Clippy the Tooth Fairy

My blogger friend, Clippy Mat, is blessed with four grandchildren. If you read her blog, or are friends with her on Facebook, you'll know she is the proudest Granny ever.

She contacted me and asked if I could send her some Tooth Fairy Pillows for the wee ones. Three boys and a girl, she said. Make the boys the same, cuz they'll only fight over them. Clippy is one smart Granny.

She decided on a soccer print for the boys and pink flowers for the wee lass.

You'll notice that the boys' pillows all have goofy toothy grins, but their eyes are all different...each pair crosses in different directions. I'm sure Clippy has a lecture prepared about sticking eyes if she catches them doing this.



As for the girl, well, even with a missing tooth, little girls are still princesses and should be batting their eyelashes and blowing kisses to their loyal followers.

And the backs say it all.



I hope the kids (and Clippy) like them.

Hungarian Craft Show

Urban Contessa was at a craft show on Saturday, at The Hungarian Culture Club in Oshawa. I like doing this craft show for a number of reasons, but mostly for the food.

You'll recall a couple of years ago, I organized a craft show. Not only was it the first craft show I organized, it was also the first one I'd ever participated in. Surprisingly, it was quite successful. Despite its success, I haven't organized another one. It's a lot of work and I wasn't sure I was up to it.

One of the positive things to come out of all that hard work, however, was meeting Shandell Conboy, founder of Dellzines. She's young and ambitious, and makes me tired just watching her! Shandell is 'in the know' when it comes to craft shows and calls me whenever she hears of one to see if I'm interested. We usually end up having our tables next to each other and have a great time laughing and carrying on.

This past Saturday was my third Hungarian Craft Show; Sandell's fourth. Part of the cost of purchasing a table includes lunch for the vendors. A choice of either cabbage rolls or goulash, with bread and a dessert plate with an assortment of squares. All homemade by these little old Hungarian ladies. Shandell and I have come to the conclusion that we only do this craft show for the food.

Between shoppers, Shandell and I got to talking, and we decided that we'd organize another craft show. I know it will be much easier this time with Shandell helping. She helped out last time with the floor plan and came up with some good ideas. It will be much easier having someone who lives in the area, making some calls, and brainstorming with me. Not to mention, an excuse to go out for breakfast meetings. It's always about the food, isn't it?

Our tentative date is Saturday, November 26, 2011. It may seem like it's far away, but in order to get the location we want, we have to start organizing now. It's almost like planning a wedding...without the inlaws.

Tooth Fairy Pillows -- The Result

Quite some time ago, I designed a new Tooth Fairy Pillow and posted the sketches.

I've been selling the old pillows at craft sales, trying to deplete my inventory, and finally sold the last one. The old ones were cute enough, but they lacked the kitchy quality that kids like.



I'm happy to announce that we are now selling the new line!

I design and hand draw the caricatures using non-toxic fabric paint. The back pockets are sewn in a variety of fun fabrics.

Almost There

Well, it's been far too long, my fellow Contessas, and I need to get back into the groove. I miss my crafting life. And I miss all of you.

I signed up for a couple of craft shows in November, and was making some Tooth Fairy Pillows on the weekend to supplement my inventory, when I realized how much I miss spending hours in my sewing room, guiding fabric through the feed dogs. As I get reacquainted with my creative self, I thought I'd update you on what's been going on.

I know I've mentioned it previously, but the new site (once it is launched) will be the turning point for Urban Contessa. UC will market to businesses, encouraging them to thank their clients for their loyalty with practical gifts from Urban Contessa. I will continue to participate in craft shows, simply because I think they're fun. I like meeting and chatting with fellow crafters and shoppers. And it gives everyone else an opportunity to purchase a Contessa Creation.

For now, the Contessa line will be limited to placemats and napkins for home decor, Tooth Fairy pillows for the kiddies, and rosary bracelets. I will also carry tote bags which will predominantly be sold at craft shows.

My mother, Lynn Nadeau, and my aunt (Mom's sister), Cecile Landry, have taken over the jewellery division. They live in Sudbury, Ontario and have quite a following; regularly hosting open houses in their homes. They have a great time doing it and a remarkable flare for style. It's obvious they passed down the crafting gene. Thanks for that!

The new web site is almost done and I expect to have it up and running by the end of next week. In the meantime, I'll take some pictures of the new Tooth Fairy Pillows and post them in the next day or so.