Updates from sewannsew
June 26, 2025
At this time of year, my name should change from sewannsew to sowannsow! 😅 Happy as a clam, because flowers are starting to bloom, and I've been able to give away a few bouquets. They're just so pretty. They make my heart flutter! This week, we're having our very own plant/craft sale. Hopefully we'll get some customers! Hope you're all doing something creative this week. ❤️
May 29, 2025
Recently, I took a class and made this paper poppy. Such a great combination of two of my loves: making and flowers! I've been thinking a lot about the privilege of having hobbies. I'm so grateful that my mom saw my need to make, and put me in a macrame class when I was just a kid! I was the only kid but I loved it. What about people who don't have that luxury? My life is so much better because of my hobbies. I wish I could get a hobby to anyone who wants one. If you're able, go make something! Your brain and soul will be better for it. ❤️
May 15, 2025
Sewing gardening sewing gardening sewing gardening... That pretty much sums things up for me in this season! I love them both, so that's a good thing. Rebranding my store, and will be adding some new products soon! Go plant something or make something. Hobbies are so good for your mental health. What do you do as a hobby?
May 1, 2025
This is a small part of the display my husband and I had at an Earth Day event this past weekend. It was a tiring, but good day. We will be vending at some farmer's markets in the coming months, and I'll update those here! Meanwhile, I'm working on rebranding my store to accommodate all my crazy ideas. 🤪 I'm so grateful to have friends and family who support my crazy. ♥️ Now go plant or make something!
April 24, 2025
My husband and I will be at Summit Park on Saturday, in Booth 74, with reusable grocery bags, and a new item: market flower bags! Stop by and see us!
April 10, 2025
I've come to realize that part of the appeal (and benefit, actually) to me about making things is how fun it is for me to try something, and then do it again, and try to make it better. I've recently decided to start making concrete statuary (because of course I did 🤭). I am really enjoying the learning/making/adjusting process, and it's fun to see things get better! This guy is my second try with this mold and I have a special place in my heart for him, even though he's missing a piece of an ear and a wing. lol GO MAKE SOMETHING!
April 3, 2025
My first workshop is going to be Saturday, April 19 at Make.Do in Cincinnati! We'll be making eyeglass cases, in one of four food-themed options. 🍔🌮 For details, check https://www.heymakedo.com/ Then later in April, I'll be a vendor at the Earth Day event at Blue Ash Summit Park. If you're there, come say hi!
March 27, 2025
Sewing classes coming soon! My new business partner, Jen, and I, are going to be launching some sewing workshops in Cincinnati. I'm excited for some of the ideas we're coming up with. Last week, a sewing machine she ordered online had gone to a million wrong Walmarts before ending up at the one on my side of town. So I offered to pick it up before a doctor's appointment - and would you look at that - a sunrise over Walmart! 😂 Just your weekly reminder to pay attention - you never know when beauty is going to show up. ❤️
March 20, 2025
Spring is coming. 🥹 Love seeing the sunrise outside our window. I've been registering for a few in-person events. Details to come!
March 13, 2025
Today, while digging through old emails to try to find something for a very unfortunate thing I'm having to deal with (nothing life threatening...), I ran across this email from my dad, who died in April of 2018. So great to be able to so clearly hear him. It was a boost that lightened my mood and gave me a fun memory to share with my kids. ♥️
March 6, 2025
Sneak peek at a new item I'll be adding. I've gotten into bargello (thanks to a kit from my daughter for Christmas!) and am enjoying making a ton of different things. I got my 'making' from my dad - besides being a graphic artist, he was always making things when I was growing up. It's fun to look back at those times I shared with him and it's so gratifying to share it with my daughter, as well. ❤️ All three of my kids are creative in different ways - doing creative things can really help your mental health! If you do something creative, I'd love to hear about it.
February 27, 2025
This is the time of year when sewannsew turns into sewannsow! Spring is almost here and my husband has started so. Many. Seeds! Now my free time will be split between sewing and gardening. Adding a lot of new space this year, specifically for cut flowers, and I couldn't be more excited. Planning to add some new spring-y sewn items as well. More on that to come! For now, these baby seedlings are getting me through the last bit of a long winter. As always, I'd love to give away something, so contact me if you have a recipient in mind! ♥️
February 20, 2025
SEWING IS SO COOL! Sewing is a hobby that is so versatile... it can be functional, making boring things you need, like underwear, or fixing things. It can also be just for fun; I recently made this jacket for myself using blankets from a discount store! Truly so cozy. It gives my brain both a break from the rough parts of life, and a challenge to figure out the best way to do things. I want to share my love of sewing -- very soon, I may be teaching a beginning class! More on that to come. Would you want to learn? ♥️
February 13, 2025
I've really been enjoying making the eyeglass cases... each one is like a separate piece of art to me. And sometimes, like with this patchwork one, pieces which don't necessarily seem like they'd work together, actually end up working really well! I'd like to think of this as a metaphor for life; especially now when things are so divisive. Having a range of colors and prints can really make the world a more beautiful place. ♥️ Sewing helps keep me sane. I hope you have something to help you do the same. I'd love to hear about it, if you do!
January 30, 2025
While there are a lot of hard things going on in the world right now, don't forget to look for the good ones. This no-filter sunrise photo was taken from the parking lot of the restaurant where my youngest son (and the two others, when they're here!) have breakfast almost every week. Such valuable time and it was great to share this sunrise together. I've said my favorite thing is to give my makes away. If you know someone who can't afford it, but would love something nice, please reach out. I'd love to spread some joy. - AF
January 23, 2025
Inspired by Valentine's Day, but functional and cute enough to use all year-round, I've added this tiny little purse to the store. Each one is slightly different - some have a functional pocket outside, some have one inside, and some have a surprise message... so fun to make these tiny treasures. We have been in the polar vortex, so I'm trying to maintain my sanity by sewing and shopping for flower seeds - the spring will be here in no time! Wherever you are, I hope you're staying warm.
January 8, 2025
The holidays were extra special this year, because all three of my (adult) children were here and spent some time hanging with me while I was sewing. I was in heaven. 😊 They even helped me pick some zipper pulls... aren't these cool? They made some choices I wouldn't have thought of and I loved it. Such a great combination of my favorite things. Time with my husband and kids, sewing, and making things to give to people as gifts. I hope you had some of your favorite things this season!
December 18, 2024
Recently I saw some fabric that I was taken with, right away. Who knew what I would do with it, but I really loved it, so I got some (as one does)! I decided to make a set of bags with it, found the perfect (seriously perfect) fabric as a coordinate, and started to make the set. I hadn't made these particular bags for a while, and screwed up the first one. 🥴 After walking away for a bit (as one does), I came back to it and realized that I liked it even MORE than the "right" way! The set is so cute that I regularly consider keeping it for myself!
December 11, 2024
I have a memory from when I was 8 or 9, of being in the downtown (Catholic) cathedral with my family, and my dad and I looking at the huge paintings. He was an artist himself, and he told me that the artists who created those old paintings would intentionally leave a mistake here or there, to add a human touch. My dad died in 2018, and I've never forgotten that memory from so long ago. As I'm creating things now, if I make a small mistake, I'll smile to myself and thank him for the permission to be human and not perfect.
November 27, 2024
These are the last of my dahlias, which I cut down this week. I was reminded of how much I love gardening... specifically for the colors! 😍 What does this have to do with sewing? Color is a large part of why I love sewing, too. Getting to match, mix, and play with color and texture. No wonder so many makers are also gardeners!
November 20, 2024
Making making making! New color coming in the velvet pouches and wristlets, and a couple new styles coming, as well.