The 3rd Annual Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco on July 31 + August 1, from 11am – 7pm each day at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion!
Always FREE-TO-ATTEND – the Bay’s favorite craft, art, design and DIY spectacular will feature over 225 of today’s finest indie-craft talents from all over the nation, craft-workshops, entertainment + other features!
I am super excited about Renegade this weekend because I get to meet up with some of my favorite bloggers and crafters. If you are in the area and would like to meet-up I will be there Saturday for most of the day.
I am back with part three of my "Sew in Love" series. Last week I talked about how I wanted to learn to sew and buy a sewing machine; this week I want to share some books and blogs with you that I found.
As you know I am taking the Home Ec class, but I also love learning new things from books. I taught myself to knit from a book. I have been searching for sewing books and blogs for the past week.
My lovely friend Kim is teaching an online photo class.
In this class, we'll be playing around with both Film and Digital, and
making our own rules for capturing your beautiful life the way you see
it. The nitty gritty details: -Starts
on the 16th of July and runs for 3 weeks (ending about Aug 6th). -Cost:
$40. Sign up here. -It will be held on a private blog, and
there will be new posts at least 5 times a week. You will have access
for over a year after. -We will cover 3
basic sections of taking pretty photos, 1. The cameras/film
and what you can DO with them! 2. The 'Basics' that have
changed my life, like camera settings, how to use ISO properly, flash
(friend or foe!). AND shooting tips- how to capture your life the
beautiful way it is (low lighting, locations, being sneeky etc). 3.
Storing tips/my go-to photoshop techniques and my experiences with
prints vs scans. -In between advice (from the
6+ years I've been taking pictures everyday) I will be sharing
experiences that will hopefully save you some heartache plus examples of
what is a 'mistake' and what's a GOOD mistake. - 3 Chats with me,
and an extra week after the class finishes to ASK ME ANYTHING you want
to know. -A group on Flickr to share your photos with
me&your classmates. -Some ideas to get you shooting. This
class would be great for you if: -You don't feel like
you have a good handle on your SLR for everyday shooting. -You don't
have enough pictures of your real life! -You feel awkward taking
your camera out and always regret not doing it. -You've got a
film camera(or want one!) but are too scared to use it. -You like
Lomography. -You always think 'i wish i could do that' when you
look at my photos. -You want to HAVE FUN with photography!
What
you need:
-A keen eye and a camera (doesn't matter
what kind, but here
are the cameras I use.)
The class has already started, but you can still sign-up
I am back with part two of my "Sew in Love" series. Monday, I talked about how I wanted to learn how to sew and today I want to talk about buying a sewing machine.
Before I begin--if you want to learn to sew my good friends, Leigh-Ann and Rachel are teaching a online sewing class. Check in with Leigh-Ann's blog tomorrow for more information.
I will be taking the Home Ec class, but I need a sewing machine first. I chatted with LA and I read stuff online and here are the three machine that I am looking at right now (by the time this post, I might have bought ones of these babies)
1. Bobbin and bobbin case: The
bobbin is wound with thread that will make up the underside of a
machine stitch. The bobbin case holds the bobbin, and is usually not
interchangeable between machines. Use only bobbins recommended by the
manufacturer for your particular model.
2. Slide plate or bobbin cover: Depending on the machine, a slide plate or hinged bobbin cover allows access to the bobbin.
3. Presser foot: This
removable foot keeps fabric in place as you sew. Different feet are
appropriate for various sewing techniques or fabrics. For example, a
roller or nonstick foot is used for sewing leather and oilcloth
smoothly.
4. Needle and needle clamp: Sewing-machine needles are removable and come in a variety of sizes. The clamp holds the needle in place.
5. Throat palate: This
metal plate, sometimes referred to as a needle plate, sits below the
needle and presser foot. A small opening in the plate allows the bobbin
thread to come out and the needle to pass through to make stitches.
Most throat plates have small lines notched to the right of the presser
foot; these serve as guides for seam allowances and for sewing straight
lines. The plate can be removed to clean underneath.
6. Feed dogs: These
small metal or rubber teeth pull the fabric between the presser foot
and throat plate, and also regulate the stitch length by controlling
how much fabric passes through at once. Always allow the feed dogs to
move the fabric as you guide it -- manually pulling may cause the
needle to bend or break.
7. Tension regulator: This
dial controls the tension on the top thread. With proper tension the
top thread and bobbin thread will join together in uniform stitches. If
the tension is set too tight, the stitch will pucker and break; if set
too loose, the stitches will be too loose.
8. Take-up lever: The
top thread passes through this metal lever, which moves up and down in
tandem with the needle. Depending on the machine, the take-up lever may
protrude from the front or be hidden inside the plastic casing. Before
placing fabric under the presser foot, raise the lver completely (the
needle will be at its highest point); this will keep the handle from
snagging the fabric.
9. Bobbin winder tension disk: On machines that have an external bobbin winder, this disk helps guide the thread between the spool and the winder.
10. Bobbin winder:
The small spool is placed upon this while the bobbin is being filled.
To ensure that the tread winds evenly, always start with an empty
bobbin.
11. Thread guides: From the spool, thread passes through these metal loops to help regulate the tension of the thread.
12. Spool pin: This
small dowel holds the thread. Some machines come with several spool
pins for decorative or twin-needle sewing. Spool pins can be horizontal
or vertical.
13. Flywheel: This knob, also called a handwheel, raises and lowers the take-up lever. Always turn the flywheel toward you.
14. Stitch selector: On
older machines, a dial allows you to choose between different machine
stitches. Newer machines have buttons to select stitches.
Last night, I could not sleep because I took a nap at 7:00pm. I was up all night looking at sewing machines and sewing books.
Over the past few years,I have bought a few sewing books even though I don't know how to sew. They are just so pretty to look at and dream of sewing.
Sewing has always been on my list of things to learn how to do. I have a few journal pages about learning to sew. I can't remember what online RVA class this project is from, but it was my first sewing project. Here it is...
I got the fabric from one of the most beautiful fabric stores we have in San Francisco. It's called Britex and if you are ever in SF you should stop by. I had a lot of help from Laurel on this project :) thanks!
I use this little bag for small knitting projects.
During the Holidays last year Rachel offered a How-to-Holiday organizer. As you can see from the photo above, I used scarps of fabric from my little bag. It was a lot of fun sewing on paper! I love paper, so anything that has to do with paper I will LOVE.
(image belongs to Freckled Nest) My goal is to learn to sew and own a sewing machine by the end of this year. I'm in luck! My friends Leigh-Ann and Rachel are teaching an online sewing class for beginners. Woohoo! I can't wait to take this class and get sewing :)
Laurel- I know I am going to need a lot of help from you. Thanks in advance!
Since I don't know much about sewing, I don't know any sewing blogs. If you know of any sewing blogs please email at vivianna(AT)polkadotrobot(DOT)com or leave a link in the comments. Thanks!
Last night, we had a Polka Dot Robot meeting and I am super excited for all the new things we have in store. We are going to take the next few days to get ourselves organized, but in the meantime checkout the links below :)
We put together a list of our favorite blog post over the past year.
The other night the Mr. and I were picking up dinner and I was craving root beer. On our way home I picked one up and now I only want to drink root beer.
This week we are having a PDR meeting to brain storm new ideas for the shop. Talk about the blog. We should have exciting things to share with you in the next week or so ;)
We will have Indie Mart photos to share this week (sorry, they are so late. We have been super busy)
I have come to the point where I need to separate my personal life from my polka dot robot life. I feel like when I hand someone a business card, I am handing them a key to my diary. I love all my blog friends/ readers and I hope that you enjoy my new (personal) blog, just as much as the polka dot robot blog.
This blog will still get a lot of love from all 4 pdr girls and blog friends :)
Note: If you sent me an email about guest blogging, I will be replying to your emails in the next few days to setup a date. If you would like to guest blog-- send me an email vivianna(AT)polkadotrobot(DOT)com.
Here is all my new info (personal)
Blog- it is still being setup and will be changing a lot over the next week or so
Flickr- you should also follow polka dot robots flickr
Twitter- this is my personal account, but you should still follow polkadotrobots for updates
Facebook- this link might not work because I think my profile is private.
I was reading this blog post
and I thought I would share my confessions so far this year. This year
has already had it's ups and downs, but for the most part it has been
a great six months.
1. I got to see my amazing family twice already!
2. I got two new tattoos and had one finished on my left arm
3. I met a boy
4. I got a haircut that I love, LOVE!
5. Polka Doto Robot went to Indie Mart (photos of that coming soon)
About a month ago someone sent me an email challenging me
write 101 things about me—I have put it off because I was a little intimidate to
write this list. Here are the first 25 things about me ;)
I can't stand being barefoot-- I have to have something on my feet at all times
I have been hit by a car here in San Francisco--One rainy morning I was walking to the train and this lady went through a stop sign. I don't know how she did not see me because I was wearing this
I am really scared of elevators-- I can't even get on them
I never leave voice messages unless I really need the person to call me back or it's their birthday
I wont finish a book I don't like or can't get into
When I was little I stole my neighbors mail--I would walk up and down my street with my little plastic high heels on and little bag and take mail
I used to be on a bowling team and my bowling name was Trixy la Boom--I don't even know how to bowl
I am really excited this year for summer. I think that might have been the first time I have said that in my life because I hate the heat. I was just in AZ this past weekend and it was over 100 the whole time I was there and I have to be honest--it was cussing HOT! Summertime means more than just really hot weather (San Francisco summers are not hot at all. Well, maybe a few days out of the summer it will be hot, but nothing like AZ) to me it means...long walks at night, swing on the swings with Laurel, BBQ's, park days, watermelon, sun dresses, holding hands, kisses, friends, iced coffee, bike rides, the ocean, laughing, cool sunglasses, dancing, good talks and much more.
I get a lot of emails asking me to share more about myself. The funny thing is... I feel I do, but maybe I also hold back a lot. So here I am letting my walls down and opening a new door. (Please, if you are going to leave a comment keep them nice because I am a person with real feelings. Thanks!)
Every time I feel like things are going good--things start to fall apart I am the kind of person who holds on to the past or bad things that happen. I never seem to let go fully.
I read this somewhere and I can't remember where (a blog).
don't keep dragging your past into your future... past failures past heartbreaks past dissappointments... your future is too bright to be darkened with the shadows of the past.
too
many people drag this big pile of past hurts, past failures, past
bad-thinking...and it never lets the beauty of newness and hope really
take flight! Who cares if you've failed at something 200
times...don't tell yourself you're a failure....you're just getting one
step closer...
I just got done telling someone the other day that I feel I am stuck in the past. Every heartache I have had, I bring into a new relationship with me, it's my baggage. It's something that I never leave behind even though it's behind me. I know that with every bad thing I have gone through, I've learned from it and should move forward.Things I have gained from all these bad relationships is fear and insecurities.I have a fear of being left. I have a fear of being cheated on. Every bad relationship I have been in I stayed in for a long time because I felt that I could not do better.
So here I am standing in front of something new and fresh and still I seem to compare him to my past. He is amazing and I want to build something wonderful with him. I don't want to push him away-- I want to stand here holding his hand and just be happy. I think it is time for me to say goodbye to the past and leave my baggage at the door. I need to give this relationship a real chance to take flight.
This cute face (my cousin) got invited to play soccer in Panama. You can read about it here
(photo by Ric Omphroy)
"I have the opportunity, and I figured that regardless if I make or
not, the experience of training with a national team is the type of
experience I haven't gotten yet," Omphroy said. "This is just a
training camp. If they select me, then I have a decision as to which
country I want to play for. Until then, I still would rather push for
this and do my best."
GET READY! The ladies of Polka Dot Robot will have a table at Indie Mart on Sunday, June 6!! This design and DIY street festival is SO much fun. If you're in or near the Bay Area, we hope you'll come by and say hello. :) :)
If you've never heard of Indie Mart
before, it's a street festival in San Francisco that includes over 100 different vendors -- DIY/handmade, art and silk screening, vintage,
vinyl, bbq and baked goods, and more. There are workshops (including terrariums! and heavy metal aerobics!), live bands, puppies and kittens for adoption, and a photobooth.
We'll have BRAND NEW Polka Dot Robot items for sale (not available on our site) -- including new monster hoodies, headbands, animal hats, cozies, and more!
All goods sold at Indie Mart will be discounted -- up to 50% off -- so don't miss it!
The Indie-Mart Street Fair Sunday June 6th, 12-6pm Thee Parkside- 17th st & all down Wisconsin Ride your bike, take the 22 Muni Line Valet bike parking from the SF Bike Co-alition ALL AGES (21+ to booze it up) $3 suggested donation
