with the long overdue tidying and organizing, that my daily lists have become long treatise on herculean tasks. Alas, the number of ticked boxes in relation to un-ticked boxes has become a bit disheartening. I have been bit over ambitious and to be honest, each task seems to open up a whole new can of worms in the process. So...

I've been making a few somethings instead.

Hand printed cotton Treat Bags, perfect for the season and not just for the kiddos. I had a grand time making these fun, sturdy and washable totes.

With school on the brain, I also sewed up some gorgeous hand printed linen into pencil cases like these...



This morning I popped them all into the shop! It was such a good feeling to be putting some new stock up on the shelves after the summer hiatus. I think now I might just reward myself with a cup of java and a home made brownie, and go visiting my favorite blogs!

So, what's new with you?

I'm no April fool

No, I have been a busy bee... getting a few things ready for the shop. I'll be putting some new wares on the shelves at last! Oh yes, it feels quite good to finally have some fresh inventory.

There will be a couple of new journals and I do believe I have sorted out my Hook Books rather nicely.


The Hook Books are made from all recycled and vintage materials (but for the snappy snaps and zippity zips). The fabrics are all vintage, which always makes me ever so happy.

I am quite smitten with these little lovelies. A place for your family of crochet hooks, a zippy pocket for stitch markers, yarn needles and the like, and a spot for a notebook or pattern notes and a pen. If you are not the crocheting kind, never fear! I have discovered that these make a cozy home for arty pens and pencils with the pocket used for an eraser and sharpener. I imagine you could come up with all sorts of uses for it really.


Well now, I'd best be off to tidy up the shop, I'm heading over there now to place these sweet things just so. There is still a lot of goodness in the works too, hoping for another update next week.

I have other fab things to share with you after the weekend. I will tell you all about my latest discovery, some sweet seniors, and what I found by the side of the road. Have a joyous weekend and Happy Easter to those who observe. I myself, am looking forward to nibbling the ears of a chocolate bunny or two.

On a Lark

Lark - A carefree or spirited adventure.

Last week, The Lovely Miss K emailed me a listing from a soon to open fabric store in a neighborhood just a short ride away from my home. They were looking for sewing instructors of all levels to teach classes. At first, I was simply excited to know that a new fabric store was on it's way. I told The Engineer about the listing and he simply said "Go for it!" No, I couldn't really, or could I? On a lark, I emailed a response, they emailed back and an interview was set up at a local coffee shop for this morning. Now, it looks as though I will be teaching a couple of classes next year! This is going to be a whole new adventure!

Not surprisingly, today I am a woman pressed for time. I had a whole list of other things I was going to prattle on about but, turns out this is going to be one of those short and sweet posts.

The only other odd bit I have to tell you is that I am a woman under the influence. It is inspirational all the clever folks out there, and I find myself being influenced by the very creative loveliness I encounter when I go poking around. I see echos of it in my work too, sometimes not realizing it until after the work is completed and I stand back and look at it. This weekend I put together another one of Lola's journals for the shop

a sweet little deer under the moon to tell your secrets to, he wont tell a soul, but he may whisper it to the moon.

As I was taking the photos, it occurred to me that something was familiar about it. The color scheme, the woodland creature...then it dawned on me. It reminded a bit of this photo by the very imaginative Dottie Angel.

So, here is to all of you lovely and inspiring folks out there, I hope you don't mind if some of your cleverness sneaks into my brain and leads me to new discoveries.

On The Make

I have been a little concerned over my lack of production lately, especially with a new shop to run and it being so close to the big holiday. I am trying to accept that this is just where I'm at in life (remember, I am a woman pressed for time),that I am doing the best I can, and it is enough. I have managed a few bits here and there and I am currently 'in production' of a couple of items for the shop. Though it's all in the unfinished phase, I find an interesting beauty in works in progress so, I thought I might give you a peek at what I am working on.

My crush on soft trees has been revived, I wasn't certain after the craze of 2008 but, these little trees still drive me wild. How could I resist?

click the pic for full view
just a few finishing touches left

Back again this year, are my little hens. Modeled after our very own brood, these lovely ladies still need sewing up and a coop to call their own. I can't help it, they make me smile.


I am hoping to get all these in the shop by next Monday

...and lastly, I must give myself a little pat on the shoulder and an A for effort because...

I hooked my first granny!
Armed with 3 different sets of instructions, some 'slippery little sucker' yarn and a 'can do' attitude, I had at it. With much consternation, a few not so nice expletives, several rounds of unraveling and a wee nip in between colors, I finally managed something nearly resembling an actual granny square! I am a bit proud of my wonky, not quite right square and I may just see a garland in my future.

I'm off to fortify the flock, lovely day to you my sweets.

Friday On My Mind

Well, it's been quite a week! The shop has been open a little over a week, I have had 2 sales and was featured on a Treasury, I feel pretty good about that. I was laid out by the sickness but, I am almost all better. I have made 6 loaves of bread, 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies, an apple pie and mountains of dishes.

2 weeks with the "challenge of the utmost kind", has found me in tip top shape, with no ill side effects what so ever. Easy peasy so far. When confronted yesterday by a shredded bedroom curtain (I do believe a certain wee lass and a particular Buddha cat share the blame), with no time to stitch up a replacement, no need to fret...throw an old lace tablecloth up and we're in business.



I'm all worded out so, I bid you fond adieu until Monday. Have a lovely weekend my sweets!

A Woman Pressed for Time

I seem to have lost some time somewhere, if any of you have seen it, would you kindly send it back to me care of Lola Nova? Well, wherever it's disappeared to I just don't know, perhaps it's gone to the same place that my rose colored glasses have runaway to. In any case, just a quick post before I ready my gear and safari hat to go 'in search of'.

Today I will be putting two new items up in the shop. I had hoped for a slightly larger number but, as we have already established, there's that whole time situation working against me.

The first is the Something to Crow About Journal. Seasonally festive and full of potential.


Secondly, and my very most favorite thing right now, is the Lovely Leilani Cushion. I admit to becoming so smitten that I almost kept the beauty for myself. Something about the colors of peridot green and aquamarine (or is it duck egg blue?).


See the sweet vintage doily? You are welcome to think that the other bits are snowflakes, the bearded one made that observation as well. They are actually hand cut Hawaiian Naupaka flowers in the style of traditional Hawaiian quilting. As with many things Aloha, there is a legend that goes with the Naupaka flower.
This has been a little break through for me, you see I have been longing to find a way to bring some Hawaii into my making, I lived there as a child and some of my heart still belongs there. So, I think this will be popping up in my designs for a bit.
So, stop by the shop if you wanna see more. Until next time my dears, have a lovely day!

It's Here!

Navin R. Johnson: The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!

Harry Hartounian: Boy, I wish I could get that excited about nothing.

Navin R. Johnson: Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Johnson, Navin R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.
- The Jerk, 1979

O.K. so it's not the phone book but, I am quite excited about some pretty big news...


Yes, that's right! I took time off from my blog (and yours) to have time to put all the pieces into place to open my Etsy Shop! I spent the last few days rearranging the furniture and getting the sign painted, so that everything would be ready for today, when I officially open the doors and welcome you all into my cozy store.

I am starting small, with a select assortment of goods that will be added to regularly (I'd like you to imagine a newborn fawn learning how to use her spindly legs to walk in the meadow for the first time).
***I'll let you in on a little secret...I'm working on some home wares just now that will be making their debut in the shop later, sshhh.***

I would like to thank all of you lovelies who have been so encouraging and supportive of me and this endeavor so, THANKS!!