Hi everyone,

I feel so strange updating here – it’s been ages! But I know this is worth it…I have so much to share with you! Everything to stuff I’ve bought, to shopdates (it’s my new way of saying ’shop updates’).

You know how I went to Stitches and Craft? It was AWESOME. Seriously. There was so much to see and do; and I met some great people at the Sewing Bar. That was so much fun too! However, because of it; I am over pincushions. I met up with Aphie too; and she was so much fun!! We sh0pped for fabric together, saw Mixtape, went to Amitié Textiles and got heaps of freebies. (photo coming soon!)

Now, I love stationary. I remember seeing this video from a very beloved YouTuber called jo3ly. It’s called ‘What’s in your manbag?’. Watch it below.

Now, see the diary he pulls out? It’s a moleskine one. I can tell. Haha. So I finally gave in and bought one of my own from Kinokuniya. It cost over $40; but there was a promotion for 10% off stationary and 20% off books. I found out over the phone that it was classified as a book. Win. So, basically, I got free postage. It’s red and new and awesome!!

Also, if you follow my twitter – you should know that I am taking part in a medical study. There isn’t much to say as yet, but I will be sure to take photos when I go for my first visit!

Finally, if you’ve been browsing my shop – you still can’t buy anything! That will be fixed very soon – I promise! It’s just that I need to: update measurements, take more photos, change some settings and just do some very secret stuff ;D. I am also looking in to making my own lipbalms…would any of you be interested in buying? Questions, comments, thoughts, concerns??

That’s all for now!
Ethan

PS. If you read my blog here – you need to add my shop one too: Made By Ethan

Hi everyone!

Just a really quick post to let you know I am here!! I have a really awesome blog post (with photos) coming in the next few days; and the site will be changing~!

I have some awesome things in mind; and some categories will be condensed (ie. Etsy and Bigcartel will become ‘Store’ or ‘Selling’). I’m also loving not having uppercase letters (so Tutorials will be changed to ‘how-to.’).

See you all soon!
Ethan

PS. I have School Certificate trials on Monday and Tuesday – so the posts won’t be for a little while…but hold on. They will come, I promise!

Hi everyone!

I don’t have much to talk about at the moment; but I wanted to let all of you know that I will be volunteering at the Stitches and Craft Show on the 22^nd August! You can find me teaching at the Sew and Sew craft bar, so if you read my blog or know me – complete a project or drop by and say hi!

To get to the craft bar; when you enter the main entrance – turn to the right and keep walking…you shouldn’t miss it. It’s the big green thing. :D

Hope to see you there,
Ethan

Hi everyone!

It’s been ages since I blogged last! I’ve missed you all. Hehe. I have heaps of things to share with you!

Well, you know my shop – Made By Ethan? I finally got some packaging supplies for it! My grandma gave me some beautiful brown kraft paper. It’s really heavy! I also got some beautiful butchers twine (yes, the one that all the crafters love). If you want to know where I got it; I obviously got it from the butchers! I got the whole roll for $10. Bargain.

Also, you know at work the infamous H? Well the other day my manager was sick and he couldn’t come in. H took charge (as she usually does; even when the manager is there) and she probably made up this rule that ‘No-one under 16 can cook in a takeaway kitchen; and since the manager isn’t here you’ll just be taking orders today’. Whoo. That was annoying fun. Isn’t she just a pleasure to work with?

Anyway; I went on eBay a few weeks ago looking for a train for my brother, and I came across some beautiful vintage trims! Obviously, I bought them. They’re gorgeous! (photo’s coming soon!)

Oh! You know how I was talking about Year 11/12 subjects? I have officially chosen the following:
0 units – Christian Studies
2 Units – English (advanced) 
2 Units – Maths (general)
2 Units – Biology
2 Units – Chemistry
2 Units – PD/H/PE
2 Units – TAFE (Cert. 3 in Healh Services Assistance – Acute Care Nursing)

I also made an executive-y (is that a word?) decision that I will do Medicine at the University of Newcastle, if I get an ATAR¹? high enough; if not I will do Nursing at UTS. I am so excited.

Finally, my sewing space has been transformed (and tidied)…it works so much better (again, photos coming soon). It’s so cool…whoo.

Best wishes,
Ethan

PS. I will be going on holidays; so I won’t be blogging for 6 days. D: But I get to go to IKEA!!
PPS. THE ABOUT PAGE IS NOW LIVE (finally.)!

Well, as part of Sew, Mama, Sew’s Sewing Machine Month; I decided that I should finally fill out their sewing machine meme! So; here I go!

–

What brand and model do you have?
I have my trusty Brother NS50. 

How long have you had it?
Not that long actually – about two or three months (for the second one – my first one broke!)

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
When I bought it from the wonderful Sew World; it was something like $499 delivered with Australian Air Express…but the special has ended, unfortunately.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Anything really, but I only really use it to make supplies for my shop and when something needs repairing.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
Unfortunately, I’ve only pulled it out of the box about twice!! I can’t wait for the school holidays when I can lock myself out in my (new!) studio (photos coming) and sew!

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does he/she have a name?
I haven’t used it that much; but I love him (it’s a Brother?). He works hard and is my little workhorse (when I need him to be – hehe). He did…it was something like George? I talk to it too. Shh. (“Come on…I have to sew some new pencil cases.”)

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Well; the easy threading, the FAST bobbin system, the LCD screen and keypad; and not to mention the central controls! The feature how it leaves the needle in the fabric (unless configured otherwise) is genius too!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Not really? I don’t really like the E it does with the monogramming though? Haha!

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)?
No, George and I don’t have anything to share yet…but I did knock it on the kitchen chair (gently, I might add) when I got it out for the first time.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Well; it depends on what they sew…but overall yes, I would. It’s a great machine! I bought this one because I knew it would grow with me too; from beginner to more advanced.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Personally, I am interested in features, warranty, style and price (obviously). Then from there I can just decide from what needs I have for the machine.

Do you have a dream machine?
There’s oh too many. But I’d have to say one that sews and does embroidery. 

Have a great day! Tell me what you do with your machine too!

Hi Guys!!!

Sorry I haven’t blogged recently…but I will tomorrow. I have so much to show you all!!

Love,
Ethan

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven’t been blogging (again); but I’ve had half-yearly exams, and some really valuable careers days! You know my shop? Well, I convinced Mum to get a PayPal account…so now when I finally add products I can receive money!

I’ve had some wonderful careers opportunities to go to, and I’ve decided that I want to be either a Doctor, Nurse (Division 1/Registered) or Clinical Coder. It just depends on what fate gives me for my UAI. One University this year only needed a UAI of 61 to apply for nursing!

Also, we also had to express interest of subjects for Year 11-12. In NSW; with the Higher School Certificate (HSC) we have to choose 12+ units; and can drop down to 10+ in Year 12. I’m also considering doing a Combination Career Pathway – so I leave with my HSC, a UAI and a TVET Certificate. I’m thinking of doing Aged Care Nursing (Certificate III); so while I am studying at Uni I can work at an aged care home and earn some money!

I ended up expressing interest in 13 units of study which were:
1 unit – Christian Studies (Mandatory)
2 unit – English (Advanced)
2 unit – Mathematics (General…I fail haha)
2 unit – Biology
2 unit – Chemistry
2 unit – Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
2 unit – TVET (Aged Care – Cert III)

Best wishes,
Ethan

PS. My application for Nursing Experience was accepted! I can’t wait to go!!

Well, it’s 1:23am and I just finished washing the dishes after watching a movie. If somehow, you found a link to my shop on Bigcartel; it’s dramatically changed! If you visited my site before today; you would have seen this:

My Site's Maintenance Page

it is the page that you will see whenever I am doing a major overhaul like I did today. This is what my site looked like before I did anything.

I thought it looked a bit dull and bland, no? I made a banner; inspired by Pixels Plus Paper Paraphernalia. I really like it, the fonts and colours…everything! The technical details are at the bottom. So I then added a banner.

I thought that instantly brightened the whole shop! Just one more thing to add to make it complete, my first item!!

I’m proud of my new shop! All I need now is to persuade Mum to get a PayPal Business account so I can get money and I’ll be all set!! I hope you like my new shop! However, nothing is available for sale as yet.

Finally, while I was at it I made some reciepts too; do you like them?

Copyright 2009; Ethan Watters. Do not alter or steal.

Thanks,
Ethan

——Technical Information——
Banner: ‘Made By Ethan’ was made with Wendy Medium font, coloured with hex-code ff3333. ‘handmade goods by ethan watters’ used Century Gothic font, coloured with hex-code 929292.

Operating System: I use Windows XP; and I have a beautiful Vista visual theme called VistaVG Ultimate

Browser: I just use Safari…it works for my needs. Plus, since the laptop is a school computer they’ve disallowed Firefox, and Safari was the closest option.

Receipt: Yes, I know I spelled receipt as reciept. Haha! It’s been fixed now…

I’ve been really busy with assignments and exams lately; which means my blog is being pushed to the side. I’m really sorry guys!

Anyway; work was fun until I got yelled at for incorrectly adding up an order for 7 burgers, 20 scollops, 20 fish cocktails and $20 of chips. I added it up to be $83.70 – but I forgot to add on the chips to make it $103.70. Other people who worked there (and will remain known as H) just stood beside me watching me add up the order and H didn’t even ask “Do you need help, Ethan?”. Then when I was out the back cutting onions, I heard H buddying up to my employer and saying “If they don’t pay you should dock Ethan’s paycheck either way“. Trust me, I felt like verbally abusing H and dropping her in the deep fryer. I have no problem with my paycheck being docked if they didn’t pay; but either way?! Come on. I only get $7/hr and she probably gets like $12/hr.

With all anger aside, remember my post about High School Musical (here)? Well my friends and I have decided to start up a little lunchtime music group. We still have to ask the teacher if we can borrow a music room, I hope we can. Hehe.

Finally; referring to several previous posts, my BurdaStyle Sewing Club is now official! I’m just waiting for them to send projects/patterns, measurement cards, the BSC logo to put on the newsletters (email) and their Google Document template. I’ve been patient! There was only me in the group, so I made by Grandma an account and she looked around the site. She loved some of the free patterns! She is also my first un-official member. Haha! Anyways, I have to go to school now (Dad’s driving me), so I will leave you with another music video which we might be playing in our lunchtime group.

PS. I’m finally starting to sew and cut that Weighted Pincushion Organiser!